In Bed Form Patents (Class 210/617)
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Patent number: 6544421Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates to a biological process for continues purification of waste water by converting its constituents to a solid form that can be easily separated using retainable biological catalysts and a novel reactor hereafter referred to as “Reverse Fluidized Loop Reactor” (RFLR) for performing the above said process.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2001Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Council of Scientific and Industrial ResearchInventors: Ajit Haridas, Swachchha Majumdar
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Patent number: 6531062Abstract: The apparatus is a small flow wastewater treatment system. The system uses a recirculating packed media filter for the initial treatment of effluent from a device such as a septic tank. The incoming wastewater is furnished to the recirculating packed media filter intermittently to permit air into the filter for maintaining high levels of oxygen for bacteria action. The recirculating packed media filter is followed by a subsurface flow constructed wetland. The wastewater entering the apparatus of the invention is divided into two parts so that 5 to 25 percent of the incoming flow bypasses the recirculating packed media filter and goes directly into the subsurface flow constructed wetland to encourage bacteria action that converts nitrates into gaseous nitrogen.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2001Date of Patent: March 11, 2003Inventor: Thomas J. Whitehill
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Patent number: 6531058Abstract: A pre-fabricated, self-contained biological fluidized bed apparatus for the treatment of wastewater, which offers easy and uniform expansion for various types of commercially available media, by means of a conical bottom and a single, non-clogging flow distribution pipe. Besides the biological treatment accomplished within the fluidized bed, this reactor provides mechanical solids/gas/liquid separation and upflow sludge blanket clarification to improve effluent quality. Additional unique features of this apparatus are a rotating surface skimmer and an excess sludge collection and thickening device powered by an externally mounted drive. With this reactor configuration, anaerobic and anoxic biological treatment and subsequent clarification are achieved in a single enclosed tank.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2002Date of Patent: March 11, 2003Inventors: Juan Carlos Josse, John William Sutherlin
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Publication number: 20030024874Abstract: A system and method for removing pollutants from wastewater. The system includes a constructed wetland cell in which the filtered wastewater is flowed generally vertically. The flow of wastewater is unsaturated through the wetland cell to aerate the wastewater. The wastewater may be further aerated by a blower or injector. The treated wastewater from the wetland cell is blended with untreated wastewater, then either recirculated through the wetland cell or conveyed to a disposal system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2002Publication date: February 6, 2003Inventors: Scott D. Wallace, Paul E. Lambrecht
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Publication number: 20030006189Abstract: The invention relates to a process and installation for treating a polluted aqueous liquid having a COD value caused by organic compounds present therein and a BOD/COD ratio smaller than 0.2. To reduce the COD value, the polluted aqueous liquid is percolated through a packed filter bed (7) of a carrier material, in particular of activated carbon, which is colonised with aerobic bacteria and which forms an adsorbent for at least part of said organic compounds. To provide a thin, fully aerated biofilm of bacteria on the carrier material so that no oxygen has to be dissolved under pressure in the liquid, the filter bed is kept at the most partially submerged in the liquid percolating therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2002Publication date: January 9, 2003Inventors: Willy Verstraete, Kris Van Hege, Dieter Geenens, Bart De Heyder, Chris Thoeye
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Publication number: 20020185437Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates to a biological process for continues purification of waste water by converting its constituents to a solid form that can be easily separated using retainable biological catalysts and a novel reactor hereafter referred to as “Reverse Fluidized Loop Reactor” (RFLR) for performing the above said process.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2001Publication date: December 12, 2002Inventors: Ajit Haridas, Swachchha Majumdar
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Patent number: 6479276Abstract: Air laden with biodegradable volatile organic compounds is passed sequentially through a first filter bed containing a biologically inert filter media and a second filter bed containing a biologically active filter media. Water is present in the biologically active filter media and the biologically inert filter media. Water that drains from the second filter bed is collected and supplied to the first filter bed.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2001Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Bio-Reaction Industries, LLCInventors: Randall R. Thom, Paul C. John, Charles S. Swift, James Boswell, William C. Stewart
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Publication number: 20020158011Abstract: A wastewater treatment apparatus for aerobic treatment of an organic waste water by means of microbes carried on a carrier, wherein (503) are heaped up which have a container (504) filled with carriers (505, 506) having microbes carried thereon, the tank has an area S′ of the side for discharging the wastewater being smaller than an area S of that for receiving the wastewater, and the plurality of tanks heaped up are arranged in a manner such that even when carriers are retrenched sludge does not accumulate in a tank and can be sent into the tank directly below it. An organic waste water is introduced into a plurality of tanks arranged to form multiple stages, is subjected to an aerobic treatment, and then is discharged. The apparatus allows the aerobic treatment of an organic waste water by means of microbes to be kept satisfactory even when meshed are clogged by sludge or carriers are retrenched due to the use for a long period of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2001Publication date: October 31, 2002Inventor: Atsushi Yamada
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Publication number: 20020158012Abstract: An apparatus for wastewater treatment including at least one emobilized cell packed bed bioreactor and at least one membrane oxygenation module is provided. A system and method for treating wastewater is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2001Publication date: October 31, 2002Inventors: Christos Christodoulatos, George P. Korfiatis
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Publication number: 20020148779Abstract: A biofilter system of the present invention utilizes an Alternating-Aerobic-Anoxic (AAA) process in a single reactor to provide efficient and cheap removal of carbonaceous materials, nitrogenous materials, and/or mixtures thereof from aqueous waste. The biofilter system of the present invention is particularly suitable for treating aqueous waste from aquaculture, industrial processes and animal husbandry. The biofilter system includes: a main biofilter chamber containing therein aerobic and anaerobic bacteria without physical separation; an inlet port and an outlet port connected to the main biofilter chamber; and a means for oxygenating the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in the main biofilter chamber, including means for timing the oxygenation of the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria to provide alternating periods of high-oxygen conditions and anoxic conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2001Publication date: October 17, 2002Inventors: Wen K. Shieh, Leon Weiss, Shu K. Tai
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Patent number: 6461510Abstract: The present invention relates to novel ex situ processes for simple and economical destruction of air, water, and soil contaminants using naturally occurring microorganisms that are widely available in the environment. The processes utilize novel closed-loop recycle schemes which dramatically improve the efficiency, economics, and practicability of destruction of a wide variety of contaminants, especially VOCs and chloroethylenes, and particularly trichloroethylene (TCE). The processes may be applied on a batch or continuous basis to contaminated soil and groundwater, to contaminated effluents from a wide variety industrial operations, or to wherever such amenable contaminants are present. Certain contaminants, particularly chloroethylenes, are known to be difficult to biodegrade aerobically to non-toxic products without the employment of a primary substrate to induce cometabolic degradation.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2000Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: Tennessee Valley AuthorityInventors: Jeffrey L. Boles, Johnny R. Gamble, Laura Lackey
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Patent number: 6461509Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purifying contaminated water coming from a carwash and an installation for performing this method. The method comprises the steps of pretreating the contaminated water such that the size of the organic material it contains is smaller than a predetermined cut off value; subsequently carrying the contaminated water in upward direction through a packed bed of particulate material, in which micro-organisms produce exo-enzymes to degrade the organic material in the contaminated water, which bed is aerated from below, and draining the purified water from the packed bed at a level located a determined distance from the top of the bed; wherein an additive is added to the contaminated water to stimulate production of exo-enzymes by the micro-organisms in the packed bed.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1999Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: Rowafil Waterrecycling B.V.Inventors: Johannes Gerardus Maria Verwater, Renerus Antonius Johannes Maria Visser
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Patent number: 6458276Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating groundwater, or other water streams contaminated with oxygenate(s), particularly MTBE and TBA, characterized by improved biodegradation of MTBE, the biodegradation of TBA, and reduced frequency of the need to change the carbon bed, which comprises inoculating a biodegrader capable of degrading said oxygenate on an activated carbon bed through a rigid tubular instrument having a plurality of holes around the circumference of the end used for inoculation of the carbon bed by a method that optimizes dispersion and colonization; and flowing said groundwater, or other water stream contaminated with said oxygenate through a structure having a top, bottom and sides and a predetermined volume containing said bed of activated carbon having said biodegrader inoculated thereon. The invention is also an apparatus for biodegradation of oxygenate(s).Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2001Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Dallas Lea Byers, Charles Lee Meyer, Paul Ta-chin Sun, Joseph Patrick Salanitro
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Publication number: 20020134728Abstract: Improved biofilters for treating wastewater are disclosed. Specifically, certain aspects of the inventive biofilter comprise a water-tight, leak proof container housing a plurality of sacks stacked upon one another. Alternatively, the water-tight container may contain course sand for use as a re-circulating sand filtration unit. In the first embodiment, each sack contains a composition of filtering material through which the wastewater influent flows prior to removal from the biofilter via a pump tank. Other aspects of the present invention include a biofilter having a plurality of apertures disposed through the floor and through which the wastewater effluent may flow to the underlying ground. The invention is also directed to novel compositions of filtering material for use in the inventive biofilters as well as conventional biofilters. Preferred compositions comprise peat, coconut fibers, large or open cell film block pieces, and course sand.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2001Publication date: September 26, 2002Inventors: Edward R. Festa, Jeffrey A. Festa
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Patent number: 6447681Abstract: An aquaculture wastewater treatment system is provided including three wastewater treatment subsystems. The first subsystem is comprised of a fish raceway solids removal channel populated with relatively high densities of a detritivorous fish such as tilapia and/or carp, that have high potential as an efficient means of feeding on, and thereby, removing suspended solids and particulate matter that are present in the primary fish production effluent. The second wastewater treatment subsystem is comprised of an enhanced form of nitrifying reactor termed the Suspended Media Ammonia Removal Technology (SMART) biofilter reactor subsystem. This water treatment component consists of an open ditch bioreactor oxidation vessel in which water is circulated by means of one or more powered paddlewheels.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2000Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: Kent Sea Tech CorporationInventors: James M. Carlberg, Jon C. Van Olst, Michael J. Massingill, Rodney J. Chamberlain
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Patent number: 6444126Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a wastewater treatment plant having, in serial fluid flow relationship, a wastewater source, a wastewater treatment plant, and a discharge site. The wastewater treatment plant has, in serial fluid flow relationship, an aerobic bioreactor in fluid flow communication with the wastewater source and an anoxic bioreactor in fluid flow communication with the discharge site. Fixed film packing for growing microbes is disposed in first and second tanks of the first and second bioreactors, respectively. A primary holding tank is disposed between the wastewater source and the aerobic bioreactor. A first pump is used for pumping liquid out of the primary hold tank through a first pressure line into the first tank to a pressure line outlet in a bottom of the first tank.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2000Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: T. M. Gates, Inc.Inventors: Patrick T. Gates, Todd M. Gates
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Patent number: 6440307Abstract: A water treatment facility and method for treating effluents incorporating an input filter for removing bacterial contamination. The filter utilizes pipe and tube systems for distribution and drainage, which extend from both the inlet and outlets, which face each other at a spaced distance, and contain lengthwise perforations with filtration equipment therebetween. The water treatment apparatus utilizes a septic tank which includes a barrier, a waste water delivery pipe, an evacuation pipe for clean water, equipment for decantation of the heaviest matter at the bottom of the barrier and the surface accumulation of grease and light particles, anaerobic fermentation of the entrapped material, and protective equipment arranged to prevent plugging.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1999Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: Epcaro, Societe AnonymeInventors: Hervé Philip, Siegfried Maunoir
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Patent number: 6423216Abstract: A biological oxidation filter system can be used as a pretreatment process in water treatment, or for processing sewage or wastewater by reproducing the purification mechanisms in nature environments. It has a physical screening function and an oxidation function through the aeration and biological decomposition. The biological oxidation filter system includes: a raw water inflow unit; a biological contact filter unit; a filtrate outflow unit; an oxidation air supply unit supplying air and/or oxygen in order to provide a proper growth environment for microbial flora and perform the oxidation in the biological contact filter unit; and an air backwashing unit and a water back washing unit for backwashing the filter media when the biological contact filter unit is blocked.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2000Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignee: Shinwoo Engineering Co., Ltd.Inventors: Byung-Ho Yum, Suing-Il Choi
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Patent number: 6413427Abstract: A compact nitrogen reduction wastewater treatment system for treating a waste liquid, the system comprising a single tank. The tank includes an inlet, an aerobic treatment compartment, an anoxic treatment compartment, a suspended micromedia compartment, an aerator, and a tank outlet. The aerobic treatment compartment includes aerobic treatment bacteria and is in fluid communication with the tank inlet. The anoxic treatment compartment is laterally disposed relative to, and in fluid communication with, the aerobic treatment compartment. The suspended micromedia compartment includes separating media. It is positioned laterally relative to, and is in fluid communication with, the anoxic treatment compartment. The suspended micromedia compartment is also laterally disposed relative to, and in fluid communication with, the aerobic treatment compartment.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2001Date of Patent: July 2, 2002Assignee: Ecokasa IncorporatedInventors: Gary A. Tipton, Douglas E. Fessel
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Patent number: 6406627Abstract: A system for removing pollution from water, utilizing a subsurface constructed wetland system using forced bed aeration and variable water levels, to promote greater root depth and better root structure of the wetland vegetation, and to establish staged anaerobic and aerobic zones within the system.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2000Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Assignee: North American Wetland Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Scott D. Wallace
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Publication number: 20020070163Abstract: A wastewater treatment system for use with a conventional septic tank, or other small-scale wastewater treatment facility, for enhancing wastewater treatment without requiring complex control or maintenance limitations. The system incorporates a plurality of primary functions that combine to oxidize, nitrify, denitrify and remove water borne total dissolved solids prior to effluent discharge. Included is a fluidized-bed reactor containing biofilm attached to carrier particulates for use in the purification of wastewater. The fluidized-bed reactor is configured to include two distinct regions, namely a “lower” aerobic region and an “upper” anoxic region, during normal operating conditions. The lower aerobic region uses aerobic facultative bacteria to oxidize Carbonaceous Biochemical Oxygen Demand (CBOD), organic (Kjeldahl) nitrogen, and ammonia while consuming the dissolved oxygen in the water.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2001Publication date: June 13, 2002Inventor: Russell E. Lambert
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Patent number: 6398959Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a unique apparatus and method for treating and reusing the wastewater discharged from agricultural animal farms. The apparatus and method of the present invention may be readily-sized and configured depending upon the amount and constituent(s) of the wastewater to be treated. In a first embodiment, the apparatus and method of the present invention is designed to be a zero discharge system in which no wastewater will be discharged or land applied. In use, the apparatus and method of the first embodiment may actually require addition of make-up water during periods of low rainfall to make up water losses due to evaporation and drift. It is contemplated that the only byproduct of the apparatus and method of the first embodiment may be a beneficial sludge if a sufficient number of installations are operated.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2000Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: Agrimond, LLCInventors: Alfredo J. Teran, John R. Derrick, Jr., Nidal A. Samad, W. Todd Willoughby, Richard G. Wood
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Patent number: 6395522Abstract: A biologically active support is provided for removal of pollutants such as aliphatics, aromatics, heteroaromatics and halogenated derivatives from waste streams. The support contains a particulate adsorbent such as activated carbon bound by a polymer binder to a substrate such as a polymeric foam, and a bound pollutant-degrading microorganism. The adsorbent adsorbs a target pollutant, and the microorganism degrades the pollutant. Preferably, the microorganism is aerobic and the binder has a Tg of lower than or equal to about 25° C. The adsorbent adsorbs excess pollutant when the pollutant concentration increases and releases the pollutant when the concentration decreases. This maintains the pollutant concentration at a level which does not inhibit the microorganism. The biologically active support can be used in conventional biological waste treatment systems such as continuous stirred reactors, fixed-bed reactors and fluidized bed reactors.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 1994Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.Inventors: Louis J. DeFilippi, Francis S. Lupton
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Patent number: 6391202Abstract: The invention relates to a method and installation for treating waste water from oil seed and cereal processing, especially olive oil mill waste water (OMW), guaranteeing a substantial reduction of environmentally damaging waste water ingredients while taking economic factors into account. The aim of the invention is to develop a method and system designed to treat olive oil mill waste water, whereby higher physical, chemical, biochemical and biological elimination rates can be achieved using the material and energy potential of the OMW while taking economic aspects into account. The installation needs to be able to operate at short notice due to the amounts of seasonal waste. In the inventive method and installation thus disclosed, the fresh waste water is pre-treated by subjecting it to acidification with biogenic flocculation and separation of solid particles.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2001Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Inventors: Michael Knobloch, Andreas Schmidt, Reinhard Koch, Volkmar Peukert
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Patent number: 6387265Abstract: A method for managing a water system habitat environment and a system for managing a water system habitat environment are provided in which oxides which accumulate in a relatively small-scale water environment are continuously and effectively reduction changed and released into the atmosphere, such that a balance between oxidation changing and reduction changing of solute can be achieved. Furthermore, building up to a balanced state can be carried out in a short period of time from creation of the water environment, and the balanced state can be maintained over a long period of time. Soil (22), in which an organic carbon source (21) is mixed-in in a predetermined amount with respect to an amount of water in a pond (10), is covered, to a predetermined thickness, on substantially an entire bottom of a depression (4) which is to become the pond (10) and whose bottom portion has been subjected to a waterproofing treatment (3).Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2001Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: Takachiho CorporationInventor: Makoto Hosoya
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Patent number: 6378362Abstract: This invention provides saturated and unsaturated Vadose zone remote sample acquisition and in-situ contaminant character identification. The invention is addressed to the management of the Vadose zone. Matters of interest to the agricultural community may include, in addition to other factors, the quantity of nutrients in the saturated zone and the existence of contaminants and the potential for loss of nutrients to the unsaturated zone. Matters of interest to facilities engaging in pollution, toxic or other contaminant detection will be the presence of such contaminants in both the saturated and unsaturated zones and additionally of the transit of contaminants into the unsaturated zone having potential of interaction with the water table.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2000Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Inventor: Larry Dickinson
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Patent number: 6372137Abstract: A wastewater treatment system comprises a septic tank which flows substantially all of its liquid effluent through an aerobic filter having a filter medium to produce a nitrified filtrate of reduced biological oxygen demand (BOD) and total suspended solids (TSS). The majority of the filtrate is returned to the septic tank for denitrification followed by further recirculation through the aerobic filter. All permanent discharge of effluent from the system is in the form of filtrate from an aerobic filter. Permanent discharge of effluent directly from the septic tank is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2000Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Orenco Systems, Inc.Inventor: Terry R. Bounds
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Publication number: 20020038784Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treatment of wastewater containing organic sulfur compounds The method includes introducing the wastewater into an apparatus body equipped with a fixed bed in which fixed carriers for the attachment of microorganisms are filled and a fluidized bed in which flowing carriers for the attachment of microorganisms are flown, and enabling the wastewater to flow through the fluidized bed towards the fixed bed so that the wastewater is biologically treated by the fluidized bed and the fixed bed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2001Publication date: April 4, 2002Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Koki Narita, Masanori Sugisawa, Hiroyuki Chifuku, Takayoshi Doi, Hiroki Yamaji, Yoshikazu Takai
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Patent number: 6365048Abstract: A process for treating water to reduce pollutants using a fluidized bed (41) supporting microorganisms, ozonated pollutants and a carbon source for the microorganisms is described. The process provides very efficient degradation of the pollutants in drinking water, for instance.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2000Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State UniversityInventors: Susan Jane Masten, Alexander A. Yavich
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Publication number: 20020028505Abstract: There is provided a desulphurization apparatus to be mounted in automobiles, which is arranged between a fuel tank and an injector of an engine, the apparatus comprising a combination of a sulfur-containing compound adsorbent for adsorbing and concentrating the sulfur-containing compound and a sulfur-containing compound oxidizing agent or oxidation catalyst for oxidizing the adsorbed sulfur-containing compound, the apparatus further comprising a means for recovering and removing the resulting sulfur-containing oxide. According to this apparatus, the quantity of the particulate matter in an exhaust gas is reduced by half and the durability of the catalyst for removing a nitrogen oxide is improved by a factor of about two.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2001Publication date: March 7, 2002Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takenobu Sakai, Tatsuji Mizuno, Hiroshi Suzuki
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Patent number: 6350381Abstract: Microorganism growth in aqueous systems used for degradation of ether-based compounds such as MTBE is stimulated and maximized by utilizing fatty acids as the growth substrate for the microorganisms. The fatty acid functions as an inexpensive growth substrate that can be introduced into the aqueous system to quickly maximize the growth of the active microbe incorporated therein. Such a characteristic is desirable since fatty acids are non-toxic, water soluble, typically inexpensive and readily available. In one preferred embodiment, the fatty acid is food grade lactate.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1998Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P.Inventors: Scott Tracey Kilkenny, William Thornton Stringfellow
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Publication number: 20020014464Abstract: The method of the present invention is to pump contaminated water, either by pushing or drawing, through a particulate filter and then through a contact chamber containing firstly copper wool and secondly brass wool. This method may be applied to a wide number of applications in which water is subject to either algae or bacterial contamination.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2001Publication date: February 7, 2002Inventor: Edward L. Murphy
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Patent number: 6337019Abstract: A method of removing contaminates from ground water is provided which places a biological permeable barrier in the path of the ground water flow to contact the contaminated groundwater with encapsulated microorganisms which act to decontaminate the contacted groundwater.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1999Date of Patent: January 8, 2002Inventor: Fatemeh Razavi-Shirazi
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Patent number: 6331249Abstract: An apparatus for treating a secondary treated wastewater effluent. The apparatus comprises an anoxic first zone for accepting the secondary effluent wherein the first zone includes heterotrophic bacteria, a carbon source, and an outlet structure including a limestone aggregate. The apparatus further comprises a second zone including an entrance structure that is in fluid communication with the outlet structure and an exit structure in fluid communication with the second zone. The exit structure includes a cationic exchange medium wherein the exit structure discharges the effluent to a disposal mechanism such as a subsurface disposal field.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2000Date of Patent: December 18, 2001Assignee: Knight Treatment Systems, Inc.Inventors: Douglas J. Nelson, James E. Knight, Mark C. Noga
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Patent number: 6306302Abstract: A process for treating water having anions comprising sulfur and oxygen dissolved therein involves subjecting the anions to an anaerobic biological reduction to sulfide anions dissolved in the water, followed by a biological oxidation of the sulfide anions to elemental sulfur suspended in the water. The sulfur is separated from the water. The reduction and oxidation are effected together in a series of common reaction stages in which there are oxidizing conditions which permit the biological oxidation without preventing the biological reduction.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2000Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: CSIRInventors: Johannes Philippus Maree, Andries Gerber
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Patent number: 6303368Abstract: A device for use in processing of a liquid and/or gas stream. The device is made up of a monolithic structure having active powder for treating streams. The structure has an inlet end and an outlet end and a multiplicity of cells extending from inlet end to outlet end. The cells are separated from one another by porous walls, a portion of the total number of cells being plugged in a pattern such that a stream enters the device through the unplugged cells at the inlet end and passes through at least two porous walls and the active powder in-between, and thereafter passes out of the device through unplugged cells at the outlet end. The device finds use in a number of applications including ion exchange, adsorption, biological and chemical reactions, and catalytic applications.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1999Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Willard A. Cutler, Tinghong Tao
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Patent number: 6291233Abstract: An integrated treatment process and apparatus is provided for removing selected contaminants from both liquid and gaseous waste streams. A multistage separation and bio-oxidation substrate is provided in a column through which the contaminants are passed. The substrate components provide absorption, adsorption, ion exchange, solubility, and bio-degradation qualities to the column to effectively separate and destroy a wide range of contaminants in industrial waste streams.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1998Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Inventors: Anuj K. Saha, Amitava Sarkar
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Patent number: 6287469Abstract: A method and equipment are disclosed for tertiary sewage treatment by naturally-occurring microorganisms after the sewage has passed from a septic tank or other primary treatment device. Tertiary treatment occurs within enclosed, controlled conditions in a recirculation tank housing a recirculating spray system and a filter bed. The recirculation process is controlled by a timer and a timer float responding to the wastewater level in the recirculation tank. A mixing zone is provided in a bottom portion of the recirculation tank.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1998Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: Ashco-A-CorporationInventors: Paul R. Ashburn, Edward T. Cogar
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Publication number: 20010018032Abstract: An odor treating system in which a silo-type structure (2) incorporates in layered sequence along its height at least one bioscrubber (4) and one wet scrubber (6) or biofilter and incorporates a port (10) for introducing malodorous effluent into the structure (2) below the scrubbers (4, 6) and fan means (1) overlying the scrubbers (4, 6) for drawing the effluent through the scrubbers (4, 6) to deodorize, dilute and disperse the effluent into the atmosphere.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2000Publication date: August 30, 2001Inventor: LARRY J. FINN
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Patent number: 6280625Abstract: A method and apparatus for the treatment and remediation of a contaminated aquifer in the presence of an uncontaminated aquifer at a different hydraulic potential. The apparatus consists of a wellbore inserted through a first aquifer and into a second aquifer, an inner cylinder within the wellbore is supported and sealed to the wellbore to prevent communication between the two aquifers. Air injection is used to sparge the liquid having the higher static water level and, to airlift it to a height whereby it spills into the inner cylinder. The second treatment area provides treatment in the form of aeration or treatment with a material. Vapor stripped in sparging is vented to the atmosphere. Treated water is returned to the aquifer having the lower hydraulic potential.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1999Date of Patent: August 28, 2001Assignee: Westinghouse Savannah River CompanyInventors: Dennis G. Jackson, Jr., Brian B. Looney, Ralph L. Nichols, Mark A. Phifer
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Publication number: 20010011643Abstract: The current invention relates to treatment of waste water and in particular to treatment of sewerage effluent. The current invention broadly resides in a method of treating waste water in a waste water reticulation system including inoculating the waste water with an inoculum of selected microorganisms at a site prior to the treatment plant in the waste water reticulation system or discharge site where there is no treatment plant in the waste water reticulation system; and incubating the waste water inoculated with the selected microorganisms to form a culture that reduces waste in the inoculated waste water.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2000Publication date: August 9, 2001Inventors: Robert Kingsley Newton, Kenneth Michael Bellamy
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Patent number: 6261456Abstract: Waste water containing fluorine, nitrogen and organic matter is treated by introducing the waste water into a water tank filled with calcium carbonate mineral and anaerobic microorganic sludge. An upper portion of the water tank is occupied by the anaerobic microorganic sludge concurrently with natural precipitation of the calcium carbonate mineral toward a lower portion of the water tank. Calcium ions dissolving from the calcium carbonate mineral precipitated in the lower portion of the water tank are made to chemically react with the fluorine in the waste water. At the same time, the organic matter in the waste water is treated by utilizing anaerobic microorganisms in the anaerobic microorganic sludge in the upper portion of the water tank. The nitrogen in the waste water is treated to be reduced by reducibility that the anaerobic microorganisms in the waste water own.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1999Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuyuki Yamasaki, Kazuyuki Sakata
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Patent number: 6254775Abstract: An anaerobic digester system has a vertically upright vessel, a matrix arranged in the vessel supporting a microorganism biomass thereon, an input for supplying an input slurry of liquid and suspended solids at an upper portion of the vessel above the matrix, a gas output at the top of the vessel for withdrawing gas generated by anaerobic digestion of solids, and an effluent output at the bottom of the vessel for withdrawing liquid and remaining solids. The vessel has a preferred liquid height to diameter ratio of 2 to 1, and is constructed of inert fiberglass-reinforced plastic coated with a translucent blue gel pigment layer for filtering light at wavelengths that promote biomass cultivation. The matrix is formed as an array of panels mounted to a spindle with wheels fixed at spaced intervals along its vertical height, and the panel are made of a polyethylene grass matting providing a high surface area to volume ratio of at least 20 to 1.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 1999Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Inventor: James D. McElvaney
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Patent number: 6254778Abstract: The invention is a biological process for purifying waste water in order to produce an effluent with a low content of carbon and of oxygenated nitrogen compounds. The process includes an initial step of mixing the waste water in a biological reactor with activated sludge to denitrify the resulting mixture. Then, air is introduced into the mixture to form an anoxic sludge thereby directly oxidizing carbon present in the anoxic sludge and removing carbon therefrom, simultaneous with the denitrification. The anoxic sludge is clarified to separate it from a denitrified intermediate effluent. The clarified anoxic sludge is recycled to the biological reactor.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1999Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: DegremontInventors: Pavel Chudoba, Claude Grimaud, Roger Pujol
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Patent number: 6238563Abstract: Effluent from a septic tank is trickled through a first filter canister. The thus filtered effluent is recycled a plurality of times through the same filter canister, further to cleanse the effluent. A small portion of the recycling effluent is directed outward into a drip irrigation system. A second filter canister, not in line with the first canister, also receives some of the recycling, filtered effluent, for plural recycles therethrough, to enhance the filtering process, at the same time that other of the filtered effluent is being recycled through the first filter canister. The filtered effluent from the two canisters are permitted to combine prior to subsequent recycling.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2000Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Carroll Industries, Inc.Inventors: Paul L. Carroll, II, Sterling L. Carroll
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Patent number: 6228266Abstract: A water treatment apparatus using a plasma reactor and a method of water treatment are disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing having a polluted water inlet and a polluted water outlet; a plurality of beads filled into the interior of the housing; a pair of electrodes, one of the electrodes contacting with the bottom of the housing, another of the electrodes contacting an upper portion of the uppermost beads; and a pulse generator connected with the electrodes by a power cable for generating pulses.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1998Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: LG Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.Inventor: Soon Yong Shim
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Patent number: 6214088Abstract: A method and apparatus for bioprocessing particles wherein particles are entrapped a porous material and have biologically active microorganisms on their surfaces. A liquid (carrying oxygen and/or nutrients for said microorganisms) is passed through the entrapped particles and microorganisms and microorganisms are active to breakdown said particles. After a suitable period of time the particles are removed from the matrix.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1999Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: The University of Western OntarioInventors: Dimitre Gueorguiev Karamanev, Argyrios Margaritis
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Patent number: 6214229Abstract: A new method of forming mask ROM in the manufacture of an integrated circuit device has been achieved. A semiconductor substrate is provided with field oxide areas defined and a gate oxide layer overlying the semiconductor substrate. A gate electrode layer is deposited overlying the gate oxide layer. The gate electrode layer and the gate oxide layer are patterned to form gate electrodes. Ions are implanted to form source and drain junctions. A buffer layer is deposited overlying the gate electrodes, the source and drain junctions, and the field oxide areas. The buffer layer is etched down to expose the gate electrodes while leaving a protective thickness of the buffer layer overlying the source and drain junctions. Ions are implanted through the gate electrodes into the semiconductor substrate to selectively code the mask ROM devices and to complete the mask ROM devices in the manufacture of the semiconductor device. A coding mask controls the ion implantation to selectively code the mask ROM.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1998Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: University of WaterlooInventor: William Dean Robertson
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Patent number: 6190548Abstract: An enclosed, elongated structure for placement in the ground to filter and biologically pretreat wastewater after it leaves a septic tank and before it enters a drain field. The structure includes an upstream chamber or compartment connected to an inlet and containing a filter media such as stone and two or more baffles positioned crosswise to the direction of flow to direct the wastewater through multiple, sequential downward and upward flow paths through the stone for filtering and for anaerobic biological conversion of undesirable substances in the wastewater. A downstream chamber or compartment vented to atmosphere contains a filter media such as gravelly sand and receives the wastewater flow from the upstream chamber for further progressive filtering and for aerobic biological conversion of undesirable substances. Beneath the gravelly sand is a U-shaped perforated pipe for collecting the wastewater and directing it to an outlet leading to the drain field.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Inventor: Albert Frick
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Patent number: 6187194Abstract: An aeration and filtration system for eliminating waste products in a fluid body having a surface floor is disclosed. The aeration and filtration system includes a support bed disposed above the surface floor of the fluid body and a filter bed of porous media disposed above the support bed. The system further includes a pump having a plurality of inlets adjacent the fluid body level, at least some of the inlets being a plurality of perforated pipes connected to the pump for drawing fluid to and through the filter bed, and a motor connected to the pump.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 1998Date of Patent: February 13, 2001Assignee: Ichthyotech, Ltd.Inventor: Thomas Byrne