Spray Forming And Filming Patents (Class 202/236)
  • Patent number: 11872553
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a processing device includes a heated internal wall and a rotating rod positioned within an interior space formed by the heated internal wall. The rotating rod may be hollow and act as an internal heat exchanger. The processing device also includes a plurality of baffles spaced apart from one another along the rotating rod and extending away from the rotating rod towards the heated internal wall. The processing device also includes at least one wiper or roller coupled to an edge of at least one of the plurality of baffles or porous, packed basket, coupled to the rotating rod and that contacts the heated internal wall while rotating together with the rotating rod. In another embodiment, a processing device may be used to adsorb reactive gases into a liquid phase while heat is exchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Wiley Organics, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Wiley, Paul V. Wiley, Matthew J. Farber
  • Patent number: 10472258
    Abstract: A carrier gas is directed through a humidification chamber in a humidifier, where the carrier gas flow is directly contacted with a feed liquid to humidify the carrier gas with water evaporated from the feed liquid, producing a humidified gas flow. The humidified gas flow is then compressed in a compressor and then directed through a dehumidification chamber in a dehumidifier, where the compressed humidified gas flow is dehumidified to condense water from the compressed humidified gas flow. The dehumidified gas flow is then expanded in an expander, wherein the expansion of the dehumidified gas flow generates motion (e.g., rotation of a shaft), and wherein the motion generated in the expander is transferred to the compressor, where the motion compresses the humidified gas flow. Heat is also removed from the expanded dehumidified gas flow and transferred to compressed dehumidified gas flow upstream from the expander.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Amro Al-Qutub, Prakash Narayan Govindan, John H. Lienhard
  • Patent number: 9994505
    Abstract: A process of isolating 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BDO) from a fermentation broth includes separating a liquid fraction enriched in 1,4-BDO from a solid fraction comprising cells, removing water from said liquid fraction, removing salts from said liquid fraction, and purifying 1,4-BDO. A process for producing 1,4-BDO includes culturing a 1,4-BDO-producing microorganism in a fermentor for a sufficient period of time to produce 1,4-BDO. The 1,4-BDO-producing microorganism includes a microorganism having a 1,4-BDO pathway having one or more exogenous genes encoding a 1,4-BDO pathway enzyme and/or one or more gene disruptions. The process for producing 1,4-BDO further includes isolating 1,4-BDO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Genomatica, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren Clark, Michael Japs, Mark J. Burk
  • Patent number: 9382132
    Abstract: A solar distillation device and method of constructing same are disclosed. The device employs a fluid flow surface for controlling the thickness of a flowing, laminar fluid (i.e., seawater in preferred embodiments) film. The fluid is deposited on an upper end of the flow surface where a relatively thick layer forms. The fluid flows over a fluid dispersal region and then over an active region where the surface area is designed to control the fluid film thickness for maximum evaporation. An outer domed surface surrounds the fluid flow surface and may enhance the heating effect from the sun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Inventors: Charles David Gilliam, Stefanie Renee Gilliam
  • Patent number: 9273912
    Abstract: A heat dissipation device for electronic controllers, is provided and includes a housing that has a hollow portion into which a working fluid for heat transfer and dissipation is filled. The housing of the electronic controller is formed to have the hollow portion using the material containing the heat-conductive filler and the heat transfer working fluid is filled in the hollow portion, to improve the cooling efficiency and achieving the weight reduction. By forming the condensation unit that condenses the vaporized working fluid in the upper end portion relative to the working fluid filled in the hollow portion of the housing, the heat exchange effect of the working fluid may be maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jin Woo Kwak, Kyong Hwa Song, Gyung Bok Kim, In Chang Chu
  • Patent number: 9205349
    Abstract: A liquid processing system is able to purify liquid such as water using an electromagnetic heater. The system, in one embodiment, includes a main boiler, a bottom boiler, a heating element, and a heating coil. The main boiler is structured to have a cylindrical shape and is configured to separate purified liquid from incoming liquid. The bottom boiler, configured to couple to the main boiler, holds at least a portion of incoming liquid for purification process. While the heating coil, which is situated adjacent to the heating element, is able to generate a magnetic field in accordance with an electrical current, the heating element produces heat needed for purification process in response to the magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Waterpointe-Global LLC
    Inventors: Joseph W. Kaminski, Charles J. Borg, Dariush Golpira
  • Patent number: 9186597
    Abstract: A method of assembly of an evaporation assembly module. The evaporation assembly module comprises an evaporation element, a pipe having at least one fluid outlet and configured for wetting at least a portion of the evaporation element by passing fluid through the fluid outlet, and a support structure configured for holding the evaporation element in a suspended position. The method includes connecting the pipe to the evaporation element and subsequently suspending the pipe and the connected evaporation element to the support structure, in a suspended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: LESICO TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventor: Efraim Ramon
  • Publication number: 20150112088
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing high purity anhydrosugar alcohols using hydrogenated sugar, and more specifically, to a method for preparing high purity anhydrosugar alcohols (particularly, isosorbide, isomannide, isoidide, and the like) with a purity of 97.5% or higher (more preferably, 98.5% or higher) and a pH of a distillate of 3.7 or higher (more preferably, 4.0 or higher) in a distillation yield of 87% or higher (more preferably, 90% or higher) by adding an acid to hexitol so as to convert the same into anhydrosugar alcohols, and single-stage distilling the converted product by using an internal condenser type thin film evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: SAMYANG GENEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Do Hyun Kyung, Young Jae Jung, Jin Kyung Kim, Hoon Ryu
  • Patent number: 9005393
    Abstract: A method of operating an evaporator is described. In evaporator feed water, a Taylor bubble is developed which has an outer surface including a thin film in contact with an inner surface of an outer wall of an evaporator tube. The Taylor bubble is heated as it rises within the evaporator tube so that liquid in the thin film transitions into vapor within the bubble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Kingston Owens
  • Patent number: 8986508
    Abstract: A thermal desalination system adapted to produce distilled water from feed water which may be sea water, based on a forward feed evaporator made up of a main water feed line, a vapor feed line, a distilled water main line and any number of effect groups. The effect groups include any number of effects which in turn include vapor inlets, water inflow lines, concentrate outflow lines that drain into a common concentrate drainage line, a vapor and water outlet in fluid communication with the distilled water main line, and heat transfer means that condense part of an inlet vapor to produce the distilled water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: I.D.E. Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Avraham Ophir, Joseph Weinberg
  • Patent number: 8974643
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purifying a liquid comprising liquid particles and residual particles. It is hereby possible to generate substantially pure water from, for instance seawater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: High Voltage Water B.V.
    Inventors: Sybrand Jacob Metz, Gerrit Oudakker, Johannes Cornelis Maria Marijnissen
  • Publication number: 20140367244
    Abstract: A reactor comprising a vessel; a fluid dispensing system having a plurality of ports arranged lengthwise along the inner surface of the vessel to distribute the fluid thereon in a controlled manner to maintain substantially uniform thin film flow along the length of the inner surface; and an outlet for removing vapor. A system comprising a fluid source; a first vessel; a heat exchanger for preheating the fluid; a first pathway for directing a preheating fluid from the first vessel to the heat exchanger; and a second pathway for directing preheated fluid toward the first vessel for processing. A method comprising introducing a fluid; distributing the fluid in a controlled manner to form a substantially uniform thin film flow an inner surface of a vessel; evaporating fluid; and removing vapor. A method comprising introducing a fluid; processing the fluid; directing processed fluid into another vessel; and further processing the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Roshan J.J. Jachuck
  • Patent number: 8871062
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for controlling the thickness of a flowing, laminar fluid film. The film flow may be gravity-induced or the result of an alternative force. The fluid is deposited on an upper end of a flow surface where a relatively thick layer of the film forms. The film flows over a fluid dispersal region where the surface area is rapidly expanding, which results in rapid thinning of the film thickness. The fluid then flows over an active region where the surface area is designed to control the fluid film thickness. For example, in some applications, it may be desirable to maintain an approximately constant film thickness as the fluid flows over the active region of the surface. The geometry of the flow surface is used to obtain the desired control over the fluid film thickness. The flow surface is the outer surface of a solid with a closed upper end and a lower end that may be open or closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventors: Charles David Gilliam, Stefanie Renee Gilliam
  • Patent number: 8858758
    Abstract: A distiller including an evaporator having at least one evaporation surface for evaporating liquid into vapor. At least one movable liquid applicator assembly has a wiper applicator which can move over the at least one evaporation surface, for wiping and applying a thin even film of the liquid on the at least one evaporation surface for evaporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Aquaback Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Zebuhr
  • Patent number: 8815049
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing high purity distillate in evaporators is useful for evaporation of waters where volatile silica or organic compounds are encountered such as in production of hydrocarbons from geological formations. An evaporator having a contaminant reduction system is provided. The contaminant reduction system includes an upflow first mist eliminator portion to remove entrained liquid droplets and produce an intermediate purity water vapor stream. A continuous spray system provides a spray of dilute caustic solution in a selected spray configuration for mass transfer contact with the passing intermediate purity water vapor stream, to remove volatile silica compounds therefrom, and produce a partially decontaminated steam stream having mist particles therein. An upflow second mist eliminator portion is provided to remove the residual mist particles, and produce a high purity water vapor stream. The high purity water vapor stream is condensed to provide a high purity distillate stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William F. Heins, Gregg L. Wilson
  • Patent number: 8771478
    Abstract: A modular distillation apparatus including at least one heat exchanger that preheats contaminated liquids: a heater that heats the contaminated liquid from the heat exchanger; an evaporator condenser adapted o boil the contaminated liquid coming out of the heater to produce water vapor and contaminant concentrate, and condenser the water vapor into distilled water; a vacuum chamber capable of operating at below atmospheric pressure, the vacuum chamber housing the evaporator condenser and including at least one partition to separate the distilled water from the contaminate concentrate; a vapor compressor operably associated with the vacuum chamber to receive water vapor from the evaporator condenser in the vacuum chamber and pump the water vapor at pressure back through the evaporator condenser, wherein the heat exchanger recovers sensible heat from outgoing condensed distilled water and contaminant concentrate recycled from the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Equus Environmental Ltd.
    Inventor: Dudley Edgar James Ward
  • Patent number: 8741100
    Abstract: A liquid concentrator having an evaporator assembly and a cyclonic separator includes features designed to improve the performance of the liquid concentrator. A settling chamber is separated from a sump of the cyclonic separator. A liquid inlet opening into a mixing chamber of the evaporator injects wastewater at low pressures. Features to aid in the cleaning of the liquid concentrator include easy open doors and clean water injection ports for cleaning interior portions of the liquid concentrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Heartland Technology Partners LLC
    Inventor: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8741101
    Abstract: A liquid concentrator having an evaporator assembly and a cyclonic separator includes features designed to improve the performance of the liquid concentrator. A settling chamber is separated from a sump of the cyclonic separator. A liquid inlet opening into a mixing chamber of the evaporator injects wastewater at low pressures. Features to aid in the cleaning of the liquid concentrator include easy open doors and clean water injection ports for cleaning interior portions of the liquid concentrator. In one feature a settling tank is disposed below the cyclonic separator and has a width that is larger than the width of the cyclonic separator. In another variation, the cyclonic separator has a tubular body with an interior that is substantially unobstructed between an inlet from the evaporator assembly and an exhaust outlet. In yet another variation, the cyclonic separator has an upper chamber that is separated from a lower chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Heartland Technology Partners LLC
    Inventor: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr.
  • 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: 8696873
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purification of bilge and sludge water on a ship, especially at sea, using excess heat from the ship's engine(s) to a level of oil contamination of less than 15 ppm. The invention also relates to a plant for carrying out the method, and a vessel including such plant, as well as the use of the method and plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: PPM-Clean AB
    Inventors: Benny Karlström, Jan Hedkvist
  • Patent number: 8591705
    Abstract: A multi-effect evaporator, having an upstream and a downstream end, adapted for distillation of water. It includes a plurality of effects connected in a series manner and arranged into groups. Each group has a common parallel water feed inlet adapted to supply all effects in the group with feed water. The evaporator further includes a main feed water line in fluid communication with the most upstream group. An array of heaters is disposed along the line, adapted for heating the feed water before its entry into the effects of the latter group. Each effect includes means for forwarding the second outlet vapor into one of the heaters for heating the feed water. Each group includes a pump adapted to extract the concentrate from the effects of the group and pump it into the common parallel water feed of an adjacent downstream group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: I.D.E. Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph Weinberg, Avraham Ophir
  • Patent number: 8551295
    Abstract: A reactive distillation apparatus for multistage counter-current rotating bed includes a closed shell, in the center of which a revolving shaft linking each shell section is set, the shaft is provided with two or more rotors in series connection, a feeding inlet, a reflux inlet and an outlet of the gas phase are mounted on the top end face of the shell while a waste liquid outlet and an inlet of the gas phase are set on the bottom end face of the shell, a group of concentric dynamic filler rings with different diameters are installed at intervals along the radial direction, wherein the wall of the dynamic filler rings is holed, and the ring clearance between the dynamic filler rings is configured with static rings fastened on the static disc; a feeding inlet is arranged on the top cover of the shell corresponding to the spray nozzle of raw material liquid; a rotating liquid distributor is arranged on the inner side of the innermost dynamic filler ring of the said lower rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Beijing University of Chemical Technology
    Inventors: Jian-Feng Chen, Peng-Yuan Zhang, Guang-Wen Chu, Hai-Kui Zou, Wei Wu, Qin Shi
  • Patent number: 8506763
    Abstract: A device for treating a liquid comprising a solvent and a solute, and separating the solvent and solute, the device comprising a continuous flow treatment chamber including: (a) one or more drying zones; (b) one or more return zones to circulate heating fluid continuously through drying zone(s) and return zone(s) sequentially; (c) a heating fluid inlet(s) in at least one of the return zones for the introduction of the heating fluid; (d) a circulating fan to circulate the heating fluid; (e) a liquid inlet(s) in the drying zone(s) including nozzles though which liquid to be treated is introduced in misted form into the zones; (f) a solute collector(s) located in the drying zone(s) downstream of the liquid inlet(s); wherein the introduced liquid is heated by the heating fluid and the solute is separated from the liquid in the solute collector(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Aquamill Five Star Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Ronald Barry Zmood, Simon John Withington, Carl Nicholas Botcher
  • Patent number: 8496787
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliminating brine effluent from desalination plants by distillation, is disclosed. To eliminate the brine the salt is converted into a solid and all of the water in the brine is converted to distilled water. The key to achieving this is reducing or eliminating the scale formation in the heating chamber. In one embodiment the process can be used to reduce or eliminate scale formation in a vapor compression sea water desalinization system and there-by use this system to produce drinking water. This process requires no chemical additives but relies entirely upon separation of the process of vaporization of the fluid involved, from the process of heating of the fluid. In one embodiment of this apparatus sea water can be desalinated and the resulting products can be dry salt and pure water leaving no brine return to the ocean.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventor: Michael John Lord
  • Patent number: 8486223
    Abstract: A falling film evaporator having a shell pass, multiple tubes parallel to each other, a condensed steam outlet, an inlet for an aqueous solution on the top of the tube pass, an outlet for the aqueous solution at the bottom of the tube pass, a distributing assembly having a plurality of distributing trays arranged vertically from top to bottom in incremental diameters and each having multiple holes, and a plate for collecting the aqueous solution below the distributing assembly. The tubes are straight and installed vertically in the evaporator; inner wall of the tubes is smooth, and the top portion of the tubes is protruded above a horizontal plane of the plate. The evaporator is particularly useful for concentrating an aqueous solution containing thermosensitive materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Jiangsu Sinorgchem Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaogen Feng, Nongyue Wang, Xiaohui Mao, Ruibiao Yu, Qianwen Cheng
  • Patent number: 8465628
    Abstract: A solar energy conversion and distillation apparatus floats on a body of saltwater and includes a matrix of buoyant distillation modules that produce and collect distilled water for on-shore usage. The distillation modules and other buoyant structures are mutually joined within a peripheral seawall to form an atmospheric barrier, and each distillation module includes a submerged energy absorber layer to form an energy conversion chamber that confines a shallow volume of solar-heated seawater. Water vapor in the air above the confined water condenses on chilled heat exchanger conduits, and the energy absorber layer is water permeable so that confined water lost to evaporation and condensation is replenished with water from a thermal reservoir underlying the energy conversion chamber. Buoyant mistifier units in each distillation module enhance the evaporative surface area of the water vapor subject to condensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Richard L. Henderson
  • 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: 8444830
    Abstract: A desalination process including heating brine in a preheating chamber and transferring the brine to a rotary kiln to be sprayed against the wall structure of the rotary kiln to boil to steam and a residue of salt/impurities, the exiting steam being pressurized in a compressor and passed to an externally powered heater to be heated and then fed to a hollow wall structure of the rotating kiln in which the steam condenses to pure water to be transferred to the preheating chamber to preheat the incoming brine, the rotating kiln being arranged to rotate past a scraper to remove salt/impurities from the wall structure for collection at the base of the kiln.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Garth Davey
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130092523
    Abstract: An evaporator having more efficient heat transfer tubes, that are either or both coated and vertically corrugated. The coating, though reducing the heat transfer co-efficient, lengthens the time between cleaning treatment to increase the overall efficiency of the evaporator. The corrugation of the tubes controls the film characteristics and enhances evaporation from the film upon condensation of vapor within the tubes. The corrugation profile is selected to enhance waviness and turbulence of the films and thereby increase evaporation and condensation and hence the effectivity of the evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: I.D.E. TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Amnon Levy, Joseph Weinberg, Henrikh Rojanskiy
  • Patent number: 8372248
    Abstract: A water purification system having an oil and vapor separation subsystem for removing many heavy duty and toxic contaminants from the water. The subsystem removes volatile vapors from the feed water, heats the feed water, and by imparting a swirling vortex action to the heated water, the oils are separated from the water. The water separated from the oil is pumped by a high pressure pump through a helical coil that is heated to a high temperature by the burner. The high temperature, hot water is then fed to an expansion nozzle in an expansion chamber to flash the hot water into steam. The steam is passed through a condenser which converts the steam to purified water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Raymond C. Sherry
  • Publication number: 20120037488
    Abstract: A distiller including an evaporator having at least one evaporation surface for evaporating liquid into vapor. At least one movable liquid applicator assembly has a wiper applicator which can move over the at least one evaporation surface, for wiping and applying a thin even film of the liquid on the at least one evaporation surface for evaporation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Aquaback Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Zebuhr
  • Patent number: 8097128
    Abstract: An efficient flash evaporation water purification system located at a hydrocarbon well site. An internal combustion engine uses hydrocarbon fuel from the well and drives a pump to pressurize production water from the well. The engine also generates thermal energy used to preheat the production water. An electrical generator is also driven by the engine to produce electrical power for the water purification system, as well as produce AC power for off-site consumers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventor: Raymond C. Sherry
  • Patent number: 8052847
    Abstract: A system and method for removing water from a liquid desiccant such as a glycol used to dry cooled air in order to restore the desiccant to a purity up to around 97% in a closed continuous flow process. Liquid desiccant can be sprayed into cooled air in a conditioner where it gains moisture. The wet or gained desiccant can be optionally preheated in an economizing heat exchanger and then routed into a concentrator. Desiccant pure to around 97% can be removed from the concentrator, passed through an economizing heat exchanger to provide the preheating and returned to the conditioner holding area. The concentrator can be heated by steam or other means such as natural gas to boil the wet desiccant causing mixed vapor to enter a vertical distillation column where most of the glycol condenses out on the column packing or plates and returns to the concentrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Niagara Blower Company
    Inventors: Matthew Koban, Phillip Rowland, Michael Harvey, Peter Demakos
  • Publication number: 20110226606
    Abstract: A falling film evaporator having a shell pass, multiple tubes parallel to each other, a condensed steam outlet, an inlet for an aqueous solution on the top of the tube pass, an outlet for the aqueous solution at the bottom of the tube pass, a distributing assembly having a plurality of distributing trays arranged vertically from top to bottom in incremental diameters and each having multiple holes, and a plate for collecting the aqueous solution below the distributing assembly. The tubes are straight and installed vertically in the evaporator; inner wall of the tubes is smooth, and the top portion of the tubes is protruded above a horizontal plane of the plate. The evaporator is particularly useful for concentrating an aqueous solution containing thermosensitive materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Jiangsu Sinorgchem Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaogen FENG, Nongyue WANG, Xiaohui MAO, Ruibiao YU, Qianwen CHENG
  • Patent number: 8016977
    Abstract: Dry pond water evaporation systems and methods are used to evaporate large quantities of water from industrial waste water sources, such as water produced by oil and gas wells. Dry pond systems include a water evaporation system that emits waste water into the air as a fine spray or mist to promote evaporation. Water that falls to the ground and any initially dissolved solids are captured in a water capture depression. Water and solids are transferred from the water capture depression to a water collection pool. Water from the water collection pool is recirculated through the water evaporation system to further concentrate the total dissolved solids (TDS). When the TDS are sufficiently concentrated, they may be harvested, such as by evaporating off the water and recovering salts or minerals as a solid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Reform Water, LLC
    Inventors: Rodney Rasmussen, Paul C. Cox
  • Patent number: 7998317
    Abstract: A glycerol preparation method for preparation of medical grade glycerol from a by-product of a bio-diesel process includes a first stage phosphoric acid chemical reaction process and a posterior by-product centrifugal separation process to have the phosphoric acid chemical reaction by-product be separated into free fatty acid, potassium phosphoric acid, and a crude glycerol and methanol mixture. The crude glycerol and methanol mixture is further processed through a first step of thin film evaporation process where methanol is reclaimed, a second step of thin film evaporation process where the mixture is dehydrated, a third step of molecular distillation process where an industrial grade glycerol of purity over 95% is extracted, and a fourth step of molecular distillation process where a medical grade glycerol of purity in exceed of 99.75% that meets USP/BP standards is extracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventor: Wei Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 7985322
    Abstract: A mobile waste processing system and method is disclosed for processing materials in a tank, typically an underground storage tank. A mobile fluid processing module is disposed adjacent to or over the tank, and sealingly connected to the tank through a tank riser. Support equipment, which may include an electric power module, a chiller module, a heating module, and a control and monitor module, are disposed a distance from the processing module, and connected thereto. A pump and optionally a dispersal nozzle are deployed from the processing module into the tank, and effluent is extracted for processing. The processing trailer includes effluent processing equipment such as an evaporator and demister, condenser, vacuum pump, and interim storage tank. The effluent is processed, and at least a portion is removed. Some of the processed effluent may be returned to the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Columbia Energy & Environmental Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Wolfe, Brian Brendel
  • Patent number: 7959768
    Abstract: The invention relates to a falling film evaporator, which is fitted with a liquid distributor which is divided into segments, such that it is possible to charge only a limited number of evaporator tubes with liquid and the evaporator can be operated in an optimum manner even with a partial load. The invention also relates to a method for operating said falling film evaporator, the aim of which is to transfer heat, which is released when a gas-vapor mixture is condensed, to a liquid which is to be evaporated at least partially. It would be useful to use said falling film evaporator thus fitted in heat recuperation systems such as those used in the production of 1,2 dichloroethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: UHDE GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Porscha, Michael Benje, Harald Hafenscher
  • Patent number: 7955476
    Abstract: A multiple application recycling and purification device has a coaxial core that is horizontally oriented, non-rotating, cylindrical distillation chamber. The enhanced, completely coaxial configuration continuously cleans the entire distillation chamber and spreads a thin film of liquid to enhance distillation and positively aid in the removal of remaining contaminants. Through a timed and positioned valve, the device removes and purges lower-temperature contaminants. Timed valves and sensors control all phases of the distillation to provide a coaxially integrated, stand-alone, adaptable, scalable and maintenance free distillation unit that self-monitors, self-cleans and economically functions to produce the pure distilled liquid, e.g., water. This device can be modified to purify any numerous array of liquids and can be scaled to produce any amount of purified liquids for either household, commercial, or industrial applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Mansur Corporation
    Inventor: Pierre G. Mansur
  • Patent number: 7879197
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the purification of an aqueous solution of an organic acid having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of less than 450° C., which further has approximately 275 g carboxylate ions/l or less, preferably 250 g carboxylate ions/l or less, and preferably less than 1% by weight ionic impurities, calculated on the basis of the total solution. In particular, the invention relates to a method and a device for the continuous purification and concentration, on an industrial scale, of an aqueous solution of an organic acid having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of less than 450° C. According to the method, this solution is subjected to two or more distillation steps, the first distillation step being carried out at a temperature of from 80° to 150° C. and a pressure of from 50 to 250 mbar, and the second distillation step being carried out at a temperature of from 80° to 200° C. and a pressure of from 0.01 to 50 mbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Purac Biochem B.V.
    Inventors: Hendrik Martinus Winkelaar, Jan Van Breugel, Margarita Camprubi Vila, Jose Maria Vidal Lancis
  • Patent number: 7875153
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the purification of an aqueous solution of an organic acid having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of less than 450° C., which-further has approximately 275 g carboxylate ions/1 or less, preferably 250 g carboxylate ions/1 or less, and preferably less than 1% by weight ionic impurities, calculated on the basis of the total solution. In particular, the invention relates to a method and a device for the continuous purification and concentration, on an industrial scale, of an aqueous solution of an organic acid having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of less than 450° C. According to the method, this solution is subjected to two or more distillation steps, the first distillation step being carried out at a temperature of from 80° to 150° C. and a pressure of from 50 to 250 mbar, and the second distillation step being carried out at a temperature of from 80° to 200° C. and a pressure of from 0.01 to 50 mbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Purac Biochem B.V.
    Inventors: Hendrik Martinus Winkelaar, Jan Van Breugel, Jose Maria Vidal Lancis, Margarita Camprubi Vila
  • Publication number: 20100326812
    Abstract: A method of operating an evaporator is described. In evaporator feed water, a Taylor bubble is developed which has an outer surface including a thin film in contact with an inner surface of an outer wall of an evaporator tube. The Taylor bubble is heated as it rises within the evaporator tube so that liquid in the thin film transitions into vapor within the bubble.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventor: Kingston Owens
  • Patent number: 7785448
    Abstract: A method of operating an evaporator is described. In evaporator feed water, a Taylor bubble is developed which has an outer surface including a thin film in contact with an inner surface of an outer wall of an evaporator tube. The Taylor bubble is heated as it rises within the evaporator tube so that liquid in the thin film transitions into vapor within the bubble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Kingston Owens
  • Patent number: 7771567
    Abstract: The salt water distillation system includes a sprinkler to form a mist of salt water over a distillation plate. The distillation plate is heated by applying electrical current to a heating coil. The steam is transferred to a condensation chamber and condensed fresh water is collected. During the desalination process, salt impurities are deposited on the hot distillation plate. A sludge remover, i.e., a steam head and movable ram, is provided to clean the distillation plate of the salt impurities. An exhaust fan is provided to cool fresh water condensate and lower air pressure in the system. Heat transferred from the steam during condensation is used to pre-heat the salt water to increase efficiency of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Inventors: Michael L. Rives, James O. Riley
  • Patent number: 7749360
    Abstract: A vapor based liquid purification system and process utilizes an evaporator for evaporating a liquid into a vapor and a vapor condenser for condensing the vapor into the processed liquid. The vapor condenser has a stator and a rotor, with the rotor disposed for rotation about the stator. The stator and the rotor each have protrusions proximate to an inlet of the vapor condenser. These protrusions cooperate to draw vapor from the evaporator into the vapor condenser. The stator and the rotor each further have at least one axially extending ridge. These ridges cooperate to move a mixture of the vapor and the processed liquid towards at least one drain in the rotor where the processed liquid is communicated to an outlet of the vapor condenser. A multi-level vapor based purification system may also be utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventor: Wesley K. Waldron
  • Patent number: 7722739
    Abstract: A self-contained evaporation system for use in disposing of excess water from oil and gas drilling operations is provided. The system includes a water holding tank in which the wastewater is preheated, an evaporation chamber mounted over the holding tank and having an open top, a nozzle system located within the chamber for producing a fine liquid mist, and fans disposed within the chamber for producing an air flow that carries the mist out the open top of the chamber. The system can be set up and taken down by one person in an hour or less, can be used with pond or tank operations, and is capable of operating in high winds and sub-zero temperatures. The system can be carried and mounted on a trailer for easy transport to and from various drilling sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Evaporite Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrin Niles Haslem, Michael Talmadge Lawing
  • Patent number: 7670456
    Abstract: In a multi-effect falling-film evaporator, purified water for special purposes is produced. In each effect, a steam phase and a water phase is produced from the feed water. The steam phase is used for heating in the subsequent effect, whereby it condenses to product water, and the water phase becomes the feed stream for the subsequent effect. A reject stream is removed from the process to carry off impurities separated from the water. According to the invention, a reject stream is removed from each effect. Preferably, each reject stream is a condensed fraction of the steam generated in the respective effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: STERIS Europe Inc. Suomen Sivuliike
    Inventors: Teppo Nurminen, Mauri Salmisuo
  • Patent number: 7628893
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus is provided for the separation of liquid-liquid and liquid-solids compositions by flash evaporation in a heated vacuum chamber. The compositions are injected through an atomizing spray nozzle having a spray cone downward of about 30 to 150 degrees. The compositions are preheated and injected under pressure into the preheated vacuum evaporation chamber. The vaporized liquid that is formed is collected in a condenser which draws the vapors by vacuum or pressure differential. Any solids are collected at the bottom of the vacuum chamber as semi-dry or dry solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignees: Pure Energy Technology Co, PPT Research Inc.
    Inventors: David William Bonser, Irl E. Ward, Alan R. Duly
  • Patent number: 7611604
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the production of pure steam. A falling-film evaporator is used. Of the water-steam mixture leaving the evaporator unit, part of the water is collected at the bottom of the device, and a fraction mainly consisting of steam enters a rising spiral channel for the separation of impurities. In the periphery of the spiral channel apertures are provided for separating impurity-containing droplets, which condense on a surface outside the apertures. The liquid formed is removed from the device. The water phase collected at the bottom enters a recycle line connected to the feed end of the evaporator unit. Feed water is supplied to the recycle line to compensate for pure steam consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: STERIS Europe Inc.
    Inventors: Mauri Salmisuo, Ilkka Olavi Laitinen
  • Patent number: 5238964
    Abstract: A method for the treatment of cerebrovascular contraction in mammals involving administration of a pharmaceutical composition containing as an effective ingredient a p-guanidinobenzoic acid derivative represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein R denotes a group represented by the formula ##STR2## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Torii & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruhiko Kikuchi, Hiroji Yanamoto