Plural Separating Patents (Class 210/806)
  • Patent number: 8480895
    Abstract: Liquid filter assemblies including an upper sample reservoir, a sample filter and a lower storage bottle are supported by a vacuum base. The base has a vacuum inlet port and, for connection to the liquid filter assembly, a vacuum outlet port. A vacuum is provided through the base to below the sample filter to draw sample liquid through the sample filter into the storage bottle. The base may include an auxiliary vacuum outlet port for connection with additional devices. The bases may be connected from one to another through auxiliary vacuum outlets and the vacuum inlets to make a chain of liquid filter assemblies supplied from one vacuum source. Alternatively, one base may include multiple vacuum outlet ports so that it may support and supply vacuum to a plurality of liquid filter assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Roush Life Sciences, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Taylor, Jeffrey F. Kane, Vito Lore, Sean Landis Phillips
  • Patent number: 8480904
    Abstract: A process for purifying a lipid composition having predominantly neutral lipid components having at least one long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid is disclosed. The process employs contacting the lipid composition with a polar solvent, such as acetone, wherein the solvent is selected such that contaminants are less soluble in the solvent than is the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid. The process is typically conducted at cooler temperatures, including about 0° C. Upon precipitation of the contaminants from the lipid composition, a separation is conducted to remove the precipitated material from the lipid composition. The long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids can include ARA, DPA, EPA, and/or DHA. The process of the present invention effectively winterizes lipid compositions, thereby reducing the tendency of such compositions to become hazy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: DSM IP Assets B.V.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Dueppen, Samuel G. Zeller, Sandra I. Diltz, Robert H. Driver
  • Patent number: 8475660
    Abstract: A method for separating polar 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 polar lipids from the algal cells. The methods provide for single and multistep extraction processes which allow for efficient separation of algal polar lipids from a wet algal biomass while avoiding emulsification of extraction mixtures. These polar lipids are high value products which can be used as surfactants, detergents, and food additives. Neutral lipids remaining in the algal biomass after extraction of polar lipids can be used to generate renewable fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Heliae Development, LLC
    Inventor: Aniket Kale
  • Publication number: 20130161272
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for providing a pressed beverage using a press and lid system. In one aspect, a beverage material is pressed to the bottom of a beverage container by means of a press ring including a filter. The walls of the beverage container exert a force on the press ring, folding flaps (perimeter portions) that are attached to the press ring by means of a flexible attachment member. Any beverage material or other debris that is net collected by the filter in the press ring is collected by a filter in the lid. Other variations and features consistent with the present invention exist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Smartcup, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff Baccetti
  • Patent number: 8470180
    Abstract: A device, system and method for exchanging components between first and second fluids by direct contact in a microfluidic channel. The fluids flow as thin layers in the channel. One of the fluids is passed through a filter upon exiting the channel and is recycled through a secondary processor which changes the fluid's properties. The recycled fluid is reused for further exchange. The filter excludes blood cells from the recycled fluid and prevents or limits clogging of the filter. The secondary processor removes metabolic waste and water by diafiltration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Edward F. Leonard, Alan C. West, Christian Paul Aucoin, Edgar E. Nanne
  • Patent number: 8466312
    Abstract: The process relates improving terephthalic acid purge filtration rate by controlling % water in filter feed slurry and to the recovery of a metal catalyst from an oxidizer purge stream produced in the synthesis of carboxylic acid, typically terephthalic acid, while utilizing pressure filtration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S.A. De C.V.
