Diverse Patents (Class 210/259)
  • Publication number: 20110129441
    Abstract: A method, and system, to induce remission in diseases characterized by excess production of sTNR and interleukin 2 has been developed. In the most preferred embodiment, the system consists of antibodies to sTNFR1, sTNFR2 and sIL2R immobilized in a column containing a material such as SEPHAROSEâ„¢. The patient is connected to a pheresis machine which separates the blood into the plasma and red cells, and the plasma is circulated through the column until the desired reduction in levels of sTNFR1, sTNFR2, and IL2 is achieved, preferably to less than normal levels. In the preferred method, patients are treated three times a week for four weeks. This process can be repeated after a period of time. Clinical studies showed reduction in tumor burden in patients having failed conventional chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventor: M. Rigdon Lentz
  • Publication number: 20110124941
    Abstract: Disclosed are coalescers, systems, and methods for coalescing a mixture of two phases, namely a continuous phase and a dispersed phase. The disclosed coalescers, systems, and methods include or utilize one or more layers of media material having a distinct mean pore size and wettability. The disclosed coalescers, systems, and methods are effective for removing the dispersed phase from the mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP, INC.
    Inventors: Barry M. Verdegan, Brian Schwandt, Soondeuk Jeung, Mark T. Wieczorek
  • Patent number: 7947179
    Abstract: A dialysate fluid circulation apparatus includes a dialyzer, a first housing and a second housing. The first housing contains material capable of releasing sodium into dialysate fluid flowing through the first housing. The second housing contains material capable of binding sodium ions from dialysate fluid flowing through the second housing. Hydraulic conduit sections are configured to extend between the dialyzer, the first housing, and the second housing to connect the dialyzer with the housings in a primary flow path for dialysate fluid to flow from the dialyzer to the first housing, from the first housing to the second housing, and from the second housing back to the dialyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Renal Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin P. Rosenbaum, Stephen R. Ash, David J. Carr
  • Patent number: 7947178
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the purification of waste water, in particular for the continuous purification of waste water in papermaking, where waste water to be purified is fed to an anaerobic reactor (12), the waste water is contacted, in the anaerobic reactor (12), with anaerobic microorganisms in order to degrade contaminants present in the waste water, and the purified waste water is discharged from the anaerobic reactor (12), where at least some of the waste water is subjected to a pressure-release flotation step (30) before being supplied to the anaerobic reactor or after being discharged from the anaerobic reactor, in order to delime the water to at least some extent. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a device which is suitable for carrying out the process according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Meri Entsorgungstechnik fuer die Papierindustrie GmbH
    Inventors: Lucas Menke, George Troubounis
  • Patent number: 7943041
    Abstract: A system for and method of removing particulate material from wastewater discharged from an industrial source. The method using filtration, sedimentation, coagulation and skimming to remove the particulate material from the wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Inventors: Kurt Standley, Troy Hartzell
  • Patent number: 7938959
    Abstract: A system for fryer oil usage has at least one fryer having a vat and a valved drain, a first oil storage container having an oil delivery line connected with the vat, a second oil storage container connected with the valved drain and vat of the fryer, both containers having an inert gas blanket in a vapor space thereof, a first filter connected with the valve of the drain of the fryer, a pump connected with the first filter and the second oil storage container and in valved communication with the vat, a polishing line connected with the pump and with the first filter, and a three-way valve movable to a first position for blocking the flow of oil, a second position for allowing the flow of oil to the second oil storage container, and a third position for allowing the flow of oil to the vat of the fryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Inman Restaurant Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Ronald C. Inman, Joseph N. Judice, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7938956
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for purifying water whereby: the water to be purified is pressurized (13); a pressurized flow of said water is directed onto at least one selective permeability membrane to divide (11) the flow of pressurized water into a permeate flow and a retentate flow; the permeate flow is electrodeionized (12) to produce a flow of purified water consisting of the electrodeionized permeate flow; the flowrate of the retentate flow (19) is reduced; a substantially constant predetermined pressure (21) is maintained on the selective permeability membrane(s); and a substantially constant predetermined permeate flowrate is maintained. It also relates to a tangential filtration module suitable for the above kind of system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Millipore Corporation
    Inventor: Yves Gaignet
  • Patent number: 7927491
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Highmark Renewables Research Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Mike Kotelko, Tevor Jason Nickel, Bern Kotelko, Brett Kotelko, Xiaomei Li
  • Patent number: 7927488
    Abstract: Water purification systems utilizing oxidation. By passing water through a chamber of air, the impurities within the water, such as iron, manganese, and/or hydrogen sulfide gas, may be oxidized. The oxidized constituents in the water may then precipitate out and be removed by filter media. Thus, by utilizing oxidation, the impurities most commonly found in a consumer's water are readily removed. Additionally, the water purification systems of the present invention may also elevate the pH, i.e., reduce the hydronium ion concentration, of the water when the water is acidic. By raising the pH of the water, the oxidation of impurities, such as iron and manganese, is more complete and also occurs at a faster rate. Additionally, the corrosivity of the water is also reduced when the pH is elevated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventor: Rudy B. Wilfong
  • Patent number: 7918994
    Abstract: A system for removing contaminant from sulfur to a level that allows re-processed sulfur to reenter a supply chain. The system melts contaminated sulfur, filters the molten sulfur, and then dispenses the less contaminated sulfur after filtering it. More specifically, solid contaminated sulfur enters a settling tank, while heated molten sulfur circulates through the system and the settling tank. The circulation of the molten sulfur assists in the melting process of the solid sulfur, allowing the solid sulfur to melt efficiently. In preferred embodiments of the system, the system uses steam jacked sulfur lines and steam tracing to maintain temperatures for melting the solid sulfur and maintaining the molten state of the sulfur circulating through the system. Furthermore, the system comprises a programmable logic controller, which controls motors, pumps, valves, and environment monitoring instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Brimrock International Inc.
    Inventors: Leslie Lloyd Leroy Lang, Paul Roy Larson, John Alexander MacDonald
  • Patent number: 7919001
    Abstract: A method for purifying water, comprising separating a supply stream into a permeate stream and a reject stream, removing non-monovalent salt impurities from the reject stream to produce a treated stream; providing the treated stream to a concentrating compartment of an electrodeionization unit; and, producing an EDI product stream of purified water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: GE Mobile Water, Inc.
    Inventors: William Haas, Joel Robinson, Abel Queen
  • Publication number: 20110073539
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a liquid chromatography component including a column and a prefilter, which is hard to cause an increase of supplied liquid pressure even when the measurement of a sample is repeated. The present invention is a liquid chromatography component, which includes: a column with filler particles filled therein; and a prefilter, the filler particles having an average particle size in the range of 2 to 20 ?m, the prefilter having a filtering particle size in the range of ? to ? of the average particle size of the filler particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: Takuya Yotani
  • Patent number: 7914677
    Abstract: Water (23) that contains micro-nano bubbles generated in a micro-nano bubble generation tank (6) is introduced and treated in a charcoal water tank (ii) which is filled with a charcoal (15) and in which an air diffusing pipe (12) is placed and thereafter introduced and treated in a membrane device (21). Thus, activities of microorganisms propagating in the charcoal (15) are increased by the micro-nano bubbles, markedly increasing ability of decomposing organic matters in the water. Therefore, a clogging phenomenon due to the organic matters can be prevented by reducing organic loads on the membrane device (21). Moreover, a very small amount of alcohols or salts are added as a micro-nano bubble generation aid to the micro-nano bubble generation tank (6), improving an incidence rate of the micro-nano bubbles. The alcohols and salts are easily decomposed by the charcoal water tank (ii) and easily removed by the membrane device (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Yamasaki, Kazuyuki Sakata, Kazumi Chuhjoh
  • Patent number: 7914676
    Abstract: In a method for removing sulphate and heavy metals from waste water: a) in a first treatment step (I) hydrogen sulphide is guided through the waste water, heavy metals that are present in the waste water are precipitated as sulphide, and are removed from the waste water, b) in a second treatment step (II), calcium sulphate is precipitated from the waste water by adding a precipitation auxiliary agent, c) the calcium sulphate is removed in the second treatment step (II) and one part thereof is guided to a third treatment step (III) in which sulphate is converted into hydrogen sulphide with the aid of sulphate-reducing bacteria, d) hydrogen sulphide formed in the third treatment step (III) is guided back to the first treatment step (I).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Riebensahm
  • Patent number: 7909995
    Abstract: An economical, integrated system works in series with anaerobic digestion of animal waste to recover nitrogen and phosphorous, while also scrubbing the produced biogas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Washington State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Anping Jiang, Tianxi Zhang, Craig Frear, Shulin Chen
  • Publication number: 20110062080
    Abstract: A denitrification system is disclosed, where a plurality of biological regenerated adsorptive cells or units. Each cell includes a counterflowing absorptive media and waste water to achieve a two or three zone biomass nitrate/nitrite degradation environment. The system includes a backwash water recirculation loop and a media recirculation loop, where the media recirculation loop subjects the media a sufficient shear to dislodge dead microbes and/or weakly bound microbial films from the media surface, but insufficient to substantially reduce the particle size of the friable media. Nutrient supply and distribution and gas controls are used regulate cell characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: KINDER MORGAN OPERATING L.P."C"
    Inventors: Randy A. Galgon, Allen Ray Stickney
  • Publication number: 20110056885
    Abstract: A valuable resource recovery system includes an engineered powder supply unit that supplies an engineered powder into drainage water (the engineered powder can adsorb a valuable resource and can be desorbed from the engineered powder), an agitation unit that agitates the drainage water supplied with the engineered powder, an engineered powder separation unit that separates the engineered powder from the drainage water agitated by the agitation unit, an engineered powder collection unit that collects the engineered powder separated by the engineered powder separation unit, and a desorption-recycle unit that desorbs the valuable resource from the engineered powder collected by the engineered powder collection unit to recycle the engineered powder and the valuable resource. According to the system, the valuable resource can be desorbed from the engineered powder and then recycled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Hidetake SHIIRE, Nobuyuki Ashikaga, Shinobu Moniwa, Tomoaki Kiuchi
  • Patent number: 7900780
    Abstract: A ballast water intake and treatment system is disclosed, the system including a membrane treatment unit arranged in or on a ship hull for the separation of microorganisms of no smaller than a given size and organized to execute filtration during the intake of sea water or fresh water outside the hull into ballast tanks by the use of an intake pump installed consecutively with the membrane treatment unit. The system checks the invasion of microorganisms, etc. of no smaller than a given size during the intake of ballast water and allows ballast water free of microorganisms, etc. of no smaller than a given size to be fed into ballast tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Ueki, Masahiro Saito, Noboru Takemura, Yukirou Kadomoto, Takeo Nojiri, Izumi Onishi, Masahiro Kuwajima, Masabumi Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20110042288
    Abstract: A coalescer is used in series with a hydrocyclone to enhance the removal of a dispersed phase from a continuous phase by first using a coalescer that lacks removal of any separated dispersed phase prior to cyclonic action in the hydrocyclone. The dispersed phase may be oil and the continuous phase may be water. The coalescer has no oil outlet and serves to coalesce the droplets or particles of the disperse phase together thereby increasing contaminant size distribution. The hydrocyclone functions as a separator operating at higher removal efficiency. The method and apparatus are useful to clarify produced water from hydrocarbon recovery operations, particularly those on offshore platforms where it is desirable to reduce weight and footprint area but still achieve very low oil concentration in the clarified water—even to levels sufficient for the water to be discharged directly into the environment, e.g. the ocean.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: James C.T. Chen, Shaya Movafaghian
  • Patent number: 7892424
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating sewage The apparatus receives sewage at a receiving compartment and separates solids from liquids at the receiving compartment. The solids can be extracted from the receiving compartment by an auger. The liquid sewage flows through a series of treatment compartment containing rotating biological contactor discs for treatment by these rotating biological contactor discs. The rotating biological contactor discs are secured to a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft and the auger are powered by a quasi-submerged turbine displaced by a flow of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Societe EG06 Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Mayrand
  • Patent number: 7887698
    Abstract: An apparatus for treatment of water in an aquatic environment. Water is first pumped from a reservoir to a first mixing station. An inert gas is introduced into the pumped water at the first mixing station to provide inert gas saturated water, which inert gas saturated water will displace undesired gasses in the water in the reservoir. The inert gas saturated water is then pumped to a sparging column such that the inert gas and undesired gasses will be released from the inert gas saturated water to provide depleted water. The depleted water is oxygen enriched at a second mixing station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Revalesio Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony B. Wood
  • Publication number: 20110027110
    Abstract: A method of controlling operation of an ESP, comprising determining at least one operating speed (rpm) at which the ESP experiences unacceptable levels of lateral vibrations; and applying a periodic modulation to the operating speed when operating the pump at the determined speed to damp the lateral vibrations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Stanislav Nikolaevich Verichev, Jacques Orban, Evgeny Mikhailovich Sviridov
  • Publication number: 20110017664
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is provided comprising a biological reactor having a separation subsystem, a suspension system and a membrane operating system. The separation subsystem is constructed and arranged to maintain adsorbent material in the biological reactor with a mixed liquor. The suspension system is positioned in the biological reactor and is constructed and arranged to maintain adsorbent material in suspension with mixed liquor. The membrane operating system is located downstream of the biological reactor and is constructed and arranged to receive treated mixed liquor from the biological reactor and discharge a membrane permeate. In addition, 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: William G. CONNER, Mohammed A. AL-HAJRI, Thomas E. SCHULTZ, Michael HOWDESHELL, Chad L. FELCH, Matthew PATTERSON, Samuel SHAFARIK, Curt COOLEY
  • Publication number: 20110006004
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing and treating septicemia in patient blood is provided. The extracorporeal system includes an antimicrobial device to inactivate at least 99% of bloodborne microorganisms, a hemoconcentrator/filtration unit to remove approximately 50-75% of target molecules from the patient blood and a filter unit to remove target molecules from patient blood from the sieved plasma filtrate. Target molecules are produced by microorganisms, as well as by the patient's cells. These molecules include endotoxins from Gram negative bacteria, exotoxins from Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria, as well as RAP protein mediator from Staphylococcus aureus, and cell mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin 1-beta, interleukin 6, complement proteins C3a and C5a, and bradykinin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: HEMAVATION, LLC
    Inventors: Alan A. Davidner, Kimberly A. Walker, Scott R. Mallett
  • Publication number: 20100326928
    Abstract: A filtration system and methods for using same are disclosed. The filtration system can include a frame, and a plurality of filters coupled to the frame and coupled to each other in series. A pump can provide a pressure differential that causes fluid to flow through the filters in series. The first filter can be provided as a pre-filter, and one or more additional filters can include pleated, calendared, micro-fiber filters. Another filter can be a percentage removal nano-filter that is adapted to remove sub-micron particles from the fluid. The nano-filter can include three pleated filter layers. Each pleated filter layer can be oriented approximately concentrically about a common longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: MPC INC.
    Inventor: Lewis E. Osterhoudt
  • Publication number: 20100320152
    Abstract: A combination filtration and ion exchange system is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a valve rotor, a carbon treatment tank, an ion exchange treatment tank and a valve. The valve rotor having a source water inlet, a service water outlet, a water treatment outlet, a water treatment inlet and a drain outlet. The carbon treatment tank having a service inlet and a service outlet, the service inlet coupled to the water treatment outlet. The ion exchange treatment tank having a service inlet and a service outlet, and the service outlet is coupled to the water treatment inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: ECOWATER SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: David T. BARDWELL, Steven J. HAEHN
  • Publication number: 20100314263
    Abstract: Provided is a standalone integrated water treatment system for a distributed water supply. A filter input receives water to be treated. A coagulation system is in operative connection with the filter input, wherein the water which has been filtered is subjected to a coagulation process performed by the coagulation system to create pin floc from suspensions in the water. A maturation buffer tank is in operative connection with the coagulation system, wherein floc is aggregated in size within the water. A spiral separator is in operative connection with the maturation buffer tank, and the water is separated into two water streams, a first stream of water having most of the floc removed, and a second stream of water which includes a concentrated amount of the floc. An optional filtration system is in operative connection with the spiral separator and is configured to receive the first stream of water and to perform a filtration operation on the first stream of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Meng H. Lean, Armin R. Volkel, Scott A. Elrod, Nitin S. Parekh
  • Publication number: 20100314313
    Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide methods and apparatus for releasing treated wastewater into the environment by combining the treated wastewater with a concentrated salty water before discharging the combined water into the environment. The treated wastewater and concentrated salty water may be combined in a ratio that will be less toxic to at least some resident marine life than the treated wastewater alone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventor: Peter MacLaggan
  • Publication number: 20100314314
    Abstract: Dialysis treatment devices and methods for removing urea from dialysis waste streams are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a dialysis treatment device including: 1) a first filter having a filtration membrane, 2) a urea removal unit having urease and in fluid communication with the first filter, and 3) a second filter having an ion rejection membrane and in fluid communication with the first filter and the urea removal unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicants: BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC., BAXTER HEALTHCARE S.A.
    Inventors: Yuanpang Samuel Ding, Ying-Cheng Lo
  • Publication number: 20100314322
    Abstract: A procedure for the preparation of the radioactive tracer 3?-deoxy-3?-[18F]fluorothymidine ([18F]FLT) comprises the following steps: a) preparation of anhydrous [18F]F-fluoride; b) labelling of a precursor, for example 3-N-Boc-1-[5?-O-(4, 4?-dimethoxytrityl)-3?-O-nitrophenylsulfonyl-2?-deoxy-?-D-lyxofuranosyl] thymidine; c) hydrolysis of the mixture obtained by means of the previous steps; d) purification of the mixture to obtain the radioactive tracer [18F]FLT. In this procedure steps a), b) and c) are carried out by means of known methods. In step d) the mixture obtained after step c) is purified by means of the passage through a ventilated filter and one or more cartridges of the cationic exchange type (e.g. a Chromafix PS-H+), one or more cartridges of the reversed phase type, and finally a passage through cartridges either of the alumina N type, or diol cartridges, or anionic exchange cartridges or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: FONDAZIONE IRCSS
    Inventors: Claudio Pascali, Anna Bogni
  • Patent number: 7850848
    Abstract: A self-sustaining wastewater treatment facility abates greenhouse gas abatement, captures CO2 and produces biomass to address multiple critical environmental needs. The facility includes an array of rotating media wheels that create an optimum ordered mixing of algae for sustained growth. Biomass harvested from the rotating media wheels may be provided to other processing facilities to produce, for instance, bio-fuels. Waste CO2 from the processing facility may also be returned to the treatment system for enhanced algae growth. Bacteria are provided to form a symbiotic relationship with the algae, fueled by sunlight to effectively remove toxic materials from the wastewater. The multi-functional facility may also be integrated into a regenerative facility in which the biomass obtained from the algal and bacterial colonies is used in a separate facility and byproducts of the operation of the separate facility are used by the multi-functional facility to fuel further algal growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher A. Limcaco
  • Patent number: 7850769
    Abstract: An air filtering apparatus including a housing having an air suction port and air blow-out port, an electrolytic bath for generating electrolytic water, a gas-liquid contact member disposed in the housing, an electrolytic water supply unit for supplying the electrolytic water to the gas-liquid contact member so that the electrolytic water infiltrates into the gas-liquid contact member, an air blowing fan for bringing indoor air sucked from the air suction port into contact with the electrolytic water infiltrating in the gas-liquid contact member and blowing out the indoor air from the air blow-out port, a water receiving portion for receiving the electrolytic water passed through the gas-liquid contact member, and a foreign material removing mechanism for removing foreign materials contained in the electrolytic water. The foreign material may be a filter member disposed in front of the gas-liquid contact member, or a dam member disposed in the water receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Takahashi, Yoichi Uchida, Hiroaki Usui, Tetsuya Yamamoto, Keiko Kurokawa, Masayuki Motegi, Tomohito Koizumi, Hiroyuki Umezawa, Tsuyoshi Rakuma, Toshio Fukushima, Toru Arakawa, Hiroyuki Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20100307975
    Abstract: System and methods are disclosed for filtering wastewater. In one embodiment, a water filtering system comprises a first filtering stage and a second filtering stage. The first filtering stage receives a flow of wastewater, and uses electrocoagulation to separate suspended particles from the wastewater and produce filtered wastewater. The second filtering stage receives the filtered wastewater from the first filtering stage, and uses mechanical filtering to remove suspended particles from the filtered wastewater and produce filtered water that is substantially free from suspended particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: Curt Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100300974
    Abstract: A fluid treatment device, system, and process are described that provide a filtered, metal-depleted (treated) fluid. The system includes two pairs of tanks that are piped and valved to allow one pair to fill/react while the other pair decants/discharges, which provides a continuous flow of metal-depleted (treated) fluid. Power requirements are minimal since fluid is pumped at a low head pressure. The design has applications in the potable water, industrial, mining, chemical and environmental sectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Henry O. Pate
  • Patent number: 7842121
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing aqueous stream purification services. The system includes at least one separation unit. Each separation unit may include a mechanical vapor recompression separator, a steam stripper, and a secondary recovery heat exchanger. The system for wastewater purification may receive water from a waste water storage, purify the water, and return the purified water to a purified water storage. The system may include a controller. The controller may include an operating conditions module configured to interpret at least one operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Capital Corporation
    Inventors: Larry D. Sanderson, James W. Schleiffarth, Leslie D. Merrill, Bradford M. Rohwer
  • Publication number: 20100296971
    Abstract: A system for treating a medium, such as water, with ultraviolet light is provided. The system can include an ultraviolet treatment chamber that is shaped to reduce reflections of the ultraviolet light within the ultraviolet treatment chamber and/or improve absorption of the ultraviolet light by the medium. Furthermore, the system can add an agent to the medium within the treatment chamber to further treat one or more contaminants that may be present within the medium. Still further, additional treatment, such as filtering the medium with a permeable material can be implemented within the treatment system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Remigijus Gaska, Michael Shur
  • Patent number: 7837882
    Abstract: Methods and systems for treating a waste stream in a waste treatment system involve performing a unit process of the waste treatment system by contacting the waste stream with oxyhydrogen-rich gas generated on-site by an oxyhydrogen gas generator that implements water dissociation technology. The oxyhydrogen gas generator involves applying a pulsed electrical signal to a series of closely-spaced electrodes that are submerged in the waste stream to produce oxyhydrogen-rich gas from a water component of the waste stream. Operation of the oxyhydrogen gas generator in the waste stream may accomplish one or more unit processes for waste treatment, such as oxidation, stripping, floatation, disinfection, conditioning, stabilization, thickening, and dewatering, among others. At least a portion of the oxyhydrogen-rich gas can be conveyed for a second use in the waste treatment system, such as a source of combustible fuel for incineration or power generation, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Xogen Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: David Ritchie Van Vliet, Herbert Wallace Campbell, Stephen Barrie Chambers
  • Patent number: 7837768
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for purifying a waste fluid stream. The system includes a recirculation pump having an inlet for a recirculation stream and an outlet to expel a pressurized stream. The system includes a compressor having an inlet for an evaporation stream and an outlet for a pressurized evaporation stream. A primary heat exchanger has inlets for the pressurized stream and the pressurized evaporation stream, an internal surface area for heat transfer from the evaporation stream to the pressurized stream, and outlets for a cooled product stream and a heated pressurized stream. The heated pressurized stream is formed by heating the pressurized stream and the cooled product stream is formed by cooling the evaporation stream. The system includes an evaporation unit having an inlet for the heated pressurized stream and outlets for an evaporation stream and the recycled liquid bottoms stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Capital Corporation as Administrative Agent
    Inventors: Larry D. Sanderson, James W. Schleiffarth, Leslie D. Merrill, Bradford M. Rohwer
  • Patent number: 7837874
    Abstract: A water treatment system to be installed in a tanker or other cargo ship for destruction of aquatic organisms and microorganisms that may be contained in the water, usually seawater, being pumped into the ship's ballast tank or tanks. Included is a ballast pump having an intake conduit for drawing water from the sea, and a delivery conduit for delivering the water under pressure to the ballast tank. The delivery conduit has mounted therein a slitted or otherwise open-worked screen for mechanically killing the aquatic lifeforms contained in the water by shearing action. For chemical treatment, on the other hand, part of the water being delivered by the ballast pump is bypassed into an ozone impregnator thereby to be impregnated with ozone from an ozonizer. A bypass pump repressurizes the ozone-impregnated water for returning the same into the delivery conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignees: The Japan Association of Marine Safety, M.O. Marine Consulting, Ltd., Shinko Ind, Ltd., Laboratory of Aquatic Science Consultant Co., Ltd., Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuwo Fukuyo, Takeaki Kikuchi, Jun Waki, Seiji Kino, Kazunobu Hirao, Katsumi Yoshida, Izumi Ohnishi, Masahiro Saito
  • Patent number: 7837866
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Inventor: Bruce D. Burrows
  • Patent number: 7833410
    Abstract: In systems for treating wastewater liquid by utilizing aerobic biological species, the contaminated wastewater stream is pretreated in a dissolved air flotation system to remove suspended solid waste, including large particles such as fats, grease, and physically emulsified oils. The purified wastewater containing dissolved waste is thereafter gasified and further decontaminated in a bioreactor tank. Biological species in the bioreactor tank consume gas and perform bodily functions that converts dissolved waste into easily removable carbon dioxide and suspend solids. Gas consumed by the biological species is replenished by pumping the wastewater though a liquid-gas mixer. A controller regulates the speed of the pump based on real-time gas concentration measurements provided by a corresponding gas probe disposed within the wastewater in the bioreactor tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Dwain E. Morse
  • Publication number: 20100282678
    Abstract: An improved livestock wastewater treatment system for treating wastewater produced by a confined animal feeding operation (CAFO) facility to reclaim water and solids from the wastewater, and to reduce the environmental footprint of the CAFO facility is provided. The treatment system combines both mechanical and chemical water treating and includes separation of liquids from solids, collection of the separated solids at various stages, and treatment of the remaining liquid so that it can be reclaimed. Methods of treating livestock wastewater with the livestock wastewater treatment system is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Ross Thurston, Karen Schuett
  • Publication number: 20100282661
    Abstract: There is described a fluid treatment system comprising: (i) a fluid inlet; (ii) a fluid outlet; and (iii) a fluid treatment zone in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The fluid treatment zone comprises a housing within which is disposed a fluid separation section (the separation section may include a single separation device or a combination of two or more similar or disimilar separation devices) and a fluid radiation section in fluid communication with one another. The fluid separation section removes solids in the fluid and the fluid radiation section irradiates the fluid to deactive microorganisms in the fluid. The fluid separation section and the fluid radiation section are configured to have a substantially common fluid flow path which significantly reduces the space or footprint requirement of and/or significantly reduces hydraulic head loss (pressure drops) in the overall fluid treatment system while allowing the two sections to perform their respective functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: Trojan Technologies
    Inventor: JIM FRASER
  • Patent number: 7828962
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Merichem Company
    Inventors: Tom Varadi, Marie-Cecile Medine, Arturo Ramon Puigbo, Ramiro G. Vazquez
  • Patent number: 7828965
    Abstract: A water treatment arrangement which can, for example, be used in a sewer cleaning vehicle is described. An exemplary arrangement includes a separation device for a supplied mud-water mixture and a water tank which is connected to it for cleaned water. The separation device and the water tank can form a structural unit. The separation device for the mud-water mixture can be surrounded, at least in areas, by the water tank for cleaned water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Dietmar Kaiser AG
    Inventor: Dietmar Kaiser
  • Patent number: 7828970
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis system that includes a housing which receives feed water and a membrane element within the housing to filter the feed water. The membrane element includes a permeate outlet and a concentrate outlet. The reverse osmosis system further includes a sensor that monitors the condition of the water that exits from the membrane element. The reverse osmosis system further includes a first set of indicators that are located remotely from the housing. The first set of indicators showing a condition of the system based on data obtained from the sensor. The reverse osmosis system further includes a second set of indicators that are located near the housing to show a condition of the system based on data obtained from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: GE Osmonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven D. Kloos, Philip M. Rolchigo, Christopher J. Kurth, Chia Kung, Thomas J. Cartwright, Richard M. Reckin, Kenneth J. Sieth
  • Publication number: 20100276301
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus includes first and second liquid lines, a container and a dispenser. The first liquid line is configured to receive a liquid. The container is coupled to the first liquid line and is configured to retain media of at least one liquid-activating material. The media of the at least one liquid-activating material is configured to modify an oxidation reduction potential of the received liquid to provide a treated liquid. The second liquid line is coupled to the container and is configured to receive the treated liquid from the container. The dispenser is operably coupled to the second liquid line at a location downstream from the container and is configured to dispense the treated liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: TENNANT COMPANY
    Inventor: Bruce F. Field
  • Patent number: 7820038
    Abstract: A water treatment system that performs a water purifying treatment by use of ultraviolet radiation, comprises a front stage ultraviolet radiation device for radiating ultraviolet light in a front stage process in a water purifying treatment process, a rear stage ultraviolet radiation device for radiating ultraviolet light in a rear stage process, and a controller for controlling these ultraviolet radiation devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Norimitsu Abe, Takeshi Ide, Takeshi Matsushiro, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Seiichi Murayama
  • Patent number: 7807056
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for bioremediating hydrocarbon contaminated solids. The method can include introducing a slurry comprising one or more drilling fluids and one or more hydrocarbon contaminated solids to a settling system. The settling system can include one or more housings having a receiving compartment at a first end thereof and a collecting compartment at a second end thereof. A barrier can be disposed in the receiving compartment, and at least one wall can be disposed transversely in the housing between the receiving and collecting compartments. The wall can have at least one aperture formed therethrough and at least one flow-restricting baffle disposed thereon, wherein the one or more baffles extend perpendicularly from the wall. The separated hydrocarbon contaminated solids can be contacted with one or more microorganism populations disposed between the receiving compartment and the collecting department.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventors: W. Lynn Frazier, Gary Sweetman, Darin Harding
  • Patent number: 7799214
    Abstract: A filtration device for a surface treatment liquid, in which deposited precipitates can be quickly transferred regardless of the magnitude of the diameter, material, and the like, of particles contained in a used surface treatment liquid. Further, the precipitates are not influenced by the flow caused by the transfer, so that such a situation that the deposited precipitates rise to flow into a surface treatment tank can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Japan Field Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahide Uchino