With Gas-liquid Surface Contact Means Patents (Class 210/150)
  • Patent number: 10800667
    Abstract: A multi-functional slurry processing system (“VARCOR”) and associated methods is disclosed. The present examples provide a multi-functional slurry processing system incorporating systems and methods for separating liquid and solid components in slurries. In particular the systems and methods described herein produce clean water, dried solids, and potential concentration of desirable constituents with a boiling point lower than water. At least one example of the multi-functional slurry processing system provides a self-contained processing facility configured to efficiently convert high water-content slurries into its constituent solid and liquid fractions and subsequently generating and collecting clean water and concentrating desirable constituents with a boiling point lower than water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: SEDRON TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Peter William Janicki, Sara Amber Van Tassel, John Edward Weller, Stanley James Janicki, Warren Lewis Heartwood, Keith Boyd Fackler, II, Alex James Gross, Tyler Everett Hamke, Austin George Law, Eric Christopher McBride, Ann Kate Nowinski, Liam Joseph Potocsnak, James O'Keefe Armstrong
  • Patent number: 10800673
    Abstract: A water treatment apparatus 100 subjects water to be treated to ultraviolet treatment with ultraviolet light emitted from LED elements 31. The water treatment apparatus 100 comprises: a flow channel 10 through which water to be treated flows; an LED element housing chamber 30 located on outside of the flow channel 10, with a window portion 20 formed by a transparent member being interposed therebetween; and a plurality of LED elements 31 arranged in the LED element housing chamber 30, wherein the LED element housing chamber 30 has an inlet 34 and an outlet 35 for dry gas, and light emitting surfaces of the plurality of LED elements 31 are exposed to a space in the LED element housing chamber 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignees: METAWATER Co., Ltd., SENKO RIKEN Co., Ltd., NIKKISO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junichi Shiga, Tsukasa Kusano, Tetsumi Ochi, Shinya Watanabe, Eiichi Tsuga, Yusuke Kawakami
  • Patent number: 10794051
    Abstract: A liquid treatment system is provided having a vault that contains a treatment chamber and an outflow chamber. The treatment chamber may have a filtration media layer containing media that treats liquid as it descends through the filtration media layer, where it will accumulate in a porous layer or open space. The liquid will then be directed through the plurality of pipes to the outflow chamber, where the treated liquid is further directed to outside the system. Accumulated debris settled at the bottom of the treatment chamber may be flushed out by a spray bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: SUNTREE TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas H. Happel
  • Patent number: 10773984
    Abstract: Media beds containing worms living in an oxygenated aqueous environment are provided for the remediation of water containing excreted and other oxidizable organic or chemical waste. The media beds may include cultivated plant life in addition to the cultivated worm population for the uptake of nitrates, as well as other nutrients rendered soluble through digestion of the worms to remediate water to levels sufficient to be safely returned to the environment; alternatively the water may be remediated to higher nitrate levels in the absence of plants so that the water can be used in subsequent fertilization operations outside the waste treatment system. The system further includes cultivated microbial populations that may be present in the media beds and/or in separate bioreactors within the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: INTEGRATED AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul W. Nickerson, David K. Foster
  • Patent number: 10759683
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods for removing mercury contaminant from an aqueous solution, the methods including: providing an aqueous solution, the aqueous solution being contaminated with at least trace amounts of an oxidized mercury species; culturing a photoheterotrophic or fermentative heterotrophic bacteria in the aqueous solution under anaerobic conditions in which the bacteria reduce the oxidized mercury species to elemental mercury (Hg0), wherein the bacteria comprises one or more bacteria of the order Clostridiales; and removing the elemental mercury from the aqueous solution. Also provided are bioreactors for removing mercury contaminant from an aqueous solution, as well as uses of photoheterotrophic or fermentative heterotrophic bacteria, wherein the bacteria comprises one or more bacteria of the order Clostridiales, for removing mercury contaminant from an aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: University of Ottawa
    Inventors: Alexandre Poulain, Daniel Grégoire
  • Patent number: 10753914
    Abstract: A flow controller includes a channel assembly, a pressure sensor, and a pressure control valve. The channel assembly includes a laminated substrate comprised of a plurality of substrates laminated, the laminated substrate having a surface on which a gas inlet and a gas outlet are formed, and having, inside the laminated substrate, a plurality of resistance channels not communicating with one another inside the laminated substrate as internal channels. In the flow controller, the gas inlet and the gas outlet communicate to each other to form a flow rate control channel. The pressure sensor and the pressure control valve are provided on the flow rate control channel. At least one of the resistance channels which is selected to have a desired channel resistance of the flow rate control channel is connected to the flow rate control channel as part of the flow rate control channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyonori Koga, Yuki Komori
