Water purification compositions of magnesium oxide and applications thereof

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a composition for purifying water comprising a magnesium oxide component and a binder. The magnesium oxide component includes magnesium oxide, a pH regulator, and an additional water purifying material. The binder can be an organic polymer, an inorganic binder, or a combination of both.

1 . A water purification composition comprising a magnesium oxide component and a binder selected from the group consisting of a polymeric binder, calcium aluminum silicate, and combinations of these. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the magnesium oxide component comprises MgO in an amount of from about 80% to about 90% by weight. 
     
     
         3 . A method of forming a granular water purification composition for use in water purification comprising:
 (a) forming a mixture comprising a magnesium oxide component and an inorganic binder in an amount of from about 1% to about 15% by weight of the mixture, said mixture being substantially free of organic solvent; and   (b) forming granules from said mixture.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said mixture further comprises water and wherein said forming step comprises forming substantially uniform slurry from said mixture and drying said slurry. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said inorganic binder comprises an aluminum silicate. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the aluminum silicate comprises sodium, magnesium, and/or barium aluminum silicates. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the magnesium oxide component comprises MgO in an amount of about 40% to about 90% by weight. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the magnesium oxide component further comprises a pH regulator in an amount of about 8% to about 20% by weight. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the pH regulator comprises CaCO 3 . 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said magnesium oxide component further comprises about 30% to about 50% by weight of a water purifying material selected from the group consisting of Fe 2 O 3 , TiO 2 , MgAl 2 O 4 , and combinations of two or more of these. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10  wherein said one or more aluminum silicates comprises sodium, magnesium, and/or barium aluminum silicates.