Patents Examined by Peter A. Hruskoci
  • Patent number: 7799232
    Abstract: A reducing water purification material having a reducing iron-based precipitate selected from green rust, iron ferrite, reducing iron hydroxide, and a mixture thereof. A wastewater treatment process having steps of adding a reducing iron compound to wastewater, leading the wastewater to which the reducing iron compound is added to a reaction tank and forming a precipitate, separating the formed precipitate by a solid-liquid separation to obtain a sludge, and alkalinizing all or a portion of the separated sludge to form an alkaline sludge followed by returning to the reaction tank, wherein in the precipitation step, the wastewater to which the reducing iron compound is added and the alkaline sludge are mixed and are allowed to react in a non-oxidizing atmosphere under alkaline condition to form a reducing iron compound precipitate as the precipitate, thereby incorporating contaminants in the precipitate to remove the contaminants from the wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hayashi, Hitoshi Takeuchi, Hajime Negishi, Shigeyuki Tsuzaki, Yoshio Aikawa, Ayako Mimoto, Shintaro Nakaya
  • Patent number: 7799218
    Abstract: A paint reclamation clarifier system in communication with a sump tank in a paint booth containing a carrier fluid for capturing paint droplets and a conduit for transporting the carrier fluid mixed with paint droplets to the reclamation clarifier system is presented. The clarifier system includes an influent port, a detackification agent inlet, a sludge tank in a lower portion of the clarifier for collecting the dispersed carrier liquid, where the paint droplets bond with the agent and settle to the bottom of the sludge tank, a sludge outlet, and, at least one effluent port located on or near an upper portion of a sidewall of the clarifier system permitting unsettled material to exit from the clarifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: John M. Spangler
  • Patent number: 7799234
    Abstract: A modular waste disinfection system for the disinfection of substantially liquid infectious waste streams and methods of treating such waste streams are disclosed. The modular waste disinfection system includes a metal ion generation chamber for introducing metal ions into the waste material; an oxidant generation chamber in fluid flow communication with the metal ion generation chamber for disinfection of the waste material with an oxidizing agent; and a chelation chamber in fluid flow communication with the oxidant generation chamber for deactivation of metal ions in the waste material, wherein the waste is discharged to a sanitary sewer after disinfection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Innovation Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph B. Dooley, Jeffrey G. Hubrig, Richard A. Lowden
  • Patent number: 7794604
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing lignin from an aqueous solution. It is accomplished by adding a calcium compound and an aluminium compound to said solution. Said calcium compound is preferably calcium chloride and said aluminium compound is preferably a polymeric aluminium hydroxide salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Kemira Oyj
    Inventors: Heikki Palonen, Arja Paloniemi, Reetta Taittonen, Päivi Rousu
  • Patent number: 7794606
    Abstract: A modular waste treatment system for substantially liquid waste streams and methods of treating liquid waste streams are disclosed. The modular waste treatment system includes a maceration chamber for initial treatment and homogenization of waste material; a metal ion infusion chamber in fluid flow communication with the maceration chamber for introducing metal ions into the waste material; and an oxidation chamber for wet oxidation of the waste stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Innovation Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph B. Dooley, Jeffrey G. Hubrig, Richard A. Lowden
  • Patent number: 7794602
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a purification method characterized by adding a chitosan powder or a chitosan-coated substance, and optionally further adding a silica sol to liquor and filtering the mixture by a filter machine to remove unsaturated fatty acids, compounds of unsaturated fatty acids with metal ions, or fusel oil from the liquor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Otsuka Foods Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Kadowaki, Takao Nakahara
  • Patent number: 7794603
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for purification of contaminated water through hydrate formation and separation of hydrates from contaminated water enriched with contaminants, by supplying hydrate particles to the water during hydrate formation. The present invention also concerns a device for purification of water by using a method according to the invention, and water produced according to the invention. By using the process principles according to the present invention, all types of water can be purified for consumption or safe discharge, or desired resources can be recovered, and air can be purified if it first is bubbled through the water which then is purified by a method according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: EcoWat AS
    Inventors: Tore Skjetne, Are Lund, Roar Larsen
  • Patent number: 7790042
    Abstract: A method for removing submicron colloidal particulates, such as hydrocarbons, from water. The method includes first adding a soluble, cationic polymer, such as chitosan, a salt, or solution of chitosan to water containing the submicron particulates and a halogenating agent, followed by adding a soluble, anionic polymer or anionic salt to the water. The resulting flocs are filtered to remove the submicron particulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: HaloSource, Inc.
    Inventors: Everett J. Nichols, Jeffrey F. Williams, James R. Scott, Christine M. Palczewski
  • Patent number: 7785478
    Abstract: A method for controlling protozoa trophozites and cysts wherein biocides or control agents are encapsulated within microcapsules or manufactured into the core of liposomes, thereafter the biocide containing microcapsules or liposomes are then introduced into an aqueous system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wilson Kurt Whitekettle, Gloria Jean Tafel
  • Patent number: 7780859
    Abstract: The invention provides the use of a water-soluble biocide as an uncoupling agent at an effective amount to control bacterial biomass in an aqueous system. The invention also provides a method for controlling the growth of bacterial biomass in an aqueous system. The method comprises adding to, or contacting with, the aqueous system an effective amount of an uncoupling agent which is a water-soluble biocide. In a preferred embodiment the method comprises contacting an effective amount of an uncoupling agent which is a water-soluble biocide directly with the bacterial biomass in an aqueous system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Rhodia Operations
    Inventors: Yvette Pescher, Robert Eric Talbot, Luc Olivier Louvel, Agnes Pilas-Begue, Laetitia Catinon, Gilles Michael Moreau
  • Patent number: 7771594
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning solids-laden aqueous fluids includes a settling tank having a sloping floor, which drops off into a collection area; primary and secondary mixing tanks, the lower regions of which are in fluid communication via fluid transfer means; and agitators in each of the mixing tanks. Solids-laden fluid is introduced into the primary mixing tank along with selected coagulant and/or flocculent chemicals, whereupon the agitator in the primary mixing tank is actuated to induce downward fluid flow toward the fluid transfer means and into the secondary mixing tank. The agitator in the secondary mixing tank is actuated to induce upward fluid flow in the secondary mixing tank, from which the fluid mixture overflows into the setting tank. Solids settle or precipitate into the settling tank, and move downward along the settling tank's sloped floor and into the collection area, from which the solids can be removed for further treatment or disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Inventors: Ambrose Ralph, Randy Wold, Roger Allard
  • Patent number: 7771601
    Abstract: A process for treating a sludge of biological solids has the steps of mixing an oxide-containing chemical with a pozzolanic material, reacting the mixture with the sludge so as to elevate a temperature of the sludge to between 40° C. and 140° C., pressurizing the blended sludge to a pressure of greater than 14.7 p.s.i.a., recycling a portion of the reacted sludge so as to increase a solids content of the sludge, and discharging at least a portion of the pressurized mixed sludge. The step of discharging includes flashing the pressurized mixed sludge across a restricting orifice so as to cause the liquid component to be evaporated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Inventor: Samuel L. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 7767095
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing pathogen reduction within a poultry processing or food processing plant that uses water that has been treated with chloramines at an advantageous dosage before being introduced to the production process at processing steps. The water treated with chloramines may be from a fresh water source or reclaimed water from the processing plant. The reintroduction of the treated reclaimed water advantageously causes a dramatic reduction in the levels of microorganisms associated with poultry processing, while substantially conserving water use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Zentox Corporation
    Inventors: Joe D. Phillips, Robert P. Kim, Stephen P. Axtell, Sam M. Jaffe
  • Patent number: 7767092
    Abstract: A method of decolorizing a colored effluent comprising (i) a colored substance; and (ii) a polyvalent carboxylic acid or a polyvalent aminocarboxylic acid, the method including the steps of: (a) controlling a hydrogen ion exponent (pH) of the colored effluent to be in a range in which two or more carboxylic acid groups in the polyvalent carboxylic acid or the polyvalent aminocarboxylic acid does not dissociate; (b) adding an inorganic metal salt to the colored effluent so as to allow the inorganic metal salt to react with the colored substance to form a precipitation in the colored effluent, and (c) eliminating the precipitation from the colored effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eiichi Yoshida, Masahiko Nakamura, Kaori Soeda
  • Patent number: 7763698
    Abstract: Materials and a method are provided whereby polymers with least 0.5 mole % of the pendant group or end group containing —Si(OR?)3 (where R? is H, an alkyl group, Na, K, or NH4) are used to control aluminosilicate scaling in an industrial process having an alkaline process stream such as a pulping mill process stream. When materials of the present invention are added to the alkaline process stream, they reduce and even completely prevent formation of aluminosilicate scale on equipment surfaces such as evaporator walls and heating surfaces. The present materials are effective at treatment concentrations that make them economically practical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Cytec Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Donald P. Spitzer, Alan S. Rothenberg, Howard I. Heitner, Frank Kula
  • Patent number: 7758758
    Abstract: A method for removing metals from metal-containing acidic mine wastewater uses a basic sludge produced by the method for treating the wastewater. The wastewater is mixed with a lime slurry and with the basic sludge. This mixture is allowed to separate into an aqueous effluent and an acidic sludge. The effluent is mixed with the lime slurry and with a composition containing an iron compound, to produce a mixture. This mixture is allowed to separate into an aqueous effluent and the basic sludge. Lignin derivatives, such as calcium lignosulfonate, may be included in the treatment mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Noram Engineering and Constructors Ltd.
    Inventors: J. Ming Zhuang, Anthony S. Walsh
  • Patent number: 7758757
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for removing hydrazine compounds from solutions. Solutions containing hydrazine compounds are contacted with crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Kiu-Seung Lee
  • Patent number: 7754086
    Abstract: A process of dewatering an aqueous suspension comprising dosing the suspension with a flocculating amount of a first flocculant to form a thickened suspension and mixing into the thickened suspension a dewatering amount of a second flocculant and subjecting the thickened suspension to mechanical dewatering to form a cake, characterised in that the second flocculant comprises a water-soluble or water swellable polymer that is mixed into the suspension in the form of (i) substantially dry polymer particles or (ii) an aqueous composition comprising dissolved or hydrated polymer having a polymer concentration of at least 2% by weight and having a intrinsic viscosity of at least 3 dl/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Ciba Specialty Chemicals Water Treatments Ltd.
    Inventors: Tony Whittaker, Peter Norman, Darryl Smith
  • Patent number: 7754087
    Abstract: A process of dewatering aqueous suspension employing a flocculating system comprising treating the suspension with a flocculating amount of a first flocculant and a dewatering amount of a second flocculant, and subjecting the suspension to mechanical dewatering to form a cake, wherein the first flocculant brings about flocculation and assists thickening of the suspension and the second flocculant is a water-soluble or water swellable polymer that is mixed into the suspension is a water-soluble or water swellable particulate polymer having a particle diameter of at least 20 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Ciba Specialty Chemicals Water Treatments, LTD
    Inventors: Tony Whittaker, Peter Norman, Darryl Smith
  • Patent number: 7754088
    Abstract: A process of dewatering an aqueous suspension comprising treating the suspension with a dewatering amount of a reverse phase polymer, and subjecting the suspension to a mechanical dewatering to form a cake, characterised in that the reverse phase polymer only partially inverts to bring about flocculation and thickening of the suspension, and then fully inverts during the further dewatering to form a cake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Ciba Specialty Chemicals Water Treatments LTD.
    Inventors: Tony Whittaker, Peter Norman, Darryl Smith