And Recirculating Liquid Patents (Class 210/805)
  • Patent number: 7906024
    Abstract: The addition of buffer to a harvest stream during diafiltration can cause increased turbidity and have other undesirable effects including limiting product recovery. Methods and compositions related to the use of a non-ionic surfactant are provided for improving diafiltration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Wyeth Research Ireland Limited
    Inventors: James Pierce, Enda Moran
  • Patent number: 7896169
    Abstract: A variety of improved hydroclone based fluid filtering systems are described. The hydroclones generally include a tank having an internal chamber and a filter (preferably a surface filter) that is positioned within the internal chamber. The filter defines a filtered fluid chamber within the internal chamber of the tank. The hydroclone may be operated such that a vortex of flowing fluid is formed between the chamber wall and the filter with the filter being located in the center of the vortex. With this arrangement, the filter acts as a cross-flow filter. In one aspect of the invention, the filter is a stepped filter. In another aspect of the invention, the filter is an surface filter, as for example, an electroformed metal surface filter. In some preferred embodiments, the openings in the filter are arranged as slots that extend substantially vertically so that they are oriented substantially perpendicular to the flow path of fluid flowing in the adjacent portion of the vortex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Clean Filtration Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Levitt, Frank Dutro
  • Publication number: 20110036781
    Abstract: A filter assembly for a fuel delivery system for actuators and fuel control system of an aircraft engine includes a wash flow filter. Fuel flow velocity is increased through the filter through use of a recirculating passage that is effectively achieved through use of an ejector pump. A portion of the pressurized fuel delivered by the main fuel pump is diverted and serves as a motive fluid that scavenges unfiltered flow from downstream of the filter and recirculates or discharges the recirculated flow to an inlet of the filter. This provides increased velocity to maintain sufficient washing of the filter openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Martin A. Clements, Robert Nyzen, John P. Ogger, William T. Flynn
  • Patent number: 7883627
    Abstract: An automated system for fuel polishing stored fuel in multiple storage tanks, and methods for making and using such systems, such methods including the use of an apparatus comprising a pump having a flow velocity sufficient to suspend settled impurities in a fuel storage tank, at least a first and second fuel storage tank each having an inlet and an outlet; said at least one filter; a fluid pathway connecting said pump, said fuel storage tanks, and at least one filter; a first three-way valve positioned at a junction between the inlet of at least said first and second fuel storage tanks; a second three-way valve positioned at a junction between the outlet of at least said first and second fuel storage tanks; and a system controller component operably connected to said first and second three-way valve to automatically control the position of each valve without manual intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventor: Douglas P. Barrett
  • Patent number: 7879242
    Abstract: A method and a device to increase the efficiency of dialysis for the removal from blood of substances that are more or less tightly bound to carriers such as albumin. According to the invention this is accomplished by a simultaneous significant increase of the flow rate of the dialysis fluid and of the area of the membrane that separates the blood from the dialysis fluid, compared to conventional dialysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Jan Sternby, Berit Sternby
  • Publication number: 20110006008
    Abstract: A filter column apparatus comprising a filtration zone and a reslurry zone. These zones are separated by a barrier wall or are in substantial cooperation with each other. Also disclosed is a process for separating at least a portion of at least one substantially solid component from a solid-liquid stream comprising the substantially solid component and at least one substantially liquid component. Also disclosed is a process for forming a substantially solids containing packed bed. Also disclosed is a process for purifying paraxylene in a filtration zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A Wilsak, Scott A. Roberts, Dean B. Comstock, Ronald D. Stefanski
  • Patent number: 7854852
    Abstract: Device inserted into a drain so that the top surface of the device is positioned and supported at the drain surface by means of a flange at the top surface of the device and sealing the drain by means of a gasket between the flange and the drain perimeter surface. Waste water, referred to as “gray water”, directed to the drain enters the device by passing first through a thin horizontal plate perforated with numerous small holes to remove hair and debris and then passes through larger openings in the surface plate directly beneath the hair and debris guard. The water accumulates in the collection chamber and is extracted through means of a pick-up tube within the collection chamber having a fitting extending through the top of the device for connection to a fluid conduit attached to a suction pump. The extracted gray water is diverted or stored for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Richard Martin Reavis
  • Patent number: 7850633
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to devices, systems and methods for removing undesirable materials from a sample fluid by contact with a second fluid. The sample fluid flows as a thin layer adjacent to, or between, concurrently flowing layers of the second fluid, without an intervening membrane. In various embodiments, a secondary separator is used to restrict the removal of desirable substances and effect the removal of undesirable substances from blood. The invention is useful in a variety of situations where a sample fluid is to be purified via a diffusion mechanism against an extractor fluid. Moreover, the invention may be used for the removal of components from a sample fluid that vary in size. When blood is the sample fluid, for example, this may include the removal of ‘small’ molecules, ‘middle’ molecules, macromolecules, macromolecular aggregates, and cells, from the blood sample to the extractor fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Edward F. Leonard, Alan C. West, Nina C. Shapley, Zhongliang Tang
  • Patent number: 7846342
    Abstract: A mobile dehydration system that is operable to remove water from a supply of fluid, such as hydraulic fluid. The mobile dehydration system includes a fluid pump that draws the supply of hydraulic fluid from a storage tank. The flow of hydraulic fluid passes through a fluid heater that elevates the temperature of the hydraulic fluid. The fluid heater includes at least one flow restricting orifice that reduces the pressure of the flow of hydraulic fluid, thereby elevating the temperature of the hydraulic fluid. The outlet of the fluid heater is connected to a dehydrator that removes water from the flow of hydraulic fluid. A fluid feedback line is connected between the outlet of the fluid heater and the inlet of the fluid pump to return a portion of the hydraulic fluid flow when the flow rate through the dehydrator is less than the flow rate from the fluid pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Putzmeister America, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles N. Johnson, Uwe E. Zimmermann, Carsten Funk
  • Patent number: 7842121
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing aqueous stream purification services. The system includes at least one separation unit. Each separation unit may include a mechanical vapor recompression separator, a steam stripper, and a secondary recovery heat exchanger. The system for wastewater purification may receive water from a waste water storage, purify the water, and return the purified water to a purified water storage. The system may include a controller. The controller may include an operating conditions module configured to interpret at least one operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Capital Corporation
    Inventors: Larry D. Sanderson, James W. Schleiffarth, Leslie D. Merrill, Bradford M. Rohwer
  • Patent number: 7837768
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for purifying a waste fluid stream. The system includes a recirculation pump having an inlet for a recirculation stream and an outlet to expel a pressurized stream. The system includes a compressor having an inlet for an evaporation stream and an outlet for a pressurized evaporation stream. A primary heat exchanger has inlets for the pressurized stream and the pressurized evaporation stream, an internal surface area for heat transfer from the evaporation stream to the pressurized stream, and outlets for a cooled product stream and a heated pressurized stream. The heated pressurized stream is formed by heating the pressurized stream and the cooled product stream is formed by cooling the evaporation stream. The system includes an evaporation unit having an inlet for the heated pressurized stream and outlets for an evaporation stream and the recycled liquid bottoms stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Capital Corporation as Administrative Agent
    Inventors: Larry D. Sanderson, James W. Schleiffarth, Leslie D. Merrill, Bradford M. Rohwer
  • Publication number: 20100288708
    Abstract: Circulating completion, workover and drilling fluids used in hydrocarbon recovery are filtered after monitoring for viscosity, which frequently causes plugging of filters. A viscometer generates a signal representative of viscosity in the fluid; the signal is used by a programmable controller to divert viscous fluid from the filter, or to take other action to prevent damage to the filter. The viscometer can be used in various positions in the system. Fluids deemed too viscous for the filter can be sent to a viscosity-reducing device, which may be a heating, shear-thinning, or cavitation device, to reduce its viscosity, enabling the fluid to pass through a filter without fouling. After filtering and a return to a lower temperature, the fluid may be treated if necessary to become viscous again for a useful purpose. A temperature monitor can be deployed on the fluid emerging or downstream from the cavitation or other device to assist in correlating temperatures to viscosities of various fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Robert L. Sloan, Kevin W. Smith, Harry D. Smith, JR.
  • Patent number: 7824554
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning and shutting down a part-time wastewater treatment system is disclosed. The wastewater treatment system has a water input to receive an influent flow of wastewater to be treated, a water output to discharge treated clean water effluent, and a water treatment capacity volume. An effluent external tank receives the clean water effluent and has a size greater than or equal to the capacity volume. Influent flow of wastewater is terminated. Clean water effluent is pumped through a fluid pathway from the effluent external tank to the water input. A sufficient volume of clean water effluent is passed through the wastewater treatment system to complete treatment of the wastewater within the wastewater treatment system, purge wastewater from the wastewater treatment system, and fill the wastewater treatment system with clean water effluent. The wastewater treatment system is thus prepared to be shut down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Water Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Rusnack, Stephen D. Allen
  • Patent number: 7820051
    Abstract: A method, process and system for the recycling of electrochemical-mechanical planarization slurries/electrolytes as they are used in the back end of line of the semiconductor wafer manufacturing process is disclosed. The method, process and system includes with the removal of metal ions from slurries using ion exchange media and/or electrochemical deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rui Fang, Deepak Kulkarni, David K. Watts
  • Publication number: 20100264098
    Abstract: A fibrous filter media is provided for meeting NSF 50 requirements for water turbidity in pools, hot tubs and spas which includes a sheet of nonwoven fibers coated with chitosan, wherein the sheet may be pleated or present in a stacked layer configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Kartik POTUKUCHI
  • Publication number: 20100252509
    Abstract: The technology presents filter media and methods of recycling metal-working liquids by removing metal fines and other contaminants using the filter media. An exemplary method includes a series of steps. These steps include filtering a contaminated metal-working liquid that has metal fines through an exemplary filter medium that is comprised of a carrier and a chemical agent. The carrier is impregnated with a chemical agent selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, polyphosphoric acid, phosphorous acid, phosphorous pentoxide, and mixtures or derivatives of these. Further, the exemplary method includes collecting a filtrate substantially free of ashable residue; and reusing the filtrate as a metal-working liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventor: Kenneth C. Kipers
  • Patent number: 7799231
    Abstract: A liquid/solid separator system mounted on a mobile cart and connected to a process tank for reducing the rate at which fluids are consumed in manufacturing processes. The system may include automation and also may include a shear-stepped screen including tilted wire wedge wires arranged at varying cant angles. The system may include a fine screen basket received in a settling box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Engineering Fluid Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: William O. Irvine
  • Patent number: 7790043
    Abstract: Systems and methods handle air and rinsing fluid during fluid processing. The systems and methods eliminate air from a fluid processing system prior to, during, and after use. The systems and methods provide a connector assembly for establishing fluid flow from a fluid source. The connector assembly has discrete first and second passages that prevent communication between the fluid in first passage and the fluid in the second passage. Prior to system use, the connector assembly may be utilized in a priming function to remove residual air from a fluid circuit prior to use. The connector assembly may also be utilized after use to perform a rinse-back function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: NxStage Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Brugger, Dennis M. Treu
  • Patent number: 7762976
    Abstract: An apparatus for extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient's blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. The apparatus comprises a bubble sensor, arranged at or connected to a venous line, for detecting bubbles in the venous blood received from the patient. When air bubbles are detected, a second pump is activated to draw air from an air chamber provided in an air filter connected to the venous line and arranged downstream of the bubble sensor. A first pump draws the blood from the air filter and supplies the blood to an oxygenator and to the patient via an arterial line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Sorin Group Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Schreyer, Erwin Knott, Andreas Hahn
  • Patent number: 7736521
    Abstract: Circulating completion, workover and drilling fluids used in hydrocarbon recovery are filtered after monitoring for viscosity, which frequently causes plugging of filters. A viscometer generates a signal representative of viscosity in the fluid; the signal is used by a programmable controller to divert viscous fluid from the filter, or to take other action to prevent damage to the filter. The viscometer can be used in various positions in the system. Fluids deemed too viscous for the filter can be sent to a viscosity-reducing device, which may be a heating, shear-thinning, or cavitation device, to reduce its viscosity, enabling the fluid to pass through a filter without fouling. After filtering and a return to a lower temperature, the fluid may be treated if necessary to become viscous again for a useful purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Total Separation Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Sloan, Kevin W. Smith, Harry D. Smith, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100140192
    Abstract: A uniquely designed dual port spa suction fitting that uses two channels for the intake of water to be filtered that are bridged together to eliminate high speed zones and provide for a more even distribution of suction force across the suction openings. The cover has a concave shape with a curved perimeter and sidewall. The cover, the curved perimeter and the sidewall all contain a plurality of apertures allowing for the intake of water into the filter. The apertures provide for unidirectional flow, thereby reducing the hazard caused by hair entanglement. An alternate embodiment includes a sump that is attached between the cover and the two spa fittings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Brooks Hilton, M. rEZA Mirzaei, Frank Hinjosa
  • Publication number: 20100133206
    Abstract: An extraction system for removing a particulate material (e.g., abrasive material, such as garnet) from a water jet tank includes a tank with a door movably coupled to the bottom end to seal the bottom end of the tank. The system also includes a pump operably coupled to the tank via one or more valves. An outflow line with an outflow opening coupled to the pump that can be placed in fluid communication with the water jet tank. The system also includes an inflow line with an inflow opening coupled to the tank. At least a portion of the inflow line is adjacent the outflow line so that the inflow opening and outflow opening are proximate each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventor: George Schade
  • Patent number: 7718069
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for treating an aqueous liquid containing dissolved minerals and dissolved hydrocarbons. Method steps and apparatus for treating a waste water feed stream are disclosed which utilize a warm lime softening system in fluid communication with the waste water feed stream, wherein sludge from the warm lime softening system is recycled to improve lime utilization and enhance silica and boron removal without the addition of an external source of magnesium. In addition, a microfiltration system and/or an air stripper system may be used in fluid communication with at least one reverse osmosis system to produce a treatment water that meets state and federal guidelines for surface discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Water & Power Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Laraway, Richard E. Weber, Donald J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7713427
    Abstract: A water treatment and recycling system for filtering grey waste water to clear water for stone fabrication equipment includes a waste water storage tank connected to receive grey water from stone fabrication equipment and a clear water supply loop. The clear water supply loop includes a high capacity filter assembly receiving waste water from the waste water storage tank and filtering the waste water into clear water that is provided to the fabrication equipment through a clear water storage tank. The high capacity filter assembly includes at least one high pressure filter unit wherein each high pressure filter unit includes a duplex air diaphragm pump assembly, forfiltering the waste water into the clear water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Stone Industry Recycling, Inc.
    Inventors: Ross Perry, Paula Perry
  • Patent number: 7705193
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for conversion of a gasoline-range hydrocarbon feed into a gasoline fraction with a higher octane rating than that of the feedstream, and a gasoil fraction with a cetane number higher than 45, including the following steps: a) a membrane separation step (B) applied to the hydrocarbon feed under conditions enabling selective separation of the majority of the linear olefins present in said feed and constituting the ? fraction, the fraction containing the majority of the branched olefins, termed the ? fraction, constituting a gasoline with a high octane rating, greater than that of the feed; b) an oligomerisation step (C) applied to the linear olefins (? fraction) contained in the effluent stream from the membrane separation step (B) under moderate oligomerisation conditions; c) a distillation separation step (D) applied to the effluent stream arising from the oligomerisation step in at least two fractions; d) a hydrogenation step (E) applied to one of the fractions obtained at
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Patrick Briot, Arnaud Baudot, Vincent Coupard, Stéphane Morin, Alain Methivier
  • Patent number: 7699993
    Abstract: Wireless methods for dispensing water supplied by a main purification unit to a remote dispensing device. The remote dispensing device is fluidly coupled with the main purification unit. A wireless transceiver is associated with the remote dispensing device and another wireless transceiver is associated with the main purification unit. The wireless transceivers communicate across a wireless communications link between the remote dispensing device and the main purification unit. The system may include multiple remote dispensing devices and/or multiple main purification units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Barnstead Thermolyne Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Joseph Larkner
  • Patent number: 7695627
    Abstract: The present invention provides tangential flow filtration devices and methods for enriching a heterogeneous mixture of blood constituents for leukocytes by removal of non-leukocyte blood constituents. In one particular embodiment the device can provide a composition enriched in monocytes. One embodiment includes a remover unit (1) having a crossflow chamber (3) separated by a microporous filter (5) from a filtrate chamber (4), the remover unit (1) also having a tangential flow inlet (6), a fluid outlet (7) for a fluid enriched in leukocytes and a filtrate outlet (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Northwest Biotherapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Marnix L. Bosch, Paul C. Harris, Steven J. Monahan, Allen Turner, Alton L. Boynton, Patricia A. Lodge
  • Patent number: 7691170
    Abstract: A process and a device for treating and upgrading raw manure. The method and the device comprise steps which consist in promoting agglomeration of solid constituents of the manure and precipitating the agglomerated particles by using a sedimentation agent. More particularly, the sedimentation agent used is based on natural stone and/or industrial derivative dusts. Sedimentation of the agglomerated particles enables the solid phase and the liquid phase to be separately treated, leading eventually to the production of a solid fertilizer, a liquid fertilizer and water corresponding to environmental standards and capable of being released into the environment or simply recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Carriere R. Poudrette Inc.
    Inventors: Florian Poudrette, Alexandre Poudrette, Gaetan Gauthier, Danielle Bégin, legal representative
  • Patent number: 7686966
    Abstract: An automatic tank cleaning system includes a water recycling unit having a weir therein and a conically-shaped bottom, a cutting box having a portable weir therein, a hydrocyclonic separator, and a mud tank. Tank slop is pumped from the mud tank to the water recycling unit where solids collect at the bottom. The solids are removed and collected in the cutting box. Water in the recycling unit may be pumped through the hydrocyclonic separator. Solids removed by the separator are collected in the cutting box and the water is directed into a clean water compartment defined by the weir within the recycling unit. Water in the cutting box is collected by the portable weir therein and pumped to the clean water compartment. Water from the clean water compartment is pumped to one or more rotary jet heads within the mud tank. Overflow from the water recycling unit may be directed to the cutting box. A chemical inductor may be used to add cleaning chemicals to the water prior to being directed through the wash nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: Frank Eriksen
  • Patent number: 7678275
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reversing the dispersion formed in the mixing section of liquid-liquid extraction and kept condensed in the separation section and the separated solutions form the rear end of the separation section to flow back towards the feed end of the separation section. The invention also refers to the extraction equipment for implementing the reversed flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Bror Nyman, Eero Ekman, Stig-Erik Hultholm, Pertti Pekkala, Juhani Lyyra, Launo Lilja, Raimo Kuusisto
  • Patent number: 7678199
    Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the amount of film fragments discharged into a processing liquid circulation system during removal of films from wafers, thereby reducing the frequency of filter cleaning or filter replacement. The method includes exposing a wafer containing a film formed thereon in a process chamber of a substrate processing system to a processing liquid, where the wafer is not rotated or is rotated at a first speed and the processing liquid is discharged from the process chamber to a processing liquid circulation system. Subsequently, exposure of the wafer to the processing liquid is discontinued and the wafer is rotated at a second speed greater than the first speed to centrifugally remove fragments of the film from the wafer. Next, the wafer is exposed to the same or a different processing liquid and the processing liquid is discharged from the process chamber to a processing liquid drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Shogo Mizota, Minami Teruomi, Kenji Yokomizo, Taira Masaki
  • Patent number: 7662290
    Abstract: The present invention removes contaminants from well water without creating the problem of large volumes of waste liquid disposal. It uses double-cone devices as pressure amplifiers which due to their lack of moving parts avoid the risk of additional contamination of the well and provide a prolonged lifetime. For toxic contaminants, a periodic purging of the concentrated contaminants is required. In the case of (sea) salt contamination, there is no waste brine to be continuously handled at all and the system may be run without interruption over an extended period. In this case, the brine is dumped into the well simply by periodically stopping the plant. The brine pours out of the double-cone unit(s) and due to its higher density, sinks down in the well without disturbing the operation of the purification plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: DCT Double-Cone Technology AG
    Inventor: John Stark
  • Patent number: 7655097
    Abstract: In the washing process of the invention, the solid particles in a high-concentration zone, which is formed in a washing tank by a gravitational sedimentation of solid particles, are continuously washed by a counter-current contact with upward flow of a washing liquid which is fed from the bottom portion of the washing tank. With this process, the impurities in the solid particles are sufficiently removed by a simple apparatus. Since the used washing liquid can be recycled as the disperse medium for feeding the solid particles and as the washing liquid, the amount of used washing liquid to be discharged as the waste from the system is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideaki Fujita, Hiroshi Machida, Nobuo Namiki, Yoshio Waguri
  • Publication number: 20100000949
    Abstract: System and method for water restoration to a water pool or to water regions associated with freshwater or saltwater marinas. Embodiments include a positive water flow device that works in unison with a negative water flow device, wherein the positive and negative flow devices are separated from each other in the water pool or water regions. The positive flow device, for example, a water jet, directs a stream of water beneath the water surface of the water pool or water regions, and causes a water surface to move towards the negative flow device by a hydraulic pushing action. The negative flow device includes a water pump and receiving port, augments the hydraulic pushing action by providing a complementary pulling action by applying a vacuum or negative pressure to a water receiving port, or scoop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventor: Matthew Hughes
  • Patent number: 7632416
    Abstract: A variety of improved hydroclone based fluid filtering systems are described. The hydroclones generally include a tank having an internal chamber and a filter (preferably a surface filter) that is positioned within the internal chamber. The filter defines a filtered fluid chamber within the internal chamber of the tank. The hydroclone may be operated such that a vortex of flowing fluid is formed between the chamber wall and the filter with the filter being located in the center of the vortex. With this arrangement, the filter acts as a cross-flow filter. In one aspect of the invention, the filter is a stepped filter. In another aspect of the invention, the filter is an surface filter, as for example, an electroformed metal surface filter. In some preferred embodiments, the openings in the filter are arranged as slots that extend substantially vertically so that they are oriented substantially perpendicular to the flow path of fluid flowing in the adjacent portion of the vortex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Clean Filtration Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Levitt
  • Patent number: 7615158
    Abstract: A method and a device to increase the efficiency of dialysis for the removal from blood of substances that are more or less tightly bound to carriers such as albumin. According to the invention this is accomplished by a simultaneous significant increase of the flow rate of the dialysis fluid and of the area of the membrane that separates the blood from the dialysis fluid, compared to conventional dialysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Jan Sternby, Berit Sternby
  • Patent number: 7601268
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a system for continuously filtering a blood product including whole blood or any of its component(s), erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets and plasma either alone or in combination. The system includes a connector for receiving the blood product, a filter coupled to the connector for filtering the received blood product, a collection bag coupled to the filter for collecting the filtered blood product, and a reservoir bag connected to the connector for temporarily storing received blood product, and providing received blood product through the connector to the filter to maintain continuity in filtration. The reservoir bag and the collection bag are suspended, the connector near or below the bottom of the collection bag, and the bottom of the reservoir bag is above the bottom of the collection bag. Also provided is a method of filtering a blood product using the continuous blood filtration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Haemonetics Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Ragusa
  • Publication number: 20090250414
    Abstract: A method for filtering particulate material from cooking oil used in a frying process at a filtration temperature within the range of 250° F. to 400° F. includes providing a filter comprising a non-woven panel of directionally or randomly oriented fibers of synthetic material, and exposing the filter to the cooking oil at the filtration temperature while drawing the cooking oil therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas Bivens, J.G. Clark
  • Patent number: 7597812
    Abstract: A method for receiving animal waste from animal confinements or other concentrated animal waste sources and for converting the waste into a usable form is described. The waste contains both liquids and solids. The method includes separating the liquids and solids into separate waste streams, controlling an amount of moisture in the solids waste stream such that the amount of moisture in the solid waste stream is compatible with a selected energy conversion process, and feeding the moisture controlled solid waste into the energy conversion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Innoventor Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent F. Schien, Scott A. Moseley, Gary E. Winkler
  • Patent number: 7588688
    Abstract: The disclosed principles for providing a chemical-free filtering of particulate down below sub-micron levels, while concentrating the particulate into a sludge. The disclosed principles integrate cross-flow filtration (i.e., micro-filtration or ultra-filtration) with a settling tank (or “weir”) to provide sequential filtration and dewatering of an aqueous media. The disclosed technique operates chemical-free and is continuous. Applications for systems and processes in accordance with the disclosed technique are wide, and include aggregate fines removal, sediment removal, replacement for clarifiers, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Purifics Environmental Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian E. Butters, Anthony L. Powell
  • Patent number: 7585416
    Abstract: The invention disclosed provides an apparatus and method for filtration and disinfection of ship's ballast water, such as sea water, based on hydrodynamic cavitation. The apparatus comprises a vortex diode with a tangential entry port and an axial outlet port with single or multiple bleeding holes. The disinfected water may be re-circulated through the system for additional disinfection or released from the tank into the surrounding waterways. The disinfection of seawater/ship's ballast water is achieved through filtration and hydrodynamic cavitation and the method does not involve use of any chemicals or any chemical reaction. The invented apparatus and method is simple, eco-friendly and can be fitted on to existing intake and discharge systems of any ship with minor modifications. It poses no risk to the health of the ship's crew unlike chemical methods and requires no special skill or additional manpower for its operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research
    Inventors: Vivek Vinayak Ranade, Anirudh Bhalchandra, Arga Chandrashekar Anil, Subhash Shivram Sawant, Dandayudapani Ilangovan, Rajachandran Madhan, Krishnamurthy Pilarisetty Venkat
  • Publication number: 20090215602
    Abstract: Blood separation methods and systems are provided for mid-processing calculation of blood composition. Blood is conveyed into a device having an outlet line and the device is spun to separate a blood component from the blood. A flow of blood component is conveyed from the device by the outlet line and the blood component in the outlet line is optically measured. With said optical measurement, a current blood component yield, a blood component pre-count, the volume of blood to process to collect a target amount of said blood component, and/or the processing time required to collect a target amount of said blood component is calculated. The optical measurement can also be used to calculate an amount of storage fluid to convey into a collection container with the blood component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Kyungyoon Min, Richard I. Brown
  • Patent number: 7572383
    Abstract: A high rate, upflow filtration system is described in which a compressible, fibrous lump filtration media is compressed to adjust the porosity and collector size of the media in the bed and to provide a porosity gradient within the bed proceeding from more porous to less porous in a direction opposite to the flow of fluid so that filtration proceeds in a direction from a more porous to a less porous filter bed. Larger particles are removed by the more porous media and successively smaller particles are removed as the filter bed becomes less porous. The system is capable of reducing the turbidity of influent municipal wastewater from about 8 NTU to about 2 NTU at a wastewater flow rate of from about 820 to 1230 L/m2·min (20 to 30 gal/ft2·min), at a bed compression ration of from about 15 to 40 percent, and at a backwash rate of from about 1 to 6 percent based on the total wastewater passing through the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Schreiber, LLC
    Inventor: William Frederick Dew, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7540936
    Abstract: An evaporator for receiving waste fluid stream and producing separate streams of an evaporated fluid and a condensate liquid for use in industrial waste treatment has a curved pathway bounded by a casing having an inlet port through which the waste fluid enters the casing. The casing defines a pathway having a flow direction therein through which the waste fluid stream flows, and within which casing the evaporated fluid is produced. The casing has a drain beneath the pathway through which the condensate passes, and an outlet through which the evaporated fluid is drawn. A series of fins of elongate aerofoil cross-section are located in and extend across the pathway in the flow direction of the waste fluid stream flowing along the pathway. The casing is curved and the fins are arranged parallel to a tangent of the curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Industrial Waste Treatment Limited
    Inventor: Richard Lilleystone
  • Patent number: 7531094
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for two-stage blood dialysis of a patient. In one embodiment, the system comprises a first filtration device for receiving the blood from the patient and for producing a first filtrate and processed blood. The system further comprises a second filtration device for receiving the first filtrate and producing replacement fluid and waste product. At least one of the first and second filtration devices preferably comprises a Taylor vortex-enhanced blood filtration device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: KKJ, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer K. McLaughlin, Don Schoendorfer
  • Patent number: 7527697
    Abstract: To provide a process for removing water, capable of maintaining good water removal performance for a long time continuously and constantly. A process for removing water, which comprises a dipping step of dipping an article having water attached on its surface, in a solvent composition comprising at least one member selected from a hydrochlorofluorocarbon, a hydrofluorocarbon and a hydrofluoroether, and an alcohol, as the essential components, to carry out removal of water, a specific gravity separation step of separating water from the solvent composition containing the water removed from the article, by a specific gravity separation method, and a filtration step of filtering the solvent composition having the water removed in the specific gravity separation step, through a coalescer type filter to further remove water remaining in the solvent composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Masaaki Tsuzaki, Tsuyoshi Hanada
  • Patent number: 7524420
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for using a hemofilter to treat IMRD, hepatic failure, exogenous intoxication and other conditions associated with toxins in a patient's blood. One treatment includes the use of a very large pore hemofilter to remove target complex molecules and/or target molecules from a patient's blood and to infuse a replacement fluid into the patient's blood to maintain a prescribed albumin concentration in the patient's blood. The replacement fluid may include pharmaceutical grade balanced salt solution containing albumin and/or other target receptor molecules and/or other physiological molecules in a sufficient concentration to adequately replenish ongoing losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Immunocept, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Radunsky, James R. Matson, Patrice A. Lee
  • Patent number: 7520992
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for using a hemofilter to treat IMRD, hepatic failure, exogenous intoxication and other conditions associated with toxins in a patient's blood. One treatment includes the use of a very large pore hemofilter to remove target complex molecules and/or target molecules from a patient's blood and to infuse a replacement fluid into the patient's blood to maintain a prescribed albumin concentration in the patient's blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Imunocept, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Radunsky, James R. Matson, Patrice A. Lee
  • Patent number: 7520993
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for treating an aqueous liquid containing dissolved minerals and dissolved hydrocarbons. Method steps and apparatus for treating a waste water feed stream are disclosed which utilize a warm lime softening system in fluid communication with the waste water feed stream, wherein sludge from the warm lime softening system is recycled to improve lime utilization and enhance silica and boron removal without the addition of an external source of magnesium. In addition, a microfiltration system and/or an air stripper system may be used in fluid communication with at least one reverse osmosis system to produce a treatment water that meets state and federal guidelines for surface discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Water & Power Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Laraway, Richard E. Weber, Donald J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7514011
    Abstract: A system for separating solids from a fluid stream. The system includes a first separator device mounted to a container. The container includes a settling compartment and baffle plate module, with the initial settling compartment receiving the fluid from the first separator device. The fluid stream proceeds through the baffle plate module. The solids within the fluid stream will descend to the bottom of the container. A spiral blade is positioned at the bottom of the container, with the spiral blade adapted to convey solids to a first pump member. The speed of rotation of the spiral blade may be varied. The first pump member discharges the slurry to a second separator device. The second separator device will discharge the separated fluid stream into the baffle plate module. In one embodiment, the first separator device is a linear shaker and the second separator device is a cyclone separator and linear shaker mounted in tandem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Del Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Kulbeth