With Filtering Patents (Class 205/751)
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7691253
    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 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: ARS USA LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Polnicki, Giselher Klose
  • Patent number: 7691251
    Abstract: Sharps are introduced into an apparatus for contacting the sharps 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 forms of any other redox couples present are produced either by similar anodic oxidation or reaction with the oxidized form of other redox couples present and capable of affecting the required redox reaction. The oxidized species of the redox couples oxidize sharps and the biological waste on the sharps and are themselves converted to their reduced form, whereupon they are reoxidized by either of the aforementioned mechanisms and the redox cycle continues until all oxidizable waste species, including intermediate reaction products, have undergone the desired degree of oxidation. The entire process takes place at temperatures between ambient and approximately 100° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Scimist, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger W. Carson, Bruce W. Bremer
  • Publication number: 20100051477
    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: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Chi-Jung Jeon, Jong-Sung Kim, Kwang-Su Kim, Sang-Ki Hong
  • Patent number: 7611620
    Abstract: A mediated electrochemical oxidation process is used to treat and destroy organic waste materials. The materials are introduced into an apparatus containing an electrolyte having the oxidized form of one or more redox couples. The oxidized couples oxidize the organic waste materials and are converted into their reduced form. The reduced forms are reoxidized by electrochemical anodic oxidation in the anode compartment of an electrochemical cell or reaction with the oxidized form of other redox couples. The redox cycle continues until the desired degree of oxidation is reached. The process takes place at temperatures between ambient and approximately 100° C., to avoid the formation of dioxins or furans. The oxidation process may be enhanced by the addition of reaction enhancements, such as: ultrasonic energy and/or ultraviolet radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Scimst, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger W. Carson, Bruce W. Bremer
  • Publication number: 20090159461
    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 noncondensibles 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. The device is also a continuous crystallizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: MCCUTCHEN CO.
    Inventors: Wilmot H. McCutchen, David J. McCutchen
  • Patent number: 7531080
    Abstract: A medicated electrochemical oxidation process is used for sterilization/disinfection of contaminated instruments and infectious waste. Contaminated instruments and waste are introduced into an apparatus for contacting the infectious waste with an electrolyte containing the oxidized form of one or more reversible redox couples, at least one of which is produced at the anode of an electrochemical cell. The oxidized species of the redox couples oxidize the infectious waste molecules and are themselves converted to their reduced form, whereupon they are reoxidized by either of the aforementioned mechanisms and the redox cycle continues until all oxidizable infectious waste species have undergone the desired degree of oxidation. The entire process takes place at temperatures between ambient and approximately 100 degree celsius. The oxidation process will be enhanced by the addition of reaction of reaction enhancements, such as: ultrasonic energy and/or ultraviolet radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Scimist, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger W. Carson, Bruce W. Bremer
  • Patent number: 7517445
    Abstract: A mediated electrochemical oxidation process is used to treat, oxidize and destroy food waste materials, such as manure, biological residue, hay, straw, animal byproducts, bones, horns, blood, biological items, pathological waste and combined waste. Food waste is 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 by anodic oxidation in 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 by either of the aforementioned mechanisms and the redox cycle continues until all oxidizable waste species, including intermediate reaction products, have undergone the desired degree of oxidation. The process takes place at temperatures between zero degrees centigrade and below the boiling point of the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Scimist, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger W. Carson, Bruce W. Bremer
  • Patent number: 7507341
    Abstract: A method of converting biological material into energy resources includes transmitting biological material to a pulsed electric field (PEF) station, and applying a PEF to the biological material within a treatment zone in the PEF station to generate treated biological material. The method also includes transmitting the treated biological material to a biogenerator, and processing the treated biological material in the biogenerator to produce an energy resource. A converter may carry out this process, and may include the PEF station and the biogenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Opencel LLC
    Inventors: Michael T. Gallagher, Jeffrey Held, Satya P. Chauhan, Anthony J. Tomasello
  • Publication number: 20090038961
    Abstract: A process and system for treating waste water containing contaminants to prevent excessive accumulation on demineralizer media of a driver contaminate capable of such accumulation before another contaminant can reach a predetermined level of accumulation. The waste water is treated upstream of the demineralizer media with removal means for specifically removing the driver contaminant while leaving the other contaminant for subsequent removal by the demineralizer media. The amount of accumulation on the demineralizer media of the other contaminant is monitored, and the supplying of treated waste water to the demineralizer media is terminated when its accumulation reaches the predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Mark S. Denton, John M. Raymont, JR., Hubert W. Arrowsmith
  • Patent number: 7479215
    Abstract: A mediated electrochemical oxidation process is used to treat, oxidize and destroy halogenated hydrocarbon waste materials. The waste materials are introduced into an apparatus for contacting 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 forms of any other redox couples present are produced either by similar anodic oxidation or reaction with the oxidized form of other redox couples present and capable of affecting the required redox reaction. The oxidized species of the redox couples oxidize the halogenated hydrocarbon waste molecules and are themselves converted to their reduced form, whereupon they are reoxidized by either of the aforementioned mechanisms and the redox cycle continues until all oxidizable waste species, including intermediate reaction products, have undergone the desired degree of oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Scimist, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger W. Carson, Bruce W. Bremer
  • Publication number: 20090008269
    Abstract: An electrocoagulation reactor, and water purification systems and methods using the reactor, are provided. The electrocoagulation reactor has a spirally wound assembly in which electrocoagulation treatment takes place. The spirally wound assembly includes electrode sheets spirally wound in spaced relation with an area for fluid flow in the space between the electrode sheets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Christopher William Heiss
  • Patent number: 7419603
    Abstract: The present invention provides a physical water treatment (PWT) method and apparatus to treat liquid coolants. Electrodes (22, 24) are provided in a coolant stream (21), and an alternating voltage is applied across the electrodes (22, 24) to produce an electric field through the coolant. The alternating voltage creates an oscillating electric field in the coolant that promotes the collision of dissolved mineral ions. The ions collide to form seed particles that precipitate out of solution. Bulk precipitation of seed particles decreases the availability of ions in solution which can crystallize on heat transfer surfaces. The seed particles adhere to additional ions that separate out of solution and form larger particles that may be removed from the coolant stream (21) using a variety of treatment measures. In addition to precipitating mineral ions, the electric field may be applied to destroy bacteria, algae and microorganisms that accumulate in the coolant stream (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventor: Young I. Cho
  • Patent number: 7413667
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for water purification has a stationary electrode opposing a movable electrode which are positioned about a passageway for the water to be purified. The stationary electrode and movable electrode form an arc gap, and the arc gap is fed with a voltage from a pulsatile power supply. The arc gap is reduced when the current is below a first threshold and increased when the current is above a second threshold, and the arc gap change is realized by controlling a motor attached to feeder rollers coupled to the movable electrode. The apparatus causes the formation of oxide nano-particles providing durable bactericidal action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Inventors: Alexander F. Routberg, Victoz Andreevich Kolikov, Rutbezg Philip Gzigozevich, Bzatsev Alexandz Nikoeaevich
  • Patent number: 7374655
    Abstract: An electrolytic water purification system and method use provides a water filtration device with a plurality of electrolytic cells having anodes and cathodes specifically selected to remove contaminants from water. The device is capable of efficiently removing nearly all contaminants from water and is also capable of purifying the water by destroying micro-organisms which are in the water. Many minerals are removed from the purified water, and it is not necessary to add chemicals to the water during or after the purification process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Novastron
    Inventors: Gary D. Roberts, David W. Roberts
  • Patent number: 7368564
    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: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Covalent Partners, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Whiteford, William Freeman, Joshua W. Kriesel
  • Patent number: 7244360
    Abstract: The present invention provides a physical water treatment (PWT) method and apparatus to treat liquid coolants. Electrodes (22, 24) are provided in a coolant stream (21), and an alternating voltage is applied across the electrodes (22, 24) to produce an electric field through the coolant. The alternating voltage creates an oscillating electric field in the coolant that promotes the collision of dissolved mineral ions. The ions collide to form seed particles that precipitate out of solution. Bulk precipitation of seed particles decreases the availability of ions in solution which can crystallize on heat transfer surfaces. The seed particles adhere to additional ions that separate out of solution and form larger particles that may be removed from the coolant stream (21) using a variety of treatment measures. In addition to precipitating mineral ions, the electric field may be applied to destroy bacteria, algae and microorganisms that accumulate in the coolant stream (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventor: Young I. Cho
  • Patent number: 7241390
    Abstract: A system for elimination of unwanted species from contaminated ship ballast water. The apparatus comprises an electrolytic cell containing at least one pair of electrodes, electric alternating current, and parallel perforated electrodes, for providing an effective and safe method to render ballast water or other conductive bodies of water free of aquatic invasive species and/or unwanted biologics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Amergin, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Lyles, III
  • Patent number: 7211185
    Abstract: An electrocoagulation treatment device includes a plurality of spaced reaction plates disposed within a reaction chamber. A voltage is applied to selected reaction plates to create an electrical field within the electrocoagulation chamber. The plates are arranged vertically which induces a vertical flow of liquid through a device. Gases formed in the electrocoagulation process are allowed to rise and can be vented to the atmosphere. The solids which precipitate out of the liquid stream are carried by the liquid stream to secondary separation. The device includes various embodiments adapted for use as a large industrial unit, a portable unit or for use within the home. The device may be operated in a pressure controlled environment, thus eliminating the need for a pump. The voltage and amperage of the electrical field chamber may be adjusted by placing selected reaction plates in electrical contact with the voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Inventor: Scott Wade Powell
  • Patent number: 7186323
    Abstract: An electrolytic ion-water production apparatus in which purified water without residual chlorine is electrolyzed to produce alkaline-ion water without any chloride smell of lime in use of the apparatus, and in which a mixture of purified water treated by a water purifier and tap water containing residual chlorine is electrolyzed to produce alkaline-ion water containing sodium hypochlorous acid (NaOCl) of low concentration and to retain the produced alkaline-ion water in an introduction passage for reliably preventing propagation of microbes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuo Hara
  • 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: 7070685
    Abstract: The invention relates to an efficient process and device for the decontamination of waters polluted with heavy metals, semimetals and/or radionuclides by cation exchange and electrochemical deposition of the anions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignees: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, ATC Dr. Mann
    Inventors: Manfred Kühn, Herwig Brunner, Andreas Wolf, Günther Mann
  • Patent number: 7001520
    Abstract: A method of treating of municipal sludge, paper-pulp sludge, animal and plant waste, and the like, whereby the treatment thereof via electroporation causes the breakdown of waste activated sludge, which is then recycled back to a bioreactor, or to one or more additional bioreactors such as aerobic, facultative, anoxic, or strictly anaerobic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Opencel LLC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Held, Satya P. Chauhan
  • Patent number: 6869626
    Abstract: The present invention realized the production of a water product having excellent physiological activity such as health promoting activity and the utilization of the water, in which ultrafine gold particles having a diameter as small as 1-2 figures in micron order, much smaller than any ordinary fine gold particles, are dissolved. According to the present invention, an aqueous ultrafine gold particle solution is produced using an apparatus comprising a pressure-resistant vessel equipped with a high-pressure water tank, a jet nozzle, an ignition device, and a combustion chamber, in which a gas mixture comprising hydrogen and oxygen is combusted in highly pressurized water, in which gold leaf fragments are suspended, and then the gold leaf fragments are heated and melted by the resulting combustion gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Phild Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Hirata, Yoshio Ueda, Hiraoki Takase
  • Publication number: 20040262169
    Abstract: A method and device for carrying out electrofiltration. Electrofiltration is a commonly known method, which is frequently used in industry for purifying suspensions, such as wastewater resulting from manufacturing processes. Conventional devices used for carrying out electrofiltration have the drawback that large amounts of expensive metals such as titanium, gold, iridium, platinum, and the like have to be used as counter-electrodes to the membrane electrodes. The method and device improve the filtration results compared to those of conventional filtration methods and modules without requiring the use of large amounts of expensive metals for the counter-electrodes. To this end, in the method the membrane electrodes are displaced, and a device carries out the method. The method and device can be used for separating substances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Christian Hying, Franz-Felix Kuppinger, Gerhard Horpel, Bernd Penth
  • Patent number: 6797179
    Abstract: A system is provided for removing dissolved metals from industrial wastewater by electrocoagulation. The system includes an electrocoagulation reactor with a DC power supply having an insulation support enclosure with positive and negative electrode plates disposed thereon. The electrode plates are insulated for each other but remain in direct contact with the wastewater as it flows between the electrodes. The DC power supply induces opposite charges on alternate electrodes thereby generating an electric field between adjacent electrodes to cause the electrodes to ionize and go into solution for interaction with the contaminants in the wastewater as it flows through the reactor. The reactor is housed in a pressure vessel container so the exterior pressure on the reactor is higher than its internal pressure preventing leakage of fluids and oxygen and hydrogen gases produced in the reactor by decomposition of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Hydrotreat, Inc.
    Inventor: Johnny Arnaud
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6723226
    Abstract: In forming an electrolytic water, pure water or ultra-pure water is added to at least one solid supporting electrolyte selected from the group consisting of oxalic acid, ammonium oxalate, ammonium formate, ammonium bicarbonate, and ammonium tartrate to prepare a solution saturated with the supporting electrolyte. The solution containing the supporting electrolyte is subjected to hydrolysis to obtain an anodic water and a cathodic water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Jun Takayasu, Naoto Miyashita, Mikiko Kawaguchi
  • 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: 6709594
    Abstract: A method of treating of municipal sludge, paper-pulp sludge, animal and plant waste, and the like, whereby the treatment thereof via electroporation causes the breakdown of waste activated sludge, which is then recycled back to a bioreactor, or to one or more additional bioreactors such as aerobic, facultative, anoxic, or strictly anaerobic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: DH20, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Held, Satya P. Chauhan
  • Patent number: 6699381
    Abstract: It is a compact water purification/sterilization method and its device with a high electrolytic efficiency in which even though it is used continuously for a long period of time in order to purify and sterilize water with low electrical conductivity such as the water from a swimming pool, bathtub, pond, 24-hour bath, farming tank or AC, there is no deterioration or breakage of the electrodes or deformation of the plastic case for the electrolyzing device due to heat, and even if the electrical flow per electrode surface area is increased, it provides superior long-term endurance performance. Barrel-shaped (cylindrical-shaped) anodes and cathodes are arranged alternately in a concentric manner in layers at given inter-electrode intervals. The anode is a ferrite rod with a long hole along the center axis direction or a ferrite pipe, and in the hole, heating so that it has fluidity, or mercury, which is liquid at ordinary temperature, is filled, in advance, fills a low-melting point metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Omega Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Nakamura, Kunihiko Fukuzuka, Kenji Nagayoshi, Masaki Miyashita
  • Patent number: 6663766
    Abstract: The invention provides an electroflocculation process for producing potable water from impure water, comprising forming trivalent ions in situ by electrolysis of metallic electrodes (16) selected from the group consisting of metallic aluminum electrodes and metallic iron electrodes, wherein water to be treated is caused to ascend sequentially through apertures (22) provided in a stack of parallel metallic plates (16) serving as said electrodes, each plate being charged with a polarity opposite to plates adjacent thereto, apertures of adjacent plates being vertically misaligned, whereby turbulent flow and mixing is created by the sequential passage of said water to be treated from the aperture of the lowest of said plates to the apertures of the plates thereabove to exit from the highest of said plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
    Inventors: Avner Adin, Nicholai Vescan
  • Publication number: 20030141202
    Abstract: An alkaline electrolyte solution is electrolyzed by a diaphragm-less electrolyzer to provide electrolytic water as purging and disinfecting water. The alkaline electrolyte solution is a mixture of at least one alkaline electrolyte selected from caustic sodium carbonate, caustic potassium carbonate, phosphorous sodium carbonate and sodium hypochlorite, and at least one neutral salt selected from sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium bromide and potassium bromide. The purging and disinfecting water is added to a water circulatory system. The result is that contaminants and noxious chemicals in the circulatory system are oxidation decomposed to thereby purge the circulating water, and noxious microorganisms such as germs, yeasts, fungi, and viruses, growing in the water circulatory system and causing degradation of water or development of slime are disinfected and thereby purged from the water circulatory system. The purging and infecting method can be carried out in a simple manner with minimum cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: OMEGA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichi Nakamura, Kunihiko Fukuzuka, Jingo Nakazawa
  • Publication number: 20030136686
    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: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: Robert J. Herbst
  • Publication number: 20030102211
    Abstract: At least one of an anode and a cathode or at least a cathode has holes or pores for filtration. To remove floating material, soil suspending materials and/or hydroxides such as Calcium formed on the filterable electrode(s), at intervals between the electrolysis processes, the direction of water flow is reversed, and treated water is pulled back through the electrode(s) and electrolyzed again, whereby the materials deposited on electrode(s) is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Shinichi Nakamura, Kunihiko Fukuzuka
  • Patent number: 6558537
    Abstract: A portable hydration system comprising water disinfection, filtration and pump features. The system comprises an electrolytic oxidant generating cell which utilizes a salt to create oxidants for disinfecting liquids such as water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Miox Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney E. Herrington, Wesley L. Bradford, Kevin Schwartz, Allen D. Clement, Curtis M. Mitchke, John K. Hickerson, Timothy A. Cushman, John F. White
  • Patent number: 6555010
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for obtaining colloid-forming metal particles from an aqueous mine waste solution containing that metal in ionic form. In accordance with this process, an aqueous mine waste solution containing that metal in ionic form is provided having a pH value of about 4.0 to about 6.5. The solution is electrified with direct current a about 1.2 to about 2.0 volts to reduce the desired metal ions to colloidal metal particles. A slurry of cellulose particles is agitatingly added to the colloid composition followed by a flocculant to form a solid phase cellulosic floc containing the colloid. The solid and liquid phases are separated, and the solid phase is dried, fluxed and heated to a temperature sufficient to melt the flux and colloid and form larger metal particles that can then be recovered. The colloid-forming metal is preferably gold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Keith Barrett
  • Patent number: 6540919
    Abstract: A system that allows the flexibility of primary and secondary treatment of municipal sludge, paper-pulp sludge, animal and plant waste, whereby the treatment thereof via electroporation may be used either as the primary dewatering treatment, secondary dewatering treatment, direct WAS-treatment, and combinations with other conventional dewatering techniques, in order to provide the municipal treatment plant, or the paper-pulp treatment plant, with the most cost-effective and efficient system as possible. The electroporated-treated sludge releases hitherto unreleased biosolids exiting from the PEF-electroporation system, which are returned to aeration tanks. The electroporation process causes the release of intracellular dissolved/organic matter, which is used as “food” for the bacteria of the aeration tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: DH20 L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jeffry Held, Satya P. Chauhan
  • Patent number: 6533942
    Abstract: A cooling tower water purification system uses an electrical cleaning method by passing water over or through an anode and a cathode. The pH of the water is monitored and adjusted using injected CO2 gas. The water can also be mechanically filter to remove the now dead biofilm and biomass as well as any scale or other debris. An additional embodiment can use an additional device such as a water jet to “stir” the bottom of the cooling tower to increase the efficiency of the filter in removing any built up or remaining biomass, scale or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: TLC Envirotech, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale E. Steffens, James H. Joyner, Boyd R. Waddle
  • Publication number: 20020185382
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating effluents, especially the effluents from leather tanneries, containing chrome salts, i.e. the salts of chromium having a (III) oxidation degree, characterized in that the supplied effluents or those having a pH that is lower than 6 undergo an electrochemical reaction in a reactor comprising an anode and a cathode in such a way that the chromium having a (III) oxidation degree is transformed into chrome having a (VI) oxidation degree, and in that the treated effluents are recovered. The treatment method is followed in an advantageous manner by a method for recovering the hexavalent chromium by means of selective extraction in an appropriate solvent medium followed by reduction of the hexavalent chromium into trivalent chromium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Fauvarque, Jean-Claude Catonne, Gerard Lalleve
  • Patent number: 6491820
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pulsed electric-field system for rupturing and destroying molecular cellular units of waste-activated sludge to thereby liberate intracellular water molecules from the solids-content thereof. The waste-activated sludge is contained in waste sludge, such as paper-pulp sludge, municipal waste sludge, animal or plant waste sludge. The pulsed-electric field is generated by an electroporating device producing a non-arcing pulsed electric field. The released intracellular dissolved/organic matter may be recycled back to an aeration tank for supplying food to bacteria of the aeration tank for performing aerobic digestion thereon, whereby the intracellular, dissolved organic matter is used as food for the bacteria of the aeration tank, whereby the aerobic digestion process is accelerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: DH20 L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jeffry Held, Satya P. Chauhan
  • Publication number: 20020157966
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for recovering metals from aqueous solutions by passing an aqueous solution, which contains dissolved metals, into a space between two elongated electrodes of a treatment chamber. A very high voltage electric field is created in the treatment chamber and is accompanied by a very small trickle current charge to enhance adsorption, polarization, ion exchange or to otherwise agglomerate the dissolved metal, which is then recovered by filtering, adsorbing, exchanging or otherwise separating the metal from the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Edward C. Weakly, Joseph N. Ignat, Henry L. Dicamillo
  • Patent number: 6468414
    Abstract: A method for purifying a Redox mediator used in a chemical process of oxidation of organic compounds. The desired purification is obtained by recovering the mediator in the form of a solution and heating this solution to evaporate the volatile impurities contained in it and to oxidize the non volatile impurities into compounds which precipitate and are extracted by filtration. The purification takes place before the mediator is regenerated in the electrolysis cell. This prevents the impurities contained in the mediator solution to negatively affect the operation of this cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Hydro-Quebec
    Inventors: Behzad Mahdavi, Stephen Harrison, Kamyab Amouzegar
  • Publication number: 20020130030
    Abstract: A method for decomposing halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds or aromatic compounds characterized by contacting the compound to be decomposed with functional water under light irradiation, wherein the functional water is characterized by a hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of 1-4, an oxidation-reduction potential of 800-1500 mV (working electrode: platinum, reference electrode: silver-silver chloride) and a chlorine concentration of 5-150 mg/l, and the irradiation is carried out with light of a wavelength of 300 nm or more, with an intensity of 10 mW/cm2 or less. This method is carried out at room temperature under the atmospheric pressure. An apparatus for the method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: KINYA KATO, YASUTSUGU YAMADA, ETSUKO SUGAWA, MASANORI SAKURANAGA, AKIRA KURIYAMA, TAKESHI IMAMURA, YUJI KAWABATA
  • Publication number: 20020074243
    Abstract: It is a compact water purification/sterilization method and its device with a high electrolytic efficiency in which even though it is used continuously for a long period of time in order to purify and sterilize water with low electrical conductivity such as the water from a swimming pool, bathtub, pond, 24-hour bath, farming tank or AC, there is no deterioration or breakage of the electrodes or deformation of the plastic case for the electrolyzing device due to heat, and even if the electrical flow per electrode surface area is increased, it provides superior long-term endurance performance. Barrel-shaped (cylindrical-shaped)anodes and cathodes are arranged alternately in a concentric manner in layers at given inter-electrode intervals. The anode is a ferrite rod with a long hole along the center axis direction or a ferrite pipe, and in the hole, heating so that it has fluidity, or mercury, which is liquid at ordinary temperature, is filled, in advance, fills a low-melting point metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Shinichi Nakamura, Kunihiko Fukuzuka, Kenji Nagayoshi, Masaki Miyashita
  • Patent number: 6395176
    Abstract: A system that allows the flexibility of primary and secondary treatment of municipal sludge, paper-pulp sludge, animal and plant waste, whereby the treatment thereof via electroporation may be used either as the primary dewatering treatment, secondary dewatering treatment, direct WAS-treatment, and combinations with other conventional dewatering techniques, in order to provide the municipal treatment plant, or the paper-pulp treatment plant, with the most cost-effective and efficient system as possible. The electroporated-treated sludge releases hitherto unreleased biosolids exiting from the PEF-electroporation system, which are returned to aeration tanks. The electroporation process causes the release of intracellular dissolved/organic matter, which is used as “food” for the bacteria of the aeration tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: D-H2O L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jeffry Held, Satya P. Chauhan
  • Patent number: 6346197
    Abstract: A system and process for removing contaminants from water and wastewater, where the water or wastewater is transformed into purified water that can be discharged to the environment. Wastewater is transported through several stations for purification, including an electrochemical cell. The purification process begins by sending the wastewater to a classifier through an in-line basket strainer. The wastewater stream in the classifier is drawn through a solid-liquid hydrocyclone, which returns the solids to the classifier and sends the remaining liquid to feed tanks. Contaminants that float are removed from the wastewater by skimming from the surface of the feed tank. The wastewater underflow from the feed tanks is pumped directly to the electrochemical cell where it enters into the bottom of the cell, and exits from the top of the cell. The discharge, including coagulated solids, hydrogen gas, and oxygen gas, is mixed with a polymer as well as compressed air just prior to entering a static in-line mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: McKay Creek Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert J. Stephenson, Bruce D. Tennant, Donald Hartle
  • Patent number: 6332972
    Abstract: An apparatus for decontamination contaminated groundwater in-situ by increasing the quantity of dissolved oxygen in the contaminated groundwater and generating reactive initiators to remediate the contaminated groundwater. The apparatus includes a submersible pump, an electrolytic cell, and a distribution chamber attached to an outlet of the cell. The distribution chamber is vertically oriented and longitudinally-extending from the outlet of the cell. As the groundwater flows across charging plates of the cell, some of the molecules break into their component parts of hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. A selected vertical length of the chamber provides a resident time for the fluid allowing a majority of the gaseous oxygen to transition to dissolved oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: H20 Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: John J. Orolin, Vaughn A. Sucevich, Sr., Troy T. Johnson, Scott A. Schorzman
  • Patent number: 6325916
    Abstract: A method for separating contaminants from a aqueous source containing contaminants. In one embodiment, the method involves the use of a high powdered oxidant dissolved within the aqueous system. The gas is dissolved within a reservoir in the aqueous solution and the pressure within the reservoir is controllable. This allows maximum contact of the oxidizing dissolved gas with the contaminant material. Once oxidized, the outlet of the reservoir is adapted to permit hydraulic cavitation. The net effect of the cavitation is to induce a foam formation which foam transports a floc into a separate phase from the aqueous solution. In this manner, the process is effectively a dissolved oxidizing gas mass transfer process. In another embodiment, the process may be augmented by electrocoagulation. This involves the use of an electric cell which is disposed within the reservoir containing the oxidant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Applied Oxidation Technologies (2000) Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Lambert, Steve Kresnyak