CA3203631A1 - Method for treatment of water - Google Patents

Abstract

A process for oxygenating and treating water includes contacting at least one melanin device with a body of water in the presence of a source of electromagnetic energy to cause the dissociation of water molecules and the release of free molecular oxygen, thereby increasing a dissolved oxygen level of the water and producing oxygenated water. The melanin device consists of melanin and a chemically inert substrate. The melanin is held within the substrate to prevent the melanin from being dispersed throughout the water. The electromagnetic energy is visible or invisible light energy having a wavelength of 200 nm to 900 nm.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION
[00011 METHOD FOR TREATMENT OF WATER
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[00021 This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/136,375, filed January 12, 2021, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
10003] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for water treatment, particularly for treatment of ground water and gray water to produce, for example, oxygenated drinking water and irrigation water. The system and method of the present invention may also be utilized for wastewater treatment for recycling purposes or to make it safe for discharging into the surrounding environment.
[00041 The basis for the present invention is the use of a melanin-based form. Melanin has an intrinsic ability to dissociate and reform the water molecule, thereby generating oxygen and hydrogen at the same time, similar to chlorophyll in plants. However, unlike chlorophyll, melanin is able to dissociate the water molecule during both night and day, incessantly, because melanin absorbs all electromagnetic radiation, including both visible and invisible light.
10005] In the human body, dissociation of the water molecule enables the body to receive oxygen and hydrogen at the same time from the dissociated water molecule, such that the body does not require oxygen from an outside or artificial source. When oxygen is introduced into the body through a non-natural pathway, for example by intubation, the air that penetrates the lungs often cannot pass through the thin walls of the alveoli due to cell water content to reach the bloodstream, thus decreasing lung function. The physiological way by which the body obtains the oxygen present inside it is therefore significant. Dissociation of the water molecules contained within the body presents the best natural oxygen source.
[0006] Thus, it would be desirable for the water consumed by humans to have certain characteristics which enable the human body to easily and properly dissociate the water molecules. In particular, it would be desirable to use oxygenated water with at least 100 molecules of oxygen for each one million of molecules of water which can be properly

2 dissociated by melanin in the human body and, in turn, generate oxygen and hydrogen for the body's use.
10007] The present invention therefore relates to a system and method for increasing levels of dissolved oxygen and hydrogen in water, for example, in the drinking water that is supplied to a population. Preferably, the present invention results in treated water having a dissolved oxygen level of 6 mg/L or greater.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Embodiment 1: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a process for oxygenating and treating water, the process comprising contacting at least one melanin device with a body of water in the presence of a source of electromagnetic energy to cause the dissociation of water molecules and the release of free molecular oxygen, thereby increasing a dissolved oxygen level of the water and producing oxygenated water; wherein the at least one melanin device consists of melanin and a substrate, wherein the substrate is chemically inert to melanin and comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of silicon, silica, calcium, aluminum, polyethylene, iron, sodium, potassium, magnesium, gold, silver, glass, polycarbonate, calcium feldspar, quartz, tuff, boulder clay, silica, sand, silt, clay, cementing agents, titanium, hydrogen, phosphorous, manganese, fluorine, barium, carbon, strontium, sulfur, zirconium, tingsten, vanadium, chlorine, rubidium, chromium, copper, nitrogen, nickel and zinc;
wherein the melanin is held within the substrate to prevent the melanin from being dispersed throughout the water; and wherein the electromagnetic energy is visible or invisible light energy having a wavelength of 200 nm to 900 nm.
10009) Embodiment 2: In one aspect, the present invention relates to the process according to Embodiment 1, wherein the substrate comprises a mixture of oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium.
[0010] Embodiment 3: In one aspect, the present invention relates to the process according to Embodiment 2, wherein the at least one melanin device comprises approximately 44.8 wt.%
oxygen based on a total weight of the at least one melanin device, approximately 25.7 wt.% Si based on a total weight of the at least one melanin device, approximately 7.5 wt.% Al based on a total weight of the at least one melanin device, approximately 4.7 wt.% Fe based on a total weight of the at least one melanin device, approximately 3.4 wt.% Ca based on a total weight of the at least one melanin device, approximately 2.6 wt.% Na based on a total weight of the at least

3 PCT/1B2022/050117 one melanin device, approximately 2.4 wt.% K based on a total weight of the at least one melanin device, approximately 1.9 wt.% Mg based on a total weight of the at least one melanin device, and approximately 5 wt.% melanin based on a total weight of the at least one melanin device.
[0011] Embodiment 4: In one aspect, the present invention relates to the process according to any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the melanin is eumelanin.
[0012] Embodiment 5: In one aspect, the present invention relates to the process according to any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the dissolved oxygen level of the oxygenated water is approximately 6 mg/L.
[0013] Embodiment 6: In one aspect, the present invention relates to the process according to any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the process is carried out at a temperature of 12 C to 30 C.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEW OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
[0015] In the drawings:
[0016] Figs. lA and 113 show microphotographs of the same section of a melanin device in accordance with an emboidment of the present invention, but taken a few seconds apart from each other;
[0017] Fig. 2 includes a photograph showing hydrogen and oxygen bubbles emanating from the melanin devices according to an embodiment of the present invention when contacted with water in the presence of light;
[0018] Figs. 3A and 3B include photographs of two different flask systems, one of which contains rainwater and melanin devices according to an embodiment of the present invention and one of which contains only rainwater;
[0019] Figs. 4A-4D include photographs of four different tank systems, all of which contain melanin devices according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 [0020] Fig. 5 depicts samples taken from the tank systems shown in Figs. 4A-4D after a period of approximately four years has elapsed; and [0021] Figs. 6A and 6B graphically depict dissolved oxygen levels of two different tap water systems, one of which contains melanin devices according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] All patents and publications referred to herein are incorporated by reference. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.
Otherwise, certain terms used herein have the meanings as set forth in the specification.
[0023] It must be noted that as used herein, the singular forms -a,--an,- and -the- include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0024] As used herein, the term "melanin material" refers to melanin, melanin precursors, melanin derivatives, melanin analogs, and melanin variants including natural and synthetic melanin, eumelanin, pheomelanin, neuromelanin, polyhydroxyindole, alomelanin, humic acid, fulerens, graphite, polyindolequinones, acetylene black, pyrrole black, indole black, benzence black, thiophenc black, aniline black, polyquinoncs in hydrated form, scpiomclanins, dopa black, dopamine black, adrenalin black, catechol black, 4-amine catechol black, in simple linear chain aliphatics or aromatics; or their precursors as phenols, aminophenols, or diphenols, indole polyphenols, quinones, semiquinones or hydroquinones, L-tyrosine, L-dopamine, morpholine, ortho-benzoquinone, dimorpholine, porphyrin black, pterin black, and ommochrome black. The term "melanin" as used herein encompasses all of the above potential materials.
[0025] In one embodiment, the invention relates to an electrochemical system and method for treating water, and more particularly for oxygenating, hydrogenating and purifying water.
The method comprises contacting at least one melanin material with raw water to be treated, preferably in the presence of natural or artificial light, to affect the dissociation of water molecules and generate oxygen and hydrogen molecules. The light preferably has a wavelength mainly comprised between 200 and 900 nanometers. The melanin material is preferably isolated from the raw water by being comprised in a melanin device, as will be described in further detail hereinafter.

[0026] It will be understood that the raw water to be treated, and more particularly oxygenated and hydrogenated, may originate from any source, such as, but not limited to, rainwater, groundwater, runoff water, seawater, wastewater, gray water, distilled water and the like.
[0027] In one embodiment, the raw water is contained in a vessel and exposed to light (natural or artificial). The water is preferably but not exclusively maintained at room temperature, and more particularly a temperature of approximately 20 C.
[0028] The vessel may be of any size and shape. Examples of appropriate vessels include, but are not limited to, a flask, a bucket, a tank, a reactor, or a water reservoir. The vessel may or may not be subject to agitation. The shape of the vessel may be, for example, cubic, cylinder, spherical, rhomboidal, polyhedral, rectangular, plain concave, plain convex, biconvex, biconcave shape with a microlens in the side exposed to light to concentrate the light and flat on the other side, conical, rectangular prism, oblique prism, rectangular pyramid, straight truncated pyramid, truncated spherical segment, spherical segmented, spherical sector, spherical with cylindrical perforation, sphere with conic perforations, torus (circular section ring), cylinder with slanted cut, cylindrical wedge, semi prism barrel, and the like.
[0029] Preferably, the vessel is made of a transparent or translucent material, in order to permit the light to pass through. For example, depending on the wavelength of the light that is going to be used, the vessel may be made of quartz, so that the walls of the vessel do not absorb ultraviolet radiations. If light of a specific wavelength is determined and utilized, the material of the vessel could be of a color that allow maximum transparency or absorption of the wavelength from the electromechanical spectrum of interest. The vessel may be made of glass or of any polymer whose transmission characteristics of electromagnetic radiations fit to the final needs of the system design. The wavelengths that can be used to energize the design preferably, but not exclusively, comprise from 200 nanometers to 900 nanometers. Alternatively, the vessel may be formed of an opaque material, but has one open end via which light can contact the water and melanin device disposed therein.
[0030] In another embodiment, the water is not contained, but rather free-flowing for contacting the melanin material. Examples of water that is not contained include, but are not limited to, water in a sea, ocean, lake, river, stream, creek and the like.
Such free-flowing bodies of water may be naturally-occurring or man-made.

[0031] Most preferably, whether the system comprises the raw water to be treated in a vessel or in a contained but free-flowing body, the system is preferably designed to maximize exposure of the raw water and the melanin device to light, because the melanin oxidizes water molecules to 02 and H2 by absorbing light energy (photons). While 02 and 112 molecules are produced by the melanin device solely by using light, the generation of oxygen and hydrogen can be increased by other means, such as doping the melanin with metals, electrolytes, organic molecules and inorganic molecules, or by controlling the characteristics of the light, or by controlling the characteristics of the vessel to optimize of the raw water exposure to light and the melanin form.
[0032] According to embodiments of the invention, the melanin material is selected from melanin, melanin precursors, melanin derivatives, melanin analogs, and melanin variants. In a preferred embodiment, the melanin material is selected from natural melanin and synthetic melanin. Preferably, the melanin material is eumelanin. Melanin can be synthesized from amino acid precursors of melanin, such as L-tyrosine. However, melanin materials can be obtained by any method known in the art in view of the present disclosure, including chemically synthesizing melanin materials and isolating melanin materials from natural sources, such as plants and animals.
[0033] Preferably, the melanin material is embedded in a substrate or construct of one or more carrier materials, thereby forming a melanin device which isolates the melanin material from the raw water to be treated and decreases the rate of dilution, dispersion, and degradation of the melanin molecule in the water. Preferably, the melanin is held within the substrate to prevent the melanin from being dispersed throughout the water. Thus, the melanin material can last several decades to perform the hydrogenation and oxygenation actions.
[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the melanin, which is preferably eumelanin, is impregnated or otherwise embedded in at least one carrier material which is compatible with melanin but will not chemically react with melanin. Preferably, the one or more carrier materials also do not dissolve in water. Examples of the carrier materials that may be used to form the melanin device, include, but are not limited to, silicon, silica, calcium, aluminum, polyethylene, iron, sodium, potassium, magnesium, gold, silver, glass, polycarbonate and the like and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the carrier materials of the melanin device are naturally existing elements or materials, such as calcium feldspar, quartz, tuff, boulder clay, silica, sand, silt, clay and mixtures thereof, and/or cementing agents, such as CaCO3 and Al/Fe oxides. Melanin is rather easily impregnated in such elements and materials.
[0035] In one embodiment, the carrier materials mimic those of the Earth's crust. In one embodiment, the compositional makeup of the melanin device is as follows:
Oxygen ¨ approximately 44.8 wt.% based on total weight of melanin device Si ¨ approximately 25.7 wt.% based on total weight of melanin device Al ¨ approximately 7.5 wt.% based on total weight of melanin device Fe ¨ approximately 4.7 wt.% based on total weight of melanin device Ca ¨ approximately 3.4 wt.% based on total weight of melanin device Na ¨ approximately 2.6 wt.% based on total weight of melanin device K ¨ approximately 2.4 wt.% based on total weight of melanin device Mg ¨ approximately 1.9 wt.% based on total weight of melanin device Melanin ¨ approximately 5 wt.% based on total weight of melanin device Other ¨ approximately 2.6 wt.% based on total weight of melanin device [0036] Examples of other materials which may be used in the melanin device include, but are not limited to, titanium, hydrogen, phosphorous, manganese, fluorine, barium, carbon, strontium, sulfur, zirconium, tungsten, vanadium, chlorine, rubidium, chromium, copper, nitrogen, nickel, zinc and the like.
[0037] In one embodiment, the melanin device is preferably 3% to 8%
by weight melanin material, and more preferably 3% to 5% by weight melanin material, and most preferably approximately 5% by weight melanin material.
[0038] Referring to Figs. lA and 1B, there are shown two microphotographs of the same section of a melanin device in accordance with the present invention, but taken a few seconds apart from each other. The time difference between the two photographs evidences that due to the presence of melanin, visual observation of even subtle changes in the structure of the carrier materials and the overall melanin device is possible over even a short period of time.
[0039] The melanin may be held or embedded in the carrier material(s) by any known or yet to be developed appropriate measures. In one embodiment, the melanin material is embedded in the carrier material by adhesion. In another embodiment, the melanin material is embedded in the carrier material by compression. This is possible because melanin has many bonding sites for bonding to other elements.

[0040] As an illustrative example, a melanin device in the shape of a block and including the melanin material embedded in a mixture of carrier materials may be made by combining the carrier materials, purified water, and eumelanin in a cube-shaped container made of an inactive material. Preferably, the eumelanin is added at a concentration of 5 g/L of purified water. The carrier materials comprise oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium. The components are mixed together and the mixture is allowed to cure or harden in the container, such that the hardened mixture takes on the shape of the container.
[0041] It will be understood that the melanin device may have any dimensions or shape. For example, the melanin device may be generally planar or flat and may be shaped as a cylinder, ellipse, pyramid, sphere, rectangle, cube, and the like. In a preferred embodiment, the dimensions and overall geometry of the melanin device conform with or are dependent upon the volume and natural movement of the water to be treated.
[0042] It will also be understood that the relative concentrations of melanin and carrier materials in the melanin device may be varied outside of the ranges disclosed above, for example, in order to meet the needs of a particular end use or application.
[0043] The melanin device may contact all or a portion of the raw water. In one embodiment, where the raw water is contained in a vessel, the melanin device is generally immersed in the center of the body of water, such that it is in contact with all of the water (i.e., the entire volume of contained water). In another embodiment, where the water is contained in a vessel, the melanin device is placed on the surface of the water, such that it is in contact with only a portion of the contained water, but not immersed therein. In another embodiment, where the water is not contained (i.e., free-flowing), the melanin device may be either immersed under the surface of the water, such that it is in contact with the entire volume of water, or placed on the surface of the water, such that it is in contact with only a portion of the water.
[0044] In one embodiment, only a single melanin device is placed into contact with the water for oxygenation and hydrogenation thereof In another embodiment, a plurality of melanin devices are contacted with the water for oxygenation and hydrogenation thereof It will be understood that the rate of oxygenation and hydrogenation of the water depends upon a variety of factors, each of which may be adjusted as necessary to achieve the desired dissolved oxygen levels. For example, the rate of dissociation of the water molecules, and thus the rate of oxygenation of the water and level of dissolved oxygen in the water, can be controlled by varying the dimensions, shape and/or surface area of the melanin device; the number of melanin devices used; the amount of melanin material embedded in each melanin device;
the volume of water to be treated; the characteristics of the light; the degree of exposure of the raw water to light; and the like. In one embodiment, the melanin form may be permanently kept in contact with the water, since melanin may carry out its function for hundreds of years_ [0045] In one embodiment, a 1 cubic centimeter melanoblock device of 5% melanin material by volume is effective for treatment of 50 mL of water. However, it will be understood that the composition, overall volume/size, shape, and the like of the melanin device may vary depending on several factors, such as the characteristics (i.e., pollution levels, pressure, temperature, etc.) of the water to be treated, the amount of light to which the water to be treated is exposed, the depth at which the melanin device will be placed in the water to be treated, and the desired changes in dissolved oxygen levels. Preferably, the melanin device is formulated so as to achieve dissolved oxygen levels of 6 mg/L or more in the oxygenated water.
[0046] The method for oxygenating water, by increasing the dissolved oxygen levels of the water, comprises placing at least one melanin device (melanoblock) in contact with the water to be treated and exposing the assembly to a certain amount of light. This can be performed at any temperature at which melanin is known to be stable, preferably between approximately -150 C to 500 C. According to a preferred embodiment, the method is more efficient if performed at a temperature ranging from -40 C to 100 C, preferably 0 C to 50 C, more preferably from 12 C to 30 C, and most preferably at room temperature (approximately 25 C). It will be understood, however, that the preferred temperature may vary with varying experimental conditions, such as pressure, amount of light, amount of water, pollutants in the water, and desired increase in dissolved oxygen levels.
[0047] The contact of the melanin device with the raw water causes dissociation of the water molecules. Separation of water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen atoms is a highly endergonic reaction due to the very stable association of hydrogen and oxygen atoms. By using melanin and light energy, the separation of water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen atoms can be effected at room temperature. The dissociation of the water molecules in the presence of melanin and light, and the ultimate release of free oxygen and hydrogen can be represented by the following reaction:
2H20 (liquid) ¨> 2H2 (gas) 02 (gas) ¨> 2H20 (liquid) 4 e [0048] As a result, in addition to the dissolved oxygen which enters the water through the air or as a plant byproduct, increased amounts of dissolved oxygen are produced in the water due to the dissociation of the water molecules caused by the melanin device. As shown in the photograph of Fig. 2, hydrogen and oxygen bubbles emanating from the melanin devices are actually visible to the naked eye.
[0049] Where the raw water to be treated includes plant life or microbes (e.g., bacteria or fungus), these plant forms and microbes will utilize the dissolved oxygen for their own purposes (e.g., to decompose organic material contained in the water). However, due to the presence of the melanin devices, dissolved oxygen continues to be produced in the water to keep the dissolved oxygen level of the water at 6 mg/L or higher, despite the plant forms and microbes utilizing dissolved oxygen for their own purposes.
[0050] To maintain increased dissolved oxygen levels, the dissociation of water within the vessel or bodies of water is preferably continuous and constant, because oxygen will tend to leak from the water body/vessel. This is possible in the present invention because melanin absorbs both visible and invisible light. In one embodiment, the effect of the melanin material on the water can be observed by a gradually increasing change in the color of the water.
[0051] Any method known in the art in view of the present disclosure may be used to determine the dissolved oxygen levels of the water, such as, for example, an electrode system sensitive to dissolved oxygen.
[0052] The methods for oxygenation of the water according to embodiments of the invention preferably require the presence of only the water, natural light and the melanin device (melanoblock). Specifically, since melanin absorbs photon energy from visible and invisible light, no additional application of energy is necessary to cause dissociation of the water molecules and the release of free oxygen. Thus, no complex setup or maintenance is required.
However, it will be understood that a supplementary light source may be utilized if necessary.
Further, since melanin is one of the most stable molecules known to man and has a half-life estimated to be on the order of millions of years, the melanin material can be used for decades before it needs to be replaced.
[0053] In addition to becoming oxygenated and hydrogenated, the treated water may also become clarified by the method and system of the present invention. That is, the melanin device in contact with the water in the presence of light causes the dissociation of the water molecules and, further, causes clarification of the water.
[0054] The invention will now be described with reference to the following experimental examples. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise experimental parameters and results shown below [0055] Experiment One [0056] Different synthetic plastic fibers in distilled water were exposed to energy from melanin with the intention of degrading the fibers, since plastic is considered a widespread contaminant, and increasing dissolved oxygen levels of the water resulted. The results of these experiments are provided in Table 1.
[0057] Flasks A-1, A-2, CA-1, CA-2, MC-1 and MC-2 all contained the same amount of distilled water, synthetic fibers, and a plurality of melanin devices, but the type of synthetic fibers differed among the flasks. Each melanin device comprised 5 grams eumelanin, 28 grams silicon, 8 gram aluminum, 4 grams calcium, a calculated amount of oxygen of approximately 40 grams, and distilled water.
[0058] In Flasks A-1, A-2, CA-1, CA-2, MC-1 and MC-2, each melanin device was enveloped by a fabric composed of the synthetic fibers. Flask A-3 contained only distilled water in an amount equal to that of Flasks A-1, A-2, CA-1, CA-2, MC-1 and MC-2 (i.e., as a control).
Flask CA-3 contained distilled water in an amount equal to that of Flasks A-1, A-2, CA-1, CA-2, MC-1 and MC-2 and a device formed only of the carrier materials, where the carrier materials were the same as those used to form the melanin devices of Flasks A-1, A-2, CA-1, CA-2, MC-1 and MC-2. Flask MC-3 contained distilled water in an amount equal to that of Flasks A-1, A-2, CA-1, CA-2, MC-1 and MC-2 and a plurality of melanin devices which were of the same amount and type as used in Flasks A-1, A-2, CA-1, CA-2, MC-1 and MC-2, but not enveloped in synthetic fabric. The volume of each in each of Flasks A-1, A-2, A-3, CA-1, CA-2, CA-3, MC-1, MC-2 and MC-3 was approximately 500 mL.
[0059] These results demonstrate that melanin tends to equilibrate pH and dissolved oxygen levels in water. More particularly, over time, melanin tends to equilibrate the surrounding water to a pH of approximately 7 or 7.4 and to a dissolved oxygen level of approximately 6 mg/L.

