U.S. patent application number 09/757503 was filed with the patent office on 2001-07-12 for organic compound decomposing method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sony Corporation. Invention is credited to Inagaki, Yasuhito.
Application Number | 20010007649 09/757503 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18534883 |
Filed Date | 2001-07-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010007649 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Inagaki, Yasuhito |
July 12, 2001 |
Organic compound decomposing method
Abstract
Ascorbic acid and/or ascorbic acid salt is made to act together
with oxygen on an organic compound. Alternatively, light radiation
is applied during chemical action with oxygen so as to improve a
composition efficiency of an organic compound and obtain a
preferable decomposition amount. This reduces the load caused by an
organic compound decomposition on the environment.
Inventors: |
Inagaki, Yasuhito;
(Kanagawa, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RADER FISHMAN & GRAUER PLLC
LION BUILDING
1233 20TH STREET N.W., SUITE 501
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Assignee: |
Sony Corporation
|
Family ID: |
18534883 |
Appl. No.: |
09/757503 |
Filed: |
January 11, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
423/352 ;
423/581; 423/584; 540/145; 549/315 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A62D 2101/20 20130101;
A62D 2101/22 20130101; A62D 3/30 20130101; A62D 2101/28
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
423/352 ;
423/581; 423/584; 540/145; 549/315 |
International
Class: |
C01C 001/00; C01B
013/00; C01B 015/01; C07D 487/22; C07D 307/62 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 12, 2000 |
JP |
P2000-006340 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An organic compound decomposing method for decomposing an
organic compound using ascorbic acid and/or ascorbic acid salt.
2. The organic compound decomposing method as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the ascorbic acid and/or ascorbic acid salt is used in a
form of aqueous solution thereof.
3. The organic compound decomposing method as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the organic compound has an aromatic ring.
4. The organic compound decomposing method as claimed in claim 1,
wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of hydrogen
peroxide solution, ozone, ammonium, inorganic alkali, inorganic
alkali salt, inorganic acid, inorganic acid salt, porphyrin, and
metalloporphyrin is also used for decomposing the organic
compound.
5. The organic compound decomposing method as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the decomposition is performed while applying light
radiation.
6. An organic compound decomposing method for decomposing a
compound by using ascorbic acid and/or ascorbic acid salt together
with oxygen.
7. The organic compound decomposing method as claimed in claim 6,
wherein the ascorbic acid and/or ascorbic acid salt is used in a
form of an aqueous solution thereof.
8. The organic compound decomposing method as claimed in claim 6,
wherein the organic compound has an aromatic ring.
9. The organic compound decomposing method as claimed in claim 6,
wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of hydrogen
peroxide solution, ozone, ammonium, inorganic alkali, inorganic
alkali salt, inorganic acid, inorganic acid salt, porphyrin, and
metalloporphyrin is also used for decomposing the organic
compound.
10. The organic compound decomposing method as claimed in claim 6,
wherein the decomposition is performed while applying light
radiation.
11. An organic compound decomposing method for decomposing an
organic compound by using ascorbic acid and/or ascorbic acid salt
together with oxygen while applying light radiation.
12. The organic compound decomposing method as claimed in claim 11,
wherein the ascorbic acid and/or ascorbic acid salt is used in a
form of aqueous solution thereof.
13. The organic compound decomposing method as claimed in claim 11,
wherein the organic compound has an aromatic ring.
14. The organic compound decomposing method as claimed in claim 11,
wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of hydrogen
peroxide solution, ozone, ammonium, inorganic alkali, inorganic
alkali salt, inorganic acid, inorganic acid salt, porphyrin, and
metalloporphyrin is also used for decomposing the organic compound.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an organic compound
decomposing method having a small load on an environment and with a
high decomposition ratio and preferable composition amount.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Recently, various substances are pointed out as having a
high possibility to become environmental hormones causing a new
environment problem such as bisphenol A which is a raw material of
plastic, phthalate ester contained in plastic as plasticizer,
dioxin generated when waste is burnt, and nonyl phenol which is a
surface active agent exhausted from factories and households.
[0005] A significant amount of the aforementioned organic compounds
is already mixed in the ambient atmosphere, water, and soil. These
chemical compounds cannot easily be decomposed in the ecological
system. Accordingly, it is expected that these compounds are widely
diffused in the entire world through the water circulation and the
food chain for a long period of time. This is considered to bring
about contamination of the atmosphere, water, and soil, affecting
the human body. To cope with this, a technique for purifying the
aforementioned organic compounds is strongly required.
[0006] For purifying the aforementioned organic compounds, there
have been suggested a so-called bio-remediation method for
decomposing organic materials by the microbes in the soil and a
method for decomposing organic compounds contained in water using
supercritical water as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication
10-84947.
[0007] However, the bio-remediation has a problem that the organic
compound decomposition speed is slow and it is necessary to
continuously supply nutriments for microbes until the organic
compound decomposition is complete. There is also a problem that
dead bodies of microbes remain after the organic compound
decomposition is complete. Moreover, the method for decomposing
organic compounds in water using supercritical water requires a
large-scale facility and a plenty of energy and cannot be
implemented in practice because of the low decomposition
capability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an organic compound decomposing method having a preferable
decomposition efficiency and decomposition amount with a low load
on the environment.
[0009] The organic compound decomposing method according to the
present invention decomposes an organic compound using ascorbic
acid and/or ascorbic acid salt together with oxygen.
[0010] Ascorbic acid and ascorbic acid salt is well known as
vitamin C, available in the natural world, and not harmful.
Accordingly, by using these, it is possible to decompose a harmful
organic compound without giving a useless load on the
environment.
[0011] Moreover, the organic compound decomposition is
significantly promoted by using the aforementioned substances
together with oxygen. That is, this method provides a high
decomposition efficiency and can be applied to decomposition of a
large amount of organic compound. Moreover, the decomposition
operation is quite simple without requiring any large-scale
facility, large amount of energy or complicated management.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 shows components contained in an aqueous solution of
bisphenol A before a treatment using L-sodium ascorbate.
[0013] FIG. 2 shows components contained in an aqueous solution of
bisphenol A after a treatment using L-sodium ascorbate.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] Description will now be directed to embodiments of the
present invention. It should be noted that while explanation will
be given on decomposition of organic compounds, the present
invention is not to be limited to the organic compounds used as
examples.
[0015] The organic compound decomposing method according to the
present invention uses ascorbic acid and/or ascorbic acid salt
together with oxygen applied to an organic compound to be
treated.
[0016] Here, an oxygen gas may be blown directly to the ascorbic
acid and/or ascorbic acid salt and the organic compound. However,
in order to increase the organic compound decomposition efficiency
and decomposition amount, it is preferable to employ a method in
which the oxygen is dissolved in a solution together with the
ascorbic acid and/or ascorbic acid salt and the organic compound or
a method in which oxygen and air are blown into a solution
containing ascorbic acid and/or ascorbic acid salt and the organic
compound.
[0017] Moreover, when considering the handling convenience, it is
preferable to add ascorbic acid salt such as sodium salt. The
ascorbic acid and the ascorbic acid salt may be extracted from a
natural material or synthesized. It should be noted that ascorbic
acid extracted from a natural material may contain other components
but they will not cause a particular problem.
[0018] The amounts of the ascorbic acid and the ascorbic acid salt
to be added with respect to an organic compound differ depending on
the amount of the organic compound and the decomposition efficiency
required. However, it is preferable to be about 1/1000 to 1000
times of the amount of the organic compound and more preferably,
about 1/100 to 100 times.
[0019] Moreover, the oxygen used here may be an oxygen gas supplied
from an oxygen cylinder, or may be the oxygen contained in the air,
or may be oxygen contained in a solution. It should be noted that
as the oxygen amount is increased, the decomposition efficiency and
the decomposition amount of the organic compound are increased.
Moreover, when oxygen is dissolved in a solution, for example, as
the oxygen concentration is increased such as a saturated
concentration, the decomposition efficiency and the decomposition
amount of the organic compound are increased.
[0020] Moreover, the temperature for the decomposition is
preferable from about -20.degree.C. to 120.degree.C. and more
preferably, from about 0.degree.C. to 60.degree.C., and most
preferably, from about 20.degree. C. to 40.degree.C. When the
temperature exceeds 120.degree.C., an enormous energy is required
for decomposing the organic compound. Moreover, when the
temperature is below -20.degree.C., the decomposition speed is
drastically lowered. It should be noted that pH for the
decomposition is preferably from about pH 4 to pH 11.
[0021] Here, the organic compounds to be decomposed are not limited
to particular compounds, but especially aromatic compounds can be
decomposed easily such as nonylphenol, bisphenol A, dioxin,
polychlorinated biphenyl, polybromobiphenyl, alkyl benzene,
alkylbenzene derivative, alkylphenol, alkylphenol derivative,
phthalate ester, benzophenone, benzophenone derivative, benzoic
acid, halogenated benzene derivative, cresol, cresol derivative,
aromatic amino acid (such as phenylalanine), agricultural chemicals
containing the aromatic ring, resin containing the aromatic ring
(such as polystyrene, ABS resin, PET, PC, phenol resin, epoxy
resin, polyphenylene oxide, low molecular weight version of
polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene oxide derivative, and the like),
dyes containing the aromatic ring, aromatic agent, and the
like.
[0022] It should be noted that the aforementioned organic compounds
can be decomposed with a higher decomposition efficiency and a
higher decomposition amount when exposed to the ascorbic acid
and/or ascorbic acid salt and oxygen contained in water, i.e., via
water, than when exposed directly to the ascorbic acid and/or
ascorbic acid salt and oxygen.
[0023] Moreover, when the aforementioned organic compounds exist in
a gas, it is preferable that the organic compounds in gas be
dissolved in an aqueous solution when applied to the ascorbic acid
and/or ascorbic acid salt together with oxygen.
[0024] As has been described above, by applying the ascorbic acid
and/or ascorbic acid salt together with oxygen to the organic
compounds, the organic compounds are decomposed. Thus, it is
possible to decompose organic compounds harmful to the environment
using a method having a high decomposition efficiency and
decomposition amount as well as a small load on the environment.
Moreover, among the organic compounds, especially those having the
aromatic ring can be decomposed.
[0025] Moreover, when decomposing the aforementioned organic
compounds, it is preferable to add at least one of hydrogen
peroxide solution, ozone, ammonium, inorganic alkali, inorganic
alkali salt, inorganic acid, inorganic acid salt, porphyrin, and
metalloporphyrin.
[0026] It should be noted that the amount of the aforementioned
substances to be added varies depending on the type and
concentration of the organic compound to be decomposed and the
temperature during the decomposition. However, the amount to be
added is preferably about 1/100 to 100 times with respect to the
ascorbic acid and/or ascorbic acid salt and more preferably, from
about 1/10 to 10 times.
[0027] Thus, by adding the aforementioned substances, the
decomposition efficiency and the decomposition amount of an organic
compounds are increased.
[0028] Moreover, when decomposing an organic compound, it is
preferable to apply light. When light is applied, the decomposition
efficiency and the decomposition amount of the organic compound are
increased.
[0029] As has been described above, the organic compound
decomposing method according to the present invention enables to
decompose harmful organic compounds contained in the domestic waste
water, factory waste water, these waste water after disposal, the
sea, rivers, soil, exhaust gas, waste, compost, and the like with a
high decomposition efficiency and a high decomposition amount as
well as with a low energy and a small load on the environment.
Moreover, it becomes possible to decompose organic compounds
containing the aromatic ring.
[0030] Thus, the present invention enables to promote the waste
water disposal and changing of waste into compost, purify the soil
and the atmosphere, thereby purifying the environment, contributing
to the ecology of the earth.
[0031] Moreover, since the present invention provides a high
decomposition efficiency and a high decomposition amount, it is
possible to decompose a large amount of organic compounds. The
decomposition operation is quite simple, not requiring a
large-scale facility, a large amount of energy, or a complicated
management.
[0032] Next, explanation will be given on specific examples of the
decomposition efficiency and the decomposition amount of organic
compounds when the aforementioned organic compound decomposing
method is applied.
EXAMPLE 1
[0033] Firstly, bisphenol A was added to an aqueous solution of 10
mM sodium hydroxide so as to have a concentration of 2 mM. Next,
L-sodium ascorbate was added to this solution so as to have a
concentration of 100 mM. Next, this solution was subjected to air
bubbling for 4 hours.
[0034] Next, compounds contained in the aforementioned solution and
compounds contained in the bisphenol A solution not subjected to
the aforementioned treatment were detected by using a high
performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Here each of these
solutions was added by a benzoic acid solution having a
predetermined concentration solved in a mixture of identical
amounts of water and ethanol was added as an internal standard
liquid.
[0035] An HPLC analysis of the bisphenol A solution not subjected
aforementioned treatment resulted in peak 1 of the benzoic acid and
peak 2 of the bisphenol A as shown in FIG. 1. Moreover, an HPLC
analysis of the bisphenol A solution subjected to the
aforementioned treatment resulted in FIG. 2 where the peak 2 of the
bisphenol A is lowered, which means that 75% of the bisphenol A was
decomposed.
[0036] Moreover, other peaks were observed in addition to peak 1 of
the benzoic acid and peak 2 of the bisphenol A. These peaks are
considered to be products obtained by decomposition of the
bisphenol A.
EXAMPLE 2
[0037] Firstly, nonyl phenol ethylene oxide was added to be solved
so as to have a concentration of 5 mM. It should be noted that the
nonyl phenol ethylene oxide is one of the surface active agents.
Next, this solution was added by L-sodium ascorbate with a
concentration of 20 mM. Next, this solution was subjected to air
bubbling for 6 hours. Here, the water temperature was set to
40.degree.C. As a result, it has been found that 52% of the nonyl
phenol ethylene oxide was decomposed.
EXAMPLE 3
[0038] Firstly, dodecabromodiphenyl ether is dissolved in a
hydrophilic organic solvent, to which a small amount water was
added to obtain a concentration of 0.01 mM. Next, to this solution
was added L-sodium ascorbate and hydrogen peroxide solution to
obtain a concentration of 0.01 mM. Next, this solution was
subjected to air bubbling for 12 hours. Here, the water temperature
was set to a room temperature. As a result, it has been found that
63% of the dodecabromodiphenyl ether was decomposed.
EXAMPLE 4
[0039] Firstly, aqueous solution of diethyl phthalate was dissolved
in a hydrophilic organic solvent, to which a small amount of water
was added to obtain a concentration of 0.05 mM. Next, to this
solution was added L-sodium ascorbate to obtain a concentration of
0.01 mM. Next, this solution was subjected to air bubbling for 6
hours while applying light radiation by a high-pressure mercury
lamp to the solution. Here, the water temperature was set to a room
temperature. As a result, it has been found that 84% of the aqueous
solution of diethyl phthalate was decomposed.
EXAMPLE 5
[0040] Firstly, two analytes of strip-shaped polylactic acid were
buried in a soil. One of them was kept as it was. The other was
subjected to spray of an aqueous solution of L-sodium ascorbate and
then the soil containing the sample was subjected to air bubbling
for 3 days. As a result, the strip-shaped polylactic acid subjected
to the treatment by L-sodium ascorbate was significantly deformed
by decomposition.
EXAMPLE 6
[0041] After L-sodium ascorbate was added to obtain a concentration
of 50 ppm, cation flocculant was added to a contaminated soil
subjected to the air season and to a contaminated soil not
subjected to the air season. Next, dehydration was performed to
each of the soil samples. It should be noted that the contaminated
soil is soil in a domestic waste. As a result, it has been found
that the dehydration speed of the contaminated soil subjected to
treatment by the L-sodium ascorbate was 1.5 times faster than the
soil not subjected to the treatment. Moreover, the cake amount
after the dehydration was smaller by 2.5%.
EXAMPLE 7
[0042] Firstly, L-sodium ascorbate and magnesium porphyrin were
added to a colored dye waste water. Here the L-sodium ascorbate was
added to obtain a concentration of 20 ppm and the magnesium
porphyrin was added to obtain a concentration of 1 ppm. Next, air
bubbling was performed for 2 hours. As a result, decoloration of
the dye waste water was promoted.
EXAMPLE 8
[0043] Firstly, L-sodium ascorbate was added to a semiconductor
factory waste water containing 80 ppm of organic carbon (OC) and 30
ppm of hydrogen peroxide solution, so as to obtain a concentration
of 5 ppm. Next, air bubbling was performed for 1 hour. As a result,
the concentrations of the organic carbon and the hydrogen peroxide
solution became equal to or below 10 ppm.
EXAMPLE 9
[0044] Firstly, an aqueous solution of L-sodium ascorbate was
sprayed to a domestic waste in a treatment machine. Next the waste
was agitated sufficiently to mix oxygen in the waste. As a result,
the compostization speed was increased by twice as compared in the
prior art.
EXAMPLE 10
[0045] An organic compound was decomposed by using supercritical
water. Here, L-sodium ascorbate having a concentration of 1/10 with
respect to the organic compound concentration was added. It should
be noted that dissolved oxygen exists in the supercritical water.
As a result, the decomposition speed of the organic compound was
increased by twice.
EXAMPLE 11
[0046] An organic compound was decomposed by using a subcritical
water. Here, L-sodium ascorbate having a concentration of 1/10 with
respect to the concentration of the organic compound was added. It
should be noted that dissolved oxygen exists in the subcritical
water. As a result, the decomposition speed of the organic compound
was increased by twice.
[0047] As is clear from the above-given explanation, the organic
compound decomposing method according to the present invention
enables to decompose organic compounds contained in domestic waste
water, factor waste water, the remaining matters after treatment of
these waste waters, in the sea, rivers, soil, exhaust gas, garbage,
compost, and the like, with a high decomposition efficiency and a
high decomposition amount as well as with a small load on the
environment. Thus, it becomes possible to promote waste water
treatment and garbage compostization, and purify soils and exhaust
gas, thereby promoting purification of the environment,
contributing to maintenance of the earth ecology.
[0048] Moreover, since the decomposition efficiency and the
decomposition amount are preferable, the present invention can also
be applied to decomposition of a large amount of organic compounds.
Furthermore, the decomposition operation is very simple, not
requiring a large-scale facility, large amount of energy, or a
complicated management.
* * * * *