Sorption particles, production of a sorption particle, pollutant collector and its use for the sorption of pollutants from a liquid and in the production of a fertilizer

Abstract

Sorption particles (1) for the sorption of pollutants, comprising a carrier element (2) to which a sorption material (3) adheres by means of an adhesive (4), wherein the carrier element (2) is made of a plastic (7), wherein the sorption material (3) comprises dead organic substance (5) and wherein the adhesive (4) comprises a mucilage.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a sorption particle for the sorption of pollutants.

[0002] While chemical compounds of anthropogenic origin are beneficial to humans, their production and use pose an increased risk to the environment. Heavy metals, antibiotics, and microplastic particles are particularly problematic. Such pollutants can accumulate with substances in the air, soil, and water due to physical and chemical interactions. The accumulation processes, also known as sorption, are important for the mobility of a pollutant in the environment. Pollutants that are persistent, highly toxic, and highly mobile are particularly harmful to the environment.

[0003] The invention further relates to the production of a sorption particle.

[0004] The invention further relates to a pollutant collector for the sorption of pollutants.

[0005] The invention further relates to a method for removing pollutants.

[0006] Soils, especially nutrient-rich soils, accumulate pollutants particularly strongly because they filter groundwater. This filtering function of the soil is primarily carried out by finely decomposed, organic humus components in the soil. Humus is the totality of the finely decomposed, organic substances in a soil and thus includes dead plant and animal matter. Humus is a dead organic soil substance. Important humus components for the filtering function of the soil are humic substances, which, due to their amorphous, macromolecular structure and variable chemical composition, have a high binding capacity for natural and anthropogenic substances. This is specifically due to a multitude of biogenic, functional groups, such as hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbonyl, methoxyl, or amino groups, which can form a wide variety of bonds with different substances.Also important for the high binding capacity of humic substances for natural and anthropogenic substances are radicals, i.e., reactive molecules that are permanently in proximity to humic substances. Humic substances are also very stable and can be isolated relatively easily from the soil.

[0007] DE 196 41 247 A1 discloses particle agglomerates containing at least coagulated liquid and / or meltable organic substances which are largely insoluble in water and coagulated humic substances and immobilized pollutants in such a way that the liquid and / or meltable organic substances containing immobilization phase is coated by the immobilization phase containing the humic substances. Sorbents that can be used in water purification in the areas of groundwater, mine water, leachate, industrial water, bathing water and wastewater purification as well as other water treatment processes are known from DE 196 18 458 A1.

[0008] DE 44 06 808 A1 discloses a process for the surface modification of clay minerals which are loaded with a “polyhumic sacculus” consisting mainly of humic substances, humic acids or humic-like compounds and which, in addition to the sealing properties, therefore exhibit excellent adsorption properties for organic and inorganic, preferably environmentally relevant chemicals.

[0009] DE 101 00 803 A1 describes a process for the purification of fluid, polluted media, in particular wastewater containing organic and / or inorganic contaminants, wherein the medium to be treated is passed over humic substances for the sorption of heavy metals in particular, wherein the flow rate or residence time is adjusted via the grain size of the carrier material.

[0010] Finally, it is known from DE 196 24 982 A1 to use humic acid or humic acid derivatives for the purification of waste water, exhaust air and flue gases.

[0011] The invention further relates to a device for producing and / or for use in the production of a fertilizer.

[0012] The aim of the invention is to be able to effectively bind and extract pollutants.

[0013] To achieve the stated object, the features of claim 1 are provided according to the invention. In particular, to achieve the stated object, a sorption particle of the type described above provides that the sorption particle has a carrier element to which a sorption material adheres by means of an adhesive, wherein the sorption material comprises dead organic matter. Due to the high binding capacity of dead organic matter, pollutants can be bound and extracted effectively and across a broad spectrum. A further advantage is that the adhesive firmly adheres the sorption material to the carrier element, so that the sorption particle is robustly constructed in order to be able to bind as many pollutants as possible. Dead organic matter also has the advantage that it can be isolated, processed, and made available easily and inexpensively.

[0014] Dead organic matter is not alive or is no longer alive. It can come from dead and / or dying living organisms. Living organisms include, in particular, plants, animals, and humans.

[0015] The dead organic matter is preferably dead soil organic matter, especially humus. The sorption material preferably comprises a humus component.

[0016] However, the invention is not limited to soil matter. Dead organic matter can also be found in bodies of water such as ponds.

[0017] The sorption material particularly preferably contains a humic substance. Humic substances are found not only in humus, but also in almost all bodies of water and in practically every dead organic substance.

[0018] The sorption material does not need to contain other components in addition to dead organic matter, but may. Components that also contain humic substances are preferred.

[0019] The sorption material may comprise organic matter of biological and / or natural origin. The organic matter preferably originates from living organisms. The organic matter may originate from dead or deceased living organisms and / or from metabolic products, excretions, and / or secretions of living organisms.

[0020] It has also proven particularly advantageous if the sorption material contains plant leaf polymers. A particularly advantageous structure is formed by the plant leaf polymer of the aged, shed, and dead leaves of deciduous trees, particularly those degraded in the autumn months of September and October. The plant leaf polymer from plants of the dicotyledonous angiosperm family is particularly advantageous, especially with a cellulose content of 15-50%, hemicellulose content of 3-50%, and / or lignin content of 7-10%.

[0021] It can be provided that the surface area of ​​the adhesive is larger, in particular 1% to 10% larger, than the surface area of ​​the carrier element. Such a size ratio between the adhesive surface and the surface area of ​​the carrier element can advantageously ensure that a large number of humus components, in particular a large number of functional groups of the dead organic matter, are freely exposed.

[0022] The carrier element can have any shape. However, the carrier element is preferably spherical, which advantageously creates a large surface area for the adhesion of as much sorption material as possible.

[0023] Alternatively or additionally, the carrier element has a preferred maximum diameter of 1 cm, more preferably between 100 micrometers and 0.5 cm, particularly preferably between 0.5 mm and 3 mm, and most preferably between 1 mm and 2 mm. The smaller the carrier element, the larger the surface-to-volume ratio of the sorption particles, effectively providing a larger contact area for the binding of pollutants, allowing more pollutants to be bound.

[0024] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sorption material can comprise a clay mineral. Clay minerals are predominantly fine-grained minerals with an average grain size of less than 5 micrometers, preferably less than 2 micrometers. Furthermore, due to their size and composition, clay minerals have areas inaccessible to microorganisms, where humus components can be deposited without being degraded by the microorganisms. Thus, a stable complex of humus components and clay minerals can be formed.

[0025] In particular, it is intended that the weight proportion of all clay minerals be lower than the weight proportion of all humus components. The advantage here is that by using a lower weight proportion of all clay minerals, a very good mixing ratio between clay minerals and humus components can be achieved for the production of the sorption particles.

[0026] In a further embodiment of the invention, the adhesive can comprise a mucilage. The use of a mucilage can enhance the adhesive effect of the adhesive, allowing the sorption particles to be formed even more robustly.

[0027] The mucilage can preferably contain a polysaccharide. This can have a protective effect on the sorption particle, particularly providing protection against enzymatic degradation or the effects of acid. A further advantage is the hydration shell, which can be formed by polysaccharides, which cause adhesion to the carrier element.

[0028] Alternatively or additionally, the mucilage may contain mucin and / or hyaluronic acid, which enhance the protective and binding effects of the mucilage. In general, the mucilage can be human, animal, plant, or chemically produced mucilage.

[0029] In a further embodiment of the invention, the adhesive can be provided to enclose the carrier element. This coating prevents potential abrasion of the carrier element caused by a liquid flow of microparticles, which is beneficial for the longevity of the sorption particles. Furthermore, the coating can maximize the contact surface for binding pollutants.

[0030] A further embodiment of the invention may be provided in which the support element is made of a plastic. A support element made of plastic can already provide the fuel required for disposal and incineration.

[0031] In particular, the carrier element is intended to be a microplastic particle. A primary or secondary microplastic article can be considered a microplastic article. A primary microplastic article is understood to be a microplastic article manufactured in its final form, whereas secondary microplastic articles arise from the decomposition of a macroplastic article, for example, due to weathering or sunlight. Primary and secondary microplastic articles themselves are abundant pollutants in the environment that can be used elegantly and advantageously as a component of a sorption particle to bind and dispose of further microplastic articles and / or other pollutants.

