Patents by Inventor Francis C. Miller
Francis C. Miller 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: 20210024387Abstract: A method of making an aqueous mixture of ozone and water comprising pumping a solution of ozonated water through a high cavitation rate homogenizing device, thereby causing formation of gas phase nanobubbles of ozone in the solution. The high cavitation rate homogenizing device may be a homogenizing mixer. The high cavitation rate homogenizing device may be comprised of rotors and stators moving in close proximity relative to each other and separated by the solution of ozonated water. The relative motion of the rotors and stators may cause up to 500 million cavitation events per second in the solution of ozonated water, thereby causing the formation of gas phase nanobubbles of ozone. A computer-implemented method of treating waste water from a source is also disclosed. The method may include making the aqueous mixture of ozone and water.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Applicants: LAKE COUNTRY FRACWATER SPECIALISTS, LLC, ADDLEMAN ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Francis C. MILLER, Steve ADDLEMAN
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Publication number: 20190248689Abstract: A method for treating wastewater is disclosed. The method is useful in particular for treating wastewater that is generated from the process of drilling, hydraulic fracturing and/or cleaning a bore of an oil or natural gas well bore. The method may include performing cold lime softening of the wastewater to form waste salt flocs, filtration of waste salt flocs, ozonation of the filtrate from the filtration, and reverse osmosis of the filtrate to produce a purified permeate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2018Publication date: August 15, 2019Applicants: LAKE COUNTRY FRACWATER SPECIALISTS, LLC, ADDLEMAN ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Francis C. MILLER, Steven B. ADDLEMAN
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Patent number: 9845253Abstract: A method of treating contaminated water effluent from a well drilling operation. The method comprises decomposing organic contaminants in the effluent by bubbling a gas containing ozone through the effluent; adding a coagulant to increase the particle size of solid particles contained in the effluent; adding a flocculant to increase the particle size of solid particles contained in the effluent, thereby forming floes suspended in the effluent; and filtering the floes from the effluent to produce a filtrate and flocculated solids. The method may further comprise adding the coagulant into a stream of effluent flowing within a first conduit under controlled shear conditions, and adding the flocculant into a stream of effluent containing pin floes flowing within a second conduit under controlled shear conditions. The method may further comprise delivering the effluent containing the suspended floes into a filter through a conduit floating in the effluent contained in the filter.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2012Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignees: Lake Country Fracwater Specialists, LLC, Addleman Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Francis C. Miller, Steve Addleman
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Patent number: 9815716Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing the barium and strontium salts in water that flows back to the well head after hydrofracturing in gas well drilling. Trace levels of iron salts may also be removed from the waste frac water, followed by removal of the calcium and magnesium salts, where applicable. The barium and strontium salts are precipitated in the inert sulfate form, which renders the resulting solids mass suitable for conventional landfill or on-site disposal, and more significantly, for potential reuse and as an additive to certain well drilling processes. The calcium and magnesium salts are similarly inert and suitable for conventional disposal. The process may be managed to selectively remove barium and strontium salts to desired levels, depending upon the intended reuse or disposition. The apparatus may be provided in a highly compact portable configuration that is transportable by a highway vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2015Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: Lake Country Fracwater Specialists, LLCInventor: Francis C. Miller
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Publication number: 20160221848Abstract: A method of making an aqueous mixture of ozone and water comprising pumping a solution of ozonated water through a high cavitation rate homogenizing device, thereby causing formation of gas phase nanobubbles of ozone in the solution. The high cavitation rate homogenizing device may be a homogenizing mixer. The high cavitation rate homogenizing device may be comprised of rotors and stators moving in close proximity relative to each other and separated by the solution of ozonated water. The relative motion of the rotors and stators may cause up to 500 million cavitation events per second in the solution of ozonated water, thereby causing the formation of gas phase nanobubbles of ozone.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2014Publication date: August 4, 2016Applicants: LAKE COUNTRY FRACWATER SPECIALISTS, LLC, ADDLEMAN ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Francis C. MILLER, Steve ADDLEMAN
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Publication number: 20150368137Abstract: A method for treating wastewater is disclosed. The method is useful in particular for treating wastewater that is generated from the process of drilling, hydraulic fracturing and/or cleaning a bore of an oil or natural gas well bore. The method may include performing cold lime softening of the wastewater to form waste salt floes, filtration of waste salt floes, ozonation of the filtrate from the filtration, and reverse osmosis of the filtrate to produce a purified permeate.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2014Publication date: December 24, 2015Applicants: ADDLEMAN ENTERPRISES, INC., LAKE COUNTRY FRACWATER SPECIALISTS, LLCInventors: Francis C. MILLER, Steve ADDLEMAN
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Publication number: 20150218020Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing the barium and strontium salts in water that flows back to the well head after hydrofracturing in gas well drilling. Trace levels of iron salts may also be removed from the waste frac water, followed by removal of the calcium and magnesium salts, where applicable. The barium and strontium salts are precipitated in the inert sulfate form, which renders the resulting solids mass suitable for conventional landfill or on-site disposal, and more significantly, for potential reuse and as an additive to certain well drilling processes. The calcium and magnesium salts are similarly inert and suitable for conventional disposal. The process may be managed to selectively remove barium and strontium salts to desired levels, depending upon the intended reuse or disposition. The apparatus may be provided in a highly compact portable configuration that is transportable by a highway vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2015Publication date: August 6, 2015Applicant: LAKE COUNTRY FRACWATER SPECIALISTS, LLCInventor: Francis C. MILLER
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Patent number: 9010544Abstract: Filters for separating solids from a liquid are disclosed. A first filter comprises a housing comprising a bottom wall, a side wall having a first end and a second end, and a door disposed along the first and second ends of the side wall and an end of the bottom wall; a first filter medium comprising a bottom panel, a side panel disposed along the side wall, and a flap extendable from the bottom panel outwardly between the door and the bottom wall; and a second filter medium disposed along the door. A second filter comprises a housing comprising a bottom wall and a side wall; a displaceable filter medium disposed along the bottom wall and the side wall of the housing; a first displacement actuator disposed in a space between the housing and the displaceable filter medium; and an air supply for directing air through the displaceable filter medium.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2011Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Inventor: Francis C. Miller
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Publication number: 20140144844Abstract: A method of treating contaminated water effluent from a well drilling operation. The method comprises decomposing organic contaminants in the effluent by bubbling a gas containing ozone through the effluent; adding a coagulant to increase the particle size of solid particles contained in the effluent; adding a flocculant to increase the particle size of solid particles contained in the effluent, thereby forming floes suspended in the effluent; and filtering the floes from the effluent to produce a filtrate and flocculated solids. The method may further comprise adding the coagulant into a stream of effluent flowing within a first conduit under controlled shear conditions, and adding the flocculant into a stream of effluent containing pin floes flowing within a second conduit under controlled shear conditions. The method may further comprise delivering the effluent containing the suspended floes into a filter through a conduit floating in the effluent contained in the filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2012Publication date: May 29, 2014Inventors: Francis C. Miller, Steve Addleman
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Publication number: 20120279925Abstract: A method of treating contaminated water effluent from a well drilling operation. The method comprises decomposing organic contaminants in the effluent by bubbling a gas containing ozone through the effluent; adding a coagulant to increase the particle size of solid particles contained in the effluent; adding a flocculant to increase the particle size of solid particles contained in the effluent, thereby forming flocs suspended in the effluent; and filtering the flocs from the effluent to produce a filtrate and flocculated solids. The method may further comprise adding the coagulant into a stream of effluent flowing within a first conduit under controlled shear conditions, and adding the flocculant into a stream of effluent containing pin flocs flowing within a second conduit under controlled shear conditions. The method may further comprise delivering the effluent containing the suspended flocs into a filter through a conduit floating in the effluent contained in the filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: LAKE COUNTRY FRACWATER SPECIALISTS, LLCInventors: Francis C. MILLER, Steven B. Addleman
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Patent number: 7972517Abstract: A method for treating a portion of liquid waste manure comprising adding a first reagent to the portion in a first vessel to cause the formation of waste manure flocs of a first size; adding a second reagent to liquid portion to cause growth of the waste manure flocs of the first size into separable waste manure flocs; adding optionally a third reagent to the portion of liquid containing waste manure flocs to cause further growth of the separable waste manure flocs; separating the liquid volume containing separable waste manure flocs into a waste manure sludge and a first filtrate; and dewatering the waste manure sludge in a filtration system comprising a first filter including a first housing, a first displaceable filter medium, and a first displacement actuator disposed between the first housing and the first displaceable filter medium.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2008Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Innovative environmental Products, Inc.Inventor: Francis C. Miller
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Patent number: 7967988Abstract: A method and a apparatus for treating a liquid volume containing latex waste, the method comprising providing a treatment apparatus comprising at least a first vessel, and a filtration system in liquid communication with the first vessel; delivering a portion of the liquid containing waste latex to the first vessel; adding a first reagent to the portion of liquid containing waste latex to cause the formation of waste latex flocs of a first size; adding a second reagent to the portion of liquid containing waste latex to cause growth of the waste latex flocs of the first size into separable waste latex flocs; separating the separable waste latex flocs within the filtration system into a waste latex sludge and a first filtrate; and dewatering the waste latex sludge to produce a waste latex solid and a second filtrate. The filtrates may be reusable in a latex manufacturing process.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2008Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Innovative Environmental Products, Inc.Inventor: Francis C. Miller