Patent ID: 8337763

Claim:
A system for removing unwanted contaminates from fluid, wherein the system comprises: a. a source containing fluid to be scrubbed, wherein the fluid to be scrubbed has a contamination concentration greater than zero ppb to contamination saturation; and b. a scrubber comprising: (i) a housing with a reaction chamber, wherein a portion of the reaction chamber contains a biodiesel or biomass, and wherein a reaction zone is formed below a liquid level of the biodiesel or biomass; (ii) an inlet in the housing connected to the source, and wherein the inlet is disposed below the liquid level of the biodiesel or biomass; and (iii) an exit port connected to the housing adapted for evacuating scrubbed fluid; a sintered permeable membrane disposed in the reaction zone, wherein the sintered permeable membrane is configured to contact the fluid to be scrubbed that have been in prior contact with the biodiesel or biomass in a portion of the reaction chamber, and wherein the sintered permeable membrane provides an interface for enhanced contact of the fluid to be scrubbed and the biodiesel or biomass, and wherein the sintered permeable membrane is sandwiched between two pad grids, wherein the two pad grids secure the sintered permeable membrane in the housing, and wherein the sintered permeable membrane comprises open spaces that are from 40 percent to 50 percent, and wherein the sintered permeable comprises a member of the group consisting of: ceramic, carbon steel, other steel alloys, copper, copper alloys, carbide gel, other carbide materials, carbide films, polyamides, tungsten, polypropylene, carbon aerogels, ferrite magnets, silicon, polyethylene, polybutylene, homopolymers and copolymers thereof, acetates, glass, silica, and combinations of these materials.