[0032] In a further embodiment of the invention, the carrier element can be filled with a material, in particular a plastic. This increases the density of a sorption particle, allowing the sorption particle to move advantageously in a contaminated liquid.

[0033] In a further embodiment of the invention, a cavity can be formed in the carrier element. This is advantageous, particularly with respect to the previously described embodiment, in that sorption particles of different densities can be used, allowing the sorption particles to advantageously spread and move in different layers of a liquid column, thus creating a pollutant collector that floats in a liquid.

[0034] In particular, a cavity of a carrier element can be filled with gas or air, whereby the buoyancy forces in a contaminated liquid can be optimally influenced and thus a sorption particle can float or dive in the contaminated liquid.

[0035] Furthermore, to achieve the stated object, the invention provides for the production of a sorption particle by the features of the independent claim directed to a method for producing a sorption particle. In particular, the invention proposes that a sorption material be applied to a carrier element by means of an adhesive, the sorption material comprising dead organic matter. The adhesive ensures that the sorption material adheres to the carrier element, thereby making the sorption particle very robust. Furthermore, such a production of a sorption particle can be realized quickly and cost-effectively. Furthermore, the required raw materials are generally available. Furthermore, the production process is extremely environmentally friendly.

[0036] As described above, the dead organic substance is preferably humus. Furthermore, the sorption material preferably comprises a humus component and / or a humic substance. Particularly preferably, the method is designed such that a sorption particle is produced therewith, which is designed according to the invention, in particular as described above and / or according to one of the claims directed to a sorption particle.

[0037] The carrier element, the adhesive and the material can be designed as previously described.

[0038] The carrier element can preferably be produced by comminuting macroplastics, which can originate from plastic granules, scrap plastic parts, or plastic waste, for example, by shredding and / or using a cryogenic vibratory mill. This allows the carrier element to be comminuted, in particular, into particles with diameters as mentioned above.

[0039] A mucilage as an adhesive can be produced by extracting human, animal, or plant mucilage, or by chemically synthesizing the mucilage. For example, adding sodium tetraborate solution (Na2B4O7) to a polyvinyl alcohol solution (C2H4O) produces a viscous mixture. The condensation reaction leads to crosslinking of the polyvinyl chains, and the stage of crosslinking and the development of viscosity can be adjusted, resulting in a (borax) mucilage.

[0040] The sorption material can be obtained, for example, by isolating and / or providing non-living, in particular dead, organic substance. This can be done, for example, by extracting humus from the soil. Preference is given to providing plant leaf polymer, preferably from autumn leaves or from leaves as described above. Particularly preferably, its red content is at least 10% and / or its green content is less than 10% and / or its lignin mass fraction is more than 1% in dry matter and / or its mass fraction of a chlorophyll degradation product, non-fluorescent chlorophyll catabolites (NCC), is between 0.6% and 1.2% in dry matter and / or based on the total content of the plant leaf material. The plant material preferably contains anthocyanins with a content of between 10% and 100% of the total content of all plant pigments contained in the plant material.

[0041] Preferably, the provided plant leaf polymer is dried, preferably until a water mass fraction of the plant leaf material of at most 25%, in particular at most 20%, at most 10% or at most 5% is reached.

[0042] Preferably, the dried plant leaf material is comminuted. Particularly preferably, the plant material is comminuted to particle sizes between 0.01 mm and 2 mm, in particular between 0.1 mm and 1 mm.

[0043] Preferably, the plant leaf material, in particular the dried and / or crushed plant leaf material, is mixed with clay minerals. The mass fraction of the plant leaf material is preferably between 60% and 99%, the mass fraction of the clay minerals is between 1% and 20%, and the mass fraction of water and / or the mass fraction of another material is between 0% and 20%. The mass fractions refer to the mixture, which has a mass fraction of 100%.

[0044] It can be provided that the sorption material is mixed with the adhesive. The sorption material preferably has a mass fraction between 70% and 99%, and the adhesive a mass fraction between 1% and 20%. Furthermore, water can be added with a mass fraction between 0% and 10%. Overall, the aforementioned mass fractions are each based on a mass of the mixture, which has a mass fraction of 100%.

[0045] It can be provided that this material-adhesive mixture is then mixed with the carrier elements, for example by adding them to the material-adhesive mixture and then mixing the material-adhesive mixture. This allows the carrier elements to be coated with the adhesive. Preferably, the viscosity of the adhesive and / or the volume ratio of the carrier elements to the material-adhesive mixture are adjusted during mixing such that the outer surface of the coating is at most 10%, preferably at most 5%, larger than the surface of the coated carrier element.

[0046] Furthermore, to achieve the stated object, the invention provides a pollutant collector for sorbing pollutants from a liquid, comprising a container with a liquid-permeable wall, wherein a plurality of sorption particles for sorbing the pollutants from the liquid are arranged in the container, wherein the sorption particles each comprise a carrier element to which a sorption material adheres by means of an adhesive. A polluted liquid can pass through the liquid-permeable wall into the pollutant collector, where the pollutants can be bound by the plurality of sorption particles, which allows effective handling for pollutant purification in a liquid. Another advantage is that the pollutant collectors can be easily removed from the liquid and further processed.

[0047] The pollutant collector is preferably of a manageable size and has a maximum extension of, for example, between 10 cm and 50 cm. Furthermore, the pollutant collector can be shaped as desired to adapt to the specific application.

[0048] According to the invention, the sorption particles of the pollutant collector are designed as described above and / or according to a claim directed to a sorption particle. In combination with the liquid-permeable wall, such sorption particles form a cost-effective, robust, and durable pollutant collector with a high binding capacity.

[0049] In one embodiment of a pollutant collector, it can be provided that a first type of sorption particles and a second type of sorption particles have carrier elements with different densities, in particular wherein the carrier elements of the first type of sorption particles have a density that is greater than the density of the liquid, and wherein the carrier elements of the second type of sorption particles have a density that is lower than the density of the liquid.

[0050] Preferably, the first type of sorption particle is filled with material, while the second type is provided with a hollow space. The use of two sorption particles with different densities ensures that the pollutant collector can float through the liquid, whereby all sorption particles are advantageously surrounded by the liquid and can thus bind as many or even all of the pollutants as possible.

[0051] Alternatively or additionally, to achieve the stated object, the invention provides the features of the claim directed to a method for removing pollutants from a liquid, wherein a pollutant collector according to the preceding descriptions and / or according to a claim directed to a pollutant collector is introduced into the liquid. For example, a polluted liquid can be collected in a tank and pumped to a pollutant collector via a pump. The liquid penetrates through the liquid-permeable wall into the interior of the pollutant collector, where the pollutants can be bound by sorption particles. By means of a second pump, the now purified liquid is returned to the tank and recirculated from there.Such a process can be used to clean pollutants not only from liquids used in industrial processes, but also from standing waters such as lakes or sewage treatment plants, as well as from flowing waters such as rivers or irrigation canals.

[0052] Alternatively or additionally, an advantageous development of the method may provide for the sorption particles in the pollutant collector to be irradiated with UV light. The sorption particles can be irradiated with UV light having a wavelength of 100 nanometers to 380 nanometers, preferably with a wavelength of 100 nanometers to 280 nanometers (UV-C light), and most preferably with a wavelength of 220 nanometers to 280 nanometers. Irradiation with UV light can produce more radicals on the sorption particles during the process, thus improving the binding quality of the sorption particles for pollutants.

[0053] In particular, it can be provided that the pollutant collector is brought so close to a UV light source that the distance between the pollutant collector and the UV light source is less than the penetration depth of the UV light in the liquid. This ensures that, despite the shallow penetration depth of UV light, especially UV-C light with a wavelength of 200-280 nanometers, the binding quality can be increased through increased radical formation by as many sorption particles as possible. The penetration depth can be characterized by indicating the distance that leads to an intensity reduction of 90%, preferably 80%, particularly preferably 70%, and most particularly preferably 50% in the liquid.

[0054] In one embodiment of the method, the sorption particles within the pollutant collector are set in motion for UV light irradiation. This can be achieved by a flow through the sorption particles, where flow refers to the relative difference in speed between the liquid and the pollutant collector. This can be achieved, for example, by braking or immobilizing the pollutant collector.

[0055] The flow through the sorption particles causes a change in the position of the sorption particles within the pollutant collector, whereby even more sorption particles are reached by the UV light.

[0056] This can be achieved, in particular, by having the liquid flow through the pollutant collector and / or by changing the speed and / or direction of the liquid. The ability to set the sorption particles in motion using various methods, including those just described, allows a pollutant collector to be advantageously adapted and / or expanded to the conditions for cleaning a contaminated liquid.

[0057] In one embodiment of the process, the pH of the liquid surrounding the sorption particles can be changed, in particular, lowered and / or changed from alkaline to acidic. This allows the humic pollutant compounds to encapsulate and flocculate, allowing them to be detached from the sorption particles and disposed of. The lower, i.e., more acidic, the pH, the more intense the encapsulation and flocculation processes.

[0058] For example, the humic substances can bind pollutants in a liquid container in a first step. In a second step, the pH of the liquid surrounding the humic substances is lowered. The pH reduction can occur directly in the liquid container, or the pollutant collectors, along with the sorption particles, can be removed from the liquid container and immersed in a liquid with a lower pH.

[0059] In an alternative or additional embodiment of the process, the sorption material can be rinsed off the sorption particles. The rinsed and / or defragmented sorption material, such as encapsulated humic pollutant compounds, can then be sent for pollutant disposal.

[0060] In particular, it may be provided that a rinsed sorption material is incinerated, which could facilitate the disposal of the pollutants. Drying the sorption material prior to incineration may be necessary and / or beneficial for disposal.

[0061] In an alternative or supplementary embodiment of the method, the liquid may initially contain ammonia and be introduced into a liquid circuit, with the pollutant collector being introduced into the liquid in the liquid circuit, the ammonia in the liquid in the liquid circuit being nitrified to nitrate, and the nitrate-enriched liquid being discharged from the liquid circuit. The nitrate thus obtained can then be used as a fertilizer enriched without the addition of pollutants such as antibiotics or microplastic particles. The nitrification of ammonia to nitrate can be carried out by any method known to those skilled in the art, for example, in a bioreactor by microbial nitrification.

[0062] Furthermore, to achieve the stated object, the features of the independent claim directed to a device are provided according to the invention in a device for producing a fertilizer and / or for use in producing a fertilizer. In particular, it is thus proposed according to the invention that a device according to the invention, as described above and / or according to the claim directed to a device, has a container with a first supply line for introducing an ammonia-containing liquid into the container and a first outlet for discharging the nitrate-enriched liquid from the container, as well as with devices for generating and maintaining a liquid circuit which comprises the container and means for nitrifying the ammonia to nitrate.Furthermore, the device is characterized in that a pollutant collector as described above and / or according to the claims directed to a pollutant collector is arranged in the container. The means for nitrifying the ammonia to nitrate can be any means known to those skilled in the art. For example, these means can comprise a bioreactor with cultivation areas for nitrifying bacteria. With such devices, low-pollutant or even pollutant-free fertilizer can be produced in large quantities.

[0063] The invention will now be described in more detail using exemplary embodiments, but is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown. Further exemplary embodiments arise from combining the features of individual or multiple claims with one another and / or with individual or multiple features of the exemplary embodiments and / or the previously described variants of devices and methods according to the invention.

[0064] It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a sorption particle, Fig. 2 a cross-section of a pollutant collector with a container filled with sorption particles, Fig. 3 a cross-section of a pollutant collector with a container filled with sorption particles of different densities, Fig. 4 a passively moving container (A) filled with sorption particles, a fixed container (B) filled with sorption particles and an actively moving container (C) filled with sorption particles, Fig. 5 a process for removing pollutants from a liquid with a pollutant collector, showing a sorption phase (A) and a rinsing phase (B), Fig. 6 a method for removing pollutants from a liquid using a pollutant collector and UV light treatment, Fig. 7 a process for removing pollutants from a liquid with a pollutant collector and a pH change, showing a sorption phase (A) and a rinsing phase (B), Fig. 8 a device for use in the production of a fertilizer.

