US4125445A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electroreduction of nitrate esters
Assignee: Hercules LLC
•
Filing: 1977-05-20
•
Granted: 1978-11-14
•
Expires: 1997-05-20
Abstract
Abstract Process for the treatment of industrial process waste water including electrolytic reduction of nitro compounds and nitrate ester contaminants.
Inventors
- 👤 Eldon K. Hurley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 01:19
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/46; C02F1/461; C02F1/467; C02F1/4676; C02F1/46104; C02F1/46109; C02F2001/46133; C02F2101/00; C02F2101/003; C02F2101/10; C02F2101/16; C02F2101/30; C02F2101/38; C02F2301/00; C02F2301/02; C02F2301/024; C02F2301/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for the treatment of waste water containing various contaminants comprising: providing an electrolytic cell; introducing into said electrolytic cell a waste water solution containing contaminants selected from the group consisting of nitrate esters and nitro compounds; establishing current flow in said electrolytic cell to cause cathodic reduction of the nitrogen present in said contaminants to remove said contaminants therefrom; and removing said waste water solution from said electrolytic cell.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for the treatment of waste water containing various contaminants comprising: providing an electrolytic cell; introducing into said electrolytic cell a waste water solution containing contaminants selected from the group consisting of nitrate esters and nitro compounds; establishing current flow in said electrolytic cell to cause cathodic reduction of the nitrogen present in said contaminants to remove said contaminants therefrom; and removing said waste water solution from said electrolytic cell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 including establishing current flow in said electrolytic cell to provide a current density of less than about 0.03 amps. per cm 2 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 including vigorously agitating said waste water solution after establishing current flow in said electrolytic cell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said electrolytic cell has an anode and a cathode spaced apart in the range of about 0.3 centimeter to 1.0 centimeter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 including adjusting the pH of said waste water solution to a value greater than about 7.0 prior to introducing said solution into said electrolytic cell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 including adjusting the pH of said waste water solution to a value greater than about 9.0 prior to introducing said solution into said electrolytic cell.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said electrolytic cell includes a metal cathode having deposited thereon a porous surface layer of copper.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for the treatment of waste water containing nitrate ester contaminants comprising: providing an electrolytic cell; introducing into said electrolytic cell a waste water solution containing nitrate ester contaminants; establishing current flow in said electrolytic cell to cause cathodic reduction of the nitrogen present in said contaminants to remove said nitrate ester contaminants therefrom; and removing said waste water solution from said electrolytic cell.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for the treatment of waste water containing nitrate ester contaminants comprising: providing an electrolytic cell; introducing into said electrolytic cell a waste water solution containing nitrate ester contaminants; establishing current flow in said electrolytic cell to cause cathodic reduction of the nitrogen present in said contaminants to remove said nitrate ester contaminants therefrom; and removing said waste water solution from said electrolytic cell.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the nitrate ester contaminant is ethylene glycol dinitrate and glycerol trinitrate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the nitrate ester contaminant is pentaerythritol tetranitrate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the nitrate ester contaminant is pentaerythritol trinitrate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the nitrate ester contaminant is ethylene glycol mononitrate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the nitrate ester contaminant is glycerol trinitrate.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for the treatment of waste water containing nitro compounds as contaminants comprising: providing an electrolytic cell; introducing into said electrolytic cell a waste water solution containing nitro compounds as contaminants; establishing current flow in said electrolytic cell to cause cathodic reduction of the nitrogen present in said contaminants to remove said contaminants therefrom; and removing said waste water solution from said electrolytic cell.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for the treatment of waste water containing nitro compounds as contaminants comprising: providing an electrolytic cell; introducing into said electrolytic cell a waste water solution containing nitro compounds as contaminants; establishing current flow in said electrolytic cell to cause cathodic reduction of the nitrogen present in said contaminants to remove said contaminants therefrom; and removing said waste water solution from said electrolytic cell.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the nitro compound is trinitrotoluene.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the nitro compound is dinitrotoluene.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the nitro compound is ortho-nitrotoluene.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the nitro compound is meta-nitrotoluene.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for the continuous treatment of waste water containing various contaminants comprising: providing a continuous flow electrolytic cell; and continuously passing through said electrolytic cell a waste water solution containing contaminants selected from the group consisting of nitrate esters and nitro compounds, while establishing and maintaining current flow in said electrolytic cell to cause cathodic reduction of the nitrogen present in said contaminants to remove said contaminants therefrom.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for the continuous treatment of waste water containing various contaminants comprising: providing a continuous flow electrolytic cell; and continuously passing through said electrolytic cell a waste water solution containing contaminants selected from the group consisting of nitrate esters and nitro compounds, while establishing and maintaining current flow in said electrolytic cell to cause cathodic reduction of the nitrogen present in said contaminants to remove said contaminants therefrom.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-11-13 | 1982-05-15 | 1982-11-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-11-13 | 1986-05-15 | 1986-11-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-11-13 | 1990-05-15 | 1990-11-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |