Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D39/00—Filtering material for liquid or gaseous fluids
  • B01D39/02—Loose filtering material, e.g. loose fibres
  • B01D39/06—Inorganic material, e.g. asbestos fibres, glass beads or fibres
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/28—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties
  • B01J20/28014—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties characterised by their form
  • B01J20/28042—Shaped bodies; Monolithic structures
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D39/00—Filtering material for liquid or gaseous fluids
  • B01D39/14—Other self-supporting filtering material ; Other filtering material
  • B01D39/20—Other self-supporting filtering material ; Other filtering material of inorganic material, e.g. asbestos paper, metallic filtering material of non-woven wires
  • B01D39/2068—Other inorganic materials, e.g. ceramics
  • B01D39/2072—Other inorganic materials, e.g. ceramics the material being particulate or granular
  • B01D39/2079—Other inorganic materials, e.g. ceramics the material being particulate or granular otherwise bonded, e.g. by resins
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D39/00—Filtering material for liquid or gaseous fluids
  • B01D39/14—Other self-supporting filtering material ; Other filtering material
  • B01D39/20—Other self-supporting filtering material ; Other filtering material of inorganic material, e.g. asbestos paper, metallic filtering material of non-woven wires
  • B01D39/2068—Other inorganic materials, e.g. ceramics
  • B01D39/2082—Other inorganic materials, e.g. ceramics the material being filamentary or fibrous
  • B01D39/2089—Other inorganic materials, e.g. ceramics the material being filamentary or fibrous otherwise bonded, e.g. by resins
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D46/00—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours
  • B01D46/10—Particle separators, e.g. dust precipitators, using filter plates, sheets or pads having plane surfaces
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
  • B01D53/34—Chemical or biological purification of waste gases
  • B01D53/46—Removing components of defined structure
  • B01D53/64—Heavy metals or compounds thereof, e.g. mercury
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/02—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material
  • B01J20/04—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material comprising compounds of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals or magnesium
  • B01J20/041—Oxides or hydroxides
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/02—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material
  • B01J20/04—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material comprising compounds of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals or magnesium
  • B01J20/048—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material comprising compounds of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals or magnesium containing phosphorus, e.g. phosphates, apatites, hydroxyapatites
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/02—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material
  • B01J20/06—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material comprising oxides or hydroxides of metals not provided for in group B01J20/04
  • B01J20/08—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material comprising oxides or hydroxides of metals not provided for in group B01J20/04 comprising aluminium oxide or hydroxide; comprising bauxite
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/02—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material
  • B01J20/10—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material comprising silica or silicate
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/02—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material
  • B01J20/20—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material comprising free carbon; comprising carbon obtained by carbonising processes
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/22—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising organic material
  • B01J20/24—Naturally occurring macromolecular compounds, e.g. humic acids or their derivatives
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/22—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising organic material
  • B01J20/26—Synthetic macromolecular compounds
  • B01J20/261—Synthetic macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions only involving carbon to carbon unsaturated bonds
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/22—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising organic material
  • B01J20/26—Synthetic macromolecular compounds
  • B01J20/262—Synthetic macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon to carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. obtained by polycondensation
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/28—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties
  • B01J20/28014—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties characterised by their form
  • B01J20/28023—Fibres or filaments
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/28—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties
  • B01J20/28014—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties characterised by their form
  • B01J20/28026—Particles within, immobilised, dispersed, entrapped in or on a matrix, e.g. a resin
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/28—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties
  • B01J20/28014—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties characterised by their form
  • B01J20/2803—Sorbents comprising a binder, e.g. for forming aggregated, agglomerated or granulated products
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/28—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties
  • B01J20/28014—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties characterised by their form
  • B01J20/28033—Membrane, sheet, cloth, pad, lamellar or mat
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/30—Processes for preparing, regenerating, or reactivating
  • B01J20/34—Regenerating or reactivating
  • B01J20/345—Regenerating or reactivating using a particular desorbing compound or mixture
  • B01J20/3475—Regenerating or reactivating using a particular desorbing compound or mixture in the liquid phase
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J47/00—Ion-exchange processes in general; Apparatus therefor
  • B01J47/018—Granulation; Incorporation of ion-exchangers in a matrix; Mixing with inert materials
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
  • C02F1/28—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by sorption
  • C02F1/288—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by sorption using composite sorbents, e.g. coated, impregnated, multi-layered
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D2275/00—Filter media structures for filters specially adapted for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours
  • B01D2275/40—Porous blocks
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J2220/00—Aspects relating to sorbent materials
  • B01J2220/40—Aspects relating to the composition of sorbent or filter aid materials
  • B01J2220/42—Materials comprising a mixture of inorganic materials
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J2220/00—Aspects relating to sorbent materials
  • B01J2220/40—Aspects relating to the composition of sorbent or filter aid materials
  • B01J2220/46—Materials comprising a mixture of inorganic and organic materials
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J2220/00—Aspects relating to sorbent materials
  • B01J2220/40—Aspects relating to the composition of sorbent or filter aid materials
  • B01J2220/48—Sorbents characterised by the starting material used for their preparation
  • B01J2220/4812—Sorbents characterised by the starting material used for their preparation the starting material being of organic character
  • B01J2220/4825—Polysaccharides or cellulose materials, e.g. starch, chitin, sawdust, wood, straw, cotton
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J2220/00—Aspects relating to sorbent materials
  • B01J2220/40—Aspects relating to the composition of sorbent or filter aid materials
  • B01J2220/48—Sorbents characterised by the starting material used for their preparation
  • B01J2220/4812—Sorbents characterised by the starting material used for their preparation the starting material being of organic character
  • B01J2220/4843—Algae, aquatic plants or sea vegetals, e.g. seeweeds, eelgrass
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J2220/00—Aspects relating to sorbent materials
  • B01J2220/50—Aspects relating to the use of sorbent or filter aid materials
  • B01J2220/68—Superabsorbents
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
  • C02F1/28—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by sorption
  • C02F1/281—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by sorption using inorganic sorbents
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
  • C02F1/28—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by sorption
  • C02F1/283—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by sorption using coal, charred products, or inorganic mixtures containing them
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F2103/00—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated
  • C02F2103/42—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated from bathing facilities, e.g. swimming pools
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F2303/00—Specific treatment goals
  • C02F2303/04—Disinfection

Definitions

• This invention relates generally to the field of solution and fluid filters c purification devices, primarily to aqueous solution filters and water purification, devices for gases and water and other aqueous liquids, which remove contaminants from the gas or aqueous liquid solution passed through them.
