Patents by Inventor Henry Behmann
Henry Behmann 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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Patent number: 7303676Abstract: A membrane supported biofilm reactor uses modules having fine, hollow fibres, for example, made from melt spun thermoplastic polymers treated after spinning to increase their permeability to oxygen, used, for example, in tows or formed into a fabric. In one module, one or more sheets of the fabric are potted into a module to enable oxygen containing gas to be supplied to the lumens of the hollow fibres. Various reactors and processes, for example to treat wastewater, using such modules are described. Mechanical, chemical and biological methods, for example endogenous respiration, are used to control the thickness of the biofilm.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2004Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Zenon Technology PartnershipInventors: Hidayat Husain, Pierre Lucien Cote, Ian Glenn Towe, Henry Behmann, Ian Alexander Pottinger
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Patent number: 7303677Abstract: A membrane supported biofilm reactor uses modules having fine, hollow fibres, for example, made from melt spun thermoplastic polymers treated after spinning to increase their permeability to oxygen, used, for example, in tows or formed into a fabric. In one module, one or more sheets of the fabric are potted into a module to enable oxygen containing gas to be supplied to the lumens of the hollow fibres. Various reactors and processes, for example to treat wastewater, using such modules are described. In one process, oxygen travels through fibers, optionally through an attached biofilm, to oxygenate surrounding water. Mechanical, chemical and biological methods, for example endogenous respiration, are used to control the thickness of the biofilm.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2006Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Zenon Technology PartnershipInventors: Pierre Lucien Cote, Hidayat Husain, Henry Behmann
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Patent number: 7300571Abstract: A membrane supported biofilm reactor uses modules having fine, hollow fibers, for example, made from melt spun thermoplastic polymers treated after spinning to increase their permeability to oxygen, used, for example, in tows or formed into a fabric. In one module, one or more sheets of the fabric are potted into a module to enable oxygen containing gas to be supplied to the lumens of the hollow fibers. Various reactors and processes, for example to treat wastewater, using such modules are described. In one process, oxygen travels through fibers, optionally through an attached biofilm, to oxygenate surrounding water. Mechanical, chemical and biological methods, for example endogenous respiration, are used to control the thickness of the biofilm.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2005Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: Zenon Technology PartnershipInventors: Pierre Lucien Cote, Hidayat Husain, Ian Glenn Towe, Henry Behmann, Ian Alexander Pottinger
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Publication number: 20070158265Abstract: A continuous flow reactor or method promotes aerobic granule formation. The reactor may comprise three or four zones that may comprise one or more of an aerobic zone, an alternately aerobic and anoxic zone or discrete aerobic and anoxic zones, and a settling zone. The reactor may have a single sludge removal flow. An anaerobic zone may be located at the bottom of a mass of settled granules. Feed may be introduced through the settled granules generally in a plug flow. An aerobic/anoxic zone may be structured or operated partially like a continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) but with aeration varying in space or time. Sludge granules may move intermittently from an aerobic zone to an aerobic/anoxic zone, for example by an air lift pump. A settling zone may have an upflow of >4 m/hr or >5 m/hr and wash off flocculated biomass.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2006Publication date: July 12, 2007Inventors: Pierre Cote, Henry Behmann
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Patent number: 7175763Abstract: A hollow gas transfer fibre is arranged in tows and potted into a module. The module may be used to treat wastewater by supplying hydrogen containing gas via the interior of the fibers to a biofilm present on an exterior surface of the fibers.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Zenon Technology PartnershipInventors: Hidayat Husain, Henry Behmann, Pierre Lucien Cote
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Patent number: 7169295Abstract: A membrane supported biofilm reactor uses modules having fine, hollow fibres, for example, made from dense wall Poly methylpentene (PMP) used in tows or formed into a fabric. In one module, one or more sheets of the fabric are potted into a module to enable oxygen containing gas to be supplied to the lumens of the hollow fibres. Various reactors and processes, for example to treat wastewater, using such modules are described. Mechanical, chemical and biological methods are used to control the thickness of the biofilm.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2004Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Zenon Technology PartnershipInventors: Hidayat Husain, Pierre Lucien Cote, Ian Glenn Towe, Henry Behmann, Ian Alexander Pottinger
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Publication number: 20070007206Abstract: A process is described for withdrawing filtered permeate from a non-pressurized substrate in a reservoir through an assembly. The assembly has a plurality of hollow fiber filtering membranes disposed generally vertically between two solid bodies, an enclosure sealed to the upper solid body to define a cavity, a permeate port in communication with the cavity and the lumen of each membrane in fluid communication with the port via the cavity. A suction is applied to lumens of the membranes via the permeate port to withdraw permeate. A gas is directed to provide bubbles which contact the membranes. Feed water is added so that the membranes are immersed while applying the suction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2006Publication date: January 11, 2007Inventors: Henry Behmann, Mailvaganam Mahendran, Wayne Henshaw
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Publication number: 20060175243Abstract: A membrane filtration device has a multiplicity of hollow fiber membranes, or fibers, unconfined in a shell of a module; a first header and a second header disposed in vertically spaced-apart relationship; said first header and said second header having opposed ends of each fiber sealingly secured therein, all open ends of said fibers open to a permeate-discharging face of at least one header; permeate collection means to collect said permeate, sealingly connected in open fluid communication with a permeate-discharging face of at least one of said headers; means to withdraw said permeate; said fibers, said headers and said permeate collection means together forming an integrated combination wherein said fibers are essentially vertically disposed and ends of individual fibers are potted in closely spaced-apart relationship in cured resin; with opposed faces at a fixed distance; each of said fibers having a length from 0.1% to less than 5% greater.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2006Publication date: August 10, 2006Inventors: Mailvaganam Mahendran, Henry Behmann, Steven Pedersen, Carlos Rodrigues
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Patent number: 7087173Abstract: An aerator for immersed filtering membranes has an aerator shell with openings for discharging bubbles from its upper surface and a shape capable of temporarily containing a volume of air in fluid communication with the openings. The shell is open to tank water below it and located so that discharged bubbles will rise through an assembly of the filtering membranes. The shell may be wholly or partially made of parts of the assemblies of filtering membranes. A supply of air is provided to the air space in the aerators alternating between a high flow rate and a low flow rate in short cycles of between about 10 seconds and 100 seconds. A filtration system has an inlet for adding substrate and an outlet for retentate are located so as to create a horizontal flow of substrate through the tank. Membrane assemblies are located within the horizontal flow of substrate. Aerators as described above are provided and operated as described above.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2004Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: ZENON Environmental Inc.Inventors: Pierre Lucien Cote, Steven Kristian Pedersen, Henry Behmann
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Publication number: 20060163157Abstract: A membrane supported biofilm reactor uses modules having fine, hollow fibres, for example, made from melt spun thermoplastic polymers treated after spinning to increase their permeability to oxygen, used, for example, in tows or formed into a fabric. In one module, one or more sheets of the fabric are potted into a module to enable oxygen containing gas to be supplied to the lumens of the hollow fibres. Various reactors and processes, for example to treat wastewater, using such modules are described. In one process, oxygen travels through fibers, optionally through an attached biofilm, to oxygenate surrounding water. Mechanical, chemical and biological methods, for example endogenous respiration, are used to control the thickness of the biofilm.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2006Publication date: July 27, 2006Inventors: Pierre Cote, Hidayat Husain, Henry Behmann
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Patent number: 7070695Abstract: A method and apparatus of purifying feedwater to remove impurities including suspended solids therefrom, the method suitable for using in-line water pressure to permeate water through hollow fiber membranes and to backflush the membranes to remove solids collected or deposited thereon.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2004Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Zenon Environmental Inc.Inventors: Hidayat Husain, Henry Behmann
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Patent number: 7063788Abstract: An apparatus is described for withdrawing filtered permeate from a substrate contained in a reservoir at ambient pressure. The apparatus includes a plurality of membrane assemblies. Each assembly has a plurality of hollow fiber filtering membranes, immersed in the reservoir, at least one permeating header with the membranes sealingly secured therein, and a permeate collector to collect the permeate sealingly connected to the at least one permeating header and in fluid communication with lumens of the membranes. The membranes of each assembly extend generally vertically upwards from a first header during permeation. One or more sources of suction are provided in fluid communication with the lumens of the membranes of each assembly through the permeate collectors and apply sufficient suction to withdraw permeate from the lumens of the membranes. An aeration system for discharging bubbles assists in keeping the membranes clean.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2003Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: ZENON Environmental Inc.Inventors: Mailvaganam Mahendran, Wayne Jerald Henshaw, Henry Behmann, Steven Kristian Pedersen
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Publication number: 20060081536Abstract: A method and apparatus of purifying feedwater to remove impurities including suspended solids therefrom, the method suitable for using in-line water pressure to permeate water through hollow fiber membranes and to backflush the membranes to remove solids collected or deposited thereon.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2005Publication date: April 20, 2006Inventors: Hidayat Husain, Henry Behmann
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Patent number: 7014173Abstract: An aeration system for a submerged membrane module has a set of aerators connected to an air blower, valves and a controller adapted to alternately provide a higher rate or air flow and a lower rate of air flow in repeated cycles. In an embodiment, the air blower, valves and controller, simultaneously provide the alternating air flow to two or more sets of aerators such that the total air flow is constant, allowing the blower to be operated at a constant speed. In another embodiment, the repeated cycles are of short duration. Transient flow conditions result in the tank water which helps avoid dead spaces and assists in agitating the membranes.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2003Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: ZENON Environmental Inc.Inventors: Hamid R. Rabie, Pierre Lucien Cote, Manwinder Singh, Arnold Janson, Steven Kristian Pedersen, Henry Behmann
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Publication number: 20060037896Abstract: A membrane supported biofilm reactor uses modules having fine, hollow fibres, for example, made from melt spun thermoplastic polymers treated after spinning to increase their permeability to oxygen, used, for example, in tows or formed into a fabric. In one module, one or more sheets of the fabric are potted into a module to enable oxygen containing gas to be supplied to the lumens of the hollow fibres. Various reactors and processes, for example to treat wastewater, using such modules are described. In one process, oxygen travels through fibers, optionally through an attached biofilm, to oxygenate surrounding water. Mechanical, chemical and biological methods, for example endogenous respiration, are used to control the thickness of the biofilm.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2005Publication date: February 23, 2006Inventors: Pierre Cote, Hidayat Husain, Ian Towe, Henry Behmann, Ian Pottinger
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Publication number: 20060021936Abstract: A hollow gas transfer fibre is arranged in tows and potted into a module. The module may be used to treat wastewater by supplying hydrogen containing gas via the interior of the fibers to a biofilm present on an exterior surface of the fibers.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2005Publication date: February 2, 2006Inventors: Hidayat Husain, Henry Behmann, Pierre Cote
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Patent number: 6964741Abstract: An apparatus is described for withdrawing filtered permeate from a substrate contained in a reservoir at ambient pressure. The apparatus includes a plurality of membrane assemblies. Each assembly has a plurality of hollow fiber filtering membranes, immersed in the reservoir, at least one permeating header with the membranes sealingly secured therein, and a permeate collector to collect the permeate sealingly connected to the at least one permeating header and in fluid communication with lumens of the membranes. The membranes of each assembly extend generally vertically upwards from a first header during permeation. One or more sources of suction are provided in fluid communication with the lumens of the membranes of each assembly through the permeate collectors and apply sufficient suction to withdraw permeate from the lumens of the membranes. An aeration system for discharging bubbles assists in keeping the membranes clean.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2003Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Assignee: ZENON Environmental Inc.Inventors: Mailvaganam Mahendran, Wayne Henshaw, Henry Behmann, Steven Pedersen
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Publication number: 20050178729Abstract: A method of cleaning ultrafiltration or microfiltration membranes reduces the rate of decline in the permeability of the membranes so that intensive recovery cleaning is required less frequently. In one aspect, cleaning events using a chemical cleaner are started before the membranes foul significantly and are repeated between 1 and 7 times per week. The product of the concentration of the chemical cleaner expressed as an equivalent concentration of NaOCl and the duration of all cleaning events is between 2,000 minutes·mg/l and 30,000 minutes·mg/l per week. When performed in situ, each cleaning event comprises (a) stopping permeation and any agitation of the membranes, (b) backwashing the membranes with a chemical cleaner in repeated pulses and (c) resuming agitation, if any, and permeation. The pulses last for between 10 seconds and 100 seconds and there is a time between pulses between 50 seconds and 6 minutes. Each cleaning event typically involves between 5 and 20 pulses.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2005Publication date: August 18, 2005Inventors: Hamid Rabie, Hidayat Husain, Henry Behmann
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Publication number: 20050178728Abstract: A process is described for withdrawing filtered permeate from a non-pressurized substrate in a reservoir through an assembly. The assembly has a plurality of hollow fiber filtering membranes disposed generally vertically between two solid bodies, an enclosure sealed to the upper solid body to define a cavity, a permeate port in communication with the cavity and the lumen of each membrane in fluid communication with the port via the cavity. A suction is applied to lumens of the membranes via the permeate port to withdraw permeate. A gas is directed to provide bubbles which contact the membranes. Feed water is added so that the membranes are immersed while applying the suction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2005Publication date: August 18, 2005Inventors: Henry Behmann, Mailvaganam Mahendran, Wayne Henshaw
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Patent number: 6908547Abstract: An apparatus to transfer gas to or from a liquid has a flexible and oxygen permeable but liquid water impermeable membrane, a flexible and gas permeable spacer, an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit and a non-rigid restrain system. When used for treating wastewater, an aerobic biofilm is culture adjacent the planar elements, an anoxic biofilm is cultivated adjacent the aerobic biofilm and the wastewater is maintained in an anaerobic state. A first reactor for treating wastewater has an anaerobic section, a plurality of gas transfer membrane modules, and an aerobic section. A biofilm is cultivated on the surface of the gas transfer membranes in fluid communication with the anaerobic section. Biological reduction of COD, BOD, nitrogen and phosphorous are achieved. In a second reactor, phosphorous is also removed chemically in a precipitation branch.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2003Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Zenon Environmental Inc.Inventors: Pierre Lucien Cote, Steven Kristian Pedersen, Henry Behmann, Hidayat Husain, Deonarine Phagoo