Oxidation process

Abstract

Treatment of an aqueous solution to yield a product is more desirable for disposal by an advanced oxidation process. Ozone is mixed with the solution, and maintaining at an elevated pressure for a time. The process may include recirculation past injector that injects ozone into the solution. Influent may be sewage, septage, leachate, ballast, and so on. The process disinfects and/or denutrifies the effluent. It may include (a) back-to-back processing of batches (b) overlapping processing with a previously treated batch (c) off-gassing (d) repetitive high pressure and low pressure cycles (e) post processing steps, such as retention without addition of ozone for a period of time to permit flocculates longer to form (f) post process filtering to remove flocculates (g) simultaneous post-processing of one batch while another batch is being processed. The process may include the treatment of solutions containing pharmaceuticals.

1 . A batch process for the treatment of an aqueous solution so that the treated product is more desirable for disposal, said process comprising: obtaining an influent batch of aqueous solution for treatment, treating said batch of solution by an advanced oxidation process, said advanced oxidation process comprising causing ozone to be mixed with said solution, maintaining said mixture of solution and ozone at a pressure above atmospheric for a time of at least 2 seconds. 
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the process includes continuously recirculating the influent through a recirculation conduit, the recirculation conduit including an ozone injector, and wherein ozone is continuously injected into the aqueous solution as the aqueous solution circulates through the ozone injector. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 2  wherein the ozone is mixed with the influent by use, at least in part, of a static mixer. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 3  wherein said mixture of influent and ozone is maintained at a pressure of at least 1.5 atmospheres for at least 2 seconds. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 4  wherein said mixture is maintained at said pressure of at least 1.5 atmospheres for at least 6 seconds. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 5  wherein said mixture is maintained at said pressure of at least 1.5 atmospheres for at least 12 seconds. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 4  wherein said mixture is maintained at a pressure of at least 2.0 atmospheres for at least 2 seconds. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 4  wherein the influent is sewage. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 4  wherein the influent is septage. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 4  wherein the influent is leachate. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 4  wherein the influent includes pharmaceuticals. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 4  wherein the influent is ballast water. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 4  wherein the process further includes filtering the treated solution prior to disposal. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 13  wherein the influent comprises a nitrogen content prior to treatment and the process further comprises off gassing nitrogen gasses as said mixture of ozone and solution recirculates. 
     
     
         15 . The process of claim wherein the 14 influent has a phosphorus content prior to treatment. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 3  wherein the process is carried out in a system having an oxygen concentrator connected to an ozone generator through an oxygen conduit, the oxygen conduit having an oxygen flow control valve and said process comprises controlling the flow of oxygen to said ozone generator to maximize the amount of ozone produced while minimizing the amount of oxygen and/or nitrogen downstream of the ozone generator. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for treating aqueous solutions for disposal comprising:
 a processing tank (reactor),   the tank having a fluid outlet and a fluid inlet;   a recirculation conduit,   the recirculation conduit fluidly connected to the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet;   the recirculation conduit including,   a pump for recirculating fluid from the processing tank (reactor),   through the recirculation conduit and back into the tank in a flow direction;   at least one ozone injector for injecting ozone into fluid being circulated by the pump, wherein the ozone injector is downstream of the pump,   a pressure device, the pressure device located within the recirculation conduit and downstream of the ozone injector,   wherein the pressure device is adapted to maintain a pressure in the portion of the recirculation conduit between the pump and the pressure device at a pressure above atmospheric.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the recirculation conduit includes a mixer, the mixer located downstream of the ozone injector and upstream of the pressure device. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the mixer is a flash mixer. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the pressure device is a flow restricting degassifier. The apparatus of  claim 20 , said apparatus including a discharge conduit, said discharge conduit including a filter. 
     
     
         21 . A system for monitoring an apparatus in accordance with  claim 19 , the apparatus further comprising an oxidation/reduction potential (ORP) sensor, the system comprising measuring the (ORP) of the fluid in the recirculation conduit, and continuing the processing of the fluid until the ORP of the processed fluid rises to a predetermined level. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the processing is continued until the ORP is at least +650 mV. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the processing is continued until the ORP is at least +675 mV. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the influent is domestic sewage. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the process is continued until the ORP is at least +800 mV. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the influent is one or more of the group consisting of municipal sewage, domestic sewage, leachate, septage, a pharmaceutical waste stream, ship's ballast or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         27 . A batch process for the treatment of an aqueous solution so that the treated product is more desirable for disposal, said process comprising: obtaining a first influent batch of aqueous solution for treatment, treating said batch of solution by an advanced oxidation process, said advanced oxidation process comprising causing ozone to be mixed with said solution, and, after having treated said first influent batch with ozone, combining at least a portion of said treated first batch with a second influent batch of aqueous solution for treatment. 
     
     
         28 . The batch process of  claim 27  wherein said process comprises:
 discharging a first portion of said first batch of aqueous solution after treatment thereof; 
 retaining a second portion of said first batch; and 
 combining said second batch of aqueous solution to be treated with said second portion of said first batch of aqueous solution. 
 
     
     
         29 . The batch process of  claim 27  wherein treating of said first batch includes elevating the pressure of at least a part thereof and injecting ozone into that part while at elevated pressure. 
     
     
         30 . The batch process of  claim 27  wherein said batch process occurs in a reactor apparatus, said reactor apparatus has a total volume of solution therein, said first batch has a first volume, and said first volume is less than said total volume of solution. 
     
     
         31 . The batch process of  claim 30  wherein said second batch has a volume that is in the range of one half to four-fifths of said total volume of solution. 
     
     
         32 . The batch process of  claim 27  wherein introduction of said second batch occurs substantially immediately after completion of treatment of said first batch. 
     
     
         33 . The batch process of  claim 27  wherein introduction of said second batch occurs within less than 15 minutes of completion of treatment of said first batch; 
     
     
         34 . The batch process of  claim 27  wherein introduction of said second batch occurs within 5 minutes of completion of treatment of said first batch. 
     
     
         35 . The batch process of  claim 27  wherein introduction of said second batch occurs within 2 minutes of completion of treatment of said first batch. 
     
     
         36 . The batch process of  claim 27  wherein at completion of treatment, said first batch of solution has an ORP in excess of 600 mV; and introduction of said second batch while said treated first batch retains an ORP of greater than 450 mv. 
     
     
         37 . The batch process of  claim 36  wherein introduction of said second batch occurs while said treated first batch has an ORP of greater than 600 mV. 
     
     
         38 . The batch process of  claim 27  wherein said process includes repeating said process with at least a successive third batch of aqueous solution to be treated. 
     
     
         39 . The batch process of  claim 27  wherein said process includes post-processing a first portion of said first batch of aqueous solution while said second batch of aqueous solution is being treated. 
     
     
         40 . The batch process of  claim 27  wherein at least a first portion of said first batch of aqueous solution is discharged after treatment thereof and prior to addition of said second batch of aqueous solution, and said first portion is subjected to post-processing after being discharged. 
     
     
         41 . The batch process of  claim 40  wherein said further processing includes filtering. 
     
     
         42 . The batch process of  claim 40  wherein said further processing includes retaining said first portion in a holding tank prior to further processing. 
     
     
         43 . A batch process for the treatment of an aqueous solution so that the treated product is more desirable for disposal, said process comprising: obtaining a first influent batch of aqueous solution for treatment, treating said batch of solution by an advanced oxidation process, said advanced oxidation process comprising causing ozone to be mixed with said solution, and, after having treated said first batch, treating a second influent batch of aqueous solution within fifteen minutes thereafter. 
     
     
         44 . The batch process of  claim 43  wherein treating of said first batch and second batches includes elevating the pressure of at least a respective part of each thereof and injecting ozone into that part while at elevated pressure. 
     
     
         45 . The batch process of  claim 43  wherein said batch process occurs in a reactor apparatus, said reactor apparatus has a total volume of solution therein, said first batch has a first volume, and said first volume is less than said total volume of solution and said second batch has a volume that is in the range of one half to four-fifths of said total volume of solution. 
     
     
         47 . The batch process of  claim 43  wherein introduction of said second batch occurs within 2 minutes of completion of treatment of said first batch. 
     
     
         48 . The batch process of  claim 43  wherein at completion of treatment, said first batch of solution has an ORP in excess of 600 mV; and introduction of said second batch while said treated first batch retains an ORP of greater than 450 mv. 
     
     
         49 . The batch process of  claim 43  wherein said process includes repeating said process with at least a successive third batch of aqueous solution to be treated. 
     
     
         50 . The batch process of  claim 43  wherein said process includes post-processing a first portion of said first batch of aqueous solution while said second batch of aqueous solution is being treated, and at least a first portion of said first batch of aqueous solution is discharged after treatment thereof and prior to addition of said second batch of aqueous solution; said first portion is subjected to post-processing after being discharged; and said further processing includes at least one of (a) retaining in a holding tank for a period of time, and (b) filtering. 
     
     
         51 . A batch process for the treatment of an aqueous solution so that the treated product is more desirable for disposal, said process comprising: obtaining a first influent batch of aqueous solution for treatment, treating said batch of solution by an advanced oxidation process, said advanced oxidation process comprising causing ozone to be mixed with said solution, and, after having treated said first batch, treating a second influent batch of aqueous solution within fifteen minutes thereafter. 
     
     
         52 . A batch process for the treatment of an aqueous solution so that the treated product is more desirable for disposal, said process comprising: obtaining an influent batch of aqueous solution for treatment, treating said batch of solution by an advanced oxidation process, said advanced oxidation process comprising causing ozone to be mixed with said solution; reducing pressure on said batch of solution; and off-gassing said solution prior to re-exposing said solution to injection of additional ozone thereto. 
     
     
         53 . The batch process of  claim 52  wherein said batch process includes maintaining said mixture of solution and ozone at a pressure above atmospheric during injection and mixing thereof with said ozone. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53  wherein said method includes reducing pressure of said solution prior to degassing said solution. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54  wherein said method includes repeated cycles of ozonation at high pressure and degassing at lower pressure. 
     
     
         56 . A batch process for the treatment of an aqueous solution so that the treated product is more desirable for disposal, said process comprising: obtaining an influent batch of aqueous solution for treatment, treating said batch of solution by an advanced oxidation process, said advanced oxidation process comprising causing ozone to be mixed with said solution while said solution is maintained at a pressure higher than ambient air pressure; and, after treatment thereof, filtering said solution. 
     
     
         57 . The batch process of  claim 56  wherein said step of filtering includes mechanical separation of non-liquids therefrom. 
     
     
         58 . The batch process of  claim 57  wherein said step of filtering includes chemical filtering thereof. 
     
     
         59 . The batch process of  claim 57  wherein after treatment of said batch with said ozone, at least a part of said solution is retained for a period of time without further addition of ozone prior to filtering. 
     
     
         60 . The batch process of  claim 59  wherein said period of time is shorter than the time period of treatment of said batch with ozone. 
     
     
         61 . A batch process for the treatment of an aqueous solution so that the treated product is more desirable for disposal, said process comprising: obtaining an influent batch of aqueous solution for treatment, treating said batch of solution by an advanced oxidation process, said advanced oxidation process comprising causing ozone to be mixed with said solution while said solution is maintained at a pressure higher than ambient air pressure; and, after treatment thereof, retaining at least a portion of said batch for a period of time without further addition of ozone thereto; and then, after said period of time, filtering said solution. 
     
     
         62 . A batch process for the treatment of an aqueous solution so that the treated product is more desirable for disposal, said process comprising: obtaining an influent batch of aqueous solution for treatment, said solution including pharmaceuticals, treating said batch of solution by an advanced oxidation process, said advanced oxidation process comprising causing ozone to be mixed with said solution while said solution is maintained at a pressure higher than ambient air pressure.