Patents Assigned to Miox Corporation
  • Publication number: 20140124378
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for a low maintenance, high reliability on-site electrolytic generator incorporating automatic cell monitoring for contaminant film buildup, as well as automatically removing or cleaning the contaminant film. This method and apparatus preferably does not require human intervention to clean. For high current density cells, cleaning is preferably performed by reversing the polarity of the electrodes and applying a lower current density to the electrodes, preferably by adjusting the salinity or brine concentration of the electrolyte while keeping the voltage constant. Electrolyte flow preferably comprises water and brine flows which are preferably separately monitored and automatically adjusted. For bipolar cells, flow between modules arranged in parallel is preferably approximately equally distributed between modules and between intermediate electrodes within each module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: MIOX Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Stewart, Matthew R. Santillanes, Kevin Schwarz, Justin Sanchez, Geofrey C. Showalter, Kyle Lee
  • Publication number: 20120298592
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for destroying organic contaminants in a fluid. At least one oxidant is added to a contaminated fluid, which is then irradiated with ultraviolet radiation. The oxidant is preferably chlorine-based and generated on-site. The intensity of the radiation is higher than typical AOP processes. Various process parameters, such as the pH and/or flow rate of the contaminated fluid, and/or the relative intensities of various UV wavelength sources, are varied in response to measuring quality indicators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: MIOX Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew K. Boal, Susan Rivera, Justin Sanchez, Wesley Bradford
  • Publication number: 20120228149
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for electrochemical generation of quaternary ammonium hypohalite salts, which may be combined with the capabilities of free chlorine to form a novel biocidal system. An aqueous solution preferably comprising dissolved quaternary ammonium halide salts is electrolyzed, which converts the halide component of the quaternary ammonium salt to the corresponding halogen. The halogen dissolves in the aqueous solution producing hypohalous acid and hypohalite anion. A combination of one or more quaternary ammonium compounds and a halide salt, surfactant, and/or germicide may be electrolyzed. The solution may be incorporated into a delivery system for example, a spray bottle or hand sanitizer, or as part of a dispensing system whereby quaternary ammonium halide salts absorbed onto wipes can be dispensed as quaternary ammonium hypohalite salts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: MIOX Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew K. Boal, Susan Rivera, Justin Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20120048741
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for a low maintenance, high reliability on-site electrolytic generator incorporating automatic cell monitoring for contaminant film buildup, as well as automatically removing or cleaning the contaminant film. This method and apparatus preferably does not require human intervention to clean. For high current density cells, cleaning is preferably performed by reversing the polarity of the electrodes and applying a lower current density to the electrodes, preferably by adjusting the salinity or brine concentration of the electrolyte while keeping the voltage constant. Electrolyte flow preferably comprises water and brine flows which are preferably separately monitored and automatically adjusted. For bipolar cells, flow between modules arranged in parallel is preferably approximately equally distributed between modules and between intermediate electrodes within each module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: MIOX Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Stewart, Matthew R. Santillanes, Kevin Schwarz, Justin Sanchez, Geofrey C. Showalter, Kyle Lee
  • Patent number: 7955481
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling two phase flow in electrolytic cells. The present invention is directed to any electrolytic cell, including but not limited to upflow electrolytic cells that comprise parallel electrodes in a vertical orientation. Fluid control strips are preferably added between the anode and cathode electrodes to control flow of fluid and gas bubbles generated between the electrodes in order to avoid the detrimental effects of gas bubbles on the conductivity of the fluid solution, and thereby increase production and operational efficiency of the electrolytic cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: MIOX Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Sanchez, Rodney E. Herrington
  • Patent number: 7922890
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for a low maintenance, high reliability on-site electrolytic generator incorporating automatic cell monitoring for contaminant film buildup, as well as automatically removing or cleaning the contaminant film. This method and apparatus preferably does not require human intervention to clean.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: MIOX Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Sanchez, Rodney E. Herrington
  • Patent number: 7740749
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrolytic cell that is completely sealed during the electrolysis operation during production of oxidant. Gasses generated within the electrolysis operation, primarily hydrogen that is liberated at the cathode surface, increase the pressure within the cell, and the gas pressure is ultimately utilized to expel the oxidant from the cell chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: MIOX Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney E. Herrington, Greg C. Mich, Kevin Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20090283417
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell that draws electrolyte from an electrolyte storage container to the inlet of the cell. The inlet of the cell preferably comprises a back flow prevention device that restricts flow of electrolyte from flowing back through the inlet of the cell. Gasses generated by the electrolysis operation, typically primarily hydrogen that is liberated at the cathode surface, forces electrolytic products such as oxidants out of the discharge port of the electrolytic cell, preferably in a continuous flow process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: MIOX Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Sanchez, Jeffrey Phillip Krom, Kevin Schwarz, Craig Milroy, Rodney E. Herrington
  • Publication number: 20090229992
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for a low maintenance, high reliability on-site electrolytic generator incorporating automatic cell monitoring for contaminant film buildup, as well as automatically removing or cleaning the contaminant film. This method and apparatus preferably does not require human intervention to clean. For high current density cells, cleaning is preferably performed by reversing the polarity of the electrodes and applying a lower current density to the electrodes. A second lower current density power supply may be used for reverse polarity cleaning. Electrolyte flow is preferably monitored and automatically adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: MIOX Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Sanchez, Kevin Schwarz, Rodney E. Herrington
  • Publication number: 20090205972
    Abstract: An electrolytic device and method for generating a disinfecting solution that utilizes an electrical circuit and storage battery. The electrical circuit preferably conditions the power received from a variety of power sources to charge the storage battery and conditions the power stored in the storage battery to provide the appropriate power to maximize the disinfection efficacy of the disinfecting solution. The device may incorporate one or more other devices such as an LED, an electrical power takeoff, a clock, a compass, a transmitter device, a receiver device, a position locating device, a direction indicating device, and/or a camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: MIOX Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt Kuhlmann, Dan Matthews, Justin Sanchez, Rodney E. Herrington
  • Publication number: 20090145773
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for cleaning a membrane system by using electrolysis to replenish the quantity and quality of the disinfectant solution. An electrolytic cell is preferably mounted in a recirculation piping line in connection with the chlorine-containing vat that is used to clean membranes. The electrolytic cell converts chloride produced in the membrane cleaning process to chlorine or other oxidants, thereby replenishing the cleaning solution and enabling it to be recycled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: MIOX Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney E. Herrington
  • Patent number: 7482591
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting carbonate scale. An energy emitting device transmits energy through one optical window, through a fluid stream, and out through a second optical window where the energy is detected by an energy receiving device. As scale, such as that due to carbonate present in the fluid, accumulates on the wetted surface of the optical windows, the transmission of the energy through the optical windows is obscured. The optical windows may optionally be coated and electrically charged to promote the formation of carbonate scale on the wetted surface of the window. The optical windows can be cleaned by reversing their polarity. By correlating the rate of energy intensity reduction to carbonate scale formation, the concentration of carbonate in the fluid stream can be determined. The carbonate detector can be used to alarm, shutdown, or control operation of equipment that may be adversely affected by the presence of carbonate in the fluid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: MIOX Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney E. Herrington, Curtis Mitchke
  • Publication number: 20080259338
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting carbonate scale. An energy emitting device transmits energy through one optical window, through a fluid stream, and out through a second optical window where the energy is detected by an energy receiving device. As scale, such as that due to carbonate present in the fluid, accumulates on the wetted surface of the optical windows, the transmission of the energy through the optical windows is obscured. The optical windows may optionally be coated and electrically charged to promote the formation of carbonate scale on the wetted surface of the window. The optical windows can be cleaned by reversing their polarity. By correlating the rate of energy intensity reduction to carbonate scale formation, the concentration of carbonate in the fluid stream can be determined. The carbonate detector can be used to alarm, shutdown, or control operation of equipment that may be adversely affected by the presence of carbonate in the fluid stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: MIOX Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Sanchez, Rodney E. Herrington, Michael C. Armijo
  • Publication number: 20080237054
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for a low maintenance, high reliability on-site electrolytic generator incorporating automatic cell monitoring for contaminant film buildup, as well as automatically removing or cleaning the contaminant film. This method and apparatus preferably does not require human intervention to clean.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: MIOX Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Sanchez, Rodney E. Herrington
  • Publication number: 20080164152
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling two phase flow in electrolytic cells. The present invention is directed to any electrolytic cell, including but not limited to upflow electrolytic cells that comprise parallel electrodes in a vertical orientation. Fluid control strips are preferably added between the anode and cathode electrodes to control flow of fluid and gas bubbles generated between the electrodes in order to avoid the detrimental effects of gas bubbles on the conductivity of the fluid solution, and thereby increase production and operational efficiency of the electrolytic cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: MIOX Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Sanchez, Rodney E. Herrington
  • Publication number: 20080156658
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for electrolytically controlling the formation of scale and biofilm in water purification and other systems. An anode is deposited on or disposed on or adjacent to a surface, such as that of a quartz UV tube, providing a low pH environment which inhibits the formation of carbonate scale and biofilm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: MIOX Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney E. Herrington, Michael Fraim
  • Patent number: 7326330
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for electrolytically controlling the formation of scale and biofilm in water purification and other systems. An anode is deposited on or disposed on or adjacent to a surface, such as that of a quartz UV tube, providing a low pH environment which inhibits the formation of carbonate scale and biofilm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignees: MIOX Corporation, ABQ UV Pollution Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney E. Herrington, Michael Fraim
  • Patent number: 7311831
    Abstract: A filtration membrane and method of making the same wherein the filtration membrane comprises obstructions and/or spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: MIOX Corporation
    Inventors: Wesley L. Bradford, Rodney E. Herrington, Allen D. Clement
  • Patent number: 7297268
    Abstract: Improvements in product water throughput from a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane achieved by thinner feed spacers in the RO element (22), enhanced recovery (ratio of permeate to feed), pressure recovery of the retentate fluid pressure opposing the feed water pressure, and fluid pulsing of the RO element feed stream. These features are preferably combined to optimize the performance and cost per unit volume of water produced. The system of the invention preferably comprises a dual head reciprocating pump (20), an RO element (22) with a housing, and a differential pressure activated (“DPA”) valve (24). The DPA valve (24), in combination with offsetting fluid pressures on the two pump heads (28, 30), generate energy recovery. The frequency and amplitude of the reciprocating pump (20) create a pulse wave in the RO element (22) that improves permeate quality and throughput.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: MIOX Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney E. Herrington, Frank R. Hand
  • Patent number: 7244357
    Abstract: Improvements in product water throughput from a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane filter achieved by thinner feed spacers in the RO element, enhanced recovery (ratio of permeate to feed), pressure recovery of the retentate fluid pressure opposing the feed water pressure, and fluid pulsing of the RO element feed stream. The system of the invention preferably comprises a dual head reciprocating pump, an RO element, and a differential pressure activated (“DPA”) valve. The DPA valve, in combination with connecting the two pump heads to reduce required pump pressures, generates energy recovery. The frequency and amplitude of the reciprocating pump create a pulse wave in the RO element that improves permeate quality and throughput. A control system preferably monitors system parameters to optimize the reciprocating pump speed and amplitude in order to obtain maximum throughput and permeate quality from any given RO element configuration. Also a highly compact, portable RO system comprising a piston and a DPA valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: MIOX Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney E. Herrington, Frank R. Hand