Patents by Inventor Minggang Liu
Minggang Liu 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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Patent number: 9556046Abstract: A membrane supported biofilm apparatus has a plurality of hollow fiber gas permeable membranes in a tank containing water to be treated. A biofilm supported on the membranes occupies between about 40% and 80% of the volume of water to be treated in a reactor. Wastewater treatment processes are described. A process to denitrify water or treat oxidized contaminants comprises introducing hydrogen into an inner volume of the membranes to grow autotrophic organisms in the biofilm near the membrane and heterotrophic organism near the water. Another process is operated as a biomass concentration of at least 10 g/L and up to about 40 g/L to maintain a biofilm having a surface area of over 1000 square meters per cubic meter of tank volume. A hybrid process has suspended biomass and a membrane supported biofilm.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: ZENON TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIPInventors: Hidayat Husain, Rocco Mazzaferro, Minggang Liu, Richard Wong, Heather Lossing, Fengshen Fan, Youngseck Hong, Reid Bayly
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Publication number: 20160264437Abstract: A media bed in a biological reactor is backwashed in a plurality of short pulses. An outlet of the reactor is preferably located above, but close to, the top of the bed. During a pulse, the outlet is closed and the bed may be fluidized or otherwise expanded to above the level of the outlet. Between pulses, the bed settles to below the level of the outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2015Publication date: September 15, 2016Inventors: Minggang LIU, Jake GOLDSTEIN, Carsten OWERDIECK, Nelson FONSECA
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Publication number: 20160264439Abstract: This specification describes a process and apparatus for treating water comprising selenium. A process is described having the steps of treating the wastewater influent using a biological reduction process to produce an intermediary stream and reducing the concentration of unconsumed constituents in the intermediary stream by means of filtration optionally with upstream coagulation or flocculation. When compared to the wastewater influent, the intermediary stream preferably has reduced concentration of the selenium species when compared to the wastewater influent. When compared to the intermediary stream, the effluent preferably has reduced concentration of one or more of the inorganic non-metallic constituents (such as nitrogen, phosphorous and sulphur), metallic constituents or organic constituents. An apparatus is described herein having a fixed film reactor configured to receive a wastewater influent, and a membrane filter configured to receive effluent from the fixed film reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2015Publication date: September 15, 2016Inventors: Jake GOLDSTEIN, Minggang LIU, Carsten OWERDIECK, Nelson FONSECA, Joel Alexander CITULSKI
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Publication number: 20160264438Abstract: A system for treating wastewater containing selenium has a sequencing batch reactor upstream of a fixed film reactor. The sequencing batch reactor may be operated under anoxic conditions while influent is mixed with residual sludge. The SBR reduces total nitrogen, suspended solids, or both. Selenium is removed in the fixed film reactor by biological reduction to elemental selenium.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2015Publication date: September 15, 2016Inventors: Minggang LIU, Jeffrey Ronald CUMIN, Glenn VICEVIC, Carsten OWERDIECK, Nelson FONSECA
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Publication number: 20150166380Abstract: A membrane supported biofilm apparatus has a plurality of hollow fiber gas permeable membranes in a tank containing water to be treated. A biofilm supported on the membranes occupies between about 40% and 80% of the volume of water to be treated in a reactor. Wastewater treatment processes are described. A process to denitrify water or treat oxidized contaminants comprises introducing hydrogen into an inner volume of the membranes to grow autotrophic organisms in the biofilm near the membrane and heterotrophic organism near the water. Another process is operated as a biomass concentration of at least 10 g/L and up to about 40 g/L to maintain a biofilm having a surface area of over 1000 square metres per cubic metre of tank volume. A hybrid process has suspended biomass and a membrane supported biofilm.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2015Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: Hidayat HUSAIN, Rocco MAZZAFERRO, Minggang LIU, Richard WONG, Heather LOSSING, Fengshen FAN, Youngseck HONG, Reid BAYLY
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Patent number: 8986540Abstract: A membrane supported biofilm apparatus has a plurality of hollow fiber gas permeable membranes in a tank containing water to be treated. A biofilm supported on the membranes occupies between about 40% and 80% of the volume of water to be treated in a reactor. Wastewater treatment processes are described. A process to denitrify water or treat oxidized contaminants comprises introducing hydrogen into an inner volume of the membranes to grow autotrophic organisms in the biofilm near the membrane and heterotrophic organism near the water. Another process is operated as a biomass concentration of at least 10 g/L and up to about 40 g/L to maintain a biofilm having a surface area of over 1000 square meters per cubic meter of tank volume. A hybrid process has suspended biomass and a membrane supported biofilm.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2013Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Zenon Technology PartnershipInventors: Hidayat Husain, Rocco Mazzaferro, Minggang Liu, Richard Wong, Heather Lossing, Fengshen Fan, Youngseck Hong, Reid Bayly
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Publication number: 20150056363Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing low-ash poultry plasma protein powder by utilizing poultry blood. Specifically, the method of the present invention comprises the steps of: mixing the poultry blood with an anticoagulant to obtain anticoagulated whole blood; centrifugally separating the anticoagulated whole blood to obtain plasma liquid; de-calcifying the plasma liquid via a precipitation reaction, ultra-filtrating the plasma liquid via a ultra-filtration membrane, emulsifying, and nano-filtrating to obtain the concentrated plasma liquid; and drying the concentrated plasma liquid to obtain the poultry plasma protein powder. The method of the present invention effectively overcomes the defect of difficult poultry blood deep processing, achieves the recycling of poultry blood resource, avoids wasting resources, and reduces environmental pollution; and the produced plasma protein powder has the advantages of high protein content, good palatability, balanced amino acid and the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2013Publication date: February 26, 2015Inventors: Guoxiang Cheng, Guoyong Jiang, Wei Yu, Yong Pan, Jun Zhang, Daming Zhu, Minggang Liu, Kaibao Xiong
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Patent number: 8758619Abstract: A membrane supported biofilm apparatus has a plurality of hollow fiber gas permeable membranes in a tank containing water to be treated. A biofilm supported on the membranes occupies between about 40% and 80% of the volume of water to be treated in a reactor. Wastewater treatment processes are described. A process to denitrify water or treat oxidized contaminants comprises introducing hydrogen into an inner volume of the membranes to grow autotrophic organisms in the biofilm near the membrane and heterotrophic organism near the water. Another process is operated as a biomass concentration of at least 10 g/L and up to about 40 g/L to maintain a biofilm having a surface area of over 1000 square meters per cubic meter of tank volume. A hybrid process has suspended biomass and a membrane supported biofilm.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2012Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Zenon Technology PartnershipInventors: Hidayat Husain, Rocco Mazzaferro, Minggang Liu, Richard Wong, Heather Lossing, Fengshen Fan, Youngseck Hong, Reid Bayly
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Publication number: 20140008280Abstract: A membrane supported biofilm apparatus has a plurality of hollow fiber gas permeable membranes in a tank containing water to be treated. A biofilm supported on the membranes occupies between about 40% and 80% of the volume of water to be treated in a reactor. Wastewater treatment processes are described. A process to denitrify water or treat oxidized contaminants comprises introducing hydrogen into an inner volume of the membranes to grow autotrophic organisms in the biofilm near the membrane and heterotrophic organism near the water. Another process is operated as a biomass concentration of at least 10 g/L and up to about 40 g/L to maintain a biofilm having a surface area of over 1000 square metres per cubic metre of tank volume. A hybrid process has suspended biomass and a membrane supported biofilm.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2013Publication date: January 9, 2014Applicant: ZENON TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIPInventors: Hidayat HUSAIN, Rocco MAZZAFERRO, Minggang LIU, Richard WONG, Heather LOSSING, Fengshen FAN, Youngseck HONG, Reid BAYLY
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Patent number: 8528745Abstract: A membrane supported biofilm apparatus has a plurality of hollow fiber gas permeable membranes in a tank containing water to be treated. The membranes have an outside diameter of about 200 microns or less and occupy between 0.5% and 4% of the tank volume. A biofilm supported on the membranes occupies between about 40% and 80% of the volume of water to be treated in a reactor. The membranes may be oriented generally vertically and a spreader may be located near the bottom of the apparatus to disperse the membranes. Wastewater treatment processes are described. A process to dentrify water or treat oxidized contaminants comprises introducing hydrogen into an inner volume of the membranes to grow autotrophic organisms in the biofilm near the membrane and heterotrophic organism near the water. Another process is operated at a biomass concentration of at least 10 g/L and up to about 40 g/L to maintain a biofilm having a surface area of over 1000 square metres per cubic metre of tank volume.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Hidayat Husain, Rocco Mazzaferro, Minggang Liu, Richard Wong, Heather Lossing, Fengshen Fan, Youngseck Hong, Reid Bayly
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Patent number: 7988855Abstract: A cartridge apparatus for water treatment includes a header having a permeate cavity, a plurality of support elements spaced apart from the header, and a plurality of subgroups of hollow fiber membranes, the membranes in each subgroup having first ends potted in the header, and second ends potted in a respective one of the plurality of support elements.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2007Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Zenon Technology PartnershipInventors: Minggang Liu, Hidayat Husain
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Publication number: 20100126929Abstract: A membrane supported biofilm apparatus has a plurality of hollow fiber gas permeable membranes in a tank containing water to be treated. The membranes have an outside diameter of about 200 microns or less and occupy between 0.5% and 4% of the tank volume. A biofilm supported on the membranes occupies between about 40% and 80% of the volume of water to be treated in a reactor. The membranes may be oriented generally vertically and a spreader may be located near the bottom of the apparatus to disperse the membranes. Wastewater treatment processes are described. A process to dentrify water or treat oxidized contaminants comprises introducing hydrogen into an inner volume of the membranes to grow autotrophic organisms in the biofilm near the membrane and heterotrophic organism near the water. Another process is operated at a biomass concentration of at least 10 g/L and up to about 40 g/L to maintain a biofilm having a surface area of over 1000 square metres per cubic metre of tank volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2008Publication date: May 27, 2010Inventors: Hidayat Husain, Rocco Mazzaferro, Minggang Liu, Richard Wong, Heather Lossing, Fengshen Fan, Youngseck Hong, Reid Bayly
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Publication number: 20080000832Abstract: A cartridge apparatus for water treatment includes a header having a permeate cavity, a plurality of support elements spaced apart from the header, and a plurality of subgroups of hollow fiber membranes, the membranes in each subgroup having first ends potted in the header, and second ends potted in a respective one of the plurality of support elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2007Publication date: January 3, 2008Inventors: Minggang Liu, Hidayat Husain
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Publication number: 20070163959Abstract: A static screen used upstream of a membrane assembly within a water treatment system has a screening surface with a number of openings distributed over its area. Liquid flows through the screening surface to reach the membrane assembly. Various shapes of screening surfaces are described including undulating panels and geometric shapes. Methods for cleaning the screen are described including aeration and backwashing. Various treatment systems or process designs incorporating the screen are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2006Publication date: July 19, 2007Inventors: Pierre Cote, Doug Thompson, Jennifer Pawloski, Minggang Liu, Rafael Simon, Ali Adnan
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Patent number: 7022236Abstract: A reactor has an aerobic tank, an anoxic tank and a sealed membrane tank with conduits for circulating mixed liquor between them. Permeation starts when the mixed liquor reaches a high level and stops when the mixed liquor reaches a low level. A sensor, for detecting the mixed liquor level, may stop and start permeation. Pressure builds in the membrane tank when membrane air is on. Transmembrane pressure is also provided by gravity flow or siphon. Membrane air generates an air lift which drives the mixed liquor circulation. The total amount of air provided by an air source is divided and varied in time between the membrane aerator and the process aerator. The process aerator acts as a screening inlet to the conduit to the membrane tank. Chemical maintenance cleaning is provided by gravity flow.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2004Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: ZENON Environmental Inc.Inventors: Minggang Liu, Hidayat Husain, Pierre Cote, Ian Pottinger
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Publication number: 20060054552Abstract: A reactor has an aerobic tank, an anoxic tank and a sealed membrane tank with conduits for circulating mixed liquor between them. Permeation starts when the mixed liquor reaches a high level and stops when the mixed liquor reaches a low level. A sensor, for detecting the mixed liquor level, may stop and start permeation. Pressure builds in the membrane tank when membrane air is on. Transmembrane pressure is also provided by gravity flow or siphon. Membrane air generates an air lift which drives the mixed liquor circulation. The total amount of air provided by an air source is divided and varied in time between the membrane aerator and the process aerator. The process aerator acts as a screening inlet to the conduit to the membrane tank. Chemical maintenance cleaning is provided by gravity flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2005Publication date: March 16, 2006Inventors: Minggang Liu, Hidayat Husain, Pierre Cote, Ian Pottinger
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Publication number: 20060008865Abstract: A static screen used upstream of a membrane assembly within a water treatment system has a screening surface with a number of openings distributed over its area. Liquid flows through the screening surface to reach the membrane assembly. Various shapes of screening surfaces are described including undulating panels and geometric shapes. Methods for cleaning the screen are described including aeration and backwashing. Various treatment systems or process designs incorporating the screen are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2005Publication date: January 12, 2006Inventors: Pierre Cote, Doug Thompson, Jennifer Pawloski, Minggang Liu
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Publication number: 20050115899Abstract: A filtration apparatus for filtering liquid has a filtration cell having generally vertical front and rear panels spaced apart to define a cell length, and generally vertical side panels extending between the front and rear panels and spaced apart to define a cell width. A plurality of header segments are provided in the cell, each header segment having a permeate channel. A plurality of hollow fiber membranes are associated with each header segment and extend generally upright between the cell panels, each membrane having a lumen in flow communication with the permeate channel of the associated header segment and a lower end secured to the associated header segment and a loose upper end.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2004Publication date: June 2, 2005Inventors: Minggang Liu, Hidayat Husain
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Publication number: 20050061725Abstract: A reactor has an aerobic tank, an anoxic tank and a sealed membrane tank with conduits for circulating mixed liquor between them. Permeation starts when the mixed liquor reaches a high level and stops when the mixed liquor reaches a low level. A sensor, for detecting the mixed liquor level, may stop and start permeation. Pressure builds in the membrane tank when membrane air is on. Transmembrane pressure is also provided by gravity flow or siphon. Membrane air generates an air lift which drives the mixed liquor circulation. The total amount of air provided by an air source is divided and varied in time between the membrane aerator and the process aerator. The process aerator acts as a screening inlet to the conduit to the membrane tank. Chemical maintenance cleaning is provided by gravity flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2004Publication date: March 24, 2005Inventors: Minggang Liu, Hidayat Husain, Pierre Cote, Ian Pottinger
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Patent number: 6863817Abstract: A reactor has an aerobic tank, an anoxic tank and a sealed membrane tank with conduits for circulating mixed liquor between them. Permeation starts when the mixed liquor reaches a high level and stops when the mixed liquor reaches a low level. A sensor, for detecting the mixed liquor level, may stop and start permeation. Pressure builds in the membrane tank when membrane air is on. Transmembrane pressure is also provided by gravity flow or siphon. Membrane air generates an air lift which drives the mixed liquor circulation. The total amount of air provided by an air source is divided and varied in time between the membrane aerator and the process aerator. The process aerator acts as a screening inlet to the conduit to the membrane tank. Chemical maintenance cleaning is provided by gravity flow.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2002Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: ZENON Environmental Inc.Inventors: Minggang Liu, Hidayat Husain, Pierre Cote, Ian Pottinger