Patents Examined by Betsey J. Morrison
  • Patent number: 6013189
    Abstract: A purifier for a batch of liquid in a reservoir has a vent space and a pumping system for the vent space above the surface of liquid in the reservoir. This allows a closure lid giving easy access to the reservoir, and the pumping system is arranged so that ozone is exhausted from the vent space and reduced before entering the atmosphere. This allows a user early access to the reservoir after completing a purification cycle and protects the user from exposure to ozone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Inventor: William Alan Burris
  • Patent number: 6004457
    Abstract: A temporary silt guard for temporarily enclosing the open upper end of a drop inlet during the construction of a road system in commercial and residential developments is adapted to fit over and seat upon the open end of the drop inlet to enable runoff water to drain into the drop inlet while preventing silt and debris from being carried into and collected therein. The silt guard includes a body portion formed from a series of spaced slats defining radially spaced passages through the silt guard. A filter cover is received over the silt guard, formed from a silt screen material, with the slats of the body portion providing rigidity and strength to the filter cover. The filter cover filters out silt and debris while enabling storm water and runoff to drain into the drop inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventor: Roger Singleton
  • Patent number: 5997753
    Abstract: The inability to settle mining tailings, pulps, slurries, and other wastes in form of hard sediments and forced storage of jelly-like sludge in tailings ponds have a great economic and environmental impact. This feature is caused by suspension force arising due to high neutral pressure. The drag caused by friction between sinking solid particles and immovable water generates the upward directed suspension force that decreases the unit weight of solid particles, and they settle extremely slowly. On sufficient concentration of solid particles they become weightless and further settling is ceased. The solid particles remain suspended for a long time. The suspension force can be destroyed by greater oppositely directed seepage force. For this purpose the suspension is supplied into a container with permeable member, low pressure acting on its downstream surface is ensured, and passage of liquid through the permeable member is initiated. A downward directed seepage force is formed in the permeable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: George Ter-Stepanian
  • Patent number: 5997751
    Abstract: A hydrothermal reaction is performed on an aqueous medium without adding an oxidizing agent, and then another hydrothermal reaction is performed in the presence of an oxidizing agent, thereby reducing a chemical oxygen demand of the aqueous medium. An apparatus for performing a hydrothermal reaction has a fluid inlet being capable of introducing an oxidizing agent in a fluid form during a hydrothermal reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Higo, Roberto Masahiro Serikawa, Kazuhiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 5992642
    Abstract: A filtering apparatus and filtering system where a hinge belt 10 of a hinge-belt type filtering apparatus 100 is continuously rotated by driving of a drive motor 65 such that hinge scrapers are rotated along a bottom plate 6b of the hinge filtering apparatus main body, from a horizontal part to a slope part of the hinge filtering apparatus main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Syst
    Inventor: Seizo Ota
  • Patent number: 5993753
    Abstract: A dual chemical feeder device treats a fluid simultaneously with two different chemical compositions which may not be wholly compatible. In an exemplary embodiment for application in swimming pools, hot tubs, spas and the like, a chlorinator is combined with a sanitizing canister in a chlorinator/sanitizer to chemically treat the full flow of water through the apparatus with a chlorine-based chemical composition and another chemical composition. In alternate embodiments, the chlorinator/sanitizer is configured as a parallel treatment unit and as a series treatment unit. In the series treatment unit, the full flow through the chlorinator also flows through the sanitizing media in the santizing canister, so that all the water is both chlorinated and sanitized by the chlorinator/sanitizer. In the parallel treatment unit, the flow within the unit is divided into two streams which are separately treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: H-Tech, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald R. Davidson
  • Patent number: 5993669
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for optimizing the electrolytic production of a halogen in a water treatment system having a halogen salt dissolved therein. The flow rate to the electrolytic cell is maintained below a predetermined maximum beyond which the remaining flow is diverted from the cell. The flow going to the cell is monitored for flow rate, water temperature and conductivity and the operation of the electrolytic cell is adjusted in response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Autopilot Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul F. Fulmer
  • Patent number: 5989439
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for treatment of feed water for swine to reduce odor and water pollution arising from lagoon slurry while at the same time improving live performance and carcass data. The inventive method comprises the steps of a) producing a gaseous mixture supply of ozone and oxygen gas from ambient air; b) effecting directing contact between said gaseous mixture derived from step (a) with a supply of water by means of a venturi injector device to produce a solution of said gaseous mixture and said supply of water; c) continuing said contact between said gaseous mixture and said water supply until the content of ozone in said water supply is within a range of from about 0.5 parts per million to about 10 parts per million, and the content of oxygen is about 80-97% saturation; and d) providing the resultant water supply from step (c) for use as feed water to swine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Oxion, Inc.
    Inventor: James Persinger
  • Patent number: 5980756
    Abstract: A method and system are described for the treatment of aircraft toilet waste water to permit discharge of the treated water to the atmosphere during flight, utilizing the pressure differential that is created between the aircraft's cabin pressure and the external atmosphere. The system includes a filter to remove suspended solids and other contaminants from the waste water, and may also include means to purify the water to potable water standards and means to recirculate the treated water for re-use on the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventors: Thomas R. Tracy, H. Ed Hohrein
  • Patent number: 5980758
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composition and method of administering same for inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. The composition of the present invention includes sufficient amounts of peracetic and a non-oxidizing biocide. The method of the present invention includes the step of adding sufficient amounts of peracetic acid and the non-oxidizing biocide to industrial process waters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Judy G. LaZonby, Robert E. McCarthy, Nancy L. Casselman
  • Patent number: 5976384
    Abstract: A process for treating bacteria laden effluent from a sewage treatment digester to condition the effluent for release into the environment includes the steps of thoroughly mixing the effluent with a bactericide, conveying the mixed effluent to a reaction zone to completely kill any bacteria entrained in the waste water to provide a substantially bacteria free effluent, mixing an oxidant with the bacteria free effluent, maintaining the mixture for a sufficient time to permit substantially complete oxidation and neutralization of entrained bactericide, and discharging the treated effluent into the environment. In an alternative procedure the treated effluent is passed through a neutralizing filtration step to neutralize any active bactericide before the effluent is discharged to the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventors: Bryan A. Campbell, Jerry D. Ennis
  • Patent number: 5976387
    Abstract: A waste containing organic solids is fed into a boiler after it has been subjected to a hydrothermal reaction treatment in the presence of water. A slurry containing the waste is held under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions to cause a hydrothermal reaction such that an acidic slurry is formed during part of or throughout the process of the hydrothermal reaction. Thereby the content of oxygen in the waste relative to carbon atoms in building molecules of the waste is reduced. This concurrently causes removal of halogens in said building molecule and transferring the halogens into the slurry. The slurry then is cooled and dewatered and fed into a combustion section of the boiler. The waste slurry to be subjected to the hydrothermal reaction can be sorted into two portions for separate storage. One portion is a waste slurry the pH of which will increase as a result of the hydrothermal reaction. The other portion is a waste slurry the pH of which will decrease during the hydrothermal reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Higo, Roberto Masahiro Serikawa, Kazuhiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 5972227
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for disinfecting the sludge bi-product of an organic waste stream of pathogenic bacteria and helminth ova commonly found in organic sludges, which includes the step of intimately contacting sludge with an effective amount of an aqueous solution having a solute of at least one of a class of chemical compounds which liberate methyl-isothiocyanate gas upon commingling with organic sludge. Following disinfection the sludge may be subjected to supplemental process for extermination of enteric virus and/or conditioned for recycling as a nutricious plant medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventors: Morris Peltier, Jr., Eddie P. Mayeux, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5968370
    Abstract: A composition and method of removing hydrocarbons from a contaminated sludge which comprises hydrocarbons, solid particles and water is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a contaminated sludge including hydrocarbons and solid particles such that the hydrocarbons are bound to at least some of the solid particles; applying a treatment fluid to the contaminated sludge, the treatment fluid comprising water, a silicate, a nonionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, a phosphate builder and a caustic compound; contacting the contaminated sludge with the treatment fluid for a time sufficient to remove the hydrocarbons from at least some of the solid particles; separating the hydrocarbons from the treatment fluid and from the solid particles; recovering the hydrocarbons; and recycling the treatment fluid by applying the treatment fluid to additional contaminated sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Prowler Environmental Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark E. Trim
  • Patent number: 5965033
    Abstract: Owing to the concomitant storage, transport, material and handling problems and the unsatisfactory retarding of reinfection, the use of commercially available peracetic acid solutions with a high peracetic acid (PES) and acetic acid content for disinfecting large quantities of aqueous solutions, e.g. purification plant outlets, has been closely limited. It is possible to disinfect even large quantities of aqueous solutions economically and at the same time retard reinfection by using a peracetic acid solution containing 1.5 to 2.5 wt. % peracetic acid and 40 to 60 wt. % hydrogen peroxide and under 2 wt. % acetic acid as a disinfectant. The use of a peracetic acid solution with less than 1 wt. % acetic acid is preferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Degussa-Huls-Aktiengesellshaft
    Inventors: Michael Huss, Roland Schneider, Birgit Del Grosso
  • Patent number: 5961829
    Abstract: In a sealed container, organic material, more especially biowaste is composted. The exhaust air from the sealed container is purified in an exhaust air cleaning unit. In order to improve the cleaning effect, the condensate water from the exhaust air cleaning unit is supplied to a high performance bioreactor, in which it is brought into contact with atmospheric oxygen and is agitated. The suspension leaving from the bioreactor is caused to flow in a circuit through an ultra-filtration module for purifying the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Herhof Umwelttechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Ernst Schnorr, Markus Claudy
  • Patent number: 5961839
    Abstract: A method for clearing water in ornamental lakes, ponds, streams and other bodies of water comprises the steps: identifying the amount of water to be treated; determining the amount of a polyacrylamide flocculant to be applied necessary to obtain a desired clarity; determining flow rate of the water to be circulated; and applying the polyacrylamide flocculant to the water; wherein the polyacrylamide flocculant has a positive charge density in the range from about 40% to 100% and an average molecular weight in the range from about 6,000,000, to 18,000,000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventor: Patrick A. Simmsgeiger
  • Patent number: 5961844
    Abstract: A process is provided for removing the NO.sub.x from a fluid stream (e.g. a waste gas stream such as a flue gas stream produced during combustion). The process entails the contacting of the stream, prior to discharge into the atmosphere, with an aqueous alkaline solution containing an organic hydroperoxide such as cumenyl hydroperoxide or tert-butyl hydroperoxide. The solution has a pH of greater than 7 to about 14 which is provided by an alkali such as calcium hydroxide or calcium carbonate. The process is preferably carried out at a temperature of 50 to 95.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: New Jersey Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Henry Shaw, Howard D. Perlmutter
  • Patent number: 5961838
    Abstract: Processes for removing color from a paper mill waste effluent and for removing color from a textile plant waste effluent utilizing an amphoteric copolymer/polyamine combination are described. A preferred amphoteric copolymer is poly(dimethylaminoethylacrylate methyl chloride quaternary salt/acrylic acid) and a preferred polyamine is a polymeric reaction product of epichlorohydrin and dimethylamine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Michael L. Braden, Richard E. Metzgar, Jitendra T. Shah
  • Patent number: 5958251
    Abstract: In a method of purifying contaminated liquids and gases, a continuous surface film (31) is produced by means of a nozzle (15) and is simultaneously irradiated by a suitable radiation source (17), e.g. an UV lamp. The surface film (31) is discharged as a falling or trickling film (33) which is also exposed to the radiation. A gas for purification is passed through the surface film (31). In these conditions the pollution particles and other pollutants in the gas are absorbed by the liquid. The advantage of the process described is that decomposition of the pollutants can take place both in the gas phase and in the liquid phase. Gas pollutants which are not decomposed in the gas phase are absorbed by the liquid, where they are finally decomposed. With the present invention liquids and gases can be treated simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Ultralight AG
    Inventors: Karl Przybilla, Gerold Paesold