And Filter Patents (Class 204/276)
  • Patent number: 11542182
    Abstract: A hydrogen-containing water generator includes a cathode portion of cylindrical shape that has a plurality of openings in a side thereof, an anode portion of cylindrical shape that is provided radially outside the cathode portion and has a plurality of openings in a side thereof, an electrolytic vessel that is transparent, has a cylindrical shape, and is internally provided with the cathode portion and the anode portion, a water supply part that supplies water into the cathode portion from one end side of the cathode portion; and a drain part that drains water inside the electrolytic vessel from the other end side of the cathode portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: THE CHUGOKU ELECTRIC POWER CO., INC.
    Inventors: Masahiro Imachi, Hiroaki Tanigawa, Norihiro Okubo
  • Patent number: 11534706
    Abstract: The invention relates to devices for purifying hydraulic and dielectric fluids (oils and fuels) of mechanical impurities. Electric filter for purifying hydraulic and dielectric fluids comprises a housing with an inlet pipe and outlet pipe, high-voltage power supply, composite unit disposed inside the housing and consisting of current-carrying plates and dielectric spacers with apertures for current-carrying and heavy-duty fastening elements, a front plug and rear plug, and current-carrying and heavy-duty fastening elements, wherein the surface of the current-carrying plates is provided with a porous ceramic dielectric coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: SCIENCE & PRACTICE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
    Inventors: Nikolay Anatolevich Tuz, Denis Valerevich Kurganov
  • Patent number: 11228066
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a mist elimination system that prevents mist from escaping from the cell chamber and conserves moisture within the cell. An exemplary mist elimination system includes a spill prevention device that reduces or prevents an electrolyte from escaping from the cell chamber in the event of an upset, wherein the electrochemical cell is tipped over. A mist elimination system includes a recombination portion that reacts with hydrogen to produce water, that may be reintroduced into the cell chamber. A mist elimination system includes a neutralizer portion that reacts with an electrolyte to bring the pH closer to neutral, as acid/base reaction. A mist elimination system includes a filter that captures mist that may be reintroduced into the cell chamber. A mist elimination system includes a hydrophobic filter on the outer surface to prevent water and other liquids from entering into the mist elimination system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: FORM ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Ramkumar Krishnan, Joel Hayes, Scott Klug, Patrick Samuleson, Craig Trzebny
  • Patent number: 10988850
    Abstract: An electrodic support structure for coaxial electrolytic cells suitable for operating in both monopolar and bipolar configuration is provided. The electrode support structure has a support plane made of an isolating material provided with a plurality of housing seats suitable for housing a plurality of electrodes arranged homothetically to each other, and a partition member made of insulating material, provided with a plurality of electrode positioning means, integral with or mechanically connected to the support plane and arranged orthogonally thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: INDUSTRIE DE NORA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Mariachiara Benedetto, Elena Carminati
  • Patent number: 10947134
    Abstract: A hydrogen generator including a series of plates positioned in an electrolysis chamber. The plates are configured to generate hydrogen. The chamber has a water inlet configured to receive water from a water source and a hydrogen outlet configured to allow the hydrogen to exit therefrom. The plates include a positive plate, a negative plate, and a neutral plate. Each of the plates has through-holes configured to allow the water and the hydrogen to flow therethrough. The positive and negative plates are configured to be connected to positive and negative terminals, respectively, of an electrical power source. The water inside the chamber forms an electrical connection between the positive and negative plates that splits the water into the hydrogen and oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Inventors: Osvaldo Gaona Solis, Genaro Garza de Leon, Jorge Ivan Garza de Leon
  • Patent number: 10035717
    Abstract: To provide a voltage-type device for killing microorganisms in which a microorganism killing effect is high and scale is less likely to clog up through holes in electrodes. The device for killing microorganisms includes: a main body which a liquid to be treated flows in at one end and flows out at the other end; opposed electrodes that are arranged in the main body in parallel with a flow of the liquid to be treated and have mutually-opposed through holes; and a voltage source of which an anode is connected to one of the opposed electrodes and a cathode is connected to the other of them. When a straightened liquid to be treated is passed through the device for killing microorganisms, a stirring action is produced between the opposed electrodes, whereby hypochlorous acid can be diffused throughout the entire device and a high killing effect can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamamoto, Akiyoshi Edagawa, Masafumi Sasai, Takuya Kotanagi, Hirohumi Minami, Hideki Nagaoka, Masafumi Nishimoto, Takashi Sakakibara
