Solarchem Enterprises Inc.

Canadian Patents & Development Ltd.

Stephen R Cater

R D Stevens

J Adele Buckley

Ronald C Hallett

Pauline M Brown

James R Bolton

Clarke E Slemon

Keith G Bircher

A reactor assembly is provided for destroying contaminants in fluids by the application of UV radiation to promote the destruction of the contaminants. The reactor assembly has a vertically orientated reactor chamber with a centrally located lamp emitting UV radiation and operating at temperatures in excess of 700.degree. C. A protective sheath transparent to the UV radiation encloses the lamp and isolates the lamp from reactor interior to define thereby an annular reactor space through which fluids to be treated flow. The fluids flowing through the annular reactor space and along the sheath effect a cooling of the sheath due to lamp heating. The lamp has a terminal portion at each end thereof. Each terminal portion has a temperature sensitive component. The lamp is of a sufficient length to extend the terminals beyond the end portions of the reactor which has a length equal to or greater than the arc length of the lamp. Cooling air is directed on to each of the upper and lower terminals of the lamp to cool the temperature sensitive portions thereby preventing deterioration of each lamp end due to excessive heating. In directing cooling air onto the lower terminal a pressure is developed which is greater than the pressure at the upper end of the sheath so that a control constant flow of cooling air is assured upwardly of the sheath and over the lamp. This constant flow of cooling air is assured upwardly over the sheath and over the lamp. This constant flow of cooling air is controlled to permit the lamp to operate at optimum operating temperatures to provide the necessary output of UV radiation to promote the destruction of the contaminants in the fluids.

UV reactor assembly with improved lamp cooling means

A process for treating an aqueous waste water or groundwater containing organic contaminants degradable by hydrated electrons comprises contacting the aqueous waste water or groundwater with an agent which generates hydrated electrons on photolysis. Additionally, the aqueous waste water or groundwater is irradiated with UV light to photolyse the hydrated electron generating agent, thereby generating hydrated electrons to degrade the contaminants. In one embodiment, the aqueous waste water or groundwater is contacted with the hydrated electron generating agent and a reducing agent to recycle the hydrated electron generating agent.

Treatment of contaminated waste waters and groundwaters with

An improved oxidation and photooxidation process for treating water containing an oxidizable contaminant. In one embodiment, the organic compound does not have an electron donating aromatic group. A stochiometric excess amount of a calcium salt is added to precipitate carbonate and bicarbonate ions contained in the water as calcium carbonate. The calcium carbonate is removed from the water and the filtered water is then subjected to an oxidation process. In another embodiment, the organic compound does have an electron donating aromatic group. Carbonate and/or bicarbonate is added so that the water has a stochiometric excess amount of carbonate and bicarbonate. The water is then subjected to an oxidation process.

Oxidation and photooxidation process

A method of treating a liquid effluent or groundwater containing organic contaminants is provided. The liquid effluent or groundwater containing the organic contaminants is contacted with hydrogen peroxide and transition metal ions. The hydrogen peroxide and transition metal ions are present in effective amounts based on the concentration of the organic contaminants in the liquid effluent or groundwater. The liquid effluent or groundwater is then irradiated with UV light having a poly- chromatic output between about 200 to 400 nm to decompose the organic contaminants. The ratio of hydrogen peroxide to transition metal ions is selected so as to favor the absorption of UV light by the hydrogen peroxide in the irradiation step.

Treating contaminated effluents and groundwaters

The present invention relates to a photochemical process for the manufacture of hydrogen peroxide

Growing community of inventors

Willowdale, Canada

Stephen R Cater