Patents by Inventor Maximus G. St. John
Maximus G. St. John has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20160130157Abstract: Selective scaling in water treatment systems in which desalination is performed is generally described. According to certain embodiments, the location of the formation of solid scale within a water treatment system is controlled by adjusting one or more system parameters, such as the temperature and/or flow velocity of a saline stream within the water treatment system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2015Publication date: May 12, 2016Applicant: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John, Jonn-Ross Andrews
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Patent number: 9266748Abstract: Systems and methods related to desalination systems are described herein. According to some embodiments, the desalination systems are transiently operated and/or configured to facilitate transient operation. In some embodiments, a liquid stream comprising water and at least one dissolved salt is circulated through a fluidic circuit comprising a desalination system. In some embodiments, a portion of the desalination system (e.g., a humidifier) is configured to remove at least a portion of the water from the liquid stream to produce a concentrated brine stream enriched in the dissolved salt. In certain cases, the concentrated brine stream is recirculated through the fluidic circuit until the concentrated brine stream reaches a relatively high density (e.g., at least about 10 pounds per gallon) and/or a relatively high salinity (e.g., a total dissolved salt concentration of at least about 25 wt %).Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2015Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Maximus G. St. John, Steven Lam, Mark Zaloudek, Karim M. Chehayeb, Samar Shah
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Patent number: 9221694Abstract: Selective scaling in water treatment systems in which desalination is performed is generally described. According to certain embodiments, the location of the formation of solid scale within a water treatment system is controlled by adjusting one or more system parameters, such as the temperature and/or flow velocity of a saline stream within the water treatment system.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2014Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John, Jonn-Ross Andrews
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Publication number: 20150368121Abstract: A feed liquid flows into a second-stage humidifier chamber to form a second-stage humidifier bath. A first remnant of the feed liquid from the second-stage humidifier chamber then flows into a first-stage humidifier chamber to form a first-stage humidifier bath having a temperature lower than that of the second-stage bath. A second remnant of the feed liquid is then removed from the first-stage humidifier. Meanwhile, a carrier gas is injected into and bubbled through the first-stage humidifier bath, collecting a vaporizable component in vapor form from the first remnant of the feed liquid to partially humidify the carrier gas. The partially humidified carrier gas is then bubbled through the second-stage humidifier bath, where the carrier gas collects more of the vaporizable component in vapor form from the feed liquid to further humidify the carrier gas before the humidified carrier gas is removed from the second-stage humidifier chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2015Publication date: December 24, 2015Applicants: King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John, John H. Lienhard
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Publication number: 20150329377Abstract: Condensing apparatuses and their use in various heat and mass exchange systems are generally described. The condensing apparatuses, such as bubble column condensers, may employ a heat exchanger positioned external to the condensing vessel to remove heat from a bubble column condenser outlet stream to produce a heat exchanger outlet stream. In certain cases, the condensing apparatus may also include a cooling device positioned external to the vessel configured and positioned to remove heat from the heat exchanger outlet stream to produce a cooling device outlet stream. The condensing apparatus may be configured to include various internal features, such as a vapor distribution region and/or a plurality of liquid flow control weirs and/or chambers within the apparatus having an aspect ratio of at least 1.5. A condensing apparatus may be coupled with a humidifier to form part of a desalination system, in certain cases.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2015Publication date: November 19, 2015Applicant: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John
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Publication number: 20150321118Abstract: A feed liquid flows into a second-stage humidifier chamber to form a second-stage humidifier bath. A first remnant of the feed liquid from the second-stage humidifier chamber then flows into a first-stage humidifier chamber to form a first-stage humidifier bath having a temperature lower than that of the second-stage bath. A second remnant of the feed liquid is then removed from the first-stage humidifier. Meanwhile, a carrier gas is injected into and bubbled through the first-stage humidifier bath, collecting a vaporizable component in vapor form from the first remnant of the feed liquid to partially humidify the carrier gas. The partially humidified carrier gas is then bubbled through the second-stage humidifier bath, where the carrier gas collects more of the vaporizable component in vapor form from the feed liquid to further humidify the carrier gas before the humidified carrier gas is removed from the second-stage humidifier chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Applicants: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM & MINERALS, MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John, John H. Lienhard
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Patent number: 9120033Abstract: A feed liquid flows into a second-stage humidifier chamber to form a second-stage humidifier bath. A first remnant of the feed liquid from the second-stage humidifier chamber then flows into a first-stage humidifier chamber to form a first-stage humidifier bath having a temperature lower than that of the second-stage bath. A second remnant of the feed liquid is then removed from the first-stage humidifier. Meanwhile, a carrier gas is injected into and bubbled through the first-stage humidifier bath, collecting a vaporizable component in vapor form from the first remnant of the feed liquid to partially humidify the carrier gas. The partially humidified carrier gas is then bubbled through the second-stage humidifier bath, where the carrier gas collects more of the vaporizable component in vapor form from the feed liquid to further humidify the carrier gas before the humidified carrier gas is removed from the second-stage humidifier chamber.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2013Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum and MineralsInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John, John H. Lienhard
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Patent number: 9079117Abstract: Condensing apparatuses and their use in various heat and mass exchange systems are generally described. The condensing apparatuses, such as bubble column condensers, may employ a heat exchanger positioned external to the condensing vessel to remove heat from a bubble column condenser outlet stream to produce a heat exchanger outlet stream. In certain cases, the condensing apparatus may also include a cooling device positioned external to the vessel configured and positioned to remove heat from the heat exchanger outlet stream to produce a cooling device outlet stream. The condensing apparatus may be configured to include various internal features, such as a vapor distribution region and/or a plurality of liquid flow control weirs and/or chambers within the apparatus having an aspect ratio of at least 1.5. A condensing apparatus may be coupled with a humidifier to form part of a desalination system, in certain cases.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2014Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John
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Publication number: 20150190731Abstract: Condensing apparatuses and their use in various heat and mass exchange systems are generally described. The condensing apparatuses, such as bubble column condensers, may employ a heat exchanger positioned external to the condensing vessel to remove heat from a bubble column condenser outlet stream to produce a heat exchanger outlet stream. In certain cases, the condensing apparatus may also include a cooling device positioned external to the vessel configured and positioned to remove heat from the heat exchanger outlet stream to produce a cooling device outlet stream. The condensing apparatus may be configured to include various internal features, such as a vapor distribution region and/or a plurality of liquid flow control weirs and/or chambers within the apparatus having an aspect ratio of at least 1.5. A condensing apparatus may be coupled with a humidifier to form part of a desalination system, in certain cases.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2015Publication date: July 9, 2015Applicant: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John
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Publication number: 20150190730Abstract: Condensing apparatuses and their use in various heat and mass exchange systems are generally described. The condensing apparatuses, such as bubble column condensers, may employ a heat exchanger positioned external to the condensing vessel to remove heat from a bubble column condenser outlet stream to produce a heat exchanger outlet stream. In certain cases, the condensing apparatus may also include a cooling device positioned external to the vessel configured and positioned to remove heat from the heat exchanger outlet stream to produce a cooling device outlet stream. The condensing apparatus may be configured to include various internal features, such as a vapor distribution region and/or a plurality of liquid flow control weirs and/or chambers within the apparatus having an aspect ratio of at least 1.5. A condensing apparatus may be coupled with a humidifier to form part of a desalination system, in certain cases.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2015Publication date: July 9, 2015Applicant: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John
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Publication number: 20150166362Abstract: A counter-flow simultaneous heat and mass exchange device is operated by directing flows of two fluids into a heat and mass exchange device at initial mass flow rates where ideal changes in total enthalpy rates of the two fluids are unequal. At least one of the following state variables in the fluids is measured: temperature, pressure and concentration, which together define the thermodynamic state of the two fluid streams at the points of entry to and exit from the device. The flow rates of the fluids at the points of entry and/or exit to/from the device are measured; and the mass flow rate of at least one of the two fluids is changed such that the ideal change in total enthalpy rates of the two fluids through the device are brought closer to being equal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2014Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Maximus G. St. John, Karim M. Chehayeb, Steven Lam
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Publication number: 20150129410Abstract: Condensing apparatuses and their use in various heat and mass exchange systems are generally described. The condensing apparatuses, such as bubble column condensers, may employ a heat exchanger positioned external to the condensing vessel to remove heat from a bubble column condenser outlet stream to produce a heat exchanger outlet stream. In certain cases, the condensing apparatus may also include a cooling device positioned external to the vessel configured and positioned to remove heat from the heat exchanger outlet stream to produce a cooling device outlet stream. The condensing apparatus may be configured to include various internal features, such as a vapor distribution region and/or a plurality of liquid flow control weirs and/or chambers within the apparatus having an aspect ratio of at least 1.5. A condensing apparatus may be coupled with a humidifier to form part of a desalination system, in certain cases.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2014Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John
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Publication number: 20150130093Abstract: Condensing apparatuses and their use in various heat and mass exchange systems are generally described. The condensing apparatuses, such as bubble column condensers, may employ a heat exchanger positioned external to the condensing vessel to remove heat from a bubble column condenser outlet stream to produce a heat exchanger outlet stream. In certain cases, the condensing apparatus may also include a cooling device positioned external to the vessel configured and positioned to remove heat from the heat exchanger outlet stream to produce a cooling device outlet stream. The condensing apparatus may be configured to include various internal features, such as a vapor distribution region and/or a plurality of liquid flow control weirs and/or chambers within the apparatus having an aspect ratio of at least 1.5. A condensing apparatus may be coupled with a humidifier to form part of a desalination system, in certain cases.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2014Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John
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Publication number: 20150083577Abstract: Systems and methods related to the desalination of aqueous solutions containing one or more dissolved salts are generally described.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2014Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John, Mark Zaloudek, Anurag Bajpayee
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Publication number: 20150060286Abstract: Water treatment systems and associated methods are generally described. Certain of the water treatment systems and methods described herein can be used to pre-treat an aqueous stream that is subsequently transported to a desalination apparatus and/or post-treat an aqueous stream that has been produced by a desalination apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John
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Publication number: 20140367871Abstract: A feed liquid flows into a second-stage humidifier chamber to form a second-stage humidifier bath. A first remnant of the feed liquid from the second-stage humidifier chamber then flows into a first-stage humidifier chamber to form a first-stage humidifier bath having a temperature lower than that of the second-stage bath. A second remnant of the feed liquid is then removed from the first-stage humidifier. Meanwhile, a carrier gas is injected into and bubbled through the first-stage humidifier bath, collecting a vaporizable component in vapor form from the first remnant of the feed liquid to partially humidify the carrier gas. The partially humidified carrier gas is then bubbled through the second-stage humidifier bath, where the carrier gas collects more of the vaporizable component in vapor form from the feed liquid to further humidify the carrier gas before the humidified carrier gas is removed from the second-stage humidifier chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2013Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John, John H. Lienhard
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Publication number: 20140263055Abstract: Cations that can precipitate from an aqueous composition to produce scaling are sequestered by adding a multi-dentate ligand to the aqueous composition. The multi-dentate ligand bonds with the cation to form a non-scaling ionic complex; and the aqueous solution with the ionic complex is used in a process that produces substantially pure water from the aqueous composition, where the cation, absent formation of the ionic complex, is subject to scaling. The pH of the aqueous composition (or a brine including components of the aqueous composition) is then reduced to release the cation from the multi-dentate ligand; and the multi-dentate ligand, after the cation is released, is then reused in a predominantly closed loop.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Windsor Sung, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John, John H. Lienhard, V, Mohammed Mirhi, Anurag Bajpayee