Patents Examined by Krisanne Shideler
  • Patent number: 5078899
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a method of treating mine water to remove ferric hydroxide comprises:combining acidic mine water with a predetermined amount of a fatty oil to produce a mixture;agitating the mixture for a first predetermined period of time to agglomerate solid ferric hydroxide and oil;allowing the agitated mixture to settle within a vessel for a second predetermined period of time to cause agglomerated ferric hydroxide and oil to rise to an upper level of the agitated mixture to provide a settled mixture of agglomerated hydroxide and oil floating atop remaining liquid therebelow; andseparating the agglomerated ferric hydroxide and oil at the upper level of the settled mixture from the remaining liquid.The process can also be conducted under such conditions that most all of the zinc follows the ferric hydroxide into the agglomerate phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Idaho Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Garrison
  • Patent number: 5076938
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a method of encapsulating hydrocarbon systems with the combination of an emulsifier solution and a reactive silicate solution. The method comprises the addition of an emulsifier solution to a hydrocarbon, for example, crude oil, then adding the reactive silicate solution to the emulsifier solution and hydrocarbon mix. Upon adding the reactive silicate solution the mix changes to a thick gel consisting of agglomerates of microspheres having typical diameters of 2 to 4 micrometers and less. The agglomerates are only loosely bound and the microspheres are easily dispersable into individual entities. Upon drying the wet gel yields a free-flowing powder. The encapsulation does not chemically alter or degrade the oil in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Inventors: William R. Noonan, Thomas K. McDowell
  • Patent number: 5073271
    Abstract: The soot obtained in the form of a soot-containing aqueous waste liquor in the course of synthesis gas manufacture is utilizable bya) mixing said liquor in a sewage sludge treatment plant with a sewage sludge to which organic flocculants are added as drainage aids with or without a further quantity of finely divided coal or ash,b) filtering this pretreated sludge mixture,c) incinerating the resulting filter cake andd) burying the ash in a sanitary landfill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bruno Sander, Siegfried Marquardt, Uwe Kempe, Wolfgang Vodrazka, Gero Lueth
  • Patent number: 5071569
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for decolorizing a water body particularly for clarifying the water and removing algae stains in a swimming pool, by establishing in the water body EDTA compound and ammonium ions by the addition of appropriate compounds, and a composition for decolorizing such a water body containing EDTA compound and ammonium salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Coral International, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Caulfield, James R. Schueneman
  • Patent number: 5071566
    Abstract: A method is provided for removing a solid phase from a liquid substance, which is kept in a continuous turbulent flow. The method is characterized by adding simultaneously at consecutive places in the flow direction of the liquid substance, cement, iron (III)-chloride-sulfate and an anion polyelectrolyte. Cement is added at a first place, iron (III)-chloride-sulfate at a second place and anion polyelectrolyte at a third place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Innoterv Ipari Fovallalkozo Kisszovetkezet
    Inventors: Endre Papp, Istvan Papp, Lajos Szabo, Istvan Apro, Gyula Czepek, Ferenc Torocsik, Bela Konkoly, Pal Karcagi, Janos Takacs, Tamas Foldi
  • Patent number: 5069799
    Abstract: A filter system containing, in series, a first filter media having a chemically active filter media, a physically active filter media, or mixtures thereof and a second filter media having an inactive filter media can effectively rejuvenate used lubricating oils. In a preferred embodiment, the chemically or physically active filter media will be within a cannister that is separate from a container having both active and inactive filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Company
    Inventors: Darrell W. Brownawell, Paul K. Ladwig
  • Patent number: 5069798
    Abstract: This invention relates to certain calcium insensitive phosphonomethyl amine compounds and their use as scale control agents for treating aqueous systems. The compounds of this invention are water-soluble phosphonomethyl amine compounds having the formula: ##STR1## and water soluble salts thereof selected from the group consisting of N-phosphonomethyl iminodiacetic acid, N,N-bis-phosphonomethyl- 2-(hydroxyethoxy)ethylamine, 4-(phosphonomethyl)-2-hydroxy-2-oxo-1,4,2-oxazaphosphorinane, N,N-bis-phosphonomethyl taurine and N,N-bis-phosphonomethyl ethylamine; and having a cloud point of at least about 25 ppm as determined by the CA500 cloud point test or a water soluble salt of said phosphonomethyl amine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Chih M. Hwa, John A. Kelly, Janet Neton, Patricia M. Scanlon, Roger R. Gaudette
  • Patent number: 5066408
    Abstract: A swimming pool is treated by a mixture of sodium carbonate and cyanuric acid or sodium carbonate alone added in the form of a compacted tablet. The tablet is placed in a leaf skimmer or in a bypass cartridge connected to a swimming pool recirculation pump parallel to a pool filter. The tablet is formed by depositing a mixture of sodium carbonate and water in a vessel and by applying pressure to the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Inventor: Jonathan S. Powell
  • Patent number: 5057229
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for the monitoring and treatment of circulating water of open circulation systems, preferably in cooling tower circulation systems, in which at least one partial minor stream is continuously diverted from the main circulating water supply and directed through a compact module in which, in an automatic sequence, the pH value of the partial stream is measured and adjusted by the addition of any necessary acid, the conductivity of the partial stream is measured, preferably inductively, and an elutriation unit is activated to drain excessively conductive water, corrosion inhibitor is added to the partial stream in dependence upon the quantity of fresh water added to the circulating water, organic and/or inorganic biocides can be added and the partial stream is filtered and returned continuously to the main circulating water supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien
    Inventors: Michael Schulenburg, Dietmar Walter
  • Patent number: 5053139
    Abstract: A process for the removal of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, zinc, chromium, arsenic and mercury from aqueous solutions containing one or more of said metals as well as competing ions such as calcium and/or magnesium by contacting said aqueous solution with amorphous titanium or tin silicates is disclosed. Said amorphous titanium and tin silicates are characterized by a silicon-to-titanium or tin molar ratio of from 1:4 to 1.9:1 and a cumulative desorption pore volume ranging from about 0.03 to about 0.25 cubic centimeters per gram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn W. Dodwell, BethAnn Smith
  • Patent number: 5051187
    Abstract: A process for recovering sulfuric acid from an aqueous sulfuric acid solution containing ferrous sulfate is disclosed, which comprises electrolyzing the aqueous sulfuric acid solution containing ferrous sulfate to thereby oxidize ferrous ion dissolved in the solution to ferric ion, and then removing the ferric ion by solvent extraction using a solvent and an extractant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukiei Matsumoto, Takanobu Hayashi
  • Patent number: 5051192
    Abstract: Compositions for dispersing oil slicks on water are disclosed comprising a solution of surface-active agents in a mixture of viscosity modifier, water, and hydrocarbon solvent. The surface-active agents are a mixture of emulsifying agents and a lower amount of wetting agent. The mixture of emulsifying agents comprising two blends, A and B, of sorbitan derivatives, blend A having an HLB of about 8.5 to 9.5 and blend B having an HLB of about 8 to 10 wherein the weight ratio of blend A to blend B is between about 0.5:1 and 4:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Labofina, S.A.
    Inventor: Alain G. R. Charlier
  • Patent number: 5049256
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from acid sludge by mixing the sludge with methyl ethyl ketone and base. A hydrocarbon-rich methyl ethyl ketone stream and a solids-containing stream are separated from the mixture, and a hydrocarbon stream is separated from the hydrocarbon-rich methyl ethyl ketone stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Chevron Research and Technology Company
    Inventor: Mark C. Luce
  • Patent number: 5049283
    Abstract: Aqueous solutions of free, neutral .alpha.-amino acids are recovered from aqueous solutions of their alkali-metal salts. Two equally large rectifying columns filled with a strongly acidic cation exchanger in the H.sup.+ form are used, the discharge of the first column being connected to the head of the second column. The solution of the alkali-metal salt is at first delivered to the head of the first column, then the residual solution, reduced by the alkali-metal cations adsorbed in the exchanger, is displaced to the second column by means of the addition of water. A product-free forerun is first separated at the discharge of the second column and, when free .alpha.-amino acid begins to exit in the flow-off from the second column, the receiver is changed and the delivery of water to the head of the first column continues further until a mixed pH between 5 and 7 has been achieved in the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Degussa Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Hasselbach, Axel Kleeman, Herbert Klenk, Horst Weigel
  • Patent number: 5045212
    Abstract: The process according to the invention for the separation of oil-in-water emulsions by treatment of the emulsions with organic ionic demulsifiers and/or inorganic demulsifiers comprises carrying out the separation in two steps by first adding an organic cationic demulsifier to the o/w emulsions, and then adding an inorganic demulsifier, separating the oil phase from the resulting two-phase system and then treating the aqueous phase first with an inorganic demulsifier and then with an organic anionic demulsifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Augustin, Rolf Kehlenbach, Ulrich Litzinger
  • Patent number: 5045201
    Abstract: Glass microbeads bearing a coating which includes at least one binding agent fixed to the glass microbeads, and which binding agent is adapted releasably to bind to a material contained within a fluid medium by a biological affinity reaction, whereby the material can be removed from the fluid medium with the glass microbeads and then stripped from the glass microbeads while leaving the at least one binding agent attached to the glass microbeads. Inventive microbeads may bear a monomolecular layer of a silane as a fixing agent for a binding agent which is selected for its biological affinity for the material to be separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Glaverbel
    Inventors: Dominique Dubois, Marcel Deizant, Francois Toussaint, Thierry Kemp
  • Patent number: 5043078
    Abstract: A solution useful in oxygenating and purifying water and other fluids is disclosed. The solution is comprised of water, sulfuric acid and sodium carbonate. The three components are mixed such that the pH of the solution is between 2 and 5. The active ingredients in the solution comprise approximately 6 percent of the solution. This solution is also sunlight activated, in that the solution acts to purify and oxygenate water to which it is added in an accelerated manner when exposed to sunlight. When added to water in which fish have been living, for example, which typically contains undesirable quantities of nitrates and nitrites which poison the fish, the present solution produces such substances as ammonium sulfide, ammonium carbonate and hydrogen sulfide, which are removed from the solution by precipitation and evaporation. The solution may be added to salt or fresh water in a ratio of from 16 ounces to 32 ounces per 100 gallons to oxygenate the water in which fish are living without killing the fish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Inventor: Bobby R. Simpson
  • Patent number: 5041269
    Abstract: In a Bayer process for production of aluminum, alumina trihydrate crystals are formed in the pregnant liquor and are flocculated using a combination of dextran and synthetic polymer, usually a homo- or copolymer of acrylic acid. The process is particularly advantageous where the liquor contains organic components such as humate and/or oxalate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Allied Colloids Ltd.
    Inventors: Gillian M. Moody, Christine A. Rushforth
  • Patent number: 5041228
    Abstract: Mixtures of substances containing metal complex compounds, organoelemental ligands, and/or other components are separated according to the invention by chromatography on stationary supports in an aqueous or aqueous/organic medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: W. A. Herrmann, Jurgen Kulpe, Werner Konkol, Hanswilhelm Bach, Wilhelm Gick, Ernst Wiebus, Thomas Muller, Helmut Bahrmann
  • Patent number: 5035807
    Abstract: The invention provides a chemical process for the treatment of water containing dissolved calcium and sulphate ions, so as to produce a purified product water having a reduced sulphate ion concentration. Barium sulphide is added to the water to cause precipitation of barium sulphate from the water. The water from which the barium sulphate has been precipitated is then treated with carbon dioxide to form hydrogen sulphide in the water, and the hydrogen sulphide is stripped from the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: CSIR
    Inventor: Johannes P. Maree