Appeal 2007-3548
Application 10/627,947
Gruden discloses that the results from the research suggest that with
some modifications, modern biological treatment practices may be effective
in treating wastes containing aircraft deicing fluids, as well as other wastes
containing benzotriazole derivatives. Gruden also discloses that due to “the
physical/chemical properties of benzotriazole derivatives, specifically their
high sorptive capacity on activated carbon, and their ability to strongly
chelate heavy metals, make these compounds a candidate for developing
novel treatment processes” (Gruden 121).
Gruden concludes the following:
Current novel digester configurations (USAB) [upflow
sludge anaerobic blanket] have incorporated GAC as a support
matrix to retain high biomass levels. Results from this research
indicate that the addition of GAC to an anaerobic treatment
system for ADF waste may diminish the toxic effects of MeBT
and may eliminate MeBT from the effluent. This design may be
fortuitous for other industrial waste streams because MeBT
sorbs to GAC while simultaneously binding heavy metals; thus,
adding MeBT to PACT [powdered activated carbon treatment]
or USAB may enable the treatment of waste streams with very
high metals content that would otherwise be toxic.
(Gruden 122-123).
Reed describes the removal of heavy metals by activated carbon from
complex waste streams (Reed 1986). Reed studies the effects of varying the
pH on the removal of the heavy metals (Reed 1987). Reed reports results in
the form of graphs that depict results for streams having an acidic pH to
basic pH (Reed 1992-1998).
Under 35 U.S.C. § 103, the factual inquiry into obviousness requires a
determination of: (1) the scope and content of the prior art; (2) the
differences between the claimed subject matter and the prior art; (3) the level
of ordinary skill in the art; and (4) secondary considerations. Graham v.
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