Patents Examined by Nam X. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11708691
    Abstract: An apparatus having a layer of fats, oils and grease (F.O.G) on water includes a tank having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet connects to a source of F.O.G.-laden effluent and the outlet connects to a sewer pipe so that the outlet defines a normal static water level for F.O.G. and effluent in the tank. A sensor mounted above the static water level determines a distance from the sensor to a top of F.O.G. within the tank, so that a thickness of the F.O.G. in the tank can be determined. If the sensor is LIDAR, sensing may be at about 940 nm. When the F.O.G. is sensed to be above a threshold, the apparatus generates signals to remove the F.O.G. Ultrasonic sensing may be used. Preferably, the sensor is mounted far enough above the static water level so the distance between the sensor and the liquid surface is filled with air. More preferably, the sensor is far enough above the static water level so that the top of the F.O.G. does not touch the sensor even as the top of the F.O.G.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Thermaco Incorporated
    Inventors: William C. Batten, Bruce Kyles, Jan Fischer, Randolph Batten
  • Patent number: 11691902
    Abstract: A system for reducing total dissolved solids in wastewater can include a vertical reactor that can include a flexible sheet material, where the flexible sheet material can be configured to facilitate the growth and attachment of an algal biofilm. The vertical reactor can include a shaft, where the shaft can be associated with and can support the flexible sheet material, and a drive motor, where the drive motor can be coupled with the shaft such that the flexible sheet material can be selectively actuated. The system can include a fluid reservoir containing a portion of wastewater through which the flexible sheet material is configured to pass as well as a stressor operably configured to stimulate the algae to produce an extracellular polymeric substance. A method of reducing total dissolved solids in wastewater includes moving an algal biofilm through the wastewater and moving the algal biofilm through a gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Inventors: Zhiyou Wen, Juan Peng, Martin A. Gross, Kuldip Kumar, Thomas Kunetz
  • Patent number: 11673820
    Abstract: A hybrid membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) and activated sludge (AS) system and process are described herein. At least a portion of the AS system includes aerobic mixed liquor, for example in an aerobic tank or zone downstream of a tank or zone containing membrane aerated biofilm modules. The flow of air to the membrane aerated biofilm is modulated considering the ammonia loading rate to the system or to the aerobic mixed liquor, for example according to a diurnal cycle. For example, air flow to the membrane supported biofilm can be below an average or initial air flow rate during a period of low ammonia loading. Air flow to the aerobic mixed liquor may remain essentially constants during the same period. Optionally, mixed liquor around the membrane aerated biofilm modules may be aerated during a period of high ammonia loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Inventors: Dwight Cornelius Houweling, John David Ireland, Douglas Joseph Thompson, Jeffrey Gerard Peeters
  • Patent number: 11667553
    Abstract: A method and system for treating cyanide-containing fluids, in particular cyanide-containing waste water, wherein cyanide-containing fluid is subject to a pretreatment in a pretreatment zone, in which at least one predetermined pH value and a predetermined temperature is set, wherein a base fluid is formed with the pretreatment. Base fluid is reacted at least with an oxidation means in at least one reaction reactor, whereby an oxidation reaction of the cyanide is initiated. Fluid from the reaction reactor is transferred as intermediate fluid into at least one process reactor, in which conditions exist in which the oxidation reaction of the cyanide initiated in the reaction reactor can take place, wherein a process fluid is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: EISENMANN SE
    Inventor: Jochen Schumacher
  • Patent number: 11643349
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system and a wastewater treatment process, fluidly combining a one or more SBR (sequencing batch reactor) module/s, in which nitrification and denitrification of the wastewater are performed in sequences and one or more MBR (membrane bioreactor) module/s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventor: Nicolas Heinen
  • Patent number: 11642633
    Abstract: A floating aerator that is highly efficient in oxygenating water and wastewater utilizes high-volume, low pressure air that is diffused into a sub-surface oxygen transfer chamber in which water and wastewater is oxygenated. An air lift is created in the oxygen transfer chamber through the discharge of air bubbles in the water column in the aerator. The aerator comprises a floating head having a concave lower surface, a main chamber or barrel that defines the oxygen transfer chamber, and an air diffuser that extends coaxially through the float head and barrel interconnects the float head to the barrel such that there is a discharge slot defined between the lower surface of the float head and the barrel. A ballast ring floats the aerator at the desire level such that a flow of air bubbles and oxygenated water or wastewater are discharged at a subsurface level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Titus Wastewater Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Lewis Titus
  • Patent number: 11633768
    Abstract: An in-situ reagents injection system comprises a compressed air storage tank, a remediation reagents storage tank, an injection adjusting valve, an injection pipe, an upper sealing device and a lower sealing device. When the reagents injection is carried out, the compressed air is injected before the remediation reagents is injected, the porosity of the aquifer medium is increased by utilizing the air pressure expansion technology to form a relatively uniform dominant channel, and the remediation reagents is injected to realize uniform and efficient conveying of the reagents. The in-situ reagents injection system and method can make the homogeneous and efficient conveying of the remediation reagents, and ensure the full utilization of the remediation reagents, with low energy consumption of injection equipment, simple process, and flexible operation. The injection is performed in sections from top to bottom according to the steps to improve the in-situ reagents injection efficiency and remediation efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences
    Inventors: Yonghai Jiang, Beidou Xi, Yu Yang, Xinying Lian, Xiangjian Xu, Yongfeng Jia, Fu Xia, Xu Han
  • Patent number: 11629083
    Abstract: The present invention relates to microbial carriers for wastewater treatment, and in particular, relates to an organic composite powder carrier and its application for strengthening biological denitrification in municipal wastewater treatment. The organic composite powder carrier is compounded by a microbial carrier with a relatively large equivalent particle size and an organic alternative carbon source in the form of ultrafine powder. The composite powder carrier in the present invention includes a dedicated organic alternative carbon source, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). The organic alternative carbon source can exclude the competitive relationship between microorganisms to ensure that denitrifying bacteria exclusively obtain electron donors required for denitrification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignees: TONGJI UNIVERSITY, HUNAN SANYOU ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Xiaohu Dai, Xiaoli Chai, Bin Lu, Dan Hou, Hongbo Han, Yue Mou, Jing Yi
  • Patent number: 11628383
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to settler plates for a plate settler. The settler plates generally include a hollow support with a hollow interior to receive clarified liquid from a flow channel between adjacent settler plates. An orifice is formed through the hollow support to direct clarified liquid from the flow channel into the hollow interior. The orifice can be positioned such that clarified liquid can flow upwardly out of the flow channel and downwardly through the orifice into the hollow interior. The hollow support can be integrally formed with the settler plate. For example, the hollow support can be formed by bending a tab extending from an end of the settler plate. The tab can be bent into a hollow support with a cross section that is generally polygonal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: MEURER RESEARCH INC.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Hanson, Galen J. M. Fitzpatrick, Donald F. Bersell
  • Patent number: 11607631
    Abstract: There is provided a removable downspout filter for installation into a downspout. The removable downspout filter includes a filter basket with attached face plate. The face plate includes side flaps configured to wrap around the downspout when the downspout filter is installed and is generally configured to blend in with the downspout. Also provided is a downspout with installed filter and kits including the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventor: Horst Neumann
  • Patent number: 11604482
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for operation and control of gravity-fed fluid flows in water and wastewater related systems. The disclosed flow control system uses gravity to provide a flow of a fluid from a fluid source and a motorized flow control device fluidically coupled to the fluid source to control a defined flow rate of the flow by changing a position of an internal volume of the flow control device through which the fluid flows relative to a fixed level of the fluid in the fluid source. The disclosed devices, systems and methods can be used in a wide variety of systems for environmental and low-energy demand applications such as, for example, a wastewater treatment system to control a flow of wastewater in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: AQUACYCL, INC.
    Inventors: Sofia Malinova Babanova, Orianna Bretschger, José Daniel Barocio Montemayor, Gerardo Garcia Serrano
  • Patent number: 11584670
    Abstract: A bio-trickling filter box device capable of purifying organic wastewater and generating electricity is provided, which includes battery component(s) and a bio-trickling filter box component. The battery component(s) is provided in the bio-trickling filter box. The other end of each of trickling filter tube(s) is connected with a water tank. A water pump operates to make water flow through the trickling filter tube(s), pass through leakage holes and trickling holes, and drip into the battery component(s) in a water-drop manner, so as to supply an electric apparatus component with power. The bio-trickling filter box component(s) and the battery component(s) are combined, and the long-term impingement of water droplets on the battery component(s) can accumulate electric charge and generate the electricity. so as to provide power required by the electric apparatus component, which forms a biological treatment system that generates the power while treating the wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Sanming University
    Inventors: Chih-Hung Wu, Xiang Wang, Jer-Yuan Shih, Ching-Hua Liao, Hongduo Li, Bin Ouyang, Zhigang Wu, Lingwei Yang, Tingliang Liu
  • Patent number: 11577978
    Abstract: A method of operating a sequencing batch reactor process includes introducing wastewater to be treated into the sequencing batch reactor and subjecting the wastewater to treatment in the sequencing batch reactor in an aerated anoxic mode in which a quantity of oxygen is supplied at a level insufficient to meet a biological oxygen demand of the wastewater, but sufficient to cause simultaneous nitrification and denitrification reactions to occur in the wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Brandon Martin Olson
  • Patent number: 11578894
    Abstract: Solar thermal devices are formed from a block of wood, where the natural cell lumens of the wood form an interconnected network that transports fluid or material therein. The block of wood can be modified to increase absorption of solar radiation. Combining the solar absorption effects with the natural transport network can be used for various applications. In some embodiments, heating of the modified block of wood by insolation can be used to evaporate a fluid, for example, evaporating water for extraction, distillation, or desalination. In other embodiments, heating of the modified block of wood by insolation can be used to change transport properties of a material to allow it to be transported in the interconnected network, for example, heating crude oil to adsorb the oil within the block of wood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK
    Inventors: Liangbing Hu, Mingwei Zhu, Yiju Li, Chaoji Chen, Tian Li, He Liu, Amy Gong, Yudi Kuang
  • Patent number: 11577959
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recovering N, K, and P from liquid waste stream, preferably from a stream of urine, or from a stream comprising excreta (e.g. faeces, manure, digestate, fertilizer), or from (concentrated) wastewater, for example, municipal (e.g. sewage, septic) and/or industrial wastewater (e.g. food and feed industry, agriculture, mining, etc.); more preferably from urine, such as human or animal urine; most preferably from human urine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Universiteit Gent
    Inventors: Arne Verliefde, Sebastiaan Derese
  • Patent number: 11571701
    Abstract: One illustrative cyclone separator disclosed herein includes an outer body, an inner body positioned at least partially within the outer body, an internal flow path within the inner body, the internal flow path having a fluid entrance and a fluid outlet, a first fluid flow channel between the inner body and the outer body, and a re-entrant fluid opening that extends through the outer body and is in fluid communication with the fluid flow channel, wherein the re-entrant fluid opening is positioned at a location upstream of the fluid entrance of the internal flow path in the inner body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: FMC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Sander Baaren
  • Patent number: 11572289
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are related to treating waste water containing ammonium salts, which contains NH4+, SO42?, Cl?, and Na+. In such a method, the pH value of the waste water to be treated is adjusted to a specific range in advance; sodium sulfate crystal and relatively concentrated ammonia are obtained by first evaporation, and then sodium chloride crystal and relatively dilute ammonia is obtained by second evaporation; alternatively, sodium chloride crystal and relatively concentrated ammonia is obtained by third evaporation, and then sodium sulfate crystal and relatively dilute ammonia are obtained by fourth evaporation. Ammonia, sodium sulfate, and sodium chloride from the waste water are recovered so that the resources in the waste water can be reused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignees: China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, Sinopec Catalyst Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiping Yin, Ye Li, Songyuan Gu, Zhijian Liu, Tao Wang, Jin'ai Gao, Yuhua Chen, Yan Zhou, Ling Yang, Zhiwei Yuan, Hongliang Yi, Tao An, Fuzu Liu, Zhimin Zhang, Shupeng Xu
  • Patent number: 11554971
    Abstract: A grease or oil separator system that includes a grease interceptor body with a variable flow control assembly. The grease interceptor system is a large tank with an inlet for wastewater and a downstream outlet for passing the wastewater minus separated grease and oil into a sewer system. Inside the tank, the grease floats to the top so that it can be removed through an opening in the top wall that provides an access port for clean out. The pickup for the outlet is located toward the bottom of the tank near the bottom wall so that only water separated from the grease flows into the sewer system. The variable flow control assembly varies the size of an opening in a conduit inside the interceptor body. Varying the size of the opening controls the flow from the inlet into the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: MI-FAB Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Whiteside
  • Patent number: 11541331
    Abstract: When a liquid in the column is replaced by carbon dioxide in a supercritical state in the chromatograph, an operation of a first pump is controlled by a flow rate control unit, and the carbon dioxide in the supercritical state is supplied at a constant pressure. Moreover, when a flow rate of the carbon dioxide in the supercritical state reaches a predetermined flow rate thereafter, the flow rate control unit controls an operation of the first pump so that the carbon dioxide in the supercritical state is supplied at a constant flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takanari Hattori
  • Patent number: 11534533
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for processing blood are disclosed in which one variation generally comprises a tube defining a channel and an access tube extending into the channel. An open cell matrix configured to entrap red blood cells may be positioned within at least a portion of the channel. Another variation generally comprises a cylindrical tube and a plunger slidably positioned within the channel. The plunger also has a funnel positioned upon the plunger and is movable therewith. Both the plunger and funnel define a fluid channel through and in communication with the cylindrical tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Hanuman Pelican, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Dorian, Michael D. Leach, Richard W. Storrs, Scott R. King