With Separator Patents (Class 210/151)
  • Patent number: 8920658
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for desolvating flowing liquid streams while retaining temporal resolution of dissolved substrates are disclosed. A novel small-scale self-regulating spray dryer preserves temporal resolution while desolvating a liquid chromatography eluent stream and depositing the solute onto an optical surface for infrared spectrographic analysis. The liquid eluent is pumped through a heated nebulizer to create a high-speed jet of solute containing liquid and solvent vapor. This jet is directed circumferentially inside a hot cylindrical cavity. Centrifugal force causes the larger liquid droplets to travel along the outer diameter of the cavity. The cavity surface is heated to cause the droplets to film boil. Film boiling reduces droplet contact with the cavity surface thereby retaining the solute in the droplets. The solute temperature is limited by controlling the pressure into which the solvent evaporates from the droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Spectra Analysis Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: William W. Carson, Sidney Bourne
  • Patent number: 8911626
    Abstract: The invention provides a bioretention system comprising one or more chambers and a high flow bypass system with top and bottom weirs for water filtration and storm water flow management. The invention also provides methods that are useful for managing storm water flow and inhibiting the flow of pollutants, debris, and other contaminants into drainage systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Oldcastle Precast, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas Paul Allard
  • Publication number: 20140346118
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for separation of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing produced water, comprising; a separator tank, at least one inlet tube (22, 27), at least one branch means (6) distributing the produced water stream, at least one outlet nozzle (7) and at least one guide vane (8.1) mounted under each outlet nozzle and leading water over the next outlet nozzle; at least one outlet (12) in the bottom of the tank for cleaned water and at least one outlet (9, 35, 36) rejecting rising gas with adherent oil droplets, at least one shroud (39) is arranged entirely or partly along the inside of at least one guide vane (8.1) in an angle of 30° to 150° related to the at least one guide vane (8.1). Further the invention relates to a process for separation of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing produced water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jorn Folkvang
  • Publication number: 20140339156
    Abstract: A system and method for treatment of ammonia-containing raw water from low-temperature sources is designed to provide optimum treatment conditions, particularly temperature of the raw water in the bioreactor(s) containing nitrifying bacteria. The raw water supply is split into two streams, of which one stream is heated before remixing with the other stream. The split-stream heating is optionally supported by the provision of a retention tank on the heated-water stream. A three-way valve is provided to control compressed air supply to be mixed with the raw water in dependence on water level in the bioreactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Milan ZVERINA
  • Publication number: 20140326648
    Abstract: “IMPROVEMENT ON FACILITY FOR REMOVAL OF MATERIALS AND/OR POLLUTING SUBSTANCES CONTAINED IN WATERCOURSES”, applied to facility comprising: the implementation of a sandbox arranged at the bottom and in a stretch of the watercourse, followed by a floating garbage fence arranged substantially transversely to the watercourse; whereas downstream and at a certain distance from this garbage fence is provided a suspended and transverse metallic structure to the watercourse, in which curtains for selective injection and automatically set in motion are mounted, arranged spaced and interspersed by homogenization diffusers, these curtains are responsible for the injection of coagulants; by the injection of polymers into the watercourse to be treated, and ahead there is a phase for release of microbubbles of air, causing a flotation of these aggregate particles; allowing that from this flotation stretch arises, along the watercourse, a superficial agglomeration of the floated material, and the conduction by flexible and lo
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: João Carlos GOMES DE OLIVEIRA, Procópio GOMES DE OLIVEIRA NETTO, Felipe GOMES DE OLIVEIRA
  • Patent number: 8877046
    Abstract: The present invention includes a system for recycling wash water, having a first separator configured to separate solids from wash water, a second separator configured to separate oil from wash water, a bioreactor configured to bacterially consume solids from wash water, a third separator configured to further separate solids from wash water, an oxidation chamber configured to sterilize and oxygenate wash water, an aeration tray configured to further oxygenate wash water, a storage tank configured to store wash water, and a pump configured to pump wash water from the storage tank to the bioreactor. The present invention also includes a process and method associated with the use and function of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: RGF Environmental Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter B. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20140319037
    Abstract: Disclosed is an aeration unit capable of cleaning all the hollow fiber membranes in a filtering apparatus sufficiently and uniformly thereby improving the filtration efficiency and a filtering apparatus comprising the same. An aeration unit of the present invention comprises a plurality of aeration tubes parallel to each other, each of the aeration tubes comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and a first common pipe in fluid communication with the aeration tubes through the first ends of the aeration tubes to provide the aeration tubes with air. The first common pipe is perpendicular to the aeration tubes. The closer to both ends of the first common pipe the aeration tubes are, the more densely the aeration tubes are arranged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: KOLON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Heewan Moon, Ji-hyun Jung
  • Publication number: 20140319036
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dissolved air flotation (“DAF”) device. The DAF device creates an elongated separation zone to permit agglomerated impurities to be more effectively removed from the influent. A header is included at the lower extent of the separation zone to collect the clarified effluent. In one possible embodiment, a collection channel with a series of intake apertures is connected to the header. In another embodiment, intake apertures are located along the header. In either embodiment, the header reduces the rate at which the effluent is collected and, thereby, reduces the inadvertent collection of agglomerated impurities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction Co. Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20140284273
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is provided having a reactor, first and second bio media and an aeration system. The first bio medium is located proximate an inlet end of the reactor and extends vertically between a top water level and the reactor's floor. The second bio medium is located proximate an outlet end of the reactor and extends vertically between a bottom water level and the reactor's floor. The media are adapted for retaining solids within the reactor as clarified water is withdrawn after treatment. The first bio media is further adapted to act as a baffle thereby causing wastewater to flow generally uniformly into a primary reactor zone. The aeration system includes a plurality of diffusers, some of which may be located adjacent or underneath the bio media and are adapted for promoting the shaking the bio media when activated in order dislodge excessive biomass therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Environmental Dynamics International, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Tharp, Randall C. Chann
  • Patent number: 8840783
    Abstract: A method of cleaning a membrane surface immersed in a liquid medium with a fluid flow, including the steps of providing a randomly generated intermittent or pulsed fluid flow along the membrane surface to dislodge fouling materials therefrom. A membrane module is also disclosed comprising a plurality of porous membranes (6) or a set of membrane modules (5) and a device (11) for providing a generally randomly generated, pulsed fluid flow such that, in use, said fluid flow moves past the surfaces of said membranes (6) to dislodge fouling materials therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Fufang Zha, Gerin James, Joseph Edward Zuback, Peter Zauner, Roger William Phelps
  • Publication number: 20140263073
    Abstract: A vessel for treatment of radioactive liquid. The vessel comprises a shielded housing defining an ion exchange chamber therein. The ion exchange chamber is configured to receive ion exchange media in its interior between an interior top surface and an interior bottom surface. The vessel further comprises an inlet diffuser disposed in the ion exchange chamber proximate the bottom surface and an outlet collection header disposed in the ion exchange chamber proximate the top surface. Also, the vessel comprises a process inlet in fluid communication with the inlet diffuser and a process outlet in fluid communication with the outlet collection header.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: AVANTech, Inc.
