Wastewater Ozone Oxidation With Catalyst for Bromate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wastewater treatment methods are energy-intensive and inefficient in removing persistent organic pollutants, often leading to the formation of toxic byproducts like bromate, and require additional steps to achieve safe drinking water standards.
Innovation Solution
A method involving ozone treatment combined with ionizing radiation and a heterogeneous catalyst, optionally using ozone generated by water electrolysis, to enhance pollutant removal, followed by reducing agents to minimize bromate formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional wastewater treatment methods are used, then treatment processes are simple, but pollutant removal efficiency is low and energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines ozone (O3) with a heterogeneous catalyst to create a composite oxidation system. The catalyst enhances the oxidizing power of ozone, enabling more effective removal of persistent organic pollutants at lower energy consumption. This composite approach allows the system to achieve higher pollutant removal efficiency without proportionally increasing energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs ozone as a strong oxidant to break down persistent organic pollutants. By using ozone instead of conventional oxidation methods, the system achieves faster and more thorough degradation of contaminants, improving productivity while maintaining reasonable energy consumption levels.
2Productivity
If ozonation is used to remove pollutants, then pollutant removal efficiency improves, but toxic byproducts like bromate are formed
Solution Approach 1:
The heterogeneous catalyst acts as an intermediary in the oxidation process. It facilitates the breakdown of pollutants while providing an alternative reaction pathway that reduces bromate formation. The catalyst mediates between ozone and pollutants, enabling effective contamination removal while minimizing harmful byproduct generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the reaction parameters by introducing a catalyst, which alters the oxidation mechanism. This parameter change allows the system to achieve high pollutant removal efficiency while controlling bromate formation through modified reaction conditions and pathways.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If low concentrations of ozone are applied to prevent bromate formation, then bromate levels are controlled, but pollutant removal efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining ozone with a heterogeneous catalyst, the system creates a composite oxidation agent that is more effective than ozone alone. This composite allows the use of lower ozone concentrations while maintaining high pollutant removal efficiency, thus controlling bromate formation without sacrificing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The catalyst-enhanced oxidation system provides accelerated oxidation capability, allowing effective pollutant removal at lower ozone concentrations. This reduces the risk of bromate formation while maintaining high removal efficiency for persistent organic pollutants.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If multiple smaller amounts of ozone are added at different locations, then bromate formation is prevented, but reactor design becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The heterogeneous catalyst serves as an intermediary that enables effective pollutant removal in a single-stage reactor design. This eliminates the need for multiple injection points and complex reactor configurations, simplifying the overall system while preventing bromate formation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances pollutant removal efficiency, reduces treatment time, and minimizes toxic byproducts, achieving safer wastewater for reuse.
Implementation Method 1
The organic and/or inorganic impurities which may be present in the wastewater stream can be oxidized by the O3 that is dissolved in the wastewater stream
Implementation Method 2
irradiating the wastewater stream with ionizing radiation
Implementation Method 3
contacting the wastewater stream with a heterogeneous catalyst
Implementation Method 4
ozone generated by water electrolysis
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a method for treating a wastewater stream, comprising the steps of:—introducing O3 in the wastewater stream, thereby dissolving at least part of the O3 in the wastewater stream; —optionally irradiating the wastewater stream with ionizing radiation; and—optionally contacting the wastewater stream with a heterogeneous catalyst. In case the ozone treatment is combined with a heterogeneous catalyst, the wastewater treatment can be more effective than with ozone treatment alone, depending on the type of impurities in the wastewater stream. The type of heterogeneous catalyst can be chosen depending on the source of the wastewater and the specific pollutants associated with such wastewater sources. Advantageously, the ozone required for this process can be generated by electrolysis of water. In the current energy market, hydrogen (H2), which is also produced during electrolysis of water, is becoming increasingly important as a fuel, and therefore, increasing amounts of hydrogen are being produced, preferably using electricity generated using renewable resources. Therefore, oxygen (O2) and ozone (O3), which are produced alongside hydrogen during water electrolysis, and which are currently often discarded as an invaluable byproduct, can instead be used for wastewater treatment. Therefore, according to another aspect of the invention, there is also provided the use of O2 and/or O3 obtained by electrolysis of water for wastewater treatment.