Patents by Inventor Steven Lam
Steven Lam 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: 20190002306Abstract: Systems and methods related to desalination systems are described herein. According to some embodiments, the desalination systems are transiently operated and/or configured to facilitate transient operation. In some embodiments, a liquid stream comprising water and at least one dissolved salt is circulated through a fluidic circuit comprising a desalination system. In some embodiments, a portion of the desalination system (e.g., a humidifier) is configured to remove at least a portion of the water from the liquid stream to produce a concentrated brine stream enriched in the dissolved salt. In certain cases, the concentrated brine stream is recirculated through the fluidic circuit until the concentrated brine stream reaches a relatively high density (e.g., at least about 10 pounds per gallon) and/or a relatively high salinity (e.g., a total dissolved salt concentration of at least about 25 wt %).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2018Publication date: January 3, 2019Applicant: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Maximus G. St. John, Steven Lam, Mark Zaloudek, Karim M. Chehayeb, Samar Shah
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Patent number: 10167218Abstract: Water treatment systems and associated methods are generally described. Certain embodiments of the water treatment systems and methods described herein may be used to treat water comprising one or more contaminants (e.g., oil, grease, suspended solids, scale-forming ions, volatile organic material) to remove at least a portion of the one or more contaminants. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the treated water may be used directly in certain applications (e.g., oil and/or gas extraction processes). In some embodiments, at least a portion of the treated water may undergo desalination to produce substantially pure water and/or concentrated brine.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2016Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Maximus G. St. John, Steven Lam, Prakash Narayan Govindan
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Systems including an apparatus comprising both a humidification region and a dehumidification region
Patent number: 10143935Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to apparatuses that include a vessel comprising a humidification region (e.g., a bubble column humidification region) and a dehumidification region (e.g., a bubble column dehumidification region), and associated systems and methods. In certain embodiments, the apparatuses are configured to include various internal features, such as vapor distribution regions and/or liquid flow control weirs and/or baffles. In some cases, the apparatuses are used in water purification systems, such as desalination systems. The water purification systems may comprise additional devices external to the apparatuses, such as one or more heat exchangers, one or more heating devices, and/or one or more cooling devices.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2015Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John -
Patent number: 10144654Abstract: Selective scaling in water treatment systems in which desalination is performed is generally described. According to certain embodiments, the location of the formation of solid scale within a water treatment system is controlled by adjusting one or more system parameters, such as the temperature and/or flow velocity of a saline stream within the water treatment system.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2015Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John, Jonn-Ross Andrews
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Patent number: 10143936Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to apparatuses that include a vessel comprising a humidification region (e.g., a bubble column humidification region) and a dehumidification region (e.g., a bubble column dehumidification region), and associated systems and methods. In certain embodiments, the apparatuses are configured to include various internal features, such as vapor distribution regions and/or liquid flow control weirs and/or baffles. In some cases, the apparatuses are used in water purification systems, such as desalination systems. The water purification systems may comprise additional devices external to the apparatuses, such as one or more heat exchangers, one or more heating devices, and/or one or more cooling devices.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2015Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John
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Publication number: 20180327278Abstract: A feed liquid flows into a second-stage humidifier chamber to form a second-stage humidifier bath. A first remnant of the feed liquid from the second-stage humidifier chamber then flows into a first-stage humidifier chamber to form a first-stage humidifier bath having a temperature lower than that of the second-stage bath. A second remnant of the feed liquid is then removed from the first-stage humidifier. Meanwhile, a carrier gas is injected into and bubbled through the first-stage humidifier bath, collecting a vaporizable component in vapor form from the first remnant of the feed liquid to partially humidify the carrier gas. The partially humidified carrier gas is then bubbled through the second-stage humidifier bath, where the carrier gas collects more of the vaporizable component in vapor form from the feed liquid to further humidify the carrier gas before the humidified carrier gas is removed from the second-stage humidifier chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John, John H. Lienhard
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Patent number: 10053373Abstract: A feed liquid flows into a second-stage humidifier chamber to form a second-stage humidifier bath. A first remnant of the feed liquid from the second-stage humidifier chamber then flows into a first-stage humidifier chamber to form a first-stage humidifier bath having a temperature lower than that of the second-stage bath. A second remnant of the feed liquid is then removed from the first-stage humidifier. Meanwhile, a carrier gas is injected into and bubbled through the first-stage humidifier bath, collecting a vaporizable component in vapor form from the first remnant of the feed liquid to partially humidify the carrier gas. The partially humidified carrier gas is then bubbled through the second-stage humidifier bath, where the carrier gas collects more of the vaporizable component in vapor form from the feed liquid to further humidify the carrier gas before the humidified carrier gas is removed from the second-stage humidifier chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2015Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum and MineralsInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John, John H. Lienhard
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Patent number: 9981860Abstract: Systems and methods related to desalination systems are described herein. According to some embodiments, the desalination systems are transiently operated and/or configured to facilitate transient operation. In some embodiments, a liquid stream comprising water and at least one dissolved salt is circulated through a fluidic circuit comprising a desalination system. In some embodiments, a portion of the desalination system (e.g., a humidifier) is configured to remove at least a portion of the water from the liquid stream to produce a concentrated brine stream enriched in the dissolved salt. In certain cases, the concentrated brine stream is recirculated through the fluidic circuit until the concentrated brine stream reaches a relatively high density (e.g., at least about 10 pounds per gallon) and/or a relatively high salinity (e.g., a total dissolved salt concentration of at least about 25 wt %).Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2017Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Maximus G. St. John, Steven Lam, Mark Zaloudek, Karim M. Chehayeb, Samar Shah
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Patent number: 9969638Abstract: Water treatment systems and associated methods are generally described. Certain of the water treatment systems and methods described herein can be used to pre-treat an aqueous stream that is subsequently transported to a desalination apparatus and/or post-treat an aqueous stream that has been produced by a desalination apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2014Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John
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Patent number: 9957180Abstract: Cations that can precipitate from an aqueous composition to produce scaling are sequestered by adding a multi-dentate ligand to the aqueous composition. The multi-dentate ligand bonds with the cation to form a non-scaling ionic complex; and the aqueous solution with the ionic complex is used in a process that produces substantially pure water from the aqueous composition, where the cation, absent formation of the ionic complex, is subject to scaling. The pH of the aqueous composition (or a brine including components of the aqueous composition) is then reduced to release the cation from the multi-dentate ligand; and the multi-dentate ligand, after the cation is released, is then reused in a predominantly closed loop.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2017Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Windsor Sung, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John, John H. Lienhard, Mohammed Mirhi, Anurag Bajpayee
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Patent number: 9923245Abstract: Perfluoropolyether electrolytes terminated with polar substituents such as dimethylurethanes show enhanced ionic conductivities when formulated with lithium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide, making them useful as electrolytes for lithium cells.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Seeo, Inc.Inventors: Russell Clayton Pratt, Xiao-Liang Wang, Steven Lam, Hany Basam Eitouni
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Patent number: 9923236Abstract: Perfluoropolyether electrolytes terminated with polar substituents such as cyclic carbonates show enhanced ionic conductivities when formulated with lithium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide, making them useful as electrolytes for lithium cells.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Seeo, Inc.Inventors: Russell Clayton Pratt, Xiao-Liang Wang, Steven Lam, Hany Basam Eitouni
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Patent number: 9917329Abstract: Perfluoropolyether electrolytes have either one or two terminal nitrile groups and an alkali metal salt. The alkali metal salt can be a lithium salt, a sodium salt, a potassium salt, or a cesium salt. The salt can make up between 5 and 30 wt % of the electrolyte composition. Such electrolytes have shown high ionic conductivities, making them useful as lithium cell electrolytes.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2016Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Seeo, Inc.Inventors: Jin Yang, Kulandaivelu Sivanandan, Xiao-Liang Wang, Hany Basam Eitouni, Steven Lam
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Patent number: 9893337Abstract: Electrode assemblies for use in electrochemical cells are provided. The negative electrode assembly includes negative electrode active material and an electrolyte chosen specifically for its useful properties in the negative electrode. Such properties include reductive stability and ability to accommodate expansion and contraction of the negative electrode active material. Similarly, the positive electrode assembly includes positive electrode active material and an electrolyte chosen specifically for its useful properties in the positive electrode. These properties include oxidative stability and the ability to prevent dissolution of transition metals used in the positive electrode active material. A third electrolyte can be used as separator between the negative electrode and the positive electrode. A cell is constructed with a cathode that includes a fluorinated electrolyte which does not penetrate into the solid-state polymer electrolyte separator between it and the lithium-based anode.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2015Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Seeo, Inc.Inventors: Russell Clayton Pratt, Hany Basam Eitouni, Xiao-Liang Wang, Steven Lam, Kulandaivelu Sivanandan, Jonathan C. Pistorino, Jin Yang
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Publication number: 20170334736Abstract: Embodiments described generally relate to systems comprising a humidifier (e.g., a bubble column humidifier) and a heating device (e.g. a heat exchanger), and associated methods. In certain embodiments, the heating device heats a first liquid stream comprising a condensable fluid in liquid phase (e.g., water) and a dissolved salt (e.g., NaCl) to a relatively low temperature (e.g., about 90° C. or less) prior to the first liquid stream entering the humidifier through a main humidifier liquid inlet. In some cases, the system comprising the humidifier and the heating device requires only low-grade heat to operate, which may be advantageous due to the low cost and high availability of such heat.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2016Publication date: November 23, 2017Applicant: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Steven Lam, Conor Thomas Wilson, Maximus G. St. John, Prakash Narayan Govindan
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Publication number: 20170334737Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to humidification-dehumidification desalination systems, including apparatuses that include a vessel comprising a humidification region (e.g., a bubble column humidification region) and a dehumidification region (e.g., a bubble column dehumidification region), mobile humidification-dehumidification (HDH) desalination systems (e.g., systems having a relatively low height and/or a relatively small footprint), and associated systems and methods. Certain embodiments generally relate to methods of operating, controlling, and/or cleaning desalination systems comprising a plurality of desalination units (e.g., HDH desalination units).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2017Publication date: November 23, 2017Applicant: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Maximus G. St. John, Steven Lam
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Publication number: 20170331155Abstract: Perfluoropolyether electrolytes have either one or two terminal nitrile groups and an alkali metal salt. The alkali metal salt can be a lithium salt, a sodium salt, a potassium salt, or a cesium salt. The salt can make up between 5 and 30 wt % of the electrolyte composition. Such electrolytes have shown high ionic conductivities, making them useful as lithium cell electrolytes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2016Publication date: November 16, 2017Inventors: Jin Yang, Kulandaivelu Sivanandan, Xiao-Liang Wang, Hany Basam Eitouni, Steven Lam
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Patent number: 9790102Abstract: A feed liquid flows into a second-stage humidifier chamber to form a second-stage humidifier bath. A first remnant of the feed liquid from the second-stage humidifier chamber then flows into a first-stage humidifier chamber to form a first-stage humidifier bath having a temperature lower than that of the second-stage bath. A second remnant of the feed liquid is then removed from the first-stage humidifier. Meanwhile, a carrier gas is injected into and bubbled through the first-stage humidifier bath, collecting a vaporizable component in vapor form from the first remnant of the feed liquid to partially humidify the carrier gas. The partially humidified carrier gas is then bubbled through the second-stage humidifier bath, where the carrier gas collects more of the vaporizable component in vapor form from the feed liquid to further humidify the carrier gas before the humidified carrier gas is removed from the second-stage humidifier chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2015Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum and MineralsInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John, John H. Lienhard
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Publication number: 20170203977Abstract: Systems and methods related to desalination systems are described herein. According to some embodiments, the desalination systems are transiently operated and/or configured to facilitate transient operation. In some embodiments, a liquid stream comprising water and at least one dissolved salt is circulated through a fluidic circuit comprising a desalination system. In some embodiments, a portion of the desalination system (e.g., a humidifier) is configured to remove at least a portion of the water from the liquid stream to produce a concentrated brine stream enriched in the dissolved salt. In certain cases, the concentrated brine stream is recirculated through the fluidic circuit until the concentrated brine stream reaches a relatively high density (e.g., at least about 10 pounds per gallon) and/or a relatively high salinity (e.g., a total dissolved salt concentration of at least about 25 wt %).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2017Publication date: July 20, 2017Applicant: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Maximus G. St. John, Steven Lam, Mark Zaloudek, Karim M. Chehayeb, Samar Shah
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Patent number: 9700811Abstract: Condensing apparatuses and their use in various heat and mass exchange systems are generally described. The condensing apparatuses, such as bubble column condensers, may employ a heat exchanger positioned external to the condensing vessel to remove heat from a bubble column condenser outlet stream to produce a heat exchanger outlet stream. In certain cases, the condensing apparatus may also include a cooling device positioned external to the vessel configured and positioned to remove heat from the heat exchanger outlet stream to produce a cooling device outlet stream. The condensing apparatus may be configured to include various internal features, such as a vapor distribution region and/or a plurality of liquid flow control weirs and/or chambers within the apparatus having an aspect ratio of at least 1.5. A condensing apparatus may be coupled with a humidifier to form part of a desalination system, in certain cases.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2015Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Gradiant CorporationInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John