Including Temperature Change Patents (Class 210/774)
  • Publication number: 20080053903
    Abstract: A process for extracting oil substances such as bitumen from materials such as tar sands and shales. The process may include placing the material and water in an enclosed conduit and applying heat to the water and material. The pressure inside the conduit may be increased such that temperatures above the boiling point of water may be achieved. The water and material may then be transported to a second portion of the conduit for cooling such that emissions of volatile substances into the atmosphere may be reduced. The oil substances in the material may be washed out of the material with the water and float to the top of the water where they may be separated from the water and removed from the process for further refinement. The water and remaining material may be withdrawn from the conduit for treatment or recycling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventor: Bret A. Bowman
  • Patent number: 7332085
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the purification of an ?-hydroxy acid on an industrial scale, in which the method involves: (a) subjecting an aqueous stream containing mainly ?-hydroxy (1) to an extraction step, with the formation of an aqueous place containing mainly ?-hydroxy acid (2), (b) concentrating the aqueous phase containing mainly ?-hydroxy acid (2) by means of evaporation of water under reduced pressure, with the formation of a concentrated ?-hydroxy acid solution in water (3), and (c) subjecting the concentrated ?-hydroxy acid solution (3) to a crystallization, with formation of pure ?-hydroxy acid (4), where (i) the concentrated ?-hydroxy acid solution (3) is directly cooled in a melting crystallization device, and/or (ii) the concentrated ?-hydroxy acid solution (3) is diluted with water and crystallization is brought about in one or more cooling crystallization devices and/or evaporative crystallization devices, and/or (iii) crystallization is brought about in one or more adiabati
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Purac Biochem B.V.
    Inventors: Jan van Krieken, Jan van Breugel
  • Publication number: 20080011680
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for the separation of aromatics from a feed stream, including aromatics and non-aromatics by selectively permeating the aromatics through a membrane comprising feeding a mixed phase vapor-liquid feed to a membrane wherein said liquid phase preferentially wets the surface of the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventors: Randall D. Partridge, Walter Weissman, Bal K. Kaul, Craig Y. Sabottke, Sanjay K. Bhatia
  • Patent number: 7316781
    Abstract: Pseudo-distillation, steady-state method for purifying dry cleaning solvents containing laundry soils and other contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Arseni Valerevich Radomyselski, Mark Robert Sivik, Victor Manuel Arredondo, William Michael Scheper, John Christian Haught
  • Publication number: 20080000846
    Abstract: An oil spill recovery system includes a first separator tank and a second separator tank. The first separator tank has a first volume and the second separator tank has a second volume that is different from the first volume. Each of the first separator tank and the second separator tank include an intake pipe having a plurality of branch outlets that receive an oil-water mixture and facilitate separation of the water from the oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Jake Teichroeb, Juan S. Wiebe
  • Patent number: 7311838
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for isolating constituents from organic material, comprising the following process steps: a) freeze-drying of the organic material; b) extracting the constituents with a polar solvent or solvent mixture (A) and an organic solvent or solvent mixture (B), it being possible for the extracts of the extraction with (A) and (B) to form one phase; c) combining the extracts (A) and (B) to give one phase; and d) carrying out an esterification/transesterification in the unpolar phase with an alcohol, the esterification/transesterification being carried out in the presence of a volatile acid; the process being a high-throughput process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Metanomics GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Michael Manfred Herold, Martin Dostler, Ralf Looser, Tilmann B. Walk, Achim Fegert, Martin Kluttig, Britta Lehmann, Silke Heidemann, Annette Hennig, Joachim Kopka
  • Patent number: 7311799
    Abstract: The invention provides a hydrofluoric acid wastewater treatment method that achieves efficient recovery of hydrofluoric acid from hydrofluoric acid wastewater and also achieves sufficient reduction in the hydrofluoric acid concentration of the dehydrofluorinated water after treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignees: Sasakura Engineering Co., Ltd., Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junji Mizutani, Mitsuo Maeda, Tamito Mukaida, Yasushi Nishimura, Yutaka Shiomi, Koji Harada, Yoshio Tanimoto, Toshiaki Muratani
  • Patent number: 7311837
    Abstract: In a process for the continuous recovery of free tartaric acid from raw materials containing potassium hydrogentartrate, the same are mixed with water and the potassium hydrogentartrate is dissolved. The process is improved in that the suspension is decanted, the clarified liquid is refiltered, the filtrate is cooled to crystallization temperature under a vacuum, the potassium hydrogentartrate crystals formed are dissolved, the solution is subjected to a cation exchange, and the tartaric acid solution obtained is evaporated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Lurgi AG
    Inventors: Dieter Stein, Rudolf Bonsch, Klaus Erb
  • Publication number: 20070284318
    Abstract: Desalination apparatus based on porous restraint panels fabricated from a number of different layers of metal, thermoplastic, or other substances are used as sophisticated heat exchangers to control the growth of gas hydrate. The gas hydrate is produced after infusion of liquid hydrate-forming material into water to be treated, which liquid hydrate-forming material can also be used to carry out all the refrigeration necessary to cool seawater to near the point of hydrate formation and to cool the porous restraint panels. Hydrate forms on and dissociates through the porous restraints. The composite restraint panels can also be used in gaseous atmospheres where, for instance, it is desired to remove dissolved water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventor: Michael David Max
  • Patent number: 7306697
    Abstract: The present invention provides a used paper diaper processing method comprising: a swell suppressing step for immersing a used paper diaper in a swell suppressant solution to suppress the swelling of the polymer with high water absorbability; a breakup step for breaking up the paper diaper subsequent to the swell suppressing step while stirring the same immersed in a processing liquid, into a cover material breakup substance and an absorbing material breakup substance; a cover material breakup substance removing step for removing the cover material breakup substance; a filtering step for filtering the processing liquid containing the absorbing material breakup substance and excreta to separate and remove the absorbing material breakup substance; and a liquid discharging step for discharging the processing liquid containing excreta into a sewage treatment facility; and an absorbing material breakup substance recovering step for recovering the absorbing material breakup substance separated and removed by the fi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Nippon Asahi Kiko Hanbai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chiyuki Kikushima, Tadashi Komoto
  • Patent number: 7306057
    Abstract: A method for treating material, the material contaminated with contaminants, the method including: introducing material with contaminants to a system for remediation including a thermal treatment system, a quench system, a weir tank system and a condensing system; feeding a slurry of the material to the thermal treatment system and heating the material therein producing heated discharge solids and a discharge stream with liquid and solids therein; optionally, discharging the heated discharge solids and feeding them to a mill system; feeding the discharge stream to a quench system producing a cooled discharge stream which is fed to the weir tank system; the weir tank system having a clean side and a dirty side; the cooled discharge stream fed to the dirty side of the weir tank system, and from the weir tank system producing at least one stream of cleaned liquid and a stream with contaminants therein; and, in one particular aspect, remediating drilled cuttings material using such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Varco I/P, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary S Strong, Dale A. Pierce, Lyndon Stone, Cliff Gaddis, Bradford R Wood, Kenneth W. Seyffert, Cecil Lee
  • Patent number: 7303770
    Abstract: Vegetable sources of cancer chemoprotective agents have been identified which are extraordinarily rich in glucosinolates, metabolic precursors of isothiocyanates. The vegetable sources are used to provide a dietary means of reducing the level of carcinogens in mammals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
    Inventors: Jed W. Fahey, Paul Talalay
  • Patent number: 7291270
    Abstract: A process is disclosed that relates to the removal of impurities and the recovery of a mother liquor and wash filtrate from an oxidizer purge stream produced in the synthesis of carboxylic acid, typically terephthalic. More particularly, the process involves the removal of impurities and the recovery of a mother liquor and wash filtrate from an oxidizer purge stream and then routing the mother liquor and or wash filtrate to an oxidation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Philip Edward Gibson, Kenny Randolph Parker, Howard Wood Jenkins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7282151
    Abstract: A process is disclosed that relates to the recovery of a metal catalyst from an oxidizer purge stream produced in the synthesis of carboxylic acid, typically terephthalic. More particularly, the process involves recovery of a metal catalyst from an oxidizer purge stream through the use of a pressure filter, the combining of water with a mother liquor to recover the metal catalyst and then subjecting an aqueous mixture so formed to a single stage extraction with an extraction solvent to produce an extract stream comprising organic impurities and a raffinate stream comprising the metal catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Kenny Randolph Parker, Robert Lin
  • Patent number: 7273559
    Abstract: A process is disclosed that relates to the removal of impurities and the recovery of a mother liquor and wash filtrate from an oxidizer purge stream produced in the synthesis of carboxylic acid, typically terephthalic. More particularly, the process involves the removal of impurities and the recovery of a mother liquor and wash filtrate from an oxidizer purge stream and then routing the mother liquor and or wash filtrate to an oxidation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Philip Edward Gibson, Kenny Randolph Parker, Howard Wood Jenkins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7255798
    Abstract: A method for recovering and recycling catalyst coated fuel cell membranes includes dissolving the used membranes in water and solvent, heating the dissolved membranes under pressure and separating the components. Active membranes are produced from the recycled materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Ion Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Grot, Walther Grot
  • Patent number: 7232505
    Abstract: Method of regenerating a glycol solution containing water, hydrocarbons and salts. The glycol solution is expanded in drum (2), then distilled in column (7). The concentrated glycol collected at the level of reboiler (8) is placed under vacuum to vaporize the water and to precipitate the salts. The salts are separated from the glycol in separation device (13). The concentrated glycol freed of the salts is stored in capacity (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignees: Institut Francais du Petrole, Prosernat
    Inventors: Géraldine Laborie, Fabrice Lecomte, Chantal Rigaill, Lionel Waintraub
  • Patent number: 7223344
    Abstract: A method of separating, recovering and reusing components of an exhausted slurry used in slicing silicon wafers from a silicon ingot. In the method, the solid particles and lubricating fluid of the exhausted slurry are separated without decreasing the viscosity of the exhausted slurry. The separated lubricating fluid may be collected and reused in the preparation of a fresh slurry. Additionally, the silicon particulate and metal slicing wire particulate are dissolved and separated from the abrasive grains. The abrasive grains are separated into spent abrasive grains and unspent abrasive grains. The separated unspent abrasive grains are suitable for reuse in the preparation of a fresh slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: MEMC Electronic Materials, SpA
    Inventors: Carlo Zavattari, Guido Fragiacomo, Elio Portaluppi
  • Patent number: 7211193
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for efficiently obtaining BHET of high purity from an EG (ethylene glycol) solution containing crude BHET (bis(2-hydroxyethyl)terephthalate), especially a decomposition product solution obtained by decomposing a polyester containing PET (polyethylene terephthalate) as a main component, by use of EG, while minimizing by-production of impurity components such as DEG (diethylene glycol), DEG ester and oligomers. The decomposition product solution is subjected to crystallization and solid-liquid separation under specific temperature conditions. Further, in accordance with the invention, a method of purifying BHET is taught which comprises evaporation steps of evaporating low-boiling-point components from the decomposition product solution under specific conditions so as to obtain a melt solution and a molecular distillation step of distilling the obtained melt solution under specific conditions so as to obtain a specific fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Pet Rebirth Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Inada, Kikuchi Sato
  • Patent number: 7195675
    Abstract: The present invention herein provides a chitosan-containing polysaccharide and a method for the preparation thereof as well as a medicine and a food containing the polysaccharide. The chitosan-containing polysaccharide is prepared by a method comprising the steps of heat-treating a fungus in a concentrated aqueous caustic alkali solution; subjecting the resulting solution to a solid-liquid separation treatment; dissolving the resulting solid contents in an aqueous organic acid solution; adding, to the resulting solution, an alcohol or a caustic alkali to thus form precipitates; washing the resulting precipitates; and then drying them. This chitosan-containing polysaccharide is a compound in which homopolymers of glucosamine are linked with glucan through covalent bonds; it has a molar ratio of glucosamine and glucose constituting the polysaccharide ranging from 1:5 to 5:1; it has a molecular weight of about 150,000; and it does not contain any ?(1?3) bonds, but comprises ?(1?4) bonds and ?(1?6) bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Ricom Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Okazaki, Tadao Hamaya, Shoichi Kurihara
  • Patent number: 7192524
    Abstract: A process for the continuous treatment of sugar cane filter cane mud separates and extracts components including fiber which can be used as an animal feed or a source of energy generation, lignin, beta-carotene, oil containing a high content of phytosterol, refined wax which is a resource of policosanol and which can also be used for many other established purposes, and resin which can be used an additive in asphalt mixtures and tire manufacturing or can be recycled back into the sugar milling process. The process is self contained, requiring the input only of fresh water and chemical additives to adjust pH and coloration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Inventor: Rafael Almagro
  • Patent number: 7189328
    Abstract: A method for separating dissolved materials, including organic and inorganic solids and volatile constituents, from a liquid or aqueous solvent is disclosed. The method first extracts water from the flow stream being treated using a crystallization apparatus which freezes the water onto a continuous loop wire rope and withdraws the wire rope from the chamber containing the feed stream. The resultant concentrated solution is then subjected to a different process of evaporation by heating at reduced pressures resulting in the efficient separation of the materials in solution from the liquid medium while conserving energy. This procedure is considered highly effective in allowing for the concentration of the materials and then the extraction of the materials in solution and the recycling and reuse of the water or other liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Eau-Viron Incorporated
    Inventor: James A. Titmas
  • Patent number: 7179388
    Abstract: Formic acid is at least partly removed from an aqueous solution comprising formic acid, cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol by decomposition over certain decomposition catalysts. The method is preferably used for processing reaction products from the oxidation of cyclohexane and comprises: (i) extracting a product gas mixture obtained in the oxidation of cyclohexane with an aqueous scrubbing liquid, (ii) separating the aqueous solution obtained in (i) by distillation into an aqueous solution comprising formic acid, cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol together with further minor organic components and a carboxylic acid mixture (iii) removing the formic acid at least partially from the aqueous solution obtained in (ii) by decomposition, and (iv) further processing the aqueous solution obtained in (iii) to give epsilon-caprolactam, or using the aqueous solution obtained in (iii) as scrubbing liquid in (i).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Nöbel
  • Patent number: 7163636
    Abstract: A multi-phase separation system utilized to remove contaminants from fluids includes a pre-filtering module for filtering a contaminated fluid to provide a filtered contaminated fluid. A condenser module receives the filtered contaminated fluid and a contaminated gas phase for condensing the contaminated gas phase to a contaminated liquid. A phase reaction chamber converts the filtered contaminated fluid to a contaminated mist wherein the mist is subjected to a low energy, high vacuum environment for providing a first change of phase by separating into a contaminated gas phase and a liquid mist phase. The contaminated gas phase is carried out of the phase reaction chamber by a carrier air. A vacuum pump provides the low energy, high vacuum environment in the phase reaction chamber and delivers the contaminated gas phase to the condenser module for condensation providing a second change of phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Phase Separation, LLC
    Inventor: Wayne W. Spani
  • Patent number: 7157003
    Abstract: The invention concerns a cyclic method for separating at least one chemical element E1 from at least one chemical element E2 from an aqueous solution containing said elements, which employs a mixture of two extractants operating in non-overlapping chemical fields. Each cycle of said method comprises: a) co-extracting elements E1 and E2 by means of an organic phase containing a first extractant suited to causing the migration of said elements into said organic phase; b) adding to the organic phase a second extractant suited to selectively retaining the element(s) E2 in said organic phase during step c): c) selectively stripping the element(s) E1 from the organic phase; d) selectively stripping the element(s) E2 from the organic phase; e) separating the first and second extractants present in said organic phase at the end of step d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Pascal Baron, Michael Lecomte, Xavier Heres, Bernard Mauborgne
  • Patent number: 7153377
    Abstract: A method is provided for separating superalloy metal powder from contaminants, such as process-produced contaminants, by enhancing the magnetic properties thereof in a carburizing atmosphere followed by magnetic separation of the contaminants from the superalloy metal powder to thereby enhance the concentration of the contaminants. Heating or mechanical agitation or both are employed to resist agglomeration of the metal powder before magnetic separation thereof from the contaminants. Certain preferred times and temperatures are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: R. J. Lee Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Spangler, Jr., William J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 7132051
    Abstract: A liquid-liquid extraction process of ketones, alcohols, aldehydes, alkyl esters of carboxylic acids, carboxylic acids, ethers, amines and heterocyclic compounds, from their aqueous solutions, comprising the addition under stirring to said aqueous solutions of a fluorinated extracting liquid selected from A) hydrofluoropolyethers, B) hydrofluorocarbons, C) hydrofluoroethers, or mixtures thereof, with formation of an aqueous phase and of an organic phase; the separation of the organic phase from the aqueous phase; the fractional distillation of the organic phase to separate the polar organic substance from the extractant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Solvay Solexis, S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Marchionni, Ugo De Patto, Marco Avataneo
  • Patent number: 7127913
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for recovering a crystalline material from an aqueous solution, which solution also contains organic contaminants, in which process the material is crystallised from the aqueous solution by freeze crystallising at a eutectic freezing point of the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignees: Technische Universiteit Delft, Kemira GrowHow Oyj
    Inventors: Geert-Jan Witkamp, Johannes Pieter Vrijenhoef, Johannes de Graauw, Frank van der Ham
  • Patent number: 7089681
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for filtering and drying a product. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a container having a plurality of porous walls and a plurality of solid walls that divide the container into a plurality of product chambers, a plurality of vacuum chambers, and, preferably, a plurality of heat transfer chambers. Each product chamber shares at least one porous wall with an adjacent vacuum chamber. Each product chamber preferably shares at least one solid wall with an adjacent heat transfer chamber. According to the method of the present invention, a product is introduced into the product chambers, where the product is held while a substance is filtered from the product through the porous walls and the product is dried by reducing the pressure in the vacuum chambers and the product chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul F. Herbert, Douglas M. Bissonnette, Gregory C. Troiano
  • Patent number: 7056400
    Abstract: A method is provided for separating superalloy metal powder from contaminants, such as process-produced contaminants, by enhancing the magnetic properties thereof, such as by oxidizing or leaching of chromium, for example, followed by magnetic separation of the contaminants from the superalloy metal powder to thereby enhance the concentration of the contaminants. Heating conditions or mechanical agitation or both are employed to resist agglomeration of the metal powder before magnetic separation thereof from the contaminants. Certain preferred times and temperatures are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: R. J. Lee Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Spangler, Jr., Frederick Carl Schwerer, III, William J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 7038008
    Abstract: A process for working up a liquid reaction discharge of the cationic polymerization of isobutene, which substantially comprises polyisobutene, unconverted isobutene and an inert diluent, in which the reaction discharge is heated and is let down into a flash container, is described, the reaction discharge separating, as a result of the flashing, into a polyisobutene-containing liquid phase and a gas phase containing the main amount of the isobutene contained in the reaction discharge and of the diluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Wettling, Dirk Borchers, Heinz Auer
  • Patent number: 7014778
    Abstract: A method and device are provided for treating a waste water waste-product mixture from a toilet by coupling the toilet to a waste product mixture to a waste product holding tank, connecting the tank with a vacuum container having a stirring member for breaking up the waste product and a heating system for drying the waste product to an ash, introducing water from a water holding tank that communicates with the toilet to the ash to form a gel, separating the water from the gel, returning the water to the water holding tank, and discharging the gel residue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Fuchigami
  • Patent number: 7008544
    Abstract: Processes and apparatus are disclosed for separating and purifying aqueous solutions such as seawater by causing a substantially impermeable mat of gas hydrate to form on a porous restraint. Once the mat of gas hydrate has formed on the porous restraint, the portion of the mat of gas hydrate adjacent to the restraint is caused to dissociate and flow through the restraint, e.g., by lowering the pressure in a collection region on the opposite side of the restraint. The purified or desalinated water may then be recovered from the collection region. The process may be used for marine desalination as well as for drying wet gas and hydrocarbon solutions. If conditions in the solution are not conductive to forming hydrate, a heated or refrigerated porous restraint may be used to create hydrate-forming conditions near the restraint, thereby causing gas hydrates to form directly on the surface of the restraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Marine Desalination Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael D. Max
  • Patent number: 7001526
    Abstract: Methods for separation of two optical isomers in a racemate into its constituent isomers by statistical means are described, whereby the saturated racemate solution is first allotted into small samples by means of microfluidic or inkjet techniques to obtain small sample quantities (picoliters to microliters) with one isomer in measurable excess of the other. The samples are then tested by means of spectrophotometers used for measuring Cotton Effects or Circular Dichroism or other related effects which measure the difference in the absorption of right and left circularly polarized light, so that there is a predetermined minimum excess of one enantiomer. Collecting them in three different receptacles then separates the three types of samples. The right and left excess samples are then used in the crystallization process to obtain right or left handed isomers respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventor: Hla Ngwe Tin
  • Patent number: 7001512
    Abstract: A process for treating waste products discharged in a waste water from an animal operation, such as a swine confinement facility includes a holding tank for receiving waste water from the flushing of the facility in which solids to accumulate at the bottom thereof; wherein as conveyor transfers solids from said bottom at a rate preventing agitation of the waste water, to a compactor for removing additional water content and to a product dryer for converting the solids into a dry product. The product dryer includes a water heating system with water lines connected in a closed loop to the holding tank. The heating system thermal treats the circulating waste water and waste solids to a temperature sufficient to reduce undesired constituents therein. The product dryer is vented to a separator for recovering ammonia contents in the waste material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventor: David Ralph Newsome
  • Patent number: 7002045
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a new ortho ester-based surfactant, where the hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts are connected by ortho ester linkages to the molecule. The ortho ester has the formula where R is hydrogen or an aliphatic group with 1–7 carbon atoms; R1 is hydrogen or an alkyl group with 1–5 carbon atoms; A1 is an alkyleneoxy group with 2–4 carbon atoms, the number of ethyleneoxy groups being at least 50% of the total number of alkyleneoxy groups; n1 is a number between 1 and 30; R2 is an aliphatic group with 5–22 carbon atoms; A2 is an alkyleneoxy group with 3–4 carbon atoms; n2 is a number between 0–30, provided that when R2 is an aliphatic group with 5–6 carbon atoms n2 is at least 1; R3 is selected from the group consisting of (A1)n1R1, (A2)n2R2 and an alkyl group with 1–6 carbon atoms, where A1, n1, R1, A2, n2 and R2 have the same meaning as mentioned above; or a di- or polycondensate via any of the free hydroxy groups of the ortho ester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Akso Nobel N.V.
    Inventors: Karin Bergstrom, Per-Erik Hellberg
  • Patent number: 6986848
    Abstract: A method for purifying nucleic acids or proteins comprising a plurality of piston pumps; and a plurality of nozzles capable of having a plurality of disposable tips which are automatically attachable/detachable. The apparatus includes a mechanism for mixing a liquid mixture of each sample and a reagent in a plurality of sections of a container by sucking up a plurality of the mixtures into tips, followed by discharging the mixtures in the sections simultaneously. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for dispensing a desired amount of a reagent to be used subsequently into the same number of sections of a different container as samples, while the mixing is in progress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsunori Ikeda, Yoshiaki Nishiya, Masahiro Kusumoto, Masahiro Suzuki, Yoshihisa Kawamura
  • Patent number: 6984327
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating heavy isotopes of hydrogen from contaminated water. The apparatus includes a treatment chamber with an elongated hollow core fiber (HCF) extending within the chamber. A reservoir holds contaminated water mixed with beads formed of an exchange resin, the mixture of contaminated water and beads forming a flowable slurry. The slurry is continuously circulated through the hollow core fiber and the reservoir preferably by a pulsating peristaltic pump. The beads absorb a portion of the heavy isotopes from the slurry by exchange with waters of hydration of the beads while the hollow core fiber allows permeation of only light water from said slurry outwardly through the HCF wall as a permeate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Inventor: James A. Patterson
  • Patent number: 6982026
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for the recovery of at least one of an organic acid or an organic acid amide, such as a heat stable lactic acid or lactamide, from a feed stream which contains the organic acid and/or organic acid amide. The feed stream is mixed with at least one azeotroping agent. The azeotroping agent is a hydrocarbon capable of forming at least one heteroazeotrope with the organic acid or the organic acid amide in the feed stream. The mixture of the feed stream and the azeotroping agent is heated to produce a vapor stream. The heteroazeotrope is a component of that vapor stream. The vapor stream can be heated further to separate components or it can be condensed into a liquid stream. The liquid stream is capable of being separated into a first phase and a second phase. The first phase contains the highest concentration of the organic acid and/or the organic acid amide and the azeotroping agent is part of the second phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Tate & Lyle Ingredients Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Charles Milner Cockrem, Istvan Kovacs
  • Patent number: 6969467
    Abstract: In hydrate-based desalination or other water purification conducted using naturally buoyant or trapped-gas-assisted buoyancy hydrate in a hydrate fractionation column, a portion of fresh or purified product water is extracted from an upper, hydrate dissociation region of the fractionation column and reintroduced into a lower portion of the fractionation column at a point above but generally near a product water/saline water interface. The difference in density between the reintroduced product water and the fluid in the hydrate fractionation column above the point of reintroduction (water, hydrate, and gas) drives a natural circulation system which enhances the rate at which hydrate rises into the hydrate dissociation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Marine Desalination Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael D. Max, Jens Korsgaard
  • Patent number: 6960293
    Abstract: A system and method for pre-treating grease and other similar wastes prior to introducing them into a waste water treatment facility so that the grease, etc., does not clog the waste water treatment facility equipment. The system includes a tank for receipt of the grease that has an inlet pipe equipped with water jets and emulsifying blades that emulsify and dilute the grease in hot water as it enters the tank. The dilute waste then can be drawn through a drain pipe by opening a valve to allow it to enter the waste water processing equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Inventor: Richard G. Middleton
  • Patent number: 6946081
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and an apparatus for more efficiently and economically producing purified water from sea water or some other salty or brackish water source. The efficiency is derived from the co-location with a power plant or other thermal generating source that will heat the feed water. Reverse osmosis membrane filtration systems work optimally when the feed water is at certain higher temperature, where that temperature is typically higher than the feed water at ambient temperatures. By using the heated sea water as the byproduct of the power plant electricity generating process and if necessary mixing it with ambient temperature sea water, if needed to lower the water temperature, and using this feed water with a higher temperature than ambient water temperature, the efficiency of the reverse osmosis system can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Poseidon Resources Corporation
    Inventor: Nikolay Voutchkov
  • Patent number: 6913700
    Abstract: A method of and an arrangement for continuous hydrolysis of organic material in the form of sludge with a dry solids content of 1-20%. A sludge containing the organic material with a low content of abrasive components and a dry solids content of 1-20% is heated to a temperature of approximately 100° C. The sludge is mixed with steam at a pressure of 1-4 bars. The sludge/steam mixture is lead to a preheating tank. The pressure of the sludge/steam mixture is increased from 3 to 10 bars. The sludge-steam mixture is lead to a reactor. A depressurizing tank depressurizes the sludge/steam mixture to 1-4 bars. The sludge and steam are separated and may be cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Cambi AS
    Inventor: Odd Egil Solheim
  • Patent number: 6896807
    Abstract: A method for recovering and recycling expensive and hazardous components from capacitors containing an electrolyte salt dissolved in an aprotic organic solvent. The method includes disintegrating a plurality of capacitor casings and their contents into fragments and forming an aqueous slurry of water insoluble fragments, filtering fractionally distilling the filtrate to remove the solvent as a distillate and recovering the electrolyte salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Toxco Inc
    Inventors: W. Novis Smith, Terry Adams
  • Patent number: 6893798
    Abstract: A method for treating a micro-emulsion that can be used for removing the ink-accepting areas of a lithographic printing master is disclosed, which enables to recycle the water from the used micro-emulsion. The method comprises the heating of the micro-emulsion to a temperature above 50° C. thereby obtaining an aqueous phase and an organic phase and separating the aqueous phase from the organic phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Eric Verschueren, Peter Geerts
  • Patent number: 6890441
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating solids from a suspension includes a hollow cylindrical column having a central axis therethrough. The column has an interior with a cross-section, perpendicular to said axis, that is constant along said axis, and that extends from a first end to a second end of the column; one central tube axially disposed in said column and extending from said one end toward said opposite end, said central tube having an outer wall of constant diameter, said cylindrical column and said central tube defining an annular zone between them, extending axially from said first end of the column to at least near said second end of the column; at least one filter in said outer wall of the said central tube, forming the only direct communication between the said annular zone and the interior of the tube and at least one filter in the outer wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: NIRO Process Technology B.V.
    Inventors: Pieter Johannes Jansens, Johannes de Graauw
  • Patent number: 6890444
    Abstract: Water to be desalinated or otherwise purified is enriched by having hydrate-forming substance dissolved into it, without causing hydrate to form. Hydrate kernels are brought into contact with the enriched water to be treated, and the hydrate kernels grow outwardly into the water to be treated by incorporating dissolved molecules of the hydrate-forming substance and water from the water to be treated. Thus, substantially solid, generally spherical hydrate masses, which are preferred for hydrate-based desalination or purification, can be formed. Hydrate-forming substances can be dissolved into the water to be treated under conditions not conducive to formation of hydrate, such that hydrate does not form, using vigorous means. Hydrate-forming substance is also preferably dissolved into the water to be treated under conditions suitable for hydrate to form, but without causing hydrate to form, e.g., by being infused into the water to be treated using infusion membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Marine Desalination Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael D. Max
  • Patent number: 6884911
    Abstract: A method for repeatedly converting a solvent from a state of solvent to a state of antisolvent with relatively little loss of solvent. The method is used to allow for processing of large amounts of solute material with minimum amounts of solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Said Saim, Stephen Horhota, David Joseph Bochniak
  • Patent number: 6875358
    Abstract: Method and system for extraction of fat or oil-soluble components, e.g. PAH, NDP and/or BTX, from produced water being separated from an oil or gas plant. The method is characterized by injection of a liquid consisting of hydrocarbons from the oil or gas plant into the water flow, the injection liquid having a lower content of the oil soluble components than the original oil phase in equilibrium with the water, the injection liquid is atomized into the whole water phase and the water/hydrocarbon mixture is given a predetermined retention time thus to allow mass transferring of the oil soluble components from the water to the injection liquid, before the injection liquid is separated from the water in a separator, preferably a hydro cyclone, the injection liquid being adapted to the separators working range for pressure and temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Den Norske Stats Oljeselskap A.S.
    Inventors: Eivind Aarebrot, Trygve Håland
  • Patent number: 6863826
    Abstract: Animal waste such as fecal material from swine, chicken, turkey, and cattle is converted into useful forms such as fertilizer, other types of soil builders, and even nutrient feed additives. Devices, systems, and methods are provided that allow economical conversion and in many instances, alleviate the production and release of undesirable gases such as sulfide and ammonia. In one embodiment, undesirable anaerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria are killed at a greater rate than desirable soil compatible aerobic bacteria. The use of low temperature killing diminishes off gassing commonly associated with other techniques, and the use of gas trapping additives such as zeolites provides enhanced soil building qualities such as slow release of nitrogen and slow release of moisture to soil. The methods allow convenient adjustment of composition, allowing conversion of waste into tailored designer fertilizer suited for particular soils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: Richard G. Sheets