• the invention relates to the field of such devices that remove chemical and microbiological contaminants, including heavy metals and pesticides, bacteria and viruses and their components, from water or aqueous solutions.
• EPA Environmental Protection Agency
• Common coliforms represented by the bacteria E. coli and Klebsiella terrigena, must show a minimum 6-log reduction, 99.9999% of organisms removed, from an influent concentration of lxl0 7 /100 ml.
• Common viruses represented by poliovirus 1 (LSc) and rotavirus (Wa or SA-11), which show resistance to many treatment processes, must show a minimum 4 log reduction, 99.99% of organisms removed, from an influent concentration of lxl0 7 /L.
• Cysts such as those represented by Giardia muris or Giardia lamblia, are widespread, disease- inducing, and resistant to chemical disinfection.
• Devices that claim cyst removal must show a minimum 3 log reduction, 99.9% of cysts removed, from an influent concentration of lxl0 6 /L or lxl0 7 /L, respectively.
• the EPA has accepted the use of other particles in the appropriate size range as a means of testing devices that claim this function.
• Materials that are highly efficient at removing and immobilizing microbial organisms have numerous applications, but a particular area of application is in the biotechnology and fermentation industries. Not only would such materials be useful in the processing of fermentation broth for recycling or reuse, they also would have utility as microbial immobilization materials for the microbes of interest to the fermentation process.
• magnesium silicates magnesium oxides, magnesium hydroxides and magnesium phosphates in granular or particulate, or in fiber form as a chemical binding agent.
• Some forms of magnesium silicates are known as asbestos and these materials which can be mined in fiber form have been mixed with cellulose and used for the removal of microorganisms and particulate matter from fluids that will be used for consumption.
• the application of magnesium silicates in the form of asbestos containing minerals for fluid filtration has decreased dramatically since the materials are known to cause respiratory diseases when inhaled.
• Magnesium silicates in the form of asbestos fibers have found commercial application as fire retardant materials and materials capable of strengthening concretes and synthetic polymers.
• Non asbestos forms of magnesium silicates include minerals identified as talc(s) and are used commercially in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic, and paint and coating industries. Aluminum and magnesium containing silicates are also used in these fields.
• Magnesium containing silicates can be produced through chemical synthesis or obtained through mining/processing of raw ores, which are found globally. Magnesium containing silicates, magnesium oxides, magnesium hydroxides and magnesium phosphates can function as a biological water purification agent through a complex process, which includes the chemical adsorption of chemicals, biological materials and microorganisms.
• Magnesium silicates are naturally occurring minerals that are commonly found in a mixture of structural forms and with varying concentrations of other metals substituted for the magnesium metal. Magnesium oxides, magnesium hydroxides and phosphates can also be found naturally and produced by synthetic methods.
• magnesium silicates include metals such as aluminum, titanium, calcium, iron, copper, and many others.
• Magnesium oxides are generated for use in many products but include water treatment processes.
• Magnesium phosphates can be used in a range of applications including water treatment.
• magnesium silicates may be used as filtration materials, especially in fiber form and even more specifically when mixed with cellulose and/or fiberglass fibers.
• the use of magnesium silicates, specifically asbestos fiber filter sheets, to treat water is discussed in the literature and previously demonstrated by companies like Seitz.
• Seitz produced asbestos fiber filters for treating water for the beverage industry for many years.
• magnesium silicates may be used or incorporated in a device that meets the minimum EPA requirements described above.
• a water treatment process is also disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,167,479, which uses an active media made of powdered minerals (less than 50 mesh) and active micro-organisms to purify waste water.
• the active media is combined with the wastewater and circulated to allow biological and chemical reactions to occur.
• the minerals in this process are used as granular additives to the water system and are dispersed throughout the fluid, as opposed to being part of a binder material through which the water to be treated would flow.
• This reference does not provide or suggest a method for removing microorganisms from the wastewater. In fact, it actually uses active microorganisms as part of the treatment, and does not contemplate their removal.
• the reference specifically emphasizes that the minerals provide metal ions to precipitate phosphates, reducing or eliminating the need to use other types of chemicals, such as alum, for precipitating phosphates.
• materials in the fields of ceramic and bio-implants are known. These materials, however, are not fabricated for, nor are they capable of passing fluids for the purpose of fluid filtration.
• magnesium silicates obtained from natural and synthetic materials. It is the intention of this invention and art to use magnesium containing minerals to generate a practical fluid purification and a filtration device and method that permits the safe use of all magnesium silicates, oxides, and phosphates in the forms which are readily available and commonly found or synthesized by a variety of different methods. There is also a need in the art for a method and device that meets the minimum EPA requirements for designation as a microbiological water purifier, such that the device is more than suitable for consumer and industry point-of-use applications.
• the present inventors have discovered that a significant problem in the known use of some types of magnesium silicate containing filter devices is that the mineral material is dangerous when inhaled and when used as filter sheets open to the atmosphere, fibers of the mineral can be lost and possibly inhaled. These sheets also can be ripped or torn and present a hazard.
• an additional significant problem in the known magnesium containing minerals incorporating filter devices is that when the magnesium containing minerals are in loose form, whether granular, particulate, or fiber.
• the effectiveness of filters generated with materials in loose form is compromised by channeling and by-pass effects caused by the pressure of fluid, in particular, water and aqueous solutions, flowing through the filter media as well as particle erosion and aggregation. Because chemicals, viruses and bacteria are removed by intimate contact with the adsorption material, even relatively small channels or pathways in the granular material formed over time by water pressure, water flow, particle erosion, or particle aggregation are easily sufficient to allow passage of undesirable microbiological contaminants through the filter.
• This invention solves this problem by providing a microbiological filter and method for removing contaminants, including bacteria and viruses, where magnesium containing minerals and other granular adsorptive filter media are fixed within a chemical binder material to form a porous filter material that eliminates the possibility of channeling and active agent by-pass.
• This invention is in general a device and method for the purification and filtration of aqueous fluids, in particular water (such as drinking water or swimming or bathing water), or other aqueous solutions (such as fermentation broths and solutions used in cell culture), or gases and mixtures of gases such as breathable air, found in clean rooms, hospitals, diving equipment homes, aircraft, or spacecraft, and gases used to sparge, purge, or remove particulate matter from surfaces.
• the use of the device and method of the invention results in the removal of an extremely high percentage of microbiological contaminants, including bacteria and viruses and components thereof.
• the use of the device and method of the invention results in purification of water to a level that meets the EPA standards for designation as a microbiological water purifier.
• the invention relates to a purification material for fluids that contains particulate magnesium containing minerals that is in the form of a porous block as the result of the presence of a binder.
• magnesium containing minerals is from magnesium silicates, magnesium aluminum silicates, magnesium oxides, magnesium phosphates and / or related magnesium containing minerals, and has been obtained from natural sources, e.g., mining, or from synthetic sources such as the mixing of chemicals containing silicon, magnesium, and aluminum.
• the binder is a polymeric or oligomeric material that is capable of maintaining the particulate magnesium mineral in a block structure. This allows the purification material to be molded or pressed into any desired shape, e.g., a shape suitable for inclusion into the housing of a filtration device, which provides for fluid inflow and outflow, and which filtration device has one or more chambers for contact of the fluid with the purification material.
• the polymeric binder In addition to maintaining the magnesium mineral particles immobilized in a unitary block, the polymeric binder also provides desirable physical characteristics to the filter material, e.g., rendering it rigid or flexible, depending upon the type and amount of polymeric binder used.
• the invention in another embodiment, relates to a purification material for fluids that is in the form of a sheet or membrane, containing the particulate magnesium containing minerals and immobilized with a binder.
• the invention in another embodiment, relates to a purification material for fluids that is in the form of a block, sheet or membrane, containing the particulate magnesium containing minerals and immobilized with a pressure-technique that uses fluid-swelling materials.
• the invention also relates to methods of filtering fluids, such as water, aqueous solutions, and gases, to remove a large proportion of one or more types of microorganisms contained therein, by contacting the fluid with the purification material of the invention.
• this contacting occurs within the device described above, with the unfiltered fluid flowing through an inlet, contacting the purification material in one or more chambers, and the filtered fluid flowing out of the chamber through an outlet.
• the purification material of the invention can be used to purify drinking water, to purify water used for recreational purposes, such as in swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas, to purify process water, e.g. water used in cooling towers, to purify aqueous solutions, including but not limited to, fermentation broths and cell culture solutions (e.g., for solution recycling in fermentation or other cell culture processes) and aqueous fluids used in surgical procedures for recycle or reuse, and to purify gases and mixtures of gases such as breathable air, for example, air used to ventilate hospital or industrial clean rooms, air used in diving equipment, or air that is recycled, e.g., in airplanes or spacecraft, and gases used to sparge, purge or remove volatile or particulate matter from surfaces, containers, or vessels.
• the purification material of the invention has the additional advantage of making use of readily available magnesium mineral materials, including those obtained from natural sources, while still maintaining high purification efficiency.
• the material of the invention namely magnesium containing minerals and optionally other adsorptive materials in a binder matrix and formed into a block or sheet, can be used as an immobilization medium for microorganisms used in biotechnology applications such as fermentation processes and cell culture.
• biological process fluids such as nutrient, broths, substrate solutions, and the like, are passed through the immobilization material of the invention in a manner that allows the fluids to come into contact with the microorganisms immobilized therein, and effluent removed from the material and further processed as needed.
• Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a particular embodiment of the invention, namely a water filter housing containing a block filter incorporating magnesium containing minerals and granulated activated charcoal (GAC) in a binder matrix according to the invention.
• GAC granulated activated charcoal
• Figs. 2a and 2b are schematic views of a particular embodiment of the invention, namely a filter material containing magnesium containing minerals and a binder matrix in the form of a membrane or sheet.
• one embodiment of the invention relates to a purification material in the form of a block filter containing granulated magnesium containing minerals in a binder, which is typically a polymeric material.
• the invention relates to a rigid block filter that contains a mixture of granulated magnesium minerals and magnesium-aluminum derivatives and granulated activated charcoal (GAC) or bone char or other adsorptive filter media in a binder material, such as a thermoplastic material, such that the magnesium containing minerals and derivatives and GAC are fixed within the binder matrix, and that channeling from flow during water treatment cannot occur.
• the purification material of the invention can be produced by extrusion, molding including injection molding, or by compression methods.
• Fibrillation may also be used to prepare fibrils of the mixture of binder polymer and magnesium minerals that can then be formed into a sheet, film, or block. It may be produced in any shape or size and may be rigid or flexible. Pressure techniques which use fluid swelling materials may also be used to prepare the mixture of binder and magnesium minerals that can then be formed into a sheet, film, or block. It may be produced in any shape or size and may be rigid or flexible.
• the pore size of the filter block influences flow rates of the fluid through the filter, and is a function of the size of the granular particles incorporated into the filter block.
• block does not denote any particular geometrical shape, but rather that the material is not a sheet or membrane.
• Nonlimiting examples of “blocks” as this term is intended to be used include tubes, annular rings, as well as more conventional geometrical solids. Material formed into flexible blocks is particularly suitable for use in pipes or tubes that serve as the fluid filter medium.
• the purification material of the invention may be formed into any desired shape, and thus provides ease of handling and use.
• the purification material may be formed into a monolith or block that fits into conventional housings for filtration media or it can be shaped to provide purification as part of a portable or personal filtration system.
• the material may be formed into several different pieces, through which water flows in series or in parallel. Sheets or membranes of the purification material may also be formed.
• the rigidity of the purification material, whether in block form or in sheet/membrane form, may be altered through inclusion of flexible polymers in the binder material.
• the purification material of the invention achieves its unusually high efficiency in removing microorganisms from fluids partly as the result of the immobilization of the magnesium mineral particles in the binder, and the necessity for fluid flowing through the purification material to follow an extended and tortuous path therethrough, instead of forming channels through the purification material as occurs in prior magnesium mineral-containing purification materials.
• This path ensures that the fluid contacts a larger proportion of the surface area of the magnesium mineral particles, and it prevents sustained laminar flow of the fluid through the filtration material. This latter effect is believed to help prevent laminae of fluid containing microorganisms from avoiding sustained contact with magnesium-mineral particles in the filter.
• the magnesium mineral used is in the form of magnesium silicate, and the GAC material are present in approximately equal amounts, with the percentage of binder material kept to a minimum.
• the magnesium mineral used in the invention may be obtained from other natural or synthetic/industrial sources and mixtures of the different derivatives can provide differences in the properties of the purification material.
• adding sodium to the filter block can increase the sodium concentration in the effluent water if water is used as the fluid. This can be useful in, e.g. purifying hard water in such a way as to maintain desirable water hardness levels therein.
• Sodium in the filter material may be obtained either by inclusion of sodium containing magnesium minerals, inclusion of sodium salts and compounds, or by preconditioning the purification material by passing sodium-containing solutions therethrough.
• the binding of metal ions, radioactive isotopes, and microorganisms can also be increased.
• exposure to increased temperatures allows conversion between crystalline and amorphous forms.
• exposure to metals in a synthesis procedure allows replacement of some of the magnesium ions in both crystalline and amorphous forms.
• the purification material is constructed to withstand sterilization.
• Sterilization processes include thermal processes, such as steam sterilization or other processes wherein the purification material is exposed to elevated temperatures or pressures or both, resistive heating, radiation sterilization wherein the purification material is exposed to elevated radiation levels, including processes using ultraviolet, infrared, microwave, and ionizing radiation, and chemical sterilization, wherein the purification material is exposed to elevated levels of oxidants or reductants or other chemical species, and which is performed with chemicals such as halogens, reactive oxygen species, formaldehyde, surfactants, metals and gases such as ethylene oxide, methyl bromide, beta-propiolactone, and propylene oxide.
• sterilization may be accomplished with electrochemical methods by direct oxidation or reduction with microbiological components or indirectly through the electrochemical generation of oxidative or reductive chemical species. Combinations of these processes are also used on a routine basis. It should also be understood that sterilization processes may be used on a continuous or sporadic basis while the purification material is in use.
• the invention comprises a device and a method for the filtration and purification of a fluid, in particular an aqueous solution or water, to remove organic and inorganic elements and compounds present in the water as particulate material.
• the device and method can be used to remove chemical and microbiological contaminants, including bacteria and viruses and components thereof, from water or other fluids or gasses destined for consumption or other use by humans or other animals.
• the method and device of the invention are particularly useful in these applications where the reduction in concentration of microbiological contaminants made possible by the invention meets the EPA standards for microbiological water purification devices, and also exceeds the effectiveness of other l ⁇ iown filtration and purification devices incorporating granulated adsorption media that contain magnesium minerals, such as those obtained from magnesium silicate and magnesium-aluminum silicates.
• the purification material is a porous block formed by granulated or particulate magnesium minerals, which is defined herein to include magnesium silicates, magnesium aluminum silicates, magnesium oxides, and magnesium phosphates and other optional adsorptive granular materials, described in more detail below, such as granulated activated charcoal (GAC), retained within a polymer binder matrix.
• GAC granulated activated charcoal
• the purification material is composed of a mixture of magnesium minerals and an adsorptive granular filter media, for example GAC
• the purification material can also be formed with spatially distinct gradients or separated layers.
• magnesium minerals and GAC granules may be immobilized in separate layers using a solid binder matrix, for instance, a polymer thermoplastic such as polyethylene or the like, so that movement of the magnesium minerals and GAC particles is precluded and detrimental channeling effects during fluid transport through the block are prevented. If the components reside in separate locations, the fluid flow is sequential through these locations.
• magnesium silicates originates from magnesium silicates, magnesium aluminum silicates, magnesium oxides, magnesium phosphates and mixtures thereof.
• suitable materials are those designated as magnesium silicates and sold by R.T. Vanderbilt Company and as magnesium oxides and magnesium hydroxide which is sold by Martin Marietta Specialty Chemical.
• the material may be ground to a desirable particle size, e.g., 80-325 mesh or smaller.
• a typical analysis of these materials shows 50% or greater and 99% or greater magnesium silicate, magnesium oxide and magnesium hydroxide respectively.
• the element binding characteristics of these materials have been reported by producers of these raw materials.
• the organic molecule binding capabilities have also been reported by producers of these raw materials.
• the magnesium containing minerals magnesium silicates, magnesium aluminum silicates, magnesium oxides, magnesium hydroxides, and magnesium phosphates, etc.
• the GAC are mixed in approximately equal amounts with the minimal amount of binder material necessary to compose a monolithic purification material.
• concentrations of magnesium minerals, GAC, and binder are substantially variable, and materials having different concentrations of these materials may be utilized in a similar fashion without the need for any undue experimentation by those of skill in the art.
• GAC, or bone char apatite containing
• its concentration in the mixture is generally less than 50 % by weight, based upon the weight of the composition before any drying or compacting.
• adsorbents other than GAC may be substituted completely for, or mixed with, the GAC in a multicomponent mixture.
• these adsorbents include various ion-binding materials, such as synthetic ion exchange resins, zeolites (synthetic or naturally occurring), diatomaceous earth, bone char and apatite minerals, calcium silicate materials and one or more other phosphate-containing materials, such as minerals of the phosphate class, in particular, minerals containing magnesium and silicate described herein.
• minerals of the silicate class, and containing magnesium are particularly suitable for the invention. These materials may also contain iron, aluminum, and calcium. These materials may be calcined and processed by a number of methods to yield mixtures of varying compositions.
• Minerals containing magnesium are found in the hydroxide and oxide class and include magnesium oxides and hydroxides.
• Magnesium oxide is known as periclase and is industrially important.
• Brucite is an important mineral containing magnesium which is found associated with many magnesium containing minerals such as those in the serpentine group.
• the serpentine group includes antigorite, clinochrysotile, lizardite, orthochrysotile, and parachrysotile.
• Talc is similar to brucite in that it is found associated with many different minerals. It is a common form of magnesium silicate and particularly suitable for the invention.
• Minerals containing phosphate and magnesium are particularly suitable for the invention. These minerals are commonly associated with other elements such as calcium, iron, and aluminum and belong to the apatite and phosphate class of minerals.
• Minerals containing silicate and magnesium are many and yield particulate matter that is particularly suitable for the invention.
• the general formula for mica is AB 2 . 3 (Al, Si)Si 3 O 10 (F, OH) 2 .
• the A is usually potassium, K, but can be calcium, Ca, or sodium, Na, or barium, Ba, or some other elements in the rarer micas.
• the B in most micas can be aluminum, Al, and/or lithium, Li, and/or iron, Fe, and/or magnesium, Mg.
• the mica group has many members. Examples of common mica minerals include, but are not limited to, Biotite, Fuchsite, Lepidolite, Muscovite, Phlogopite, and Zinnwaldite.
• Garnets are also examples of minerals that can be used with this invention.
• the general formula for garnets is A 3 B 2 (Si0 4 ) 3 .
• the A represents divalent metals such as calcium, iron, magnesium and manganese.
• the B represents a trivalent metal such as aluminum, chromium, iron, and other elements found in rarer members of the group.
• the garnet is a large group of which examples include, but are not limited to, almandine, andradite, grossular, pyrope, spessartine, and uvarovite.
• the montmorillonite/smectite group is composed of several minerals including pyrophyllite, talc, vermiculite, sauconite, saponite, nontronite and montmorillonite differing mostly in chemical content.
• the general formula is (Ca, Na, H)(A1, Mg, Fe, Zn) 2 (Si, Al) 4 O 10 (OH) 2 - xH 2 0, where x represents the variable amount of water that members of this group could contain.
• the chlorite group is a large and common group of minerals and can be used in the present invention.
• the general formula is X 4 - 6 Y 4 O 10 (OH, 0) 8 .
• the X represents either aluminum, iron, lithium, magnesium, manganese, nickel, zinc or rarely chromium.
• the Y represents either aluminum, silicon, boron or iron but mostly aluminum and silicon.
