JP2024506795A - Methods for water treatment - Google Patents

Abstract

The process of oxygenating water involves contacting at least one melanin device with a body of water in the presence of a source of electromagnetic energy to cause dissociation of water molecules and release of free molecular oxygen, thereby dissolving the dissolved water. Involves increasing oxygen levels to produce oxygenated water. Melanin devices consist of melanin and a chemically inert substrate. The melanin is retained within the substrate in a way that prevents the melanin from dispersing throughout the water. The electromagnetic energy is visible or invisible light energy having a wavelength of 200 nm to 900 nm. [Selection diagram] Figure 1A

Description

(Cross reference to related applications)
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/136,375, filed January 12, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for water treatment, particularly for the treatment of groundwater and gray water to produce oxygenated drinking water and irrigation water, for example. The systems and methods of the present invention may also be utilized for wastewater treatment for recycling purposes or for safe discharge to the surrounding environment.

The basis of the invention is the use of melanin-based forms. Melanin has an innate ability to dissociate and reform water molecules, thereby simultaneously producing oxygen and hydrogen, similar to chlorophyll in plants. However, because melanin absorbs all electromagnetic radiation, including both visible and invisible light, melanin, unlike chlorophyll, can dissociate water molecules at all times of the day and night.

In the human body, the dissociation of water molecules allows the body to simultaneously accept oxygen and hydrogen from the dissociated water molecules, thereby making oxygen from external or artificial sources unnecessary for the body. When oxygen is introduced into the body through non-natural routes, for example by intubation, air passing through the lungs is unable to pass through the thin walls of the alveoli and reach the bloodstream due to the water content of the cells. This often results in reduced lung function. Therefore, the biological means by which the body obtains the oxygen present within it becomes important. The dissociation of water molecules contained within the body provides the most natural source of oxygen.

It is therefore desirable that water for human consumption have certain properties that allow the human body to easily and appropriately dissociate water molecules. In particular, an oxygenate having at least 100 oxygen molecules for each million water molecules, which can be properly dissociated by melanin in the human body to produce oxygen and hydrogen for use in the body. It is preferable to use water.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for increasing the levels of dissolved oxygen and hydrogen in water, such as drinking water supplied to people. Preferably, the present invention results in treated water having a dissolved oxygen level of 6 mg/L or greater.

Embodiment 1: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a process for oxygenating 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 induce dissociation of water molecules. and increasing the dissolved oxygen level of the water to produce oxygenated water by causing the release of free molecular oxygen, the at least one melanin device comprising melanin and a substrate, the substrate comprising melanin. Chemically inert to silicon, silica, calcium, aluminum, polyethylene, iron, sodium, potassium, magnesium, gold, silver, glass, polycarbonate, calcium feldspar, quartz, tuff, cobblestone clay, silica, sand , silt, clay, cement, titanium, hydrogen, phosphorus, manganese, fluorine, barium, carbon, strontium, sulfur, zirconium, tungsten, vanadium, chlorine, rubidium, chromium, copper, nitrogen, nickel and zinc. the melanin is retained within the substrate to prevent the melanin from dispersing throughout the water, and the electromagnetic energy is visible or invisible light energy having a wavelength of 200 nm to 900 nm. be.

Embodiment 2: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a process according to embodiment 1. The substrate comprises a mixture of oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium.

Embodiment 3: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a process according to embodiment 2, wherein the at least one melanin device contains about 44.8% by weight of oxygen, at least one melanin, based on the total weight of the at least one melanin device. about 25.7 wt.% Si based on the total weight of the devices; about 7.5 wt.% Al based on the total weight of at least one melanin device; about 4.5 wt.% Al based on the total weight of at least one melanin device. 7% Fe by weight, about 3.4% Ca by weight based on the total weight of at least one melanin device, about 2.6% Na by weight based on the total weight of at least one melanin device, at least one melanin. about 2.4% K by weight based on the total weight of the devices, about 1.9% Mg by weight based on the total weight of the at least one melanin device, and about 5% by weight based on the total weight of the at least one melanin device Contains % melanin by weight.

Embodiment 4: In one aspect, the invention relates to a process according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the melanin is eumelanin.

Embodiment 5: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a process according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the dissolved oxygen level of the oxygenated water is about 6 mg/L.

Embodiment 6: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a process according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the process is carried out at a temperature of 12°C to 30°C.

The above summary and following detailed description of the invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings the presently preferred embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentality shown.

1B is a diagram showing a microscopic photograph of the same part as FIG. 1B of a melanin device according to an embodiment of the present invention, but with a shift of several seconds. FIG. FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a micrograph of the same part as FIG. 1A of a melanin device according to an embodiment of the present invention, but taken with a shift of several seconds. FIG. 3 includes a photograph showing hydrogen and oxygen bubbles emanating from a melanin device according to an embodiment of the invention when in contact with water in the presence of light. Figure 2 is a photograph of two different flask systems, one containing rainwater and a melanin device according to an embodiment of the invention, and the other containing only rainwater. Figure 2 is a photograph of two different flask systems, one containing rainwater and a melanin device according to an embodiment of the invention, and the other containing only rainwater. 1 is a photograph of a tank system including a melanin device according to an embodiment of the invention. 1 is a photograph of a tank system including a melanin device according to an embodiment of the invention. 1 is a photograph of a tank system including a melanin device according to an embodiment of the invention. 1 is a photograph of a tank system including a melanin device according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 4 shows a sample taken from the tank system shown in Figures 4A-4D after approximately 4 years. FIG. 2 is a graphical representation of dissolved oxygen levels in a tap water system that does not include a melanin device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a graphical illustration of dissolved oxygen levels in a tap water system including a melanin device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

All patents and publications mentioned herein are incorporated by reference. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Otherwise, certain terms used herein have meanings as explained herein.

It must be noted that, as used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the term "melanin material" refers to melanin, melanin precursors, melanin derivatives, melanin analogs and melanin variants, which are simple linear aliphatic or aromatic, natural and synthetic. melanin, eumelanin, pheomelanin, neuromelanin, polyhydroxyindole, allomelanin, humic acid, fullerene, graphite, polyindolequinone, acetylene black, pyrrole black, indole black, benzene black, thiophene black, aniline black, hydrated form polyquinone, sepiomelanin, dopa black, dopamine black, adrenaline black, catechol black, 4-amine catechol black, or these, phenols, aminophenols or diphenols, indole polyphenols, quinones, semiquinones or hydroquinones Precursors such as L-tyrosine, L-dopamine, morpholine, orthobenzoquinone, dimorpholine, porphyrin black, pterin black and ommochrome black. The term "melanin" as used herein encompasses all of the above possible materials.

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to electrochemical systems and methods for treating water, and more particularly for oxygenating, hydrogenating, and purifying water. The method includes contacting at least one melanin material, preferably in the presence of natural or artificial light, with the raw water to be treated to affect the dissociation of water molecules to produce oxygen and hydrogen molecules. The light preferably has a wavelength consisting primarily of 200 to 900 nanometers. The melanin material is preferably isolated from the source water by being configured into a melanin device, as described in further detail below.

The raw water to be treated, more specifically the raw water to be oxygenated and hydrogenated, can be from any water source, including, but not limited to, rainwater, groundwater, runoff, seawater, wastewater, gray water, distilled water, etc. It should be understood that this can occur.

In one embodiment, the raw water is contained in a container and exposed to light (natural or artificial). The water is preferably, but not exclusively, maintained at room temperature, and more particularly at a temperature of about 20°C.

The container can be of any size and shape. Examples of suitable containers include, but are not limited to, flasks, buckets, tanks, reactors or reservoirs. The container may or may not be agitated. The shape of the container may be, for example, cubic, cylindrical, spherical, rhombic, polyhedral, rectangular, plano-concave, plano-convex, biconvex, or with a micro-container on the side exposed to light to condense light. A biconcave shape with a lens and a flat other side, a conical shape, a prismatic shape, an elliptical cylinder shape, a pyramid shape, a truncated pyramid, a truncated spherical segment, a spherical segment, a spherical fan shape, a spherical shape with a cylindrical hole, The shape may be a sphere having a conical hole, a torus (circular ring), an obliquely cut cylinder, a cylindrical wedge shape, a half-prismatic barrel shape, or the like.

Preferably, the container is made of transparent or translucent material to allow the transmission of light. For example, depending on the wavelength of light to be used, the container may be made of quartz so that the walls of the container do not absorb ultraviolet radiation. If a particular wavelength of light is to be detected and utilized, the container material may be of a color that allows maximum transparency or absorption of the wavelength from the electromechanical spectrum of interest. The container may be made of glass or any polymer whose electromagnetic radiation transmission properties match the final needs of the system design. Wavelengths that can be used to enhance the design preferably include, but not exclusively, from 200 nanometers to 900 nanometers. Alternatively, the container may be formed from an opaque material, but with one open end that allows light access to the water and melanin device placed therein.

In other embodiments, the water is not contained, but is free flowing to contact the melanin material. Examples of uncontained water include, but are not limited to, waters such as seas, oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, and the like. Such a free flowing body of water may be naturally occurring or man-made.

Most preferably, whether the system contains the raw water to be treated in a container or contained but in free fluid, melanin converts water molecules into O2 and _H2 by absorbing light energy (photons). ₂ , the system is preferably designed to maximize exposure of the source water and melanin device to light. O ₂ and H ₂ molecules are produced by the melanin device exclusively using light, but the production of oxygen and hydrogen can be achieved by light by other means such as doping melanin with metals, electrolytes, organic and inorganic molecules. or by controlling the properties of the container to optimize the light exposure and melanin morphology of the source water.

According to an embodiment 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 melanin amino acid precursors such as L-tyrosine. However, melanin material may be obtained by any method known in the art in light of this disclosure, including chemically synthesizing melanin material and isolating melanin material from natural sources such as plants and animals. obtain.

Preferably, the melanin material is embedded in a matrix or composition of one or more carrier materials, thereby isolating the melanin material from the raw water to be treated and slowing the dilution, dispersion and degradation of melanin molecules in the water. Form the device. Preferably, the melanin is retained within the substrate to prevent the melanin from being dispersed throughout the water. Therefore, melanin materials can persist for decades and perform hydrogenating and oxygenating effects.

In a preferred embodiment, melanin, preferably eumelanin, is impregnated or otherwise embedded in at least one carrier material that is compatible with melanin, but does not chemically react with melanin. Preferably, the one or more carrier materials are also insoluble in water. Examples of carrier materials that can be used to form melanin devices include, but are not limited to, silicon, silica, calcium, aluminum, polyethylene, iron, sodium, potassium, magnesium, gold, silver, glass, polycarbonate, and the like. including combinations of In one embodiment, the carrier material of the melanin device is calcium feldspar, quartz, tuff, cobblestone clay, silica, sand, silt, clay and mixtures thereof, and/or cementing agents such as CaCO ₃ and Al/Fe oxides. Naturally occurring elements or materials. Melanin is very easily impregnated into such elements and materials.

In one embodiment, the carrier material simulates the material of the Earth's crust. In one embodiment, the composition of the melanin device is as follows.
Approximately 44.8% by weight based on the total weight of the oxygen-melanin device
Approximately 25.7% by weight based on the total weight of the Si-melanin device
Approximately 7.5% by weight based on the total weight of the Al-melanin device
Approximately 4.7% by weight based on the total weight of the Fe-melanin device
Approximately 3.4% by weight based on the total weight of Ca-melanin device
Approximately 2.6% by weight based on the total weight of the Na-melanin device
Approximately 2.4% by weight based on the total weight of the K-melanin device
Mg - approximately 1.9% by weight based on the total weight of the melanin device
Melanin - Approximately 5% by weight based on the total weight of the melanin device
Others - approximately 2.6% by weight based on the total weight of the melanin device

Examples of other materials that may be used in melanin devices include, but are not limited to, titanium, hydrogen, phosphorus, manganese, fluorine, barium, carbon, strontium, sulfur, zirconium, tungsten, vanadium, chlorine, rubidium, chromium, copper. , nitrogen, nickel, zinc, etc.

In one embodiment, the melanin device is preferably 3% to 8% melaninic material, more preferably 3% to 5% melaninic material, most preferably about 5% melaninic material.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, there are shown two micrographs of the same part of a melanin device according to the invention, but taken a few seconds apart from each other. The time difference between the two photographs is evidence that due to the presence of melanin, the visualization of slight changes in the structure of the carrier material and the entire melanin device is possible even in a short period of time.

Melanin may be retained or embedded in the carrier material by any suitable means known or developed. In one embodiment, the melanin material is embedded in the carrier material by adhesion. In other embodiments, the melanin material is embedded into the carrier material by compression. This is possible because melanin has a large number of binding sites for binding other elements.

As an illustrative example, a melanin device comprising a melanin material in the form of a block and embedded in a mixture of carrier materials can be prepared by synthesizing the carrier material, purified water and eumelanin in a cubic shaped container consisting of an inert material. It can be made by Preferably, eumelanin is added in purified water at a concentration of 5 g/L. Support materials include oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium. The ingredients are mixed together and the mixture is allowed to cure or harden within the container, such that the cured mixture assumes the shape of the container.

It should be understood that the melanin device can take any size or shape. For example, melanin devices are generally planar or flat and can be formed as cylinders, ellipses, pyramids, spheres, rectangles, cubes, and the like. In preferred embodiments, the dimensions and overall geometry of the melanin device match or respond to the volume and natural movement of the water to be treated.

It should also be understood that the relative concentrations of melanin and carrier materials within the melanin device may be varied outside the ranges disclosed above, for example, to meet the needs of a particular end use or application.

The melanin device may contact all or part of the raw water. In one embodiment where the raw water is contained in a container, the melanin device is immersed generally in the center of the body of water so that it is in contact with all of the water (ie, the entire volume of water contained). In other embodiments where the water is contained in a container, the melanin device is placed above the water surface such that it contacts only a portion of the contained water but is not submerged therein. In other embodiments where the water is not contained (i.e., free-flowing), the melanin device is submerged below the water surface so that it is in contact with the entire volume of water, or placed at the water surface so that it is in contact with only a portion of the water. be done.

In one embodiment, only a single melanin device is placed in contact with water for its oxygenation and hydrogenation. In other embodiments, multiple melanin devices are contacted with water for oxygenation and hydrogenation thereof. It should be understood that the rate of water oxygenation and hydrogenation depends on a variety of factors, each of which can be adjusted as necessary to achieve the desired dissolved oxygen level. For example, the rate of dissociation of water molecules and the resulting rate of oxygenation of the water and the level of dissolved oxygen in the water will depend on the dimensions, shape and/or surface area of the melanin devices, the number of melanin devices used, and the number of melanin devices embedded in each melanin device. It can be controlled by varying the amount of melanin material, the volume of water being treated, the characteristics of the light, the degree of exposure of the raw water to light, etc. In one embodiment, the melanin form may be maintained in contact with water permanently, as melanin can perform its function for hundreds of years.

In one embodiment, a 1 cubic centimeter melanoblock device of 5% by volume melanin material is effective in treating 50 mL of water. However, the composition, overall volume/size, shape, etc. of the melanin device will depend on the characteristics of the water being treated (i.e. contamination level, pressure, temperature, etc.), the amount of light to which the water being treated will be exposed, and the melanin device being treated. It should be understood that this may vary depending on multiple factors, such as the depth at which the target is placed in the water, and the desired change in dissolved oxygen levels. Preferably, the melanin device is formulated to achieve a dissolved oxygen level of 6 mg/L or greater in oxygenated water.

