US4264451A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water purification method
Assignee: Orlando City of
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Filing: 1979-11-26
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Granted: 1981-04-28
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Expires: 1999-11-26
Abstract
Abstract Hydrogen sulfide is effectively removed from potable water by the combined action of first chlorinating the water and then passing the chlorinated water through a bed of activated carbon. Chlorine is added in large doses to potable water containing dissolved hydrogen sulfide to convert substantially 90% of the hydrogen sulfide to sulfates. The chlorinated water containing residual hydrogen sulfide is then passed through a bed of activated carbon. Chemisorbed nascent oxygen in conjunction with the activated carbon catalytically affect breakdown of the remaining sulfide compounds into elemental sulfur.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore C. Pope
- 👤 Richard A. Dunham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:42
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/72; C02F1/76; C01; C01B; C01B17/00; C01B17/02; C01B17/04; C01B17/05; C02F1/28; C02F1/283
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for removing hydrogen sulfide from water comprising the steps of: a. injecting chlorine into a stream of water containing hydrogen sulfide at a ratio of chlorine to sulfide of about 8-24:1; b. passing the chlorinated water into a column containing a bed consisting essentially of activated carbon therein; c. allowing said chlorinated water to pass through said carbon bed to catalytically convert substantially all of the remaining hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur; d. withdrawing the substantially hydrogen sulfide free finished water from said column; and e. bumpwashing said carbon bed with water.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for removing hydrogen sulfide from water comprising the steps of: a. injecting chlorine into a stream of water containing hydrogen sulfide at a ratio of chlorine to sulfide of about 8-24:1; b. passing the chlorinated water into a column containing a bed consisting essentially of activated carbon therein; c. allowing said chlorinated water to pass through said carbon bed to catalytically convert substantially all of the remaining hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur; d. withdrawing the substantially hydrogen sulfide free finished water from said column; and e. bumpwashing said carbon bed with water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said water has a hydrogen sulfide content of from 0.1-6.0 mg/l.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 1 comprising controlling said injection of chlorine to provide a ratio of chlorine to sulfide of about 12:1.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 1 further comprising backwashing said carbon bed at about two month intervals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said chlorine is gaseous.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said stream of water is potable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said bumpwashing is conducted at about a rate of two gallons per minute per square foot of carbon bed surface area daily for about five minutes.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for removing hydrogen sulfide from water comprising the steps of: a. injecting gaseous chlorine into a stream of potable water having a hydrogen sulfide content of from 0.1-6.0 mg/l in an amount to obtain a chlorine to sulfide ratio of about 8-24:1; b. passing the chlorinated water through a column containing a bed consisting essentially of activated carbon therein to catalytically convert substantially all of the remaining hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur; c. withdrawing the substantially hydrogen sulfide free finished water from said column; and d. bumpwashing said carbon bed with water.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for removing hydrogen sulfide from water comprising the steps of: a. injecting gaseous chlorine into a stream of potable water having a hydrogen sulfide content of from 0.1-6.0 mg/l in an amount to obtain a chlorine to sulfide ratio of about 8-24:1; b. passing the chlorinated water through a column containing a bed consisting essentially of activated carbon therein to catalytically convert substantially all of the remaining hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur; c. withdrawing the substantially hydrogen sulfide free finished water from said column; and d. bumpwashing said carbon bed with water.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 8 comprising controlling said injection of said gaseous chlorine to obtain a chlorine to sulfide ratio of about 12:1.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 8 further comprising the step of backwashing said carbon column at about two month intervals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 8 wherein said bumpwashing is conducted at about a rate of two gallons per minute per square foot of carbon bed surface area daily for about five minutes.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for removing hydrogen sulfide from potable water comprising the steps of: a. injecting gaseous chlorine into a stream of potable water having a hydrogen sulfide content of from 0.1-6.0 mg/l while controlling said injection to obtain a chlorine to sulfide ratio of about 12:1, whereby substantially 90% of the sulfide is converted to sulfates; b. passing the chlorinated water into a column containing a layer of activated carbon at least two feet deep; c. allowing said chlorinated water to pass through said layer to catalytically convert substantially all of the remaining hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur; d. withdrawing the finished water from said column; and surface cementing caused by sulfide reducing bacteria growth is substantially controlled to prevent head loss across said layer.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for removing hydrogen sulfide from potable water comprising the steps of: a. injecting gaseous chlorine into a stream of potable water having a hydrogen sulfide content of from 0.1-6.0 mg/l while controlling said injection to obtain a chlorine to sulfide ratio of about 12:1, whereby substantially 90% of the sulfide is converted to sulfates; b. passing the chlorinated water into a column containing a layer of activated carbon at least two feet deep; c. allowing said chlorinated water to pass through said layer to catalytically convert substantially all of the remaining hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur; d. withdrawing the finished water from said column; and surface cementing caused by sulfide reducing bacteria growth is substantially controlled to prevent head loss across said layer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 12 wherein said bumpwashing is conducted at about a rate of two gallons per minute per square foot of carbon bed surface area daily for about five minutes.
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) | 1984-04-27 | 1984-10-27 | 1985-04-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-04-27 | 1988-10-27 | 1989-04-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-04-27 | 1992-10-27 | 1993-04-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |