Multifunctional nanostructured coated mobile carriers entraining nanoparticles and systems and methods for treating contaminated water using the same

Abstract

This disclosure provides mobile carriers coated with multifunctional nanostructures containing nanoparticles, and systems and methods for treating contaminated water using said mobile carriers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure provides mobile carriers coated with multifunctional nanostructures containing nanoparticles, and systems and methods for treating contaminated water using said mobile carriers. Background Technology

[0002] Contaminated water treatment depends on the source and nature of the contaminants and involves a series of treatment steps arranged to meet one or more objectives with a minimal physical footprint and total life-cycle cost [i.e., a combination of capital and operating costs over a predetermined operating life (e.g., 20 years)]. Contaminated water includes, but is not limited to, reclaimed water, drinking water, rainwater, agricultural wastewater, municipal wastewater, and industrial wastewater, such as wastewater from food production and manufacturing. This contaminated water may contain particulate matter and dissolved organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, metals, and / or metalloids. These materials may have social and monetary value. For example, nitrogen and phosphorus are major components of fertilizers.

[0003] Phosphate rocks react with sulfuric acid to form phosphoric acid. During 2021, over 95% of phosphate rocks mined in the United States were used to produce phosphoric acid for use in the manufacture of ammonium phosphate fertilizers and animal feed supplements. In 2021, commercial extraction of phosphate rocks from mines located in the United States yielded an estimated 22 million metric tons of marketable product, valued at $1.65 billion (i.e., $75 per metric tonne of phosphate rock) (USGS, United States Geological Survey (2022). Phosphate Rock. Mineral commodity summaries). Commercially available phosphate rocks typically contain approximately 30% orthophosphate (Zapata, F., Roy, RN (2004). Phosphorus in the soil-plant system. Use of Phosphate Rocks for Sustainable Agriculture, Chapter 1. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization. ISBN 92-5-105030-9). Therefore, the average value of orthophosphate mined in the United States during 2021 was US$250 per metric ton.

[0004] Nitrogen (N) is commercially recovered from the air as ammonia (NH3), which is produced by combining atmospheric nitrogen with hydrogen from natural gas. In 2021, the United States produced 14 million metric tons of ammonia, representing approximately 10% of global ammonia production. Urea, ammonium nitrate, nitric acid, ammonium phosphate, and ammonium sulfate (in descending order of importance) are the main derivatives of ammonia produced in the United States. The average price of ammonia in 2021 was estimated at $510 per short ton, significantly higher than the estimated average price of $220 per short ton in 2020. Ammonia prices fluctuate with natural gas prices. In the United States, approximately 88% of apparent ammonia consumption is for use as fertilizer, including anhydrous ammonia, urea, ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphate, and other nitrogen compounds used for direct application. Ammonia is also used in the production of explosives, plastics, synthetic fibers and resins, and many other chemical compounds (USGS, United States Geological Survey (2022). Nitrogen (Fixed) - Ammonia. Mineral commodity summaries).

[0005] Nanoparticles are particulate matter typically having an equivalent spherical diameter of approximately 1 nanometer to 100 nanometers. Some nanoparticles can adsorb and desorb cations and anions, which is useful for contaminated water treatment and resource recovery. However, nanoparticles are difficult to capture and retain in contaminated water treatment processes. For example, iron oxide nanoparticles are magnetic and can adsorb and desorb, but are not limited to, chromate (CrO4) ions. -2 Arsenate (AsO4) 3- ), selenate (SeO4 2- ), orthovanadate (VO4) 3- ) and orthophosphate (PO4) 3- (O) anions. Magnetite (Fe3O4), a common form of iron oxide, can be used to adsorb and desorb anionic pollutants from water. For example, zeolite nanoparticles, hydrated aluminosilicates of sodium, potassium, calcium, and barium, can be used to adsorb and desorb cationic pollutants from contaminated water, including but not limited to calcium (CaO) anions. 2+ ), magnesium (Mg) 2 + ) and ammonium (NH4) +Some naturally occurring materials can adsorb and desorb contaminants from water, but manufactured ion exchange resins are most commonly used for this purpose. Nanoparticles that adsorb and desorb contaminants from water (such as iron oxides and zeolites) can be incorporated into multifunctional nanostructures (MNS) that can be coated on a variety of surfaces (Ribet, SM, Shindel, B., dos Reis, R., Nandwana, V., Dravid, VP (2021). Phosphate elimination and recovery lightweight (PEARL) membrane: a sustainable environmental remediation approach. PNAS. DOI: 10.1073 / pnas.2102583118).

[0006] WO 2021 / 173608 A1 describes a method for manufacturing and utilizing a magnetic nanoparticle-coated medium (MNS) for removing and recovering one or more contaminants from water. The nanoparticles may comprise iron, iron oxides, or alloys of iron or iron oxides. Combinations of different types of magnetic nanoparticles may be used, and the nanoparticles may have different compositions, sizes, and / or functional states. The coated porous material may be composed of polyurethane, cellulose, melamine, acrylic acid, polyamide, polyester, polycarbonate, polyaramid, or combinations thereof. Furthermore, the coated porous material may have a solid matrix composed of a hydrophilic polymer. WO 2021 / 173608 A1 describes a method for removing one or more contaminants from water by contacting the MNS-coated porous material containing one or more magnetic particles with water for a specified period of time, thereby adsorbing one or more contaminants onto the MNS-coated porous material. The contaminants may be or include metals, metalloids, heavy metals, inorganic compounds, phosphates (e.g., orthophosphates and / or diphosphates and triphosphates) and / or nitrates. The method includes desorbing contaminants by adjusting the pH of a porous material coated with a magnetically entrained microsphere (MNS). The type of container used to facilitate contact between contaminated water and the MNS is a coated planar membrane or a packed column. Alternatively, if the coated porous material is in the form of a sheet or pad (e.g., a rag, mop head, or sponge), contact between the water and the MNS can occur by placing the coated porous material on or in contaminated water.

[0007] Mobile carriers can be used for the treatment of contaminated water, typically having an equivalent spherical diameter of about 100 micrometers to 10,000 micrometers, and can be made of lignocellulose (Boltz, JP, Daigger, GT (2022). A mobile-organic biofilm process for wastewater treatment. Water Environment Research. DOI:10.1002 / wer.10792).

[0008] US10,138,148B2 describes systems and methods for treating contaminated water using mobile biofilm carriers disposed within a bioreactor. A solid-solid separation unit is adapted to receive an effluent stream from the bioreactor, wherein the effluent stream contains mobile carriers covered by a biofilm, and to separate at least a portion of the mobile carriers and biofilm from the effluent stream and return them to the bioreactor. A second bioreactor may be present between the first bioreactor and the solid-solid separation unit. The second bioreactor has a first inlet adapted to receive a stream containing migrating or mobile biofilm carriers and biofilm from the solid-solid separation unit, a second inlet adapted to receive an inflow to the second bioreactor, and an outlet for distributing a second effluent to the first bioreactor. The bioreactor may have aerobic, anoxic, and / or anaerobic conditions, or any combination thereof. The treatment system may also include another unit for liquid and solid separation, adapted to receive a stream containing residual solids from the solid-solid separation unit and to further separate the stream containing residual solids into secondary effluent and underflow.

[0009] US 9,802,847 B2 describes apparatus and methods for wastewater treatment that utilize sieves to retain solids in activated sludge processes (i.e., bioreactors and units for liquid and solid separation). Sieves can be used to separate and retain solids based on size or compressibility. Sieves can also be used to physically retain slow-growing microorganisms, rapidly settling organisms, and / or can be used as additives to resins, adsorbents, or catalysts to treat or remove components from activated sludge processes. Sieves can be applied at any point in the system. A series of sieves can be used to retain particles in a wide range of sizes. Bioreactors can have aerobic, anoxic, and / or anaerobic conditions, or any combination thereof. Sieves can have aperture sizes from about 10 micrometers to 1,000 micrometers. Summary of the Invention

[0010] A first aspect of this disclosure relates to a system for removing and recovering one or more contaminants from water, the system comprising a first reactor configured to: receive contaminated water containing one or more contaminants, at least a portion of which has a net charge; receive a solution containing one or more acids or bases configured to give the contaminated water a first desired target pH; receive one or more mobile carriers comprising a core coated with a porous non-reactive binder comprising one or more types of nanoparticles, the mobile carriers configured to physically and chemically associate with at least one of the one or more contaminants; and output a first reactor effluent containing water having the first desired pH and one or more mobile carriers physically and chemically associated with at least one of the one or more contaminants. The first aspect further includes a first solid-solid separation unit configured to separate a first reactor effluent into a first effluent and a second effluent, wherein: the first effluent of the first solid-solid separation unit comprises water having a first desired pH and is at least substantially free of one or more mobile carriers and one or more contaminants; and the second effluent of the first solid-solid separation unit has a first desired pH and comprises one or more mobile carriers physically and chemically associated with at least one or more contaminants. The system of the first aspect also includes a second reactor in fluid communication with the first solid-solid separation unit, the second reactor configured to: receive the second effluent of the first solid-solid separation unit; receive a solution comprising at least one of one or more alkalis and one or more brines, said solution being configured to give the second effluent of the first solid-solid separation unit a second desired pH; and output a second reactor effluent having the second desired pH and comprising one or more contaminants separated from one or more mobile carriers. The system in the first aspect further includes a second solid-solid separation unit configured to separate the effluent from the second reactor into a first effluent and a second effluent of the second solid-solid separation unit, wherein: the first effluent of the second solid-solid separation unit contains one or more mobile carriers; and the second effluent of the second solid-solid separation unit has a second desired pH and contains one or more contaminants.

[0011] In some embodiments of the first aspect, one or more pollutants comprise a mixture of one or more phosphates, one or more ammonium salts, or any combination of both or more thereof.

[0012] In some embodiments of the first aspect, one or more phosphates include one or more of orthophosphate, diphosphate, and triphosphate.

[0013] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the contaminated water is combined with a solution containing one or more acids or one or more bases and one or more mobile carriers before being fed into the first reactor.

[0014] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first reactor is configured to mix contaminated water, a solution containing one or more acids or one or more bases, and one or more mobile carriers to promote a surface-based reaction between one or more mobile carriers and one or more contaminants.

[0015] In some embodiments of the first aspect, at least a portion of the first effluent from the first solid-solid separation unit is fed into the first reactor.

[0016] In some embodiments of the first aspect, at least a portion of the first effluent from the first solid-solid separation unit is combined with contaminated water before being fed into the first reactor.

[0017] In some embodiments of the first aspect, a solution containing one or more bases or one or more acids is added to at least a portion of the first effluent from the first solid-solid separation unit to produce treated water.

[0018] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the system further includes a disinfection unit configured to receive treated water, wherein the disinfection unit is configured to destroy residual organic compounds in the treated water.

[0019] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the system further includes a liquid-solid separation unit configured to receive a first effluent from a first solid-solid separation unit and to separate one or more solids from water in the first effluent from the first solid-solid separation unit, wherein a solution containing one or more alkalis or one or more acids is added to the water output from the liquid-solid separation unit.

[0020] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the second reactor is configured to agitate the second effluent of the first solid-solid separation unit and a solution containing at least one of one or more bases to separate one or more contaminants from one or more mobile carriers.

[0021] In some embodiments of the first aspect, at least a portion of the second effluent from the second solid-solid separation unit is fed into the second reactor.

[0022] In some embodiments of the first aspect, at least a portion of the second effluent from the second solid-solid separation unit is combined with the second effluent from the first solid-solid separation unit before being fed into the second reactor.

[0023] In some embodiments of the first aspect, a solution comprising at least one of one or more alkalis and one or more brines is combined with a second effluent from the first solid-solid separation unit before being fed into the second reactor.

[0024] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first effluent from the second solid-solid separation unit is fed into the first reactor.

[0025] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first effluent from the second solid-solid separation unit is combined with contaminated water before being fed into the first reactor.

[0026] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first solid-solid separation unit is configured to use sieving, hydrocyclone separation, sedimentation, clarification, membrane filtration, and filter cloth disc filtration, or any combination of two or more thereof.

[0027] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the second solid-solid separation unit is configured to use sieving, hydrocyclone separation, sedimentation, clarification, membrane filtration, classification, and filter cloth disc filtration, or any combination of two or more thereof.

[0028] In some embodiments of the first aspect, one or more mobile carriers occupy up to 100% of the volume of the first reactor.

[0029] In some embodiments of the first aspect, one or more mobile carriers occupy up to 100% of the volume of the second reactor.

[0030] In some embodiments of the first aspect, one or more mobile carriers constitute 1% to 100% of the total suspended solids in the first reactor.

[0031] In some embodiments of the first aspect, one or more mobile carriers constitute 1% to 100% of the total suspended solids in the second reactor.

[0032] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first reactor is partitioned to perform two or more serial processes.

[0033] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first reactor is partitioned to perform two or more parallel processes.

[0034] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the hydraulic residence time of the first reactor is from 0.1 hours to 100 hours.

[0035] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first reactor is mixed to have a velocity gradient of 1 / second to 1,000,000 / second.

[0036] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the second reactor is partitioned to perform two or more serial processes.

[0037] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the second reactor is partitioned to perform two or more parallel processes.

[0038] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the hydraulic residence time of the second reactor is from 0.1 hours to 100 hours.

[0039] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the system further includes a disinfection unit configured to receive at least a portion of the second effluent from the second solid-solid separation unit, wherein the disinfection unit is configured to destroy residual organic compounds in at least a portion of the second effluent from the second solid-solid separation unit.

[0040] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the system further includes an oxidation unit configured to receive at least a portion of the second effluent from the first solid-solid separation unit.

[0041] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the system further includes a liquid-solid separation unit configured to receive a second effluent from a second solid-solid separation unit and to separate one or more contaminants from the water in the second effluent from the second solid-solid separation unit.

[0042] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the system further includes a concentrator unit configured to receive a second effluent from a second solid-solid separation unit.

[0043] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the system further includes a third reactor in fluid communication with the second solid-solid separation unit, the third reactor being configured to: receive a second effluent from the second solid-solid separation unit; receive a solution containing at least one of one or more alkaline earth metal salts, one or more acids, and one or more bases; and output treated water containing one or more pollutant particles.

[0044] In some embodiments of the first aspect, one or more alkaline earth metal salts include one or more calcium salts, one or more magnesium salts, one or more potassium salts, one or more aluminum salts, one or more iron salts, one or more copper salts, or any combination of two or more thereof.

[0045] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the system further includes a liquid-solid separation unit configured to separate treated water from one or more pollutant particles.

[0046] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the system further includes a concentrator unit configured to separate treated water from one or more pollutant particles.

[0047] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the system further includes at least one of a liquid-solid separation unit and a concentrator unit arranged in fluid communication between the first reactor and the first solid-solid separation unit, wherein: at least one of the liquid-solid separation unit and the concentrator unit outputs a first effluent containing water having a first desired pH, the first effluent being at least substantially free of one or more mobile carriers and one or more contaminants; at least one of the liquid-solid separation unit and the concentrator unit outputs a second effluent having the first desired pH and containing one or more mobile carriers having one or more contaminants; and the second effluent from the liquid-solid separation unit is input to the first solid-solid separation unit.

[0048] In some implementations of the first aspect, the first desired pH is equal to or less than 8.

[0049] In some implementations of the first aspect, the second desired pH is equal to or greater than 7.

[0050] In some embodiments of the first aspect, one or more mobile carriers include a first mobile carrier comprising a core coated with a porous non-reactive binder, the porous non-reactive binder comprising one or more types of nanoparticles, wherein at least one of the following is true: the density of the first mobile carrier is 0.01 g / cm³. 3 Up to 20g / cm 3 The size of the first mobile carrier is from 1 micrometer to 12,500 micrometers, and the thickness of the porous non-reactive adhesive is from 0.001 micrometers to 1,000 micrometers.

[0051] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the shape of the first mobile carrier is formed by one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physical-chemical processes, or any combination of both or more thereof.

[0052] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first mobile carrier has a naturally occurring shape.

[0053] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the size of the first mobile carrier is formed by one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physical-chemical processes, or any combination of both or more thereof.

[0054] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the porosity of the first mobile carrier is formed by one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physical-chemical processes, or any combination of both or more thereof.

[0055] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first mobile carrier has a net negative charge.

[0056] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first mobile carrier has a net positive charge.

[0057] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the nucleus is formed by one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physical-chemical processes, or any combination of both or more thereof.

[0058] In some implementations of the first aspect, the nucleus is naturally occurring.

[0059] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the core comprises one or more hydrophobic polymers, gypsum, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, basalt, bauxite, graphite, beeswax (cera alba), bone, or any combination of two or more thereof.

[0060] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the porous non-reactive binder further comprises one or more magnetic nanoparticles, carbon, one or more carbon-containing compounds, one or more ceramics, one or more metals, one or more metal oxides, one or more polymers, one or more zeolites, one or more ion exchange resins, or any combination of two or more thereof.

[0061] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the porous non-reactive binder comprises one or more magnetic nanoparticles and one or more ion exchange resins.

[0062] A second aspect of this disclosure relates to a mobile carrier for removing and recovering one or more contaminants from water, said mobile carrier comprising a core coated with a porous non-reactive binder comprising one or more types of nanoparticles, wherein at least one of the following is true: the density of the mobile carrier is 0.01 g / cm³. 3 Up to 20g / cm 3The size of the mobile carrier is from 1 micrometer to 12,500 micrometers, and the thickness of the porous non-reactive adhesive is from 0.001 micrometers to 1,000 micrometers.

[0063] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the shape of the mobile carrier is formed by one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physical-chemical processes, or any combination of both or more thereof.

[0064] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the mobile carrier has a naturally occurring shape.

[0065] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the size of the mobile carrier is formed by one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physical-chemical processes, or any combination of both or more thereof.

[0066] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the porosity of the mobile carrier is formed by one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physical-chemical processes, or any combination of both or more thereof.

[0067] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the mobile carrier has a net negative charge.

[0068] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the mobile carrier has a net positive charge.

[0069] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the nucleus is formed by one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physicochemical processes, or any combination of both or more thereof.

[0070] In some implementations of the second aspect, the nucleus is naturally occurring.

[0071] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the core comprises one or more hydrophobic polymers, gypsum, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, basalt, bauxite, graphite, beeswax, bone, or any combination of two or more thereof.

[0072] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the porous non-reactive binder further comprises one or more magnetic nanoparticles, carbon, one or more carbon-containing compounds, one or more ceramics, one or more metals, one or more metal oxides, one or more polymers, one or more zeolites, one or more ion exchange resins, or any combination of two or more thereof.

[0073] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the porous non-reactive binder comprises one or more magnetic nanoparticles and one or more ion exchange resins. Attached Figure Description

[0074] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating exemplary system configurations according to various embodiments of this disclosure.

[0075] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The system configuration diagram includes a disinfection unit that is in fluid communication with the first solid-solid separation unit.

[0076] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The system configuration diagram includes a disinfection unit that is in fluid communication with the second solid-solid separation unit.

[0077] Figure 4 for Figure 1 The system configuration diagram includes a liquid-solid separation unit that is in fluid communication with the first solid-solid separation unit.

[0078] Figure 5 for Figure 1 The system configuration diagram includes a liquid-solid separation unit that is in fluid communication with the second solid-solid separation unit.

[0079] Figure 6 for Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the system configuration also includes a third reactor in fluid communication with the second solid-solid separation unit.

[0080] Figure 7 for Figure 6 The system configuration diagram includes a liquid-solid separation unit that is in fluid communication with the third reactor.

[0081] Figure 8 for Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the system configuration includes a liquid-solid separation unit that is in fluid communication with the first reactor and the first solid-solid separation unit and is located between the first reactor and the first solid-solid separation unit. Detailed Implementation

[0082] This disclosure provides mobile carriers coated with MNS containing nanoparticles, and systems and methods for treating contaminated water using said mobile carriers.

[0083] mobile carrier

[0084] As used herein, "mobile carrier" means a core coated with a porous nonreactive nanoparticle (MNS) comprising one or more types of nanoparticles, wherein the mobile carrier is configured to physically and / or chemically associate with one or more contaminants in contaminated water (e.g., adsorption, binding via ion exchange, precipitation, and / or desorption). The mobile carriers of this disclosure can move with water and contaminants into, within, and out of wastewater treatment reactors and separation units.

[0085] The mobile carrier described in this disclosure can have a concentration of 0.01 g / cm³. 3 Up to 20g / cm 3 The density and / or dimensions (e.g., thickness or diameter) from 1 micrometer to 12,500 micrometers, and porous non-reactive binders can have a thickness from 0.001 micrometers to 1,000 micrometers. While the above indicates 0.01 g / cm³... 3 Up to 20g / cm 3 The density range is specified, but this disclosure contemplates that the lower limit of the range is at least 0.01 g / cm³. 3 And the upper limit of the range is at most 20g / cm. 3 Any density range. Furthermore, while a size range of 1 micrometer to 12,500 micrometers is stated above, this disclosure contemplates any size range where the lower limit of the range is at least 1 micrometer and the upper limit of the range is at most 12,500 micrometers. Furthermore, while a thickness range of 0.001 micrometers to 1,000 micrometers is stated above, this disclosure contemplates any thickness range where the lower limit of the range is at least 0.001 micrometers and the upper limit of the range is at most 1,000 micrometers.

[0086] In some embodiments, the core of the mobile vector can be formed through one or more physical processes. In some embodiments, the core of the mobile vector can be formed through one or more chemical processes. In some embodiments, the core of the mobile vector can be formed through one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, and any combination of two or more of one or more physical-chemical processes.

[0087] In some embodiments, the core of the mobile carrier is a naturally occurring composition.

[0088] In some embodiments, the core may be formed partly of a naturally occurring composition and partly of a designed composition (i.e., a designed composition formed by one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, and / or one or more physical-chemical processes).

[0089] The core of the mobile carrier may comprise one or more hydrophobic polymers. The core may comprise one or more inorganic polymers and / or one or more organic polymers. Exemplary inorganic polymers include, but are not limited to, polysiloxanes, polyphosphazenes, and polyborazylines. Exemplary organic polymers include, but are not limited to, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), nylon (e.g., nylon 6 and nylon 6,6), polytetrafluoroethylene, and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

[0090] The core of the mobile carrier may contain gypsum, which is a soft sulfate mineral made of calcium sulfate dihydrate and has the chemical formula CaSO4·2H2O.

[0091] The core of the mobile carrier may contain lignocellulose, which is a plant biomass consisting of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, wherein the cellulose and hemicellulose are tightly bound to the lignin.

[0092] The core of the mobile carrier may contain hemicellulose, which is a heterogeneous polymer of sugars such as xylose, arabinose, mannose and galactose.

[0093] The core of the mobile carrier may contain basalt, which is a fine-grained extrusive igneous rock formed by the rapid cooling of low-viscosity lava rich in magnesium and iron.

[0094] The core of the mobile carrier may contain bauxite, which is a sedimentary rock with a relatively high aluminum content.

[0095] The core of the mobile carrier may contain graphite, which is a crystalline form of carbon and consists of stacked layers of graphene.

[0096] The core of the mobile carrier may contain white beeswax, which is a purified wax from the honeycomb of bees.

[0097] The nucleus of a mobile carrier can contain bone. The type of bone is not intended to be limited. Bone can be obtained from any type of ossicular organism.

[0098] In some embodiments, the core of the mobile carrier may comprise any combination of two or more of a hydrophobic polymer, gypsum, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, basalt, bauxite, graphite, beeswax, and bone.

[0099] A variety of porous non-reactive binders can be used in MNS coatings for mobile carriers. Porous binders can be made of natural or synthetic materials; can be woven or non-woven; and can be assumed to come in various forms.

[0100] Porous non-reactive adhesives can be described as solid matrices whose surfaces define a plurality of pores distributed throughout them. In some embodiments, the solid matrix may be characterized as a network of interconnected lines extending (e.g., randomly, but regularly oriented lines, such as those used in woven fabrics) to define a plurality of pores and elongated, tortuous channels distributed throughout the solid matrix. The surfaces of the solid matrix may integrate one or more types of nanoparticles that typically do not penetrate the solid matrix itself and / or do not rely on their ability to penetrate the solid matrix to function. These surfaces include outer / external surfaces that typically face away from the bulk of the solid matrix, and inner / internal surfaces that typically face the internal bulk.

[0101] The size and shape of the pores can be selected depending on the application. In some embodiments, the porous adhesive is inherently hierarchical. This means that the porous adhesive defines multiple groups of pores (e.g., 2, 3, etc.), each characterized by a different average size. The phrase "average size" can refer to the average size (i.e., width or diameter) of the maximum distance between the opposing surfaces of the porous adhesive defining the pores. For example, a group of pores may be characterized by an average size on the millimeter scale (e.g., in the range of 1 mm to 10 mm). A group of pores may be characterized by an average size on the micrometer scale (e.g., in the range of 1 pm to 1000 pm). A group of pores may be characterized by an average diameter on the nanometer scale (e.g., in the range of 1 nm to 100 nm). A group of pores may be characterized by an average diameter within the nanometer scale (e.g., in the range of 1 nm to 20 nm). In some embodiments, the porous adhesive may include two or more such groups.

[0102] Porous nonreactive adhesives can be composed of a variety of natural or synthetic materials, including combinations thereof. Illustrative materials for porous adhesives include polyurethane, cellulose, melamine, polyimide, acrylic acid, polyamide, polyester, polycarbonate, and polyaramid. Embodiments of these materials offer advantages such as polymerization, flexibility, and compressibility. Hydrophilic materials are particularly useful (e.g., cellulose, melamine, and polyamide). However, hydrophilic materials can be combined with amphiphilic materials such as polyimide, polycarbonate, and polyurethane, or with hydrophobic materials such as polyester, polyaramid, and acrylic acid. In some embodiments, the following materials are excluded: activated carbon, biochar, halloysite, silicates, and calcium silicate. Materials such as activated carbon and biochar are typically hydrophobic.

[0103] One or more types of nanoparticles can be integrated with a porous binder to form a mobile carrier. A variety of nanoparticle substances can be integrated with the porous binder. In some embodiments, the loading can be in the range of 0.2 wt%–25 wt%. Here, “wt%” is (weight of nanoparticles) / (total weight of the coated porous material) * 100. This includes 0.5 wt%–20 wt%, 1 wt%–25 wt%, 1 wt%–15 wt%, and 5 wt%–10 wt%. The loading can be adjusted according to the application. The loading can also be adjusted to provide a certain surface coverage of magnetic nanoparticles on the porous binder. In some embodiments, the nanoparticle substance is one that allows for the formation of a porous binder with a surface coverage of at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99%, or 100% of all surfaces (i.e., inner and outer surfaces).

[0104] In some embodiments, the porous non-reactive binder of the MNS coating can include one or more magnetic nanoparticles. With regard to magnetic nanoparticles, a variety of magnetic materials can be used. In some embodiments, hard magnetic materials can be used. Exemplary hard magnetic particles include, but are not limited to, CoCrPt, Co, Co3Pt, FePd, FePt, CoPt, CoPd, FeCo, MnAl, Fe 14 Nd2B, and SmCo5. In some embodiments, soft magnetic materials can be used. Exemplary soft magnetic materials include, but are not limited to, Fe3O4, MnFe2O4, NiFe2O4, and MgFe2O4. Other soft magnetic materials include the following soft magnetic ferrite compounds having the formula M’ x M” 1-x Fe2O4, where M’ and M” are different and independently selected from Co, Ni, Zn, Ba, Sr, Mg, Mn, and 0 < x < 1. In some embodiments, 0.1 < x < 0.9. Other soft magnetic materials include Fe–Si alloys, Ni–Fe alloys, and nanocrystalline alloys of Fe, Ni, and / or Co with B, C, P, or Si.

[0105] The porous, non-reactive binder of the MNS coating can comprise nanoparticles of various sizes and shapes. Therefore, the term "nanoparticle" is not intended to be limited to a specific size. In some embodiments, the three dimensions of the nanoparticle can each be about 1000 nm or less. Nanoparticles can be spherical, but the term covers irregularly shaped particles that are still reasonably well defined by three dimensions of similar size. A characteristic of the nanoparticle may be its equivalent spherical diameter. The equivalent spherical diameter can be 500 nm or less, 200 nm or less, 100 nm or less, 50 nm or less, 25 nm or less, 10 nm or less, 5 nm, or in the range of 1 nm to 100 nm, 1 nm to 25 nm, or 1 nm to 10 nm. In other embodiments, the equivalent spherical diameter can be in the range of 1 nm to 200 nm, or 10 nm to 200 nm. Magnetic nanoparticles with an equivalent spherical diameter of 10 nm or smaller are useful because they exhibit superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature (20 °C to 25 °C).

[0106] In some embodiments, the magnetic nanoparticles are functionalized. That is, they contain functional groups that can be covalently bound to the surface of the magnetic nanoparticles. For example, the magnetic nanoparticles can be functionalized with chemical groups such as carboxylic acids, amines, phosphoric acids, pyridines, sulfuric acids; and / or biological groups such as amino acids, organic molecules, and antibodies. These groups can be chemically (i.e., covalently) or physically (i.e., non-covalently) bound to the magnetic nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the magnetic nanoparticles are unfunctionalized.

[0107] In some implementations, the porous, non-reactive binder of the MNS coating may contain one or more non-magnetic nanoparticles. A variety of non-magnetic materials can be used for the non-magnetic nanoparticles.

[0108] In some embodiments, the nonmagnetic nanoparticles are functionalized. That is, they contain functional groups that can be covalently bound to the surface of the nonmagnetic nanoparticles. For example, the nonmagnetic nanoparticles can be functionalized with chemical groups such as carboxylic acids, amines, phosphoric acids, pyridines, sulfuric acids; and / or biological groups such as amino acids, organic molecules, and antibodies. These groups can be chemically (i.e., covalently) or physically (i.e., non-covalently) bound to the nonmagnetic nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the nonmagnetic nanoparticles are unfunctionalized.

[0109] Different types of magnetic nanoparticles (e.g., magnetic nanoparticles with different compositions, sizes and / or functionalization states) can be used on a single mobile carrier or across mobile carriers.

[0110] Different types of nonmagnetic nanoparticles (e.g., combinations of nonmagnetic nanoparticles with different compositions, sizes and / or functionalization states) can be used on a single mobile carrier or across mobile carriers.

[0111] Combinations of different types of magnetic and non-magnetic nanoparticles (e.g., magnetic and non-magnetic nanoparticles with different compositions, sizes and / or functionalization states) can be used on a single mobile carrier or across mobile carriers.

[0112] Several methods can be used to form nanoparticles. For example, an oxidizing agent (such as an alkali like NaOH) can be added to an aqueous solution of iron salts for a period of time to initiate the nucleation and growth of iron oxide nanoparticles. However, other methods can be used.

[0113] In some embodiments, the nanoparticles may contain carbon and / or one or more carbon-containing compounds, or be composed of carbon and / or one or more carbon-containing compounds. For example, the nanoparticles may be composed of any form of activated carbon and / or graphite.

[0114] In some embodiments, the nanoparticles may comprise or be composed of one or more ceramics. Ceramics are hard, brittle, heat-resistant, and corrosion-resistant materials, which are made by shaping an inorganic non-metallic material (such as clay) and then firing it at a high temperature. Exemplary ceramics include, but are not limited to, pottery, porcelain, and brick.

[0115] In some embodiments, the nanoparticles may comprise or be composed of hydrophilic and polar oxygen-containing compounds. Exemplary oxygen-containing materials include silica gel, calcium carbonate, and zeolite.

[0116] In some embodiments, the nanoparticles may comprise or consist of one or more metals and / or one or more metal oxides. Examples include, but are not limited to, iron, nickel, cobalt, gadolinium, dysprosium, terbium, and magnetite.

[0117] In some embodiments, the nanoparticles may comprise or consist of one or more polymers. Exemplary polymers include, but are not limited to, cross-linked polystyrene, sodium polystyrene sulfonate, polyAMPS, polyAPTAC, polyethyleneamine, and styrene-divinylbenzene copolymers.

[0118] In some embodiments, the nanoparticles may comprise or be composed of one or more zeolites, wherein the one or more zeolites are minerals primarily comprising aluminum and silicon compounds. Exemplary zeolites include, but are not limited to, analcime, chalcogenide, clinoptilolite, calcareous zeolite, scaly zeolite, scaly zeolite, scaly zeolite, mordenite, and calcium cruciformite.

[0119] In some embodiments, the porous non-reactive binder of the MNS coating may comprise one or more ion exchange resins, which are insoluble polymers comprising a cross-linked polystyrene backbone and ionicly active side chains. Exemplary ion exchange resins include, but are not limited to, those utilizing cross-linked polystyrene, sodium polystyrene sulfonate, polyAMPS, polyAPTAC, polyethyleneamine, and / or styrene-divinylbenzene copolymers.

[0120] In some embodiments, the porous non-reactive binder of the MNS coating may comprise one or more magnetic nanoparticles and one or more ion exchange resins. For example, the binder may comprise one or more magnetic nanoparticles for the adsorption of phosphates (e.g., orthophosphates and / or diphosphates and triphosphates) and / or ammonium salts, and one or more ammonium ion exchange resins.

[0121] In some embodiments, the porous non-reactive binder of the MNS coating may comprise any combination of two or more of the following: one or more magnetic nanoparticles, carbon, one or more carbon-containing compounds, one or more ceramics, one or more metals, one or more metal oxides, one or more polymers, one or more zeolites, and one or more ion exchange resins.

[0122] In some embodiments, the mobile carrier may have a designed shape. In other words, the shape of the mobile carrier may be formed by one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physicochemical processes, or any combination of both or more thereof. In other embodiments, the mobile carrier may have a naturally occurring shape. For example, the mobile carrier may be spherical, near-spherical, cylindrical, cubic, etc.

[0123] In some implementations, the mobile carrier may have a designed size. In other words, the size of the mobile carrier may be formed by one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physicochemical processes, or any combination of both or more thereof.

[0124] In some embodiments, the mobile carrier may have a designed porosity. In other words, the porosity of the mobile carrier can be formed by one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physicochemical processes, or any combination of both or more thereof. In the context of this disclosure, the porosity of the mobile carrier is the ability and performance of the mobile carrier to allow liquid to pass through the overall volume of the solid shape of the mobile carrier, with or without adsorption.

[0125] In some embodiments, the mobile carrier may have a net negative charge. In other embodiments, the mobile carrier may have a net positive charge. It should be understood that the net charge of the mobile carrier may depend at least in part on the contaminant to be removed.

[0126] The effect of a moving carrier on a magnet [e.g., a permanent magnet (B]] can be evaluated. r The net charge of the moving carrier can be determined by observing the response of the magnetic field (from 200 mT to 2000 mT). Electromagnets can also be used. The magnetic properties can be determined by exposing the moving carrier to a magnetic field as low as 200 mT and determining the motion of the moving carrier caused by the magnetic field.

[0127] Methods for manufacturing mobile carriers of the present disclosure are also provided. In some embodiments, manufacturing the mobile carrier includes immersing any disclosed porous binder in a formulation (e.g., a slurry) containing any disclosed nanoparticles for a period of time to integrate the nanoparticles with the porous binder. Immersion may be accompanied by mixing the formulation, including by ultrasonication or vortexing. Immersion may be performed at room temperature (20°C to 25°C). The coated porous binder may then be heated at an elevated temperature (i.e., above room temperature) for a period of time to provide a mobile carrier with entrained nanoparticles.

[0128] Porous, non-reactive binders do not require pretreatment (e.g., acid pretreatment). Using cellulose as an example, acid pretreatment leads to the carboxylation of cellulose (i.e., functionalization of cellulose with carboxylic acid groups). This, in turn, can result in the formation of covalent bonds between the carboxylated cellulose and the nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the porous binder is non-functionalized. In some embodiments, the porous binder does not contain carboxylic acid groups. In some embodiments, the (magnetic) nanoparticles are not covalently bonded to the porous binder.

[0129] Mobile carriers can be used in a variety of applications. One such application is the recovery of contaminants from contaminated water, such as metals (e.g., chromium, copper, cadmium, and nickel), metalloids (e.g., arsenic and selenium), heavy metals (e.g., lead and mercury), and inorganic compounds (e.g., phosphates and ammonium). However, in some embodiments, mobile carriers can be used to recover only phosphates, rather than other contaminants such as arsenic. The phrase “contaminated water” refers to solutions and mixtures containing water (i.e., other components may be present with water). Furthermore, the phrase covers water that may be suspected of being contaminated, as well as solutions and mixtures thereof. There are no particular limitations on the source of contaminated water. For example, sources can be wastewater from factories, drainage from industrial, domestic, or commercial sites, or bodies of water such as pools, ponds, lakes, oceans, streams, creeks, rivers, etc.

[0130] As used in the context of binders herein, “non-reactive” means that the binder does not react with one or more contaminants in the water. Instead, it is other components in the MNS coating that react with one or more contaminants in the water (e.g., one or more magnetic nanoparticles, carbon, one or more carbon-containing compounds, one or more ceramics, one or more metals, one or more metal oxides, one or more polymers, one or more zeolites, and / or one or more ion exchange resins).

[0131] A system for removing and recovering one or more pollutants from water.

[0132] In addition to the mobile carriers detailed above, this disclosure also provides systems for removing and recovering one or more contaminants from water using mobile carriers.

[0133] Reference Figure 1 The system disclosed herein may in particular include a first reactor 102 in fluid communication with a first solid-solid separation unit 104, the first solid-solid separation unit 104 in fluid communication with a second reactor 106, and the second reactor 106 in fluid communication with a second solid-solid separation unit 108.

[0134] The first reactor 102 uses contaminated water 110 as the influent. The contaminated water 110 may contain any of one or more contaminants to be removed from the contaminated water 110 by the mobile carrier to which the present disclosure is to be used. In some embodiments, at least some of the one or more contaminants may have a net charge (i.e., a net positive charge or a net negative charge). Exemplary contaminants include those comprising: one or more metals (e.g., chromium, copper, cadmium, and nickel), one or more metalloids (e.g., arsenic and selenium), one or more heavy metals (e.g., lead and mercury), and / or one or more inorganic compounds (e.g., phosphates and ammonium). In some embodiments, the contaminated water 110 may contain one or more of phosphates and ammonium.

[0135] The first reactor 102 may also use a solution 112 containing one or more acids or one or more bases as the influent to give the contaminated water 110 / effluent in the first reactor 102 a desired pH to promote physical and / or chemical association (e.g., adsorption, binding via ion exchange, and / or precipitation) of one or more contaminants with one or more mobile carriers of this disclosure. In some embodiments, the desired pH may be weakly alkaline, neutral, or acidic. For example, the desired pH may be equal to or less than 8, equal to or less than 7, equal to or less than 6, equal to or less than 5, equal to or less than 4, equal to or less than 3, equal to or less than 2, or equal to 1.

[0136] The system may include a pH meter 113 positioned to measure the pH of contaminated water 110 and send a signal to an automatic dispenser (not shown) of solution 112. This signal, based on an algorithm (which may include mathematical and / or empirical functions and / or fuzzy logic and / or machine learning-based calculations), indicates the amount of solution 112 to be dispensed based on the pH currently measured by the pH meter 113. Several acids or bases may be used sequentially and / or as a mixture to produce solution 112, and the mass of each in solution 112 may vary. A programmable logic controller (PLC) and a pump with a variable-speed motor may be included. The PLC may be programmed to receive the signal from the pH meter 113 and operate the pump until the signal reaches a desired value or tolerance.

[0137] The pH meter 113 may be positioned upstream of the first reactor 102 relative to the fluid flow of the system, or the pH meter 113 may be positioned within the first reactor 102. In some embodiments, an automatic dispenser may be configured to dispense a first solution 112a containing one or more acids and a second solution 112b containing one or more bases, and the automatic dispenser may selectively dispense one of the first solution 112a and the second solution 112b based on signals received from the pH meter 113, an algorithm, and the desired pH to be achieved by the contaminated water 110 / effluent of the first reactor 102.

[0138] This disclosure is not limited to the use of any particular acid or base for the purposes of solution 112. By way of example, and not limitation, when solution 112 contains one or more acids, solution 112 may contain one or more of sulfuric acid (H2SO4), hydrochloric acid (HCl), nitric acid (HNO3), phosphoric acid (H3PO4), and citric acid (C6H8O7). Furthermore, by way of example, and not limitation, when solution 112 contains one or more bases, solution 112 may contain one or more of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), and sodium carbonate (Na2CO3).

[0139] The first reactor 102 may also employ one or more mobile carriers 114 of this disclosure as influent. In some embodiments, one or more mobile carriers 114 may be configured to adsorb one or more pollutants by ion or weak van der Waals forces, bind one or more pollutants by one or more physical processes and / or one or more chemical processes, and / or bind one or more pollutants by ion exchange.

[0140] One or more mobile carriers 114 may occupy different volumes of the first reactor 102. In some embodiments, one or more mobile carriers 114 may be added in certain amounts such that one or more mobile carriers 114 occupy up to 100%, 99%, 98%, 97%, 96%, 95%, 94%, 93%, 92%, 91%, 90%, 89%, 88%, 87%, 86%, 85%, 84%, 83%, 82%, 81%, 80%, 79%, 78%, 77%, 76%, 75%, 74%, 73%, 72%, 71%, 70%, 69%, 68%, 67%, 66%, 65%, 64%, 63%, 62%, 61%, 60%, etc. of the volume of the first reactor 102. 59%, 58%, 57%, 56%, 55%, 54%, 53%, 52%, 51%, 50%, 49%, 48%, 47%, 46%, 45%, 44%, 43%, 42%, 41%, 40%, 39%, 38%, 37%, 36%, 35%, 34%, 33%, 32%, 31%, 30%, 29%, 28%, 27%, 26%, 25%, 24%, 23%, 22%, 21%, 20%, 19%, 18%, 17%, 16%, 15%, 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, or 1%. In some embodiments, one or more mobile carriers 114 may be added in a certain amount such that the one or more mobile carriers 114 occupy at least 99%, 98%, 97%, 96%, 95%, 94%, 93%, 92%, 91%, 90%, 89%, 88%, 87%, 86%, 85%, 84%, 83%, 82%, 81%, 80%, 79%, 78%, 77%, 76%, 75%, 74%, 73%, 72%, 71%, 70%, 69%, 68%, 67%, 66%, 65%, 64%, 63%, 62%, 61%, 60%, or 59% of the volume of the first reactor 102. 58%, 57%, 56%, 55%, 54%, 53%, 52%, 51%, 50%, 49%, 48%, 47%, 46%, 45%, 44%, 43%, 42%, 41%, 40%, 39%, 38%, 37%, 36%, 35%, 34%, 33%, 32%, 31%, 30%, 29%, 28%, 27%, 26%, 25%, 24%, 23%, 22%, 21%, 20%, 19%, 18%, 17%, 16%, 15%, 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, or 1%.In some embodiments, one or more mobile carriers 114 may be added in a certain amount such that one or more mobile carriers 114 occupy 1% to 100% of the volume of the first reactor 102. However, this disclosure contemplates any percentage range in which one or more mobile carriers 114 occupy the volume of the first reactor 102, wherein the lower limit of the range is at least 1% and the upper limit of the range is at most 100%.

[0141] One or more mobile carriers 114 can be in various amounts of the total suspended solids in the first reactor 102. In some embodiments, one or more mobile carriers 114 can be added in certain amounts such that one or more mobile carriers 114 constitute 1% to 100% of the total suspended solids in the first reactor 102. However, this disclosure contemplates any percentage range of one or more mobile carriers 114 constituting the total suspended solids in the first reactor 102, wherein the lower limit of the range is at least 1%, and the upper limit of the range is at most 100%.

[0142] In some embodiments, one or more mobile carriers 114 may be added directly to the first reactor 102. In other embodiments, one or more mobile carriers 114 may be added to the system of this disclosure upstream of the first reactor 102 relative to the fluid flow (e.g., one or more mobile carriers 114 may be added to the contaminated water 110 before it is fed into the first reactor 102).

[0143] In some embodiments, two or more of the following—contaminated water 110, solution 112 containing one or more acids or one or more bases, and mobile carriers 114—may be combined before being fed into the first reactor 102. In some embodiments, the contaminated water 110 may be combined with solution 112 and / or one or more mobile carriers 114 before being fed into the first reactor 102.

[0144] In some embodiments, each of the following can be fed into the first reactor 102: contaminated water 110, a solution 112 containing one or more acids or one or more bases, and one or more mobile carriers 114.

[0145] The first reactor 102 is not intended to be limited to any particular structural configuration. Rather, the first reactor 102 is intended for any structural configuration capable of mixing contaminated water 110, a solution 112 containing one or more acids or one or more bases, and one or more mobile carriers 114 to disperse the mobile carriers 114 throughout the contaminated water 110 and promote surface-based reactions between the mobile carriers 114 and one or more contaminants in the contaminated water 110. For example, but not limited to, the first reactor 102 can be a concrete or steel tank.

[0146] In some embodiments, the first reactor 102 may be partitioned. Regarding the first reactor 102, "partitioned" and "partitioned" mean that the first reactor 102 is divided into two or more zones. In some embodiments, the zones are physically separated, for example, by one or more spacers or walls. Spacers include weir walls, submerged weir walls, curtains, or other physical separation devices. In some embodiments, one or more spacers are positioned parallel to the flow direction of the contaminated water 110 in the first reactor 102, thereby creating a plurality of parallel first reactors. In other embodiments, one or more spacers are positioned perpendicular to the flow direction of the contaminated water 110 in the first reactor 102, thereby creating a plurality of serial first reactors.

[0147] In some embodiments, the hydraulic residence time of the first reactor 102 can be from 0.1 hours to 100 hours. However, this disclosure contemplates that the first reactor 102 has any range of hydraulic residence times, wherein the lower limit of the range is at least 0.1 hours and the upper limit of the range is at most 100 hours.

[0148] In some embodiments, the first reactor 102 may be mixed to have a velocity gradient of 1 / second to 1,000,000 / second. However, this disclosure contemplates that the first reactor 102 may be mixed to have a velocity gradient within any range, wherein the lower limit of the range is at least 1 / second and the upper limit of the range is at most 1,000,000 / second. The first reactor 102 may be mixed by a variety of means, including but not limited to mechanical mixing, jet mixing, air mixing, and any combination of both or more thereof.

[0149] The first reactor 102 outputs a first reactor effluent 116, which contains water having the desired pH (e.g., equal to or less than 8) as described above, and one or more mobile carriers 114 having one or more pollutants physically and / or chemically associated (e.g., adsorption, binding by ion exchange, and / or precipitation) with one or more mobile carriers 114.

[0150] exist Figure 1 In this example, the first reactor effluent 116 is fed into a first solid-solid separation unit 104. The first solid-solid separation unit 104 can be any device configured to perform one or more solid-solid separation processes that substantially or completely separate the first reactor effluent 116 into a first effluent 118 and a second effluent 120. The first effluent 118 contains substantially or completely uncontaminated water having the desired pH described above (i.e., water at least substantially free of one or more mobile carriers 114 and one or more contaminants). The second effluent 120 also has the desired pH and contains one or more mobile carriers 114 having one or more contaminants physically and / or chemically associated with (e.g., adsorption, binding via ion exchange, and / or precipitation) the mobile carriers 114.

[0151] The first solid-solid separation unit 104 may employ separation factors, including but not limited to centripetal force, fluid resistance (drag), gravity, settling velocity, and characteristics of the moving carrier such as size, shape, and density. Exemplary first solid-solid separation units include, but are not limited to, those using sieving, hydrocyclone separation, settling, clarification, membrane filtration, filter cloth disc filtration, classification, and combinations of any two or more thereof. For example, the first solid-solid separation unit 104 may include hydrocyclones, plate setters, static screens, belt screens, drum screens, sieve plates, pyramidal classifiers (i.e., a series of cones that separate particles based on size order), single-cone classifiers, double-cone classifiers, multi-cone classifiers, concentric cones, effervescent chambers (i.e., vertical columns), bubbling (i.e., bubble-forming) chambers, and / or flotation chambers. In some embodiments, the first solid-solid separation unit 104 includes two or more such devices, wherein the devices are identical or different (e.g., four hydrocyclones arranged in series, or a flotation chamber coupled to a bubbling chamber).

[0152] Since the first effluent 118 of the first solid-solid separation unit 104 is substantially or completely uncontaminated water, the first effluent 118 can be released from the system as treated water 122. Because the first effluent 118 has a desired pH due to the addition of solution 112, the first effluent 118 can be mixed with solution 124 containing one or more bases or one or more acids to give the treated water 122 a pH suitable for the treated effluent.

[0153] The system may include a pH meter 126 positioned to measure the pH of a first effluent 118 and send a signal to an automatic dispenser (not shown) of solution 124. This signal, based on an algorithm (which may include mathematical and / or empirical functions and / or fuzzy logic and / or machine learning-based calculations), indicates the amount of solution 124 to be dispensed based on the pH currently measured by the pH meter 126. Several acids or bases may be used sequentially and / or as a mixture to produce solution 124, and the mass of each in solution 124 may vary. A PLC and a pump with a variable-speed motor may be included. The PLC may be programmed to receive the signal from the pH meter 126 and operate the pump until the signal reaches a desired value or tolerance.

[0154] In some implementations, the automatic dispenser can be configured to dispense a first solution 124a containing one or more acids and a second solution 124b containing one or more bases, and the automatic dispenser can selectively dispense one of the first solution 124a and the second solution 124b based on signals received from the pH meter 126, an algorithm, and the desired pH to be achieved by the treated water 122.

[0155] This disclosure is not limited to the use of any particular acid or base for the purposes of solution 124. By way of example, and not limitation, when solution 124 contains one or more acids, solution 124 may contain one or more of sulfuric acid (H2SO4), hydrochloric acid (HCl), nitric acid (HNO3), phosphoric acid (H3PO4), and citric acid (C6H8O7). Furthermore, by way of example, and not limitation, when solution 124 contains one or more bases, solution 124 may contain one or more of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), and sodium carbonate (Na2CO3).

[0156] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first effluent 118 of the first solid-solid separation unit 104 is recycled back and fed into the first reactor 102. By recycling at least a portion of the first effluent 118, a reduced amount of solution 112 (i.e., acid and / or base) can be used because at least a portion of the first effluent 118 is at the desired pH of the contaminated water 110 in the first reactor 102. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first effluent 118 may be fed directly into the first reactor 102. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first effluent 118 may be combined with the contaminated water 110 before it is fed into the first reactor 102. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first effluent 118 may be combined with the contaminated water 110 before the pH of the contaminated water 110 is measured by a pH meter 113 (i.e., it may be combined with the contaminated water 110 upstream of the pH meter 113 relative to the fluid flow).

[0157] The second effluent 120 from the first solid-solid separation unit 104 can be fed into the second reactor 106. In some embodiments, it may be necessary to add water to the second effluent 120 to fully fluidize it for delivery to the second reactor 106 and / or to remove one or more mobile carriers 114 from the solid-solid separation unit. In such embodiments, it is desirable to add the minimum amount of water required.

[0158] In some embodiments, the second effluent 120 (or a portion thereof) of the first solid-solid separation unit 104 may pass through an oxidation unit before being fed into the second reactor 106. The oxidation unit may be configured to destroy residual organic compounds in the second effluent 120 (or a portion thereof) using one or more of ultraviolet oxidation, metal-catalyzed oxidation (e.g., Fenton's reagent), and chemical oxidation (e.g., using chloride).

[0159] The second reactor 106 may also use a solution 130 containing one or more bases and / or one or more brine solutions (i.e., water with extremely high salt content) as the influent to give the second effluent 120 of the first solid-solid separation unit 104 a desired pH to promote the dissociation of one or more contaminants from one or more mobile carriers 114 (e.g., desorption, reversal of ion exchange binding, etc.). In some embodiments, solution 130 may contain one or more bases and one or more brine solutions because the combination of pH and cation concentration can promote the dissociation of one or more contaminants from one or more mobile carriers 114. In some embodiments, the desired pH may be neutral or alkaline. For example, the desired pH may be equal to or greater than 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14.

[0160] The system may include a pH meter 132 positioned to measure the pH of the second effluent 120 of the first solid-solid separation unit 104 and to send a signal to an automatic dispenser (not shown) of solution 130. This signal, based on an algorithm (which may include mathematical and / or empirical functions and / or fuzzy logic and / or machine learning-based calculations), indicates the amount of solution 130 to be dispensed based on the pH currently measured by the pH meter 132. Conceptually, several bases and / or brine solutions may be used to produce solution 130, and the mass of each in solution 130 may vary. A PLC and a pump with a variable-speed motor may be included. The PLC may be programmed to receive the signal from the pH meter 132 and to operate the pump until the signal reaches a desired value or tolerance.

[0161] The pH meter 132 can be positioned upstream of the second reactor 106 relative to the fluid flow of the system, or the pH meter 132 can be positioned inside the second reactor 106.

[0162] This disclosure is not limited to the use of any particular base or brine for the purposes of solution 30. By way of example, and not limitation, when solution 130 contains one or more bases, solution 130 may contain one or more of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), and sodium carbonate (Na2CO3). Furthermore, by way of example, and not limitation, when solution 130 contains one or more brines, solution 130 may contain metals or other cations, such as chlorides (e.g., sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, and calcium chloride) and / or sulfates (e.g., sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate, and calcium sulfate).

[0163] One or more mobile carriers 114 may occupy different volumes of the second reactor 106. In some embodiments, one or more mobile carriers 114 may occupy up to 100%, 99%, 98%, 97%, 96%, 95%, 94%, 93%, 92%, 91%, 90%, 89%, 88%, 87%, 86%, 85%, 84%, 83%, 82%, 81%, 80%, 79%, 78%, 77%, 76%, 75%, 74%, 73%, 72%, 71%, 70%, 69%, 68%, 67%, 66%, 65%, 64%, 63%, 62%, 61%, 60%, 59%, 58%, and 57% of the volume of the second reactor 106. 56%, 55%, 54%, 53%, 52%, 51%, 50%, 49%, 48%, 47%, 46%, 45%, 44%, 43%, 42%, 41%, 40%, 39%, 38%, 37%, 36%, 35%, 34%, 33%, 32%, 31%, 30%, 29%, 28%, 27%, 26%, 25%, 24%, 23%, 22%, 21%, 20%, 19%, 18%, 17%, 16%, 15%, 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, or 1%. In some embodiments, one or more mobile carriers 114 may occupy at least 99%, 98%, 97%, 96%, 95%, 94%, 93%, 92%, 91%, 90%, 89%, 88%, 87%, 86%, 85%, 84%, 83%, 82%, 81%, 80%, 79%, 78%, 77%, 76%, 75%, 74%, 73%, 72%, 71%, 70%, 69%, 68%, 67%, 66%, 65%, 64%, 63%, 62%, 61%, 60%, 59%, 58%, 57%, 56% of the volume of the second reactor 106. %, 55%, 54%, 53%, 52%, 51%, 50%, 49%, 48%, 47%, 46%, 45%, 44%, 43%, 42%, 41%, 40%, 39%, 38%, 37%, 36%, 35%, 34%, 33%, 32%, 31%, 30%, 29%, 28%, 27%, 26%, 25%, 24%, 23%, 22%, 21%, 20%, 19%, 18%, 17%, 16%, 15%, 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, or 1%. In some embodiments, one or more mobile carriers 114 may occupy 1% to 100% of the volume of the second reactor 106.However, this disclosure envisions any percentage range of one or more mobile carriers 114 occupying the volume of the second reactor 106, wherein the lower limit of the range is at least 1% and the upper limit of the range is at most 100%.

[0164] One or more mobile carriers 114 can be of various amounts of total suspended solids in the second reactor 106. In some embodiments, one or more mobile carriers 114 can be 1% to 100% of the total suspended solids in the second reactor 106. However, this disclosure contemplates any percentage range of one or more mobile carriers 114 for the total suspended solids in the second reactor 106, wherein the lower limit of the range is at least 1% and the upper limit of the range is at most 100%.

[0165] In some embodiments, the second effluent 120 of the first solid-solid separation unit 104 may be combined with a solution 130 containing one or more alkalis and / or one or more brines before the second effluent 120 and solution 130 are fed into the second reactor 106.

[0166] In some embodiments, the second effluent 120 of the first solid-solid separation unit 104 and the solution 130 containing one or more alkalis and / or one or more brines can be separately fed into the second reactor 106.

[0167] The second reactor 106 is not intended to be limited to any particular structural configuration. Rather, the second reactor 106 is intended for any structural configuration capable of agitating the second effluent 120 (which contains one or more mobile carriers 114 having one or more contaminants physically and / or chemically associated with one or more mobile carriers 114 (e.g., adsorption, binding by ion exchange, and / or precipitation)) and promoting the dissociation of one or more contaminants from one or more mobile carriers 114 (e.g., desorption, reversal of ion exchange binding, etc.). For example, but not limited to, the second reactor 106 can be a concrete or steel tank.

[0168] In some embodiments, the second reactor 106 may be partitioned. Regarding the second reactor 106, "partitioned" and "partitioned" mean that the second reactor 106 is divided into two or more zones. In some embodiments, the zones are physically separated, for example, by one or more spacers or walls. Spacers include weir walls, submerged weir walls, curtains, or other physical separation devices. In some embodiments, one or more spacers are positioned parallel to the flow direction of the fluid in the second reactor 106, thereby creating a plurality of parallel second reactors. In other embodiments, one or more spacers are positioned perpendicular to the flow direction of the fluid in the second reactor 106, thereby creating a plurality of serial second reactors.

[0169] In some embodiments, the hydraulic residence time of the second reactor 106 can be from 0.1 hours to 100 hours. However, this disclosure contemplates that the second reactor 106 has any range of hydraulic residence times, wherein the lower limit of the range is at least 0.1 hours and the upper limit of the range is at most 100 hours.

[0170] In some embodiments, the second reactor 106 may be mixed to have a velocity gradient of 1 / second to 1,000,000 / second. However, this disclosure contemplates that the second reactor 106 may be mixed to have a velocity gradient within any range, wherein the lower limit of the range is at least 1 / second and the upper limit of the range is at most 1,000,000 / second. The second reactor 106 may be mixed by a variety of means, including but not limited to mechanical mixing, jet mixing, air mixing, and any combination of both or more thereof.

[0171] The second reactor 106 outputs a second reactor effluent 134, which has the desired pH described above and contains one or more contaminants separated from (i.e., physically and chemically dissociated from) one or more mobile carriers 114.

[0172] exist Figure 1 In this example, the effluent 134 from the second reactor is fed into a second solid-solid separation unit 108. The second solid-solid separation unit 108 can be any device configured to perform one or more solid-solid separation processes that substantially or completely separate the second reactor effluent 134 into a first effluent 136 and a second effluent 138. The first effluent 136 contains one or more mobile carriers 114 and is substantially or completely free of one or more contaminants. Because water is required to transport the second reactor effluent 134 from the second reactor 106 to the second solid-solid separation unit 108, the second effluent 138 has a desired pH and contains one or more contaminants and is substantially or completely free of one or more mobile carriers 114.

[0173] The second solid-solid separation unit 108 may employ separation factors, including but not limited to centripetal force, fluid resistance (drag), settling velocity, and particle characteristics such as size, shape, and density. Exemplary second solid-solid separation units include, but are not limited to, those using sieving, hydrocyclone separation, settling, clarification, membrane filtration, filter cloth disc filtration, classification, and combinations of any two or more thereof. For example, the second solid-solid separation unit 108 may include hydrocyclones, plate setters, static screens, belt screens, drum screens, sieve plates, pyramidal classifiers (i.e., a series of cones that separate particles based on size order), single-cone classifiers, double-cone classifiers, multi-cone classifiers, concentric cones, effervescent chambers (i.e., vertical columns), bubbling (i.e., bubble-forming) chambers, and / or flotation chambers. In some embodiments, the first solid-solid separation unit 104 includes two or more such devices, wherein the devices are identical or different (e.g., four hydrocyclones arranged in series, or a flotation chamber coupled to a bubbling chamber).

[0174] The first effluent 136 of the second solid-solid separation unit 108 can be recycled back and fed into the first reactor 102. Therefore, it should be understood that one or more mobile carriers 114 are reusable through the system of this disclosure. In some embodiments, the first effluent 136 of the second solid-solid separation unit 108 can be fed directly into the first reactor 102. In some embodiments, the first effluent 136 of the second solid-solid separation unit 108 can be combined with contaminated water 110 before it is fed into the first reactor 102. In some embodiments, the first effluent 136 of the second solid-solid separation unit 108 can be combined with contaminated water 110 before the pH of the contaminated water 110 is measured by pH meter 113 (i.e., it can be combined with the contaminated water 110 upstream of the pH meter 113 relative to the fluid flow).

[0175] The second effluent 138 of the second solid-solid separation unit 108 can be released from the system and used, for example, to produce fertilizers and animal feed supplements.

[0176] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the second effluent 138 of the second solid-solid separation unit 108 is recycled back and fed into the second reactor 106. By recycling at least a portion of the second effluent 138, a reduced amount of solution 130 can be used because at least a portion of the second effluent 138 is at the desired pH of the fluid in and out of the second reactor 106. Furthermore, in cases where the second effluent 138 contains cations due to the solution 130 containing one or more brine solutions, recycling at least a portion of the second effluent 138 allows the concentration of specific one or more contaminants (e.g., phosphates and / or ammonium) to be maintained, thereby maximizing the precipitation of specific one or more contaminants (e.g., phosphates and / or ammonium) in the second reactor 106. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the second effluent 138 can be fed directly into the second reactor 106. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the second effluent 138 can be combined with the second effluent 120 of the first solid-solid separation unit 104 before the second effluent 120 is fed into the second reactor 106. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the second effluent 138 may be combined with the second effluent 120 of the first solid-solid separation unit 104 before the pH of the second effluent 120 is measured by pH meter 132 (i.e., it may be combined with the second effluent 120 upstream of pH meter 132 relative to fluid flow).

[0177] Reference Figure 2 The system disclosed herein may include a disinfection unit 202 in fluid communication with the first solid-solid separation unit 104. The disinfection unit 202 receives treated water 122 and may use one or more of ultraviolet oxidation, metal-catalyzed oxidation, and chemical oxidation to destroy residual organic compounds in the treated water 122. The disinfection unit 202 may be a concrete or steel structure and may have an open surface or may be enclosed.

[0178] Reference Figure 3 The system disclosed herein may include a disinfection unit 302 in fluid communication with a second solid-solid separation unit 108. The disinfection unit 302 receives at least a portion of the second effluent (i.e., second effluent 138) from the second solid-solid separation unit 108, the second effluent containing one or more contaminants and substantially or completely free of one or more mobile carriers 114. The disinfection unit 302 may use one or more of ultraviolet oxidation, metal-catalyzed oxidation, and chemical oxidation to destroy residual organic compounds in at least a portion of the second effluent (i.e., second effluent 138) from the second solid-solid separation unit 108. The disinfection unit 302 may be a concrete or steel structure and may have an open surface or may be enclosed.

[0179] Reference Figure 4 The system disclosed herein may include a liquid-solid separation unit 402 in fluid communication with a first solid-solid separation unit 104. The liquid-solid separation unit 402 is positioned to receive a first effluent 118 from the first solid-solid separation unit 104. The liquid-solid separation unit 402 may be any device capable of performing a liquid-solid separation process that substantially separates undissolved or suspended solids 404 (e.g., metals (e.g., Al, Ca, K, Mg, Na, Mn, Fe, Cu) and ions (e.g., Cl, SO4, CO3, HCO3, O, OH, (OH)2, (OH)3, (OH)4, NH3, (NH3)2, PO4, (PO4)2, HPO3, HPO4, H2PO4, HS and S ions) and / or combinations thereof) from the water in the first effluent 118 of the first solid-solid separation unit 104. Such devices include, but are not limited to, membrane filtration units, clarification (or settling) tank units, particulate media filtration units, dissolved air flotation units, ballast flocculation clarification (or settling) units, centrifuges, etc. In some cases, solid 404 may be referred to as "sludge". In some embodiments, solid 404 may be the underflow of liquid-solid separation unit 402.

