Method and composition for control of microbial contamination in drinking water produced by condensation

Abstract

Disclosed is a method and composition useful for controlling microbial contamination in drinking water produced from condensation. The composition comprises a zeolite which is modified to introduce zinc by hydrothermal ion exchange. The method comprises passing drinking water produced from condensation through a column packed with the modified zeolite.

1 . A method for controlling the microbial contamination of drinking water produced by condensation comprising: 
 Providing a container of zeolite; and    Performing a step of passing the said drinking water produced by condensation through the said container of zeolite.    
     
     
         2 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the said zeolite is a clinoptilolite.  
     
     
         3 . The method as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the said method further comprises a step of sizing the said clinoptilolite to with the range of 1 to 10 mm.  
     
     
         4 . The method as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the said method further comprises a step of washing the said clinoptilolite with distilled water.  
     
     
         5 . The method as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the said method further comprises a step of adjusting the pH of the said clinoptilolite to within the range of 6.0 to 8.0.  
     
     
         6 . The method as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the said method further comprises a step of activating the said clinoptilolite by hydrothermal ion exchange.  
     
     
         7 . The method as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the said activation of the said clinoptilolite is by boiling in a solution containing zinc.  
     
     
         8 . The method as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the said solution containing zinc comprises a solution of water and a zinc compound selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfate, zinc chloride, and zinc oxide.  
     
     
         9 . The method as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the said solution containing zinc comprises water and ZnSO4.7H2O.  
     
     
         10 . The method as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the concentration of the said solution of water and ZnSO4.7H2O is in the range of 1 to 10 percent by weight ZnSO4.7H2O.  
     
     
         11 . The method as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the said boiling in a solution of ZnSO4.7H2O is continued within the range of 2 and 15 hours.  
     
     
         10 . A composition for disinfecting water produced from condensation comprising a zeolite and a compound of zinc.  
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10  wherein the said zeolite is a natural clinoptilolite.  
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11  wherein the said compound of zinc is selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfate, zinc chloride, and zinc oxide.  
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1   1  wherein the said compound of zinc is ZnSO4.  
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 11  wherein the said compound of zinc is a hydrated form of ZnSO4.  
     
     
         15 . A method of preparing a composition for controlling the microbial contamination of drinking water produced by condensation comprising boiling a zeolite in a solution containing a zinc compound.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the said zeolite is a clinoptilolite.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the said boiling is for a time in the range of 1 to 10 hours.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the said zinc compound is selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfate, zinc chloride, and zinc oxide.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the said zinc compound is ZnSO4.7H2O.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the step of sizing the said clinoptilolite to with the range of 1 to 10 mm.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the said method further comprises a step of washing the said clinoptilolite with distilled water.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the said method further comprises a step of adjusting the pH of the said clinoptilolite to within the range of 6.0 to 8.0.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the said method further comprises a step of activating the said clinoptilolite by hydrothermal ion exchange.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the said activation by hydrothermal ion exchange of the said clinoptilolite is by boiling in a solution containing zinc.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the said solution containing zinc comprises a solution of water and a zinc compound selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfate, zinc chloride, and zinc oxide.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the said solution containing zinc comprises water and ZnSO4.7H2O.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the concentration of the said solution of water and ZnSO4.7H2O is in the range of 1 to 10 percent by weight ZnSO4.7H2O.