Gaseous Current Patents (Class 159/4.01)
  • Publication number: 20110139378
    Abstract: A fluid evaporation system includes a housing bounding a fluid reservoir and an air flow path that is disposed over top of the fluid reservoir. The housing has an inlet opening and a spaced apart outlet opening that both provide communication between the outside environment and the air flow path. A blower is positioned to draw the air into the air flow path and force the air through the outlet opening. A misting system positioned within the air flow path increases the water content of the air stream. A demister is positioned upstream from the outlet opening and downstream from the misting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: PURESTREAM TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Janos I. Lakatos, Edward Clay Slade, Clayton R. Carter
  • Patent number: 7938271
    Abstract: This consists of the preparation of powdered still slops from concentrated liquid still slops dried and converted into a powder in a conventional dryer (1) and then fed to a powder collecting cyclone (4), featuring at the lower outlet aperture of the collecting cyclone (4) a circular or snail-shaped or logarithmic spiral-shaped device (7) fed with a cool, dry air draught which generates a downward suction effect counter to the upward suction effect of the collecting cyclone (4), bringing about the falling and separation of the powder from the draught of hot air which carries the same. The cool, dry air carries the powder to the exterior for bagging, and the hot air exits upwards via the collecting cyclone (4) towards the flue (6), using a device for the recovery of the heat which it still bears as much as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: HPD Process Engineering, S.A.
    Inventor: Daniel Irisarri Navalpotro
  • Publication number: 20110061816
    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: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLC
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Publication number: 20110052786
    Abstract: Method for spray drying a high-viscosity fluid product using a spraying device, wherein the method comprises projecting the fluid product out of an outflow opening of the spraying device for obtaining droplets of the fluid product, wherein the spraying device is arranged to cause a pressure drop in the fluid product across the outflow opening which is larger than 15 bar and at least partially drying the droplets in a drying medium, such as air, to become particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Albert Thijs Poortinga, René Jos Houben
  • Patent number: 7802376
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating particulate material has a process chamber for receiving and treating the material. A bottom is composed of a plurality of overlapping guide plates which are placed one above the other and between which annular slots for process air to pass through are formed. An annular-gap nozzle is arranged centrally in the bottom, the orifice of this annular-gap nozzle being designed in such a way that a planar spray pancake which runs approximately parallel to the bottom plane can be sprayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Inventor: Herbert Hüttlin
  • Publication number: 20100236724
    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: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: Heartland Technology Partners, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Publication number: 20100139871
    Abstract: Dry pond water evaporation systems and methods are used to evaporate large quantities of water from industrial waste water sources, such as water produced by oil and gas wells. Dry pond systems include a water evaporation system that emits waste water into the air as a fine spray or mist to promote evaporation. Water that falls to the ground and any initially dissolved solids are captured in a water capture depression. Water and solids are transferred from the water capture depression to a water collection pool. Water from the water collection pool is recirculated through the water evaporation system to further concentrate the total dissolved solids (TDS). When the TDS are sufficiently concentrated, they may be harvested, such as by evaporating off the water and recovering salts or minerals as a solid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: REFORMWATER, LLC
    Inventors: Rodney Rasmussen, Paul C. Cox
  • Patent number: 7575656
    Abstract: A system that treats wastewater by subjecting it to a heat source and destroying the microbes present therein and disposes of the wastewater to the atmosphere through evaporation. The components of the system are designed for in-ground or below-grade placement for aesthetic purposes and to eliminate a need for separate structures for housing or enclosing the system. The system does not generate a discharge as part of its regular operation and thus eliminates the need for disposal to an on-site feature or public sewer utility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Inventors: Matthew Glen Moore, William Edgar Moore
  • Publication number: 20080283199
    Abstract: Techniques used with a solution in which a solid is dissolved in a liquid. In one technique, drops of the solution are sprayed into a stream of gas. The drops are sized to fall through and out of the stream of gas before they are completely evaporated. The partial evaporation leaves the solid entrapped in the drops and the evaporated vapor in the stream of gas. In another technique, the drops are carried by the stream of gas. As the drops are carried, most of the drops are completely evaporated, producing vapor and particles of the solid. A filter filters out the particles. Some of the drops are not completely evaporated when they reach the filter and solution from these drops continuously rinses the filter. Large drops of the rinsing solution fall from the filter, through the stream of gas, and out of the stream of gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: William F. Hartman
  • Publication number: 20080142166
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process and/or method and associated apparatus for use in spray freeze drying a fluid substance such as fruit juice, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, tea and coffee. A fluid substance is sprayed (atomised) and reduces in temperature to below its eutectic temperature; thereby inducing a phase change of fluids in the fluid substance. The atomised fluid substance (AFS) is then subjected to a vacuumous drying chamber in which the AFS is subjected to an energy source to assist sublimation of fluid from the AFS as it is conveyed through the chamber. Such an energy source can provide a temperature gradient through which the AFS passes and is exposed to, all carried out so as to preferably minimise or reduce the likelihood of degradation of the substance being dried (reducing the fluid content).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: James Kenneth Carson, Harold Keith Hill, Donald Michael Graham, Grant Brian Schou
  • Publication number: 20070204962
    Abstract: A flameless evaporator for vaporizing a liquid, comprising a tank for receiving the liquid to be vaporized thereinto; a manifold disposed in the tank for the flow of hot gas therethrough, the manifold having an inlet for the supply of the hot gas and an outlet for the discharge of the hot gas from the manifold; an inlet into the tank for the supply of the liquid thereinto for thermal contact with the manifold for heating and vaporizing the liquid; and a vapour outlet for the discharge of the vapour from the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: Leader Energy Services Corp.