[0065] Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a sorption particle 1 designed according to the invention, designated as a whole by 1. For a clearer explanation, only a particle of dead organic substance 5 is shown schematically, which is bound to a clay mineral 6. However, a sorption particle 1 can comprise a plurality of complexes of particles of dead organic substance 5 and clay mineral 6, which are adhered to a carrier element 2 via an adhesive 4 (not shown). Rather, the dead organic substance 5 can also be embedded in individual layers of the clay minerals 6, so that the Fig. The complex of dead organic matter 5 and clay mineral 6 shown in Figure 1 is merely schematic in nature.

[0066] By producing the sorption particle 1, boundary layers 9 can be formed between the individual components of the sorption particle 1, for example between the adhesive 4 and the carrier element 2 or between the adhesive 4 and the clay mineral 6. Fig. The carrier element 2 shown in Figure 1 is made of plastic 7 and has a spherical shape, however, both the material and the shape can be realized differently. The sorption material 3 shown here is a particle of dead organic matter 5, comprising a plurality of humic molecules, whose functional groups 8 for binding the pollutants can be exposed from the center of the particle.

[0067] For the purification of a contaminated liquid 11, the liquid 11 can be transferred into a pollutant collector 10, whose container 12 is equipped with a plurality of sorption particles 1. In Fig. Figure 2 shows a cross-section of such a pollutant collector 10, wherein the pollutant collector 10 is located in a liquid container 14. Pollutant collectors 10 can be used in a variety of different types of liquid containers 14, for example, in collecting tanks or piping systems, for cleaning liquids 11.

[0068] The contaminated liquid 11 moves (represented by an arrow) faster through the liquid container 14 than the contaminant collector 10, which moves passively within the liquid. The contaminant-laden liquid 11 passes through the liquid-permeable wall 13 of at least one contaminant collector 10 filled with sorption particles 1, allowing contaminants to be bound to the sorption material 3.

[0069] In order to enable optimal binding of pollutants of a liquid 11 to the sorption particles 1, the movement of the pollutant collector 10 can be controlled. Fig. Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a pollutant collector 10 in which at least two different types of sorption particles 1 are located in a container 12 of a pollutant collector 10. A first type 15 of the sorption particles 1 has a higher density than the liquid 11, and the second type 16 of the sorption particles 1 has a lower density than the liquid 11. For example, the second type 16 of sorption particles 1 can have a cavity filled with air or gas. By using sorption particles 1 of different densities in this way, the pollutant collector 10 can be made to float and / or dive and / or hover.

[0070] Fig. 4 A shows the already Fig. 2 described, passive movement mode of a pollutant collector 10. Alternatively and / or additionally, a device 17 can also be provided in a liquid container 14 for cleaning liquids 11, which slows down or even blocks the movement of a pollutant collector 10 at least for a short period of time ( Fig. 4 B). Thus, the relative velocity between pollutant collector 10 and liquid 11 can be adjusted for optimal pollutant binding. Fig. 4C shows a further embodiment in which a drive 18 is attached to the container 12 of the pollutant collector 10. Thus, the speed of the pollutant collector 10 can be optimally adapted to the speed and / or viscosity of the liquid 11.

[0071] The previously described movement possibilities of a pollutant collector 10 can also be realized in various combinations in one embodiment.

[0072] Fig. 5 shows a chamber 19 of a liquid container 14 with a pollutant collector 10. In Fig. 5 A, a liquid 11 is fed via an inlet 20 to the pollutant collector 10, whereby the pollutants can bind to the pollutant collector 10. The liquid 11 leaves the chamber 19 via an outlet 21. In this phase of a cleaning process, the access 22 to the pollutant collection 23 is closed. To collect the pollutants for further processing, a backwash is carried out, which is carried out by changing the current flow and its speed, as in Fig. 5B. The now faster-moving liquid 11 ensures flocculation of sorbent-pollutant complexes, in particular humic-pollutant complexes, from the sorbent particles 1, which can pass through the liquid-permeable wall 13 of the pollutant collector 10. The flocculated sorbent-pollutant complexes, in particular humic-pollutant complexes, are conveyed through the liquid container 14 to the pollutant collector 23 and thus made available for further processing.

[0073] Fig. Figure 6 shows an in-process method for purifying a contaminated liquid 11 using a contaminant collector 10 and a UV light source 24. The contaminant-laden liquid 11 is conveyed from a reservoir 25 through a first pump 26 to a cage 27 containing sorption particles 1. The cage 27 forms a contaminant collector 10. The cage 27 is surrounded by a UV light source 24. The application of UV-C radiation causes radicals to form on the sorption particles 1, leading to increased binding of contaminants to the sorption particles 1. Likewise, the functional groups 8 (not shown) can develop a greater binding capacity to the contaminants due to the UV radiation. The liquid is conveyed to the reservoir 25 via a second pump 28 and recirculated from there.By recirculating the liquid 11 to the UV light source 24, the binding of the pollutants to the sorption particles 1 can be further increased. The cage 27 containing the pollutant-laden sorption particles 1 can then be used for further processing.

[0074] In Fig. Figure 7 illustrates a method for removing pollutants from a liquid 11 using a pollutant collector 10 and a pH change. The liquid container 14 is divided into two sections A 30 and B 31 by a proton-conducting membrane 29, with at least one pollutant collector 10 located in each section and each section exposed to a separate liquid stream A 32 and B 33. The proton-conducting membrane 29 can be made of a polymer (mixture), such as tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroalkyl vinyl ethers. The membrane also has sulfonic acid groups (-SO3H), which can release protons or are deprotonated upon humidification.

[0075] Deprotonated sulfonic acid groups can, in turn, absorb protons. Thus, protons can migrate across the proton-conducting membrane 29.

[0076] The Fig. The process step illustrated in Figure 7A shows a pollutant collector 10 located in a section A30, which is exposed to a liquid stream A32. The pH of the liquid stream A32 is greater than pH7. Due to this pH, the functional groups 8 of the sorption particles 1 are formed in such a way that more pollutants can be bound. The liquid 11 in section A30 moistens the membrane 29, releasing protons at the membrane 29. These protons then migrate into section B31, causing the pH of the liquid stream B33 there to drop below pH7. This leads to encapsulation and flocculation of the sorption material-pollutant complexes, in particular the humic substance-pollutant complexes, in the pollutant collector 10 in section B31.By changing the flow direction of the liquid stream B 33, the encapsulated and flocculated sorption material-pollutant complexes, in particular humic substance-pollutant complexes, can be defragmented and detached from the sorption particles 1 and fed to a pollutant collection 23 (. Fig. 7 B). The process described here can be carried out alternately, so that, as just described, sorption material-pollutant complexes, in particular humic substance-pollutant complexes, from section A 30 and section B31 are alternately fed to a pollutant collection 23.

[0077] A device 35 for use in the production of a fertilizer using a pollutant collector 10 with sorption particles 1 as described above is shown in Fig.8. The device 35 consists of a container 36, a supply line 37, and an outlet 38 for the process liquid 39. Furthermore, devices 40, such as pumps, are designed to generate and maintain a liquid circuit 34. An ammonia-containing liquid is added to the liquid circuit 34 upstream of the supply line 37. Ammonia can be converted to nitrate by nitrification means 41, such as a bioreactor with cultivation areas for nitrifying bacteria. In the device 35, the process liquid 39 is purified by a pollutant collector 10 as described above, so that the process liquid 39 contains fewer or no pollutants. The process liquid 39, now enriched with nitrate, can be discharged from the container 36 via the outlet 38 and removed from the liquid circuit 34. The nitrate thus obtained can then be further processed to produce fertilizer.The device 35 is thus designed for use in the production of a fertilizer. The device 35 can further comprise all means by which a fertilizer can be produced from the nitrate formed.

[0078] The invention thus generally proposes a sorption particle 1 with a carrier element 2, to which a sorption material 3 adheres by means of an adhesive 4, wherein the sorption material 3 comprises dead organic matter 5. The use of such a sorption particle 1 or a pollutant collector 10 filled with sorption particles can be used to purify polluted liquids such as bodies of water, for example, sewage treatment plants or irrigation canals, but is not limited to this area. List of reference symbols 1 sorption particles 2 support element 3 Sorption material 4 adhesives 5 dead organic matter 6 Clay mineral 7 Plastic 8 functional group 9 Boundary layer 10 pollutant collectors 11 Liquid 12 containers 13 liquid-permeable wall 14 liquid containers 15 first type of sorption particles (1) 16 second type of sorption particles (1) 17 Device 18 Drive 19th Chamber 20 Admission 21 Outlet 22 Access 23 Pollutant collection 24 UV light source 25 Reservoir 26 first pump 27 cage 28 second pump 29 proton-conducting membrane 30 Section A 31 Section B 32 Liquid flow A 33 Liquid stream B 34 Fluid circuit 35 Device 36 containers 37 supply line 38 Discharge 39 Process fluid 40 facilities 41 funds

