Process and apparatus for the purification of an aqueous waste stream from a silicone-polymer producing plant

Claim 2

PROCESS FOR THE PURIFICATION OF AQUEOUS WASTE MATERIAL FROM A SILICONE-POLYMER PRODUCING PLANT WHICH COMPRISES: A. CONDUCTING AN AQUEOUS WASTE STREAM TO A FLOTATION AND SEDIMENTATION ZONE, WHEREIN WATER-INSOLUBLE MATERIALS OF DENSITIES LOWER THAN WATER ARE REMOVED FROM SAID WASTE STREAM AS THE UPPER LAYER IN SAID ZONE, AND WHEREIN WATERINSOLUBLE MATERIALS WITH DENSITIES HIGHER THAN WATER ARE REMOVED FROM THE WASTE STREAM AS THE BOTTOMS FROM SAID ZONE; B. REMOVING SAID AQUEOUS WASTE STREAM FROM SAID FLOTATION AND SEDIMENTATION ZONE AND ADJUSTING THE PH OF SAID AQUEOUS WASTE STREAM TO A VALUE OF AT LEAST ABOUT 12; C. CONDUCTING SAID WASTE STREAM TO A CLARIFICATION ZONE WHEREIN SOLID MATERIAL HAVING A DENSITY GREATER THAN WATER IS REMOVED FROM THE AQUEOUS WASTE STREAM AS BOTTOMS FROM THE CLARIFICATION ZONE; D. REMOVING SAID AQUEOUS WASTE STREAM FROM SAID CLARIFICATION ZONE AND CONDUCTING SAID STREAM HAVING A PH OF AT LEAST ABOUT 12 TO AN OZONATION ZONE AT A CONTROLLED RATE SO AS TO ACHIEVE A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT OF C.O.D. OF ORGANICS PER UNIT TIME ENTERING SAID OZONATION ZONE; E. CONDUCTING SAID AQUEOUS WASTE STREAM TO AT LEAST ONE HOLDING ZONE PRIOR TO THE OZONATION ZONE AND SUBSEQUENT TO THE FLOTATION AND SEDIMENTATION ZONE; F. REMOVING SAID AQUEOUS WASTE STREAM FROM SAID AT LEAST ONE HOLDING ZONE AT SAID CONTROLLED RATE; AND G. OBTAINING A PURIFIED AQUEOUS WASTE STREAM.

Claim 3

The process of claim 1 wherein said at least one holding zone is subsequent to said clarification zone and prior to said ozonation zone.

Claim 4

said outlet of said first storage vessel to said first inlet of said mixing vessel;

Claim 5

said outlet of said first storage vessel to said first inlet of said mixing vessel;

Claim 6

a second packed tower containing a first inlet in its upper portion for the introduction of a liquid material, a second inlet for introducing of a gaseous stream in its lower portion, a first outlet for removing liquid material adjacent the lower portion of said tower; and a second outlet for removing a gaseous stream from the upper portion of the tower;

Claim 7

a second packed tower containing a first inlet in its upper portion for the introduction of a liquid material, a second inlet for introducing of a gaseous stream in its lower portion, a first outlet for removing liquid material adjacent the lower portion of said tower; and a second outlet for removing a gaseous stream from the upper portion of the tower;

Claim 8

said outlet of said storage vessel to said first inlet of said mixing vessel;

Claim 9

said outlet of said storage vessel to said first inlet of said mixing vessel;

Claim 10

the outlet of the mixing vessel to the inlet of the clarifier;

Claim 11

the outlet of the mixing vessel to the inlet of the clarifier;

Claim 12

a second packed tower containing a first inlet in its upper portion for the introduction of a liquid material, a second inlet for introducing of a gaseous stream in its lower portion, a first outlet for removing liquid material adjacent the lower portion of said tower; and a second outlet for removing a gaseous stream from the upper portion of the tower;

Claim 13

a second packed tower containing a first inlet in its upper portion for the introduction of a liquid material, a second inlet for introducing of a gaseous stream in its lower portion, a first outlet for removing liquid material adjacent the lower portion of said tower; and a second outlet for removing a gaseous stream from the upper portion of the tower;

Claim 14

introducing the remaining portion of said aqueous stream into the upper portion of a second ozonation zone, wherein the temperature of said remaining portion is between about 0*C and about 5*C;

Claim 15

introducing the remaining portion of said aqueous stream into the upper portion of a second ozonation zone, wherein the temperature of said remaining portion is between about 0*C and about 5*C;

Claim 16

introducing an ozone-containing gas into the lower portion of said first ozonation zone;

Claim 17

introducing an ozone-containing gas into the lower portion of said first ozonation zone;

Claim 18

the outlet of said mixing vessel to the inlet of said clarifier; and

Claim 19

the outlet of said mixing vessel to the inlet of said clarifier; and

Claim 20

said second packed tower being smaller than said first packed tower and containing packing having more surface area per unit volume than said first packed tower;

Claim 21

said second packed tower being smaller than said first packed tower and containing packing having more surface area per unit volume than said first packed tower;

Claim 22

said first outlet of said clarifier to said inlet of said storage vessel; and

Claim 23

said first outlet of said clarifier to said inlet of said storage vessel; and

Claim 24

said second packed tower being smaller than said first packed tower and containing packing having more surface area per unit volume than said first packed tower;

Claim 25

said second packed tower being smaller than said first packed tower and containing packing having more surface area per unit volume than said first packed tower;

Claim 26

said outlet of said mixing vessel to said inlet of said clarifier;

Claim 27

said outlet of said mixing vessel to said inlet of said clarifier;

Claim 28

The process of claim 1 wherein said at least one holding zone is subsequent to said flotation and sedimentation zone and prior to the pH adjusting.

Claim 29

The process of claim 1 wherein said at least one holding zone includes a first holding zone which is subsequent to said flotation and sedimentation zone and prior to the adjusting of the pH; and a second holding zone which is subsequent to said clarification zone and prior to said ozonation zone.

Claim 30

said first outlet of said clarifier to said inlet of said second storage vessel; and

Claim 31

said first outlet of said clarifier to said inlet of said second storage vessel; and

Claim 32

an ozone-gnerating means which contains an inlet for receiving a gaseous stream, and an outlet for removing ozone-containing gas; and

Claim 33

an ozone-gnerating means which contains an inlet for receiving a gaseous stream, and an outlet for removing ozone-containing gas; and

Claim 34

said outlet of said storage vessel to said first inlets of said first and second packed towers.

Claim 35

said outlet of said storage vessel to said first inlets of said first and second packed towers.

Claim 36

an ozone-generating means which contains an inlet for receiving a gaseous stream, and an outlet for removing ozone-containing gas; and

Claim 37

an ozone-generating means which contains an inlet for receiving a gaseous stream, and an outlet for removing ozone-containing gas; and

Claim 38

said first outlet of said clarifier to said first inlets of said first and second packed towers.

Claim 39

said first outlet of said clarifier to said first inlets of said first and second packed towers.

Claim 40

removing an ozone-treated product from the lower portion of said first ozonation zone;

Claim 41

removing an ozone-treated product from the lower portion of said first ozonation zone;

Claim 42

removing a gaseous stream from the upper portion of said first ozonation zone;

Claim 43

removing a gaseous stream from the upper portion of said first ozonation zone;

Claim 44

conduit means connecting: a. said second outlet of said first packed tower with the second inlet of said second packed tower; b. said outlet of said ozone-generating means to the second inlet of said first packed tower; and c. said second outlet of said second packed tower with the inlet of said ozone-generating means; F. means connecting:

Claim 45

conduit means connecting: a. said second outlet of said first packed tower with the second inlet of said second packed tower; b. said outlet of said ozone-generating means to the second inlet of said first packed tower; and c. said second outlet of said second packed tower with the inlet of said ozone-generating means; F. means connecting:

Claim 46

conduit means connecting: a. said second outlet of said first packed tower with the second inlet of said second packed tower; b. said outlet of said ozone-generating means to the second inlet of said first packed tower; and c. said second outlet of said second packed tower with the inlet of said ozone-generating means; F. means connecting:

Claim 47

conduit means connecting: a. said second outlet of said first packed tower with the second inlet of said second packed tower; b. said outlet of said ozone-generating means to the second inlet of said first packed tower; and c. said second outlet of said second packed tower with the inlet of said ozone-generating means; F. means connecting:

Claim 48

The process of claim 1 wherein the pH of said aqueous waste stream is adjusted to a value between about 12 and about 12.3.

Claim 49

said outlet of said second storage vessel to said first inlets of said first and second packed towers.

Claim 50

said outlet of said second storage vessel to said first inlets of said first and second packed towers.

Claim 51

The process of claim 1 wherein hydrated lime is added to said aqueous waste stream to adjust the pH to a value of between about 12 and about 12.3.

Claim 52

conducting said gaseous stream removed from the upper portion of said first ozonation zone to the lower portion of said second ozonation zone;

Claim 53

conducting said gaseous stream removed from the upper portion of said first ozonation zone to the lower portion of said second ozonation zone;

Claim 54

removing an ozone-treated product from the lower portion of said second ozonation zone;

Claim 55

removing an ozone-treated product from the lower portion of said second ozonation zone;

Claim 56

The process of claim 1 wherein said ozonation is effected by introducing said aqueous stream into the upper portion of an ozonation zone while introducing an ozone-containing gas into the lower portion of an ozonation zone.

Claim 57

The process of claim 1 which further includes readjusting the pH of said aqueous stream after said ozonation zone to a value between about 6 and about 9.

Claim 58

removing a gaseous stream from the upper portion of said second ozonation zone;

Claim 59

removing a gaseous stream from the upper portion of said second ozonation zone;

Claim 60

conducting the gaseous stream removed from the upper portion of said second ozonation zone into an ozone-generating zone;

Claim 61

conducting the gaseous stream removed from the upper portion of said second ozonation zone into an ozone-generating zone;

Claim 62

The process of claim 1 wherein said ozonation comprises: A. introducing a major portion of said aqueous stream into the upper portion of a first ozonation zone; B. introducing the remaining portion of said aqueous stream into the upper portion of a second ozonation zone, wherein the temperature of said remaining portion is between about 0* C and about 5* C; C. introducing an ozone-containing gas into the lower portion of said first ozonation zoNe; D. removing an ozone-treated product from the lower portion of said first ozonation zone; E. removing a gaseous stream from the upper portion of said first ozonation zone; F. conducting said gaseous stream removed from the upper portion of said first ozonation zone to the lower portion of said second ozonation zone; G. removing an ozone-treated product from the lower portion of said second ozonation zone; H. removing a gaseous stream from the upper portion of said second ozonation zone; I. conducting the gaseous stream removed from the upper portion of said second ozonation zone into an ozone-generating zone; J. removing ozone-containing gas from said ozone-generating zone and conducting it into the lower portion of said first ozonation zone; and K. said second ozonation zone being smaller in size than said first ozonation zone but providing more efficient per unit volume contact between the liquid material and the gas flowing therethrough than the per unit volume contact provided by said first ozonation zone.

Claim 63

The process of claim 9 which further includes introducing said remaining portion of said aqueous stream into a cooling zone in order to cool the liquid material to a temperature of between about 0* C and about 5* C prior to introducing it into the upper portion of the second ozonation zone.

Claim 64

removing ozone-containing gas from said ozone-generating zone and conducting it into the lower portion of said first ozonation zone; and

Claim 65

removing ozone-containing gas from said ozone-generating zone and conducting it into the lower portion of said first ozonation zone; and

Claim 66

said second ozonation zone being smaller in size than said first ozonation zone but providing more efficient per unit volume contact between thE liquid material and the gas flowing therethrough than the per unit volume contact provided by said first ozonation zone; E. conducting said aqueous waste stream to at least one holding zone prior to the ozonation zone and subsequent to the flotation and sedimentation zone; F. removing said aqueous waste stream from said at least one holding zone at said controlled rate; and G. obtaining a purified aqueous waste stream.

Claim 67

said second ozonation zone being smaller in size than said first ozonation zone but providing more efficient per unit volume contact between thE liquid material and the gas flowing therethrough than the per unit volume contact provided by said first ozonation zone; E. conducting said aqueous waste stream to at least one holding zone prior to the ozonation zone and subsequent to the flotation and sedimentation zone; F. removing said aqueous waste stream from said at least one holding zone at said controlled rate; and G. obtaining a purified aqueous waste stream.

