Patent ID: 7438828

Claim:
A composition for use as a flocculant for removing deleterious substances from water, comprising a mixture of treated diatomite of about 50% by volume and a metal chloride of about from 40% by volume to about 60% by volume, the mixture having an enhanced negative electric charge greater than that possessed by diatomite naturally and of a magnitude sufficient to produce movement in human hair when brought close to it, and said enhanced negative electric charge having a duration of at least one year, wherein said composition is made by a method comprising the steps of a. heating diatomite in an iron vessel from room temperature to a temperature of from 170° F. to 225° F., b. stirring with an iron paddle during heating to substantially enhance diatomite's natural negative electrical charge, c. cooling the heated and stirred diatomite to room temperature, and d. mixing the cooled diatomite with a metal chloride selected from the group consisting of ferric chloride, aluminum chloride, and magnesium chloride.