Spraying Patents (Class 159/48.1)
  • Patent number: 11959046
    Abstract: A method of creating a protective coating on an alkali metal hydroxide-containing solid is provided. The method includes providing carbon dioxide to an alkali metal hydroxide-containing solid and allowing the alkali metal hydroxide and carbon dioxide to react thereby forming a carbonate or bicarbonate-containing layer on the exterior of the solid wherein the carbonate or bicarbonate-containing layer is non-hygroscopic and water soluble, and wherein greater than 80% of the hydroxide in the hydroxide-containing solid does not react with the carbon dioxide, and further wherein the alkali metal hydroxide-containing solid is substantially free of lithium hydroxide. A method of testing for the presence of carbonate-containing coating on an alkali metal hydroxide containing solid is also provided. The method includes exposing the coated solid to 95 weight percent ethanol, collecting the ethanol effluent and testing the effluent for alkali metal hydroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Mark P. Peterson, Keith E. Olson
  • Patent number: 11832629
    Abstract: Methods of making a powdered milk product are described. The methods may include providing an aqueous milk-sourced mixture, and evaporating water from the aqueous milk-sourced mixture to produce an evaporated milk-sourced mixture having a total solids concentration of 35 wt. % or more. The evaporated milk-sourced mixture may be dried to form the powdered milk product, which may have less than 6 wt. % water. Systems for making the milk powdered product are also described. The systems may include an evaporator to evaporate water from a supply of a milk-sourced mixture to form an evaporated milk-sourced mixture. They may also include a dryer to dry the evaporated milk-sourced mixture and atomize it into the powdered milk product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Leprino Foods Company
    Inventors: Neill Burt, Mark Cramer, Jiancai Li, Richard Merrill
  • Patent number: 11383179
    Abstract: This disclosure concerns a system and a method for removing dissolved solids from liquids. Specific implementations concern desalinating water. The system may comprise a blower, such as a thermal fan/compressor, configured to atomize a solid-bearing liquid to produce a hot, humid gas containing dissolved solids; a gas-solid separator configured to receive hot, humid gas containing entrained dissolved solids from the blower to separate the solids from the humid gas and to transmit the humid gas with solids removed through an exit port; a heater configured to heat the hot, humid gas received from the exit port of the gas-solid separator; and a condenser configured to receive heated humid gas from the heater and to condense solids-free liquid therefrom. The thermal fan/compressor may comprise a plurality of nozzles with outlets positioned adjacent atomization apertures across which a solid-bearing liquid flows and through which gas exiting the nozzles passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Oregon State University
    Inventors: Bahman Abbasi, Xiang Zhang, Mohammed Abbas Elhashimi Khalifa, Deepak Sharma
  • Patent number: 10694683
    Abstract: Methods to produce a spray-dried active tetrahydrocannabinol powder and/or cannabidiol powder are described. The methods include introducing a heated gas and a liquid mixture of water and active tetrahydrocannabinol and/or cannabidiol into a spray dryer and then separating powder from the spray-dryer in a two-step separation process. Counter-current spray dryers and co-current spray dryers are described followed by separation of the powders with a cyclone, filter, electrostatic precipitator, or sifter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: INSECTERGY, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Michael Leo
  • Patent number: 10541060
    Abstract: A material in the form of an alveolar monolith consisting of a matrix of an inorganic oxide with a hierarchical and opened porosity comprising macropores, mesopores and micropores, said macropores, mesopores and micropores being interconnected, and nanoparticles of at least one metal cation exchange inorganic solid material being distributed in said porosity. A method for preparing this material and a method for separating a metal cation notably a cation of a radioactive isotope of a metal such as cesium using this material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Jeremy Causse, Agnes Grandjean, Alexei Tokarev, Yves Barre
  • Patent number: 10251988
    Abstract: A dialysis agent A including a mixture containing glucose, acetic acid, and acetate salt, but not sodium bicarbonate, wherein the molar ratio of acetic acid:acetate salt is 1:0.5 to 1:2, and wherein a total amount of the acetic acid and acetate salt contained in the dialysis agent A is between 2 mEq/L and 6 mEq/L when the dialysis agent A is dissolved in 1 L of a bicarbonate dialysate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Tomita Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Noguchi, Michiko Myose, Junya Kikuishi, Mina Hashimoto, Hideyuki Aoyama
  • Patent number: 10124330
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the removal of polyvalent cations, in particular divalent cations, from mono ethylene glycol. Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG) is used to prevent hydrate formation in pipelines transporting gas, condensate and water. It may also contribute to pipeline corrosion control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: EQUINOR ENERGY AS
    Inventor: Baard Kaasa
  • Patent number: 10016734
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of producing potassium sorbate particles, comprising the steps of: (1) preparing a potassium sorbate solution; (2) spray drying; (3) spray forming; (4) indirectly drying with steam on a vibration fluidized bed; and (5) swing-type sifting; in step (3), a binder is obtained by spray drying after adding sorbitol to the potassium sorbate solution prepared in step (1), and the binder is mixed with the potassium sorbate powder obtained by spray drying in step (2) to undergo the spray forming process; based on weight ratio, the weight ratio of the sorbitol required to prepare the binder to the potassium sorbate solution required to prepare the binder is 0.05-0.1%:1. The beneficial effects of the present invention are: an appropriate binding effect of the powder particles, a good breaking effect and a good spheronization effect of the powder particles, and uniformity of granulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Inventors: Handong Wang, Gongnian Xiao, Guojun Wang, Lijun Chen, Anna Lu, Yuanzhe Chen, Conghui Huang
  • Patent number: 9931453
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a dialysis agent A, which is able to set the total acetate ion content in the dialysate to a low value, excellent in storage stability of glucose, able to reduce the acetic acid odor, and able to suppress the corrosion of the dialysate delivery system and the dialysis machine, as well as to provide a two pack type dialysis agent utilizing the dialysis agent A. In the dialysis agent A used in the preparation of a bicarbonate dialysate, which is used as one part of a two pack type dialysis agent, it becomes possible to prepare a bicarbonate dialysate having the total acetate ion concentration of between 2 mEq/L or more and less than 6 mEq/L by allowing to include glucose, acetic acid and acetate salt and to satisfy the molar ratio of 1:0.5 to 2 of acetic acid and acetate salt, and include acetic acid and acetate salt in a total amount of between 2 mEq or more and less than 6 mEq in the dialysis agent A required to prepare 1 L of the bicarbonate dialysate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: TOMITA PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Noguchi, Michiko Myose, Junya Kikuishi, Mina Hashimoto, Hideyuki Aoyama
  • Patent number: 9763961
    Abstract: Disclosed are compositions for treating an estrogen receptor (ER) or estrogen related receptor (ERR) mediated disorder, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of Compound Nos. 1-9, 7-2, 7-4, 7-5, 7-7, 7-8, 8-2 and 3-15 set forth herein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein said compound modulates estrogen receptors and/or estrogen-related receptors and methods for use of said compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: CITY OF HOPE
    Inventor: Shiuan Chen
  • Patent number: 9597649
    Abstract: Fluid bed granulation process of an appropriate substance, comprising the cooling in a second fluid bed of the granules obtained. The same flow of fluidification air is used to form and support both fluid beds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Casale SA
    Inventor: Gianfranco Bedetti
  • Patent number: 9463266
    Abstract: Technology for preparing a dialysis fluid capable of flexibly changing bicarbonate ion concentration and maintaining concentrations of electrolytes such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium at constant levels during dialysis according to the disease state of a patient. A three-component dialysate containing an agent S containing sodium chloride, an agent B containing sodium bicarbonate, and an agent A containing electrolyte components other than sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate, with suitable adjustment of the amount of the agent B during dialysis fluid preparation maintains concentrations of trace metal ions such as potassium ions, calcium ions, and magnesium ions in a dialysis fluid at constant levels and flexibly changes the bicarbonate ion concentration therein. Adjusting the ratio between the amount of the agent S and agent B when the dialysate is used also makes it possible to maintain the sodium ion concentration at a constant level or flexibly change the sodium ion concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Tomita Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Noguchi, Junya Kikuishi, Hideyuki Aoyama, Mina Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9220678
    Abstract: A method of coating a material onto projections provided on a patch. The method includes applying a coating solution containing the material to at least the projections and drying the coating solution to at least the projections using a gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: The University of Queensland
    Inventors: Mark Anthony Fernance Kendall, Germain Fernando, Xianfeng Chen, Tarl Prow
  • Patent number: 9044725
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a system and method for spray drying a fluid. The system comprises a fluid reservoir (2), a spraying device (3) that comprises at least one outflow opening (4) for projecting droplets of fluid (5) from the reservoir (2) out of the at least one outflow opening (4) and at least one energy source (6) for at least partially drying the droplets. The spraying device (3) is arranged to project the droplets into a determinable droplet trajectory and the at least one energy source (6) is arranged for providing energy focused substantially on the droplet trajectory. It is an object of the invention to provide a system and method for reducing the amount of energy required for spray drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: NEDERLANDSE ORGANISATIE VOOR TOEGEPAST-NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK TNO
    Inventors: René Jos Houben, Leonardus Antonius Maria Brouwers, Gerrit Oosterhuis, Frits Verhoeven, Gerben Pieterse
  • Patent number: 9034224
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method of preparing polyamide particles. The method include spray drying a solution containing a polyamide to form polyamide particles having an average diameter of between about 0.5 ?m and about 10 ?m and at least about 85% of the polyamide particles having a diameter distribution of no more than about 1.5 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Research Foundation of The City University Of New York
    Inventors: Alexander Couzis, Jeffrey Morris, Ankur D. Shah, Vilobh Shete
  • Patent number: 8974643
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purifying a liquid comprising liquid particles and residual particles. It is hereby possible to generate substantially pure water from, for instance seawater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: High Voltage Water B.V.
    Inventors: Sybrand Jacob Metz, Gerrit Oudakker, Johannes Cornelis Maria Marijnissen
  • Patent number: 8926792
    Abstract: A method for on-site dissemination and disposal of all wastewaters or leachate, that is generated by a landfill or other wastewater generating site includes collecting the wastewater or leachate which comprises an aqueous solution, having solids, elements and compounds of concern therein. The wastewater or leachate is directed to an “Integrated Mobile Aerosolization System (IMAS)” having a turbine and being integrated and mobile. The turbine is driven so as to generate a fully integrated and mobile system of highly accelerated air that moves through the IMAS. An integrated pump is utilized to move the leachate or wastewater to a series of nozzles that aerosolizes the leachate or wastewater into the path of the system of air to form an air-wastewater mixture or an air-leachate mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: Kelly K. Houston
  • Publication number: 20150000846
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of preparing nanoparticles. In particular, the invention provides a method for preparing organic or inorganic nanoparticles by instantaneous evaporation or flash evaporation, e.g. for the manufacture of nanoparticles of fertilizers, pharmaceutical or phytopharmaceutical active ingredients, or insensitive energy materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Benedikt Risse, Dominique Hassler, Denis Spitzer
  • Publication number: 20140284001
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to microfluidics, and to spray drying and other drying techniques. By at least partially drying fluids within a microfluidic channel, instead of or in addition to conventional spray drying techniques, better control of the drying process can be achieved in certain aspects of the invention. In addition, various embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems and methods for drying fluids contained within a channel such as a microfluidic channel. For example, a fluid may be partially or completely dried within a microfluidic channel, prior to being sprayed into a collection region. In some embodiments, gases such as air may be directed into a channel containing a fluid, which may facilitate drying of the fluid. In some cases, the fluid may be accelerated due to the introduction of gases into the channel, and in certain embodiments, droplets of fluid may be disrupted to form smaller droplets as a result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicants: President and Fellows of Harvard College, BASF SE
    Inventors: Esther Amstad, Christian Holtze, David A. Weitz
  • Publication number: 20140205713
    Abstract: The present invention relates to spray-dried compositions capable of retaining volatile compounds and methods relating to the same. The present invention also relates to the powders produced by such methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS AND FRAGRANCES INC.
    Inventors: Keith Thomas Hans, Lulu Henson, Christopher Thomas Lavallee, Michael Popplewell, Eric Jesse Wolff, Maria Wright
  • Publication number: 20140174673
    Abstract: A method for increasing the evaporation rate of an evaporative pond containing pond liquor comprising water and at least 1% by weight of sodium carbonate, said evaporative pond being in contact with an ambient air at an ambient air temperature of more than 0° C., the method comprising the following steps: feeding part of the pond liquor to a heat exchanger; heating the pond liquor in the heat exchanger with heat and producing a heated pond liquor; feeding the heated pond liquor into a spraying device at an operating temperature of at least 10° C. above the ambient air temperature; and spraying the heated pond liquor into an open area of the evaporative pond with the spraying device, so as to evaporate at least part of the water of the pond liquor when sprayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: SOLVAY SA
    Inventors: Alain VANDENDOREN, Jessica A. MOTE
  • Patent number: 8709204
    Abstract: A wood pulping process includes producing weak black liquor and cooling the liquor as well as recovering heat therefrom by directing the weak black liquor through a spray film evaporator. A feed or condensate is directed into the spray film evaporator and the feed or condensate is sprayed onto the outer surfaces of a bundle of tubes. This results in the feed or the condensate being vaporized and producing a vapor that can be utilized as a heat source for other processes in a pulp mill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies North America Inc.
    Inventor: Michael S. Begley
  • Patent number: 8696873
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purification of bilge and sludge water on a ship, especially at sea, using excess heat from the ship's engine(s) to a level of oil contamination of less than 15 ppm. The invention also relates to a plant for carrying out the method, and a vessel including such plant, as well as the use of the method and plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: PPM-Clean AB
    Inventors: Benny Karlström, Jan Hedkvist
  • Patent number: 8696870
    Abstract: Device for desalinating sea water comprising a unit (10) for spraying sea water in the form of droplets, a unit (20) for vaporizing the droplets into steam, a unit (30) for separating steam from salt particles, and a unit (40) for condensing steam into fresh water. The spraying unit comprises a sea water entry (12), an ambient-temperature dry air entry (14), and a device for generating acoustic waves at a frequency greater than 1 MHz focused by means of nozzles (17) receiving the sea water coming from the sea water entry so as to obtain microdroplets having a diameter comprised between about 2.5 microns and about 5 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventors: Charles Pallanca, Henri Renggli, Gil Ching
  • Publication number: 20140014276
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an external mixing pressurized two-fluid nozzle for atomising a liquid by means of liquid pressure and gas, comprising an inner feed liquid pipe (1) extending axially between an upstream end and a downstream end, having a feed liquid conduit (2), a feed liquid inlet (3) positioned at the upstream end and a feed orifice (4) positioned at the downstream end, and a co-axial first gas pipe (5) extending radially outside the inner feed liquid pipe (1) and forming a first gas conduit (6) between the first gas pipe (5) and the inner feed liquid pipe (1), the first gas pipe (5) having a gas outlet slit (7) positioned at the downstream end. Said external mixing two-fluid nozzle provides a swirling motion of the gas, which combined with a pressurized feed liquid enables the production of spray dried powder at industrially applicable capacities with low energy consumption and a small particle size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: GEA PROCESS ENGINEERING A/S
    Inventors: Per Bo Sorensen, Anders Bo Jensen, Soren Fredsted
  • Patent number: 8617359
    Abstract: A method for distilling a starting material that includes a liquid Fd to be distilled, uses a gas-tight container system that is resistant to excess and/or negative pressure. The container system includes a condenser for condensing the liquid Fd, which has turned to vapor and whose temperature can be adjusted, to give the condensation product, and a vapor chamber connecting the evaporator and the condenser. The pressure and temperature in the vapor chamber are monitored and controlled so that distillation is always carried out in a range close to the saturation vapor pressure of the liquid Fd to be distilled. If the pressure is too high, it is reduced so that especially foreign gas is removed. An installation includes a container for distillation according to method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventors: Markus Lehmann, Markus Braendli
  • Patent number: 8591704
    Abstract: A fractionation process for producing at least two concentration fractions of a fluid including a solute, suspended or dissolved content using at least two fluidly connected evaporator units is provided. The process includes the steps of: feeding a feed fluid including a solute, suspended or dissolved content into at least a first evaporator unit; evaporating a first amount of fluid from the feed fluid in at least the first evaporator unit to produce a first concentrated fluid; feeding at least a portion of the first concentrated fluid into at least a second evaporator unit; and evaporating a second amount of fluid from the first concentrated fluid in at least the second evaporator unit to produce a second concentrated fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Creative Water Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Stephen Shelley
  • Patent number: 8533972
    Abstract: Described herein are devices and techniques for spray drying a fluid to produce a dried powder. Assemblies include a spray drying head attachable to a gas supplier and a liquid sample, such as a standard unit of blood product. The spray drying head can be adapted to provide an aerosolized flow of liquid sample exposed to a drying gas. The assembly also includes a drying chamber adapted to separate the aerosolized flow of liquid sample into a dried powder and humid air. The assembly can be disposable, provided in a sterilized kit and having simplified attachments allowing quick connect and disconnect from the gas and liquid sample. Separation of the powder from the humid air exiting the drying chamber occurs within a filtered collection bag. In some embodiments, one or more of the drying chamber and collection bag are formed form a thin-walled, collapsible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Velico Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Brian Hubbard, Jr., Michael Haley, John Charles Rosenfelder, George T. Perivolotis
  • Publication number: 20130206342
    Abstract: Low temperature process and apparatus generally includes separating whole stillage into thin stillage and wet distillers grains, wherein the thin stillage comprises water soluble proteins in an amount greater than the wet distillers grains, and wherein the wet distillers grains has a higher solid content than the thin stillage; atomizing the thin stillage at an elevated temperature to remove at least a portion of moisture in the thin stillage and form particles and granules of the thin stillage; and removing additional moisture from the particles and granules in a fluidized bed to form dried distillers solubles. The apparatus includes an atomization section and a fluidized bed section configured to dry the thin stillage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: GS CLEANTECH CORPORATION
    Inventor: GS Cleantech Corporation
  • Patent number: 8496787
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliminating brine effluent from desalination plants by distillation, is disclosed. To eliminate the brine the salt is converted into a solid and all of the water in the brine is converted to distilled water. The key to achieving this is reducing or eliminating the scale formation in the heating chamber. In one embodiment the process can be used to reduce or eliminate scale formation in a vapor compression sea water desalinization system and there-by use this system to produce drinking water. This process requires no chemical additives but relies entirely upon separation of the process of vaporization of the fluid involved, from the process of heating of the fluid. In one embodiment of this apparatus sea water can be desalinated and the resulting products can be dry salt and pure water leaving no brine return to the ocean.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventor: Michael John Lord
  • Publication number: 20130165371
    Abstract: A spray-drying apparatus includes a drying chamber that has a first end, a second end, and at least one side wall extending between the first and second ends to define an interior of the drying chamber having a center axis. A nozzle can be positioned at the first end of the drying chamber and be configured to atomize liquid and spray the atomized liquid into the interior of the drying chamber at a maximum spray pattern angle relative to the center axis. A heating device can be provided to heat the liquid prior to introduction into the drying chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: BEND RESEARCH, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Dobry, James M. Mullin, Douglas L. Millard, Dwayne T. Friesen, David D. Newbold, John M. Baumann, Devon B. Dubose
  • Publication number: 20130153157
    Abstract: A spray-drying apparatus includes a drying chamber that has a first end, a second end, and at least one side wall extending between the first and second ends to define an interior of the drying chamber having a center axis. A nozzle can be positioned at the first end of the drying chamber and be configured to atomize liquid and spray the atomized liquid into the interior of the drying chamber at a maximum spray pattern angle relative to the center axis. A ratio of the length between the first end and second end to a maximum width between opposing internal surfaces of the interior of the drying chamber can be at least 5 to 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: BEND RESEARCH, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Dobry, James M. Mullin, Douglas L. Millard
  • Patent number: 8465628
    Abstract: A solar energy conversion and distillation apparatus floats on a body of saltwater and includes a matrix of buoyant distillation modules that produce and collect distilled water for on-shore usage. The distillation modules and other buoyant structures are mutually joined within a peripheral seawall to form an atmospheric barrier, and each distillation module includes a submerged energy absorber layer to form an energy conversion chamber that confines a shallow volume of solar-heated seawater. Water vapor in the air above the confined water condenses on chilled heat exchanger conduits, and the energy absorber layer is water permeable so that confined water lost to evaporation and condensation is replenished with water from a thermal reservoir underlying the energy conversion chamber. Buoyant mistifier units in each distillation module enhance the evaporative surface area of the water vapor subject to condensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Richard L. Henderson
  • Patent number: 8460509
    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 fan is positioned to draw the air out of the air flow path through the outlet opening. A baffle projects into the air flow path at a location between inlet opening and the outlet opening so as to constrict the area of the air flow path thereat. A plurality of spray nozzles are positioned within air flow path between the baffle and the first end of the housing. A pump is configured to draw fluid from the reservoir and deliver it to the plurality of spray nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Total Water Management, LLC
    Inventors: Janos I. Lakatos, Edward Clay Slade, Clayton R. Carter
  • Publication number: 20130126102
    Abstract: Provided are a novel vacuum-pressure spray-drying method and a novel vacuum-pressure spray-drying apparatus suitable for drying and powdering a liquid raw material containing a substance susceptible to heat denaturation, such as a food raw material and a medicine raw material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: TANABE ENGINEERING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yutaka Kitamura, Kazuhiko Yamazaki, Yoshitsugu Yamano
  • Patent number: 8444830
    Abstract: A desalination process including heating brine in a preheating chamber and transferring the brine to a rotary kiln to be sprayed against the wall structure of the rotary kiln to boil to steam and a residue of salt/impurities, the exiting steam being pressurized in a compressor and passed to an externally powered heater to be heated and then fed to a hollow wall structure of the rotating kiln in which the steam condenses to pure water to be transferred to the preheating chamber to preheat the incoming brine, the rotating kiln being arranged to rotate past a scraper to remove salt/impurities from the wall structure for collection at the base of the kiln.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Garth Davey
  • Patent number: 8430993
    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 fan is positioned to draw the air out of the air flow path through the outlet opening. A baffle projects into the air flow path at a location between inlet opening and the outlet opening so as to constrict the area of the air flow path thereat. A plurality of spray nozzles are positioned within air flow path between the baffle and the first end of the housing. A pump is configured to draw fluid from the reservoir and deliver it to the plurality of spray nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Total Water Management, LLC
    Inventors: Janos I. Lakatos, Edward Clay Slade, Clayton R. Carter
  • Publication number: 20130056158
    Abstract: Described herein are devices and techniques for spray drying a fluid to produce a dried powder. Assemblies include a spray drying head attachable to a gas supplier and a liquid sample, such as a standard unit of blood product. The spray drying head can be adapted to provide an aerosolized flow of liquid sample exposed to a drying gas. The assembly also includes a drying chamber adapted to separate the aerosolized flow of liquid sample into a dried powder and humid air. The assembly can be disposable, provided in a sterilized kit and having simplified attachments allowing quick connect and disconnect from the gas and liquid sample. Separation of the powder from the humid air exiting the drying chamber occurs within a filtered collection bag. In some embodiments, one or more of the drying chamber and collection bag are formed form a thin-walled, collapsible material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: VELICO MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventor: Velico Medical, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130025798
    Abstract: A process for separation of solid and liquid components in a distillation whole stillage utilizing airless spray drying is disclosed, which is more efficient and economical than conventional processes. In the process, distillation whole stillage resulting from distillation of fermented biomass is first subjected to an evaporation step for separating the whole stillage into a condensate and a concentrate including water, dissolved solids and suspended solids. The concentrate is then subjected to airless steam spray drying for converting the concentrate into dried solids, steam and vapors. All steam and vapors resulting from the airless steam spray drying step are then redirected as energy source to a processing step upstream of the airless spray drying step. At least some of the steam generated in the airless spray drying step is airless steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: GREENFIELD ETHANOL INC.
    Inventors: Richard Romeo LEHOUX, Christopher Bruce BRADT
  • Patent number: 8347525
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spray drying system and a method for its operation that provides a composition of dry. or essentially solvent free, particles from a solution of an agent. The system comprises a generally vertical tube reactor arranged for counter-current removal of solvent from a process flow fed with aerosol droplets of solution descending from the top said reactor with an ascending gas flow. The reactor includes a perforated process tube for transportation of the process flow from the outlet of an aerosol generating device to a dry particle collecting device. A membrane sleeve essentially surrounds the peripheral area of said process tube and separates the descending process stream from the ascending gas stream. Vaporized solvent is transported from the process stream to the ascending gas stream. A reactor housing is sealingly covering said process tube and membrane sleeve and is provided with means for introducing and/or removing the process fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Inhalation Sciences Sweden AB
    Inventor: Per Gerde
  • Publication number: 20130005863
    Abstract: A preferably pulverulent dispersing agent comprising as the component having a dispersing action the combination of (a) at least one representative of polycarboxylate ethers with a weight content of from 0.1 to 20%, (b) at least one representative of polycarboxylate esters with a weight content of from 0 to 20% and (c) at least one representative of non-charged copolymers with a weight content of from 0.1 to 20%, which is accessible by co-spray drying the individual components and which is suitable for controlling the flowability of aqueous chemical construction suspensions is claimed. By the dispersing agents which form in situ according to the invention, a controllable subsequent dosing of dispersing agent can be achieved without an additional process step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Manfred Bichler, Silke Flakus, Christoph Hofheinz
  • Patent number: 8317982
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a process and apparatus for utilization of waste heat of flue gas liberated from different heat sources to provide high quality water from sea/brackish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: Subrahmanyam Kumar
  • Patent number: 8282772
    Abstract: A method for processing wastewater includes the steps of introducing air and a liquid into a pump, and subjecting the air and liquid to high heat and pressure; delivering the heated and pressurized air and liquid from the pump to a gas and liquid separator to separate the air from the liquid; expanding the air from the gas and liquid separator through a nozzle to accelerate the air as it expands; injecting at least some portion of the wastewater to be processed into the air from the nozzle in an entrainment section downstream from the nozzle to entrain the wastewater into the air; passing the liquid portion from the gas and liquid separator through a valve to lower the pressure of the liquid to achieve flash evaporation of the liquid to produce water and steam; introducing the water and steam produced from the valve into the air and entrained wastewater in the entrainment section, to enhance entrainment of water into the air; and delivering the air and entrained wastewater from the entrainment section to an i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventor: W Paul Jepson
  • Patent number: 8177936
    Abstract: Evaporation of calciferous water is performed by an evaporator using electrical heating. An injection nozzle is connected to a spray hose arranged in an upper third of the evaporator, immediately above a thermostat that is disposed on the bottom side of the evaporator. A distance between the injection nozzle and the thermostat is less than 15 mm. A steam hose is connected to the evaporator via a steam connector. The steam connector has an inside diameter of at least 5 mm. The steam hose leads to a collector situated at an angle of inclination of 5° to 10°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventor: Dietmar Berghaenel
  • Patent number: 8173025
    Abstract: Water evaporation devices, systems and methods are used to evaporate large quantities of water from water impoundment ponds or other waste water sources. Water evaporation devices include a water evaporation barrel having an air acceleration chamber that creates venturi suction so as to draw water from a water source into a venturi chamber. Fast moving air and water create fine water droplets within a water atomization chamber, which droplets are then emitted from the water evaporation barrel through a discharge nozzle and into the air as a spray or cloud of fine water droplets. Water evaporation devices and associated systems and methods can be used to efficiently evaporate waster water produced by a wide variety of industrial processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: ReformWater, LLC
    Inventors: J. Keith Reidhead, Tyson P. Cox
  • Patent number: 8173026
    Abstract: Pressurized water evaporation systems and methods are used to evaporate large quantities of water from water impoundment ponds or other waste water sources. Water evaporation systems include one or more water evaporation barrels having an air acceleration chamber, water atomization chamber, and pressurizable air and water lines in fluid communication with the barrel. Fast moving air and water create fine water droplets within the water atomization chamber of each barrel. A fine spray or mist of tiny water droplets is emitted from a discharge nozzle of each barrel. Water evaporation systems and methods can be used to efficiently evaporate waster water produced by a wide variety of industrial processes, including waste water produced at oil or gas wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: ReformWater, LLC
    Inventors: Rodney Rasmussen, Paul C. Cox
  • Publication number: 20120103536
    Abstract: Described herein are devices and techniques for spray drying a fluid to produce a dried powder. Assemblies include a spray drying head attachable to a gas supplier and a liquid sample, such as a standard unit of blood product. The spray drying head can be adapted to provide an aerosolized flow of liquid sample exposed to a drying gas. The assembly also includes a drying chamber adapted to separate the aerosolized flow of liquid sample into a dried powder and humid air. The assembly can be disposable, provided in a sterilized kit and having simplified attachments allowing quick connect and disconnect from the gas and liquid sample. Separation of the powder from the humid air exiting the drying chamber occurs within a filtered collection bag. In some embodiments, one or more of the drying chamber and collection bag are formed form a thin-walled, collapsible material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: VELICO MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Dennis Brian Hubbard, JR., Michael Haley, John Charles Rosenfelder, George T. Perivolotis
  • Patent number: 8114249
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for monitoring an evaporator (2), whereby a liquid is applied onto a heating unit (3) and evaporated and the temperature drop caused by the evaporation heat in the heating unit (3) is detected. In the absence of a predetermined temperature drop, a signal is generated. In this way, the evaporation process can be controlled in a simple manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Rupert Meinzinger, Manfred Ziegler
  • Patent number: 8075740
    Abstract: A system for treating feedwater includes a fluidized bed heat exchanger unit connected to receive feedwater and a flash concentrator column connected to receive feedwater discharged from the fluidized bed heat exchanger unit. A spray dryer is provided to receive a solids/liquid slurry discharged from the flash concentrator column. Feedwater can be treated by converting dissolved solids in the feedwater to suspended solids, vaporizing a portion of the feedwater to produce a solids/liquid slurry, and separating solids from the solids/liquid slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignees: AHT Solutions, LLC, Watervap, LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Bailie, Robert R. Wright
  • Patent number: 8052847
    Abstract: A system and method for removing water from a liquid desiccant such as a glycol used to dry cooled air in order to restore the desiccant to a purity up to around 97% in a closed continuous flow process. Liquid desiccant can be sprayed into cooled air in a conditioner where it gains moisture. The wet or gained desiccant can be optionally preheated in an economizing heat exchanger and then routed into a concentrator. Desiccant pure to around 97% can be removed from the concentrator, passed through an economizing heat exchanger to provide the preheating and returned to the conditioner holding area. The concentrator can be heated by steam or other means such as natural gas to boil the wet desiccant causing mixed vapor to enter a vertical distillation column where most of the glycol condenses out on the column packing or plates and returns to the concentrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Niagara Blower Company
    Inventors: Matthew Koban, Phillip Rowland, Michael Harvey, Peter Demakos