초록 ▼

Disclosed is an improve aeration system. The aeration system of the present invention more efficiently removes contaminates, such as hydrogen sulfide, from water. The increased efficiency is achieved by adjusting the pH level of the water in between sequential mass transfer media stages within the a

Disclosed is an improve aeration system. The aeration system of the present invention more efficiently removes contaminates, such as hydrogen sulfide, from water. The increased efficiency is achieved by adjusting the pH level of the water in between sequential mass transfer media stages within the aerator. The present invention also relates to an aeration system wherein the forced or induced air is used to strip contaminants from the processed water is reutilized by one or more aeration towers connected in series.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method of efficiently removing hydrogen sulfide from a water supply, the method employing multiple mass transfer media stages and comprising the following steps: spraying water contaminated with hydrogen sulfide over a first mass transfer media stage whereby the water is br

What is claimed is: 1. A method of efficiently removing hydrogen sulfide from a water supply, the method employing multiple mass transfer media stages and comprising the following steps: spraying water contaminated with hydrogen sulfide over a first mass transfer media stage whereby the water is brought into contact with the transfer media; forcing air through the first mass transfer media stage such that the forced air comes into contact with the water, the air-water contact causing hydrogen sulfide within the water to be transferred to the forced air; collecting the water after it passes through the first mass transfer media stage; measuring the pH level of the collected water and increasing the acidity if the measured pH level is above a determined amount; spraying the water over a second mass transfer media stage whereby the water is brought into contact with the transfer media; forcing air through the second mass transfer media stage such that the forced air comes into contact with the water, the air-water contact causing hydrogen sulfide within the water to be transferred to the forced air; gathering the forced air and processing it with an air treatment system to improve the air quality; collecting the water after it passes through the second mass transfer media stage. 2. A method for reutilizing process air in a packed tower aeration system, the method comprising the following steps: providing a first packed tower aerator with an air inlet and outlet and a water inlet and outlet and a first mass transfer media stage; spraying contaminated water from the water inlet over the first mass transfer media stage whereby the water is brought into contact with the transfer media; forcing air from the air inlet through the first mass transfer media stage such that the forced air comes into contact with the water, the air-water contact causing contaminants within the water to be transferred to the forced air; gathering the forced air and directing it through the outlet; providing a second packed tower aerator with an air inlet and outlet and a water inlet and outlet and a second mass transfer media stage; directing the air from the outlet of the first packed tower aerator to the inlet of the second packed tower aerator, and further directing the air from the inlet of the second packed tower aerator through the second mass transfer media stage. 3. A method for reutilizing process air in a packed tower aeration system, the method comprising the following steps: providing a first aerator with an air inlet and outlet; aerating contaminated water within the first aerator by forcing air from the inlet to the outlet; providing a second aerator with an air inlet and outlet; directing the air from the outlet of the first aerator to the inlet of the second aerator, wherein the air is again used to aerate contaminated water. 4. The method as described in claim 3 wherein the aeration within the first aerator is carried out within a volume of a mass transfer media. 5. The method as described in claim 3 wherein the aeration within the first aerator is carried out in multiple stages and wherein the pH of the water is adjusted between stages. 6. The method as described in claim 3 wherein the aeration within the second aerator is carried out in multiple stages and wherein the pH of the water is adjusted between stages. 7. An aeration tower for removing hydrogen sulfide from a water supply, the aeration tower comprising: a housing having upper and lower extents, a water inlet and an air outlet at the upper extent and a water outlet and an air inlet at the lower extent; a first pair of grated supports positioned adjacent to the upper extent of the housing, a first volume of mass transfer media positioned between the grated supports; a series of liquid distribution systems positioned above the first pair of grated supports, the distribution systems coupled to the water inlet and functioning to spray water from the inlet over the first volume of mass transfer media; a first water tray positioned beneath the first pair of grated supports, the water tray functioning to collect water after it passes through the first mass transfer media; a pH sensor for detecting the pH of the collected water; a second pair of grated supports positioned beneath the first water tray, a second volume of mass transfer media positioned between the grated supports; a series of liquid distribution systems positioned above the second pair of grated supports, the distribution systems coupled to the first water tray and functioning to spray water from the water tray over the second volume of mass transfer media; a second water tray located beneath the second pair of grated supports, the water tray functioning to collect water after it passes through the second mass transfer media and route it to the water outlet; an air channel allowing air from the air inlet to be forced through the first and second volumes of mass transfer media and through the air outlet. 8. A multi-stage aeration tower for removing contaminants from a water supply, the aeration tower comprising: a housing having first and second extents, a water inlet and an air outlet at the first extent and a water outlet and an air inlet at the second extent; a first volume of mass transfer media positioned adjacent the first extent of the housing; a pH sensor operatively positioned beneath the first volume of mass transfer media for detecting the pH of the water; a second volume of mass transfer media positioned beneath the first volume of mass transfer media; an air channel allowing air from the air inlet to be forced through the first and second volumes of mass transfer media and through the air outlet; a water channel allowing water from the water inlet to travel through the first and second volumes of mass transfer media and through the water outlet, wherein the air and water interact to aerate the water and remove contaminants. 9. The multi-stage aeration tower as described in claim 8 wherein the first and second volumes of mass transfer media are contained between grated supports. 10. The multi-stage aeration tower as described in claim 8 wherein the water inlet and air outlet are located at an upper extent of the housing and wherein the water flows through the first and second volumes of mass transfer media under the power of gravity. 11. A packed tower aerator system that permits outlet air to be reutilized, the system comprising: a first housing having upper and lower extents, a water inlet and an air outlet at the upper extent and a water outlet and an air inlet at the lower extent; a pair of grated supports positioned within the first housing, a volume of mass transfer media positioned between the grated supports; a series of liquid distribution systems positioned above the pair of grated supports, the distribution systems coupled to the water inlet and functioning to spray water from the inlet over the volume of mass transfer media; a tray for collecting the water after is passes through the mass transfer media, the tray functioning to route the collected water to the water outlet; an air channel allowing air from the air inlet to be forced through the volume of mass transfer media and through the air outlet; a second housing having upper and lower extents, a water inlet and an air outlet at the upper extent and a water outlet and an air inlet at the lower extent, wherein the air outlet of the first housing is coupled to the air inlet of the second housing; a pair of grated supports positioned within the second housing, a volume of mass transfer media positioned between the grated supports; an air channel within the second housing, the air channel allowing air from the air inlet to be forced through the volume of mass transfer media and through the air outlet. 12. A packed tower aerator system that permits outlet air to be reutilized, the system comprising: a first housing having a water inlet and outlet and an air inlet and outlet; a volume of mass transfer media positioned within the first housing; an air channel allowing air from the air inlet to be forced through the volume of mass transfer media and through the air outlet; a water channel allowing water from the inlet to be passed over the volume of mass transfer media wherein it is aerated by the air channel; a second housing having a water inlet and outlet and an air inlet and outlet, wherein the air outlet of the first housing is coupled to the air inlet of the second housing; a volume of mass transfer media within the second housing; an air channel within the second housing, the air channel allowing air from the air inlet to be forced through the volume of mass transfer media and through the air outlet. 13. The system as described in claim 12 wherein the first and second housings are connected in series with one another. 14. The system as described in claim 12 further comprising a third housing with an air inlet and outlet and wherein the air outlet of the second housing is coupled to the air inlet of the third housing. 15. The system as described in claim 12 further comprising an odor control system at the air outlet of the second housing.