Untitled record

Full Description

Background of the sister

This disclosure relates to methods and systems for filtration of water. More specifically, this disclosure relates to methods and systems for producing and using filter media generated from date seeds.

Filtration is commonly used in wastewater treatment systems to remove

<p dir="rtl">5 Suspended solids. Often one of several steps required to meet wastewater or water quality standards, or to prepare water for use in industrial systems. Filtration systems may use filter media in a filter bed. Typical filter media include anthracite, garnet, magnetite, glass beads, walnut shells, granular PVC, activated carbon, and sand.</p>

<p dir="rtl">10 Silica sand. Some filter beds are composed of uniform materials, while some filter beds include layers of multiple media types in a mixed media system. Mixed media systems are often strategically layered so that the larger media components are placed in the upper layers, with smaller ones below them, allowing the larger suspended solids to be retained in the upper layers while the smaller suspended solids are retained in the lower layers, thus</p>

<p dir="rtl">15 Improve filtration efficiency and increase filter operating time before cleaning or backwashing. However, backwashing or other cleaning procedures can disrupt the layers of the filter bed resulting in a mixed monolayer. Therefore, filter media should be carefully selected to account for particle size, particle size distribution, density and compatibility.</p>

Date seeds are a by-product of date fruit production (Phoenix dactylifera). Date seeds are generally considered

<p dir="rtl">20 Year waste product. Only small amounts of date seeds are used in animal feed, fiber supplements for baked goods or other food uses. The global production of date fruit is about 8.46</p>

16153

-3-

1 million metric tons per year. Date seeds constitute about 10 to 18% of the total weight of date fruits, resulting in an annual production of more than 1 million tons of date seeds that are often wasted around the world.

Therefore, a method for utilizing unused date seeds in industrial applications is desirable. In addition, methods and systems for generating filter bed media compatible with treatment systems are

<p dir="rtl">5 Water is also desirable.</p>

A general discussion of palm bio-sorbents can be found in Muhammad Shafiq

et al., “Removal of heavy metals from wastewater using date palm as a

biosorbent: a comparative review”, Sains Malaysia 47(1):35-49,

.January 2018

<h3 dir="rtl">10 General description of the invention</h3>

This disclosure relates to methods for producing filter bed media for water treatment systems from date seeds, and methods and systems for using date seed media in a water treatment system. More specifically, this disclosure relates to steps for processing date seeds to generate date seed media, and methods for using date seed media to remove suspended solids from a water stream. Date seed media are generated by drying, cleaning, and removing a membrane

<p dir="rtl">15 Date seeds, grinding, particle size selection of date seed media, and particle size separation to generate date seed media of desired size. Date seed media is used in water treatment system with filter bed, either single media or multiple media. Date seed media is also used in water treatment method by removing suspended solids. Water is introduced into a treatment tank with date seed filter media and allowed to drain through the media bed so that the suspended solids</p>

<p dir="rtl">20 It is retained in the filter media. The treated water is then generated from the system outlet.</p>

Thus, a method of treating water by filtration is disclosed. The method includes the step of providing date seed media in a treatment tank, wherein the date seed media contains date seeds that have been treated and have a date seed density, such that the date seed media forms a layer of date seed media that serves to remove solids

16153

-4-

The method further includes introducing a water stream into the treatment tank so that the water stream flows through the date seed media layer. The water stream includes suspended solids and has a suspended solids content. The method further includes filtering the water stream using the date seed media layer, accumulating the suspended solids in the date seed media layer, and generating a treated water stream from the treatment tank. The stream contains

<p dir="rtl">5 Water that has been treated to a suspended solids content that is less than the suspended solids content of the water stream.</p>

10

15

20

In some embodiments, the method further includes the step of selecting a predetermined particle size of the date seed media, such that the predetermined particle size of the date seed media allows for the accumulation of suspended solids in the date seed media layer such that the treated suspended solids content is less than a target level. In other embodiments, the predetermined particle size of the date seed media is selected based on a target size of suspended solids within the water stream.

In some embodiments, the method further includes the steps of determining a filter operating standard after which the filter efficiency drops below an acceptable limit, introducing a backwash stream to the treatment tank after the filter operating standard has been initiated, which agitates the date seed media layer to remove suspended solids retained within the date seed media layer, and removing a backwash outlet stream from the treatment tank. In other embodiments, the backwash stream includes water and, in some embodiments, compressed air.

In some embodiments, the method further includes the step of filtering the water stream through a layer of alternative media, and accumulating the suspended solids in the layer of alternative media. In other embodiments, the layer of alternative media includes an alternative media with a density of alternative media greater than the density of date seed media, wherein the layer of date seed media is placed on the layer of alternative media after backwashing in the absence of a support between the layers of media. In some embodiments, the date seed media has a predetermined particle size that is larger than the particle size of the alternative media, such that when a layer of date seed media is placed on a layer of alternative media, the larger suspended solids accumulate in the date seed media layer. The smaller suspended solids pass through the date seed media layer and accumulate in the alternative media layer.

16153

-5-

In some embodiments, the method step is performed to introduce a water stream into the treatment tank to allow a downward flow of fluid through the date seed media layer with the help of gravity. In other embodiments, the method step is performed to introduce a water stream into the treatment tank using pressure to allow an upward flow of fluid through the date seed media layer. In some embodiments, the date seed media absorbs some of the water contaminants.

<p dir="rtl">5 A water treatment system is also disclosed, the system comprising a treatment tank adapted to hold the water, a water stream inlet operated to allow the water stream to enter the treatment tank, and a date seed media layer disposed within the treatment tank that filters the water stream by removing suspended solids. The date seed media layer includes date seed media. The system also includes a media reinforcement filter disposed within the treatment tank that retains the date seed media layer, and a water stream outlet</p>

<p dir="rtl">10 Its treatment is operated to allow the treated water stream to be released to the treatment tank. In some embodiments, the system also includes a backwash stream that backwashes the date seed media layer after the filter operating standard has been initiated, and a backwash outlet stream that removes water and debris generated during the backwash from the backwash stream.</p>

In some embodiments, the system also includes a layer of alternative media. The layer of alternative media 15 may include alternative media selected from the group of anthracite, quartz, sand, agate, magnetite,

Glass beads, walnut shell, polyvinylchloride (PVC), silica, and combinations thereof.

20

A method for producing water filtration media is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of drying unprocessed date seeds to generate dried date seeds, cleaning the dried date seeds so that there is minimal debris on the surface of the dried date seeds, removing the date seed membrane from the dried date seeds to generate date seed mass, grinding the date seed mass in a mill to generate date seed powder, selecting a predetermined particle size that is proportional to the suspended solids content in the water stream where the predetermined particle size causes the suspended solids from the water stream to accumulate within the date seed powder when the water stream is processed, and separating the date seed powder. According to the pre-determined particle size to generate date seed media, so that the media works

25 Date seeds are used to treat the water stream through filtration.

16153

-6-

In some embodiments, the step of separating the date seed powder according to a predetermined particle size is performed by sieving the date seed powder through granular screens. The step of selecting the predetermined particle size also includes selecting the predetermined particle size to allow the suspended solids to penetrate the date seed media layer with the optimum distance. In some embodiments, the steps of cleaning the dried date seeds and removing the date seed membrane are performed using a shaking device. In some embodiments, the method is performed in the absence of chemicals.

Brief explanation of the drawings

These features, aspects and other advantages of the present disclosure become better understood in connection with the following descriptions, claims and accompanying drawings. It should be noted, however, that the drawings

<p dir="rtl">10 It only illustrates several detection models, and therefore should not be considered a limitation of scope as other models may be accepted with equal effectiveness.</p>

Figure 1 provides a flow chart of the steps for creating a date seed filter media, according to one embodiment.

Figure 2 provides a schematic of a date seed media bed water treatment system, according to another embodiment.

Figure 3 provides a schematic of a multi-layer water treatment system, according to another embodiment.

<p dir="rtl">15 Figure 4 provides a schematic of an upward flow water treatment system with a date seed media layer, according to another embodiment.</p>

Figure 5 provides a schematic of a multi-layer upflow water treatment system, according to another embodiment.

In accompanying figures, similar components or features, or both, may have a reference designation.

<p dir="rtl">20 Similar. For the purpose of simplified schematic illustrations and descriptions of Figures 1 through 5, many of the pumps, valves, temperature and pressure sensors, electronic controls, and the like that are useful and well known to those of ordinary skill in the art are not included. Furthermore, associated components found in conventional industrial processes are not described. However, they can</p>

16153

-7-

Adding operational components, such as those described in the present disclosure, to the embodiments described in this disclosure.

Detailed description:

While the disclosure is described in many embodiments, it is recognized that one of ordinary skill in the relevant art5 would recognize that many examples, variations and modifications of the systems and methods described are

Within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure models described are stated without any loss of generality and without imposing restrictions on the protections.

Beneficially, the embodiments disclosed in this application solve several problems. The embodiments disclosed in this application reduce water pollution by removing suspended solids in 10 streams of water. In addition, date seed media utilizes a waste product from date production and generates

A usable filter media that is low-cost, abundant, natural, and effective, reducing landfill waste. Beneficially, date seeds are widely available in certain areas of the world, including the Middle East, North America, and parts of Asia and Africa. Date seeds are generally considered a waste product as they are generated in much larger quantities than can be used as animal feed or nutritional supplements15, and therefore are very cost-effective to obtain. Since date seed media

It is not chemically treated, so there is no need to worry about chemicals leaching into the treated water, or safety concerns during treatment. At the end of the life of the date seed media, the resulting waste is biodegradable. By using date seeds that would otherwise become waste, the present invention provides an environmentally friendly solution that reduces waste, is biodegradable, cost effective, and provides 20% better filtration for water treatment than conventional filter media.

Date seed media has additional advantages when used for water treatment. The density of date seed media, even when fully hydrated, is beneficially lower than other types of media often used in water treatment filter beds, such as anthracite, sand and agate. Low density filter media can result in more efficient backwashing as the media is more easily agitated. Additionally,

16153

-8-

When date seed media is used in a mixed media filtration system with materials denser than date seed media, the date seed media naturally maintains its position above the other materials in the filtration system without the use of additional screens to retain the media. The lower density of date seed media also allows larger, less dense particles than date seed media to be placed in the filtration system above the smaller particles.

<p dir="rtl">5 and denser than other materials such as sand or agate. This mode improves efficiency as the top layer of date seed medium can remove larger solids from the water stream without clogging the bottom layer of material, allowing for deeper and more consistent penetration of particulate matter. This increases efficiency, allows for higher filtration rates, and increases the length of the filtration system’s operating time between maintenance and backwashing.</p>

<p dir="rtl">10 Referring now to the figures, Figure 1 is a flow chart of the process for the production of date seed media 100. The production of date seed media 100 can involve a variety of steps in different arrangements. The production of date seed media 100 does not involve chemicals for treating the date seeds, and the treatment is carried out in the absence of any chemical addition, such as bleaching agents, caustics, pH adjusters, or other chemicals that could cause a chemical reaction to occur. The seeds are subjected to</p>

<p dir="rtl">15 Untreated dates 110 for drying 115. Untreated date seeds 110 may be any type of date seed in any condition in which the date seeds have been removed from the date fruit. In a preferred embodiment, untreated date seeds 110 are collected from the fruit of the Phoenix dactylifera plant or date palm. Any variety of date palm may be used. Drying 115 may be carried out by any method known or disclosed in the art, including sun drying or application of heat. Any</p>

<p dir="rtl">20 A type of heater capable of providing constant, controlled heating. In preferred embodiments, the temperature is controlled so that the internal chemical compounds within the date seeds are not altered, destroyed, volatilized, chemically changed, or removed by elevated temperatures. In some embodiments, an electric heater with a temperature-controlled system is used to provide a consistent, low-temperature temperature for drying unprocessed date seeds 110. In some embodiments, drying 115 is accomplished by arranging unprocessed date seeds</p>

<p dir="rtl">25 Processed 110 in the sun for 3 days. Dry date seeds are generated 120 from drying 115.</p>

16153

-9-

The dried date seeds 120 are subjected to cleaning 125. Cleaning 125 may include removing dried date fruit pieces, dirt or dust, and other residues from the surface of the date seeds, which are then discarded. Cleaning 125 may be performed by any method known or disclosed in the art, including by a shaking method. In some embodiments, clean water is used to clean the dried date seeds 120.

<p dir="rtl">5 Cleaned date seeds 130 are generated from cleaning 125. Cleaned date seeds 130 are subjected to seed coat removal 135. During the seed coat removal step 135 the hymen, or outer seed coat, of each date seed is removed. The hymen is a thin membrane on the outer surface of the date seed that serves as a seed coat. The seed coat 135 may be removed by any method known or disclosed in the art, including by a shaking method. In some embodiments, vibrating electrical shaking methods are used to remove the hymen.</p>

<p dir="rtl">10 The removed seed coat 135 can be discarded. Removal of the seed coat 135 generates a date seed mass 140.</p>

The drying 115, cleaning 125, and seed dehulling steps 135 may be performed in various arrangements. In some embodiments, the seed dehulling step 135 may be performed before or during cleaning 125.

Date seed mass 140 is subjected to grinding 145. The grinding 145 may be carried out by any type of mechanism.

<p dir="rtl">15 Grinding or a method known or disclosed in the art, including using a heavy-duty grinding mill. In some embodiments, a mill is used that is capable of grinding the date seed mass 140. In preferred embodiments, a mill is used that can produce the desired grades of date seed from coarse to fine with high grinding accuracy. The mill 145 generates the date seed powder 150. In a preferred embodiment, the date seed powder 150 has a rounded shape, whereby the sharp and angular powders can be</p>

<p dir="rtl">20 Sufficient as filter media and removes finer solid particles from the water stream.</p>

Date seed powder 150 is subjected to separation 155, which generates date seed media 160. Separation 155 may be accomplished by any type of separation mechanism known or disclosed in the art, including granular screens. The screens may include wire mesh screens, perforated plate screens, or any other type of screen. In some embodiments, the plurality of screens are arranged in series, consisting of

<p dir="rtl">25 US Standard No. 10 Mesh Sieve (2 mm sieve opening), US Standard No. 16 Mesh Sieve</p>

16153

-10-

American Standard (1.19 mm sieve opening), American Standard No. 30 Mesh Sieve (0.595 mm sieve opening), and American Standard No. 50 Mesh Sieve (0.297 mm sieve opening).

In some embodiments, the date seed media 160 are classified by effective particle size. Effective particle size is the size at which approximately 10% of the total granule is smaller,

<p dir="rtl">5 Thus, it is considered to have a size that is approximately 90% by weight larger. In some embodiments, the date seed media 160 may be classified by size uniformity. Uniformity is a comparison of effective size and average size. Average size is the size at which 50% by weight of the grains are smaller than the effective size. The uniformity coefficient is the ratio of average size to effective size. In a preferred embodiment, the uniformity coefficient is approximately 2 or less. The predetermined particle size of the date seed media 160 may be the size</p>

<p dir="rtl">10 Effective for particles.</p>

In some embodiments, the predetermined particle size of the date seed media 160 is the effective particle size selected based on the suspended solids content of the water stream and the effluent quality requirements of the treated water stream. The predetermined particle size may also be based in part or in whole on the design of the filtration system. The predetermined particle size of the date seed media 160 may be determined based on

<p dir="rtl">15 On the target size of the suspended solids in the water stream, such as the average or volumes of the suspended solids in the water stream, so that the suspended solids in the water stream are trapped between the grains of the date seed medium 160 and bound to the date seed media 160. Analysis of the treated water stream can determine the sizes of the suspended solids present. Analysis of the water stream can be performed using established analytical techniques known in the field, such as mesh or wire sieving, gravity sedimentation,</p>

<p dir="rtl">20 Microscopic analysis, and laser analysis. Using this analysis, and the required water quality criteria for suspended solids in the final treated water, the dominant particle size of the date seed media can be selected. During treatment, since suspended particles are unable to follow the tortuous channels created by the date seed media 160 within the date seed media layer, suspended solids particles are retained and accumulate within the date seed media layer. In some embodiments, the particle size depends</p>

<p dir="rtl">25 Pre-set date seed media 160 at target level of suspended solids in water stream</p>

16153

-11-

Processor. In some embodiments, the pre-selected particle size of the date seed media 160 is based on the suspended solids content of the treated water stream. In some preferred embodiments, the pre-selected particle size of the date seed media 160 is selected so that the suspended solids in the water stream are able to penetrate the filter bed media to an optimum distance, e.g., at least 7.62 5 cm (3 in), to delay a rapid increase in pressure drop on the filter bed.

Date seed media 160, when fully hydrated, has densities ranging from 0.8 g/ml to 1.5 g/ml, alternately in the range of 1.0 g/ml to 1.4 g/ml, alternately in the range of 1.2 g/ml to 1.3 g/ml, alternately 1.26 g/ml. Typical densities for Date seed media 160 compared to typical densities for other types of 10 commonly used filter media are shown below in Table 1:

Table 1: Typical densities of filter media

<tr><td><p dir="rtl">Type of media</p></td><td><p dir="rtl">Density (g/ml)</p></td></tr><tr><td><p dir="rtl">Date seeds</p></td><td><p dir="rtl">١.٢٦</p></td></tr><tr><td><p dir="rtl">I am surprised</p></td><td><p dir="rtl">١.٥٦</p></td></tr><tr><td><p dir="rtl">I swear to God</p></td><td><p dir="rtl">٦-٢</p></td></tr><tr><td><p dir="rtl">Agate</p></td><td><p dir="rtl">٩٣-٣</p></td></tr>

In some embodiments, also described below, the predetermined particle size of the date seed media 160 is selected based on the particle size of other media layers in the filtration systems. When using media

15 Date Seed 160 In a multi-media filtration system, due to the low density of date seeds, the pre-set particle size of Date Seed 160 media can be larger than the particle size of other media layers and is also placed above the denser lower media layers.

Referring to Figure 2, a water treatment system with a date seed media layer 200 is illustrated. The water treatment system with a seed media layer 200 includes a treatment tank 210, a date seed media layer

16153

-12-

220, media reinforcement filter 235. The treatment tank 210 may be any type of operable water holding tank or vessel. The date seed media layer 220 consists of date seed media 160 with a layer thickness suitable for treating the water stream 250. In some embodiments, the date seed media layer 220 is at least 15.24 cm (6 in.) deep, alternately 20.32 cm (8 in.) deep.

<p dir="rtl">5 8 inches (12 inches) wide, alternately 30.48 cm (12 inches) deep, alternately 50.8 cm (20 inches) deep</p>

In some embodiments, the seed media layer 220 ranges from 15.24 cm (6 in) to 91.4 cm (36 in), from 20.32 cm (8 in) to 76.2 cm (30 in), and from 30.48 cm (12 in) to 60.96 cm (24 in). The reinforcement screen may be

<p dir="rtl">10 Media 235 is any type of strainer or support that provides support or otherwise retains layers of media, with openings to allow water to flow through them to prevent media from crossing the media support strainer 235.</p>

The water stream 250 is introduced through the water stream inlet 255 into the treatment tank 210. The water stream 250 may be any type of water stream containing suspended solids. It is transmitted

<p dir="rtl">15 Water from the water stream 250 is forced down through the date seed media layer 220 by gravity, and suspended solids from the water stream 250 are deposited within the date seed media layer 220. Due to the unique chemical and physical structure of the date seed media 160, the filtration capabilities are significantly enhanced. In some embodiments, the variable particle size of the date seed media 160 in the date seed media layer 220 contributes significantly to the filtration capabilities and mechanisms. In some embodiments, due to the unique structure of the ground date seeds</p>

<p dir="rtl">20 The chemical and physical properties of the ground date seed media, including the microscopic surface area that constitutes the actual structure of the outer portion of each date seed media 160, the date seed media 160 absorbs water contaminants, such as metals and biological materials present in the water stream 250. The water contaminants accumulate within the layer of the date seed media 220. Beneficially, the presence of chemically active polar functional groups such as alcohols, phenolic hydroxides</p>

<p dir="rtl">25 Hydroxides, ethylene glycols, and ethylene oxides in date seed media 160 absorb minerals and other water pollutants.</p>

16153

-13-

easily on the surface area of ​​individual particles of date seed media 160, and helps break down biological materials. After passing through the date seed media layer 220, the water passes through the media reinforcement screen 235 and exits the treatment tank 210 through the outlet of the treated water stream 265, producing a treated water stream 260. The treated water stream 260 has a suspended solids content of 5% less than the water stream 250.

The treatment tank 210 also contains backwash elements. The backwash water stream 270 and the backwash air stream 275 combine to form a backwash stream 280, which is provided at the bottom of the treatment tank 210. The backwash stream 280 is used to backwash the treatment tank 210 and the date seed media layer 220. After a predetermined filter operating standard is initiated, backwashing 10 of the treatment tank 210 and the date seed media layer 220 may occur. The operating standard may include

Pre-set filter A pre-set time period, decreased efficiency, increased pressure, decreased water quality, increased water level, or other indicators, and combinations thereof. During backwash, the treated water stream 260 is prevented from leaving the treatment tank 210. The water stream 250 may be prevented from entering the treatment tank 210. Water, air, or both may be supplied via the backwash water stream 15 270 or the backwash air stream 275, and via the backwash stream 280 for washing purposes.

Backwash. The backwash agitates the date seed media 160, removing the suspended solids accumulated within the date seed media layer 220. The backwash air stream 275 helpfully assists in fluidizing the date seed media layer 220, increasing the agitation of the date seed media 160, resulting in improved removal of the entrained solids, while simultaneously reducing the amount of backwash water stream 270 20 used during the backwash. The backwash outlet stream 290 exits the tank

Treatment 210 has a higher suspended solids content than water stream 250 and backwash stream 280.

Referring to Figure 3, the multi-layer water treatment system 300 is illustrated, and shares many similar elements as the water treatment system with the date seed media layer 200. The multi-layer water treatment system 25 includes the date seed media layer 220 formed from the date seed media

16153

-14-

Date seed 160, further comprising a first exchange media layer 325 and a second exchange media layer 330. In some embodiments, the date seed media layer 220 includes a second media mixed with the date seed media 160, such as anthracet powder. Given the similar densities of anthracet and date seeds, a combination of the two materials may be beneficial. The mixture of anthracet and date seed media enhances the filtration capacity of the outlet. Whereas

<p dir="rtl">5 Date seed media are very cost effective to produce and install, and have a density similar to</p>

Anth Arset, the addition of date seeds to the anth Arset significantly reduces cost while providing the same outlet filtration capacity and results as anth Arset alone. In some embodiments, the treatment tank 210 includes only the date seed media layer 220 and a first exchange media layer 325. In some embodiments, additional exchange media layers are provided. In some embodiments, one or more exchange media layers are provided on 10 date seed media 160. A first exchange media layer 325 and an exchange media layer may include

330 Alternative media such as anthracite, quartz, sand, agate, magnetite, glass beads, walnut shell, granular polyvinyl chloride, silica, activated glass, Acti Desolidex, Desolidex, activated carbon, Depathex, Maddox, or similar components, and combinations thereof. Alternative media may have a greater density of alternative media than date seed media, such that upon completion of backwash of 15 treatment tank 210, a layer of date seed media 220 is placed on a first exchange media layer 325 and a second exchange media layer 330.

20

The predetermined particle size of the date seed media 160 may be larger than the predetermined particle size of the exchange media, such that when the date seed media is layered 220 onto a first exchange media layer 325 and a second exchange media layer 330, the larger suspended solid particles in a water stream 250 accumulate in the date seed media layer 220 while smaller suspended solid particles in a water stream 250 pass through the date seed media layer 220, but accumulate in a first exchange media layer 325 and a second exchange media layer 330. Beneficially, this allows for greater removal of suspended solids while increasing the operating time of the filtration and treatment system between backwashes.

In some embodiments, a first exchange media layer 325 contains quartz sand and a first exchange media layer 325 contains quartz sand.

25 Second exchange 330 on agate. In some embodiments, the predetermined particle size of the media

16153

-15-

Date seeds 160 are from 8.0 mm to 0.2 mm, alternatively 0.1 mm to 8.1 mm, and alternatively 2.1 mm to 6.1 mm. In some embodiments, the predetermined particle size of the first exchange media of quartz sand in the first exchange media layer 325 is smaller than the predetermined particle size of the date seed media 160, and is from 4.0 mm to 0.1 mm, and alternatively 5.0 mm to 8.0 mm.

<p dir="rtl">5 In some embodiments, the predetermined particle size of the second exchange media of agate in the second exchange media layer 330 is smaller than the predetermined particle size of the date seed media 160 and smaller than the predetermined particle size of the first exchange media of quartz sand, ranging from 2.0 mm to 6.0 mm, alternatively ranging from 3.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Reducing the particle size of the media through the lower media layers allows the retention of larger suspended solids in the upper layers, while</p>

<p dir="rtl">10 Smaller particles are trapped in the lower layers, improving filtration efficiency and increasing operating time between backwash cycles. Due to the density differences, filtration systems using these media layers naturally grade to the appropriate layers after backwash, even in the absence of a system such as media reinforcement or a separating filter.</p>

Referring to Figure 4, an upflow water treatment system using a 15-400 date seed media layer is illustrated, and shares many similar features as a water treatment system using a 400 date seed media layer.

Date seeds 200. Beneficially, the presence of an upward flow of water through the filtration system enhances the filtration capacity by allowing denser contaminated particles to settle and be removed down into the bed. The upward flowing water stream 450 is introduced into the bottom of the treatment tank 210 under pressure. The upward flowing water stream 450 may have the same or similar characteristics as the water stream

<p dir="rtl">20 250. The upward flowing water stream 450 has a high enough water level (or pressure) to push</p>

Water through the treatment tank 210, which may be supplied by water pumps, elevation differences, or

Other ways to increase the water level. The updraft inlet 455 allows the water to enter the

Upward flowing water 450 Treatment tank 210. Water flows upward through the layer of seed media.

Dates 220, allowing the suspended solids from the water to accumulate and wrap within the layer of seed media.

16153

-16-

Dates 220. The treated water stream for the upward flow 460 is removed from the treatment tank.

210 Through the outlet of the treated water stream by upward flow 465.

During backwash, the backwash water stream is provided with an upward flow of 470 and an air stream.

Backwash of the upward flow 475 near the top of the treatment tank 210 through the wash stream

<p dir="rtl">5 Backwash by upflow 480. The upflow backwash outlet stream 490 is removed near the bottom of the treatment tank 210 so that the backwash can be thoroughly agitated and completely wash the date seed media layer 220.</p>

Referring to Figure 5, the upward flow water treatment system with multiple layers 500 is illustrated, and shares many of the same or similar features as the 10-layer multi-layer water treatment system 300 and the upward flow water treatment system with date seed media layers 400.

The backwashing processes of the Upstream Multi-Layer Water Treatment System 500 are similar to the Upstream Multi-Layer Water Treatment System 400 and share many of the advantages of the Upstream Multi-Layer Water Treatment System 300.

Although the present disclosure is described in detail, it should be recognized that many changes, substitutions and modifications could be made without departing from the principle and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure should be limited by the following claims and their appropriate legal equivalents.

Singular forms include "an", "a" and "the" referring to the plural, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

As used in the Specification and in the appended claims, the words “therein” and “includes” 20 and all their grammatical variants are intended to have an open and unrestricted meaning that does not exclude additional elements or steps.

Ranges can be expressed as a whole from approximately one value or to another. When such a range is expressed, it should be understood that another pattern is given from one value or to another value, with all combinations within the range.

16153

-17-