Patents Examined by Fred Prince
  • Patent number: 11297808
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pond culture circulation system based on a bio-toilet module including a culture pond and an annular treatment channel surrounding the culture pond. The annular treatment channel is sequentially provided with a sedimentation zone, a biological purification zone and a water storage zone along a direction of water flow. The culture pond includes a plurality of culture pond units. Each of the plurality of culture pond units is provided with a bio-toilet module in communication with the sedimentation zone through a sewage pipe. The water storage zone communicates with each of the plurality of culture pond units through a gravity-flow culvert. The invention further discloses a use method of the pond culture circulation system based on the bio-toilet module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Shanghai Ocean University
    Inventors: Liping Liu, Kang Li, Wenzhi Shi
  • Patent number: 11299415
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system including a contact tank, a dissolved air flotation unit, a fermentation unit, and a biological treatment unit is disclosed. A method of retrofitting a wastewater treatment system by arranging the wastewater treatment system such that floated biosolids are fermented in an anerobic environment and fluidly connecting the biological treatment unit to receive at least a portion of the fermented solids is also disclosed. The method optionally includes providing a fermentation unit and fluidly connecting the fermentation unit to a biological treatment unit. A method of treating wastewater including combining the wastewater with activated sludge, floating biosolids from the activated wastewater, fermenting the floated biosolids, and biologically treating the effluent with the fermented solids is also disclosed. A method of facilitating delivery of soluble organic carbon to a biological treatment unit is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Nathan Antonneau
  • Patent number: 11299899
    Abstract: Swimming pool cleaners may operate autonomously within pools and spas. The cleaners need not include any external hoses or cords, and their bodies may be oriented at pool waterlines so as to make their on-board filters readily accessible for removal. The cleaners may dock at docking stations for various purposes, including (but not limited to) for charging any on-board battery and communicating electronically with the docking station or other external equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPE
    Inventors: Arnaud Lancry, Simon Duffaut, Remi Deloche, Louis Favie, Philippe Pichon
  • Patent number: 11299408
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an assembly for recovering magnesium ammonium phosphate from slurry that is supplied to a reaction container (10) in which an aerobic milieu is present and in which the slurry is guided in a circuit with the aid of ventilation. Cationic magnesium, such as magnesium chloride, is added to the slurry, and magnesium ammonium phosphate crystals which are precipitated from the slurry are removed via a removal device (30) provided in the base region of the reaction container. Substances which contain magnesium ammonium phosphate crystals collected in the removal device (30) are loosened and/or rinsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: CNP CYCLES GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Klamp, Bernhard Ortwein
  • Patent number: 11286186
    Abstract: A method for treating dye wastewater includes: firstly, homogenizing the dye wastewater to balance the quality of the dye wastewater from different processes; then subjecting the homogenized dye wastewater to anaerobic treatment to remove most of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total suspended solids (SS) in the wastewater; and finally subjecting the dye wastewater after the anaerobic treatment to circulating anaerobic-oxic treatment in a membrane bioreactor (MBR). In the present invention, the MBR is filled with a quinone-based hollow fiber membrane. The quinone acts as an electron mediator to accelerate an enzymatic reaction for dye decolorization during the anaerobic process, thereby achieving the purpose of efficient decolorization. The oxic treatment process further removes the COD and SS in the wastewater, so that the effluent meets a first-level discharge standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: XIAMEN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: Bin Yan
  • Patent number: 11278829
    Abstract: A filterwell cartridge holder having a face for compressible engaging pleats on a water filter cartridge and a further face holding a dispensing cartridge thereon in a position to release dispersants into a filterwell containing a water filter cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Inventors: David Guy, Jeffrey D Johnson, Paul Freeberg, Terry Goeman, Lyle Enderson, Darrin Swagel, Eric Barton
  • Patent number: 11279908
    Abstract: An apparatus for refractory organics conversion into biogas includes an anaerobic digester configured to be fed with organic material comprising refractory organics and to generate biogas and a digestate comprising at least a part of the refractory organics, wherein the apparatus comprises a device for a controlled partial oxidation of the refractory organics comprising an inlet configured to be fed with refractory organics and means configured to control the residence time of the refractory organics within the device for a controlled partial oxidation, so as to partially degrade refractory organics. A method for refractory organics conversion into biogas carried out using such an apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: SUEZ GROUPE
    Inventors: Patricia Camacho, Mathieu Haddad
  • Patent number: 11279639
    Abstract: A system to treat effluent in a septic tank includes filter sections having kerfs. A strainer removes solid debris from the filter for removal without allowing the solid debris to pass. An aerator includes an eight to twelve inch diameter pipe 4 to 6 feet tall matching tank invert height. The aerator has bottom inlet holes, each with an elbow on the outside with a vertical standpipe taking effluent from the clear zone, sending it through the aerator. Air inlet piping is attached to a “T” shaped air diffuser producing bubbles traveling upward through plastic media. Aerator height is field adjusted to approximately 2 inches below static water level. Holes in the upper sidewalls just below the top let air bubbles out sideways. At its top, the aerator has a slotted, sliding, anti-turbulation collar adjusted to be one to two inches above the static water level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: SCAT Enterprises LLC
    Inventor: John C. Baas, III
  • Patent number: 11279645
    Abstract: Methods and systems of a biosolids concentrator and digester system having an inlet, an equalization/separation tank, an equalization/separation tank-anaerobic tank connector, an anaerobic tank, an anaerobic tank-aerobic tank connector, an aerobic tank, an aerobic tank-clarifier tank connector, and a clarifier tank. The inlet receives a thermally treated waste stream (TTWS), which enters the equalization/separation tank through the inlet at the equalization/separation tank bottom portion and leaves at the equalization/separation tank top portion. The TTWS enters the anaerobic tank at the anaerobic tank bottom portion and is anaerobically digested in the anaerobic tank producing a biogas, which is discharged from the anaerobic tank top portion. The TTWS leaves the anaerobic tank at the anaerobic top portion, enters the aerobic tank at the aerobic tank bottom portion and leaves the aerobic tank at the anaerobic top portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Inventor: Paul Baskis
  • Patent number: 11278830
    Abstract: A filterwell cartridge holder mountable within a hot tub filterwell with the filterwell cartridge holder having a handhold on one end and a feed pipe connector on an opposite end that is attachable to or removable from a filterwell feed pipe with the filterwell cartridge holder engaging and supporting dispensing cartridges thereon to maintain the dispensing cartridges in a dispensing mode within the filterwell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: KWG TECHNOLOGY INC
    Inventors: David Guy, Jeffrey D Johnson, Paul Freeberg, Terry Goeman, Lyle Enderson, Darrin Swagel, Eric Barton
  • Patent number: 11278010
    Abstract: A solar-powered aeration device for sludge turnover and planting includes a grow bed fixed on a floating body and floats on water. A bottom of the floating body is fixedly connected with an inner pipe; an outer pipe is sleeved outside the inner pipe. The outer pipe is nested in an air chamber; a bottom of the air chamber communicates and is fixedly connected with a water inlet pipe; the water inlet pipe laterally communicates with a suction tube. An aeration ring is fixedly arranged at a bottom of the outer pipe, and the aeration tube has an air outlet pipe in communication with the outside. A movable foot is rotationally provided at a tail end of the suction tube, and the movable foot adapts to surface fluctuations to swing in a range limited by an angle limiter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Fishery Machinery and Instrument Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences
    Inventors: Haitao Gu, Yingshi Xu, Wei Zhong
  • Patent number: 11273394
    Abstract: A filter for use in filtering a fluid slurry that includes particles of varying size, such as pool water including debris, is provided. The filter is in electrical communication with a sensor and includes a housing having an inlet to receive the fluid slurry, an outlet, and an internal chamber. An actuator can be coupled to the filter media to move at least a portion of the filter media to vary a dimension of the pores. The filter also includes a controller connected to the actuator that is capable of receiving a signal from the sensor and controls the actuator to change the dimension of the pores based on the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Ronald B. Robol, Everett Franklin Cox, Thomas Johnson Ray Safon, Anuj Saini, Alex Victor
  • Patent number: 11274054
    Abstract: A syntrophic enrichment for enhanced digestion (SEED) system is presented, in which a retrofit addition to existing anaerobic digestion infrastructure provides improved digestion process rate and biogas quality. The system provides optimal niche environments for accelerating fermentative, syntrophic and methanogenic metabolisms to increase digestion system loading rates and enhance main digester microbiome. Prescribed media formulations, reactor integrations, and operational methods using various fixed and loose media enhance global digestion system performance. The retrofitted system enables existing plants to transition from an outdated solids-management model to one of valorized biomethane production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignees: METRO VANCOUVER REGIONAL DISTRICT, GREATER VANCOUVER SEWERAGE & DRAINAGE DISTRICT
    Inventors: Paul Kadota, Paul Markin, Cigdem Eskicioglu
  • Patent number: 11272694
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe aquaculture filtration systems comprising a tidal basin, first bead filter unit, second bead filter unit, and optionally an inoculation tank. The tidal basin and first bead filter unit can be in fluid communication. The first bead filter unit can be in fluid communication with the second bead filter unit and optionally the tidal basin via a bypass line. The second bead filter unit can be in fluid communication with the tidal basin and optionally an inoculation tank via an inoculation loop. The aquaculture filtration systems can optionally further comprise pumps for circulating fluids, such as circulation pumps and inoculation pumps, and valves for controlling or directing fluid flow. Embodiments also describe related methods, systems, apparatuses, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: THE TRU SHRIMP COMPANY
    Inventors: Angela Kaye Landsman, Rodney Alan Johnson
  • Patent number: 11267736
    Abstract: Process for treating an aqueous fluid whereby a biogas is produced in an installation comprising a bioreactor and a separate container, the process comprising (i) a bioreactor feeding stage; (ii) a batch reaction stage, wherein biogas is formed and formed biogas is temporarily stored in the separate container, and at least one further stage (iii) comprising a settling stage and/or an aqueous fluid effluent discharge stage, wherein the biogas stored in the separate container is used to reduce fluctuations in a biogas exit flow from the installation. An installation for carrying out the process and the use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Support
    Inventors: Santiago Pacheco-Ruiz, Jeronimus Gerardus Maria Van Der Lubbe, Thierry Alphonse Arnaud
  • Patent number: 11267737
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes first anoxic moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) configured to receive a fluid containing selenium and to process the fluid via a first biofilm disposed on a first media to produce a first MBBR fluid by removing nitrogen from the fluid. The system further includes a second anoxic MBBR fluidly coupled to the first MBBR to receive the first MBBR fluid and to process the first MBBR fluid via a second biofilm disposed on a second media to produce a selenium enriched fluid, followed by a solid-liquid separation system to remove selenium in solid form as sludge and produce a treated effluent containing equal to or less than 5 micrograms of selenium per liter. The system includes a plurality of first sensors and first actuators disposed on the first MBBR, and a plurality of second sensors and second actuators disposed on the second MBBR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Headworks Bio Inc.
    Inventors: Somnath Basu, Gerald Seidl
  • Patent number: 11266929
    Abstract: A durable and collapsible strainer basket for pool equipment includes a rigid annular top portion having a radially extending rim; and a flexible basket extending downward from the rigid annular top portion, the rim of the rigid annular top portion including a downward facing surface that extends radially outward beyond the flexible basket and that is positioned to rest on a ledge of a pool equipment cavity, wherein the flexible basket includes a tapered outer shape formed by two or more flexible silicone annular sections having a plurality of holes passing therethrough, wherein the two or more flexible silicone annular sections are configured to be collapsible such that the flexible basket includes a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Inventor: Jess L. Hetzner
  • Patent number: 11261112
    Abstract: A method for nitrate removal from drinking water. The method includes adapting a sludge including hydrogenotrophic denitrifiers (HTDs) by dominating the HTDs in the sludge, cultivating a microalgae biomass, forming a microalgae-HTD biomass by cultivating a mixture of the adapted sludge and the cultivated microalgae biomass, nucleating a plurality of microalgae-HTD granules by cultivating the formed microalgae-HTD biomass in a sequencing batch (SB) mode with a constant HRT, growing the plurality of microalgae-HTD granules by cultivating the nucleated plurality of microalgae-HTD granules in an up flow (UF) mode with a reducing HRT, and continuous nitrate removal from nitrate-contaminated water with a minimum HRT over the grown plurality of microalgae-HTD granules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventors: Fariba Rezvani, Mohammad Hossein Sarrafzadeh
  • Patent number: 11248385
    Abstract: A lid and strainer basket assembly for use in a recirculating system of a swimming pool installation including a swimming pool and a deck, the recirculating system having a skimmer device extending downwardly from an opening proximate to the deck and coupled to a pump for recirculating the water in the swimming pool, the lid and strainer basket assembly including a removable lid closing the opening, a strainer basket in the skimmer device for collecting debris from the water, and an assembly of straps coupling the removable lid to the strainer basket, the straps being both sufficiently flexible and slacked between the lid and the strainer basket to enable the lid to be removed from the opening and tipped to one side to enable visual inspection of the strainer basket in the skimmer device without interference from the straps and without disturbing the strainer basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Inventor: Sandra H. Willwater
  • Patent number: 11242272
    Abstract: A continuous flow wastewater treatment system is disclosed. The system can include a main processing circuit comprising an anoxic entry zone and an aerobic exit zone. The system can include a granule-producing sidestream incubator. The sidestream incubator can include an inlet that receives a first portion of return activated sludge (RAS) processed by the aerobic exit zone, a sidestream anoxic zone, and a sidestream anaerobic zone that cooperate to process the first portion of RAS. The sidestream incubator can include an outlet that delivers the processed first portion of RAS to the anoxic entry zone. The sidestream incubator can include a RAS bypass pathway that bypasses the granule-producing sidestream incubator to deliver a second portion of RAS processed by the aerobic exit zone to the anoxic entry zone. In some embodiments, the RAS and/or other fermentate can be step-fed into the sidestream incubator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: AECOM
    Inventors: Beverley Stinson, Giampiero Galvagno, Keith Sears, Anthony Margevicius