Claim 68

Process for the purification of aqueous waste material from a silicone-polymer producing plant which comprises: A. conducting an aqueous waste stream to a floatation and sedimentation zone wherein water-insoluble materials of densities lower than water are removed from said waste stream as the upper layer in said zone, and wherein water-insoluble materials with densities higher than water are removed from the waste stream as the bottoms from said zone; B. removing said aqueous waste stream from said flotation and sedimentation zone and adjusting the pH of said aqueous waste stream to a value of at least about 12; C. conducting said waste stream to a clarification zone wherein solid material having a density greater than water is removed from the aqueous waste stream as bottoms from the clarification zone; D. removing said aqueous waste stream from said clarification zone and conducting said stream having a pH of at least about 12 to an ozonation zone at a controlled rate so as to achieve a predetermined amount of C.O.D. of organics per unit time entering said ozonation zone, wherein said ozonation comprises:

Claim 69

Process for the purification of aqueous waste material from a silicone-polymer producing plant which comprises: A. conducting an aqueous waste stream to a floatation and sedimentation zone wherein water-insoluble materials of densities lower than water are removed from said waste stream as the upper layer in said zone, and wherein water-insoluble materials with densities higher than water are removed from the waste stream as the bottoms from said zone; B. removing said aqueous waste stream from said flotation and sedimentation zone and adjusting the pH of said aqueous waste stream to a value of at least about 12; C. conducting said waste stream to a clarification zone wherein solid material having a density greater than water is removed from the aqueous waste stream as bottoms from the clarification zone; D. removing said aqueous waste stream from said clarification zone and conducting said stream having a pH of at least about 12 to an ozonation zone at a controlled rate so as to achieve a predetermined amount of C.O.D. of organics per unit time entering said ozonation zone, wherein said ozonation comprises:

Claim 70

Process for the purification of industrial aqueous waste comprising water soluble organic materials, inorganic salts, inorganic acids, water-insoluble materials having density lower than water, and water-insoluble materials having density greater than water, said process comprising: A. conducting an aqueous waste stream to a flotation and sedimentation zone, wherein water-insoluble materials of densities lower than water are removed from said waste stream as the upper layer in said zone, and wherein waterinsoluble materials with densities higher than water are removed from the waste stream as the bottoms from said zone; B. removing said aqueous waste stream from said flotation and sedimentation zone and adjusting the pH of said aqueous waste stream to a value of at least about 12; C. conducting said waste stream to a clarification zone wherein solid material having a density greater than water is removed from the aqueous waste stream as bottoms from the clarification zone; D. removing said aqueous waste stream from said clarification zone and conducting said stream having a pH of at least about 12 to an ozonation zone at a controlled rate so as to achieve a predetermined amount of C.O.D. of organics per unit time entering said ozonation zone; E. conducting said aqueous waste stream to at least one holding zone prior to the ozonation zone and subsequent to the flotation and sedimentation zone; F. removing said aqueous waste stream from said at least one holding zone at said controlled rate; and G. obtaining a purified aqueous waste stream.

Claim 71

Process for the purification of industrial aqueous waste comprising water soluble organic materials, inorganic salts, inorganic acids, water-insoluble materials having density lower than water, and water-insoluble materials having density greater than water, said process comprising: A. conducting an aqueous waste stream to a flotation and sedimentation zone, wherein water-insoluble materials of densities lower than water are removed from said waste stream as the upper layer in said zone, and wherein waterinsoluble materials with densities higher than water are removed from the waste stream as the bottoms from said zone; B. removing said aqueous waste stream from said flotation and sedimentation zone and adjusting the pH of said aqueous waste stream to a value of at least about 12; C. conducting said waste stream to a clarification zone wherein solid material having a density greater than water is removed from the aqueous waste stream as bottoms from the clarification zone; D. removing said aqueous waste stream from said clarification zone and conducting said stream having a pH of at least about 12 to an ozonation zone at a controlled rate so as to achieve a predetermined amount of C.O.D. of organics per unit time entering said ozonation zone; E. conducting said aqueous waste stream to at least one holding zone prior to the ozonation zone and subsequent to the flotation and sedimentation zone; F. removing said aqueous waste stream from said at least one holding zone at said controlled rate; and G. obtaining a purified aqueous waste stream.

Claim 72

The process of claim 12 wherein said ozonation comprises: A. introducing a major portion of said aqueous stream into the upper portion of a first ozonation zone; B. introducing the remaining portion of said aqueous stream into the upper portion of a second ozonation zone, wherein the temperature of said remaining portion is between about 0*C and about 5*C; C. introducing an ozone-containing gas into the lower portion of said first ozonation zone; D. removing an ozone-treated product from the lower portion of said first ozonation zone; E. removing a gaseous stream from the upper portion of said first ozonation zone; F. conducting said gaseous stream removed from the upper portion of said first ozonation zone to the lower portion of said second ozonation zone; G. removing an ozone-treated product from the lower portion of said second ozonation zone; H. removing a gaseous stream from the upper portion of said second ozonation zone; I. conducting the gaseous stream removed from the upper portion of said second ozonation zone into an ozonegenerating zone; J. removing ozone-containing gas from said ozone-generating zone and conducting it into the lower portion of said first ozonation zone; and K. said second ozonation zone being smaller in size than said first ozonation zone but providing more efficient per unit volume contact between the liquid material and the gas flowing therethrough than the per unit volume contact provided by said first ozonation zone.

Claim 73

Apparatus suitable for the purification of an aqueous waste stream from a silicone-polymer producing plant which comprises: A. sedimentation and flotation tank containing an inlet for the introduction of a liquid, a first means in its upper portion for the removal of a liquid, a second means in its lower portion for the removal of solid, and an outlet interposed bEtween said upper and lower portion for removing a liquid; B. a storage vessel containing an inlet for the introduction of liquid, an outlet for the removal of liquid, and a mixing means; C. a mixing vessel containing a first inlet for the introduction of a liquid, a second inlet for the introduction of a liquid, an outlet for the removal of a liquid, and a mixing means; D. a clarifier containing an inlet for the introduction of a liquid, a first outlet for the removal of liquid, and a second outlet in its lower portion for removal of a liquid; E. an ozonation reactor comprising:

Claim 74

Apparatus suitable for the purification of an aqueous waste stream from a silicone-polymer producing plant which comprises: A. sedimentation and flotation tank containing an inlet for the introduction of a liquid, a first means in its upper portion for the removal of a liquid, a second means in its lower portion for the removal of solid, and an outlet interposed bEtween said upper and lower portion for removing a liquid; B. a storage vessel containing an inlet for the introduction of liquid, an outlet for the removal of liquid, and a mixing means; C. a mixing vessel containing a first inlet for the introduction of a liquid, a second inlet for the introduction of a liquid, an outlet for the removal of a liquid, and a mixing means; D. a clarifier containing an inlet for the introduction of a liquid, a first outlet for the removal of liquid, and a second outlet in its lower portion for removal of a liquid; E. an ozonation reactor comprising:

Claim 75

The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said mixing vessel comprises three mixing vessels connected in series.

Claim 76

The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said storage vessel comprises a first storage vessel connected to a much larger second storage vessel by conduit means near the lower portion of both vessels; and wherein both of the vessels are at the same level.

Claim 77

The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said storage vessel comprises a first storage vessel and a second storage vessel, said first and second storage vessels not being directly connected; and wherein the means connects:

Claim 78

The apparatus of claim 14 which further includes a means for drying the gaseous stream from the overhead of the second packed tower subsequent to its removal from the second packed tower and prior to the ozone-generating means.

Claim 79

The apparatus of claim 14 which further includes a heat exchanger having an inlet and an outlet for the liquid material that is to be cooled, and conduit means connecting said outlet of said heat exchanger to the first inlet of said second packed tower.

Claim 80

Apparatus suitable for the purification of an aqueous waste stream from a silicone-polymer producing plant which comprises: A. sedimentation and flotation tank containing an inlet for the introduction of a liquid, a first means in its upper portion for the removal of a liquid, a second means in its lower portion for the removal of solid, and an outlet interposed between said upper and lower portion for removing a liquid; B. a storage vessel containing an inlet for the introduction of liquid, an outlet for the removal of liquid, and a mixing means; C. a mixing vessel containing a first inlet for the introduction of a liquid, a second inlet for the introduction of a liquid, an outlet for the removal of a liquid, and a mixing means; D. a clarifier containing an inlet for the introduction of a liquid, a first outlet for the removal of liquid, and a second outlet in its lower portion for removal of a liquid; E. an ozonation reactor comprising:

Claim 81

Apparatus suitable for the purification of an aqueous waste stream from a silicone-polymer producing plant which comprises: A. sedimentation and flotation tank containing an inlet for the introduction of a liquid, a first means in its upper portion for the removal of a liquid, a second means in its lower portion for the removal of solid, and an outlet interposed between said upper and lower portion for removing a liquid; B. a storage vessel containing an inlet for the introduction of liquid, an outlet for the removal of liquid, and a mixing means; C. a mixing vessel containing a first inlet for the introduction of a liquid, a second inlet for the introduction of a liquid, an outlet for the removal of a liquid, and a mixing means; D. a clarifier containing an inlet for the introduction of a liquid, a first outlet for the removal of liquid, and a second outlet in its lower portion for removal of a liquid; E. an ozonation reactor comprising: