Patent US815368A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4054515A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4054515A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Water purification methods
Assignee: Floridin Co
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Filing: 1975-11-28
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Granted: 1977-10-18
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Expires: 1995-11-28
Abstract
Abstract Treating water with various grades of attapulgite clay and sepiolite using contacting or percolation techniques removes substances not removable by standard water purification methods under many conditions. Substances such as pesticides, toxins, hormones, heavy metal cations and viruses are removed from water by adsorption upon the clay surface. When contacting is employed, the clay containing the adsorbed substances is subsequently removed by sedimentation or filtration. The clays can be regenerated by appropriate chemical or thermal techniques.
Inventors
- 👤 Edgar W. Sawyer, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:58
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12N; C12N7/00; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/28; C02F1/281; C12N2770/00; C12N2770/00011; C12N2770/32011; C12N2770/32611; C12N2770/32651
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for purifying water containing heavy metal cations comprising the steps of: adding a plurality of colloidal clay particles selected from the group of natural clays consisting of attapulgite and sepiolite to the water to provide absorption surfaces for contact with metal cations; dispersing the clay particles in the water to form a plurality of accicular-type needles for electrical attraction of the metal cations; and separating the accicular-type needles containing the metal cations from the water.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for purifying water containing heavy metal cations comprising the steps of: adding a plurality of colloidal clay particles selected from the group of natural clays consisting of attapulgite and sepiolite to the water to provide absorption surfaces for contact with metal cations; dispersing the clay particles in the water to form a plurality of accicular-type needles for electrical attraction of the metal cations; and separating the accicular-type needles containing the metal cations from the water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said accicular-type needles provide a surface area of at least 50 square meters of available surface for absorption of metal cations per gram of clay.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of treating the water with alum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of contacting said water with charcoal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said heavy metal cations are selected from the group consisting of cadmium, arsenic, mercury and lead.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of adding a plurality of colloidal clay particles to said water comprises broadcasting said colloidal clay particles in powdered form over the surface of said water.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of adding a plurality of colloidal clay particles to said water comprises passing said water through a pipe containing a coating of said colloidal clay particles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of adding a plurality of colloidal clay particles comprises percolating the water through said colloidal clay particles in granular form.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for purifying contaminated water containing heavy metal cations comprising the steps of: treating said water by adding a flocculating chemical to coagulate and settle at least part of said contaminants from said water; filtering said treated water to remove a further part of said contaminants; treating said filtered water with a germicide to kill bacteria; and adding a plurality of colloidal clay particles selected from the group of natural clays consisting of attapulgite and sepiolite to said germicide-treated water dispersing the clay particles in the water to form a plurality of of accicular-type needles to remove remaining contaminants and heavy metal cations from the water.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for purifying contaminated water containing heavy metal cations comprising the steps of: treating said water by adding a flocculating chemical to coagulate and settle at least part of said contaminants from said water; filtering said treated water to remove a further part of said contaminants; treating said filtered water with a germicide to kill bacteria; and adding a plurality of colloidal clay particles selected from the group of natural clays consisting of attapulgite and sepiolite to said germicide-treated water dispersing the clay particles in the water to form a plurality of of accicular-type needles to remove remaining contaminants and heavy metal cations from the water.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said flocculating chemical is selected from the group consisting of alum and ferric sulfate.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of treating water containing heavy metal cations to purify the water for human consumption comprising the steps of: contacting the water with a flocculating chemical and a plurality of dispersed colloidal clay particles selected from the group of natural clays consisting of attapulgite and sepiolite, said clay particles being in the form of accicular-type needles to absorb the heavy metal cations from said water; settling said impurity-containing flocculating chemical and colloidal clay particles to remove at least part of said impurities and heavy metal cations from said water. filtering said water to remove a further part of said impurities; and chemically treating said filtered water to render said water safe for human consumption.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of treating water containing heavy metal cations to purify the water for human consumption comprising the steps of: contacting the water with a flocculating chemical and a plurality of dispersed colloidal clay particles selected from the group of natural clays consisting of attapulgite and sepiolite, said clay particles being in the form of accicular-type needles to absorb the heavy metal cations from said water; settling said impurity-containing flocculating chemical and colloidal clay particles to remove at least part of said impurities and heavy metal cations from said water. filtering said water to remove a further part of said impurities; and chemically treating said filtered water to render said water safe for human consumption.
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) | 1980-10-17 | 1981-04-18 | 1981-10-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-17 | 1985-04-18 | 1985-10-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-17 | 1989-04-18 | 1989-10-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |