Patents by Inventor Craig Clerkin
Craig Clerkin 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).
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Publication number: 20230277955Abstract: A harmful substance removal system and method include a direct contact liquid concentrator having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, a mixing chamber disposed between the gas inlet and the gas outlet, and a liquid inlet for importing liquid into the mixing chamber. Gas and liquid mixing in the are mixed chamber and a portion of the liquid is vaporized. A demister is disposed downstream of the mixing chamber. The demister includes at least one stage of mist elimination having a first filter that removes particles greater than 9 microns. A fan is coupled to the demister to assist gas flow through the mixing chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Inventors: Craig Clerkin, Benjamin N. Laurent
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Patent number: 11390791Abstract: A liquid concentrator system includes a concentrator section having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a mixing corridor disposed between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. A liquid inlet is disposed in the mixing corridor between the gas inlet and a narrowed portion. A demister is disposed downstream of the concentrator section. The demister includes a liquid collector to remove liquid from gas flowing through the demister, and a reservoir that collects the removed liquid. A re-circulating circuit is disposed between reservoir and the mixing corridor to transport liquid within the reservoir to the mixing corridor, and a secondary re-circulating circuit includes a settling tank to separate saturated liquid and suspended solids. A custom brine mixing device is operatively coupled to the settling tank.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2021Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: HEARTLAND WATER TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
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Patent number: 11383995Abstract: A process of removing contaminants and concentrating wastewater includes delivering wastewater from a source of wastewater to a hydrogen sulfide removal device, mixing an oxidant with the filtered wastewater in the hydrogen sulfide removal device to produce a hydrogen sulfide lean effluent, delivering the hydrogen sulfide lean effluent to a direct contact concentrator, and evaporating a portion of the hydrogen lean effluent in the direct contact evaporator to produce a slurry and an exhaust gas.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2019Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: HEARTLAND WATER TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Craig Clerkin, Benjamin N. Laurent
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Patent number: 11376520Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2021Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: HEARTLAND WATER TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
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Publication number: 20210198550Abstract: A liquid concentrator system includes a concentrator section having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a mixing corridor disposed between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. A liquid inlet is disposed in the mixing corridor between the gas inlet and a narrowed portion. A demister is disposed downstream of the concentrator section. The demister includes a liquid collector to remove liquid from gas flowing through the demister, and a reservoir that collects the removed liquid. A re-circulating circuit is disposed between reservoir and the mixing corridor to transport liquid within the reservoir to the mixing corridor, and a secondary re-circulating circuit includes a settling tank to separate saturated liquid and suspended solids. A custom brine mixing device is operatively coupled to the settling tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2021Publication date: July 1, 2021Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
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Publication number: 20210197097Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2021Publication date: July 1, 2021Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
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Patent number: 10946301Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2020Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLCInventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
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Patent number: 10947435Abstract: A liquid concentrator system includes a concentrator section having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a mixing corridor disposed between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. A liquid inlet is disposed in the mixing corridor between the gas inlet and a narrowed portion. A demister is disposed downstream of the concentrator section. The demister includes a liquid collector to remove liquid from gas flowing through the demister, and a reservoir that collects the removed liquid. A re-circulating circuit is disposed between reservoir and the mixing corridor to transport liquid within the reservoir to the mixing corridor, and a secondary re-circulating circuit includes a settling tank to separate saturated liquid and suspended solids. A custom brine mixing device is operatively coupled to the settling tank.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2020Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLCInventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
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Publication number: 20200376406Abstract: A harmful substance removal system and method include a direct contact liquid concentrator having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, a mixing chamber disposed between the gas inlet and the gas outlet, and a liquid inlet for importing liquid into the mixing chamber. Gas and liquid mixing in the are mixed chamber and a portion of the liquid is vaporized. A demister is disposed downstream of the mixing chamber. The demister includes at least one stage of mist elimination having a first filter that removes particles greater than 9 microns. A fan is coupled to the demister to assist gas flow through the mixing chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Craig Clerkin, Benjamin N. Laurent
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Publication number: 20200224073Abstract: A liquid concentrator system includes a concentrator section having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a mixing corridor disposed between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. A liquid inlet is disposed in the mixing corridor between the gas inlet and a narrowed portion. A demister is disposed downstream of the concentrator section. The demister includes a liquid collector to remove liquid from gas flowing through the demister, and a reservoir that collects the removed liquid. A re-circulating circuit is disposed between reservoir and the mixing corridor to transport liquid within the reservoir to the mixing corridor, and a secondary re-circulating circuit includes a settling tank to separate saturated liquid and suspended solids. A custom brine mixing device is operatively coupled to the settling tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2020Publication date: July 16, 2020Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
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Publication number: 20200222826Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2020Publication date: July 16, 2020Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
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Patent number: 10597573Abstract: A liquid concentrator system includes a concentrator or section having a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a mixing corridor disposed between the gas inlet and gas outlet. A liquid inlet is disposed in the mixing corridor between the gas inlet and a narrowed portion. A demister is disposed downstream of the concentrator section. The demister includes a liquid collector to removed liquid from gas flowing through the demister, and a reservoir that collects the removed liquid. A recirculating circuit is disposed between the reservoir and the mixing corridor to transport liquid within the reservoir to the mixing corridor and secondary re-circulating circuit includes a settling tank to separated saturated liquid and suspended solids. A custom brine mixing device is operatively coupled to the settling tank.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2016Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLCInventors: Michael J. Rutsch, Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Craig Clerkin
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Patent number: 10596481Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2019Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLCInventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
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Publication number: 20190300409Abstract: A process of removing contaminants and concentrating wastewater includes delivering wastewater from a source of wastewater to a hydrogen sulfide removal device, mixing an oxidant with the filtered wastewater in the hydrogen sulfide removal device to produce a hydrogen sulfide lean effluent, delivering the hydrogen sulfide lean effluent to a direct contact concentrator. and evaporating a portion of the hydrogen lean effluent in the direct contact evaporator to produce a slurry and an exhaust gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Craig Clerkin, Benjamin N. Laurent
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Publication number: 20190143241Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2019Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
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Patent number: 10179297Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2017Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLCInventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
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Publication number: 20180312738Abstract: A liquid concentrator system includes a concentrator section having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a mixing corridor disposed between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. A liquid inlet is disposed in the mixing corridor between the gas inlet and a narrowed portion. A demister is disposed downstream of the concentrator section. The demister includes a liquid collector to remove liquid from gas flowing through the demister, and a reservoir that collects the removed liquid. A re-circulating circuit is disposed between reservoir and the mixing corridor to transport liquid within the reservoir to the mixing corridor, and a secondary re-circulating circuit includes a settling tank to separate saturated liquid and suspended solids. A custom brine mixing device is operatively coupled to the settling tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2016Publication date: November 1, 2018Inventors: Michael J. Rutsch, Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Craig Clerkin
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Publication number: 20180200643Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. A source of low energy gas, such as low pressure steam from a power plant, is connected to the liquid to be concentrated to heat the liquid to be concentrated before or during the concentration process.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2016Publication date: July 19, 2018Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Craig Clerkin, Michael J. Rutsch
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Patent number: 10005678Abstract: A method of cleaning compact wastewater concentrator cleans accreted salts from inner surfaces of a compact wastewater concentrator having a demister including mist eliminators. The method of cleaning is simple and quick and eliminates a majority of accreted salts by re-dissolving the salts in relatively dilute process water.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2015Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLCInventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Craig Clerkin
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Patent number: 9943774Abstract: A reservoir evaporation system for evaporating fluid from an open reservoir of effluent containing a contaminant includes a fluid evaporator, an air pump, and an air supply conduit functionally connecting the fluid evaporator with the air pump. The fluid evaporator includes a vessel adapted to be positioned in an operative position partially submerged on the top surface of the effluent in the reservoir with a lower chamber submerged in the effluent and an upper chamber extending above the top surface of the effluent. In operation, air from the air pump mixes with the effluent inside the fluid evaporator and subsequently is discharged through exhaust openings. A fluid discharge pipe can also simultaneously discharge aerated effluent back down into the reservoir. Fluid is thereby separated from the effluent in the lower chamber by evaporation in a controlled manner that minimizes spread of contaminants to surrounding environments by wind.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2014Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLCInventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Craig Clerkin, Michael J. Rutsch