[0180] In embodiments where the system includes a liquid-solid separation unit 402, solution 124 can be added to the treated effluent of the liquid-solid separation unit 402 (in... Figure 4 It is shown in at least a portion of the first effluent 118.

[0181] Reference Figure 5 The system disclosed herein may include a liquid-solid separation unit 502 in fluid communication with a second solid-solid separation unit 108. The liquid-solid separation unit 502 is positioned to receive at least a portion or all of the second effluent 138 from the second solid-solid separation unit 108 (i.e., depending on whether a portion of the second effluent 138 is recycled back to the second reactor 106). The liquid-solid separation unit 502 may be any device capable of performing a liquid-solid separation process that substantially separates undissolved or suspended solids 504 (i.e., potentially for use with fertilizers and other available compositions) from the water 506 in the second effluent 138 of the second solid-solid separation unit 108. Such devices include, but are not limited to, membrane filtration units, clarification (or settling) tank units, particulate media filtration units, dissolved air flotation units, ballast flocculation clarification (or settling) units, centrifuges, etc. In some embodiments, the solids 504 may be the underflow of the liquid-solid separation unit 502.

[0182] In some embodiments, the system of this disclosure may include a concentrator unit in fluid communication with the second solid-solid separation unit 108. The concentrator unit is positioned to receive at least a portion or all of the second effluent 138 of the second solid-solid separation unit 108 (i.e., depending on whether a portion of the second effluent 138 is recycled back to the second reactor 106), and can substantially separate undissolved or suspended solids 504 (i.e., contaminants that can be used, for example, fertilizers and other human-usable compositions) from the water 506 in the second effluent 138 of the second solid-solid separation unit 108.

[0183] The concentrator unit can be made of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP), concrete, or steel, or it can be made of one or more plastic materials (e.g., PVC, CPVC, HDPE, cross-linked HDPE, or LDPE) and includes a mechanism for scraping concentrated and compacted solids from its bottom. The concentrator unit may include a weir and a channel for capturing overflow from the weir. The concentrator unit may have an energy dissipation inlet, an air injection system, a backwashing system, a surface scraping unit, and / or a gas injection system. In some embodiments, the concentrator unit may utilize hydrodynamic effects (which are water pressure and flow, or a combination thereof) with or without compressed air.

[0184] Reference Figure 6 The system disclosed herein may include a third reactor 602 in fluid communication with the second solid-solid separation unit 108. The third reactor 602 is positioned to receive at least a portion or all of the second effluent 138 of the second solid-solid separation unit 108 (i.e., depending on whether a portion of the second effluent 138 is recycled back to the second reactor 106).

[0185] In some embodiments, the third reactor 602 is configured to precipitate and / or granulate one or more contaminants in the second effluent 138, thereby producing treated water containing one or more contaminant particles and / or granules 604, and / or a final product that may be granules, precipitates, gel-like substances, flocs, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, precipitating and / or granulating one or more contaminant particles and / or granules 604 may be a function of the third reactor 602 receiving a solution containing one or more alkaline earth metal salts, one or more acids, one or more bases, and / or one or more other materials, elements, or compounds that can be used to precipitate and / or granulate the desired final product. However, it should be noted that alkaline earth metal salts that may result in toxic or unusable chemical sludge should be excluded or applied in a controlled manner. For example, magnesium may be added to a solution containing ammonium and phosphate to form struvite, and phosphate may be added as seed crystals for growing phosphate gels / crystals / precipitates.

[0186] This disclosure is not limited to controlling the addition and use of any particular alkaline earth metal salt, acid, and / or base for the purposes of the aforementioned solutions. By way of example, and not limitation, when the solution contains one or more acids, solution 112 may contain one or more calcium salts, one or more magnesium salts, one or more potassium salts, one or more aluminum salts, one or more iron salts, one or more copper salts, or any combination of two or more thereof. By way of example, and not limitation, when the solution contains one or more acids, solution 112 may contain one or more of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), hydrochloric acid (HCl), nitric acid (HNO₃), phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄), and citric acid (C₆H₈O₇). Furthermore, by way of example, and not limitation, when the solution contains one or more bases, the solution may contain one or more of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂), and sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃).

[0187] The third reactor 602 can be any apparatus configured to provide sufficient time for the sedimentation and / or granulation of one or more contaminants to occur in the second effluent 138. Such apparatus includes, but is not limited to, concrete and steel tanks. In some embodiments, the third reactor 602 can be a section of (serpentine) pipe.

[0188] In some embodiments, the third reactor 602 may be configured to facilitate the production of a concentrated liquid. For example, the concentrated liquid may contain a mixture of one or more phosphates (e.g., orthophosphates, diphosphates, and triphosphates), and / or a mixture of ammonium salts.

[0189] like Figure 7 As shown, the system of this disclosure may include a liquid-solid separation unit 702 in fluid communication with a third reactor 602. The liquid-solid separation unit 702 is positioned to receive the effluent from the third reactor 602 (i.e., treated water containing one or more contaminant particles and / or particulate matter 604 that have settled and / or granulated). The liquid-solid separation unit 702 may be any device capable of performing a liquid-solid separation process that substantially separates undissolved or suspended one or more contaminant particles and / or particulate matter 604 from the fluid components (i.e., treated water) in the effluent from the third reactor 602. Such devices include, but are not limited to, membrane filtration units, clarification (or settling) tank units, particulate media filtration units, dissolved air flotation units, ballast flocculation clarification (or settling) units, centrifuges, etc. In some embodiments, one or more contaminant particles and / or particulate matter 604 may be the underflow of the liquid-solid separation unit 702.

[0190] In some embodiments, the system of this disclosure may include a concentrator unit in fluid communication with a third reactor 602. The concentrator unit may be positioned to receive the effluent of the third reactor 602 (i.e., treated water containing one or more contaminant particles and / or particulate matter 604 that have been settled and / or granulated), and to substantially separate one or more undissolved or suspended contaminant particles and / or particulate matter 604 from the fluid components (i.e., the treated water) in the effluent of the third reactor 602.

[0191] The concentrator unit can be made of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP), concrete, or steel, or it can be made of one or more plastic materials (e.g., PVC, CPVC, HDPE, cross-linked HDPE, or LDPE) and includes a mechanism for scraping concentrated and compacted solids from its bottom. The concentrator unit may include a weir and a channel for capturing overflow from the weir. The concentrator unit may have an energy dissipation inlet, an air injection system, a backwashing system, a surface scraping unit, and / or a gas injection system. In some embodiments, the concentrator unit may utilize hydrodynamic effects (which are water pressure and flow, or a combination thereof) with or without compressed air.

[0192] Reference Figure 8 The system disclosed herein may include a liquid-solid separation unit 802 in fluid communication with and positioned between the first reactor 102 and the first solid-solid separation unit 104. Figure 8 In one example, the liquid-solid separation unit 802 receives the first reactor effluent 116 and can be any apparatus capable of performing a liquid-solid separation process that substantially separates undissolved or suspended solids from the fluid in the first reactor effluent. In other words, the liquid-solid separation unit 802 can output a first effluent 118 and a second effluent, the first effluent 118 comprising water with a desired pH, wherein the first effluent is substantially free of one or more mobile carriers 114 and one or more contaminants, and the second effluent having a desired pH and comprising one or more mobile carriers 114 physically and / or chemically associated with one or more contaminants. Exemplary liquid-solid separation units include, but are not limited to, membrane filtration units, clarification (or settling) tank units, particulate media filtration units, dissolved air flotation units, ballast flocculation clarification (or settling) units, centrifuges, etc. In some embodiments, the second effluent can be the underflow of the liquid-solid separation unit 802.

[0193] exist Figure 8In one example, the second effluent from the liquid-solid separation unit 802 is fed into the first solid-solid separation unit 104. The first solid-solid separation unit 104 can be processed as described above to separate one or more mobile carriers 114 physically and / or chemically associated with one or more contaminants from the water in the second effluent of the liquid-solid separation unit. The water output from the first solid-solid separation unit 104 can be recycled back and fed into the first reactor 102. By recycling the water, a reduced amount of solution 112 can be used because the water in the first reactor 102 has the desired pH of the contaminated water 110. In some embodiments, the water can be fed directly into the first reactor 102. In some embodiments, the water can be combined with the contaminated water 110 before it is fed into the first reactor 102. In some embodiments, the water can be combined with the contaminated water 110 before the pH of the contaminated water 110 is measured by a pH meter 113 (i.e., it can be combined with the contaminated water 110 upstream of the pH meter 113 relative to the fluid flow).

[0194] The first solid-solid separation unit 104 also outputs the second effluent 120 described above, which can be input into the second reactor 106 as described above.

[0195] In some implementations, the system of this disclosure may include a concentrator unit instead of the liquid-solid separation unit 802.

[0196] The concentrator unit can be made of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP), concrete, or steel, or it can be made of one or more plastic materials (e.g., PVC, CPVC, HDPE, cross-linked HDPE, or LDPE) and includes a mechanism for scraping concentrated and compacted solids from its bottom. The concentrator unit may include a weir and a channel for capturing overflow from the weir. The concentrator unit may have an energy dissipation inlet, an air injection system, a backwashing system, a surface scraping unit, and / or a gas injection system. In some embodiments, the concentrator unit may utilize hydrodynamic effects (which are water pressure and flow, or a combination thereof) with or without compressed air.

[0197] The system disclosed herein is highly configurable to drive the generation of desired products (e.g., treated water and recycled materials, for example, to be used as fertilizer). Different chemicals can be added in one or more recycling loops. The amount of the final product can be controlled by adjusting the recycling and residence time ratio, as well as the amount and type of materials added.

[0198] Equivalent scheme

[0199] While several aspects of this disclosure have been described and illustrated herein, those skilled in the art will readily conceive of various other ways and / or structures for performing the functions described herein and / or obtaining the results and / or one or more advantages described herein, and each such variation and / or modification is considered to be within the scope of this disclosure. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily understand that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are intended to be exemplary, and actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend on one or more specific applications using the teachings of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or can determine, many equivalents of the specific aspects of the disclosure described herein using only conventional experimentation. Therefore, it should be understood that the foregoing aspects are shown by way of example only, and that this disclosure can be practiced in ways other than those specifically described and claimed within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. This disclosure relates to each individual feature, system, article of manufacture, material, and / or method described herein. Furthermore, if such features, systems, articles, materials and / or methods are not inconsistent with each other, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials and / or methods is included within the scope of this disclosure.

[0200] All definitions defined and used in this document should be understood to take precedence over dictionary definitions, definitions in incorporated documents by reference, and / or the general meaning of the defined terms.

[0201] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the indefinite articles “a” and “an” as used herein in the specification and claims shall be understood to mean “at least one / a kind”. The phrase “and / or” as used herein in the specification and claims shall be understood to mean “any one or both” of the elements so connected, i.e., elements that coexist in some cases and exist separately in others. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, additional elements may optionally exist besides those specifically indicated by the “and / or” clause, whether or not they are related to those specifically indicated elements.

[0202] All references, patents and patent applications, and publications cited or mentioned in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0203] As used herein, the term "about," used to modify terms such as concentration, volume, process time, yield, flow rate, pressure, and similar values ​​and ranges in describing embodiments of this disclosure, refers to variations in numerical quantities that may occur, for example, through typical measurement and processing steps used to manufacture compounds, compositions, concentrates, or formulations; through unintentional errors in these steps; through differences in the manufacture, origin, or purity of the starting materials or ingredients used to carry out these methods; and similar similar considerations. The term "about" also covers amounts that differ due to aging of materials having a particular initial concentration or mixture, and amounts that differ due to mixing or processing materials having a particular initial concentration or mixture. In cases modified by the term "about," the appended claims include equivalents of these amounts.

[0204] As used herein, the word "substantially" in describing embodiments of this disclosure, such as characteristics, measurable quantities, methods, locations, values, or ranges, means that it does not affect the overall enumerated characteristics, quantities, methods, locations, values, or ranges in a manner that negates the intended characteristics, quantities, methods, locations, values, or ranges. In cases modified by the term "substantially," the appended claims include equivalents of these quantities, methods, locations, values, or ranges.

Claims

1. A system for removing and recovering one or more contaminants from water, said system comprising: One or more mobile carriers, each of the one or more mobile carriers comprising a core coated with a porous non-reactive binder comprising one or more types of nanoparticles, the one or more mobile carriers being configured to physically and chemically associate with at least one of the one or more contaminants. A first reactor, the first reactor being configured to: Receiving contaminated water containing one or more contaminants, wherein at least a portion of said one or more contaminants has a net charge. The solution contains one or more acids or one or more bases, the solution being configured to give the contaminated water a first desired pH. Receiving one or more of the aforementioned mobile carriers, and The first reactor effluent is output, the first reactor effluent comprising water having the first desired pH, and the one or more mobile carriers that are physically and chemically associated with at least one of the one or more pollutants; A first solid-solid separation unit is configured to separate the effluent from the first reactor into a first effluent and a second effluent, wherein: The first effluent from the first solid-solid separation unit comprises water having the first desired pH and is at least substantially free of the one or more mobile carriers and the one or more contaminants; and The second effluent of the first solid-solid separation unit has the first desired pH and contains the one or more mobile carriers that are physically and chemically associated with at least one of the one or more pollutants; A second reactor, which is in fluid communication with the first solid-solid separation unit, is configured such that: Receive the second effluent from the first solid-solid separation unit; Receive a solution containing at least one of one or more bases and one or more saline solutions, wherein the solution containing at least one of one or more bases and one or more saline solutions is configured to give the second effluent from the first solid-solid separation unit a second desired pH; and The second reactor effluent is output, having the second desired pH and containing the one or more contaminants separated from the one or more mobile carriers; and A second solid-solid separation unit is configured to separate the effluent from the second reactor into a first effluent and a second effluent of the second solid-solid separation unit, wherein: The first effluent of the second solid-solid separation unit comprises one or more of the aforementioned mobile carriers; and The second effluent from the second solid-solid separation unit has the second desired pH and contains one or more of the contaminants.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more contaminants comprise one or more phosphates, one or more ammonium salts, or any combination of both or more thereof.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the one or more phosphates include one or more of orthophosphate, diphosphate, and triphosphate.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the contaminated water is combined with the solution containing one or more acids or one or more bases and the one or more mobile carriers before being fed into the first reactor.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first reactor is configured to mix the contaminated water, the solution containing one or more acids or one or more bases, and the one or more mobile carriers to promote a surface-based reaction between the one or more mobile carriers and the one or more contaminants.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first effluent from the first solid-solid separation unit is fed into the first reactor.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first effluent from the first solid-solid separation unit is combined with the contaminated water before being fed into the first reactor.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first effluent from the first solid-solid separation unit is added to a solution comprising one or more bases or one or more acids to produce treated water.

9. The system of claim 8 further includes a disinfection unit configured to receive the treated water, wherein the disinfection unit is configured to destroy residual organic compounds in the treated water.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a liquid-solid separation unit configured to receive the first effluent from the first solid-solid separation unit and to separate one or more solids from the water in the first effluent from the first solid-solid separation unit. A solution containing one or more bases or one or more acids is added to the water output from the liquid-solid separation unit.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the second reactor is configured to agitate the second effluent of the first solid-solid separation unit and the solution comprising at least one of one or more alkalis and one or more brines to separate the one or more contaminants from the one or more mobile carriers.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the second effluent from the second solid-solid separation unit is fed into the second reactor.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the second effluent from the second solid-solid separation unit is combined with the second effluent from the first solid-solid separation unit before being fed into the second reactor.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the solution comprising at least one of one or more alkalis and one or more brines is combined with the second effluent of the first solid-solid separation unit before being fed into the second reactor.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the first effluent from the second solid-solid separation unit is fed into the first reactor.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the first effluent of the second solid-solid separation unit is combined with the contaminated water before being fed into the first reactor.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the first solid-solid separation unit is configured to use sieving, hydrocyclone separation, sedimentation, clarification, membrane filtration, and filter cloth disc filtration, or any combination of two or more thereof.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the second solid-solid separation unit is configured to use sieving, hydrocyclone separation, sedimentation, clarification, membrane filtration, classification, and filter cloth disc filtration, or any combination of two or more thereof.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more mobile carriers occupy up to 100% of the volume of the first reactor.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more mobile carriers occupy up to 100% of the volume of the second reactor.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more mobile carriers constitute 1% to 100% of the total suspended solids in the first reactor.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more mobile carriers constitute 1% to 100% of the total suspended solids in the second reactor.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the first reactor is partitioned to perform two or more serial processes.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the first reactor is partitioned to perform two or more parallel processes.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the hydraulic residence time of the first reactor is from 0.1 hours to 100 hours.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein the first reactor is mixed to have a velocity gradient of 1 / second to 1,000,000 / second.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the second reactor is partitioned to perform two or more serial processes.

28. The system of claim 1, wherein the second reactor is partitioned to perform two or more parallel processes.

29. The system of claim 1, wherein the hydraulic residence time of the second reactor is from 0.1 hours to 100 hours.

30. The system of claim 1, further comprising a disinfection unit configured to receive at least a portion of the second effluent from the second solid-solid separation unit, wherein the disinfection unit is configured to destroy residual organic compounds in the at least a portion of the second effluent from the second solid-solid separation unit.

31. The system of claim 1, further comprising an oxidation unit configured to receive and process at least a portion of the second effluent from the first solid-solid separation unit before at least a portion of the second effluent is fed into the second reactor.

32. The system of claim 1 further includes a liquid-solid separation unit configured to receive the second effluent from the second solid-solid separation unit and to separate the one or more contaminants from the water in the second effluent from the second solid-solid separation unit.

33. The system of claim 1 further includes a concentrator unit configured to receive the second effluent from the second solid-solid separation unit.

34. The system of claim 1, further comprising a third reactor in fluid communication with the second solid-solid separation unit, the third reactor being configured to: Receive the second effluent from the second solid-solid separation unit. The solution received comprises at least one of one or more alkaline earth metal salts, one or more acids, and one or more bases. The output is treated water containing one or more types of contaminant particles.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the one or more alkaline earth metal salts comprise one or more calcium salts, one or more magnesium salts, one or more potassium salts, one or more aluminum salts, one or more iron salts, one or more copper salts, or any combination of two or more thereof.

36. The system of claim 34 further includes a liquid-solid separation unit configured to separate the treated water from the one or more pollutant particles.

37. The system of claim 34 further includes a concentrator unit configured to separate the treated water from the one or more contaminant particles.

38. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a liquid-solid separation unit and a concentrator unit arranged in fluid communication between the first reactor and the first solid-solid separation unit, wherein: At least one of the liquid-solid separation unit and the concentrator unit outputs a first effluent, the first effluent containing water having the first desired pH, and the first effluent being at least substantially free of the one or more mobile carriers and the one or more contaminants; At least one of the liquid-solid separation unit and the concentrator unit outputs a second effluent, the second effluent having the first desired pH and containing the one or more mobile carriers having the one or more contaminants; as well as The second effluent from at least one of the liquid-solid separation unit and the concentrator unit is input into the first solid-solid separation unit.

39. The system of claim 1, wherein the first desired pH is equal to or less than 8.

40. The system of claim 1, wherein the second desired pH is equal to or greater than 7.

41. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more mobile carriers comprises a first mobile carrier, the first mobile carrier comprising a core coated with a porous non-reactive binder, the porous non-reactive binder comprising one or more types of nanoparticles, wherein at least one of the following: The density of the first mobile carrier is 0.01 g / cm 3 up to 20 g / cm 3 , The size of the first mobile carrier is from 1 micrometer to 12,500 micrometers, and The thickness of the porous non-reactive adhesive is from 0.001 micrometers to 1,000 micrometers.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the shape of the first mobile carrier is formed by one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physical-chemical processes, or any combination of both or more thereof.

43. The system of claim 41, wherein the first mobile carrier has a naturally occurring shape.

44. The system of claim 41, wherein the dimensions of the first mobile carrier are formed by one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physical-chemical processes, or any combination of both or more thereof.

45. The system of claim 41, wherein the porosity of the first mobile carrier is formed by one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physical-chemical processes, or any combination of both or more thereof.

46. ​​The system of claim 41, wherein the first mobile carrier has a net negative charge.

47. The system of claim 41, wherein the first mobile carrier has a net positive charge.

48. The system of claim 41, wherein the core is formed by one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physical-chemical processes, or any combination of both or more thereof.

49. The system of claim 41, wherein the core is naturally occurring.

50. The system of claim 41, wherein the core comprises one or more hydrophobic polymers, gypsum, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, basalt, bauxite, graphite, beeswax, bone, or any combination of two or more thereof.

51. The system of claim 41, wherein the porous non-reactive binder further comprises one or more magnetic nanoparticles, carbon, one or more carbon-containing compounds, one or more ceramics, one or more metals, one or more metal oxides, one or more polymers, one or more zeolites, one or more ion exchange resins, or any combination of two or more thereof.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein the porous non-reactive binder comprises one or more magnetic nanoparticles and one or more ion exchange resins.

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