Patents Examined by Arun S. Phasge
  • Patent number: 10988391
    Abstract: A desalination battery includes a container configured to contain a saline water solution having a first concentration c1 of dissolved salts; first and second intercalation hosts, arranged to be in fluid communication with the saline water solution, at least the first intercalation host including expanded graphite having a plurality of graphene layers with an interlayer spacing between the graphene layers in z-direction greater than 0.34 nm; and a power source configured to supply electric current to the first and second intercalation hosts such that the first and second intercalation hosts reversibly store and release cations and anions from the saline water solution located between the plurality of graphene layers to generate a fresh water solution having a second concentration c2 of dissolved salts and a brine solution having a third concentration c3 of dissolved salts within the container such that c3>c1>c2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GmbH
    Inventors: Soo Kim, Jonathan Mailoa, Mordechai Kornbluth, Georgy Samsonidze, Michael Metzger, Saravanan Kuppan, Sondra Hellstrom, Boris Kozinsky, Nathan Craig
  • Patent number: 10987630
    Abstract: Electrodeionization apparatuses, systems including a reactor system and an electrodeionization system, and methods of purifying acetic acid are provided herein. In some embodiments, the electrodeionization apparatus includes an anode, and three spaced apart membranes located between the anode and the cathode: a first cation exchange membrane, a first anion exchange membrane, a second cation exchange membrane, defining: a first electrode rinse passage between the anode and the first cation exchange membrane, a first concentrate passage between the first cation exchange membrane and the first anion exchange membrane, a feed stream passage located between the first anion exchange membrane and the second cation exchange membrane, and a second electrode rinse passage between the second cation exchange membrane and the cathode. In some embodiments, the electrodeionization apparatus also includes at least one propionate-selective ion exchange resin wafer within the feed stream passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: LyondellBasell Acetyls, LLC
    Inventors: Jamie A. Hestekin, Dmytro Demydov, Noel C. Hallinan, Mure Te, Barbara Kimmich, Daniel F. White
  • Patent number: 10981848
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide electrolytic device includes: an electrolysis cell including a cathode, an anode, cathode and anode flow paths, and a separator; a carbon dioxide source to supply carbon dioxide to the cathode flow path; a solution source to supply an electrolytic solution containing water to the anode flow path; at least one sensor to acquire at least one data of a data indicating a discharge amount per unit time of a liquid containing water to be discharged from at least one flow path and a data indicating a concentration of at least one ion in the liquid; a refresh material source including a gas source to supply a gaseous substance to the at least one flow path; and a controller programmed to stop the supply of the carbon dioxide and the electrolytic solution, and start supply of a gaseous substance from the refresh material source, in accordance with the at least one data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Akihiko Ono, Yuki Kudo, Ryota Kitagawa, Masakazu Yamagiwa, Jun Tamura, Satoshi Mikoshiba, Yoshitsune Sugano, Asahi Motoshige
  • Patent number: 10974975
    Abstract: An electrolytic zinc dosing device that regulates the amount of zinc delivered or dosed into a flowing stream of water as a function, in part, of the current applied to an electrolytic cell and the flow rate of the flowing water. A replaceable electrolytic cell having an anode and a cathode connected to a power supply, and at least one bipolar electrode in aqueous solution between the anode and cathode. Flow rate information and/or total current information are used to determine the dosing quantity of zinc delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Ecowater Systems LLC
    Inventors: Robert Astle, George Dimotsis
  • Patent number: 10968119
    Abstract: A process for removing oil and other organics, especially naphthalenic acid, is disclosed. The process involves use of electrical fields using electrodes in the device, inducing gas bubbles which force contaminants to the surface of the solutions to be skimmed off and recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: U.S. Clean Water Technologies
    Inventors: Kurt W. Swogger, John Richard Graves, Phillip J. Carlberg
  • Patent number: 10968118
    Abstract: The invention concerns a subsea water processing system comprising an electrochemical unit that uses raw or treated seawater to generate high pH and low pH solutions that are used to clean at least one subsea process apparatus during a cleaning cycle by circulation through the at least one subsea process apparatus via acid or base flow lines connecting the electrochemical unit with the subsea process apparatus on-site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: VETCO GRAY SCANDINAVIA AS
    Inventors: Hua Wang, Zijun Xia, Jose Luis Plasencia Cabanillas
  • Patent number: 10968120
    Abstract: An electrolytic assembly and a method for the bacterial disinfection of water or wastewater is disclosed. Water circulating in cooling towers such as those that discharge heat from air conditioning; ships' ballast water; or wastewater with a dryness varying from 0.01 to 3%; can be treated. The assembly comprises one or more electrolytic units comprising at least one Dimensionnally Stable Anode commonly known as DSA, or a Boron Doped Diamond anode, also named BDD anode. The electrolytic treatment at least partially kill the bacteria present in the water. It has been shown that the electrolytic treatment breaks the cell membrane of bacteria present in the water. The treatment is particularly adapted for eliminating Legionella and others microorganisms, such as E. coli.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: e2metrix Inc.
    Inventors: Ihsen Ben Salah, Mohamed Laaroussi
  • Patent number: 10946346
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the separation of sperm. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of polyvinyl alcohol membranes in the electrophoretic separation of sperm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Memphasys Limited
    Inventors: Xing Feng Zhao, Hani Nur
  • Patent number: 10946341
    Abstract: A bipolar membrane electrodialysis method and system are described for purifying an organic acid from an aqueous solution containing the salt of the organic acid. The system includes a bipolar membrane electrodialysis stack that includes at least one three-compartment bipolar membrane electrodialysis cell and at least one two-compartment bipolar membrane electrodialysis cell. The method includes recirculating the solution of organic acid produced from the three-compartment bipolar membrane electrodialysis cell and two-compartment bipolar membrane electrodialysis cell. Cation or anion exchange resins may be included in the spacers of acid compartment to increase the conductivity of acid compartments, thereby increasing current density of the bipolar electrodialysis stack and decreasing power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: BL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Yongchang Zheng, John H. Barber
  • Patent number: 10900132
    Abstract: A neutralization cell is provided which may be used to increase a pH level of a chlorine solution. The neutralization cell includes a neutralization anode, a neutralization cathode, an inlet, and an outlet. The neutralization anode and the neutralization cathode are positioned to divide the neutralization cell into a middle area between the neutralization anode and the neutralization cathode, an anode area on a side of the neutralization anode furthest from the neutralization cathode, and a cathode area on a side of the neutralization cathode furthest from the neutralization anode. The inlet directs the chlorine solution into the neutralization cell by directing an incoming flow of the chlorine solution into the anode area. The outlet directs the chlorine solution out of the neutralization cell by directing an outgoing flow of the chlorine solution from the cathode area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Diversey, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan Eduard Veening, Lambertus Gerardus Petrus van der Heijden
  • Patent number: 10900925
    Abstract: ISEs comprising a substrate layer; a carbon nanotube layer disposed on the substrate layer; a conductive metal layer on a portion of the carbon nanotube layer; a conductive polymer disposed on the portion; and an ion-selective membrane disposed on the conductive polymer and methods of making them are provided. A system is also provided for detecting a plurality of analyte ions in a sample comprising a housing; a plurality of ISEs associated with the housing, each electrode comprising an ion-selective membrane to a different analyte ion; a reference electrode associated with the housing; a fluid sample receptacle associated with the housing and in fluid communication with the plurality of ion-selective electrodes and reference electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Karin Y. Chumbimuni-Torres, Samantha Mensah, Percy Calvo-Marzal, Michelle Rich
  • Patent number: 10882767
    Abstract: A method for removing ammonia nitrogen in an aqueous solution is provided in the present invention. The method includes performing an electrolysis reaction using an electrolysis device, such that the ammonia nitrogen is converted into nitrogen gas, nitrate or nitrite. The electrolysis device includes an anode including metal nickel, nickel hydroxide or nickel oxyhydroxide, and a cathode including metal copper. The method has high selectivity of converting the ammonia nitrogen into the nitrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: National Sun Yat-Sen University
    Inventors: Yu-Jen Shih, Chin-Pao Huang, Yao-Hui Huang
  • Patent number: 10882766
    Abstract: A water remediation and treatment device that includes a process channel having fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; at least one tube unit in fluid communication with the process channel, the tube unit defining an interior chamber defining an interior fluid flow path, at least one anode and at least one cathode contained in the interior chamber and positioned in the interior fluid flow path; and at least one device configured to remove material accumulated on the surface of the cathode and/or the electrode during water treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Inventor: Adam Taylor
  • Patent number: 10882757
    Abstract: Provided is anhydrous nickel chloride having a total content of impurity elements other than gas components of less than 10 wt. ppm; each content of boron, sodium, magnesium, aluminum, potassium, calcium, titanium, chromium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, arsenic, silver, cadmium, indium, tin, thallium and lead of less than 1 wt. ppm, which can be produced by a method for producing anhydrous nickel chloride comprising the steps of carrying out ion exchange membrane electrolysis in an anolyte and a catholyte separated by an anion exchange membrane using raw metal nickel as an anode, a conductive material as a cathode and high purity hydrochloric acid as an electrolytic solution, to obtain a nickel chloride solution as the anolyte; concentrating the obtained nickel chloride solution by heating it at 80 to 100° C. under atmospheric pressure to obtain a concentrated nickel chloride solution; and dehydrating and drying the resulting concentrated nickel chloride solution by heating it at 180 to 220° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation
    Inventors: Hideyuki Takahashi, Kouichi Takemoto
  • Patent number: 10882756
    Abstract: A method of regenerating an etch solution comprising a metastable complex of manganese(III) ions in a strong acid is described in which at least a portion of the manganese(III) ions in the metastable complex have been destabilized, causing them to disproportionate into manganese dioxide and manganese(II) ions. The method includes the steps of i) adding an effective amount of a reducing agent to the solution; ii) allowing the reducing agent to react with the solution to cause manganese dioxide to dissolve; and (iii) applying an electrical current to regenerate manganese(III) ions in the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: MacDermid Acumen, Inc.
    Inventor: Roderick D. Herdman
  • Patent number: 10875792
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a capacitive deionization (CDI) system for desalinating salt water. The system may have a capacitor formed by spaced apart first and second electrodes, which enable a fluid flow containing salt water to pass either between them or through them. An input electrical power source is configured to generate an electrical forcing signal between the two electrodes. The electrical forcing signal represents a periodic signal including at least one of voltage or current, and which can be represented as a Fourier series. One component of the Fourier series is a constant, and a second component of the Fourier series is a sinusoidal wave of non-zero frequency which has the highest amplitude of the additive components of the Fourier series. The amplitude of the sinusoidal wave component is between 0.85 and 1.25 times the amplitude of the periodic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Hawks, Michael Stadermann, Juan G. Santiago, Ashwin Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 10821395
    Abstract: An electrodialytic battery system comprises an electrodialysis apparatus having first and second reservoirs, wherein concentration of an input solution in the first reservoir increases and concentration of the input solution decreases in the second reservoir during an operation mode. A first redox-active electrolyte chamber comprises a first electrode and a first solution of a first redox-active electrolyte material and has a reversible redox reaction with the first electrolyte material to drive an ion into the first reservoir. A second redox-active electrolyte chamber comprises a second electrode and a second solution of a redox-active electrolyte material and has a reversible redox reaction with the second electrolyte material to accept an ion from the second reservoir. A first type of membrane is disposed between the first and second reservoirs, and a second type of membrane, different from the first type, is disposed between the respective electrode chambers and reservoirs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Eugene S. Beh, Divyaraj Desai, Michael Benedict, Jessica Louis Baker Rivest
  • Patent number: 10822241
    Abstract: The invention relates to the complex processing of a nuclear power plant's NPP's liquid, boron-containing waste with a complex composition, being generated during the operation of NPPs, including of ones VVER-type, and can be used to isolate boric and nitric acids and hydroxides of sodium and potassium for their reuse in the NPP process cycle. The invention allows to obtain crystalline boric acid and highly concentrated solutions of nitric acid and hydroxides of sodium and potassium, suitable for reuse in the NPP process cycle and for general industrial use. Conducting electrodialysis at low values of current and voltage provides a reduction of the method's energy intensity. The involvement of all major components of waste mother liquors into the processing reduces the amount of stored and disposed hazardous waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignees: JOINT STOCK COMPANY “ROSENERGOATOM”, JOINT STOCK COMPANY “SCIENCE AND INNOVATIONS”
    Inventors: Vladimir Ivanovich Ivanenko, Tat'yana Andreevna Sedneva, Efroim Pinkhusovich Lokshin, Roman Ivanovich Korneikov
  • Patent number: 10807122
    Abstract: Reflectin proteins are proteins derived from cephalopods (certain species of squid) which have unusual optical properties. Disclosed herein are thin films of reflectin proteins which can be tuned to reflect infrared light. Advantageously, the films can be tuned dynamically over short time scales, to reflect at different wavelengths. Disclosed herein are novel infrared-reflective coatings, methods of making such coatings, and infrared-reflective objects such as textiles, building materials, and camouflage materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Alon Gorodetsky, Long Phan, David Ordinario, Emil Karshalev, Michael Shenk, Ward Gale Walkup, IV
  • Patent number: 10807888
    Abstract: A capacitive deionization system includes first and second electrodes comprising tire derived carbon particles obtained from a carbonaceous waste-tire source material containing carbon black. A conductive polymer coating on the carbon particles forms coated carbon particles. The first electrode and the second electrode define a flow channel there between, having a first opening for conducting saline solution into the flow channel and a second opening for conducting treated saline solution from the flow channel. A first current collector is provided for the first electrode and a second current collector is provided for the second electrode. An electrical connection between the first and second electrodes. A method of making a system for the capacitive deionization of a salt from a liquid, and a method for the capacitive desalination of a saline solution are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventors: Mariappan Paranthaman, Amit K. Naskar, Constantinos Tsouris, Marko Robert Ivancevic