Diverse Distinct Separators Patents (Class 210/294)
  • Publication number: 20040118780
    Abstract: A water purification system and method for producing high-purity, laboratory-quality product water from feed water containing a concentration of dissolved ions and other contaminants. The water purification system includes a reverse osmosis unit and a capacitive deionization module positioned in a recirculation path coupling a concentrate outlet of the reverse osmosis unit in fluid communication with a feed water inlet of the reverse osmosis unit. The capacitive deionization unit removes dissolved ions from the concentrate stream, which is admixed with feed water provided to the feed water inlet of the reverse osmosis unit. A permeate outlet of the reverse osmosis unit outputs a stream of the high-purity product water to be, for example, stored in a storage tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Barnstead/Thermolyne Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Willman, Joseph F. Tilp
  • Patent number: 6713299
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the separation of biological materials from one another. The device includes a separation column that is in flow communication with a collection chamber in a reservoir that includes a collection container and a lid. The separation column is mounted on the lid. The collection container includes a concentration zone at the bottom and the container is adapted for use in further separation steps including centrifuging. The device includes a connector that is in flow communication with the collection chamber and is adapted for connecting it to a source of vacuum to help induce flow of liquid through the separation column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Sigma-Aldrich Co.
    Inventor: Eiichi Sengoku
  • Patent number: 6641722
    Abstract: A method of removing silicone oils from waste water generated by a silicones manufacturing plant including the step of centrifuging the waste water to concentrate silicone oil contaminated solids while removing the silicone oils. The silicone oil contaminated solids are then dried in a continuously mixed sludge dryer to remove more silicone oils from the sludge to form a sludge product which comprises at least 10% water and a low silicone oil concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Amy Rene Freshour, Stephen Lan-Sun Hung, Bang Mo Kim, Mark Allan Moses, Alan Frederick North, Don Royall Houston
  • Patent number: 6599418
    Abstract: An integrated apparatus that contains both the gravity settling mechanism and the dissolved-air floatation (DAF) mechanism in a compensating manner is provided. The said apparatus comprises a gravity settling chamber (34), a DAF chamber (42), a chamber connection channel (22), an air-dissolving device (38), a means for collecting treated water (24), and a water level control device (16). During treatment, heavy solid particles in water or wastewater can be quickly removed by gravity settling, while the remaining light solid particles and/or oil can be quickly removed by DAF. Thus, the apparatus of this invention is more effective and efficient compared with conventional clarifiers that employ only one clarification mechanism. Therefore, the apparatus of this invention is more compact and can achieve better effluent quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Inventor: Jianmin Wang
  • Patent number: 6592826
    Abstract: In a vacuum chamber, which has at least two vacuum regions, substances, especially fluids, are transported in a directed manner from one region into the other region by the application of a suitable vacuum. As a result, it is possibly by the use of filter supports or receiver supports to transport a fluid automatically through corresponding filter supports during a plasmid preparation. The vacuum chamber is charged by means of a gripping robot that operates automatically and is switched by a suitable valve control means. By incorporating the vacuum chamber with its gripping robot and the control means into a pipetting robot system, automatic plasmid preparation, for example in accordance with the Qiagen protocol, is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Gesellschaft fuer Biotechnologische Forschung mbH (GBF)
    Inventors: Helmut Bloecker, Gerhard Kauer
  • Patent number: 6585899
    Abstract: Disclosed are waste processing systems capable of being used on-board a transport such as a train, bus, airplane, boat, or other similar vehicles. The liquid waste is evaporated and condensed primarily as water vapor. The resulting liquid may be safely discharged in most places without adverse environmental and health effects. If desired, the liquid can be stored and reused for non-potable applications such as toilet flushing. The solid waste is converted to inert ash or carbon and may be either stored in a filter or discharged as carbon or ash into the water, air, or onto the railroad tracks. The system may also be used in stationary or semi-stationary applications where on-site treatment of waste may be desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Microseptec, Inc.
    Inventors: Christina Edvardsson, Tomas Edvardsson
  • Publication number: 20030080061
    Abstract: A system and method for separating water and oil from a mixture of water and oil in a wellbore is disclosed. The system comprises a wellbore in fluid communication with an oil producing formation to receive a mixture of water and oil. The wellbore includes a horizontal portion and a vertical portion which extends to the wellbore surface. A string of tubing is disposed in the wellbore including segments of gravity tubing and segments of membrane tubing which both ideally disposed in the horizontal portion of the wellbore. The gravity tubing allows the mixture of water and oil to at least partially separate into a layer of oil and a layer of water. The membrane tubing includes a membrane which is selectively permeable to one of the water and oil. The water and oil are separated in the membrane tubing. The separated oil is transported to the well surface and the separated water is disposed of in a water disposal zone adjacent the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: David R. Underdown, Michael Dubrovsky
  • Publication number: 20030047499
    Abstract: The present invention provides treatment of wastewater containing oil, organic and inorganic industrial compounds, urea, and e.t.c. The resulting products will be purified water, dry fertilizer, pure carbomide, uncontaminated gas and liquid fuel, and other products that can be separated from the concentrate after ultrafiltration. In order to accomplish those and other objectives the present invention improves the system for cleaning wastewater by subjecting the wastewater to a magnetic field and heating it before the initial settling process. In addition, before ultrafiltration, the liquid is treated in an electroflotation device. The wastewater cleaning system can also be comprised of a urea separator for separating urea from other products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Mikhail Levitin, Boris Khaytin
  • Publication number: 20020189995
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator is provided for separating water out of wet steam, and comprises a first cylindrical tube and a second cylindrical tube that is coaxially disposed in the first tube. The inner diameter of the first tube is greater than the outer diameter of the second tube. Disposed in the first tube is a swirl producer that comprises a ring of swirl vanes secured onto a hub. The first and second cylindrical tubes are provided on their ends that face away from one another with a connector that is insertable into a steam line that conveys the wet steam. The first and second cylindrical tubes are sealingly surrounded by a casing that is provided with a water drain and is radially spaced from the tubes to form a separation chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: Balcke-Durr Energietechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Willi Bruckmann, Martin Klenbock
  • Publication number: 20020166806
    Abstract: A waste water treatment system includes an electrodialysis reactor, a negative electrode plate immersed in waste water in the reactor, an anion-selective membrane unit defining a compartment and immersed in the waste water in the reactor for selectively permitting negative ions in the waste water to enter into an interior of the compartment, and a reverse osmosis membrane unit for periodically receiving the waste water from the reactor to separate the waste water into a stream of concentrated solution and a stream of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Applicant: KINTECH TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Joseph Kuo
  • Patent number: 6479680
    Abstract: A process for the reaction of an organic compound with a hydroperoxide comprises at least the steps (i) to (iii) below: (i) reaction of the hydroperoxide with the organic compound to give a mixture comprising the reacted organic compound and unreacted hydroperoxide, (ii) separation of the unreacted hydroperoxide from the mixture resulting from step (i), (iii) reaction of the hydroperoxide separated off in step (ii) with the organic compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Bassler, Wolfgang Harder, Peter Resch, Norbert Rieber, Wilhelm Ruppel, Joaquim Henrique Teles, Andreas Walch, Anne Wenzel, Peter Zehner
  • Patent number: 6475071
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an apparatus and method for the cross flow filtration of polishing slurry compositions used in semiconductor wafer planarization. In one aspect, an apparatus according to the invention includes an elongated cylindrical filter element adapted to be rotated at predetermined angular velocities that is disposed within a cylindrical housing. The housing has an inlet that is fluidly connected to a source of polishing slurry through a pump, an outlet to provide filtered slurry to a planarization machine, and a bypass outlet that is fluidly connected to the source of polishing slurry to allow refiltration of the bypass fluid. A motor is also included to impart rotational motion to the cylindrical filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Joslyn
  • Patent number: 6451173
    Abstract: An improved apparatus useful in a process for separating a liquid stream (which can be an HF catalyst mixture) having a first liquid component (which can be HF), a second liquid component (which can be light ASO) and a third liquid component (which can be heavy ASO) is disclosed. The apparatus includes a closed vessel including an upper portion, a lower portion, and an intermediate portion, and above a bottom tray contained therein having a downcomer extending downwardly therefrom. The apparatus also includes a conduit located within the downcomer and opening below the level of the bottom tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Keith W. Hovis, Richard L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6444095
    Abstract: A system for recovering glycol from glycol and brine mixtures produced from oil or natural gas wells that combines energy efficiency with a capability for handling salt and other solids contained in the mixture. The system comprises three effect evaporator systems in series. Each effect evaporator system comprises an evaporator, a separator vessel, product pumps, and a solids removal system. The process utilizes the system to remove salt and other solids as well as excess water leaving a glycol stream that can be reused as a hydrate inhibitor. The process begins by preheating a glycol/brine stream comprising approximately fifty percent (50%) glycol. The stream is then subjected to three evaporation cycles. The first evaporation cycle comprises introducing the preheated stream into a suppressed boiling point evaporator where the stream is heated under a constant pressure. The stream pressure is then dropped to cause a portion of the water contained in the stream to vaporize or flash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Reading & Bates Development Co.
    Inventors: Richard I. Evans, Ralph L. Hicks, Rita W. Girau, Kiel M. Divens, Timothy R. Dunning
  • Patent number: 6428697
    Abstract: Methods comprise processing wastewater to produce useful products. Preferably wastewater is ash leachate from landfills which is processed using magnetohydrodynamic treatment followed by electrolytic cell treatment to produce sodium hypochlorite. Methods further comprise removal of hazardous substances from wastewater for subsequent storage and processing of wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: William W. Edgar
  • Publication number: 20020056681
    Abstract: A method of removing silicone oils from waste water generated by a silicones manufacturing plant including the step of centrifuging the waste water to concentrate silicone oil contaminated solids while removing the silicone oils. The silicone oil contaminated solids are then dried in a continuously mixed sludge dryer to remove more silicone oils from the sludge to form a sludge product which comprises at least 10% water and a low silicone oil concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: Amy Rene Freshour, Stephen Lan-Sun Hung, Bang Mo Kim, Mark Allan Moses, Alan Frederick North, Don Royall Houston
  • Patent number: 6358415
    Abstract: A vortex sewage disposal apparatus for the disposal of construction sewage, comprising a hopper-type casing, a water inlet pipe, a lower outlet and a frame; within the water inlet pipe these are provided rapid-mixing blades, on the wall of the inlet pipe there are provided an upper and a lower reagent-filling holes used to add two treatment reagents successively, at the center of the hopper casing there is provided a central tube, at the lower end of the central tube there is mounted a conical separator, and inside the central tube there is provided a screw-type water lifter; on the top of the hopper casing there is provided a top baffle plate acting as an upper cover; a bleed pipe is provided for discharging oil and gas, the silt is discharged through the lower outlet, and the clear water ascents to a clear water tank and a water-directing tray and then flows into a water discharging pipe after crossing a dam board to be discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventor: Wai On Leung
  • Patent number: 6325898
    Abstract: A device allows for continuous regulation of the composition of a fluid mixture that includes at least two components of different polarities. The device is designed, for example, to be inserted in a separation system that the device supplies with a carrier fluid of stabilized composition. The device includes a storage tank (3) receiving a mixture coming from the separation system and at least one auxiliary vessel (6) containing one of the components of the mixture. To control the transfer of this component from auxiliary vessel (6) to storage tank (3), the device further includes at least one tubular capacitive sonde (CS) totally immersed in the fluid mixture, a sonde (TS) for measuring the temperature of the mixture, and a sonde (LS) for measuring the mixture level in storage tank (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignees: Institut Francais du Petrole, NOVASEP
    Inventors: Jean Blehaut, Roger-Marc Nicoud
  • Patent number: 6217777
    Abstract: Flotation apparatus (1) for the purification of polluted water, comprising a flotation vessel (3) having an inlet means (23) for supplying polluted water to said vessel, an assembly (41) of spaced elements (43, 65) defining passages for the flow of water through said elements, and outlet means for surface sludge (15, 17) and outlet means (39, 45; 57, 61) for treated water, further comprising flow directing means for forcing the incoming polluted water to reach a level above said assembly (41) and to flow downwardly through said assembly and towards said treated water outlet means (39, 45; 57, 61); and a process for the purification of polluted water by flotation performed in such apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: AW Creative Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Jan Dahlquist, Torsten Hedberg
  • Patent number: 6210574
    Abstract: A system for separating nucleated cells from a blood sample includes a charge-flow separator (CFS), which separates blood into fractions according to the surface charge density characteristics coupled with an affinity-filtration separator which either outputs a separated blood fraction to the CFS or receives a separated blood fraction from the CFS. The system permits separation of nucleated fetal red blood cells, erythroid progenitor cells and other nucleated cells found in blood samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: BioSeparations, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Sammons, Garland E. Twitty, Joseph G. Utermohlen, Rizwan Sharnez
  • Patent number: 6203710
    Abstract: A liquid decontamination system has a liquid treatment chamber having a liquid input and output and a gas input and output. A plurality of electrodes are positioned to place a voltage across the liquid treatment chamber and the liquid therein. A plurality of magnets are also positioned adjacent the electrodes for placing a magnetic field across the chamber and liquid therein. As the contaminated liquid is fed through the liquid treatment chamber, a predetermined gas, such as nitrogen, ozone, oxygen, or hydrogen peroxide, are fed into the contaminated liquid while simultaneously having the electric and magnetic fields applied to the liquid. The liquid leaving the treatment chamber is fed to a flush tank which removes contaminates and agglomerated solids therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: David D. Woodbridge
  • Patent number: 6193878
    Abstract: A multi-modal system for modifying water structure in a solution to continuously affect the hydration forces acting on the constituents in the solution. The system includes a containment vessel defining a treatment environment and including a wall defining a fluid passage and a fluid inlet. The inlet is coupled to the passage to centrifugally direct the solution helically along the wall. At least one electromagnetic energy delivery unit is disposed within the containment vessel. The electromagnetic energy delivery unit is responsive to generate variable electromagnetic energy sufficient to stimulate the solution and affect the hydration forces. Also provided is a controlling unit coupled to the electromagnetic delivery unit to alter the variable electromagnetic energy in response to spectral information about the solution and in accordance with optimal treatment parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: ZPM, Inc.
    Inventors: Dwain E. Morse, Thomas G. Matherly, Joe DeWitt, Miroslav Colic
  • Patent number: 6074557
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating contaminants from a fluid stream is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a vessel containing a gas blanket. The apparatus will have contained therein a water skimmer member adapted for allowing for retention of the fluid stream. The apparatus further includes a first gas flotation cell contained within the vessel and arranged in series with the water skimmer so as to receive the fluid stream. Also included is an oil bucket positioned within the vessel and adapted to receive a portion of the fluid stream from the water skimmer and the first gas flotation cell. In one embodiment, the first gas flotation cell comprises a first screen member having a porous structure, a plate baffle having a first passage therein, and an eductor device adapted for introducing a gas stream into the fluid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventors: Robert G. Lyles, Sr., John A. Bibaeff
  • Patent number: 5988283
    Abstract: A Vertical Combined Production Facility, or gas-well production system, in which the separation of each phase (hydrocarbon gas, hydrocarbon liquids, and produced water), dehydration of natural gas, removal of minute traces of water from the hydrocarbon liquids, and polishing of produced water, are performed in a single pressure vessel. Additionally, the pressure vessel is installed in a vertical configuration such that the pressure vessel shell also serves as the structural support for a small deck and helideck. Additionally, the inlet heating of the well flow-stream is accomplished by a heat exchanger installed in the dehydration/regeneration heater (reboiler).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Union Pacific Resources Company
    Inventor: Don Mike Gann
  • Patent number: 5980694
    Abstract: An installation for cleaning oil-polluted water, in particular at oil and gas production plants, is provided with a distillation column having a polluted water feed and at least one contact packing above which the outlet of the polluted water feed is located, a vapor discharge, a clean water outlet and a measuring device for the analysis of the water from the clean water outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: EMSYS Separation Technology B.V.
    Inventors: Adrianus P. Apeldoorn, Jachebus W. Bos, Johannes J. Dozy, Johannes J. Elling, Leonardus C. Gordijn, Pieter Ottens, Wayne S. Penny, Cornelis Spel, Aatje J. Spel-van der Linde, Tom M. Vader, Theodorus J. De Wit
  • Patent number: 5958240
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating waste water to generate clarified water for reuse in industrial processes which includes the steps of adding agents to the waste stream to generate floccules, aerating the waste stream to cause a portion of the floccules to float, decanting floating floccules and lighter than water immiscible pollutants from the top surface of the waste stream, directing the waste stream through an incline clarifier so as to permit heavier than water floccules to form sludge in a bottom region of the clarifier. Sludge and decanted pollutants are sent to a bioremediation tank where hydrocarbons are decomposed and the remaining sludge is dewatered and compacted to a solid condition for disposal in a public waste facility. The clarified water is transferred to a steam generator or pressurized water delivery system for reuse. The invention is particularly useful for equipment cleaning operations such as in truckyards or airports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Timothy L. Hoel
  • Patent number: 5958233
    Abstract: A new process and apparatus efficiently dewater aqueous solids residual after fermentation and distillation, such as corn stillage. The feed stream of aqueous solids slurry is fractionated into two or more substreams in such a way that one of the substreams contains predominately heavy particulate solids and has substantially improved free-draining characteristics. A second substream contains lighter particles, entrained fines of the heavy particles, and a major portion of the liquid from the feed stream. The free-draining substream is dewatered using a device such as a screen centrifuge or a screw press, both of which produce a cake of relatively high solids content. The remaining liquid from the feed stream is concentrated in an evaporator, before being mixed with the dewatered solids which may be dried to produce an animal feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Ralph H. Willgohs
  • Patent number: 5901853
    Abstract: An apparatus (310) for extracting impurities from a pulpous slurry. The apparatus has an auxiliary chamber (13) having an upper chamber (313) and a hydrocyclone (311) for further extracting impurities from the pulpous slurry. A conduit (58) returns a selected portion of the pulpous slurry back to a separation chamber for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Inventor: Robert S. Singleton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5902489
    Abstract: A chamber for exerting an ultrasound beam on a sample solution containing particles to be concentrated, separated or arranged is provided with a view toward arbitrarily controlling the shape of a spatial distribution of potential energy created by the ultrasound beam and concentrating, separating or periodically arranging the particles. In contrast to the chamber, irradiation ultrasound sources for generating ultrasound beams are provided to create an ultrasonic intensity distribution for producing a position potential energy distribution used to exert a force forwarded in a predetermined direction or a force staying at a predetermined region to each particle. Thus, a specific spatial distribution of potential energy can be realized by ultrasound beams each having a specific intensity, a specific frequency and a specific phase or an ultrasound beam formed by superimposing these on one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Yasuda, Shin-ichiro Umemura, Kazuo Takeda, Mitsuru Tamura, Norio Shimizu
  • Patent number: 5882509
    Abstract: Apparatus for treating wash water is disclosed. The apparatus includes a settling tank in which sludge is separated from the wash water, a circulation tank for temporary storage of the clean wash water from the settling tank, and from which the clean wash water can be recycled for washing further chips, and a hydrocyclone for separating water from the sludge for recycle to the settling tank. Methods for treating wash water utilizing such apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Sunds Defibrator Industries AB
    Inventor: Per Perman
  • Patent number: 5866071
    Abstract: A new type of centrifuge tube convenient for separation after density gradients centrifugation is invented. The inner bottom of the centrifuge tube is in a funnel shape, and an orifice is located at the narrowest place of the funnel neck. The orifice connects to a small tube, which is built inside the centrifuge tube wall and spanning the entire length of the centrifuge tube. The centrifuge tube can be used either as a centrifuge tube or a separation funnel. Such a tube not only saves time but also improves the efficiency of separation after density gradients centrifugation, because the built-in small tube is capable of performing separation by means of siphonic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: National Science Council
    Inventor: Fur-Jiang Leu
  • Patent number: 5846413
    Abstract: A compact dissolved-air-flotation (DAF) clarifier and clarification process utilize three zones for clarification which operate in sequence in a single clarifier. Raw water with suspended solids enters a flocculator at the center of an annular tank where microscopic air bubbles introduced to the inflow float flocked contaminants to form a floating sludge layer. A first clarification, calming and degassing occur here. The water then flows radially outwardly into the tank where further quiet clarification occurs. A third level of clarification occurs in a lower portion of the tank, specifically, in a set of plate-like lamellae, radial and conical, which form inclined channels where a final clarification occurs. The bottom wall of the tank has a set of apertures which allow a gravity flow of clarified water through a layer of pressurized gas to an underlying collection compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Lenox Institute of Water Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Milos Krofta
  • Patent number: 5840183
    Abstract: An apparatus for the separation of oil and other substances from a liquid such as water consisting of a first, vertical and mainly cylindrical reservoir in which separation takes place by means of gravity, a second reservoir for additional separation, and a third reservoir in which separation takes place by means of flotation such as inducing gas. The second reservoir is coated round the first reservoir over a part of the cylinder, with the third reservoir above the second reservoir and also around the first reservoir. In the wall between the first and the second reservoir, interconnecting tubes are located. The second and the third reservoir are connected with each other via an opening in a ceiling plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Development Inc.
    Inventor: Johannes Hermannes Bakker
  • Patent number: 5791491
    Abstract: An apparatus (110) for extracting impurities from a pulpous slurry. The apparatus has a housing (111) and an auxiliary chamber (113). The housing has a separation chamber (127) having stack of disks (159) spaced from each other so as to form channels (172) therebetween. The disks are mounted to a drive shaft (160) which is rotatably driven by a motor (161). The action of the rotating disks cause impurities to be projected to the outermost portion of the separation chamber while the desired pulpous fibers pass between through the channel to an accept tube (193) for collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Inventor: Robert Singleton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5783089
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing contaminants from waste water directs the waste water through a first magnetic field. An ionic polymer is introduced into the waste water after the waste water passes through the first magnetic field, whereby at least some contaminants flocculate. Flocculated contaminants are separated from the waste water so as to form a waste water effluent. An oxidizing agent is introduced into the waste water effluent and the waste water and the oxidizing agent are directed through a second magnetic. The waste water is directed through a weir into a trough open to the atmosphere. Air is injected into the trough so that at least one gas within the waste water combines with the air injected into the waste water. The combined air and gas floats to the surface of the waste water and is expelled into the atmosphere. Foam is removed from the waste water in the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Sorin, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Wayne Anderson, Lee Edward Ellenburg
  • Patent number: 5746978
    Abstract: Device for the treatment of nucleic acids from the sample, comprising a first reaction chamber for separating the nucleic acids from other sample components, and a second reaction chamber for the amplification of the nucleic acids, connected to said first reaction chamber via a controllable transport path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Boehringer Mannheim GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Bienhaus, Hans Lange
  • Patent number: 5690763
    Abstract: An integral structure is provided for chemical processing and manufacture, in which a plurality of laminae are joined together and having inlet and outlet ports connected by a three dimensionally tortuous channel. Chemicals are introduced through the inlet ports and processed along the channel, with desirable product withdrawn through the outlet ports. The laminae are of materials selected to be compatible with the chemical process, from the group consisting of elements of groups III, IV or V of the Periodic Table, ceramics, glasses, polymers, composites and metals. Processes of manufacture of the apparatus and processes utilizing the apparatus are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: James William Ashmead, Charles Thomas Blaisdell, Melvin Harry Johnson, Jack Kent Nyquist, Joseph Anthony Perrotto, James Francis Ryley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5607598
    Abstract: Red mud bauxite residue produced in the Bayer Process is treated in a plurality of centrifuges and repulp tanks to successively wash and dewater the red mud. A final centrate liquor is obtained in a first upstream centrifuge stage which is rich in alumina and caustic values for respective recovery and reuse. The concentrated red mud cake produced in the final downstream washing/centrifuge step is low in caustic and alumina concentration permitting environmentally friendly disposal. The concentrated red mud cake is reslurried and mixed with bauxite sand for disposal in a dry stacking impoundment area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Ormet Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald M. Williams
  • Patent number: 5591334
    Abstract: The apparatus is formed of a centrifugal force and Coriolis force generating device and a gas and liquid separation device. The centrifugal force and Coriolis force generating device gives high energy to supplied liquid by generating a spirally flowing air stream therein, to thereby ion-dissciate the liquid. Also, it provides energy necessary to micronize and activates the liquid drops with the centrifugal force and Coriolis force acted in the spirally flowing air stream. The activated liquid drops ionize oxygen particles at the gaseous side when electric doublets is oriented on the surface of the liquid drops, thereby causing groups of negative ions to be generated. The gas and liquid separation device separates the gas and liquid sent out from the centrifugal force and Coriolis force generating device and discharges air including negative ions into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Geochto Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeki Shimizu, Bang W. Lee
  • Patent number: 5562823
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved device and method for separating a first component in a solution from a second component in the solution. The device comprises a centrifuge for applying centrifugal force to the solution and at least one transducer for emitting a sonic energy force such as an ultrasonic wave into a container of the solution while the centrifuge is rotating. The method of the present invention broadly comprises the steps of applying a centrifugal force to the solution to separate the first component from the second component and simultaneously applying a sonic energy force to the solution to speed up the separation of the first component from the second component. A tool for removing transducers from the device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Inventor: William Reeves
  • Patent number: 5540836
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system and method for substantially reducing or eliminating total suspended solids (TSS), biological organic discharge or biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and fats, oils and greases (FOG) contaminants. The system includes at least one mixing chamber for mixing wastewater with at least one dewatering agent or chemical and air to form an aerated mixture and at least one tank having a plurality of compartments for facilitating flotation, settling and removal of contaminants from the aerated mixture as it flows through the tank. Preferably, the system includes first and second mixing chambers and first and second tanks arranged in series with each of the tanks including drag lines for removing floating and settled contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventor: Thomas J. Coyne
  • Patent number: 5534328
    Abstract: An integral structure is provided for chemical processing and manufacture, in which a plurality of laminae are joined together and having inlet and outlet ports connected by a three dimensionally tortuous channel. Chemicals are introduced through the inlet ports and processed along the channel, with desirable product withdrawn through the outlet ports. The laminae are of materials selected to be compatible with the chemical process, from the group consisting of elements of groups III, IV or V of the Periodic Table, ceramics, glasses, polymers, composites and metals. Processes of manufacture of the apparatus and processes utilizing the apparatus are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: James W. Ashmead, Charles T. Blaisdell, Melvin H. Johnson, Jack K. Nyquist, Joseph A. Perrotto, James F. Ryley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5518616
    Abstract: A plant for the separation at high temperatures of contaminants from plastic material in small pieces or in leaves, including at least one stage (2) for the separation of contaminants, which in turn includes a centrifugal separator device designed to separate an input flow of plastic material in small pieces or in leaves, with contaminants and a conveying fluid comprising water and steam, into a main flow of the material and the conveying fluid and into a secondary flow of the contaminants and the conveying fluid. The separation stage includes, moreover, a cyclone designed to receive in input the secondary flow and to divide it into a discharge flow of the contaminants and water and into a flow of steam which is conveyed towards the inlet of the separation device of the same stage and/or of the previous stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: SOREMA S.r.l.
    Inventor: Flavio Previero
  • Patent number: 5492622
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for clarifying a contaminated fluid comprising a separator vessel having therein a pair of cyclonic flow chambers; preliminary spiral separators introduce the contaminated fluid to be separated into the cyclonic flow chambers by tangential inlets so as to establish a swirling body of fluid in each chamber; the cyclonic flow chambers have a shell positioned below their respective tangential inlets for discharging separated solids to a collection area and separating an oil and water mixture into a fluid flow zone formed by the cyclonic flow chambers and the wall of the separator vessel wherein water and oil are separated by aeration provided by sparging tubes; a vertical outlet port discharges separated oil and gas from the upper portion of the cyclonic flow chambers to a fluid flow zone wherein oil and gas are separated. The separated water, oil, gas and solids are removed through discharge ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Inventor: Paul C. Broussard
  • Patent number: 5492224
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for extracting impurities from a pulpous slurry. The apparatus has an upper housing (11), a conical, lower housing (12) and an auxiliary chamber (13). The upper housing has a separation chamber (27) having an upper shell entry portion (31) for causing a first stream of slurry to rotate within the separation chamber and a lower shell entry portion (35) for causing a second stream of slurry to rotate within the separation chamber in a direction opposite to the first stream. The rotation of the streams causes heavy impurities to collect along the outermost portion of the separation chamber. The opposite directions of rotation causes a generally stagnant zone between the rotating streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Inventor: Robert Singleton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5484534
    Abstract: An energy conserving method and apparatus for using induced gas flotation to separate finely dispersed oil and solids from water and doing so in such a manner as to minimize the power consumption, reduce the amount of water carried with the oil and solids skimmings and eliminate complex mechanisms that would require a high degree of maintenance.Initial flotation gas is induced through a high velocity venturi using the inlet flow to supply the kinetic energy. Secondary flotation is supplied by inducing the vapor through a high velocity venturi utilizing recycled water to provide the kinetic energy. A single pump, of relatively low horse power, circulates the recycled water.The oil and solids skimmed from the surface of the water are transferred to an integral compartment for dewatering. The water is returned to the process stream by the single recycle pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Inventor: Jerry M. Edmondson
  • Patent number: 5480541
    Abstract: A novel apparatus for isolating solids, slurries or wetcakes from fluids is disclosed. Said novel apparatus comprises an extruder having a dynamic seal and a barrel comprising an auger and a movable cap which allows for solid recovery under pressure in the absence of substantial solvent volatilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Day, Ganesh Kailasam, Godavarthi S. Varadarajan
  • Patent number: 5474675
    Abstract: A filter separator for decomposing a fluid consisting of a mixture of liquids containing solid components has a filter press combined with a micro- and ultrafiltration apparatus. The filter press separates the solid components from the fluid and the micro- and ultrafiltration apparatus separates from one another liquid components according to their different molecular structures. A modular construction with a very compact design and relatively large filter surface areas is shown and described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Herco-CFF ChiralFlow Filtertechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter Kupka
  • Patent number: 5437800
    Abstract: A method of processing one or more multi-component sidestreams from a separation tower through a hydrocyclone(s) to remove a particular component from the sidestream before returning the remaining components of the stream to the tower for further processing. A sidestream is withdrawn from a first vertical point along a separation tower and is passed through a hydrocyclone which is operated at a split ratio so that the maximum amount of the unwanted component (e.g. water) is removed from the feedstream through the underflow of the hydrocyclone. The remaining components in the feedstream (now substantially free of the unwanted component, flows out the overflow of the hydrocyclone and are passed back into tower through a second vertical point below the withdrawal point to be further processed in the tower. Additional sidestreams can be withdrawn from the tower and processed in the same manner through respective hydrocyclones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventor: Derek T. White-Stevens
  • Patent number: RE35871
    Abstract: A system for reclaiming water which has been previously used for such purposes as washing vehicles includes both a diatomaceous earth filter for removing particulates and a carbon filter for removing organic contaminants. Reclaimed water which is in the system and not immediately required for use is continuously recycled by a pump so as to increase the removal of contaminants. A second pump moves the cleaned water into a pressure tank for use in washing. A substantial portion of the system is disposed below ground level with a lockable cover above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Americleer Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis Bundy, Ralph M. Hansen, Jr.