Patents Examined by Cameron J Allen
-
Patent number: 11850575Abstract: Carbon-doped graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) compositions are synthesized from the chemical precursors melamine, cyanuric acid and barbituric acid. Phosphorus-doped g-C3N4 compositions are synthesized from the chemical precursors melamine, cyanuric acid and etidronic acid. Carbon- and phosphorus-doped g-C3N4 compositions, when in the presence of UV or visible light, can be used in water treatment systems to photocatalytically degrade persistent organic micropollutants such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), pesticides, and herbicides. Carbon- and phosphorus-doped g-C3N4 compositions can also be applied to surfaces of household and public items to kill protozoa, eukaryotic parasites, algal pathogens, bacteria, fungi, prions, viruses, or other microorganisms, preventing the transfer thereof between users.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2020Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: The George Washington UniversityInventors: Danmeng Shuai, Qinmin Zheng
-
Patent number: 11834353Abstract: A UV reactor for disinfecting water. The UV reactor may include a cooling chamber in which heat from a UV source may be transferred to the water flowing through the UV reactor. The UV reactor may include driver circuitry operable to determine status information, such as health, of the UV source. The UV reactor may include a gas discharge path operable to substantially prevent accumulation of gas within a water treatment chamber.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2022Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Access Business Group International LLCInventors: Ziqi Wu, Joshua B. Taylor, Daniel L Schlenk, Jeffrey A. Shumate
-
Patent number: 11834352Abstract: System and method for treatment of a process fluid using ultraviolet light are provided. The system may have a wall, an inlet pipe and at least one length of brushes configured to brush a fluid along a side of the wall, generating a film on the fluid to be exposed to ultraviolet light as the fluid film flows along the wall. The system and method may further utilize at least one channel to provide fluid to the wall.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2019Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: LeBaron IP Holdings, LLCInventor: E. Shem LeBaron
-
Patent number: 11827546Abstract: Waste water is remanufactured with ozone in a series of mixing vessels. The ozone is dispersed to both a top and a bottom portion of each mixing vessel, but in different amounts. This creates an electrical potential difference across the height of each mixing vessel which significantly improves the oxidation of organic carbon-based impurities and eliminates H2S and bacteria. Sludge and solids floating to the top of each mixing vessels are removed, as well as sludge and solids settling to the bottom of the mixing vessels. When oil and gas well waste water is treated in this manner, the resulting treated water is purified and has a high salt content suitable for oil or gas well injection.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2022Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Clean Water Tech, LLCInventor: Timothy G. Coakley
-
Patent number: 11827544Abstract: A method of degrading 1,4-dioxane in the wastewater produced during the manufacture of alkyl ether sulfates is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) mixing from 100 to 10,000 ppm, preferably 1,000 to 4,000 ppm of ozone with the wastewater; (b) introducing H2O2 into the wastewater in an amount of 0.01 to 10, preferably 0.1 to 0.5 molar equivalents of H2O2 to ozone, and (c) mixing the ozone, H2O2, and wastewater to generate hydroxyl radicals reactive with the 1,4-dioxane, without the addition of a metal catalyst. The hydroxyl radicals react with the 1,4-dioxane and degrade it into carbon dioxide, water and/or carbonate. The method is effective to reduce a concentration of 1,4-dioxane in the wastewater from a range of about 10 ppm to about 1000 ppm of dioxane down to less than 5 ppb of 1,4-dioxane after treatment. The method is also effective for removing hydrocarbon species that may be present in the wastewater.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2022Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Stepan CompanyInventors: Matthew V. Vollmer, Donald E. Oulman, Aaron Brown, Dennis Smith, Doug Gustafson, Terry Applebury
-
Patent number: 11820675Abstract: A device that treats water with multiple wavelengths of light in order to modify the structure of the water. The device may have two light panels on two different sides of a transparent container that holds water to be treated. Each light panel may have light sources that emit three different wavelengths of light. Specific wavelength combinations have been found to produce the desired structural changes in water. Hydrogen and/or oxygen may be added to the water before or during treatment. Potential sources of hydrogen and oxygen may be an electrolysis unit attached to or integrated into the light treatment device, or a hydrogen bearing mineral that may be added to the water. Experiments that treat and then freeze the water demonstrate a novel structure via the formation of unusual crystalline forms in the frozen, treated water.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2023Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: SOLETLUNA HOLDINGS, INC.Inventor: David Schmidt
-
Patent number: 11814304Abstract: A process of dissolving into to-be-treated water a peroxodisulfate and metal ions other than ions of alkali metals is performed by pouring equipment. An ultraviolet irradiation apparatus performs a process of treating the to-be-treated water, having the peroxodisulfate and the metal ions other than ions of alkali metals dissolved therein, with ultraviolet rays. By performing UV treatment on the to-be-treated water having the peroxodisulfate and metal ions dissolved therein, the inventive method and system achieve improved TOC decomposing performance and thus can particularly decompose a urea component in an efficient manner. Further, the to-be-treated water may be treated with an ion-exchange resin at a subsequent stage in such a manner that organic acids contained in the to-be-treated water having been subjected to the UV treatment are adsorbed to the ion exchange-resin, with the advantageous result that the concentration of TOC present in the to-be-treated water can be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2019Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: PHOTOSCIENCE JAPAN CORPORATIONInventors: Tomoyoshi Nakamura, Yuji Yamakoshi
-
Patent number: 11807555Abstract: An energy-efficient disinfection or sterilisation of contaminated liquid, such as water contaminated with viruses or microbes includes an asymmetric configuration of a cavitation nozzle made from dielectric material that enables the formation of a single, stable cavitation bubble of a large volume. A low-pressure gaseous plasma is continuously formed inside the cavitation bubble by electrodes to prevent contact of the metallic electrode with liquid water and Ohmic heating of the contaminated water. The electrodes are connected to a high voltage power supply. The power supply enables formation of a continuous stable gaseous discharge inside the cavitation bubble and radicals and radiation useful for destruction of viruses to the levels below the current US EPA standard in few minutes, while the temperature of liquid water remains practically unchanged. Use is not only for hospitals and pharmaceutical companies but the food industry and agriculture as well.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignees: Jozef Stefan Institute, National Institute of Biology, University of LjubljanaInventors: Gregor Primc, Rok Zaplotnik, Miran Mozetic, Arijana Filipic, Ion Gutierrez Aguirre, David Dobnik, Matevz Dular, Martin Petkovsek
-
Patent number: 11807560Abstract: A water treatment system includes an ozone generator combined with an electrolytic chlorine generator in a compact, efficient and serviceable assembly. The system may include a modular and replaceable ozone generator, which allows a damaged or non-functional ozone generator to be quickly and efficiently replaced. In order to protect the ozone generator from damage, a fail-safe drain valve assembly may also be provided which will expel backflowing pool water before it is allowed to backflow into the ozone generator. The water treatment system may further include an insulated electrolytic chlorine generator that mitigates or eliminates current leakage for efficient operation.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Intex Marketing Ltd.Inventors: Zhi Xiong Huang, Yonggui Chen, Yaw Yuan Hsu, Peilin Chen
-
Patent number: 11795078Abstract: A water treatment system includes an ozone generator combined with an electrolytic chlorine generator in a compact, efficient and serviceable assembly. The system may include a modular and replaceable ozone generator, which allows a damaged or non-functional ozone generator to be quickly and efficiently replaced. In order to protect the ozone generator from damage, a fail-safe drain valve assembly may also be provided which will expel backflowing pool water before it is allowed to backflow into the ozone generator. The water treatment system may further include an insulated electrolytic chlorine generator that mitigates or eliminates current leakage for efficient operation.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Intex Marketing Ltd.Inventors: Zhi Xiong Huang, Yonggui Chen, Yaw Yuan Hsu, Peilin Chen
-
Patent number: 11795074Abstract: An electrochemical cell including a first chamber having an anode, a second chamber having a cathode, at least one ionic connection between the first chamber and the second chamber, such that liquid electrolyte from the first chamber is prevented from mixing with liquid electrolyte in the second chamber is provided. The first chamber and the second chamber can be arranged in parallel and positioned remotely from each other. An electrochemical system including the electrochemical cell, and first and second sources of saline aqueous solutions is also provided. Water treatment systems are also provided. A method of operating an electrochemical cell including introducing first and second saline aqueous solutions into first and second chambers of the electrochemical cell, and applying a current across the anode and the cathode to generate first and second products, respectively is also provided. A method of facilitating operation of an electrochemical cell is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2018Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLCInventors: George Y. Gu, Simon Paul Dukes, Joshua Griffis, Michael J. Shaw
-
Patent number: 11786873Abstract: A submersible agitator device for circulating drinking water includes a submersible motor including a cylindrical housing, from one end of which there extends a shaft, a hyperboloid agitator mounted on the shaft, a frame with a plurality of supports extending along the housing and connected to the housing, wherein the supports have radially outwardly angled bend portions, which extend over a peripheral edge of the hyperboloid agitator body in order to support the frame on a base, and a flow-guiding element, which is annular in plan view and which is mounted on the bend portions of the supports.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2019Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: INVENT UMWELT—UND VERFAHRENSTECHNIK AGInventor: Marcus Höfken
-
Patent number: 11786070Abstract: Described herein includes sample liquid purification apparatus, systems, and techniques of use. The purification apparatus generally can operate to reduce a temperature of a precursor liquid within a beverage machine or appliance. For example, a thermally conductive body can define a heat sink having a tortuous path for propagation of the precursor therethough, facilitating temperature reduction. The purification apparatus can further generally operate to sanitize or otherwise reduce a level of contaminants in the precursor liquid. For example, an energy source, such as a light emitting diode, can be arranged or integrated with the thermally conductive body to emit ultraviolet radiation toward the precursor liquid within the thermally conductive body.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Bedford Systems LLCInventor: Joseph Damigella
-
Patent number: 11780755Abstract: A vortex flow inducer has inducer body with an interior end, an outer end and a length extending there between, and a longitudinal axis extending between the interior and the outer ends. A flow passage extends between the interior and outer ends of the inducer body. The flow passage has an inlet at the outer end and an exit at the interior end. The flow passage is swept laterally toward a side of the inducer body in a direction from the outer end toward the interior end such that the exit is laterally offset from the longitudinal axis. The interior end of the inducer body has a concave curvature. The swept flow passage and the curved interior end induce a vortex flow in a fluid flowing through the flow passage as it exits the flow passage and into a flow passage of a conduit the that extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the inducer body.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Inventor: Adrian A Preiss
-
Patent number: 11780750Abstract: A fluid sterilization device according to an embodiment includes: a tube portion; a supply head in one end portion of the tube portion; a discharge head provided in the other end portion thereof and having a first hole penetrating a space between end faces on the tube portion side and the opposite side; a holder having a flange and a protruding portion projecting from one surface of the flange and provided in the first hole; a substrate on an end face of the protruding portion on a side opposite to the flange side; a light-emitting element provided on a surface of the substrate on a side opposite to the protruding portion side and emitting ultraviolet rays; a window provided in the first hole and facing the light-emitting element; and a desiccant provided outside the discharge head and in a space communicating with the first hole or in the first hole.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Toshiba Lighting & Technology CorporationInventors: Takeo Kato, Atsushi Fujioka, Naoto Sakurai, Seiya Iida, Takanori Ochi
-
Patent number: 11781294Abstract: A water reclamation system includes a collection basin that collects greywater from non-toilet sources. The collection basin is part of a fluid path of the greywater. A plurality of sensors are disposed within the fluid path. The plurality of sensors monitor a particulate level within the greywater. The plurality of sensors include at least a turbidity sensor and a conductivity sensor. A coagulation and filtration system separates particulate from the greywater to define filtered greywater. A staging basin is included, where the filtered greywater is delivered from the coagulation and filtration system to the staging basin to define flush water.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Robert R. Baer
-
Patent number: 11772991Abstract: An efficient, cost-effective, and efficacious technique for removing coal ash and other pollutants from waterways, ponds, marshes, holding tanks and other water sources and supplies. An apparatus comprising an open cage including electromagnets and/or permanent magnets and/or electrodes is supplied with electrical power to extract materials such as rare earth elements and/or heavy metals. The materials levitate to the surface, forming a slurry while leaving water substantially free of such materials. Rare earth magnets electrically connect electrolysis electrode structures and serve as electrolysis electrode segments.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2020Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: FisherH2O, LLCInventor: David Keith Fisher
-
Patent number: 11774195Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cooling tower having a fill media, water distribution system, plenum, and an ultraviolet (UV) light emitter. The water distribution system distributes water to the fill media. A flow of air passes through the fill media and past a flow of the water and out of the cooling tower via an outlet. The plenum is defined by a volume between the fill media and the outlet. The UV light emitter is disposed in the plenum and configured to inactivate or kill organisms in a drift.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2020Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: SPX Cooling Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth P. Mortensen, Joseph Evans
-
Patent number: 11766670Abstract: An anion exchange membrane includes a porous structural framework and bismuth atoms bonded to pore surfaces of the porous structural framework. Each bismuth atom is bonded to a pore surface by way of one or two oxygen atoms.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2022Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: 1s1 Energy, Inc.Inventors: Sukanta Bhattacharyya, Daniel Sobek
-
Patent number: 11760662Abstract: Aspects of the invention include a porous and water-permeable electrode for electrocatalysis comprising: a porous and water-permeable reactive electrochemical membrane (“REM”) comprising: a porous and water-permeable support membrane; wherein the support membrane comprises a titanium metal; and an electrocatalytic coating on at least a portion of the metal support membrane, the electrocatalytic coating being a tin oxide bilayer comprising: a first layer adjacent to and directly contacting the metal support membrane; wherein the first layer comprises tin oxide doped with antimony; and a second layer adjacent to and directly contacting the first layer; wherein the second layer forms a surface of the REM such that the second layer is in direct contact with an aqueous solution when the REM is in contact with the aqueous solution; wherein the second layer comprises tin oxide doped with antimony and nickel or cerium. Preferably, the support membrane is formed of a titanium metal.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2020Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignees: California Institute of Technology, Clarkson UniversityInventors: Yang Yang, Michael R. Hoffmann