A method of oxygenating water by increasing the level of dissolved oxygen in the water comprises placing at least one melanin device (melanoblock) in contact with the water to be treated and exposing the assembly to a specific amount of light. including doing. This may be done at any temperature at which melanin is known to be stable, preferably from about -150°C to 500°C. According to a preferred embodiment, the method is more preferably carried out at -40°C to 100°C, preferably 0°C to 50°C, more preferably 12°C to 30°C, most preferably room temperature (about 25°C). Become efficient. However, it should be understood that suitable temperatures may vary for varying experimental conditions, such as pressure, amount of light, amount of water, contaminants in the water, and the amount of increase in dissolved oxygen level desired.

Contact of the melanin device with raw water causes dissociation of water molecules. The separation of water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen atoms is highly endergonic due to the very stable bonding of hydrogen and oxygen atoms. By using melanin and light energy, the separation of water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen atoms can be effective at room temperature. The dissociation of water molecules in the presence of melanin and light and the final release of free oxygen and hydrogen can be represented by the following reaction.
2H ₂ O _(liquid) →2H _{2 (gas)} +O _{2 (gas)} →2H ₂ O _(liquid) +4e ^-

As a result, increased amounts of dissolved oxygen are produced in the water due to the dissociation of water molecules produced by the melanin device, in addition to the dissolved oxygen that enters the water via the air or as a plant by-product. As shown in the photograph of FIG. 2, the hydrogen and oxygen bubbles emanating from the melanin device are actually visible to the naked eye.

If the raw water to be treated contains plants or microorganisms (e.g. bacteria or fungi), these plant forms and microorganisms may be dissolved for their own purposes (e.g. to decompose organic matter contained in the water). Utilize oxygen. On the other hand, due to the presence of melanin devices, dissolved oxygen maintains dissolved oxygen levels above 6 mg/L, even though plant forms and microorganisms utilize dissolved oxygen for their own purposes. continues to be produced in water.

Since oxygen tends to leak from the water body/vessel, the dissociation of water within the vessel or body of water is preferably continuous and constant in order to maintain an increase in dissolved oxygen levels. 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 confirmed by a gradually increasing color change of the water.

Any method known in the art in light of this disclosure may be used to detect dissolved oxygen levels in water, such as, for example, an electrode system sensitive to dissolved oxygen.

The method for oxygenation of water according to an embodiment of the invention preferably requires only water, natural light and the presence of a melanin device (melanoblock). Specifically, because melanin absorbs photon energy from visible and invisible light, no additional application of energy is required to cause the dissociation of water molecules and release of free oxygen. Therefore, no complicated configuration or maintenance is required. However, it should be understood that complementary light sources may be utilized if desired. Melanin is also one of the most stable molecules known to humanity, with a half-life estimated to be on the order of millions of years, so melanin material can last for decades before needing to be replaced. It can be used for a wide range of purposes.

In addition to being oxygenated and hydrogenated, the treated water will also be clarified by the method and system of the present invention. That is, melanin devices in contact with water in the presence of light cause dissociation of water molecules and further clarification of the water.

The invention will now be described with reference to the following experimental examples. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise experimental parameters and results set forth below.

Experiment 1
Because plastics are considered a widespread contaminant, exposing various synthetic plastic fibers in distilled water to energy from melanin with the intention of degrading the fibers resulted in an increase in dissolved oxygen levels in the water. The results of these experiments are given in Table 1.

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 multiple melanin devices, but the type of synthetic fibers differed between flasks. Each melanin device was constructed with 5 grams of eumelanin, 28 grams of silicon, 8 grams of aluminum, 4 grams of calcium, a calculated amount of approximately 40 grams of oxygen, and distilled water.

In flasks A-1, A-2, CA-1, CA-2, MC-1, and MC-2, each melanin device was wrapped in a cloth made of synthetic fiber. Flask A-3 contained only distilled water (ie, as a control) in an amount equal to that of flasks A-1, A-2, CA-1, CA-2, MC-1, and MC-2. Flask CA-3 contains an amount of distilled water equal to that of flasks A-1, A-2, CA-1, CA-2, MC-1 and MC-2, and a device consisting only of carrier material. It was. The carrier material was the same as that used to construct the melanin devices of flasks A-1, A-2, CA-1, CA-2, MC-1 and MC-2. Flask MC-3 contains an amount of distilled water equal to that of flasks A-1, A-2, CA-1, CA-2, MC-1 and MC-2, and flasks A-1, A-2, CA -1, CA-2, MC-1 and MC-2, but not wrapped in synthetic fabric. The volume of each flask A-1, A-2, A-3, CA-1, CA-2, CA-3, MC-1, MC-2 and MC-3 was approximately 500 mL.

These results demonstrate that melanin tends to equilibrate pH and dissolved oxygen levels in water. More specifically, over time, melanin tends to equilibrate the surrounding water to a pH of about 7 or 7.4 and a dissolved oxygen level of about 6 mg/L.

Experiment 2
Rainwater collected on the ground of an industrial plant was collected in two flasks. The two flasks contained the same volume of rainwater. One flask, shown on the right side of the photo in Figure 3A, contained only collected rainwater. The other flask, shown on the left side of the photo in Figure 3A, contained collected rainwater and multiple melanin devices. Each melanin device was the same as that used in Experiment 1. The color of the collected rainwater was yellowish in both flasks on Day 1 (ie, the day of collection). After 24 hours, pH and dissolved oxygen levels were measured in both flasks. After 24 hours, rainwater collected in flasks that did not contain melanin devices had a pH of 7.8 and a dissolved oxygen level of 11.91 mg/L, and rainwater collected in flasks that contained multiple melanin devices had a pH of 11.91 mg/L. It showed a pH of 90 and a dissolved oxygen level of 13.0 mg/L.

After a duration of 4 weeks, the pH and dissolved oxygen levels of both flasks were measured again. These flasks are shown in Figure 3B. Rainwater collected in flasks without melanin devices showed a pH of 5.79 and a dissolved oxygen level of 12.2 mg/L. Rainwater collected in a flask containing multiple melanin devices showed a pH of 11.85 and a dissolved oxygen level of 13.2 mg/L. As a result, rainwater collected in flasks without melanin devices had relatively high dissolved oxygen levels, but was acidic and unsuitable for many uses. On the other hand, rainwater collected in flasks containing multiple melanin devices not only remained oxygenated but also alkaline.

Also, as can be seen in the photograph in Figure 3B, after 4 weeks, the rainwater fed to the melanin device became relatively clear, indicating that the melanin device had treated or clarified the rainwater, but had not come into contact with the melanin device. The rainwater remained relatively yellow in color. This is because organic matter contained in rainwater is decomposed by microorganisms or bacteria that utilize dissolved oxygen.

Experiment 3
Four tanks were filled with water, melanin devices and organic matter, ie plants, fish and fish food, and monitored over a period of four years. The melanin device was the same as that used in Experiment 1. Each tank contained a different type of fish and a different type 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.

Periodic measurements of pH, dissolved oxygen levels, and absorbance of the water contained in each tank were taken over a four-year period and compared to a control of distilled water. Table 2 gives measurements of the contents of each tank for each of those parameters after 4 years.

While the tanks contained large amounts of organic matter (e.g., algae and other plants) that consumed or used the dissolved oxygen produced within each tank, the melanin device continuously dissociated water molecules and released free oxygen. The dissolved oxygen level in the tank was maintained relatively high (ie, near or above 6 mg/L). The water also became transparent, as can be seen in the photo in Figure 5 showing the samples taken from each tank after 4 years, indicating that it was treated and clarified and purified within a certain range by the presence of the melanin device. It was shown that

Experiment 4
Experiment 1 was repeated using the same rainwater source used for Experiment 2. Two flasks were filled with rainwater only and a third flask was filled with rainwater and provided with multiple melanin devices. The pH, dissolved oxygen level, Brix and absorbance of each flask and the control of distilled water were immediately measured. These results are shown in Table 3 below.

After slightly more than one hour, the pH and dissolved oxygen levels of each flask and the control distilled water were measured again. These results are shown in Table 4 below.

As can be seen from the above results in Tables 3 and 4, even after only 1 hour, the presence of the melanin device initially led to an increase in dissolved oxygen levels compared to rainwater samples not in contact with the melanin device. Ta. One week later, the pH and dissolved oxygen levels of each flask and the control distilled water were measured again. These results are shown in Table 5 below.

As can be seen from the above results, after a long duration of time, due to the presence of the melanin device, the dissolved oxygen level in the water equilibrates to about 6 mg/L.

Experiment 5
Tap water from two different systems was analyzed under controlled laboratory conditions. The first system ("System 1") contained only tap water. The second system ("System 2") contained tap water and the melanin device described in Experiment 1 at a ratio of 1 cubic centimeter of melanin device to 50 mL of water. The ability of the melanin device to generate molecular oxygen (ie, from dissociation of water molecules) was tested by injecting nitrogen gas. Specifically, nitrogen was injected to initially reduce the oxygen levels in both systems to below 2 mg/L. Dissolved oxygen measurements were taken on both systems every 30 seconds for approximately 1 hour. Measurements for both systems are shown graphically in Figures 6A and 6B.

The effects of the melanin device were visible almost immediately. The DO level of System 1 without the melanin device decreases steadily over a 1 hour period, eventually reaching below 0.5 mg/L (more specifically, at about 0.38 mg/L). It became constant. As a result, System 1 was unable to compensate for the presence of nitrogen and overcome it to produce molecular oxygen. In contrast, the DO level in system 2 containing the melanin device initially decreased, but a sharp increase in DO level was observed after about 10 minutes, and after about 1 hour, the DO level was slightly higher than 1.0 mg/L. (more specifically, it was about 1.1 mg/L). The higher DO level of system 2 can be attributed solely to the presence of melanin devices.

As a result, it was found that the melanin device according to the present invention can overcome the presence of nitrogen gas and constantly generate or release molecular oxygen (O ₂ ) through the dissociation of certain water molecules.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations may be made to the embodiments and examples described above without departing from the broader inventive concept. It is therefore understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover variations within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined herein.

Claims (6)

A process for oxygenating water, comprising: contacting at least one melanin device with a body of water in the presence of a source of electromagnetic energy to cause dissociation of water molecules and release of free molecular oxygen; increasing the dissolved oxygen level of the water to produce oxygenated water;
the at least one melanin device consists of melanin and a substrate;
The substrate is chemically inert to melanin and includes silicon, silica, calcium, aluminum, polyethylene, iron, sodium, potassium, magnesium, gold, silver, glass, polycarbonate, calcium feldspar, quartz, tuff, cobblestone. Clay, silica, sand, silt, clay, cement, titanium, hydrogen, phosphorus, manganese, fluorine, barium, carbon, strontium, sulfur, zirconium, tungsten, vanadium, chlorine, rubidium, chromium, copper, nitrogen, nickel and zinc containing one or more materials selected from the group consisting of;
the melanin is retained within the substrate in a manner that prevents the melanin from dispersing throughout the water;
The process, wherein the electromagnetic energy is visible or invisible light energy having a wavelength of 200 nm to 900 nm. 2. The process of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a mixture of oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium. The at least one melanin device includes about 44.8% oxygen by weight based on the total weight of the at least one melanin device, about 25.7% Si by weight based on the total weight of the at least one melanin device; about 7.5% Al by weight based on the total weight of the at least one melanin device; about 4.7% Fe by weight based on the total weight of the at least one melanin device; about 3.4% Ca by weight, about 2.6% Na by weight based on the total weight of the at least one melanin device, about 2.4% Na by weight based on the total weight of the at least one melanin device. % K by weight, about 1.9% Mg by weight based on the total weight of the at least one melanin device, and about 5% melanin by weight based on the total weight of the at least one melanin device. 1 or 2. 4. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the melanin is eumelanin. 5. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the dissolved oxygen level in the oxygenated water is about 6 mg/L. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 5, carried out at a temperature of 12°C to 30°C.

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