Cyclonic, Or Centrifugal (e.g., Whirling Or Helical Motion Or By Vortex, Etc.) Patents (Class 210/787)
  • Publication number: 20130105414
    Abstract: A water filter including a housing, at least one cylindrical filter component disposed within the housing, an inflow pipe extending through, and parallel to a longitudinal axis of, the at least one cylindrical filter component, the inflow pipe including a series of openings arranged along the length of the inflow pipe so as to cause a cyclonic motion of the contaminated water out of the inflow pipe and into contact with the at least one cylindrical filter component, a first outflow pipe that delivers filtered water from the at least one cylindrical filter component, and a second outflow pipe that delivers contaminants from the at least one cylindrical filter component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Scott Olson, Robert A. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20130098850
    Abstract: A separator system and method are provided in which the separator has two outlets for different components of mixed fluid. An energy harvester is provided on one of the outlets, wherein harvested energy is transferred to a pump located on an inlet of the separator. As a result, the differential pressure across the separator is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventor: Mark E. Wolf
  • Patent number: 8425782
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for reducing the demand of wastewater volume flowing through a wastewater collection piping system thereby increasing the effective capacity of the system. A portion of the wastewater is diverted from a sewer main. The solids are separated from the liquid; for example, by a centrifugal separator such as a vortex or cyclone separator. The recovered liquid can be treated and made available for reuse or disposed of. The separated or concentrated solids are reintroduced into the sewer main dynamically in a portion that adjusts the wastewater loading, or alternatively, the solids loading, in the sewer main to a predetermined amount or predetermined range. The system can be adapted to reducing demand of wastewater volume flowing within a wastewater treatment plant by diverting the wastewater in the flow path between the wastewater plant inlet and the biological processing stage and reintroducing separated solids downstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Ecolivegreen Corp.
    Inventor: Paul L Culler
  • Patent number: 8409447
    Abstract: A separation chip for separating an insoluble component from a suspension using centrifugal force by rotation, includes a suspension holding tank, a separation liquid holding tank, and an insoluble component holding tank arranged in order from an inner circumferential side during rotation, wherein the suspension holding tank and the insoluble component holding tank are connected to each other, the insoluble component holding tank and the separation liquid holding tank are connected to each other by a narrow portion, and in the insoluble component holding tank, a connecting portion with the suspension holding tank is positioned further toward an outer circumferential side than the narrow portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kentaro Ishii, Masashi Higasa, Shingo Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 8409443
    Abstract: A device for limiting sample evaporation. The device has a vessel body having a body exterior surface and at least one body interior surface. The at least one body interior surface has one or more walls defining a first chamber, a second chamber and a conduit means. The first chamber has a first chamber opening for receiving at least one of the groups selected from a sample and a sample dispensing device. The first chamber opening defines the border of the body exterior surface and the body interior surface. The conduit means is in communication with the first chamber and the second chamber for receiving at least one of the group consisting of sample from said first chamber, a sample from a sample dispensing device and a sample dispensing device passing through or into the conduit means for placing the sample in the conduit means or into the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Gilar, Christopher C. Benevides, Jennifer Fournier
  • Publication number: 20130075348
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for the separation of liquid-liquid phase and/or a liquid-gas phase where one or more of the phases is suspended in water and has a bubble/drop/particle size in the sub micron and micron range, and/or fine particular organic or inorganic material is present in one or more of the phases. There is also disclosed a method and use for the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: SORBWATER TECHNOLOGY AS
    Inventor: Sorbwater Technology AS
  • Publication number: 20130068704
    Abstract: An example ice separator device includes an ice separator that removes ice particles from a flow of fuel moving through the ice separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventor: Behzad Hagshenas
  • Patent number: 8398734
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cyclonic separator comprising a throat portion (4) arranged between a converging fluid inlet section and a diverging fluid outlet section, to generate a swirling fluid flow in a downstream direction. The diverging fluid outlet section comprises an inner primary outlet (7) for condensables depleted fluid components and an outer secondary outlet for condensables enriched fluid components (6). The cyclonic separator comprises a volute diffuser (9, 9?) connected to one of the outlets (6, 7), which comprises a volute outlet duct (90, 90?) defined by a volute axis (I1), forming a spiral shape around the central axis (I). The outlet duct (90, 90?) comprises a vortex chamber 95. The vortex chamber is provided to transform axial momentum of the swirling fluid flow with respect to the central axis (I) into tangential momentum with respect to the volute axis (I1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Twister B.V.
    Inventors: Cornelis Antonie Tjeenk Willink, Marco Betting, Frederik Albert Lammers
  • Patent number: 8383419
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to harvesting a target material from a suspension using a tube and float system. A suspension suspected of containing a target material is combined with a solution having one or more labels that distinguish the target material from other materials in the suspension. The tube, float, and suspension are centrifuged to separate various materials in the suspension according to associated specific gravities. The float expands the axial length of the target material layer and displaces the target material to a narrow space between the float and the inner wall of the tube. The space is illuminated with light that causes the labels to emit light identifying the location of the target material within the tube. One or more openings can then be formed in the tube at or near the point where the target material is located and the target material harvested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventors: Robert A. Levine, Stephen C. Wardlaw
  • Publication number: 20130043195
    Abstract: A mobile water recovery system and methods of recycling water from slurry produced by pavement grinding machines. The system includes a platform having a plurality of wheels, a slurry storage tank or a slurry settling tank, a centrifuge in flow communication with the slurry storage tank or slurry settling tank, such as a hydraulic centrifuge, a solids storage component, and a cleaned water storage tank in flow communication with the centrifuge. The system may also include an acidifier which may be located within the cleaned water storage tank. The acidifier may bubble engine exhaust through the cleaned water or may dispense a pH adjusting agent into the clean water storage tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: O3 INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael T. O'Konek, Dusten C. O'Konek, JR., Dusten C. O'Konek, SR.
  • Patent number: 8377307
    Abstract: A method of separating a mixture of discrete structures dispersed in a fluid material includes identifying a target structure and a non-target structure; providing a custom-shaped particle having at least a portion of a surface that is substantially shape-complementary to a portion of a surface of the target structure; introducing the custom-shaped particle into the fluid material; exciting reconfigurations of the custom-shaped particle with respect to the target structure and the non-target structure; binding the custom-shaped particle to the target structure through an attractive interaction to form an aggregate; and isolating the aggregate containing the target structure and the custom-shaped particle from the non-target structure. The custom-shaped particle preferentially binds with the target structure without binding with the non-target structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Thomas G. Mason
  • Publication number: 20130037493
    Abstract: Exhaust gas cleaning equipment including a gas scrubber and a scrubber fluid cleaning equipment for cleaning polluted scrubber fluid. The scrubber fluid cleaning equipment includes a centrifugal separator for separating at least a pollutant phase and a cleaned scrubber fluid from said polluted scrubber fluid. The centrifugal separator has a rotor enclosing a separation space with a stack of separating discs, a separator inlet for polluted scrubber fluid extending into said separation space, a first separator outlet for cleaned scrubber fluid extending from said separation space, and a second separator outlet for the pollutant phase extending from said separation space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Staffan Königsson, Lena Sundquist
  • Patent number: 8361281
    Abstract: There is disclosed a desalinization apparatus, and methods related to desalinization. In an embodiment, a desalinization apparatus includes at least one port for receiving airflow therethrough, at least one port for receiving salt water therethrough, at least one output for providing outflow of pure water vapor, and at least one output for proving outflow of a mixture of water, salt and air; and a plurality of chambers for evaporating the salt water into the airflow, at least one of the chambers forming a plurality of ports arranged in a plurality of rows. In an embodiment, a method includes providing airflow to a desalinization apparatus; providing salt water to the desalinization apparatus; forming a vortex in the airflow to evaporate water vapor from the salt water; and providing the water vapor in the airflow to a condenser so as to obtain pure water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: LyteSyde, LLC
    Inventors: Kelly P. Rock, Bruce E. Nadeau, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8353641
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for removing particulate matter from a fluid, comprising a particle functionalized by attachment of at least one activating group or amine functional group, wherein the modified particle complexes with the particulate matter within the fluid to form a removable complex therein. The particulate matter has preferably been contacted, complexed or reacted with a tethering agent. The system is particularly advantageous to removing particulate matter from a tailing solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Soane Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Berg, John H. Dise, Kevin T. Petersen, David Soane, Kristoffer K. Stokes, William Ware, Jr., Atul C. Thakrar
  • Patent number: 8349185
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for rebalancing a solvent solution useful for treating photosensitive printing elements having a photopolymerizable layer. The solvent solution becomes contaminated with unpolymerized material and other materials that release from the photosensitive printing elements during washout treating, and separation of contaminates also removes some of one or more components in the used solvent solution. The method rebalances the proportion of the components in a solvent solution having 3 or more components. The method includes measuring a reclaimant, which has been separated from the contaminates, for two or more properties, calculating a mass of the components to be added to the reclaimant based on an equation generated for each measured property, and adding the mass of the component or components to the reclaimant to adjust the proportion of the components in the reclaimant to targeted proportions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Hackler, Rajgopal Subramanian
  • Patent number: 8349189
    Abstract: Method for the preparation of at least one compound with biological properties from blood, where said method is performed in sealed tubes at a pressure below atmospheric pressure, thereby reducing or preventing the bacterial contamination of the compound through handling. The method comprises the repetition, for as many times as is required, of the following steps: connecting a second container that is vacuum-sealed to an extraction device connected in turn to a first container that contains blood separated into fractions, waiting for a period of time until the required fraction(s) is/are transferred, and removing said second container, with it thus being possible to obtain several second containers with different compounds for different medical applications including biological therapies. The steps may be performed in a closed system, without removing the caps of the containers, or alternatively the first container may be opened prior to the introduction of the extraction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Biotechnology Institute, I Mas D, S.L.
    Inventor: Eduardo Anitua Aldecoa
  • Patent number: 8349188
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for removing particulate matter from a fluid, comprising a particle functionalized by attachment of at least one activating group or amine functional group, wherein the modified particle complexes with the particulate matter within the fluid to form a removable complex therein. The particulate matter has preferably been contacted, complexed or reacted with a tethering agent. The system is particularly advantageous to removing particulate matter from a fluid waste stream following mining or ore processing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Soane Mining, LLC
    Inventors: David Soane, William Ware, Jr., Robert P. Mahoney, Nathan Ashcraft
  • Patent number: 8348066
    Abstract: A floating separating element for use in centrifugal separation of components of a physiological fluid comprises a positioning part and a separating part, where the positioning part is designed to automatically assume a position in a supernatant and a separating part is positioned at a desired location with respect to the interface between the supernatant and heavier components. In preferred embodiments the physiological fluids are blood or bone marrow aspirate, and the heavier components comprise red blood cells. The positioning part comprises the majority of the mass of the separating element and is thin so that differences in the position of the separating element with respect to the interface are small compared to differences in the densities of the separated compoments, particularly the component comprising red blood cells. A method allows red blood cells to move the separating element during decanting to ensure complete decant of the supernatant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Harvest Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: James R. Ellsworth
  • Publication number: 20130001170
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for separating a multiphase fluid stream that includes a heavier fluid component and a lighter fluid component. The fluid flows along a first helical flowpath with a first pitch. The first helical flowpath is sufficiently long to establish a stabilised rotating fluid flow pattern for the stream. The uniform rotating fluid also flows along a second helical flowpath, the second helical flowpath having a second pitch greater than the first pitch. The lighter fluid is removed from a radially inner region of the second helical flowpath. The method and apparatus are particularly suitable for the separation of oil droplets from water, especially from water for reinjection into a subterranean formation as part of an oil and gas production operation. The method and apparatus are conveniently applied on a modular basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hans Paul Hopper
  • Patent number: 8329044
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for treating liquids flowing in a thin film around a source of wave energy to directly expose the liquid to the wave energy, preferably generated in whole or part by an electrical arc between carbon electrodes. In addition to the wave energy generated by the electrical arc, energy generated by cavitation of the flowing liquid may be used in treating the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Foret Plasma Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Foret
  • Publication number: 20120298588
    Abstract: A method for removing contaminants such as oil and solids from water by feeding a mixture of water containing the contaminants and carbon dioxide to a cyclone; separating water from the mixture; separating a second mixture of oil, carbon dioxide and water from the mixture and feeding the second mixture to a separator wherein oil, carbon dioxide and water are recovered from the separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Zhixiong Cha, Guohua Xiu, Yunhui Deng, Yaping Lu
  • Patent number: 8316557
    Abstract: A screen assembly for a shale shaker comprising a panel (500) and a support structure (600), the panel (500) having an area provided with a multiplicity of apertures and at least one layer of screening material arranged over the multiplicity of apertures, wherein said panel (500) is removable from said support structure (600).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Varco I/P, Inc.
    Inventor: George Alexander Burnett
  • Patent number: 8317034
    Abstract: The present invention relates to separating one or more of sand and other particulate matter from a mixture of animal waste and water. The present invention can help to control the discharge of noxious odors while processing material containing animal waste. An exemplary apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a cylindrical housing and a non-rotating collection table. An exemplary apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes optional shield provided inside the cylindrical housing that can help to capture the particulate matter and that can also help to reduce the discharge of noxious gas and odors from the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: John Patrick Fetrow
  • Patent number: 8318507
    Abstract: A method for the separation of particles of different densities using a step-wise gradient density extraction method as described herein where a sample is suspended in a liquid volume of an extracting medium of specific density and the particles that have a density less than or equal to that of the extracting medium of specific density can be recovered from a horizonatally rotatable hollow disk or a removable receptacle within a horizontally rotatable hollow disk designed for such purposes while the particles that have a density greater than the extracting medium of specific density form a deposit which can be cycled through the extraction process in an iterative fashion by varying the density of the extracting medium allowing the recovery of discrete particles of differing densities from a test sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventors: Marcus Joseph Horn, Wenkui Lan
  • Publication number: 20120292264
    Abstract: Device (5) and method or removing suspended-material particles, more particularly fine and ultra-fine particles from a water flow containing suspended-material particles in a pressurised water line (3) of a hydroelectric power plant (2), whereby a tubular element (6) forming a flow channel (7) is provided in the pressurised water line (3), whereby the flow channel (7) essentially extends in the axial direction of the pressurised water line (3), and in the flow channel (7) a stationary swirl-generating device (11) is arranged for stimulating a flow component of the water flow which runs perpendicularly to the main flow direction (9), and in the flow direction after swirl-generating device (11) a separating device (13) is provided for removing the suspended-material particles carried radially outwards due to the effect of centrifugal force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAT WIEN
    Inventors: Eduard Doujak, Bernd Windholz, Leopold Binder
  • Patent number: 8308951
    Abstract: A method for separating proteins from plant material, in particular, intact algal cells, using an amphipathic solvent set and a hydrophobic solvent set. Some embodiments include dewatering intact algal cells and then extracting proteins from the algal cells. The methods provide for single and multistep extraction processes which allow for efficient separation of algal proteins from a wet algal biomass. These proteins are high value products which can be used as renewable sources of food and food additives. Neutral lipids remaining in the algal biomass after extraction of proteins can be used to generate renewable fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Heliae Development, LLC
    Inventor: Aniket Kale
  • Patent number: 8308953
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a filtration system having one or more apparatuses for filtering gases, liquids, or fluids (e.g., water) to remove particulate matter, and methods of making and using the apparatus. More particularly, embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for applying centrifugal force(s) to push a fluid or gas to be filtered through a porous membrane or filter within the apparatus to separate particulate matter therefrom. The present invention takes advantage of the Coriolis effect within a cylindrical filter radiating out from a rotating central body. The filtration apparatus provides an energy efficient system for microfiltration (or other filtration process) to remove contaminants from gases and fluids, such as waste water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: Brent Lee
  • Publication number: 20120267324
    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: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventor: Ashutosh Mukhopadhyay
  • Patent number: 8293116
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method is disclosed to filter liquids, such as water, waste water, agricultural liquids or other industrial liquids. The apparatus and the method rely on a novel technology where an acceleration apparatus facilitates generating energy that fractures the bonds between organic and inorganic particles and water molecules to allow a media to collect the organic and inorganic particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventor: Joseph Williams
  • Patent number: 8286805
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for separating a multiphase fluid stream that includes a heavier fluid component and a lighter fluid component. The fluid flows along a first helical flowpath with a first pitch. The first helical flowpath is sufficiently long to establish a stabilized rotating fluid flow pattern for the stream. The uniform rotating fluid also flows along a second helical flowpath, the second helical flowpath having a second pitch greater than the first pitch. The lighter fluid is removed from a radially inner region of the second helical flowpath. The method and apparatus are particularly suitable for the separation of oil droplets from water, especially from water for reinjection into a subterranean formation as part of an oil and gas production operation. The method and apparatus are conveniently applied on a modular basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Hans Paul Hopper
  • Patent number: 8287742
    Abstract: Method for separating a volume of whole blood into at least a plasma component and a red blood cell component comprising centrifuging a separation bag containing a volume of whole blood so as to separate therein at least a first component comprising plasma and a second component comprising red blood cells; transferring the first component into a plasma component bag during centrifugation of the separation bag; transferring into the separation bag a volume of wash solution from a wash solution bag during centrifugation of the separation bag; mixing the volume of wash solution with the second component; centrifuging the separation bag so as to separate therein a washed red blood cell component and a supernatant component; and transferring the supernatant component into a waste bag during centrifugation of the separation bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian M. Holmes
  • Publication number: 20120255917
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for cleaning wastewater, wherein at least one flow channel (S, S1, S2) having at least one horizontal agitator (5) disposed therein in the treatment basin (B), and wherein a cross-sectional surface (Q) of the flow channel (S, S1, S2) extending perpendicularly to the flow direction (SR) increases steadily upstream and downstream from the horizontal agitator (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: INVENT UMWELT-UND VERFAHRENSTECHNIK AG
    Inventors: Franz Durst, Marcus Hoefken
  • Publication number: 20120258531
    Abstract: Tube and float systems and methods for isolating, enumerating, and harvesting target materials of a suspension are described. In one aspect, a tube and float system includes a filter embedded in a tube cap. The filter enables the passage of fluids but prevents the passage of the target materials. The tube and float system can be used to isolate and enumerate the target materials by centrifuging the tube and float system with the suspension to trap the target materials between the float and inner wall of the tube. Fluids above and below the float are poured off and a second fluid can be introduced to the tube to re-suspend the trapped target material. The second fluid can be poured through the filter in the cap to trap the target material against the filter. The target material can be enumerated and analyzed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Ronald C. Seubert, Paul C. Goodwin, Jackie L. Stillwell
  • Patent number: 8282839
    Abstract: A floating separating element for use in centrifugal separation of components of a physiological fluid comprises a positioning part and a separating part, where the positioning part is designed to automatically assume a position in a supernatant and a separating part is positioned at a desired location with respect to the interface between the supernatant and heavier components. In preferred embodiments the physiological fluids are blood or bone marrow aspirate, and the heavier components comprise red blood cells. The positioning part comprises the majority of the mass of the separating element and is thin so that differences in the position of the separating element with respect to the interface are small compared to differences in the densities of the separated components, particularly the component comprising red blood cells. A method allows red blood cells to move the separating element during decanting to ensure complete decant of the supernatant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Harvest Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: James R. Ellsworth
  • Patent number: 8278118
    Abstract: A method for the separation of particles of different densities using a step-wise gradient density extraction method as described herein where a sample is suspended in a liquid volume of an extracting medium of specific density and the particles that have a density less than or equal to that of the extracting medium of specific density can be recovered from a horizonatally rotatable hollow disk or a removable receptacle within a horizontally rotatable hollow disk designed for such purposes while the particles that have a density greater than the extracting medium of specific density form a deposit which can be cycled through the extraction process in an iterative fashion by varying the density of the extracting medium allowing the recovery of discrete particles of differing densities from a test sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Prospect Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus Joseph Horn, Wenkui Lan
  • Patent number: 8273248
    Abstract: A method for separating neutral lipids from plant material, in particular, intact algal cells, using an amphipathic solvent set and a hydrophobic solvent set. Some embodiments include dewatering intact algal cells and then extracting neutral lipids from the algal cells. The methods provide for single and multistep extraction processes which allow for efficient separation of algal neutral lipids from a wet algal biomass while avoiding emulsification of extraction mixtures. The neutral lipids are removed after first removing a polar lipid fraction and a protein fraction. These neutral lipids can be used to generate renewable fuels as well as food products and supplements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Heliae Development, LLC
    Inventor: Aniket Kale
  • Publication number: 20120234774
    Abstract: Methods of producing collection tubes are presented. The methods include providing a separator substance that can rapidly polymerize in a short time to a desired hardness and disposing the separator substance within the lumen of the tube. The separator substance is formulated to have a density between an average density of a serum fraction of whole blood and a cell-containing fraction of whole blood, and to be flowable with whole blood. Upon centrifugation of a tube having blood, the separator substance forms a barrier between the whole blood fractions. The barrier rapidly hardens forming a solid barrier when triggered by a suitable energy source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventor: Jane Emerson
  • Patent number: 8262912
    Abstract: Bioactive compounds extracted from a fermentation broth created by a unique microbial community during a fermentation process and fractionated into several fractions based on size. Four of the resulting fractions stimulate growth of plants that are planted in soil to which the fractions have been applied. The fractions can be applied to the soil individually or combined together prior to application. In another embodiment, the unique fractions can be freeze dried or spray dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Tenfold Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David P. Lanciault, Robert N. Ames
  • Patent number: 8262753
    Abstract: An apparatus suitable for generating gaseous hydrocarbon fuel from a carbon based synthesis gas including a reaction chamber having a rotating shaft including a plurality of radial blades mixing and circulating carbon based synthesis gas and particulate catalyst upwardly generating gaseous hydrocarbon fuel, a stripping chamber located above the reaction chamber having a second axial rotating shaft including a plurality of radial blades driving hydrocarbon fuel radially outwardly, a source of hot stripping gas, an annular filter surrounding the stripping chamber and an annular gas collection chamber surrounding the filter. The blades in the stripping chamber are rotated independently at a greater velocity than the blades in the reaction chamber and the reaction is controlled by the temperature of the synthesis gas and the rotational velocity of the mixing blades in the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventor: Bayne Carew
  • Publication number: 20120216875
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing, trading, transporting, and storing commodities are disclosed. More specifically, methods and systems for producing, trading, transporting, and storing large quantities of water having specific characteristics are provided. Methods for transferring title and trading commodities in the form of water are disclosed. Various transport systems are disclosed, including devices and methods for utilizing preexisting vessels to carry different liquid cargoes which should not contact one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Allen Szydlowski, Ian Szydlowski, Mickey Fouts
  • Publication number: 20120211230
    Abstract: A method for separating a multi-phase fluid, the fluid comprising a relatively high density component and a relatively low density component, the method comprising: introducing the fluid into a separation region; imparting a rotational movement into the multi-phase fluid; forming an outer annular region of rotating fluid within the separation region; and forming and maintaining a core of fluid in an inner region; wherein fluid entering the separation vessel is directed into the outer annular region; and the thickness of the outer annular region is such that the high density component is concentrated and substantially contained within this region, the low density component being concentrated in the rotating core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Karl Gregory Anderson, Raul Jasso Garcia, SR., Raghunath Gopal Menon, Sandeep Patni, Moye Wicks, III, Patrick Gitau Mahinda, Rajneesh Varma
  • Publication number: 20120211442
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning system for hydrocyclone sand cleaning comprising a hydrocyclone for receiving a slurry containing sand to be cleaned and a vessel for receiving sand exiting the hydrocyclone, wherein the vessel has an discharge port for the sand. A fluid extractor is provided between the hydrocyclone and the discharge port, for extracting fluid from the vessel to permit an increased flow rate of sand into the vessel. The invention also relates to a method of cleaning sand and a method of increasing the flow rate of sand through a hydrocyclone cleaning system such as that described above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: VWS Westgarth Limited
    Inventor: Neville Ernest Lange
  • Publication number: 20120211404
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recovering spent machining slurries and to an apparatus for carrying out the method. The spent machining slurry that contains a machining medium, a carrier fluid for the machining medium, material stemming from the machined articles, particles stemming from the machining tools and optionally additives, is recovered by centrifugation in the undiluted state, thereby allowing an especially effective recovery according to materials and without much effort. The used apparatus is characterized in that it comprises a centrifuge having a suspended centrifugal drum or a stationary centrifuge having a floating centrifuging drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventor: Guntram Krettek
  • Patent number: 8246842
    Abstract: A centrifuge (2) for separating solids from liquid of a slurry with a conveyor (12) having a hub (14) rotatable about an axis (34) and at a helical blade (16) extending axially and radially from the hub. A bowl (4) including a cylindrical section (6) extending from an upstream end of the conveyor and a conically diverging screen section (10) extending to a downstream end of the conveyor extends about the conveyor and is rotatable about the axis. The conically diverging screen section includes an angle (40) that reduces the coefficient of friction of the solids to allow a cake formed of the solids to slide in a controlled manner forward on the conically diverging screen section with minimal back pressure, but without allowing the solid cake to break loose from the conically diverging screen section and slide out of the centrifuge in an uncontrolled manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Andritz Separation, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Robert Frohlich, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8241507
    Abstract: A method and a device for separation of a fluid in the liquid state comprising two liquids that are not mutually miscible, with different densities, wherein a first liquid is to be cleansed from a second liquid, whereby the fluid in the liquid state is conducted through a rotor where centrifugal separation of the second liquid from the first liquid takes place, and is then conducted into a tank, with the proportion of the second liquid being reduced to less than 5%, and by conducting the fluid, after centrifugal separation, through a restriction, whereby the pressure of the fluid in the liquid state is reduced, which causes portions of the fluid in the liquid state to evaporate so that further portions of the second liquid escape in the form of a gas which is conducted away, thereby further reducing the proportion of the second liquid in the outgoing fluid in the liquid state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Alfa-Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Claes-Göran Carlsson, Leonard Borgström, Carl Häggmark, Hans Moberg, Jan Skoog
  • Patent number: 8236184
    Abstract: A method related to using a squeezing or transfer fluid to transfer fluid or components between bags in a centrifuge wherein the squeezing fluid can be reversed to reduce squeezing and such fluid an also be used to build up a over-pressure for rapid movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Holmes, Peter Pihlstedt
  • Patent number: 8236185
    Abstract: Toxic substances such as heavy metals are extracted from a medium using a sorbent composition. The sorbent composition is derived by sulfidation of red mud, which contains hydrated ferric oxides derived from the Bayer processing of bauxite ores. Exemplary sulfidizing compounds are H2S, Na2S, K2S, (NH4)2S, and CaSx. The sulfur content typically is from about 0.2 to about 10% above the residual sulfur in the red mud. Sulfidized red mud is an improved sorbent compared to red mud for most of the heavy metals tested (Hg, Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Se, Th, and U). Unlike red mud, sulfidized red mud does not leach naturally contained metals. Sulfidized red mud also prevents leaching of metals when mixed with red mud. Mixtures of sulfidized red mud and red mud are more effective for sorbing other ions, such as As, Co, Mn, and Sr, than sulfidized red mud alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: J.I. Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Iannicelli
  • Patent number: 8236977
    Abstract: Processes and methods of recovering desired products from fermentation stillage are presented, including processes and methods of recovering lipids and aqueous materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Primafuel
    Inventors: Richard Root Woods, Vahik Krikorian, Juston Smithers
  • Publication number: 20120193298
    Abstract: A method and system for treating a fluid stream includes inputting a fluid stream to an input section of the fluid treatment system and receiving the fluid stream via spiral mixer-conditioner. The spiral mixer-conditioner mixes and conditions the input stream. Thereafter the mixed and conditioned fluid stream is input to a spiral separator where the mixed and conditioned fluid stream is separated into at least two fluid streams, a first fluid stream having particulates in the input stream removed, and the second fluid stream having the particulates in the input fluid stream concentrated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Meng H. Lean, Norine E. Chang, Ashutosh Kole, Jeonggi Seo
  • Patent number: 8226822
    Abstract: A cyclone separator includes a wall, a first passage, a second passage, and an oil debris monitor. The wall defines a cyclone cavity. The first passage has a first passage inlet positioned in the cyclone cavity and a first passage outlet at an exterior of the cyclone separator. The second passage has a second passage inlet positioned in the cyclone cavity and a second passage outlet at the first passage. The oil debris monitor detects debris flowing through the second passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce Paradise