Patents by Inventor Michael A. Luker

Michael A. Luker 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).

  • Patent number: 6103191
    Abstract: A continuous flow sludge pasteurization system includes a flow chamber having an inlet and an outlet and structure within the liquid flow chamber between the inlet and the outlet defining a continuous path for maintaining a continuous flow of a slurry from the inlet toward the outlet at a predetermined rate for establishing a minimum period of residence time of the slurry within the flow chamber, the residence time sufficient to kill all pathogens in the slurry at a predetermined minimum temperature of between about 145 and 160 degrees F, a pump for introducing a continuous flow of a liquid slurry of sludge into the liquid flow chamber and for establishing and maintaining a continuous flow of a liquid slurry through the liquid flow chamber from the inlet to the outlet at the predetermined rate, and a source of heat for introducing heat into a liquid slurry being introduced into the liquid flow chamber for heating the continuous flow of slurry to the predetermined minimum temperature, and dewatering apparatus
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Riverside County Eastern Municipal Water District
    Inventor: Michael A. Luker
  • Patent number: 5888453
    Abstract: A continuous flow sludge pasteurization system including a heat exchanger, a source of heat for introducing into the heat exchanger, an inlet for introducing a liquid slurry of sludge into the heat exchanger for heating the sludge to a predetermined minimum temperature, a circulating circuit for maintaining the slurry in circulation at the predetermined temperature for a minimum period of about thirty minutes, sufficient to kill all pathogens in the slurry prior to dewatering, and a dewatering unit for removing water from the sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Riverside County Eastern Municipal Water District
    Inventor: Michael A. Luker