Gregory K Swanson

US Patent:

49485113, Aug 14, 1990

Filed:

Apr 14, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/339020

Inventors:

Gregory R. Swanson - San Diego CA
Roger R. Argus - Solana Beach CA

Assignee:

Maxwell Laboratories, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

B01D 1104

US Classification:

210634

Abstract:

A method for economically creating useful thermal energy and decontaminating an aqueous stream containing dissolved organic pollutants which may be present in total concentration of 1 or 2 weight percent or as low as even less than 10 ppm. The stream of contaminated water is extracted with a once-through countercurrent stream of substantially water-immiscible, non-polar mixed C. sub. 10 to C. sub. 20 hydrocabons to dissolve and remove organic pollutants and create a treated water stream which meets environmental standardes for re-use or for discharge to a municipal treatment facility or to the environment. The contaminated mixed hydrocarbon stream is transferred to an on-site power or heat-generating facility where it and its contaminants are burned at a temperature of at least about 1000. degree. F. and a residence time of at least about 1 second to oxidize the contaminants and generate useful thermal energy, e. g. , by creating steam which is expanded through a turbine to create electrical power via an interconnected electrical generator.