Patents by Inventor Joseph E. Zuback

Joseph E. Zuback 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: 20220364720
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for improving the efficiency and reducing the carbon intensity of transportation fuels produced from heavy oil extracted with the steam injection process, by replacing natural gas from fossil fuel sources with a substitute renewable gas produced from solid carbonaceous materials while co-producing a solid carbonaceous byproduct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventor: Joseph E. Zuback
  • Patent number: 11300284
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for improving the efficiency and reducing the carbon intensity of transportation fuels produced from heavy oil extracted with the steam injection process, by replacing natural gas from fossil fuel sources with a substitute renewable gas produced from solid carbonaceous materials while co-producing a solid carbonaceous byproduct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Kore Infrastructure
    Inventor: Joseph E. Zuback
  • Publication number: 20200355365
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for improving the efficiency and reducing the carbon intensity of transportation fuels produced from heavy oil extracted with the steam injection process, by replacing natural gas from fossil fuel sources with a substitute renewable gas produced from solid carbonaceous materials while co-producing a solid carbonaceous byproduct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventor: Joseph E. Zuback
  • Patent number: 9573824
    Abstract: A method of cleaning a membrane surface immersed in a liquid medium with a fluid flow, including the steps of providing a randomly generated intermittent or pulsed fluid flow along the membrane surface to dislodge fouling materials therefrom. A membrane module is also disclosed comprising a plurality of porous membranes (6) or a set of membrane modules (5) and a device (11) for providing a generally randomly generated, pulsed fluid flow such that, in use, said fluid flow moves past the surfaces of said membranes (6) to dislodge fouling materials therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Gerin James, Joseph E. Zuback, Peter Zauner, Roger W. Phelps
  • Publication number: 20160362649
    Abstract: A dual-mode system and method is disclosed for processing organic material. In a first mode of operation, the system pre-treats an organic feedstock before digestion for improved methanization. In a second mode of operation, the system post-treats digested material to generate a useful product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Jay R. Troger, James R. Miller, Joseph E. Zuback
  • Publication number: 20160264444
    Abstract: A thermal treatment system and method is disclosed for processing organic material. In a first embodiment, the system includes a thermal input device and a reaction device to thermally treat organic material to achieve cell lysing and cell formation, a separation device to separate inert solids from the organic material to produce a liquid stream with low concentrations of suspended solids, and a “high rate” biological treatment device to produce methane from the liquid stream. In a second embodiment, the system includes a pre-thickening device to minimize feed volume by pre-thickening prior to thermal treatment a thermal input device, a reaction device, and a solids separation device to selectively remove dense, inert particles from the thermally treated organic material prior to anaerobic biological treatment, with waste biosolids from anaerobic treatment being recycled to the pre-thickening device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventor: Joseph E. Zuback
  • Publication number: 20160185641
    Abstract: An integrated mobile thermal treatment system and method is disclosed for processing organic material. In a first mode of operation, the system includes all process components necessary to thermally treat organic material to achieve cell lysing and cell formation integrated in a common skid-assembled unit. In a second mode of operation, the system additionally includes pre-slurrying, pressurization, selective solids separation, and/or post-dewatering process components to minimize feed volume by pre-slurrying, deliver feed at the necessary treatment pressure, thermally treat organic material to achieve cell lysing and cell formation integrated in a separate or common skid-assembled unit, and produce a dewatered sludge cake suitable for disposal or use as a fertilizer of fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventor: Joseph E. Zuback
  • Patent number: 8999172
    Abstract: A system is provided for removal of undesirable dissolved substances from solutions containing two or more dissolved substances to produce one or more new solutions suitable for beneficial use. The system utilizes amphoteric media in a treatment cycle where dissolved substances from the concentrated solution are first adsorbed by the media and subsequently rinsed with water to desorb and collect the dissolved substances sequentially into dilute effluent streams the substances are either aggregated or segregated based upon differences in relative concentrations of dissolved substances that is a result of differences in the affinity of the media for the dissolved substances. One or more of the dilute effluent streams are treated with a desalination process to recover water for media rinse and to concentrate the separated dissolved substances to facilitate beneficial use or disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Global Water Advisors, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph E. Zuback
  • Publication number: 20140083940
    Abstract: A method of cleaning a membrane surface immersed in a liquid medium with a fluid flow, including the steps of providing a randomly generated intermittent or pulsed fluid flow along the membrane surface to dislodge fouling materials therefrom. A membrane module is also disclosed comprising a plurality of porous membranes (6) or a set of membrane modules (5) and a device (11) for providing a generally randomly generated, pulsed fluid flow such that, in use, said fluid flow moves past the surfaces of said membranes (6) to dislodge fouling materials therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Siemens Water Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Fufang Zha, Gerin James, Joseph E. Zuback, Peter Zauner, Roger W. Phelps
  • Patent number: 8623213
    Abstract: A hybrid method and system of treating wastewater with reduced energy usage is disclosed. The treatment system has a sorption system, an anaerobic digester that digests or converts at least a portion of the solids or sludge from the sorption system, and an aerobic treatment tank that partially reduces oxygen demand of a portion of the sludge from the sorption tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Water Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Wenjun Liu, Edward J. Jordan, Joseph E. Zuback, George W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20120267306
    Abstract: Separation processes using engineered osmosis are disclosed generally involving the extraction of solvent from a first solution to concentrate solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: OASYS WATER, INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. McGinnis, Joseph E. Zuback
  • Patent number: 8114259
    Abstract: An electrically-driven separation apparatus can be used with a pressure-driven separation apparatus to provide potable water having a desired total dissolved solids (TDS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Zuback, Gary C. Ganzi, Evgeniya Freydina, Anil D. Jha, Li-Shiang Liang, Frederick C. Wilkins
  • Patent number: 8101072
    Abstract: A phosphorus removal system is operable to remove phosphorus from an influent. The system includes a first section receiving the influent and discharging a first flow. A first coagulant inlet is positioned upstream of the first section and is in fluid communication with the influent to introduce a first coagulant selected to precipitate phosphorus. A second section receives the first flow and discharges a second flow, and a third section receives the second flow and discharges an effluent. A second coagulant inlet is positioned downstream of the first section and upstream of the third section to introduce a second coagulant selected to precipitate phosphorus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Allen Lawrence, Joseph E. Zuback
  • Publication number: 20110253613
    Abstract: A system is adapted to remove one or more contaminants, particularly phosphorus, from an influent. The system includes a first section receiving the influent and discharging a first flow. A first coagulant inlet is positioned upstream of the first section and is in fluid communication with the influent to introduce a first coagulant selected to precipitate the contaminant. A second section receives the first flow and discharges a second flow, and a third section including a disc filter receives the second flow and discharges an effluent. A second coagulant inlet is positioned downstream of the first section and upstream of the third section to introduce a second coagulant selected to precipitate the contaminant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Darin L. St. Germain, Leslie Uhlmeyer, Daniel L. Willers, Eric A. Lawrence, Joseph E. Zuback
  • Patent number: 8017018
    Abstract: A phosphorus removal system is operable to remove phosphorus from an influent. The system includes a first section receiving the influent and discharging a first flow. A first coagulant inlet is positioned upstream of the first section and is in fluid communication with the influent to introduce a first coagulant selected to precipitate phosphorus. A second section receives the first flow and discharges a second flow, and a third section receives the second flow and discharges an effluent. A second coagulant inlet is positioned downstream of the first section and upstream of the third section to introduce a second coagulant selected to precipitate phosphorus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Allen Lawrence, Joseph E. Zuback
  • Publication number: 20110089105
    Abstract: A hybrid method and system of treating wastewater with reduced energy usage is disclosed. The treatment system has a sorption system, an anaerobic digester that digests or converts at least a portion of the solids or sludge from the sorption system, and an aerobic treatment tank that partially reduces oxygen demand of a portion of the sludge from the sorption tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: SIEMENS WATER TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
    Inventors: Wenjun Liu, Edward J. Jordan, Joseph E. Zuback, George W. Smith
  • Patent number: 7678268
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for treating wastewater. The wastewater treatment system includes a bioreactor including activated carbon and a first biological population. The wastewater treatment system may also include a membrane bioreactor and/or a wet oxidation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Water Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Duane R. Smith, Michael Howdeshell, Lori Marten, John A. Meidl, Thomas J. Vollstedt, Robert J. Wenta, Todd Wingers, Joseph E. Zuback
  • Publication number: 20100051526
    Abstract: A phosphorus removal system is operable to remove phosphorus from an influent. The system includes a first section receiving the influent and discharging a first flow. A first coagulant inlet is positioned upstream of the first section and is in fluid communication with the influent to introduce a first coagulant selected to precipitate phosphorus. A second section receives the first flow and discharges a second flow, and a third section receives the second flow and discharges an effluent. A second coagulant inlet is positioned downstream of the first section and upstream of the third section to introduce a second coagulant selected to precipitate phosphorus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Eric A. LAWRENCE, Joseph E. Zuback
  • Patent number: 7670486
    Abstract: A phosphorus removal system is operable to remove phosphorus from an influent. The system includes a first section receiving the influent and discharging a first flow. A first coagulant inlet is positioned upstream of the first section and is in fluid communication with the influent to introduce a first coagulant selected to precipitate phosphorus. A second section receives the first flow and discharges a second flow, and a third section receives the second flow and discharges an effluent. A second coagulant inlet is positioned downstream of the first section and upstream of the third section to introduce a second coagulant selected to precipitate phosphorus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Water Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Eric Allen Lawrence, Joseph E Zuback
  • Publication number: 20100044315
    Abstract: A phosphorus removal system is operable to remove phosphorus from an influent. The system includes a first section receiving the influent and discharging a first flow. A first coagulant inlet is positioned upstream of the first section and is in fluid communication with the influent to introduce a first coagulant selected to precipitate phosphorus. A second section receives the first flow and discharges a second flow, and a third section receives the second flow and discharges an effluent. A second coagulant inlet is positioned downstream of the first section and upstream of the third section to introduce a second coagulant selected to precipitate phosphorus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Eric Allen Lawrence, Joseph E. Zuback