EP-4741352-A1 - PROCESS OF PREPARING A CONTAMINATED WATER SAMPLE AND SUBSEQUENT TREATMENT OF THIS CONTAMINATED WATER, AND USE OF A KIT

EP4741352A1EP 4741352 A1EP4741352 A1EP 4741352A1EP-4741352-A1

Abstract

The present disclosure falls within the technical scope of chemical samples obtained synthetically, the present disclosure having the purpose of preparing contaminated waters, more particularly, substances prepared together and suitable for the contamination of a volume of water, with a view to its subsequent treatment in a miniaturised water treatment system. This disclosure includes obtaining and treating synthetically contaminated waters, using different chemical reagents in order to control the preparation of contaminated waters that resemble contaminated natural or waste water in a real context and which may be treated by chemical and mechanical processes, for example in miniaturised treatment plants. The present disclosure comprises a process for preparing a contaminated water sample and subsequently treating said contaminated water. It also includes the use of a kit to prepare a sample of contaminated water for subsequent treatment.

Inventors

AIRES PEREIRA COSTA, NELSON

Assignees

Ark - Indústria, Lda

Dates

Publication Date: 20260513
Application Date: 20241107

Claims (15)

A process for preparing a contaminated water sample and subsequently treating said contaminated water, the process comprising filling a tank with a volume of 4 to 50 L of demineralised water, mixing a first mass of at least one soluble contaminant into the volume of demineralised water, the first mass ranging from 1 mg to 1 g per litre of demineralised water, thus obtaining contaminated water, mixing a second mass of a reagent that is capable of reacting with the contaminant in water, the reaction of the reagent with the contaminant being one of oxidation, coagulation-flocculation or precipitation, and the second mass being such that i) the reagent reacts with the entire contaminant by oxidation, coagulation-flocculation or chemical precipitation, resulting in a product whose deposition occurs by gravity, and ii) ranges from 0.003 mg to 4.5 g per litre of demineralised water.
A process for preparing a contaminated water sample and subsequently treating said contaminated water according to claim 1, the process further comprising arranging the first mass of at least one soluble contaminant and the volume of demineralised water in a tank, activating rotating mixing means arranged inside the tank for a predefined first period of time, arranging the second mass of a reagent that is capable of reacting with the contaminant in the water in the tank, activating the rotating mixing means arranged inside the tank for a second predefined period of time, waiting for the product of the reaction between the contaminant and the reagent to sediment in the tank, under the action of gravity, for a predefined period of time.
A process for preparing a contaminated water sample and subsequently treating said contaminated water according to the previous claim, wherein the predefined sedimentation period may correspond to the time in which, for a contaminant in a first mass and a reagent in a second mass, the reaction between the two is complete and results in the sedimentation of the product.
A process for preparing a contaminated water sample and subsequently treating said contaminated water according to any one of claims 2-3, wherein the activation of the rotating mixing means during a first predefined period of time and/or the activation of the rotating mixing means during a second predefined period of time include rapid stirring rotation of between 100 and 250 rpm, moderate stirring rotation of between 30 and 99 rpm, and/or slow stirring rotation of between 10 and 29 rpm.
A process for preparing a contaminated water sample and subsequently treating said contaminated water according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the contaminant consists of a metal, non-metal, silicate and/or organic matter.
A Process for preparing a contaminated water sample and subsequently treating said contaminated water according to the previous claim, wherein the reagent is such that it reacts with the metal, non-metal, silicate and/or organic matter contaminant by oxidation, chemical precipitation or coagulation-flocculation.
A process for preparing a contaminated water sample and subsequently treating said contaminated water according to the previous claim in which the contaminant consists of an iron compound or a manganese compound, the corresponding reagent reacting with the contaminant by oxidation, the contaminant consists of a phosphorus compound, a copper compound, a zinc compound, the corresponding reagent reacting with the contaminant by chemical precipitation, or the contaminant consists of a natural dye, the corresponding reagent reacting with the contaminant by coagulation-flocculation.
A process for preparing a contaminated water sample and subsequently treating said contaminated water according to the previous claim, wherein - the contaminant is an iron compound, optionally iron (II) sulphate, and the first mass is between 10 and 1000 mg per litre of demineralised water, and the corresponding reagent consists of H 2 O 2 between 3 and 600 mg per litre of demineralised water KMnO 4 between 9 and 1000 mg per litre of demineralised water, or Chlorine or its derivatives between 6 and 2000 mg per litre of demineralised water, - the contaminant is a manganese compound, optionally manganese (II) sulphate, and the first mass is between 1 and 1000 mg per litre of demineralised water, and the corresponding reagent consists of H 2 O 2 between 0.3 and 600 mg per litre of demineralised water O 2 between 2 and 1000 mg per litre of demineralised water, or Chlorine or its derivatives between 1 and 4500 mg per litre of demineralised water, - the contaminant is a phosphorus compound, optionally potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and the first mass is between 10 and 1000 mg per litre of demineralised water, and the corresponding reagent consists of a calcium compound between 20 and 2000 mg per litre of demineralised water an aluminium compound between 10 and 1300 mg per litre of demineralised water, or an iron compound between 20 and 2000 mg per litre of demineralised water, - the contaminant is a copper compound, optionally copper (II) sulphate, and the first mass is between 5 and 1000 mg per litre of demineralised water, and the corresponding reagent consists of an alkaline substance with a mass such that, when mixed with the copper compound in the water, raises the total pH to between 7 and 13, where the alkaline substance optionally consists of sodium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide, - the contaminant is a zinc compound, optionally zinc (II) sulphate, and the first mass is between 10 and 1000 mg per litre of demineralised water, and the corresponding reagent consists of an alkaline substance with a mass such that, when mixed with the zinc compound in the water, raises the total pH to between 7 and 13, where the alkaline substance optionally consists of sodium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide, or - the contaminant is a natural dye, and the first mass is between 10 and 1000 mg per litre of demineralised water, and the corresponding reagent consists of a calcium compound between 0.003 and 0.3 mg per litre of demineralised water an aluminium compound between 0.4 and 50 mg per litre of demineralised water, or an iron compound between 2 and 200 mg per litre of demineralised water.
A sludge resulting from the sedimentation of the reaction product of the process according to any of the preceding claims.
Use of a kit in the preparation of a contaminated water sample for subsequent treatment, the kit comprising a first mass of at least one soluble contaminant, the first mass being between 1 mg and 1 g per litre of demineralised water, and a second mass of a reagent capable of reacting with the entire contaminant in the water, the reaction of the reagent with the contaminant being one of oxidation, coagulation-flocculation or chemical precipitation, and the second mass being between 0.3 and 4500 mg per litre of demineralised water, wherein the use of the kit includes preparing a sample of contaminated water by mixing a volume of 4 to 50 L of demineralised water with the first mass of a soluble contaminant in the volume of demineralised water, and treating the contaminated water sample by mixing a corresponding second mass of a reagent that reacts with the contaminant in demineralised water, the reaction of the reagent with the contaminant being one of oxidation, coagulation-flocculation or chemical precipitation.
Use according to the previous claim, wherein each contaminant is arranged in a container adjustable to the first mass and each reagent is arranged in a container adjustable to the second mass, optionally the container adjustable to the first mass being a single-dose volume container suitable for the first mass and the container adjustable to the second mass being a single-dose volume container suitable for the second mass, and where the use of the kit includes the preparation of a contaminated water sample by mixing a volume of 4 to 50 L of demineralised water with the first mass of a soluble contaminant in the volume of demineralised water, mixing the entire first mass contained in the container with the demineralised water, and the treatment of the contaminated water sample by mixing a corresponding second mass of a reagent that reacts with the contaminant in demineralised water, reacting in its entirety with the first mass contained in the container with the contaminated water
Use according to any one of claims 10-11, wherein the contaminant consists of a metal, non-metal, silicate and/or organic matter optionally the reagent being such that it reacts with the metal, non-metal, silicate and/or organic matter contaminant by oxidation, chemical precipitation or coagulation-flocculation and optionally the contaminant consists of an iron compound or a manganese compound, the corresponding reagent reacting with the contaminant by oxidation, the contaminant consists of a phosphorus compound, a copper compound, a zinc compound, the corresponding reagent reacting with the contaminant by chemical precipitation, or the contaminant consists of a natural dye, the corresponding reagent reacting with the contaminant by coagulation-flocculation.
Use according to the previous claim, in which the contaminant is an iron compound, optionally iron (II) sulphate, and the first mass is between 10 and 1000 mg per litre of demineralised water, and the corresponding reagent consists of H 2 O 2 between 3 and 600 mg per litre of demineralised water KMnO 4 between 9 and 1000 mg per litre of demineralised water, or Chlorine or its derivatives between 6 and 2000 mg per litre of demineralised water, the contaminant is a manganese compound, optionally manganese (II) sulphate, and the first mass is between 1 and 1000 mg per litre of demineralised water, and the corresponding reagent consists of H 2 O 2 between 0.3 and 600 mg per litre of demineralised water O 2 between 2 mg and 1000 mg per litre of demineralised water, or Chlorine or its derivatives between 1 and 4500 mg per litre of demineralised water, the contaminant is a phosphorus compound, optionally potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and the first mass is between 10 and 1000 mg per litre of demineralised water, and the corresponding reagent consists of a calcium compound between 20 and 2000 mg per litre of demineralised water an aluminium compound between 10 and 1300 mg per litre of demineralised water, or an iron compound between 20 and 2000 mg per litre of demineralised water, the contaminant is a copper compound, optionally copper (II) sulphate, and the first mass is between 5 and 1000 mg per litre of demineralised water, and the corresponding reagent consists of an alkaline substance with a mass such that, when mixed with the copper compound in the water, raises the total pH to between 7 and 13, where the alkaline substance optionally consists of sodium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide, the contaminant is a zinc compound, optionally zinc (II) sulphate, and the first mass is between 10 and 1000 mg per litre of demineralised water, and the corresponding reagent consists of an alkaline substance with a mass such that, when mixed with the zinc compound in the water, raises the total pH to between 7 and 13, where the alkaline substance optionally consists of sodium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide, the contaminant is a natural dye, and the first mass is between 10 and 1000 mg per litre of demineralised water, and the corresponding reagent consists of a calcium compound between 0.003 and 0.3 mg per litre of demineralised water an aluminium compound between 0.4 and 50 mg per litre of demineralised water, or an iron compound between 2 and 200 mg per litre of demineralised water.
Kit for the preparation of a contaminated water sample intended for subsequent treatment, the kit comprising a volume of 4 to 50 L of demineralised water, a first mass of at least one soluble contaminant, the first mass being between 1 mg and 1 g per litre of demineralised water, and a second mass of a reagent that is capable of reacting with the entire contaminant in the water, the reaction of the reagent with the contaminant being one of oxidation, coagulation-flocculation or chemical precipitation, and the second mass being between 0.3 and 4500 mg per litre of demineralised water.
Kit according to the previous claim, wherein each contaminant is arranged in a container adjustable to the first mass and each reagent is arranged in a container adjustable to the second mass, optionally the container adjustable to the first mass being a single-dose volume container suitable for the first mass and the container adjustable to the second mass being a single-dose volume container suitable for the second mass.

Description

SCOPE OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure falls within the technical scope of chemical samples obtained synthetically, the present disclosure having the purpose of preparing contaminated water, in particular substances that are prepared together and suitable for the contamination of a volume of water, with a view to its subsequent treatment in a miniaturised water treatment system. STATE OF THE ART A water treatment plant (WTP) is an installation designed to purify contaminated water, making it suitable for human consumption or other uses, such as in industrial processes. The size of a water treatment plant (WTP) can vary significantly depending on the treatment capacity and the needs of the area served, but they are in general large-scale facilities. A typical WTP can occupy several tens of thousands of square metres, with different areas dedicated to each stage of the treatment process. A WTP includes different water treatment processes, including collecting raw water from natural sources such as rivers or water reservoirs, which then goes through stages such as coagulation-flocculation, wherein suspended particles aggregate and are removed; decantation, in order to separate solids that are susceptible of sedimentation; filtration, wherein the water passes through layers of sand, anthracite or activated carbon to remove smaller particles; and disinfection, usually with chlorine or ozone, so as to eliminate microorganisms. After this treatment, the treated water may be stored and distributed for public supply. By contrast, a waste water treatment plant (WWTP) is a facility designed to remove contaminants from waste water, ensuring that the treated effluent may be returned to the environment or reused. The size of a WWTP varies according to the treatment capacity and the needs of the community served, but, much like WTPs, they are generally large and complex. A typical WWTP can occupy extensive areas, including different sectors dedicated to each stage of waste water treatment. The treatment process involves several key stages, such as collecting the waste water, removing large solids through grating and desanders, chemically and biologically treating the water, filtering and disinfecting the water. Finally, after being treated, the water may be released into water bodies, meeting the applicable environmental standards, or reused for irrigation, industrial processes and other purposes. Although the technology for these treatment plants is widely known and developed, there are no small WTPs or WWTPs - occupying a portion of a room, for example treating quantities of up to around 50 litres of water - that have adequate functional and laboratory performance. The state of the art includes solutions that seek to simulate the operation of water treatment plants for learning purposes. These solutions simulate the operation of plants by including elements that are intended, for instance, to represent contaminants, but which are not contaminants, consisting only of fictitious elements - such as small plastic spheres - with which they try to demonstrate and simulate how treatment plants work in general in a basic learning context. These systems are not functional and do not make it possible to effectively treat the water, at least no more than removing those fictitious elements from the water or, by other means, showing how a water treatment plant would work. These plants do not allow for laboratory developments, research and development in the segmented reuse of sludge. Therefore, they never come into contact with water that is actually contaminated, at least no more than for the simple filtration of water containing the aforementioned fictitious elements, such as small plastic spheres of approximately 5 mm diameter. Consequently, there are also no known solutions for preparing contaminated water that, in a laboratory or training environment, would make it possible to prepare a quantity of contaminated water to be treated in these functional miniaturised plants. The solutions of the present disclosure allow for the preparation of contaminated water based on synthetic samples. Those contaminated waters may be treated in miniaturised, functional water treatment plants which, in turn, make it possible to efficiently treat, test and control new models for treating contaminated waters in an innovative manner, in an environment of scientific development, research, learning and reuse solutions. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure includes a process for preparing a contaminated water sample and subsequently treating said contaminated water. The process comprises filling a tank with a volume of 4 to 50 L of demineralised water,mixing a first mass of at least one soluble contaminant into the volume of demineralised water, the first mass ranging from 1 mg to 1 g per litre of demineralised water, thus obtaining contaminated water,mixing a second mass of a reagent that is capable of reacting with the contaminan