Patents Examined by Betsey Morrison Hoey
  • Patent number: 6878288
    Abstract: A system and a method for removing dissolved and suspended solids from a fluid stream by passing the fluid stream into a processing zone in the presence of a ultrasonic standing wave and removing a stream concentrated in the solids from the processing zone at at least one anti-node of the standing wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventor: Harold W. Scott
  • Patent number: 6872318
    Abstract: Apparatus for active in situ multi-element gas sparging for bioremediation or physico-chemical degration for removal of contaminants in a soil formation containing a subsurface groundwater aquifer or a substantially wet unsaturated zone, the multi-gas contained in bubbles, wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of injection wells extending to a depth of a selected aquifer; introducing an oxidizing agent comprising ozone mixed with ambient air to provide a multi-element gas by means of microporous diffusers, without applying a vacuum for extraction of stripped products or biodegration by-products, wherein said diffusers form micro-fine bubbles containing said multi-element gas that oxidizes, by stripping and decomposition, chlorinated hydrocarbons from the aquifer and surrounding saturated soil formation into harmless by-products; also including a pump for agitating water in the well selecting microbubbles, injecting them into the aquifer and effective to alter the path of micro-fine bubbles through a poro
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Inventor: William B. Kerfoot
  • Patent number: 6871744
    Abstract: A solid-liquid mixture is electro-dewatered by apparatus having a conveyor belt for receiving an electric charge and having the mixture deposited thereon and an element above the conveyor belt receiving an opposite electric charge with the conveyor belt an element cooperating to apply a compressive force to the mixture and characterised by the conveyor belt including discrete electrically conducted segments which are permeable to the liquid. The upper element is preferably in the form of a rotary drum or second conveyor belt but it can be in the form of a pressure plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: CRC For Waste Management & Pollution Control Limited
    Inventors: Sarah A Miller, Barry Kenneth Johnston, Christopher Veal
  • Patent number: 6863830
    Abstract: A method for treating a recirculating water system which comprises introducing into said water system a multifunctional, multilayer tablet, wherein the multilayer tablet comprises a fast dissolving layer and a slow dissolving layer, wherein said fast dissolving layer releases a combination of active ingredients including a member selected from the group consisting of lithium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA), anhydrous sodium dichloroisocyanurate, sodium persulfate, potassium persulfate, potassium monopersulfate, sodium monopersulfate, and mixtures thereof, and at least one of a clarifier, chelating agent, sequesterant, algaestat, water softener, algaecide, corrosion inhibitor, scale inhibitor, flocculent, disintegrant, dispersant, colorant, dissolution control agent, fragrance, or surfactant and, wherein said slow dissolving layer includes a member selected from the group consisting of trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA), calcium hypochlorite, 1,3-dichloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: BioLab Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Purdy, Tian Lan, Michael B. Clark, Thomas M. Lachocki
  • Patent number: 6858179
    Abstract: By treating potable water at a temperature of at least 230° C. (446° F.) and at a pressure at least equal to the pressure of saturated steam at said temperature, can produce pyrogen-free water using treatment times of 0.05 to 5 seconds or less. The addition of an oxidant, in the form of a gas, a liquid, or a solid, further decreases the required treatment time to less than 0.05 second. The reduction n equipment size achieved with this rapid treatment time allows the utilization of treatment units small enough to be easily transported to remote locations or installed in the restricted space environment existing in ships and submarines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Applied Research Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Lixiong Li, Jean J. Renard
  • Patent number: 6841078
    Abstract: A water treatment system and method reduces the pH level of a waste stream from an unacceptably high level with maximum efficiency and safety, and minimum costs and labor. The system includes a pH control system that detects a pH level of the waste stream. An acid discharge unit including a source of acid and an acid feeding mechanism is activated and deactivated by the pH control system according to the pH level of the waste stream. A housing contains the acid discharge unit and at least part of the pH control system. The acid feeding mechanism may feed dry acid directly to the waste stream or premix the dry acid with water to form a wet acidic solution that is fed into the waste stream. A mixing tank may be provided downstream of the housing to serve as an area for mixing acidic materials from the acid discharge unit with the waste stream prior to discharge from the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Environmental Quality Resources, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Carter Benson McCamy
  • Patent number: 6835307
    Abstract: A thermal treatment system for supplying thermally conditioned or purified water for human or animal consumption, industrial processes, environmental containment, or removal of foreign species. The water purifier includes a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between outgoing thermally conditioned or purified water and incoming makeup water; a water heater is connected to the heat exchanger so as to receive pre-heated incoming makeup water, where the water heater subsequently heats the incoming preheated makeup water to a set-point temperature in the case of thermally conditioned water and for purified water also holds the water for a period of time sufficient to inactivate selected organisms to a predetermined level. The heat exchanger has one or more treated water outlets for supplying thermally conditioned or purified water at selected temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Sherwood G. Talbert, Darrell D. Paul, Stephen M. Millett, David P. Evers, James E. Dvorsky, Paul E. George, II, Thomas D. Haubert, Jean E. Schelhorn, Klaus H. Wiesmann
  • Patent number: 6821438
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for increasing dissolved oxygen levels in a liquid. An oxygenation system (100) includes a liquid source (102) from which liquid is introduced into a piping network (106) by a pump (104). Colloidal minerals are injected into the liquid in a dwell chamber (110). The mixture of liquid and minerals flows into an oxygenator (118) where gaseous oxygen is injected into the liquid. The resulting two-phase flow stream is accelerated to supersonic speeds through a linear flow accelerator (126) comprising a flat Venturi (130) and electromagnets (128) positioned adjacent the flat Venturi. The electromagnets generate an electromagnetic field to exert a force on the two-phase mixture in the direction of the flow. The flow stream then passes through a laminar flow grid (132) to remove turbulence, after which the oxygenated liquid is bottled at a bottling system (134).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Geir Corporation
    Inventors: Darrell J. Hadley, Jeffrey D. Hadley, William R. Rey, Geir O. Eriksen
  • Patent number: 6818124
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for managing a water supply in a water tank are presented herein. A submersible pump is placed inside the water tank. The thrust of the pump causes a considerable increase in water circulation about the water tank, thereby resulting in a more consistent water supply. Chemical disinfectants are added directly in front of the pump, thereby resulting in better mixing. Additionally an outlet from the pump provides a testable sample for measurement of the concentration of the chemical disinfectant. The measurements of the concentration of the chemical disinfectant are provided to a programmable logic controller which makes real time adjustments to the chemical disinfectants that are added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Severn Trent Water Purification, Inc.
    Inventor: Brent Simmons
  • Patent number: 6811710
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling water impurity level and temperature uniformity within large water-containing reservoirs including a pump located in the body of water, the pump ejecting a jet of water therefrom and ingesting water at a point remote from said ejecting and an eductor positioned in the jet of water for pulling in low pressure water and flowing a stream of water therefrom providing mixing and circulation of water within the reservoir to remove temperature gradients. Water purity is controlled by a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Severn Trent Water Purification, Inc.
    Inventor: Brent Simmons
  • Patent number: 6808639
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reducing the amount of hydrogen sulfide in the effluent of a water heater. A water heater of the present invention comprises an aeration device comprising a pump connected to a tube connected to an air sparging unit. The water heater may further comprise a programmable thermostat capable of controlling the temperature of the water in the water heater. The method of the present invention comprises the step of periodically or constantly passing a plurality of air bubbles through the water contained in a water heater. The method may further comprise the step of heating the water in the water heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Rulon Young Rawson, Richard Leland Butsch
  • Patent number: 6797183
    Abstract: This invention provides a method of treating waste effluent, particularly photographic effluent, containing reduced species such as thiosulphate or sulphite, by oxidation with hydrogen peroxide or a compound capable of releasing hydrogen peroxide, in the presence of a catalyst therefor. The invention is characterized in that the catalyst is immobilized on a substrate. The catalyst may be selected from chromate, vanadate and preferable molybdate or tungstate and the substrate may comprise an ion exchange material, especially an anion exchange material. The invention further provides a holding tank apparatus (10) or a conduit apparatus (20) for carrying out this method. The invention is particularly appropriate for use with fixer from redox-amplification processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: John R. Fyson
  • Patent number: 6790353
    Abstract: The present invention provides several embodiments of a device for automatically feeding soluble fluid treating agents in both tablet and granular form into a fluid body such as a swimming pool, spa or toilet bowl tank. Each embodiment includes a holding member for holding the soluble fluid treating agents which is selectively moveable along at least a portion of the length of a shaft member so as to adjustably position the soluble fluid treating agents relative to the fluid body. The shaft member is removably attachable to a base member that holds the device in operative position. The holding member can be selectively positioned such that any portion of the soluble fluid treating agents can be immersed within the fluid body. When a plurality of tablets are utilized, the holding member includes an elongate portion and each tablet preferably includes an opening extending therethrough adaptable for receiving the elongate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Solutia, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas V. Connelly, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6790352
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating water contaminated with metal sulfates and sulfuric acid such as acid mine drainage (AMD) which in part recycles high pH effluent from later steps in the process back to the earlier steps of the process. The recycled high pH effluent added with magnesium hydroxide to the entering AMD generates precipitates separable from the stream to leave sulfate ladened water. A tangential filtering process is used to separate the sulfate ladened water into one stream of pure water and a second stream containing sulfate. One portion of the second stream is treated with ammonia to yield a cake of ammonia sulfate and aqueous ammonia. Ca(OH)2 is added to another portion of the second stream to produce calcium sulfate cake and the high pH effluent that is recycled back to the first step in the cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen Ray Wurzburger, J. Michael Overton
  • Patent number: 6773609
    Abstract: An improved method for water treatment which comprises subjecting a water to be containing a hazardous material such as a dioxin or PCB to an ozone treatment contacting the water with fine bubbles of ozone having an average diameter of 0.5 to 3 microns; and a combination of the ozone treatment with one or more of a hydrogen peroxide treatment, a UV radiation treatment, an electrolysis treatment and a treatment with a carbonaceous filter material. The above ozone treatment or combination of treatments can be used for surer realization on of an intended effect of a water treatment, which is difficult to achieve by the use of a conventional method wherein ozone or hydrogen peroxide is simply mixed with a water to be treated. In particular, the combination of treatments leads to a more improved effect of water treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: Kazuto Hashizume
  • Patent number: 6773611
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of a ballast water treatment system are disclosed. The ballast water treatment system includes a control system and a ballast tank system. The control system controls the concentration of a biocide in the ballast tank system. In addition, the ballast water treatment system can be implemented in a vessel. The ballast water treatment system includes a control system, a biocide generation system, and a ballast tank system. The control system is capable of controlling the concentration of a biocide in the ballast tank system by controlling the amount of the biocide feed into the ballast tank system from the biocide generation system. Further, the ballast water treatment system involves methods for controlling organisms in ballast water of a vessel. A representative method includes providing the ballast water, and treating the ballast water with chlorine dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Ecochlor, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Perlich, Charles Goodsill
  • Patent number: 6761826
    Abstract: A system and method for enhancing the flux and separation properties of water filtration membranes by oxidizing raw or processed water constituents with direct photolysis of the water matrix by pulsed blackbody UV, yielding ozone and hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radicals and other short lived oxidizing species. The result thereof, causing precipitation of inorganic molecules or organically complexed minerals, partial or complete mineralization of organic molecules and the deactivation or destruction of microbes including: virus, bacteria and protozoa. The system and method comprises a pulsed blackbody, deep-UV reactor having at least one treatment chamber, the reactor having a conveying assembly to convey the water to be treated into the chamber; a filter assembly to screen the UV treated water; a caustic supply means for the post-treatment of water; a recovering assembly recovering the permeate at an outlet of the filtration means. The effect of such UV water treatment is multifaceted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: New Star Lasers, Inc.
    Inventor: Jim Bender
  • Patent number: 6761827
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying water by forming in an electrolytic cell molecular halogen, hypohalic acid, hypohalite ions or combinations thereof, from halide ions dissolved in the water; and dissolving one or more soluble metal salts in the water to provide corresponding metal ions. The invention also relates to a system for purifying water, having an electrolytic cell comprising a plurality of electrodes sufficient to electrolytically convert halide ion in the water into molecular halogen, hypohalic acid, or hypohalite ions, or combinations thereof; and a metal generator, which provides concentrations of one or more metals to the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Care, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard T. Coffey
  • Patent number: 6746612
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system of water recycling in residential households. A water recycling method includes the steps of collecting water from at least one residential water source and channeling water from at least one residential water source through pipes via gravity to a storage tank. The method includes the steps of filtering and treating the water with a sanitizing agent to remove impurities. The method includes the step of delivering water to the soil and subsoil of the landscape. A water recycling system includes at least one residential water source and a storage tank to collect recycled water from at least one household water source. The pipes are adapted to channel water from at least one residential water source via gravity. A filter and a sanitizing agent can be included to remove impurities. A water delivery device is included to deliver water to the aquifer, soil and subsoil of the landscape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: University of Florida
    Inventor: Scot M. Hammond
  • Patent number: 6740244
    Abstract: Water treatment methods and systems using laser light. Water enters a treatment area from waterline tubing wherein water within the treatment area is subjected to light from a laser as it passes through the treatment area, and wherein microorganisms contained within said water are reactive to the light and are killed. The water is provided to a point of use after treatment by light. The treatment area may be a junction box having an entry point for receiving water from input tubing connected to the input portion of the junction box; a fiber optic line or laser source coupled to the junction box for delivery of light from a laser into the junction box; and an exit point and/or port for providing water passing through the junction box to a point of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Saltech Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony Michael Baca