Patent ID: 7727404
Filing Date: 2010-06-01
Classification: C02F

Abstract:
1. Method for removal of pollutants including dispersed, dissolved, and/or emulsified pollutants from a continuous aqueous stream comprising the steps of: a) adding to said aqueous stream a solution of an anionic polysaccharide or hydrocolloid compound under sufficient mixing to ensure substantially homogeneous mixing of said solution with said aqueous stream prior to premature gelation of said anionic polysaccharide or hydrocolloid to bind, attach, and/or associate with said pollutants, wherein the polysaccharide or hydrocolloid is selected from pectin, carrageenan, carboxymethyl cellulose and alginates, which polysaccharides or hydrocolloids are able to cross-link with cations, and b) flocculating the pollutants to form gelled agglomerates including said pollutants by reaction of said anionic polysaccharide or hydrocolloid with cations capable of gelling said polysaccharide or hydrocolloid to cross-link said polysaccharide or hydrocolloid with said cations, and c) separating the gelled agglomerates from the aqueous stream.