Patents by Inventor Donald A. Luke

Donald A. Luke 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).

  • Patent number: 11795084
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to denitrification of water using bacteria. A method of denitrification of water includes deoxygenated water including a water-soluble form of nitrogen. The method includes exposing the deoxygenated water to denitrifying bacteria to convert the water-soluble form of nitrogen in the water to nitrogen gas that is removed and to form a denitrified water. The method also includes reoxygenating the denitrified water. Denitrifying bacterial substrates and methods of making the same are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: NuQuatic, LLC
    Inventors: Donald A. Luke, Ryan Eugene Dickinson, Janie Michelle Hinson
  • Patent number: 11559782
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to reactive media including calcium. A reactive media includes a vitrified calcium silicate comprising reactive calcium. Various embodiments of the reactive media described herein are useful for removal of anionic impurities such as phosphate from water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Phosphorus Free Water Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Donald A. Luke, Timothy M. Luke
  • Patent number: 11530137
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to an acidic ferrate composition and methods of making ferrate. A method of forming ferrate includes treating an iron source with an oxidizer in an aqueous solution having a pH of less than 7 under conditions sufficient to form ferrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Phosphorus Free Water Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Donald A. Luke, Ruben D. Durand-Diaz, Brent Canham, David Velazquez Torres
  • Publication number: 20220315457
    Abstract: A method of treating an aqueous composition includes immersing a galvanic cell in the aqueous composition to form a treated aqueous composition. The galvanic cell includes an anode including Mg, Al, Fe, Zn, or a combination thereof. The galvanic cell includes a cathode having a different composition than the anode, the cathode including Cu, Ni, Fe, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Carlos Borras, Donald A. Luke
  • Patent number: 11401181
    Abstract: A method of treating an aqueous composition includes immersing a galvanic cell in the aqueous composition to form a treated aqueous composition. The galvanic cell includes an anode including Mg, Al, Fe, Zn, or a combination thereof. The galvanic cell includes a cathode having a different composition than the anode, the cathode including Cu, Ni, Fe, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Phosphorus Free Water Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Carlos Borras, Donald A. Luke
  • Publication number: 20220106208
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to an electrochemical cell for removal of materials from water and methods of using the same. A method of removing phosphorus from water includes immersing an electrochemical cell in water including phosphorus to form treated water including a salt that includes the phosphorus. The electrochemical cell includes an anode including Mg, Al, Fe, Zn, or a combination thereof, a cathode including Cu, Ni, Fe, or a combination thereof. The method includes separating the salt including the phosphorus from the treated water, to form separated water having a lower phosphorus concentration than the water including phosphorus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Carlos Borras, Donald A. Luke
  • Publication number: 20220081330
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to an electrochemical cell for removal of materials from water and methods of using the same. A method of removing phosphorus from water includes immersing an electrochemical cell in water including phosphorus to form treated water including a salt that includes the phosphorus. The electrochemical cell includes an anode including Mg, Al, Fe, Zn, or a combination thereof, a cathode including Cu, Ni, Fe, or a combination thereof. The method includes separating the salt including the phosphorus from the treated water, to form separated water having a lower phosphorus concentration than the water including phosphorus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Carlos Borras, Donald A. Luke
  • Publication number: 20220073383
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to methods and systems for removing phosphorus and/or nitrogen from water. A method of removing phosphorus and nitrogen from water includes passing starting material water including nitrogen and phosphorus through an elevated pH phosphorus removal stage. The method includes passing the water through an electrolytic nitrogen removal stage. The method includes passing the water through a galvanic phosphorus removal stage. The water produced by the method has a lower phosphorus concentration and a lower nitrogen concentration than the starting material water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Carlos Borras, Donald A. Luke
  • Patent number: 11267733
    Abstract: A method of removing phosphorus from water includes contacting an oxidizer with water including phosphorus to form water including oxidized phosphorus. The method also includes contacting the water including the oxidized phosphorus with a reactive media to capture the oxidized phosphorus on the reactive media, in the reactive media, or a combination thereof, as a solid salt comprising the oxidized phosphorus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Phosphorus Free Water Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Donald A. Luke, Ruben D. Durand-Diaz, Brent Canham, David Velazquez Torres, Timothy M. Luke
  • Patent number: 11225420
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to an electrochemical cell for removal of materials from water and methods of using the same. A method of removing phosphorus from water includes immersing an electrochemical cell in water including phosphorus to form treated water including a salt that includes the phosphorus. The electrochemical cell includes an anode including Mg, Al, Fe, Zn, or a combination thereof, a cathode including Cu, Ni, Fe, or a combination thereof. The method includes separating the salt including the phosphorus from the treated water, to form separated water having a lower phosphorus concentration than the water including phosphorus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Phosphorus Free Water Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Carlos Borras, Donald A. Luke
  • Patent number: 11220443
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to methods and systems for removing phosphorus and/or nitrogen from water. A method of removing phosphorus and nitrogen from water includes passing starting material water including nitrogen and phosphorus through an elevated pH phosphorus removal stage. The method includes passing the water through an electrolytic nitrogen removal stage. The method includes passing the water through a galvanic phosphorus removal stage. The water produced by the method has a lower phosphorus concentration and a lower nitrogen concentration than the starting material water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Phosphorus Free Water Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Carlos Borras, Donald A. Luke
  • Publication number: 20210340044
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to denitrification of water using bacteria. A method of denitrification of water includes deoxygenated water including a water-soluble form of nitrogen. The method includes exposing the deoxygenated water to denitrifying bacteria to convert the water-soluble form of nitrogen in the water to nitrogen gas that is removed and to form a denitrified water. The method also includes reoxygenating the denitrified water. Denitrifying bacterial substrates and methods of making the same are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Donald A. Luke, Ryan Eugene Dickinson, Janie Michelle Hinson
  • Publication number: 20210188666
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to an electrochemical cell for removal of materials from water and methods of using the same. A method of removing phosphorus from water includes immersing an electrochemical cell in water including phosphorus to form treated water including a salt that includes the phosphorus. The electrochemical cell includes an anode including Mg, Al, Fe, Zn, or a combination thereof, a cathode including Cu, Ni, Fe, or a combination thereof. The method includes separating the salt including the phosphorus from the treated water, to form separated water having a lower phosphorus concentration than the water including phosphorus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Carlos Borras, Donald A. Luke
  • Publication number: 20210188669
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to removal of phosphorus from water using magnesium or calcium. A method of removing phosphorus from water including magnesium, calcium, or a combination thereof. The method includes forming a precipitate in the water including the phosphorus and the precipitation composition. The precipitate includes a salt that includes the phosphorus, and also includes magnesium, calcium, or a combination thereof. The method also includes removing the precipitate including the phosphorus from the water including the precipitate, to form water having a lower dissolved phosphorus concentration than the water including phosphorus that was combined with the precipitation composition. The method can include combining the water including phosphorus and a precipitation composition including a magnesium salt, a calcium salt, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Donald A. Luke, Brent Canham, Tom Eugene Sawyer, Carlos Borras, Ruben D. Durand-Diaz
  • Publication number: 20210179456
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to methods and systems for removing phosphorus and/or nitrogen from water. A method of removing phosphorus and nitrogen from water includes passing starting material water including nitrogen and phosphorus through an elevated pH phosphorus removal stage. The method includes passing the water through an electrolytic nitrogen removal stage. The method includes passing the water through a galvanic phosphorus removal stage. The water produced by the method has a lower phosphorus concentration and a lower nitrogen concentration than the starting material water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Carlos Borras, Donald A. Luke
  • Publication number: 20200290012
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to reactive media including calcium. A reactive media includes a vitrified calcium silicate comprising reactive calcium. Various embodiments of the reactive media described herein are useful for removal of anionic impurities such as phosphate from water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Donald A. Luke, Timothy M. Luke
  • Publication number: 20200270145
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to an acidic ferrate composition and methods of making ferrate. A method of forming ferrate includes treating an iron source with an oxidizer in an aqueous solution having a pH of less than 7 under conditions sufficient to form ferrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Donald A. Luke, Ruben D. Durand-Diaz, Brent Canham, David Velazquez Torres
  • Publication number: 20200247699
    Abstract: The present invention relates to removal of phosphorus from water. A method of removing phosphorus from water includes contacting an oxidizer with water including phosphorus to form water including oxidized phosphorus. The method also includes contacting the water including the oxidized phosphorus with a reactive media to capture the oxidized phosphorus on the reactive media, in the reactive media, or a combination thereof, as a solid salt comprising the oxidized phosphorus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Donald A. Luke, Ruben D. Durand-Diaz, Brent Canham, David Velazquez Torrez, Timothy M. Luke
  • Patent number: 7491333
    Abstract: A process for the treatment of industrial waste water. The process includes the steps of admixing partially-treated waste water containing precipitated impurities with a flocculating agent in a flocculation basin, directing the admixed waste water to an elongated sedimentation basin, allowing flocculated solids in the waste water to settle to the bottom of the sedimentation basin, removing the settled solids from the bottom of the sedimentation basin and directing the treated water from the sedimentation basin. The process can further include the step of adjusting the pH of the waste water to precipitate impurities in the waste water prior to the addition of the flocculation agent. The elongated sedimentation basin can include a pair of sloped sides to consolidate the settled solids at the bottom of the basin. The settled solids can then be removed by suction. The basins can be formed from the excavation or impoundment of earth in an area adjacent to a waste water-generating facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Cleanwater Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald A. Luke, Vaughn V. Astley
  • Patent number: 6213416
    Abstract: A process for improving grinding of phosphate rock comprising providing phosphate-containing rock in a form which contains from 3 to 25 wt % water, transferring the phosphate-containing rock to a grinding apparatus during a transfer stage, and grinding the phosphate-containing rock in grinding apparatus, wherein the process comprises mixing with the phosphate-containing rock during or before the transfer stage particles of water-swellable, water-insoluble polymeric material, whereby the flowability of the rock into the grinding apparatus is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Ciba Specialty Chemicals Water Treatments Ltd.
    Inventor: Donald A. Luke