Patents by Inventor Zhiang Zhou

Zhiang Zhou 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).

  • FLOCCULATION METHOD
    Publication number: 20120138543
    Abstract: A charged particle polymer hybrid (CPPH) flocculant is taught, comprising sub-micron size charged particles and a polymer which has been polymerized in the presence of the charged particles wherein the intrinsic viscosity of the hybrid polymer flocculant is less than 930 ml/g. A method is provided for producing freely draining flocculated sediment from a suspension comprising finely divided solids in water. The method comprises dispersing, at increasing concentrations, a charged particle polymer hybrid (CPPH) flocculant into the suspension to determine a starting plateau concentration of CPPH flocculant above which concentration no further increase in the solids loading of the produced floccules is observed. Then, the concentration of dispersed CPPH flocculant in the suspension is maintained at or above the starting plateau concentration. A method is further provided for separating fine solids and water from a suspension comprising finely divided solids in water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: ALBERTA INNOVATES - TECHNOLOGY FUTURES
    Inventors: Haihong LI, Zhiang ZHOU, Ross Sam CHOW, Pablo CONTRERAS
  • FLOCCULATION METHOD
    Publication number: 20110135797
    Abstract: A method is taught for producing freely draining flocculated sediment from a suspension comprising finely divided solids in water. The method comprises dispersing, at increasing concentrations, a charged particle hybrid polymer (CPHP) flocculant into the suspension to determine a minimum concentration of CPHP flocculant above which a freely draining flocculated sediment is produced that has a minimum permeability of 1 Darcy. Then, the concentration of dispersed CPHP flocculant in the suspension is maintained at or above the minimum concentration. A method is further provided for separating fine solids and water from a suspension comprising finely divided solids in water. The method involves dispersing, at increasing concentrations, a charged particle hybrid polymer (CPHP) flocculant into the suspension to determine a minimum concentration of CPHP flocculant above which a freely draining flocculated sediment is produced that has a minimum permeability of 1 Darcy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: ALBERTA INNOVATES - TECHNOLOGY FUTURES
    Inventors: Haihong LI, Zhiang ZHOU, Ross Sam CHOW, Pablo CONTRERAS
  • Selective reactive oily bubble carriers in flotation processes and methods of generation and uses thereof
    Patent number: 6959815
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a reactive oily bubble carrier comprising: (a) a gas bubble having an oil-coating; and (b) a collector dissolved within the oil-coating. The present invention also provides for the use a reactive oily bubble carrier in a flotation target particle separation process. The present invention also provides for a flotation target particle separation process using the reactive oily bubble carriers disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: The Governors of The University of Alberta
    Inventors: Zhenghe Xu, Jianjun Liu, Zhiang Zhou
  • Selective reactive oily bubble carriers in flotation and methods of generation and uses thereof
    Publication number: 20030217953
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a reactive oily bubble carrier comprising: (a) a gas bubble having an oil-coating; and (b) a collector dissolved within the oil-coating. The present invention also provides for the use a reactive oily bubble carrier in a flotation target particle separation process. The present invention also provides for a flotation target particle separation process using the reactive oily bubble carriers disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventors: Zhenghe Xu, Jianjun Liu, Zhiang Zhou