Effecting Flotation Patents (Class 210/703)
  • Patent number: 11905186
    Abstract: The Cryo-Thermo Desalinator (CTD) is a “fire and ice” approach to potability and water reuse using liquid natural gas (LNG) for systemic fuel and cooling. The upstream key heat exchanger (HX) uses LNG to differentiate raw water into pretreated ice melt and cryo-brine blowdown. Ice melt-diluted raw water is primarily sent to the mid-stream key HX condenser where it and LNG tube bundles collapse water vapor into potable water. The downstream key HX uses LNG to separate cryo-brine and thermo-brine into heavy brine and skimmed saline ice which is reinjected into pretreated raw water for maximum corrosion and scaling dilution and extra potability. Heavy brine discharge is more easily dewatered for mining salts, mineral and elements. Pressurized LNG, becoming high pressure natural gas, adds desirable latent heat of vaporization to downstream gas users, including the integrated CCGT/HRSG and is roughly-proportional to thirsty residential/industrial gas users which the CTD serves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Garold Paul Hines
  • Patent number: 11571638
    Abstract: There is disclosed processes and systems for improving the efficiency of the separation of insoluble contaminants from a fluid in a floatation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Shane P. Wiercinski, Curtis D. Cooley, Chad L. Felch
  • Patent number: 11458422
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multiphase separator for separating a multiphase fluid produced by one or more oil wells, the multiphase separator comprising: a separating vessel, comprising an inlet chamber and an oil chamber for collecting oil at least partially separated by a barrier; an inlet for introducing the multiphase fluid into the separating vessel; wherein the oil chamber is positioned on the opposite side of the barrier to the inlet; a gas outlet configured to collect gas separated from the multiphase fluid; an oil outlet configured to collect oil, separated from the multiphase fluid, from the oil chamber; a water outlet configured to collect water separated from the multiphase fluid; and a gas and water mixture injector configured to inject a mixture of pressurized gas and water in a lower portion of the separating vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.—PETROBRAS
    Inventors: Fabricio Soares Da Silva, André Sampaio Monteiro
  • Patent number: 11434158
    Abstract: A system for degassing water is described. It uses multiple stages starting with an aerator connected to a number of pumps which conveys water to various filters and tanks. The water is received in at least one buffer tank for de-ironed water which is connected to a fourth tank which can include an ozonization system. At least one buffer tank is connected to a water pressure degassing system pumps water to a fifth tank fitted with a vent and a relief system. This fifth water tank is connected to an aeration pump having an air sterilizer and the aeration pump. It is connected to a parallel system comprising an inflow collector, flow meters, flow regulating valves, at least one aeration tank having permanent magnets, pipes and an outflow collector which is connected to a final tank and filter from which water is fed into a bottling machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: ID'EAU SP. Z O.O.
    Inventors: Miroslaw Gluch, Jan Karch, Czeslaw Spyra
  • Patent number: 11247213
    Abstract: A flotation method for recovering valuable metal containing ore particles from ore particles suspended in slurry is disclosed. In the method, the slurry is treated in an at least one overflow flotation cell and the valuable metal containing ore particles are recovered by conducting the continuous upwards flow of slurry out of the at least one overflow flotation cell as slurry overflow. At least part of the slurry overflow is conducted to a further treatment step in a treatment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: Antti Rinne, Peter Gerard Bourke
  • Patent number: 11241700
    Abstract: Apparatus uses hydrophobic synthetic beads to recover mineral particles in a slurry. The synthetic beads and the slurry are mixed into a mixture for processing. The apparatus has an interaction vessel installed in a section of pipeline. The interaction vessel is made from a pipeline folded or coiled into a compact struction having a continuous flow path. The interaction vessel has an input to receive the mixture of slurry and synthetic beads. The folded or coiled structure is used to increase the residence time of the mixture in the flow path, allowing more time for the mineral particles in the slurry to attach to the surface of the synthetic bead, while maintaining a small footprint. The interaction vessel may be formed from a number of loops of pipe section. The interaction vessel may be formed from one or more folded structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: CIDRA CORPORATE SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Mark R. Fernald, Paul J. Rothman, Alan D. Kersey
  • Patent number: 11096385
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for dispensing liquid mixtures, having a main stream line for passage of a main stream of a carrier liquid, a secondary stream line, which branches off from the main stream line at a first junction and leads back into the main stream line at a second junction, and at least one tank for accommodating a mixture component, the tank having a discharge opening connected to the secondary stream line. The system tank includes a metering pump for delivering the mixture component located in the tank through the discharge line into the secondary stream line and the system comprises a drive unit which is coupled detachably to the metering pump to drive the metering pump. The invention further relates to a method of using the above-stated system and to use of the system to dispense a plant protection product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventor: Wolf-Dieter Wichmann
  • Patent number: 11084737
    Abstract: A wastewater purification system that uses mechanical and chemical processes to separate contaminants from municipal and other sanitary wastewater, concentrates the resulting sludge for disposal, and purifies the resulting product water for reuse as irrigation water, potable water or for disposal. The wastewater purification system can be scaled from a mobile system mounted on a skid or a tracker trailer to a large municipal wastewater treatment system. The wastewater purification system can include a hydrocyclone feeding a flotation tank. Flocculant is added upstream from the hydrocyclone after air injection by a Venturi air injector or similar device. Coagulant is added before the air injection. A dose of flocculant is added after the hydrocyclone within the vortex of the hydrocyclone and before the wastewater exits near the top of the flotation tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Eco World Water Corp.
    Inventors: Santiago Contreras, Scott Worley, Paul L Culler
  • Patent number: 10987677
    Abstract: Flotation separation apparatus and methods are described herein, comprising a vessel having a plurality of flow guides oriented vertically in the vessel, a liquid inlet at a lower part of the vessel, a gas inlet at the lower part of the vessel, a first liquid outlet at an upper part of the vessel, a second liquid outlet at the lower part of the vessel, and a gas outlet at the upper part of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Luis Eduardo Caires-Fernandez, Daniel E. Shannon
  • Patent number: 10919781
    Abstract: A method including contacting a stream including water with a coated porous substrate including a porous substrate coated with a hydrophilic and oleophobic coating to produce a treated water including water that passes through the coated porous substrate; and utilizing at least a portion of the treated water as a component of a hydraulic fracturing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale E. Jamison, William Walter Shumway
  • Patent number: 10882057
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the recovery of hydrophobic particles from a slurry comprised of water, the hydrophobic particles, and a hydrophilic component. Slurry is exposed to a gas stream to permit bubbles to adhere to the hydrophobic particles. The slurry generally flows vertically through a vessel at a velocity that maintains gas hold-up at least between 30 and 70% to maintain a bubbly flow without a slurry froth interface so that a portion of the water of the slurry, together with entrained gas bubbles attached to hydrophobic particles, flows out of the vessel with a portion of the water of the slurry and the hydrophilic component remaining in the vessel. Water from the slurry and gas bubbles attached to hydrophobic particles flowing through the vessel is discharged and collected for processing. A portion of the hydrophilic component is extracted as tailings for disposal or subsequent processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: 2678380 Ontario Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Kosick, Glenn Dobby, Catherine McInnes
  • Patent number: 10865128
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatuses and systems for the remediation of contaminated soils, groundwater, water, and/or waste using a combination of reagents. The disclosed methods may be used to treat various recalcitrant halogenated substances, such as perfluoroalkyls and polyfluoroalkyls. Particular combinations of reagents that may be used in the disclosed methods include but are not limited to: (1) persulfate, oxygen and ozone; (2) persulfate, salt, oxygen and ozone; (3) persulfate, phosphate, and/or oxygen; (4) persulfate, phosphate, oxygen and ozone; (5) persulfate, phosphate, salt and oxygen (6) persulfate, phosphate, salt, oxygen and ozone; (7) oxygen and salt; and (8) air and salt. The disclosed methods may enhance destruction of organic contaminants in the liquid phase and may also control the rate of aerosol or foam formation relative to the rate of chemical oxidation and/or reduction/transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: OXYTEC LLC
    Inventor: Raymond G. Ball
  • Patent number: 10815140
    Abstract: A system and a method for treating and recycling process water has a cylindrical sedimentation tank and a cylindrical tank for flotation and storage downstream of the sedimentation tank. Water is added to an inlet at the upper part of the sedimentation tank, and treated water is removed from an outlet at the lower part of the flotation tank for recycling. A screw in the sedimentation tank has a major diameter similar the sedimentation tank, which forces water to flow rotationally from the top towards the bottom of the sedimentation tank. A riser between the sedimentation tank and the flotation tank with one end in a lower part of the sedimentation tank, and the other end at an upper part of the flotation tank. A cleaning loop with ozone added is between the tanks, removing water from the flotation tank and returning it to the sedimentation tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Redox AS
    Inventor: Bjørn Karlsen
  • Patent number: 10773974
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of purifying a contaminated liquid flow (A) comprising the steps of: introducing a first type of gas bubbles (8) in the contaminated liquid flow (A), the first type of gas bubbles obtained by at least partly saturating a liquid with a first gas (B?), at a first pressure, followed by a lowering of the first pressure to a second pressure; introducing a second type of gas bubbles (9) to the contaminated liquid flow (A) downstream of the introduction of the first type of gas bubbles, the second type of gas bubbles formed by sparging, entrainment or attrition of a second gas (B?); extracting a reject stream (C) comprising aggregates formed by the interaction of contaminants from the contaminated liquid flow (A) with both the first and the second type of gas bubbles; and obtaining a purified liquid flow (D) downstream of the introduction of the second type of gas bubbles; as well as a system and a vessel for use in such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: FMC Separation Systems, BV
    Inventors: Corné Groen, Govert Kruijtzer
  • Patent number: 10710901
    Abstract: A method including contacting a stream including water with a coated porous substrate including a porous substrate coated with a hydrophilic and oleophobic coating to produce a treated water including water that passes through the coated porous substrate; and utilizing at least a portion of the treated water as a component of a hydraulic fracturing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale E. Jamison, William Walter Shumway
  • Patent number: 10519052
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatuses and systems for the remediation of contaminated soils, groundwater, water, and/or waste using a combination of reagents. The disclosed methods may be used to treat various recalcitrant halogenated substances, such as perfluoroalkyls and polyfluoroalkyls. Particular combinations of reagents that may be used in the disclosed methods include but are not limited to: (1) persulfate, oxygen and ozone; (2) persulfate, salt, oxygen and ozone; (3) persulfate, phosphate, and/or oxygen; (4) persulfate, phosphate, oxygen and ozone; (5) persulfate, phosphate, salt and oxygen (6) persulfate, phosphate, salt, oxygen and ozone; (7) oxygen and salt; and (8) air and salt. The disclosed methods may enhance destruction of organic contaminants in the liquid phase and may also control the rate of aerosol or foam formation relative to the rate of chemical oxidation and/or reduction/transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Oxytec LLC
    Inventors: Raymond G. Ball, Alan T. Moore
  • Patent number: 10441976
    Abstract: A feed diffuser for use in a rotating screen having drain holes is provided, comprising a flow chamber having an upstream end and a downstream end and defining a flow path for a slurry having solid material larger than the drain holes flowing between the upstream end and the downstream end; the flow chamber having an intermediate portion disposed between the upstream end and the downstream end; the intermediate portion having a first opening; the flow chamber having an inclined floor, the lowest point of the inclined floor being adjacent to the first opening; whereby the inclined floor is sufficiently inclined such that when the slurry flows down the flow path, the larger solid material is directed towards the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD.
    Inventors: Michael Carniato, Dan Wolfe, Ron Cleminson
  • Patent number: 10329168
    Abstract: A method for removing immiscible fluid from contaminated water includes at least one chamber; an injection line in fluid communication with an inlet of the one chamber; bubble generation means in fluid communication with the injection line for injecting gas bubbles into the injection line and allowing mixing in the injection line of the gas bubbles and the contaminated water to form an inlet fluid; an inlet weir within the chamber adjacent the inlet; an immiscible fluid weir within the chamber; a trough for collecting the immiscible fluid and allowing the immiscible fluid to flow out of the at least one chamber through an immiscible fluid outlet; and a cleaned water outlet generally at the bottom of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: EXTERRAN WATER SOLUTIONS ULC
    Inventors: Douglas W. Lee, George Muir
  • Patent number: 10245597
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided featuring a first and second cells. The first cell receives an ore slurry having mineral particles of interest, receives unexpanded polymer microspheres comprising a surface having mineral collector chemistry attached thereto with molecules for attaching the mineral particles of interest, causes the unexpanded polymer microspheres to expand substantially in volume into expanded polymer microspheres having a substantially increased sphere surface area, and provides an expanded polymer microsphere foam layer comprising the expanded polymer microspheres with attached mineral particles of interest. The second cell receives the expanded polymer microsphere foam layer, and causes the expanded polymer microspheres to collapse substantially in volume into collapsed polymer microspheres having a substantially reduced sphere surface area that results in a mechanical shearing off of the attached mineral particles of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporate Services Inc.
    Inventors: Francis K. Didden, Alan D. Kersey, Michael A. Davis, Paul J. Rothman, Mark R. Fernald, Christian V. O'Keefe, Douglas H. Adamson
  • Patent number: 10144659
    Abstract: The invention relates to an effluent COD treatment procedure by anodic oxidation combining the use of two different types of anode with a suitable apportionment of current. The first type of anode comprises an anode based on diamond doped-synthetic diamond. The second type of anode comprises an anode with high oxygen overvoltage containing tin and antimony oxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: INDUSTRIE DE NORA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Yves Lucien Pellet, Didier Carle Gaston Grange, Paolo Rossi
  • Patent number: 10053379
    Abstract: An integrated device for wastewater purification, comprising a coagulation zone; a flocculation zone connected to and in fluid communication with the coagulation zone; a flotation zone connected to and in fluid communication with the flocculation zone and comprising a froth discharge port; and a separation zone below and in fluid communication with the flotation zone and comprising a contaminant separator and a purified wastewater discharge port; the wastewater entering the device being mixed with electrolytically-generated coagulants and gas bubbles in the coagulation zone; the flocculation zone receiving and gently mixes coagulated wastewater contaminants and gas bubbles formed in the coagulation zone and aggregating them into flocs before flotation of buoyant flocs in the flotation zone and the separation zone being adapted for further floc formation, oil coalescence, settling and discharge of non-buoyant contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: PROTERRGO INC.
    Inventors: Panayotis G. Tsantrizos, Valérie Léveillé, Nicole A. Poirier, Roy Richard
  • Patent number: 9904300
    Abstract: A liquid transport apparatus includes: a U-shaped vessel for storing the liquid; an inverse conically shaped body which is hollow and has an opening part of an upper end and an opening part of a lower end; and a rotating disk driving motor part for rotating the inverse conically shaped body on an axis extending along a substantially vertical direction. The opening part of the lower end of the inverse conically shaped body is immersed in the liquid stored in the U-shaped vessel. In the liquid transport apparatus, an overflow opening part for keeping constant a distance between the opening part of the lower end of the inverse conically shaped body and a surface of the liquid stored in the U-shaped vessel is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: I'MSEP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Ito, Tokujiro Nishikiori, Hiroyuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9878268
    Abstract: A separation tank for separating a contaminant from a contaminated fluid. A series of juxtaposed interconnected chambers having a series of baffles therein provide a revolving flow of fluid in each chamber to maximize distance for which contaminants travel to separate from the fluid. The interconnected chambers may be juxtaposed in end-to-end relation or in side-by-each configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: EXTERRAN WATER SOLUTIONS ULC
    Inventors: Todd William Kirk, Daniel Clifford Whitney, Douglas Walker Lee
  • Patent number: 9808741
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a process and apparatus for separation of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing produced water, wherein in stage 1 the hydrocarbon-containing produced water is supplied with a gas-containing component, whereupon a gas- and hydrocarbon-containing produced water mixture is fed to an inlet tube (22, 27) in the center of a tank, whereupon the said mixture is tangentially distributed via at least one nozzle (7) and at least one baffle plate (8.1), whereupon separated hydrocarbons are conveyed to at least one outlet from the tank and cleaned water is conveyed to an outlet (12) from the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Cameron Systems AS
    Inventor: Jorn Folkvang
  • Patent number: 9731989
    Abstract: A system for treating produced water, for example from a SAGD bitumen production operation, has a treatment unit using chemical oxidation (CO) or electromagnetic treatment (ET) to destroy or degrade organics in the produced water. The treatment module may use CO or ET in combination with biological treatment or sorption processes or both. When the treatment module is used upstream of a steam generator, it reduces fouling in the steam generator and in any blowdown water treatment device. A brine concentrator or a crystallizer may be used to treat the blowdown water. The treatment module may be used in combination with a nanofiltration (NF) or reverse osmosis (RO) membrane filter. Optionally, the produced water may be treated with an ET process such as microwaves directly upstream of a steam generator or upstream of a concentrator or crystallizer in a blowdown water stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David M. Polizzotti, Brian Christopher Moore, Vasile Bogdan Neculaes, Abdul Rafi Khwaja, Matthew Alan Petersen
  • Patent number: 9428408
    Abstract: There is a method of facilitating the consolidation of fine tailings through the application of an electrical current. The fine tailings include a combination of at least some water and some clay particles. Electrodes are placed into contact with the fine tailings. An AC voltage with a DC offset is applied to the electrodes to separate water from the clay particles and to induce movement of the separated water to a collection area. The separated clay particles can consolidate more readily than unseparated clay particles. In an embodiment, the fine tailings are mixed fine oil sands extraction tailings which include residual hydrocarbons. In an embodiment, the application of an AC voltage with a DC offset across the electrodes includes applying an AC voltage of about 1 V/cm and a DC offset of about ½ V/cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: DPRA Canada Incorporated
    Inventors: Bruce S. Beattie, Paul Garcia, Doug Kimzey, Ben Harris, Robert C. Parrott, James Micak
  • Patent number: 9422168
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dissolved air flotation (“DAF”) device. The DAF device creates an elongated separation zone to permit agglomerated impurities to be more effectively removed from the influent. A header is included at the lower extent of the separation zone to collect the clarified effluent. In one possible embodiment, a collection channel with a series of intake apertures is connected to the header. In another embodiment, intake apertures are located along the header. In either embodiment, the header reduces the rate at which the effluent is collected and, thereby, reduces the inadvertent collection of agglomerated impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: DOOSAN HEAVY INDUSTRIES & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Pranay P. Mane, Lan Huong Doan, Jun Kim, Hyung Keun Roh
  • Patent number: 9358553
    Abstract: Conditioning and concentration of microalgae are accomplished by the process steps of grinding a dilute aqueous dispersion of microalgae in the presence of grinding media and then applying adsorptive bubble separation. This process is amenable to the use of dilute feed microalgal dispersions such as are encountered in the production of algal biomass for biofuel applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Renewable Algal Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Clayton, Stephen N. Falling, Jeffrey S. Kanel
  • Patent number: 9315405
    Abstract: A method of treating produced water containing hydrocarbons includes introducing microbubbles of a lift gas into the produced water in a separation stage to float oil to a surface of the produced water. The top layer of oil is removed from the surface of the produced water. Microbubbles of an oxidizing gas are introduced into the produced water in an aeration stage to oxidize contaminants. Microbubbles of an ultra-violet light treated oxidizing gas are introduced into the produced water in an advanced oxidation stage to oxidize remaining contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Seair Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Greene, Todd Webb, Mike Zelen
  • Patent number: 9303323
    Abstract: Apparatus for seawater acidification including an ion exchange, cathode and anode electrode compartments and cation-permeable membranes that separate the electrode compartments from the ion exchange compartment. Means is provided for feeding seawater through the ion exchange compartment and for feeding a dissociable liquid media through the anode and cathode electrode compartments. A cathode is located in the cathode electrode compartment and an anode is located in the anode electrode compartment and a means for application of current to the cathode and anode is provided. A method for the acidification of seawater by subjecting the seawater to an ion exchange reaction to exchange H+ ions for Na+ ions. Carbon dioxide may be extracted from the acidified seawater. Optionally, the ion exchange reaction can be conducted under conditions which produce hydrogen as well as carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide and hydrogen may be used to produce hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Felice DiMascio, Dennis R Hardy, M. Kathleen Lewis, Heather D. Willauer, Frederick Williams
  • Patent number: 9244050
    Abstract: Methods and systems for testing fluid samples include a diffused air flotation (DAF) system and a jar. The jar includes a diffuser for injecting the diffused air into the jar and a tap for drawing a fluid out of the jar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen J. Wiacek, Bingbing Guo
  • Patent number: 9206388
    Abstract: A process for accelerated and sustainable algae growth using a vertical tank photobioreactor, which includes steps involving the sustainable algae growth, preferably of the strain nannochloropsis oculata, the harvest of a portion of the algae in a harvester apparatus, the reduction and recycling of byproducts using recycled waste and conversion of gasses to useable and sustainable recycling within the process, the algae product supplied in wet or dry form for the further production of biofuels through the conversion of the algae to crude oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Inventor: Ronny Collins
  • Patent number: 9174223
    Abstract: A fluid separation apparatus for separating a fluid mixture including at least two fluids having different densities comprising a vessel having a vortex generation zone located within a fluid reservoir which includes a vortex generation wall which increases the rotational velocity of a fluid mixture flowing through the vortex generation zone and directs the fluid mixture from the fluid inlet toward the upper surface of the fluid reservoir. The vessel also includes a fluid inlet which extends into the vortex generation zone; a first fluid outlet through which the less dense fluid exits the vessel; and a second fluid outlet through which the denser fluid exits the vessel. The apparatus further comprises a gas bubble generator which introduces gas bubbles into at least a portion of the fluid mixture before the fluid mixture enters the vessel through the fluid inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: PROCESS GROUP PTY LTD
    Inventors: Trina Margaret Dreher, Phil Tuckett
  • Patent number: 9138752
    Abstract: A dissolved gas flotation pressure reduction nozzle (60) comprises: an integrally molded plastics component (61) comprising a discharge spout (62), an impingement plate (64) and one or more fins (66) extending from the impingement plate (64) in the radially outwards and downstream directions; and a control plate (75) upstream of the impingement plate (64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Doosan Enpure Limited
    Inventors: Tony Amato, David Michael Brown, Jeremy Phillip Ferguson, Neil Valentine
  • Patent number: 9095162
    Abstract: The defatting method pertains to a simple and practical removal of fat, oil or grease from a broth surface during cooking or right before eating, in order to consume broth without the floating oil, fat or grease for a better health. The embodiment of my method is to adopt a blower (28) generating air stream (22) and aiming at a specific area on the surface of broth (24) in a container (20), blowing out a certain area free or minimal of floating fat, oil or grease (26) on the broth surface. Then scoop out from this defatted area to extract broth (32) free or minimal of fat, oil or grease (26). Another embodiment of the defatting method is to tilt container (20) and level the liquid surface to the tip of the laid down side of container (20), divert forward air stream direction from the rear of container (20), continuously divert forward air stream direction to drive fat, oil or grease (26) until they completely overflow out of container (20), thereby leaving behind the fat free broth (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Inventor: Qun Xia
  • Publication number: 20150136708
    Abstract: A dissolved gas flotation apparatus (10) comprises: —a flotation tank (18); —one or more pressure reduction nozzles (28) arranged to discharge into the flotation tank (18); —an underflow exit baffle (19) defining the upper part of an exit channel (70) from the flotation tank (18); and —a plurality of flow-contacting members (44) arranged within the flotation tank exit channel. The flow-contacting members (44) may include one or more of vanes; bubble-forming members; bubble-capturing members; bubble-coalescing members; turbulence-introducing members; flow-redirecting members; pressure-increasing or pressure-decreasing members; members which introduce a pressure difference in the flow; and velocity-increasing or velocity-decreasing members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Tony Amato, David Michael Brown
  • Patent number: 9028700
    Abstract: A system and method of operating the same includes an absorption tank having a compressor communicating gas thereto, a suspended solid filtration tank having a primary inlet, a secondary inlet, a primary outlet and a secondary outlet and a pump comprising a pump inlet coupled to the secondary outlet and a pump outlet communicating fluid to the absorption tank. The absorption tank forms a solution from the fluid and gas. A turbine mechanically couples the pump with a common shaft extending to the pump. The turbine has a turbine inlet coupled to the absorption tank and a turbine outlet coupled to the secondary inlet. The turbine depressurizes the solution. The system may also use a centrifugal pump in place of a turbine and absorption tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Fluid Equipment Development Company, LLC
    Inventor: Eli Oklejas, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150114910
    Abstract: The present invention relates an apparatus for cleaning water, in particular precleaning seawater, including at least one tank for receiving water containing at least one flocculating agent for separating organic and possibly biological constituents contained in the water. The at least one tank includes at least one contact zone K for contacting the water containing the flocculating agent with at least one gas, in particular air, and at least one separation zone S for separating the flocculated organic constituents buoyed up by the gas. At least one gassing unit is arranged in the at least one contact zone K and at least one filtration unit is arranged in the at least one separation zone S. The at least one gas is injected via the at least one gassing unit without using a liquid carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Jens-Uwe Repke, Guenter Wozny, Matan Beery
  • Publication number: 20150114819
    Abstract: Methods and a system for removing carbon nanotubes from a water stream are provided herein. The system includes a purification vessel, wherein the purification vessel is configured to form a carbon oxide from the carbon nanotubes within the water stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Robert D. Denton, Dallas B. Noyes, Russell J. Koveal, Jr., Terry A. Ring
  • Publication number: 20150101988
    Abstract: A system and method for remediating a body of water and collecting suspended and dissolved solids therefrom are provided. The system includes a water-impervious lining positionable in a depression in or adjacent a body of water. The lining and depression define a treatment vessel, which includes a treatment portion, an outlet portion for containing treated water, and an outflow weir between the treatment portion and the outlet portion. Water to be treated is transported from the water body to the treatment portion. An entrapment element is delivered and mixed into the transported water, the entrapment element for capturing suspended and dissolved solids in the transported water and effecting a separation between the captured solids and water cleansed therefrom. The captured solids can be removed from the treatment basin, and the cleansed water can move through a channel in the outflow weir into the outlet portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Kyle R. Jensen, Ronald P. Allen, Daniel Keys
  • Publication number: 20150076075
    Abstract: Coagulation/flocculation apparatus for the treatment of a hydraulic flow of any type of liquid, upstream of a physical separation element, in particular upstream of a flotation unit, or of a filtration unit, in particular a membrane filtration unit, which apparatus comprises at least one coagulator with injection of coagulant, followed by a flocculator, which are successively passed through by the hydraulic flow, in which apparatus: the coagulator comprises a reactor (1) for injection of coagulant under high energy, followed by a low-energy coagulation reactor (2); an intermediate high-energy element (3) is placed between the coagulation reactor (2) and the flocculator (4); and the flocculator is a static flocculator of piston type (4) having the same width as the physical separation element (5) located downstream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Patrick Vion, Guillem Grau
  • Patent number: 8980100
    Abstract: We provide a system and method for reverse osmosis treatment of water, including seawater and brackish water. Methods and systems of embodiments of the invention may include, for example, ultrafiltration followed by biofoulant removal, both of which precede reverse osmosis. In preferred embodiments the system is run at a low flux. For example, a flux of 6-8 GFD may be used with seawater. Additional embodiments may provide the above process in conjunction with a reverse-osmosis membrane cleaning system. The membrane cleaning system is a “clean in place” system that includes use of the natural pressure differential in the reverse osmosis system to remove biofoulants and their precursors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Aquatech International Corporation
    Inventor: Ravi Chidambaran
  • Publication number: 20150060282
    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: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Curt Johnson
  • Patent number: 8968571
    Abstract: A gas flotation separator for use in horizontal tanks, such as those used for oil storage on board Floating Production Storage and Off-loading (FPSO) vessels, includes dividing the tank into a plurality of chambers operating in series. Prior to entering each chamber, the contaminated aqueous phase is mixed with a stream containing gas bubbles to aid in flocculation and flotation of the immiscible phase contaminant. The gas bubble recycle stream can be generated by injecting a controlled rate of a pressurized gas into a liquid stream of the clean produced water in a process external to the tank or by induction of a gas phase internal to the tank. The mixture flows into the first chamber and impinges on an angled inlet water weir. A portion of the immiscible phase and the gas phase rises to the top of the chamber while the remaining immiscible contaminants flow downward with the aqueous phase to the bottom of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Exterran Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas W. Lee, Nicholas Owens
  • Patent number: 8968580
    Abstract: A pumpbox apparatus includes a reservoir volume having a first inlet for receiving a feedstock stream and a second inlet for receiving a water stream, the reservoir volume being in communication with a discharge outlet disposed to discharge accumulated liquid from the reservoir volume. The reservoir volume is operable to accumulate the feedstock stream and the water stream in the reservoir volume while withdrawing a discharge stream through the discharge outlet to cause a flow of liquid through the pumpbox. The first inlet defines a first flow velocity region between the first inlet and the second inlet and a second flow velocity region between the second inlet and the discharge outlet. The first flow velocity is lower than the second flow velocity to facilitate flotation of a low specific gravity portion of the feedstock through the first region toward an upper surface of the liquid accumulated in the reservoir volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Charles Hann, William Nicholas Garner
  • Patent number: 8968579
    Abstract: A separation process and system for extracting hydrocarbons from a mixture. In some embodiments, a process for separating a bitumen froth stream containing bitumen froth, water and fine solids into a bitumen enriched froth stream and a water and fine solids stream, comprises: (a) receiving the bitumen froth stream in a concentrator vessel, (b) distributing the bitumen froth stream in the concentrator vessel as a substantially uniform and generally horizontal flow of the bitumen froth stream at a first flow velocity, (c) slowing the bitumen froth stream to a second flow velocity, slower than the first flow velocity, in a separation region of the concentrator vessel to promote separation of the bitumen froth from the water and fine solids, and then (d) collecting a bitumen enriched froth stream and (e) collecting a separate water and fine solids stream. Related embodiments of systems and apparatus may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Bradford E. Bjornson, Craig Aaron Strand, William Nicholas Garner, John Khai-Quang Diep, Darwin Edward Kiel, Thomas Charles Hann
  • Publication number: 20150041402
    Abstract: A method and system for de-oiling a feed comprising oil and water. The feed has an input temperature above the boiling point of water and an input pressure sufficient to maintain the water in a liquid state. In at least one embodiment, the method comprises pumping the feed with a motive pump through a phase separator having a restriction to effect a phase separation of oil and water in the feed and produce an agitated mixture, supplying the agitated mixture from the phase separator into a pressure vessel operating at a pressure sufficient to maintain in a liquid state water that is at a temperature above the boiling point of water, removing an oil phase from the pressure vessel, and removing a water phase from the pressure vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Wade R. Bozak
  • Publication number: 20150041403
    Abstract: Devices, processes, systems, and articles of manufacture adapted to treat contaminated fluid, such as organic wastewater, are described. These are described to include lifting contaminated fluids, treating contaminated fluids, or both, through gas application. In certain designs, gas, such as pressurized air, may be used to lift contaminated fluids, such as organic wastewater (i.e., water having contaminating organics of some kind, e.g. residential septic wastewater). In certain designs, gas, such as pressurized air, may also be used to treat fluids interfacing with the gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: David A. Potts
  • Publication number: 20150034558
    Abstract: Electrocoagulation effluent treatment apparatus and methods are disclosed, the apparatus including a primary electrocoagulation reactor chamber having treatment electrodes maintained therein and an effluent inlet and treated effluent outlet. An integrated flotation chamber is located above the reaction chamber, a vacuum device connectable with a vacuum source being received in the flotation chamber and including a foam intake and an output. A sludge chamber is defined below and integrated with the primary reaction chamber and has a settled sludge output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicants: Rockwater Resource, LLC
    Inventors: Reginald A. Wiemers, Robert Kohlheb
  • Patent number: 8945398
    Abstract: A water recovery process for a steam assisted gravity drainage system for a heavy oil recovery facility, the process comprising a flash drum and a flash drum heat exchanger/condenser, wherein the water recovery process receives hot water produced by a facility at a temperature above the water atmospheric boiling point and cools it to a temperature below the water atmospheric boiling point before transferring it to the remaining section of the water recovery process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: 1nSite Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenneth James