Patents by Inventor Ian Towe

Ian Towe 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: 20060037896
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Pierre Cote, Hidayat Husain, Ian Towe, Henry Behmann, Ian Pottinger
  • Publication number: 20050054087
    Abstract: A membrane module apparatus to transfer a gas to or from a liquid has a sheet having at least one gas transfer surface. The gas transfer surface is in flow communication with a header through a gas channel. The module may be used to support a biofilm on the gas transfer surface. A plurality of sheets or portions of sheets may be separated by spacers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventors: Pierre Cote, Hidayat Husain, Ian Towe
  • Publication number: 20050051481
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Applicant: Zenon Environmental Inc.
    Inventors: Hidayat Husain, Pierre Cote, Ian Towe, Henry Behmann, Ian Pottinger