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).

  • Publication number: 20230277955
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Craig Clerkin, Benjamin N. Laurent
  • Patent number: 11390791
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: HEARTLAND WATER TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Patent number: 11383995
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: HEARTLAND WATER TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Craig Clerkin, Benjamin N. Laurent
  • Patent number: 11376520
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: HEARTLAND WATER TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Publication number: 20210198550
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Publication number: 20210197097
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Patent number: 10946301
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLC
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Patent number: 10947435
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLC
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Publication number: 20200376406
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Craig Clerkin, Benjamin N. Laurent
  • Publication number: 20200224073
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Publication number: 20200222826
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Patent number: 10597573
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Rutsch, Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Craig Clerkin
  • Patent number: 10596481
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLC
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Publication number: 20190300409
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Craig Clerkin, Benjamin N. Laurent
  • Publication number: 20190143241
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Patent number: 10179297
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLC
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Publication number: 20180312738
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Michael J. Rutsch, Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Craig Clerkin
  • Publication number: 20180200643
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Craig Clerkin, Michael J. Rutsch
  • Patent number: 10005678
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLC
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Craig Clerkin
  • Patent number: 9943774
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLC
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Craig Clerkin, Michael J. Rutsch