Diverse Patents (Class 210/259)
  • Publication number: 20090294356
    Abstract: A compact high efficiency combined biological and physical unsaturated wastewater treatment filter configured for periodic backwashing is disclosed. The filter utilizes packed media and removes pollutants and pathogens from wastewater and other dirty water sources. The filter comprises a periodic backwashing means to less the chance that biofilm growth will clog the media pores. However, such backwashing still leaves sufficient biofilm attached to the media to maintain a very high level of treatment. In the preferred embodiment, the filter utilizes high frequency dosing to cause pore saturation at or near the surface during dosing and shortly thereafter in order to maximize distribution uniformity and to induce downward airflow into the media. The system provides a number of unexpected benefits; including allowing a very low distribution pressure and providing high oxygen transfer at low energy utilization into the filter media for aerobic biodegradation of pollutants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventor: Robert A. Beggs
  • Publication number: 20090289011
    Abstract: An improved water purification system and method for converting contaminated water into potable water in an inexpensive and reliable manner that includes several active and passive purification components contained within a housing. The passive components may include, for example, a macro filtration unit for filtering debris; a pre-depth mixed bed media filtration unit to mechanically filter out various contaminants; and a post-depth mixed bed media filtration unit to remove particles or organic growth that may have resulted from active filtration. The active components may include, for example, a specialized media filtration unit to destroy and remove organic and inorganic contaminants; an ozonation unit to break down and destroy oxidizable matter; an active carbon filtration unit to neutralize ozone, adsorb contaminants, and improve taste; and a UV sterilization unit to destroy any remaining microorganisms and neutralize ozone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventor: Karen F. Avakian
  • Publication number: 20090283465
    Abstract: A filtration unit (A) is immersed in raw water (W) that is held inside a reservoir tank, and includes a membrane module (5) that filters the introduced raw water (W). This filtration unit (A) includes a casing (3) which is in the shape of a box having a bottom and includes the membrane module (5) housed therein, and an activated carbon cartridge (4) inside which activated carbon is provided in cartridge form. Inside the casing (3) are provided an intake port that is used to introduce the raw water into the interior of the casing, and an opening/closing device that is installed on this intake port and controls a flow of the raw water into the interior of the casing, and the activated carbon cartridge (4) side and the membrane module (5) side are separated so as to allow the raw water (W) introduced into the interior of the casing 3 to circulate from the activated carbon cartridge (4) side to the membrane module (5) side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20090283409
    Abstract: A target compound treatment apparatus of a size capable of being mounted under a sink, the apparatus comprising a destruction zone in which an aqueous solution containing at least one target compound is exposed to a destruction agent adapted to convert the target compound into destruction byproduct; a filtration zone in which a filtration agent removes the destruction byproduct from the solution; and a flow inducer/pump adapted to cause the aqueous solution to flow through the apparatus. The destruction agent may comprise an acid, a base, an oxidizing agent, or a reducing agent. The destruction agent may be available on a surface of a solid substrate disposed within the destruction zone, or it may be available in a gaseous or liquid reagent that is admixed with the aqueous solution. The filtration agent may be comprised of an adsorption media such as activated carbon and/or other filtration means for removing destruction byproduct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Tommy Stern, Todd McGee
  • Publication number: 20090277822
    Abstract: A changeable continuous flow modular system for the treatment of water streams that makes it possible to treat any polluted water stream (CA) being submitted to an anaerobic process or not (0), through the implementation of an aerobic biological process (1) with aeration and oxidation of the water stream (CA) followed of a physical-chemical process (2), according to patent PI9702430-9, followed by an aerobic biological process with aeration and oxidation of the water stream (3) and once again by a physical-chemical process (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Joao Carlos GOMES DE OLIVEIRA, Procopio GOMES DE OLIVEIRA NETTO, Felipe GOMES DE OLIVEIRA
  • Publication number: 20090230043
    Abstract: A machine 1 is provided with a slot 2 to releasably receive and retain a cartridge 4 in which dialysis is effected. The machine 1 is configured for supplying to the cartridge 4, at a controlled temperature and rate, sterile water for use in haemodialysis and is operable to maintain, in a sterile condition, residual water contained therein after completion of a haemodialysis treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Keith James Heyes, Hugh Christopher Bramley, Alan Melvyn Bhimani
  • Publication number: 20090218299
    Abstract: A static screen used upstream of a membrane assembly within a water treatment system has a screening surface with a number of openings distributed over its area. Liquid flows through the screening surface to reach the membrane assembly. Various shapes of screening surfaces are described including three-dimensional bodies with openings at or near their lower ends. Methods for cleaning the screen are described including aeration, backwashing and lowering down the water level in an upstream section by partially or completely draining a tank. Various treatment systems or process designs incorporating the screen are described. Screen elements may be made in two or more parts comprising a supporting structure and a separation layer and may be mounted on a conduit or pan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Pierre Lucien Cote, Jennifer Lynn Pawloski, Michael David Theodoulou, Stanford Chuk-Wah Li, Douglas Joseph Thompson, Ali Adnan
  • Patent number: 7582467
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for processing organic material, the method employing at least two reactors and including the steps of combining carbon dioxide or carbon-dioxide containing gas and ammonia or ammonia-containing material in a first reactor to form a buffer compound/buffer compounds, then feeding the buffer compound or buffer compounds formed in the first reactor into a second reactor, and performing bioconversion on organic material in the second reactor. In that case, the carbon dioxide of the mixed carbon dioxide gas reacts with the ammonia, forming a buffer compound, such as ammonium bicarbonate and/or ammonium carbonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Preseco Oy
    Inventor: Jussi Järventie
  • Patent number: 7578932
    Abstract: A combination filter assembly housing (4) and treatment chamber (8) for use in recovering and sanitizing condensates from air conditioning systems and other sources with vapors released from dissolvable tablets (32), such as those used for treating swimming pool water or laundering purposes. Filter assembly housing (4) has a removable bottom cover, an internal p-trap and valve structure configured to reduce the likelihood of treatment vapors from treatment chamber (8) traveling back through filter assembly housing (4) and entering the associated condensate producing system. Applications can include, but are not limited to, use with systems that replenish water lost from swimming pools due to evaporation, to provide water for filling toilets, pressure washing, cleaning, and other gray water uses, and to provide potable water in areas where is in limited supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Inventor: Christopher Ralph Cantolino
  • Patent number: 7578935
    Abstract: A device to rapidly obtain a solution of Pb(lead)-201 from a solution of a solid target material of Tl(thallium)-203. The solution of Pb-201 is then processed through a degeneration and an ion exchange to obtain in Tl-201 radioisotope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Atomic Energy Council—Institute of Nuclear Energy Research
    Inventors: Wuu-Jyh Lin, Ting-Shien Duh, Ying-Ming Tsai, Sun-Rong Huang, Chien-Hsin Lu, Mao-Hsung Chang, Jenn-Tzong Chen
  • Patent number: 7578942
    Abstract: In wastewater treatment equipment, a surfactant is added to a micronanobubble reaction vessel 3 by using a surfactant pump 8 and a surfactant tank 9 which constitute a surfactant adding section. Thereby, a micronanobubble generator 4 stably and efficiently produces micronanobubbles in the treatment water as raw water containing the surfactant in the micronanobubble reaction vessel 3. Thus, the micronanobubbles make it possible to efficiently pretreat the wastewater introduced into the micronanobubble reaction vessel. Consequently, it becomes possible not only to enhance efficiency of wastewater treatment but also to reduce a treatment load on wastewater treatment equipment 14 in a step subsequent to the pretreatment. Thereby, scale of the wastewater treatment equipment 14 is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Yamasaki, Keichiro Uda, Kazumi Chuhjoh
  • Patent number: 7575684
    Abstract: In waste water treatment apparatus and method, a mineral mixing tank receives biologically treated water, sludge which is generated by biological treatment, and mineral sludge which contains calcium and so on from a settling tank. A mineral pump returns the sludge and the treated water from the mineral mixing tank to a raw water tank. An air-lift pump circulates treatment water between a reaeration tank having a semi-anaerobic section and a denitrification tank. In circulation of the treatment water between the reaeration tank and the denitrification tank, the semi-anaerobic section alleviates the change of environment for microorganisms and thereby realizes the environment easy to propagate for the microorganisms. The air-lift pump allows the agitation with low energy consumption even when the microorganisms are cultured up to a high concentration thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Yamasaki, Kazuyuki Sakata
  • Patent number: 7575679
    Abstract: The process for treating an ammonium containing liquid by denitrification treatment of an ammonium containing liquid containing at least ammonium comprises carrying out nitrate reduction treatment of reducing nitrate contained in or added to the ammonium containing liquid to nitrite, and carrying out anaerobic ammonium oxidation treatment of simultaneously anaerobically denitrifying nitrite produced in the nitrate reduction treatment and ammonium contained in the ammonium containing liquid by anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Sumino, Kazuichi Isaka
  • Publication number: 20090200218
    Abstract: A sump arrangement for use with an aquarium. The sump arrangement including a dedicated skimmer area that maintains a constant water level to increase operational efficiencies of protein skimmers. The sump arrangement further including a sump tank having an elongated water flow pathway that aspirates air bubbles and improves the clarity of filtered water returning to the aquarium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: Daniel A. Newman
  • Patent number: 7569142
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating dirty water or other liquids containing particles of varying size includes a magnetic treatment unit and a centrifugal separator through which the liquid flows as a stream in sequence. The magnetic treatment unit causes very small sized particles to agglomerate, nucleate or otherwise to be amassed into larger particles which are then more easily separated by the centrifugal separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Clearwater Systems Corporation
    Inventor: John W. Lane
  • Publication number: 20090188870
    Abstract: A filter for removing soluble, colloidal, and insoluble particles from a fluid, including lead using a first filter media for filtering soluble material from the fluid, a second filter media, adjacent and in fluid communication with, the first filter media, for filtering soluble material from said fluid, wherein the first and second filter media create a physical non-soluble particle barrier at their interface for capturing non-soluble particles, that when retained at the interface, become soluble over time in the fluid, and are subsequently removed by the second filter media. At least one of the filter media can be fibrillated nanofibers that are loaded with finely subdivided media of powdered ion exchange resins. A third filter media may be placed between the first and second filter media to enhance capturing and dissolving the physical non-soluble particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: KX TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: John H. Schroeder, Kenneth DeRosa, Andrew W. Lombardo, Nichole Pennisi, Peter A. Yarnell
  • Publication number: 20090182263
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for preparation of purified water and medicaments for various uses including blood treatment are described. Methods, devices, and systems for creating multiple-treatment batches are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Burbank, Dennis M. Treu, Goetz Freiderichs, Brian C. Green, Christopher M. McDowell, James M. Brugger
  • Patent number: 7560022
    Abstract: A method for the continuous process of fluids is based on mixing the fluid with a supercritical fluid. The mixing of the two fluids may be accomplished using either a co-flow or counter-flow process. The process focuses on the difference in the solubilities of the desired and the undesired components into supercritical fluid and de-emphasizes the influence of the contaminating components of the fluid to be processed. The process of the present invention is particularly advantageous to the recycling of industrial waste fluids, such as used oil, wherein the process is carried out by jet spray micro-orifices atomization of waste material with a supercritical fluid to dissolve oil from the waste material. Additional mixing devices such as an ultrasonic gun may be employed. Thereafter, un-dissolved components are separated first and the dissolved fluid is then separated from the supercritical fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Fluidphase Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Abdulhaq E. Alkhalidi
  • Publication number: 20090173616
    Abstract: This invention is directed toward a water ionizing system which combines a traditional water ionizing machine with a reverse osmosis machine and mineral filter. The invention can be configured several different ways, with the goal of purifying the water through the reverse osmosis component, optionally sanitizing it with UV light, then remineralizing the water with the mineral filter, and finally ionizing and alkalizing the water with the water alkaline ionizing machine. The result is purified water from which all impurities have been removed, but which also contains helpful minerals and is alkalized and ionized. The invention also provides means by which the pH of the water can be raised up to 3 pH points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Rick Henry Cabados, Geoffrey Poole, Lior Shafir
  • Patent number: 7556737
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the generation of methane by a two phase anaerobic phase system (APS) digestion of organic substrates. Also provided is a device for practicing the methods of the invention. The APS-digester system is a space-efficient, high-rate solids digestion system. The APS-digester system consists of one or more hydrolysis reactors, a buffer tank and one biogasification reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Ruihong Zhang
  • Patent number: 7553410
    Abstract: The present invention generally includes a septage treatment system comprising: (a) a primary treatment process system comprising: (1) a receiving station to pump the septage from a vehicle; (2) equalization tank(s) to receive septage from the receiving station; and (3) two or more mixing and odor control tanks to generate waste activated sludge; (b) a primary settling tank to generate waste activated sludge; (c) a secondary treatment process system comprising: (1) aeration tank(s) to receive waste activated sludge from the primary treatment process system and to generate water effluent; and (d) a tertiary treatment process system comprising: (1) wetland ditch(es) to receive water effluent from the aeration tank and to generate filtered water effluent; (2) wetland pond(s) to receive filtered water effluent from the wetland ditch(es) and to generate filtered water effluent; and (3) an aquaculture hydroponics and sand bed greenhouse to generate filtered water effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Eastwood Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Derrick O. Chennault
  • Publication number: 20090159518
    Abstract: Calories in a juice can be reduced by selectively removing more sucrose than primary sugars, for example, glucose and fructose. An acceptable flavor profile can be achieved since the primary sugars have a higher perceived sweetness than sucrose. The food product processing system for reducing calories can include multiple stages for filtering the juice to produce a clarified low-calorie juice having an acceptable flavor profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Tropicana Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Girish Subramaniam, Teodoro Rivera, Nicholas Shields, Diana Pesha
  • Patent number: 7550083
    Abstract: The process for treating an ammonium containing liquid by denitrification treatment of an ammonium containing liquid containing at least ammonium comprises carrying out nitrate reduction treatment of reducing nitrate contained in or added to the ammonium containing liquid to nitrite, and carrying out anaerobic ammonium oxidation treatment of simultaneously anaerobically denitrifying nitrite produced in the nitrate reduction treatment and ammonium contained in the ammonium containing liquid by anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Sumino, Kazuichi Isaka
  • Patent number: 7550082
    Abstract: The process for treating an ammonium containing liquid by denitrification treatment of an ammonium containing liquid containing at least ammonium comprises carrying out nitrate reduction treatment of reducing nitrate contained in or added to the ammonium containing liquid to nitrite, and carrying out anaerobic ammonium oxidation treatment of simultaneously anaerobically denitrifying nitrite produced in the nitrate reduction treatment and ammonium contained in the ammonium containing liquid by anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Sumino, Kazuichi Isaka
  • Patent number: 7540959
    Abstract: The process for treating an ammonium containing liquid by denitrification treatment of an ammonium containing liquid containing at least ammonium comprises carrying out nitrate reduction treatment of reducing nitrate contained in or added to the ammonium containing liquid to nitrite, and carrying out anaerobic ammonium oxidation treatment of simultaneously anaerobically denitrifying nitrite produced in the nitrate reduction treatment and ammonium contained in the ammonium containing liquid by anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Sumino, Kazuichi Isaka
  • Patent number: 7527727
    Abstract: An adsorption apparatus and method of adsorption for treatment of wastewater is disclosed, and comprises an inlet for the wastewater connected to a metals trap which adsorbs metals and a second trap which filters organic materials from the wastewater, positioned between the inlet and the metals trap, wherein the second trap at least partially comprises either a phosphate or an activated carbon. The metals trap can be, for example, fish bone char. A method of manufacturing fish bone char is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Plymouth Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Geary G. Parke
  • Patent number: 7527739
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for multistage water separation. A first separation layer separates water droplets from a fuel flow by repelling the first water droplets. A coalescing layer may coalesce fine water droplets in the fuel flow. In one embodiment, a centrifugal separator directs the fuel flow tangentially to a filter wall and the centrifugal force of the fuel flow directed tangentially along the filter wall biases water droplets from the fuel flow. A second separation layer separates second water droplets from the fuel flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Fleetguard Inc
    Inventors: Zemin Jiang, Ted S. Loftis, Mark J. Johnson, Barry M. Verdegan
  • Patent number: 7524419
    Abstract: A system for wastewater treatment comprises a tank and includes a mixer that generates large mixing bubbles, for example a bubble having a largest dimension of 6 inches to 10 feet. In some embodiments, the mixer is located in the anoxic zone. The mixing bubbles are large enough to move wastewater as they rise to the surface and generate a mixing current in the wastewater. The mixing current mixes the wastewater, and bacteria and other microorganisms to promote the bacteria and other microorganisms' conversion of the pollutants contained in the wastewater. The system further comprises an Integrated Fixed-film Activating Sludge (IFAS) system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Inventors: Richard J. Koopmans, Kristinn G. Drewry
  • Patent number: 7520997
    Abstract: A system for separating a heavy fraction from a liquid, including a housing and a mechanism in operative connection with the housing to induce rotational flow within an upper section of the housing. The system further includes a flow restrictor positioned below (that is, at the bottom of or below) the upper section of the housing in which rotational flow is induced by the rotational flow mechanism. The flow restrictor has a diameter less than the inner diameter of the housing so that a gap is formed between the flow restrictor and the housing. The housing further includes an inlet positioned above the flow restrictor and a first outlet positioned below the flow restrictor. The first outlet is positioned radially inward from an interior wall of the housing. The housing can be generally cylindrical from the top of the gap to a baffle positioned below the flow restrictor. The baffle defines a settling section for the heavier fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Inventor: Gregory S. Antoun
  • Patent number: 7517448
    Abstract: A cooling water recycling filter comprises a supersonic and electromagnetic wave limescale processor installed inside a main water recycling system of water storage tank and a sub water recycling system installed outside a main water recycling system. The sub water recycling system comprises a water quality control unit, a limescale processor unit, a limescale separation and filter unit and a high level oxidization and processing unit. An electric conductivity sensor, a PH value sensor, and an ORP oxidization and reduction potential meter of water quality control unit are used to measure the values of water quality. A limescale processor and impurities separator is used to filter impurities of the cooling water. After the cooling water is filtered precisely by the limescale separation and filter unit, the cooling water is sterilized by a copper and silver sterilizing and algae-killing unit of a sterilization unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Inventor: Tony C. T. Chen
  • Publication number: 20090090670
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a wastewater treatment system having an anoxic biological treatment zone, an aerobic biological treatment zone and a separator. The concentration of oxygen in streams within the system is strategically managed for improved removal of nutrient from the wastewater. A source of biodegradable carbon may be introduced to reduce the concentration of oxygen within the system. An effective treatment time under anoxic or aerobic conditions may further be varied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: Siemens Water Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Robert A. Elefritz, Wenjun Liu
  • Patent number: 7513997
    Abstract: A recirculating wastewater evapotranspiration and disinfection system is disclosed in which wastewater is collected, stored, aerated. and circulated through an unsaturated and optionally heated planter/filter bed containing soil microorganisms and living plants in which aerated wastewater is circulated and recirculated through the system until all of the wastewater and its constituents are utilized by any of evaporation, transpiration, gasification and living plant production and their by-products, or otherwise disinfected for reuse, while energy is gratuitously recovered in the process for productive use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Inventor: David Anthony Del Porto
  • Publication number: 20090078632
    Abstract: A modular apparatus having certain processing equipment mounted on portable skids that are adaptable and versatile to permit customized arrangement for oil-recovery processing of a wide range of oil-base sludge compositions in a cost-efficient manner. In one aspect, the invention is directed to a modular apparatus optimally configured for oil recovery of sludge having a high concentration of low density solids, wherein the apparatus may include a pumping skid, a shaker skid, a heating skid, a chemical skid, a phase separator skid, a gas purification skid, a decanter skid, and an oil purification skid. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a modular apparatus optimally configured for oil recovery of sludge having a high concentration of high density solids, wherein the apparatus may include a pumping skid, a shaker skid, a heating skid, a first chemical skid, a decanter skid, a second chemical skid, a phase separator skid, a gas purification skid, and an oil purification skid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Daniel Gallo, Catalin Ivan
  • Publication number: 20090045106
    Abstract: A water treatment system (“WTS”) includes a prefilter, a carbon block filter and a microbiological interception (“MI”) filter that operate in combination to treat a fluid stream, such as water. The WTS may include two prefilters, for example, both a multi-layer nonwoven prefilter and a pleated fabric prefilter. The MI filter may include carbon particles and a binder, and the carbon particles may have a mean particle diameter ranging from about 60 microns to about 80 microns and with a particle size distribution in which no more than about 10% by weight of the particles are larger than about 140 mesh and no more than about 10% by weight are smaller than about 500 mesh. In one embodiment, the water treatment system further includes a volumetric end-of-life filter monitor that monitors the life of the MI filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: ACCESS BUSINESS GROUP INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Roy W. Kuennen, Kenneth E. Conrad, Roy M. Taylor, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090032451
    Abstract: An aeration-less water treatment apparatus including an anaerobic reactor which receives sewage to cause the sewage to flow as an upward stream, and an aerobic reactor which receives treated water from the anaerobic reactor to cause the water to flow as a downward stream so that the water contacts aerobic microorganisms and air to aerobically treat the polluted matter in the water, the apparatus further including a suspended sludge section located in a lower part of the anaerobic reactor and in which the anaerobic microorganisms are suspended in the sewage, and a carrier section located in an upper part of the anaerobic reactor and having carriers to which the anaerobic microorganisms are attached, the anaerobic microorganisms having flowed from the suspended sludge section being further attached to the carriers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Masahiko Tsutsumi, Takumi Obara, Nobuyuki Ashikaga, Katsuya Yamamoto, Hiroshi Tamura
  • Patent number: 7485230
    Abstract: A system and method integrating treatment of waste, polar Fats/Oils/Greases (FOG) with conventional anaerobic wastewater treatment facilities for biologically fueling digestion of solids in, and steady state production of methane from treated wastewater streams that includes a slipstream loop circulating warmed, actively digesting sludge from the base to the head of the anaerobic wastewater treatment facility, a conditioning tank with input screened by a rock trap, actively digesting sludge pumped from the slipstream loop into the tank via the rock trap, before and after FOG wastes are pumped from a hauler tank via a hose connecting to the rock trap into the conditioning tank and mixed with actively digesting sludge in the tank to produce a feedstock slurry rich in volatile fatty acids for injection at a metered rate back into the actively digesting sludge slipstream loop for introduction at the head of the anaerobic wastewater treatment facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Inventors: Joseph A. Magner, Richard V. York
  • Patent number: 7476312
    Abstract: There is disclosed a water treatment appliance, particularly for on-the-counter treatment of potable water. The appliance comprises: a base unit comprising a pump, a housing and a cooling unit for chilling water in the housing; a removable water reservoir engageable with the housing; a control panel comprising a water dispensing switch; an outlet for dispensing treated water from the fluid treatment system; and a treatment cartridge removably disposed in the housing. The treatment cartridge comprises a first chamber and a second chamber in communication with one another. The first chamber is in communication with the housing and has disposed therein a filter element. The second chamber is in communication with the outlet and has disposed therein an ultraviolet radiation lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Trojan Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: G. Bruce Laing, Daniel K. Engelbreth, Julian C. Giggs, F. Mark Hutchinson, Brent W. Matthews
  • Patent number: 7476318
    Abstract: A mud tank for processing drilling mud during drilling operations wherein the interior of the mud tank has sloping walls to guide sinking aggregate toward a sand trap disposed at the point of convergence thereof. The sand trap is comprised of the convergences area of the sloping walls and an inverted V-shaped cap member located thereabove along the entire length with ¼? gaps provided between the edges of the cap and their respective sloping walls. Aggregate is drawn through the gaps into the sand trap by a sand pump that provides a suction line therein. A center-divider within the mud tank separates the tank into a dirty tank and a clean tank to provide redundant cleaning operation for more effective removal of aggregate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Inventor: James A Tibban
  • Publication number: 20090008318
    Abstract: A modular filter system is provided with one or more modules that can be interchangeable, depending upon the specific application or specific health or environmental issue presented. Disclosed combinations can include one or more of any of the following modules in any relative position to one another: (a) a microbiological contaminant mitigation module, preferably in the form of an inverted u-shaped hollow fiber filter module wherein the fibers have ends potted on the downstream side and that consists essentially of hydrophilic fibers for water filtration with a small amount of hydrophobic fibers for venting of entrapped air; (b) a first chemical mitigation module, preferably in the form of an adsorption module comprising carbon or the combination of carbon and a deionization resin; and (c) a second chemical mitigation module, preferably in the form of a deionization resin module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: PRISMEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: John M. Anes, Jeffrey Brian Godfrey, Amanda A. Wise, Michael A. Taylor, Stephen E. Pazian
  • Publication number: 20090001002
    Abstract: Waste water purification plant by means of plants and waste water purification process. The waste water purification plant (10) has at least one plant container (32), a feed unit (16), an evacuation unit (36) and plants. Waste water to be purified can be supplied to the purification plant (10) by the feed unit (16). Purified waste water can be discharged from the purification plant (10) by the evacuation unit (36). The plants are arranged in the plant container (32) without a substrate. A plant container (32) preferably has at least two plant basins (82-98). At least one other container (20, 24, 26, 146, 162, 172, 186, 188, 197) can be provided. At least part of the plant container (32) is arranged on the roof (147) of a building. Plants of at least two different plant species are provided in the plant container (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Hartmut Bauer, Frank Kozianka, Sandra Endisch
  • Patent number: 7470366
    Abstract: Water purification systems include a reverse osmosis unit, a treatment unit, and an electrodeionization unit. A reverse osmosis reject stream from the reverse osmosis unit is treated in the treatment unit and provided to concentrating compartments of the electrodeionization unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: GE Mobile Water, Inc.
    Inventors: Abel Queen, Joel Robinson, William Haas
  • Patent number: 7470361
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of installing an environmental control system so as to allow for separate sizing of treatment and bypass capacity while also offering the ability to make or change either treatment or bypass capacities at different times. This is accomplished by containing the treatment and bypass functions in separate chambers, using screen, baffle, or coalescing media pack to further refine effectiveness and capacity of each structure independently. The control structure and interceptor structure may be pre-engineered to a variety of sizes, capacities, or other specifications. This allows simple selection of a specific control structure and a specific interceptor structure from a variety of combinations, eliminating the need for custom engineering for each installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Inventor: Christopher N. Eberly
  • Publication number: 20080296215
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system according to various embodiments of the present invention includes one or more of a settling tank for receiving wastewater; a mineral removal system receiving water from the settling tank, the mineral removal system being for removing at least some of the minerals from the water; and a vaporization system receiving water from the mineral removal system, the vaporization system being for vaporizing the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Daniel F. Simon
  • Patent number: 7455765
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a wastewater treatment system having an anoxic biological treatment zone, an aerobic biological treatment zone and a separator. The concentration of oxygen in streams within the system is strategically managed for improved removal of nutrient from the wastewater. A source of biodegradable carbon may be introduced to reduce the concentration of oxygen within the system. An effective treatment time under anoxic or aerobic conditions may further be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Water Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Robert A. Elefritz, Wenjun Liu
  • Patent number: 7452466
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an anaerobic digestion of biomasses with generation of biogas and sludge, wherein a hydrolyzation phase and a following fermentation of the biomass are included, wherein a hydrolyzation phase (5) and at least two following fermentation phases (7,8,9) are included and wherein the hydrolyzation (5) as well as the following fermentations (7,8,9) are performed in separate containers with specific measurement and control of the temperature, of the mixing degree, of the pH value and of the pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventors: Rupert Binning, Fritz Mödinger, Paul Gasser
  • Patent number: 7449109
    Abstract: In a device for separating water and filtering impurities out of liquid hydrocarbons or fuels, comprising a housing including a first vertically arranged hollow body receiving the coalescer element and a second vertically arranged hollow body receiving a fine filter, and the first and second hollow bodies are joined to one another via a flow-routing component, both being oriented perpendicularly to the horizontally arranged flow-routing component which has a relatively large volume and a configuration for quieting the fuel flow to enhance collection of water droplets in a collection chamber formed at the bottom of at the bottom of the flow-routing component from where the collected water can be discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Helmut Pichler
  • Publication number: 20080257828
    Abstract: Wastewater steams may include one or more metal contaminants. In various embodiments, a wastewater stream may be sent to a fluid treatment system to reduce the amount of metal contaminants in the wastewater stream. In some embodiments, a fluid treatment system may include a first vortex nozzle unit positioned in an opposed relation to a second vortex nozzle unit. Contacting the wastewater stream exiting the first vortex nozzle unit with the wastewater stream exiting the second vortex nozzle unit may precipitation of one or more metal contaminants in the wastewater steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Robert L. Kelsey, Qiwei Wang
  • Publication number: 20080257805
    Abstract: A high rate, upflow filtration system is described in which a compressible, fibrous lump filtration media is compressed to adjust the porosity and collector size of the media in the bed and to provide a porosity gradient within the bed proceeding from more porous to less porous in a direction opposite to the flow of fluid so that filtration proceeds in a direction from a more porous to a less porous filter bed. Larger particles are removed by the more porous media and successively smaller particles are removed as the filter bed becomes less porous. The system is capable of reducing the turbidity of influent municipal wastewater from about 8 NTU to about 2 NTU at a wastewater flow rate of from about 820 to 1230 L/m2·min (20 to 30 gal/ft2·min), at a bed compression ration of from about 15 to 40 percent, and at a backwash rate of from about 1 to 6 percent based on the total wastewater passing through the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: SCHREIBER, LLC
    Inventor: William Frederick Dew
  • Publication number: 20080257810
    Abstract: A method and system for treating water or wastewater to remove both soluble BOD and suspended solids. The method entails directing first and second water or wastewater streams to a treatment system including an activated sludge system and a ballasted flocculation system. The first water or wastewater stream is directed to the activated sludge system which includes at least one reactor and a clarifier. The second water or wastewater stream is directed to a ballasted flocculation system. Mixed liquor or activated sludge is directed from the activated sludge system to a mixing chamber that is located upstream from the ballasted flocculation system. The water or wastewater of the second stream is mixed with the mixed liquor or activated sludge in the mixing chamber. The mixed liquor from the mixing chamber is directed to and through the ballasted flocculation system. In the end, the soluble BOD in the second water or wastewater stream is reduced and suspended solids in the water or wastewater are also reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: Jyh-Wei Sun
  • Patent number: 7438817
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system comprising separation unit operations inhibits or promotes the formation and precipitation of species by controlling the pH of wastewater to be treated entering into the separation unit operations. The separation unit operations include first and second reverse osmosis devices. The first reverse osmosis device treats wastewater having pH that is less than about 3.5 and the second reverse osmosis device treats wastewater, from the first reverse osmosis device, having a pH that is about 6 or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: OTU SA
    Inventors: Lnsp Nagghappan, Robert P. Helwick