Gaseous Blast Or Current Patents (Class 159/16.1)
  • Patent number: 12022855
    Abstract: A juicer combines a juice extracting arrangement for providing extracted juice and a centrifuge unit for separating a juice component of the extracted juice from a foam component of the extracted juice. An output gate of the centrifuge unit allows the passage of the juice component to an outlet. In this way, the outlet has reduced (or eliminated) foam content, which is appreciated by users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Juergen Holzbauer, Christian Mikula, Thomas Otti
  • Patent number: 11897786
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein includes apparatus and a method for enhancing the evaporation rate of leachate from leachate evaporator ponds. The HIAP apparatus and method promotes enhances evaporation by providing heat from high powered industrial heat lamps that direct heated air and heat energy across the air/leachate liquid interface of the evaporator pond surface to increase the evaporation rate of leachate from the evaporator pond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Custom Environmental Consulting LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Palutis
  • Patent number: 11767234
    Abstract: A method for obtaining pure drinking water from dewatered biological products is described. The process is carried out in a hermetic dewatering chamber isolated from the ambient atmosphere and in parallel with a process during which dried products are placed on drying trays. All the process parameters, such as temperature, humidity, and appropriate pressure inside the chamber, are controlled. The vapor generated during the product dewatering process, released from the products, is continuously removed from the dewatering chamber through the upper opening, exits through the outflow channel, and enters through the condenser. The process of obtaining clean drinking water is carried out outside the chamber and is conducted in several stages: vapor passes through disinfectant grids, vapor flows to a condenser cooled with ice water, and the vapor condenses on densely arranged lamellas. The condensate is then pumped to a discharge tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Inventor: Jan Wicherski
  • Patent number: 11754337
    Abstract: Provided is a reliquefaction device with which a gas gasified from a liquid can be efficiently reliquefied. A plurality of flow passages include: a mixing flow passage which is connected to the downstream end section of one among a liquid flow passage and a gas flow passage and allows a fluid mixture to flow so that a reliquefaction promoting liquid flowing through the liquid flow passage and a reliquefaction target gas flowing through the gas flow passage are mixed and the reliquefaction of the reliquefaction target gas is promoted by direct heat exchange; and a gas cooling flow passage which allows a coolant to flow and cool the reliquefaction target gas by indirect heat exchange with the reliquefaction target gas through a separation wall, thereby suppressing the gasification of the reliquefaction promoting liquid when the reliquefaction target gas is mixed with the reliquefaction promoting liquid flowing through the liquid flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Noishiki
  • Patent number: 11577178
    Abstract: The present invention relates to evaporation apparatus (100) comprising manifolds provided with at least one nozzle (102), a tank unit (103) for a liquid, and a sample holder configured to be inserted into the tank unit. The sample holder is configured to hold at least one sample in a defined position relative the at least one nozzle a control unit (104) an inlet port (105) configured to be connected to a gas supply, a pressure regulator (106) arranged downstream the inlet port (105). A set value of the pressure regulator (106) is controlled by the control unit (104), a control valve (107) arranged downstream the pressure regulator (106), wherein each of the at least one manifold (101a-d) is connected to a corresponding output port of the control valve. The control valve is controlled by the control unit (104), and the control unit is configured to set the set value of the pressure regulator to a value that causes a predetermined gas flow from each of the at least one nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Biotage AB
    Inventors: Adam Faris, Johan Asplund, Olof Eriksson
  • Patent number: 11180400
    Abstract: A multi-effect energy-saving apparatus for pollution control and utilization of petrochemical water, has a multi-effect treatment device, a post-treatment device, a first loading head, a second loading head, and a third loading head, by combined assembly of devices, the apparatus is simple to disassemble and easy to clean, meanwhile due to the controllable addition of treating agent by using a multi-effect regulator, a fluid outlet connecting member and other components, it is energy-saving and multi-effective, and has excellent treatment effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Inventors: Xiaojun Niu, Zhang Lin, Dehao Li, Lihua Cheng, Hong Deng, Xingyao Ye, Xiuying Wang, Heng Liu, Huilin Li, Yu Wang
  • Patent number: 11046896
    Abstract: A process for cleansing a liquid of volatile contaminants can be accomplished by cross flowing a liquid through a contactor vessel. As the liquid cross flows through the horizontal contactor vessel, a radial flow pattern is induced in the liquid and the liquid is contacted with a cleansing gas. As the liquid moves through the contactor vessel, contaminants enter the cleansing cross current gas percolating through the liquid. The cross current gas may then be collected and cleansed of the contaminants it collected. The cleaned cleansing gas may then be recycled back into the contactor vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Falkiner, Ashok Uppal, Luke J. Kariparampil, Vincent A. Brunet, Alain D. Fomo
  • Patent number: 10904968
    Abstract: There is disclosed a desalinization apparatus, and methods related to desalinization. In an embodiment, a desalinization apparatus includes at least one port for receiving airflow therethrough, at least one port for receiving salt water therethrough, at least one output for providing outflow of pure water vapor, and at least one output for proving outflow of a mixture of water, salt and air; and a plurality of chambers for evaporating the salt water into the airflow, at least one of the chambers forming a plurality of ports arranged in a plurality of rows. In an embodiment, a method includes providing airflow to a desalinization apparatus; providing salt water to the desalinization apparatus; forming a vortex in the airflow to evaporate water vapor from the salt water; and providing the water vapor in the airflow to a condenser so as to obtain pure water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: LyteSyde, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce E. Nadeau, Jr., Kelly P. Rock
  • Patent number: 10850211
    Abstract: The invention refers to a microfluidic process water analyzer (10) comprising an analyzer sample inlet (52), an optical sensor unit (40) for determination of an optical parameter of a liquid sample, a reagent tank (20; 201, 202, 203) being arranged fluidically upstream of the optical sensor unit (40) and comprising a liquid reagent (21), a waste tank (30; 301, 302, 303) arranged fluidically downstream of the optical sensor unit (40), an evaporation arrangement (32) comprising an evaporation chamber (33) arranged fluidically downstream of the optical sensor unit (40), the evaporation chamber (33) being actively vented with a drying gas pumped from a gas source (60) to the evaporation chamber (33). The evaporation arrangement allows to significantly reduce the volume of waste liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: HACH LANGE GMBH
    Inventors: Rolf Uthemann, Markus Lenhard
  • Patent number: 10828682
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems, methods and apparatuses for an immersion and spray rinsing system comprising a tank with improved cleanliness of the parts between immersion and spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Hardwood Line Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Anton Ernest Lazaro
  • Patent number: 10793452
    Abstract: A process for recovering solid waste from produced water in an oil sands system utilizing a fluidized bed, comprising: transferring an amount of produced water into a solution tank, producing an enriched salt solution in the solution tank, transferring the enriched salt solution using at least one spray nozzle into a fluidized bed of a fluidized bed spray granulator, heating the fluidized bed with a gas, growing granules within the fluidized bed through evaporative drying of salt from the enriched salt solution, extracting the granules from the fluidized bed spray granulator to produce a granulator product, separating at least a portion of the granulator product into at least two fractions, and removing at least a portion of at least one of the at least two fractions from the system as solid waste brine product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Andritz Separation Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Robert Frohlich, Marcus Hauptmann, Paul Bernhard Kroehl
  • Patent number: 10697169
    Abstract: A modular system for reducing the total suspended solids of waste, including scum, sludge and water layers, includes a plurality of chambers each being connected in succession by a corresponding one of a plurality of flow pipe segments including an inlet segment, an outlet segment and at least one middle segment, wherein the waste enters the septic tank via the inlet segment and is transferred between each of the plurality of chambers via the at least one middle segment; a corrugated flow pipe in fluid flow communication with the outlet segment; and the corrugated flow pipe being sized and configured for use as a settling zone for removal of a portion of the total suspended solids and wherein an amount of water from the water layer within the chamber adjacent the outlet segment enters the corrugated flow pipe and passes through the outlet segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Inventor: Robert L. Baker