  • Patent number: 10745306
    Abstract: Provided is an aquifer storage and recovery system, in which microbes extracted from an underground aquifer are involved in an assimilable organic carbon (AOC) removal mechanism and applied to an aerobic reactor, and a predetermined portion of assimilable organic carbon in raw water is removed through the aerobic reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Seong Pil Jeong, Jae Woo Choi, Kyungjin Cho, Hien Thi Nguyen, Youngjae Kim, Am Jang, Seunghak Lee, Seockheon Lee
  • Patent number: 10703658
    Abstract: A tank is disclosed as having a tub therein that divides the volume of the tank into an anoxic chamber inside the tub and an equalization chamber outside of the tub. The anoxic chamber anoxically treats wastewater while the equalization chamber equalizes fluctuations in wastewater influent as well as provides a holding space for wastewater if power to the tank is cut off. The tank can be part of a system for treating wastewater, such as one with an anaerobic tank having an anaerobic chamber for anaerobically treating wastewater, an aerobic/filtration tank having a filtration sub-tank therein that divides the volume of the tank into a filtration chamber inside the sub-tank and an aerobic chamber outside of the sub-tank. The aerobic chamber can aerobically treat wastewater while the filtration chamber has a membrane unit for filtering wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: TANGENT COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: John Merrin, Travis Genshock, Brendan Matheny, Paul Wadham, Adam Arnold
  • Patent number: 10676382
    Abstract: A treatment system of the present invention generally includes a plurality of low density, high surface area sheets anchored in parallel along their bottom ends to fixed base. The sheets are buoyant in wastewater, and generally vertically oriented although able to flex and sway independently. Substantially all regions of substantially all sheets are aerated. The sheets are constructed of an open weave substrate that allows the diffusion of gas, nutrients and food, while protecting and serving as an attachment site for a variety of microbial colonies in both anoxic and aerobic zones. In use a system of the present invention is inserted into a wastewater reservoir, and aerated, for treatment of the wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: ENTEX Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B Danner, Wayne J Flournoy
  • Patent number: 10647600
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of reducing at least one of nitrogen, carbon and phosphorous in a lagoon that includes at least three cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: BLUE FROG TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventor: Griscom Bettle, III
  • Patent number: 10633270
    Abstract: A filter enhancement device applied to a circulating water culture system and the method of making same, the device includes four components: protective shell, protective agents, microbial powder and proliferation promoting agents. The interior of the protective shell contains protective agents, microbial powder and proliferation promoting agents. Microbial powder and proliferation promoting agents are embedded in the modified-release layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: KYORIN INDUSTRY (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tommy Chi-Kin Wong, Christopher Kenneth Clevers, Tin-Han Chien
  • Patent number: 10597311
    Abstract: A self-cleaning ultraviolet wastewater disinfection unit and method are provided. The disinfection unit has a wastewater treatment chamber comprising a UV lamp for treating/disinfecting the wastewater. A plurality of pieces of media may be positioned in the treatment chamber. When wastewater is present in the chamber, gas is injected into the wastewater through a gas inlet conduit. The gas agitates the pieces of media in the wastewater to cause the pieces of media to rub against the UV lamp unit to remove matter that has accumulated on the UV lamp unit. The removal of accumulated matter on the UV lamp and other surfaces in the chamber may improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the disinfecting unit. Furthermore, the cleaning operation may be performed automatically at scheduled periods to increase the time between major cleanings of the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: BIOTURBINE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Paul Mayrand
  • Patent number: 10570040
    Abstract: A reactor for treating water, the reactor comprising a buoyant structure for supporting at least one cell for suspension in a body of water in use, wherein each cell is removeably attachable to the buoyant structure and is arranged to house biomedia. A water treatment system comprising the reactor in a body of water. A method of treating water comprising passing water to be treated through the reactor in a body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: BIONEST TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Etienne Boutet, Serge Baillargeon, Garfield R. Lord
  • Patent number: 10566642
    Abstract: A sediment microbial fuel cell is provided. More specifically, the present invention provides a sediment microbial fuel cell characterized by comprising: an oxide electrode unit located within the sediment of polluted water; a reduction electrode unit located adjacent to the water surface within the water; and a solid matter separator unit arranged inside the sediment and located in an upper part of the oxide electrode unit spaced apart from the oxide electrode unit, wherein one or more surfaces of the oxide electrode unit are exposed in the separation space formed by the solid matter separator unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: GWANGJU INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: In Seop Chang, Bong Kyu Kim, Yoo Seok Lee, Hyun Jun Park, Ji Su Kim
  • Patent number: 10566633
    Abstract: This invention uses the process of osmosis and diffusion of a liquid of low concentration into a liquid of high concentration. The invention taps the energy created by a liquid of low concentration flowing into a liquid of high concentration. The inventor has created several embodiments that can be heat engines, heat pumps, energy storage devices, and batteries. The invention changes solar ponds and concentration cells into heat storage devices and rechargeable batteries. Osmosis at two semipervious membranes, one heated and one cooled, in a loop of tubing produces a heat engine. A heat pipe is changed into a heat engine by using different concentration at each end. Two vessels, one a high concentration of a liquid and the other containing a low concentration of a liquid, can be configured with the used of electrodes, turbines, semipervious membranes into be heat engines, heat pumps, energy storage devices, and batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Inventor: Jerry Semer
  • Patent number: 10550018
    Abstract: A nonpowered mixing and coagulation basin is provided, which generates turbulences of at least two kinds inside the mixing and coagulation basin to which the raw water flows so that foreign matters contained in the raw water come into contact with each other while circulating by a water flow to be coagulated into a predetermined size, and a dissolved air floatation device using the same. The nonpowered mixing and coagulation basin has multiple stages with different packing materials and packing densities to form turbulent flows inside the raw water and control a flow speed, thereby uniformly mixing raw water and coagulant to enhance coagulation efficiency. The nonpowered mixing and coagulation basin simultaneously carries out mixing and coagulation at the front end part of the water treatment system, reduces equipment expenses by having no electric motor and agitator, and reduces power consumption because it does not use any power unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yong Hae Park, Sung Won Park, Byung Sung Park, Sung Woo Woo
  • Patent number: 10543461
    Abstract: Provided is a cartridge-type hollow fiber membrane module including a hollow fiber membrane unit module with a free end and a cartridge frame and a submerged water treatment apparatus including an air diffuser apparatus capable of intermittent and continuous aeration disposed below the hollow fiber membrane module, wherein the cartridge-type membrane module with the free end using the coarse bubble generating air diffuser apparatus capable of intermittent/continuous aeration in conjunction with an air accumulation pipe may control aeration/non-aeration cycles through adjustment of the volume of an air chamber and an amount of inflow air and carry out continuous aeration based on changes in raw water load and a concentration of solids in a membrane separation tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Econity Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jinho Kim, Minsoo Park, Kongsuen Hong, Namseok Gil, Hanhyoung Cho, Byungho Choi
  • Patent number: 10532940
    Abstract: Aeration discs used in water treatment and methods of using same are disclosed. According to one or more embodiments, an aeration disc may comprise projections and depressions located on at least one of its surfaces. The aeration discs may be incorporated into aeration devices and water treatment systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
    Inventors: George W. Smith, Mark F. Pamperin, Charles S. Applegate, Christopher K. Waul, Marc E. Roehl, Michael L. Doyle
  • Patent number: 10457613
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an anaerobic column reactor for biodegradation of wastes. Particularly the present invention relates to a process for conversion of biodegradable wastes to biogas and compost. More particularly, the present invention relates to an anaerobic reactor with unique arrangement of expanded and constricted portions alternatively placed vertically over each other which enhances the mixing pattern and thereby the mass transfer rates while controlling the biomass washout by regulating the upflow liquid velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research
    Inventors: Sandeep Y. Bodkhe, Atul N. Vaidya
  • Patent number: 10434549
    Abstract: Temporary transfer stations for facilitating distribution of debris from at least one damaged area to at least one landfill may include at least one excavatable transfer station slab. The at least one transfer station slab may include at least one waterproof layer. At least one layer support frame may be provided on the at least one waterproof layer. At least one debris support layer may be provided on the at least one layer support frame. The at least one debris support layer may have at least one controlled low strength material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Inventor: John M. McConnell
  • Patent number: 10421679
    Abstract: Aerobic processes are disclosed for the treatment of wastewater which contains at least one substrate comprising at least one of organocarbon component and ammonium cation. A bioreactor is used for the treatment which contains ME biocatalysts to provide high bioreactor bioactivity density. The processes reduce sludge generated and are capable of effecting the metabolic oxidation at low dissolved oxygen concentrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: MICROVI BIOTECH, INC.
    Inventors: Fatemeh Razavi-Shirazi, Ameen Razavi
  • Patent number: 10399865
    Abstract: An enhanced septic system includes a storage tank having an inlet that receives liquid gray water from a standard septic system having at least one digester and a pump located in the storage tank. The pump is coupled to an actuator to selectively provide power to the pump from a power supply to pump the gray water from the storage tank when the gray water reaches a predetermined level within the storage tank. The system also includes an outlet pipe coupled to the storage tank and to receive gray water pumped from the storage tank by the pump, at least one ultraviolet light in communication with the outlet pipe, and a detector to determine when the pump is actuated and to turn on the at least one ultraviolet light upon actuation of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Charles E. Hill & Associates, Inc
    Inventor: Charles E. Hill
  • Patent number: 10351451
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an ozone water having enhanced storage stability and a method for producing the ozone water. An ozone water of the present invention as a means for resolution is produced by dissolving 0.1 ?M to 1 mM of an organic iron compound and 1 to 300 mM of an inorganic salt in a water with ozone-microbubbles generated using an ozone gas at a concentration of 1 to 300 g/Nm3. The half-life of ozone of the ozone water of the present invention is 3 days or longer, for example, when the water filled in an airtight container under atmospheric pressure is stored under a temperature condition of 40° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: Masayoshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10342189
    Abstract: An aerobic treatment system includes a plurality of highly porous, high surface area, inert, synthetic, inorganic, or natural material particles, having a specific gravity of less than 1.0 that float on an enclosed aqueous environment whereby plants and/or microbes can be grown thereon and/or animals such as fish can be raised therein. The inert particles trap air bubbles and nutrients for the growth of diverse types of plants, animals, or microbial systems, which enable phyto treatment of an aqueous waterbody with the ability to limit the growth of unwanted plant and algae such as blue-green algae. The above aerobic bio treatment system contains desirably bioremediation media having one or more microorganisms that are able to withstand system shocks while minimizing energy usage associated with aeration. The system can generally be utilized in any aqueous environment such as waste water and/or polluted water in an enclosed area such as a container, tank, pond, lake, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: BUBBLECLEAR
    Inventors: Mehmet A. Gencer, Kaan E. Gencer, Paul M. Zakriski, Clark B. Langmack, Jay L. Schabel
  • Patent number: 10273173
    Abstract: A plant and method for controlling such a plant suitable for treatment of waste water. The plant includes a basin, a flow generating machine adapted to generate a liquid flow in the basin, equipment in the basin that effects the momentum of the liquid flow, and a control unit. The method includes the steps of: storing a predetermined relationship between the operational speed N of the flow generating machine and an operational parameter P from which the torque M of the flow generating machine may be derived, determining the operational speed N, determining a set value of the operational parameter P of the flow generating machine, determining a real value of the operational parameter P of the flow generating machine, and adjusting the operational speed N if the real value of the operational parameter P is different than the set value of the operational parameter P.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: XYLEM IP MANAGEMENT S.À R.L.
    Inventor: Lars Uby
  • Patent number: 10259732
    Abstract: A method for treating effluents containing nitrogen in the form of ammonium, implementing chemical reactions for oxidizing and reducing the nitrogen in a sequencing batch reactor, the method including: introducing a volume of effluents to be treated into the reactor, injecting oxygen or air into the reactor for partial oxidation of the ammonium into nitrites and/or nitrates, interrupting the injection of oxygen or air, thus producing gaseous nitrogen, depositing the sludge at the bottom of the reactor and clarifying the content of the reactor close to the surface of same, discharging a clarified fraction of the content of the reactor. The draining and feeding steps occur simultaneously. During the feeding step, the volume of effluents is introduced close to the bottom of the reactor. During the draining step, the clarified fraction of the content of the reactor is discharged close to the surface of the content of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: SUEZ INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Philippe Ginestet, Laure Graveleau Billemaz
  • Patent number: 10260222
    Abstract: A liquid treatment system is provided having a vault that contains a treatment chamber and an outflow chamber. The treatment chamber may have a filtration media layer containing media that treats liquid as it descends through the filtration media layer, where it will accumulate in a porous layer or open space. The liquid will then be directed through the plurality of pipes to the outflow chamber, where the treated liquid is further directed to outside the system. Accumulated debris settled at the bottom of the treatment chamber may be flushed out by a spray bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: SUNTREE TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas H. Happel
  • Patent number: 10252241
    Abstract: The present invention provides a spring tube type flexible micro chemical reactor. It comprises a reactor body, a thermal control device, and a gas generating device. The spring tube type flexible micro chemical reactor enhances the heat and mass transfer using the scroll spring tube, which is able to achieve accurate mixing and dynamic adjustment of the heat and mass transfer and is able to effectively solve the problems of blocking of channels by solid reactant, the poor portability of the reaction, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: DONGGUAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Simin Huang, Kui He, Guanfeng Qin
  • Patent number: 10226746
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a gas transfer system having removable nozzle assemblies, ejectors or other gas transfer device(s). The nozzle assemblies are removably connected to a monolithic liquid/gas manifold. The present technology also provides nozzle assemblies having an inner nozzle, an outer nozzle adapted for connection to the inner nozzle, and a pipe adapter for connecting the inner nozzle to a liquid manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: KLa Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Neville, Frederick Siino, Jeffrey Williamson
  • Patent number: 10202295
    Abstract: A water treatment unit has a support housing vertically extending between a support housing upper end and a support housing lower end. The support housing includes a pair of opposing primary housing walls and a pair of opposing secondary housing walls. Each of the secondary housing walls is formed separately from, and mechanically joined to, each of the primary housing walls. Each of the primary housing walls is perforated to allow airflow in a first direction laterally through a treatment cavity defined by the housing walls. A plurality of hangers extend in the first direction between the primary housing walls and are supported by the support housing. The hangers are mutually spaced between the secondary housing walls across the treatment cavity (23). A plurality of biotreatment membranes each carry a biomass culture and are draped over, and supported by, one of the hangers to define two opposing membrane walls each extending downwardly from the hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: BioGill Environmental Pty Limited
    Inventors: John David West, Mark John Smith
  • Patent number: 10189734
    Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment and transformation of municipal wastewater sludge or any other organic putrescible matter into biogas and liquid fertilizer by methanation. Several consecutive floating cylindrical bioreactors almost totally immersed in water, are bathing longitudinally in a thermally insulated basin to maintain set temperatures, mixing their contents by revolving on themselves by the action of air ejected from a conduit underneath them, engaging all elements in a collective momentum, from a multiplied force, because of the constant free power of each air bubble lodged in exterior buckets and grouped as a lifting force. The gas produced by methanation of the organic waste furnishes a source of heat and its pressure is used for the functioning of the whole apparatus, including several types of pumps, valves, and a new model of steam engine. A network of hoses is provided to bring the fertilizer to the farmlands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventor: Gilles Nadon
  • Patent number: 10138625
    Abstract: A water treatment apparatus includes a membrane in a contact with a soil structure, a hollow elongated member being passed through membrane and being mounted vertically within a vertical well with the bottom end of the elongated member being configured to expel treated water into the soil structure, a filtration member mounted stationary or for a linear reciprocal movement so as to filter the water prior to entry into a hollow interior of the elongated member, a trash rack positioned on the membrane and surrounding an upper portion of the elongated member and a barrier positioned adjacent and/or on said peripheral side wall of said trash rack, said barrier configured to reduce flow of the water and/or absorb a portion of the contaminant(s) prior to the water entering said filtration member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Inventor: Edward Patton
  • Patent number: 10112857
    Abstract: A method for biologically denitrifying waste water, includes a nitrification-denitrification sequence followed, for a first fraction of water, by a post-denitrification step during which an electron donor is injected into the first fraction, while a second fraction of water passes through a bypass, then is mixed with the first fraction downstream of the post-denitrification step; the first fraction of waste water is subjected, during the post-denitrification, to a nearly complete denitrification so as to exit the step at a nitrate [N—NO3] concentration less than 4 mg/L, to minimize nitrous oxide production. The bypass rate is determined based on: a measurement of the nitrate concentration of the water upstream of the post-denitrification, the desired nitrate concentration for the mixture of the two fractions downstream of the post-denitrification treatment, and the nitrate concentration of the first fraction at the outlet of the post-denitrification, before the mixing of the two fractions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: DEGREMONT
    Inventors: Gildas Manic, Philippe Ginestet
  • Patent number: 10081558
    Abstract: An ultraviolet disinfection device for a wastewater treatment system includes a tank having a tank inlet and a tank outlet, a treatment housing within the interior chamber and forming a treatment chamber, an ultraviolet light emitting device within the treatment chamber and emitting radiation having a disinfecting effect on bacteria, and a sample well disposed within the interior chamber and forming a well chamber. The tank forms an interior chamber so that effluent discharged from the wastewater treatment system and enters a tank inlet and flows into the interior chamber. Effluent within the interior chamber enters the treatment chamber through a housing inlet and flows past the ultraviolet light emitting device within the treatment chamber to a housing outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: FLOW2, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Fehring, Sr., Mark Fehring, Jr., Michael Fehring, Jeff Coomer, Jeff Luthman
  • Patent number: 10065871
    Abstract: In a process for the treatment of wastewater containing carbonaceous and nitrogenous contaminants, wastewater is mixed with aerobic microorganisms capable of converting carbonaceous biological oxygen demand (CBOD) into carbon dioxide, water, and biological cell mass. Oxygen is supplied to the reaction mixture for supporting reduction of the CBOD by the aerobic microorganisms in the reaction mixture. To substantially prevent nitrification of the nitrogenous contaminants in the reaction mixture and avoid the cost of downstream denitrification, the hydraulic residence time of the nitrogenous contaminants in the reaction mixture is controlled by removing partially treated water with dissolved ammonia from the reaction mixture, while retaining the biological cell mass in the reaction mixture. This separates the nitrogen load from the carbon load and enables independent treatment of these contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: BluMetric Environmental Inc.
    Inventors: Danny Lee Scroggins, Ross Edward McDonald, Erik Hefler Donaldson
  • Patent number: 10046326
    Abstract: A supporting device for a multiplicity of parallel, highly elongate bioreactor elements having an at least partially transparent wall of plastic, through which a microorganism-inoculated nutrient solution is conducted for producing biomass by photosynthesis, includes a plurality of stationary support pylons disposed along the bioreactor elements and horizontally spaced apart from one another. The expenditure on production and assembly is decreased by providing at least one carrying element running between at least two support pylons above the respective bioreactor elements to be carried. The carrying element is supported on the corresponding support pylons and the bioreactor elements to be carried are connected to at least one carrying element by at least one holding element at least at one support point situated between the two support pylons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: PatEffect Schutzrechtsmanagement GbR
    Inventor: Hans Vaeth
  • Patent number: 10046303
    Abstract: A plate-type flow reactor device with a first plate (20) having first and second opposing surfaces (22, 24) and one or more through-holes (26); a second plate sealed against the first surface (22) by at least two first O-rings (50); a third plate (40) sealed against the second surface (24) by at least one second O-ring (60); two or more first elongated channels (70) defined between the first surface (22) and the second plate and one or more second elongated channels (80) defined between the second surface (24) and the third plate, wherein each first channel communicates with the at least one second channel (80) via one or more of the through-holes (26) through the first plate (20), and said one first channel (70a) communicates with another first channel (70b) of the two or more first channels (70) only via said at least one second channel (80), and each first channel (70) is individually surrounded by at least one of the first O-rings (50) and the at least one second is individually surrounded by the at least
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Roland Guidat, Olivier Lobet, Alexis Maury
  • Patent number: 9975106
    Abstract: A packing element, for use in mass and/or heat transfer columns or towers through which a gas and/or liquid flows, includes at least one first group of strips having a plurality of exchange surfaces formed by the surfaces of half-wave-shaped and/or wave-shaped strips. The periodic length l1 of a strip of the first group of strips adjoins a second group of strips with a periodic length l2, which are matched to each other in such a way, that the two adjoining strips are in contact with each other at at least one point, enabling a liquid transfer between these two strips. The at least one strip extends from a first end bridge to a second end bridge, wherein the two end bridges run along the transverse direction of the packing element. At least one strip of the packing element is torsioned about a longitudinal torsion line of the packing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: RASCHIG GMBH
    Inventor: Michael Schultes
  • Patent number: 9969634
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a shaft/frame system for high capacity rotors for wastewater treatment for sanitation purposes and to reduce the pollutant organic load; of the type formed by a drive shaft with supports at the ends and for its coupling to a drive motor, comprising a plurality of intermediate annular collars and two end annular collars distributed equidistantly from one another, adapted to fixedly receive a plurality of radially distributed structural arms, characterized in that said structural arms are substantially T-shaped and are joined each other to form rings adapted to receive and fix each other, packs of media consisting of a plurality of biomass support sheets, which are self-supported by four tubes fixed in T-shaped structural elements; wherein said tubes are hollow, and internally accommodate a volume of air and are obturated at both ends by means of plugs, with one or more threaded blind bore(s) adapted to receive the fixation means, with which it is fixed to the T-shaped structura
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Francisco Xavier Valdes Simancas
  • Patent number: 9947957
    Abstract: Disclosed is a secondary battery having a structure in which a jelly-roll having a cathode/separator/anode structure is mounted in a cylindrical battery case, wherein a plate-shaped insulating member is mounted on the top of the jelly-roll and the insulating member includes a perforated inlet enabling gas discharge and penetration of electrode terminals and a plurality of pores with a diameter of 100 ?m or less provided over the entire surface of the insulating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Do Gyun Kim, Dong-Myung Kim, Dong Sub Lee, Sang Bong Nam, Sang Sok Jung
  • Patent number: 9932256
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system for communities not connected to sewer infrastructure. The wastewater treatment system comprises a control unit electrically coupled to an ecologic cleaning system (i.e. phytoremediation), activated sludges and disinfection process (i.e. ultra violet light) in a re-circulation and continuous flow arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventors: Javier Rivera-Gerena, Fred James Fletcher-Purcell
  • Patent number: 9908792
    Abstract: A portable unit for treating potable water in municipal and similar water lines to reduce and remove undesirable disinfectant byproducts such as trihalomethanes. The unit has a housing with water and air inlet and outlet arrangements. The water inlet arraignment is connectable to the municipal water line to deliver water into the housing where it is sprayed substantially horizontally into the housing along a duct through a splash screen and up against a splash plate. The splash plate redirects the water spray laterally outwardly, rearwardly, and downwardly onto an inclined ramp that guides the water downwardly into the lower part of the housing where it is collected or held until it is pumped back into the municipal water line. In operation, the THM treatment unit is self regulating based on fluctuating downstream water demand and beneficially operates in at least two modes automatically to meet the demand and safety considerations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Medora Environmental, Inc.
    Inventors: Corey M. Simnioniw, Jonathan L. Zent, Gary A. Kudrna, Willard R. Tormaschy, Joel J. Bleth
  • Patent number: 9878924
    Abstract: A system and method for contaminant removal from water bodies with biochar are disclosed. An example system includes an anchor, a float, and an attachment line extending between the anchor and the float. One or more porous container is provided on the attachment line. The porous container has biochar therein. The container with the biochar is provided into a water body and maintained on the attachment line between the anchor and the float. The biochar in the porous container sequesters contaminants in the water body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Biochar Now, LLC
    Inventors: William T. Beierwaltes, James G. Gaspard, II
  • Patent number: 9868658
    Abstract: A system and method includes an aeration subsystem that excites enzymes in the liquid waste passing through the septic system. The aeration subsystem includes a compressor section that compresses the liquid waste. The method includes mixing enzymes into the fluid waste material, compressing the fluid waste material with the compressor, injecting air into the compressed fluid waste material, and determining whether the fluid waste material is at a desired cleanliness, and if not, recirculating the fluid waste material through the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Kistner, Carolyn R. Kistner
  • Patent number: 9840428
    Abstract: A system for treating and recycling rainwater, including at least three stages constructed wetlands disposed along a sloped surface. Each stage constructed wetland includes a coarse gravel layer, a fine gravel layer, an improved soil layer, and wetland plants from bottom to top. Slopes are disposed at two sides of the upper part of each constructed wetland and are different in heights. An intermediate overflow pipe is disposed at the top of the slope between every two adjacent constructed wetlands. A last overflow pipe communicates with a municipal rainwater pipe. The coarse gravel layers of every two adjacent constructed wetlands are connected by connecting pipes. A perforated water collecting pipe is disposed at front ends of the connecting pipes. A water outlet pipe is disposed in the bottom of the coarse gravel layer of a last stage constructed wetland and is connected to a clean water reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignees: CHONGQING UNIVERSITY, SHENZHEN YUEZHONG (GROUP) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hongxiang Chai, Songming Tan, Yuming Zhou, Qiang Jiang, Shen Li, Luwei Guo, Wei Kang, Lei Kong
  • Patent number: 9771289
    Abstract: A water cleaning system 1 includes an aerobic region 90 including breeding water 9 containing organic matter and oxygen, an aerobic layer 6 linking with the aerobic region 90 and inhabited by aerobic bacteria, a facultative anaerobic layer 5provided adjacent to the aerobic layer 6 and inhabited by facultative anaerobic bacteria, an obligatory anaerobic layer 4 provided adjacent to the facultative anaerobic layer 5, inhabited by obligatory anaerobic bacteria, and made of andosol 40, an anaerobic space 3 having an anaerobic environment, allowing the obligatory anaerobic bacteria inhabiting the obligatory anaerobic layer 4 and products therefrom to flow therein, and a tube 18 as linking means linking the anaerobic space 3 and the aerobic region 90.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: HONMAMONNOUMITSUKUTTARE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Naoyasu Shoji
  • Patent number: 9764974
    Abstract: A system for reducing emission of nitrous oxide during sewage treatment, including: a regulating pool, a first aerobic constructed wetland, an anoxic pool, and a second aerobic constructed wetland. The water outlet of the regulating pool is connected to the water inlet of the top of the first aerobic constructed wetland via a pipe and a first control valve. The first aerobic constructed wetland includes sequencing batch constructed wetlands arranged in parallel. A branch pipe and a second control valve are disposed on the pipe between the regulating pool and the first aerobic constructed wetland. The outlet of the branch pipe and the water outlet of the first aerobic constructed wetland are combined together and connected to the water inlet of the bottom part of the anoxic pool. The anoxic pool is an upward flow biological filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: CONGQING UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hongxiang Chai, Qiang He, Nanping Al, Yu Liao, Junhua Fang, Wei Kang
  • Patent number: 9764967
    Abstract: An enhanced septic system includes a storage tank having an inlet that receives liquid gray water from a standard septic system having at least one digester and a pump located in the storage tank. The pump is coupled to an actuator to selectively provide power to the pump from a power supply to pump the gray water from the storage tank when the gray water reaches a predetermined level within the storage tank. The system also includes an outlet pipe coupled to the storage tank and to receive gray water pumped from the storage tank by the pump, at least one ultraviolet light in communication with the outlet pipe, and a detector to determine when the pump is actuated and to turn on the at least one ultraviolet light upon actuation of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Charles E. Hill & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Hill
  • Patent number: 9758403
    Abstract: A lightweight, bioplastic, mobile, floating oil spill mechanical/biological recovery system is dimensionally compact, and quick to assemble. The floating platform can be readily positioned within any waterborne oil/contaminant spill area. After assembly, this platform or apparatus can be directed by either a hand-held digital radio control transmitter or GPS directed mechanism. A lower, multi-roller slip-on belt is designed to be mounted over a circular base support aeration hub assembly with alternating/spaced slotted ring water drainage separators. The belt and aeration assemblies dip bioaugmentation product into the contaminant site thereby exposing microorganisms to both oxygen and target contaminant for treatment and metabolism. Various mechanisms for enhancing metabolic activity of the bioaugmentation product operate in tandem with the primary belt and aeration assemblies to promote effective contaminant metabolism and overall treatment regimes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Inventor: Walter J. Wasseluk
  • Patent number: 9758404
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for adjusting an angular orientation of a media unit having an opening are disclosed. The media unit may be secured to a rotating frame. In addition, a rotating frame including multiple media units at different angular orientations is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: WesTech Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan T. Richens