US5122282A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for treating water and/or wastewater
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-09-20
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Granted: 1992-06-16
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Expires: 2011-09-20
Abstract
Abstract The present invention describes a novel method and apparatus for treating and/or disinfecting water and/or wastewater wherein the contact vessel may be sealed and may be under greater than atmospheric pressure having a detention time of no more than 5 minutes.
Inventors
- 👤 James A. Mason
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:27
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/72; C02F1/76; C01; C01B; C01B7/00; C01B7/01; C02F1/02; C02F1/50; C02F2103/00; C02F2103/02; C02F2103/023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
In a process for treating and disinfecting water and/or wastewater which includes introducing an aqueous solution into a chamber containing water and/or wastewater, the improvement comprising the steps of: (a) introducing into the chamber containing said water and/or wastewater an aqueous solution prepared by mixing at a pH of less than 7 and at a temperature less than 120° F. (1) an organic hydroxy acid or carboxylic acid and (2) an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal chlorite; (b) sealing the contents of said chamber from the atmosphere; (c) pressurizing the chamber to a pressure above atmospheric pressure; (d) detaining the contents of said chamber for a period of time of no more than 5 minutes whereby substantially all bacteria, microbes and other pathogenic organisms are destroyed in said water and/or wastewater.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
In a process for treating and disinfecting water and/or wastewater which includes introducing an aqueous solution into a chamber containing water and/or wastewater, the improvement comprising the steps of: (a) introducing into the chamber containing said water and/or wastewater an aqueous solution prepared by mixing at a pH of less than 7 and at a temperature less than 120° F. (1) an organic hydroxy acid or carboxylic acid and (2) an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal chlorite; (b) sealing the contents of said chamber from the atmosphere; (c) pressurizing the chamber to a pressure above atmospheric pressure; (d) detaining the contents of said chamber for a period of time of no more than 5 minutes whereby substantially all bacteria, microbes and other pathogenic organisms are destroyed in said water and/or wastewater.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the water temperature of said aqueous solution is in the range of about 60° F. to about 80° F.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The process of claim 1, wherein an influent line of said chamber is positioned above an effluent line of said chamber; and said effluent line of said chamber is positioned above a top of said chamber; and wherein the liquid contents of said chamber are thereby under greater than atmospheric pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a process for treating and disinfecting water and/or wastewater which includes introducing an aqueous solution into a chamber containing water and/or wastewater, the improvement comprising the steps of: (a) introducing into the chamber containing said water and/or wastewater an aqueous solution prepared by mixing at a pH of less than 7 and at a temperature less than 120° F. (1) lactic acid and (2) sodium chlorite; and (b) sealing the contents of said chamber from the atmosphere; and (c) pressurizing the chamber to a pressure above atmospheric pressure; and (d) detaining the contents of said chamber for a period of time of no more than 5 minutes whereby substantially all bacteria, microbes and other pathogenic organisms are destroyed in said water and/or wastewater.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a process for treating and disinfecting water and/or wastewater which includes introducing an aqueous solution into a chamber containing water and/or wastewater, the improvement comprising the steps of: (a) introducing into the chamber containing said water and/or wastewater an aqueous solution prepared by mixing at a pH of less than 7 and at a temperature less than 120° F. (1) lactic acid and (2) sodium chlorite; and (b) sealing the contents of said chamber from the atmosphere; and (c) pressurizing the chamber to a pressure above atmospheric pressure; and (d) detaining the contents of said chamber for a period of time of no more than 5 minutes whereby substantially all bacteria, microbes and other pathogenic organisms are destroyed in said water and/or wastewater.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 4, wherein the water temperature of said aqueous solution is in the range of about 60° F. to about 80° F.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the organic acid is citric acid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the organic acid is malic acid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the organic acid is tartaric acid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the organic acid is glycolic acid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the organic acid is mandelic acid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the organic acid is oxalic acid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
The process of claim 4, wherein an influent line of said chamber is positioned above an effluent line of said chamber; and said effluent line of said chamber is positioned above a top of said chamber; and wherein the liquid contents of said chamber are thereby under greater than atmospheric pressure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the contents of said chamber is under a pressure ranging from about one atmospheres to about two atmospheres.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 4, wherein the contents of said chamber is under a pressure ranging from about one atmosphere to about two atmospheres.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
The process of claim 4, wherein an influent line of said chamber is positioned above a top of said chamber; and wherein the top of said chamber is positioned above an effluent line of said chamber; and wherein the liquid contents of said chamber are thereby under greater than atmospheric pressure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of claim 1, further comprising detaining the contents of said chamber for a period of time of as low as 5 minutes whereby substantially all bacteria, microbes and other pathogenic organisms are destroyed in said water and/or wastewater.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of claim 4, further comprising detaining the contents of said chamber for a period of time of as low as 5 minutes whereby substantially all bacteria, microbes and other pathogenic organisms are destroyed in said water and/or wastewater.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-06-16 | 1995-12-16 | 1996-06-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-16 | 1999-12-16 | 2000-06-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-16 | 2003-12-16 | 2004-06-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |