Patents by Inventor V. Dean Adams

V. Dean Adams 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).

  • VACUUM ENHANCED DIRECT CONTACT MEMBRANE DISTILLATION
    Publication number: 20100089830
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for purifying an impaired liquid. In a particular example, the disclosure provides methods and systems for purifying water containing a solute. A feed stream of solute containing water is introduced in a flow chamber. A permeate stream of water at least substantially free of the solute is placed in the flow chamber. A hydrophobic membrane is placed between the feed stream and the permeate stream. A vacuum is applied to the permeate stream. A vapor pressure differential causes water to vaporize from the feed stream, pass through the hydrophobic membrane, and condense in the permeate stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Tzahi Y. Cath, V. Dean Adams, Amy E. Childress
  • Vacuum enhanced direct contact membrane distillation
    Patent number: 7608188
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for purifying an impaired liquid. In a particular example, the disclosure provides methods and systems for purifying water containing a solute. A feed stream of solute containing water is introduced in a flow chamber. A permeate stream of water at least substantially free of the solute is placed in the flow chamber. A hydrophobic membrane is placed between the feed stream and the permeate stream. A vacuum is applied to the permeate stream. A vapor pressure differential causes water to vaporize from the feed stream, pass through the hydrophobic membrane, and condense in the permeate stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Tzahi Y. Cath, V. Dean Adams, Amy E. Childress
  • Wastewater treatment process with pH adjustment
    Patent number: 4340489
    Abstract: Wastewater is continuously disinfected by combining the wastewater with sufficient acid to reduce the pH of the wastewater to less than about 4 and with sufficient SO.sub.2 that the wastewater has a selected free SO.sub.2 content of at least 5 mg/liter. The combined SO.sub.2 /wastewater is maintained at the selected free SO.sub.2 content for at least about 5 minutes. The wastewater can be treated by dissolving SO.sub.2 into a first portion of the wastewater and combining the first portion with SO.sub.2 dissolved therein with a second portion of the wastewater stream. SO.sub.2 can be stripped from the wastewater, and the stripped SO.sub.2 can be recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1982
    Assignee: International Environmental, Inc.
    Inventors: V. Dean Adams, James H. Reynolds
  • Wastewater treatment process
    Patent number: 4304673
    Abstract: Wastewater is continuously disinfected by combining the wastewater with sufficient SO.sub.2 that the wastewater has a selected free SO.sub.2 content of at least 5 mg/liter. The combined SO.sub.2 /wastewater is maintained at the selected free SO.sub.2 content for at least about 10 minutes. The wastewater can be treated by dissolving SO.sub.2 into a first portion of the wastewater and combining the first portion with SO.sub.2 dissolved therein with a second portion of the wastewater stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1981
    Assignee: International Environmental, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Reynolds, V. Dean Adams