Patents by Inventor Marshall L. Spector

Marshall L. Spector 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).

  • Patent number: 6224779
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and materials for inhibiting the growth of algae in swimming pools by introducing silver chloride onto a filter in a re-circulating system, whereby the silver chloride will dissolve and, thus, introduce silver ion into the body of water in the pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventor: Marshall L. Spector
  • Patent number: 5820760
    Abstract: An activated sludge process for reducing the amount of N.sub.2 O released to the atmosphere during biological oxidation of NH.sub.3, includes the following steps: mixing wastewater influent containing NH.sub.3 and BOD with activated sludge to provide a mixed liquor in a first enclosed aerobic treatment zone wherein an oxygen containing gas is introduced, the first enclosed aerobic treatment zone having two or more stages in which gas and liquor phases are staged and oxygen is transferred to the liquid phase and BOD is metabolized and NH.sub.3 is oxidized to NOx and N.sub.2 O, wherein the pN.sub.2 O is maintained at a level greater than 2 mm Hg; transferring the mixed liquor and gas to a second enclosed treatment zone having two or more stages, in which gas and liquid phases are staged, and wherein NOx and N.sub.2 O are reduced to N.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Competitive Technologies of PA, Inc.
    Inventor: Marshall L. Spector
  • Patent number: 5182021
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for attaining concurrent biological nitrification and dentrification in an aerobic zone of an activated sludge treatment plant. The method comprises aerating a mixed liquor in an aerobic stage of a secondary treatment zone to attain nitrification of ammonia values to NO.sub.x, transferring the mixed liquor to a settling zone where activated sludge is allowed to settle from the mixed liquor, transferring at least a portion of the sludge to an anaerobic sludge holding zone where it is held for a prolonged period, and returning the aged sludge from the sludge holding zone to the secondary treatment zone for mixing with influent wastewater. By holding the sludge in the sludge holding zone for a prolonged period, a culture of organisms is developed which exhibits an oxygen respiration block in the presence of NO.sub.x. When returned to the aerobic zone where nitrification is achieved, these organisms utilize the NO.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Lehigh University
    Inventor: Marshall L. Spector
  • Patent number: 4731185
    Abstract: A modified activated sludge system is provided wherein wastewater containing BOD.sub.5 and phosphate values is admixed in an initial zone with biomass-containing recycled sludge to form a mixed liquor under conditions effecting sorption of BOD.sub.5 in the biomass. Subsequently, said mixed liquor is subjected to aeration in an oxidation zone under conditions for effecting oxidation of BOD.sub.5, such that oxidizing agent is incorporated into the oxidation zone at a rate not substantially exceeding the rate of oxidation. By such operation, considerable savings in power requirements for oxygen transfer to the mixed liquid are had, while developing and maintaining a dense non-bulking biomass having the properties of good removal of phosphate from the wastewater influent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. K. Chen, Marshall L. Spector
  • Patent number: 4650585
    Abstract: Abnormally lowered reduction in the rate of phosphorus removal from influent wastewater in an activated sludge system, occurring particularly following periods of increase in flow rate of wastewater entering the system, is avoided by controlling the maximum F/M in that portion of the system in which oxidation is occurring so as not to exceed 0.9 and maintaining a defined relation between the maximum and minimum F/M during any 24 hour operating period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Sun-Nan Hong, Marshall L. Spector
  • Patent number: 4556491
    Abstract: The problem of rising sludge in biological wastewater treatment secondary clarifiers is overcome by minimizing entrainment of nitrogen gas with mixed liquor entering the transfer pipe to the clarifier such that the level of dissolved nitrogen in the biomass settling in the clarifier remains less than that in equilibrium with nitrogen gas at the pressure prevailing in the biomass. This invention is most efficacious in cases where soluble oxides of nitrogen are present and are reduced by the biomass to elemental nitrogen. In accordance with one described embodiment the excess nitrogen is removed by degassing of the mixed liquor in the effluent pit of the system by deepening and widening the usual pit in such manner that the rate of descent of mixed liquor therein to a discharge outlet is less than 0.4 feet per second and the depth is greater than 4 feet, thus permitting the gas-containing macrobubbles to rise to the surface of the pit where these are degassed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Marshall L. Spector, Sun-nan Hong, Robert P. Seebohm
  • Patent number: 4552663
    Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved method of operating an activated sludge system whereby a significant amount of ammoniacal nitrogen is removed in the BOD sorption zone, which does not later appear in the system as protein or NOX. The improved method for achieving said ammoniacal nitrogen removal comprises decreasing the ammoniacal nitrogen concentration of the mixed liquor in the oxidation zone to a point where the mixed liquor leaving the oxidation zone has an ammoniacal nitrogen concentration less than about 0.3 ppm. Additionally, an overall F/M.sub.o ratio equal to or greater than about 0.05 is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1985
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Marshall L. Spector, Sun-Nan Hong
  • Patent number: 4488968
    Abstract: The treatment of wastewater with activated biomass to remove BOD and phosphorus values in a system in which the wastewater influent is initially mixed with recycled active biomass in an anaerobic zone and then subjected to aeration in an oxic zone, wherein the residence time of the mixed liquor in the oxic zone is reduced. At least part of the biomass-containing sludge separated from the mixed liquor subjected to further oxidation in a separate zone before admixture with the wastewater influent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Sun-Nan Hong, Marshall L. Spector
  • Patent number: 4271026
    Abstract: An improved method of operating an activated biomass process wherein influent and activated biomass are initially contacted under anaerobic conditions to form a mixed liquor, the mixed liquor is subsequently oxygenated, thereafter activated biomass is separated from the mixed liquor and at least a portion of the separated biomass is introduced into the initial contacting step. The improved method comprises maintaining both the F/M ratio and the BOD/P ratio within particular ranges, preferably relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1981
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Chen, Eugene J. Greskovich, Marshall L. Spector
  • Patent number: 4162153
    Abstract: An organic product material having a high nitrogen and phosphorous content is produced as the product of a biological system for the treatment of a BOD-containing influent which also contains phosphorous and fixed nitrogen. The biological treatment system comprises the reaction of a mixed liquor composed of an activated biomass and a BOD-containing influent initially under anaerobic conditions and thereafter treating such mixed liquor under oxic conditions. The treated material is then separated into a supernatant liquid in which the BOD is depleted and a dense, activated biomass. A portion of this biomass is employed in forming the mixed liquor for the initial anaerobic treatment, while the remaining portion of the biomass is recovered as product. The living biomass product can be used in the fermentation industries. Alternatively, the product can be used as such or further processed, e.g. dried, for employment as a fertilizer or a nutrient in animal feeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1979
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Marshall L. Spector
  • Patent number: 4056465
    Abstract: A modified activated sludge system is provided wherein BOD-containing wastewater and recycled sludge are initially admixed under anaerobic conditions in the substantial absence of oxygen or oxidizing agents and subsequently subjected to aeration and clarification. By the disclosed operation the selective production of non-bulking biomass is favored while effective removal of phosphates is obtained. By a further alternative modification, nitrates and nitrites are also removed by interposing an anoxic treating zone between the anaerobic zone and the aerating zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1977
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Marshall L. Spector
  • Patent number: 3994802
    Abstract: A multistage treatment is disclosed for the removal of carbonaceous BOD and nitrogenous pollutants from wastewaters, wherein the influent wastewater undergoes successive nitrification-denitrification in the presence of recycled activated sludge containing a mixed culture biomass comprising heterotrophic and autotrophic organisms. The initial mixing of the wastewater with recycled sludge is effected in the presence of sufficient oxygen to maintain oxic conditions. The mixed liquor from the initial oxic treatment, without intermediate separation of solids, is passed to an anoxic stage wherein nitrites and nitrates (NO.sub.x .sup.-, x = 2,3) formed by oxidation of ammonium compounds are reduced to nitrogen gas. Any number of oxic treating stages each followed by an anoxic stage may be employed. The final treating stage prior to solids separation from the mixed liquor may be either oxic or anoxic. The separated solids constitute the activated sludge recycled to at least the initial mixing stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1976
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremiah P. Casey, Marshall L. Spector
  • Patent number: RE32429
    Abstract: A modified activated sludge system is provided wherein BOD-containing wastewater and recycled sludge are initially admixed under anaerobic conditions in the substantial absence of oxygen or oxidizing agents and subsequently subjected to aeration and clarification. By the disclosed operation the selective production of non-bulking biomass is favored while effective removal of phosphates is obtained. By a further alternative modification, nitrates and nitrites are also removed by interposing an anoxic treating zone between the anaerobic zone and the aerating zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Marshall L. Spector