    Inventors: Rodney Hauser, Guy Comeau, Swen Theil
  • Patent number: 6921458
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for making particles comprising: (a) spraying an emulsion, solution, or suspension, which comprises a solvent and a bulk material (e.g., a pharmaceutical agent), through an atomizer and into a primary drying chamber, having a drying gas flowing therethrough, to form droplets comprising the solvent and bulk material dispersed in the drying gas; (b) evaporating, in the primary drying chamber, at least a portion of the solvent into the drying gas to solidify the droplets and form particles dispersed in drying gas; and (c) flowing the particles and at least a portion of the drying gas through a jet mill to deagglomerate or grind the particles. By coupling spray drying with “in-line” jet milling, a single step process is created from two separate unit operations, and an additional collection step is advantageously eliminated. The one-step, in-line process has further advantages in time and cost of processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Acusphere, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Chickering, III, Sridhar Narasimhan, David Altreuter, Paul Kopesky, Mark Keegan, Julie A. Straub, Howard Bernstein
  • Patent number: 6918991
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for making particles comprising: (a) spraying an emulsion, solution, or suspension, which comprises a solvent and a bulk material (e.g., a pharmaceutical agent), through an atomizer and into a primary drying chamber, having a drying gas flowing therethrough, to form droplets comprising the solvent and bulk material dispersed in the drying gas; (b) evaporating, in the primary drying chamber, at least a portion of the solvent into the drying gas to solidify the droplets and form particles dispersed in drying gas; and (c) flowing the particles and at least a portion of the drying gas through a jet mill to deagglomerate or grind the particles. By coupling spray drying with “in-line” jet milling, a single step process is created from two separate unit operations, and an additional collection step is advantageously eliminated. The one-step, in-line process has further advantages in time and cost of processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Acusphere, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Chickering, III, Sridhar Narasimhan, David Altreuter, Paul Kopesky, Mark Keegan, Julie A. Straub, Howard Bernstein
  • Patent number: 6825031
    Abstract: Materials which are not themselves storage-stable at room temperature are made suitable for storage by mixing them with a carrier substance and spray drying the resulting mixture so as to form particles containing both the material and the carrier substance in which the carrier substance is in an amorphous, i.e. glassy or rubbery, state. Formation of such a composition greatly enhances stability. The material stored may be a biological material such as an enzyme, the components of a chemical reaction such as reagents for carrying out an assay, or even viable biological cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Nektar Therapeutics
    Inventors: Felix Franks, Ross Henry Hatley, Sheila Frances Mathias
  • Patent number: 6716320
    Abstract: A liquid sample 3 held in an open container 2 and including a volatile solvent, is evaporated by continuously removing inert gas rich in vapor by means of a suction tube 5 whose open end is held close to the top surface of the liquid. Vapor in the gas is then extracted in a refrigerated condensing vessel 6, from where the purified gas is fed by a pump 7 for recirculation back into a sealed chamber 1 in which the container is mounted. In a modification, the inert gas is fed directly through a nozzle 17 into the container 2 wile the gas/vapor mixture is extracted from the chamber 1 for recirculation, after passing through a condenser 6 or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Cole
  • Patent number: 6699369
    Abstract: A method for removing dissolved solids, particularly salts, from water. An apparatus for performing the inventive method is disclosed. The aqueous solution to be treated, for example sea water, is atomized using special non-pneumatic nozzles, and sprayed into an evaporation chamber through which air, heated by waste heat, is blown. The micro-droplets undergo rapid evaporation in the chamber, resulting in the separation of the salt solids from the vapor phase of the water. The mixture of suspended solids and water vapor is filtered to remove and collect the salts, and the water vapor is condensed to collect the salt-free water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Aquasonics International
    Inventors: William Francis Hartman, Larry Joe Kepley, Jerry Van Fox
  • Publication number: 20030196763
    Abstract: A liquid material evaporation apparatus including a mixing chamber, a flow control unit, a first flow passage for introducing a liquid material, a second flow passage for introducing a carrier gas connected to the mixing chamber through a first nozzle, the first nozzle inhibiting backflow from the mixing chamber into the second flow passage. A third flow passage for discharging evaporated mixed gas is connected to the mixing chamber through a second nozzle, the mixed liquid material and carrier gas being forced through the second nozzle by the flow control unit, the mixed liquid material and carrier gas depressurizing after passing through the second nozzle to evaporate into a mixed gas in the third flow passage. Heat is applied to the mixing chamber and the second and third flow passages to enhance mixing in the mixing chamber and to avoid condensation in the third flow passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Hideaki Miyamoto, Wataru Nishida, Tetsuo Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6500216
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus of producing natural salt or fresh water by treating sea water in an extremely short period of time and with high efficiently. The distilled water and salt components are treated for expediting crystallization of the salt components by evaporating water components by atomizing sea water and blowing warm wind thereto. During this treatment, there are provided a method and an apparatus of arranging net or cloth at one stage or a plurality of stages in a midway of a flow of the evaporated water components and adhering the salt components on the net or the cloth when the evaporated water components pass through the net or the cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventor: Masakatsu Takayasu
  • Publication number: 20020174960
    Abstract: A deflecting element for the vapors which are released inside an evaporation chamber (1) into which opens a vertical pipe (6) feeding from the top the product to be concentrated, which is sprinkled through a perforated plate (7) fixed to a collet (16) arranged at the end of pipe (6) surrounded by a bell-like body (17), coaxially arranged with respect to it, characterized in that it is formed of a cylindrical cover (11) having the lateral face provided with a plurality of holes (12), the upper circumference (14) fixed in a tight way to the voult of evaporation chamber (1) and the lower circumferences connected to a frustoconical body (13) whose minor base is, in its turn, connected to a cylindrical collar (15) surrounding in a non-tight way the terminal collet (16) of the pipe (6) whereto perforated plate (7) is fixed, which sprinkles the product to be concentrated inside the evaporation chamber (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventor: Giacomo Guatelli
  • Patent number: 6426210
    Abstract: Materials which are not themselves storage-stable at room temperature are made suitable for storage by mixing them with a carrier substance and spray drying the resulting mixture so as to form particles containing both the material and the carrier substance in which the carrier substance is in an amorphous, i.e. glassy or rubbery, state. Formation of such a composition greatly enhances stability. The material stored may be a biological material such as an enzyme, the components of a chemical reaction such as reagents for carrying out an assay, or even viable biological cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Inhale Therapeutic Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Felix Franks, Ross Henry Hatley, Sheila Frances Mathias
  • Patent number: 6364996
    Abstract: A bifurcated fan (1) which draws in atmospheric air through air/liquid contact blocks of plastic grids which are sprayed with the liquid to be treated. The blocks change position in order to be sprayed on both front surfaces alternatively and thus remain clean. The liquid evaporates in the contact blocks and the concentrate is dehydrated in a secondary laminar evaporation base. The arrangement into converging sectors provides a geometry with minimal aerodynamic losses in a liquid with organic matter. The device includes a central tank which facilitates an aerobic biopurification process aided by the oxygenation in the contact blocks. Thermal exchanges may be included at the air inlet, using residual energy, particularly from thermal engines to which it provides refrigeration and cleaning of exhaust gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Igenieria Y Circuitos, S.L.
    Inventor: Jose Manuel Martinez Barrado
  • Patent number: 6190498
    Abstract: A relatively simple portable evaporator for quickly evaporating large volumes of water includes a stand with adjustable legs, a frame carrying a tubular housing and a motor rotatably mounted on the stand for rotation around a vertical axis, a fan in the housing driven by the motor, a nozzle rotatably mounted on one end of the housing for directing air from the fan upwardly and outwardly from the housing, and a manifold carrying a plurality of jets for receiving water from a tailings pond or other source and spraying the water into a stream of air exiting the nozzle for expediting evaporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Slimline Mfg. Ltd.
    Inventor: Kim Blagborne