• Examples include, but are not limited to, Amesite (Mg, Fe) 4 Al 4 Si 2 O 10 (OH) 8 , Baileychlore (Zn, Fe +2 , Al, Mg) 6 (Al, Si) 4 O 10 (O, OH) 8 ,Chamosite (Fe, Mg) 3 Fe 3 AlSi 3 O 10 (OH) 8 , Clinochlore (kaemmererite) (Fe,
• Additional exemplary minerals include the following: Periclase MgO; IMA98.065 Mg 9 [Si 4 0 16 ](OH) 2 ; Brucite Mg(OH) 2 ; Sellaite MgF 2 ; Kotoite Mg 3 B 2 0 6 ; Norbergite Mg 3 (Si0 4 )(F,OH) 2 ; Forsterite Mg2Si04; Ringwoodite Mg2Si04; IMA96.034 Mg7(P04)2(OH)8; Suanite Mg2B205; Wightmanite Mg5(B03)0(OH)5-2(H20); Pokrovskite Mg2(CO3)(OH)2-0.5(H2O); Fluoborite Mg3(B03)(F,OH)3; Holtedahlite Mgl2(P030H,C03)(P04)5(OH,0)6; Titanclinohumite Mg8Ti(Si04)402;
• Ca7Mg(Si04)4 Maufite (Mg,Ni)A14Si3013-4(H20); Osumilite-(Mg) (K,Na)(Mg,Fe++)2(Al,Fe+++)3(Si,Al)12O30; Ferri-annite K(Fe++,Mg)3(Fe+++,Al)Si3O10(OH)2 Hummerite KMgV+++++5014-8(H20) Kutnohorite Ca(Mn,Mg,Fe++)(C03)2; Ankerite Ca(Fe++,Mg,Mn)(C03)2 Austinite (Mn,Mg)9Fe+++3(P04)8(OH)3-9(H20); Triplite (Mn,Fe++,Mg,Ca)2(P04)(F,OH) Vesuvianite Cal 0Mg2A14(SiO4)5(Si2O7)2(
• minerals mined and packaged to meet federal regulations for consumer products including ((Mg,Al) 2 Si 4 O 10 (OH) 2 ), Mg 3 Si 4 O 10 (OH) 2 ) are exemplary.
• polymeric materials used for ion-binding including derivatised resins of styrene and divinylbenzene, and methacrylate may be used.
• the derivatives include functionalized polymers having anion binding sites based on quaternary amines, primary and secondary amines, aminopropyl, diethylaminoethyl, and diethylaminopropyl substituents.
• Derivatives including cation binding sites include polymers functionalized with sulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, propylsulfonic acid, phosphonic acid, and/or carboxylic acid moieties.
• Natural or synthetic zeolites may also be used or included as ion-binding materials, including, e.g., naturally occurring aluminosilicates such as clinoptilolite and calcium silicates such as wollastonite.
• Suitable binder materials include any polymeric material capable of aggregating the particulate materials together and maintaining this aggregation under the conditions of use. They are generally included in amounts ranging from about 10 wt% to about 99.9 wt%, more particularly from about 15 wt% to about 50 wt%, based upon the total weight of the purification material.
• Suitable polymeric materials include both naturally occurring and synthetic polymers, as well as synthetic modifications of naturally occurring polymers.
• the polymeric binder materials generally include one or more thermoset, thermoplastic, elastomer, or a combination thereof, depending upon the desired mechanical properties of the resulting purification material.
• polymers melting between about 50°C and about 500°C, more particularly, between about 75°C and about 350°C, even more particularly between about 80°C and about 200°C are suitable polymeric binders for the invention.
• polyolefms melting in the range from about 85°C to about 180°C polyamides melting in the range from about 200°C to about 300°C
• fluorinated polymers melting in the range from about 300°C to about 400°C can be particularly mentioned as suitable.
• types of polymers suitable for use as binders in the invention include, but are not limited to, thermoplastics, polyethylene glycols or derivatives thereof, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinylacetates, and polylactic acids.
• thermoplastics include, but are not limited to, nylons and other polyamides, polyethylenes, including LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, and polyethylene copolymers with other polyolefms, polyvinylchlorides (both plasticized and unplasticized), fluorocarbon resins, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, polystyrenes, polypropylenes, cellulosic resins, such as cellulose acetate butyrates, acrylic resins, such as polyacrylates and polymethylmethacrylates, thermoplastic blends or grafts such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrenes or acrylonitrile-styrenes, polycarbonates, polyvinylacetates, ethylene vinyl acetates, polyvinyl alcohols, polyoxymethylene, polyformaldehyde, polyacetals, polyesters, such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyether ether ketone, and phenol-formaldehyde resins,
• thermoset polymers for use as, or inclusion in, the binder used in the invention include, but are not limited to, polyurethanes, silicones, fluorosilicones, phenolic resins, melamine resins, melamine formaldehyde, and urea formaldehyde.
• Suitable elasomers for use as or inclusion in, the binder used in the invention include but are not limited to natural and/or synthetic rubbers, like styrene- butadiene rubbers, neoprenes, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, silicones, polyurethanes, alkylated chlorosulfonated polyethylene, polyolefms, chlorosulfonated polyethylenes, perfluoroelastomers, polychloroprene (neoprene), ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymers, chlorinated polyethylene, VITON ® (fluoroelastomer), and ZALAK ® (Dupont-Dow elastomer).
• natural and/or synthetic rubbers like styrene- butadiene rubbers, neoprenes, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, silicones, polyurethanes, alkylated chlorosulfonated polyethylene, polyole
• thermoplastics listed above can also be thermosets, depending upon the degree of crosslinking, and that some of each may be elastomers, depending upon their mechanical properties, and that the particular categorization used above is for ease of understanding and should not be regarded as limiting or controlling.
• Naturally occurring and synthetically modified naturally occurring polymers suitable for use in the invention include, but are not limited to, natural and synthetically modified celluloses, such as cotton, collagens, and organic acids.
• Biodegradable polymers suitable for use in the invention include, but are not limited to, polyethylene glycols, polylactic acids, polyvinylalcohols, co-polylactideglycolides, and the like.
• Material binders may also be chosen from those classes of materials which swell through fluid absorption. These materials include crosslinked polymers such as synthetically produced polyaciylic acids, and polyacrylamides and naturally occuring organic polymers such as celluloses. Minerals which swell with fluid absorption include bentonite and derviatives. These swellable materials bind the magnesium containing mineral particulates or fibers through pressure techniques.
• the magnesium containing mineral originating from a magnesium containing silicate, magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, or magnesium phosphate and GAC or bone char material are present in approximately equal amounts, with the percentage of binder material kept to a minimum.
• the binder used must be stable to the temperature, pressure, electrochemical, radiative, and chemical conditions presented in the sterilization process, and should be otherwise compatible with the sterilization method.
• binders suitable for sterilization methods involving exposure to high temperatures include cellulose nitrate, polyethersulfone, nylon, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene (TEFLON ® ), and mixed cellulose esters.
• Purification materials prepared with these binders can be autoclaved when the binder polymers are prepared according to known standards.
• the purification material is stable to both steam sterilization or autoclaving and chemical sterilization or contact with oxidative or reductive chemical species, as this combination of sterilizing steps is particularly suitable for efficient and effective regeneration of the purification material.
• sterilization and regenerating of devices incorporating the magnesium containing mineral materials may be conducted by passing solutions of salt, acid, and/or caustic solutions through the filter.
• the electrical potential necessary to generate said species can be attained by using the purification material itself as one of the electrodes.
• the purification material which contains polymeric binder
• the purification material can be rendered conductive through the inclusion of a sufficiently high level of conductive particles, such as GAC, carbon black, or metallic particles to render a normally insulative polymeric material conductive.
• a sufficiently high level of conductive particles such as GAC, carbon black, or metallic particles to render a normally insulative polymeric material conductive.
• an intrinsically conductive polymer may be used as or blended into the binder.
• Suitable intrinsically conductive polymers include doped polyanilines, polythiophenes, and other known intrinsically conductive polymers. These materials can be incorporated into the binder in sufficient amount to provide a resistance of less than about 1 k ⁇ , more particularly less than about 300 ⁇ .
• the purification material of the present invention need not be in the form of a block, but may also be formed into a sheet or film.
• This sheet or film may, in a particular embodiment, be disposed on a woven or nonwoven web of, e.g., a polymer.
• the polymer used to form the woven or nonwoven web may be any thermoplastic or thermosetting resin typically used to form fabrics.
• Polyolefms, such as polypropylene and polyethylene are particularly suitable in this regard.
• the efficiency of the purification material and the method for using it to reduce microbiological and chemical contaminants and the flow rate of the fluid through the material are a function of the pore size within the block and the influent fluid pressure.
• flow rate is a function of pore size
• the pore size within the block can be regulated by controlling the size of the magnesium mineral and GAC granules. For example, a large granule size provides a less dense, more open purification material which results in a faster flow rate, and small granule size provides a more dense, less open purification material which results in a slower flow rate.
• a block 17 formed with relatively large magnesium mineral granules will have less surface area and interaction sites than a block formed with smaller granules.
• the purification material of large granules must be of thicker dimension to achieve equal removal of microbiological contaminants. Because these factors are controllable within the manufacturing process, the purification materials can be customized by altering pore size, block volume, block outer surface area, and geometric shape to meet different application criteria. Average pore size in a particular embodiment is kept to below several microns, and more particularly to below about one micron, to preclude passage of cysts. It should be noted that the pore size described herein does not refer to the pores within the magnesium mineral or other adsorbent or absorbent particles themselves, but rather to the pores formed within the purification material when the particles are aggregated together by the binder.
• the method of making the material of the invention in its most general aspect, involves combining the particulate magnesium containing minerals (and optional additional particulate adsorbent material(s)) with the binder material under conditions of pressure and temperature that allow at least a portion of the binder to be present in liquid form and that allow for compaction of the particulate, and then solidifying the binder around and/or between the particles.
• the precise nature of the production process will depend to a certain extent upon the nature of the binder material.
• the binder material is supplied in the form of a liquid solution, suspension, or emulsion (e.g., in a volatile solvent), it may be contacted with the particles by dipping or spraying, and the wet particles compressed in a mold.
• the mold may be optionally heated to evaporate any necessary solvent.
• the resulting molded material is then dried to form the purification material of the invention.
• the binder is a polymer resin
• it will typically be mixed in pellet form with the particles of the adsorbent material, and the resulting mixture heated and extruded or molded into the desired shape.
• suitable particulate/binder extrusion processes and equipment are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,189,092; 5,249,948; and 5,331,037. Other extrusion equipment and processes may also be used.
• the mixture may be heated and injection molded, without the need for any extrusion.
• the binder a thermoset, may be generated through a crosslinking process that incorporates initiation by chemical processes, electrochemical processes, irradiation and through physical parameters of temperature and pressure variations.
• FIG. 1 illustrates a typical specific embodiment of a filtration apparatus containing the purification material of the invention, which incorporates a rigid porous block filter.
• a removable housing 11 is mated with a cap 12, the cap 12 having an inflow orifice 13 and an outflow orifice 14.
• a water supply conduit 15 is joined to the inflow orifice 13 to deliver non-treated water into the device, and a water discharge conduit 16 is joined to the outflow orifice 14 to conduct treated water from the device. Water passes into the housing 11.
• Fig. 1 is provided as a representative illustration of one possible configuration. It is to be understood that other configurations where water is caused to pass through a porous filter block (which may have different geometrical shapes and/or different flow properties) are contemplated to be within the scope of the invention.
• the block 17 may be formed by any of a number of known methods, such as by extrusion, compression, molding, sintering, material swelling pressure or other techniques.
• Figs. 2a and 2b shows two embodiments where the purification material of the invention is used in the form of a sheet or film.
• Fig. 2a shows purification material 1 used in connection with normal flow-through filtration, indicated by arrow 2, which represents the fluid being filtered by passage through the sheet or film 1.
• Fig. 2b shows purification material 1 used in connection with crossflow filtration. Fluid flowing across the filter is indicated by double-headed arrow 3, while fluid flowing through the purification material 1 is indicated by arrow 2. The cross flow fluid indicated by arrow 3 sweeps across the surface of the purification material 1, decreasing the level of particulate matter deposited thereon.
• a cylindrical filter block 17 of the shape shown in Fig. 1 may be prepared with a material composition of approximately 42.5% magnesium silicate obtained from R.T. Vanderbilt Company, approximately 42.5% GAC obtained from KX Industries, and approximately 15%) thermoplastic binder material selected from one or more of the thermoplastics described above. The material may then be extruded at a temperature that provides a uniform mixture of magnesium silicate, GAC, and thermoplastic binder.
• the cylindrical or toroidally shaped block 17 is approximately 9.8 inches in length, with an outer diameter of approximately 2.5 inches and an inner diameter (the bore 18) of approximately 1.25 inches.
• This shape filter fits into a standard water filtration housing used in the home and industrial settings.
• the filter material has a resistance of about 300 ⁇ .
• the filter prepared in Example 1 may be challenged by exposing it to tap water that is filtered with activated carbon and then seeded with 2.3x10 8 colony forming units per liter of E. coli bacteria, K. terrigena or similar species and 1.0x10 7 plaque forming units per liter of MS2.
• the seeded water is passed through the filter block 17 at a flow rate of approximately 2 liters/minute for 3 minutes, followed by collection of a 500 ml effluent sample. Bacteria and virus are assayed using standard methods. Results indicate significant microbial reduction.
• the composite prepared in Example 1 may be used to reduce a water soluble chlorine species such as hypochlorous acid in an oxidized state to a chlorine species in a reduced state
• Chlorine Chlorine levels of approximately 2.0 mg/L were reduced to below the detection limits of standard test strip based assays.
• the material of the invention is extremely useful in the area of water purification, particularly the area of drinking water purification. Because of the extremely high efficiency with which the material of the present invention removes microorganisms from water, it meets the EPA guidelines for materials used as microbiological water purifiers. In addition to functioning as a purifier for drinking water, the material of the invention can also be used to purify water used for recreational purposes, such as water used in swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas.
• the material of the invention can be used to fractionate blood by separating blood components, e.g., plasma, from blood cells, and to remove microorganisms from other physiological fluids.
• the material can also be used in hospital or industrial areas requiring highly purified air having extremely low content of microorganisms, e.g., in intensive care wards, operating theaters, and clean rooms used for the therapy of immunosuppressed patients, or in industrial clean rooms used for manufacturing electronic and semiconductor equipment.
• the material of the invention has multiple uses in fermentation applications and cell culture, where it can be used to remove microorganisms from aqueous fluids, such as fermentation broths or process fluids, allowing these fluids to be used more efficiently and recycled, e.g., without cross-contamination of microbial strains.
• aqueous fluids such as fermentation broths or process fluids
• the material is so efficient at removing microorganisms and at retaining them once removed, it can be used as an immobilization medium for enzymatic and other processing requiring the use of microorganisms.
• a seeding solution containing the desired microorganisms is first forced through the material of the invention, and then substrate solutions, e.g., containing proteins or other materials serving as enzymatic substrates, are passed through the seeded material.
• the substrates dissolved or suspended therein come into contact with the immobilized microorganisms, and more importantly, with the enzymes produced by those microorganisms, which can then catalyze reaction of the substrate molecules.
• the reaction products may then be eluted from the material by washing with another aqueous solution.
• the material of the invention has numerous other industrial uses, e.g., filtering water used in cooling systems. Cooling water often passes through towers, ponds, or other process equipment where microorganisms can come into contact with the fluid, obtain nutrients and propagate. Microbial growth in the water is often sufficiently robust that the process equipment becomes clogged or damaged and requires extensive chemical treatment. By removing microorganisms before they are able to propagate substantially, the present invention helps to reduce the health hazard associated with the cooling fluids and the cost and dangers associated with chemical treatment programs.
• the material of the invention can be used to increase indoor air quality in homes or offices in conjunction with the air circulation and conditioning systems already in use therein.
• the purification material of the invention can also be used to purify other types of gases, such as anesthetic gases used in surgery or dentistry (e.g., nitrous oxide), gases used in the carbonated beverage industry (e.g., carbon dioxide), gases used to purge process equipment (e.g., nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon), and/or to remove particles from surfaces, etc.
• the method of using the material of the invention is relatively simple and should be apparent to those of skill in the filtration art.
• the fluid or gas to be filtered is simply conducted to one side of a block or sheet of material of the invention, typically disposed in some form of housing, and forced through the material as the result of a pressure drop across the purification material. Purified, filtered fluid or gas is then conducted away from the "clean" side of the filter and further processed or used.

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• 2002
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  • 2002-02-01 CA CA002437721A patent/CA2437721A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2002-02-01 CN CNA028078586A patent/CN1527738A/zh active Pending
  • 2002-02-01 WO PCT/US2002/002914 patent/WO2002076577A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
• 2003
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