    Inventors: Kenny Randolph Parker, Larry Wayne Blair
  • Patent number: 8460473
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for conversion of cellulosic material, such as chopped straw and corn stover, and household waste, to ethanol and other products. The cellulosic material is subjected to continuous hydrothermal pre-treatment without addition of chemicals, and a liquid and a fiber fraction are produced. The fiber fraction is subjected to enzymatic liquefaction and saccharification. The method of the present invention comprises: performing the hydrothermal pre-treatment by subjecting the cellulosic material to at least one soaking operation, and conveying the cellulosic material through at least one pressurized reactor, and subjecting the cellulosic material to at least one pressing operation, creating a fiber fraction and a liquid fraction; selecting the temperature and residence time for the hydrothermal pretreatment, so that the fibrous structure of the feedstock is maintained and at least 80% of the lignin is maintained in the fiber fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Inbicon A/S
    Inventors: Borge Holm Christensen, Lena Holm Gerlach
  • Patent number: 8460555
    Abstract: This invention reveals to the public the centralized sump oil and acid oil treatment process and system. The process consist of (1) the filter; (2) entry to reaction kettle, the sodium carbonate solution added at the time of air floatation till PH value keeps about 6.0-8.0; and emulsion splitter and flocculating agent added for further reaction; (3) suspension of air floatation and static settlement; (4) the international crude oil is collected after the detergent oil at the upper level of the reaction kettle is dehydrated under normal and reduced pressure; the wastewater is drained after filtering by the natural oil removal tank and the oil-water filter; the sludge is solidified by the cement and the quick lime and aluminium oxide are used as the coagulant aid for solidifying the sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Gang Yuan
  • Patent number: 8460542
    Abstract: A suction filter may comprise a bag-shaped filter member and a passage member. The passage member is disposed in an internal space of the filter member. The passage member has a fuel passage and a plurality of openings, and guides fuel from the internal space to the outside of the internal space. The openings communicate the internal space of the filter member to the fuel passage. When the passage member is cut along a surface thereof perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the passage member in each of the openings, a position on an outer circumferential surface of the passage member in the cut surface, in which the distance between the outer circumferential surface and the filter member is the smallest, is distant in a circumferential direction from a position on the outer circumferential surface where the opening is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihide Oku, Tetsuya Hara, Yoshinobu Kato
  • Publication number: 20130134110
    Abstract: Described herein are filter assemblies for removing high molecular weight organic components from liquefied petroleum gas, as well as methods for removing high molecular weight components from liquefied petroleum gases. The filter assemblies include an upstream carbon-containing filter media pack and a downstream filter media pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: DONALDSON COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Karthik Viswanathan, Philip Edward Johnson, Dustin Zastera, James Doyle, Gregory L. LaVallee
  • Patent number: 8444859
    Abstract: A mechanical vessel may effectively and simultaneously displace a first undesired gas from within water with a second desired gas, and remove at least one alkaline species and oily matter from the water. The vessel raises the pH of the water and reduces the lime requirement for subsequent lime softening. The vessel receives the water containing the first gas and passes the water through a series of gasification chambers. Each gasification chamber may have a mechanism that ingests and mixes a second gas into the water thereby physically displacing at least a portion of the first gas into a vapor space at the top of each gasification chamber from which it is subsequently removed. There is an absence of communication between the vapor spaces of adjacent chambers. An acid is added to remove the alkaline species, where the first gas is an optional by-product that is also removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: James C. T. Chen, Shaya Movafaghian
  • Publication number: 20130112631
    Abstract: A sieve device (1) for untreated drilling mud being brought up from a well and a method for use is provided. The sieve device (1) has a filter device (3) to separate a share of the drilling liquid from the drill cuttings. The sieve device (1) connects to a first outlet that receives drilling cuttings held back on the filter device (3) and a second outlet (11) that receives drilling liquid flowing from the filter device (3). The sieve device (1) also has at least one secondary filter (13) to separate drill cuttings from drilling liquid, a filter guard (17) being arranged in connection with the secondary filter (12), and a bypass arrangement (19) by means of which the filter guard (17) is arranged to open for communication of untreated drilling mud held back on the secondary filter (13), into the second outlet (11) for drilling liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: Cubility AS
    Inventors: Jan Kristian Vasshus, Arne Malmin
  • Patent number: 8435387
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the small-scale separation of a mixture of two or more components with different boiling points into enriched fractions. In some embodiments, a first and second fluid (e.g., a liquid and a gas, a liquid and a liquid, etc.) are passed through a channel. The first fluid may include at least two components, each with a unique boiling point. Upon contacting the first and second fluids within the channel, at least a portion of the most volatile of the components in the first fluid (i.e., the component with the lowest boiling point) may be transferred from the first fluid to the second fluid. In some instances, the transfer of the volatile component(s) from the first fluid to the second fluid may be expedited by heating, in some cases above the boiling point(s) of the component(s) to be transferred from the first fluid to the second fluid. Contact between the first and second fluids may be maintained, for example, via segmented flow, bubbling flow, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ryan L. Hartman, Hemantkumar R. Sahoo, Klavs F. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20130105416
    Abstract: A debris filtering apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a first filter assembly. The first filter assembly includes an outer conduit and an inner conduit received within the outer conduit. An inner conduit flow-path is defined within the inner conduit and an outer conduit flowpath is defined between the inner conduit and the outer conduit. The inner conduit includes a filter. A fluid inlet is in communication with the inner conduit flowpath and a fluid outlet is in communication with the outer conduit flowpath. The filter permits a fluid to pass between the inner conduit flowpath and the outer conduit flowpath while retaining debris within the inner conduit. The method includes passing the fluid through the first filter assembly, removing the inner conduit from within the outer conduit, removing the debris from the inner conduit, and replacing the inner conduit within the outer conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: IROC ENERGY SERVICES PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Brian Robert Whitehead, Scott Douglas Odegard
  • Publication number: 20130105392
    Abstract: A fluid conduit with layered and partial covering material thereon is disclosed. The fluid conduit may be used for processing and treatment of fluids which must be treated to remove materials so that the resultant treated fluid may be reused and/or returned to the earth and particularly to the water table. The fluid conduit may be of many forms and types and may have attached thereto and configured thereon covering material in partial form and a selected number of layers. The fluid conduit may be a septic pipe of smooth wall, of corrugated form, and/or of any form of cross-sectional configuration including circular, elliptical, rectangular, triangular, or any other geometric shape. The fluid conduit may be used in combination with conduit in a drainage field or leaching system usually associated with a septic tank or septic system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: PRESBY PATENT TRUST
    Inventor: Presby Patent Trust
  • Publication number: 20130105417
    Abstract: A fluid deionizer includes at least one graphene sheet perforated with apertures dimensioned to allow a flow of fluid and to disallow at least one particular type of ion contained in the flow of fluid. A purge valve is placed in an open position so as to collect the at least one particular type of ion disallowed by the graphene sheet so as to clean off the at least one graphene sheet. Another embodiment provides a deionizer with graphene sheets in cylindrical form. A separation apparatus is also provided in a cross-flow arrangement where a pressurized source directs a medium along a path substantially parallel to at least one sheet of graphene from an inlet to an outlet. The medium flows through the plural perforated apertures while a remaining portion of the medium and the disallowed components in the medium flow out the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Lockheed Martin Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130092642
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include filters, systems, and methods for reducing can velocity. According to an example embodiment, a filter is provided for filtering particles from air or fluid. The filter includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end includes an aperture; one or more sections of pleated filter media including a plurality of pleats formed in a substantially conical shape about an axis and around an inner void region in communication with the aperture, wherein a diameter associated with the first end aperture is greater than a diameter associated with the second end; and one or more radial support regions in circumferential contact with at least one of an outer surface of the filter media, wherein spacing of at least some of the plurality of pleats are maintained at least in part by the one or more radial support regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew Alan Ray, Martin Gregory Hatfield
  • Publication number: 20130086981
