Patents Assigned to Gradiant Corporation
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Patent number: 9981860Abstract: Systems and methods related to desalination systems are described herein. According to some embodiments, the desalination systems are transiently operated and/or configured to facilitate transient operation. In some embodiments, a liquid stream comprising water and at least one dissolved salt is circulated through a fluidic circuit comprising a desalination system. In some embodiments, a portion of the desalination system (e.g., a humidifier) is configured to remove at least a portion of the water from the liquid stream to produce a concentrated brine stream enriched in the dissolved salt. In certain cases, the concentrated brine stream is recirculated through the fluidic circuit until the concentrated brine stream reaches a relatively high density (e.g., at least about 10 pounds per gallon) and/or a relatively high salinity (e.g., a total dissolved salt concentration of at least about 25 wt %).Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2017Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Maximus G. St. John, Steven Lam, Mark Zaloudek, Karim M. Chehayeb, Samar Shah
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Patent number: 9969638Abstract: Water treatment systems and associated methods are generally described. Certain of the water treatment systems and methods described herein can be used to pre-treat an aqueous stream that is subsequently transported to a desalination apparatus and/or post-treat an aqueous stream that has been produced by a desalination apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2014Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John
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Publication number: 20180104649Abstract: An osmotic membrane comprises an active layer and a composite support layer. The active layer selectively allows passage of water molecules but rejects at least some dissolved ions. The composite support layer includes a side that is bonded to the active layer and comprises an electrospun-fiber sub-layer and a phase-inversion sub-layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2017Publication date: April 19, 2018Applicant: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Looh Tchuin Choong
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Publication number: 20180008919Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods related to water treatment are generally described. In particular, clarifiers that may improve solids thickening and related systems and methods are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Applicant: Gradiant CorporationInventor: Edward Francis Tierney, III
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Publication number: 20170334736Abstract: Embodiments described generally relate to systems comprising a humidifier (e.g., a bubble column humidifier) and a heating device (e.g. a heat exchanger), and associated methods. In certain embodiments, the heating device heats a first liquid stream comprising a condensable fluid in liquid phase (e.g., water) and a dissolved salt (e.g., NaCl) to a relatively low temperature (e.g., about 90° C. or less) prior to the first liquid stream entering the humidifier through a main humidifier liquid inlet. In some cases, the system comprising the humidifier and the heating device requires only low-grade heat to operate, which may be advantageous due to the low cost and high availability of such heat.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2016Publication date: November 23, 2017Applicant: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Steven Lam, Conor Thomas Wilson, Maximus G. St. John, Prakash Narayan Govindan
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Publication number: 20170334737Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to humidification-dehumidification desalination systems, including apparatuses that include a vessel comprising a humidification region (e.g., a bubble column humidification region) and a dehumidification region (e.g., a bubble column dehumidification region), mobile humidification-dehumidification (HDH) desalination systems (e.g., systems having a relatively low height and/or a relatively small footprint), and associated systems and methods. Certain embodiments generally relate to methods of operating, controlling, and/or cleaning desalination systems comprising a plurality of desalination units (e.g., HDH desalination units).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2017Publication date: November 23, 2017Applicant: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Maximus G. St. John, Steven Lam
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Publication number: 20170203977Abstract: Systems and methods related to desalination systems are described herein. According to some embodiments, the desalination systems are transiently operated and/or configured to facilitate transient operation. In some embodiments, a liquid stream comprising water and at least one dissolved salt is circulated through a fluidic circuit comprising a desalination system. In some embodiments, a portion of the desalination system (e.g., a humidifier) is configured to remove at least a portion of the water from the liquid stream to produce a concentrated brine stream enriched in the dissolved salt. In certain cases, the concentrated brine stream is recirculated through the fluidic circuit until the concentrated brine stream reaches a relatively high density (e.g., at least about 10 pounds per gallon) and/or a relatively high salinity (e.g., a total dissolved salt concentration of at least about 25 wt %).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2017Publication date: July 20, 2017Applicant: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Maximus G. St. John, Steven Lam, Mark Zaloudek, Karim M. Chehayeb, Samar Shah
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Patent number: 9700811Abstract: Condensing apparatuses and their use in various heat and mass exchange systems are generally described. The condensing apparatuses, such as bubble column condensers, may employ a heat exchanger positioned external to the condensing vessel to remove heat from a bubble column condenser outlet stream to produce a heat exchanger outlet stream. In certain cases, the condensing apparatus may also include a cooling device positioned external to the vessel configured and positioned to remove heat from the heat exchanger outlet stream to produce a cooling device outlet stream. The condensing apparatus may be configured to include various internal features, such as a vapor distribution region and/or a plurality of liquid flow control weirs and/or chambers within the apparatus having an aspect ratio of at least 1.5. A condensing apparatus may be coupled with a humidifier to form part of a desalination system, in certain cases.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2015Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John
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Publication number: 20170144906Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for treating an aqueous input stream comprising at least one suspended and/or emulsified immiscible phase (e.g., oil, grease) and, in some cases, one or more additional contaminants, such as solubilized bicarbonate (HCO3?) ions, solubilized divalent cations (e.g., Ca2+, Mg2+), solubilized trivalent cations (e.g., Fe3+, Al3+), organic material (e.g., humic acid, fulvic acid), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and/or suspended solids. According to certain embodiments, the aqueous feed stream is supplied to a water treatment system comprising a chemical coagulation apparatus and a suspended solids removal apparatus (e.g., a clarifier). Within the chemical coagulation apparatus, an amount of an inorganic coagulant (e.g., aluminum chlorohydrate, polyaluminum chloride), an amount of a strong base (e.g., sodium hydroxide), and an amount of a polyelectrolyte (e.g., polyacrylamide) may be added to the aqueous input stream to form a chemically-treated stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2016Publication date: May 25, 2017Applicant: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Jonn-Ross Andrews, Prakash Narayan Govindan, Maximus G. St. John, Steven Lam
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Publication number: 20170113947Abstract: A counter-flow simultaneous heat and mass exchange device is operated by directing flows of two fluids into a heat and mass exchange device at initial mass flow rates where ideal changes in total enthalpy rates of the two fluids are unequal. At least one of the following state variables in the fluids is measured: temperature, pressure and concentration, which together define the thermodynamic state of the two fluid streams at the points of entry to and exit from the device. The flow rates of the fluids at the points of entry and/or exit to/from the device are measured; and the mass flow rate of at least one of the two fluids is changed such that the ideal change in total enthalpy rates of the two fluids through the device are brought closer to being equal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2017Publication date: April 27, 2017Applicant: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Maximus G. St. John, Karim M. Chehayeb, Steven Lam
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Patent number: 9617169Abstract: Systems and methods related to desalination systems are described herein. According to some embodiments, the desalination systems are transiently operated and/or configured to facilitate transient operation. In some embodiments, a liquid stream comprising water and at least one dissolved salt is circulated through a fluidic circuit comprising a desalination system. In some embodiments, a portion of the desalination system (e.g., a humidifier) is configured to remove at least a portion of the water from the liquid stream to produce a concentrated brine stream enriched in the dissolved salt. In certain cases, the concentrated brine stream is recirculated through the fluidic circuit until the concentrated brine stream reaches a relatively high density (e.g., at least about 10 pounds per gallon) and/or a relatively high salinity (e.g., a total dissolved salt concentration of at least about 25 wt %).Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2016Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Maximus G. St. John, Steven Lam, Mark Zaloudek, Karim M. Chehayeb, Samar Shah
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Patent number: 9579590Abstract: A counter-flow simultaneous heat and mass exchange device is operated by directing flows of two fluids into a heat and mass exchange device at initial mass flow rates where ideal changes in total enthalpy rates of the two fluids are unequal. At least one of the following state variables in the fluids is measured: temperature, pressure and concentration, which together define the thermodynamic state of the two fluid streams at the points of entry to and exit from the device. The flow rates of the fluids at the points of entry and/or exit to/from the device are measured; and the mass flow rate of at least one of the two fluids is changed such that the ideal change in total enthalpy rates of the two fluids through the device are brought closer to being equal.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Maximus G. St. John, Karim M. Chehayeb, Steven Lam
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Patent number: 9556041Abstract: Selective scaling in water treatment systems in which desalination is performed is generally described. According to certain embodiments, the location of the formation of solid scale within a water treatment system is controlled by adjusting one or more system parameters, such as the temperature and/or flow velocity of a saline stream within the water treatment system.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John, Jonn-Ross Andrews
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Publication number: 20160375375Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to humidification-dehumidification desalination systems, including apparatuses that include a vessel comprising a humidification region (e.g., a bubble column humidification region) and a dehumidification region (e.g., a bubble column dehumidification region), mobile humidification-dehumidification (HDH) desalination systems (e.g., systems having a relatively low height and/or a relatively small footprint), and associated systems and methods. Certain embodiments generally relate to methods of operating, controlling, and/or cleaning desalination systems comprising a plurality of desalination units (e.g., HDH desalination units).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2016Publication date: December 29, 2016Applicant: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Maximus G. St. John, Steven Lam
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SYSTEMS INCLUDING AN APPARATUS COMPRISING BOTH A HUMIDIFICATION REGION AND A DEHUMIDIFICATION REGION
Publication number: 20160339356Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to apparatuses that include a vessel comprising a humidification region (e.g., a bubble column humidification region) and a dehumidification region (e.g., a bubble column dehumidification region), and associated systems and methods. In certain embodiments, the apparatuses are configured to include various internal features, such as vapor distribution regions and/or liquid flow control weirs and/or baffles. In some cases, the apparatuses are used in water purification systems, such as desalination systems. The water purification systems may comprise additional devices external to the apparatuses, such as one or more heat exchangers, one or more heating devices, and/or one or more cooling devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2015Publication date: November 24, 2016Applicant: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John -
Publication number: 20160340208Abstract: Systems and methods related to desalination systems are described herein. According to some embodiments, the desalination systems are transiently operated and/or configured to facilitate transient operation. In some embodiments, a liquid stream comprising water and at least one dissolved salt is circulated through a fluidic circuit comprising a desalination system. In some embodiments, a portion of the desalination system (e.g., a humidifier) is configured to remove at least a portion of the water from the liquid stream to produce a concentrated brine stream enriched in the dissolved salt. In certain cases, the concentrated brine stream is recirculated through the fluidic circuit until the concentrated brine stream reaches a relatively high density (e.g., at least about 10 pounds per gallon) and/or a relatively high salinity (e.g., a total dissolved salt concentration of at least about 25 wt %).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2016Publication date: November 24, 2016Applicant: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Maximus G. St. John, Steven Lam, Mark Zaloudek, Karim M. Chehayeb, Samar Shah
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Publication number: 20160339354Abstract: Systems and methods related to desalination systems are described herein. According to some embodiments, the desalination systems are transiently operated and/or configured to facilitate transient operation. In some embodiments, a liquid stream comprising water and at least one dissolved salt is circulated through a fluidic circuit comprising a desalination system. In some embodiments, a portion of the desalination system (e.g., a humidifier) is configured to remove at least a portion of the water from the liquid stream to produce a concentrated brine stream enriched in the dissolved salt. In certain cases, the concentrated brine stream is recirculated through the fluidic circuit until the concentrated brine stream reaches a relatively high density (e.g., at least about 10 pounds per gallon) and/or a relatively high salinity (e.g., a total dissolved salt concentration of at least about 25 wt %).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2015Publication date: November 24, 2016Applicant: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Maximus G. St. John, Steven Lam, Mark Zaloudek, Karim M. Chehayeb, Samar Shah
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Publication number: 20160339357Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to apparatuses that include a vessel comprising a humidification region (e.g., a bubble column humidification region) and a dehumidification region (e.g., a bubble column dehumidification region), and associated systems and methods. In certain embodiments, the apparatuses are configured to include various internal features, such as vapor distribution regions and/or liquid flow control weirs and/or baffles. In some cases, the apparatuses are used in water purification systems, such as desalination systems. The water purification systems may comprise additional devices external to the apparatuses, such as one or more heat exchangers, one or more heating devices, and/or one or more cooling devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2015Publication date: November 24, 2016Applicant: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John
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Patent number: 9468864Abstract: Condensing apparatuses and their use in various heat and mass exchange systems are generally described. The condensing apparatuses, such as bubble column condensers, may employ a heat exchanger positioned external to the condensing vessel to remove heat from a bubble column condenser outlet stream to produce a heat exchanger outlet stream. In certain cases, the condensing apparatus may also include a cooling device positioned external to the vessel configured and positioned to remove heat from the heat exchanger outlet stream to produce a cooling device outlet stream. The condensing apparatus may be configured to include various internal features, such as a vapor distribution region and/or a plurality of liquid flow control weirs and/or chambers within the apparatus having an aspect ratio of at least 1.5. A condensing apparatus may be coupled with a humidifier to form part of a desalination system, in certain cases.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2015Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John
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Publication number: 20160244349Abstract: Water treatment systems and associated methods are generally described. Certain embodiments of the water treatment systems and methods described herein may be used to treat water comprising one or more contaminants (e.g., oil, grease, suspended solids, scale-forming ions, volatile organic material) to remove at least a portion of the one or more contaminants. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the treated water may be used directly in certain applications (e.g., oil and/or gas extraction processes). In some embodiments, at least a portion of the treated water may undergo desalination to produce substantially pure water and/or concentrated brine.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2016Publication date: August 25, 2016Applicant: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Maximus G. St. John, Steven Lam, Prakash Narayan Govindan