Claims

[1] Sorption particles (1) for the sorption of pollutants, comprising a carrier element (2) to which a sorption material (3) adheres by means of an adhesive (4), wherein the carrier element (2) is made of a plastic (7), wherein the sorption material (3) comprises dead organic substance (5) and wherein the adhesive (4) comprises a mucilage. [2] Sorption particles (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the sorption material (3) comprises a humus component (5) and / or a humic substance (5). [3] Sorption particles (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the sorption material comprises a clay mineral (6), in particular wherein a weight proportion of all clay minerals (6) is less than a weight proportion of all humus components (5). [4] Sorption particles (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the adhesive (4) envelops the carrier element (2). [5] Sorption particles (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier element (2) is a microplastic particle. [6] Sorption particles (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the carrier element (2) is filled with a material, in particular with a plastic (7). [7] Sorption particles (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that a cavity is formed in the carrier element (2). [8] Method for producing a sorption particle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a sorption material (3) is applied to a carrier element (2) by means of an adhesive (4), wherein the sorption material (3) comprises dead organic substance (5). [9] Pollutant collector (10) for the sorption of pollutants from a liquid (11), comprising a container (12) with a liquid-permeable wall (13), wherein a plurality of sorption particles (1) for the sorption of the pollutants from the liquid (11) are arranged in the container (12), wherein the sorption particles (1) each comprise a carrier element (2) to which a sorption material (3) adheres by means of an adhesive (4), and wherein the sorption particles (1) are designed according to one of claims 1 to 7. [10] Pollutant collector (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized byin that a first type (15) of sorption particles (1) and a second type (16) of sorption particles (1) have carrier elements (2) with different densities, in particular wherein the carrier elements (2) of the first type (15) of sorption particles (1) have a density which is greater than the density of the liquid (11), and wherein the carrier elements (2) of the second type (16) of sorption particles (1) have a density which is lower than the density of the liquid (11). [11] Use of a pollutant collector (10) according to one of claims 9 or 10 for removing pollutants from a liquid (11), wherein the pollutant collector (10) is introduced into the liquid (11). [12] Use according to the preceding claim, wherein the sorption particles (1) in the pollutant collector (10) are irradiated with UV light, in particular wherein for this purpose the pollutant collector (10) is brought so close to a UV light source (24) that a distance of the pollutant collector (10) to the UV light source (24) is less than the penetration depth of the UV light in the liquid (11). [13] Use according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized by that for the irradiation with the UV light the sorption particles (1) are set in motion within the pollutant collector (10), in particular by the liquid (11) flowing through the pollutant collector (10) and / or by changing the speed and / or direction of the liquid. [14] Use according to one of the three preceding claims, characterized bythat a pH value of the liquid (11) surrounding the sorption particles (1) is changed, in particular is lowered and / or is changed from basic to acidic. [15] Use according to one of the four preceding claims, characterized by that the sorption material (3) is rinsed off the sorption particles (1), in particular wherein a rinsed sorption material (3) is burned. [16] Use according to one of the five preceding claims, characterized by that the liquid (11) initially contains ammonia and is introduced into a liquid circuit (34), wherein the pollutant collector (10) is introduced into the liquid (11) located in the liquid circuit (34), wherein the ammonia of the liquid (11) located in the liquid circuit (34) is nitrified to nitrate and wherein the nitrate-enriched liquid (11) is discharged again from the liquid circuit (34). [17] Use of a pollutant collector (10) according to one of claims 9 or 10 in a container (36) of a device (35) for use in the production of a fertilizer, the device (35) comprising: the container (36) with a first inlet line (37) for introducing a liquid containing ammonia into the container (36) and a first outlet line (38) for discharging the nitrate-enriched liquid from the container (36), and devices (40) for generating and maintaining a liquid circuit (34) which comprises the container (36) and means (41) for nitrifying the ammonia to the nitrate.

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