  • Patent number: 10584042
    Abstract: A humidification-dehumidification water purification system and method is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of evaporator/condenser units and heat exchanger, preferably a solar collector. Contaminated water flows through successive condenser stages to the heat exchanger, and from there through successive evaporator stages. A flow of air is directed through successive evaporator stages in the direction opposite to the flow of water, where it is humidified by water vapor evaporating from the water. The humidified air passes through the successive condenser stages, where it is cooled, thereby condensing pure water and dehumidifying the air. The pure water is extracted from the system, and the dehumidified air can be recirculated through the system. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the evaporator/condenser units are stacked beneath the solar collector, and the system is fully portable and modular and can be either land- or water borne.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: T.S.D. DESALINATION LTD
    Inventors: Ziev Yosef Emmerich, Moshe Tshuva, Joshua Altman
  • Patent number: 10569244
    Abstract: A spray drying process and apparatus for drying a spray dryable liquid composition to a spray dried powder is described, in which the spray dryable liquid composition contains no carrier. The spray dryable liquid composition is processed at a solids concentration not exceeding 80% by weight, based on total weight of the spray dryable liquid composition, being atomized to generate an atomized spray of liquid particles of the spray dryable liquid composition into a spray drying chamber, in which the atomized spray is contacted with a stream of drying fluid flowed at temperature not exceeding 100° C. into the spray drying chamber, to form the spray dried powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: ZoomEssence, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Pershing Beetz, Jason Andrew Beetz, Daniel Michael Schlipf, Jason Zhixin Li
  • Patent number: 10569316
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for two-stage treatment of contaminated particulate material, such as soil, sediment, and/or sludge. The methods and systems utilize a thermal desorption process combined with a smoldering combustion process. The contaminated particulate material is first exposed to thermal desorption at high temperatures (e.g., greater than 150° C.) to form a heated contaminated particulate material. Next, a smoldering combustion process is initiated by introducing a combustion-supporting gas. The combined process can take place in the same or different treatment units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory P. Rockwell, Sean M. Mercer
  • Patent number: 10492339
    Abstract: A method of providing cooling air for cooling data centre IT equipment, an evaporative humidifier and an air handling unit is disclosed. The method comprises operating an evaporative humidifier (201) to humidify air for supply as IT equipment cooling air, the evaporative humidifier preferably comprising a deformable wettable matrix (207). Preferably, the method comprises steps of wetting the deformable wettable matrix (207), passing air through the wetted matrix (207) thus producing humidified air, and expelling water from the wettable matrix (207) by subjecting the wettable matrix to compressive deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Bripco BVBA
    Inventors: Paul Rogers, Neil Crow, Lucian Hicks
  • Patent number: 10421030
    Abstract: The system and methods described are directed to a distillation system and method having an evaporator tank with a wall surrounding an interior evaporator tank area. A non-oxidizing gas line is disposed at least partially outside the evaporator tank in communication with the interior evaporator tank area, wherein the non-oxidizing gas line introduces a non-oxidizing gas into the interior evaporator tank; the interior evaporator tank area is generally at or above an ambient atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Inventor: David Bradley Boylan
  • Patent number: 10081583
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a stripping method capable of recovering, by an environmentally friendly method, a high-purity ester-based compound without concern over the oxidation of an ester-based compound from a mixture containing the ester-based compound. The stripping method has advantages of generating no wastewater, enabling equipment costs to be reduced by simplifying the process, removing concern over the oxidation of an ester-based compound during the process, and enabling the reuse of the components recovered in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: HANWHA CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ki Taeg Jung, Hyo Suk Kim, Young Jo Kim, Kyong Jun Yoon, Kee Do Han
  • Patent number: 10065869
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a container for removing antimicrobials from an antimicrobial composition includes a container body having an exterior and an interior. The interior is at least partially filled with carbon granules configured to remove a portion of the antimicrobials in the antimicrobial composition. The interior is further filled with a liquid to at least a level that completely submerges each of the carbon granules. The container further includes an agitator configured to agitate at least a portion of the carbon granules. The container further includes a drain and a drainage valve. The location of the drainage valve is configured to prevent the drainage valve from lowering a current level of the liquid below the level that completely submerges each of the carbon granules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Safe Foods Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Massey, Tim Yeaman
  • Patent number: 10047320
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recovering crude tall oil from a soap which method comprises the steps of: determining a correlation between the crude tall oil content and the water content of the soap, determining an amount of acid and water needed in order to separate an optimal amount of crude tall oil from the soap dependent on the crude tall oil content of the soap, measuring the water content of the soap, adding the optimal amount of acid and water to the soap, mixing the added acid and water with the soap whereby an acidulated soap is formed and the crude tall oil is separated and recovering the separated crude tall oil from the acidulated soap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Tiia Finer, Olli Timonen
  • Patent number: 10017408
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, problems related to produced water management are addressed. The proposed produced water evaporation system incorporates several simple components in a closed system to achieve a safe and effective produced water reduction alternative that can be efficient and sustainable on active natural gas well pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: EQT IP Ventures, LLC
    Inventors: Jide Famuagun, Matthew G. Fox
  • Patent number: 10000401
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, problems related to produced water management are addressed. The proposed produced water evaporation system incorporates several simple components in a closed system to achieve a safe and effective produced water reduction alternative that can be efficient and sustainable on active natural gas well pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: EQT IP Ventures, LLC
    Inventors: Jide Famuagun, Matthew G. Fox
  • Patent number: 9975124
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided relating to evaporation of solvents from samples and to prolonging the time taken to carry out an evaporation procedure. A cap for engaging with an open end of a sample container comprises an engaging surface for engaging with the open end, and a body portion which extends over the open end. The body portion is preformed to define an opening which provides a fluid pathway between the open end of the container and the surroundings of the container, such that the cap impedes vapor flow from a sample in the container to the surroundings of the container. A holder for receiving a plurality of such caps is also provided and a method of evaporating a solvent from a sample in a sample container is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Genevac Limited
    Inventors: Symon Rose, Robert Hugh Douglas Darrington, John Michael Poole, Graham Broadbent, Donald Roger Lee-Smith, Richard John Smith
  • Patent number: 9944753
    Abstract: A continuous process for the manufacture of a polyamide, the process comprising the steps of: (i) flowing a stream A comprising a molten dicarboxylic acid, or a molten dicarboxylic acid-rich mixture comprising a dicarboxylic acid and a diamine, through a first stage and at least one more reaction stage of a vertical multistage reactor, wherein the first stage is at the top of the reactor; (ii) counter-currently flowing a stream B comprising a diamine as either a vapor or a diamine-rich liquid through at least one of the stages below the first reaction stage of said vertical multistage reactor; (iii) accumulating a liquid phase material P comprising polyamide at and/or below the final stage of said reactor; wherein said reactor is equipped with internal features suitable for effecting contact between counter-currently flowing streams A and B; and wherein said process further comprises the step of agitating said liquid phase material P by injecting a gaseous stream C comprising steam, or at least one inert gas,
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: INVISTA NORTH AMERICA S.A R.L.
    Inventors: Ernest Keith Marchildon, Karen A. Surgenor, Bryan D. Kaushiva
  • Patent number: 9908791
    Abstract: The steam condensation and water distillation system including a first part having an evaporation compartment in which water received from a water source is evaporated and which has a vacuum environment and a first column in which high density water is accumulated; a steam line passing through the evaporation compartment; a condensation pool; a second part having a condensation compartment in which the steam is transferred and which has a vacuum environment, a second column to receive distilled water formed by the condensation of the steam, and a distilled water compartment positioned in the condensation compartment and having clean water; a first distilled water line in connection with the distilled water compartment and the second column; and a second distilled water line by which distilled water is transferred for utilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: HSE HITIT SOLAR ENERJI SIRKETI
    Inventor: Rahmi Oguz Capan
  • Patent number: 9889450
    Abstract: A powder classification apparatus (10; 110; 210) includes a first chamber (12; 112; 212) that includes a fluidized bed and has an inlet (16; 116; 216A) and an outlet (18; 118; 218), the inlet (16; 116; 216A) configured to receive a gas (G) and distribute the gas (G) in a uniform flow through the first chamber (12; 112; 212), the first chamber (12; 112; 212) configured to receive a powder (P) and the gas (G) and create a fluidization zone, the outlet (18; 118; 218) configured to allow at least a portion of the powder (P) to exit the first chamber (12; 112; 212); and a second chamber (14; 114; 214) having a powder inlet (24; 124; 224) configured to accept at least a portion of the powder (P) from the outlet (18; 118; 218) in the first chamber (12; 112; 212) caused by at least a portion of the powder (P) being ejected from the first chamber (12; 112; 212) by the gas (G).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ying She, Aaron T. Nardi, Michael A. Klecka
  • Patent number: 9737844
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for adsorbing water using a sealable housing containing a water adsorbing material and a heat pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: AIRWATERGREEN AB
    Inventors: Per Dahlback, Jonas Wamstad, Fredrik Edstrom
  • Patent number: 9738572
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for selective hydrogenation of olefins are provided. The method for selective hydrogenation of olefins comprises reacting a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock comprising olefins and aromatic compounds with hydrogen in a reaction zone. The reaction contains a catalyst producing a reaction zone product stream comprising aromatic compounds. The reaction zone product stream is passed to a flash vessel, recovering a first product stream and a second product stream from the flash vessel. The first product stream is passed to a liquid jet eductor, whereas the second product stream comprising aromatic compounds having a reduced concentration of olefins is subsequently recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Priyesh Jayendrakumar Jani, Soumendra Mohan Banerjee, David W. Ablin
  • Patent number: 9539521
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reprocessing aircraft de-icing agents comprising glycol, in which (1) the used aircraft de-icing agent, which is possibly contaminated with runway de-icing agents, is collected in a suitable device, (2) the used aircraft de-icing agent collected in this manner is subsequently brought to a glycol content of between 50 and 75% by weight without or after only course prior separation of solid or suspended impurities by expelling water (3) and the concentrate obtained in this manner is separated into a water/glycol mixture and residue by means of a thin-film evaporator, and (4) the water/glycol mixture is collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: CLARIANT INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventor: Achim Stankowiak
  • Patent number: 9429317
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for evaporating a liquid and incinerating pollutants present in the resulting vapor. The system includes a chamber for containing a liquid, a floatable pan in the chamber with at least one opening to allow a portion of the liquid to enter into a basin of the pan, a heating element at least partially sumergeable in the liquid in the basin of the pan for evaporating the liquid, and a blowing burner to incinerate pollutants present in the evaporated liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Inventors: Edward Stock, James Stock
  • Patent number: 9291345
    Abstract: A method for operating a continuous flow steam generator with an evaporator heating surface is provided. A target value for a supply water mass flow is fed to a device for adjusting the supply water mass flow. In order to improve the quality of a predictive supply water or mass flow control and to maintain the enthalpy of the flow medium at the evaporator outlet particularly stable especially when load changes occur, a correction factor is taken into consideration during production of the target value for the supply water mass flow. The correction factor is a characteristic of the temporal derivative of enthalpy or the density of the flow medium at the input of one or more heating surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Jan Brückner, Joachim Franke, Frank Thomas
  • Patent number: 9200805
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to recover heat from and cool flue gases. As shown in FIG. 1, a condenser 10 is provided having two packed beds (20/26) and separate condensate loops. The condensate loops are configured such that first packed bed 20 maximizes heat recovery from flue gas 12 and second packed bed 26 maximizes cooling of flue gas 12. Temperature differences between entry flue gas 12 and recovered condensate 38 are minimized while temperatures differences between exit flue gas 34 and return condensate 54 is also minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Wuyin Wang, Stefan Ahman
  • Patent number: 9089797
    Abstract: A method of delivering feed, for example a paraffinic solvent treated bitumen froth, to a separation vessel, for example a froth separation unit (FSU). The feed is delivered from one or more side inlets that may be substantially normal to, and flush with, the wall of the vessel. In contrast to certain conventional feed systems used in gravity separators which use a distributor plate to widely distribute the feed with a vessel, the feed is delivered such that it flows down the inside wall of the vessel. This feed delivery is characterized by a Richardson number of greater than 1.0. Such feed delivery is particularly useful where the feed has particles with a bi-modal size distribution to be separated from an overflow stream. The gentle flow serves to mitigate the upward flux of the smaller particles, for example mineral solids, by being trapped below the larger particles, for example precipitated asphaltene aggregates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Clay R. Sutton, Ken N. Sury, Darwin Edward Kiel, John Khai-Quang Diep
  • Publication number: 20140262054
    Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLC
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Patent number: 8833738
    Abstract: A desalination system in the form of a submerged gas evaporator that includes a vessel, a gas delivery tube partially disposed within the vessel to deliver a gas into the vessel and a fluid inlet that provides a fluid to the vessel at a rate sufficient to maintain a controlled constant level of fluid within the vessel. During operation, gas introduced through the tube mixes with the fluid and the combined gas and fluid flow at a high rate with a high degree of turbulence, thereby promoting vigorous mixing and intimate contact between the gas and the fluid, which leads to a more efficient and complete evaporation. Additionally, vapor exiting the submerged gas evaporator is condensed in a condensing unit thus precipitating vapor into a liquid for removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Heartland Technology Partners LLC
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Michael J. Rutsch
  • Patent number: 8808497
    Abstract: A reservoir evaporation system for evaporating fluid from an open reservoir of effluent containing a contaminant includes a fluid evaporator, an air pump, and an air supply conduit functionally connecting the fluid evaporator with the air pump. The fluid evaporator includes a vessel adapted to be positioned in an operative position partially submerged on the top surface of the effluent in the reservoir with a lower chamber submerged in the effluent and an upper chamber extending above the top surface of the effluent. In operation, air from the air pump mixes with the effluent inside the fluid evaporator and subsequently is discharged through exhaust openings. A fluid discharge pipe can also simultaneously discharge aerated effluent back down into the reservoir. Fluid is thereby separated from the effluent in the lower chamber by evaporation in a controlled manner that minimizes spread of contaminants to surrounding environments by wind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Heartland Technology Partners LLC
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Publication number: 20140216033
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and/or apparatuses for treating wastewater produced at a thermoelectric power plant, other industrial plants, and/or other industrial sources are disclosed. The wastewater is directed through a wastewater concentrator including a direct contact adiabatic concentration system. A stream of hot feed gases is directed through the wastewater concentrator. The wastewater concentrator mixes the hot feed gases directly with the wastewater and evaporates water vapor from the wastewater. The wastewater concentrator separates the water vapor from remaining concentrated wastewater. A contained air-water interface liquid evaporator may be arranged to pre-process the wastewater before being treated by the wastewater concentrator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLC
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Craig Clerkin
  • Patent number: 8715461
    Abstract: A system and method for preparation of meat flavorants, and flavorants, having increased flavor and aromatic intensity and which more closely resemble the natural flavor and aroma of cooked meat. Preheated edible, food grade oils and fats are exposed to temperatures between 290° C. and 475° C. under vacuum, in the presence of oxygen. The developing flavor vapors are immediately and completely removed from the heated oils and fats. The mixture of air-purge/flavor-vapor is immediately carried away from the heat transfer surface of the edible oil or fat. An evaporator, preferably a spinning disc, spinning band or thin film evaporator, without a condenser is used as process equipment. The air-purged flavor-vapors are diffused and absorbed in an absorption device into suitable food-grade liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Activ International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jurgen D. Scheide, John M. Stefanicha
  • Patent number: 8696870
    Abstract: Device for desalinating sea water comprising a unit (10) for spraying sea water in the form of droplets, a unit (20) for vaporizing the droplets into steam, a unit (30) for separating steam from salt particles, and a unit (40) for condensing steam into fresh water. The spraying unit comprises a sea water entry (12), an ambient-temperature dry air entry (14), and a device for generating acoustic waves at a frequency greater than 1 MHz focused by means of nozzles (17) receiving the sea water coming from the sea water entry so as to obtain microdroplets having a diameter comprised between about 2.5 microns and about 5 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventors: Charles Pallanca, Henri Renggli, Gil Ching
  • Patent number: 8691056
    Abstract: A system and method for separating a fluid mixture is provided which employ vacuum distillation apparatus, and optionally, gas-handling apparatus operable to introduce a gas into the liquid mixture prior to being dispersed within the vacuum distillation apparatus. The liquid mixture is dispersed within the vacuum distillation apparatus as micro-sized droplets. When used, the gas that has been introduced into the liquid mixture is rapidly liberated from the micro-sized droplets thereby causing the droplets to break into still smaller droplets thereby maximizing the vaporization of the more volatile components in the liquid mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Distillation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sam J. Burton, Dick Burton
  • Publication number: 20140084154
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing gaseous sample ions/molecules from liquid droplets containing sample ions/molecules. The apparatus has a chamber having one or more walls which define an interior of the chamber, the chamber being configured to receive liquid droplets containing sample ions/molecules. The apparatus also has a gas flow producing means configured to produce a flow of gas within the chamber for promoting evaporation of liquid droplets in the chamber to provide gaseous sample ions/molecules. The apparatus is configured such that the flow of gas produced within the chamber inhibits liquid droplets in the chamber from coming into contact with the one or more walls of the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventors: Alexander Bazhenov, Sergey Valer'evich Bulovich, Roger Giles
  • Patent number: 8679291
    Abstract: A process for concentrating wastewater includes combining heated gas and liquid wastewater to form a mixture of heated gas and entrained liquid wastewater, breaking the entrained liquid wastewater into fine entrained liquid wastewater droplets, transferring heat from the heated gas to the entrained liquid wastewater to partially evaporate the entrained liquid wastewater, and removing a portion of the fine entrained liquid wastewater droplets from the mixture to provide a demisted gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Heartland Technology Partners LLC
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Publication number: 20140053988
    Abstract: Provided is a gas-blowing vaporizing and drying device, which includes: a sample tube in the form of a double tube including an inner tube for a solution and an outer tube for a gas, the inner tube protruding from one end of the outer tube by length L; and a collection container including a container body and a lid provided with a protrusion sleeve tube, the protrusion sleeve tube including a coupling portion at an end to be located outside the container body and a sleeve portion of a length equal to or longer than L having an open end to be located inside the container body, the coupling portion being designed to be coupled to the aforementioned one end of the outer tube in an air-tight manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20140014277
    Abstract: The wastewater evaporator provides for effluent evaporation in a septic system to eliminate need for a drain field. The evaporator tank contains a plurality of evaporator trays in a vertical array. Solids settle in the septic tank, and liquid effluent flows from the septic tank to the evaporator tank and cascades sequentially from the uppermost to the lowermost tray. The multiple trays increase the surface area of liquid contained therein, thereby greatly enhancing evaporation. An above-surface air pump and vent may be provided for air flow through the evaporator tank. An ultrasonic generator may be installed in each tray to increase the surface area of the effluent to enhance evaporation. An additional intermediate pump tank may be provided between the septic tank and the evaporator tank to control effluent flow and delivery to the evaporator tank. A sump pump in the pump tank periodically delivers effluent to the evaporator tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: GRETCHEN B. CLARK, TIMOTHY C. REYNOLDS
  • Patent number: 8623174
    Abstract: A liquid evaporation system for evaporating clean water from a reservoir of wastewater includes a liquid evaporator to evaporate and separate water vapor from the wastewater in a confined space, an air blower to supply air to the liquid evaporator, and a wastewater heating system arranged to collect heat to heat the wastewater in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Heartland Technology Partners LLC
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Craig Clerkin
  • Patent number: 8585869
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and/or apparatuses for treating wastewater produced at a thermoelectric power plant, other industrial plants, and/or other industrial sources are disclosed. The wastewater is directed through a wastewater concentrator including a direct contact adiabatic concentration system. A stream of hot feed gases is directed through the wastewater concentrator. The wastewater concentrator mixes the hot feed gases directly with the wastewater and evaporates water vapor from the wastewater. The wastewater concentrator separates the water vapor from remaining concentrated wastewater. A contained air-water interface liquid evaporator may be arranged to pre-process the wastewater before being treated by the wastewater concentrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Heartland Technology Partners LLC
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Craig Clerkin
  • Publication number: 20130299099
    Abstract: The present invention provides a target substance transfer method, a crystal production method, a composition production method, and a target substance transfer device, which allow the concentration of a target substance to be increased easily and effectively. The target substance transfer method is a method for transferring a target substance 103 from a first phase 101 that is a liquid or solid phase containing the target substance 103 to a second phase 102 including: a phase approximation step of bringing the first phase 101 and the second phase 102 into close proximity; and a bubble collapse step of forming bubbles in the vicinity of a boundary between the first phase 101 and the second phase 102 and then causing the bubbles to collapse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: OSAKA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yusuke Mori, Tsuyoshi Inoue, Kazufumi Takano, Hiroyoshi Matsumura, Hiroaki Adachi, Shigeru Sugiyama, Ryota Murai, Masateru Kurata, Hiroshi Yoshikawa, Mihoko Hirao, Satoshi Nakayama, Yoshinori Takahashi, Satoshi Murakami
  • Publication number: 20130248122
    Abstract: A reservoir evaporation system for evaporating fluid from an open reservoir of effluent containing a contaminant includes a fluid evaporator, an air pump, and an air supply conduit functionally connecting the fluid evaporator with the air pump. The fluid evaporator includes a vessel adapted to be positioned in an operative position partially submerged on the top surface of the effluent in the reservoir with a lower chamber submerged in the effluent and an upper chamber extending above the top surface of the effluent. In operation, air from the air pump mixes with the effluent inside the fluid evaporator and subsequently is discharged through exhaust openings. A fluid discharge pipe can also simultaneously discharge aerated effluent back down into the reservoir. Fluid is thereby separated from the effluent in the lower chamber by evaporation in a controlled manner that minimizes spread of contaminants to surrounding environments by wind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLC
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Patent number: 8460509
    Abstract: A fluid evaporation system includes a housing bounding a fluid reservoir and an air flow path that is disposed over top of the fluid reservoir. The housing has an inlet opening and a spaced apart outlet opening that both provide communication between the outside environment and the air flow path. A fan is positioned to draw the air out of the air flow path through the outlet opening. A baffle projects into the air flow path at a location between inlet opening and the outlet opening so as to constrict the area of the air flow path thereat. A plurality of spray nozzles are positioned within air flow path between the baffle and the first end of the housing. A pump is configured to draw fluid from the reservoir and deliver it to the plurality of spray nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Total Water Management, LLC
    Inventors: Janos I. Lakatos, Edward Clay Slade, Clayton R. Carter
  • Patent number: 8430993
    Abstract: A fluid evaporation system includes a housing bounding a fluid reservoir and an air flow path that is disposed over top of the fluid reservoir. The housing has an inlet opening and a spaced apart outlet opening that both provide communication between the outside environment and the air flow path. A fan is positioned to draw the air out of the air flow path through the outlet opening. A baffle projects into the air flow path at a location between inlet opening and the outlet opening so as to constrict the area of the air flow path thereat. A plurality of spray nozzles are positioned within air flow path between the baffle and the first end of the housing. A pump is configured to draw fluid from the reservoir and deliver it to the plurality of spray nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Total Water Management, LLC
    Inventors: Janos I. Lakatos, Edward Clay Slade, Clayton R. Carter