Systems having nanostructured adsorption material and methods for purification of fluid

Abstract

A system for removing particulates and/or contaminants, including impure compounds and elements from fluid to be treated is provided. The systems can include a receptacle having chamber in which a volume of fluid may be accommodated, a cover for placement across an opening into the chamber, so as to prevent fluid from within the chamber from spilling, and a porous matrix, positioned within the chamber and having a nanostructured adsorption material for trapping and retaining, within its pores, particles and contaminants in the fluid. A method for removing particulates and contaminants is also provided.

1 . A system for purification of fluid, the system comprising:
 a receptacle;   a chamber situated within the receptacle and into which a volume of fluid to be treated may be placed; and   a porous matrix, positioned within the chamber, having a plurality of nanoscaled pores dispersed therein, such that fluid having particulates and/or contaminants flowing across one surface of the matrix flows back out along the same surface of the matrix substantially without the particulates and contaminants.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of nanoscaled pores within the porous matrix have sizes ranging from about 1 nm to about 100 nm. 
     
     
         4 . A system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of nanoscaled pores are arranged in distinct layers according to range of size. 
     
     
         5 . A system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the porous matrix is impregnated with silver or a silver compound to minimize microbial growth within the porous matrix. 
     
     
         6 . A system as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the silver or silver compound is distributed against internal surfaces of the pores. 
     
     
         7 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein porous matrix is circumferentially positioned about the bottom end of the chamber. 
     
     
         13 . A system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the bottom end of the chamber is removable from the receptacle to permit replacement of the bottom end with a new porous matrix. 
     
     
         14 - 26 . (canceled)