Patents by Inventor Prakash Balan

Prakash Balan 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: 20080073266
    Abstract: A continuous flow multistage aerobic wastewater sludge treatment system and process comprising at least two stages connected in series, each stage comprising one or more covered tanks, tank segments or compartments, each having an enclosed separate gas headspace, wherein the gas headspaces of each stage are connected in a specified sequence that may be identical to or different from the staging sequence followed by the sludge liquid. An oxygen containing gas stream, such as air or an oxygen enriched gas stream, is supplied to the headspace of each stage, and a means for aerating the sludge in one or more of the tanks, tank segments or compartments is provided to enhance the transfer of oxygen from the gas headspace into the sludge liquid for use by bacteria in digestion of the sludge. At least one stage of the sludge digestion system is operated at a thermophilic temperature above 50° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: John McWhirter, Prakash Balan, Bradley Swope
  • Publication number: 20080009657
    Abstract: A unique reactor configuration especially suitable for interphase mass transfer and mixing of multiple phases, i.e. gas(es), liquid(s), and solid(s) where reaction is catalyzed by a solid catalyst comprises a draught tube reactor wherein the solid catalyst particles are maintained in an annular space between the draught tube of the reactor and an annulus-defining wall by means of filter elements positioned downstream and optionally also upstream from the catalyst bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventor: Prakash Balan
  • Publication number: 20060070938
    Abstract: A continuous flow multistage aerobic wastewater sludge digestion system comprising at least two stages connected in series, each stage comprising one or more covered tanks, tank segments or compartments, each having an enclosed separate gas headspace, wherein the gas headspaces of each stage are connected in a specified sequence that may be identical to or different from the staging sequence followed by the sludge liquid. An oxygen containing gas stream, such as air or an oxygen enriched gas stream, is supplied to the headspace of each stage, and a means for aerating the sludge in one or more of the tanks, tank segments or compartments is provided to enhance the transfer of oxygen from the gas headspace into the sludge liquid for use by bacteria in digestion of the sludge. At least one stage of the sludge digestion system is operated at a thermophilic temperature above 50° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Inventors: John McWhirter, Prakash Balan, Bradley Swope
  • Patent number: 6376718
    Abstract: A catalytic dehydrogenation of alkylene glycol ether to ether ketone or aldehyde is disclosed. The dehydrogenation is performed with copper chromite catalyst and at least 5 wt % of water based on alkylene glycol ether. It has been found that the selectivity to formation of ether ketone or aldehyde increases with increasing the amount of water in the alkylene glycol ether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventor: Prakash Balan