  • Publication number: 20150136609
    Abstract: An Sn alloy plating apparatus is disclosed which can relatively easily perform control of an Sn alloy plating solution, including control of the Sn ion concentration and the acid concentration of the plating solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Masashi SHIMOYAMA, Masamichi TAMURA, Yuji ARAKI
  • Patent number: 9017526
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to methods and apparatus for removing material from a substrate. In various implementations, conductive material is removed from a sidewall of a previously etched feature such as a trench, hole or pillar on a semiconductor substrate. In practicing the techniques herein, a substrate is provided in a reaction chamber that is divided into an upper plasma generation chamber and a lower processing chamber by a corrugated ion extractor plate with apertures therethrough. The extractor plate is corrugated such that the plasma sheath follows the shape of the extractor plate, such that ions enter the lower processing chamber at an angle relative to the substrate. As such, during processing, ions are able to penetrate into previously etched features and strike the substrate on the sidewalls of such features. Through this mechanism, the material on the sidewalls of the features may be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Harmeet Singh, Alex Paterson
  • Patent number: 8961752
    Abstract: A filter device purifies fluids, especially fuels contaminated with organic substances. Hydroxyl radicals are formed from water molecules contained in the fluids by a separating device (10, 14, 22). The hydroxyl radicals oxidize the impurities, especially organic substances, as much as possible and convert them into compounds such as CO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hydac Filtertechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Eberle, Markus Dewes
  • Publication number: 20140360889
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems, devices, and methods for treating, remediating, or abating carbon-containing wastes generate at least one of clean water; non-toxic, non-hazardous ash; or power. Some embodiments are modular, permitting rapid deployment, flexible configuration, and easy transportation. Embodiments of the systems treat carbon-containing aqueous waste, carbon containing waste, or a combination thereof. The systems, devices, and methods are particularly suited to treating hydrocarbon containing waste generated in oil and natural gas drilling and hydrofracturing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Coyte R. Jones, Robert C. Jones
  • Publication number: 20140353168
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode suitable for decreasing the chemical oxygen demand of waste-water comprising: a) a permanent component; and b) a sacrificial component arranged face-to-face and releasably attached to the permanent component and in electrical contact therewith, said permanent component consisting of a Substrate of a valve metal equipped with a catalytic coating containing noble metals or oxides thereof, said sacrificial component containing elemental iron. Further the invention relates to a method for abatement of the chemical oxygen demand in an aqueous waste containing oily compounds, glycols or waxes, optionally consisting of a foundry waste, by an electrolytic process involving anodic chlorine evolution in the presence of trivalent iron. Chlorine evolution may be carried out on the surface of an anode consisting of a catalytically activated-valve metal permanent component coupled to an iron-containing sacrificial component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Mariachiara Benedetto
  • Publication number: 20140311898
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure includes enclosing the upper area of the anodes using a fabric sleeve, open at its upper and lower ends, located inside unitary bells with side holes that face the holes of perforated extraction ducts located on both sides of the cell, in an anode and cathode support structure, which are connected to the normal extraction system of the production bay, thus preventing the aerosols from reaching the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Pedro Alejandro Aylwn Gómez, César Antonio Gutiérrez
  • Patent number: 8840785
    Abstract: A water heater, which allows efficient deposition of a scale component dissolved in water so as to reduce adhesion of the scale to a heat-transfer channel. The water heater includes: scale deposition device including a tank, an anode and a cathode provided in the tank so as to be opposed to each other, and a first power supply for applying a voltage between the anode and the cathode, the scale deposition device depositing a scale component dissolved in water retained in the tank; a heat-transfer channel provided at downstream of the scale deposition device, for guiding the water; and a heat source for heating the water by heat exchange in the heat-transfer channel, in which the scale deposition device includes oxygen-gas supplying/dissolving means for supplying an oxygen gas to a water feed pipe for feeding the water to the tank and dissolving the oxygen gas in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Furukawa, Seiji Noda, Toshiyuki Kamiya, Tadashi Saito, Isamu Hirashiki
  • Publication number: 20140262760
    Abstract: The invention provides an electrochemical cell system comprising: a fuel electrode, an oxidant electrode for absorbing and reducing a gaseous oxidant, and an interior cell chamber configured to contain a volume of ionically conductive liquid therein. The ionically conductive liquid conducts ions between the fuel and oxidant electrodes. The oxidant electrode separates the ionically conductive liquid from the gaseous oxidant. A gas vent is configured to separate gas in the cell from a mist comprising the ionically conductive liquid and is positioned generally above the volume of ionically conductive liquid. The gas vent comprises a filter body portion comprised of at least one layer so as to absorb a portion of the ionically conductive liquid. The body portion is formed in a concave shape with an apex positioned towards the top of the cell in its upright orientation, and with body surfaces extending downwardly from said apex so as to drain absorbed ionically conductive medium back into the interior chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FLUIDIC, INC.
    Inventors: JOEL HAYES, ANDREW GOODFELLOW
  • Publication number: 20140166497
    Abstract: Method for treating sewage, comprising at least one step of electrolytically treating sewage, an energy transfer step comprising at least one selected in the group comprising: a temperature raising treatment, an ultrasound treatment. The electrolytic treatment and energy transfer steps determining the dissociation from the sewage of gas comprising nitrogen. Further, the method comprises a step of separating gases comprising nitrogen from the mass of sewage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: De Asmundis Fulvio ANTONIO, Masoero PAOLO
  • Patent number: 8721869
    Abstract: The present invention provides a high volume, foul-resistant electrolytic process for treating contaminated water comprising at least one upflow electroflocculation cell consisting of (i) a lower (or “bottom”) electrode (3) in form of a porous, non-fluidized bed of loose iron or aluminium granules kept in periodic motion by pulsed gas injections and (ii) an upper (or “top”) vibrating electrode (4) made of an iron or aluminium grid mesh or ribmesh. A voltage potential between the upper (4) and lower (3) electrode causes ions to be released from the moving electrodes. These ions oxydise and/or render insoluble contaminants in the ascending flow of wastewater and create easy filterable insoluble contaminants resulting in substantially cleansed water. Such moving electrodes electroflocculation cells are useful at municipal water works and commercial and industrial applications were large amounts of raw water have to be processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventor: Holger Blum
  • Patent number: 8663436
    Abstract: A water electrolysis system includes a high-pressure water electrolysis apparatus and a gas-liquid separation device. The gas-liquid separation device includes a block member which includes a gas-liquid separation opening and a water-level detection opening. The gas-liquid separation opening and the water-level detection opening extend substantially vertically and includes respective bottom portions which integrally communicate with a discharge pipe. The discharge pipe is disposed at a lower side portion of the block member. The water-level detection opening includes a top portion and a top water-level detection section. The block member further includes an inlet hole in which the hydrogen is introduced from the high-pressure water electrolysis device. The inlet hole is disposed at an upper side portion of the block member. The inlet hole is positioned above the top water-level detection section of the water-level detection opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Taruya, Koji Nakazawa, Hisashi Nagaoka, Daisuke Kurashina
  • Publication number: 20130186748
    Abstract: A humidifier including a storage chamber configured to store water, an electrolytic unit configured to electrolyze water, a first and second pipe to which the electrolyzed water is introduced, a first and second valve configured to open/close a fluid path of the first pipe and second pipe, a filter unit disposed at the first pipe and configured to filter the electrolyzed water, a humidification chamber configured to be supplied with water from one of the first or the second pipe, and a control unit configured to supply the filtered water to the humidification chamber at a humidification mode by controlling the first valve and supply the electrolyzed water to the humidification chamber at a sterilization mode by controlling the second valve, the humidifier further including a drainage hole and a drainage valve to open/close the drainage hole, and a tray to store the water being discharged through the drainage hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8491764
    Abstract: A chlorine treatment apparatus includes a housing with a cavity containing a chlorine generator for chlorinating a liquid such as water and at least three openings to the cavity. The chlorine generator may be an electrolytic cell. Some embodiments may include one or more plugs for closing the openings. The plugs may be keyed to operate with only certain of the openings. Yet other embodiments may include sensors for monitoring various aspects of the liquid such as temperature, salinity, flow rate, and chlorine concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yicun Wu, Greg Cwik, Randy Tan
  • Publication number: 20130175164
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a water/gas porous separator prepared from a polymeric material and one or more conductive cell components that pass through, or are located in close proximity to, the water/gas porous separator, is provided. The inventive cell provides a high level of in-cell electrical conductivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: INFINITY FUEL CELL AND HYDROGEN, INC.
    Inventor: INFINITY FUEL CELL AND HYDROGEN, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130168234
    Abstract: A system is capable of oxyhydrogen ion air cleaning and humidifying, and includes a water supplying device, a humidifying device and an oxyhydrogen ion generating device. The humidifying device is coupled to the water supplying device and includes a moist air output unit and a water passage unit permitting supply of water from the water supplying device to the moist air output unit, which can operate to form water into moist air. The oxyhydrogen ion generating device is coupled to the water supplying device and includes a container receiving water from the water supplying device, electrode plates disposed in the container, and an output conduit. The electrode plates are operable to electrolytically convert water to form oxyhydrogen-ion-containing gas that is released via the output conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventor: Wen-Chang LIN
  • Publication number: 20130168235
    Abstract: A system is capable of air cleaning and dehumidifying, and includes a condenser device, a water supplying device and an oxyhydrogen ion generating device. The condenser device is operable to form water vapor in ambient air into water droplets. The water supplying device collects the water droplets from the condenser device. The oxyhydrogen ion generating device is coupled to the water supplying device and includes a container receiving water from the water supplying device, electrode plates disposed in the container, and an output conduit. The electrode plates are operable to electrolytically convert water to form oxyhydrogen-ion-containing gas that is released via the output conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Wen-Chang LIN, Sung-Hua Tsai
  • Publication number: 20130092532
    Abstract: An undivided electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell includes a housing defining an undivided chamber, the housing having one electrolyte inlet and at least two electrolyte outlets; an anode in the chamber; a cathode in the chamber; and an electrolyte in the chamber, wherein the anode and the cathode are not gas diffusion electrodes. The invention also involves a method of operating an electrochemical cell, and methods for making ferrate(VI).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventor: Battelle Memorial Institute
  • Patent number: 8366888
    Abstract: A water softening module has a case body which includes cover members secured to their respective ends of a cylindrical case. A pair of electrodes are provided in the case body. A fibrous medium is located in contact with a water-outlet-side face of the electrodes. The fibrous medium has a stacked structure constituted of a first fiber layer and a second fiber layer, which are electrically conductive. The first fiber layer is positioned in contact with the upstream side of the second fiber layer, and the first fiber layer is positioned in contact with the downstream-side face of the electrodes. The specific surface area of the first layer is smaller than that of the second fiber layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yui Ogawa, Hiroyuki Umezawa, Tetsuya Yamamoto, Tsuyoshi Rakuma, Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Masahiro Iseki
  • Publication number: 20130026033
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrolyzed hydrogen-containing hot and cold water purifier for producing hydrogen water by dissolving hydrogen gas generated by electrolysis in raw water, and more particularly, to a sealing-type electrolyzed hydrogen-containing hot and cold water purifier and a water-purifying method for preventing microorganisms and foreign contaminants from being incorporated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Un Sang Ji
  • Publication number: 20120247974
    Abstract: Process and apparatus to remove colloids and nitrogen compounds from contaminated water by coagulating the colloids and separating them from the water. The water is then continuously oxidized with chlorine electrolytically to destroy the nitrogen compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: POTABLE WATER SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventors: Jorge Miller, Luisa Kling Miller
  • Patent number: 8211290
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for removing impurities from waste water by electroflotation. The waste water to be cleaned is conducted through an electrolytic cell. Electrolysis is performed between two electrodes (1, 2) of different electronegativities, such that the more electronegative electrode (1), which is non-wearing in a cleaning process, is used for producing hydrogen gas and hydroxyl ions from water. The less electronegative electrode (2), which is an active, wearing electrode in a cleaning process, is used for producing metal ions in a solution to be cleaned. In addition to this basic reaction, a desired oxidation-reduction reaction is initiated in the cell in a strictly controlled electric field for removing one or more designated impurities from cleaned water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: BCDE Group LLC
    Inventor: Hannu L. Suominen
  • Patent number: 8192619
    Abstract: A portable fluid ozonation apparatus includes a container for treating and storing fluid, a filter that attaches to the container and an ozone generator. In use, a fluid is dispensed into the container and optionally passed through the filter. At this point, power is supplied to the ozone generator which operates for a period of time necessary for disinfecting the fluid. Additives and post filters can be utilized in conjunction with the ozonation apparatus in order to obtain sufficient purified fluid within a short time frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ginger Elayne Patera, Ronald L. Voglewede, David Edward Shepherd, Tony L. Koenigsknecht, Brian David Hooks
  • Publication number: 20120103796
    Abstract: A water electrolysis system includes a high-pressure water electrolysis apparatus and a gas-liquid separation device. The gas-liquid separation device includes a block member which includes a gas-liquid separation opening and a water-level detection opening. The gas-liquid separation opening and the water-level detection opening extend substantially vertically and includes respective bottom portions which integrally communicate with a discharge pipe. The discharge pipe is disposed at a lower side portion of the block member. The water-level detection opening includes a top portion and a top water-level detection section. The block member further includes an inlet hole in which the hydrogen is introduced from the high-pressure water electrolysis device. The inlet hole is disposed at an upper side portion of the block member. The inlet hole is positioned above the top water-level detection section of the water-level detection opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji TARUYA, Koji Nakazawa, Hisashi Nagaoka, Daisuke Kurashina
  • Patent number: 8152897
    Abstract: A gas liquid separator system for a hydrogen generating apparatus includes a collection area for collecting liquid from the generated gases. To empty the collection area occasionally so that liquid does not build up and become entrained again in the dried gas, a vent solenoid is provided in communication with the collection area and a pump is used to create a vacuum periodically on the electrolysis cells. Such arrangement is used to open the liquid gas filter and possibly just the sump to atmosphere occasionally and vacuum generated to draw the liquid from the sump back to the electrolysis cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Blutip Power Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Andrew Harland Lindsay
  • Publication number: 20120067720
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter device for purifying fluids, especially fuels, that are contaminated with organic substances. Said filter device is characterised in that hydroxyl radicals are formed from water molecules contained in the fluids, by means of a separating device (10, 14, 22), said hydroxyl radicals oxidising the impurities, especially organic substances, as much as possible, and converting them into compounds such as CO2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Richard Eberle, Markus Dewes
  • Patent number: 8097145
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for the decontamination of fluid, particularly the removal of heavy metals and/or arsenic and/or their compounds from water, by means of electrolysis, wherein the water to be purified subjected to electrodes of different polarities. The invention can include means for control of the pH of the fluid. The invention can also include control systems that allow self-cleaning of electrodes, self-cleaning of filters, and automatic monitoring of maintenance conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: ARS USA LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Polnicki, Giselher Klose
  • Patent number: 8062485
    Abstract: There is disclosed a water treatment device capable of improving the treatment efficiency of for-treatment water and passing the for-treatment water once to sufficiently treat the water without repeatedly circulating the water, and the water treatment device includes a water passing first electrode arranged in the channel of the for-treatment water, a conductive fiber positioned on the downstream side of this first electrode and energized by the first electrode, a water passing second electrode positioned on the downstream side of this conductive fiber and forming a pair with the first electrode, an insulating porous spacer interposed between this second electrode and the conductive fiber, and a supply section which supplies voltages to both of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yui Ogawa, Hana Oe, Hiroyuki Umezawa
  • Patent number: 8025781
    Abstract: Method and means for modifying gases or fumes fed through a filter (1), from its inlet side to its outlet side, submitted to an electric plasma having its maximum plasma density (d) at the filter's inlet side. The gases or fumes may comprise NOx, the filter being constituted by a catalytic material fit for modifying NOx. The filter also may be polluted with e.g. a soot deposit, precipitated on the filter's surface and/or within the filter's interior. The means may comprise a first electrode system (2) at the filter's inlet side and a second electrode system (3) at the filter's outlet side, connected to a high voltage (V1). Preferably the first electrode system comprises two or more groups of interlacing electrodes, each connected to a high voltage source (V1, V2, V3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: Yves Lodewijk Maria Creijghton, Timo Huijser, Coen van Gulijk, Franciscus Petrus Thomas Willems, Johan Oonk
  • Publication number: 20110214986
    Abstract: An energy transport and storage system in combination with a method of water treatment which includes: a brine (including ocean, sea, or estuary water) interconnection, an electricity interconnection with an electric grid, a filtration and demineralization system, a brine water electrolyser, a gas separation or filtration system, a heat recovery system connected to the electrolyser, a sodium hydroxide recovery system, an interconnection to an alternative hydrogen gas supply, a high pressure underground hydrogen gas storage system, a safety valve connected to the underground hydrogen gas storage system, an electric generation system powered by compressed hydrogen gas turning a turbine during decompression, which can recycle electricity within the system or send electricity to an electric grid, a hydrogen gas outlet for distribution of hydrogen gas, a system to collect other gases, and a chlorine gas production system. This invention will produce clean water and clean air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Belford Brown
  • Publication number: 20110198237
    Abstract: Treatment of contaminated liquid is provided including an integrated ultra-filtration and clarification apparatus. Clarification of liquid occurs in a gap between a casing and a tank of the apparatus. Solids settle and aggregate in the bottom of the tank. The solids act as a secondary filter prior to contact of the liquid with the ultra-filtration filters. Clarified liquid is drawn through the ultra-filtration filters. An upstream electrocoagulation unit and a downstream reverse osmosis unit may be included in combination. Electrocoagulation can occur in the tank by reaction plates mounted within the tank. One embodiment includes dual integrated ultra-filtration and clarifier apparatuses and corresponding electrocoagulation units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventor: Scott W. POWELL
  • Publication number: 20110198300
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the technical filed of electrochemical elimination or reduction of microbial impurities of liquids. The liquids treated may inter alia include wastewater, industrial process water and water intended for human consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: ADEPT WATER TECHNOLOGIES A/S
    Inventors: Jannik Sadolin, Karim Lindberg, Poul Fogh
  • Publication number: 20110198231
    Abstract: An apparatus for recharging a fuel cell cartridge and methods for recharging a fuel cell cartridge are disclosed. An example recharging apparatus may include a housing having a fuel cell cartridge holder. A water reservoir may be disposed in the housing and may have water disposed therein. The recharging apparatus may also include an electrolysis chamber for converting water into hydrogen and oxygen. The electrolysis chamber may be in fluid communication with the water reservoir. The electrolysis chamber may include a hydrogen passage for passing hydrogen from the electrolysis chamber to the fuel cell cartridge holder. The recharging apparatus may further include a vacuum pump at least selectively in fluid communication with the fuel cell cartridge holder. In some instances, the vacuum pump may be used to evacuate residual hydrogen and/or other gases or materials from the fuel cell cartridge and/or determine if the fuel cell cartridge is leaky and requires replacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Publication number: 20110122543
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for anodizing a porous valve metal pellet in a flowing liquid electrolyte is described. The apparatus comprises an insulative container comprised of a lower region, a central region including a cavity for holding the pellet, an upper region, and a continuous passageway extending through the lower, central, and upper regions. Lower and upper screens serving as lower and upper electrodes are disposed in the passageway in the lower and upper container regions, respectively. During anodizing, the electrolyte flows through the lower container region including the lower screen, the porous pellet and then the upper container region including the upper screen. The lower and upper screens are at an opposite electrical polarity as the pellet so that a dielectric oxide is formed on the exposed valve metal including interior portions of the pellet that are exposed to the flowing electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: David Goad, Neal Nesselbeck, Jason Hahl
  • Patent number: 7943033
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to an electrolytic copper plating method characterized in employing pure copper as the anode upon performing electrolytic copper plating, and performing electrolytic copper plating with the pure copper anode having a crystal grain diameter of 10 ?m or less or 60 ?m or more. Provided are an electrolytic copper plating method and a pure copper anode for electrolytic copper plating used in such electrolytic copper plating method capable of suppressing the generation of particles such as sludge produced on the anode side within the plating bath upon performing electrolytic copper plating, and capable of preventing the adhesion of particles to a semiconductor wafer, as well as a semiconductor wafer plated with the foregoing method and anode having low particle adhesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Aiba, Takeo Okabe, Junnosuke Sekiguchi
  • Publication number: 20110089029
    Abstract: A compact hybrid cell hydrogen generator that produces hydrogen-oxygen gas for use with vehicles, internal combustion engines and other applications that solves design shortcomings of present state of the art systems while presenting an efficient and reliable, compact, cost efficient system of producing hydrogen-oxygen gas without requirements or investments into expensive infrastructure, or ill fitting and cumbersome equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Charles Volk, JR.
  • Patent number: 7922878
    Abstract: A system for hydrogen gas generation is provided according to the present invention which includes a hydrogen gas electrode assembly including a first anode in electrical communication with a first cathode; a microbial fuel cell electrode assembly including a second anode in electrical communication with a second cathode, the microbial fuel cell electrode assembly in electrical communication with the hydrogen gas electrode assembly for enhancing an electrical potential between the first anode and the first cathode. A single chamber housing contains the hydrogen gas electrode assembly at least partially in the interior space of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventor: Bruce Logan
  • Patent number: 7871508
    Abstract: A mediated electrochemical oxidation process and apparatus are used to process biological and organic materials to provide hydrogen and oxygen for use as fuel in numerous types of equipment. Waste materials are introduced into an apparatus for contacting the waste with an electrolyte containing the oxidized form of one or more reversible redox couples, at least one of which is produced electrochemically by anodic oxidation at the anode of an electrochemical cell. The oxidized species of the redox couples oxidize the organic waste molecules and are themselves converted to their reduced form, whereupon they are reoxidized and the redox cycle continues until all oxidizable waste species have undergone the desired degree of oxidation. The entire process takes place at temperatures to avoid any possible formation of either dioxins or furans. The oxidation process may be enhanced by the addition of ultrasonic energy and/or ultraviolet radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Scimist, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger W. Carson, Bruce W. Bremer
  • Patent number: 7857951
    Abstract: The present invention intends to provide a water purification apparatus that is small and easy-to-use, yet being capable of efficiently creating flocs of impurities and removing the impurities from the wastewater in a single pass. To achieve this objective, an inner tubular anode 12 made of stainless steel or carbon is inserted into an outer tubular cathode 11 made of aluminum, leaving a predetermined intermediate space 13 between them, and electrolysis is carried out to produce aluminum hydroxide. The aluminum hydroxide thus produced serves as the medium for flocculating the impurities in the wastewater ascending the intermediate space 13. The wastewater containing the flocs of impurities is filtrated with a filter 18 within a filtering and settling tank 17. As a result, the impurities are completely removed from the wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Elm Inc.
    Inventors: Takakazu Miyahara, Terumasa Miyahara
  • Publication number: 20100314263
    Abstract: Provided is a standalone integrated water treatment system for a distributed water supply. A filter input receives water to be treated. A coagulation system is in operative connection with the filter input, wherein the water which has been filtered is subjected to a coagulation process performed by the coagulation system to create pin floc from suspensions in the water. A maturation buffer tank is in operative connection with the coagulation system, wherein floc is aggregated in size within the water. A spiral separator is in operative connection with the maturation buffer tank, and the water is separated into two water streams, a first stream of water having most of the floc removed, and a second stream of water which includes a concentrated amount of the floc. An optional filtration system is in operative connection with the spiral separator and is configured to receive the first stream of water and to perform a filtration operation on the first stream of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Meng H. Lean, Armin R. Volkel, Scott A. Elrod, Nitin S. Parekh
  • Publication number: 20100258450
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing hydrogen from salt water by electrolysis. The apparatus includes a cathode plate and an anode plate spaced apart from the cathode plate. The apparatus also includes a cathode end connector for electrically connecting the cathode plate to a negative terminal of a direct current electrical power supply, and an anode end connector for electrically connecting the anode plate to a positive terminal of the direct current electrical power supply. The cathode plate is made from aluminum, and the anode plate is made from zinc. The aluminum cathode plate may have a multiplicity of apertures therein. It has been determined that the aluminum cathode plate and the zinc anode plate tend to provide an effective combination for salt water electrolysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventor: John Christopher BURTCH
  • Publication number: 20100206740
    Abstract: A water electrolysis system includes a water electrolysis apparatus for electrolyzing pure water supplied from a pure water supply apparatus to produce high-pressure hydrogen. A pressure releasing device is connected between a pipe of the water electrolysis apparatus and a check valve connected to the inlet port of a gas-liquid separator, for releasing the pressure of the high-pressure hydrogen from the water electrolysis apparatus independently from the gas-liquid separator. The pressure releasing device has a bleeder passage including a pressure reducing valve and a solenoid-operated valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun TAKEUCHI, Masanori OKABE, Koji NAKAZAWA, Kenji TARUYA
  • Publication number: 20100180889
    Abstract: The present invention provides for carbon dioxide removal and fixation using a cell incorporating a carbon dioxide selective film for active/passive transport while simultaneously producing oxygen and an air bladder for use in battlefield applications and the like where oxygen requirements are often extreme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Bruce F. Monzyk, Peter M. Martin, Christopher J. Pestak, Linda M. Carleton, Eric A. Lucas, David N. Clark
  • Publication number: 20100181190
    Abstract: A process encompassing hydrogen and oxygen gases as a partial fuel source when utilized together with a fossil-based fuel to power conventional internal combustion engines. Hydrogen and oxygen gases are produced by electrolysis in an electrolyser unit(s), on-demand and on-board a vehicle, or in stationary applications, eliminating the need of highly-pressurized hydrogen storage tanks When said gases are introduced into the combustion chamber of the engine, via the air intake assembly, they increase the efficiency of the combustion burn by enriching the air to fuel ratio, resulting in a reduction of the fossil-based fuels required for optimum engine performance, said gases effectively becoming a partial hybrid fuel source. The process includes scalability for all size and types of installations, cold-weather applications and longer operating capabilities. As an additional benefit, in direct correlation, this process reduces carbon dioxide emissions, and, in varying quantities, other greenhouse gas emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: HYTRONX TECHNOLOGIES INC
    Inventor: Peter J. Romaniuk
  • Publication number: 20100126926
    Abstract: An electrocoagulation apparatus is disclosed integrated with a plate clarifier for effluent treatment. The clarifier includes first and second tanks, an electrocoagulation reactor positioned in the first tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventor: Reginald A. Wiemers