Gas Removed From Closed Tank Patents (Class 210/218)
  • Patent number: 5865995
    Abstract: A gas treatment system for liquids can increase gas exposure and contact time. A liquid stream into which treatment gas is added is directed into a vortex chamber (130). The vortex chamber (130) creates a downward spiral flow of the liquid stream forcing it into an upper end inlet (145) of a contact tank (114). The liquid stream with entrained gas bubbles is forced to move downwardly through the tank to a lower end outlet (122). The flow then moves upwardly to a degassing chamber (146) wherein the treatment gas is separated from the liquid and delivered through an outlet (124) for use. Because the entrained bubbles are forced downwardly through the contact tank (114), the gas bubbles remain quite small and contact time is prolonged. Release of the treatment gas is further facilitated by positioning the degassing chamber (146) at an elevated position which promotes gas bubble expansion, combination and release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: William R. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5788843
    Abstract: A structure for treating water used in public water supplies for removing dissolved gases. The installation includes a closed outer tank for storage of water and a vented inner tank for water aeration contained at least partially within the outer tank. The inner tank includes a column of packing media for aerating the water which is delivered from the ground water source to a point above the column. A flow of air is delivered into the outer tank above the water level, and an air inlet causes air to flow into the inner tank and through the column in counter-current flow to the water. The air is then vented to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventors: Carl Richard Larrabee, Jr., David Alan King, Everett John Wegerif, William Powell Nairn, Hershel Williamson, Gary Lynn Heller, Glynn Alan Leffler
  • Patent number: 5783071
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating wastewater is provided including a cylindrical tank having a top, a bottom, an outer wall and a cylindrical inner wall. The inner wall extends from the bottom of the tank to a point above a desired water level. The inner wall, the top and the bottom define an inner aerobic zone. The inner wall, the outer wall, the top and the bottom define an outer anaerobic zone. Wastewater may pass from the outer anaerobic zone to the inner aerobic zone through holes in the inner wall. An open ended conical hopper is positioned within the inner aerobic zone with its smaller end pointed toward the bottom of the tank. Several radially spaced air outlet pipes connected to a compressed air source extend downward into the inner aerobic zone where air is discharged through the open ends of the outlet pipes. An inlet line connected to the tank opens into the outer anaerobic zone of the tank. An outlet line is positioned within the clarification zone to remove purified water from the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Delta Environmental Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Monroe Wayne Guy
  • Patent number: 5773526
    Abstract: For the anaerobic fermentation of solid organic waste substances, solid waste is mixed with liquid material, particularly anaerobic slurry, and the temperature of the mixture is brought to a value between 25.degree. and 70.degree. C., preferably between 30.degree. and 40.degree. C. (mesophilic) and between 55.degree. and 65.degree. C. (thermophilic). By means of spontaneous rising of lightweight material and by means of flotation, a layer (10) of solid material floating on a methane-generating zone is formed from said mixture in a reactor. Said floating layer moves from a supply end (7) or a mixing section (2) to a discharge end (14) of the reactor, hydrolysis and acidification of solidorganic material taking place in the floating layer. The fermented floating layer is discharged via the discharge (14) end independent of the residence time of fluid and slurry in the methane-generating zone under the floating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Paques Solid Waste Systems B.V.
    Inventors: Meine Van Dijk, Jelle Faber
  • Patent number: 5766488
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating water includes a vertically extending contact vessel, wherein water is contacted with ozone, and a return vessel which contains a column of water of a sufficient height to drive water through downstream solids separation stages. Ozone is removed from the water and the rate of ozone injection is monitored and automatically adjusted so that no great amount of ozone remains in water entering the solids separation stages. The ozone is generated in elongated elements that are cooled by the process water and that are positioned to serve as a static mixer for such water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: United States Filter Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen A. Uban, Richard C. Maxson, Ralph W. Holliday, Mark E. Watson
  • Patent number: 5725759
    Abstract: A system for removing iron from well water which, in addition to sources of air and water and an iron filter, has a reaction chamber wherein water containing dissolved iron is turbulently mixed with air and after oxidation of the water, excess air is removed through venting means located approximately midway between the ends of the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Ecowater Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Schlafer, Lori Nyland, William Raatz
  • Patent number: 5707513
    Abstract: The treatment system is for use with septic tank effluent. Water is passed over polyurethane foam blocks, arranged in a heap so that air can circulate freely around the blocks. The size of the foam cells is small enough that water soaks into the blocks and is retained therein. The foam is soft and easily deformed. At the points of block-to-block engagement, the blocks deflect and conform to each other, giving rise to a large contact area through which water can pass between blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Inventors: E. Craig Jowett, Michaye L. McMaster
  • Patent number: 5698095
    Abstract: In the agitation chamber (11), the human waste and the flush water from the flush toilet (20) are mixed. A heat accumulator (12) is provided in the discharge path of the exhaust gas. The drying chamber (13) heats the discharge from the agitation chamber (11) using the heat of the heat accumulator (12). The moving device (18) moves the scraper (16) and the suction port of the suction device (17) in the drying chamber (13). The scraper (16) scrapes off the residual human waste stuck in the drying chamber (13). The suction device (17) suctions the residual human waste in the drying chamber (13). The water accumulation chamber (14) recovers the water vapor from the drying chamber (13). The recovered water is transported by the pump (15) to the flush tank (30) for the flush water, and thus recirculated. The space for holding the flush water can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Kami
  • Patent number: 5670046
    Abstract: A multistage treatment system for treating nutrient-rich water containing nitrogen compounds, phosphorous compounds, and other minerals. Three or more vessels or stages typically constitute the multistage treatment system. Each stage of the system is a reaction vessel having a first zone containing a substantially insoluble salt for precipitating phosphorous compounds and other minerals, a second zone containing a microorganism retained on an inert substrate for converting nitrogen compounds, and a separation device for removing precipitates from the water. The effluent from the multistage system may be further treated in ponds cultivated with aquatic grass or in a packaged algae filter having a medium for supporting algae growth and an artificial light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: RJJB & G, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald C. Kimmel
  • Patent number: 5660721
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing undesirable compounds such as radon, volatile organics, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and methane from contaminated well water which utilizes a recirculating system which is selectively operable to decrease the contamination of the treated water below a given level wherein the contaminant removal is achieved by providing an interface between the radon contaminated water and air in order to allow the undesirable compounds such as radon, volatile organics, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and methane to move from the water into the air due to the greater affinity therefore. The apparatus is designed to be used with a conventional residential or small commercial water well supply system and maximizes radon removal preferably by aspirating or baffling a gravity feed radon removal system for water which may include passing thereof through mass transfer packing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: E-Group, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Karl Kyriss, Jeffrey Careaga, Kenneth Bather, John Micolucci
  • Patent number: 5656155
    Abstract: A system for thermophilic aerobic destruction of pathogenic organisms and organic matter within waste water treatment sludge includes a tank for maintaining the sludge and an air transfer apparatus for injecting air into the sludge near the bottom thereof so as to bubble up through the sludge and react exothermically with the thermophilic microorganisms therein so as to kill or destroy the mesophilic micro- organisms within the sludge. The thermophilic reaction is preferably controlled within a desired temperature range by control of the flow of fresh air versus recycled air being injected into the sludge. The fresh air to recycle air ratio can be controlled by several different mechanisms so as to produce the desired temperature range. The air is also utilized to mix the sludge within the tank. A pumping apparatus is also provided for transferring sludge into and out of the tank and for recirculating the sludge for purposes of auxiliary mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: IP Holding Company
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Norcross, Yanlong Li
  • Patent number: 5641401
    Abstract: Methods for removing e.g. odor-causing components from liquid sludge, and, in one embodiment, a process for sludge deodorization which includes pretreating the sludge to gasify certain components, reducing the size of solids in the sludge, feeding the thus treated sludge tea stripping tower and therein removing in a stripping gas undesirable components from a thin film of the sludge on the interior tower wall. Preferably, the treated sludge is dewatered. Products from the tower may be recycled for further treatment until a desired odor level is achieved or discharged from the process. The process may be batch or batch-wise continuous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Stultz, Danford L. Bice
  • Patent number: 5637231
    Abstract: A photocatalytic oxidation and ozone catalyst system utilizes ultraviolet light and ozone in the treatment of waste and wastewater to destroy pathogens and to break down most hydrocarbons and other chemicals into non-hazardous forms. The wastewater enters the system for initial treatment and is also pumped through the venturi loop and is exposed to ultraviolet light. The ozone interacts at the venturi before the ultraviolet light is being used as a catalyst by the ultraviolet light to break apart the double bonds of ketones, aldehydes, esters, and carboxylic acids. Following initial treatment, the wastewater is pumped into the pressurized ozone enhancement vessel where vapor oxidation of the polluting chemicals occurs. The enhancement vessel comprises a liquid spray component and a series of ozone resonator plates having ozone distribution manifolds that spray the wastewater with ozone. The plates have angular channels formed therein through which the wastewater passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Huron Valley Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Hill, Frederick J. Hoitash
  • Patent number: 5632885
    Abstract: There is provided a hydrogen peroxide removal equipment which has a high capability for removing hydrogen peroxide and is able to cope with variation in amount of a hydrogen peroxide containing waste water and variation of a hydrogen peroxide concentration occurring in a semiconductor plant. A tank 51 is internally provided with a first decomposition section 16, a second decomposition section 17 and a third decomposition section 8 which are constituted by combining a charcoal 9 and a plastic material 10 having a void capable of allowing water and gas to pass therethrough. The first and second decomposition sections 16 and 17 are provided below the level of an outlet port 42 and arranged on both sides of a vertical partition plate 13 located apart from a bottom plate 51E. The third decomposition section 8 is provided above the level of the outlet port 42 and arranged above the first and second decomposition sections 16 and 17.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Yamasaki, Atsushi Yokotani
  • Patent number: 5620593
    Abstract: An in-well system for simultaneously treating and extracting groundwater by injecting compressed gas through the groundwater in multiple successive stages as it is pumped out of a well. The process is usable for in-well aeration stripping of Volatile Organic Compounds from groundwater or for other applications in which it is desirable to pass compressed gas through groundwater to alter the physical, chemical, or radiological properties of the groundwater prior to its discharge from the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Inventor: Joseph C. Stagner
  • Patent number: 5618414
    Abstract: A treatment system is described for treating waste water, comprising a container having an upper and a lower portion, at least one elongated hollow casing within the lower portion of the container, inlets, openings, or vents for aerating the treatment system and at least one distribution system for distributing the waste water entering the container into at least one treatment chamber defined by the casing. A combination of a septic tank and a treatment system is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Premier Tech ltee
    Inventors: Patrick Goupil, Martin Pelletier, Remy Simoneau, Claude Talbot, Pierre Talbot
  • Patent number: 5616241
    Abstract: A system for treatment of influent materials such as wastewater, gases, solid and liquid waste, and sludges utilizes an anaerobic reactor followed by at least one sludge separator and at least one sludge conditioner. In the sludge conditioner, anaerobic and aerobic biological actions, chemical or other treatment methods are applied to produce the optimal make-up of the conditioned sludge in the system overall. Single channel or multiple channel conditioners are possible. In such a system controllable cultivation and use, and controllable conversion of constituents in said influent materials are provided. The method of controllable anaerobic treatment is illustrated as a stand-alone anaerobic treatment, coupled anaerobic/aerobic treatment, combined anaerobic/aerobic treatment, treatment of wastewater within collection networks, treatment of wastewater sludges, and treatment of gases. The aerobic reactor can be stacked on top of the anaerobic reactor, with optional gas collection above the aerobic reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Inventor: Boris M. Khudenko
  • Patent number: 5573671
    Abstract: A biological purification process, a secondary treatment of partially cleaned waste water for example, is carried out in a porous bed of loose granules which float in the liquid. The granules are continuously washed to remove coagulated impurities by means of a small quantity thereof being entrained from the top of the bed in a small volumn flow of the effluent of the process, mixed with the inflowing impure liquid and then returned to the bottom of the bed. Excess reaction gas may also be delivered to the bed via the inflowing liquid and unreacted gas collected for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Hans Brochier GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Hans-Ulrich Klein
  • Patent number: 5573677
    Abstract: A cloudy water recovery and recycling apparatus and method of use. The apparatus recovers cloudy water defined as water recovered from the rinse cycle of a clothes washing machine. The apparatus is comprised of an electronic controller, a storage tank, a trap having a lint screen, a pumping means, and a pressurized storage container. Water from a clothes washing machine is separated into rinse water and wash water by an electronic controller. The wash water is disposed of and the rinse water is strained to remove lint, collected in the storage tank, treated with dye and bactericide, pumped from the storage tank to a pressurized container and then utilized to flush at least one toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventor: Edward Dembrosky
  • Patent number: 5573661
    Abstract: A retrofit system for biological treatment sanitation vaults wherein evaporation of the liquid waste is accelerated by locating a conduit within the waste receptacle into which only liquid may flow and evaporate within the conduit in the air flowing therethrough. A double conduit system substantially connected in parallel may be used to evaporate liquids accumulating in vaults receiving heavy use for short durations as a float operated air control system permits the most effective utilization of the air movement through the conduit circuit as automatically controlled by the liquid level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: The Shane Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander L. Rachak
  • Patent number: 5545316
    Abstract: Raw water containing organic chlorine compounds is supplied in an aeration tank, wherein the organic chlorine compounds contained in the raw water are transferred into air or gas. The gas obtained from the aeration tank is collected in a treatment solution of a decomposition-treatment tank. The treatment solution contains an oxidizing agent and ultraviolet rays are irradiated to the treatment solution in the decomposition-treatment tank to activate the oxidizing agent, to thereby oxidization-decompose the organic chlorine compounds in the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: NEC Environment Engineering Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Kazama, Shigekazu Haginoya
  • Patent number: 5518618
    Abstract: A system for purifying nitrogenous waste water by biological nitrification and denitrification, comprises at least two essentially separated reactor chambers, a liquid supply (4) and a liquid discharge (5). The first, aerated reactor chamber (1) is provided at the top with an overflow to the second, oxygen-depleted reactor chamber (2). The oxygen-depleted reactor chamber (2) is divided at the top into a degassing chamber (7) and a settling chamber (8) having an overflow (9) to the liquid discharge. The first reactor chamber is provided with an air supply (11, 18) and an air discharge (12) located above the supply. The first reactor chamber may be partly divided into a riser (14) and a downcomer (15) which allow, as a result of the air supply, mass circulation to take place in the aerated reactor chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Paques B.V.
    Inventors: Ronald Mulder, Sjoerd H. J. Vellinga
  • Patent number: 5505848
    Abstract: There is disclosed a fermentation device having a peripherally extending wall, a gas-impermeable cover extending over the surface of the device, and attached at its peripheral edge to a top part of the wall, and a gas collection conduit extending for at least part of the periphery of the device within the wall. This device may be used for wastewater treatment enclosures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: ADI Limited
    Inventors: Robert Landine, Claude De Garie, Albert Cocci
  • Patent number: 5500118
    Abstract: In UASB-type biogas reactors, the biogas is separated from the rising waste water stream by collection hoods arranged in staggered fashion, in which a zero pressure level is maintained, at which the gas transition takes place. In cross-section shapes of existing collection hoods, the zero pressure surface is sharply reduced when the water level is high, and the conversion to gas is correspondingly sharply reduced. Therefore, in accordance with the invention, a rectangular section shape is employed in which the zero pressure surface remains unchanged. The topside of the collection hoods can be formed as a smooth sliding surface in the shape of a roof for the anaerobic sludge sediment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Passavant-Werke AG
    Inventors: Hubert Coenen, Helmut Hubert, Michael Zumbragel
  • Patent number: 5489380
    Abstract: A process for the biological purification of sewage is specified, with which sewage (AW), containing dissolved pollutants, and air (LT) are fed together to a reactor (1) via at least two mutually separate nozzles (3,4). To achieve a high substance exchange in the reactor (1), the streams of the two-substance mixture emanating from the nozzles (3,4) are conducted such that they make impact with each other in the said reactor in an impact zone (PZ). The sewage (AW) is passed from the reactor (1) into Pa settling tank (8), in which bio sludge settles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Otto Oeko-Tech GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Edward S. Gaddis
  • Patent number: 5480538
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for treating waste water in oxidations ponds, oxidation ditches, or other bodies of water in a waste water treatment facility to abate the malodors caused by the presence of volatile contaminants. In the process, a water stream is withdrawn from the body of waste water and contacted with an air stream in an air-water contact apparatus. The water stream is thereby aerated and stripped of potentially odor causing volatile contaminants and an off-gas stream is produced containing the stripped volatile contaminants. At least a portion of the aerated and stripped water stream is returned to the body of waste water to inhibit anaerobic decomposition of organic impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Monsanto Enviro-Chem Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. McCombs, Colin D. Dougald, Martin L. Rapp
  • Patent number: 5462661
    Abstract: A solid-liquid separator for sludge which includes a tank with a sludge suction port, an intake/exhaust port and a sludge discharge port. A plurality of agitating blades are mounted on a rotatable shaft within the tank and are capable of being driven in either of two rotational directions. A plurality of injection nozzles are internally mounted on the bottom of the tank in such a manner as to eject a mixture of sludge coagulant and air into sludge contained within the tank. A pump which is capable of producing a vacuum or pressure is connected to the intake/exhaust port so as to produce either a vacuum or a pressure within the tank and the sludge suction port is adapted to be connected to a source of sludge to intake the sludge into the tank. The injection nozzles are connected to a source of sludge coagulant and air. The disclosure also relates to the method of treating the sludge to separate into solid and liquid phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventor: Motohito Nasu
  • Patent number: 5462666
    Abstract: A multistage treatment system for treating nutrient-rich water containing nitrogen compounds, phosphorous compounds, and other minerals. Three or more vessels or stages typically constitute the multistage treatment system. Each stage of the system is a reaction vessel having a first zone containing a substantially insoluble salt for precipitating phosphorous compounds and other minerals, a second zone containing a microorganism retained on an inert substrate for converting nitrogen compounds, and a separation device for removing precipitates from the water. The effluent from the multistage system may be further treated in ponds cultivated with aquatic grass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: RJJB & G, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald C. Kimmel
  • Patent number: 5453179
    Abstract: A clarifier is disclosed with a cover or roof configured and disposed to minimize headspace between a top level of liquid in a clarifier vessel and a bottom of the roof. In one aspect the roof or cover includes one or more removable panels which permit access to a clarifier vessel's interior; the panels removably secured to a purlin system which is connected to a truss support secured to the vessel. In one aspect one or more circumferential purge air inlets are provided through which flow purge air. Purge air and gaseous material emitted from a mixture in the clarifier flow to a vent or vents through which they exit the clarifier. In one aspect the air inlet or inlets are disposed to provide uniform flow from the inlets to the vents. In one aspect one or more roof panels is connected with a known force and has a known rupture strength so that before explosive damage to other parts of the clarifier the panel is explosively disconnected and ruptured to relieve pressure in the clarifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey H. Stultz
  • Patent number: 5431808
    Abstract: The waste water which is discharged from the anaerobic treatment stages of biological waste water treatment plants still contains highly volatile organic substances which, if not biodegraded, escape into the ambient air and lead to unwelcome odors. Also, the exhaust air of the anaerobic treatment stage may contain such highly volatile substances. An escape into the ambient air can be prevented if the waste water which is discharged from the anaerobic treatment stage is aerated with exhaust air sucked off from the anaerobic stage and if this exhaust air, after the aeration, is then fed to a spray washer and compost filter. The water for the spray washer is taken from the discharge of the anaerobic stage and returns there.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Passavant-Werke AG
    Inventor: Michael Zumbragel
  • Patent number: 5421998
    Abstract: A system for effective utilization of reaction heat and in situ separation of solid and gaseous products in wet oxidation of waste and wastewater. This invention does not require special preheaters for preheating feed streams, therefore reducing the possibility of scale and char formation in the heat exchange zone. The cold feed stream is introduced into the reactor with part of the effluent which has been recycled through a high temperature pumping means to form a hot, near critical oxidant-containing mixture. The cold feed is directly heated up by the oxidant-containing mixture. The reaction mixture is separated by in situ crossflow filtration elements, including sintered material. Catalyzed reactions and sintered material gas separation are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Lixiong Li, Earnest F. Gloyna
  • Patent number: 5399261
    Abstract: An installation for the treatment of a flow of liquids, notably potable water or effluents, installation of the type wherein the liquids are put into contact with a treatment gas during a pre-determined treatment period, the installation comprising means for the addition of the treatment gas to the flow of liquids so as to form a homogeneous two-phase treatment medium, means for the forced dissolution of the treatment gas in the flow of liquids to be treated cooperating with means for the degassing of the two-phase treatment medium so as to produce a monophase treatment medium and contactor means providing for a plug flow of the degassed monophase treatment medium during the pre-determined treatment period. A particular exemplary application of the installation is to the ozonation of liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Gie Anjou-Recherche
    Inventors: Nathalie Martin, Michel Faivre, Marie-Marguerite Bourbigot
  • Patent number: 5391297
    Abstract: A process for degerminating and treating aqueous liquids with gas having improved efficiency and an apparatus for simultaneously degerminating and gas treating liquids are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Solvay Umweltchemie GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Sell, Andreas Mann
  • Patent number: 5376265
    Abstract: An gas/fluid contactor is provided for reacting water and other fluids with an ozone-containing gas. The contactor comprises an elongate tubular reaction chamber having a gas/fluid combining chamber adjacent the inlet to draw an ozone-containing gas into the device and to provide an initial mixing between the gas and the fluid. One or more mixing chambers are positioned within the reaction chamber, each being filled with a material that provides a matrix of solid elements with interstices of between 0.1 and 2.0 mm. in diameter between the solid elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Inventor: Louis Szabo
  • Patent number: 5376284
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the treatment of an effluent containing an organic chlorine compound in the presence of a porous iron type metallic article and hydrogen peroxide thereby effecting oxidizing decomposition of the organic chlorine compound, operated by a procedure which comprises causing the organic chlorine compound having hydrogen peroxide incorporated preparatorily therein to be circulated through a closed vessel having the porous iron type metallic article disposed therein thereby effecting oxidizing decomposition of the organic chlorine compound and then simultaneously circulating and aerating the effluent containing the organic chlorine compound under the condition of keeping the upper part of the closed vessel in an opened state thereby effecting oxidizing decomposition of the organic chlorine compound or causing the gaseous phase stagnating in the upper part of the vessel to be introduced into the effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Yozo Takemura, Kengo Senco, Atsushi Mori, Osamu Takamori, Kenji Watanabe, Masao Yashiro, Futoshi Matsuo
  • Patent number: 5358636
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the treatment of waste sludge. The apparatus comprises as its main feature a vertically extending housing unit having a height/width ratio sufficient to provide separate zones in the housing unit, including a settling zone for thickened sludge, a mid-level buffer zone for waste sludge containing solid matter in suspension and a supernatant treatment zone for supernatant treatment. The housing unit also has an inclined bottom with a slope sufficient to cause a lateral and a gravity force to be exerted by the solid matter in the sludge along the inclined bottom to yield a thickened sludge at the settling zone of the housing unit and a supernatant liquid having a reduced solid content at the supernatant treatment zone of the housing unit. The height/width ratio of the housing unit is important to provide the three zones referred to above by which treatment of the supernatant can be conducted in the supernatant treatment zone with minimal disturbance to the settling zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Inventor: Gaetan Brouillard
  • Patent number: 5354458
    Abstract: A sequencing batch apparatus being manually or automatically operated for treating a contaminated water is described. The present invention specifically relates to the apparatus comprising an inlet pipe, a batch reactor, a chemical feeder means, at least one mixing means, a coarse bubble distribution means, a fine bubble distribution means, a liquid discharge means, and sludge discharge means for required liquid treatment, and further alternatively comprising a gas moving means, a gas pipe, a flow meter, an enclosure and a gas purification means for air emission control upon demand. The present invention further relates to an apparatus system comprising means for recovering precious metal, controlling optimum pH in an acid range, reducing hexavalent chromium to trivalent chromium, controlling optimum pH in a base range, oxidizing cyanide, destroying phosphite, separating flocs, exchanging metals, adsorbing contaminants, neutralizing an effluent, and controlling gas emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: International Environmental Systems, Inc., USA
    Inventors: Lawrence K. Wang, Lubomyr Kurylko, Mu H. S. Wang
  • Patent number: 5342516
    Abstract: A natural aerobic biological waste conversion system for the decomposition of human waste particularly suitable for waterless on-site restrooms. A tank includes a chamber having a waste receiving bin defined therein, the bin being formed by baffles and a bulkhead so located within the chamber that air (oxygen) is directed over, under and through the decomposing material and a ventilation duct located at the bin lower region communicating with a vent assures effective oxygen exposure to the waste. The tank bottom is provided with a serpentine liquid waste flow path for extended exposure of the liquid to the circulating air for evaporation purposes, and the tank chamber includes a drying area for decomposed material prior to removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Inventor: Alexander L. Rachak
  • Patent number: 5340484
    Abstract: The present invention is a gas scrubbing system for removing hydrogen sulfide gas from a wastewater system. Pumps draw wastewater from a wastewater source within the system for injection through aerators which aerats aspirate hydrogen sulfide gas and oxygen from the wastewater source. The aerators mix the wastewater with the hydrogen sulfide gas and oxygen which is returned to the system as oxygenated wastewater containing elemental sulfur. The water and sulphur are then delivered to the treatment plant for final treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Inventors: Jack E. Prince, William H. Mullins
  • Patent number: 5340477
    Abstract: A separator apparatus for breaking emulsions, particularly an emulsion formed of the hydrocarbon liquid and an aqueous solution, wherein the emulsion is introduced to a main separating tank. The latter includes at least one inlet for introducing emulsion, and a separate discharge port for conducting hydrocarbon-free aqueous component from the tank. An overflow trough positioned near the tank proportion includes a stripping weir which passes the flow of the hydrocarbon which has floated to the surface of the heavier water component. Emulsion flow to the tank is controlled by a flow regulator comprised primarily of a water level sensing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Simon
  • Patent number: 5338445
    Abstract: A module for a UASB (upflow anaerobic sludge blanket) reactor for anaerobic waste water treatment comprises an overflow threshold for the treated waste water that determines the water level in the module. Several immersed collection domes are provided for the digester gas which are staggered over the entire module cross-section and possess a drain into a collection pipe and an upper evacuation line for the waste air collecting above the water level. All walls, covers and installation parts of the module are made of plastic, if necessary reinforced with steel profiles, and are welded to each other. Also, all drains end at a narrow side of the module where they are connected in a gas-tight manner with discharge ducts which have been installed there along several modules and which may be closed off in sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Passavant-Werke AG
    Inventors: Michael Zumbragel, Volker Bach
  • Patent number: 5332496
    Abstract: A system for removing contaminants from a solution is provided. A supply tank holds the contaminated solution and a reactor containing a catalyst receives the contaminated solution from the supply tank and further receives hydrogen for reacting with the catalyst and contaminants for removal thereof. The system is applicable to both aqueous and non-aqueous streams contaminated with chlorinated hydrocarbon and the like. Furthermore, the hydrogen for the system may be produced in situ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: ElectroCom Gard, Ltd.
    Inventors: Firooz Rasouli, Edwin K. Krug
  • Patent number: 5330641
    Abstract: The invention relates to a separator of solid particles for variable flow rates of discharge from dental apparatus. The separator includes a container (3) equipped with an upper cylindrical zone (3a), having an inlet hole (5) for the fluid to be separated, in which rotates the rotor (2) of a centrifugal pump which initializes the separation of the particles by centrifugation; it further includes a truncoconical zone (3b) which, functioning as a cyclone, continues the separation of the solid particles and expels the fluid, freed of the particles, from the container (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Cattani S.p.A.
    Inventor: Ennio Cattani
  • Patent number: 5273719
    Abstract: A liquid evaporator includes an air-tight outer container containing liquid therein, the liquid container having support legs adjacent the bottom surface thereof; an inner container mounted on the legs for partitioning the interior space of the outer container, the inner container having a wall made of insulating material; and a heater fixed to an upper portion of the outer container and positioned inside the inner container. The liquid evaporator may be combined with a deodorizing device for forming a urine treating device, wherein the urine treating device includes a deodorizing housing having an upper portion provided with a secondary heater therein, a catalyst surrounding the secondary heater, a blower provided outside the housing, and a diffusion pipe provided at the upper portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Japanic Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Kishi, Toyohiko Sunaoka
  • Patent number: 5248419
    Abstract: This invention relates to a sewage sludge treatment system resulting in an oxygenated and/or ozonated treated sludge containing substantially no pathogens. The system includes apparatus and a process for mascerating raw sludge, adjusting the pH to about 2.5 to about 3, adjusting the solids content to about 2.5% to about 4%, adjusting the temperature, if necessary, to about 20.degree. C. to about 40.degree. C., mixing an oxygen-rich gas, such as oxygen and/or ozone with the sludge as the sludge is mixed or recirculated through a hyperbaric vessel and simultaneously injecting the oxygen-rich gas into a combination gas and sludge mixing and dispersing assembly in an upper portion of the hyperbaric vessel. Such injection causes mixing of the gas and sludge and dispersement of such mixture in a plurality of streams to atomize and oxygenate the sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Long Enterprises
    Inventors: Charles A. Long, Jr., Robert D. Blythe, William A. Cobb, Philip M. Grover
  • Patent number: 5232584
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-stage, single reactor, purification system for disinfecting, washing, and concentrating solid wastes, which include contaminated soil, highly concentrated biosolids, spent animal bedding, and spent diapers, etc.A solid waste is fed into the reactor of this invented apparatus. At least one disinfecting and chemical agent (including cationic surface active agent known as quaternary ammonium compound) is fed together with water (as needed) into this reactor to disinfect and process said solid waste with the assistance of a mechanical mixing means inside said reactor. A disinfecting gas is fed to the same reactor as needed. After the period of feeding, disinfecting, processing, and mixing is over, the process water is drained. The disinfected and processed wet solid waste is discharged to an expulsion chamber means which removes residual water and compacts the disinfected and processed solid waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: International Environmental Systems, Inc., USA
    Inventors: Lawrence K. Wang, Mu H. S. Wang
  • Patent number: 5228995
    Abstract: A biochemically enhanced hybrid anaerobic reactor (BEHAR) system has been developed for treatment of high strength industrial wastewaters. The process is designed and operated based on specific criteria developed around critical biochemical and microbiological principles of the facultative and anaerobic microorganisms involved in anaerobic treatment. Biological kinetic relationships developed by the inventor for substrate removal, methane gas production, and biogas quality control as a function of the mass substrate loading rate are used for designing and operating the BEHAR process. A specific formulation of biological growth micronutrients has been developed for enhancing the anaerobic treatment process. Ferric chloride, one of the chemicals used as a micronutrient, is also utilized for sulfide toxicity control, biogas cleaning without scrubbing, and odor control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Inventor: Enos L. Stover
  • Patent number: 5227051
    Abstract: Waste liquid is cleaned or purified primarily by removing organic contaminants therefrom by combination of a floating filter layer and an anaerobic biological process. The floating filter layer consists of irregularly shaped small pieces of lipophilic substances such as polypropylene and other plastics, and the organic contaminants are on the one hand filtered by this floating filter layer, and on the other hand decomposed on the surface of the small pieces forming the floating filter layer through anaerobic biological process. The system of the present invention is economical to build, and can be used as a part of sewage and waste liquid processing installations either for industrial or for household use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Zaidan Hojin Nanyo Kyokai
    Inventor: Katsutoshi Oshima
  • Patent number: 5217617
    Abstract: A transportable apparatus for biological treatment of a slurry of contaminated materials, including a series of square reactor cells having substantially parabolic lower portions, set at the same elevation and communicating in series. Gas diffusers are placed in each cell for aerating and mixing the slurry, and an airlift slurry transport system is employed for recirculating the slurry. The apparatus also has applicability to the treatment of water and waste water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven P. Duncan, Robert C. Emmett, Jr., Gunter H. Brox, William J. Grove, Jr., Douglas E. Hanify
  • Patent number: 5207904
    Abstract: Apparatus for composting biological waste material, comprising a screen for separating the waste material into solids and liquids, a sludge outlet for adding sludge to the solids to form a mixture therewith and a compacting section for compacting the mixture. Further sludge is mixed with the compacted mixture to form a further mixture therewith, which is composted in a composter. The liquid separated from the biological waste is screened to remove fine solids and the fine solids are added to the first-mentioned mixture prior to the compacting thereof, the liquid being added to the further mixture in the composting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: 396234 B C Ltd.
    Inventor: Gunther Abel