Portably Mounted Patents (Class 202/83)
  • Patent number: 11807552
    Abstract: A water desalinator that employs the use of solar concentration, evaporation and humidification, mimicking the natural hydrological cycle in a closed, modular vessel to produce freshwater from salt, brackish, brines and seawater, and a concentrate stream for further processing. Feed water is received and stored in a basin. Surface humidity is generated by the evaporation of basin water. A lens is used to focus sunlight, tracked the suns path based on biomimicry of a sunflower, on a thermal conductor. The thermal conductor has a rounded side-profile and generates a variable temperature across its radius. Water is pumped from the basin to a sprinkler head to be dripped or sprayed on the thermal conductor to generate water vapour. This water vapour consequently mixes with the air in the reaction vessel to increase system humidity. Humid air is removed from the reaction vessel and condensed in a condenser. Accordingly, the salinity concentration of input water is reduced from the output of the reaction vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Inventor: Darian Petrisca
  • Patent number: 11767475
    Abstract: Provided is a system for continuous processing of heavy fuel oil from recycling waste oil and the processing residues of crude oil into useful products including means for feeding waste oil; at least one hot-gas filter, at least one condenser, at least one rotating kiln including an outer stationary jacket which forms a heating channel, and an inner rotating reactor, and means for removing solid coke from the rotating reactor. The at least one hot gas filter is configured to separate a naphtha/gasoil fraction after the processing of the heavy fuel oil from a soft coke fraction. The rotating reactor is configured to recover a solid coke fraction comprising high contaminant content. The invention further relates to a process for continuous processing of heavy fuel oil from recycling waste oil and the processing residues of crude oil into useful products, preferably with the system of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: PURAGLOBE HOLDING GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Schuppel
  • Patent number: 11518952
    Abstract: A fuel production system includes a first modular unit and a second modular unit. The first modular unit includes a first housing, a process vessel, an agitator rotor assembly, a first drivetrain, an extrusion screw, a second drivetrain, a first separation vessel, and a product shaping system. The second modular unit includes a second housing, a thermal fluid heater system, a condenser, a second separation vessel, and a vacuum pump. The second modular unit is configured to be coupled to the first modular unit. At least a portion of each of the process vessel, the agitator rotor assembly, the first drivetrain, the extrusion screw, the second drivetrain, the first separation vessel, and the product shaping system are contained in the first housing. At least a portion of each of the thermal fluid heater system, the condenser, the second separation vessel, and the vacuum pump are contained in the second housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Ecogensus LLC
    Inventors: Bjornulf Ostvik, Michael D. Lukas, Roberto Rondinelli
  • Patent number: 11465067
    Abstract: An evaporation still for producing sea salt having a chamber that contains a bottom, a plurality of sides including a front side, a back side, a first side, and a second side, the front side and the back side being substantially parallel, and the first side and the second size being substantially parallel, and a top. The top contains a centered portion extending from the first side to the second side, the centered portion being substantially parallel to the front side and the back side, a first window extending in a downward slope from the centered portion towards the front side, and a second window extending in a downward slope from the centered portion towards the back side. The evaporation still also contains a plurality of legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: GRENADINE SEA SALT, LTD
    Inventor: Gerald Simpson
  • Patent number: 11235985
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and device for obtaining distillate from non-potable water. The method comprises the steps of utilizing solar power from a solar power system to produce electricity and steam, utilizing the electricity and the steam in a water treatment device to convert the non-potable water into distillate and concentrate, transporting at least a part of the distillate to consumers for use. The method and device provide multiple effect distillation (MED) combined with vapour compression (VC) being able to work 24 hours a day only on solar energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: DESOLENATOR B.V.
    Inventors: Jiajun Cen, Wilhelmus Franciscus Johannes Janssen, Leon Awerbuch
  • Patent number: 11156384
    Abstract: In a solar water taking and power generating device, a concentrating-cooling plate encloses the opening, and at least one freshwater collecting channel is formed between the seawater tank and the concentrating-cooling plate; a cation exchange membrane includes a semiconductor film body, nanoparticles, and a capillary water-transporting conduit, wherein the semiconductor film body is provided with cation-selective channels; sunlight illuminates the cation exchange membrane and the nanoparticles through the concentrating-cooling plate, so that the first temperature, the first seawater concentration and the first electric potential in the first side are higher than those in the second side, respectively. The evaporated seawater enters the freshwater tank after condensed, and the cations transfer from the first side to the second side to form an ionic current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: XI'AN JIAOTONG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Zhiguo Qu, Qiang Wang, Di Tian
  • Patent number: 11059838
    Abstract: Provided herein are atmospheric moisture harvester systems, as well as methods using such systems, for capturing water from surrounding air. The systems and methods use adsorbents to adsorb water from the air. For example, the adsorbents may be metal-organic frameworks. The systems and methods desorb this water in the form of water vapor, and the water vapor is condensed into liquid water and collected. The liquid water is suitable for use as drinking water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Omar M. Yaghi, Farhad Fathieh, Markus J. Kalmutzki, Eugene A. Kapustin
  • Patent number: 10702083
    Abstract: A representative system for use with a drinking container to provide a flow of air to a user includes: a lid assembly with a lid base configured to removably mount to the drinking container and having a drinking opening, and an exterior housing defining an interior compartment and having an air outlet; a fan mounted within the interior compartment; and a heat exchanger mounted to the lid assembly and extending downwardly from the lid assembly and toward a bottom of the drinking container; wherein, in operation, air is directed via rotation of the fan into the fan into a heat exchange relationship with the heat exchanger and then outwardly through the air outlet as the flow of air; and wherein the lid assembly is configured to permit flow of the thermal medium from within the drinking container and through the drinking opening for drinking by the user while the lid base is mounted to the open end of the drinking container and the fan is providing the flow of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: SOUTHERN TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Ricky Joe Bishop, Samuel Shawn Klement
  • Patent number: 10253286
    Abstract: A solar reflector assembly is provided for generating energy from solar radiation. The solar reflector assembly is configured to be deployed on a supporting body of liquid and to reflect solar radiation to a solar collector. The solar reflector assembly has an elongated tube having an inner portion to facilitate liquid ballast, made of semi-rigid material and a flat section built into a wall of the tube or attached to the wall of the tube. A reflective material attached to said flat section of the wall of the tube to reflect solar radiation. The elongated tube has an axis of rotation oriented generally parallel to a surface of a supporting body of liquid. The elongated tube may be elastically or plastically deformed by application of a torque along its length, so as to bring flat-surface normal vectors at each end of the tube largely into alignment with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: COMBINED POWER LLC
    Inventors: John D. H. King, Nicholas A. Kramer, Erik E. Tang, Kristofer J. Olsen
  • Patent number: 9732305
    Abstract: A method for extracting an essence or perfume oil from pistachio hulls, the method comprises separating the pistachio green hulls or velvet hulls from pistachio nuts using an industrial separator and subjecting the hulls to an extraction method, which causes release of the essence from essence containing glands, wherein the essence mixes with steam forming vapors. The method further comprises distilling the vapors to form a liquid comprising the essence mixed with an aqueous component and separating the essence from the aqueous component. Compositions and methods for extracting perfume oil from pistachio hulls are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventor: Seyed Mohammad Bagher Marashi
  • Patent number: 9285139
    Abstract: Solar energy may be harvested utilizing arrays of solar collectors, supported and articulated to follow movement of the sun. Particular systems include arrays of solar collectors mounted on an elevation-azimuth tracking structure. From the ground up, embodiments of this system may include a Ground Interface, a Base, an Upper Truss, and a Collector. The system is designed to transmit loads with minimal deflection from the surface of the collector to the ground, while tracking the position of the sun across the sky. The use of structural, actuator, and collector elements with a minimum amount of low-cost materials, and which are able to be mass produced, allows large scale deployment of the system at reduced cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: COOLEARTH SOLAR
    Inventors: James S. Page, Robert L. Lamkin, Eric Cummings, Jacques J. Belanger, Kyle Theile
  • Patent number: 9183954
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing tritium migration. In one aspect, the invention is a method of reducing tritium mitigation from a spent nuclear fuel pool containing a body of tritiated water having an exposed surface, the method comprising hermetically sealing the exposed surface of the body of tritiated water with a cover movable between an open-state and a close-state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Inventor: Jeffrie Joseph Keenan
  • Patent number: 8951392
    Abstract: A modular portable evaporator system for use in a Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) systems having an evaporator, with a sump including an oil skimming weir, a short tube vertical falling film heat exchanger including an outer shell containing short tubes provided for lower water circulation rate. The system further having external to the evaporator, a compressor for compressing evaporated steam from the tube side of the heat exchanger and routing to the shell side of the same exchanger, a distillate tank to collect hot distilled water, a recirculation pump to introduce liquids from the sump into the heat exchanger and an external suction drum protecting the compressor from liquid impurities. The evaporator system receives produced water from the SAGD process into the sump and provides cleaned hot water to a boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: 1nSite Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenneth James
  • Patent number: 8894810
    Abstract: A floating salt farm in which its purpose is to produce crystallized salt and bittern at offshore locations through the evaporation process using extracted seawater. The floating salt farm components can be consisted of a seawater tank, an evaporator tank, a heating tank, a deposit tank, a storage tank, and photovoltaic panels, which these components are installed onto the buoyant foundation. The evaporator tank component can consist of an evaporator plate and an evaporator bin. The evaporator plate, which captures the produced crystallized salt during the evaporation process, has a sieve surface. The contents inside the evaporator bin can affect the properties of the produced crystallized salt and bittern, such as their mineral compositions, during the evaporation process. The seawater can be extracted from desired water depths and/or in the proximity of volcanic sites, in which the seawater can have affected mineral compositions due to volcanic activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Pioli Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Jae Hyun Lim
  • Patent number: 8778668
    Abstract: The present invention provides a modular ethanol production plant constructed of a number of identically sized modules each having a supporting structure main framework to which the components contained in the modules are attached. The plurality of modules includes a fermentation module, a distillation module, a ground grain module, or a sugar source feedstock module, and an optional heating module. Each of the modules are sized to occupy the same approximate space as a standard sized ocean going shipping container. Also, each of the modules has a central walkway including piping and electrical control boxes that are aligned for each connection to the next adjacent module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Mark K. Gaalswyk
  • Publication number: 20140116870
    Abstract: A system for the distribution of resources. The system includes a housing, at least one power generation source connected to the housing, a power control and distribution system and at least one water distillation device, wherein power from at least one power generation source powers that at least a water distillation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Matthew A. Norris
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120193213
    Abstract: A modular portable evaporator system for use in a Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) systems having an evaporator, with a sump comprising an oil skimming weir, a short tube vertical heat exchanger including an outer shell containing the short tubes provided for lower water circulation rate. A system further having, external to the evaporator, a compressor compressing evaporated steam from the tube-side of the heat exchanger and routing to the shell side of the same exchanger, a distillate tank to collect hot distilled water, a recirculation pump to introduce liquids from the sump into the heat exchanger and an external demister protecting the compressor from liquid impurities. The evaporator system receives produced water from the process into the sump and provides cleaned hot water to the boiler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: KemeX Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenneth James
  • Patent number: 8168044
    Abstract: A thermochemical reactor includes a contact surface and a pressing device for pressing raw material to be pyrolyzed against the rotationally symmetrical contact surface which is rotatable relative to the raw material. A generating line of the contact surface is oriented at an angle to a radius that is perpendicular to the axis of the relative rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Horst Weigelt
  • Patent number: 8097451
    Abstract: The present invention provides a modular ethanol production plant constructed of a number of identically sized modules each having a supporting structure main framework to which the components contained in the modules are attached. The plurality of modules includes a fermentation module, a distillation module, a ground grain module, and an optional heating module. Each of the modules are sized to occupy the same approximate space as a standard sized ocean going shipping container. Also, each of the modules has a central walkway including piping and electrical control boxes that are aligned for each connection to the next adjacent module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventor: Mark K Gaalswyk
  • Patent number: 8052846
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid cleaning device that is intended for purifying liquid from pollutants, which liquid cleaning device includes a vessel, having a lower chamber and an upper chamber, which lower chamber is connected to a heating member arranged to heat the liquid in said lower chamber, as well as further including a riser and liquid-distributor member, which riser is arranged to transport heated liquid from said lower chamber up to the upper part of said upper chamber, where the liquid-distributor member is arranged to impart the heated liquid an increased area of exposure to surrounding air, the liquid then, by means of the gravity, running back downward outside the riser and being collected in the lower part of the upper chamber of the vessel, said upper chamber and lower chamber being in at least conditioned communication with each other in order to allow transfer of the liquid from the upper chamber to the lower chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Purity AB
    Inventor: Peter Holmberg
  • Patent number: 7985322
    Abstract: A mobile waste processing system and method is disclosed for processing materials in a tank, typically an underground storage tank. A mobile fluid processing module is disposed adjacent to or over the tank, and sealingly connected to the tank through a tank riser. Support equipment, which may include an electric power module, a chiller module, a heating module, and a control and monitor module, are disposed a distance from the processing module, and connected thereto. A pump and optionally a dispersal nozzle are deployed from the processing module into the tank, and effluent is extracted for processing. The processing trailer includes effluent processing equipment such as an evaporator and demister, condenser, vacuum pump, and interim storage tank. The effluent is processed, and at least a portion is removed. Some of the processed effluent may be returned to the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Columbia Energy & Environmental Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Wolfe, Brian Brendel
  • Publication number: 20110011721
    Abstract: A biofuel production method, catalyst and system. The method may include combining a feedstock comprising a carbonaceous material with a consumable catalyst to produce a feedstock/catalyst mixture, and subjecting the feedstock/catalyst mixture to a vacuum pyrolytic gasification and liquefaction process to produce one or more biofuels. The catalyst includes effective amounts of various catalyst constituents, which may include some or all of kaolin, zeolite, amorphous silica, alumina aluminum phosphate and rare earth elements. The system may include apparatus for heating the feedstock/catalyst mixture under selected temperature and vacuum pressure conditions to produce a gaseous effluent comprising one or more hydrocarbon fractions, and additional distillation and condensation apparatus to produce one or more liquid and gaseous fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventor: Gary E. Champagne
  • Patent number: 7722739
    Abstract: A self-contained evaporation system for use in disposing of excess water from oil and gas drilling operations is provided. The system includes a water holding tank in which the wastewater is preheated, an evaporation chamber mounted over the holding tank and having an open top, a nozzle system located within the chamber for producing a fine liquid mist, and fans disposed within the chamber for producing an air flow that carries the mist out the open top of the chamber. The system can be set up and taken down by one person in an hour or less, can be used with pond or tank operations, and is capable of operating in high winds and sub-zero temperatures. The system can be carried and mounted on a trailer for easy transport to and from various drilling sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Evaporite Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrin Niles Haslem, Michael Talmadge Lawing
  • Patent number: 7654103
    Abstract: To collect freshwater from water using a freshwater collection system which comprises of a vapor collector field formed by vapor collectors which have floatable platforms with central holes, curved roofs which each spans over each central holes and which allow sun rays to penetrate through, channels each with a nipple, “U”-shaped vacuum breaker tubes, and many eyes; a floatable water sprinkling system which has a relatively stationary platform which has eyes and which encircles a sprinkler platform which has a pump with a screen at one end and at the other end with a pipe which connects with a sprinkler head, a fuel supply system and an internal combustion engine with gear system which drives the pump; and a freshwater collector relay which is an enclosed container with a one-way valve, a weight, a nipple near the weight, many eyes, and many nipples near the eyes and the one-way valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventor: Chih-Yu Hsia
  • Publication number: 20090313996
    Abstract: A system and method for decontaminating water and generating water vapor includes introducing contaminated water in to a vessel. The water is moved through a series of rotating trays alternately separated by stationary baffles so as to swirl and heat the water to effect the vaporization thereof to produce a vapor having at least some of the contaminants separated therefrom. The vapor is removed from the vessel for condensing apart from the separated contaminants and the remaining water. The vapor may be passed through a turbine connected to an electric generator. Sensors in a controller may be employed to adjust the speed of rotation of the trays or water input into the vessel in response to the sensed conditions. The treated water may be recirculated and reprocessed through the vessel to increase the purification thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: VERNO HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: John D. Riley, Dana L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7510658
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for desalinating water are provided. A vessel includes a water intake system, a reverse osmosis system, a concentrate discharge system, a permeate transfer system, a power source, and a control system. The concentrate discharge system includes a plurality of concentrate discharge ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Water Standard Company LLC
    Inventor: Andrew W. Gordon
  • Publication number: 20080197012
    Abstract: An integrated combustion chamber and fluidized bed pyrolysis reactor. In one embodiment, the combustion chamber is cylindrical and the pyrolysis reactor is provided annularly about the combustion chamber with an annular wall that provides a common surface for heat transfer. A lift tube in fluid communication with the pyrolysis reactor is provided within the combustion chamber for circulating biomass and an inert fluidizable media upwardly through the lift tube; this advantageously increases heat transfer and leads to more rapid pyrolysis. The media and biomass exit the lift tube into either a freeboard area of the pyrolysis reactor or into a low density region of the fluidized bed. A condensable gaseous product is produced during pyrolysis that has economic value. The apparatus and process are especially well suited to the pyrolysis of low density agricultural biomass. The apparatus is compact and particularly well suited to mobile operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Franco Berruti, Cedric Briens, Ronald Golden
  • Publication number: 20080164135
    Abstract: A desalination apparatus for desalination of seawater or salty water, and purification of non-potable water, the apparatus comprising: a solar concentrator dish; a sun tracking system comprising at least one sensor for determining the relative position of the sun in the sky and a turning and a tilting mechanism for turning and tilting the dish towards the sun; an evaporation chamber positioned at a focal point of the solar concentrator dish, with an inlet linked to a non-potable water source; a condenser fluidically linked with the evaporation chamber for condensing vapor exiting the evaporation chamber into liquid; an outlet fluidically linked to the condenser for dispensing the condensed desalinated water; and a control unit for controlling entry of non-potable water into the evaporation chamber and for controlling the turning and tilting mechanism of the apparatus, cooperating with the sun-tracking system, all of which are supported on a stand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Avraham Slook
  • Patent number: 7008515
    Abstract: A solar water still (10) includes an enclosure assembly (12) and an evaporation assembly (14) that float on a body of source water and that are readily collapsed and folded for storage or transport. The enclosure assembly includes a transparent conical dome (20) covering a collection reservoir (18) and an inner float ring (16). The evaporation assembly is placed in the center of the inner float ring. During operation, solar radiation induces water to evaporate from the evaporation assembly. The water vapor is then condensed and collected by the enclosure assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Solar Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Frank D. Husson, Jr., Carl J. Lennox, Luis M. Piek, Brian S. Hunnicutt, Brian L. Spare
  • Patent number: 6926808
    Abstract: A vacuum low-temperature distilled pure water dispenser includes a water-supply tank communicating with a reaction chamber via a water supply line, a pure water storage tank communicably located above the reaction chamber, an actuating pump communicably located below the reaction chamber, and a refrigerating system having pipe lines extended between the reaction chamber and the pure water storage tank. When the actuating pump is actuated, a vacuum is produced in the reaction chamber to suck water in the water-supply tank into the reaction chamber, at where the sucked water is heated and vaporized by heat provided by a compressor of the refrigerating system, so that impurities, organic and inorganic matters, bacteria, and viruses in the water are separated therefrom through vacuum low-temperature distillation. When the actuating pump keeps pumping, the distilled water is sent from the reaction chamber into the pure water storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventor: Wen Chao Shen
  • Patent number: 6911119
    Abstract: This invention relates to a simple, convenient, portable mini-distillation apparatus for the production of essential oils and hydrosols, said apparatus is useful to distill essential oils and hydrosols such as rose water, ajowain water from fresh and dried plant material like leaves, flowers, roots and rhizomes by water distillation, water and steam distillations and as an optional, steam distillation can also be perform at atmospheric pressure as well as slightly higher and lower than atmospheric pressure, said apparatus can be heated on brick-clay furnace with small agro-waste, LPG cooking gas, electrically heated stove or kerosene/diesel burner etc. and requires minimum attention during handling; since the apparatus is made of stainless steel and glass, the essential oil distilled is of better quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research
    Inventors: Garikapati D. Kiran Babu, Paramvir Singh Ahuja, Vijay Kumar Kaul, Virendra Singh
  • Patent number: 6910350
    Abstract: A portable cryogenic nitrogen generator consists of an air preparation unit and a cryogenic distillation unit mounted inside separate standard-sized ISO containers that can be easily shipped to a drilling site and efficiently and quickly assembled into an operative state. The containers can be connected together at anchor points on the housings of both containers, making the nitrogen generator assembly more stable. The air preparation unit includes an absorption device and optionally includes one or a plurality of air compressor units. The cryogenic distillation unit includes a distillation column and associated heat exchangers. The air preparation and cryogenic distillation units connect through apertures in their respective containers and operate while being mounted in the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Pacific Consolidated Industries, LLC
    Inventors: William D. Brigham, Brian R. Wildey, Robert A. Zarate
  • Patent number: 6887344
    Abstract: A compact, self-contained apparatus for treating wastewater containing as impurities and pollutants various non-volatile (at water boiling points) fluids such as greases, oils and soaps, a vessel for collecting the wastewater, a heating chamber including electric heating elements and a heat transfer liquid such as mineral oil to heat the wastewater admixture to boil off the water and to reduce the volume of liquid for disposal, and a wastewater supply tank positioned under the apparatus. The apparatus may further include a disposable liner to isolate the wastewater from the vessel itself and facilitate rapid and clean removal and disposal of waste material after evaporation of the water, and thermally-activated sensors to maintain a desired temperature differential between the heating elements and the heat transfer liquid contained in the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventor: Raymond E. VanKouwenberg
  • Patent number: 6830661
    Abstract: A compact, energy efficient, continuous-flow point of use distillation system utilizes stacked, vertically-arranged components to provide a compact and energy efficient distillation process and a device which is quick and easy to service and maintain. A housing contains a double-walled boiler vessel to which water is supplied from an external source through suitable filters. A heating source is provided to boil water in the vessel, producing steam which is supplied through a condenser to a storage container located below the boiler. A noninvasive liquid level sensor maintains the water level in the boiler and the controller is provided to activate the boiler when water is required for the storage reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Environmental Technology Enterprises, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Glenn E. Land
  • Publication number: 20040178052
    Abstract: A low-energy input process for the pyrolytic conversion of biomass to charcoal or carbonized charcoal is provided. The biomass is sealed in a container, pressurized with air and heated to ignition. Control of pressure by input of air and release of gases to maintain successively lower pressure levels results in a typical time for the conversion of less than 30 minutes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: University of Hawaii
    Inventor: Michael J. Antal
  • Patent number: 6733667
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for desalination of salt water (and purification of polluted water) are disclosed. Saline (or otherwise polluted) water is pumped to a desalination installation and down to the base of a desalination fractionation column, where it is mixed with hydrate-forming gas or liquid to form either positively buoyant (also assisted buoyancy) or negatively buoyant hydrate. The hydrate rises or sinks or is carried into a lower pressure area and dissociates (melts) into the gas and pure water. In preferred embodiments, residual salt water which is heated by heat given off during formation of the hydrate is removed from the system to create a bias towards overall cooling as the hydrate dissociates endothermically at shallower depths, and input water is passed through regions of dissociation in heat-exchanging relationship therewith so as to be cooled sufficiently for hydrate to form at pressure-depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Marine Desalination Systems L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael David Max
  • Publication number: 20040069609
    Abstract: Disclosed is a purification apparatus and method. The purification apparatus includes: a mobile phase distillation part for distilling a mobile phase; a mobile phase liquefaction part for liquefying the distilled mobile phase; and a purification part disposed between the mobile phase distillation part and the mobile phase liquefaction part, for mixing the mobile phase liquefied at the mobile liquefaction part with to-be-purified material, removing impurities from the mixture through a bonded phase, and sending the impurity-removed purified material to the mobile phase distillation part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyung Hoon Lee, Jeong Dae Seo, Hyoung Yun Oh
  • Patent number: 6663750
    Abstract: Cultivated field water is desalinated by a series of independent units that float on the water surface, taking up the saline water with a wick, evaporating the water from the wick in desalinating relation by concentrating incident solar radiation with a combination of a lenses and cooperating mirrors onto the upper end portion of the wick while the wick lower end portion is immersed in the field water, capturing the desalinated vapor resulting by condensing within the unit and returning the condensed, desalinated water to the field, and periodically renewing the wick by rinsing the salt from it at a cleaning station beyond the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: Warren Coon
  • Patent number: 6635150
    Abstract: A method for distilling a fluid which is useful, for instance, in eliminating salt from brackish and/or sea water includes percolating films on plates with multiple effects having several evaporating zones and condensation zones. The evaporation zones (EVAP) and the condensation zones (COND) are vertically arranged. The liquid to be distilled emerges in the top part of the evaporation zone (EVAP). The vapors produced in the evaporation zone (EVAP) are horizontally transferred into the condensation zone (COND) through a communicating connection. The condensed liquid percolates vertically along the walls of the condensation zone and is evacuated from the lower part of the condensation zone. A distilling plant is also provided for implementing the distilling method, and includes plural cascades made up of elementary cells alternatingly assembled in thermal series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Centre International de l'Eau de Nancy - Nancie
    Inventors: Pierre Le Goff, Jean-Marie Hornut, Viviane Renaudin
  • Publication number: 20030173205
    Abstract: A process vessel containing both an evaporation zone for evaporating a liquid feed and a treatment zone for treating the resulting vapor comprises an injector having an orifice, the orifice being in the evaporation zone, at least one evaporation surface for evaporating feed and generating vapor, the evaporation surface being located in the evaporation zone, wherein the injector orifice and the evaporation surface are positioned to prevent the formation of a drop at the orifice, a treatment zone for treating the vapor and at least one heater associated with at least a portion of the process vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Arne Karlsson, Ivar M. Dahl, Jonny Engedahl, Mark A. Krawczyk, Ara J. Alexanian
  • Publication number: 20030173204
    Abstract: A distillate system, especially of the sea water, by using the sun as heat source and the sea water as cold source, falling the work pressure to the boiling point of the sea water between the temperature generated by the sun and the temperature of the sea water. The sea water and the fresh water are entered/removed to/from the distillation system at the same time, by compensating the pressure differences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Gines Sanchez Gomez
  • Patent number: 6582563
    Abstract: An improved portable water purification system with reduced leaks and the capability of automatic draining of its boiling tank, as well as to a method of preventing water spillage from a portable water purification system and a method of draining a boiling tank of a portable water purification system. The system includes a control tank that is connected to a water supply, a boiling tank that is connected to the control tank for boiling water, a condenser that is connected to the boiling tank for receiving steam from the boiling tank and for condensing the steam to form distilled water, and a distilled water tank that is connected to the condenser for collecting distilled water from the condenser. An inlet solenoid control valve is disposed between the water supply and the control tank, with the inlet solenoid control valve controlling flow of water to the control tank. The system further includes a UV light sanitizer, leak prevention and leak detection features, and a mechanism for detecting water quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: innowave, inc.
    Inventors: Tyler L. Adam, Robert W. Haney
  • Publication number: 20020148716
    Abstract: A portable kiln is transported to a site of logging where there is significant wood waste. At the site, wood waste is collected. The portable kiln is assembled as it is being loaded with wood waste. Once the portable kiln is assembled it is lit with all air intakes open. When combustion is complete and charring begins, some of the air intakes are closed. When charring ends, all of the air intakes and exhausts are closed to permit the kiln to cool down.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventor: Philippe R. Murcia
  • Publication number: 20020148717
    Abstract: Device for evaporation and condensation in a closed environment The present invention relates to a device (1) for evaporation and condensation in a closed environment consisting essentially of an evaporation receptacle (2), a heating means (7) for said evaporation receptacle (2) and a condensation receptacle (3) connected in a substantially sealed manner to said evaporation receptacle (2), characterised in that said evaporation (2) and condensation (3) receptacles are connected to each other, at their openings (2′, 3′), extending on either side of a common separation plane (4) in such a way that the arrangement of said receptacles (2, 3) forms substantially an inverted “V” with a sharp point and in that substantially the entire surface area of the wall (6) forming the evaporation receptacle (2) is brought, by said heating means (7), to the same temperature T1 higher than the highest temperature T2 of the wall (5) forming the condensation receptacle (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Gerard Manhes, Christa Gopel
  • Patent number: 6395138
    Abstract: This distributor (1) includes: a primary distributor (3) which delimits a closed volume provided with liquid predistribution openings (8) which open into the column; a device for feeding the primary distributor (3) with liquid under a pressure very much greater than the internal pressure of the column; and a secondary distributor (4) which occupies substantially the entire cross-section of the column, which includes a gas overhead in communication with the internal space of the column and which is subdivided by partitions (13, 17) into a plurality of compartments (16), each of which receives liquid originating from at least one of the said openings (8) of the primary distributor (3), this secondary distributor (4) having a bottom (9) provided with orifices (12) for fine distribution of the liquid over virtually the entire cross-section of the column, the number of these orifices being very much greater than the number of openings (8) of the primary distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Bernard Darredeau, Jean-Yves Lehman
  • Patent number: 6338774
    Abstract: A liquid distributor includes a principal container with a perforated bottom, as well as transport members to transmit, by gravity, the liquid from at least one opening in the perforated bottom, to a supply point not in vertical alignment with this opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Jean-Yves Lehman
  • Patent number: 6290819
    Abstract: A continuous-flow water distiller includes a housing having a removable heating vessel which receives water to be distilled A heater is immersed within the water in the vessel for producing steam. The housing includes an openable lid which, when closed, seals the heating vessel so that steam can be directed through an outlet into a condenser located in the housing. Raw water is supplied to the heating vessel through a heat exchanger to preheat the raw water by effectively utilizing thermal energy recovery to initiate cooling of the steam, and distillate is supplied through the condenser to enhance heat exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Environmental Technology Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Glenn E. Land
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6099693
    Abstract: A movable water distiller capable of use in conjunction with a water heater includes a frame having a top which supports the water heater. The distiller components are supported on a tray having a guide assembly engaging a track assembly horizontally positioned in the bottom region of the frame. The guide assembly allows the distiller components to be inserted within, and extracted from, the frame interior while the track assembly maintains alignment of the tray. Alternatively, the guide assembly may be attached to the top surfaces of the track assembly. Paneling surrounds the sides and back of the frame, while a front cover is attached to the front of the tray. The front cover and the paneling enclose the interior of the frame and prevent access to the distiller components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Pure Water, Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Palmer, Mark W. Napier