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for discontinuous filtration of a liquid, having a filter station for filtration, a feed line for supplying the liquid to the filter station, and a filter medium movable relative to the station, the filter medium comprising at least two different membranes, which together in the filter station effect multistage filtration. The invention additionally relates to a method for discontinuous filtration of a liquid or for filtering isolated quantities of liquid, comprising: providing a filter station for filtration, the filter station comprising a chamber in which filtration is carried out; moving or transporting a filter medium from a stock into the filter station, the filter medium comprising at least two membranes which are arranged next to one another in the chamber; and supplying the liquid to the chamber, such that the liquid is subjected to multistage filtration through the membranes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: BAYER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Steigmiller, Karsten Sommer, Christoph Knappe
  • Publication number: 20130087501
    Abstract: In a desalination system, water is treated, for example by reverse osmosis, to produce desalinated product water and a reject stream. Salt from the reject stream is transferred to a flow of low salinity wastewater, such as effluent from a municipal wastewater treatment plant. For example, the reject stream may be fed to the high salinity cell in an electrodialysis (ED) unit. The adjacent low salinity cell receives the low salinity wastewater. The high salinity and low salinity cells are separated by ion exchange membranes. The salty wastewater is discharged, for example to the ocean. The salt-reduced reject stream is treated to extract more product water from it, for example by recycling it to the feed water. Less feed water is needed to produce a given volume of product water. If a thermal desalination unit is combined with divalent ion selective ion exchange membranes, then scaling is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPAY
    Inventors: Neil Edwin MOE, John BARBER
  • Publication number: 20130082012
    Abstract: Systems and methods are used to concentrate and extract platelets from blood, where an aggregation arrangement is configured to aggregate red blood cells in the blood. The aggregated red blood cells are provided to a separation arrangement which is configured to separate the aggregated red blood cells from platelets in the blood plasma. Finally a concentration arrangement is configured to concentrate the platelets for extraction and further use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Meng H. Lean, Armin R. Volkel, Huangpin B. Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8409442
    Abstract: A system for treating fractionated water from an oil and gas well. The system comprising a filter system, a diffusive membrane system, a plurality of membrane sensors, and at least one membrane controller. The filter system is fluidly connected to the diffusive membrane system, wherein the filter system comprises a plurality of straining filter banks. The diffusive membrane system comprises a plurality of membrane banks each having an inlet and an outlet. The plurality of membrane sensors are positioned at the outlet of each of the plurality of membrane banks, and the plurality of membrane sensors are configured to detect the total dissolved solids level at the outlet of each of the plurality of membrane banks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: NG Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald W. Booth
  • Patent number: 8399716
    Abstract: Method for purifying an alcohol, notably 1,3-propanediol, from a fermentation broth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Metabolic Explorer
    Inventors: Frederic Ollivier, Pascal Rousseaux
  • Patent number: 8394278
    Abstract: A system for filtering organic molecules from an electrolyte solution, including a feed inlet line adapted to carry a solution with organic molecules, a filter vessel secured to the inlet line, and a pump adapted to introduce dissolved air into the solution in the feed inlet line. The filter vessel is a solvent extraction filter having coalescing media above a solution outlet at the bottom of the vessel and an organic vent outlet at the top of the vessel. The system operates by (a) dissolving air into the solution, (b) inputting the solution with dissolved air into the filter vessel, (c) outletting solution from the bottom vessel outlet to flow solution down through coalescing media, and (d) periodically venting floating organic molecules from the top of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Smith & Loveless, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Crowell
  • Publication number: 20130056428
    Abstract: A fluid purification system, comprising: a first fluid purification media comprising a rigid porous purification block, comprising: a longitudinal first surface; a longitudinal second surface disposed inside the longitudinal first surface; and a porous high density polymer disposed between the longitudinal first surface and the longitudinal second surface; a second fluid purification media, comprising a fibrous, nonwoven fabric disposed adjacent to the first surface of the first fluid purification media, the second surface of the first purification media, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: SELECTO, INC.
    Inventor: Ehud Levy
  • 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: 20130026107
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for filtering contaminated water from an oil or gas well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Robert L. Miller
  • Patent number: 8361320
    Abstract: Biological fluid filtration systems including biological fluid filtration devices capable of filtering blood or blood products, including the removal of leukocytes from the blood or blood product. Each system includes a means to automatically drain the biological fluid upstream of the biological fluid filtration media disposed in the biological fluid filtration device. Both single sided and double sided biological fluid filtration devices are disclosed, including double sided biological fluid filtration devices with a solid partition wall with a first independent fluid flow path on one side of the partition wall, and a second independent fluid flow path on the other side of the partition wall. Draining means include vent filtration devices, diaphragm draining devices, and biological fluid filtration devices that include an integral diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Hemerus Medical, LLC
    Inventor: Peter Zuk, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8357292
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an environmentally sensitive mobile cleaning system, and more specifically relates to a closed loop water recirculation system for high or ultra-high pressure mobile cleaning apparatus. The system includes a water tank sized to contain an established volume of fluid sufficient to circulate through the system, a pump to pressure the fluid to a cleaning head, a vacuum system to return the contaminated fluid to the system, and a filter means to remove the contaminants from the fluid so that clean fluid can be reintroduced to the cleaning head. The method comprises the steps of increasing the pressure of a fixed volume of fluid in a closed-loop system, jetting or blasting the surface with the pressurized fluid, vacuuming the blasted fluid into the system, and removing the contaminants from the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Inventor: James P. Crocker
  • 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: 8354031
    Abstract: A filtering system for water and other liquids includes different filtering stages in the same element, with its cleaning being done automatically by a new procedure. The filtering system includes a cylindrical outer casing with the pipe of the water to be filtered penetrating tangentially through its base, using centrifugal force in the first filtering stage to separate the particles with greater density. Then the liquid takes a helicoidal path and passes through different filtering devices, such as mesh or rings with the filtered and, therefore, clean water finally being collected in an appropriately perforated central pipe that comes out of the filter through the center of its lower base. The system is used for the cleaning of liquids, basically water, in agriculture for localized irrigation, in industry, or the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Universidad Politecnica de Madrid
    Inventor: Alfonso Cobos De La Fuente
  • Patent number: 8349186
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for extracting constituents from organic material, comprising the step of extracting with a monophasic mixture of 50% by volume to 90% by volume of methanol and 50 to 10% by volume of water and optionally 0% by volume to 40% by volume of a further solvent or solvent mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Metanomics GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Manfred Herold, Martin Dostler, Ralf Looser, Tilmann B. Walk, Achim Fegert, Martin Kluttig, Britta Lehmann, Silke Heidemann, Annette Hennig, Joachim Kopka
  • Patent number: 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20130001176
    Abstract: A fluid filtration system for use with an internal combustion engine includes a fluid inlet, a fluid manifold fluidly connected to the fluid inlet, and a plurality of filter elements rotatably coupled to the fluid manifold such that an order of fluid flow through the plurality of filter elements is varied according to a position of an individual fuel filter element of the plurality of fuel filter elements with respect to the fluid manifold. The fluid filtration system may be configured such that fluid flows in series through the plurality of filter elements and the plurality of filter elements is configured to be rotated such that the order of fluid flow through the plurality of filter elements is varied such that a filter element of the plurality of filter elements which was previously a final filter element in the series becomes a first filter element in the series.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Alan W. Wells, Eric J. Herron, Steven Tian
  • Patent number: 8343355
    Abstract: A dissolved air flotation system and method for purifying fresh water. The system is self-contained within a standard shipping container, with all components disposed in-line within the shipping container. Float is removed from the flotation tank with a skimmer that drives float downstream onto a conveyor belt, and the conveyor belt conveys float away from the flotation tank, in the downstream direction, and deposits the float in a collection tank. Clean water may be drawn from the flotation tank continuously, while float may be removed periodically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Sionix Corporation
    Inventors: David P. Lambert, James J. Houtz
  • Publication number: 20120325744
    Abstract: In a process and apparatus for treating produced water, for example for re-use in an oil or bitumen extraction operation of for treating frac water, the produced water flows through a series of treatment units. A portion of the produced water may by-pass one or more of the treatment units but the by-pass portion may be such that the treated water is still acceptable, for example for discharge or reuse. Concentrations of oil and grease, organic carbon, silica, pH or related parameters in the produced water may be monitored and used to control the process or apparatus. Control of the process may involve one or more of altering a by-pass portion, altering the addition of chemicals, and altering the operation of a unit process. The process may be controlled to respond to upset conditions, or such that the concentration of one or more limiting contaminants is near, but not over, a specified maximum for re-use or discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: David M. Polizzotti, Kevin Paul McEvoy, Anthony Yu-Chung Ku, Carl Vess, Abdul Rafi Khwaja, Matthew Alan Petersen
  • Patent number: 8336226
    Abstract: A process for removing water from solid material using liquid-solid extraction and liquid-liquid extraction. In most embodiments, multiple solvents are used to remove the water from the solids and obtain dry solids. Multiple solvents facilitate the removal of the water from the solids, by replacing the water with a solvent, replacing that solvent with a different solvent, and then eventually removing the second solvent from the solids. The process utilizes a lesser amount of thermal energy to dry the solids and separate the solvents than conventionally used in drying processes. The first solvent selected has a lower heat of vaporization, enthalphy of vaporization, boiling point, or other such physical property, than water. Each additional solvent can have a still lower heat of vaporization, enthalphy of vaporization, boiling point, or other such physical property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: KFI Intellectual Properties, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Robert A. Wills, James Faulconbridge
  • Patent number: 8337705
    Abstract: Described are a device and a method for the manipulation of a liquid sample material in which magnetic microparticles are suspended whereby the microparticles have a functionalized surface and an analyte is bound to the surface. The sample material is introduced into a device with a liquid system through an injection device (50) and in a first mobile phase the sample material is carried to an extractor (90). In a section (97) of the extractor (90) the microparticles are immobilized by means of a magnetic field of a controllable means (96) and separated from the remaining sample material. By switching over of a switching unit (110) a second mobile phase (75) is carried to the extractor (90) and the second mobile phase (75) detaches the adsorbed analyte from the surface of the microparticles. The second mobile phase (75) with the dissolved analyte(s) can be analyzed by way of chromatographic separation (130) and subsequent detection (140).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Vogeser
  • Patent number: 8337704
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device and a method for the manipulation of a liquid sample material in which magnetic microparticles are suspended whereby the microparticles have a functionalized surface and an analyte is bound to the surface. The sample material is introduced into a device with a liquid system through an injection device (50) and in a first mobile phase the sample material is carried to an extractor (90). In a first section (97a) of the extractor (90) the microparticles are immobilized by means of a magnetic field of a controllable device (96) and separated from the remaining sample material. By switching over of a switching unit (110) a second mobile phase (75) is carried to the extractor (90) and the second mobile phase (75) detaches the adsorbed analyte from the surface of the microparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Vogeser
  • Patent number: 8333844
    Abstract: A method for separating an oil-substance mixture includes communicating the oil-substance mixture into a first separator tank to separate the oil from the substance, and communicating a remaining portion of the oil-substance mixture into a second separator tank to separate the oil from the substance of the remaining portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Inventors: Jake Teichroeb, Juan Wiebe S.
  • Publication number: 20120312759
    Abstract: A fuel system having a fuel tank and a fuel filter is disclosed. The fuel filter is disposed within the fuel tank and connected to a fuel tank opening, the fuel filter including a filter basket, a perforated tube positioned within the filter basket and a filter cartridge connected to an access cover and extending partially within the perforated tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Ries, Christopher L. Armstrong, John R. Jones, Kevin L. Martin
  • Patent number: 8329045
    Abstract: A method for filtering water or wastewater including the steps of filtering by gravity through a stationary cloth filter media supported in a treatment basin by a structure forming an effluent plenum, and cleaning the media by backwashing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter G. Baumann, Lloyd W. Johnson, David Smith, Eugen O. Bergmann
  • Patent number: 8329036
    Abstract: Methods for selective extraction and fractionation of algal lipids and algal products are disclosed. A method of selective removal of products from an algal biomass provides for single and multistep extraction processes which enable efficient separation of algal components. Among these components are neutral lipids synthesized by algae, which are extracted by the methods disclosed herein for the production of renewable fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Heliae Development, LLC
    Inventor: Aniket Kale
  • Patent number: 8323500
    Abstract: A process for removing water from solid material using liquid-solid extraction and liquid-liquid extraction. In most embodiments, multiple solvents are used to step-wise remove the water from the solids and obtain dry solids. Multiple solvents facilitate the removal of the water from the solids, by step-wise replacing the water with a solvent, replacing that solvent with a different solvent, and then eventually removing the second solvent from the solids. The process utilizes a lesser amount of thermal energy to dry the solids and separate the solvents than conventionally used in drying processes. The first solvent selected has a lower heat of vaporization, enthalphy of vaporization, boiling point, or other such physical property, than water. Each subsequent solvent has a still lower heat of vaporization, enthalphy of vaporization, boiling point, or other such physical property then its predecessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: KFI Intellectual Properties, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Robert A. Wills, James A. Faulconbridge
  • Patent number: 8323501
    Abstract: A method for producing biofuels is provided. A method of making biofuels includes dewatering substantially intact algal cells to make an algal biomass, extracting neutral lipids from the algal biomass, and esterifying the neutral lipids with a catalyst in the presence of an alcohol. The method also includes separating a water soluble fraction comprising glycerin from a water insoluble fraction comprising fuel esters and distilling the fuel esters under vacuum to obtain a C16 or shorter fuel esters fraction, a C16 or longer fuel ester fraction, and a residue comprising carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids. The method further includes hydrogenating and deoxygenating at least one of (i) the C16 or shorter fuel esters to obtain a jet fuel blend stock and (ii) the C16 or longer fuel esters to obtain a diesel blend stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Heliae Development, LLC
    Inventor: Aniket Kale
  • Publication number: 20120298587
    Abstract: A fluid treatment device and method is proposed for the treatment of a fluid that has components to be separated, such as tailings. The fluid treatment device in one embodiment comprises a motive pump connected to drive fluid to be treated along a conduit through a restriction forming a nozzle into a mixing chamber and thence to a discharge. A port, which may be controlled by a valve, admits gas into an initial portion of the mixing chamber. The motive pump, nozzle, gas port and mixing chamber together form a phase separator. Multiple phase separators may be connected together in series. The mixing chamber may have constant diameter and a length to diameter ratio of 20:1 or 60:1 or more. The conduit terminates in a discharge. The discharge may supply the treated fluid to a secondary separation device such as a flotation cell. Solids and liquids may be taken off the flotation cell for disposal, further processing or delivery into a sales line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: RJ OIL SANDS INC.
    Inventor: Wade R. Bozak
  • Publication number: 20120298584
    Abstract: The invention includes a process for recovering the liquids used in pretreatment of biomass for production of bio-fuels and other biomass based products. Liquid recovery and purifications minimizes waste production and enhances process profitability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO
    Inventors: Glenn Lipscomb, Sasidhar Varanasi
  • Patent number: 8318018
    Abstract: Methods for selective extraction and fractionation of algal lipids and algal products are disclosed. A method of selective removal of products from an algal biomass provides for single and multistep extraction processes which enable efficient separation of algal components. Among these components are neutral lipids synthesized by algae, which are extracted by the methods disclosed herein for the production of renewable fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Heliae Development, LLC
    Inventor: Aniket Kale
  • Patent number: 8318019
    Abstract: A method of dewatering algae and recycling water therefrom is presented. A method of dewatering a wet algal cell culture includes removing liquid from an algal cell culture to obtain a wet algal biomass having a lower liquid content than the algal cell culture. At least a portion of the liquid removed from the algal cell culture is recycled for use in a different algal cell culture. The method includes adding a water miscible solvent set to the wet algal biomass and waiting an amount of time to permit algal cells of the algal biomass to gather and isolating at least a portion of the gathered algal cells from at least a portion of the solvent set and liquid of the wet algal biomass so that a dewatered algal biomass is generated. The dewatered algal biomass can be used to generated algal products such as biofuels and nutraceuticals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Heliae Development, LLC
    Inventor: Aniket Kale
  • Patent number: RE43838
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for isolating constituents from organic material, comprising the following process steps: a) freeze-drying of the organic material; b) extracting the constituents with a polar solvent or solvent mixture (A) and an organic solvent or solvent mixture (B), it being possible for the extracts of the extraction with (A) and (B) to form one phase; c) combining the extracts (A) and (B) to give one phase; and d) carrying out an esterification/transesterification in the unpolar phase with an alcohol, the esterification/transesterification being carried out in the presence of a volatile acid; the process being a high-throughput process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Metanomics GmbH
    Inventors: Michael M. Herold, Martin Dostler, Ralf Looser, Tilmann B. Walk, Achim Fegert, Martin Kluttig, Britta Lehmann, Silke Klein, Annette Hennig, Joachim Kopka