Patents Assigned to American Water Works Company, Inc.
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Patent number: 11142470Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for disinfecting water mains using ultraviolet (UV) light and advanced oxidation processes. One or more UV light sources are provided and secured to a movable device that moves axially in a pipe. The frequency and intensity of the UV light is determined based on characteristics of the pipe, such as its material and size. The rate at which the movable device moves through the pipe is also determined so that the interior surface of the pipe is properly disinfected. The movable device is remotely caused to move through the pipe. An oxidant supply component having a dispensing portion dispenses an oxidizing agent into the pipe. A portion of the emitted UV light may convert the dispensed oxidizing agent into additional oxidizing agents that further disinfect the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2017Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: American Water Works Company, Inc.Inventors: Martin L. Robison, Zia Bukhari, Yunjie Tu, Chandan Venkatesh
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Patent number: 10530110Abstract: An apparatus for providing a temporary electrical grounding connection is described. The apparatus comprises a cable electrically joining first and second conductive couplings, the first and second conductive couplings each electrically coupled to a conductive surface using a clamp, magnetic component, or other connection component. A conductive coupling may be connected to the magnetic component using a clamp connected to a stub extending from the magnetic component, and there may be multiple clamps or magnetic components used in different combinations or series to provide an electrical bypass between two or more conductive surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: American Water Works Company, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Shelton, Kandis L. Moser
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Patent number: 9751778Abstract: Processes and systems are provided for simultaneously recovering coagulant and acid in a water treatment system. Sludge produced by the water treatment system is contacted with acid to form acidified sludge liquids. The acidified sludge liquids flow into a membrane assisted capacitive deionization system having both cation and anion exchange membranes. Metal cations from the acidified sludge liquids diffuse across at least one cation exchange membrane to form recovered coagulant, while anions from the acidified sludge liquids diffuse across at least one anion exchange membrane to form recovered acid. The diffusion rate of the metal cations across the cation exchange membranes is equal to or greater than the diffusion rate of the anions across the anion exchange membranes.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: American Water Works Company, Inc.Inventor: Orren D. Schneider
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Patent number: 9656893Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for treating wastewater to simultaneously remove nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus, while recovering energy in the form of methane and carbon dioxide. An ammonia-containing stream is directed to a pretreatment tank that produces excess sludge, biogas, and a pretreated stream. The pretreated stream has at least 45% less carbon than the ammonia-containing stream. The pretreated stream is then directed to an anoxic tank, which promotes phosphorus release and fermentation of particulate and dissolved organic matter. The mixed liquor is transferred to an aerated tank having low dissolved oxygen concentrations to promote development of phosphorus-release bacteria that is eventually recycled to the anoxic tank by way of the return activated sludge. Simultaneous nitrification, denitrification, and phosphorus release occur in the aerated tank. A membrane tank separates treated effluent from activated sludge in a membrane tank.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2014Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: AMERICAN WATER WORKS COMPANY, INC.Inventor: Eugenio William Giraldo
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Patent number: 9647351Abstract: An apparatus for providing a temporary electrical grounding connection is described. The apparatus comprises a cable electrically joining first and second conductive couplings, the first and second conductive couplings each electrically coupled to a conductive surface using a clamp, magnetic component, or other connection component. A conductive coupling may be connected to the magnetic component using a clamp connected to a stub extending from the magnetic component, and there may be multiple clamps or magnetic components used in different combinations or series to provide an electrical bypass between two or more conductive surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: AMERICAN WATER WORKS COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Kevin Shelton, Kandis L. Moser
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Patent number: 9586837Abstract: Methods are provided for disinfecting water mains using ultraviolet (UV) light. One or more UV light sources are provided and secured to a movable device that moves axially in a pipe. The frequency and intensity of the UV light is determined based on characteristics of the pipe, such as its material and size. The rate at which the movable device moves through the pipe is also determined so that the interior surface of the pipe is properly disinfected. The movable device is remotely caused to move through the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: AMERICAN WATER WORKS COMPANY, INC.Inventor: Martin L. Robison
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Patent number: 9505644Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for treating wastewater to simultaneously remove nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus. The process includes an anoxic tank that receives at least two streams, including plant influent wastewater and return activated sludge. These streams are mixed in the anoxic tank to promote phosphorus release and fermentation of particulate and dissolved organic matter. The mixed liquor is transferred to an aerated tank having low dissolved oxygen concentrations to promote development of phosphorus-release bacteria that is eventually recycled to the anoxic tank by way of the return activated sludge. Simultaneous nitrification, denitrification, and phosphorus release occur in the aerated tank. A membrane tank separates treated effluent from activated sludge in a membrane tank.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2014Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: AMERICAN WATER WORKS COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Eugenio Giraldo, Yanjin Liu, Swarna Muthukrishnan
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Publication number: 20150353388Abstract: Processes and systems are provided for simultaneously recovering coagulant and acid in a water treatment system. Sludge produced by the water treatment system is contacted with acid to form acidified sludge liquids. The acidified sludge liquids flow into a membrane assisted capacitive deionization system having both cation and anion exchange membranes. Metal cations from the acidified sludge liquids diffuse across at least one cation exchange membrane to form recovered coagulant, while anions from the acidified sludge liquids diffuse across at least one anion exchange membrane to form recovered acid. The diffusion rate of the metal cations across the cation exchange membranes is equal to or greater than the diffusion rate of the anions across the anion exchange membranes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2015Publication date: December 10, 2015Applicant: AMERICAN WATER WORKS COMPANY, INC.Inventor: ORREN D. SCHNEIDER
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Publication number: 20140263042Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for treating wastewater to simultaneously remove nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus. The process includes an anoxic tank that receives at least two streams, including plant influent wastewater and return activated sludge. These streams are mixed in the anoxic tank to promote phosphorus release and fermentation of particulate and dissolved organic matter. The mixed liquor is transferred to an aerated tank having low dissolved oxygen concentrations to promote development of phosphorus-release bacteria that is eventually recycled to the anoxic tank by way of the return activated sludge. Simultaneous nitrification, denitrification, and phosphorus release occur in the aerated tank. A membrane tank separates treated effluent from activated sludge in a membrane tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: AMERICAN WATER WORKS COMPANY, INC.Inventors: EUGENIO GIRALDO, YANJIN LIU, SWARNA MUTHUKRISHNAN
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Publication number: 20140197097Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for treating wastewater to simultaneously remove nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus, while recovering energy in the form of methane and carbon dioxide. An ammonia-containing stream is directed to a pretreatment tank that produces excess sludge, biogas, and a pretreated stream. The pretreated stream has at least 45% less carbon than the ammonia-containing stream. The pretreated stream is then directed to an anoxic tank, which promotes phosphorus release and fermentation of particulate and dissolved organic matter. The mixed liquor is transferred to an aerated tank having low dissolved oxygen concentrations to promote development of phosphorus-release bacteria that is eventually recycled to the anoxic tank by way of the return activated sludge. Simultaneous nitrification, denitrification, and phosphorus release occur in the aerated tank. A membrane tank separates treated effluent from activated sludge in a membrane tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2014Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: AMERICAN WATER WORKS COMPANY, INC.Inventor: EUGENIO WILLIAM GIRALDO
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Patent number: 8747671Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for treating wastewater to simultaneously remove nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus. The process includes an anoxic tank that receives at least two streams, including plant influent wastewater and return activated sludge. These streams are mixed in the anoxic tank to promote phosphorus release and fermentation of particulate and dissolved organic matter. The mixed liquor is transferred to an aerated tank having low dissolved oxygen concentrations to promote development of phosphorus-release bacteria that is eventually recycled to the anoxic tank by way of the return activated sludge. Simultaneous nitrification, denitrification, and phosphorus release occur in the aerated tank. A membrane tank separates treated effluent from activated sludge in a membrane tank.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2010Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: American Water Works Company, Inc.Inventors: Eugenio Giraldo, Yanjin Liu, Swarna Muthukrishnan
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Patent number: 8685246Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for treating wastewater to simultaneously remove nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus, while recovering energy in the form of methane and carbon dioxide. An ammonia-containing stream is directed to a pretreatment tank that produces excess sludge, biogas, and a pretreated stream. The pretreated stream has at least 45% less carbon than the ammonia-containing stream. The pretreated stream is then directed to an anoxic tank, which promotes phosphorus release and fermentation of particulate and dissolved organic matter. The mixed liquor is transferred to an aerated tank having low dissolved oxygen concentrations to promote development of phosphorus-release bacteria that is eventually recycled to the anoxic tank by way of the return activated sludge. Simultaneous nitrification, denitrification, and phosphorus release occur in the aerated tank. A membrane tank separates treated effluent from activated sludge in a membrane tank.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2010Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: American Water Works Company, Inc.Inventor: Eugenio Giraldo
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Publication number: 20130319941Abstract: Processes and systems are provided for simultaneously recovering coagulant and acid in a water treatment system. Sludge produced by the water treatment system is contacted with acid to form acidified solids. The acidified solids flow into a combined membrane treatment tank having both cation and anion exchange membranes. Metal cations from the acidified solids cell diffuse across the cation exchange membranes to form recovered coagulant, while anions from the acidified solids diffuse across the anion exchange membranes to form recovered acid. The diffusion rate of the metal cations across the cation exchange membranes may be equal to or greater than the diffusion rate of the anions across the anion exchange membranes.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: AMERICAN WATER WORKS COMPANY, INC.Inventor: ORREN D. SCHNEIDER
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Publication number: 20120067816Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for treating wastewater to simultaneously remove nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus. The process includes an anoxic tank that receives at least two streams, including plant influent wastewater and return activated sludge. These streams are mixed in the anoxic tank to promote phosphorus release and fermentation of particulate and dissolved organic matter. The mixed liquor is transferred to an aerated tank having low dissolved oxygen concentrations to promote development of phosphorus-release bacteria that is eventually recycled to the anoxic tank by way of the return activated sludge. Simultaneous nitrification, denitrification, and phosphorus release occur in the aerated tank. A membrane tank separates treated effluent from activated sludge in a membrane tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2010Publication date: March 22, 2012Applicant: AMERICAN WATER WORKS COMPANY, INC.Inventors: EUGENIO GIRALDO, YANJIN LIU, SWARNA MUTHUKRISHNAN
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Publication number: 20120067817Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for treating wastewater to simultaneously remove nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus, while recovering energy in the form of methane and carbon dioxide. An ammonia-containing stream is directed to a pretreatment tank that produces excess sludge, biogas, and a pretreated stream. The pretreated stream has at least 45% less carbon than the ammonia-containing stream. The pretreated stream is then directed to an anoxic tank, which promotes phosphorus release and fermentation of particulate and dissolved organic matter. The mixed liquor is transferred to an aerated tank having low dissolved oxygen concentrations to promote development of phosphorus-release bacteria that is eventually recycled to the anoxic tank by way of the return activated sludge. Simultaneous nitrification, denitrification, and phosphorus release occur in the aerated tank. A membrane tank separates treated effluent from activated sludge in a membrane tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2010Publication date: March 22, 2012Applicant: AMERICAN WATER WORKS COMPANY, INC.Inventor: EUGENIO GIRALDO
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Patent number: 8100067Abstract: The invention pertains to apparatus and methods for injecting viscous fertilizer, such as dewatered biosolids, below the surface of the soil. The invention also pertains to apparatus and methods for creating a continuous flow of viscous material and for dividing a flow of viscous material.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2010Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: American Water Works Company, Inc.Inventors: Phil Sidhwa, Dan Goldhawk, Walter Stewart Grose, Gordon Raymond Grose
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Patent number: 8012352Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing ammonia partially by a denitrification process. A stream containing ammonia is contacted with oxygen to form a first product stream in low dissolved oxygen conditions. The ratio of oxygen to nitrogen is about 2.28 g O2/g N—NH3 (2.28 grams of oxygen per gram of nitrogen in ammonia) or less. The first product stream is then exposed to organic matter in an amount of 0.57 g COD/g N—NH3 (0.57 grams of chemical oxygen demand per gram of nitrogen in ammonia). This microbial reaction ultimately produces nitrogen gas, water, and carbon dioxide.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2010Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: American Water Works Company, Inc.Inventors: Eugenio Giraldo, Yanjin Liu, Swarna Muthukrishnan
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Publication number: 20100313799Abstract: The invention pertains to apparatus and methods for injecting viscous fertilizer, such as dewatered biosolids, below the surface of the soil. The invention also pertains to apparatus and methods for creating a continuous flow of viscous material and for dividing a flow of viscous material.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2010Publication date: December 16, 2010Applicant: American Water Works Company, Inc.Inventors: Phil Sidhwa, Dan Goldhawk, Walter Stewart Grose, Gordon Raymond Grose
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Patent number: 7775168Abstract: The invention pertains to apparatus and methods for injecting viscous fertilizer, such as dewatered biosolids, below the surface of the soil. The invention also pertains to apparatus and methods for creating a continuous flow of viscous material and for dividing a flow of viscous material.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2006Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: American Water Works Company, Inc.Inventors: Phil Sidhwa, Dan Goldhawk, Walter Stewart Grose, Gordon Raymond Grose
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Patent number: 6395517Abstract: The invention relates to methods for the sensitive, specific, and, preferably, quantitative detection of C. parvum oocysts in aqueous samples.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2000Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: American Water Works Company, Inc.Inventors: Morteza Abbaszadegan, George Dominic Di Giovanni, Mark William LeChevallier