Diverse Patents (Class 210/259)
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Patent number: 8323494Abstract: The present invention relates to a sewage/wastewater treatment system comprising a rectangular upflow anaerobic/oxygen-free reaction tank and a method of treating sewage/wastewater using the same. The rectangular upflow anaerobic/oxygen-free reaction tank comprises a water introducing unit, an inlet unit being in fluid communication with the water introducing unit and having a plurality of through-holes formed therein through which water introduced from the water introducing unit can pass, a mixing unit comprising a main shaft and a plurality of spaced-apart stirring blades fixed to the main shaft, and an outlet unit for collecting water after being treated in the anaerobic/oxygen-free reaction tank. The system and method can treat sewage/wastewater cost-effectively.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2011Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignees: Ecodigm Co., Ltd.Inventors: Joong Chun Kwon, Yun Hak Kim
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Patent number: 8318015Abstract: A stormwater filtration system suitable for treatment of stormwater runoff in a developed environment uses a primary treatment bay that includes a filtration bed with live plant matter. A second treatment bay treats water that exceeds the maximum throughput of the primary bay. A reservoir stores treated runoff to water the plants during dry weather. Removable trays on the surface of the primary filtration bed provide plants suitable for ground cover. Additional bays expand the filtration bed throughput and accommodate extended root systems. A flow control may be provided for the primary treatment bay.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2012Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Contech Engineered Solutions LLCInventors: Vaikko P. Allen, II, Jeremiah M. Lehman, James H. Lenhart, Jr., Hong Lin, Daniel P. Cobb, Gregory W Byrne
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Patent number: 8308944Abstract: A wastewater treatment method includes the steps of supplying a wastewater influent having nutrients for a population of phototactic heterotrophic microorganisms to an aerated bioreactor. At least a portion of the nutrients is converted into the phototactic heterotrophic microorganism population. The wastewater influent and the phototactic heterotrophic microorganism population together form a bioreactor effluent that is transferred to a light clarifier. The bioreactor effluent is concentrated in the light clarifier to form a low-solids effluent and a high-solids effluent. The concentration is performed by inducing the population of phototactic heterotrophic microorganisms to phototactically self concentrate through exposure to a light having at least one of an intensity and a wavelength sufficient to cause the phototactic heterotrophic microorganism population to migrate away from a source of the light. The high-solids effluent is then dewatered to form a concentrated biomass paste.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2010Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Algal Scientific CorporationInventor: Geoff Horst
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Patent number: 8308945Abstract: Methods and systems for processing organic waste material are provided. These methods and systems include integrating an anaerobic bio-digester and nutrient recovery module with a bio-production facility, which can locally provide feedstock for the bio-production facility, and can locally provide organic material for the anaerobic bio-digester. Methods and systems for integrating an anaerobic bio-digester with a gas cleaner are also provided, which can recover nutrients while cleaning the biogas produced by the anaerobic bio-digester.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2011Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Highmark Renewables Research Limited PartnershipInventors: Mike Kotelko, Trevor Jason Nickel, Bern Kotelko, Brett Kotelko, Xiaomei Li
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Publication number: 20120283628Abstract: Artificial kidney for gradual, and at least semi-continuous, blood treatment, wherein a blood stream is fed from a body of a living human or animal being into the artificial kidney, where anticoagulation is first effected, blood cells and molecules of large and medium molecular weight, such as proteins, are then primarily separated from plasma and fed back to the blood stream, regulating a water and salt balance by diverting excess plasma water and further removing from the blood stream, plasma or plasma water accumulated and toxic substances, by removal of specific electrolytes and waste products and wherein purified or partially purified plasma and plasma water is being carried back to the blood tract of the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: Relitech B.V.Inventors: Franciscus Peter Houwen, Henk Van Middendorp, Jacobus Cornelis Musters
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Publication number: 20120279920Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is provided comprising a first biological reaction zone, a second biological reaction zone and a membrane operating system. The first biological reaction zone is constructed and arranged to receive and treat the wastewater. The second biological reaction zone includes a separation subsystem and is constructed and arranged to receive effluent from the first biological reaction zone. A suspension system for adsorbent material is provided in the second biological reaction zone. The membrane operating system is located downstream of the second biological reaction zone and is constructed and arranged to receive treated wastewater from the second biological reaction zone and discharge a membrane permeate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2010Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventors: William G. Conner, Mohammed A. Al-Hajri, Thomas E. Schultz, Michael Howdeshell, Chad L. Felch, Matthew Patterson, Samuel Shafarik, Curt Cooley
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Patent number: 8298415Abstract: A wastewater treatment ship is provided which is capable of purifying and treating oil bearing wastewater collected from a ship or the sea, wastewater such as domestic water and of reusing the purified water on the ship and easily discharging it. The wastewater treatment ship has a hull able to navigate by being towed or being self-propelled and a purification treatment unit disposed on the hull and configured to collect, purify, and treat wastewater. The purification treatment unit includes a floated oil collecting tank to collect floated oil collected from raw wastewater tank, a stirring tank having a cylindrical straight drum and a funnel-shaped bottom to stir wastewater taken out from the raw wastewater tank together with a coagulant and a collecting path to discharge precipitates, a plurality of filter treatment tanks to be used in multistage filtering treatment of wastewater in the stirring tank, and purified water tanks.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2010Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Kanto Kosan Co., Ltd.Inventor: Soujirou Imahashi
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Patent number: 8298424Abstract: Disclosed herein is an anaerobic digester configured to include input reactors into which livestock wastewater or food waste (hereinafter, ‘inflow’) is introduced; regions of an anaerobic digestion reactor designed for the inflow passing through an input reactor to perform methane fermentation to produce and transfer biogas simultaneously into the next region; an inlet pipe into which sludge liquid is drawn; an inlet pipe into which activated liquid is drawn; a biogas capturing device; a first heat exchange tube to allow the sludge liquid to perform heat exchange with a new inflow; regions of a subsequent treatment reactor to allow the sludge liquid whose heat exchange is completed to be introduced and to treat gas odor components generated from the sludge liquid; and a liquid-composting reactor in which the emitted sludge whose odor components have been removed is stored.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2010Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Inventors: Sang Bum Lee, Ke Ho Lee
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Patent number: 8298429Abstract: An integrated unit operations for the treatment of a waste stream, such as spent caustic, is provided in a single vertical vessel having at least three separate zones: a mixing, a settling, and a mass transfer zone.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2010Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Merichem CompanyInventors: Tom Varadi, Marie-Cecile Medine, Arturo Ramon Puigbo, Ramiro G. Vazquez
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Patent number: 8298423Abstract: A floway system for a building roof includes a substrate for supporting a periphyton culture that removes nutrient pollution from surface water and isolates the building envelope from solar-induced heat. The substrate is seedable to form a floway. a harvester for harvesting periphyton from the substrate. Water desired to be bioremediated is channeled to an inlet of the periphyton culture. A gutter system includes a sector for collecting cleansed water from an outlet of the periphyton culture having a drain for permitting water to be emptied therefrom and a sector for collecting periphyton harvested from the substrate therein. An element is provided for directing material exiting the periphyton culture outlet selectively between the water-collecting sector and the periphyton-collecting sector.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2009Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Aquafiber Technologies Corp.Inventors: Kyle R. Jensen, Michael F. Willard
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Patent number: 8298420Abstract: A drainless reverse osmosis (RO) water purification system provides relatively pure water for on-demand dispensing, while recycling brine to a domestic hot water system. The drainless purification system includes a pre-filter catalyst cartridge for removing chlorine-based contaminants from a tap water supply upstream from an RO membrane. The catalyst is regularly refreshed by a high through-flow of water to a conventional cold water dispense faucet, thereby significantly prolonging the service life of the RO membrane. The RO membrane is incorporated into a multi-cartridge unit adapted for facilitated slide-out removal and replacement as needed. A control valve recycles brine from the RO membrane to the hot water system during pure water production, and recirculates tap water through the RO membrane when a pure water reservoir is substantially filled. The multi-cartridge unit may further include an air filtration system for providing a flow of filtered air.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2010Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Inventor: Bruce D. Burrows
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Patent number: 8287732Abstract: Systems and methods for the treatment of lipid-extracted algae biomass and recycling nutrients are provided. The lipid-extracted algae biomass is hydrolyzed prior to anaerobic digestion, and the products generated by anaerobic digestion are further processed to yield by-products that are of use either for external use or as process inputs to carry out specific steps within an integrated algal growth and anaerobic digestion process designed to minimize economic costs, required costly inputs while improving upon system capabilities.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2010Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Washington State University Research FoundationInventors: Shulin Chen, Craig Frear, Quanbao Zhao
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Patent number: 8287733Abstract: The present invention relates to wastewater treatment facilities, and more particularly to an improved membrane bioreactor for treatment of wastewater. In one embodiment, a membrane bioreactor for treatment of wastewater includes first and second anoxic basins for anoxic treatment of such wastewater, and first and second aerobic basins for aerobic treatment of such wastewater. The bioreactor also includes a first flow path connecting the first anoxic basin and the first aerobic basin, and a second flow path connecting the second anoxic basin and the second aerobic basin, for flow of the wastewater from the respective anoxic basin into the respective aerobic basin. The bioreactor also includes a membrane chamber with a plurality of membrane tanks, the membrane chamber being arranged in series with the aerobic basins, and the membrane tanks being arranged in parallel with each other, and third and fourth flow paths connecting the membrane chamber to the first and second aerobic basins.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2009Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Inventors: Juergen T. Nick, Johan A. Perslow, James A. Matthews, Jr.
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Patent number: 8282823Abstract: A modular water purification system is optimized for versatility and weight using a pump component that is mountable by standardized fittings into alternative prime mover modules that can receive and power the pump. The pump can be a heavy high pressure pump for a reverse osmosis stage, interchangeably mounted on an internal combustion engine module or an electric motor module. The pump is enclosed and protected by a frame with end plates, elongated bar handles and a standardized base that fits into and is fixed by a sliding flange and clamping structure, locating the pump precisely to engage a rotational fitting on the pump shaft with a complementary fitting coupled to the prime mover.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2010Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: TerraGroup CorporationInventors: Primo L. Acernese, James Novak, Jr., Joseph J. Totenbier
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Patent number: 8277652Abstract: A system for consolidating and removing contaminate such as paint sludge or oils from a fluid mixture. A contaminate tank receives a supply of the fluid mixture containing contaminate from a source such as a manufacturing line where overspray of paints or cleaning solutions containing washed away oils are collected. A free floating weir floats on the surface of the contaminate tank and mechanically separates and removes contaminate from a surface of the contaminate tank and concentrates the contaminate in a consolidation tank. In the consolidation tanks the contaminate is further separated and collected for disposal.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2010Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Inventors: Gordon T. Urquhart, James E. Miller
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Patent number: 8268172Abstract: A waste fluid treating apparatus including a pure water generating unit including an ion exchanger for purifying a fresh water sent by a fresh water pump to obtain a pure water. The ion exchanger includes a housing, an anion exchange resin layer accommodated in the housing, and a mixed resin layer accommodated in the housing. The anion exchange resin layer is composed of only anion exchange resin, and the mixed resin layer is composed of a mixture of anion exchange resin and cation exchange resin. The housing is provided with a fresh water inlet for introducing the fresh water into the anion exchange resin layer and a pure water outlet for discharging the pure water from the mixed resin layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2010Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Disco CorporationInventors: Miki Yoshida, Takeshi Furonaka
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Publication number: 20120223020Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a stream comprising a hydrocarbon liquid and an aqueous-based liquid are provided. The systems and methods may utilize a media composite comprising a mixture of a cellulose-based material and a polymer. In certain systems and methods, the media composite is capable of being backwashed. The stream comprising the hydrocarbon liquid and aqueous-based liquid may be separated by contacting the stream with the media composite. In certain system and methods, the stream comprising the hydrocarbon liquid and aqueous-based liquid may be coalesced by contacting the stream with the media composite.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2012Publication date: September 6, 2012Applicant: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.Inventors: Chad L. Felch, Matthew Patterson, Shane Wiercinski
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Patent number: 8257588Abstract: An oil-water separator with a self-priming pump of high oil-water separation ability enables a mixed liquid to be introduced into the oil-water separator without causing emulsification. A separator portion separating a mixed liquid includes a rough cyclone separation portion. A main separation portion downstream of the rough separation portion performs main separation according to specific gravity. A water discharge portion connected to the main separation portion discharges water. An oil storage tank stores the oil separated from the water and overflowing the main separation portion. A self-priming liquid pump connected downstream of the separator portion and connected to the water discharge portion sucks the mixed liquid from an exterior to enable venting and discharging of air.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2011Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: World Chemical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoji Mori, Yasuichi Haga, Yuji Ikehara
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Patent number: 8252182Abstract: Methods and systems for a subsurface upflow wetland for wastewater treatment that includes a series of parallel treatment cells, each cell including from bottom to top, a layer of gravel, a layer of sand over the gravel to remove pathogens from a septic effluent, a pollution control medium above the sand layer to remove nutrients, total suspended solid, and biochemical oxygen demand and a growth media mixture layered on top of the pollution control media to grow plants, and a gravity distribution system to distribute effluent to the series of parallel treatment cells. The pollution control medium includes at least one recycled material and at least one naturally occurring material. In an embodiment it includes recycled tire crumb, sand and limestone or recycled tire crumb, compost, sand and limestone.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2011Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Ni-Bin Chang, Martin P. Wanielista
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Patent number: 8252171Abstract: A water purifying and enhancement system of a modular construction designed as a built-in appliance located under the countertop or as a free-standing (stand alone) unit. The water appliance has a water inlet for obtaining water from a supply source, scale reduction device, booster or re-pressurization pump, pre-filtration, U.V. sterilization, R.O. filtration, de-ionization (CDI or mechanical), mineral injection system (for adding desired minerals into the purified water), water diagnostic and monitoring cells, post filtration, proprietary water enhancement reactor consisting of specially engineered and blended ores of ceramic components, and/or an electrolytic ionization chamber, and/or a magnetic chamber, a water outlet for delivery of the highly purified enhanced water product, and a outlet to grey water drain for reject water.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Inventor: Paul S. Doran
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Patent number: 8252183Abstract: An exemplary method of treating nitrogen-contaminated wastewaters, especially those with high ammonia concentrations, according to the invention includes the steps of ammonia degassing and recapture, and of nutrient assimilation with microalgae. Organic nitrogen, organic carbon, phosphorus, heavy metals and other compounds may also be removed in different embodiments of the invention. Examples of applicable wastewaters include landfill leachate, municipal solid waste anaerobic digester effluent, agricultural anaerobic digester effluent, municipal wastewaters, agricultural wastewaters, and other similarly contaminated wastewaters.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2011Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Kent BioEnergy CorporationInventors: Michael J. Massingill, Gregory Schwartz, Christian-Dominik Henrich, Timothy R. Wells, Wayne Sterud, James Carlberg, Jon C. Van Olst
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Patent number: 8246830Abstract: Provided is a biological nitrogen removal method which includes, causing to flow a support having, on the surface portion thereof, a two-layered microbial film which holes, in the outer layer, nitrite type nitrifying bacteria or aerobic bacteria and nitrite type nitrifying bacteria as a dominant species and, in the inner layer, anaerobic ammonia oxidizing bacteria as a dominant species while being surrounded with the nitrite type nitrifying bacteria; and thereby carrying out denitrification of the water to be treated by making use of the anaerobic ammonia oxidation reaction. In the biological nitrogen removal method, a feed rate of the support (total surface area of the support per unit capacity of the reaction tank) is adjusted so that an amount of nitrous acid produced by the nitrite type nitrification reaction through the action of the nitrite type nitrifying bacteria reaches a level to inhibit a nitrate type nitrification reaction.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2011Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Metawater Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shigeki Takeda
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Publication number: 20120199524Abstract: A polymer-free method and self-draining self-cleaning apparatus for treatment of water with high total dissolved solids including optional pretreatment, precipitation/flocculation, and separation. The pH is raised by addition of caustic soda and/or soda ash. In a vertical clarifier silo, the feed is gently mixed to cause dissolved solids to precipitate and agglomerate to form suspended flocculates. The clarifier includes an internal mixer surrounded by a cylindrical tube diffuser. Rotation of the mixer provides gentle dual circulation patterns within the clarifier that allow for flocculates of a predetermined size to settle from suspension. The clarifier may also include one or more vertical recirculation lines to recirculate some of the heavier flocculates at the bottom of the vessel into the mixer chamber to enhance precipitation via the seeding effect. The suspended flocculates are stripped from the feed water in a centrifugal separator. The clarifier silo may be trailer mounted for rapid deployment.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2011Publication date: August 9, 2012Inventors: JOSEPH M. BLY, JR., Melvin O. Stacy, Enrique M. Proaño
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Patent number: 8221626Abstract: A renewable energy microgeneration system is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2011Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: SEaB Energy Holdings Ltd.Inventor: Nicolas W. Sassow
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Patent number: 8216468Abstract: A mobile wastewater separator and recover unit and method for the separation and disposal/recovery of waste water for example in the oil and gas industry. It is fully self-contained and maintains the ability to separate heavy solids, floating contaminants, and water for recovery and reuse or disposal as required. Main components of the system are a large wastewater holding capacity implementing various compartments & separator/recovery mechanisms, evaporation compartments that are interchangeable for efficiency in both warm & extreme cold temperature operations, and finally a condensation recovery system and clean water holding compartment.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2007Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: JC Environmental Inc.Inventors: Jason W. Page, Carrie A. Page
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Patent number: 8211303Abstract: A mobile wastewater separator and recover unit and method for the separation and disposal/recovery of waste water for example in the oil and gas industry. It is fully self-contained and maintains the ability to separate heavy solids, floating contaminants, and water for recovery and reuse or disposal as required. Main components of the system are a large wastewater holding capacity implementing various compartments & separator/recovery mechanisms, evaporation compartments that are interchangeable for efficiency in both warm & extreme cold temperature operations, and finally a condensation recovery system and clean water holding compartment.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2011Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: JC Environmental Inc.Inventors: Jason W. Page, Carrie A. Page
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Patent number: 8211297Abstract: An activated carbon adder adds activated carbon to raw water before flocculating sedimentation, to adsorb suspended matter contained in raw water, a liquid cyclone is adapted to separate activated carbon with suspended matter adsorbed thereon, from raw water containing activated carbon, an inflow line is connected with the liquid cyclone so as to cause raw water containing activated carbon before flocculating sedimentation to flow into the liquid cyclone and swirl therein, an activated carbon discharge line discharges activated carbon spun down out of raw water containing activated carbon in the liquid cyclone, from the liquid cyclone, and a pretreated water discharge line discharges raw water having got rid of activated carbon as pretreated water from the liquid cyclone, allowing for a reduced amount of chemicals to be used, with production of a reduced amount of sludge.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2009Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Mii Fukuda, Takashi Menju, Yasushi Yamamoto, Kazuyoshi Aoki, Takeshi Matsushiro, Ryoichi Arimura, Norimitsu Abe, Futoshi Kurokawa, Atsushi Yukawa, Tokusuke Hayami
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Patent number: 8206592Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods of treating water by directing the water to a first reverse osmosis (RO) membrane; separating the water using the first RO membrane; adding a chelating agent to first permeate and/or raising the pH of the first permeate to between about 5.5 and 7.5 before a second RO membrane; and separating the first permeate into a second permeate and a second concentrate using the second RO membrane, thereby separating constituents from the water.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2005Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventors: John F. Bossler, Hari Bhushan Gupta, Kenneth R. Workman, Jospeh C. Jimerson
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Patent number: 8206589Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide methods and apparatus for producing purified water from sea water or some other salty or brackish water source by using brackish concentrate mixed with salty water. The various embodiments also provide methods and apparatus for the treatment of toxicity of brackish concentrate, which brackish concentrate exhibits on aquatic life inhabiting the area of discharge of the brackish concentrate, as well as a method for environmentally safe disposal of brackish concentrate.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2009Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Poseidon Resources IP LLCInventor: Nikolay Voutchkov
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Patent number: 8206585Abstract: An automatic oil-water separation and recovery device, which comprises a cylindrical tank, on the top of which exists an oil collector. The tank has an inflow pipe that links to a pre-separation regulating water distributor therein. The said water distributor is in the shape of an obconic bell mouth. At the lower part of the tank stands an outflow collector on which a bar-shaped oil-water separation unit is secured. The said outflow collector has an outlet. The said oil-water separation unit is made from stainless steel or plastic antipriming pipe firstly wrapped with unwoven cloth, and then taped with wires and outside the wires further wrapped with nonwoven cloth. All the cloth and wires are made of the same highly hydrophilic, oil-resistant material. The automatic oil-water separation and recovery devices described in this invention can be assembled together for separating and recovering ship-generated oily water.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2008Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Inventor: Xian Gan
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Publication number: 20120152855Abstract: A non-filtration pre-separation device and method for the removal of algae using the same, comprising a system having a hydrodynamic separator including at least one curved structure for the removal of bio-organisms from seawater, such structure having an inlet in operative connection with a source of raw seawater and a bifurcated outlet operative for passing pre-treated effluent fluid to a downstream filtration system and the removal of waste fluid. Various fluidic structures, implementations and selected fabrication techniques to realize such a device, whether singular or in stacked and/or packed parallel configuration are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATEDInventors: Meng H. Lean, Joe Zuback, Norine E. Chang, Ashutosh Kole, Kai Melde, Jeonggi Seo
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Publication number: 20120152721Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating water in order to desalinate said water, including a step of reverse osmosis or distillation of said water in order to produce water that is at least partially desalinated and a first concentrate. According to the invention, said method includes: a first demineralisation step including a step of nanofiltering said first concentrate such as to produce a nanofiltrate and a second concentrate; a second step of demineralising said second concentrate by means of at least one active material including cationic and/or anionic ion-exchange resins, said second demineralisation step including the extraction of a third concentrate and the extraction of at least partially demineralised water, said at least partially demineralised water being mixed with said at least partially desalinated water; a step of regenerating said at least one active material, said regeneration step including a step of recirculating said nanofiltrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: VEOLIA WATER SOLUTIONS & TECHNOLOGIES SUPPORTInventors: Abdelkader Gaid, Michel Coeytaux
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Patent number: 8197689Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes wastewater having nitrogen-containing compounds, an anoxic zone having denitrifying bacteria, and an aerobic zone having nitrifying bacteria. The anoxic zone is coupled to the aerobic zone, and wastewater flows from the anoxic zone to the aerobic zone or vice versa. The wastewater treatment system is configured to accept heat from a heat engine to heat the wastewater. Treating wastewater can include flowing wastewater having nitrogen-containing compounds into a biological reactor having an anoxic zone and an aerobic zone, and heating the wastewater with heat from a heat engine to facilitate denitrification reactions in the anoxic zone and to facilitate nitrification reactions in the aerobic zone. In some cases, the wastewater is heated with a three phase fluidized bed heat exchanger having porous particulates in contact with heat exchange tubes, with bacteria coupled to an interior of the porous particulates.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2011Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Inventor: Alexander Fassbender
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Publication number: 20120138530Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating arsenic from an aqueous solution containing arsenic. The method includes the steps of contacting an arsenic-containing solution with a first portion of fixing agent to remove at least a portion of the arsenic. An arsenic-laden fixing agent is separated from the solution and the partially depleted solution is contacted with a second portion of fixing agent. The fixing agent can include a high surface area insoluble compound containing one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. Following removal of the arsenic, the arsenic-depleted solution can be further processed to separate a recoverable metal through metal refining. The arsenic-laden fixing agent can be filtered to recover and recycle a filtrate to the solution for additional treatment, as well as using a partially saturated fixing agent to remove arsenic from fresh solution.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2007Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLCInventors: John L. Burba, III, Carl R. Hassler, C. Brock O'Kelley, Charles F. Whitehead
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Publication number: 20120138528Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing arsenic from an arsenic-bearing material. The method includes the steps of contracting an arsenic-bearing material with an arsenic leaching agent to form an arsenic-containing solution and arsenic-depleted solids. The leaching agent can be an inorganic salt, an inorganic acid, an organic acid, and/or an alkaline agent. The arsenic-depleted solids are separated from the arsenic-containing solution, which is contacted with a fixing agent to produce an arsenic-depleted solution and an arsenic-laden fixing agent. The fixing agent comprises a rare earth-containing compound that can include cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. The fixing agent is then separated from the arsenic-depleted solution. A recoverable metal in the arsenic-depleted solids, arsenic-containing solution or arsenic-depleted solution can be separated and recovered. Recoverable metals can include metal from Group IA, Group IIA, Group VIII and the transition metals.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2007Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLCInventors: John L. Burba, III, Carl R. Hassler, C. Brock O'Kelley, Charles F. Whitehead
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Patent number: 8186518Abstract: A water purification unit to purify potentially contaminated water is provided. The water purification unit is in fluid communication with a water source and has a pump to draw water from the water source. The water is passed through at least a main filter to purify the water and dispensed through an outlet. Power is provided to the water purification unit by a battery bank and a non-grid power source.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2010Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Inventors: Jack E. Barker, Carmen L. Barker
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Patent number: 8187461Abstract: A system and method for processing and reusing graywater. At least two vertical flow wetland units are provided, each of which comprises a container filled with at least one granular substrate and at least one species of a hygrophilous plant, and an outlet. At least one of the wetland units is set to an inactive state during a predetermined period of time such that influx of graywater to each of the inactive units is prevented, to regenerate each inactive wetland units. At least one of the wetland units is set to an active state to allow introduced graywater to be purified. Purified graywater is discharged from the outlet of each active unit to a sink. At least a portion of the purified graywater is recirculated to each active wetland units so that a portion of the purified graywater, when desired, is discharged to a domestic site for reuse.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2009Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Inventor: Moshe Elazar Ernest
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Publication number: 20120125203Abstract: Water purification system comprising filtration media sized with respect to each other to allow a first contaminant in the water to saturate the first medium with a delay prior to saturation of the second medium with a second contaminant.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2011Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: THE WATER INITIATIVE, LLCInventors: Eugene A. Fitzgerald, Ya-Hong Xie, Thomas Langdo, Richard Renjilian, Carl V. Thompson
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Patent number: 8182678Abstract: An apparatus for treating liquid includes a tank having a water inlet for receiving water, a treated water outlet for outputting treated water and a flow path between the inlet and the outlet. An injection section of the tank is located along the flow path of the tank with an outlet toward a bottom of the tank. Ozonated liquid containing ozone microbubbles is injected through an injection manifold positioned within the injection section of the tank. The ozone microbubbles adsorb to impurities in the ozonated water. A separation section of the tank is positioned downstream of the outlet of the injection section. The separation section has a contact surface such that the ozonated water travels upward to contact the contact surface and such that at least a portion of the ozone microbubbles adsorb to the contact surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2009Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Seair Inc.Inventors: Harold Kinasewich, Kyle Greene
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Publication number: 20120111800Abstract: A method for harvesting potable water and energy from waste that comprises the steps of collecting the waste, separating the waste into a water fraction, a solid fraction, and a gas fraction, sterilizing the water fraction, converting the solid fraction into an energy resource; and scrubbing the gas fraction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2009Publication date: May 10, 2012Inventor: Carol Ann Collins
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Patent number: 8168073Abstract: A reclaimer, for the separation of heavier solids from slurry water, including an inlet means (50) to allow loading of a flow of the solid laden slurry water (90), a reclaiming tank (10) to contain the input from the inlet means (50), a plurality of lamella plates (20) to increase the effective separation surface area to improve the separation process, said lamella plates (20) provided at an angle, an agitation mechanism (40) for loosening up the slurry water from the heavier solids, an outlet means (82) to allow the separated slurry water to exit the tank (10), wherein the agitation mechanism (40) is a conveyor, with a plurality of protrusions (42).Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2005Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: SP-ZI-COM Pte LtdInventors: Khee Yang Ng, Samuel Wong, Giau Leong Low, Wei Leng Ng, Giok Lak Sim
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Patent number: 8163173Abstract: A well water treatment system includes a first ozonation tank that receives pressurized well water and introduces ozone into that well water. The ozone causes impurities to precipitate, which settle to the sides and bottom of the first tank. Remaining water is delivered by gravity flow to a second supply tank wherein the ozone is allowed to largely if not entirely dissipate from the water. When a household or other destination requires treated water, a pump in the supply tank operates to deliver water from the tank to that destination. The pump is operably positioned within the supply tank at an intermediate water level below precipitates floating on the surface and above precipitates that have settled in the tank.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2009Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Inventors: Steven F. Dellecave, Frank J. Scherer
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Patent number: 8163179Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for removing dissolved hydrogen sulfide, including an anaerobic treatment tank (1) that anaerobically treats organic discharged water, a circulation water tank (3), means for introducing organic discharged water into circulation water, a treated-water tank (4) that temporarily stores anaerobically treated water, a biological desulfurization tower (5) that desulfurizes biogas formed by anaerobic treatment, air feeding means for feeding air to the biological desulfurization tower (5), water feeding means for feeding water to the biological desulfurization tower (5), first aerating means (9a) for blowing a part of biologically desulfurized gas from the biological desulfurization tower (5), into the treated-water tank (4), and second aerating means (9b) for blowing exhaust gas discharged from the treated-water tank (4) into a solution circulating between the anaerobic treatment tank (1) and circulation water tank (3).Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2008Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Yasuhiko Nagamori, Takumi Obara, Nobuyuki Ashikaga, Hiroshi Tamura, Toshiharu Ishihara, Takayuki Ishige, Miyuki Momiji
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Patent number: 8163180Abstract: The invention relates to a process for anaerobic treatment of material having a solids concentration greater than 15% in a digester in the form of a sealed tank (1) equipped with means (2) for supplying material to be treated and means (3) for discharging digested material and also vertical homogenization means (6) in the form of injectors for injecting a gaseous fluid into the bottom (7) of the tank (1). Through distribution in the tank (1) of the material supply means (2) relative to the discharge means (3) and using vertical homogenization means (6) that guarantee the homogeneity of the material treated by vertical sectors (8) in the tank, conferred on the material in the tank (1) is a forced unidirectional circulation that is uniform throughout the entire cross section of this tank, and along one substantially horizontal component, between said supply means (2) and said discharge means (3). The invention also relates to an installation for implementing such a process.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2007Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Valorga InternationalInventors: Jean-Pierre Lotti, Helene Fruteau De Laclos, Claude Saint-Joly
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Patent number: 8157998Abstract: Disclosed is a device for separating radioisotope thallium-201. The device includes an evaporation unit for a solution vial, a first glass vial connected to a first valve and a second valve, an ion exchange column connected to a third valve, a second glass vial connected to a fourth valve and a fifth valve, a collection vial for receiving solution from the fifth valve, a product vial with a membrane filter and a vacuum unit connected to the first valve, the fourth valve and a sixth valve. This device can separate out high-concentration thallium-201 solution from which radioisotope thallium-201 can be obtained.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2009Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Atomic Energy Council—Institute of Nuclear Energy ResearchInventors: Wuu-Jyh Lin, Jenn-Tzong Chen, Sun-Rong Huang, Ying-Ming Tsai, Jainn-Hsin Lu
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Patent number: 8142655Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 13, 2006Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Tsukishima Kikai Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tsuyoshi Nakayama
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Publication number: 20120067815Abstract: A bioartificial kidney equivalent and a process for producing the bioartificial kidney equivalent. The hybrid bioartificial kidney comprises human proximal and distal renal tubule cells grown on particular synthetic membranes.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2009Publication date: March 22, 2012Applicant: GAMBRO LUNDIA ABInventors: David Luttropp, Bernd Krause, Markus Neubauer, Reinhold Deppisch, Doris Deppisch, Andrea Schnell, Helmut Geiger, Juergen Bereiter-Hahn, Patrick Baer
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Patent number: 8137542Abstract: Disclosed is a water treatment system including a raw water tank, a module which includes a filtration membrane, a feed pump, a filtered water tank, a backwash pump which flows filtered water backward from the filtered water tank to the module, a valve and a channel which switch the direction of the water flow between the forward and reverse directions, a controller which suspends the supply of raw water from the raw water tank to the module, switches the valve and channel to the reverse direction, makes the backwash pump to supply filtered water from the filtered water tank to the module thereby backwashing the filtration membrane, and washing drainage treatment line including which treats backwashing drainage generated by backwashing of the filtration membrane, and returns the water to the raw water tank.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Norimitsu Abe, Seiichi Murayama, Takeshi Ide, Akira Morikawa, Shojiro Tamaki
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Patent number: 8137564Abstract: An apparatus for and method of filtering hydrocarbon contaminated water is disclosed herein. The present invention may be used in drainage openings, particularly in parking lots and containment areas for large sources of hydrocarbons such as oil tanks or electrical transformers, to remove hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon contaminated water. The apparatus has a filtration compartment which filters out debris and sediment which may clog the treatment compartment. A pre-filter attachable to the apparatus may be used to further aid in filtering out sediment. A means for melting snow and ice may be incorporated within the filtration compartment such that liquid flow is not hindered during extreme weather conditions. The treatment compartment contains a hydrocarbon absorption media which absorbs any hydrocarbons present in the water rendering such water substantially hydrocarbon-free for discharge directly into a stream or groundwater.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2002Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: SPI Filtration LLCInventor: William J Gannon
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Patent number: 8137553Abstract: The application is directed to an extracorporeal blood processing system capable of using dialysate to prime the system. A plastic molded compact manifold supports molded blood and dialysate fluidic pathways along with relevant sensors, valves and pumps. The compact manifold is also disposable in one embodiment and can be detachably installed in the dialysis machine. A two-way valve in the manifold is used to direct the dialysate flow through the blood circuit to prime the circuit for use in treatment.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2009Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Martin Hering, Frank Isackson