Multifunctional nanostructure-coated mobile carrier containing nanoparticles, and system and method for treating contaminated water using the same

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a multifunctional nanostructure-coated mobile carrier containing nanoparticles, and a system and method for treating contaminated water using the same.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Aspects of the present disclosure provide a multifunctional nanostructure-coated mobile carrier containing nanoparticles, and a system and method for treating contaminated water using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Contaminated water treatment involves a series of treatment steps designed to meet specific treatment objectives while minimizing the physical footprint and total lifecycle costs (i.e., the combination of capital and operating costs over a given operational lifespan (e.g., 20 years)), depending on the source and nature of the contaminants. Contaminated waters include, but are not limited to, reclaimed water, drinking water, stormwater, agricultural wastewater, municipal wastewater, and industrial wastewater, such as wastewater from food production and manufacturing. These contaminated waters may contain particulate organic matter, dissolved organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, metals, and / or metalloids. These substances may have societal or monetary value. For example, nitrogen and phosphorus are the main components of fertilizers.

[0003] Phosphate rock reacts with sulfuric acid to produce phosphoric acid. In 2021, over 95% of the phosphate rock mined in the United States was utilized to produce phosphoric acid, which is used in the manufacture of ammonium phosphate fertilizer and animal feed supplements. In 2021, commercial phosphate rock extraction from U.S. mines resulted in an estimated 22 million metric tons of commodity valued at $1.65 billion (or $75 per metric ton of phosphate rock) (USGS, United States Geological Survey (2022). Phosphate Rock. Mineral commodity summaries). Commercial phosphate rock has an orthophosphate content of approximately 30% (Zapata, F., Roy, RN (2004). Phosphorus in the soil-plant system. Chapter 1 in Use of Phosphate Rocks for Sustainable Agriculture. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization. ISBN 92-5-105030-9). Thus, the average value of orthophosphate mined in the United States in 2021 was $250 per metric ton.

[0004] Nitrogen (N) is commercially captured from the air as ammonia (NH3), produced by combining atmospheric nitrogen with hydrogen from natural gas. In 2021, the United States produced 14 million metric tons of ammonia, approximately 10% of global ammonia production. The main ammonia derivatives produced in the United States, in order of importance, were urea, ammonium nitrate, nitric acid, ammonium phosphate, and ammonium sulfate. The average ammonia price 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 in tandem with natural gas prices. Approximately 88% of apparent ammonia consumption in the United States is used as fertilizer, including anhydrous ammonia for direct application, urea, ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphate, and other nitrogen compounds. Ammonia is also used in the manufacture of explosives, plastics, synthetic fibers and resins, and numerous other chemical compounds (USGS, United States Geological Survey (2022). Nitrogen (Fixed) - Ammonia. Mineral commodity summaries).

[0005] Nanoparticles are particles of material with a spherical equivalent diameter of generally 1 to 100 nanometers. Certain nanoparticles can adsorb and desorb cations and anions, making them 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 (oxy)anions, which are chromate ions (CrO4 2- ), arsenate ion (AsO4 3- ), selenate ion (SeO4 2- ), orthovanadate ion (VO4 3- ), orthophosphate ion (PO4 3-Magnetite (Fe3O4) is a common iron oxide that can be used to adsorb and desorb anionic contaminants from water. For example, zeolite nanoparticles are hydrated aluminosilicates of sodium, potassium, calcium, and barium, and can be used to remove calcium (Ca) from contaminated water. 2+ ), magnesium (Mg 2+ ), ammonium (NH4 + They may also be used to adsorb and desorb cationic pollutants, including, but not limited to, cation exchange membranes. While naturally occurring materials can adsorb and desorb pollutants from water, manufactured ion exchange resins are the most commonly used for this purpose. Nanoparticles (e.g., iron oxides and zeolites) that adsorb and desorb pollutants from water can be attached to multifunctional nanostructures (MNS) that can coat a variety of surfaces (Ribet, S.M., Shindel, B., dos Reis, R., Nandwana, V., Dravid, V.P. (2021). Phosphate elimination and recovery lightweight (PEARL) membrane: a sustainable environmental remediation approach. PNAS. DOI: 10.1073 / pnas.2102583118).

[0006] WO 2021 / 173608 (Patent Document 1) describes a method for producing and using nanoparticle-encapsulated MNS for the removal and recovery of a pollutant (or multiple pollutants) from water. The nanoparticles may be composed of iron, iron oxide, or an alloy of iron or iron oxide. Combinations of different types of magnetic nanoparticles can be used, and the nanoparticles can have different compositions, sizes, and / or functionalization states. The coated porous material may be composed of polyurethane, cellulose, melamine, acrylic, polyamide, polyester, polycarbonate, polyaramid, or a combination thereof. The coated porous material can also have a solid matrix composed of a hydrophilic polymer. WO 2021 / 173608 describes a method for removing a pollutant (or multiple pollutants) from water by contacting a MNS-coated porous material containing magnetic particles with water containing the pollutant (or multiple pollutants) for a time required for the pollutant (or multiple pollutants) to be adsorbed onto the MNS-coated porous material containing magnetic particles. The contaminants may be or include metals, metalloids, heavy metals, inorganic compounds, phosphates (e.g., orthophosphates and / or di- and triphosphates), and / or nitrates. The present method includes desorbing contaminants by adjusting the pH of the MNS-coated porous material containing magnetic particles. The types of vessels through which the water and contaminants pass that are utilized to facilitate contact between the contaminated water and the MNS containing magnetic particles are coated planar membranes or packed columns. Alternatively, when the coated porous material is in the form of a sheet or pad (e.g., a wipe, mop head, or sponge), contact between the water and the MNS containing magnetic particles can be achieved by placing the coated porous material on or in the contaminated water.

[0007] Mobile carriers can be used in contaminated water treatment and typically have a sphere-equivalent diameter of 100–10,000 micrometers and can be composed of lignocellulose (Boltz, JP, Daigger, GT (2022). A mobile-organic biofilm process for wastewater treatment. Waler Environment Research. DOI: 10.1002 / wer.10792).

[0008] U.S. Patent No. 10,138,148 (Patent Document 2) describes a system and method for treating contaminated water using mobile biofilm carriers disposed within a bioreactor. A solid-solid separation unit is adapted to receive an effluent stream containing mobile biofilm-covered carriers from the bioreactor, separate at least a portion of the mobile carriers and biofilm from the effluent, and return them to the bioreactor. A second bioreactor can be present between the first bioreactor and the solid-solid separation unit. The second bioreactor has a first inlet adapted to receive a liquid stream containing the mobile or mobile biofilm carriers and biofilm from the solid-solid separation unit, a second inlet adapted to receive the second bioreactor influent, and an outlet for distributing the second effluent to the first bioreactor. The bioreactor may have aerobic, anoxic, and / or anaerobic conditions, or a combination thereof. The treatment system may further include another unit for liquid-solid separation adapted to receive the liquid stream containing the solid residue from the solid-solid separation unit and to further separate the liquid stream containing the residual solids into a secondary effluent and an underflow.

[0009] U.S. Patent No. 9,802,847 describes an apparatus and method (i.e., a bioreactor and a liquid-solids separation unit) that utilizes screens to retain solids in activated sludge processes for wastewater treatment. Screens can be used to separate and retain solids based on size or compressibility. Screens can also be used to physically retain slow-growing microorganisms, fast-settling organisms, and / or additives that can be used as resins, adsorbents, or catalysts to treat or remove components in activated sludge processes. Screens can be applied to any part of the system. A series of screens can be used to retain particles within a range of sizes. Bioreactors can have aerobic, anoxic, and / or anaerobic conditions, or a combination thereof. Screens can have mesh sizes ranging from 10 to 1,000 micrometers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2021 / 173608 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 10,138,148 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent No. 9,802,847 Summary of the Invention

[0011] A first aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for removing and recovering one or more contaminants from water, the system including a first reactor configured to receive contaminated water containing one or more contaminants, at least a portion of which have a net charge; receive a solution containing one or more acids or one or more bases configured to bring the contaminated water to a first desired target pH; receive one or more transfer carriers including a core coated with a porous, non-reactive binder containing one or more nanoparticles configured to form at least one of a physical bond and a chemical bond with the one or more contaminants; and output a first reactor effluent including water having the first desired pH and the one or more transfer carriers that form at least one of a physical bond and a chemical bond with the one or more contaminants. The first embodiment of the system further includes a first solid-solid separation unit configured to separate the first reactor effluent into a first effluent and a second effluent, the first effluent of the first solid-solid separation unit comprising water having a first desired pH and 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 comprising one or more mobile carriers in at least one of physical and chemical association with the one or more contaminants. The system of the first embodiment further 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 bases and one or more brines configured to bring the second effluent of the first solid-solid separation unit to a second desired pH; and output a second reactor effluent having the second desired pH and comprising the one or more contaminants separated from the one or more mobile carriers. The system of the first embodiment further includes a second solid-solid separation unit configured to separate the second reactor effluent into a first effluent and a second effluent of the second solid-solid separation unit, the first effluent of the second solid-solid separation unit comprising the one or more mobile carriers, and the second effluent of the second solid-solid separation unit having a second desired pH and comprising the one or more contaminants.

[0012] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the one or more contaminants comprise a mixture of one or more phosphate salts, one or more ammonium salts, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0013] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the one or more phosphates comprise one or more of an orthophosphate, a diphosphate, and a triphosphate.

[0014] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the contaminated water is combined with a solution comprising one or more acids or one or more bases and one or more transfer carriers before being introduced into the first reactor.

[0015] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first reactor is configured to mix contaminated water, a solution comprising one or more acids or one or more bases, and one or more mobile carriers to promote a surface-based reaction between the one or more mobile carriers and the one or more contaminants.

[0016] In some embodiments of the first aspect, at least a portion of the first effluent of the first solid-solid separation unit is charged to the first reactor.

[0017] In some embodiments of the first aspect, at least a portion of the first effluent of the first solid-solid separation unit is combined with the contaminated water before being introduced into the first reactor.

[0018] In some embodiments of the first aspect, a solution comprising one or more bases or one or more acids is added to at least a portion of the first effluent of the first solid-solid separation unit to produce treated water.

[0019] In certain embodiments of the first aspect, the system further comprises a disinfection unit configured to receive the treated water, the disinfection unit configured to destroy residual organic compounds in the treated water.

[0020] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the system further includes a liquid-solid separation unit configured to receive the first effluent of the first solid-solid separation unit and separate one or more solids from water in the first effluent of the first solid-solid separation unit, wherein a solution comprising one or more bases or one or more acids is added to the water output from the liquid-solid separation unit.

[0021] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the second reactor is configured to agitate the second effluent of the first solid-solid separation unit with a solution comprising one or more bases and at least one of the one or more bases to separate the one or more contaminants from the one or more mobile carriers.

[0022] In some embodiments of the first aspect, at least a portion of the second effluent of the second solid-solid separation unit is charged to the second reactor.

[0023] In some embodiments of the first aspect, at least a portion of the second effluent of the second solid-solid separation unit is combined with the second effluent of the first solid-solid separation unit before being charged to the second reactor.

[0024] In some embodiments of the first aspect, a solution comprising at least one of one or more bases and one or more brines is combined with the second effluent of the first solid-solid separation unit prior to being charged to the second reactor.

[0025] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first effluent of the second solid-solid separation unit is input to the first reactor.

[0026] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first effluent of the second solid-liquid separation unit is combined with the contaminated water before being introduced into the first reactor.

[0027] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first solid-solid separation unit is configured to use screening, hydrocyclone separation, sedimentation, clarification, membrane filtration, and fabric-disc filtration, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0028] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the second solid-solid separation unit is configured to use screening, hydrocyclone separation, sedimentation, clarification, membrane filtration, classification, and cloth-disc filtration, or a combination of two or more thereof.

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

[0030] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the one or more transfer carriers occupy up to 100% of the volume of the second reactor.

[0031] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the one or more transfer carriers are between 1% and 100% of the total suspended matter in the first reactor.

[0032] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the one or more transfer carriers are between 1% and 100% of the total suspended matter in the second reactor.

[0033] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first reactor is partitioned to carry out two or more steps sequentially.

[0034] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first reactor is partitioned to carry out two or more steps in parallel.

[0035] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first reactor has a hydraulic retention time of 0.1 to 100 hours.

[0036] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first reactor is mixed to have a velocity gradient of 1 to 1,000,000 / s.

[0037] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the second reactor is partitioned to carry out two or more steps sequentially.

[0038] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the second reactor is partitioned to carry out two or more steps in parallel.

[0039] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the second reactor has a hydraulic retention time of 0.1 to 100 hours.

[0040] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the system further comprises a disinfection unit configured to receive at least a portion of the second effluent of the second solid-solid separation device, the disinfection unit configured to destroy residual organic compounds contained in at least a portion of the second effluent of the second solid-solid separation unit.

[0041] In certain embodiments of the first aspect, the system further comprises an oxidation unit configured to receive at least a portion of the second effluent of the first solid-solid separation unit.

[0042] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the system further comprises a liquid-solid separation unit configured to receive the second effluent of the second solid-solid separation unit and separate the one or more contaminants from the water in the second effluent of the second solid-solid separation unit.

[0043] In certain embodiments of the first aspect, the system further comprises a thickening unit configured to receive the second effluent of the second solid-solid separation unit.

[0044] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the system further comprises a third reactor in fluid communication with the second solid-solid separation unit, the third reactor configured to receive the second effluent of the second solid-solid separation unit, to receive a solution comprising at least one of one or more alkaline earth metal salts, one or more acids, and one or more bases, and to output treated water comprising the one or more contaminant particles.

[0045] In some embodiments of the first aspect, 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 a combination of two or more thereof.

[0046] In certain embodiments of the first aspect, the system further comprises a liquid-solid separation unit configured to separate the treated water from the one or more contaminant particles.

[0047] In certain embodiments of the first aspect, the system further comprises a concentration unit configured to separate the treated water from the one or more contaminant particles.

[0048] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the system further comprises at least one of a liquid-solid separation unit and a concentration unit disposed in fluid communication between the first reactor and the first solid-solid separation unit, wherein the at least one of the liquid-solid separation unit and the concentration unit outputs a first effluent comprising water having a first desired pH, the first effluent being at least substantially free of the one or more mobile carriers and the one or more contaminants, and the at least one of the liquid-solid separation unit and the concentration unit outputs a second effluent comprising the one or more mobile carriers having the first desired pH and having the one or more contaminants, and the second effluent of the liquid-solid separation unit is input to the first solid-solid separation unit.

[0049] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first desired pH is 8 or less.

[0050] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the second desired pH is 7 or greater.

[0051] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the one or more transfer carriers include a first transfer carrier comprising a core coated with a porous and non-reactive binder comprising one or more types of nanoparticles, and satisfying at least one of the following: the density of the first transfer carrier is between 0.01 and 20 g / cm 3 the first mobile carrier has a dimension of 1 to 12,500 microns; and the porous and non-reactive binder has a thickness of 0.001 to 1,000 microns.

[0052] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the shape of the first mobile carrier is formed through one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physicochemical processes, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0053] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first mobile carrier has a naturally occurring shape.

[0054] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the size of the first mobile carrier is formed through one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physicochemical processes, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0055] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the porosity of the first mobile support is formed through one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physicochemical processes, or a combination of two or more thereof.

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

[0057] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first mobile carrier has a net positive charge.

[0058] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the core is formed through one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physicochemical processes, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0059] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the core is naturally occurring.

[0060] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the core comprises one or more hydrophobic polymers, gypsum, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, basalt, bauxite, graphite, beeswax, aggregate, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0061] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the porous and 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 a combination of two or more thereof.

[0062] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the porous and non-reactive binder comprises one or more magnetic nanoparticles and one or more ion exchange resins.

[0063] A second aspect of the present disclosure is a transfer carrier for removing and recovering one or more contaminants from water, comprising a core coated with a porous and non-reactive binder containing one or more types of nanoparticles, and satisfying at least one of the following: the density of the transfer carrier is 0.01 to 20 g / cm 3 the transfer carrier has a dimension of 1 to 12,500 microns; and the porous and non-reactive binder has a thickness of 0.001 to 1,000 microns.

[0064] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the shape of the mobile carrier is formed through one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physicochemical processes, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0065] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the transfer carrier has a naturally occurring shape.

[0066] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the size of the mobile carrier is formed through one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physicochemical processes, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0067] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the porosity of the transfer support is formed through one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physicochemical processes, or a combination of two or more thereof.

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

[0069] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the mobile carrier has a net positive charge.

[0070] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the core is formed through one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physicochemical processes, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0071] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the core is naturally occurring.

[0072] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the core comprises one or more hydrophobic polymers, gypsum, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, basalt, bauxite, graphite, beeswax, aggregate, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0073] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the porous and 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 a combination of two or more thereof.

[0074] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the porous and non-reactive binder comprises one or more magnetic nanoparticles and one or more ion exchange resins. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0075] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary system configuration according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the system configuration of FIG. 1 further including a disinfection unit in fluid communication with the first solid-solid separation unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the system configuration of FIG. 1 further including a disinfection unit in fluid communication with the second solid-solid separation unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the system configuration of FIG. 1 further including a liquid-solid separation unit in fluid communication with the first solid-solid separation unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the system configuration of FIG. 1 further including a liquid-solid separation unit in fluid communication with the second solid-solid separation unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the system configuration of FIG. 1 further including a third reactor in fluid communication with the second solid-solid separation unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the system configuration of FIG. 6, further including a liquid-solid separation unit in fluid communication with the third reactor. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the system configuration of FIG. 1 further including a liquid-solid separation unit in fluid communication with the first reactor and the first solid-solid separation unit and positioned between the first reactor and the first solid-solid separation unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0076] The present disclosure provides a multifunctional nanostructure-coated mobile carrier containing nanoparticles, and a system and method for treating contaminated water using the same.

[0077] [Mobile carrier] As used herein, "transfer carrier" refers to a porous, non-reactive, multifunctional nanostructure-coated core comprising one or more nanoparticles configured to physically and / or chemically associate (e.g., adsorb, bind via ion exchange, precipitate, and / or desorb) with one or more contaminants in contaminated water. The transfer carrier of the present disclosure is capable of transporting water and contaminants into, through, and out of wastewater treatment reactors and separation units.

[0078] The mobile carrier of the present disclosure has a density of 0.01 to 20 g / cm 3 and / or dimensions (e.g., thickness or diameter) of 1 to 12,500 microns, and the thickness of the porous, non-reactive binder may be 0.001 to 1,000 microns. Density range of 0.01 to 20 g / cm 3 While stated above to be 0.01 g / cm, the present disclosure also provides that the lower end of the range is at least 0.01 g / cm 3 and the upper limit of the range is at most 20 g / cm 3 Further, although a dimensional range is stated above as being 1 to 12,500 microns, the present disclosure contemplates any dimensional range having a lower limit of at least 1 micron and an upper limit of at most 12,500 microns. Further, although a thickness range is stated above as being 0.001 to 1,000 microns, the present disclosure contemplates any thickness range having a lower limit of at least 0.001 micron and an upper limit of at most 1,000 microns.

[0079] In some embodiments, the core of the mobile carrier may be formed through one or more physical processes. In some embodiments, the core of the mobile carrier may be formed through one or more chemical processes. In some embodiments, the core of the mobile carrier may be formed through one or more physicochemical processes. In some embodiments, the core of the mobile carrier may be formed through a combination of two or more of one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, and one or more physicochemical processes.

[0080] In some embodiments, the core of the transfer carrier is a naturally occurring composition.

[0081] In some embodiments, the core may be formed in part from a naturally occurring composition or may be formed in part from an artificially designed composition (i.e., formed from one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, and / or one or more physicochemical processes).

[0082] The core of the transfer carrier may comprise one or more hydrophobic polymers. The core may comprise one or more inorganic polymers and / or one or more organic polymers. Examples of inorganic polymers include, but are not limited to, polysiloxane, polyphosphazene, and polyborazine. Examples of 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 polyurethanes (TPUs).

[0083] The core of the mobile carrier may comprise gypsum, a soft sulfate mineral made of calcium sulfate dihydrate and having the chemical formula CaSO4·2H2O.

[0084] The core of the transfer carrier may comprise lignocellulose, ie, plant biomass consisting of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, with the cellulose and hemicellulose tightly bound to the lignin.

[0085] The core of the transfer carrier may comprise hemicellulose, a heterogeneous polymer of sugars such as xylose, arabinose, mannose, and galactose.

[0086] The core of the mobile carrier may comprise basalt, a fine-grained extrusive igneous rock formed by the rapid cooling of low-viscosity lava rich in magnesium and iron.

[0087] The core of the mobile carrier may comprise bauxite, a sedimentary rock with a relatively high aluminum content.

[0088] The core of the mobile carrier may comprise graphite, a crystalline form of carbon, made up of stacks of graphene.

[0089] The core of the mobile carrier may comprise beeswax, a wax refined from honeybee hives.

[0090] The core of the carrier may contain bone material. The type of bone material is not limited. The bone material may be obtained from any type of bone-bearing organism.

[0091] In some embodiments, the core of the mobile carrier may comprise a combination of two or more of one or more hydrophobic polymers, gypsum, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, basalt, bauxite, graphite, beeswax, and aggregate.

[0092] A variety of porous, non-reactive binders may be used in the MNS coating of mobile carriers. The porous binders may be composed of natural or synthetic materials, may be woven or non-woven, and may take a variety of forms.

[0093] The porous, non-reactive binder may be described as a solid matrix, the surface of which defines a plurality of pores distributed throughout. In some embodiments, the solid matrix may be characterized as being in the form of a network of interconnected strands extending (e.g., randomly extending; although regularly oriented strands, such as those in a woven fabric, may also be used) to define a plurality of pores and elongated, serpentine channels distributed throughout the solid matrix. The surface of the solid matrix may incorporate one or more types of nanoparticles that generally do not penetrate the solid matrix itself and / or do not rely on the ability to penetrate the solid matrix to exert their effect. These surfaces include an outer / external surface generally facing away from the body of the solid matrix and an inner / internal surface generally facing toward the internal body.

[0094] The size and shape of the pores may be selected depending on the application. In some embodiments, the porous binder is hierarchical in nature. This means that the porous binder defines multiple sets of pores (e.g., two, three, etc.), each characterized by a different average size. The phrase "average size" may refer to the average dimension (i.e., width or diameter) taken as the largest distance between opposing surfaces of the porous binder that define the pores. For example, a set of pores may be characterized as having average dimensions on the millimeter scale (e.g., in the range of 1 mm to 10 mm). A set of pores may be characterized as having average dimensions on the micrometer scale (e.g., in the range of 1 pm to 1000 pm). A set of pores may be characterized as having average diameters on the nanometer scale (e.g., in the range of 1 nm to 100 nm). A set of pores may be characterized as having average diameters within the nanometer scale (e.g., in the range of 1 nm to 20 nm). In some embodiments, the porous binder may include two or more such sets.

[0095] The porous, non-reactive binder may be composed of a variety of natural or synthetic materials (including combinations thereof). Exemplary porous binder materials include polyurethane, cellulose, melamine, polyimide, acrylic, polyamide, polyester, polycarbonate, polyaramid, and the like. These material embodiments have the advantages of polymeric nature, flexibility, and compressibility. Hydrophilic materials (e.g., cellulose, melamine, polyamide) are particularly useful. However, hydrophilic materials may be combined with amphiphilic materials such as polyimide, polycarbonate, and polyurethane, or with hydrophobic materials such as polyester, polyaramid, and acrylic. In some embodiments, the following materials are excluded: activated carbon, biochar, halloysite, silicates, and calcium silicate. Materials such as activated carbon and biochar are generally hydrophobic.

[0096] One or more types of nanoparticles may be combined with a porous binder to form a mobile carrier. Agglomerates of various nanoparticles may be combined with a porous binder. In some embodiments, the loading may range from 0.2 wt% to 25 wt%, where "wt%" is the weight of the nanoparticles divided by the total weight of the coated porous material. * 100, including 0.5% to 20% by weight, 1% to 25% by weight, 1% to 15% by weight, and 5% to 10% by weight. The loading may be adjusted depending on the application. The loading may also be adjusted to obtain a specific surface coverage of the magnetic nanoparticles in the porous binder. In some embodiments, the mass of nanoparticles allows them to be formed with a surface coverage of at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99%, or 100% on all surfaces (i.e., inner and outer surfaces) of the porous binder.

[0097] In some embodiments, the porous and non-reactive binder of the MNS coating may include one or more magnetic nanoparticles. Various magnetic materials may be used for the magnetic nanoparticles. In some embodiments, a hard magnetic material may be used. Examples of 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, a soft magnetic material may be used. Examples of 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 represented by the formula: M′ x M″ 1-x Fe2O4, where M′ and M″ are different and are 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, etc.

[0098] The porous, non-reactive binder of the MNS coating may contain nanoparticles of various sizes and shapes. Therefore, the term "nanoparticle" is not intended to be limited to a particular size. In some embodiments, nanoparticles may have three dimensions of 1000 nm or less. While nanoparticles may be spherical, the term encompasses irregularly shaped particles reasonably well defined by similar three-dimensional dimensions. Nanoparticles may be characterized by their spherical equivalent diameter. The spherical equivalent diameter may 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 spherical equivalent diameter may be in the range of 1 nm to 200 nm, or in the range of 10 nm to 200 nm. Magnetic nanoparticles with a spherical equivalent diameter of 10 nm or less are useful because they exhibit superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature (20-25°C).

[0099] In some embodiments, the magnetic nanoparticles are functionalized, i.e., they contain functional groups capable of covalently binding to their surface. For example, the magnetic nanoparticles may be functionalized with chemical groups such as carboxylates, amines, phosphates, pyridines, sulfates, and / or biological groups such as amino acids, organic molecules, antibodies, and the like. 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 not functionalized.

[0100] In some embodiments, the porous, non-reactive binder of the MNS coating may include one or more non-magnetic nanoparticles, for which a variety of non-magnetic materials may be used.

[0101] In some embodiments, the non-magnetic nanoparticles are functionalized, i.e., contain functional groups that can be covalently attached to the surface of the non-magnetic nanoparticles. For example, the non-magnetic nanoparticles may be functionalized with chemical groups such as carboxylates, amines, phosphates, pyridines, sulfates, and / or biological groups such as amino acids, organic molecules, antibodies, and the like. These groups can be chemically (i.e., covalently) or physically (i.e., non-covalently) attached to the non-magnetic nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the non-magnetic nanoparticles are not functionalized.

[0102] Combinations of different types of magnetic nanoparticles (eg, magnetic nanoparticles having different compositions, different sizes, and / or different functionalization states) may be used in a single transfer carrier or between transfer carriers.

[0103] Combinations of different types of non-magnetic nanoparticles (eg, non-magnetic nanoparticles having different compositions, different sizes, and / or different functionalization states) may be used in a single transfer carrier or between transfer carriers.

[0104] Combinations of different types of magnetic and non-magnetic nanoparticles (e.g., magnetic and non-magnetic nanoparticles having different compositions, different sizes, and / or different functionalization states) may be used in a single transfer carrier or between transfer carriers.

[0105] Various methods may be used to form the nanoparticles, for example, adding an oxidizing agent (e.g., a base such as NaOH) to an aqueous solution of iron salts for a period of time to induce nucleation and growth of iron oxide nanoparticles, although other methods may also be used.

[0106] In some embodiments, the nanoparticles may comprise or consist of carbon and / or one or more carbon-containing compounds, for example, the nanoparticles may consist of any form of activated carbon and / or graphite.

[0107] In some embodiments, the nanoparticles may comprise or consist of one or more ceramics. Ceramics are hard, brittle, heat-resistant, and corrosion-resistant materials obtained by molding inorganic non-metallic materials (e.g., clay) and firing them at high temperatures. Examples of ceramics include, but are not limited to, pottery, porcelain, brick, etc.

[0108] In some embodiments, the nanoparticles may comprise or consist of oxygen-containing compounds that are hydrophilic and polar. Examples of oxygen-containing materials include silica gel, calcium carbonate, and zeolites.

[0109] In some embodiments, the nanoparticles may comprise or consist of one or more metals and / or one or more metal oxides, including, but not limited to, iron, nickel, cobalt, gadolinium, dysprosium, terbium, and magnetite.

[0110] In some embodiments, the nanoparticles may comprise or be composed of one or more polymers, including, but not limited to, cross-linked polystyrene, sodium polystyrene sulfonate, polyAMPS, polyAPTAC, polyethyleneamine, and styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer.

[0111] In some embodiments, the nanoparticles may comprise or consist of one or more zeolites, which are minerals primarily containing aluminum and silicon compounds. Examples of zeolites include, but are not limited to, analcime, chabazite, clinoptilolite, erionite, ferrierite, heulandite, laumontite, mordenite, and phillipsite.

[0112] In some embodiments, the porous, non-reactive binder of the MNS coating may comprise one or more ion exchange resins, which are insoluble polymers containing a cross-linked polystyrene backbone and ionically active side chains. Examples of ion exchange resins include, but are not limited to, cross-linked polystyrene, sodium polystyrene sulfonate, polyAMPS, polyAPTAC, polyethyleneamine, and / or styrene-divinylbenzene copolymers.

[0113] 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 and one or more ammonium ion exchange resins for adsorption of phosphates (e.g., orthophosphates and / or diphosphates and triphosphates) and / or ammonium salts.

[0114] In some embodiments, the porous and non-reactive binder of the MNS coating may include a combination of two or more of 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.

[0115] In some embodiments, the transfer carrier may have an artificially designed shape. In other words, the shape of the transfer carrier may be formed by one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physicochemical processes, or a combination of two or more thereof. In other embodiments, the transfer carrier may have a naturally occurring shape. For example, the transfer carrier may be spherical, ellipsoidal, cylindrical, cubic, etc.

[0116] In some embodiments, the mobile carrier may have an artificially designed size, that is, 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 a combination of two or more thereof.

[0117] In some embodiments, the transfer support may have an engineered porosity. In other words, the porosity of the transfer support may be formed by one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physicochemical processes, or a combination of two or more thereof. In the context of the present disclosure, the porosity of the transfer support is the ability and performance of the transfer support to pass a liquid through the entire volume of the solid form of the transfer support, in an adsorbed or non-adsorbed state.

[0118] In some embodiments, the transfer carrier may have a net negative charge. In other embodiments, the transfer carrier may have a net positive charge. It will be understood that the net charge of the transfer carrier may depend, at least in part, on the contaminant being removed.

[0119] The net charge of the moving carrier can be confirmed by using a magnet (e.g., a permanent magnet (B r This can be done by evaluating the response of the mobile carrier to a low magnetic field (=200 to 2000 mT). An electromagnet can also be used. Magnetism can be confirmed by exposing the mobile carrier to a low magnetic field of about 200 mT and confirming that the magnetic field induces the movement of the mobile carrier.

[0120] Methods for producing the disclosed mobile carriers are also provided. In some embodiments, the methods for producing the mobile carriers include immersing any of the disclosed porous binders in a formulation (e.g., a slurry) containing any of the disclosed nanoparticles for a period of time to allow the nanoparticles to integrate with the porous binder. The immersion can be performed with mixing of the formulation, such as by sonication or stirring. The immersion can be performed at room temperature (20-25°C). The coated porous binder can then be heated at an elevated temperature (i.e., above room temperature) for a period of time to provide nanoparticle-encapsulated MNSs.

[0121] The porous and non-reactive binder does not need to be pretreated (e.g., pretreated with acid). Using cellulose as an example, pretreatment with acid results in carboxylation of the cellulose (i.e., the cellulose is functionalized with carboxylate groups). This can result in covalent bonding between the carboxylated cellulose and the nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the porous binder is not functionalized. In some embodiments, the porous binder does not contain carboxylate groups. In some embodiments, the (magnetic) nanoparticles are not covalently bonded to the porous binder.

[0122] Mobile carriers can be used for a variety of applications. One such application is the recovery of contaminants, 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., phosphate and ammonium) from contaminated water. However, in some embodiments, mobile carriers may be used to recover only phosphate, rather than other contaminants, such as arsenic. The term "contaminated water" refers to solutions and mixtures containing water (i.e., water may contain other components). Furthermore, this term includes water suspected of being contaminated, as well as solutions and mixtures thereof. The source of the contaminated water is not particularly limited. For example, the source may be wastewater from a facility, runoff from an industrial, domestic, or commercial site, or a body of water, such as a pool, pond, lake, ocean, inlet, stream, or river.

[0123] As used herein in the context of a binder, "non-reactive" means that the binder does not react with one or more contaminants in the water. Rather, it is other components of the MNS coating (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) that react with one or more contaminants in the water.

[0124] A system for removing and recovering one or more contaminants from water. In addition to the mobile carriers detailed above, the present disclosure also provides a system for removing and recovering one or more contaminants from water using a mobile carrier.

[0125] Referring to FIG. 1 , the system of the present disclosure may include, among other things, a first reactor 102 in fluid communication with a first solid-solid separation unit 104, which is in fluid communication with a second reactor 106, which is in fluid communication with a second solid-solid separation unit 108.

[0126] The first reactor 102 receives contaminated water 110 as influent. The contaminated water 110 may include any one or more contaminants to be removed from the contaminated water 110 using the mobile carrier of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, at least some of the one or more contaminants may have a net charge (i.e., a positive net charge or a negative net charge). Examples of contaminants include those containing 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., phosphate and ammonium). In some embodiments, the contaminated water 110 may include one or more of phosphate and ammonium.

[0127] The first reactor 102 may also receive as influent a solution 112 containing one or more acids or one or more bases to bring the contaminated water 110 / first reactor 102 effluent to a desired pH to promote physical and / or chemical binding (e.g., adsorption, ion exchange binding, and / or precipitation) of one or more contaminants to one or more mobile carriers of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the desired pH may be a mildly basic, neutral, or acidic pH. For example, the desired pH may be 8 or less, 7 or less, 6 or less, 5 or less, 4 or less, 3 or less, 2 or less, or 1.

[0128] The system may include a pH meter 113, which may be configured to measure the pH of the contaminated water 110 and send a signal to an automated dispenser (not shown) of the solution 112 indicating the amount of solution 112 to be dispensed based on the pH currently measured by the pH meter 113, based on an algorithm (which may include calculations based on mathematical functions and / or empirical functions and / or fuzzy logic and / or machine learning). To generate the solution 112, several acids or bases may be used in sequence and / or as a mixture, and the mass of each in the solution 112 may vary. A pump with a variable speed motor may include a programmable logic controller (PLC). The PLC may be programmed to receive a signal from the pH meter 113 and operate the pump until the signal reaches a desired value or tolerance.

[0129] The pH meter 113 may be located upstream of the first reactor 102 with respect to the fluid flow of the system, or the pH meter 113 may be located within the first reactor 102. In some embodiments, the automated dispenser may be configured to dispense a first solution 112a including one or more acids and a second solution 112b including one or more bases, and the automated dispenser may selectively dispense one of the first solution 112a and the second solution 112b based on a signal received from the pH meter 113, an algorithm, and the desired pH to be achieved for the contaminated water 110 / first reactor 102 effluent.

[0130] The present disclosure is not limited to utilizing a particular acid or base for solution 112. By way of example and not limitation, if solution 112 includes one or more acids, solution 112 may include one or more of sulfuric acid (HSO), hydrochloric acid (HCl), nitric acid (HNO), phosphoric acid (HPO), and citric acid (CHO). Further, by way of example and not limitation, if solution 112 includes one or more bases, solution 112 may include one or more of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)), and sodium carbonate (NaCO).

[0131] The first reactor 102 may also take in as an influent one or more transfer supports 114 of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the one or more transfer supports 114 may be configured to adsorb one or more contaminants via ionic or weak van der Waals forces, bind one or more contaminants via one or more physical processes and / or one or more chemical processes, and / or bind one or more contaminants via ion exchange.

[0132] The one or more moving carriers 114 may occupy various volumes of the first reactor 102. In some embodiments, the one or more moving 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%, 57%, 59% of the volume of the first reactor 102. It may be added in an amount such that it accounts for 6%, 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, the one or more moving 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%, 59%, 58%, 57%, 56%, 58% or 59% of the volume of the first reactor 102. %, 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, the one or more moving carriers 114 may be added in an amount such that the one or more moving carriers 114 occupy between 1% and 100% of the volume of the first reactor 102. However, the present disclosure contemplates the one or more moving carriers 114 occupying any range of percentages of the volume of the first reactor 102, with the lower limit of the range being at least 1% and the upper limit of the range being up to 100%.

[0133] The one or more moving carriers 114 may be present in various amounts relative to the total suspended material in the first reactor 102. In some embodiments, the one or more moving carriers 114 may be added in amounts such that the one or more moving carriers 114 are 1% or 100% of the total suspended material in the first reactor 102. However, the present disclosure contemplates that the one or more moving carriers 114 may be present in any range of percentages of the total suspended material in the first reactor 102, with the lower limit of the range being at least 1% and the upper limit of the range being up to 100%.

[0134] In some embodiments, the one or more mobile carriers 114 may be added directly to the first reactor 102. In other embodiments, the one or more mobile carriers 114 may be added to the system of the present disclosure upstream of the first reactor 102 with respect to the fluid flow (e.g., the one or more mobile carriers 114 may be added to the contaminated water 110 before the contaminated water 110 is introduced into the first reactor 102).

[0135] In some embodiments, two or more of the contaminated water 110, the solution 112 containing one or more acids or one or more bases, and the one or more transfer carriers 114 may be combined before being introduced into the first reactor 102. In some embodiments, the contaminated water 110 may be combined with the solution 112 and / or the one or more transfer carriers 114 before being introduced into the first reactor 102.

[0136] In some embodiments, the contaminated water 110, the solution 112 containing one or more acids or one or more bases, and the one or more transfer carriers 114 may each be separately introduced into the first reactor 102.

[0137] The first reactor 102 is not intended to be limited to a particular structural form. Rather, the first reactor 102 is intended to be any structural form capable of mixing the contaminated water 110, the solution 112 containing one or more acids or one or more bases, and one or more mobile carriers 114 to disperse the one or more mobile carriers 114 throughout the contaminated water 110 and promote a surface-based reaction between the one or more mobile carriers 114 and one or more contaminants in the contaminated water 110. For example, without limitation, the first reactor 102 may be a concrete or steel tank.

[0138] In some embodiments, the first reactor 102 may be partitioned. With respect to the first reactor 102, the terms "partition" and "partitioned" mean that the first reactor 102 is separated into two or more zones. In some embodiments, the zones are physically separated, for example, by one or more partitions or walls. The partitions include weir walls, submerged weir walls, curtains, or other physical separation devices. In some embodiments, one or more partitions are positioned parallel to the flow direction of the contaminated water 110 in the first reactor 102, thereby forming multiple first reactors in parallel. In other embodiments, one or more partitions are positioned perpendicular to the flow direction of the contaminated water 110 in the first reactor 102, thereby forming multiple first reactors in series.

[0139] In some embodiments, the first reactor 102 can have a hydraulic retention time of 0.1 to 100 hours, although the present disclosure contemplates the first reactor 102 having any range of hydraulic retention times, with the lower end of the range being at least 0.1 hours and the upper end of the range being up to 100 hours.

[0140] In some embodiments, the first reactor 102 may be mixed to have a velocity gradient of 1 to 1,000,000 / s. However, the present disclosure contemplates that the first reactor 102 may be mixed to have any range of velocity gradients, with a lower limit of at least 1 / s and an upper limit of up to 1,000,000 / s. The first reactor 102 may be mixed by a variety of means, including, but not limited to, mechanical mixing, jet mixing, air mixing, and combinations of two or more thereof.

[0141] The first reactor 102 outputs a first reactor effluent 116 comprising water having the desired pH described above (e.g., 8 or less) and one or more transfer carriers 114 to which one or more contaminants are physically and / or chemically associated (e.g., adsorbed, bound via ion exchange, and / or precipitated).

[0142] 1, the first reactor effluent 116 is input to a first solid-solid separation unit 104. The first solid-solid separation unit 104 may be any device configured to perform one or more solid-solid separation processes to substantially or completely separate the first reactor effluent 116 into a first effluent 118 and a second effluent 120. The first effluent 118 comprises substantially or completely uncontaminated water (i.e., water that is at least substantially free of one or more transfer carriers 114 and one or more contaminants) having a desired pH as described above. The second effluent 120 also comprises one or more transfer carriers 114 having a desired pH and one or more contaminants physically and / or chemically associated therewith (e.g., adsorption, binding via ion exchange, and / or precipitation).

[0143] The first solid-solid separation unit 104 can use 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. Examples of first solid-solid separation units include, but are not limited to, those using screening, hydrocyclone separation, sedimentation, clarification, membrane filtration, fabric-disc filtration, classification, and combinations of two or more thereof. For example, the first solid-solid separation unit 104 may include a hydrocyclone, a lamella plate settler, a static screen, a band screen, a drum screen, a sieve, a spitzkasten (i.e., a series of cones that sequentially separate particles by size), a single-cone classifier, a double-cone classifier, a multi-cone classifier, concentric cones, an elutriator (i.e., a vertical column), a barbotage (i.e., a bubble agitation) chamber, and / or a flotation chamber. In some embodiments, the first solid-solid separation unit 104 includes two or more such devices, which may be the same or different (e.g., four hydrocyclones arranged in series, or a flotation chamber coupled with a barbotage chamber).

[0144] Because the first effluent 118 of the first solid-solid separation unit 104 is substantially or totally uncontaminated water, the first effluent 118 may be discharged 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 may be mixed with a solution 124 containing one or more bases or one or more acids so that the treated water 122 has a suitable pH for use as a treatment solution.

[0145] The system may include a pH meter 126, which may be configured to measure the pH of the first effluent 118 and send a signal to an automated dispenser (not shown) of the solution 124 indicating the amount of solution 124 to be dispensed based on the pH currently measured by the pH meter 126, based on an algorithm (which may include calculations based on mathematical functions and / or empirical functions and / or fuzzy logic and / or machine learning). To generate the solution 124, several acids or bases may be used in sequence and / or as a mixture, and the mass of each in the solution 124 may vary. A pump with a variable speed motor may include a PLC. The PLC may be programmed to receive a signal from the pH meter 126 and operate the pump until the signal reaches a desired value or tolerance.

[0146] In some embodiments, the automated dispenser may be configured to dispense a first solution 124a including one or more acids and a second solution 124b including one or more bases, and the automated dispenser may selectively dispense one of the first solution 124a and the second solution 124b based on a signal received from the pH meter 126, an algorithm, and the desired pH to be achieved for the treated water 122.

[0147] The present disclosure is not limited to utilizing a particular acid or base for solution 124. By way of example and not limitation, if solution 124 includes one or more acids, solution 124 may include one or more of sulfuric acid (HSO), hydrochloric acid (HCl), nitric acid (HNO), phosphoric acid (HPO), and citric acid (CHO). Further, by way of example and not limitation, if solution 124 includes one or more bases, solution 124 may include one or more of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)), and sodium carbonate (NaCO).

[0148] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first effluent 118 from the first solid-solid separation unit 104 is recycled back to the first reactor 102 and charged to the first reactor 102. By recycling at least a portion of the first effluent 118, a smaller amount of solution 112 (i.e., acid and / or base) may 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 charged directly to 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 contaminated water 110 is charged to 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 the pH meter 113 (i.e., it may be combined with the contaminated water 110 upstream of the pH meter 113 in terms of fluid flow).

[0149] The second effluent 120 of the first solid-solid separation unit 104 may be input to the second reactor 106. In some embodiments, it may be necessary to add water to the second effluent 120 to sufficiently fluidize the second effluent 120 for transport to the second reactor 106 and / or to remove one or more transfer carriers 114 from the solid-solid separation unit. In such embodiments, it may be desirable to add the minimum amount of water necessary.

[0150] In some embodiments, the second effluent 120 (or a portion thereof) of the first solid-solid separation unit 104 may be passed through an oxidation unit before being input to the second reactor 106. The oxidation unit may be configured to destroy residual organic compounds in the second effluent 120 (or a portion thereof) by one or more of ultraviolet oxidation, metal-catalyzed oxidation (e.g., Fenton's reagent), and chemical oxidation (e.g., using chlorine).

[0151] The second reactor 106 may also take as influent a solution 130 containing one or more bases and / or one or more brines (i.e., strongly salted waters) to bring the second effluent 120 of the first solid-solid separation unit 104 to a desired pH to promote dissociation (e.g., desorption, reversal of ion exchange bonds, etc.) of one or more contaminants from the one or more mobile carriers 114. In some embodiments, the solution 130 may include one or more bases and one or more brines, since the combination of pH and cation concentration may promote dissociation of one or more contaminants from the one or more mobile carriers 114. In some embodiments, the desired pH may be neutral or basic. For example, the desired pH may be 7 or higher, 8 or higher, 9 or higher, 10 or higher, 11 or higher, 12 or higher, 13 or higher, or 14.

