Patents Examined by Chester Barry
  • Patent number: 9380797
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a container for removing antimicrobials from an antimicrobial composition includes a container body having an exterior and an interior. The interior is at least partially filled with carbon granules configured to remove a portion of the antimicrobials in the antimicrobial composition. The interior is further filled with a liquid to at least a level that completely submerges each of the carbon granules. The container further includes an agitator configured to agitate at least a portion of the carbon granules. The container further includes a drain and a drainage valve. The location of the drainage valve is configured to prevent the drainage valve from lowering a current level of the liquid below the level that completely submerges each of the carbon granules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Safe Foods Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Massey, Tim Yeaman
  • Patent number: 9366388
    Abstract: A refrigerator appliance and a method for monitoring a water filter assembly within the same are provided. The method includes monitoring signal communication between an RFID tag of the water filter assembly and an RFID reader of the refrigerator appliance and terminating a flow of water to the water filter assembly if the signal communication between the RFID tag of the water filter assembly and the RFID reader of the refrigerator appliance is lost or disrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrew Reinhard Krause, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Jonathan Charles Crosby, Tyler James Doering
  • Patent number: 9352988
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for preparing novel biodegradable nanoparticles based on complexation of poly-gamma-glutamic acid (?-PGA) or its cross-linked derivatives with bivalent lead ions. The final products are stable in aqueous media at low pH, neutral and mild alkaline conditions. The size of the complexes depends on the pH, concentrations and the ratios of ?-PGA and lead ions The ?-PGA nanoparticles made from biodegradable biopolymers with high flocculating and heavy metal binding activity of the present invention may be used for various water treatment applications in aqueous media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Inventors: Janos Borbely, Ildiko Schriffertne Denyicska, Reka Melinda Molnar, Magdolna Bodnar
  • Patent number: 9352992
    Abstract: Provided is a microbial flora activator which can prevent the re-bonding of a dispersed oil, fat or the like and can activate microorganisms in an activated sludge treatment system; and a method for treating wastewater containing an oil, a fat or the like using the microbial flora activator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignees: ORIENTNANO CO., LTD., SCHOOL JUDICIAL PERSON IKUTOKUGAKUEN
    Inventors: Toshiya Momiyama, Yukihito Konno, Toshiaki Tsubone
  • Patent number: 9352991
    Abstract: The present invention provides an aeration lateral system designed to be site specific for new septic disposal areas or retro fitting to existing septic disposal areas to break up the biological clogging sludge mat at the interface of the wastewater and imported sand or native soil fill under or adjacent to disposal areas of a typical septic system. The lateral system provides uniform or other site specific distribution of fluids about the bio-mat of a wastewater disposal area, with lateral spacing and hole spacing varying based on the type of disposal area being utilized. The lateral system can also be utilized to provide continuous low volume air supply system to a wastewater disposal area or peat filter module. The air lateral installation includes methods to minimize airflow disturbance of the soil and methods to prevent air leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: JRL Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Roy Emr
  • Patent number: 9339882
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleaning device for electrical-discharge machining fluid that cleans electrical-discharge machining fluid of an electrical-discharge machining device including a machining tank that is filled with the oil-based electrical-discharge machining fluid and in which a workpiece is machined by applying a pulse voltage between the workpiece and a machining electrode and a machining-fluid storage tank storing the electrical-discharge machining fluid to be used in the machining tank, the cleaning device including a cleaning-material storage container, which stores a cleaning material made of a granular porous material having a specific gravity equal to or higher than that of the electrical-discharge machining fluid and a grain diameter between 0.01 millimeters and 10 millimeters, in a flow channel that causes the electrical-discharge machining fluid to flow between the machining tank and the machining-fluid storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hidetaka Katougi, Hirokazu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9340441
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for treating wastewater in which the majority of solids and biological oxygen demand compounds are separated from the wastewater feed using a primary separation process, to produce a solids phase and a water phase. The solids phase is irradiated to reduce the level of pathogens such that it is safe to use as a soil substitute and/or additive so that the solids can thus be disposed of in an environmentally-friendly manner. In additional embodiments, the solids that have been disinfected by radiation are mixed with a suitable inert filler material to produce a soil substitute, fertilizer, compost, or other soil additive. The liquid phase is treated in a substantially smaller system than would be required for treating the full-strength wastewater that can include a suspended media biological regeneration reactor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignees: Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Conner, Osama I. Fageeha, Thomas E. Schultz
  • Patent number: 9340440
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the treatment of process water which is obtained in a plant for the hydrothermal carbonization of renewable raw materials and organic residual materials by an evaporation of process water, a condensation of the washed process steam, and a biological treatment of the process steam condensate as partial quantity or possibly as total quantity of the amount of waste water discharged from an HTC plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: SUNCOAL INDUSTRIES GMBH
    Inventor: Tobias Wittmann
  • Patent number: 9333542
    Abstract: A method for treating LNAPL source zones using a cost effective LNAPL source zone technology to degrade residual LNAPL, by introducing bioremediation amendments comprising nutritional supplements in quantities, locations, and depths required to stimulate and sustain the anaerobic biodegradation of an LNAPL source zone; monitoring the LNAPL source zone for adverse conditions that decrease anaerobic LNAPL biodegradation; eliminating any identified adverse conditions to sustain LNAPL biodegradation; and maintaining the water with nutritional supplements in quantities, locations, and depths required to stimulate and sustain the anaerobic biodegradation of LNAPL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Parsons Corporation
    Inventor: Glenn Ulrich
  • Patent number: 9328001
    Abstract: A method and system for fluid treatment that provides fluid release cycles within the regeneration sequence of a fluid treatment device. The fluid release or backwash air cycle permits the slow, controlled and metered release of air or gases from a treatment tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Water-Right, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Gruett, Guy Gruett
  • Patent number: 9328007
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a composite biogenic flocculant for enhancing flocculation and dewaterability of chemically enhanced primary treatment (CEPT) sludge. The present invention also discloses method of conditioning CEPT sludge using the composite biogenic flocculant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Hong Kong Baptist University
    Inventor: Jonathan Woon-Chung Wong
  • Patent number: 9327230
    Abstract: A gas cleaning system including a wet scrubber (14) for removal of sulphur dioxide from a gas and an oxidation basin system (42) for receiving effluent generated in the removal of sulphur dioxide from the process gas. The oxidation basin system (42) comprises an oxidation basin (43) for containing the effluent during treatment thereof, an oxygen supply system (47) for supplying oxygen to the effluent in the oxidation basin (43), and a contacting system for bringing the effluent into contact with an enzyme which catalyzes the oxidation of bisulphite and/or sulphite ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Fredrik Jens Brogaard, Mikael Larsson
  • Patent number: 9321666
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe an apparatus, method, and system of wastewater treatment using modular membrane bioreactor (MBR) cartridges. In one embodiment, said method of wastewater treatment includes adjusting the number of activated modular MBR cartridges in a container and adjusting the wastewater processing rate of the container to dynamically change the throughput of a fixed-size wastewater processing container. According to one embodiment, said method can include utilizing modular MBR cartridges to provide for a fault-tolerant wastewater treatment container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Liberty Evans, LLC
    Inventors: James Phillip Reilly, Victoria Ann Jelderks
  • Patent number: 9314711
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a filtration system and method for removing soap from diesel fuel. The removal involves passing fuel through the filtration system. By removing soap, injector sticking and plugging can be reduced and for fuel already contaminated with soap, lubricity and/or corrosion inhibition functionality resulting from the conversion of carboxylic acid additives can be restored to metal carboxylates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Corey W. Trobaugh, Shawn D. Whitacre, Cliffton J. Burbrink, Barry M. Verdegan, Mark T. Wieczorek
  • Patent number: 9315407
    Abstract: A system for producing and supplying a coolant to a filtration sub-system, and for reconditioning and recombining a return flow of used coolant. A main reservoir is in two way communication with the filtration sub-system via a clean coolant outlet and a dirty coolant return. An inlet feeds an untreated water supply to a de-ionization canister. A mixing valve in communication with the inlet recombines a remaining untreated portion of the water supply with the de-ionized portion. A mixing pump intermixes the water supply with a chemical concentrate to produce a coolant delivered to a main reservoir. A volume of coolant is drawn through an outlet from the reservoir and communicates the coolant to a particle filter, a chiller, and prior to outputting to the filtration sub-systems. The used return coolant is filtered and reintroduced to the main reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: JK Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Keith Urban
  • Patent number: 9302246
    Abstract: Activated carbon having a low contact pH and their use in the purification of water, as well as methods for making such low contact pH activated carbon and filters and methods for purifying water are described herein. The methods for preparing such low contact pH activated carbons provides an effective and less costly means for preparing activated carbons for purification processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Calgon Carbon Corporation
    Inventors: Robert H. Vaughn, Rebecca L. Distefano
  • Patent number: 9302270
    Abstract: An apparatus for collecting mineral particles in a slurry or the tailings is disclosed. The apparatus may take the form of a filter, a conveyor belt or an impeller to be used in a processor to collect mineral particles in the slurry, or in a tailings pond to collect mineral particles in the tailings. The filter, conveyor belt or impeller has a collection area made of or coated with a synthetic material having a functional group, either anionic or cationic to attach to the mineral particles. Alternatively, the synthetic material has hydrophobic molecules to render the collection area hydrophobic. When the mineral particles in the slurry or tailings are combined with collector molecules, the mineral particles also become hydrophobic. The hydrophobic mineral particles are attracted to the hydrophobic collection area. The filter, conveyor belt and impeller may have a plurality of passage ways in order to increase the contacting surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporate Services Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Rothman, Mark R. Fernald, Francis K. Didden, Douglas H. Adamson
  • Patent number: 9296626
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of manufacturing an organic-inorganic composite hybrid adsorbent by impregnating activated carbon nanopores with an oxide and a water treatment method using the same, and particularly, to an adsorbent including a porous adsorbent and ferrihydrite, goethite, hematite or magnetite incorporated into the porous adsorbent, and a manufacturing method thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Kyungpook National University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation
    Inventor: Kwang Ho Choo
  • Patent number: 9290397
    Abstract: An aeration control valve system may be used with a water treatment system to control aeration and flow of water in accordance with various operating cycles. The aeration control valve system causes air to be pumped or drawn into the water treatment system during an air charge cycle to provide an air charge for aerating the water to facilitate water treatment. The aeration control valve system releases the air during an air release cycle without requiring a backwash cycle. In one embodiment, the aeration control valve system includes a control valve unit configured for connection to a brine tank but instead fluidly coupled to an air intake inlet and an air release outlet for supplying and releasing air, respectively, when the valve cycle actuator is in the brine position and brine tank fill position, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: R.E. Prescott Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Russell E. Prescott
  • Patent number: 9290399
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating wastewater in which the majority of solids and biological oxygen demand compounds are separated from the wastewater feed using a primary separation process, to produce a solids phase and a water phase. The solids phase is irradiated to reduce the level of pathogens such that it is safe to use as a soil substitute and/or additive so that the solids can thus be disposed of in an environmentally-friendly manner. In additional embodiments, the solids that have been disinfected by radiation are mixed with a suitable inert filler material to produce a soil substitute, fertilizer, compost, or other soil additive. The liquid phase is treated in a substantially smaller system than would be required for treating the full-strength wastewater that can include a suspended media biological regeneration reactor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignees: Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Siemans Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Conner, Osama I. Fageeha, Thomas E. Schultz