Table 1: pH and DO measurements of Experiment One Flask A-1 Flask A-2 Day pH DO (mg/L) Day pH DO (mg/L) 1 8.32 7.83 1 8.12 7.70 7 7.83 7.49 7 7.69 7.06 12 7.21 6.70 12 7.24 6.83 20 6.83 6.65 20 6.67 6.77 Flask A-3 Day pH DO (mg/L) 1 8.59 7.66 7 8.61 7.34 12 8.38 7.20 20 7.93 7.15 Flask CA-1 Flask CA-2 Day pH DO (mg/L) Day pH DO (mg/L) 1 10.14 7.78 1 10.16 7.83 7 11.49 7.18 7 11.53 7.34 12 11.55 7.26 12 11.61 7.27 20 11.22 7.22 20 11.35 7.23 Flask CA-3 Day pH DO (mg/L) 1 10.19 7.73 7 11.53 7.34 12 11.65 7.77 20 11.37 7.64 Flask MC-1 Flask MC-2 Day pH DO (mg/L) Day pH DO (mg/L) 1 10.79 7.84 1 10.34 7.80 7 11.66 7.30 7 11.55 7.23 12 11.77 7.32 12 11.72 7.21 20 11.57 7.26 20 11.50 7.06 Flask MC-3 Day pH DO (mg/L) 1 10.60 7.86 7 11.65 7.45 12 11.76 7.15 20 11.60 7.10 [0060] Experiment Two [0061] Rainwater that had accumulated on the grounds of an industrial plant was collected in two flasks. The two flasks contained the same volume of rainwater. One flask, shown on the right in the photograph of Fig. 3A, contained only the collected rainwater.
The other flask, shown on the left in the photograph of Fig. 3A, contained the collected rainwater and a plurality of melanin devices. Each melanin device was the same as those used in Experiment One. The coloration of the collected rainwater was yellowish in both flasks on Day 1 (i.e., the day of collection). After a period of 24 hours, pH and dissolved oxygen levels were measured in both flasks. After 24 hours, the rainwater collected in the flask which did not contain any melanin devices exhibited a pH of 7.8 and a dissolved oxygen level of 11.91 mg/L, and the rainwater collected in the flask which included a plurality of melanin devices exhibited a pH of 11.90 and a dissolved oxygen level of 13.0 mg/L.
[0062] After a duration of four weeks, the pH and dissolved oxygen levels of both flasks were measured again. These flasks are shown in Fig. 3B. The rainwater collected in the flask which did not contain any melanin devices exhibited a pH of 5.79 and a dissolved oxygen level of 12.2 mg/L. The rainwater collected in the flask which included a plurality of melanin devices exhibited a pH of 11.85 and a dissolved oxygen level of 13.2 mg/L. Thus, while the rainwater collected in the flask which did not contain any melanin devices had a relatively high dissolved oxygen level, it had become acidic and not suitable for many uses. The rainwater collected in the flask which included a plurality of melanin devices, on the other hand, had become not only oxygenated but also remained alkaline.
[0063] Also, as can be observed in the photograph of Fig. 3B, after a four-week period, the rainwater which was provided with the melanin devices became relatively clear, indicating that the melanin devices had treated or clarified the rainwater, while the rainwater which had not been contacted with the melanin devices was still relatively yellow in color.
This is because organic matter contained in the rainwater was decomposed by microorganisms or bacteria which utilize the dissolved oxygen.
[0064] Experiment Three [0065] Four tanks were filled with water, melanin devices, and organic matter, namely plant life, fish and fish food, and monitored for a period of four years. The melanin devices were the same as those used for Experiment One. Each tank included different types of fish and different types of fish food. A photograph of Tank 1 is shown in Fig. 4A, a photograph of Tank 2 is shown in Fig 4B, a photograph of Tank 3 is shown in Fig. 4C, and a photograph of Tank 4 is shown in Fig. 4D.
[0066] Periodic measurements of the pH, dissolved oxygen level, and absorbance of the water contained in each tank were taken over a period of four years, and compared with a control of distilled water. Table 2 provides the measurements of each tank's contents for each of these parameters after a period of four years.
Table 2 DO (mg/L) PH Absorbance Control (Distilled water) 7.01 7.68 0.0 Tank 1 8.17 8.84 0.168 Tank 2 9.81 9.21 0.304 Tank 3 8,33 9,05 0,086 Tank 4 8.34 8.96 0.178 [0067] Even though the tanks included large quantities of organic matter (e.g., algae and other plant life) which consumed or otherwise used dissolved oxygen generated in the respective tanks, the dissolved oxygen levels of the tanks remained relatively high (i.e., close to or even above 6 mg/L) because the melanin devices continuously caused dissociation of the water molecules and the release of free oxygen. Also, as can be seen in the photograph of Fig. 5, which depicts samples taken from each tank after a period of four years, the water also became clear, indicating it had been treated and clarified and within certain ranges, purified by the presence of the melanin devices.
[0068] Experiment Four [0069] Experiment One was repeated with the same rainwater source as used for Experiment Two. Two flasks were filled with only the rainwater, while a third flask was filled with the rainwater and provided with a plurality of melanin devices. The pH, dissolved oxygen level, brix degrees, and absorbance of each flask, as well as that of a control of distilled water, were immediately measured, and these results are shown in the following Table 3.

Table 3 Sample (delta T = 0) pH DO (mg/L) Brix Absorbance Control (Distilled water) 7.82 6.91 0 0 Flask 1 (rainwater only) 6.82 6.77 0 0.416 Flask 2 (rainwater only) 6.77 6.48 0 0.423 Flask 3 (rainwater & melanin devices) 7.16 6.41 0 0.433 [0070] After a period of slightly over one hour, the pH and dissolved oxygen level of each flask, as well as that of the control of distilled water, were again measured, and these results are shown in the following Table 4.
Table 4 Sample (delta T = approximately 1 hour) pH DO
(mg/L) % change DO
Control (Distilled water) 7.82 7.20 4.2%
Flask 1 (rainwater only) 6.83 7.19 6.2%
Flask 2 (rainwater only) 6.77 7.21 11.3%
Flask 3 (rainwater and melanin devices) 10.96 7.35 14.7%
[0071] As can be seen from the above results of Tables 3 and 4, even after just one hour, the presence of the melanin devices initially resulted in increased dissolved oxygen level as compared with the rainwater samples which were not contacted with melanin devices. After a period of one week, the pH and dissolved oxygen level of each flask, as well as that of the control of distilled water, were again measured, and these results are shown in the following Table 5.
Table 5 Sample (delta T = approximately 1 week) pH DO (mg/L) Absorbance Control (Distilled Water) 7.66 7.96 0 Flask 1 (rainwater only) 7.43 7.12 4.13 Flask 2 (rainwater only) 12.22 7.49 0.243 Flask 3 (rainwater and melanin devices) 7.50 6.09 0.424 [0072] As can be seen from the above results, after a prolonged duration, the presence of the melanin devices equilibrates the dissolved oxygen level of the water to approximately 6 mg/L.
[0073] Experiment Five [0074] Two different systems of tap water were analyzed under controlled laboratory conditions. The first system ("System 1") contained only tap water. The second system ("System 2") contained tap water and a melanin device as described in Experiment One, with a ratio of 1 cubic centimeter melanin device to 50 mL of water. Nitrogen gas was injected to challenge the capacity of the melanin device to produce molecular oxygen (i.e., from the dissociation of the water molecules). Specifically, nitrogen gas was injected to initially decrease the oxygen levels of both systems to less than 2 mg/L. Dissolved oxygen measurements were taken for both systems every 30 seconds for approximately a one-hour period.
The measurements of both systems are graphically depicted in Figs. 6A and 6B.
[0075] Almost immediately, the impact of the melanin device was ascertainable. The DO
level of System 1, which did not contain the melanin device, steadily declined during the one-hour period, and ultimately levelled off below 0.5 mg/L (more specifically, at about 0.38 mg/L).
Thus, System 1 was not able to compensate for and overcome the presence of the nitrogen gas to generate molecular oxygen. In contrast, while the DO level of System 2, which contained the melanin device, initially declined, a spike in the DO level was observed after about 10 minutes and the DO level after about one hour was slightly above 1.0 mg/L (more specifically, about 1.1 mg/L). The higher DO level in System 2 can be attributable only to the presence of the melanin device.
[0076] Thus, it was found that the melanin devices according to the present invention can overcome even the presence of nitrogen gas to produce or release molecular oxygen (02) in a constant manner, from the constant dissociation of the water molecules.
[0077] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments and examples described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined herein.

Claims (6)

17I claim:

1. A process for oxygenating and treating water, the process comprising contacting at least one melanin device with a body of water in the presence of a source of electromagnetic energy to cause the dissociation of water molecules and the release of free molecular oxygen, thereby increasing a dissolved oxygen level of the water and producing oxygenated water, wherein the at least one melanin device consists of melanin and a substrate, wherein the substrate is chemically inert to melanin and comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of silicon, silica, calcium, aluminum, polyethylene, iron, sodium, potassium, magnesium, gold, silver, glass, polycarbonate, calcium feldspar, quartz, tuff, boulder clay, silica, sand, silt, clay, cementing agents, titanium, hydrogen, phosphorous, manganese, fluorine, barium, carbon, strontium, sulfur, zirconium, tingsten, vanadium, chlorine, rubidium, chromium, copper, nitrogen, nickel and zinc, wherein the melanin is held within the substrate to prevent the melanin from being dispersed throughout the water, and wherein the electromagnetic energy is visible or invisible light energy having a wavelength of 200 nm to 900 nm.

2. The process according to claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a mixture of oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium.

3. The process according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the at least one melanin device comprises approximately 44.8 wt.% oxygen based on a total weight of the at least one melanin device, approximately 25.7 wt.% Si based on a total weight of the at least one melanin device, approximately 7.5 wt.% Al based on a total weight of the at least one melanin device, approximately 4.7 wt.% Fe based on a total weight of the at least one melanin device, approximately 3.4 wt.% Ca based on a total weight of the at least one melanin device, approximately 2.6 wt.% Na based on a total weight of the at least one melanin device, approximately 2.4 wt.% K based on a total weight of the at least one melanin device, approximately 1.9 wt.% Mg based on a total weight of the at least one melanin device, and approximately 5 wt.% melanin based on a total weight of the at least one melanin device.

4. The process according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the melanin is eumelanin.

5. The process according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the dissolved oxygen level of the oxygenated water is approximately 6 mg/L.

6. The process according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the process is carried out at a temperature of 12 C to 30 C.