[0152] The system may include a pH meter 132 that may be configured to measure the pH of the second effluent 120 of the first solid-solid separation unit 104 and send a signal to an automated dispenser (not shown) of the solution 130 indicating the amount of solution 130 to be dispensed based on the pH currently measured by the pH meter 132, based on an algorithm (which may include mathematical and / or empirical functions and / or calculations based on fuzzy logic and / or machine learning). Conceptually, multiple bases and / or brines may be used to generate the solution 130, and the mass of each in the solution 130 may vary. A pump with a variable speed motor may include a PLC. The PLC may be programmed to receive a signal from the pH meter 132 and run the pump until the signal reaches a desired value or tolerance.

[0153] The pH meter 132 may be located upstream of the second reactor 106 in terms of the fluid flow of the system, or the pH meter 132 may be located within the second reactor 106 .

[0154] The present disclosure is not limited to utilizing a particular base or brine for solution 30. By way of example and not limitation, when solution 130 includes one or more bases, solution 130 may include one or more of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)), and sodium carbonate (NaCO). Additionally, by way of example and not limitation, when solution 130 includes one or more brines, solution 130 may include metal or other cations, such as, for example, chlorides (e.g., sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride) and / or sulfates (e.g., sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate, calcium sulfate).

[0155] The one or more moving carriers 114 may occupy various volumes of the second reactor 106. In some embodiments, the one or more moving 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%, 57%, 59% of the volume of the second reactor 106. It may be added in an amount such that it accounts for 6%, 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, the one or more moving 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%, 59%, 58%, 57%, 56%, 58% or 59% 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, the one or more moving carriers 114 can occupy between 1% and 100% of the volume of the second reactor 106. However, the present disclosure contemplates the one or more moving carriers 114 occupying any range of percentages of the volume of the second reactor 106, with the lower limit of the range being at least 1% and the upper limit of the range being up to 100%.

[0156] The one or more moving carriers 114 may represent various amounts of the total suspended material in the second reactor 106. In some embodiments, the one or more moving carriers 114 may represent 1% or 100% of the total suspended material in the second reactor 106. However, the present disclosure contemplates that the one or more moving carriers 114 may represent any range of percentages of the total suspended material in the second reactor 106, with the lower limit of the range being at least 1% and the upper limit of the range being up to 100%.

[0157] In some embodiments, the second effluent 120 of the first solid-solid separation unit 104 may be combined with a solution 130 comprising one or more bases and / or one or more brines before the second effluent 120 and the solution 130 are charged to the second reactor 106.

[0158] In some embodiments, the second effluent 120 of the first solid-solid separation unit 104 and the solution 130 comprising one or more bases and / or one or more brines may be separately charged to the second reactor 106.

[0159] The second reactor 106 is not intended to be limited to a particular structural form. Rather, the second reactor 106 is intended to be any structural form capable of agitating the second effluent 120, which includes one or more mobile carriers 114 to which one or more contaminants are physically and / or chemically bound (e.g., adsorbed, bound via ion exchange, and / or precipitated), and facilitating dissociation (e.g., desorption, reversal of ion exchange binding, etc.) of the one or more contaminants from the one or more mobile carriers 114. For example, without limitation, the second reactor 106 may be a concrete or steel tank.

[0160] In some embodiments, the second reactor 106 may be partitioned. With respect to the second reactor 106, the terms "partitioned" and "partitioned" mean that the second reactor 106 is separated into two or more zones. In some embodiments, the zones are physically separated, for example, by one or more partitions or walls. Partitions include weir walls, submerged weir walls, curtains, or other physical separation devices. In some embodiments, one or more partitions are positioned parallel to the direction of fluid flow in the second reactor 106, thereby forming multiple second reactors in parallel. In other embodiments, one or more partitions are positioned perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow in the second reactor 106, thereby forming multiple second reactors in series.

[0161] In some embodiments, the second reactor 106 can have a hydraulic retention time of 0.1 to 100 hours, although the present disclosure contemplates the second reactor 106 having any range of hydraulic retention times, with the lower end of the range being at least 0.1 hours and the upper end of the range being up to 100 hours.

[0162] In some embodiments, the second reactor 106 may be mixed to have a velocity gradient of 1 to 1,000,000 / s. However, the present disclosure contemplates that the second reactor 106 may be mixed to have any range of velocity gradients, with a lower limit of at least 1 / s and an upper limit of up to 1,000,000 / s. The second reactor 106 may be mixed by a variety of means, including, but not limited to, mechanical mixing, jet mixing, air mixing, and combinations of two or more thereof.

[0163] The second reactor 106 outputs a second reactor effluent 134 having the above-mentioned pH and containing one or more contaminants separated (i.e., physically and chemically dissociated) from the one or more transfer carriers 114.

[0164] 1, the second reactor effluent 134 is input to a second solid-solid separation unit 108. The second solid-solid separation unit 108 may be any device configured to perform one or more solid-solid separation processes to substantially or completely separate the second reactor effluent 134 into a first effluent 136 and a second effluent 138. The first effluent 136 comprises one or more transfer carriers 114 and is substantially free of one or more contaminants. The second effluent 138 has a desired pH, comprises one or more contaminants, and is substantially free of one or more transfer carriers 114 because water is required to transport the second reactor effluent 134 from the second reactor 106 to the second solid-solid separation unit 108.

[0165] The second solid-solid separation unit 108 can use separation factors including, but not limited to, centripetal force, fluid resistance (drag), settling velocity, and particle characteristics such as size, shape, and density. Examples of second solid-solid separation units include, but are not limited to, screening, hydrocyclone separation, sedimentation, clarification, membrane filtration, fabric-disc filtration, classification, and combinations of two or more thereof. For example, the second solid-solid separation unit 108 can include a hydrocyclone, a lamella plate settler, a static screen, a band screen, a drum screen, a sieve, a spitzkasten (i.e., a series of cones that sequentially separate particles by size), a single-cone classifier, a double-cone classifier, a multi-cone classifier, concentric cones, an elutriator (i.e., a vertical column), a barbotage (i.e., a bubble agitation) chamber, and / or a flotation chamber. In some embodiments, the first solid-solid separation unit 104 includes two or more such devices, which may be the same or different (e.g., four hydrocyclones arranged in series, or a flotation chamber coupled with a barbotage chamber).

[0166] The first effluent 136 of the second solid-solid separation unit 108 may be recycled back to the first reactor 102 and input into the first reactor 102. Accordingly, it will be understood that one or more moving carriers 114 may be reusable by the systems of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the first effluent 136 of the second solid-solid separation unit 108 may be input directly to the first reactor 102. In some embodiments, the first effluent 136 of the second solid-solid separation unit 108 may be combined with the contaminated water 110 before the contaminated water 110 is input into the first reactor 102. In some embodiments, the first effluent 136 of the second solid-solid separation unit 108 may be combined with the contaminated water 110 before the pH of the contaminated water 110 is measured by the pH meter 113 (i.e., it may be combined with the contaminated water 110 upstream of the pH meter 113 with respect to the fluid flow).

[0167] The second effluent 138 of the second solid-solid separation unit 108 is discharged from the system and may be utilized, for example, in the production of fertilizers and animal feed supplements.

[0168] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the second effluent 138 from the second solid-solid separation unit 108 is recycled back to the second reactor 106 and charged to the second reactor 106. By recycling at least a portion of the second effluent 138, a smaller amount of solution 130 may be used because at least a portion of the second effluent 138 is at the desired pH for the fluid within and upon exiting the second reactor 106. Furthermore, in situations where the second effluent 138 contains cations because the solution 130 contains one or more brines, recycling at least a portion of the second effluent 138 can maintain the concentration of the particular contaminant or contaminants (e.g., phosphate and / or ammonium), thereby maximizing precipitation of the particular contaminant or contaminants (e.g., phosphate and / or ammonium) in the second reactor 106. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the second effluent 138 may be charged directly to 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 second effluent 120 is input to 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 the pH meter 132 (i.e., may be combined with the second effluent 120 upstream of the pH meter 132 with respect to the fluid flow).

[0169] 2, the system of the present disclosure may include a disinfection unit 202 in fluid communication with the first solid-solid separation unit 104. The disinfection unit 202 may receive the 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 of concrete or steel construction and may have open faces or may be enclosed.

[0170] 3 , the system of the present disclosure may include a disinfection unit 302 in fluid communication with the second solid-solid separation unit 108. The disinfection unit 202 receives at least a portion of the second effluent (i.e., second effluent 138) of 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 destroy residual organic compounds in at least a portion of the second effluent (i.e., second effluent 138) of the second solid-solid separation unit 108 using one or more of ultraviolet oxidation, metal-catalyzed oxidation, and chemical oxidation. The disinfection unit 302 may be of concrete or steel construction and may have an open surface or may be enclosed.

[0171] 4, the system of the present disclosure may include a liquid-solid separation unit 402 in fluid communication with the first solid-solid separation unit 104. The liquid-solid separation unit 402 is positioned to receive the first effluent 118 of 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 to substantially separate undissolved or suspended solids 404 (e.g., a mixture of one or more of metals (e.g., Al, Ca, K, Mg, Na, Mn, Fe, Cu) and ions (e.g., Cl, SO, CO, HCO, O, OH, (OH), (OH), (OH), NH, (NH), PO, (PO), HPO, HPO, HPO, 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, granular media filtration units, dissolved air flotation units, ballasted flocculation clarification (or settling) units, centrifuges, etc. In some examples, solids 404 may refer to "sludge." In some embodiments, solids 404 may be the underflow of liquid-solid separation unit 402.

[0172] In embodiments where the system includes a liquid-solid separation unit 402, the solution 124 may be added to at least a portion of the treated effluent of the liquid-solid separation unit 402 (illustrated in FIG. 4 as first effluent 118).

[0173] 5, the system of the present disclosure may include a liquid-solid separation unit 502 in fluid communication with the 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 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). The liquid-solid separation unit 502 may be any device capable of performing a liquid-solid separation process to substantially separate undissolved or suspended solids 504 (i.e., one or more contaminants that may be used in fertilizers and other usable compositions, for example) 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, granular media filtration units, dissolved air flotation units, ballasted flocculation clarification (or settling) units, centrifuges, etc. In some embodiments, the solids 504 may be the underflow of the liquid-solid separation unit 502 .

[0174] In some embodiments, the system of the present disclosure may include a thickening unit in fluid communication with the second solid-solid separation unit 108. The thickening unit may be 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 may substantially separate undissolved or suspended solids 504 (i.e., one or more contaminants that may be used, for example, in fertilizers and other compositions available to humans) from the water 506 in the second effluent 138 of the second solid-solid separation unit 108.

[0175] The thickening unit may be a fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP), concrete, or steel tank, or may be formed from one or more plastic materials (e.g., PVC, CPVC, HDPE, cross-linked HDPE, or LDPE) and may include a mechanism for scraping the thickened, compressed solids from its bottom. The thickening unit may include a weir and a scrubber to capture overflow from the weir. The thickening unit may also include an energy dissipation inlet, an air sparging system, a backwash system, a surface scraping unit, and / or a gas injection system. In some embodiments, the thickening unit may use hydrodynamic effects, such as water pressure and water flow, with or without compressed air, or a combination thereof.

[0176] 6, the system of the present disclosure 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).

[0177] In embodiments, the third reactor 602 is configured to precipitate and / or granulate one or more contaminants in the second effluent 138, thereby producing a treated water containing one or more contaminant particles and / or granules 604, and / or an end product that may be granular, precipitated, gelled, flocculated, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the precipitation and / or granulation of the one or more contaminant particles and / or granules 604 may occur based on 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 a desired end product. However, it should be noted that alkaline earth metal salts that may be toxic or produce chemical sludge that is not useful as a beneficial product should be excluded or applied in a controlled manner. For example, magnesium can be added to a solution along with ammonium and phosphate to form struvite, and the phosphate can be added as a seed for growing a phosphate gel / crystal / precipitate.

[0178] The present disclosure is not limited to the controlled administration and utilization of any particular alkaline earth metal salt, acid, and / or base for the aforementioned solutions. By way of example and not limitation, if the solution includes one or more acids, the solution 112 may 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 a combination of two or more thereof. By way of example and not limitation, if the solution includes one or more acids, the solution 112 may include one or more of sulfuric acid (HSO), hydrochloric acid (HCl), nitric acid (HNO), phosphoric acid (HPO), and citric acid (CHO). Furthermore, by way of example and not limitation, if the solution includes one or more bases, the solution may include one or more of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)), and sodium carbonate (NaCO).

[0179] The third reactor 602 may be a device configured to supply the second effluent 138 with sufficient time for precipitation and / or granulation of one or more contaminants to occur. Such devices include, but are not limited to, concrete or steel tanks. In some embodiments, the third reactor 602 may be a section of (serpentine) pipe.

[0180] In some embodiments, the third reactor 602 may be configured to facilitate the production of a concentrate. For example, the concentrate may include one or more mixtures of phosphates, such as orthophosphates, diphosphates, and triphosphates, and / or ammonium salt mixtures.

[0181] As shown in FIG. 7 , the system of the present disclosure may include a liquid-solid separation unit 702 in fluid communication with the third reactor 602. The liquid-solid separation unit 702 is positioned to receive the effluent of the third reactor 602 (i.e., the treated water containing one or more precipitated and / or granulated contaminant particles and / or particulates 604). The liquid-solid separation unit 702 may be any device capable of performing a liquid-solid separation process to substantially separate the undissolved or suspended one or more contaminant particles and / or particulates 604 from the fluid components in the effluent of the third reactor 602 (i.e., the treated water). Such devices include, but are not limited to, membrane filtration units, clarification (or settling) tank units, granular media filtration units, dissolved air flotation units, ballasted flocculation clarification (or settling) units, centrifuges, etc. In some embodiments, the one or more contaminant particles and / or particulates 604 may be the underflow of the liquid-solid separation unit 702.

[0182] In some embodiments, the system of the present disclosure may include a thickening unit in fluid communication with the third reactor 602. The thickening unit may be positioned to receive the effluent of the third reactor 602 (i.e., the treated water containing one or more precipitated and / or granulated contaminant particles and / or particulates 604) and to substantially separate the undissolved or suspended one or more contaminant particles and / or particulates 604 from the fluid components in the effluent of the third reactor 602 (i.e., the treated water).

[0183] The thickening unit may be a fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP), concrete, or steel tank, or may be formed from one or more plastic materials (e.g., PVC, CPVC, HDPE, cross-linked HDPE, or LDPE) and may include a mechanism for scraping the thickened, compressed solids from its bottom. The thickening unit may include a weir and a scrubber to capture overflow from the weir. The thickening unit may also include an energy dissipation inlet, an air sparging system, a backwash system, a surface scraping unit, and / or a gas injection system. In some embodiments, the thickening unit may use hydrodynamic effects, such as water pressure and water flow, with or without compressed air, or a combination thereof.

[0184] Referring to FIG. 8 , the system of the present disclosure may include a liquid-solid separation unit 802 disposed in fluid communication between the first reactor 102 and the first solid-solid separation unit 104. In the example of FIG. 8 , the liquid-solid separation unit 802 may be any device capable of receiving the first reactor effluent 116 and performing a liquid-solid separation process to substantially separate undissolved or suspended solids from the fluid in the first reactor effluent. In other words, the liquid-solid separation unit 802 may output a first effluent 118 comprising water having a desired pH, the first effluent being substantially free of one or more moving carriers 114 and one or more contaminants, and a second effluent having a desired pH and comprising one or more moving carriers 114 physically and / or chemically associated with one or more contaminants. Examples of liquid-solid separation units include, but are not limited to, membrane filtration units, clarification (or settling) tank units, granular media filtration units, dissolved air flotation units, ballasted flocculation clarification (or settling) units, centrifuges, etc. In some embodiments, the second effluent may be the underflow of the liquid-solid separation unit 802 .

[0185] The second effluent of the liquid-solid separation unit 802, in the example of FIG. 8, is input to the first solid-solid separation unit 104. The first solid-solid separation unit 104 may perform processing as described above to separate one or more moving 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 by the first solid-solid separation unit 104 may be recycled back to the first reactor 102 and input to the first reactor 102. By recycling the water, a smaller amount of solution 112 may be used because the water is at the desired pH that the contaminated water 110 should have in the first reactor 102. In some embodiments, the water may be input directly to the first reactor 102. In some embodiments, the water may be combined with the contaminated water 110 before the contaminated water 110 is input to the first reactor 102. In some embodiments, the water may be combined with the contaminated water 110 before the pH of the contaminated water 110 is measured by the pH meter 113 (i.e., it may be combined with the contaminated water 110 upstream of the pH meter 113 in terms of fluid flow).

[0186] The first solid-solid separation unit 104 also outputs a second effluent 120 which may be input to the second reactor 106 described above.

[0187] In some embodiments, the system of the present disclosure may include a concentration unit in place of the liquid-solid separation unit 802.

[0188] The thickening unit may be a fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP), concrete, or steel tank, or may be formed from one or more plastic materials (e.g., PVC, CPVC, HDPE, cross-linked HDPE, or LDPE) and may include a mechanism for scraping the thickened, compressed solids from its bottom. The thickening unit may include a weir and a scrubber to capture overflow from the weir. The thickening unit may also include an energy dissipation inlet, an air sparging system, a backwash system, a surface scraping unit, and / or a gas injection system. In some embodiments, the thickening unit may use hydrodynamic effects, such as water pressure and water flow, with or without compressed air, or a combination thereof.

[0189] The disclosed systems are highly configurable to facilitate the production of desired products (e.g., treated water and recovered materials to be used, for example, as fertilizer). Different chemicals may be added to one or more recirculation loops. The amount of final product may be controlled by adjusting the recirculation and residence time ratios and the amount and type of materials added.

[0190] [Equivalent] While several embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, those skilled in the art will readily envision various other means and / or structures that provide the functions described herein and / or the results and / or one or more advantages described herein. Such variations and / or modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are exemplary, and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend on the specific application or applications in which the teachings of the present disclosure are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or will be able to readily identify using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. Accordingly, it should be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that the present disclosure may, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof, be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. The present disclosure is directed to the specific structures and / or systems and / or articles and / or materials and / or methods described herein. Additionally, any combination of two or more such structures and / or systems and / or articles and / or materials and / or methods is within the scope of this disclosure, provided that such structures and / or systems and / or articles and / or materials and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent.

[0191] All definitions set forth and employed herein are to be understood to take precedence over dictionary definitions and / or definitions in each document incorporated by reference and / or ordinary meaning of each defined term.

[0192] As used herein and in the claims, the indefinite articles "a" and "an" should be understood to mean "at least one..." unless otherwise indicated. As used herein and in the claims, the terms "and / or" and "and / or" should be understood to mean "either or both" of the elements connected, i.e., both when the elements are present together and when they are present alone. Unless otherwise indicated, additional elements may optionally be present in addition to each element specifically identified by "and / or" or "and / or," whether or not they are associated with that element.

[0193] All references, patents, patent applications and publications cited or referred to in this application are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0194] As used herein, when describing embodiments of the present disclosure, the term "about" used to modify values ​​and ranges thereof, such as concentrations, volumes, processing times, yields, flow rates, and pressures, refers to variations in numerical quantities that may occur, for example, due to typical measuring and handling procedures used to produce compounds, compositions, concentrates, or formulations used; due to unintentional errors in these procedures; due to differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of starting materials or components used in carrying out the method; and similar possible proximate factors. The term "about" also encompasses variations in quantity that occur due to changes in the amount over time of materials having a particular initial concentration or mixture, and variations in quantity that occur due to mixing or processing materials having a particular initial concentration or mixture. When modified by the term "about," the following claims include equivalents to these numerical values.

[0195] As used herein, for example, in describing embodiments of the present disclosure, the term "substantially" modifying a property, measurable amount, manner, location, value, or range refers to a variation that does not affect the property, amount, manner, location, value, or range described as a whole in a manner that invalidates the intended property, amount, manner, location, value, or range. When modified by the term "substantially," the following claims include equivalents to those amounts, manner, locations, values, or ranges.

Claims

1. 1. A system for removing and recovering one or more contaminants from water, comprising: a first reactor, receiving contaminated water containing one or more contaminants, at least a portion of the one or more contaminants having a net electrical charge; receiving a solution comprising one or more acids or one or more bases configured to bring the contaminated water to a first desired target pH; receiving one or more transfer carriers comprising a core coated with a porous, non-reactive binder containing one or more nanoparticles configured to at least one of physically and chemically bond with the one or more contaminants; a first reactor configured to output a first reactor effluent comprising water having the first desired pH and the one or more mobile carriers in at least one of physical and chemical association with the one or more contaminants; a first solid-solid separation unit configured to separate the first reactor effluent into a first effluent and a second effluent, the first effluent of 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; a first solid-solid separation unit, the second effluent of the first solid-solid separation unit having the first desired pH and comprising the one or more mobile carriers in at least one of physical and chemical association with the one or more contaminants; a second reactor in fluid communication with the first solid-solid separation unit, receiving the second effluent of the first solid-solid separation unit; receiving a solution comprising at least one of one or more bases and one or more brines configured to bring the second effluent of the first solid-solid separation unit to a second desired pH; a second reactor configured to output a second reactor effluent having the second desired pH and including the one or more contaminants separated from the one or more mobile carriers; a second solid-solid separation unit configured to separate the second reactor effluent into a first effluent and a second effluent of a second solid-solid separation unit, the first effluent of the second solid-solid separation unit comprises the one or more mobile carriers; a second solid-solid separation unit, the second effluent of the second solid-solid separation unit having the second desired pH and containing the one or more contaminants; A system comprising:

2. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more contaminants comprise a mixture of one or more phosphate salts, one or more ammonium salts, or a combination of two or more thereof.

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

4. 10. 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 introduced into the first reactor.

5. 2. 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. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first effluent of the first solid-solid separation unit is input to the first reactor.

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

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

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

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

11. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second reactor is configured to agitate the second effluent of the first solid-solid separation unit with the solution containing at least one of one or more bases and one or more bases to separate the one or more contaminants from the one or more moving carriers.

12. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the second effluent of the second solid-solid separation unit is input to the second reactor.

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

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

15. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first effluent of the second solid-solid separation unit is input to the first reactor.

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

17. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first solid-solid separation unit is configured to use screening, hydrocyclone separation, sedimentation, clarification, membrane filtration, and fabric-disc filtration, or a combination of two or more thereof.

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

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

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

21. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more moving carriers are between 1% and 100% of the total suspended matter in the first reactor.

22. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more moving carriers are between 1% and 100% of the total suspended matter in the second reactor.

23. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first reactor is partitioned to perform two or more steps sequentially.

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

25. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first reactor has a hydraulic residence time of 0.1 to 100 hours.

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

27. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the second reactor is partitioned to perform two or more steps sequentially.

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

29. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the second reactor has a hydraulic residence time of 0.1 to 100 hours.

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

31. 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising an oxidation unit configured to receive at least a portion of the second effluent of the first solid-solid separation unit.

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

33. 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a thickening unit configured to receive the second effluent of the second solid-solid separation unit.

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

35. 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 a combination of two or more thereof.

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

37. 35. The system of claim 34, further comprising a concentration unit configured to separate the treated water from one or more of the contaminant particles.

38. 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a liquid-solid separation unit and a concentration unit disposed in fluid communication between the first reactor and the first solid-solid separation unit; the at least one of the liquid-solid separation unit and the concentration unit outputs a first effluent comprising water having the first desired pH, the first effluent being at least substantially free of the one or more mobile carriers and the one or more contaminants; the at least one of the liquid-solid separation unit and the concentration unit outputs a second effluent having the first desired pH and including the one or more mobile carriers having the one or more contaminants; The second effluent of the liquid-solid separation unit is input to the first solid-solid separation unit.

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

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

41. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more transfer carriers include a first transfer carrier comprising a core coated with a porous, non-reactive binder containing one or more types of nanoparticles, and satisfying at least one of the following: The density of the first mobile carrier is 0.01 to 20 g / cm ３ is; The first mobile carrier has a dimension of 1 to 12,500 microns; and The system wherein the porous and non-reactive binder has a thickness of 0.001 to 1,000 microns.

42. 42. The system of claim 41, wherein the shape of the first mobile carrier is formed through one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physicochemical processes, or a combination of two or more thereof.

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

44. 42. The system of claim 41, wherein the size of the first mobile carrier is formed through one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physicochemical processes, or a combination of two or more thereof.

45. 42. The system of claim 41, wherein the porosity of the first mobile carrier is formed through one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physicochemical processes, or a combination of two or more thereof.

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

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

48. 42. The system of claim 41, wherein the core is formed through one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physicochemical processes, or a combination of two or more thereof.

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

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

51. 42. The system of claim 41, wherein the porous and 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 a combination of two or more thereof.

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

53. 1. A mobile carrier for removing and recovering one or more contaminants from water, comprising: The transfer carrier comprises a porous, non-reactive binder-coated core containing one or more nanoparticles, and satisfies at least one of the following: The density of the mobile carrier is 0.01 to 20 g / cm ３ is; The dimensions of the mobile carrier are between 1 and 12,500 microns; and A transfer carrier, wherein the porous and non-reactive binder has a thickness of 0.001 to 1,000 microns.

54. 54. The mobile carrier of claim 53, wherein the shape of the mobile carrier is formed through one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physicochemical processes, or a combination of two or more thereof.

55. 54. The mobile carrier of claim 53, having a naturally occurring shape.

56. 54. The mobile carrier of claim 53, wherein the size of the mobile carrier is formed through one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physicochemical processes, or a combination of two or more thereof.

57. 54. The transfer carrier of claim 53, wherein the porosity of the transfer carrier is formed through one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physicochemical processes, or a combination of two or more thereof.

58. 54. The mobile carrier of claim 53, wherein the net charge is negative.

59. 54. The mobile carrier of claim 53, wherein the net charge is positive.

60. 54. The mobile carrier of claim 53, wherein the core is formed through one or more physical processes, one or more chemical processes, one or more physicochemical processes, or a combination of two or more thereof.

61. 54. The mobile carrier of claim 53, wherein the core is naturally occurring.

62. 54. The mobile carrier of claim 53, wherein the core comprises one or more hydrophobic polymers, gypsum, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, basalt, bauxite, graphite, beeswax, aggregate, or a combination of two or more thereof.

63. 54. The mobile carrier of claim 53, wherein the porous and 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 a combination of two or more thereof.

64. 64. The mobile carrier of claim 63, wherein the porous and non-reactive binder comprises one or more magnetic nanoparticles and one or more ion exchange resins.

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