Including Chemical Treatment Patents (Class 210/748.16)
  • Patent number: 10590966
    Abstract: Provided are a method for generating mechanical and electrochemical cavitation, a method for changing the geometric shape and the electrochemical properties of a surface of a substance, a method for peeling off a rare metal using the generated mechanical and electrochemical cavitation, a mechanical and electrochemical cavitation generator, and a method for generating a nuclear fusion reaction of deuterium. In the method for generating mechanical and electrochemical cavitation, a water jet is jetted from a jetting nozzle immersed in water, and flow cavitation generated by the jetting of the water jet is irradiated with an ultrasonic wave to generate cavitation MFC having both a functional effect and an electrochemical effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: SANYO-ONODA CITY PUBLIC UNIVERSITY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshihiko Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 9839868
    Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus and related methods involving the use of replaceable treatment cartridges that include a treatment media, wherein the treatment cartridge is electrically enhanced to form regions of differing polarity within the cartridge. The treatment cartridge can include a pair of fixed polarity conductors that can be electrically connected to a power source so as to induce regions of differing polarity within the cartridge. The fluid treatment apparatus can be utilized to treat liquids including aqueous solutions as well as gases such as an air supply by exposing the fluid to the regions of differing polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Inventor: Karl J. Fritze
  • Patent number: 9039988
    Abstract: A set of vertically stackable interacting cartridges for improving the delivery of biocide of a bulk feeder by positioning the stackable cartridges in a stacked condition within a chamber in the bulk feeder wherein the stackable cartridges are maintained in vertical interacting flow alignment with each other to provide enhanced control of the delivery of the biocide carried within each of the stackable cartridges without replacing the control valves of the bulk feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: King Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. King, Jeffrey D. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20150125551
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing and an apparatus for making an aqueous chlorine solution having a pH between 3.0 and 6.5 and a stability such that after 6 weeks storage at 20 degrees Celsius the pH remains in the range 3.0 to 6.5 and the amount of chlorine lost from the solution is less than 10%, such that the method includes: (a) Providing a source of water having an electrical conductivity at 20 degrees Celsius of no more than 50 (and preferably no more than 4.3) ?Scm-1 (b) Reacting the water with solid calcium hypochlorite having a purity of at least 60%; and (c) Adjusting the pH to between 3.0 and 6.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen Thomas BOND, Kevin John BYRNE, Simon Joseph WARD, Natasha Ann Crawford PAGE
  • Publication number: 20150065339
    Abstract: Catalysts prepared from abundant, cost effective metals, such as cobalt, nickel, chromium, manganese, iron, and copper, and containing one or more neutrally charged ligands (e.g., monodentate, bidentate, and/or polydentate ligands) and methods of making and using thereof are described herein. Exemplary ligands include, but are not limited to, phosphine ligands, nitrogen-based ligands, sulfur-based ligands, and/or arsenic-based ligands. In some embodiments, the catalyst is a cobalt-based catalyst or a nickel-based catalyst. The catalysts described herein are stable and active at neutral pH and in a wide range of buffers that are both weak and strong proton acceptors. While its activity is slightly lower than state of the art cobalt-based water oxidation catalysts under some conditions, it is capable of sustaining electrolysis at high applied potentials without a significant degradation in catalytic current. This enhanced robustness gives it an advantage in industrial and large-scale water electrolysis schemes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Aaron J. Bloomfield, Stafford W. Sheehan, Samuel L. Collom, Robert H. Crabtree, Paul T. Anastas
  • Publication number: 20150041333
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment process by an electrochemical apparatus, said apparatus having at least an electrochemical electrode (30), and said electrochemical electrode (30) having suitable electrode plates comprises the following steps: passing high concentration wastewater containing undesirable solutes through at least one electrochemical electrode (30) to which a DC electrical current is applied to destroy the undesirable solutes in the water intake, so as to output water having a lower concentration of the undesirable solutes; the DC current applied to the electrochemical electrode (30) comprises at least a constant potential difference stage exerted on both ends of the electrochemical electrode (30), and followed by a constant current stage through the electrochemical electrode (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Yanbo LI
  • Publication number: 20150001164
    Abstract: To remove a contaminant from a liquid, a pulsed electrical arc discharge is effected between two electrodes immersed in the liquid, thereby creating a plurality of particles within the liquid. One or both of the electrodes is metallic, for example iron or titanium. Before the pulsed electrical arc discharge is terminated, another step that promotes destruction of the contaminant by particles, such as removing the particles from the liquid or adding an oxidizer to the liquid, is performed. In the case of the extra step being adding an oxidizer to the liquid, preferably the termination of the pulsed electrical arc discharge is followed by allowing the liquid and the particles therein to age.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Ramot at Tel-Aviv University Ltd.
    Inventors: Nahum Parkansky, Reuven Lev Boxman, Simon Evelina Faktorovich, Boris A. Alterkop, Olga Berkh, Adi Vegerhof
  • Patent number: 8911630
    Abstract: A process for treating waste water having a low level of metallic contaminants by reducing the toxicity level of metallic contaminants to an acceptable level and subsequently discharging the treated waste water into the environment without removing the treated contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Brian B. Looney, Margaret R. Millings, Ralph L. Nichols, William L. Payne
  • Publication number: 20140322629
    Abstract: A nitrate reduction method in accordance with the present invention reduces at least one type of nitrates and nitrites in a presence of a carbon-based material containing at least one selected from a group consisting of graphite, graphene, and amorphous carbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Shuji Nakanishi, Kazuhito Hashimoto, Kazuhide Kamiya
  • Publication number: 20140301897
    Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of a medium, particularly to the purification of water, air, or surfaces. A photo-active layer (120) is disposed on an energy-transfer surface (111) of a substrate (110). Thus light energy transfer from said substrate (110) to the photoactive layer (120) is directly achieved without an intermediate passage through the medium. The substrate (110) may preferably be a waveguide from which light energy is transferred into the photoactive layer (120) via evanescent waves. Moreover, the optical coupling between the substrate (110) and the photoactive layer (120) may spatially vary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Eefje Janet Arts-Hornix, Abraham Rudolf Balkenende, Cornelis Reinder Ronda
  • Publication number: 20140291257
    Abstract: A water treatment device and related method of operation may include receiving used, dirty and/or waste water from a well or other source of water. The water may then be prepared for a voltage treatment by injecting a gas into the water, treating the water with pH adjustments and then applying a voltage to the water in order to remove the sediment from the water to provide a recycled water for continued use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventor: HOWARD SCHACHTER
  • Publication number: 20140286843
    Abstract: A fluid filtration apparatus, which includes a plurality of optical fibers each having a length, wherein one or more of the plurality of optical fibers exhibits frustrated total internal reflection, thereby emitting light along the length of one or more of the optical fibers, in combination with a photocatalyst disposed on the plurality of optical fibers and a light source interconnected to the plurality of optical fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Craig Grossman, Charles Geoffrion
  • Patent number: 8840845
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for the treatment and purification of fluids (e.g., water) using a light-emitting diode (LED) light source. In one embodiment, for example, there is provided a fluid flow conduit having an LED light source and a photo-catalytic material disposed therein. The LED light source emits ultraviolet light with a peak wavelength between about 265 nm and about 400 nm. In operation, the photo-catalytic material absorbs the ultraviolet light from the LED light source, and releases free radicals into the fluid. The free radicals then degrade organic substances (e.g., bacteria) in the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Biological Illumination, LLC
    Inventors: Robert R. Soler, Fredric S. Maxik, David E. Bartine, Valerie Ann Bastien, James Lynn Schellack, Eliza Katar Grove
  • Publication number: 20140263093
    Abstract: A liquid treatment apparatus includes a supply chamber for receiving a fluid, a discharge chamber for discharging the fluid, and a cavitation generating chamber extending from the supply chamber to the discharge chamber. The cavitation generating chamber is operable to generate cavitation bubbles. A method of treating a liquid comprises directing a fluid from a supply chamber into a cavitation generating chamber by constricting the fluid through an orifice, wherein the orifice has a cross dimension that is substantially less than a cross dimension of the supply chamber, such that a fluid jet is formed. The method further includes allowing the fluid jet to expand downstream of the orifice such that the velocity of the fluid is reduced so that the jet axial velocity head at the chamber outlet is less than the difference between the static pressure within the discharge chamber and the vapor pressure of the fluid. The method also includes discharging the fluid into a discharge chamber via a chamber outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FLUID-QUIP, INC.
    Inventor: Allison Sprague
  • Publication number: 20140251917
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a treatment of multiple sclerosis, and includes the extracorporeal treatment of one or more body fluids, such as, for example blood, cerebral-spinal fluid, or lymphatic fluid. A treatment is applied to the extracorporeal body fluid where the treatment targets at least one target multiple sclerosis antigen in the body fluid. The treatment can include creating an antibody-antigen moiety and then removing antibody-antigen moiety from the body fluid before returning the body fluid to a patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventor: Mitchell S. Felder
  • Publication number: 20140246380
    Abstract: An oil management system to reduce and remove the amount of soot, rust or other contaminating particles in oil used in an engine, the oil management system comprising an oil filter assembly including a filter element and an additive cartridge, the additive cartridge configured to provide a means for continuously dispersing a small quantity of additive into the oil; an oxidation prevention means to prevent or diminish oxidation of metal in the oil management system; and an oil condition monitoring sensor to measure various aspects of the oil in the oil management system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Fram Group IP LLC
    Inventors: Ronald P. Rohrbach, Gerard W. Bilski, Brian Artz
  • Publication number: 20140238934
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system or method for the remediation of wastewater with a treatment media in tandem with an electrocoagulation system. The system and method also include cleaning elements for cleaning distribution lines within the system and for cleaning the electrocoagulation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Loren L. Losh, Scott W. Powell, Daryl W. Haerther
  • Patent number: 8815098
    Abstract: A method is provided for treating wastewaters and sewage slurries, and for converting them to disinfected and stabilized sludge by irradiating with electrons and mixing with a base which steps produce a sludge that conforms to the EPA's requirements, and that is usable in agriculture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Bar-Edan Manufacturing and Development Ltd.
    Inventor: Ahiam Ben-Yaacov
  • Patent number: 8795536
    Abstract: Process for degrading organic substances in an aqueous composition comprising a step (a) wherein, in a liquid reaction medium, said aqueous composition is reacted with at least one composition comprising hydroxide ions (OH?) and hypochlorite in a molar ratio between hydroxide and hypochlorite higher than or equal to 0.001 and lower than 1.5, in order to oxidize said organic substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Solvay (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Patrick Gilbeau, Ward Blancke
  • Patent number: 8784667
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of fluid treatment for a plurality of fluids with a first and a second non-magnetically conductive fluid flow conduit sleeved within at least one segment of magnetically conductive conduit providing a plurality of distinct areas of concentrated magnetic energy. The instant invention prevents the formation and accumulation of contaminants within conduits and on equipment utilized in the transportation, delivery and processing of fluid columns. It may also be utilized to accelerate the separation of oil and water and increase the efficiency of oil/water separation equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Wilsa, Inc.
    Inventor: Herbert William Holland
  • Patent number: 8709256
    Abstract: A method and apparatus provide at least one region of pulsed fluid treatment within a fluid treatment chamber. The instant invention prevents the formation and accumulation of contaminants within conduits and on equipment utilized in the transportation, delivery and processing of fluid columns. It may also be utilized to accelerate the separation of oil and water and increase the efficiency of oil/water separation equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Wilsa, Inc.
    Inventor: Herbert W. Holland
  • Patent number: 8696915
    Abstract: A method of treating water in order to minimize scaling and biomass buildup in water conduits or containers in which the treated water is used includes pressurizing and optionally filtering ambient air, processing the pressurized ambient air in a chamber including at least one ultraviolet light source operated to generate an output flow mixture of pressurized air and reactive oxygen species (ROS) gas, mixing the pressurized ROS/gas output mixture to realize a flow of water/pressurized ROS gas/air mixture and outputting the flow of water/pressurized ROS gas/air mixture as the treated water process product. The process includes generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) gas in the pressurized ROS/gas output mixture including at least one of Super Oxide (O2?), Peroxide (—O2—), Hydro peroxide (HO2?), Hydroxyl Radicals (OH.), Ozone (O3?) and Molecular Oxygen (O2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cascade Water Services
    Inventors: Eugene Klochkoff, Clive Ling, Steven Lerman
  • Patent number: 8652336
    Abstract: In a system for decomposing organic compounds in water for use in semiconductor manufacturing, a chemical reactor vessel having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a persulfate anion addition system upstream of the reactor vessel, and a light emitting device contained within the reactor vessel. The light emitting device provides light capable of decomposing persulfate anions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Water Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Steve Donald Sitkiewitz, Gary Michael Carmignani, Lee William Fredrick
  • Patent number: 8641907
    Abstract: A method of recovering polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from municipal waste sludge includes: (a) removing coarse particles in the municipal waste sludge and measuring a solid content in the municipal waste sludge in terms of a volatile suspended solid in the municipal waste sludge; (b) removing a supernatant from the municipal waste sludge; (c) freezing the municipal waste sludge; (d) adding a controlled amount of sodium hypochlorite solution to the municipal waste sludge that has been frozen, a ratio of the solid content of the municipal waste sludge to a volume of the sodium hypochlorite solution added in step (d) ranging from 0.67 mg/ml to 4 mg/ml and being defined as a liquid-solid ratio; and (e) separating PHAs from non-PHAs substances in the municipal waste sludge obtained in the step (d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: National Chi Nan University
    Inventors: Yung-Pin Tsai, Meng-Shan Lu, Chih-Chi Yang, Shou-Te Chen
  • Patent number: 8641908
    Abstract: A method of recovering polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from municipal waste sludge includes: (a) measuring a solid content in the municipal waste sludge in terms of a volatile suspended solid in the municipal waste sludge; (b) removing supernatant from the municipal waste sludge; (c) freezing the municipal waste sludge; (d) conducting a pretreatment of the municipal waste sludge that has been frozen; (e) adding a surfactant into the pretreated sludge to obtain a slurry; (f) adding a controlled amount of sodium hypochlorite solution to the municipal waste sludge obtained in step (e), a ratio of a volume of the sodium hypochlorite solution to the solid content of the municipal waste sludge ranging from 0.67 mg/ml to 1.25 mg/ml and being defined as a liquid-solid ratio; and (g) separating PHAs from non-PHAs substances in the municipal waste sludge obtained in the step (f).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: National Chi Nan University
    Inventors: Yung-Pin Tsai, Meng-Shan Lu, Chih-Chi Yang, Shou-Te Chen
  • Patent number: 8617466
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of a split and single electrical cells in industrial applications, and particularly in aseptic packaging applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon L. Herdt, Junzhong Li
  • Publication number: 20130264292
    Abstract: A device and a method for treating liquids by ozone, including a pipe in which a main flow of the liquid is guided in a flow direction from an inlet to an outlet, an ozone feed point at which ozone can be introduced in gas form into the main flow, and at least two mixers which are located downstream of the ozone feed point, wherein the mixers are arranged at a distance from one another, and wherein at least one reaction zone is formed between the mixers, and wherein the mixers are designed in such a way that they each dissolve only a portion of the ozone in the main flow that has been introduced in gas form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: XYLEM IP HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Arne Wieland, Martin Kampmann, Jens Scheideler, Achim Ried
  • 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: 20130175222
    Abstract: A water purification device includes a housing including a first chamber in communication with a second chamber, a first filtration stage, and a second filtration stage. The first chamber has the first filtration stage and the second filtration stage. The filtration stages and chambers are arranged in a serial relationship to another filtration stage and chamber, respectively. The first filtration stage includes inorganic particles and the second filtration stage includes a biocide. At least 95 percent of the inorganic particles will pass through about 20,000 micron screen and at least 95 percent will not pass thru about 20 micron screen. The inorganic particles have a cation exchange capacity of 1 to 200 milli-equivalents per 100 grams. The inorganic particles will become charged and have a charge of about 1 to about 500 millivolts with ions from the biocide when the device is filled with water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: PROCLEANSE LLC
    Inventor: PROCLEANSE LLC
  • Publication number: 20130118994
    Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for treating waste water and produced water, so as to remove contaminants therefrom. The systems and methods allow specifically for the removal of contaminants from produced water from oil and gas wells, fracturing flow-back water, and water- or brine-based drilling fluids. The water is treated by contacting the contaminated fluid with ozone after contacting the fluid with a diffused air system to generate small bubbles for entrainment of some contaminants. Thereafter, the water is contacted with an electro-coagulation system in order to remove flocculants and adjust the pH and the total dissolved solids levels of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: R360 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS
    Inventor: Richard Altman
  • Patent number: 8440080
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable device for generating ozone in water, purifying the water and making it drinkable. The device comprises a housing; at least two electrodes, including an anode and a cathode extending from the housing into the water and each having semi-rough or rough surfaces in contact with the water. The device also comprises a power supply operatively connected to the electrodes for generating between them a difference of potential creating a current and the hydrolysis of the water creating ozone that purifies the water. The electrodes may have a plate or a rode and tube configuration with a plurality of holes with rough edges. The roughness of the surfaces and of the edges of the holes leads to a coalescence of tiny hydrogen bubbles into larger hydrogen bubbles. The hydrogen may be also removed by absorption in a conductive material and regenerated for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Ozomax Inc.
    Inventors: Amir Salama, Marianne Salama
  • Publication number: 20130105406
    Abstract: An evaporative recirculation cooling water system, the system having a recirculation loop to recirculate water through the system, a space to cool the water in the recirculation loop by evaporation, and an ion removal apparatus to remove ions. The ion removal apparatus has a flow through capacitor to remove hardness ions while leaving silica ions in the water. The flow through capacitor has an inlet connected to a water inlet and an outlet having a regulator to direct the flow of water to the recirculation loop or to a waste water output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: VOLTEA B.V.
    Inventors: Albert Van Der Wal, Hank Robert Reinhoudt, Erik Driessen
  • Publication number: 20130081957
    Abstract: A method for treating a liquid using an apparatus includes: (a) a pump volute or hydrocyclone head having an inlet, and a throat having an outlet and a central axis, (b) a tank connected to the second opening of the throat, wherein the tank has a maximum inner diameter that is larger than an inner diameter of the outlet of the throat, and (d) a wave energy source having a first electrode within the pump volute or hydrocyclone head that extends through the outlet of the throat along the central axis, and a second electrode within the tank that is spaced apart and axially aligned with first electrode along the central axis. The method includes the steps of providing the above-described apparatus, supplying the liquid to the inlet of the pump volute or hydrocyclone head, and irradiating the liquid with one or more wave energies produced by the wave energy source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: FORET PLASMA LABS, LLC
    Inventor: FORET PLASMA LABS, LLC
  • Patent number: 8388850
    Abstract: A mobile water treatment system is disposed on a trailer of a truck. There is an intake filter, an intake hose, a pump or multiple pumps for water intake and sending water throughout the system, a filtering section that may include sand and/or bag filter or other types of filters, an ozone treatment section after the filters, a holding tank after the ozone section, a UV treatment section after the holding tank, and a chlorination tank. The water may then be sent to a water storage facility or other place as desired. The system includes a generator for power to run the system, and a controller for the system. The ozone section makes use of a misting nozzle in order to increase ozone contact time, and decrease ozone breakdown. The UV section makes use of a slightly downward tilted table with UV bulbs and reflectors above it, and preferably is mounted on a leveling system. A method of treating water uses the mobile system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Neos International, LLC
    Inventor: Roger A. Delano
  • Publication number: 20130032547
    Abstract: Methods relating to the synergistic application of chemical oxidants and E-beam radiation including methods of treating water and biosolids comprising providing a quantity of water or biosolid; treating the quantity of water or biosolid with a chemical oxidant; and treating the quantity of water or biosolid with E-beam radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventors: Suresh D. Pillai, Robert S. Reimers
  • Patent number: 8357305
    Abstract: A pre-treatment method injecting sulfur dioxide into waters containing suspended solids to undergo ultra violet disinfection to form sulfurous acid (H2SO3) to self-agglomerate and precipitate solids from the wastewater for settling or filtration removal and provide acid to reduce bicarbonate and mineral scaling and microbial buildup on ultraviolet light tubes to improve their performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Earth Renaissance Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marcus G. Theodore, Terry R. Gong
  • Publication number: 20130008857
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for carrying out a photocatalytic reaction. The apparatus comprises a reaction chamber having a longitudinal axis and comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet displaced in a longitudinal direction. A bearing surface is provided for a layer of mobile photocatalyst particles disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, and a reactant fluid flowing between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet contacts the layer of mobile photocatalyst particle. A formation is provided to redirect the fluid flow through the layer of mobile photocatalyst particles to increase the contact of the fluid with the layer of mobile photocatalyst particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: CatalySystems Limited
    Inventor: Neil Foster
  • Patent number: 8333887
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for the efficient purification of aqueous liquids comprising an ionic solute. The liquids are purified by a plurality supercapacitor desalination units working in tandem; a first unit operating in “charge” mode, deionizing the feed solution and producing a purified product liquid, while a second supercapacitor desalination unit is operated in “discharge” mode, releasing ions into a circulating stream and producing a concentrate. The output of the first desalination unit is removed as a purified product stream. The output of the second desalination unit is a concentrate, which is directed to a common precipitation unit where a portion of the ionic solute is precipitated and separated from the remaining liquid phase, which may be recirculated to the second desalination unit. The use of two supercapacitor desalination units operating out of phase allows the common precipitation unit to be operated continuously under steady state conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: James Manio Silva
  • Patent number: 8329043
    Abstract: In a method of treating a liquid, a liquid to be treated is introduced into a space, a mechanical cavitation element acts upon the liquid while gas is supplied into the region of the surface of the cavitation element and introduces the gas into the liquid by moving the cavitation element, and sound waves are introduced directly into the liquid by at least one acoustic power transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Ultrasonic Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Guenter Poeschl
  • Patent number: 8318027
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for reclamation of waste fluids. A conditioning container is employed for receipt of waste material on a continuous flow for treatment within the container by immersible transducers producing ultrasonic acoustic waves in combination with a high level of injected ozone. The invention discloses a cost efficient and environmentally friendly process and apparatus for cleaning and recycling of flowback, or frac water, which has been used to stimulate gas production from shale formations. The apparatus is mobile and containerized and suitable for installation at the well site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Ecosphere Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis McGuire, Sanjeev Jakhete
  • Publication number: 20120267322
    Abstract: A system for plasma treatment of a liquid and corresponding uses thereof, the system comprising a chamber having a liquid input conduit and a liquid output conduit, a source of electromagnetic radiation of wavelength ? coupled to the chamber by a waveguide of appropriate width to provide only fundamental mode of the electromagnetic radiation, a focusing means positioned between the waveguide and the chamber for transmissively focusing the electromagnetic radiation incident thereon to a location within the chamber remote from walls of chamber for creating a plasma at the location, characterized in that the plasma is formed entirely within the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Ramot At Tel-Aviv University Ltd.
    Inventors: Reuven Lev Boxman, Vladimir Dikhtiar, Olga Dikhtyar, Nahum Parkansky
  • Patent number: 8273249
    Abstract: A new method that integrates electrochemical oxidation and flocculation processes for removing ammonia nitrogen in coking wastewater is disclosed in this invention. It comprises steps as follow: first, adjusting the PH of coking wastewater and adding Fe2+ into the wastewater; then leading the wastewater containing Fe2+ through such 5 areas as pulsed high-voltage discharge oxidation area, pulsed high-frequency DC electrolytic oxidation area, microbubble oxidation area, flocculation area and precipitation area in succession. High-voltage pulse and high-frequency pulse are two different mechanisms for achieving strong oxidation. With help of both solid and liquid catalysts, these two oxidations can work synergistically. The recalcitrant organic chemicals are effectively destroyed and satisfactorily removed out of wastewater. The high-concentration coking waster pretreated with this method will meet Chinese highest discharge standard as long as the routine biochemical treatment is applied thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Nanjing University
    Inventors: Hongqiang Ren, Yunjun Yang, Lili Ding, Xiaolei Shi
  • Publication number: 20120193292
    Abstract: The present invention relates to devices for treating liquids, and methods for treating liquids, particularly by using such devices. Reticulated electrode structures with a high proportion of surface area to volume are formed with at least two metals, and are coupled in arrays to an electrical driving signal such as an alternating and/or direct current voltage source, for ion exchange with a liquid to be treated, to produce, e.g., potable water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: TerraGroup Corporation
    Inventors: Primo L. Acernese, James Novak, JR., Thomas Lotts, William J. Parkinson
  • Patent number: 8197665
    Abstract: Aqueous composition containing at least one salt in an amount of at least 30 g/kg of composition, of which the total organic carbon content is at least 1 ?g of C/l and at most 5 g of C/l of composition and which contains at least one carboxylic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Solvay (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Philippe Krafft, Patrick Gilbeau, Dominique Balthasart, Andre Daene
  • Publication number: 20120138545
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for the treatment and purification of fluids (e.g., water) using a light-emitting diode (LED) light source. In one embodiment, for example, there is provided a fluid flow conduit having an LED light source and a photo-catalytic material disposed therein. The LED light source emits ultraviolet light with a peak wavelength between about 265 nm and about 400 nm. In operation, the photo-catalytic material absorbs the ultraviolet light from the LED light source, and releases free radicals into the fluid. The free radicals then degrade organic substances (e.g., bacteria) in the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Robert R. Soler, Fredric S. Maxik, David E. Bartine, Valerie Ann Bastien, James Lynn Schellack, Eliza Katar Grove
  • Publication number: 20120074070
    Abstract: In a method and a system for reducing at least an amount of disinfection by-products in water, the system has a dosing pump (15) for adding a photocatalyst (36) into a stream (17) of the water to obtain a mixed stream (17?), and a photo reactor (20) adapted to receive the mixed stream (17?) and to irradiate the mixed stream (17?) with photons, the photocatalyst (36) in the mixed stream (17?) producing free radicals on being irradiated with the photons, wherein the dosing pump (15) is controllable responsive to an amount of absorption of the photons by the mixed stream (17?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Cosima Sichel
  • Patent number: 8119008
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of purifying fluid, typically an aqueous fluid steam, with the method involving at least two reverse osmosis stages with retentate from a first reverse osmosis stage being subjected to the second reverse osmosis stage, and with intermediate treatment of retentate from the first reverse osmosis stage by exposure to an electric field. The intermediate treatment may involve electrocoagulation to remove sparingly-soluble compounds and permit enhanced reverse osmosis recovery. Additional treatment may be performed prior to the first reverse osmosis stage, between the first reverse osmosis stage and the intermediate treatment with an electric field, between such intermediate treatment and the second reverse osmosis stage, or after the second reverse osmosis stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventor: Christopher Heiss
  • Publication number: 20110297623
    Abstract: A method for treating a substance using an apparatus having: (a) a volute or cyclone head, (b) a throat connected to the volute or cyclone head, (c) a parabolic reflector connected to the throat, (d) a first wave energy source comprising a first electrode within the volute or cyclone head that extends through the outlet into the first opening of the throat along the central axis of the throat, and a second electrode extending into the parabolic reflector proximate to the focus wherein the second electrode is spaced apart and axially aligned with first electrode, and (e) a second wave energy source disposed inside the throat, embedded within the throat or disposed around the throat. The substance is supplied to the inlet of the volute or cyclone head and is irradiated with one or more wave energies produced by the first and second wave energy sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: FORET PLASMA LABS, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Foret
  • Patent number: 8066886
    Abstract: A method and apparatus provide pulsed fluid treatment at a plurality of distinct points utilizing pulsed magnetic energy concentrated in a plurality of distinct areas along a fluid flow path. The instant invention prevents the formation and accumulation of contaminants within conduits and on equipment utilized in the transportation, delivery and processing of fluid columns. It may also be utilized to accelerate the separation of oil and water and increase the efficiency of oil/water separation equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventor: Herbert William Holland
  • Patent number: 8062532
    Abstract: An integrated process separates salts from salty waters and electrolyzes the salts to produce chlorine products such as chlorine, hypochlorites, chlorates and/or caustic soda.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventor: Gerald J. Grott