Patents Examined by Matthew Savage
  • Patent number: 8123941
    Abstract: A sand filter apparatus (10) for treating water includes a filter retention vessel (16) having an outlet (18) from which filtrate can be supplied. An inlet arrangement (48) is in fluid communication with the filter retention vessel and is connectable to a supply of waste water. A filter is interposed between the inlet arrangement and the outlet. The filter includes two layers of aggregate (12, 36) and a layer of sand (26) interposed between the two layers of aggregate. The sand is at least one of, or a mixture of, granite-based sand and substantially pure silica based sand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: H2O World Wide Water Solutions Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Kevin John Venville
  • Patent number: 8110103
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flow-control support for a distributor plate in a composite pressure vessel. The distributor plate includes a thermoplastic polymeric disk having a top side, a bottom side, a perimeter edge and a central opening and a plurality of fluid flow passages through the disk. The flow-control support is disposed between the bottom side of the disk and an inner side of an end of a thermoplastic liner assembly. The flow-control support includes a spirally fluted upper surface that is adapted to direct fluid flowing from a supply pipe disposed in the central opening of a distributor plate that is supported by the flow control support such that the fluid swirls in a space between the bottom side of the distributor plate and an inner side of an end portion of a water treatment vessel. The swirling water insures that fluid is distributed to substantially all of the fluid flow passages through the disk during backwashing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Enpress LLC
    Inventors: Michael P. Mormino, Douglas S. Stolarik, Richard A. Mest, Douglas M. Horner
  • Patent number: 8110100
    Abstract: The system has a storage tank and two or more arc whirl devices disposed in a top of the storage tank. Each arc whirl device includes: (a) a pump volute or hydrocyclone, (b) a throat connected to the pump volute or hydrocyclone head, (c) a parabolic reflector having a vertex, a focus and an opening at the vertex, wherein the opening is connected to the throat such that the vertex and focus are axially aligned with the central axis and the focus is not located within the throat, and (d) a wave energy source that irradiates the liquid using a first electrode within the pump volute or hydrocyclone head that extends into the throat along the central axis of the throat, and a second electrode extending into the parabolic reflector proximate to the focus wherein the second electrode is spaced apart and axially aligned with first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Foret Plasma Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Foret
  • Patent number: 8105492
    Abstract: Nanoparticle-treated particle packs, such as sand beds, may effectively filter and purify liquids such as waste water. Proppant beds treated with nanoparticles may fixate or reduce fines migration therethrough. When tiny contaminant particles or fines in these fluids flow through the nanoparticle-treated bed or pack, the nanoparticles will capture and hold the tiny contaminant or fines particles within the pack due to the nanoparticles' surface forces, including, but not necessarily limited to van der Waals and electrostatic forces. Nanoparticle-treated beds or packs may be recharged by contacting the bed with an inorganic acid (but not hydrofluoric acid) or an organic acid, and optionally followed by subsequent treatment with hydrofluoric acid. This treating substantially removes the nanoparticles and the fine particulates that have been removed from a fluid (e.g. wastewater being treated, produced fluids in a formation, etc.). The particle pack may then be re-treated or recharged with nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Tianping Huang, James B. Crews, John Robert Willingham
  • Patent number: 8097155
    Abstract: An above ground water clarifier is described. The clarifier includes a spray system for receiving water from an external system and disposing the water onto a filter tray rack. A first recovery chamber is positioned below the filter tray rack for receiving filtered water that is gravity fed through the filter tray rack. A second recovery chamber is positioned adjacent to and fluidly connected with the first recovery chamber. The first and second recovery chambers are formed to filter out solids and/or oils before passing the water to a sump chamber and/or the sewer. The sump chamber includes a plurality of tiered pumps for pumping the water back to the external system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventor: G. Thomas Ennis
  • Patent number: 8092694
    Abstract: The present invention describes a device allowing secondary filtration of catalyst particles contained in an effluent from a process comprising a reactor operated in three-phase mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignees: IFP Energies Nouvelles, ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Nathalie Brunard, Jean Christophe Viguie, Matthieu Rolland
  • Patent number: 8088283
    Abstract: A fluid treatment device, system, and process are described that provide a filtered, metal-depleted (treated) fluid. The system includes two pairs of tanks that are piped and valved to allow one pair to fill/react while the other pair decants/discharges, which provides a continuous flow of metal-depleted (treated) fluid. Power requirements are minimal since fluid is pumped at a low head pressure. The design has applications in the potable water, industrial, mining, chemical and environmental sectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventor: Henry O. Pate
  • Patent number: 8088279
    Abstract: A runoff water filter is defined by an elongate, tubular mesh container filled with a filter medium that is selected for the ability of the filter medium to remove target pollutants from the runoff water. In a first disclosed embodiment, vermiculite is used as the primary filter medium for its ability to bind cationic compounds, principally zinc, from water running off metal buildings. Other filter media may also be employed to remove other target pollutants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Cleanway Environmental Partners, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen McInnis, Matthew Moulton
  • Patent number: 8088290
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for treating liquids flowing in a thin film around a source of wave energy to directly expose the liquid to the wave energy, preferably generated in whole or part by an electrical arc between carbon electrodes. In addition to the wave energy generated by the electrical arc, energy generated by cavitation of the flowing liquid may be used in treating the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Foret Plasma Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Foret
  • Patent number: 8080163
    Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods for treating contaminated water are described. In one instance a method supplies metal salt reagents to a moving media filter in the presence of contaminated water. The method also introduces a waste stream resulting from the moving media filter upstream of the moving media filter effective to lower an average contaminant concentration of effluent water from the moving media filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignees: Blue Water Technologies, Inc., Idaho Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Moller, Remembrance Newcombe
  • Patent number: 8075766
    Abstract: A water treatment method is provided for helping to partially or completely remove sodium and methane gas from water. In the method, water is combined with a reactant that is formulated to combine with the sodium in the water and form a compound. The water and compound are then passed through a bed of media for helping to separate the compound from the water. The method also includes aerating the water to release gases contained therein by breaking the water into microdroplets by passing it through a screen. Additionally, the method may include a step wherein the water is passed through an acidic resin for facilitating a cation exchange where additional sodium is removed. A water treatment apparatus for performing the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignees: CST Industries, Inc., Blue Future Filters, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Stellema, Humphrey Blackburn, Brian Parris, Matthew D. Silvey
  • Patent number: 8070946
    Abstract: An apparatus for filtering water and/or wastewater including at least one underdrain lateral. The underdrain lateral is configured to receive a liquid during a filtration cycle and directs a washing fluid through a filter bed of one or more layers of filter media during a washing cycle. The filter can take any form including but not limited to an upflow clarifier, an upflow filter, a downflow clarifier, a downflow filter and a bi-flow filter. The filter media may be supported by one or more layers of gravel. Alternatively, a porous plate can be attached to the underdrain lateral in place of the gravel layers. The washing cycle can be a liquid only wash, a gas only wash, a combined liquid and gas wash or a combination of any of the aforementioned wash cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: RG Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Lee Roberts, Mark Kevin Addison
  • Patent number: 8066871
    Abstract: A hydraulic filter includes a canister extending along the longitudinal axis. A closed end cap is at one end of the canister for closing one end thereof. A removable filter element is contained within the canister and a modular one-piece input end cap is at an end of the canister. The one-piece input end cap includes a hydraulic input chamber and a hydraulic output chamber which can be positioned in any one of three mutually perpendicular directions. The one-piece input end cap also allows for sensors to be positioned in any one of three mutually perpendicular directions. In addition, the one-piece input end cap can be utilized in base-ported or top-ported configurations while also allowing for side-to-side or side-to-end configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Schroeder Industries LLC
    Inventors: Steven R. Evanovich, Alexander D Kiderman, Michael J Schmitt, Justin Dow
  • Patent number: 8057665
    Abstract: Disclosed are a cold water tank and a water treatment apparatus. The cold water tank includes a tank body, a water inlet pipe provided at the tank body to convey water into the tank body, a water outlet pipe provided at the tank body to convey the water out of the tank body, and including an air vent hole, and a floating member movably provided at the water outlet pipe to block the air vent hole when the water filling the tank body reaches a height of the air vent hole. The water in the upper portion of the tank body is prevented from passing through the air vent hole and draining through the water outlet pipe, thereby preventing the cooler water in the lower portion from mixing with the hotter water in the upper portion. Only the cooler water in the lower portion can be supplied to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Woongjin Coway Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Man Kim, In Du Choi
  • Patent number: 8052871
    Abstract: An underdrain system for a filter having filter media. The underdrain system preferably includes a bottom formed of concrete having a plurality of generally cone-shaped depressions formed therein. Fluid flows through the plurality of generally cone-shaped depressions during filtration and washing. The underdrain system further includes a fluid distributor operably associated with at least one of the generally cone-shaped depressions. The fluid distributor preferably has a plurality of elongated slots for distributing the flow of fluid passing into and out of the generally cone-shaped depressions. The slots are sized to prevent filter media supported by the fluid distributor from passing therethrough. An optional insert may be provided to ensure even distribution of fluid through the fluid distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: RG Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Lee Roberts, Mark Kevin Addison
  • Patent number: 8052870
    Abstract: A filter system for filtering water and/or wastewater which includes an underdrain system having a plurality of laterals that are anchored to the floor of a filter by a hold-down assembly. Preferably, the hold-down assembly does not rely on grout or other substance that is applied in a viscous or semi-viscous state and subsequently hardened as the primary means for connecting the underdrain laterals to the floor of the filter. Preferably, the hold-down assembly includes hold-down clips that can move relative to an anchor assembly and corresponding underdrain blocks so that the hold-down clips can cooperate with any desired portion of the corresponding underdrain blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: RG Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Lee Roberts, Mark Kevin Addison
  • Patent number: 8048301
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device 1 for treating a fluid, including a container 2,3 with inner space, at least one entrance to the inner space arranged on the container, wherein the entrance includes a first and second opening 4,5, a grid body 14 which is arranged in the inner space and which divides the inner space into a first compartment for a treatment arrangement, preferably filter material, connected to the first opening 4 and at least one second compartment which is connected by means of a tube 25 to the second opening 5 and which is free of filter material. The tube has a connector arrangement for connecting the second opening to the first compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Delta Water Engineering Limited
    Inventor: Guido Ivo Caesar Maria Van De Moortele
  • Patent number: 8033400
    Abstract: The invention concerns the production of filter materials for the purification and disinfection of water, water solutions and other liquids, as well as for sterilizing filtration of injections and other solutions, for concentration of biomolecules in physiological liquids, concentration and extraction of viruses, preparation of apyrogenic water, in biocatalytic diaphragm reactors. The invention solves the problems of a new filter material production, characterized by high sorption properties, high retention efficiency of submicron electronegative particles, microorganisms, submicron non-polar particles and chemical contaminations, and, at the same time, characterized by low hydrodynamic resistance. A base of filter material is the nonwoven organic synthetic polymeric fabric, modified by the aluminum hydroxide particles, fixed to the surface of base fibers for improvement of its sorption properties and for making it positively charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Powder Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marat Izrailievich Lerner, Gennady Evgenievich Rudenskiy, Sergey Grigorievich Psakhie, Natalia Valentinovna Svarovskaya, Vladimir Evgenievich Repin, Vladimir Georgievich Pugachev
  • Patent number: 8034244
    Abstract: The disclosed invention is a fixed bed ion exchange water purification system. It employs a combination of electronically controlled process steps and specific systems configurations to duplicate the effects of moving resin beds from one operating position to another as is required in moving bed ion exchange water purification systems. The invention combines features of single fixed bed ion exchange systems with those of a moving bed system. The invention applies to the treatment of water having typical industrial and drinking water concentrations of various ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Envirogen Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter L. Jensen, Gerald A. Guter, Dan Ziol
  • Patent number: 8025160
    Abstract: The use of a sulfur-impregnated organoclay provides a mercury or arsenic removal media having increased reactivity, stability, and mercury removal ability. The Hg/As removal media described herein is prepared by impregnating an organophilic clay with elemental (free state) sulfur. Alternatively, the clay can be made organophilic by onium ion reaction prior to or simultaneously with impregnating the organoclay with sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Amcol International Corporation
    Inventors: Zhen Wang, Robert Abraham