    Inventors: Tracy A. Barker, James L. Braun
  • Publication number: 20140263000
    Abstract: A liquid filtration device comprises: filter modules, wherein each of the filter modules has a layer for a bio-film and a first group of particles; and a biobridge, wherein the biobridge is coupled to the filter modules, wherein an input liquid is disposed on the filter modules, and wherein for each of the filter modules the input liquid is filtered by passing through the respective layer and the respective first group of particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Yee Chun Lee, Narayan Raju, Ah Beng Tan, Huei Meng Chang
  • Publication number: 20140262999
    Abstract: A reactor for sewage treatment including: an inner layer including a water distribution zone; a middle layer including a biological aerated filter, the biological aerated filer including a wall and a bottom including a water outlet; and an outer layer including an artificial wetland, the artificial wetland including a bottom including a water inlet. The water distribution zone, the biological aerated filter, and the artificial wetland are in the shape of a circle. The sewage is introduced into the water distribution zone via a water inlet pipe. The water distribution zone communicates with the biological aerated filter via a first overflow. The water outlet arranged on the bottom of the biological aerated filer is connected to the water inlet arranged on the bottom of the artificial wetland to allow the biological aerated filter to communicate with the artificial wetland.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Chongqing University
    Inventors: Hongxiang CHAI, Wei KANG, Wei CHEN, Nanping AI, Chuanrong SU, Zhiwen WEI, Qiang HE, Xuebin HU, Junhua FANG, Wentao YAN
  • Patent number: 8834711
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an upstream ozone contact tank for removing residual ozone. The upstream ozone contact tank includes an inlet through which purified raw water flows, at least one contact chamber, at least one reaction chamber, an upstream contact chamber, and an outlet that discharges ozone-treated raw water. Especially, the invention provides an upstream contact chamber between the reaction chamber and outlet, wherein the upstream contact chamber includes carbonaceous filter media mounted on a porous plate. An openable gate unit is installed at the lower part of a panel partitioning a final reaction chamber and the upstream contact chamber and controls flow rate. Additionally, the invention enables upstream flow of the raw water flowing into the upstream contact chamber from the final reaction chamber so that the raw water may pass through the carbonaceous filter media upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Seoul Metropolitan Government
    Inventors: Woo Hyeun Joe, Young Ae Baek, Gang-Seok Baek, Byeong-Eui Hong, Byeong-Chul Jang, Mun-Ho Son, Young Jun Choi, Sang Tae Han
  • Publication number: 20140251882
    Abstract: A segmented, stackable wastewater treatment apparatus suitable for small remote and temporary camps is provided. The segments are typically flat cylindrical in shape and contain permanent biofiltration medium such as absorbent foam. They are transported to site in small vehicles or aircraft and assembled into a stack to treat the sewage. After use, they are disassembled into the component segments, which are then transported by small vehicles or aircraft to the next site, re-assembled in a stack, and re-used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventor: E. Craig JOWETT
  • Patent number: 8828242
    Abstract: A system for dewatering a stream of slurry has a first and a second separator. The first separator removes objects above a first size, to produce a stream of primary treated slurry. The second separator removes objects above a second size from the primary treated stream, the second size being smaller than the first size. Optionally, a third separator removes objects above a yet smaller third size from the stream of secondary treated slurry. The first separator has a plurality of sieve mat supports alternately connected to a main support frame section and a movable support frame section so that the flexible sieve mat can be agitated by the movable support frame section, a collector being provided for collecting the primary treated slurry passing through the flexible sieve mat. In an optional step, water contained in the separated solids is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Genesis Fluid Solutions, Ltd
    Inventors: Michael K. Hodges, Larry D. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20140246369
    Abstract: A process and system for treating wastewater is described. The invention degrades sludge produced by treatment of the wastewater to reduce or eliminate the need for sludge dewatering and disposal. The invention also reduces the amount of nutrient additives required to sustain the aerobic wastewater treatment process. In one embodiment the invention includes the steps of (a) providing an aerobic treatment system receiving a supply of the wastewater; (b) treating a supply of the sludge to rupture microbial cells present therein to produce treated sludge having an increased liquid:solid ratio and an increased degradation potential in comparison to untreated sludge; (c) conveying a supply of the treated sludge to the aerobic treatment system; and (d) substantially degrading the supply of treated sludge in the aerobic treatment system. The treated sludge may optionally be subjected to anaerobic digestion prior to delivery to the aerobic treatment system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: PARADIGM ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Robert John Stephenson, Scott Christopher Laliberte, Preston Yee Ming Hoy, Patrick William George Neill
  • Publication number: 20140238932
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating wastewater including a dissolved air flotation operation performed upon a portion of a mixed liquor output from a contact tank prior to the mixed liquor entering a biological treatment tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: EVOQUA WATER TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Argun O. Erdogan, Michael L. Doyle
  • