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Title: Magnetic process for removing heavy metals from water employing magnetites

Abstract

A process for removing heavy metals from water is provided. The process includes the steps of introducing magnetite to a quantity of water containing heavy metal. The magnetite is mixed with the water such that at least a portion of, and preferably the majority of, the heavy metal in the water is bound to the magnetite. Once this occurs the magnetite and absorbed metal is removed from the water by application of a magnetic field. In most applications the process is achieved by flowing the water through a solid magnetized matrix, such as steel wool, such that the magnetite magnetically binds to the solid matrix. The magnetized matrix preferably has remnant magnetism, but may also be subject to an externally applied magnetic field. Once the magnetite and associated heavy metal is bound to the matrix, it can be removed and disposed of, such as by reverse water or air and water flow through the matrix. The magnetite may be formed in-situ by the addition of the necessary quantities of Fe(II) and Fe(III) ions, or pre-formed magnetite may be added, or a combination of seed and in-situ formation may be used. The invention also relates to an apparatus for performing themore » removal of heavy metals from water using the process outlined above.

Inventors:
;
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Los Alamos National Security, LLC, Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1176043
Patent Number(s):
7153435
Application Number:
10/625,763
Assignee:
Los Alamos National Security, LLC (Los Alamos, NM)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01J - CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY
B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B03 - SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS B03C - MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS
DOE Contract Number:  
W-7405-ENG-36
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION

Citation Formats

Prenger, F. Coyne, and Hill, Dallas D. Magnetic process for removing heavy metals from water employing magnetites. United States: N. p., 2006. Web.
Prenger, F. Coyne, & Hill, Dallas D. Magnetic process for removing heavy metals from water employing magnetites. United States.
Prenger, F. Coyne, and Hill, Dallas D. Tue . "Magnetic process for removing heavy metals from water employing magnetites". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1176043.
@article{osti_1176043,
title = {Magnetic process for removing heavy metals from water employing magnetites},
author = {Prenger, F. Coyne and Hill, Dallas D.},
abstractNote = {A process for removing heavy metals from water is provided. The process includes the steps of introducing magnetite to a quantity of water containing heavy metal. The magnetite is mixed with the water such that at least a portion of, and preferably the majority of, the heavy metal in the water is bound to the magnetite. Once this occurs the magnetite and absorbed metal is removed from the water by application of a magnetic field. In most applications the process is achieved by flowing the water through a solid magnetized matrix, such as steel wool, such that the magnetite magnetically binds to the solid matrix. The magnetized matrix preferably has remnant magnetism, but may also be subject to an externally applied magnetic field. Once the magnetite and associated heavy metal is bound to the matrix, it can be removed and disposed of, such as by reverse water or air and water flow through the matrix. The magnetite may be formed in-situ by the addition of the necessary quantities of Fe(II) and Fe(III) ions, or pre-formed magnetite may be added, or a combination of seed and in-situ formation may be used. The invention also relates to an apparatus for performing the removal of heavy metals from water using the process outlined above.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Dec 26 00:00:00 EST 2006},
month = {Tue Dec 26 00:00:00 EST 2006}
}