With Filtering Patents (Class 205/751)
  • Patent number: 11680001
    Abstract: Devices and associated methods described herein in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can, for example, treat acidity and remove suspended solids and heavy metals from acid mine and acid rock drainage, as well as from other acidic and various aqueous fluids of various pH. The disclosed system includes a cavitation/electro-coagulation reaction chamber, solids separation, and other optional components including a passive media contact reaction chamber, and/or an oxidation/reduction electrode assembly to facilitate or expand upon parameters requiring treatment. The disclosed system can be packaged in small housing units suitable for insertion within mine tunnels or adits, but may also be expanded for large scale applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Yost Brothers LLC
    Inventors: Karl William Yost, Richard W. Alexander
  • Patent number: 11401181
    Abstract: A method of treating an aqueous composition includes immersing a galvanic cell in the aqueous composition to form a treated aqueous composition. The galvanic cell includes an anode including Mg, Al, Fe, Zn, or a combination thereof. The galvanic cell includes a cathode having a different composition than the anode, the cathode including Cu, Ni, Fe, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Phosphorus Free Water Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Carlos Borras, Donald A. Luke
  • Patent number: 11298660
    Abstract: A method of operating an electrochemical device includes periodically discharging a volume of concentrate reject in a timed batch cycle and replacing the concentrate reject with feed water. An electrochemical water treatment system includes a recycle line having a valve controlled by a control module. The control module periodically opens the valve to discharge concentrate reject from the recycle line in a batch timed cycle. The recycle line is fed with feed water to replace the discharged concentrate reject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Li-Shiang Liang, Michael J. Shaw, Wenxin Du
  • Patent number: 10998173
    Abstract: A plasma generator includes an outer electrode that encloses a first inner electrode and a second inner electrode. The first inner electrodes includes a plurality of protrusions that extend towards the outer electrode. A voltage signal can be applied across the outer electrode and the first inner electrode to excite gas injected into gaps between the protrusions and the outer electrode. Plasma is generated surrounding the protrusions. The second inner electrode is at a downstream location of the excited gas relative to the first inner electrode. The second inner electrode forms a second gap with the outer electrode. A voltage signal can be applied across the second inner electrode and the outer electrode, further exciting the gas to generate second plasma at the second gap. The second plasma is spread evenly across the second inner electrode and the outer electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: NOVA ENGINEERING FILMS, INC.
    Inventor: Sang In Lee
  • Patent number: 10897920
    Abstract: A self-contained water system that provides single point water delivery is presented. The self-contained water system purifies incoming water and restructures the purified water to deliver pure, alkaline, ionized, mineral-rich water. A first stage purification of water may be performed via pre-filtering and reverse osmosis stages that sequentially remove larger and smaller particles in the water prior to storing first stage purified water into a holding tank. A second stage purification of water is performed via a closed loop purification system that sanitizes water in the holding tank so as to kill microorganisms in the water. Restructuring of the purified water in the holding tank is performed via a water conditioner stage that remineralizes the water prior to providing for end use. Water in the holding tank can be oxygenized via a vortexing device that operates on the water in the holding tank in a closed loop fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: PERFECT WATER WORLDWIDE, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Guoin
  • Patent number: 10023483
    Abstract: The invention provides a liquid composition when used for maintenance of a body of water, the liquid composition comprising a solution of magnesium and potassium salts, at least one of which is a halide salt. Preferably, the liquid composition comprises Mg2+ from the magnesium salt in an amount of from about 6000 ppm to about 15 000 ppm; K+ from the potassium salt in an amount from about 40 000 ppm to about 120 000 ppm and hypohalite from the halide in an amount from about 100 000 ppm to about 400 000 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: ZODIAC GROUP AUSTRALIA PTY LTD.
    Inventor: Ross Leslie Palmer
  • Patent number: 9724651
    Abstract: Provided are flux enhancing inclusion complexes for preparing highly permeable thin film composite membranes, and processes that include adding the flux enhancing inclusion complexes to the organic phase or aqueous phase prior to interfacial polymerization of the thin film composite membrane. The thin film composite membranes are suitable for nanofiltration, and reverse and forward osmosis. The provided processes can include contacting a porous support membrane with an aqueous phase containing a polyamine to form a coated support membrane, and applying an organic phase containing a polyfunctional acid halide and a flux enhancing inclusion complex to the coated support membrane to interfacially polymerize the polyamine and the polyfunctional acid halide to form a discrimination layer to form thin film composite membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignees: LG NANOH2O, INC., LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Hyung Joon Jeon, Jeff Koehler, Hyungsam Choi
  • Patent number: 9687792
    Abstract: Provided is an interfacial polymerization process for preparation of a highly permeable thin film composite membrane, which can be used for nanofiltration, forward osmosis, or reverse osmosis, particularly for use with brackish water or seawater. The process includes contacting a porous support membrane with an aqueous phase containing a polyamine to form a coated support membrane, and applying an organic phase containing a polyfunctional acid halide to the coated support membrane to interfacially polymerize the polyamine and the polyfunctional acid halide to form a discrimination layer of a thin film composite membrane, where the aqueous and/or organic phases include a flux-enhancing additive and a boron rejection-enhancing additive that includes a biguanide compound, dicarbonate compound, pentathiodicarbonate compound, or salts thereof. Also provided are the membranes prepared by the methods and reverse osmosis modules containing the membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignees: LG CHEM, LTD., LG NANOH2O, INC.
    Inventors: Alberto Goenaga, Brett Anderson Holmberg, Andrew Ford, Amit Sankhe, Christopher Kurth, Robert Burk, Jin Kuk Lee, Jeff Koehler, Sung Yeol Choi, Youngsik Eom, Hyungsam Choi
  • Patent number: 9199867
    Abstract: A method of purifying water is provided that includes applying a voltage to an electrolytic cell 10 that includes an anode 14, a cathode 16 and an alkaline electrolyte composition having a pH value of about 11 or less. The alkaline electrolyte composition 13 includes at least one waste metal ion to be reduced, and a sacrificial reductant, such as urea, ammonia or a combination thereof, to be oxidized. According to the disclosed method, the voltage is applied across the cathode 16 and the anode 14 and is sufficient to reduce the at least one waste metal ion to form at least one elemental metal species at the cathode 16, and to oxidize the sacrificial reductant at the anode 14. Additionally, the applied voltage does not affect the generation of hydrogen at the cathode 16 and/or oxygen at the anode 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ohio University
    Inventor: Gerardine G. Botte
  • Patent number: 9102554
    Abstract: A method is disclosed in which water is pumped continuously into one end of a container, the pollutants are captured and floated to the surface, the treated and cleaned water flows out the other end and the floated pollutants are removed. In one embodiment, the system consists of at least one container that has a set of electrically active plates and a mechanism for capturing and removing the pollutants that are floated to the surface by the electrically active plates. Multiple containers can be connected in series and used for similar or separate purposes to remove the pollutants. In another embodiment, the single container is partitioned into a multiple of chambers. Each chamber can be used for a similar or separate purpose, which purpose depends upon the application. In both embodiments, the primary reaction consists of electroflocculation, in which a low voltage is applied across a set of metal plates. This liberates metal ions and gas bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Inventor: Vivian Robinson
  • Publication number: 20150001164
    Abstract: To remove a contaminant from a liquid, a pulsed electrical arc discharge is effected between two electrodes immersed in the liquid, thereby creating a plurality of particles within the liquid. One or both of the electrodes is metallic, for example iron or titanium. Before the pulsed electrical arc discharge is terminated, another step that promotes destruction of the contaminant by particles, such as removing the particles from the liquid or adding an oxidizer to the liquid, is performed. In the case of the extra step being adding an oxidizer to the liquid, preferably the termination of the pulsed electrical arc discharge is followed by allowing the liquid and the particles therein to age.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Ramot at Tel-Aviv University Ltd.
    Inventors: Nahum Parkansky, Reuven Lev Boxman, Simon Evelina Faktorovich, Boris A. Alterkop, Olga Berkh, Adi Vegerhof
  • 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: 20140262826
    Abstract: A modularized fluid purification device and a method for fluid purification are provided that utilizes electrical power to create a high voltage electrostatic field through which the fluid is passed in combination with filtration to remove or neutralize both organic and inorganic contaminants. The electrostatic field may be focused using an electromagnetic field, and one or more filters downstream of the electrostatic field may be charged to attract correspondingly charged contaminants. The electrical power for creating the electrostatic field and/or charging the filters may be generated via a power generation module of the device or from an external source of power. Fluid, such as water, that is passed through the device and purified may, as a result, be suitable for human consumption, as well as agricultural and industrial applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: HydroDyne Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Shankar Rao, Michael R. Lombardi, Neil B. Morley
  • Patent number: 8778166
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Potable Water Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Jorge Miller, Luisa Kling Miller
  • Patent number: 8771499
    Abstract: Axially fed fluid is sheared during long residence time in a radial workspace between counter-rotating coaxial disk-shaped centrifugal impellers. Gases evolve in the fractal turbulence of a shear layer, which is forced between laminar boundary layers, and an axial suction pump axially extracts evolved noncondensables and volatiles through cores of radial vortices in the shear layer. Cavitation due to shear between the impellers kills pathogens by shock waves, microjets, OH radicals, and nearby UV light pulses. Oppositely charged electrodes bounding the workspace cause electroporesis and electrohydraulic cavitation. The electrodes are counter-rotating ridged armatures of disk dynamos, forming a dynamic capacitor having audio frequency pulsed electric fields. Electrode erosion by arcing is prevented by shear between the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: McCutchen Co.
    Inventors: Wilmot H. McCutchen, David J. McCutchen
  • Publication number: 20140158550
    Abstract: The onset of flocculation of undesirable chemicals within produced water is accelerated by treatment of the produced water with electrocoagulation and sonication. The sonoelectrochemical method described herein provides a faster and more dynamic means to reduce the requisite retention time for separation of flocculants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Kushal Seth, Evan Kent Dawson
  • Publication number: 20140144790
    Abstract: Plant for desalinating water of a water supply system, which comprises one or more tanks for accumulating water (2) in an immiscible manner, in order to store a softened supply thereof, provided with a first inlet connection (3) and with a first outlet connection (4) respectively connected to a feeding pipe (5) connected to the water supply system (50) and to an extraction pipe (6) for supplying users. The plant (1) also comprises a filtering unit (10) for water softening, for example obtained with a flow-through condenser (10?) or with a reverse osmosis membrane filter (10?), connected in parallel to the tank (2) with second inlet connection (1 1) and second outlet connection (12) respectively hydraulically connected to the first inlet connection (3) and to the first outlet connection (4) of the tank (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: IDROPAN DELL'ORTO DEPURATORI S.R.L.
    Inventor: Tulio Servida
  • Publication number: 20140008243
    Abstract: The present invention relates to provide a carbon bed electrolyser (CBE) unit for electrochemical treatment. More particularly the present invention relates to the treatment of recalcitrant wastewater, e.g. from chemical industry. Further the said CBE unit is useful for electrolytic treatment of liquid effluent having very high concentrations of Chemical oxygen Demand (COD), Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), and for improving biodegradability of the effluent. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electro oxidation process wherein the carbon bed gets regenerated in-situ continuously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC & INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH
    Inventors: Nageswara Rao Neti, Tapas Nandy
  • Patent number: 8540863
    Abstract: A method of improving electrocoagulation (“EC”) treatment processes for treating waste water and similar applications. The method includes providing a variable power supply that outputs an alternating current (“AC”) to one or more EC treatment cells. The alternating current from the variable power supply is rectified before delivery to the EC cell. As an intermediate step between the variable power supply and rectification, the method described and claimed here uses a variable step down transformer to modify the output delivered to the EC cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Water Tectonics, Inc.
    Inventors: James Mothersbaugh, Marvin Eugene Hancock
  • Publication number: 20130118994
    Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for treating waste water and produced water, so as to remove contaminants therefrom. The systems and methods allow specifically for the removal of contaminants from produced water from oil and gas wells, fracturing flow-back water, and water- or brine-based drilling fluids. The water is treated by contacting the contaminated fluid with ozone after contacting the fluid with a diffused air system to generate small bubbles for entrainment of some contaminants. Thereafter, the water is contacted with an electro-coagulation system in order to remove flocculants and adjust the pH and the total dissolved solids levels of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: R360 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS
    Inventor: Richard Altman
  • Patent number: 8431009
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Kaspar Electroplating Corporation
    Inventors: Paul E. Morkovsky, Douglas D. Kaspar
  • Publication number: 20130087502
    Abstract: Methods and systems for enhanced water treatment comprise inorganic filter systems for impurity removal. Embodiments for water impurity removal include introducing contaminated water into an impurity removal system having an inorganic filter. The inorganic filter comprises an inorganic membrane layer supported by an inorganic support. The inorganic membrane layer comprises pores sized from about 1,000 Daltons to about 10 microns for filtering impurities such as kinetic hydrate inhibitor. Other pre-treatment and post-treatment stages may be included. The inorganic membrane layer or inorganic membrane support may comprise a ceramic such as alumina, zirconia, silica, silicon carbide, and mixed oxides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: David J. BLUMER, Ying XU, Bruce B. RANDOLPH, John A. CRUZE
  • Publication number: 20130075334
    Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of water, including for example treatment in connection with hydrocarbon production operations. Silica in water produces undesirable scaling in processing equipment, which causes excess energy usage and maintenance problems. Electrocoagulation (EC) at relatively high water temperature may be combined with a process of ceramic ultra-filtration (UF filtration) employed to treat water, and optionally followed by any of membrane distillation or forward osmosis (FO). Water to be treated may be produced water that has been pumped from a subterranean reservoir. The treated water may be employed to generate steam. The treatment units (e.g., EC, forward osmosis, UF filtration, etc) can be configured into one system as an on-site installation or a mobile unit for on-site or off-site water treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Prakhar Prakash, James Craig Pauley, De Vu
  • Patent number: 8323474
    Abstract: Provided is an electro-chemical water treatment apparatus and method for removing total nitrogen ingredients of ammonia nitrogen, nitrous acid nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen etc., organic materials of BOD and COD induction ingredients, and cyanogen included in wastewater and dirty water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventors: Chi-Jung Jeon, Jong-Sung Kim, Kwang-Su Kim, Sang-Ki Hong
  • Publication number: 20120267257
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for sanitising water in a swimming pool or the like, which method uses sources of ionic chlorine at significantly lower levels than conventional systems. The method comprises the steps of (i) forming, in the swimming pool water, an electrolyte solution containing from 500 ppm to 9000 ppm of a soluble magnesium halide salt, (ii) treating the electrolyte solution in an electrolytic halogenation cell to form an aqueous solution of hypohalous acid, and (iii) returning the water so treated back to the swimming pool. A mixture of magnesium, potassium and sodium chloride salts with small quantities of a soluble alkaline earth metal bromide, zinc halide, ascorbate, and/or zinc ascorbate may be particularly effective in the sanitisation process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Ross Leslie Palmer, Stuart Bruce Anderson
  • Patent number: 8268136
    Abstract: Axially fed fluid is sheared during long residence time in a radial workspace between counter-rotating coaxial disk-shaped centrifugal impellers. Gases evolve in the fractal turbulence of a shear layer, which is forced between laminar boundary layers, and an axial suction pump axially extracts evolved noncondensables and volatiles through cores of radial vortices in the shear layer. Cavitation due to shear between the impellers kills pathogens by shock waves, microjets, OH radicals, and nearby UV light pulses. Oppositely charged electrodes bounding the workspace cause electroporesis and electrohydraulic cavitation. The electrodes are counter-rotating ridged armatures of disk dynamos, forming a dynamic capacitor having audio frequency pulsed electric fields. Electrode erosion by arcing is prevented by shear between the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: McCutchen, Co.
    Inventors: Wilmot H. McCutchen, David J. McCutchen
  • Publication number: 20120152761
    Abstract: Wastewater containing soluble selenium is treated in a bioreactor. Microorganisms in the reactor reduce the selenium to elemental selenium, which is insoluble. The elemental selenium is discharged from the reactor in waste sludge. The sludge is treated to recover selenium. In one method, the sludge is washed with chemicals, for example surfactants, and agitated to disrupt the adhesion of the selenium particles to the cells. The selenium particles are then separated from the cells using a physical separation process such as a centrifuge or differential filtration. In another method, the sludge is de-watered or dried to a very high solids content. The selenium particles are dissolved using an oxidizer under high pH conditions. A solids fraction is removed from the resulting slurry. A resulting selenium brine is further refined to recover the selenium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Timothy Michael Pickett, Jill Noreen Sonstegard
  • Patent number: 8182695
    Abstract: This invention is related to the fields of organic chemistry and nanotechnology. In particular, it relates to materials and methods for the preparation of organic synthons and bridged macrocyclic module compounds. The bridged macrocyclic module compounds may be used to prepare macrocyclic compositions such as nanofilms, which may be useful for filtration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Whiteford, William Freeman, Joshua W. Kriesel
  • Patent number: 8157984
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Potable Water Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Miller Jorge, Miller Luisa Kling
  • Patent number: 8152990
    Abstract: Process and apparatus to remove colloids and nitrogen compounds from contaminated water by coagulating the colloids and separating them from the water. The solids are floated by sparging and then the floating solids are swept from the surface of the water into an exit port using a conveyor from which downwardly depending flaps skim or near the surface, thus sweeping the floating floc into the exit port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Potable Water Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Jorge Miller, Luisa Kling Miller
  • Patent number: 8152538
    Abstract: An assembly for bonding a fluid, wherein the assembly comprises a fitting having an electrically conductive body comprising: a base, a first extension member which extends from a first part of the base, and a second extension member which extends from a second part of the base; and an electrically conductive protrusion extending from an exterior surface of the body; a fluid filter having a receiver which is in operable communication with the first extension member of the fitting; and a pump which draws the fluid from a fluid source and into the fluid filter, wherein the fluid further flows from the fluid filter and through the fitting; whereby the fluid, when it flows through the fitting, and when a bond wire is in electrical communication with the electrically conductive protrusion of the fitting, is bonded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventor: Timothy A. Papageorge
  • Publication number: 20120067739
    Abstract: Decomposition is performed with the application of the method and apparatus by separating solid contaminants from the emulsion, absorbing CO2 gas in the emulsion, thereby switching the emulsion type from W/O to O/W, pre-heating the emulsion utilizing a heat regenerator (32), setting the stability minimum of the emulsion by adjusting the pH, resolving the emulsion in an electrochemical decomposition reactor (38) by passing it between an anode made of electrochemically active material and a cathode made of electrochemically inactive material, while the colloid particles of the emulsion are bound in flocks forming a foam utilizing as a flocculant the compound produced in situ from the electrochemically active anode, —discharging the foam produced in the above step, and—discharging the decontaminated water through a final settlement tank (47) and/or a final filter (44) and a heat regenerator (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicants: HM ELEKTRONIKAI, LOGISZTIKAI ES VAGYONKEZELO ZARTKORUEN MUKODO RESZVENYTARSASAG, G.I.C. IPARI SZOLGALTATO ES KERESKEDEKLMI KFT.
    Inventors: István Schremmer, Bernadett Ivett Kovács, József Kis-Benedek, László Ébert
  • Patent number: 8119008
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of purifying fluid, typically an aqueous fluid steam, with the method involving at least two reverse osmosis stages with retentate from a first reverse osmosis stage being subjected to the second reverse osmosis stage, and with intermediate treatment of retentate from the first reverse osmosis stage by exposure to an electric field. The intermediate treatment may involve electrocoagulation to remove sparingly-soluble compounds and permit enhanced reverse osmosis recovery. Additional treatment may be performed prior to the first reverse osmosis stage, between the first reverse osmosis stage and the intermediate treatment with an electric field, between such intermediate treatment and the second reverse osmosis stage, or after the second reverse osmosis stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventor: Christopher Heiss
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110215001
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a system for removing arsenic from an arsenic contaminated aqueous solution, and its use thereof. The system comprises an anode comprising iron and a cathode comprising iron or an electricity conducting metal that is electropositive relative to iron in contact with the arsenic contaminated aqueous solution. The system is used by running an electric current through the water via the anode and cathode to cause the formation of iron (hydr)oxide from the iron of the anode which then forms an insoluble arsenic-iron (hydr)oxide complex which can be separated from the aqueous solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: Ashok Jagannath Gadgil, Susan E. Addy, Robert Kostecki
  • 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: 20110174742
    Abstract: With a method for renovating wastewater, the wastewater is fed into an electro flocculation cell (E) and is subject to electro flocculation. The electro flocculate (WF) processed in the electro flocculation cell is fed into a ripening tank (R) and remains there. The electro flocculate (WF) originating from the ripening tank is filtered in a filter (F). The device for renovating wastewater comprises an electro flocculation cell (E), a ripening tank (R) connected downstream of the electro flocculation cell (E), and a filter (F) connected downstream of the ripening tank. The electro flocculation cell (E) is provided with moveable electrodes. The ripening tank (R) comprises a ventilation element (R18) for feeding air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventor: Holger Blum
  • Patent number: 7938970
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of producing and using aluminum slurry containing aluminum particles having an extremely small size. In particular, a particle size that is small enough to freely flow through water filtration filters. Once the aluminum particles react with phosphorus, phosphates, and other contaminants, the resulting particles are large enough to be trapped by filters such that the contaminants can be easily removed. The aluminum slurry is created by the use of a unique process which rapidly transforms electrically charged aluminum plates into slurry. The resulting slurry is then added to the body of water where it disperses throughout the water and flocculates with the contaminants. The resulting clumps produced by the reaction are large enough to be trapped by filters in the water treatment facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Inventor: John J. Murray, Jr.
  • 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
  • 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: 20100307975
    Abstract: System and methods are disclosed for filtering wastewater. In one embodiment, a water filtering system comprises a first filtering stage and a second filtering stage. The first filtering stage receives a flow of wastewater, and uses electrocoagulation to separate suspended particles from the wastewater and produce filtered wastewater. The second filtering stage receives the filtered wastewater from the first filtering stage, and uses mechanical filtering to remove suspended particles from the filtered wastewater and produce filtered water that is substantially free from suspended particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: Curt Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100276300
    Abstract: A super absorbent polymer material is contacted with an aqueous medium to absorb at least a portion of the aqueous medium. At least portion of the aqueous medium absorbed super absorbent material is subsequently regenerated to release water therefrom and to form a regenerated super absorbent material suitable for the contacting with a second quantity of an aqueous medium. Also disclosed are layered composites including an electrically conductive metal support layer, a layer of super absorbent material disposed thereon, and a layer of a selective semi-permeable material disposed adjacent the layer of the super absorbent material and spaced apart from the electrically conductive metal support layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Fouad TEYMOUR, Said Al-Hallaj
  • Publication number: 20100270173
    Abstract: A method for sanitization of water in a swimming pool or the like comprises the steps of forming, in the pool water, an electrolyte solution containing from 1500 ppm to 9000 ppm of a soluble magnesium halide salt, treating the electrolyte solution in an electrolytic halogenation cell to form an aqueous solution of hypohalous acid and then returning the water so treated back to a swimming pool. A mixture of magnesium and potassium chlorides with small quantities of soluble alkaline earth metal bromide is particularly effective in the sanitization process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: POOLRITE RESEARCH PTY LTD
    Inventors: Stuart Bruce Anderson, Colin John Holloway, Ross Leslie Palmer, Colin James Redmond
  • Publication number: 20100224506
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for complex treatment of contaminated liquids are provided, by which contaminants are extracted from the liquid. The substances to be extracted may be metallic, non-metallic, organic, inorganic, dissolved, or in suspension. The treatment apparatus includes at least one mechanical filter used to filter the liquid solution, a separator device used to remove organic impurities and oils from the mechanically filtered liquid, and an electroextraction device that removes heavy metals from the separated liquid. After treatment within the treatment apparatus, metal ion concentrations within the liquid may be reduced to their residual values of less than 0.1 milligrams per liter. A Method of complex treatment of a contaminated liquid includes using the separator device to remove inorganic and non-conductive substances prior to electroextraction of metals to maximize the effectiveness of the treatment and provide a reusable liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: David Livshits, Lester Teichner
  • Publication number: 20100187130
    Abstract: Acid mine drainage and surface waters containing sulfate are processed by an electrocoagulator to make aluminum or other polyvalent metal sulfate, which acts as a coagulant for solids suspended in the waters. The process thus removes and puts to good use highly undesirable sulfate anions, obviating combinations with barium and other scale forming metals when the fluids are used in well drilling for other purposes associated with hydrocarbon recovery. Well fluids may be treated with the acid mine drainage including the sulfate coagulant made in it. Efficiency of the process may be enhanced by the addition of an oxidizing agent and/or by passing the fluid through a cavitation device or other mechanism to improve mixing, enabling the process to handle large quantities of acid mine drainage and fluids handled in hydrocarbon recovery, particularly from shale formations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Kevin W. Smith, Robert L. Sloan
  • Patent number: 7749370
    Abstract: This invention provides the oxidative mixed water with pH around 7.4 ranging from the weak acidity to weak alkalinity, high power of killing microorganisms, and high power of healing wound by electrolysis using the three-compartment cell composed of an anode compartment, a cathode compartment, and a middle compartment between the anode compartment and the cathode compartment. Mixing anode water with cathode water produced using the three-compartment device forms the oxidative mixed water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventor: Osao Sumita
  • Publication number: 20100140107
    Abstract: Produced and flowback fluids, and other fluids emanating from oil, mining, and mineral extraction operations, are treated to remove heavy metals by introducing an oxidizing agent and passing the fluid through an electrocoagulator. A cavitation device is used to intensify the oxidation reactions. Coalesced bodies made in the electrocoagulator, including heavy metals such as iron rendered insoluble by elevation of their oxidation states, are separated from the fluids so they may be reused.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Robert L. Sloan
  • Patent number: 7704373
    Abstract: A method for electrochemical oxidation decomposition of difficult to decompose compounds such as aromatic compounds, organic chlorine compounds, agricultural chemicals, dioxin, PCB's and water soluble polymers that are contained in waste fluid, such as print developing waste fluids, factory waste water and industrial waste water, and landfill soil seeping waste water by carrying out electrolysis at a high current density to eliminate and purify difficult to decompose substances in the waste fluid. Waste fluid containing difficult to decompose substances is introduced into an electrolytic chamber having a ferrite electrode anode, electrolysis is performed at a high current density of 10 A/dm2 or higher, hypohalogenous acid and active oxygen are generated in the waste fluid along with a strong anode oxidation action being brought about, and the oxidation decomposition is repeated by re-circulating the waste fluid through a filter, electrolyzer and an intermediate collecting chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Omega Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Nakamura, Kunihiko Fukuzuka
  • Patent number: 7695607
    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: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: ARS USA LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Polnicki, V. Gerald Grafe, Frank Huang