Patents by Inventor Andrew Benedek

Andrew Benedek has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20170073261
    Abstract: Sludge from an anaerobic digester is treated to recover one or more of fibers, or solids or liquids with a high nutrient content. The solids or liquids can be used as a fertilizer. The fibers can be used in a plant growing medium. Solids are separated from liquids in the sludge and dried. The solids may be dried to produce a flake or pellet. Ammonia in the liquids is recovered and used to produce a concentrated acidic ammonium salt solution. This solution may be mixed with the solids to produce a nitrogen enhanced solid. The fibers and solids or liquids can also be used in combination to produce an enhanced plant growing medium. A device and process for removing ammonia from a liquid can be used in the system or separately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Josse, Andrew Benedek, Michael David Thedoulou, Zachary Scott
  • Patent number: 9567247
    Abstract: An anaerobic digester is fed a feedstock, for example sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant, and produces a digestate. The digestate is dewatered into a cake. The cake may be dried further, for example in a thermal drier. The cake is treated in a pyrolysis system to produce a synthesis gas and biochar. The gas is sent to the same or another digester to increase its methane production. The char may be used as a soil enhancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Anaergia Inc.
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Josse, Andrew Benedek
  • Patent number: 9533903
    Abstract: Sludge from an anaerobic digester is treated to recover one or more of fibers, or solids or liquids with a high nutrient content. The solids or liquids can be used as a fertilizer. The fibers can be used in a plant growing medium. Solids are separated from liquids in the sludge and dried. The solids may be dried to produce a flake or pellet. Ammonia in the liquids is recovered and used to produce a concentrated acidic ammonium salt solution. This solution may be mixed with the solids to produce a nitrogen enhanced solid. The fibers and solids or liquids can also be used in combination to produce an enhanced plant growing medium. A device and process for removing ammonia from a liquid can be used in the system or separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Anaergia Inc.
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Josse, Andrew Benedek, Michael David Thedoulou, Zachary Scott
  • Publication number: 20160346788
    Abstract: Solid waste, for example source separated organics (SSO) or commercial and industrial (C&I) waste or both, are treated by first pressurizing the waste against a screen to produce a solids fraction and a liquid fraction. The liquid fraction can be treated in an anaerobic digester. The solids fraction is pulverized or milled, for example with a hammer mill, preferably after being diluted. The pulverized or milled waste is separated again to provide a second solids faction and a second liquid fraction. The liquid fraction can be treated in an anaerobic digester. The solids fraction is primarily inert and can be landfilled, preferably after being washed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Juan Carlos JOSSE, Andrew BENEDEK, Yaniv D. SCHERSON
  • Publication number: 20160318787
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for the anaerobic digestion of organic wastes, preferably to also produce a useful biogas, is described. The waste may have a total solids (TS) concentration of 6% or less while a digester is operated at a higher solids concentration, for example with a feed TS concentration of 8-12%. One or more separation stages downstream of the digester separate active bacteria and undigested organics from the digestate, and return separated matter to the digester. Optionally, a feed thickening apparatus and step may be provided upstream of the digester. The upstream thickener and recycle from the downstream separation stages are operated such that the TS of the combined inputs to the digester is within a desired range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventor: Andrew BENEDEK
  • Publication number: 20160318819
    Abstract: Sludge from an anaerobic digester is treated to recover one or more of fibers, or solids or liquids with a high nutrient content. The solids or liquids can be used as a fertilizer. The fibers can be used in a plant growing medium. Solids are separated from liquids in the sludge and dried. The solids may be dried to produce a flake or pellet. Ammonia in the liquids is recovered and used to produce a concentrated acidic ammonium salt solution. This solution may be mixed with the solids to produce a nitrogen enhanced solid. The fibers and solids or liquids can also be used in combination to produce an enhanced plant growing medium. A device and process for removing ammonia from a liquid can be used in the system or separately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Juan Carlos JOSSE, Andrew BENEDEK, Michael David THEODOULOU, Zachary SCOTT
  • Patent number: 9416038
    Abstract: Sludge from an anaerobic digester is treated to recover one or more of fibers, or solids or liquids with a high nutrient content. The solids or liquids can be used as a fertilizer. The fibers can be used in a plant growing medium. Solids are separated from liquids in the sludge and dried. The solids may be dried to produce a flake or pellet. Ammonia in the liquids is recovered and used to produce a concentrated acidic ammonium salt solution. This solution may be mixed with the solids to produce a nitrogen enhanced solid. The fibers and solids or liquids can also be used in combination to produce an enhanced plant growing medium. A device and process for removing ammonia from a liquid can be used in the system or separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Josse, Andrew Benedek, Michael David Theodoulou, Zachary Scott
  • Patent number: 9416372
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for the anaerobic digestion of organic wastes, preferably to also produce a useful biogas, is described. The waste may have a total solids (TS) concentration of 6% or less while a digester is operated at a higher solids concentration, for example with a feed TS concentration of 8-12%. One or more separation stages downstream of the digester separate active bacteria and undigested organics from the digestate, and return separated matter to the digester. Optionally, a feed thickening apparatus and step may be provided upstream of the digester. The upstream thickener and recycle from the downstream separation stages are operated such that the TS of the combined inputs to the digester is within a desired range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: ANAERGIA INC.
    Inventor: Andrew Benedek
  • Publication number: 20160153008
    Abstract: An anaerobic digester is fed a feedstock, for example sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant, and produces a digestate. The digestate is dewatered into a cake. The cake may be dried further, for example in a thermal drier. The cake is treated in a pyrolysis system to produce a synthesis gas and biochar. The gas is sent to the same or another digester to increase its methane production. The char may be used as a soil enhancer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Juan Carlos JOSSE, Andrew BENEDEK, Michael David THEODOULOU
  • Publication number: 20160096762
    Abstract: A waste stream is treated by anaerobic digestion. A process is described involves a step of separating solids from digestate, and returning separated solids to a digester. Optionally, there may be a step of solids separation in which larger solids are removed from the digester. A process and apparatus are described for treating waste sludge from a wastewater treatment plant in an anaerobic digester. Feed sludge is thickened or solids are separated from digestate and returned to the digester. Additional co-digestion waste may be added to the digester. The process and apparatus may be used in a retrofit of an existing wastewater treatment plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Juan Carlos JOSSE, Andrew BENEDEK
  • Patent number: 9284203
    Abstract: An anaerobic digester is fed a feedstock, for example sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant, and produces a digestate. The digestate is dewatered into a cake. The cake may be dried further, for example in a thermal drier. The cake is treated in a pyrolysis system to produce a synthesis gas and biochar. The gas is sent to the same or another digester to increase its methane production. The char may be used as a soil enhancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: ANAERGIA INC.
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Josse, Andrew Benedek
  • Patent number: 9272935
    Abstract: A waste stream is treated by anaerobic digestion. A process is described involves a step of separating solids from digestate, and returning separated solids to a digester. Optionally, there may be a step of solids separation in which larger solids are removed from the digester. A process and apparatus are described for treating waste sludge from a wastewater treatment plant in an anaerobic digester. Feed sludge is thickened or solids are separated from digestate and returned to the digester. Additional co-digestion waste may be added to the digester. The process and apparatus may be used in a retrofit of an existing wastewater treatment plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Anaergia Inc.
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Josse, Andrew Benedek
  • Publication number: 20160023935
    Abstract: Low strength wastewater such as municipal sewage is treated using an anaerobic digester. In some examples, a wastewater stream is separated into a solids rich portion and a solids lean portion. The solids lean portion is treated, for example to remove nitrogen. The solids rich portion is treated in an anaerobic digester, preferably with influent or recuperative thickening. In another example, the wastewater stream is fed to an anaerobic digester and solid-liquid separation stages downstream of the digester return active bacteria and undigested organics to the digester. Both cases may use a process train comprising treatment in an anoxic tank followed by a nitritation tank with a portion of the effluent from the nitritation tank recirculated to the anoxic tank to provide nitritation and denitritation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Juan Carlos JOSSE, Andrew BENEDEK, Diana MOURATO-BENEDEK
  • Patent number: 9181120
    Abstract: Low strength wastewater such as municipal sewage is treated using an anaerobic digester. In some examples, a wastewater stream is separated into a solids rich portion and a solids lean portion. The solids lean portion is treated, for example to remove nitrogen. The solids rich portion is treated in an anaerobic digester, preferably with influent or recuperative thickening. In another example, the wastewater stream is fed to an anaerobic digester and solid-liquid separation stages downstream of the digester return active bacteria and undigested organics to the digester. Both cases may use a process train comprising treatment in an anoxic tank followed by a nitritation tank with a portion of the effluent from the nitritation tank recirculated to the anoxic tank to provide nitritation and denitritation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: ANAERGIA INC.
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Josse, Andrew Benedek, Diana Mourato-Benedek
  • Publication number: 20150027179
    Abstract: An anaerobic digester is fed a feedstock, for example sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant, and produces a digestate. The digestate is dewatered into a cake. The cake may be dried further, for example in a thermal drier. The cake is treated in a pyrolysis system to produce a synthesis gas and biochar. The gas is sent to the same or another digester to increase its methane production. The char may be used as a soil enhancer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Josse, Andrew Benedek
  • Publication number: 20140346108
    Abstract: Sludge from an anaerobic digester is treated to recover one or more of fibers, or solids or liquids with a high nutrient content. The solids or liquids can be used as a fertilizer. The fibers can be used in a plant growing medium. Solids are separated from liquids in the sludge and dried. The solids may be dried to produce a flake or pellet. Ammonia in the liquids is recovered and used to produce a concentrated acidic ammonium salt solution. This solution may be mixed with the solids to produce a nitrogen enhanced solid. The fibers and solids or liquids can also be used in combination to produce an enhanced plant growing medium. A device and process for removing ammonia from a liquid can be used in the system or separately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Anaergia Inc.
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Josse, Andrew Benedek, Michael David Thedoulou, Zachary Scott
  • Publication number: 20140033776
    Abstract: Sludge from an anaerobic digester is treated to recover one or more of fibers, or solids or liquids with a high nutrient content. The solids or liquids can be used as a fertilizer. The fibers can be used in a plant growing medium. Solids are separated from liquids in the sludge and dried. The solids may be dried to produce a flake or pellet. Ammonia in the liquids is recovered and used to produce a concentrated acidic ammonium salt solution. This solution may be mixed with the solids to produce a nitrogen enhanced solid. The fibers and solids or liquids can also be used in combination to produce an enhanced plant growing medium. A device and process for removing ammonia from a liquid can be used in the system or separately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: ANAERGIA INC.
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Josse, Andrew Benedek, Michael David Theodoulou, Zachary Scott
  • Publication number: 20140034574
    Abstract: A waste stream is treated by anaerobic digestion. A process is described involves a step of separating solids from digestate, and returning separated solids to a digester. Optionally, there may be a step of solids separation in which larger solids are removed from the digester. A process and apparatus are described for treating waste sludge from a wastewater treatment plant in an anaerobic digester. Feed sludge is thickened or solids are separated from digestate and returned to the digester. Additional co-digestion waste may be added to the digester. The process and apparatus may be used in a retrofit of an existing wastewater treatment plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: ANAERGIA INC.
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Josse, Andrew Benedek
  • Publication number: 20130213883
    Abstract: Low strength wastewater such as municipal sewage is treated using an anaerobic digester. In some examples, a wastewater stream is separated into a solids rich portion and a solids lean portion. The solids lean portion is treated, for example to remove nitrogen. The solids rich portion is treated in an anaerobic digester, preferably with influent or recuperative thickening. In another example, the wastewater stream is fed to an anaerobic digester and solid-liquid separation stages downstream of the di-gester return active bacteria and undigested organics to the digester. Both cases may use a process train comprising treatment in an anoxic tank followed by a nitritation tank with a portion of the effluent from the nitritation tank recirculated to the anoxic tank to provide nitritation and denitritation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: ANAERGIA INC.
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Josse, Andrew Benedek, Diana Mourato-Benedek
  • Publication number: 20120145627
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for the anaerobic digestion of organic wastes, preferably to also produce a useful biogas, is described. The waste may have a total solids (TS) concentration of 6% or less while a digester is operated at a higher solids concentration, for example with a feed TS concentration of 8-12%. One or more separation stages downstream of the digester separate active bacteria and undigested orga?ics from the digestate, and return separated matter to the digester. Optionally, a feed thickening apparatus and step may be provided upstream of the digester. The upstream thickener and recycle form the downstream separation stages are operated such that the TS of the combined inputs to the digester is within a desired range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: ANAERGIA INC.
    Inventor: Andrew Benedek