Patents Examined by Lucas A Stelling
  • Patent number: 10315942
    Abstract: This invention relates to a resource-recycling type method and apparatus for treating industrial wastewater using an oxidizing agent produced from wastewater, wherein, in the treatment of industrial wastewater containing nitrogen compounds and refractory COD-causing pollutants, an oxidizing agent is autonomously produced using ammonia gas stripped from wastewater and is then added back to the wastewater, thus economically treating the wastewater without the need to purchase an expensive oxidizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Techwin Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Boong Ik Jung, Jung Sik Kim, Do Won Jung, Chang Bok Lee, Seong Cheol Han, Sung Hwan Jang
  • Patent number: 10315940
    Abstract: A method for treating sulfide in an aqueous fluid comprises contacting the fluid with an oxidizer in the presence of a sulfur dye or sulfurized vat dye. In one embodiment, the method comprises treating sulfide contaminated water by contacting the contaminated water with air in the presence of a sulfur dye or a sulfurized vat dye. The method is useful for remediating industrial, agricultural, and municipal waste water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventor: William Moseley Archer, III
  • Patent number: 10316283
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a concentrically baffled reactor includes an outer housing that defines an interior space, an inlet through which material can be delivered into the interior space, an outlet through which material can be removed from the interior space, and multiple concentric baffles within the interior space that define multiple concentric reactor zones through which the material can sequentially flow to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Daniel H. Yeh, Onur Y. Ozcan, Robert A. Bair
  • Patent number: 10315937
    Abstract: A static devolatilization apparatus (1) for germ reduction of a fluid is disclosed. The apparatus (1) comprises a housing (10), an inlet (12), an outlet (14), a fluid-contacting surface (20) comprising a biocide (22) embodied to reduce the germ count of the fluid (2), wherein the fluid-contacting surface (20) is a fluid-contacting surface (20) of a static mixing element (30). The present invention further relates to a process for reducing the germ count of a fluid containing germs (2?) using the apparatus (1) and also to the use of the apparatus (1) in the germ reduction of fuel oil, of food products, or water decontamination, preferably decontamination of waste water, industrial process water, or the treatment of drinking water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AG
    Inventors: Hanns Wolf Oberwalder, Sebastian Oberwalder, Thomas Müller, Marc Wehrli, Sebastian Hirschberg
  • Patent number: 10308533
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to methods and systems for treating aqueous systems associated with industrial wastewater applications and gas and crude oil drilling, pumping and production to reduce or eliminate contamination. In one embodiment, a method includes: an aqueous volume having an initial oxidant demand, an oxygen-containing oxidant and at least one chlorine oxide at substoichiometric amounts in an amount sufficient to eliminate the oxidant demand. The system includes: an aqueous treatment system comprising a containment system; at least one apparatus for introducing an oxygen-containing oxidant; and at least one apparatus for introducing at least one chlorine oxide into said containment system at controlled, sub stoichiometric quantities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Sabre Intellectual Property Holdings LLC
    Inventor: John Y. Mason
  • Patent number: 10309083
    Abstract: A water discharge dechlorinator unit includes a body having a first end adapted to be removably coupled to a water hydrant, such as a fire hydrant. The body defines a water passageway between an inlet and an outlet thereof. A chamber is in fluid communication with the water passageway and configured for reception of dechlorinating material therein, such as chlorine neutralizing tablets, whereby water from the fire hydrant passes from the water passageway and over the dechlorinating material in the chamber so as to neutralize chlorine in the water before it is discharged from the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Inventor: Zachary Bradford Barrett
  • Patent number: 10308534
    Abstract: A portable, personal advanced-oxidation water treatment system based on ozone and a catalyst such as titanium dioxide that can cycle and purify water to make it potable by removing organic contaminants. The unit can be used for long periods of time without having to replenish the active portions. The unit can be carried in a backpack or in a vehicle. Fresh water is typically loaded into the unit, and the unit is cycled until the water is pure enough to drink. A battery is used to produce ozone and to cycle the water through a reaction vessel and can optionally be charged with a small solar panel The unit can also be powered directly from a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Inventors: Michael J. Fleck, John A. Pidgeon
  • Patent number: 10301203
    Abstract: The present invention provides efficient, economical, and environmentally-friendly compositions and methods for removing pollutants from water sources. In particular embodiments, the present invention provides compositions and methods for catalyzing the degradation of pharmaceutical pollutants in wastewater using the enzyme chloroperoxidase (CPO). Another embodiment provides a method of degrading pollutants in wastewater and other water sources. In specific embodiments, the claimed composition and method can be used to degrade pharmaceutical pollutants selected from the group consisting of: acetaminophen, carbamazepine, sulfamethazine, diclofenac, and naproxen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: THE FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
    Inventors: Xiaotang Wang, Qinghao He
  • Patent number: 10300407
    Abstract: In an improved fiber-film type contactor/separator an enhanced coalescing zone is provided by the presence of a disengagement device connected to a shroud that contains a bundle of high surface area vertical hanging fibers, where the enhanced coalescing zone diverts a portion of an admixture of immiscible liquids to flow radially in a path not parallel to the vertical axis of the hanging fibers whereby the diverted portion of liquids contacts a coalescing surface to cause at least one of the liquids to coalesce into droplets. The immiscible liquids are allowed to settle into separate phase layers and first and second outlets selectively remove the higher density liquid from the lower density liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: MERICHEM COMPANY
    Inventors: James F. McGehee, Tiejun Zhang
  • Patent number: 10266432
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for treating ballast water, and an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a ballast water treatment apparatus including: a tank; a spray nozzle which supplies ballast water in the form of droplets into the tank; and a gas circulation unit which supplies inert gas to the spray nozzle, and sucks inert gas that is not dissolved in the ballast water in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: University-Industry Foundation, Yonsei University
    Inventors: Chang Ha Lee, Yongha Park, Jae-Hoon Hong, Tao Wei, Doo Wook Kim, Jae-Jeong Kim, Pil Rip Jeon
  • Patent number: 10266422
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for the continuous thermal hydrolysis of sludge to be treated, containing organic matter, said method comprising the steps of simultaneously carrying out the injection of recovered steam into said sludge and mixing said sludge with said recovered steam by means of a primary dynamic injector-mixer so as to obtain a primary uniform mixture; simultaneously carrying out the injection of fresh steam into said primary uniform mixture and mixing said primary uniform mixture with said fresh steam by means of a secondary dynamic injector-mixer so as to obtain a secondary uniform mixture of sludge; conveying said secondary uniform mixture towards a tube reactor under pressure and prompting an essentially plug-type flow of this secondary uniform mixture into said reactor for a residence time that is sufficient and at a temperature that is sufficient to enable the thermal hydrolysis of the organic matter present in this secondary uniform mixture; producing said recovery steam within mea
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Support
    Inventors: Julien Chauzy, Cedric Crampon, Thierry Aupetit, Andrew B. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 10259730
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatuses and systems for the remediation of contaminated soils, groundwater, water, and/or waste using a combination of reagents. The disclosed methods may be used to treat various recalcitrant halogenated substances, such as perfluoroalkyls and polyfluoroalkyls. Particular combinations of reagents that may be used in the disclosed methods include but are not limited to: (1) persulfate, oxygen and ozone; (2) persulfate, salt, oxygen and ozone; (3) persulfate, phosphate, and/or oxygen; (4) persulfate, phosphate, oxygen and ozone; (5) persulfate, phosphate, salt and oxygen (6) persulfate, phosphate, salt, oxygen and ozone; (7) oxygen and salt; and (8) air and salt. The disclosed methods may enhance destruction of organic contaminants in the liquid phase and may also control the rate of aerosol or foam formation relative to the rate of chemical oxidation and/or reduction/transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: OxyTec LLC
    Inventors: Raymond G. Ball, Alan T. Moore
  • Patent number: 10260247
    Abstract: A floating pool skimmer (1) that randomly travels across the surface of a pool to ensure that the entire surface of the water in the pool is cleaned. The floating pool skimmer has an elongated hose (3) that attaches to a conventional fixed pool skimmer, a vacuum inlet and/or a vacuum hose (6) connecting an automatic pool vacuum (2) to a pool pump and filter. A basket (26) held within a main housing (8) strains water and traps debris which is held in the basket by suction from the pool filter while the pool filter is operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: WATERDROP ENTERPRISES, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Norberto, III, Frank Norberto, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10258902
    Abstract: Materials and methods for mitigating the effects of halide species contained in process streams are provided. A halide-containing process stream can be contacted with mitigation materials comprising active metal oxides and a non-acidic high surface area carrier combined with a solid, porous substrate. The halide species in the process stream can be reacted with the mitigation material to produce neutralized halide salts and a process stream that is essentially halide-free. The neutralized salts can be attracted and retained on the solid, porous substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Crystaphase Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Umakant Pravinchandra Joshi
  • Patent number: 10258904
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing sulfur from a hydrocarbon liquid may comprise a tank with a chamber, a barrier in the chamber forming at least a partial barrier to liquid flow with a gap defined therein, a gas distribution manifold for introducing the gas into the liquid, and a gas conversion structure defining an interior in fluid communication with the chamber. The gas conversion structure may include a conversion tube defining a tube interior in fluid communication with the chamber, an air injection device configured to inject air into the tube interior and draw gas from the chamber, a water injection device configured to inject water into the tube interior to create a mist of water in the tube interior to contact the gas from the chamber of the tank, and a fluid drain configured to drain fluid from the tube interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: BBL Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Tom Wilson, Dan A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10246360
    Abstract: Method and plant to implement the continuous thermal hydrolysis of sludge to be treated containing organic matter, the method comprising at least: a. a step for de-structuring said sludge to be treated producing de-structured sludge; b. a step for the thermal hydrolysis of said de-structured sludge within a thermal hydrolysis reactor producing hydrolyzed sludge; c. a step for cooling said hydrolyzed sludge; said step for de-structuring consisting in: introducing said sludge to be treated into a dynamic mixer; heating said sludge coming from said dynamic mixer, this heating being obtained by the introduction, into a heat exchanger, on the one hand of said sludge coming from said dynamic mixer and, on the other hand, of said hydrolyzed sludge, this introduction inducing said cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Support
    Inventors: Cedric Crampon, Julien Chauzy, Malik Djafer
  • Patent number: 10246382
    Abstract: Catalytic systems and methods for treating process streams are disclosed. Catalytic wet oxidation and hydrolysis techniques may be used to treat one or more undesirable constituents such as HPAM and KHI. Methane may be produced in connection with at least some embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Chad L. Felch, Matthew R. Patterson, Bryan J. Kumfer
  • Patent number: 10240327
    Abstract: A passive fluid dosing assembly and system is provided. The passive fluid dosing system may include a passive dosing body, a pressure plate, and a treatment enclosure. The passive dosing body may define a primary flow path and a liquid treatment path. The primary flow path may be defined between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The liquid treatment path may be defined between a high pressure port and a low pressure port, bypassing a portion of the primary flow path. The pressure plate may be disposed within the passive dosing body between the high pressure port and the low pressure port. The pressure plate may define an internal orifice. The treatment enclosure may be positioned in fluid communication between the high pressure port and the low pressure port along the liquid treatment path. The treatment enclosure may define a solute chamber housing a dosed media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Sergeevich Chernov, Andrew Reinhard Krause
  • Patent number: 10239769
    Abstract: A process for treating contaminated wastewater that includes flowing the contaminated wastewater into at least one pre-pond solids filter tank comprising sand; flowing the contaminated wastewater from at least one pre-pond solids filter tank into at least one sedimentation pond; flowing the contaminated wastewater from the at least one sedimentation pond into at least one filter tank including sand and a mixture of sand and zero-valent iron; and discharging treated wastewater from the at least one filter tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Atlanta Gold Corporation
    Inventor: Ernest Simmons
  • Patent number: 10233100
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods of inactivating a mosquito larva, the methods comprising exposing the larva to an aqueous chlorine dioxide treatment solution for a minimum contact time, wherein the aqueous chlorine dioxide treatment solution comprises a residual chlorine dioxide concentration at the conclusion of the minimum contact time. Also provided herein are methods of treating a body of water containing a mosquito larva. The methods are effective to inactivate the larva, thereby preventing growth of mosquito populations and the related spread of mosquito-borne disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Sabre Intellectual Property Holdings LLC
    Inventors: John Y. Mason, Julian N. Rosenberg