Process for purifying water healthy of the materials which contaminate and impair its taste and smell

摘要

Potable water is freed biologically from phenolic substances by treatment with active carbon or other adsorptive material acting as a carrier for lower organisms. Suitable organisms such as bacteria, protozoa, and infusoria may be applied to the carrier material by treating it with liquids containing nitrogen compounds to which phenol or chlorophenol has been added, or by treating it with solutions containing a phosphate and nutrient substances, such as albumin, sugar, or urea. A culture of organisms may be prepared in such solutions, the active carbon being added to the culture and afterwards used to inoculate a filter. The organisms may be stimulated by passing air, oxygen, or other gas, preferably heated, through the filter, either while it is in operation or after it has been shut down. The efficiency of the filter may be maintained by passing water containing nitrogenous compounds therethrough at intervals.