Texaco Inc.

Rahul Subodh Patel

Byron Von Klock

A method to remove heavy metals concentrations in water down to very low levels is described. The method calls for the addition of a soluble sulfide to the water. This is followed adding a soluble iron reagent such as ferrous sulfate or ferrous chloride. The water is aerated. As an alternative to aeration, the pH of the water can be increased. Finally, the solids generated from the above steps are separated from the water. This method has been shown to remove heavy metals, particularly copper and zinc, from actual industrial wastewater to very low concentrations, i.e., below about 100 ppb. Furthermore, the treated water is free of sulfide. The byproduct sludge comprises iron sulfide, iron oxides, iron hydroxides, and the heavy metal sulfides.

Method for removal of heavy metals from water

A method has been discovered for recovering hydrocarbon contaminants from wastewater. The wastewater is contacted countercurrently with stripping gas. The stripping gas is passed over a bed of activated carbon to remove hydrocarbon contaminants. Periodically, the activated carbon bed is regenerated with steam. Steam condensate and hydrocarbon contaminants are passed to a petroleum desalter. Hydrocarbon contaminants are transferred to the petroleum.

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Sugar Land, TX, United States of America

Rahul Subodh Patel