Patents by Inventor Michael L. Fraim

Michael L. Fraim 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: 20230406731
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that can include an electrolytic cell and reactor chamber with an upstream ultrasonic cleaning system of the cell for the treatment contaminated water, which can include industrial wastewater containing high concentrations of inorganic compounds and elements. The contaminated water can optionally be effluent from open pit ponds and subterranean mining, produced water from oil and gas activities (upstream, midstream and downstream), ash ponds from the utilities industry, red mud ponds from aluminum production among many industries that produce industrial wastewater with heavy inorganic material concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: Mainfraim Industries LLC
    Inventors: Michael L. Fraim, Jean-Marc D. Grindatto
  • Patent number: 8999173
    Abstract: An electrochlorination and electrochemical system for the on-site generation and treatment of municipal water supplies and other reservoirs of water, by using a custom mixed oxidant and mixed reductant generating system for the enhanced destruction of water borne contaminants by creating custom oxidation-reduction-reactant chemistries with real time monitoring. A range of chemical precursors are provided that when acted upon in an electrochemical cell either create an enhanced oxidation, or reduction environment for the destruction or control of contaminants. Chemical agents that can be used to control standard water quality parameters such as total hardness, total alkalinity, pH, total dissolved solids, and the like are introduced via the chemical precursor injection subsystem infrequently or in real time based on sensor inputs and controller set points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Global Water Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: David T. Schwartzel, Michael L. Fraim
  • Publication number: 20120247719
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for transferring heat energy between a heat exchanging subsystem installed above the surface of the Earth, and material beneath the surface of the Earth, by installing one or more coaxial-flow heat exchanging structures in the material beneath the surface of the Earth. Each coaxial-flow heat exchanging structure has inner and out flow channels along which aqueous-based heat transfer fluid is circulated. Turbulence is generated in the aqueous-based heat transfer fluid flowing along the outer flow channel, to increase the rate of heat energy transfer between the aqueous-based heat transfer fluid and material beneath the surface of the Earth along the length of the outer flow channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: John E Kidwell, Michael L. Fraim
  • Publication number: 20120211210
    Abstract: An coaxial-flow heat exchanging structure having a proximal end and a distal end for exchanging heat between a source of fluid at a first temperature and the environment (e.g. air, ground, water, slurry etc.) at a second temperature. The coaxial-flow heat transfer structure comprises: a thermally conductive outer tube section, and an inner tube section having an inner flow channel and being coaxially arranged within the outer tube section. An outer flow channel is formed between the inner and outer tube sections, and helically-extending turbulence generator is provided along the outer flow channel, so as to create turbulence along the flow of heat exchanging fluid flowing between the inner and outer flow channels, and thereby increasing the heat transfer through the walls of the outer tube section to the ambient environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: KELIX HEAT TRANSFER SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Kidwell, Michael L. Fraim
  • Patent number: 8161759
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for transferring heat energy between a heat exchanging subsystem installed above the surface of the Earth, and material beneath the surface of the Earth, by installing one or more coaxial-flow heat exchanging structures in the material beneath the surface of the Earth. Each coaxial-flow heat exchanging structure has inner and out flow channels along which aqueous-based heat transfer fluid is circulated. Turbulence is generated in the aqueous-based heat transfer fluid flowing along the outer flow channel, to increase the rate of heat energy transfer between the aqueous-based heat transfer fluid and material beneath the surface of the Earth along the length of the outer flow channel. This in turn increases the rate of heat energy transfer between the heat exchanging subsystem installed above the surface of the Earth and material beneath the surface of the Earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Kelix Heat Transfer Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Kidwell, Michael L. Fraim
  • Publication number: 20110259547
    Abstract: A thermally-regulated building structure including a foundation for supporting the thermally-regulated building structure on the surface of the Earth, and one or more coaxial-flow heat exchanging structures installed in the Earth, for facilitating the transfer of heat energy between (i) an heat energy exchanging system maintained within the thermally-regulated building structure and (ii) the Earth environment. Each coaxial-flow heat exchanging structure includes an inner tube section being substantially straight and having an outer wall surface extending between the proximal and distal ends, and a thermally conductive outer tube section, disposed coaxially around the inner tube section, and having an inner wall surface extending between the proximal and distal ends. An outer flow channel is provided between the outer wall surface of the inner tube section and the inner wall surface of the outer tube section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: John E. Kidwell, Michael L. Fraim
  • Publication number: 20110024361
    Abstract: An electrochlorination and electrochemical system for the on-site generation and treatment of municipal water supplies and other reservoirs of water, by using a custom mixed oxidant and mixed reductant generating system for the enhanced destruction of water borne contaminants by creating custom oxidation-reduction-reactant chemistries with real time monitoring. A range of chemical precursors are provided that when acted upon in an electrochemical cell either create an enhanced oxidation, or reduction environment for the destruction or control of contaminants. Chemical agents that can be used to control standard water quality parameters such as total hardness, total alkalinity, pH, total dissolved solids, and the like are introduced via the chemical precursor injection subsystem infrequently or in real time based on sensor inputs and controller set points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: David T. Schwartzel, Michael L. Fraim
  • Publication number: 20090250200
    Abstract: An coaxial-flow heat exchanging structure having a proximal end and a distal end for exchanging heat between a source of fluid at a first temperature and the environment (e.g. air, ground, water, slurry etc.) at a second temperature. The coaxial-flow heat transfer structure comprises: a thermally conductive outer tube section, and an inner tube section having an inner flow channel and being coaxially arranged within the outer tube section. An outer flow channel is formed between the inner and outer tube sections, and helically-extending turbulence generator is provided along the outer flow channel, so as to create turbulence along the flow of heat exchanging fluid flowing between the inner and outer flow channels, and thereby increasing the heat transfer through the walls of the outer tube section to the ambient environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: John E. Kidwell, Michael L. Fraim
  • Publication number: 20080210402
    Abstract: A method of transferring heat energy between a heat exchanging subsystem installed above the surface of the Earth, and material beneath the surface of the Earth, by installing one or more coaxial-flow heat exchanging structures in the material beneath the surface of the Earth. Each coaxial-flow heat exchanging structure has inner and out flow channels along which aqueous-based heat transfer fluid is circulated. Turbulance is generated in the aqueous-based heat transfer fluid flowing along the outer flow channel, to increase the rate of heat energy transfer between the aqueous-based heat transfer fluid and material beneath the surface of the Earth along the length of the outer flow channel. This in turn increases the rate of heat energy transfer between the heat exchanging subsystem installed above the surface of the Earth and material beneath the surface of the Earth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: John E. Kidwell, Michael L. Fraim
  • Publication number: 20080209933
    Abstract: An coaxial-flow-flow heat exchanging structure having a proximal end and a distal end for exchanging heat between a source of fluid at a first temperature and the environment (e.g. ground, water, slurry) at a second temperature. The coaxial-flow-flow heat exchanging structure comprises a thermally-conductive flowguide tube having a hollow conduit extending from said proximal end to said distal end. A helically-finned tubing is disposed within the hollow conduit of said thermally-conductive flowguide tube, and has a central conduit for conducting a heat exchanging fluid, from said proximal end, along the central conduit towards the distal end, and returning back to the proximal end along a spiral annular flow channel formed between the thermally-conductive flowguide tube and the helically-finned tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: John E. Kidwell, Michael L. Fraim
  • Publication number: 20080196859
    Abstract: A method of transferring heat energy between a heat exchanging subsystem installed above the surface of the Earth, and material beneath the surface of the Earth, by installing one or more coaxial-flow heat exchanging structures in the material beneath the surface of the Earth. Each coaxial-flow heat exchanging structure has inner and out flow channels along which aqueous-based heat transfer fluid is circulated. Turbulence is generated in the aqueous-based heat transfer fluid flowing along the outer flow channel, thereby improving the transfer of heat energy between the aqueous-based heat transfer fluid and material beneath the surface of the Earth along the length of the outer flow channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: John E. Kidwell, Michael L. Fraim
  • Publication number: 20080185135
    Abstract: A natural gas dehydration and condensate separation system facilitating the transfer of heat energy between a heat energy exchanging subsystem in said system and the Earth. One or more coaxial-flow heat exchanging structures are installed in the Earth, for facilitating the transfer of heat energy in a natural gas stream between (i) the heat energy exchanging subsystem and (ii) the Earth. Each said coaxial-flow heat exchanging structure includes an inner tube section having an outer wall surface extending between the proximal and distal ends, and a thermally conductive outer tube section, disposed coaxially around the inner tube section, and having an inner wall surface extending between the proximal and distal ends. An outer flow channel is provided between the outer wall surface of the inner tube section and the inner wall surface of the outer tube section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: John E. Kidwell, Michael L. Fraim
  • Publication number: 20080185122
    Abstract: A thermally-regulated building structure including a foundation for supporting the thermally-regulated building structure on the surface of the Earth, and one or more coaxial-flow heat exchanging structures installed in the Earth, for facilitating the transfer of heat energy between (i) an heat energy exchanging system maintained within the thermally-regulated building structure and (ii) the Earth. Each said coaxial-flow heat exchanging structure includes an inner tube section having an outer wall surface extending between the proximal and distal ends, and a thermally conductive outer tube section, disposed coaxially around the inner tube section, and having an inner wall surface extending between the proximal and distal ends. An outer flow channel is provided between the outer wall surface of the inner tube section and the inner wall surface of the outer tube section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: John E. Kidwell, Michael L. Fraim
  • Publication number: 20080148758
    Abstract: A heat exchanging system facilitating the transfer of heat energy between (i) a heat energy exchanging subsystem employed in the system, and (ii) the ambient environment. One or more coaxial-flow heat exchanging structures are installed in the ambient environment, for facilitating the transfer of heat energy in a heat conducting stream between (i) the heat energy exchanging subsystem and (ii) the ambient environment. Each said coaxial-flow heat exchanging structure includes an inner tube section having an outer wall surface extending between the proximal and distal ends, and a thermally conductive outer tube section, disposed coaxially around the inner tube section, and having an inner wall surface extending between the proximal and distal ends. An outer flow channel is provided between the outer wall surface of the inner tube section and the inner wall surface of the outer tube section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: John E. Kidwell, Michael L. Fraim
  • Patent number: 7377122
    Abstract: The coaxial-flow heat exchanging structures installed in the Earth, for facilitating the transfer of heat energy in the aqueous-based heat transfer fluid, between the aqueous-based heat transfer fluid and material beneath the surface of the Earth. Each coaxial-flow heat exchanging structure includes an inner tube section, a thermally conductive outer tube section, and outer flow channel between the inner tube section and the outer tube section. A turbulence generating structure is disposed along a portion of the length of the outer flow channel so as to introduce turbulence into the flow of the aqueous-based heat transfer fluid flowing along the outer flow channel, while its cross-sectional characteristics produce fluid flows therealong having optimal vortex characteristics that optimize heat transfer with the Earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Kelix Heat Transfer Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Kidwell, Michael L. Fraim
  • Patent number: 7373785
    Abstract: A geothermal heat exchanging system including a heat exchanging subsystem installed above the surface of Earth, and one or more coaxial-flow heat exchanging structures installed in the Earth. The coaxial-flow heat exchanging structures installed in the Earth, facilitate the transfer of heat energy in the aqueous-based heat transfer fluid, between the aqueous-based heat transfer fluid and material beneath the surface of the Earth. Each coaxial-flow heat exchanging structure includes an inner tube section, a thermally conductive outer tube section, and outer flow channel between the inner tube section and the outer tube section. A turbulence generating structure is disposed along a portion of the length of the outer flow channel so as to introduce turbulence into the flow of the aqueous-based heat transfer fluid flowing along the outer flow channel, thereby improving the transfer of heat energy between the aqueous-based heat transfer fluid and the Earth along the length of the outer flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Kelix Heat Transfer Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Kidwell, Michael L. Fraim
  • Patent number: 7370488
    Abstract: A geothermal heat exchanging system including a heat exchanging subsystem installed above the surface of Earth, and one or more coaxial-flow heat exchanging structures installed in the Earth. The coaxial-flow heat exchanging structures installed in the Earth, facilitate the transfer of heat energy in the aqueous-based heat transfer fluid, between the aqueous-based heat transfer fluid and material beneath the surface of the Earth. Each coaxial-flow heat exchanging structure includes an inner tube section, a thermally conductive outer tube section, and outer flow channel between the inner tube section and the outer tube section. A turbulence generating structure is disposed along a portion of the length of the outer flow channel so as to introduce turbulence into the flow of the aqueous-based heat transfer fluid flowing along the outer flow channel, thereby improving the transfer of heat energy between the aqueous-based heat transfer fluid and the Earth along the length of the outer flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Kelix Heat Transfer Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Kidwell, Michael L. Fraim
  • Patent number: 7363769
    Abstract: An electromagnetic signal transmission/reception tower and accompanying base station housing sensitive electronic equipment within an environment that is thermally controlled by a system employing a plurality of coaxial-flow heat exchanging structures installed in a plurality of well bores, using thermally conductive material. Each coaxial-flow heat exchanging structure includes: a helically-extending turbulence generator arranged along the outer flow channel formed between its inner and outer tube sections, so as to create turbulence along the flow of heat exchanging fluid flowing along the outer flow channel, and thereby increasing the heat transfer through the walls of the outer tube section to the Earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Kelix Heat Transfer Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Kidwell, Michael L. Fraim
  • Patent number: 7347059
    Abstract: A coaxial-flow heat transfer system for installation in a geological environment and facilitating the transfer of heat energy between an external heat energy producing system and the geological environment. In the coaxial-flow heat transfer system, aqueous-based heat transfer fluid is pumped through the external heat energy exchanging system so as to transfer heat between the aqueous-based heat transfer fluid and the external heat energy exchanging system. The coaxial-flow heat transfer system comprises a coaxial-flow heat transfer structure for installation within the geological environment and having a proximal end and a distal end for exchanging heat between a source of fluid at a first temperature and a geological environment at a second temperature. The coaxial-flow heat transfer structure comprises a thermally conductive outer tube section, and an inner tube section having an inner flow channel and being coaxially arranged within the outer tube section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Kelix Heat Transfer Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Kidwell, Michael L. Fraime
  • Patent number: 7343753
    Abstract: A coaxial-flow heat transfer system installed in a geological environment and facilitating the transfer of heat energy between an external heat energy exchanging system and the geological environment. The coaxial-flow heat transfer system includes aqueous-based heat transfer fluid that is pumped through the external heat energy exchanging system so as to transfer heat between the aqueous-based heat transfer fluid and the external heat energy exchanging system. A coaxial-flow heat transfer structure is installed within the geological environment and has a proximal end and a distal end for exchanging heat between the source of aqueous-based heat transfer fluid at a first temperature and a geological environment at a second temperature. The coaxial-flow heat transfer structure comprises a thermally conductive outer tube section, and an inner tube section having an inner flow channel and being coaxially arranged within the outer tube section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Kelix Heat Transfer Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Kidwell, Michael L. Fraime