US4793931A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for treatment of organic contaminants in solid or liquid phase wastes
Assignee: SOLARCHEM RESEARCH A DIVISION OF BROLOR INVESTMENTS Ltd
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Filing: 1987-09-10
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Granted: 1988-12-27
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Expires: 2007-09-10
Abstract
Abstract Solid or liquid phase wastes containing organic contaminants which can be photodegraded are treated. The contaminants are extracted into a perfluorinated solvent which is inert to the photodegradation step. In the case of solid wastes, such as contaminated soils, sediments or sludges, the contaminant is preferably first extracted into a hydrophilic solvent, such as acetone or methanol, and/or water, and is then extracted into the perfluorinated solvent. Photo-oxidants such as ozone are preferably used in the photodegradation step.
Inventors
- 👤 R.D. Samuel Stevens
- 👤 Pauline M. Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:37
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/30; C02F1/32; B; B09; B09C; B09C1/00; B09C1/02; C02F1/26; C02F1/72; C02F1/78
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
A process of treating a solid or liquid phase waste containing an organic contaminant which can be photodegraded, comprising: contacting the solid or liquid phase waste with a perfluorinated solvent to extract the contaminant into the perfluorinated solvent; and irradiating the perfluorinated hydrocarbon solvent containing the contaminant with U.V. light at any wavelength between about 180 and 400 nm to photodegrade the contaminant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
A process of treating a solid or liquid phase waste containing an organic contaminant which can be photodegraded, comprising: contacting the solid or liquid phase waste with a perfluorinated solvent to extract the contaminant into the perfluorinated solvent; and irradiating the perfluorinated hydrocarbon solvent containing the contaminant with U.V. light at any wavelength between about 180 and 400 nm to photodegrade the contaminant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
The process as claimed in claim 1, which further comprises: first contacting the waste containing the contaminant with a hydrophilic solvent to extract the contaminant into the hydrophilic solvent; separating the hydrophilic solvent from the solids in the event the waste being treated is solid; contacting the hydrophilic solvent containing the contaminant with the perfluorinated solvent to extract the contaminant into the perfluorinated solvent; and removing the hydrophilic solvent from the perfluorinated solvent containing the contaminant prior to the photodegradation step.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
87 words
The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the waste is solid and wherein the process further comprises: first contacting the solid waste with one or both of a hydrophilic solvent or water to extract the contaminant; separating the solids from the hydrophilic solvent or water containing the contaminant; contacting the hydrophilic solvent or water containing the contaminant with the perfluorinated solvent to extract the contaminant into the perfluorinated solvent; and removing the hydrophilic solvent from the perfluorinated solvent containing the contaminant prior to the photodegradation step.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the waste is aqueous.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process as claimed in claim 3, wherein the solid waste is first contacted in the first step with a hydrophilic solvent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The process as claimed in claim 5, wherein water is added when the contaminant is extracted to the perfluorinated solvent to improve the transfer efficiency of the contaminant into the perfluorinated solvent, and wherein the hydrophilic solvent and the water are removed from the perfluorinated solvent containing the contaminant prior to the photodegradation step.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a photo-oxidant is added to the perfluorinated solvent containing the contaminant.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process as claimed in claim 4, wherein a photo-oxidant is added to the perfluorinated solvent containing the contaminant.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process as claimed in claim 6, wherein a photo-oxidant is added to the perfluorinated solvent containing the contaminant.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process as claimed in claim 8, wherein the photo-oxidant is ozone.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process as claimed in claim 9, wherein the photo-oxidant is ozone.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 5, wherein the hydrophilic solvent is acetone or methanol.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process as claimed in claim 11, wherein the hydrophilic solvent is acetone or methanol.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the solid waste is soil, sediment or sludge.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process as claimed in claim 13, wherein the solid waste is soil, sediment or sludge.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the contaminant is one or more of an aromatic, an alkane, a chlorinated hydrocarbon, a chlorinated aromatic, a polychlorinated biphenyl, a polyaromatic and a nitro-aromatic compound.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein, the perfluorinated solvent is one or more of perfluorodecalin, perfluorooctane, perfluoromethylcyclohexane, perfluorobutyltetrahydrofuran, FC-77 and Aflunox.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process as claimed in claim 10, wherein, the perfluorinated solvent is one or more of perfluorodecalin, perfluorooctane, perfluoromethylcyclohexane, perfluorobutyltetrahydrofuran, FC-77 and Aflunox.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process as claimed in claim 13, wherein, the perfluorinated solvent is one or more of perfluorodecalin, perfluorooctane, perfluoromethylcyclohexane, perfluorobutyltetrahydrofuran, FC-77 and Aflunox.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process as claimed in claim 18 or 19, wherein the contaminant is one or more of napthalene, fluorene, polychlorinated biphenyl, dichlorobenzene, tetrachloroethylene, decane, xylene and 2,4-dinitrotoluene.
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) | 1991-12-27 | 1992-06-27 | 1992-12-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-12-27 | 1996-06-27 | 1996-12-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-12-27 | 2000-06-27 | 2000-12-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |