Controlling Process In Response To Stream Condition Patents (Class 210/709)
  • Publication number: 20140034582
    Abstract: A lime stabilization system and method is provided in which thickened liquid sludge and lime are separately delivered, under controlled conditions, to a reaction tank and mixed therein to a predetermined pH, controlled via a programmable logic computer. The weight of liquid sludge in the reaction tank is controlled from the computer via load cells that measure the weight of such liquid sludge in the reaction tank. The computer monitors the amount of liquid sludge and lime delivered to the reaction tank, for mixing therein to a desired pH, for a predetermined amount of time, and the resultant mix is discharged from the reaction tank, to a holding tank, for return to the land.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: RDP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Richard W. Christy, Michael Quici, Stephen H. Yost
  • Publication number: 20140014588
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for dewatering of sludge, wherein an aqueous solution of polymeric flocculating agent is added to the sludge, wherein the sludge comprises a component to be removed by the flocculating agent being added to the sludge, wherein in order to limit the residual amount of the flocculating agent in a filtrate of the sludge the method comprises a first and/or a second step, wherein the first step comprises—measuring a first content information related to the total amount of solid material in the sludge (organic and inorganic)—measuring a second content information related to a sand material content in the sludge, wherein the first and second content information is used for controlling the addition of the aqueous solution of the polymeric flocculating agent to the sludge, wherein the second step comprises measuring a material information related to a material property of the filtrate, wherein the material information is used for controlling the content of the polymeric floccul
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Ashland Licensing and Intellectual Property LLC.
    Inventors: Toine Koehorst, Otto Schroers
  • Patent number: 8617400
    Abstract: A method for treating wastewater using a ballasted flocculation technique includes continuously measuring the concentration of suspended solids, organic matter or other impurities in the water to be treated prior to directing the water to be treated to a flocculation tank. Based on this measurement, the amount of ballast necessary to obtain treated water of a predetermined quality is then calculated. In the flocculation tank, ballast and a flocculating reagent are added to the water to form a water-floc mixture. The water-floc mixture is directed to a settling tank where a sludge-ballast mixture is settled. The sludge-ballast mixture is directed to a mixing tank and then to a separator to separate the ballast from the sludge. The separated ballast is directed to the flocculation tank. The separated sludge is directed to the mixing tank when the level of sludge-ballast mixture in the mixing tank is lower than a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Support
    Inventors: Philippe Sauvignet, Claus Dahl, Valey Ursel, Celine Levecq, Jean-Francois Beaudet
  • Patent number: 8580121
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a means of monitoring and controlling a process step, or steps for a treatable fluid being processed, whereby a sampled volume of the treated fluid is delivered to a vessel, within which the sampled treated fluid emulates the expected reaction or reactions of the treatable fluid being processed within the process step. The sampled volume of the treated fluid is detained, monitored, recorded and analyzed by the present invention. The resulting data is translated into commands that are conveyed to process control devices which control the processing of the treatable fluid. Sampling and analyzing of the treatable fluid is automatically repeated on a cyclical basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventors: Cesar Ladron de Guevara, Leonard Davidson
  • Patent number: 8557123
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for removing particulate matter from a fluid, comprising a particle functionalized by attachment of at least one activating group or amine functional group, wherein the modified particle complexes with the particulate matter within the fluid to form a removable complex therein. The particulate matter has preferably been contacted, complexed or reacted with a tethering agent. The system is particularly advantageous to removing particulate matter from a tailing solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Soane Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Berg, John H. Dise, Robert P. Mahoney, Kevin T. Petersen, David S. Soane, Kristoffer K. Stokes, William Ware, Jr., Atul C. Thakrar
  • Publication number: 20130233804
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and chemicals that can be used as fluorescent tracers in the treatment of raw water and/or industrial wastewater. The fluorescent tracers are certain chemicals discovered to have beneficial properties for such uses, particularly having little variance in fluorescence emission for conditions that are known to interfere with fluorescence emission. The fluorescent tracers comprise rhodamine dyes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Yanjiao Xie, Xuejun Wang, Mingli Wei
  • Publication number: 20130220922
    Abstract: The invention concerns an online method and system for monitoring properties of an aqueous stream of an industrial process. The method comprises providing an initial aqueous stream originating from said process, the aqueous stream containing solid matter exhibiting a first settling behavior; adding modifying agent to the initial aqueous stream at an addition rate sufficient to provide a modified aqueous stream containing solid matter exhibiting a second settling behavior different from the first settling behavior; conducting a sample of the initial aqueous stream or modified aqueous stream, any combination stream comprising the modified aqueous stream or any substream of the modified aqueous stream batchwise from a sampling point to a settling vessel having a volume; and measuring the settling behavior of the solid matter in the sample locally in the settling vessel as a function of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: KEMIRA OYJ
    Inventors: Iiris Joensuu, Marjatta Piironen, Eija Saari, Jukka-Pekka Sirviö, Seppo Tuomivaara
  • Publication number: 20130213895
    Abstract: A system for treating a wastewater stream produces an effluent having an acceptable level of turbidity. A PID controller is operatively coupled to at least one turbidity meter for monitoring turbidity of the effluent stream. A plurality of chemical treatment additive pumps are provided for adding a plurality of treatment chemicals to the wastewater stream in real time under supervision of the controller, and responsive to monitored turbidity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventor: Denny Allen CRISWELL
  • Patent number: 8506799
    Abstract: A system for characterizing suspended particles in a water treatment facility is disclosed. The system uses an imaging array to take multiple images of the particles in a sample volume. These images are then processed to determine geometrical properties of individual particles in the sample. These geometric properties can then be used to identify properties of the sample volume such as particle volume concentration, particle number concentration, computed particle diameter, gravitational settling velocity, mass concentration, and computed particle volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: ClearCorp
    Inventors: Roger M. Jorden, John W. English, Daniel J. Bodenstein
  • Patent number: 8465651
    Abstract: A sustainable method and system for treating and maintaining bodies of water at low cost for low density recreational use is disclosed. A system of the invention generally includes at least one containing means, at least one coordination means, at least one chemical application means, at least one non-intrusive mobile suction means, and at least one filtration means. The coordinating means can receive information regarding water quality parameters that are controlled, and can timely activate the processes necessary to adjust the water quality parameters within their respective limits. The disclosed methods and system filter only a small fraction of the total water volume, up to 200 times less per day than the flow filtered by conventional swimming pool filtration systems. The disclosed methods and system also use less chemicals, up to 100 times less than conventional swimming pool water treatment systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Crystal Lagoons (Curacao) B.V.
    Inventor: Fernando Fischmann T.
  • Publication number: 20130134094
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for removing contaminants from wastewater with a high salinity content are provided. The methods include injecting a flocculant and other agents and mixing it with the wastewater. The mixture is held in a clarifying tank. The resulting clarified product is filtered through a micro filter. In the final stage, the micro filter output is passed through a series of reverse osmosis membrane. To present a stream with the appropriate salinity for the reverse osmosis filter, the micro filter output is mixed with previously cleaned water to reduce the concentration of total dissolved solids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventors: Bob R. Drew, David Potter, Jack Saltiel
  • Publication number: 20130082003
    Abstract: Purified water can be obtained via a continuous or semi-continuous process by mixing a liquid composition (e.g., sea water or produced frac water) including water with a directional solvent to selectively dissolve water from the liquid composition into the directional solvent. The concentrated remainder of the liquid composition (e.g., brine) is removed, and the water is precipitated from the directional solvent and removed in a purified form. The solvent is then reused as the process is repeated in a continuous or semi-continuous operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Publication number: 20130062288
    Abstract: A programmable fluid treatment system including a mechanical subsystem and a computer control subsystem where the mechanical subsystem includes a fluid collection sump for capturing a fluid medium, a chemical mixing tank for injecting engineered chemicals into the fluid medium for separating a plurality of targeted compounds, an air flotation tank for creating a floating agglomeration of targeted compounds and engineered chemicals for mechanical removal, the computer control subsystem including a control unit for continuously monitoring a plurality of sensed parameters, a computer for continuously to comparing the sensed parameters with pre-programmed input data for continuously generating correction signals fed back to the mechanical subsystem via the control unit for maintaining the sensed parameters within limitations set by regulation, and for continuously adjusting and realtime reporting to regulators, the operation of the mechanical subsystem including the engineered chemicals in accordance with a dynam
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventor: Wayne W. Spani
  • Publication number: 20130008856
    Abstract: Provided are methods for dewatering a slurry from the leaching of a valuable ore with an aqueous solution of an effective leaching agent via a solids/liquid decantation system, providing an overflow depleted from solids and an underflow rich in solids that is washed counter-current through a number of solids/liquid decantation stages, the improvement implementing into the process line (a) a first Controller (Cl) for monitoring and steering the leach product thickener; and (b) a second Controller (C2) for monitoring and steering the counter-current decanter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: Cognis IP Management GmbH
    Inventor: Darren Megaw
  • Publication number: 20130001171
    Abstract: A process and system are provided for controlling hardness in recirculated cooling water, wherein chemical addition is independent of pH determination. Hardness is determined in a make-up water stream provided to a cooling water system. Chelant is continuously added to the make-up water stream, the amount of chelant being a function of the make-up water hardness. A side stream is circulated from the cooling water system to a reactor. A conditioner is added to the reactor based on the amount of chelant. The conditioned side stream is retained within the reactor to precipitate a percentage of suspended solids, and a portion of the precipitated solids are removed as necessary to maintain a fluid bed level. A clarified water stream is withdrawn from the reactor and returned to the cooling water system circulation. A chelant concentration of from 600 to 800 ppm is maintained in the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Rick Harve Maxey, James Russell Matthews
  • Publication number: 20120325744
    Abstract: In a process and apparatus for treating produced water, for example for re-use in an oil or bitumen extraction operation of for treating frac water, the produced water flows through a series of treatment units. A portion of the produced water may by-pass one or more of the treatment units but the by-pass portion may be such that the treated water is still acceptable, for example for discharge or reuse. Concentrations of oil and grease, organic carbon, silica, pH or related parameters in the produced water may be monitored and used to control the process or apparatus. Control of the process may involve one or more of altering a by-pass portion, altering the addition of chemicals, and altering the operation of a unit process. The process may be controlled to respond to upset conditions, or such that the concentration of one or more limiting contaminants is near, but not over, a specified maximum for re-use or discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: David M. Polizzotti, Kevin Paul McEvoy, Anthony Yu-Chung Ku, Carl Vess, Abdul Rafi Khwaja, Matthew Alan Petersen
  • Patent number: 8337707
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device, for dewatering dredged material with a dry substance rate below 15%, comprising a tank (2) which is arranged with at least one inlet (5) for dredged material, a first outlet (8) for cleaned water and a second outlet (9) for sludge; the tank further comprises a mixing chamber (3), to which the inlet (5) for dredged masses leads, and a sedimentation chamber (4) in which the first (8) and the second outlet (9) are arranged. The mixing chamber (3) and the sedimentation chamber (4) are in fluid communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Leif Ahl Verkstad Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Torbjörn Wold
  • Publication number: 20120292257
    Abstract: Devices and methods for collecting and treating waste materials. One implementation of the present invention includes a mobile apparatus that continuously collects a waste material and continuously treats the waste material so that it is suitable for disposal, transportation, or reuse at a desired location. Such an apparatus may include a delivery mechanism that delivers a waste material to a motor driven mixing unit at a selectable rate. This delivery mechanism may include a pump or a motor driven blower and separator. The mixing unit may be configured to receive a treating material and to mix the waste material with the treating material. Advantageously, the delivery mechanism and the mixing unit are positioned together on a portable unit (e.g., a trailer, a barge, a railroad car, etc.) so that the apparatus is mobile and portable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventor: Dwight Hartley
  • Patent number: 8308958
    Abstract: A fluid clarification system and method is described in which fluid is passed through one or more settling compartments, each having a solids outlet at the base of the compartment. The base of each compartment includes inclined surfaces for guiding settled solids to the outlet. Also described is a polymer reaction trough including baffles to promote gentle mixing of inflow fluid with flocculant. The system is designed to reduce costs of transportation, flocculant, and solids handling. The system is preferably arranged to facilitate transport on a skid or trailer, while maximizing fluid handling capabilities and minimizing costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: Scott Blair Godlien
  • Publication number: 20120241386
    Abstract: The present invention relates to processes, methods, apparatuses, and systems for multi-function water treatment to condition feed water from various sources. The multi-function treatment includes seven stages, where the chemical content of the entered feed water is conditioned, then broken, then oxidized, then de-foamed, then clarified, then de-scaled, and then filtered via each stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Kaiss ALAHMADY
  • Patent number: 8262914
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for treating a wastewater stream to produce an effluent having an acceptable level of turbidity. The invention comprises a controller operatively coupled to at least one turbidity meter for monitoring turbidity of the effluent stream. A plurality of chemical treatment additive pumps are provided for providing a plurality of additives to the wastewater stream. Furthermore, a method of sequentially testing the amount of each additive required to produce an effluent stream having an acceptable turbidity is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Reliance Automation, LLC
    Inventors: Theodore K. Mitzlaff, Jesse C. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 8246837
    Abstract: A method for removal of ammonia from a polluted medium avoids the disadvantages related to the chemical-physical properties of an ammonium-containing salt (MAP). The method has improved technical and economical operational parameters and produces a reusable and environmentally friendly nitrogen fertilizer. All chemical processes and mechanical steps of the method are carried out in one single container, with the different steps divided into time phases. The chemical products are prevented from transportation between compartments and contact with pumps and pipes. Only liquids without precipitates are in contact with these elements. The method is applicable to ammonia-containing water from leachate, wastewater, the food industry, and agriculture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Skap Holding ApS
    Inventor: Poul Erik Bundgaard Jensen
  • Patent number: 8211297
    Abstract: An activated carbon adder adds activated carbon to raw water before flocculating sedimentation, to adsorb suspended matter contained in raw water, a liquid cyclone is adapted to separate activated carbon with suspended matter adsorbed thereon, from raw water containing activated carbon, an inflow line is connected with the liquid cyclone so as to cause raw water containing activated carbon before flocculating sedimentation to flow into the liquid cyclone and swirl therein, an activated carbon discharge line discharges activated carbon spun down out of raw water containing activated carbon in the liquid cyclone, from the liquid cyclone, and a pretreated water discharge line discharges raw water having got rid of activated carbon as pretreated water from the liquid cyclone, allowing for a reduced amount of chemicals to be used, with production of a reduced amount of sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Mii Fukuda, Takashi Menju, Yasushi Yamamoto, Kazuyoshi Aoki, Takeshi Matsushiro, Ryoichi Arimura, Norimitsu Abe, Futoshi Kurokawa, Atsushi Yukawa, Tokusuke Hayami
  • Publication number: 20120160776
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the separation of materials from heterogeneous fluids and provides a means of effecting stimulant-sensitive flocculation and consolidation of solid suspensions within a liquid medium. Specifically, the present invention provides a method of controlling the state of a suspension of solid particles in a liquid, including applying to the suspension a stimulus adapted to control inter-particle forces between the solid particles. The stimulus is reversibly operable to control attraction and/or repulsion. Means of consolidating a sediment bed and of separating the resultant liquids-rich and solids-rich phases are also within the ambit of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: The University of Newcastle Research Associates Limited
    Inventors: George V. Franks, Graeme John Jameson, Yao-de Yan, Simon Richard Biggs
  • Patent number: 8168067
    Abstract: A process for treating and disposing a liquid waste, which is solidified prior to disposal, includes steps of adding to said liquid waste a dry treatment product generally comprising approximately 25% to 75% bentonite clay and respectively 75% to 25% of a liquid-sorbing polymer, subjecting the liquid waste to a single pass high shear mix so as to incorporate the treatment product into the liquid waste with increased dispersion and reduced agglomeration, subjecting the treated liquid waste to a retention time suitable for solidification, and disposing of the solidified liquid waste. The liquid waste preferably is recirculated prior to addition of dry treatment product so as to permit a calibration of the characteristics of the liquid waste, and subsequent determination of the correct rate of dry treatment addition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Metaflo Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Roger H. Woods, Doug Pullman
  • Patent number: 8158075
    Abstract: This invention intends to enable silicon compound to be removed from waste etching solution at a high removal rate and waste etching solution to be recycled without disposing it. The etching solution reproducing apparatus includes: temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of taken out waste etching solution; atomizing means for atomizing waste etching solution adjusted in temperature by the temperature adjusting means; precipitating means for collecting waste etching solution atomized by the atomizing means and precipitating silicon compound in the waste etching solution; and separating means for separating silicon compound precipitated from the waste etching solution by the precipitating means so as to obtain reproduced etching solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Chemical Art Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8147696
    Abstract: A method for purifying a water process stream whereby a precipitating agent is added to the water process stream to elevate the process stream pH to at least 10.5 to drop out precipitates which form separated solids comprising at least one of calcium precipitate, magnesium precipitate, barium precipitate, strontium precipitate, and silica precipitate. The separated solids are then coagulated and removed from the water process stream so as to yield a purified water process stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Ken V. Pandya
  • Patent number: 8147695
    Abstract: A process for removing phosphorus from wastewater wherein an iron or aluminum salt is added to the wastewater. The iron or aluminum salt results in the precipitation of certain iron or aluminum species that include phosphorus adsorption sites. These iron or phosphorus species are settled and become a part of sludge produced in the course of the wastewater treatment process. By recycling substantial portions of the sludge, the concentration of these iron or aluminum species in the wastewater is increased. This increased concentration results in the presence of large quantities of unused phosphorus adsorption sites that attract and adsorb phosphorus, resulting in phosphorus being removed from the wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: I. Kruger Inc.
    Inventors: Kashi Banerjee, Charles D. Blumenschein, John Charles Schrader
  • Patent number: 8133394
    Abstract: Wastewater can be purified in a device, which includes a cup-shaped vessel, having a wastewater inlet tube for the water at a certain level and an outlet tube at a lower level than the inlet tube, and a horizontal distribution disc, which vertically divides the vessel, has at least one opening and is provided with a substantially vertical distribution tube for receiving the water from the inlet tube. Water above the distribution disc is pumped through a filter head with a filter. Filtered water is let out through the outlet tube, whereas unfiltered water is transferred back to the distribution tube. Flocculation agent is added to the unfiltered water before reaching the distribution tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: B G Consulting HB
    Inventor: Bert Gustafsson
  • Publication number: 20120037568
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a controlled method of minimizing radioactive sludge generation in treatment of wastewater from an oil and/or gas well. The method comprises measuring a concentration of a radioactive material in wastewater to be treated and measuring a concentration of barium in the wastewater to be treated. The method further comprises adding a calculated quantity of sulfate to the wastewater to be treated sufficient to precipitate a quantity of barium sufficient to reduce the concentration of the radioactive material to a level such that sludge precipitated in a secondary precipitation has a radiation level below a defined radiation level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Stanley R. Karrs, Richard A. Altman
  • Publication number: 20120024794
    Abstract: A low cost method and system for treating water, which will be used in an industrial process, is provided. A system of the invention generally includes at least one containing means, at least one coordination means, at least one chemical application means, at least one mobile suction means, and at least one filtration means. The coordination means can control the necessary processes depending on the system needs (e.g., water quality or purity). The method and system of the invention purifies the water and eliminates suspended solids without the need of filtering the totality of the water volume, but only filtering a small fraction of up to 200 times less than the flow filtered by a conventional water treatment filtration system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Crystal Lagoons Corporation LLC
    Inventor: Fernando Fischmann T.
  • Patent number: 8092688
    Abstract: A method for treating water in a ballasted flocculation system comprises directing water into a ballasted flocculation zone and adding ballast and a flocculation reagent to the water to form a water-floc mixture. The water-floc mixture is directed into a settling zone to form treated water and sludge containing ballast. The ballast is then directed to a recirculation line where the ballast is recirculated to the ballasted flocculation zone. The method further includes determining the ballast concentration and comparing the ballast concentration with a predetermined threshold value. The rate at which ballast is recirculated to the ballasted flocculation zone is adjusted based on the determined ballast concentration and the predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: OTV SA
    Inventors: Philippe Sauvignet, Jean-Francois Beaudet, Sonia Guillot, Valery Ursel
  • Publication number: 20120003135
    Abstract: Methods of treating water, methods of removing radium from water, methods for controlling the amount of at least one target element removed from water and the amount of at least one target element in a pellet, a pellet and treated water. The method may generally include providing water including a principal ion and a target element, contacting the water with a fluidized bed, the fluidized bed including seed material, and controlling at least one of a type and a size of the seed material to remove principal ion and target element from the water. The target element may include radium. The principal ion may include calcium, magnesium, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Nicholas Vollendorf, Eric Fessler, Mark Pronley, Erik L. Storvik
  • Patent number: 8062529
    Abstract: A method for treating water includes directing untreated water into a mixing zone in a water treatment system and mixing the untreated water with a flocculating agent and a ballast to form a ballast-floc mixture. Thereafter, the ballast-floc mixture is directed to a settling zone where the mixture settles to form sludge. Treated water is discharged from the settling zone and the sludge is directed to a separator. The method further includes separating at least a portion of the ballast from the sludge and directing the separated ballast from the separator to the mixing zone. Finally, the sludge is directed from the separator to a sludge treatment reactor where at least some of the remaining ballast settles from the sludge and substantially ballast-free sludge is discharged from the sludge treatment reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: OTV SA
    Inventor: Philippe Sauvignet
  • Publication number: 20110266227
    Abstract: Provided are a method and an apparatus that enable rapid and automatic determination of the coagulant injection rate in a process of water treatment through coagulation and sedimentation. Using a coagulation analyzer comprising sample tanks 1A to 1D each for keeping a predetermined amount of raw water, a water supply pump 7, water supply/discharge valves 4, 6 for raw water and washing water, mixers 3A to 3D, a coagulant injection unit 21, and a detector 30 for determining the particle size and the particle number of flocs, the time within which the coagulant 20 injected into the sample tanks is dispersed by mixing and the particles begin to agglomerate (agglomeration start time) is determined, and based on the thus-determined agglomeration start time, the coagulant injection rate is determined, or the amount of the coagulant to be injected is controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: Fuji Electric Water Environmental Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dabide YAMAGUCHI, Yoshiharu TANAKA, Tokio OHTO, Takashi NAKAYAMA
  • Patent number: 8017019
    Abstract: Improved fluidized bed precipitators (20, 46, 62, 74, 108, 112, 134, 168) especially useful for the treatment of waste waters containing soluble phosphorus are provided, having upright, primary fluidized bed sections (22, 48, 64, 76, 110, 114, 136) and obliquely oriented solids settling sections (28, 54, 68, 120, 144) which enhance the settling of small particles (166) and return thereof to the fluidized bed sections (22, 48, 64, 76, 110, 114, 136). The precipitators (20, 46, 62, 74, 108, 112, 134, 168) may also be equipped with a solids detection/withdrawal assembly (178) made up of one or more pressure transducers (180, 182) operable to determine the pressures within the fluidized bed sections 22, 48, 64, 76, 110, 114, 136) as a measure of bed densities, along with a selectively operable valve (172) which may be opened to periodically remove solids without clogging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignees: Kansas State University Research Foundation, Kansas Environmental Management Associates, LLC
    Inventors: Gina Young Becker, Sigifredo Castro Diaz, Michael Hanson, Kylo Martin Heller, Dean Thompson
  • Patent number: 8002991
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dewatering drilling fluid including a feeder, an aging tank, a polyductor configured between the feeder and the aging tank and a flocculant solution pump fluidly connected to the aging tank. Further, the system includes a portable skid to house the feeder, the aging tank, the polyductor, and the flocculant solution pump. In certain embodiments, the polyductor is configured to mix a liquid with a dry flocculant from the feeder, and disperse a resultant flocculant solution in the aging tank, the aging tank is configured to receive the flocculant solution, and the flocculant solution pump is configured to remove the flocculant solution from the aging tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: M-I LLC
    Inventors: Gary E. Fout, Julio Roberto Ronderos, Catalin Ivan
  • Patent number: 7993526
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for dewatering of effluents through the use of automated optimization using feedback control. The method and apparatus for feedback control optimizes dewatering processes for any water cleansing process that uses retention and/or flocculation aids (e.g., polymers) to impact endpoint water clarity. Disclosed implementations include processing using dissolved air flotation (DAF) and sludge cake formation. The methodology includes real-time monitoring of turbidity and incremental control of polymer to manage changes to turbidity/suspended solids due to operating parameters such as temperature, chemical variations, and mechanical influences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: James M. Dunbar
  • Publication number: 20110163041
    Abstract: The invention provides a method (20) for controlling a disturbance (15) to networked pulp in a separation device comprising a tank (1), the method (20) comprising the steps of introducing a feed material into the tank at a flux (21); allowing pulp to settle out of the feed material and form into a networked layer of pulp (22); disturbing the networked pulp in a disturbance zone (16) of the networked layer (23); and controlling one or more disturbance parameters with respect to the flux and/or one or more operational parameters to controllably apply an optimal disturbance to the networked pulp in the disturbance zone (31). The invention also provides a separation device for separating pulp from a feed material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventors: Ian Arbuthnot, Richard Triglavcanin
  • Patent number: 7967990
    Abstract: A hybrid chemical/mechanical dewatering sewage treatment plant and method employing rapid sludge chemical dewatering technology in conjunction with slower conventional mechanical dewatering solids agglomeration and disposal methods to meet operating constraints and environmental permitting restrictions and siting limitations for disposal of sewage and wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Earth Renaissance Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Marcus G. Theodore
  • Patent number: 7964101
    Abstract: Processes for treating drilling fluid by passing the fluid through a separator including a clarifying zone and a thickening zone, the clarifying zone having inclined plates and the thickening zone having at least one wall with an angle of less than about 60°. The separator may optionally include an agglomeration zone and a removal zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Q'Max Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Slough, Troy Lupul
  • Publication number: 20110139723
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a disposable fluid path for processing complex materials. The disposable fluid path comprises a gravity assisted disposable system for separating a biological sample into two or more distinct submaterials through sedimentation. The fluid path is comprised of a sample delivery conduit and bag-set wherein the bag set comprising a tubing assembly, a separation assembly, and a filter assembly. Methods of using the system are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Weston Blaine Griffin, Jaydeep Roy, Eric Douglas Williams, Philip Alexander Shoemaker, James Mitchell White
  • Publication number: 20110135797
    Abstract: A method is taught for producing freely draining flocculated sediment from a suspension comprising finely divided solids in water. The method comprises dispersing, at increasing concentrations, a charged particle hybrid polymer (CPHP) flocculant into the suspension to determine a minimum concentration of CPHP flocculant above which a freely draining flocculated sediment is produced that has a minimum permeability of 1 Darcy. Then, the concentration of dispersed CPHP flocculant in the suspension is maintained at or above the minimum concentration. A method is further provided for separating fine solids and water from a suspension comprising finely divided solids in water. The method involves dispersing, at increasing concentrations, a charged particle hybrid polymer (CPHP) flocculant into the suspension to determine a minimum concentration of CPHP flocculant above which a freely draining flocculated sediment is produced that has a minimum permeability of 1 Darcy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: ALBERTA INNOVATES - TECHNOLOGY FUTURES
    Inventors: Haihong LI, Zhiang ZHOU, Ross Sam CHOW, Pablo CONTRERAS
  • Publication number: 20110108489
    Abstract: An electrolytic filtration system incorporating a filter vessel and an electrolytic element into a simple compact system which avoids the use of toxic chemicals and eliminates the need for large reservoirs to ensure adequate contact time to remove iron and other problem contaminants. The electrolytic filtration system includes a filter head having a control valve and an electrolytic generator. The control valve directs flow through the filter vessel and allows for an intermittent backwash cycle as desired. The electrolytic generator can be integrated into the filter head to provide ease of installation and reduce the overall footprint of the electrolytic filtration system. The electrolytic generator can include a flow sensor and power supply to provide for control of the electrolytic generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Karl J. Fritze, Brian Luebke, Rudolph R. Hegel
  • Patent number: 7910371
    Abstract: A method of monitoring residual treating agent in treated water wherein fluorescent tracers are used to determine the concentration of treating agent in the water at two different treating agent dosages and the difference in the measured concentrations of the fluorescent tracer at the respective doses are correlated with the residual concentration of the treating agent. The fluorescence response at the different treating agent dosages is used to determine whether the system is overdosed or underdosed on a continuous basis and to control treating agent dose accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventor: Brian S. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7906029
    Abstract: A differential rate rotary thickener; a power detector which is disposed in a sludge receiver tank for thickened sludge thickened in the differential rate rotary thickener; a discriminator which receives an electric signal for a thickened sludge concentration detected by the power detector and which calculates and discriminate the data; a first controller which receives an instruction signal being a discriminated result in the discriminator and which operates an outer cylinder driving machine and a screw driving machine; a ratio setter which receives a discriminated signal of the discriminator and which increases or decreases a chemical feed rate of flocculant stepwise; and a second controller which receives an instruction signal from the ratio setter and which operates a flocculant-feeding pump are provided. Thickening of sludge is performed by controlling the chemical feed rate, a rotational speed of a screw, and a rotational speed of an outer cylinder screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ishigaki Company Limited
    Inventors: Kenzou Sugaya, Hiroichi Kawasaki, Masayoshi Katayama, Manabu Yamashita, Masaharu Miyawaki
  • Publication number: 20100314325
    Abstract: A system and method for treatment of water. An inlet is operative to receive source water having particles therein. A spiral mixer has a defined spiral channel operative to mix the source water with a coagulant material and an alkalinity material. The spiral mixer is formed to perform in-line coagulation and flocculation processes within the defined spiral channel to form aggregated floc particles. A buffer tank is operative to receive the aggregated floc particles from the spiral mixer. Spiral separator segregates contents of the buffer tank into affluent and waste water that has the aggregated floc particles therein. An outlet is operative to provide a first path for the affluent, and a second path for the waste water having the aggregated floc particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Meng H. Lean, Armin R. Volkel, Ashutosh Kole, Jeonggi Seo, Nitin S. Parekh
  • Publication number: 20100282686
    Abstract: A process for neutralizing acid mine drainage which includes a neutralizer and binder component consisting of steel slag in an amount of 75% to 95% by weight of the agglomeration, a sodium carbonate selected from the group consisting of soda ash and pulp liquor in an amount of 0.5% to 25% of the agglomeration, and, optionally, a lime component selected from the group consisting of limestone sand and slag. Further included is a dissolution control and filtration component consisting of an organic material in an amount of 0.24% to 15% by weight of the agglomeration selected from the group consisting of recycled newsprint, sphagnum peat moss, and sawdust. Next is a dispersant and neutralizer component consisting of a surfactant in an amount of 0.01% to 0.075% by weight of the agglomeration. The agglomeration may further comprise an oxidation component such as calcium peroxide, potassium permanganate, and hydrogen peroxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: William S. Sharkey, JR., Paul J. Baker
  • Patent number: 7824552
    Abstract: A system is provided that includes: (a) a mobile platform; (b) an input pump operatively connected to be capable of pumping a treatment stream through the system; (c) a centrifugal separator operatively connected downstream of the input pump to centrifugally treat the treatment stream; (d) a borate filter operatively connected downstream of the centrifugal separator to filter the treatment stream capable of removing at least some of a borate when the treatment stream is at a pH of 8 or above; and (e) a chemical-additive subsystem operatively connected to be capable of: (i) selectively adding one or more chemical agents to the treatment stream upstream of the centrifugal separator, wherein the chemical agents can be selected to be capable of precipitating dissolved ions selected from the group consisting of: sulfate, calcium, strontium, or barium, magnesium, iron; and (ii) selectively adding a chemical agent to the treatment stream upstream of the borate filter to increase the pH of the treatment stream to 8 o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Billy F. Slabaugh, Arron L. Karcher, Michael J. R. Segura, Randy S. Rosine, Max L. Phillippi, Donna L. Harris
  • Patent number: 7820056
    Abstract: A coagulation sedimentation process for water to be treated in which an inorganic coagulant used in a purified water treatment system is limited, and remaining micro flocks and flocks are made greater in density and finer in particle size, thus obtaining clear water better in quality and reducing the amount of sludge production, including a micro flocculation step for micro-flocculating in advance fine suspended particles in water to be treated, a flocculation step for the micro flocks, and a sedimentation separation step for the flocks, in which as a final stage of the flocculation step, a flock-forming inclined plate whose pitch width is from 5 mm or more to 50 mm or less is provided, and an inorganic coagulant is limited so that the turbidity of the water to be treated after passage of the inclined plate at a ratio to that before passage is 4/5 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Inventor: Hisaaki Ochiai