Diverse Patents (Class 210/259)
  • Patent number: 7074339
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and method is disclosed for separating solids from a liquid. The apparatus and method comprises a first separator for circulating the solids and the liquid to concentrate the solids within the liquid. The concentrated solids are discharged into a second separator. The second separator extends upwardly for separating and discharging the concentrated solids from the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Settled Solids Management, Inc
    Inventor: Norman Kenneth Mims
  • Patent number: 7060186
    Abstract: A batch process and apparatus for treating wastewater in a system employing anaerobic and aerobic zone reaction vessels under elevated pressure is disclosed in which an amount of processed activated sludge material is charged into an aerobic zone and wastewater to be processed from an inlet supply charge system is used to fill one or more aerobic zones. The charge system is pressurized by introducing high pressure air which is continuously infused and the material is circulated among anaerobic and aerobic zones as a multi-phase bubble flow while venting an amount of circulated air of lower oxygen content through a vapor release system. After treatment, the system pressure is reduced over a timed interval through the vapor release system, and the treated batch is discharged to an effluent storage system for separation of treated water and sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventor: John L. Petering
  • Patent number: 7060185
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for processing sewage by granulating activated sludge and a method thereof. The sewage processing apparatus includes an anaerobic granulation tank for granulating suspended microorganisms; an indirect aeration tank for supplying oxygen to the supernatant transported through a first transport pipe; an aerobic granulation tank for granulating suspended microorganisms; and a discharge pipe for discharging supernatant of finished water obtained after circulating a series of the anaerobic granulation tank, the first transport pipe, the indirect aeration tank, the aerobic granulation tank repeatedly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Construction Technology
    Inventors: Kwang-Soo Kim, Chai-Sung Gee, Hee-Ja Lee, Chang-Woon Kim, Byung-Won Seo, Kwang-Ho Ahn, Hyun-Hee Cho, Yo-Sub Byun
  • Patent number: 7060180
    Abstract: Retrofit apparatus for retrofitting an ozone generator to a spa, hot tub or similar facility is disclosed. Here, a fitting is threaded into an air inlet of a spa or hot tub, and covers provided for the water outlets to generally prevent outgassing. In another embodiment, an ozone-providing plug is provided to one water outlet of a spa or hot tub, with the air and other outlets being blocked. In addition, different configurations of ozone generator are disclosed. Particularly, one type ozone generator includes an inverted U-shaped apparatus so that heat from the ozone generator induces a chimney effect so as to cause the ozonated air to rise through a chimney and then settle into a selected area. Another ozone generator creates a low rate of airflow by “ion wind” in order to propel ozonated air into a system of piping in the absence of water flowing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventor: Ronald L. Barnes
  • Patent number: 7048848
    Abstract: A hybrid oil filter assembly includes a housing and a first (e.g., conventional) oil filter element disposed in proximity to a bottom portion of the housing. The first oil filter element contains an open inner volume. A second oil filter element having a generally circular cylindrical shape is disposed circumferentially about a length of the first oil filter element. The second oil filter element may be made of rolled paper and filters particles of a smaller size than the first oil filter element (e.g., down to about one microns, thereby providing micro-filtering of the engine oil).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventor: Norbert Assion
  • Patent number: 7045063
    Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated system for treatment of biodegradable waste, including sewage sludge, forestry waste, food waste, agricultural waste, municipal waste, and the like. The integrated system comprises an anaerobic reactor, at least one aerobic reactor, a filtration device, and a desalinization device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Ruihong H. Zhang, Jane H. Turnbull
  • Patent number: 7033503
    Abstract: Disclosed are efficient municipal wastewater treatment apparatus and process characterized in that the nitrogen is removed by nitrification and denitrification reaction in the cyclic aeration reactor wherein Anaerobic state, Anoxic state and Oxic state are change into time concept in a single reactor, and the untreated organic materials are further removed by the 24-hour-continuous reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Korean Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Wan Cheol Park, Tae Hyung Kim, Seung Ho Lee, Chang Ju Lee, Mi Ae Lee
  • Patent number: 7030391
    Abstract: An apparatus for irradiation of a fluid with UV light includes a tubular body consisting of UV-permeable material. The body includes a fluid chamber and openings for passage of fluid. A UV source is provided to subject the chamber to the UV light. Light baffles define an irradiated section of the chamber to prevent light penetration beyond the irradiated section while permitting the fluid to flow through. The apparatus is provided as a component in a housing having a modular design. The modules include a back cover for surface mounting. The body is mounted to the back cover. An inner cover is attached to the back cover. The inner cover includes the UV source and modular electronics. A front cover is attached to the inner and back cover. Heat sink elements are provided to control the heat produced in the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: CFM Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Zagrobelny
  • Patent number: 7029586
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes a first lagoon having an inlet for receiving wastewater to be treated and a first vertical flow marsh cell having a bottom outlet. Water can be transported from the first lagoon to the first marsh cell. A second lagoon has an inlet for receiving water from the first marsh cell outlet and a second vertical flow marsh cell having a bottom outlet. Water can be transported from the second lagoon to the second marsh cell. At least a portion of the water exiting the second marsh cell outlet can be recycled to the first lagoon. The first and the second lagoon are adapted to function essentially aerobically and to contain plants having roots positioned to contact water flowing thereinto. The first and the second marsh cell are adapted to contain plants having roots positioned to contact water flowing thereinto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Dharma Living Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Austin, Eric Lohan
  • Patent number: 7022225
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for mixing and separating ozonated water is provided. The apparatus is especially useful as a component of a system for cycling sanitizing ozonated water to a body of water such as a pool, spa or pond. The apparatus generally includes a separating vessel including a mixing tower, preferably located substantially entirely within the separating vessel and including a diffuser element for enhancing mixing of ozonated water without increasing turbulence in the separating vessel. Preferably, the apparatus includes a seal mechanism that substantially prevents liquid water from escaping the separating vessel with vented off-gas. The invention further provides an ozone destruct assembly including a condensate collection portion, and may also include a return line for passing a treated off-gas into the body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Del Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen D. Clawson, Ezra Phillips, Frank Martin
  • Patent number: 7022236
    Abstract: A reactor has an aerobic tank, an anoxic tank and a sealed membrane tank with conduits for circulating mixed liquor between them. Permeation starts when the mixed liquor reaches a high level and stops when the mixed liquor reaches a low level. A sensor, for detecting the mixed liquor level, may stop and start permeation. Pressure builds in the membrane tank when membrane air is on. Transmembrane pressure is also provided by gravity flow or siphon. Membrane air generates an air lift which drives the mixed liquor circulation. The total amount of air provided by an air source is divided and varied in time between the membrane aerator and the process aerator. The process aerator acts as a screening inlet to the conduit to the membrane tank. Chemical maintenance cleaning is provided by gravity flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: ZENON Environmental Inc.
    Inventors: Minggang Liu, Hidayat Husain, Pierre Cote, Ian Pottinger
  • Patent number: 7018539
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating oily wastewater, such as bilge water or ballast water, generated on a ship. The process uses a combination of a centrifugal separation step and a membrane separation step, such as an ultrafiltration step. The membrane separation step uses a dense, non-porous filtration membrane. The process is able to remove both emulsified oil and dissolved oil from the wastewater to low levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Anurag P. Mairal, Alvin Ng, Johannes G. Wijmans, Ingo Pinnau, Jennifer H. Ly
  • Patent number: 7018529
    Abstract: The ultrapure water producing system produces ultrapure water with high purity and remarkably low content of metals even just after restart of operation thereof. Water sent through the pump 3 or 4 into a line 8 flows through a heat exchanger 10, a line 12, a UV oxidation apparatus 20, a line 22, an ion exchange device 30, a line 32 and a membrane filtering device 40 and is treated in each device in this order to be ultrapure water. The devices 10, 20, 30, 40 have bypass lines 11, 21, 31, 41, respectively. In the sterilizing process, bactericide water is fed only to the membrane filtering device 40 via the bypass lines 11, 21 and 31. In the following sterilizing process of the heat exchanger 10 and the UV oxidation apparatus 20, the bactericide water flows the line 41 bypassing around the membrane filtering device 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Kurita Water Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Furukawa, Masatake Okumura
  • Patent number: 7014767
    Abstract: A method of treating water includes exposing influent comprising water desired to be treated to ozone in sufficient quantity to disrupt cell walls of undesired microorganisms therein, thereby releasing nutrients from within the microorganisms in a form amenable to bioassimilation. The ozone is further in sufficient quantity to oxidize toxic, humic substances to a form amenable to plant bioassimilation. Aquatic plants are contacted with the ozone-exposed water, the aquatic plants being adapted to remove the released and oxidized nutrients therefrom. Water emerging from the aquatic plants is then again exposed to ozone in sufficient quantity to further purify the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: AquaFiber Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Kyle R. Jensen
  • Patent number: 7005068
    Abstract: Novel methods and apparatuses are disclosed for the treatment of wastewater to reduce often associated offensive odors by promoting aerobic conditions through decreasing the amount of oxygen required to maintain aerobic cultures and/or aerobic biological activity in the wastewater. Also, the wastewater is screened or otherwise separated the wastewater to remove or concentrate the solids which are anaerobically digested. By concentrating the solids, a smaller digester can be used. The anaerobic digestion produces biogas that may be collected and used, or burned by a flare or oxidized by a semipermeable membrane to deodorize the biogas. The heat produced from the biogas may have a variety of uses, including raising the temperature of the anaerobic digester and the bacterial metabolism. The wastewater is also clarified to remove nitrogenous and organic carbon wastes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Hoffland Environmental, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert O. Hoffland
  • Patent number: 7001512
    Abstract: A process for treating waste products discharged in a waste water from an animal operation, such as a swine confinement facility includes a holding tank for receiving waste water from the flushing of the facility in which solids to accumulate at the bottom thereof; wherein as conveyor transfers solids from said bottom at a rate preventing agitation of the waste water, to a compactor for removing additional water content and to a product dryer for converting the solids into a dry product. The product dryer includes a water heating system with water lines connected in a closed loop to the holding tank. The heating system thermal treats the circulating waste water and waste solids to a temperature sufficient to reduce undesired constituents therein. The product dryer is vented to a separator for recovering ammonia contents in the waste material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventor: David Ralph Newsome
  • Patent number: 7001519
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated closed loop system for aquaculture in at least one culturing tank and using continuous bioreactor technology for the biological treatment and removal of organic material, nitrogen and phosphorous, comprising: an integrated, partially or wholly closed loop system for waste water treatment, where the water contains nitrogen containing compounds and/or substances, comprising at least one production unit of such nitrogen containing compounds and/or substances and using continuous bioreactor technology for the biological treatment and removal of organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorous from the said water at continuous flow, comprising: a) at least one suspended carrier bioreactor for bacterial growth under anoxic conditions to cause anaerobic denitrification, with one or several compartments, preceding b) at least one suspended-carrier bioreactor for bacterial growth under oxic conditions to cause aerobic nitrification, c) the denitrification taking place after the p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Greenfish AB
    Inventors: Bjorn Linden, Torsten Wik
  • Patent number: 6998048
    Abstract: The process and apparatus of the present invention provides an anoxic pretreatment tank, a granular fixed film denitrification reactor and a membrane bioreactor. Raw waste flows into the anoxic pretreatment tank, through a denitrification filter and then to a membrane bioreactor for nitrification and micro filtering. Contents of the membrane bioreactor are periodically recycled to the anoxic tank and the denitrification filter for BOD reduction, denitrification and coarse filtration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventors: Keith Dobie, Philip B. Pedros
  • Patent number: 6991728
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a treatment system for treating primary waste onsite. The treatment system includes a separation cone which separates the solid waste from the liquid waste and the different wastes are subsequently treated separately. The solid wastes are subject to aerobic decomposition by worms and other suitable organisms while liquid wastes are filtered through alternate layers of coarse and fine filter media. The resulting treated liquid can be recirculated or pumped out of the system for other purposes or further treatment. The treatment system is designed as a compact modular system and maybe used for the treatment of domestic human waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Aqua Clarus Holdings Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Roy Victor Ames, Matthew John Etherington, Nicholas Michael Czeperko, Ian Joseph Ugarte
  • Patent number: 6986849
    Abstract: A liquid/solid separator system mounted on a mobile cart and connected to a process tank for reducing the rate at which fluids are consumed in manufacturing processes. The system may include automation and also may include a shear stepped screen including tilted wire wedge wires arranged at varying cant angles. The system may include a fine screen basket received in a settling box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Inventor: William O. Irvine
  • Patent number: 6984319
    Abstract: An environmentally friendly acid neutralizing filter cartridge is adapted to be mounted in a cartridge mounting body of an engine oil circuit for filtering particulates and neutralizing acid in oil. The filter cartridge comprises a support housing that comprises substantially no metal parts such that the filter cartridge can be readily incinerated. A full flow particulate filter and a bypass particulate filter are arranged in the support housing. A bed of acid neutralizing particles is contained in the support housing. The housing is configured such that a predetermined primary flow path is defined through the filter cartridge that passes through the full flow particulate filter and bypassing the bed of acid neutralizing particles; and a predetermined bypass path is defined through the filter cartridge that passes, in sequence, through the bed of acid neutralizing particles and the bypass particulate filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Baldwin Filters, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Merritt, Gene W. Brown
  • Patent number: 6969459
    Abstract: A processing apparatus and an operating method of the processing apparatus, in which a water insoluble oil homogeneous to a water insoluble oil (processing oil) used for a mist-lubrication in a processing site on a work is used as a lubricating oil for a lubrication section of a processing machine, an aqueous solution is used as a cleaning liquid for cleaning the work after having been processed, and then a used processing oil and a used cleaning liquid are recovered and separated and further the separated processing oil and cleaning liquid are circulated into respective supply means, so that the used processing oil may be recovered and reused even if the lubricating oil is mixed into the processing oil since both are homogeneous oil and further the used cleaning liquid and the used processing oil can be surely separated from each other and reused, which allows to reduce an amount of waste as well as to reduce the cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Susumu Ihara, Katsuji Nakanishi, Tsugumaru Yamashita
  • Patent number: 6955758
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ozonization apparatus which is not only capable of dissolving ozone in material water with high efficiency and speedily but also enables the easy and proper control of the dissolved ozone concentration of ozone water. The present invention relates to an ozonization apparatus comprising an ozone gas-permeable membrane disposed to isolate material water and ozone gas from each other and allow said ozone gas to be dissolved in said material water by permeation, said ozone gas-permeable membrane being a nonporous hollow tube which is selectively gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Yamazaki, Kozo Shirato, Kazuyasu Kawashima, Akira Sato, Akihiko Nagai
  • Patent number: 6953525
    Abstract: A package plant for treating raw water to yield potable water. The package plant includes an inlet for raw water, followed by an ozonator for disinfecting the water. Next is provided an up flow roughing filter including a chemically active layer, on top. A slow sand filter follows, which is sized and shaped to promote growth of a biomass for water purification. The up flow roughing filter removes particulates, contributes to the removal of dissolved organics, and protects the slow sand biomass by removing disinfection residuals. In another aspect a method of maintaining the plant is provided, including washing the up flow roughing filter by draining water down through it, providing a vigorous up flow to agitate the top layer, and then washing the slow sand filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: MS Filter Inc.
    Inventor: Robert LeCraw
  • Patent number: 6951609
    Abstract: A module filled with an organic porous ion exchanger is placed midway on a pipe for transporting high-purity water to be supplied to a point-of-use. As the organic porous ion exchanger is used an organic porous ion exchanger having a three-dimensional mesh structure with mesopores, having an average diameter of 1 ?m to 1000 ?m, in a wall between interconnected macropores and in which an ion exchange group is uniformly distributed and an ion exchange capacity is 0.5 mg equivalent weight/gram of dried porous body or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Organo Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Yamanaka, Hiroshi Inoue
  • Patent number: 6946080
    Abstract: This invention is directed to processes designed to recover water used in certain aspects of the processing of poultry, treat the recovered water to remove solids, fats, oils and greases, animal proteins and pathogenic organisms and to reuse the treated water for poultry processing operations. Although the reuse points will vary from plant to plant depending upon specific water consumption volumes, type of processing operations conducted by the facility and regulatory requirements and approvals, there are a number of reuse points which are preferred based upon treated water quality requirements, material balances relating to the capacity to recover process streams and the consumption volumes at the identified reuse points, and source waters that have been shown to have the least total contaminant loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Zentox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Perkins, Joe Phillips, Dale Gann, Richard Miller
  • Patent number: 6946073
    Abstract: Removal of biological nutrients from a wastewater yielding a low phosphorous (e.g., less than 0.25 mg/L) output includes providing a serial multistage bioreactor containing activated sludge having in hydraulic series an anaerobic zone and a downstream aerobic zone, with each zone having an upstream inlet and a downstream outlet. The wastewater is provided to the anaerobic zone inlet. A quantity of chemical sufficient to precipitate soluble and particulate phosphorous is added to the downstream aerobic zone in an amount sufficient to yield a low phosphorous output. Treated water is separated from the activated sludge and precipitated phosphorous and a return activated sludge separated from the treated water is recycled to the anaerobic zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: CH2M Hill, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen T. Daigger, Edwin J. Fleischer, Albert M. Wollmann
  • Patent number: 6942798
    Abstract: Anaerobic digestion system and process in which a liquor containing a digestible biomass is processed a retort vessel at a thermophilic temperature and with a vacuum pressure at the surface of the liquor. A pressurized feedstock is introduced into the vessel so that the feedstock impacts upon the surface of the liquor in a manner which serves to break up any scum on the surface and produce a mixing of the liquor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventor: Herman P. Miller, III
  • Patent number: 6936176
    Abstract: A transportable water treatment system comprising: an inlet adapted to receive water having a pressure of between 10 to 60 psig, a primary regenerable filter connected so as to receive water that has flown through the inlet, the primary regenerable filter configured to separate solids from water flowing therethrough, a secondary regenerable filter, the secondary regenerable filter connected downstream from the primary regenerable filter, and a chemical feed unit connected downstream of said secondary regenerable filter, the chemical feed unit configured to treat water flowing through introduction of chemicals to the water, a water discharge pipe adapted to discharge treated water from the chemical feed unit, where said inlet, the primary regenerable filter, the secondary regenerable filter, the chemical feed unit, and the discharge pipe make up a transportable water treatment and the transportable water treatment is adapted to fit within a bed of a sub-compact pickup truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Water Missions International
    Inventors: George C. Greene III, George C. Greene IV, Sean P. Kerrigan
  • Patent number: 6936172
    Abstract: A water treatment system which comprises a reverse osmosis device having a fluid inlet, a permeate outlet and a concentrate outlet with a pump to pump a fluid through the reverse osmosis device, and a magnetic treatment device situated upstream of the fluid inlet, and filter means arranged to filter fluid from the concentrate outlet prior to recycling the fluid upstream of the magnetic treatment device. When a plurality of passes, the system reduces membrane fouling as the crystal structure of the precipitate is changed to reduce the amount of calcite to a deposit which precipitates mostly as aragonite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Inventor: L. Claude Hebert
  • Patent number: 6936170
    Abstract: A biofilter system of the present invention utilizes an Alternating-Aerobic-Anoxic (AAA) process in a single reactor to provide efficient and cheap removal of carbonaceous materials, nitrogenous materials, and/or mixtures thereof from aqueous waste. The biofilter system of the present invention is particularly suitable for treating aqueous waste from aquaculture, industrial processes and animal husbandry. The biofilter system includes: a main biofilter chamber containing therein aerobic and anaerobic bacteria without physical separation; an inlet port and an outlet port connected to the main biofilter chamber; and a means for oxygenating the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in the main biofilter chamber, including means for timing the oxygenation of the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria to provide alternating periods of high-oxygen conditions and anoxic conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Wen K. Shieh, Leon Weiss, Shu K. Tai
  • Patent number: 6929753
    Abstract: A coal bed methane wastewater treatment system for efficiently and cost effectively treating wastewater generated from coal bed methane production. The coal bed methane wastewater treatment system includes collecting wastewater into an ozone diffusion tank where ozone is injected into the wastewater, passing the wastewater through a prefilter tank and then through a primary membrane. The treated water is separated to a permeate tank and the concentrated water is passed through a secondary membrane for further separation. The concentrated water is then placed within a holding pond for evaporation thereof. The treated water may be utilized to clean the prefilter tank and the membranes. The treated water is then dispensed into a sodium adsorption ratio tank prior to being released to a natural waterway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Aqua-Envirotech Mfg., Inc.
    Inventor: Mel D. Falcon
  • Patent number: 6926822
    Abstract: A filtration apparatus includes a laundry waste sump, a primary 50 micron static screen filter, a 9,000 gallon equalization tank, at least one secondary media/carbon filter, a sludge holding tank with a pump to return excess water to the equalization tank, a backwash pump, an air blower, and a clear well tank water source for backwash. An exemplary embodiment of the invention also includes a surge tank between the primary and secondary filters and a surge tank between the secondary filter and the clear well tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventor: James P. Sharkey
  • Patent number: 6926830
    Abstract: A new biofilm-activated sludge Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) treatment process for sewage or wastewater has successfully been developed as the third generation SBR (SBR3). This new SBR3 process utilizes a multi-stage and multi-sludge SBR configuration receiving either continuous or intermittent inflow of wastewater. Each stage has individually controlled continuous or alternating anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic operation, with or without mixing and recycling from the other stage(s). The configuration and operation is dependent upon the treatment objectives and effluent discharge requirements. In the preferred embodiment, carriers are used to facilitate control of operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Kingsford Environmental (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Kin Man Ho, Paul F. Greenfield, W. Wesley Eckenfelder, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6921485
    Abstract: The process and system may have an organic matter influent introduced into an acid reactor. The acid reactor may be maintained under conditions to facilitate creation of volatile acids in a fluid having water and suspended solids forming a sludge effluent. The sludge effluent may be communicated to an acid separation element where the water and volatile acids may be separated from the suspended solids. A liquid stream may be communicated from the acid separation element to a methane reactor and a solids recycle stream may be communicated to the acid reactor. The methane reactor may be maintained under conditions to facilitate creation of biogas. A liquid effluent may be communicated from the methane reactor to a methane separation element where liquid water may be separated from the solids. A second solids recycle may be communicated from the methane separation element to the methane reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Inventors: Rodolfo Ernesto Kilian, Allen Craig Todd
  • Patent number: 6908446
    Abstract: A blood reservoir being capable of reducing damage to blood stored therein. The blood reservoir has a housing in the form of a box, and filtering and defoaming devices provided in the housing, i.e., a device for filtering and defoaming on blood suctioned from a surgical field (outside a heart), a device for filtering and defoaming on blood vented from the interior of the heart, and a device for filtering and defoaming on blood drawn off from a large vein. The vented blood flowing into the blood reservoir passes through a vented blood filtering member to be introduced into a blood storage space without contacting an antifoaming agent and foreign substances filtered off from the suctioned blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Termo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Yokoyama, Kazuhiko Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6908555
    Abstract: A method of treating wastewater sludge includes pumping, continuously, raw sludge into a first digester and treating the raw sludge at a specific temperature of between about 51° C. to 60° C.; transferring the treated wastewater sludge to a batch tank; treating the wastewater sludge in the batch tank, anaerobically, at a thermophilic temperature which is not more than 2° C. warmer than the specific temperature in the first digester; and disposing of the treated wastewater sludge as a Class A biosolid. A wastewater sludge treatment system includes a first thermophilic digester for treating raw wastewater sludge at a specific temperature in a range of between about 51° C. to 60° C., and discharging a treated wastewater sludge; a batch tank for receiving the treated wastewater sludge discharged from the first digester and for thermophilically treating sludge at a temperature in a range of between about 51° C. to 60° C. and not more than 2° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Columbus Water Works
    Inventors: Clifford J. Arnett, Joseph B. Farrell, Daniel T. Hull, III, Steven J. Krugel, Perry L. Schafer, Billy G. Turner, Warren R. Uhte, John L. Willis
  • Patent number: 6908558
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for extending the life of fountain solutions used in commercial printing presses comprises withdrawing fountain solution from the dampener recirculation system of a printing press and directing the withdrawn fountain solution through a sediment prefilter, a separation filter, and a posttreatment filter. The sediment prefilter preferably comprises a melt blown polypropylene filter; the separation filter preferably comprises a diatomaceous earth filter; and the post-treatment filter preferably comprises a zeolite filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Inventors: David J. Stinson, David A. Douglas, Roy E. Seibert, Jose A. Villarreal
  • Patent number: 6908548
    Abstract: A prefabricated biological purification system for treatment of residential wastewater having a primary purification unit and a secondary purification unit containing a filling material having a grain size distribution of about 2 cm to about 4 cm in diameter. The primary purification unit having modular element forming a container, and internal elements including an inflow tube, an internal separation panel with a fluid passage duct defining a first internal sector and a second internal sector, a trapezoidal diaphragm, and a device for controlling liquid outflow. A second diaphragm in a form of an octagonal modular element is positioned within the container and a horizontal fluid passage duct is formed as a horizontal opening between portion of the internal separation panel and the second diaphragm. A flow control element forms an intake space between a bottom end portion of an outlet pipe and the trapezoidal diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Inventors: Luigi Bruso, Pier Enrico Bruso
  • Patent number: 6905600
    Abstract: A method for treating particulate biodegradable organic waste includes sizing the waste and adding a base prior to introducing the waste to a thermal hydrolysis reactor and hydrolyzing the waste at a temperature of about 130° C. or greater and a pressure greater than the saturated water vapor pressure to produce a slurry including solubilized organic material and residual solids. The solubilized organic material is separated from the residual solids using a liquid/solid separator and the solubilized organics are subjected to anaerobic digestion to produce a methane gas. The base is preferably potassium hydroxide (KOH) at a concentration of about 1%. The method may further include preheating the particulate biodegradable organic waste with latent heat of the separated solubilized organic material prior to thermal hydrolysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: CH2M Hill, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Lee, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6893556
    Abstract: A pretreatment apparatus for performing pretreatment before a painting process includes a treatment tank to be filled with a treatment liquid for degreasing and chemical conversion. A circuit section forms a circulation path for circulating the treatment liquid from the treatment tank to the treatment tank. A purifying section removes dust, chemical sludge and oil from the treatment liquid circulated to the treatment tank through the circulation path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Yaegashi, Tsuneo Sakauchi, Osamu Tanaka, Hiroyuki Kishi, Masahiro Obika
  • Patent number: 6881436
    Abstract: Material balance is maintained in a recycling system for aqueous paint by controlling a liquid amount within the recycling system while spray-coating an article. A recycling method includes: coating an article with aqueous paint in a water-curtain-type coating booth; collecting an over-spray paint, that does not adhere to the article, by virtue of a water curtain; sending a collected solution of paint and water to a condensation bath through a booth circulation water bath; separating this solution by an ultra-filtration apparatus into condensed paint and filtrate, with the condensed paint being transferred to a paint tank; and removing condensed paint from the paint tank, if necessary for adjustment of aqueous paint, followed by coating this aqueous paint onto an article, wherein a total amount of liquid present within the recycling system is controlled to be constant during spray-coating of an article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Nippon Paint Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Yamane, Junichi Sueyoshi, Takahito Ohtsu
  • Patent number: 6881338
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes a first lagoon having an inlet for receiving wastewater to be treated and a first vertical flow marsh cell having a bottom outlet. Water can be transported from the first lagoon to the first marsh cell. A second lagoon has an inlet for receiving water from the first marsh cell outlet and a second vertical flow marsh cell having a bottom outlet. Water can be transported from the second lagoon to the second marsh cell. At least a portion of the water exiting the second marsh cell outlet can be recycled to the first lagoon. The first and the second lagoon are adapted to function essentially aerobically and to contain plants having roots positioned to contact water flowing thereinto. The first and the second marsh cell are adapted to contain plants having roots positioned to contact water flowing thereinto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Dharma Living Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Austin, Eric Lohan
  • Patent number: 6878274
    Abstract: Device for filtering fluid substances, used for a meat materials injecting machine which comprises a coarse filter (1) provided with means (2) for retaining and withdrawing from a fluid the largest particles, and at least a first and a second fine filters (3a) for retaining the smallest particles remaining in the said fluid prefiltered by the coarse filter. The said fine filters (3a) are mounted in respective supporting means (10a), independent from each other, fastened on selecting means (9a). Each of the said supporting means (10a) can independently adopt a working position in which the said selecting means (9a) allow that the fluid passes through related fine filter (3a) and a cleaning position in which the said selecting means (9a) block the passage of the fluid through related fine filter (3a), which can be dismounted for its cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Metalquimia, S.A.
    Inventor: Narcís Lagares Corominas
  • Patent number: 6878269
    Abstract: A device for body fluid purification, comprising a container having an inlet and an outlet for a fluid and a means for preventing an adsorbent from flowing out of the container and an adsorbent charged in the container, the adsorbent comprising a spherical hydrogel, the spherical hydrogel having an average particle size in a range of from about 460 to 600 ?m and having a substantially uniform particle size and comprising an epoxidated cellulose having hexadecylamine immobilized thereon in an amount of 100 to 300 ?mol per gram of dry weight of said epoxidated cellulose, and water, wherein the weight ratio of said epoxidated cellulose having hexadecylamine immobilized thereon to the water is 2:8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Kaneka Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiki Nanko, Shigeo Furuyoshi, Satoshi Takata, Masaru Nakatani
  • Patent number: 6875358
    Abstract: Method and system for extraction of fat or oil-soluble components, e.g. PAH, NDP and/or BTX, from produced water being separated from an oil or gas plant. The method is characterized by injection of a liquid consisting of hydrocarbons from the oil or gas plant into the water flow, the injection liquid having a lower content of the oil soluble components than the original oil phase in equilibrium with the water, the injection liquid is atomized into the whole water phase and the water/hydrocarbon mixture is given a predetermined retention time thus to allow mass transferring of the oil soluble components from the water to the injection liquid, before the injection liquid is separated from the water in a separator, preferably a hydro cyclone, the injection liquid being adapted to the separators working range for pressure and temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Den Norske Stats Oljeselskap A.S.
    Inventors: Eivind Aarebrot, Trygve Håland
  • Patent number: 6866775
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating metal-working fluid comprises: a heating vessel for receiving and holding metal-working fluid for treatment; a heater for heating the metal-working fluid in the heating vessel; an agitator for agitating the metal-working fluid within the heating vessel; an aerator for aerating the metal-working fluid within the heating vessel; and a holding vessel for receiving from the heating vessel and holding treated metal-working fluid. During heating, heated ambient air may be drawn through air inlets and through the fluid agitate and aerate the fluid, thereby ensuring uniform heating and extracting gaseous contaminants. Mist and/or gaseous contaminants may be removed from the airflow prior to its release into the environment. Concentration in the metal-working fluid of at least one metal may be reduced using an using-exchange filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Inventors: Anthony H. Gonzalez, Michael D. Birran, Michel Jammal
  • Patent number: 6863817
    Abstract: A reactor has an aerobic tank, an anoxic tank and a sealed membrane tank with conduits for circulating mixed liquor between them. Permeation starts when the mixed liquor reaches a high level and stops when the mixed liquor reaches a low level. A sensor, for detecting the mixed liquor level, may stop and start permeation. Pressure builds in the membrane tank when membrane air is on. Transmembrane pressure is also provided by gravity flow or siphon. Membrane air generates an air lift which drives the mixed liquor circulation. The total amount of air provided by an air source is divided and varied in time between the membrane aerator and the process aerator. The process aerator acts as a screening inlet to the conduit to the membrane tank. Chemical maintenance cleaning is provided by gravity flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: ZENON Environmental Inc.
    Inventors: Minggang Liu, Hidayat Husain, Pierre Cote, Ian Pottinger
  • Patent number: 6863809
    Abstract: A transportable drilling fluid cleaning system for removing solids from drilling fluid at a drill site comprises a platform for transporting the system. A bin region on the platform retains solids from the drilling fluid. A settling tank on the platform separates the drilling fluid into an upper fluid fraction having a reduced concentration of solids and a lower solids fraction having a higher concentration of solids as the drilling fluid flows from an inlet chamber for receiving drilling fluid to at least one other chamber. A stand on the platform supports at least one centrifuge for separating the solids from the drilling fluid, the stand being movable between stored and operating positions. The system provides a self-contained unit that is easily transportable on a flat bed truck to provide all the ancillary equipment necessary for solids control at the drill site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: BOS Rentals Ltd.
    Inventors: Donald Roy Smith, Melvin Douglas Kapicki
  • Patent number: 6863816
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes a tidal, sequential vertical flow marsh cell system having at least three marsh cells in serial forward fluid communication. Incoming wastewater to be treated is channeled to at least the first and a second marsh cell, and a portion of water exiting a final marsh cell, to the first marsh cell surface. Each marsh cell is alternately flooded and drained for enhancing aeration of incoming water and marsh cell contents, which include media and plant roots having biofilms growing thereon, the biofilms including a population of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria, for achieving substantially simultaneous nitrification and denitrification of the wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Dharma Living Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Austin, Eric Lohan