US4116828A
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 11:57
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
50 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 pesticides on the surface of the clay particles; and separating the water from said clay particles containing said pesticides.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
50 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 pesticides on the surface of the clay particles; and separating the water from said clay particles containing said pesticides.
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
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of contacting said water with said large surface area clay particles comprises broadcasting said clay particles in powdered form over the surface of said water.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of contacting said water with said large surface area clay particles comprises passing said water through a pipe containing said clay particles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said clay particles are coated on an inner surface of said pipe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the surface of said pipe is at least partially composed of the adsorbing clay.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherin said step of contacting comprises percolating the water through said clay particles in granular form.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for purifying contaminated water containing pesticides comprising the steps of: treating said water by adding a flocculating chemical to coagulate and settle at least part of said pesticides from said water; filtering said treated water to remove a further part of said pesticides; 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 pesticides from the water.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for purifying contaminated water containing pesticides comprising the steps of: treating said water by adding a flocculating chemical to coagulate and settle at least part of said pesticides from said water; filtering said treated water to remove a further part of said pesticides; 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 pesticides from the water.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said pesticides comprise phosphate pesticides.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said phosphates comprise diazinon.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said clay comprises colloidal grade clays.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said flocculating chemical is selected from the group consisting of alum and ferric sulfate.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
92 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 pesticides from said water; settling said pesticide - containing flocculating chemical and large surface area clay particles to remove at least part of said pesticides from said water; filtering said water to remove a further part of said pesticides; and chemically treating said filtered water to render said water safe for human consumption.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
92 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 pesticides from said water; settling said pesticide - containing flocculating chemical and large surface area clay particles to remove at least part of said pesticides from said water; filtering said water to remove a further part of said pesticides; 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 |