Patents Examined by Neil M. McCarthy
  • Composition and method for purifying water
    Patent number: 5071587
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composition in dry form, preferably in the form of a tablet, containing a combination of ingredients which upon addition to contaminated water effectively removes turbidity, metal and organic contaminants in the water and thereby makes the water safer for drinking. The composition is particularly useful for personal use so that safe drinking water can be obtained by the simple addition of the composition to the water to remove the turbidity and contaminating materials contained therein. Preferably the composition contains bentonite clay, attapulgite clay, polymeric coagulant and/or flocculent, biocide, zeolite and activated charcoal. The invention also provides a method for treating water with the composition as well as a method for making the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: AquaTechnica, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig A. Perman
  • Method and apparatus for removing cyanide from a fluid
    Patent number: 5069787
    Abstract: A system for removing cyanide and related species from a cyanide-containing waste fluid, for example, of the sort generated by mining operations, includes means for generating hydrogen peroxide by the burning of a fuel and the quenching of that burning with the waste fluid. At least a portion of the cyanide content of the waste fluid is eliminated by oxidation with the hydrogen peroxide, and the quenching can also provide organic material to serve as a carbon source for microbes which degrade residual cyanide in the treated waste stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: Geo-Microbial Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald O. Hitzman
  • Chemical process for the denitrification of water
    Patent number: 5069800
    Abstract: A chemical process for the denitrification of water comprising treating water with a metal sufficiently electropositive to decompose the water while regulating the pH within a range effective to permit efficient reduction of nitrate ion. The pH is regulated with alkali in a manner that avoids metal oxide formation and loss of metal by decomposition of water and results in the selective reduction of nitrate ion in the presence of sulfate and chloride ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Interior
    Inventor: Andrew P. Murphy
  • Method of lowering the AOX content in water
    Patent number: 5068038
    Abstract: The content of halo-organic pollutants in water is lowered to residual AOX values below 1 mg/l, preferably below 0.1 mg/l by adjusting the Fe.sup.2+ comtent of the water to 20 to 1000 mg/l, adding a precipitated or pyrogenic silicic acid, converting 20 to 1000 mg of the Fe.sup.2+ into Fe.sup.3+ by adding in an oxidation agent, preferably hydrogen peroxide, and separating the iron (III) hydroxy complexes formed and the silicic acid, which contain the halo-organic pollutants in an adsorbed state, at pH 5-10. The method can be controlled in a simple manner as regards the addition of Fe.sup.2+ and oxidation agent via the Fe.sup.2+ /Fe.sup.3+ redox potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: Degussa Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Joachim Fischer, Hubert Wolf
  • Process for converting a fluid system of a machine from an oil based fluid system to a water based fluid system
    Patent number: 5068129
    Abstract: A process for converting a fluid system of a machine from an oil based fluid system to a water based fluid system. A solvent and perfluoroethylene resin are added to the fluid system in sufficient amounts to remove extraneous matter from and coat the surfaces within the fluid system with the perfluoroethylene resin. The oil based fluid, solvent and perfluoroethylene resin are circulated throughout the fluid system for a time sufficient to remove extraneous matter and coat the surfaces. The fluid system is evacuated of the oil based fluid, solvent and residual perfluoroethylene resin, and a water based fluid is added to the fluid system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Inventors: Morton R. Smith, James L. Maassel
  • Process for control of a flotation system
    Patent number: 5062964
    Abstract: In a flotation system, the generated quantity of foam is determined and, independent thereof, process parameters which directly or indirectly affect the generated foam quantity are reduced in their quantity depending on foam quantity. This is brought about by reduction of specific substance flows and also such substance flows that circulate in a flotation system. Production waters used for dilution are partly replaced by fresh water. This precludes an excessive amount of generated foam from causing difficulties in the operation of a flotation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: J. M. Voith GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Ortner, Lothar Pfalzer
  • Method for controlling zebra mussels using didecyl dimethyl ammonium halides
    Patent number: 5062967
    Abstract: A method for controlling zebra mussels in aqueous systems comprising treating aqueous systems which contain zebra mussels or which are prone to zebra mussel infestation with an effective amount of a didecyl demethyl ammonium halide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Calgon Corporation
    Inventors: Ramon A. Muia, Rodney M. Donlan
  • Method for isolating dithiochrome, an insulin-binding molecule with glucose metabolism-related pharmaceutical utility
    Patent number: 5059329
    Abstract: A process for purifying dithiochrome from a natural source is disclosed. The process comprises: (i) contacting a eukaryotic cell mass with a mixture of water and an alcohol; (ii) separating the alcohol phase from the water phase and obtaining a water phase extract; (iii) subjecting the water phase extract to a sulfhydryl exchange chromatography matrix; (iv) washing said chromatography matrix; and (v) treating said chromatrography matrix with an active thiol to obtain dithiochromate; a material capable of binding with insulin. Dithiochromate may be used to treat patients suffering from elevated blood glucose or suboptimal glucose kinetics. An adduct of this compound with insulin may be used to treat patients for type I diabetes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Thymax Corporation
    Inventor: Scott King
  • Method for starting up and controlling operating temperature of a wet oxidation process
    Patent number: 5057231
    Abstract: A method for starting up and controlling the temperature of a wet oxidation process in which a heat exchanger employing superheated steam is used to initially heat a waste stream introduced into a wet oxidation reaction vessel for start up and then to subsequently adjust the temperature of the waste stream, after it is preheated by the effluent from the reaction vessel, to a level suitable to maintain steady state operation of the reaction vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Zimpro Passavant Environmental Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene W. Mueller, Bruce L. Brandenburg
  • Capillary flow cell
    Patent number: 5057216
    Abstract: A capillary flow cell in which a capillary (9) partially extends along the optical path of the cell and has its two end portions (12,13) bent to achieve an essentially Z-shaped configuration. A template (1) has a central bore (2) in which the middle part (11) of the capillary (9) is positioned. A method of manufacture of this capillary flow cell comprises the steps ofa) inserting a capillary in a central bore of a template,b) heating the capillary immediately outside the bore to soften the capillary materialc) bending the two ends to achieve an essentially Z-shaped or U-shaped configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Kontron Instruments Holding NV
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Chervet
  • Method of treating low-concentration turbid water
    Patent number: 5055200
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating low-concentration turbid water, which comprises adding an anionic coagulant and a cationic coagulant in this order and forcedly stirring the mixture. According to the present invention, low-concentration turbid water of even up to 100 ppm can be cleaned to below 10 ppm at a high efficiency in a single treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Aoki Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Miki, Show Tono, Kazunori Kozu, Shintaro Hayashi
  • Method for the multistage, waste-free processing of red mud to recover basic materials of chemical industry
    Patent number: 5053144
    Abstract: The method of the invention is advantageously applicable to realize a multistage chemical process during which liquid clarifiers suitable for the purification of water and sewage, furthermore, fine-disperse pulverulent solid products utilizable as pait pigments and fillers may be recovered. Each final product of the multistage chemical processes is a useful material, so the whole technology is waste free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Aquatech Kernyezeteedelmi
    Inventors: Endre Szirmai, Sandor Babusek, Gezz Balogh, Atilla Nedves, Gyula Horvath, Zoltan Lebenyi, James Pinter
  • Dual direction transfer system for tramp oil collection
    Patent number: 5053145
    Abstract: A dual direction transfer system for removing oil from an oily water source includes an oil separator mounted on a separator tank located so that its liquid level is above the liquid level of the oily water source, a dual direction transfer pipe through which flows the oily water and substantially oil free water in opposite directions, and a pump to force oily water from the source to the separator tank through the dual direction transfer pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Inventor: Billy L. Ellison
  • Process for purification of nickel plating baths
    Patent number: 5049286
    Abstract: An improved process for purifying a nickel plating bath including a pyridine composition as an additive and which bath contains a breakdown product of the pyridine composition. The process has the following steps:a. adjusting the pH of the nickel plating bath to a pH of equal to or greater than 5.0;b. adding an effective amount of an oxidizing agent; andc. removing the breakdown product from the nickel plating bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: OMI International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Tremmel
  • Column analyzer system
    Patent number: 5045208
    Abstract: An analyzer system for automatic column chromatography, and method for its use, includes an array of chromatograph columns and multi-cell cuvettes associated with each column. Chromatographic separation takes place under a constant, low fluid pressure. A pressure system distributes air to each column during chromatographic separation but prevents leakage of air if the column array is partially empty. The multi-cell cuvette collects and separates the eluates associated with a single column. The system provides for automatic removal of caps from the bottoms of the chromatograph columns and provides for automatic optical density reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Helena Laboratories Corporation
    Inventors: James R. M. Sanford, Patrick M. Frank, Joseph H. Golias, William C. Jennings
  • Treatment of bayer process red mud slurries
    Patent number: 5043077
    Abstract: A method of treating Bayer process red mud slurries to improve or facilitate the handling thereof, comprising adding to such a slurry a minor porportion of humic acids or humates effective to reduce the viscosity of the slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: John L. Chandler, Dirk Noteboom, Ronald D. Paradis, John C. Winch
  • Method of treating lake water with aluminum hydroxide sulfate
    Patent number: 5039427
    Abstract: A method of treating lake water to remove suspended solids and to precipitate and inactivate phosphorus comprises adding aluminum hydroxide sulfate to the water in a concentration such that the pH of the water is maintained at a level of greater than 6.0 and precipitation of suspended solids and precipitation and inactivation of phosphorus occurs. This invention is advantageous in that it provides a method of removing suspended solids as well as precipitating and inactivating phosphorus in water while simultaneously preventing the solublizing of toxic amounts of aluminum into the water with subsequent detrimental effects to aquatic life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: General Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Brett R. Conover
  • Process for treating wastewater which contains sour gases
    Patent number: 5035810
    Abstract: For the treatment of a wastewater containing sour gases with a stripping gas, resultant stripping gas containing the sour gases is introduced into at least one combustion stage within the total process for recovery of the sulfur-containing components, the wastewater being stripped with at least a portion of the amount of O.sub.2 -containing gas required in the subsequent combustion stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Inventors: Michael Heisel, Josef Sporer
  • Ultrasonic grinding of explosives
    Patent number: 5035363
    Abstract: The particle size of energetic explosive materials is reduced by slurrying the particulate explosive materials in an inert liquid such as water or an aqueous solution, and subjecting the slurry to intense acoustic cavitation from an ultrasonic generator for a short time. The particulate explosive materials are rapidly ground to a small particle size while minimizing the danger of detonation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Thiokol Corporation
    Inventor: Carlos Somoza
  • Modular clarifier with integral flocculator
    Patent number: 5035795
    Abstract: A waste treatment module (10) designed for placement within an aeration basin (12) is provided which performs all of the desirable functions of aeration, flocculation, sedimentation, sludge return, effluent collection and skimming. the module (10) includes walls (20) defining an upright chamber (22); the latter is provided with a pair of side marginal, slotted inlets (28, 30) with corresponding flocculators (24, 26) below the respective inlets (28, 30). Each flocculator (24, 26) is equipped with a plurality of vertically spaced baffle plates (86, 88, 90) having offset openings (92, 94, 96, 98) so as to cause solids within the wastewater to traverse a tortuous descending flow path which promotes flocculation. An agglomerated flocculent is collected within a lower sedimentation zone (34) and then passes into a central collector (108) of inverted V-shaped configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Aero-Mod, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence A. Schmid