Synthetic Polymer Patents (Class 210/732)
  • Patent number: 11945739
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a testing method for testing a state of an aeration tank in a wastewater treatment facility that uses activated sludge. The testing method comprises obtaining a difference between: a sedimentation amount when a given period of time has elapsed after an activated sludge mixed liquid collected from the aeration tank and water having a higher dissolved oxygen concentration than the activated sludge mixed liquid are poured into the same container and mixed together; and a sedimentation amount when a period of time equal to the given period of time has elapsed after the activated sludge mixed liquid collected from the aeration tank and water having a lower dissolved oxygen concentration than the activated sludge mixed liquid are poured into the same container and mixed together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: GOHDA WATER TREATMENT TECHNOLOGY CO., INC.
    Inventor: Toshihisa Gohda
  • Patent number: 11939522
    Abstract: A method is provided for enhanced oil recovery in a subterranean carbonate formation by injecting an aqueous composition having at least one water-soluble polymer containing acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride (APTAC). The water soluble polymer used in the method is an amphoteric polymer and contains at least one anionic monomer, wherein the number of acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride units in the water-soluble polymer is between 20 and 99.9 mol percent relative to total number of moles of monomer units of the water-soluble polymer. The method is advantageous because it improves the efficacy of enhanced oil recovery in subterranean carbonate formations using specific water-soluble polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: S.P.C.M. SA
    Inventor: Cédrick Favero
  • Patent number: 11859125
    Abstract: A method for inhibiting water permeation in an extraction well of a hydrocarbon fluid from an underground reservoir may include: supplying a water-in-oil emulsion including an oily continuous phase and an aqueous discontinuous phase containing a plurality of particles of at least one hydrogel containing a cationic polymer; and positioning the water-in-oil emulsion in contact with the underground reservoir. A treatment fluid for hydrocarbon fluid extraction wells may contain a water-in-oil emulsion including an oily continuous phase and an aqueous discontinuous phase containing a plurality of particles of at least one hydrogel containing a cationic polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ENI S.P.A.
    Inventors: Davide Moscatelli, Lucilla Del Gaudio, Paola Albonico, Alessandra Belloni, Alberto Cesana
  • Patent number: 11684932
    Abstract: “VINASSE TREATMENT PROCESS BY FLOTATION IN FLOW”, more precisely, it is a vinasse treatment process, by high performance flowing flotation system in industrial plants' facilities, resulting in obtaining concentrated vinasse sludge and treated vinasse, being said process comprised by vinasse treatment, which consists of treatment steps performed inside flotation tank, which comprises succession of coagulation systems and basins, flocculation, combined with aeration and oxygenation, in addition to a system of nano and micro bubbles in flotation basin, in which vinasse naturally flows into its storage tank, being said process results in formation of surface sludge and treated vinasse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: DT ENGENHARIA DE EMPREENDIMENTOS LTDA
    Inventors: João Carlos Gomes De Oliveira, Procópio Gomes De Oliveira Netto, Felipe Gomes De Oliveira, Daniel Gomes De Oliveira
  • Patent number: 11634345
    Abstract: In an insoluble material-generating apparatus, an iron salt and/or an aluminum salt, and a cationic polymer flocculant, are added to waste water containing dissolved substances to generate insoluble material. To the insoluble material-containing waste water, an anionic polymer flocculant is added, after which the waste water containing the anionic polymer flocculant and the insoluble material is stirred in a granulating flocculation precipitation tank, the insoluble material is granulated, and solid-liquid separation of the generated granulated material is performed to obtain treated water. The amount of the iron salt or the aluminum salt added is an iron or aluminum concentration of at least 0.4 mmol/L, and the cationic polymer flocculant and the anionic polymer flocculant are added so that the product of the cationic polymer flocculant concentration and the cationic group percentage is equal to or less than the product of the anionic polymer flocculant concentration and the anionic group percentage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: ORGANO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rintarou Maeda, Yuichirou Toba
  • Patent number: 11525022
    Abstract: A method for dewatering of biological sludge is disclosed. The method includes addition of a flocculant to a biological sludge, which includes an aqueous phase and a suspended solid organic material, flocculating and dewatering the sludge. The flocculant includes a polymer composition, which includes a cationic crosslinked first polymer, which is selected from crosslinked polyamines, and a cationic second polymer, which is a polymer obtained by polymerization of (meth)acrylamide and cationic monomers, the second cationic polymer being polymerized in presence of the cationic first polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Kemira Oyj
    Inventors: Joonas Likander, Rosa Carceller
  • Patent number: 11273117
    Abstract: The present invention provides a water-in-oil polymeric emulsion composition, including: (a) 25 to 65 wt % of a cross-linked polymer; (b) 15 to 40 wt % of an oil; (c) 1 to 12 wt % of a surfactant; and (d) 1 to 40 wt % of water, wherein (a) the cross-linked polymer is polymerized by using 35 to 85 mol % of a 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane-sulfonic acid totally or partially salified by an alkali metal or ammonium, 10 to 50 mol % of acryloyl morpholine, 2 to 25 mol % of an acrylic acid totally or partially salified by an alkali metal or ammonium, and 0.005 to 1 mol % of a polyethylenic monomer used as a cross-linking agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignees: KCI LIMITED, KER CHEMISTRY SARL
    Inventors: Gwang Ho Yoon, Mae In Lee, Seong Gi Oh, Mallo Paul
  • Patent number: 11198652
    Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods of making a liquid fertilizer additive of biodegradable polymeric and/or oligomeric nitrification inhibitors comprised of utilizing a non-aqueous polar, aprotic organo liquid (NAPAOL) as the reaction medium for the reaction of aldehyde(s) with cyano-containing nitrification inhibitors that have one or more aldehyde reactive groups selected from the group consisting of a) primary, b) secondary amines, c) amides, d) thiols, e) hydroxyls and f) phenols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventors: Gary David McKnight, Randall Linwood Rayburn
  • Patent number: 10513450
    Abstract: A flocculation system is provided including a vessel having an open top. The flocculation system also includes a sidewall comprised of a water-impermeable material. The flocculation system further includes a first bottom comprising the water-impermeable material. The flocculation system further includes a second bottom having a floc filter that passes flocs and prevents the passage of a cleaning tool. The flocculation system further includes a floc trap below the second bottom. The floc trap includes a space defined by the sidewall, the first bottom, and the floc filter. In some implementations, the flocculation system includes a flocculant disposed on the sidewall, the floc filter, or the first bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Frank Hom, Michael Paul Robinson, II
  • Patent number: 10125089
    Abstract: Process for preparing isophoronediamine, characterized in that A) isophoronenitrile is subjected directly in one stage to aminating hydrogenation to give isophoronediamine in the presence of ammonia, hydrogen, a hydrogenation catalyst and possibly further additions, and in the presence or absence of organic solvents; or B) isophoronenitrile is first converted fully or partly in at least two or more than two stages to isophoronenitrile imine, and this isophoronenitrile imine is subjected to aminating hydrogenation to give isophoronediamine as a pure substance or in a mixture with other components and/or isophoronenitrile, in the presence of at least ammonia, hydrogen and a catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Kohlstruk, Anne Rittsteiger, Alexander Martin Rüfer, Norbert Schlüter, Sven Schneider, Sabrina Sowka, Guido Streukens, Stefan Röder, Monika Berweiler
  • Patent number: 10029195
    Abstract: The present technology relates generally to fluid filtration systems. In particular, several embodiments are directed toward compartmentally expandable rotating belt filters and associated systems and methods. In some embodiments, for example, a filtering system for contaminated fluid includes a first fluid filtering chamber having a first filter belt movably positioned therein and a second fluid filtering chamber having a second filter belt movably positioned therein. The first filter belt can be operable in parallel with the second filter belt. The system can further include a sensor configured to sense a condition related a volume of the contaminated fluid, a speed of flow of the contaminated fluid, or a level of contaminants in the contaminated fluid. A controller can be configured to initiate, stop, or adjust fluid flow to the first fluid filtering chamber and second fluid filtering chamber individually in response to the sensed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: NEXOM (US), INC.
    Inventors: Cornelius Strain, Bradley Messerschmidt, Mark S. Lopp, Eric Skidmore, Kylan Kracher
  • Patent number: 9328003
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for separating metals from a liquid medium, the method uses a copolymer derived from at least two monomers: acrylic-x and an alkylamine, wherein said polymer is modified to contain a functional group capable of scavenging one or more compositions containing one or more metals are disclosed. The treated liquid is then passed through a filtration system. The scavenging effect of the combination of the treatment with the filtration is unexpectedly greater than the sum of its parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Deepak A. Musale, Daniel E. Schwarz, Paul J. Zinn, Bruce A. Keiser, Jitendra T. Shah
  • Patent number: 9249039
    Abstract: A process for separating a sludge stream containing particulate matter into a stream containing predominantly clarified water and a stream containing predominantly particulate matter is disclosed. The process involves passing the sludge stream through a solid reagent contactor bed composed of solid reagent tablets having a copolymer composition for particle aggregation as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,076,391. The dissolution of the solid reagent tablets into the sludge stream treats the sludge and makes it amenable for the speedy settling of concentrated sludge at the bottom of a sludge concentrator tank leaving a relatively clean water phase to rise to the top. The process is particularly useful for recovering water from mining sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Inventor: Aicardo Roa-Espinosa
  • Patent number: 9068241
    Abstract: A method of producing an ore slurry includes pulverizing and classifying steps as well as an ore slurry condensing step, wherein the slurry condensing step uses as a flocculant solution a diluted solution of the flocculant that satisfies the conditions of: (A) a flocculant molecular weight of 8×106 to 20×106 and (B) a flocculant dilution ratio of 0.1 to 0.5 g/L, and with respect to the added amount of the flocculant, a flocculant solution having an amount corresponding to 50 to 150 g of the flocculant amount per ton of dried solid components of the ore slurry is added to the ore slurry so as to be made in contact therewith for a sufficient period of time, with the temperature of the slurry being set in a range from 35 to 45° C. upon transporting the slurry from the condensing step to the next process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: SUMITOMO METAL MINING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Mitsui, Osamu Nakai
  • Publication number: 20150144571
    Abstract: Techniques are described that relate to enhancing flocculation and dewatering of thick fine tailings, for example by reducing process oscillations. One example method includes dispersing a flocculant into thick fine tailings having a turbulent flow regime to produce turbulent flocculating tailings; subjecting the turbulent flocculating tailings to shear to build up flocs and increase yield stress, to produce a flocculated material having a non-turbulent flow regime; and shear conditioning the flocculated material to decrease the yield stress and produce conditioned flocculated tailings within a water release zone; and dewatering the conditioned flocculated tailings, for example by employing sub-aerial deposition. The thick fine tailings may have a Bingham Reynolds Number of at least 40,000 upon flocculant addition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Trevor Bugg, Ana Sanchez, Adrian Revington, James Macaulay
  • Patent number: 9000357
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to identify at least one component from a plurality of components in a fluid mixture, includes a first input channel containing the fluid mixture of components; at least one buffer input channel, into which at least one additional flow of buffer solution is introduced; a plurality of regions disposed at the other end of the apparatus, which are adapted to receive outputs of at least one selected component of the plurality of components, the selected component which is selectively removed from the first flow to one of the regions; a waste channel through which unselected components are removed from the first flow; a plurality of pumps connected to at least one reservoir, to control flow rates of the first flow and the additional flow(s); and a computer which controls a selection of one of the plurality of components from the fluid mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Premium Genetics (UK) Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel Mueth, Joseph Plewa, Jessica Shireman, Amy Anderson, Lewis Gruber, Neil Rosenbaum
  • Publication number: 20150090668
    Abstract: A mobile water treatment facility may include, in one example operation, receiving used, dirty and/or waste water from a well or other source. The water may then be prepared for a treatment cycle by modifying the water and applying a voltage to the water inside an electrode array in order to remove the sediment from the water to provide recycled water for continued use. The process may be performed by a full capacity device or via a mobile treatment and testing unit that operates by cycling the water at a smaller volume and rate for analysis and testing purposes prior to engaging a full flow-rate treatment device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: HOWARD SCHACHTER
  • Publication number: 20150059102
    Abstract: In a process for separating a solid material from a suspension of the solid material in water, an organopolysiloxane polyalkylene oxide copolymer comprising a branched organopolysiloxane structure is added to the suspension of solid material in water and the suspension is drained. The organopolysiloxane polyalkylene oxide copolymer comprising a branched organopolysiloxane structure increases the rate of drainage of the suspension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Tatsuo Souda, Jianren Zeng, Sung-Hsuen Chao, Serge Creutz, Alain Hilberer, Corina Pagnoni, Fabian Rouffiange, Haruhiko Furukawa
  • Publication number: 20150053623
    Abstract: Flowable liquid suspensions are described comprising blends of particulate water soluble high molecular weight polymer flocculants. The polymer flocculants can include polyethylene oxide, polyacrylamide, polyDadmac, Dadmac-acrylamide copolymers, copolymers thereof and combinations thereof. The suspension allows the use of fine powders while reducing potential air quality and safety issues. The suspensions generally settle when mixing is stopped, but a uniform dispersion results when the suspensions are mixed, and the mixed suspensions can be delivered for use. The flocculant suspensions can be used for waste water purification, fiber dewatering, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Jason Holt, Malcolm Barry Lindler
  • Publication number: 20150044733
    Abstract: A method of separating a lignin-rich solid phase from a solution, comprising: pretreating a lignocellulosic biomass with a pretreatment fluid having to remove soluble components, colloidal material and primarily lignin containing particles; separating the pretreated lignocellulosic biomass from the pretreatment fluid with soluble components, colloidal material and primarily lignin containing particles; flocculating the separated pretreatment fluid with soluble components, colloidal material and primarily lignin containing particles using PEO or CPAM as a flocculating agent; and filtering the flocculated separated pretreatment fluid with soluble components, colloidal material and primarily lignin containing particles to remove agglomerates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: The Research Foundation for The State University of New York
    Inventors: Lakshmi Rakesh Kumar Yasarla, Bandaru V. Ramarao, Thomas Amidon
  • Patent number: 8933395
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus to identify at least one component from a plurality of components in a fluid mixture, the apparatus including a first input channel into which a first flow containing a plurality of components is introduced; a plurality of buffer input channels, into which additional flows of buffer solution are introduced, disposed on either side of the first input channel; wherein the first flow and the additional flows have a flow direction along a length of the apparatus; a detector apparatus which detects and identifies selected components of the plurality of components; a laser which emits a laser beam which damages or kills selected components of the plurality of components; and at least one channel disposed at the another end of the apparatus which is adapted to receive the first flow and the additional flows after operation of the laser on the selected components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Premium Genetics (UK) Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel Mueth, Joseph Plewa, Jessica Shireman, Amy Anderson, Lewis Gruber, Neil Rosenbaum
  • Publication number: 20140319066
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving the quality of solids and liquids recovered at atmospheric pressure and temperature from a stillage stream generated as a by-product of an ethanol production process, the recovered solids having higher bio-available amino and fatty acids than evaporation-produced condensed solubles, the recovered liquids having less total solids and total suspended solids than evaporation-produced condensate. A static mixer includes an input for receiving the stillage stream combined with a GRAS anionic polymer, a cylindrical mixing chamber that controllably mixes the stillage stream and the polymer to generate wet flocculated solids and liquid co-product, and a discharge chute that outputs the wet flocculated solids and liquid co-products onto a moving, gravity filter belt having a membrane surface that separates the output from the static mixer into recovered liquids in the form of clarified, thin stillage and recovered solids in the form of dry flocculated solids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Yield and Capacity Group, LLC
    Inventors: Michael B. LoCascio, Ronald K. Dunbar
  • Publication number: 20140319071
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a polymer dissolution system comprising a mix tank, a strainer, and a pump. The mix tank is configured to receive polymers, water, and an inlet stream, to form a polymer solution including swollen polymers, and to discharge the polymer solution. The strainer is configured to receive the polymer solution, and to withdraw at least a portion of the swollen polymers therethrough substantially without shear degradation, thereby forming a resultant solution, wherein the swollen polymers are dissolved at least in part. The pump is configured to receive the resultant solution, and to return the resultant solution to the inlet stream. In some embodiments, the strainer and the pump cooperate together to maintain a viscosity of the resultant solution substantially within a predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Mayur Patel, Jeffrey R. Cramm, Stephen B. Smith
  • Patent number: 8858803
    Abstract: Methods are provided for making halide-free quaternary ammonium salt monomers. Polymers prepared from the monomers and methods of using the polymers to clarify raw, untreated water or wastewater are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Tamaz Guliashvili, Stephen R. Vasconcellos
  • Publication number: 20140284519
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the purification of water and/or dewatering of sludges and/or sediments, to the use of a surface-treated calcium carbonate for water purification and/or dewatering of sludges and/or sediments, as well as to the use of a surface-treated calcium carbonate for reducing the amount of polymeric flocculation aids in water and/or sludges and/or sediments and to a composite material comprising a surface-treated calcium carbonate and impurities originated from different sources obtainable by said process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel E. Gerard, Hans-Georg Hartan, Joachim Schoelkopf, Michael Skovby, Patrick A.C. Gane
  • Publication number: 20140246377
    Abstract: The invention relates to compositions, preferably solid compositions, comprising a non-ionic surfactant and an ionic polymer, methods for their preparation and their use. The compositions are useful inter alia as flocculation auxiliaries for solid-liquid separation processes, for example in sludge dewatering/waste water purification and as retention aids or other additives in paper manufacture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Ashland Licensing and Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Patric Bierganns, Werner Peter Karl Fischer, Jochen Josef Houben, Joerg Karp, Frank Krueger
  • Publication number: 20140238943
    Abstract: A method for treating a suspension of mineral particles in water, such as mineral tailings, includes the step of contacting the suspension of mineral particles in water with a specific water-soluble polymer. This polymer is preferably a water-soluble polymer having an anionicity of between 10 to 55 mol %, and more preferably 20 to 50 mol %. Furthermore, this polymer has preferably a molecular weight between 15 and 40 million daltons, and more preferably between 18 and 30 million. The method involves adding the specific polymer into a thickener containing the tailings to treat, and/or during transport of the suspension to a deposition area for dewatering and solidification, or to the tailings to treat followed by a mechanical treatment such as centrifugation, screw press and filtration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Cedrick Favero, Scott Ramey, Trong Dang-Vu
  • Patent number: 8815960
    Abstract: The present invention relates to demulsifying and dehydrating formulations of heavy crude oil based block copolymers amine bifunctionalized with low polydispersities. These formulations can contain solvents whose boiling point is in the range from 35 to 200° C., preferably: dichloromethane, chloroform, toluene, xylenes, turbosine, naphtha or mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Instituto Mexicano Del Petroleo
    Inventors: Gabriel Cendejas Santana, Eugenio Alejandro Flores Oropeza, Laura Verónica Castro Sotelo, Aristeo Estrada Buendía, Marcelo Lozada y Cassou, Flavio Salvador Vázquez Moreno
  • Publication number: 20140144846
    Abstract: A process is provided for treating coolant fluid used in wire-saw cutting of semiconductor wafers and which contains silicon-containing impurities. The process comprises changing the properties of the used coolant fluid so that the silicon-containing impurities may be filtered and separated from the coolant fluid to thereby yield a coolant fluid filtrate suitable for use in a wire-saw cutting operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: MEMC SINGAPORE, PTE. LTD (UEN200614797D)
    Inventors: Alexis Grabbe, Sasha Joseph Kweskin, Larry Wayne Shive, Henry Frank Erk
  • Publication number: 20140124454
    Abstract: A water treatment composition includes a water soluble film formed into a sealed pouch. The pouch contains a composite of a phosphate removing substance, a polymer flocculant, or an enzyme, or any combination. The phosphate removing substance, the polymer flocculant, and the enzyme are bound to each other within the composite. The pouch is added to a body of water. The pouch dissolves to release the compounds and treat the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: HALOSOURCE, INC.
    Inventors: Everett J. Nichols, Kylie-Van H. Nguyen, James R. Scott, Martin Patrick Coles, Jeffrey F. Williams, Eric Robinson, William R. Lockett
  • Patent number: 8663496
    Abstract: The invention relates to a double-layered compacted solid water-purification product, comprising at least one first layer and at least one second layer, characterized in that the first layer comprises at least one flocculating system and at least one dispersion system, the second layer comprises at least one disinfectant which liberates free chlorine on contact with water and at least one excipient for the disinfectant, whereby said excipient releases the disinfectant into the water at a controlled rate such that the combination of excipient and disinfectant releases 0.1 to 100 mg/l of free chlorine per hour. The invention further relates to the method for production of such a product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Eurotab
    Inventors: Paul Branlard, Philippe Desmarescaux, Murielle Moneron
  • Patent number: 8653442
    Abstract: The invention provides a method, apparatus and system for separating cellular components, and can be combined with holographic optical trapping manipulation or other forms of optical tweezing. One exemplary method includes providing a first flow having a plurality of components; providing a second flow; contacting the first flow with the second flow to provide a first separation region; and differentially sedimenting a first cellular component of the plurality of components into the second flow while concurrently maintaining a second cellular component of the plurality of components in the first flow. The second flow having the first cellular component is then differentially removed from the first flow having the second cellular component. Holographic optical traps may also be utilized in conjunction with the various flows to move selected components from one flow to another, as part of or in addition to a separation stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Premium Genetics (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Daniel Mueth, Joseph Plewa, Jessica Shireman, Amy Anderson, Lewis Gruber, Neil Harris Rosenbaum
  • Patent number: 8562838
    Abstract: Provided is a method for treating sludge from the mining or mineral industry, including before above-ground spreading, contacting the sludge with a flocculating agent that is a water-soluble, organic polymer having a molecular weight of from 5,000,000 to 25,000,000 g/mol and an anionicity of from 10 to 40 mol %, to produce contacted sludge, wherein the water-soluble organic polymer includes at least one anionic monomer having a carboxylic function or having a sulfonic acid function, at least one non-ionic monomer, and optionally one or more cationic monomers, where the flocculating agent is branched, and has from 0.02 to 2 mol % hydrophobic monomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: SNF S.A.S.
    Inventors: Frédéric Poncet, Nicolas Gaillard
  • Patent number: 8557125
    Abstract: A coagulant composition includes chitosan, methacryloyloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate and a redox initiator. A coagulant, method for making the coagulant and clarifying wastewater is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Seethalakshmi Suresh, Stephen Robert Vasconcellos, Narain Madhavan, Baraka Kawawa
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8545787
    Abstract: A method of treating a kaolin particulate material to improve one or more of its properties by removal of impurity particles therein which includes: producing a dispersed aqueous suspension of a kaolin particulate material containing at least 0.1% by weight, based on the dry weight of the kaolin particulate material of separable particulate impurity; diluting said dispersed aqueous suspension by adding a diluent thereto; adding a selective flocculation polymer to the diluted suspension; allowing the suspension containing the polymer to separate in a selective flocculation separator into layers comprising a flocculated product layer and a deflocculated impurity layer containing the separable impurity; and extracting the separated layers from the separator, wherein at least a portion of said deflocculated impurity layer is recirculated for use as at least a portion of the aforementioned diluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Imerys Pigments, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Pruett, Jim Richardson, William Limousin, Ismail Yildirim, Jun Yuan
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8506821
    Abstract: A system for processing drilling mud, the system including a primary separation tank having an inlet for receiving drilling waste and an outlet in fluid communication with a feed line, and an injection pump in fluid communication with a polymer tank and the feed line. The system also includes a clarifying tank in fluid communication with the feed line and a first collection tank, wherein effluent from the clarifying tank is discharged into the first collection tank, and a centrifuge in fluid communication with the clarifying tank and a second collection tank, wherein effluent from the centrifuge is discharged into the second collection tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: John O. Pruett, Gary E. Fout
  • Patent number: 8486274
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Newcastle Innovation Limited
    Inventors: George V. Franks, Graeme John Jameson, Yao-de Yan, Simon Richard Biggs
  • Publication number: 20130153510
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for treating an aqueous stream having a first flow rate and containing solid matter exhibiting first settling properties, the method comprising adding a modifying agent to the aqueous stream at an addition rate sufficient to change the first settling properties of the aqueous stream to obtain a modified aqueous stream having solid matter exhibiting second settling properties different from the first settling properties; taking batchwise samples of the modified aqueous stream to a settling vessel having a volume; determining a settling property of the solid matter of the samples in the settling vessel; and conducting the modified aqueous stream to a separation unit in which solid matter is separated from the modified aqueous stream. The invention provides a convenient way of monitoring and/or controlling aqueous streams conducted for example to purification processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: KEMIRA OYJ
    Inventors: Kaj Jansson, Iiris Joensuu, Marjatta Piironen, Jukka-Pekka Sirviö, Tapio Yrjänäinen
  • Publication number: 20130026106
    Abstract: A concentration of cationic polymer is able to floc algae cells in about 30 minutes compared to the 30+ hours for the cells to flocculate and settle without additives. The addition of the polymer requires less than 1 wt % polymer to complete the algae floc and does not require large amounts of energy to perform or extra processing steps to recover the flocculent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Matthew Liberatore
  • Patent number: 8361342
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a compacted solid product for water purification comprising:—at least a first layer comprising at least a coagulant/flocculant system comprising at least one polyvalent inorganic salt, at least one water-soluble cationic polymer and at least one high-molecular-weight anionic polymer,—at least a second layer comprising at least one disinfectant that releases active chlorine on contact with water, characterized in that said coagulant/flocculant system moreover comprises a sodium alginate. The invention also relates to the method for preparing such a product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Eurotab
    Inventors: Paul Branlard, Gilles Rubinstenn
  • Publication number: 20130012689
    Abstract: A process for the primary clarification of feeds, including chemically treated flocculated feeds, containing the target biomolecules of interest such as mAbs, mammalian cell cultures, or bacterial cell cultures, using a primary clarification depth filtration device without the use of a primary clarification centrifugation step or a primary clarification tangential flow microfiltration step. The primary clarification depth filtration device contains a porous depth filter having graded porous layers of varying pore ratings. The primary clarification depth filtration device filters fluid feeds, including chemically treated flocculated feeds containing flocculated cellular debris and colloidal particulates having a particle size distribution of approximately about 0.5 ?m to 200 ?m, at a flow rate of about 10 litres/m2/hr to about 100 litres/m2/hr. Kits and methods of using and making the same are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Nripen Singh, Kwok-Shun Cheng
  • Patent number: 8323509
    Abstract: A method of rehabilitation of a deposition area to render it suitable for plant growth comprising a particulate mineral material, which particulate mineral material has been dewatered from a suspension of said material, comprising the steps of transferring the suspension of particulate mineral material as a fluid to the deposition area, and in which the suspension is allowed to stand and dewater at the deposition area to form a dewatered particulate mineral material, wherein the rehabilitation of the disposal area is achieved by adding a dewatering amount of a polymer to the suspension of the particulate mineral material while it is being transferred as a fluid to the deposition area, wherein the polymer is either a synthetic water-soluble polymer formed from one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers having an intrinsic viscosity of at least 4 dl/g or a water-soluble polymer that is a natural polymer or semi natural polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Brian Dymond, John Gerard Bellwood
  • Publication number: 20120261351
    Abstract: A system and method for removing water from sludge including mixing a blending material into the sludge and compressing the mixture. Additional pre and post compression steps are disclosed. Examples of specific blending materials and methods for their use are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventor: Dominic O Rathallaigh
  • 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: 8258461
    Abstract: An apparatus of generating an optical tweezers with momentum and method thereof and an optical tweezers photo-image for guiding particles are provided. The apparatus generates at least one optical tweezers on an examined object that carries at least one particle. The apparatus includes a laser source, a diffractive optical element and a convergent lens. The laser beam from the laser source passes through the diffractive optical element to produce a diffractive pattern. The laser beam is then received by the convergent lens and then to be focused on a plane of the examined object. The optic axis of the convergent lens is substantially not perpendicular to the plane of the examined object, so that the laser beam is projected onto the plane of the examined object in a skewed manner for providing a lateral momentum to move the particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Raydium Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Long Hsu, Cheng-Hsien Liu, Sheng-Yang Tseng, William Wang, Chung-Cheng Chou, Fung-Hsu Wu, Chen Peng, Ta-Yuan Lee
  • Publication number: 20120175315
    Abstract: A process for dewatering oil sand fine tailings is provided and comprises a dispersion and floc build-up stage comprising in-line addition of a flocculent solution comprising an effective amount of flocculation reagent into a flow of the oil sand fine tailings; a gel stage wherein flocculated oil sand fine tailings is transported in-line and subjected to shear conditioning; a floc breakdown and water release stage wherein the flocculated oil sand fine tailings releases water and decreases in yield shear stress, while avoiding an oversheared zone; depositing the flocculated oil sand fine tailings onto a deposition area to form a deposit and to enable the release water to flow away from the deposit, preferably done in a pipeline reactor and managing shear according to yield stress and CST information and achieves enhanced dewatering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: SUNCOR ENERGY INC.
    Inventors: Adrian Peter Revington, Oladipo Omotoso, Patrick Sean Wells, Thomas Charles Hann, Marvin Harvey Weiss, Trevor Bugg, Jamie Eastwood, Stephen Joseph Young, Hugues Robert O'Neill, Ana Cristina Sanchez
  • Patent number: 8211389
    Abstract: Uses for a composition comprising a polymer derived from at least two monomers: acrylic-x and an alkylamine, wherein said polymer is modified to contain a functional group capable of scavenging one or more compositions containing one or more metals are disclosed. These polymers have many uses in various mediums, including wastewater systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Paul J. Zinn, Jitendra T. Shah, William J. Andrews
  • Publication number: 20120103916
    Abstract: The suspended solids content of a process stream in a process for digesting bauxite ore to produce alumina is reduced by contacting the stream with silicon-containing polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: CYTEC TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Davis, Qi Dai, Haunn-Lin Tony Chen, Matthew Taylor