Multi-Step Oxidation Process for NOM Removal in Water Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water treatment technologies face challenges in effectively addressing high concentrations of natural organic matter (NOM), heavy metals, algal toxins, and contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in water sources, leading to issues such as disinfection by-product formation, biofouling, and increased treatment costs.
Innovation Solution
A multi-step water treatment process involving oxidation steps using inorganic oxidants, oxygenation, catalytic oxidation, and catalytic advanced oxidation (CAO), followed by biological filtration and granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration, to degrade NOM and remove contaminants, while minimizing the formation of disinfection by-products and reducing treatment costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If enhanced coagulation with metal salts is used to remove NOM, then TOC removal is improved, but disinfection by-product formation increases and treatment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary oxidation with ozone before coagulation to transform refractory NOM into more biodegradable forms. This preliminary action reduces the amount of TOC that requires coagulation removal, thereby decreasing coagulant dosage and subsequent DBP formation while maintaining effective TOC removal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces biological activated carbon as an intermediary treatment step between oxidation and disinfection. The BAC filter provides biological degradation of oxidized NOM, serving as a mediator that reduces TOC without requiring additional chemical coagulants, thus preventing DBP formation
2Manufacturing precision
If powder activated carbon is added before clarification to remove NOM, then TOC removal is improved, but treatment cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of activated carbon from batch addition of powder activated carbon to continuous flow through granular activated carbon filters. This parameter change allows for better utilization of carbon capacity, extended runtime between replacements, and reduced overall carbon consumption while maintaining TOC removal efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive powder activated carbon with granular activated carbon that can be reused for extended periods. The GAC filters are designed to operate until performance degradation occurs, at which point they can be regenerated or replaced, providing a more economical solution than continuous PAC addition
3Manufacturing precision
If pre-oxidation with ozone is used to fragment NOM, then biodegradation is improved, but energy consumption increases and biofouling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial oxidation with ozone at controlled dosages rather than complete oxidation. This partial action is sufficient to fragment NOM into biodegradable forms without excessive energy consumption. The oxidation is stopped at the point where biodegradability is maximized, avoiding over-oxidation that would increase energy use and create more fouling-prone intermediates
4Manufacturing precision
If magnetic ion Exchange resin is used to remove dissolved organic matter, then NOM removal is improved, but system complexity increases and waste disposal difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ion exchange function from a complex MIEX resin system and replaces it with conventional coagulation chemistry. By taking out the specialized resin component and using readily available metal salt coagulants, the system achieves similar NOM removal through simpler, more established technology with easier waste handling
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
The process achieves significant reduction in NOM and CECs, producing potable water with low disinfection by-product levels, improved water quality, and reduced energy consumption compared to conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of oxidation steps for degrading NOM, wherein the plurality of oxidation steps comprise one or more of subjecting water to inorganic oxidant, oxygenation, catalytic oxidation, and catalytically advanced oxidation (CAO)
Implementation Method 2
catalytic oxidation, and catalytically advanced oxidation (CAO)
Implementation Method 3
contacting water with granular activated carbon (GAC) for removal of remaining organic matter
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a process for treating water containing natural organic matter (NOM) to produce potable water, the process comprising a plurality of oxidation steps for degrading NOM, wherein the plurality of oxidation steps comprise one or more of subjecting water to inorganic oxidant, oxygenation, catalytic oxidation, and catalytically advanced oxidation (CAO). Also provided herein is a process for treating water for producing potable water, the process comprising a plurality of oxidation steps; wherein the plurality of oxidation steps comprise one or more of fragmentation of NOM with ozone, homogeneous catalytic oxidation with ozone, and catalytically advanced oxidation using granular metal oxide catalyst.