Patents by Inventor Merle Kroeker
Merle Kroeker 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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Publication number: 20240002268Abstract: The reduction of only the soluble fraction of organic matter prior to SND systems enhances nitrification rates while still providing residual particulate and colloidal organic matter to sustain denitrification in SND systems. Surprisingly, by increasing the amount of soluble organic matter reduced by conversion to biomass or microbial product and decreasing the amount of soluble organic matter reduced by oxidation to carbon dioxide prior to SND zones will still enhance nitrification rates while providing even more particulate and colloidal organic matter to improve denitrification in the SND zones.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Tanner Devlin, Merle Kroeker, Martin Hildebrand
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Patent number: 11319228Abstract: Described herein are attached growth reactor systems which increase nitrifying bacteria biomass through a variety of means during warm weather. As a consequence, the attached growth reactor system contains sufficient nitrifying bacteria biomass to remove ammonia from wastewater in cold to moderate climates. In one example, there are two attached growth reactors into which wastewater is distributed discontinuously. Specifically, wastewater is transferred to the first attached growth reactor for a first period of time and then is transferred to the second attached growth reactor for a second period of time during warm weather which effectively doubles the nitrifying bacteria biomass in the system. During cold weather, wastewater can be applied to the reactors according to their increased nitrifying bacteria biomass, that is, according to their increased capacity to treat influent wastewater compared to standard operations.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2019Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: NexomInventors: Martin Hildebrand, Merle Kroeker, Tanner Devlin
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Patent number: 11299414Abstract: Described herein are attached growth reactor systems which increase nitrifying bacteria biomass through a variety of means during warm weather. As a consequence, the attached growth reactor system contains sufficient nitrifying bacteria biomass to remove ammonia from wastewater in cold to moderate climates. In one example, there are two attached growth reactors into which wastewater is distributed discontinuously. Specifically, wastewater is transferred to the first attached growth reactor for a first period of time and then is transferred to the second attached growth reactor for a second period of time during warm weather which effectively doubles the nitrifying bacteria biomass in the system. During cold weather, approximately half of the wastewater is applied to each reactor simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2019Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: NexomInventors: Martin Hildebrand, Merle Kroeker
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Publication number: 20200039857Abstract: Described herein are attached growth reactor systems which increase nitrifying bacteria biomass through a variety of means during warm weather. As a consequence, the attached growth reactor system contains sufficient nitrifying bacteria biomass to remove ammonia from wastewater in cold to moderate climates. In one example, there are two attached growth reactors into which wastewater is distributed discontinuously. Specifically, wastewater is transferred to the first attached growth reactor for a first period of time and then is transferred to the second attached growth reactor for a second period of time during warm weather which effectively doubles the nitrifying bacteria biomass in the system. During cold weather, approximately half of the wastewater is applied to each reactor simultaneously.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Inventors: Martin Hildebrand, Merle Kroeker
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Publication number: 20200000540Abstract: Described herein are attached growth reactor systems which increase nitrifying bacteria biomass through a variety of means during warm weather. As a consequence, the attached growth reactor system contains sufficient nitrifying bacteria biomass to remove ammonia from wastewater in cold to moderate climates. In one example, there are two attached growth reactors into which wastewater is distributed discontinuously. Specifically, wastewater is transferred to the first attached growth reactor for a first period of time and then is transferred to the second attached growth reactor for a second period of time during warm weather which effectively doubles the nitrifying bacteria biomass in the system. During cold weather, wastewater can be applied to the reactors according to their increased nitrifying bacteria biomass, that is, according to their increased capacity to treat influent wastewater compared to standard operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2019Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: Martin Hildebrand, Merle Kroeker, Tanner Devlin
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Patent number: 10421680Abstract: Described herein are attached growth reactor systems which increase nitrifying bacteria biomass through a variety of means during warm weather. As a consequence, the attached growth reactor system contains sufficient nitrifying bacteria biomass to remove ammonia from wastewater in cold to moderate climates. In one example, there are two attached growth reactors into which wastewater is distributed discontinuously. Specifically, wastewater is transferred to the first attached growth reactor for a first period of time and then is transferred to the second attached growth reactor for a second period of time during warm weather which effectively doubles the nitrifying bacteria biomass in the system. During cold weather, approximately half of the wastewater is applied to each reactor simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2018Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: NexomInventors: Martin Hildebrand, Merle Kroeker
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Publication number: 20180273408Abstract: Described herein is a wastewater treatment process comprising an anoxic zone upstream of an attached growth reactor wherein a portion of nitrified waste from the attached growth reactor is recycled to a point in the treatment process that is upstream of at least part of the anoxic zone rather than being released from the system. As a result, the influent wastewater and the recycled effluent mix together and are nitrified and denitrified as they progress through the waste treatment system. The key aspect of this process is that the nitrate-rich, effluent water is returned to the anoxic reactor for (additional) denitrification of the wastewater.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2017Publication date: September 27, 2018Inventors: Martin Hildebrand, Merle Kroeker
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Publication number: 20180263720Abstract: Described herein are attached growth reactor systems which increase nitrifying bacteria biomass through a variety of means during warm weather. As a consequence, the attached growth reactor system contains sufficient nitrifying bacteria biomass to remove ammonia from wastewater in cold to moderate climates. In one example, there are two attached growth reactors into which wastewater is distributed discontinuously. Specifically, wastewater is transferred to the first attached growth reactor for a first period of time and then is transferred to the second attached growth reactor for a second period of time during warm weather which effectively doubles the nitrifying bacteria biomass in the system. During cold weather, approximately half of the wastewater is applied to each reactor simultaneously.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2018Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventors: Martin Hildebrand, Merle Kroeker
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Patent number: 10000397Abstract: Described herein are attached growth reactor systems which increase nitrifying bacteria biomass through a variety of means during warm weather. As a consequence, the attached growth reactor system contains sufficient nitrifying bacteria biomass to remove ammonia from wastewater in cold to moderate climates. In one example, there are two attached growth reactors into which wastewater is distributed discontinuously. Specifically, wastewater is transferred to the first attached growth reactor for a first period of time and then is transferred to the second attached growth reactor for a second period of time during warm weather which effectively doubles the nitrifying bacteria biomass in the system. During cold weather, approximately half of the wastewater is applied to each reactor simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2017Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Inventors: Martin Hildebrand, Merle Kroeker
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Publication number: 20180099888Abstract: Described herein are attached growth reactor systems which increase nitrifying bacteria biomass through a variety of means during warm weather. As a consequence, the attached growth reactor system contains sufficient nitrifying bacteria biomass to remove ammonia from wastewater in cold to moderate climates. In one example, there are two attached growth reactors into which wastewater is distributed discontinuously. Specifically, wastewater is transferred to the first attached growth reactor for a first period of time and then is transferred to the second attached growth reactor for a second period of time during warm weather which effectively doubles the nitrifying bacteria biomass in the system. During cold weather, approximately half of the wastewater is applied to each reactor simultaneously.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2017Publication date: April 12, 2018Inventors: Martin Hildebrand, Merle Kroeker
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Publication number: 20170022079Abstract: Described herein is an anoxic submerged attached growth reactor which provides for removal of nitrate from wastewater as well as the process and/or method for using the reactor. Denitrifying bacterial grow on a support media within the reactor, and remove the nitrates from the wastewater. The reaction is carried out under anoxic conditions without agitation. Excess denitrifying bacterial release from the support media and collect at the bottom of the reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Martin Hildebrand, Merle Kroeker, Byron Heppner
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Patent number: 8505885Abstract: A diffuser for oxygenation of aqueous media comprises a manifold connectable to a source of pressurized oxygen-containing gas and having a plurality of outlet ports communicating a hollow interior of the manifold with an exterior thereof. A plurality of flexible microporous tubular membranes each have a coupled end secured to the manifold at a respective one of the outlet ports thereof to communicate an internal passage of the tubular membrane with the hollow interior of the manifold. An elongated rod extends along each tubular membrane within the internal passage thereof to maintain a length of the tubular membrane in an orientation projecting outward from the manifold with the free end of the tubular membrane further outward from the manifold than any other portion of the tubular membrane. The rods prevent curling of the tubular membranes over time when the diffuser is submerged in a liquid medium for use.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2010Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Inventors: Martin Hildebrand, Merle Kroeker, Byron Heppner
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Patent number: 8083944Abstract: Described herein is a Submerged Attached Growth Reactor (SAGR) which provides nitrification (ammonia removal) from wastewater in cold to moderate climates. The system described herein is novel in that the SAGR reactor includes more than one influent distribution point. Specifically, in addition to the first influent distribution point at the front end of the reactor, there is provided at least one additional distribution point(s) downstream of this first distribution point for introduction of influent into the reactor. As a result of this arrangement, when a second low carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD), high nitrogen influent is distributed into the reactor at a location downstream of the initial influent entry point, a second (or more) population of bacteria (mainly nitrifying bacteria) is established and/or maintained in a physically discrete part of the overall treatment reactor.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2011Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Nelson Environmental IncInventors: Martin Hildebrand, Merle Kroeker, Byron Heppner
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Publication number: 20110285037Abstract: A diffuser for oxygenation of aqueous media comprises a manifold connectable to a source of pressurized oxygen-containing gas and having a plurality of outlet ports communicating a hollow interior of the manifold with an exterior thereof. A plurality of flexible microporous tubular membranes each have a coupled end secured to the manifold at a respective one of the outlet ports thereof to communicate an internal passage of the tubular membrane with the hollow interior of the manifold. An elongated rod extends along each tubular membrane within the internal passage thereof to maintain a length of the tubular membrane in an orientation projecting outward from the manifold with the free end of the tubular membrane further outward from the manifold than any other portion of the tubular membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2010Publication date: November 24, 2011Inventors: Martin Hildebrand, Merle Kroeker, Byron Heppner
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Publication number: 20110174731Abstract: Described herein is a Submerged Attached Growth Reactor (SAGR) which provides nitrification (ammonia removal) from wastewater in cold to moderate climates. The system described herein is novel in that the SAGR reactor includes more than one influent distribution point. Specifically, in addition to the first influent distribution point at the front end of the reactor, there is provided at least one additional distribution point(s) downstream of this first distribution point for introduction of influent into the reactor. As a result of this arrangement, when a second low carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD), high nitrogen influent is distributed into the reactor at a location downstream of the initial influent entry point, a second (or more) population of bacteria (mainly nitrifying bacteria) is established and/or maintained in a physically discrete part of the overall treatment reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2011Publication date: July 21, 2011Inventors: Martin Hildebrand, Merle Kroeker, Byron Heppner
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Patent number: D872224Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2018Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Nexom Inc.Inventors: Martin Hildebrand, Merle Kroeker, Stephen A. Smith