US4116825A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water purification methods
Assignee: Floridin Co
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Filing: 1977-06-13
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Granted: 1978-09-26
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Expires: 1997-06-13
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 23:34
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: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
46 words
A method for purifying water comprising the steps of: contacting the water with large surface area clay particles selected from the group of natural clays consisting of attapulgite and sepiolite; adsorbing hormones on the clay surface; and separating the water from said clay containing said hormones.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
46 words
A method for purifying water comprising the steps of: contacting the water with large surface area clay particles selected from the group of natural clays consisting of attapulgite and sepiolite; adsorbing hormones on the clay surface; and separating the water from said clay containing said hormones.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said clay comprises a colloidal grade clay.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said surface area is at least 50 square meters/gram available surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of treating the water with alum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of contacting said water with charcoal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said hormone comprises diethylstilbesterol.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of contacting said water with said large surface area clay comprises broadcasting the clay in powdered form over the surface of said water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of contacting said water with said large surface area clay comprises passing said water through a pipe containing said clay particles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said clay particles are coated on an inner surface of said pipe.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the surface of said pipe is at least partially composed of the adsorbing clay.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of contacting comprises percolating the water through said particles in granular form.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for purifying contaminated water containing hormones comprising the steps of: treating said water by adding a flocculating chemical to coagulate and settle at least part of said hormones from said water; filtering said treated water to remove a further part of said hormones; treating said filtered water with a chemical germicide to kill bacteria; and contacting said germicide-treated water with large surface area clay particles selected from the group of natural clays consisting of attapulgite and sepiolite to remove remaining hormones from the water.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for purifying contaminated water containing hormones comprising the steps of: treating said water by adding a flocculating chemical to coagulate and settle at least part of said hormones from said water; filtering said treated water to remove a further part of said hormones; treating said filtered water with a chemical germicide to kill bacteria; and contacting said germicide-treated water with large surface area clay particles selected from the group of natural clays consisting of attapulgite and sepiolite to remove remaining hormones from the water.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said hormone comprises diethylstilbesterol.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said clay comprises colloidal grade clays.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said flocculating chemical is selected from the group consisting of alum and ferric sulfate.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of purifying water for human consumption comprising the steps of: contacting the water with a flocculating chemical and large surface area clay particles selected from the group of natural clays consisting of attapulgite and sepiolite to adsorb hormones from said water; settling said hormone-containing flocculating chemical and large surface area clay particles to remove at least part of said hormones from said water; filtering said water to remove a further part of said hormones; and chemically treating said filtered water to render said water safe for human consumption.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of purifying water for human consumption comprising the steps of: contacting the water with a flocculating chemical and large surface area clay particles selected from the group of natural clays consisting of attapulgite and sepiolite to adsorb hormones from said water; settling said hormone-containing flocculating chemical and large surface area clay particles to remove at least part of said hormones from said water; filtering said water to remove a further part of said hormones; 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) | 1981-09-25 | 1982-03-27 | 1982-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-09-25 | 1986-03-27 | 1986-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-09-25 | 1990-03-27 | 1990-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |