Cyclonic, Or Centrifugal (e.g., Whirling Or Helical Motion Or By Vortex, Etc.) Patents (Class 210/787)
  • Patent number: 11428084
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an adaptor apparatus for a downhole artificial lift system. The apparatus includes an upper adaptor section and a base adaptor section. The upper adaptor section includes a top connector portion for connecting to first equipment, and a neck portion below the top connector portion. The base adaptor section includes a bottom connector portion for connecting to second equipment. The base adaptor section and the neck section define a longitudinal fluid passage therethrough. The upper adaptor section includes slots extending from the fluid passage to an outer surface of the neck. The upper adaptor section also includes a plurality of fluid channels recessed in the outer surface of the upper adaptor piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Q2 Artificial Lift Services ULC
    Inventors: Garth John Fraser, Corbin Coyes
  • Patent number: 11407666
    Abstract: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are destroyed by oxidation in supercritical conditions. PFAS in water is concentrated in a reverse osmosis step and salt from the resulting solution is removed in supercritical conditions prior to destruction of PFAS in supercritical conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Stephen H. Rosansky, Michael Miller, Patrick Norris, Darwin Argumedo, Douglas Hendry, Ian Haggerty, Keith Brown, Joshua James, Joseph Casciano, Slawomir Winecki, Vivek Lal, Tom McGuinness
  • Patent number: 11298636
    Abstract: A filter system has a chamber body, an inlet that extends through the chamber body, and an outlet that extends through the chamber body at a location downstream of the inlet. The filter system has a plurality of fluid flow paths that extend between the inlet and the outlet. The plurality of fluid flow paths including first and second subsets, each including at least a respective one of the fluid flow paths. A plurality of hydrocarbon filters is disposed in the chamber body such that each hydrocarbon filter is disposed in a fluid flow path. The filter system directs the fluid to the first subset, and once each hydrocarbon filter of the first subset becomes saturated with hydrocarbons, the filter systems diverts the fluid to flow to the second subset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Inventors: Mark S. Rauch, Ronald Kleineke
  • Patent number: 11117103
    Abstract: A method of separating hydrocarbons in an aqueous mixture comprising exposing the aqueous mixture to a cellulose/ionic liquid membrane, wherein the aqueous mixture includes hydrocarbons, and removing the hydrocarbons from the aqueous mixture as the aqueous mixture flows through the cellulose/ionic liquid membrane, wherein the hydrocarbons do not flow through the cellulose/ionic liquid membrane. A filter system, comprising a cellulose/ionic liquid membrane used as the filter to separate hydrocarbons from an aqueous mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: KING ABDULLAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Sara Livazovic, Suzana Nunes
  • Patent number: 10954140
    Abstract: A system and method of the purification of drinking water, ethanol and alcohol beverages is based on the action of hydrodynamic cavitation processing of microbiological and chemical contaminants, micro particles and colloidal particles. The fluid flow moves at a high rate through a multi-stage cavitation device and filtration module to generate hydrodynamic cavitation features in the fluid flow. The cavitation features generate changes in the velocity, pressure, temperature, chemical composition and physical properties of the liquid. The cavitation features also prevent the deposition of contaminants upon and remove contaminants from the surface of the filter module, reduce the load on the filter elements and increase the life of the filter module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Cavitation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Roman Gordon, Igor Gorodnitsky, Maxim A. Promtov, Naum Voloshin
  • Patent number: 10704023
    Abstract: Described are embodiments that include methods and devices for separating composite liquids into components. Embodiments involve the use of a flexible membrane for separating a composite liquid into components. The composite liquid may include, in embodiments, a cellular containing liquid, such as whole blood or components of whole blood. In one specific embodiment, the composite liquid is a buffy coat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Ladtkow, Geoffrey M. Uhl, Jeremy P. Kolenbrander, Briden Ray Stanton
  • Patent number: 10632244
    Abstract: A platelet collection method includes a step of accommodating whole blood in a first chamber (44) and performing centrifugal separation, a step of transferring a buffy coat resulting from the centrifugal separation to a second chamber (50), and a step of performing centrifugal separation on the buffy coat. Subsequently, a step of transferring a platelet-containing component resulting from the centrifugal separation to a third chamber (52) and a step of performing centrifugal separation on the platelet-containing component are executed. Also performed in the collection method are a step of introducing a platelet additive solution into the third chamber (52) and replacing plasma resulting from the centrifugal separation and a step of collecting platelets remaining in the third chamber (52) along with the platelet additive solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masatsugu Igarashi
  • Patent number: 10583438
    Abstract: Extracting and concentrating particles from a first fluid sample includes: providing the first fluid sample to a fluid exchange module of a microfluidic device, providing a second fluid sample to the fluid exchange module, in which the first fluid sample and the second fluid sample are provided under conditions such that particle-free portions of the first fluid sample are shifted, and an inertial lift force causes the particles in the first fluid sample to cross streamlines and transfer into the second fluid sample; passing the second fluid sample containing the transferred particles to a particle concentration module under conditions such that particle-free portions of the second fluid sample are shifted, and such that the particles within the second fluid sample are focused to a streamline within the particle concentration module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Ravi Kapur, Kyle C. Smith, Mehmet Toner
  • Patent number: 10525389
    Abstract: A dual stage filter assembly for use in a fluid cleaning and sludge removal operation, including a first stage separator incorporated into a first vessel and receiving a dirty fluid flow, a first stage clean fluid outlet extending from the first stage separator. A second stage filter is incorporated into a second vessel in fluidic communication with a dirty fluid outlet of the first stage separator for subsequent filtering and outflow through a second stage clean outlet. A flow restrictor is incorporated into said second stage clean outlet for controlling a flow rate through said filter in order to prevent clogging of the same by aggregating debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: JK Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Keith Urban
  • Patent number: 10391231
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for separating blood using a centrifuge in order to obtain different blood fractions. A separation container may be filled with blood via a feed connection that can be aseptically connected to the container, the relevant blood fraction may be removed from the separation container via a removal connection that can be aseptically connected to the container and both the feed device and the removal device form a respective closed system during the sterile connection to the separation container. The separation container may have at least one feed connection that can be aseptically connected to the container and at least one removal connection that can be aseptically connected to the container, to which hermetically sealed feed and removal devices can be aseptically attached in a sterile manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Inventor: Walter Pobitschka
  • Patent number: 10258999
    Abstract: A separator includes a rotor, a plurality of flow channels each of which has an inlet and an outlet for gas and are in a vicinity of a rotation axis of the rotor, an air current producer configured to cause gas to flow through the plurality of flow channels, a driving device configured to rotate the rotor to rotate the plurality of flow channels around the rotation axis, and a discharger for allowing discharge of solid materials suspended in airstream produced in each of the plurality of flow channels, in a direction away from the rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Akasaka, Yoshiki Hayasaki, Koji Tsuji, Hirotaka Matsunami, Masanao Kamakura, Yoshikazu Kuzuoka
  • Patent number: 10167706
    Abstract: An apparatus for boosting the pressure of flowing fluids includes jet pumps (10a, 10b), each having a low pressure (LP) inlet for LP fluid, a high pressure (HP) inlet for HP liquid and a medium pressure (MP) outlet for MP fluid. A fluid separator device (16) receives the MP fluid from the outlets of the jet pumps, and includes a gas outlet line (20) for a separated gas phase and a liquid outlet (22a, 22b) for separated liquid phase. A liquid return line (24b, 38) returns at least some of the separated liquid phase to the HP inlets of the jet pumps, and a mechanical pump (32) is connected into the liquid return line for boosting the pressure of the liquid delivered to the HP inlets of the jet pumps. A flow control system (6) is provided for controlling the flow of fluids through the respective jet pumps (10a, 10b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: CALTEC PRODUCTION SOLUTIONS LIMITED
    Inventor: Mirza Najam Ali Beg
  • Patent number: 10077422
    Abstract: A harvesting device and methods of harvesting (i.e., dewatering) algae are described. The harvesting device and methods involve the use of stimuli-sensitive hydrogels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: The University of Toledo
    Inventors: Agasteswar Vadlamani, Xiaofei Zhao, Sridhar Viamajala, Sasidhar Varanasi
  • Patent number: 10046336
    Abstract: A system for cleaning polluted scrubber fluid includes a disc stack centrifugal separator a separator inlet for polluted scrubber fluid, a first separator outlet for cleaned scrubber fluid, and a second separator outlet for a pollutant phase. A first transportation system transports polluted scrubber fluid to the separator inlet, a second transportation system transports cleaned scrubber fluid back to the exhaust gas scrubber, a bleed-off transportation system connected to the second transportation system bleeds off part of the cleaned scrubber fluid, a dirty drain tank connected to the bleed-off transportation system receives the bled-off scrubber fluid, and a waste reduction transportation system transports scrubber fluid from the dirty drain tank to the first transportation system. A controller receives information related to the work load of the disc stack centrifugal separator and regulates the transport of scrubber fluid based on the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventor: Staffan Königsson
  • Patent number: 9943861
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator for separating solid particles from a liquid mixture includes a rotor body. The rotor body has a separation chamber with an inlet for the liquid mixture, one or more liquid outlets for a liquid separated from the liquid mixture, a sludge outlet for the separated solid particles, a screw conveyor adapted to rotate in the rotor body, at a speed differing from the rotational speed of the rotor body, for transporting the separated solid particles in the separation chamber towards and out of the sludge outlet, a drive arrangement adapted to rotate the rotor body and the screw conveyor at their respective speeds, and a control unit which is adapted to control the drive arrangement to rotate the rotor body at a first speed during a separation phase and at a second speed, which is lower than the first speed, during a particle discharge phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Tomas Oldebäck, Rolf Ridderstråle, Robert Geiding, Per Fonser
  • Patent number: 9834457
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for solidifying a floating fat and oil in a food waste water, the method being capable of solidifying floating oil by uniformly mixing and aging the floating oil having a high content of water generated during the process of treating high concentration waste water generated during a food waste treatment process or generated from a food company, slaughterhouse and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignees: SUDOKWON LANDFILL SITE MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hee Dong Bae, Young Rog Kim, Seok Jun Park, Jun Ho Cho, Jin Hyung Lee
  • Patent number: 9764079
    Abstract: Kits and methods provide for the isolation of white blood cells from bodily fluids. In one exemplary aspect, a method for isolating white blood cells from blood includes the act of adding a blood sample to a separation tube having a distal end, a proximal end, and a valve located proximate said proximal end, said valve being configured to transition between at least first, second, and third positions. The method also includes the act of removably attaching a cap to the distal end, centrifuging the separation tube with the valve in the first position, removing the cap at the distal end of the separation tube and removably attaching a first syringe to the proximal end, switching the valve to the second position and withdrawing, via the first syringe, a red blood cell sediment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventor: Amin I. Kassis
  • Patent number: 9322595
    Abstract: An improved, energy efficient method and apparatus for conditioning of fracturing sand provides an elongated, rotatable drying/cooling shell with co-current flow of heated air and sand through the shell. Structure operable to deliver additional quantities of wet sand into the shell is provided at a zone between the shell inlet and outlet, and downstream of the point where the initial quantity of wet sand is substantially dry. The additional quantities of wet sand mix with the initial quantities of substantially dry sand in order to evaporatively dry the additional quantity of wet sand, and to cool the initial and additional quantities of wet sand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Industrial Accessories Company
    Inventor: Donald E. Shinn
  • Patent number: 9267890
    Abstract: A nucleic acid analyzer includes a nucleic acid purification kit yielding a nucleic acid solution by isolating and purifying nucleic acid from a specimen; a nucleic acid analysis chip having a rotation axis positioned at a center thereof, with reaction containers at an outer portion than the rotation axis, and feeding the acid to the containers through centrifugal force; a specimen-introducing part on which the kit is placed; an analysis chip holder at the specimen-introducing part and supporting the chip; a purification treatment unit injecting the nucleic acid solution containing the nucleic acid into the chip; a centrifugal liquid feed unit feeding the nucleic acid solution to the containers by rotating the chip about the rotation axis; an analysis unit analyzing reaction products in the containers; and a transport part transporting the specimen-introducing part to the purification treatment unit, the centrifugal liquid feed unit, and the analysis unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eiji Kawata, Shuichi Akashi, Hiroyuki Kuroki
  • Patent number: 9269979
    Abstract: A separator for a fuel cell includes first and second ends connected by a side wall to define a separation chamber. The first end has a protrusion extending into the chamber to form a channel with the wall. An inlet conduit is tangentially connected to the wall. An outlet conduit connected to the wall between the inlet conduit and the first end. A liquid drain is connected to the second end. A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and a separator. The separator has first and second portions forming a chamber and a divider. The first portion has a continuous inner wall, an end wall forming a central convex projection, an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit. The second portion has a continuous inner wall, an end wall, and a liquid drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William F. Sanderson, Steven Potvin
  • Patent number: 9248446
    Abstract: A disposable blood separation set and a centrifugal blood processing system comprising a blood processing chamber adapted to be mounted on a rotor of a centrifuge; a frustro-conical cell separation chamber in fluid communication with the processing chamber, the cell separation chamber having an inlet, an outlet and a gravity valve inside the cell separation chamber. The valve is responsive to the gravitational field created by the speed of the rotor. When the rotor spins at high speed, the gravity valve may open the outlet at a location proximal to an axis of rotation of the rotor. When the rotor spins at a lower speed, the gravity valve may open the outlet at a location distal from the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy P. Kolenbrander, Geoffrey Uhl
  • Patent number: 9145579
    Abstract: A feature of an analyzing device is that a peeling portion (14) extending outward is partially connected to the outer edge of a reagent retaining portion (13) that is formed in a separating chamber (6) provided in a main unit case (2) and retains a reagent (8). With this configuration, when a droplet of the reagent (8) is dried and fixed on the reagent retaining portion (13), an external force applied to the droplet can be smaller than that on other portions. The dried reagent (8) starts shrinking from the position of the peeling portion 14. At the completion of drying, the reagent (8) can be smaller in size than the reagent retaining portion (13) in plan view and can be larger in thickness than the related art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomohiro Kijima
  • Patent number: 9140704
    Abstract: Methods for identifying disease-specific markers, in particular breast cancer markers, by electrophoretically separating serum albumin complexes in a biological sample on a membrane are provided. Electrophoretic separation profiles representing different diseases or different cancer stages can be produced, and used in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of these diseases. Methods for identification of a cancer peptide fragment comprising a cancer peptide motif are provided. Also provided are breast cancer and other cancer markers and antibodies that specifically recognize these markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Temple University of The Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Frank N. Chang, Phu T. Duong, George P. Tuszynski
  • Publication number: 20150129511
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance and a method for operating an appliance are provided. The method includes drawing a flow of unfiltered liquid into an unfiltered volume of a filtering assembly of the appliance and circulating the unfiltered liquid in a circular pattern within the unfiltered volume such that the unfiltered liquid circulates in the circular pattern across a filter medium of the filter assembly. The circular pattern of the unfiltered water can assist with limiting or preventing clogging of the filter medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ramasamy Thiyagarajan, Adam Christopher Hofmann
  • Patent number: 9012668
    Abstract: Methods and related systems efficiently and effectively recover a significant amount of valuable, useable oil from byproducts formed during a dry milling process used for producing ethanol. The method may include forming a concentrate from the byproduct and recovering oil from the concentrate. The step of forming the concentrate may comprise evaporating the byproduct using a multi-stage evaporator, as well as recovering the oil before the final stage of the evaporator. Further, the step of recovering oil from the concentrate may comprise using a centrifuge and, in particular, a disk stack centrifuge. Other aspects include related methods and subsystems for recovering oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: GS Cleantech Corporation
    Inventor: David J. Winsness
  • Patent number: 9011687
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining various components of a multi-component material. Generally, a component of a whole blood sample may be concentrated from a patient and re-introduced to the same patient. For example, a clotting component, such as thrombin, from a whole blood sample may be extracted and concentrated in an apparatus and collection to be reapplied or reintroduced into a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet Biologics, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Swift, Barry F. Hecker, Michael D. Leach
  • Publication number: 20150101995
    Abstract: Disclosed are a device and method of extracting high-concentration plasma from whole blood. The device comprises: a first syringe; a centrifugation tube that is connected to the first syringe in order to centrifuge whole blood received in the first syringe; a cap that is connected to the first syringe in order to re-centrifuge plasma collected in the first syringe by centrifugation of the whole blood; and a membrane filter comprising: a body that is cylindrical in shape and has a pair of spaced inlets to which the first syringe and a second syringe are to be respectively connected; a hollow membrane included in the body; and a first space formed between the body and the membrane and serving to collect components that passed through the membrane. According to the invention, high-concentration plasma containing a high concentration platelet is obtained without having to use a kit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Hong KIM
  • Patent number: 9005455
    Abstract: A device for extracting a liquid phase from a suspension, the device being characterized in that it comprises: a main duct for conveying a flow of said suspension, the duct being of a length that is sufficient to enable a layer of said suspension to develop that is depleted in solid phase; flow disturbance means for disturbing the flow of said suspension, said means being provided in the main duct and being adapted to cause at least one recirculation vortex to form so as to increase locally the thickness of said depleted layer; and liquid extraction means disposed in a region of the device where said suspension is enriched in liquid phase as a result of said recirculation vortex. A method of extracting a liquid phase from a suspension, the method comprising injecting said suspension into such a device at a flow rate suitable for causing at least one recirculation vortex to be formed, and extracting a fraction of said suspension that is enriched in liquid as a result of said vortex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Achard, Elodie Sollier, Yves Fouillet, Hervé Rostaing
  • Publication number: 20150096946
    Abstract: Separator apparatus and method for treatment of a contaminated liquid by injecting air/gas to lower the specific gravity of the contaminated liquid by at least 20% and rotating the contaminated liquid to separate contaminants by centrifugal forces. The separator includes a swirl chamber defining a longitudinal axis; at least one injector for, in use, introducing: (i) liquid entrained with air/gas; (ii) air/gas-entrained liquid; or (iii) air/gas, into the swirl chamber; a first outlet located at or near the operative bottom of the swirl chamber for, in use, removing sludge from the swirl chamber; a second outlet located operatively above the first outlet for, in use, removing liquid from the swirl chamber; circulating means to, in use, circulate liquid in the swirl chamber; and an elongate body that extends from or near the operative top of the swirl chamber, along the longitudinal axis of the swirl chamber, beyond the level of the at least one injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Barry Ross DUNMAN
  • Patent number: 8986551
    Abstract: A method that includes clarifying a thin stillage product in a mechanical processor to produce a fine suspended solids stream and a clarified thin stillage is provided. The method further includes providing the thin stillage product and the clarified thin stillage, separately or in a combined stream, to one or more evaporators to produce one or more reduced suspended solids streams, each stream having a reduced amount of suspended solids and a lower viscosity as compared to process streams having a comparable total solids content but containing a higher amount of suspended solids. The method can further included further processing of one or more of the reduced suspended solids streams to produce a bio-oil product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: ICM, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Kohl, Charles C. Gallop, Kurt A. Dieker
  • Patent number: 8979432
    Abstract: In a conventional storm overflow chamber of a combined sewer system, inflowing floating debris do not flow into an intercepting pipe in a rainy weather, and flow out to a public water body, causing a water pollution in the public water body. According to a vortex flow type water surface control device for a draining device of the present invention, a control plate (6) higher than at least a separating weir (1) is provided between an opening of an inflow pipe (2) and an opening of an intercepting pipe (3) in a storm overflow chamber of a combined sewer system. Moreover, a guide wall (7) higher than at least the separating weir (1) is provided along the separating weir between the opening of the inflow pipe (2) and the separating weir (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignees: Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo metropolitan Sewerage Service Corporation, Nippon Koei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ikuo Uemura, Hirofumi Ishiwada, Shouichi Banba, Aya Uchino, Tsuneo Ochiai, Hiroshi Komatsu, Shigeki Nishimura, Shigeru Tukada
  • Patent number: 8974547
    Abstract: The present application relates to encapsulated benefit agents, compositions comprising such encapsulated benefit agents and processes for making and using compositions comprising such encapsulated benefit agents that do not require or require a reduced amount of scavenger materials. Such encapsulated benefit agents, compositions comprising such encapsulated benefit agents are processed such that no or lower levels of scavenger materials are required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Appvion, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiten Odhavji Dihora, Walter Franciscus Joanna Vanderveken, Sanford Theodore Kirksey, Jr., John Charles DeBraal, Robert Stanley Bobnock, Adam Keith Druckrey, Gary Thomas Hart
  • Patent number: 8968580
    Abstract: A pumpbox apparatus includes a reservoir volume having a first inlet for receiving a feedstock stream and a second inlet for receiving a water stream, the reservoir volume being in communication with a discharge outlet disposed to discharge accumulated liquid from the reservoir volume. The reservoir volume is operable to accumulate the feedstock stream and the water stream in the reservoir volume while withdrawing a discharge stream through the discharge outlet to cause a flow of liquid through the pumpbox. The first inlet defines a first flow velocity region between the first inlet and the second inlet and a second flow velocity region between the second inlet and the discharge outlet. The first flow velocity is lower than the second flow velocity to facilitate flotation of a low specific gravity portion of the feedstock through the first region toward an upper surface of the liquid accumulated in the reservoir volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Charles Hann, William Nicholas Garner
  • Patent number: 8960282
    Abstract: A subterranean debris catcher takes in debris laden fluid at a lower end. The inlet flow is induced with an eductor whose discharge goes around the housing to the lower end inlet for the debris. The eductor suction induces flow into the lower end of the housing as well. Incoming debris goes up an annular space around the collection receptacle and turns to pass through a bladed wheel that imparts a spin to the flowing stream. The flow direction reverses from up before the wheel to down through a tube after the wheel. The solids are flung to the tube periphery and the fluid reverses direction to go back up to a screen before reaching the eductor suction connection. The debris swirls down an open bottom tube and is collected in a housing surrounding the down tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Hong Zhu
  • Patent number: 8960447
    Abstract: A separator method and apparatus that includes a rotatable drum defining an annular passageway therein, a plurality of blades coupled to the rotatable drum and located in the annular passageway, each of the plurality of blades including a leading section, a trailing section, a concave surface, and a convex surface, the concave and convex surfaces extending from the leading section to the trailing section, each of the plurality of blades disposed circumferentially adjacent to at least another one of the plurality of blades so as to define blade flowpaths therebetween, and a housing at least partially surrounding the rotatable drum and defining a fluid collection chamber fluidly communicating with the annular passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: William C. Maier, Gocha Chochua
  • Patent number: 8950586
    Abstract: A platelet collection device comprising a centrifugal spin-separator container with a cavity having a longitudinal inner surface. A float in the cavity has a base, a platelet collection surface above the base, an outer surface. The float density is below the density of erythrocytes and above the density of plasma. The platelet collection surface has a position on the float which places it below the level of platelets when the float is suspended in separated blood. During centrifugation, a layer of platelets or buffy coat collects closely adjacent the platelet collection surface. Movement of a float having a density greater than whole blood through the sedimenting erythrocytes releases entrapped platelets, increasing the platelet yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hanuman LLC
    Inventors: Randel Dorian, Richard W. Storrs, Scott R. King
  • Patent number: 8950590
    Abstract: The invention relates to a separator of fluid medium components, said separator including, along one axis, a movable assembly that is rotatable around the axis. Said separator moreover includes an output device. The movable assembly includes a cylindrical separation chamber having an inner wall. The output device includes a second outlet and a first outlet that is farther than the second outlet from the axis. The output device includes a third outlet that is farther than the first outlet from the axis and is intended for extracting a third fluid component comprising solid particles. Said third outlet includes an edge that is near an inner wall of the separation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Total SA
    Inventors: Philippe Coffin, Yves LeCoffre
  • Patent number: 8945396
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a delamination method for recovering constituents of a paper-based multi layered laminated packaged waste. The method comprises using of a mixture of inorganic bases to separate the constituents of the packaged waste and recover paper, plastic and/or aluminium components separately. The paper can be recovered as pulp, the plastic can be recovered as is, and the aluminium can be recovered as a water soluble salt. The delamination method of the present invention is also effective on cardboard-based multi layered laminated packaged waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ashutosh Mukhopadhyay
    Inventor: Ashutosh Mukhopadhyay
  • Publication number: 20150021281
    Abstract: A hybrid scavenger operates downstream of a separator such as a gunbarrel separator for petroleum production. The separator may be overdriven to maximize use of a permitted reinjection rate. The hybrid scavenger then extracts water from the oil and oil from the water without having to treat the entire stream of incoming production fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: C. Michael Miller, David A. Bell
  • Patent number: 8919573
    Abstract: A system for purifying non-potable water to make said water potable includes an intake pump for bringing the non-potable water into the system. At least one centrifugal separator separates the non-potable water into suspended solids, saline water and oil. At least one ozone contact chamber injects ozone into a water stream being injected into at least one of the at least one of the centrifugal separators. A series of progressive filtration components are used for progressively filtering the saline water from the at least one centrifugal separator. The salinization filters then desalinate the progressively filtered saline water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Inventor: David Capehart
  • Publication number: 20140367346
    Abstract: A reduced air hydrocyclone unit includes a hydrocyclone having a cylindrical section, a conical base having an underflow outlet formed in its apex, and an overflow outlet on an upper end of the cylindrical section. An underflow basin collects underflow material. Overflow material flows through an overflow line. An exhaust fan of the reduced air hydrocyclone unit withdraws from the overflow material in the overflow line a portion of an amount of air introduced through the apex of the hydrocyclone. A reduced air fluid system includes the reduced air hydrocyclone unit, a fluid tank in fluid communication with the overflow line of the reduced air hydrocyclone unit, and a reduced air hopper for mixing a solid material with a fluid contained in the fluid tank to form a slurry. A liquid barrier inlet of the reduced air hopper creates a liquid barrier to prevent air introduction into the slurry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Paul Baudoin
  • Publication number: 20140367348
    Abstract: Hydrodynamic separation of suspended particles using curved channels offers advantages in many applications, since it is a fast continuous flow technology that can handle neutrally and near neutrally buoyant particles without the need of a physical barrier or the addition of chemical aids. Designs are provided for a flow splitter at the end of the separation channel, to maintain smooth, counter-vortex-free laminar flow and improve particle separation efficiency while reducing clogging and fouling propensities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Armin R. Volkel, Kai Melde, Ashutosh Kole, Huangpin B. Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20140371113
    Abstract: A method of processing a return oil-based drilling fluid includes centrifuging a primarily fluids phase at a first speed and separating the primarily fluids phase into a first effluent and a first residual, centrifuging the first effluent at a second speed and separating the first effluent into a second effluent and a second residual, and centrifuging the second effluent at a third speed and separating the second effluent into a third effluent and a third residual. A surfactant, a polymer, combinations of surfactant(s) and polymer(s) and/or a wash water may be added to one or more of the return oil-based drilling fluid, the primarily fluids phase, the primarily solids phase, the first effluent, the second effluent, and the third effluent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Gary Fout, Michael Savoy
  • Patent number: 8906203
    Abstract: A system enables the use of solar heat energy together with electromagnetic energy and optionally energy produced during fermentation of organic products to produce fresh water from salt water, wastewater and water vapor contained in the atmosphere. The resulting fresh water can optionally be rendered drinkable by adding mineral salts at the desired concentration. A method and reactors combine electromagnetic and solar heating steps and optionally heat exchanges with a hot gas originating from combustion, to evaporate droplets of a spray produced from salt water or wastewater. The vapor obtained is separated from the salt particles or agglomerated impurities during evaporation using a cyclone system. The vapor can then be transported over a large distance before being condensed by bearings, in order to separate the water from any additives or impurities that may be present. Additives can be used to lower the vapor pressure of the liquid water and to facilitate droplet fractionation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Nicolas Ugolin
  • Patent number: 8906236
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and processes for the recovery of nutrients from non-organic phases produced during recovery of oleaginous compounds from biomass. The nutrients recovered can then be utilized to grow additional biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Sapphire Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Cranford, Alex M. Aravanis, Stilianos G. Roussis
  • Patent number: 8906243
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for continuous treatment of two immiscible molten liquids having different densities. The apparatus comprises at least one open-ended helical reaction channel (3) arranged inside a substantially vertical housing (1), means for the continuous supply of the liquid with the higher density to the upper open end of said at least one reaction channel (3) and means for continuous supply of the liquid with the lower density to the lower open end of said at least one helical reaction channel (3), means for continuous removal of the liquid with the higher density at the lower open end of said helical reaction channel and means for removal of the liquid with the lower density from the upper open end of said helical reaction channel (3). The invention further relates to a method for continuous treatment of two immiscible molten liquids having different densities using the apparatus of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Elkem Solar AS
    Inventors: Karl Forwald, Jesse White
  • Patent number: 8887737
    Abstract: A method of forming a liquor comprising tobacco solutes, the method comprising extracting tobacco solutes from tobacco by flowing an extraction solvent through tobacco to form a tobacco solutes-rich extraction solvent and a tobacco solutes-poor tobacco, and forming tobacco solutes-rich liquor by flowing the tobacco solutes-rich extraction solvent through an entrapment solvent, wherein the tobacco solutes comprise nicotine and at least one tobacco flavor compound and/or tobacco aroma compound and the liquor comprises the tobacco solutes dissolved in the entrapment solvent. A preferred extraction solvent comprises a supercritical fluid. Also provided are cigarettes and cigarette components comprising extracted tobacco solutes such as flavor compounds, aroma compounds and nicotine. Further, tobacco from which aroma compounds and/or nicotine have been extracted can be used in cigarettes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Tony M. Howell, Gregory J. Griscik
  • Patent number: 8887925
    Abstract: Asymmetrically profiled wedge bar screen used for inertial separation of suspended particles, wherein the profile of the bars is a generalized trapezoid, tilted in the direction of the sweeping flow with a distinctly extended trailing edge at the aft face side of the cross section of the bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventor: Abbas Motakef
  • Publication number: 20140319075
    Abstract: A liquid treatment device for treatment of liquid contaminated with living organisms comprising a rotating means having a first surface for receiving the liquid to be treated, where the first surface is provided with engaging means for engaging the liquid and to provide acceleration to the liquid upon rotation of the rotating means, stationary means which is stationary relative to the rotating means and arranged to form a boundary in order to constrict the liquid on the first surface of the rotating means, where the stationary means is arranged to define at least one slit between the first surface of the rotating means and a first end of the stationary means allowing the liquid to pass between the rotating means and the stationary means, and where the engaging means are at least provided on a surface area of the rotating means that interacts with the at least one slit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: Dennis Søgaard
  • Patent number: 8865005
    Abstract: Devices for controlling fluid flow, in particular microfluidic devices, are described, which exploit gas/liquid interfaces to control liquid flow in accordance with application requirements. Devices for on/off flow switching, centrifugal separation, mixing, metering and aliquoting are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Biosurfit, S.A.
    Inventors: Joäo Garcia Da Fonseca, Nuno Alexandre Reis Esteves, Robert Burger