Patents by Inventor Michael J. Rutsch

Michael J. Rutsch 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: 11390791
    Abstract: A liquid concentrator system includes a concentrator section having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a mixing corridor disposed between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. A liquid inlet is disposed in the mixing corridor between the gas inlet and a narrowed portion. A demister is disposed downstream of the concentrator section. The demister includes a liquid collector to remove liquid from gas flowing through the demister, and a reservoir that collects the removed liquid. A re-circulating circuit is disposed between reservoir and the mixing corridor to transport liquid within the reservoir to the mixing corridor, and a secondary re-circulating circuit includes a settling tank to separate saturated liquid and suspended solids. A custom brine mixing device is operatively coupled to the settling tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: HEARTLAND WATER TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Patent number: 11376520
    Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: HEARTLAND WATER TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Publication number: 20210197097
    Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Publication number: 20210198550
    Abstract: A liquid concentrator system includes a concentrator section having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a mixing corridor disposed between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. A liquid inlet is disposed in the mixing corridor between the gas inlet and a narrowed portion. A demister is disposed downstream of the concentrator section. The demister includes a liquid collector to remove liquid from gas flowing through the demister, and a reservoir that collects the removed liquid. A re-circulating circuit is disposed between reservoir and the mixing corridor to transport liquid within the reservoir to the mixing corridor, and a secondary re-circulating circuit includes a settling tank to separate saturated liquid and suspended solids. A custom brine mixing device is operatively coupled to the settling tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Patent number: 10946301
    Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLC
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Patent number: 10947435
    Abstract: A liquid concentrator system includes a concentrator section having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a mixing corridor disposed between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. A liquid inlet is disposed in the mixing corridor between the gas inlet and a narrowed portion. A demister is disposed downstream of the concentrator section. The demister includes a liquid collector to remove liquid from gas flowing through the demister, and a reservoir that collects the removed liquid. A re-circulating circuit is disposed between reservoir and the mixing corridor to transport liquid within the reservoir to the mixing corridor, and a secondary re-circulating circuit includes a settling tank to separate saturated liquid and suspended solids. A custom brine mixing device is operatively coupled to the settling tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLC
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Publication number: 20200224073
    Abstract: A liquid concentrator system includes a concentrator section having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a mixing corridor disposed between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. A liquid inlet is disposed in the mixing corridor between the gas inlet and a narrowed portion. A demister is disposed downstream of the concentrator section. The demister includes a liquid collector to remove liquid from gas flowing through the demister, and a reservoir that collects the removed liquid. A re-circulating circuit is disposed between reservoir and the mixing corridor to transport liquid within the reservoir to the mixing corridor, and a secondary re-circulating circuit includes a settling tank to separate saturated liquid and suspended solids. A custom brine mixing device is operatively coupled to the settling tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Publication number: 20200222826
    Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Patent number: 10596481
    Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLC
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Patent number: 10597573
    Abstract: A liquid concentrator system includes a concentrator or section having a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a mixing corridor disposed between the gas inlet and gas outlet. A liquid inlet is disposed in the mixing corridor between the gas inlet and a narrowed portion. A demister is disposed downstream of the concentrator section. The demister includes a liquid collector to removed liquid from gas flowing through the demister, and a reservoir that collects the removed liquid. A recirculating circuit is disposed between the reservoir and the mixing corridor to transport liquid within the reservoir to the mixing corridor and secondary re-circulating circuit includes a settling tank to separated saturated liquid and suspended solids. A custom brine mixing device is operatively coupled to the settling tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Rutsch, Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Craig Clerkin
  • Publication number: 20190143241
    Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Patent number: 10179297
    Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLC
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Publication number: 20180312738
    Abstract: A liquid concentrator system includes a concentrator section having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a mixing corridor disposed between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. A liquid inlet is disposed in the mixing corridor between the gas inlet and a narrowed portion. A demister is disposed downstream of the concentrator section. The demister includes a liquid collector to remove liquid from gas flowing through the demister, and a reservoir that collects the removed liquid. A re-circulating circuit is disposed between reservoir and the mixing corridor to transport liquid within the reservoir to the mixing corridor, and a secondary re-circulating circuit includes a settling tank to separate saturated liquid and suspended solids. A custom brine mixing device is operatively coupled to the settling tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Michael J. Rutsch, Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Craig Clerkin
  • Publication number: 20180200643
    Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. A source of low energy gas, such as low pressure steam from a power plant, is connected to the liquid to be concentrated to heat the liquid to be concentrated before or during the concentration process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Craig Clerkin, Michael J. Rutsch
  • Patent number: 9943774
    Abstract: A reservoir evaporation system for evaporating fluid from an open reservoir of effluent containing a contaminant includes a fluid evaporator, an air pump, and an air supply conduit functionally connecting the fluid evaporator with the air pump. The fluid evaporator includes a vessel adapted to be positioned in an operative position partially submerged on the top surface of the effluent in the reservoir with a lower chamber submerged in the effluent and an upper chamber extending above the top surface of the effluent. In operation, air from the air pump mixes with the effluent inside the fluid evaporator and subsequently is discharged through exhaust openings. A fluid discharge pipe can also simultaneously discharge aerated effluent back down into the reservoir. Fluid is thereby separated from the effluent in the lower chamber by evaporation in a controlled manner that minimizes spread of contaminants to surrounding environments by wind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLC
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Craig Clerkin, Michael J. Rutsch
  • Patent number: 9926215
    Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Patent number: 9808738
    Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: HEARTLAND WATER TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Publication number: 20170266581
    Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Patent number: 9738545
    Abstract: A flowback water concentrating system, and method, include a liquid evaporator assembly that concentrates flowback water, a gas-liquid separator that separates entrained liquid from a gas exiting the liquid evaporator assembly, an exhaust assembly that vents exhaust gases, and a flowback water concentrating system that separates the concentrated flowback water into a supernatant liquid and a concentrated slurry. The flowback water concentrating system includes a settling tank fluidly connected to the gas-liquid separator and a supernatant liquid concentration sensor for measuring a concentration of dissolved solids in the supernatant liquid in the settling tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLC
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Publication number: 20170233262
    Abstract: A wastewater concentrator a liquid evaporator assembly, a gas-liquid separator, an exhaust assembly, and a flowback water concentrating system. The flowback water concentrating system includes a settling tank fluidly connected to the gas-liquid separator and a supernatant liquid concentration sensor for measuring a concentration of dissolved solids in the supernatant liquid in the settling tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin