Water, Sewage, Or Other Waste Water Patents (Class 205/742)
  • Patent number: 7238271
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating a wastewater which enables one to treat a difficultly biodegradable wastewater, particularly an organic wastewater containing aminopolycarboxylic acids to substantially decrease COD at a low cost, in which the method for treating an organic wastewater containing aminopolycarboxylic acids, comprising subjecting the organic wastewater containing aminopolycarboxylic acids to a high-speed electrolytic oxidation treatment, particularly, a method for treating an organic wastewater which comprises conducting treatment with microorganism subsequent to the high-speed electrolytic oxidation treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Miyazaki, Ryuichi Ozawa
  • Patent number: 7232507
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell design is disclosed for the particular application of the electrochemical treatment of contaminants in water. The cell is designed to allow the treatment of low concentrations of contaminants in low conductivity water efficiently, and to be simple to fabricate. The design incorporates tapered inlet and outlet fluid flow manifolds so that the cell pressure drop will be almost entirely due to fluid contacting the electrodes, thus maximising the effective use of the system pump power. A short anode to cathode distance and thin working electrodes are used to minimise resistive electrical power losses. The parallel slacked arrangement of the electrodes and the smooth inlet and outlet designs leads to relatively even distributions of current density and mass transfer resulting in maximal utilisation of the entire active electrode surface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: National Research Council of Canada
    Inventors: Michael Gattrell, Thierry Guena, Barry MacDougall
  • Patent number: 7169287
    Abstract: A decomposition apparatus that decomposes a decomposition target is provided. The decomposition apparatus includes a decomposition chamber having a decomposition section that continuously decomposes the decomposition target, an introducing device that continuously introduces the decomposition target into the decomposition chamber, a discharging device that discharges decomposition products produced in the decomposition chamber, and a selection section that selects a set of drive conditions from a plurality of sets of conditions for the decomposition section such that the concentration of the decomposition target within the decomposition chamber during decomposition of the decomposition target is at the predetermined concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiko Miura, Hiroshi Kubo, Kinya Kato, Masahiro Kawaguchi, Akira Kuriyama
  • Patent number: 7163615
    Abstract: There is provided a method of treating a substance to be degraded comprising the steps of: degrading the substance to produce a degraded product; contacting the product obtained in the degrading step with a liquid; and entrapping a component of the product not trapped by the liquid in a medium by contacting the component with the medium. Also, the apparatus for conducting the method is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kinya Kato, Masahiro Kawaguchi, Akira Kuriyama
  • Patent number: 7160430
    Abstract: In a sewage treatment plant, dissolved ammonium is extracted from the waste-water stream, and is transferred to a body of secondary water. The secondary water is passed through an electrolysis station, where the ammonium is transformed to nitrogen gas. The capture and transfer can be done by ion-exchange, the electrolysis then being done on the regenerant water. Or the capture and transfer can be done by first transforming the dissolved ammonium to ammonia gas by raising the pH of the waste-water, then passing the ammonia gas through acidic secondary-water, in which the ammonia dissolves, the electrolysis then being done on the acid-water. The electrolysed, ammonium-diminished, secondary-water can be re-used in further capture/transfer episodes. The secondary-water does not mix with the waste-water stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: ENPAR Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Gene Sidney Shelp, Leonard Paul Seed
  • Patent number: 7160434
    Abstract: An electrolysis device is provided. The electrolysis device includes an ionizer unit having first and second plate assemblies that each provide a different surface area that is contacted by water when the unit is in use. The plate assemblies may each provide a different surface area by providing a different number of plates. The plate assemblies are formed from integral pieces of material, to enhance the reliability of the device. The present invention further provides a control unit programmed to provide an output to the ionizer unit that varies in polarity over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Robert E. Moroney, LLC
    Inventors: Hans Becker, Robert E. Moroney
  • Patent number: 7156962
    Abstract: There are provided an electrode for electrolysis which takes into consideration safety to human bodies and environmental pollution upon disposal of the electrode, produces ozone with high efficiency and has excellent durability, a production process of the electrode, and an active oxygen producing device using the electrode. In an electrode 5 for electrolysis which has an electrode catalyst at least on the surface and produces ozone or active oxygen in for-treatment water by electrolysis, the electrode catalyst contains a dielectric which constitutes more than 70% of the surface area of the electrode catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohito Koizumi, Naoki Hiro, Tsuyoshi Rakuma, Katsuhiko Mushiake, Masahiro Iseki, Hiroyuki Umezawa, Yurika Koizumi, Yasuhito Kondo
  • Patent number: 7081194
    Abstract: ETA-containing wastewater discarded from a regenerator of a nuclear power plant with a pressurized water reactor is neutralized with sodium hydroxide to adjust the pH value, metals are precipitated and separated, the wastewater is thereafter supplied to a filtration apparatus and filtered, and then supplied to an electrolyzer to conduct electrolysis and reduce the COD value induced by ETA to below the environmental discharge limit standard value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: MGE Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Kimio Sakai, Seigo Ichikawa, Akihisa Kikuya
  • Patent number: 7033481
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electroionic processing system having a high frequency alternating current (AC) power source for treating potable water, process water, wastewater, biosolids, sludge, primary effluent, secondary effluent, and other biochemical processing functions, including producing hydrogen peroxide and other useful chemicals. An electromagnetic field is generated and coupled to an electrolytic treatment apparatus by a direct coupling apparatus and method, a capacitive coupling apparatus and method, and an inductive coupling apparatus and method. The present invention further comprises a process controller and a plurality of analyzers for monitoring various treatment process variables to adjust and optimize the process as necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Bioionix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Schlager, Stephen H. Gorski
  • Patent number: 7018522
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for contaminant separation utilizes an interleaved array of oppositely charged electrode plates for fluid treatment. Spacing between the parallel electrode plates is graduated so that the volume of the cavities between the opposing electrodes provides varying levels of treatment of a broad range of contaminants from a variety of fluid columns. A fluid flow path extending substantially orthogonal to the direction of the electrical field established between opposing electrode plates provides a feed stream with exposure to the varying levels of electrical charges between the electrode plates. The method and apparatus provide an effective means of contaminant separation by a device having a small footprint and requiring low amounts of electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Herbert W. Holland
  • Patent number: 7011739
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of sanitizing the shells of eggs, which are used for human consumption and also as hatchlings. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of sanitizing eggs using an electrostatic sprayer with electrolyzed oxidizing water produced from an electrolyte solution. It is the overall objective of the present invention to provide a method for sanitizing eggs comprising the steps of passing an electrolyte solution through a water electrolysis machine in combination with feed water to produce electrolyzed oxidizing water, and then spraying the eggs with the electrolyzed oxidizing water by using an electrostatic sprayer which creates a negative charge on the spray droplets as they leave the sprayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Inventors: Gene Harkins, Brian Warren
  • Patent number: 7008523
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for disinfecting or sanitizing a desired object. The apparatus includes a container for an aqueous solution; the container may be a spray bottle. The apparatus includes an electrolytic cell, containing an electrolyte, an electrical power source, a control circuit for providing an electric charge to the electrolyte to create an oxidant, and a fluid connection between the cell and container to permit introduction of the oxidant into the aqueous solution to create a disinfectant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: MIOX Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney E. Herrington
  • Patent number: 6939458
    Abstract: A hydrothermal electrolytic apparatus comprises a reaction cell for electrolyzing influent at high temperature and high pressure, wherein an overall surface area of a pair of electrodes located in the reaction cell per 1 m3 of the volume of the influent is 0.05 m2 or more. The hydrothermal electrolytic apparatus has two or more tubular reaction cells each having a metal inner wall serving as a cathode, and an anode is provided in each of the reaction cells. A hydrothermal electrolytic process comprises incorporating conductive particles into an influent to substantially increase a surface area of electrodes during hydrothermal electrolysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Nishimura, Roberto Masahiro Serikawa, Qingquan Su, Masahiro Isaka
  • Patent number: 6926819
    Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for generating a portable sterilizing water that can be easily used at, for example, hospitals, cafeterias of nursing facilities, restaurants, hair salons or homes, an electrolyzer is structured such that a tubular-shaped ferrite anode and a cathode are arranged alternately in a concentric manner with an inter-electrode distance, and integrated with a pressurizable solution container containing halogen ions and a power control apparatus so that it can be carried and operated by one hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Omega Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Nakamura, Kunihiko Fukuzuka, Masaki Miyashita
  • Patent number: 6916427
    Abstract: A method of purifying wastewater as a fluent coming either from industrial plants or from municipal sewage runs. The method includes the steps of running the wastewater as a fluent into a headworks where some preliminary treatment takes place. From there the fluent is passed into a primary reservoir. The primary reservoir analyzes the fluent as to certain control parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen and/or dissolved solids. Thereafter the fluent flows into a primary reactor having a plurality of electrolytic cells therein. While in that reactor the fluent is subjected to electrical contacts which are located at the bottom and the top of the reactor. The effluent from the primary reactor passes through a ratio weir into a secondary receptor. The secondary receptor contains sensors for the measurement of control parameters such as pH, DO (dissolved oxygen TDS (total dissolved solids) and chlorine. Thereafter, the fluent is passed to a filtering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Inventor: William Jeffrey Roth
  • Patent number: 6913684
    Abstract: A method for removal of solid deposits from surfaces of electrodes of a DC electrolytic cell for disinfecting of water in a closed system, especially in a swimming pool, SPA or hot tub, includes simultaneous spinning the water over the electrode surfaces and electrolytic release of the deposits from the surfaces without interruption of the disinfecting process. The method further includes a) changing the polarity of the electrodes of the cell at predetermined frequency for electrochemically releasing the deposited scale from the electrode surfaces; b) circulating the water through a hydrocyclone containing a DC electrolytic cell for disinfecting of the water so that the deposits are washed off the electrodes of the cell; c) periodically removing the scale particles from a drained chamber located at the bottom of the hydrocyclone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: B.H. .Technologies 1998 Ltd.
    Inventors: Yaakov Barak, Haim Haziza
  • Patent number: 6896790
    Abstract: An apparatus for oxidatively destructing a trace injurious substance includes a structure with anodes, each integrally provided with an electrically conductive oxide on their surface and made of a metal. A partition made of a porous ceramic or resin is provided between the anodes and surrounded by cathodes made of a metal plate having inner walls on both sides to which a noble metal is fused, such that at least two chambers with spaces are formed in a plane symmetrical arrangement to provide an apparatus for oxidatively destructing a trace injurious substance contained in polluted water. The apparatus has a rectangular wave discharging device for applying an electric field to the spaces, such that polluted water flows through the inner space of one of the chambers and is subjected to the irradiation of an electric field, and the supernatant thereafter flows through the inner space of the other chamber and is subjected to the irradiation of an electric field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Japan Science & Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Takaaki Maekawa, Chuanping Feng
  • Patent number: 6875362
    Abstract: There are proposed a waste water treating method, a waste water treating appratus and a waste water treating system which are capable of treating a nitrogen compound and a phosphorus compound in the same treating vessel and treating waste water containing a nitrogen compound and a phosphorus compound efficiently. The waste water treating method is a method for treating a nitrogen compound and a phosphorus compound in for-treatment water by an electrochemical process, wherein a metal material constituting a cathode is a conductive material, a conductive material constituting an anode is an insoluble material or carbon, and there is carried out at lease one of a step of adding calcium chloride to the for-treatment water and a step of immersing an iron material in the for-treatment water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Hiro, Noriyuki Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 6875361
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a water purifying device including: a cell unit consisting of a high purity ceramic for obtaining far infrared ray, and having a shape according to a kind of water tank, a ring-shaped Volta cell consisting of a non-ferrous metal being provided in the cell unit; and a lump unit being connected to the cell unit through a metal coil, and consisting of ceramic, a conductive lump consisting of a non-ferrous metal being provided in the lump unit. Accordingly, the water purifying device is easily installed in the water tank, for disinfecting bacteria, restricting generation of bacteria, removing odor, and facilitating growth of aquatic plants and fishes. As a result, a number of changing water in the water tank can be considerably reduced, to improve efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Redox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gun Shik Park
  • Patent number: 6849178
    Abstract: An apparatus for water treatment by means of an electrical field is provided with an anode and a cathode in at least one treatment chamber through which the water to be treated passes. The apparatus is characterized in that the at least one treatment chamber forms a prismatic space with an elongated cross section, the anode and the cathode are formed by pairs of parallel, stick-shaped electrodes which extend spaced apart into said space and a voltage is applicable between the electrodes. One end of the at least one treatment chamber is connected to a water inlet and the other end of the at least one treatment chamber is connected to a water outlet, whereby a waterflow from one electrode to the other is generatable which is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axes of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Hans Sasserath & Co. KG
    Inventor: Willi Hecking
  • Patent number: 6841058
    Abstract: A redox bipolar cell fabric washing system and method is disclosed that provides for washing fabrics without the use of any added detergents, fabric softeners, or bleaches, or other chemical al additives. The system includes a conventional fabric washing machine with a redox bipolar cell that through a circulation pump continuously treats the wash water by using mixed oxidants or charged wash water to remove contaminants from the fabric. The redox cell includes a housing, a plurality of cathode plates, a plurality of membranes, and a plurality of anodes proximately positioned in an alternate manner with a plurality of flow channels in the housing. The cell produces charged wash water by an electrochemical reaction utilizing electrically charged anodes and cathodes with semi permeable membranes, wherein the oxidation reduction potential of the charged wash water is continuously controlled with a sensor to determine when the fabrics are clean.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Inventors: Brian G. Culvey, Kim Bong Jun
  • Patent number: 6821403
    Abstract: Method for cleaning and disinfecting treatment of water, during which the water is exposed to at least one electric field, whereby the electric field is a low-current field with pulsating direct voltage. Device for realization of the method which includes a source of pulsating direct voltage; two conducting elements, which are connected in a conducting manner to the source of pulsating direct voltage and which are arranged to achieve a low-current field with pulsating direct voltage between them; together with a device for changing in a time-dependent manner the direction of direct voltage. Device for realization of the method which includes a source of a rectified pulsating magnetic field and a conducting element, which is arranged in the pulsating magnetic field such that, during operation of the device, an electric field is produced around the conducting element by electromagnetic induction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: Anders Lundquist
  • Publication number: 20040222106
    Abstract: An apparatus for increasing the quantity of dissolved oxygen in water. The apparatus includes an inlet for receiving untreated water. A cell housing having an electrolytic cell therein is coupled to the inlet. A resident time housing is connected to the cell housing for receiving water having oxygen and hydrogen gas therein. The resident time housing is vertically oriented and longitudinally extending for a selected vertical length above the cell housing. This provides sufficient resident time of the water in a quiet zone to permit the generated oxygen gas to transition into the dissolved state prior to reaching the top of the resident time housing. An outlet is provided at the top of the resident time housing. Treated water having a high dissolved oxygen content is delivered out of the outlet. A gas vent is provided at the outlet to permit the escape of hydrogen or other gases which have not been dissolved into the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: H2O Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventor: Gary S. Hough
  • Patent number: 6814853
    Abstract: There is provided a method for water treatment, capable of greatly improving the effect of removing microbes contained in water for eating and drinking, or discharged water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhito Kondo, Yasuhito Shimizu, Masahiro Iseki
  • Publication number: 20040217014
    Abstract: A photovoltaic driven electrolytic water desalination process is disclosed herein. The process utilizes electrical energy provided by a photovoltaic device, such as a triple junction amorphous silicon solar cell, to induce a water splitting reaction in brackish water. The photovoltaic device provides an electrical potential across an anode and a cathode in contact with the brackish water and the electrical potential induces the water splitting reaction. The water splitting reaction liberates oxygen gas and hydrogen gas from brackish water. Collection and subsequent recombination of the oxygen gas and hydrogen gas in a reaction chamber provides for the spontaneous formation of purer, non-brackish water. The recombination reaction of oxygen gas and hydrogen gas to form water is an exothermic process that liberates energy in the form of thermal energy and/or electrical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Hong Wang
  • Patent number: 6811660
    Abstract: Various kinds of wastewater and water such as methane fermentation digestion liquids, domestic wastewater, sewage, service water, culture pond water, wastewater defined by an active sludge law and wastewater from food industries are decomposed, cleaned and treated with a high efficiency with oxygen radicals, hydroxyl radicals and diphenyl para picrihydoral radicals, and injurious materials are decomposed, cleaned and treated by oxidizing and reducing functions. An apparatus for cleaning dissolved organic matters and a trace amount of injurious materials consisting of a anode which is formed or welded by coating clay or glass with a material prepared by mixing 2 to 15% by weight of a transition metal with 1 to 10% of an oxidized transition metal and sintering the glass within a range from 800 to 1500° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Inventor: Takaaki Maekawa
  • Publication number: 20040211676
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for disinfecting or sanitizing a desired object. The apparatus includes a container for an aqueous solution; the container may be a spray bottle. The apparatus includes an electrolytic cell, containing an electrolyte, an electrical power source, a control circuit for providing an electric charge to the electrolyte to create an oxidant, and a fluid connection between the cell and container to permit introduction of the oxidant into the aqueous solution to create a disinfectant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: MIOX Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney E. Herrington
  • Patent number: 6802956
    Abstract: A variety of pollutants and other contaminants may be removed from a variety of aqueous media using electrolytic treatments. The treatment includes inserting an anode and a cathode into the medium undergoing treatment, and applying a high current and voltage to the electrodes. The treatment may also include the addition of catalytic enzymes to the medium undergoing treatment. The present methods are compatible with aquatic lifeforms, and offer an effective alternative to chemical-based water treatment systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Aquatic Technologies
    Inventor: David N. Orlebeke
  • Patent number: 6800207
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for turbulently exposing water flowing through a water system to a plurality of electrodes of an ion generator and having a self-contained tank through which water flows is provided with an inlet pipe that directs water flow between the electrodes. A tank cover serves as a non-electrical conducting head for the plurality of electrodes that extend downwardly from the underside of the cover. The electrodes are functionally configured to maximize water flow between them. Following the flow of water between the electrodes, a double vortex of water flow is created along one wall of the tank. A sight glass allows for visualization of the container contents, and in particular electrode wastage or wear, during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Jay V. Kraft
    Inventors: William Holt, John V. Kraft
  • Patent number: 6793801
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for contaminant separation utilizes an interleaved array of oppositely charged electrode plates for fluid treatment. Spacing between the parallel electrode plates is graduated so that the volume of the cavities between the opposing electrodes provides varying levels of treatment of a broad range of contaminants from a variety of fluid columns. A fluid flow path extending substantially orthogonal to the direction of the electrical field established between opposing electrode plates provides a feed stream with exposure to the varying levels of electrical charges between the electrode plates. The method and apparatus provides an effective means of contaminant separation by a device having a small footprint and requiring low amounts of electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventor: Herbert W. Holland
  • Publication number: 20040173471
    Abstract: A process for the removal and destruction of dissolved nitrate from water, which comprises a removal step where nitrate is eliminated from said water or effluent in the form of a more concentrated solution thereof, and a destruction step where said more concentrated nitrate solution is subjected to an electrolysis operation for nitrate destruction by electrochemical reduction thereof, the electrolysis operation being performed in several cycles in a divided cell with anolyte and catholyte compartments, where said concentrated nitrate solution is initially used as a catholyte and spent catholyte is then used as an anolyte. An apparatus suitable for performing such a process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Anna Velin, Steve Resbeut
  • Patent number: 6780306
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the disinfection of water and wastewater contaminated with bacteria and other microorganisms. The apparatus includes an electrolytic flow cell including electrodes forming a part of flow pipe or open channel through which water or wastewater passes. The electrodes are formed of iron, stainless steel, carbon or copper and connected to a power supply voltage in the range of 20 to 100 volts and establishing a current in the range of 1 to 6 amperes. Disinfection results from either metal ions impacting microbial cells or through the generation of hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radicals and hypochlorous acid. When the electrodes are copper, toxic metal contamination limits are established through proper design of the flow cell. An ultrasonic transducer is connected to the electrodes and enhances hydroxyl radical generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Bioelectromagnetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Schlager, Stephen H. Gorski
  • Publication number: 20040149663
    Abstract: The present invention provides a water treating device, which comprises: a water container for containing water to be treated; an electrolyzing chamber for sterilizing the to-be-treated water by way of electrochemical decomposition through energization of an electrode set consisting of at least two electrode plates; a water treatment line through which the to-be-treated water is introduced into the electrolyzing chamber from the water container and fed back into the water container after the sterilization of the water in the electrolyzing chamber; a residual chlorine sensor for measuring the residual chlorine concentration of the to-be-treated water before the water is introduced into the electrolyzing chamber; and control means for controlling the amount of the to-be-treated water to be electrochemically decomposed in the electrolyzing chamber on the basis of the residual chlorine concentration measured by the residual chlorine sensor to keep the residual chlorine concentration of the water to be fed back in
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Minoru Nakanishi, Minoru Kishi, Yoshihiro Inamoto, Tatsuya Hirota, Tamotsu Kawamura, Yozo Kawamura, Fumitake Kondo
  • Publication number: 20040129578
    Abstract: A high voltage electrode and method of construction is provided including a multi-layered composition to optimize dielectric strength, dielectric constant, structural strength and durability. The high voltage electrode can be utilized as a submergible drop-in unit for easy installation within a fluid holding tank such as a water cooling tower. The submergible generator includes a channel that houses a charged electrode, and functions as a ground electrode to the charged electrode, and also functions as a fluid diverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: David McLachlan, William Bridge, Allen Wilson
  • Patent number: 6758959
    Abstract: An oxygenation unit for insertion into a well is used to increase the oxygenation of ground water. The unit includes a length of tubing suspended in the well. Within the tubing are a plurality of parallel spaced plates. An electric potential is applied across adjacent plates such that electrolysis will break water down to oxygen and hydrogen. Water is circulated through the unit using an air flow draft pump in which air is bubbled up through an inverted funnel in the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventor: Jerry Kellgren
  • Publication number: 20040118701
    Abstract: An oxygen emitter which is an electrolytic cell is disclosed. When the anode and cathode are separated by a critical distance, very small microbubbles and nanobubbles of oxygen are generated. The very small oxygen bubbles remain in suspension, forming a solution supersaturated in oxygen. A flow-through model for oxygenating flowing water is disclosed. The use of supersaturated water for enhancing the growth of plants is disclosed. Methods for applying supersaturated water to plants manually, by drip irrigation or in hydroponic culture are described. The treatment of waste water by raising the dissolved oxygen with the use of an oxygen emitter is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventor: James Andrew Senkiw
  • Patent number: 6749759
    Abstract: A method for disinfecting water and other dense fluid media containing microorganisms is carried out in a dense media plasma reactor. The plasma reaction in the reactor produces reactive species, such as electrons, ions, and free radicals that promote the inactivation of the microorganisms. In various embodiments, the plasma reaction also sputters off minute antimicrobial particles of the electrically conducting material from which the electrodes are made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Ferencz S. Denes, Sorin O. Manolache, Amy C. Lee Wong, Eileen B. Somers
  • Patent number: 6746593
    Abstract: A high volume electrolytic water treatment system and process for treating wastewater. The system and process is designed to treat waste streams that are both complex and with variable contaminate compositions. The system includes pumping influent water to a headworks screen for removing solids in the water. The screened water is then discharged into primary and secondary surge tanks. The tanks include electrocoagulation electrodes. The electrodes, using alternating current, destabilize materials such as fats, oils, greases and surfactants. The pretreated influent water is then pumped to one or more elongated flow-through modules. The flow-through modules also include electrocoagulation electrodes for further treating of the influent water. From the flow-through modules, the treated water is sent to a foam removal apparatus and then to a clarifier. Clear water from the clarifier then flows into an effluent weir and discharged from the system thereby completing the water treatment process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Robert J. Herbst
  • Patent number: 6743351
    Abstract: A solution containing at least one of carbonate and bicarbonate of alkali metal, for example, a sodium hydrogen carbonate solution, as a solution to be electrolyzed is electrolyzed, and the obtained electrolytic water is used as an undiluted detergent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: MIZ Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Arai, Kazuhiro Miyamae, Tomoki Seo
  • Patent number: 6733654
    Abstract: A method of operating a cooling tower comprises feeding to the cooling tower a make-up stream of water containing organic and/or biological contaminants, causing a side stream taken from the recirculating stream to pass through an electrolytic cell, removing solids precipitating by the action of the cell, and remixing the treated side stream with the main stream, before feeding them to the cooling tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Argad-Eyal Ltd.
    Inventor: David Itzhak
  • Publication number: 20040079650
    Abstract: An electrocoagulation reactor is provided for treating waste water and removing contaminants therefrom. The reactor is typically a six sided rectangular water tight housing which has an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe. There are a multiplicity of charged plates located parallel to one another within the housing. Adjacent plates are typically oppositely charged and water will pass between the plates as it flows through the reactor. The electric field between the plates will help encourage coagulation of waste matter which then may be removed from the waste water downstream of the electrocoagulation reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Paul E. Morkovsky, Douglas D. Kaspar
  • Publication number: 20040069653
    Abstract: A process for an electrochemical reduction of a reducible dye by contacting said reducible dye with a cathode comprising a support of an electrically conductive material and an electrically conductive, cathodically polarized layer formed thereon in situ by alluviation comprises conducting said electrochemical reduction in the presence of a base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Claudia Merk, Jorg Botzem, Gunther Huber, Norbert Grund Ludwigshafen
  • Patent number: 6719893
    Abstract: Phosphorus is removed from water to be treated by immersing electrodes into a tank filled with the water to be treated, applying a DC voltage between the electrodes to generate hydroxide ions through a cation migration in the water and/or an electrolysis, and precipitating phosphate ions in the water as a salt slightly soluble in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Gunma University
    Inventor: Yutaka Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 6716335
    Abstract: The method of this invention for producing electrolyzed water containing ozone employs an apparatus for producing electrolyzed water from a liquid. The apparatus has two plate electrodes facing each other, a D.C. power source for applying a D.C. voltage across the electrodes and a control circuit for changing a polarity of the electrodes alternately. The method includes the step of producing electrolyzed water by changing the polarity, while a liquid is caused to flow in a flow passage between the electrodes, and the polarity is changed at an interval of time T as defined by formula (10): 0.5≦T≦(1/3)×(L/V)  (10) wherein; V: Velocity of flow of the liquid in the flow passage (cm/sec.), and L: Length of the electrodes as measured in the direction of flow of the liquid (cm).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Tominaga MFG. Co.
    Inventors: Kiyoyuki Takesako, Shigeru Oyokota
  • Patent number: 6712947
    Abstract: A purifying apparatus for purifying flowing water includes a negative electrode plate disposed on a flowing water bed and a positive electrode plate disposed at an upper face opposite to the negative electrode plate, wherein the positive electrode plate is adapted to be dipped below a water surface of the flowing water with floats being disposed at least at upstream and downstream end portions or opposing side portions of the positive electrode plate in a flowing direction of the flowing water. A structure is provided for positioning the positive electrode plate at a position opposite the negative electrode plate. Also, as necessary, a vertical-movement structure is provided to allow vertical movement of the positive electrode plate and of a gas collecting unit. The positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate are provided with an electric field generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Japan Science and Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Takaaki Maekawa, Kazuo Fujita
  • Publication number: 20040055896
    Abstract: A biocidal solution is provided having a pH of from 5 to 7 and an available free chlorine content of from 500 to 1,000 ppm. A method is also provided for producing the biocidal solution in an electrolytic cell or cells having anode and cathode chambers which produce respective anolyte and catholyte solutions, wherein the biocidal activity of the biocidal solution is conferred on the solution primarily in the anode chamber. The method includes the steps of supplying the cell or cells with a solution having a salt concentration of 2.0 to 5.0 g/L, such that the solution passes through the anode chamber at a flow rate per anode surface area of 1.25×103 to 2.75×103 L hr−1m−2, and applying current to the cell or cells sufficient to produce a biocidal solution having the above free chlorine content and pH.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: STERILOX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: David Anderson, Fred Pfleger, Paul Eachus, Michelle Porcelli
  • Publication number: 20040050716
    Abstract: In apparatus for decomposing organic waste by oxidation using electrochemically regenerated Ag++, provision is made for preventing unwanted carryover of organic material into recovery streams and into any solid waste produced by the apparatus. Gases formed in the processing are also treated to prevent or minimise any carryover of toxic components in gaseous effluent from the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Christopher Peter Jones, Dominic John Kieran, Linda Jane McCausland, Patrick Alan Fletcher, Patrick Wakefield Nevins, David Frame Steele, Andrew Derek Turner, Stuart Anton Legg
  • Publication number: 20040045838
    Abstract: A water treatment process subjects raw water, for instance in a recirculating heat exchange, for instance cooling, system sequentially and immediately to an ion exchange step of a biocide step, the biocide step involving treatment in an electrochemical reactor. The biocide step contacts ion exchange water with a pair of electrodes in the presence of a catalyst, for instance platinum. The process provides efficient avoidance of microorganism build-up and minimises regeneration times. Water flows through inlet (1) downwards through a bed of ion exchange resin in ion exchange unit (2), directly into electrochemical reactor (3) comprising alternating corrugated anodes and cathodes connected by d.c. power supply (4) and out of outlet (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: David Napper, Lene Rubner-Petersen
  • Patent number: 6682646
    Abstract: A system for decontamination of radioactive components includes an acidic decontamination solution which is exposed to radioactive components to remove a layer of contaminated material and an ion exchange cell which removes the radioactive contamination from the decontamination solution. The ion exchange cell has cathode, anode and central compartments. The decontamination solution flows into the central compartment and the radioactive cations in the solution are drawn towards the cathode. The acidity in the cathode chamber is controlled so that small radioactive metal particles are deposited on the cathode. A cathode solution flows over the cathode which removes the deposited radioactive particles. The cathode solution and small particles flow into a waste collection container where the metal particles settle to the bottom of the container where they are easily separated from the solution. The only waste product produced by the system are the small radioactive metal particles which are easily disposed of.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
    Inventors: Christopher John Wood, David Bradbury, George Richard Elder
  • Publication number: 20040011668
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the electrochemical system comprises an electrochemical cell and hydrogen storage in fluid communication with the hydrogen electrode, the hydrogen storage comprising at least one of carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers. In one embodiment, the method for operating an electrochemical cell system, comprises introducing water to an oxygen electrode and electrolyzing the water to form oxygen, hydrogen ions and electrons, wherein the hydrogen ions migrate to a hydrogen electrode. The hydrogen ions can then be reacted with the electrons to form hydrogen gas that is stored in at least one of carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Jason K. Shiepe, Frano Barbir