Patents by Inventor John R. Walton

John R. Walton 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: 20240132387
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for treating a fluid that includes a particulate fraction and a soluble fraction, such as wastewater fluid including biosolids. The treatment includes biochemically transforming solids in the particulate fraction of the fluid in a biochemical process while simultaneously subjecting the fluid to a vacuum pressure, and evaporating off at least a portion of the soluble fraction of the fluid and thereby thickening a remaining portion of the fluid. A residence time of the particulate fraction can be controlled to be at least 25% greater than a residence time of the soluble fraction, for example. A solids content of the particulate fraction can be controlled to be in a range of from 2% to 99%, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2024
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: U.S. PEROXIDE, LLC
    Inventors: Domenico SANTORO, Tie MAO, John R. WALTON, George NAKHLA, Elsayed ELBESHBISHY, Eunkyung JANG
  • Publication number: 20220267183
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for treating a fluid that includes a particulate fraction and a soluble fraction, such as wastewater fluid including biosolids. The treatment includes biochemically transforming solids in the particulate fraction of the fluid in a biochemical process while simultaneously subjecting the fluid to a vacuum pressure, and evaporating off at least a portion of the soluble fraction of the fluid and thereby thickening a remaining portion of the fluid. A residence time of the particulate fraction can be controlled to be at least 25% greater than a residence time of the soluble fraction, for example. A solids content of the particulate fraction can be controlled to be in a range of from 2% to 99%, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: U.S. PEROXIDE, LLC
    Inventors: Domenico SANTORO, Tie MAO, John R. WALTON, George NAKHLA, Elsayed ELBESHBISHY, Eunkyung JANG
  • Patent number: 10131557
    Abstract: There is described a process for treatment of a fluid comprising an oxidizable contaminant. The process comprises the step of contacting the wastewater with a combination of: (i) a sulfide, (ii) a complex of Fe(III) and a chelating agent, and (iii) an oxidant. It has been discovered that of treatment of a fluid containing an oxidizable contaminant employing iron(III)-chelates as the Fenton catalyst may be significantly improved by including a sulfide in the reaction scheme. As described herein, by employing sulfide ion, the present inventors have been able to: (i) increase the rate of iron recycling from minutes or hours to a few seconds, and (ii) destroy benzene in an oil and gas refinery (OGR) wastewater in less than one minute. It is believed that these findings in OGR wastewater can be extended to other fluids containing other oxidizable contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: TROJAN TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Ali Safarzdeh-Amiri, John R. Walton, Michael Fagan
  • Publication number: 20160200605
    Abstract: There is described a process for treatment of a fluid comprising an oxidizable contaminant. The process comprises the step of contacting the wastewater with a combination of: (i) a sulfide, (ii) a complex of Fe(III) and a chelating agent, and (iii) an oxidant. It has been discovered that of treatment of a fluid containing an oxidizable contaminant employing iron(III)-chelates as the Fenton catalyst may be significantly improved by including a sulfide in the reaction scheme. As described herein, by employing sulfide ion, the present inventors have been able to: (i) increase the rate of iron recycling from minutes or hours to a few seconds, and (ii) destroy benzene in an oil and gas refinery (OGR) wastewater in less than one minute. It is believed that these findings in OGR wastewater can be extended to other fluids containing other oxidizable contaminants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Ali Safarzdeh-Amiri, John R. Walton, Michael Fagan
  • Patent number: 8052872
    Abstract: Methods of enhancing anaerobic digestion of wastewater are provided. The methods comprise pressure oxidation of digester material to remove sulfide and/or regenerate iron. Also provided are a pressure oxidizer device and a wastewater treatment system having one or more of such devices. The methods, device, and system have application in treatment of municipal wastewater, wastewater of agricultural and livestock operations, and in biofuels production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: U.S. Peroxide LLC
    Inventors: John R. Walton, Michael Fagan, Ian M. Watson, Chester L. Szczucki
  • Publication number: 20090200231
    Abstract: Methods of enhancing anaerobic digestion of wastewater are provided. The methods comprise pressure oxidation of digester material to remove sulfide and/or regenerate iron. Also provided are a pressure oxidizer device and a wastewater treatment system having one or more of such devices. The methods, device, and system have application in treatment of municipal wastewater, wastewater of agricultural and livestock operations, and in biofuels production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: U.S. Peroxide LLC
    Inventors: John R. Walton, Michael Fagan, Ian M. Watson, Chester L. Szczucki
  • Patent number: 7147783
    Abstract: A cost-effective method for reducing the dissolved sulfide content in a wastewater stream and thereby hydrogen sulfide emissions therefrom involving the steps of adding a transition metal salt to the wastewater stream at the upper reaches of a wastewater collection system prior to at least some hydrogen sulfide volatilization followed by addition of an oxidant to the wastewater stream to generate elemental sulfur and a transition metal salt which subsequently participates in additional hydrogen sulfide capturing steps, thereby also improving water quality and wastewater treatment plant operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: U.S. Peroxide, LLC
    Inventors: John R. Walton, Scott W. Duggan, Michael R. Fagan
  • Patent number: 7012154
    Abstract: Peracetic acid in aqueous liquid solution or vapor phase is prepared on-site and on-demand in a continuous process. Peracetic acid can be produced at a controlled rate to meet the demands of a downstream operation. In one embodiment, a pipe-line reactor and distillation column is used for the production of peracetic acid. In another embodiment, an apparatus includes a continuous pot reactor and distillation column for producing peracetic acid. The present invention has the potential of providing a much safer source of aqueous peracetic acid than currently available processes, due in part to the limited inventories of reactants in the reactor, particularly those in the vapor phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Peragen Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Mark K. Vineyard, Robert L. Moison, Frederic E. Budde, John R. Walton
  • Publication number: 20040251208
    Abstract: A cost-effective method for reducing the dissolved sulfide content in a wastewater stream and thereby hydrogen sulfide emissions therefrom involving the steps of adding a transition metal salt to the wastewater stream at the upper reaches of a wastewater collection system prior to at least some hydrogen sulfide volatilization followed by addition of an oxidant to the wastewater stream to generate elemental sulfur and a transition metal salt which subsequently participates in additional hydrogen sulfide capturing steps, thereby also improving water quality and wastewater treatment plant operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: John R. Walton, Scott W. Duggan, Michael R. Fagan
  • Patent number: 6773604
    Abstract: A cost-effective method for reducing the dissolved sulfide content in a wastewater stream and thereby hydrogen sulfide emissions therefrom involving the steps of adding a transition metal salt to the wastewater stream at the upper reaches of a wastewater collection system prior to at least some hydrogen sulfide volatilization followed by addition of an oxidant to the wastewater stream to generate elemental sulfur and a transition metal salt which subsequently participates in additional hydrogen sulfide capturing steps, thereby also improving water quality and wastewater treatment plant operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: U.S. Peroxide LLC
    Inventors: John R. Walton, Scott W. Duggan, Michael R. Fagan
  • Publication number: 20030062322
    Abstract: A cost-effective method for reducing the dissolved sulfide content in a wastewater stream and thereby hydrogen sulfide emissions therefrom involving the steps of adding a transition metal salt to the wastewater stream at the upper reaches of a wastewater collection system prior to at least some hydrogen sulfide volatilization followed by addition of an oxidant to the wastewater stream to generate elemental sulfur and a transition metal salt which subsequently participates in additional hydrogen sulfide capturing steps, thereby also improving water quality and wastewater treatment plant operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: U.S. Peroxide, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Walton, Scott W. Duggan, Michael R. Fagan
  • Patent number: 5336431
    Abstract: This application describes a composition comprising an alkali metal permanganate and a water soluble nitrate salt and a method of controlling the sulfide content and the odor of sulfur containing waste water by adding the composition of the invention to the waste water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Carus Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce E. Richards, Tyrone G. Goodart, Philip A. Vella, John R. Walton
  • Patent number: 5200092
    Abstract: This application describes a composition comprising an alkali metal permanganate and a water soluble nitrate salt and a method of controlling the sulfide content and the odor of sulfur containing waste water by adding the composition of the invention to the waste water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Carus Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce E. Richards, Tyrone G. Goodart, Philip A. Vella, John R. Walton
  • Patent number: 4668633
    Abstract: A growth container for laboratory organisms such as fungi, TB bacilli, yeast, virus or bacteria in which a well for the growth medium is spaced inwardly from an outer and higher wall. A lid snaps in place over the dish to substantially enclose the growth medium. An absorbent material, preferably a ring of filter paper, is placed in the space between the well and the outer dish wall to humidify the container when the material is wet, and to collect condensation from the lid which may include dangerous spores. Condensation is collected from a blocking ring on the underside of the lid by inversion of the dish and absorption onto a filter paper ring. An access opening in the lid permits material to be removed from or added to the growth medium with the lid only partially disengaged. The well may contain a single growth medium or a number of segregated growth compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Inventor: John R. Walton
  • Patent number: 4569769
    Abstract: Aqueous alkaline sulfidic waste effluents are often subjected to air oxidation processes that for economic sizing oxidize the sulfides only to thiosulfates. Thiosulfates are still immediate oxygen demanders and thus their concentration in the effluent must normally be reduced to below a threshold level before the effluent can be discharged. The effectiveness of hydrogen peroxide for this purpose can be significantly improved both as to rate of reaction and extent of removal by employing a copper catalyst in solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1986
    Assignee: Interox America
    Inventors: John R. Walton, Jeffrey A. Rutz
  • Patent number: 4406297
    Abstract: A self-contained pipet washer and dryer which utilizes a container assembly within which is located a quantity of the pipets that are to be washed and dryed. An acid storage tank is included which includes a volume of acid which is to supply acid into the container to soak the pipets for a period of time. Tap water is to be supplied into the container to initially rinse the pipets after the acid soaking. A second source of rinsing solution, in the form of deionized water, is provided to function as a final rinse for the pipets. Heated air is to then be blown across the pipets to dry the pipets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1983
    Inventor: John R. Walton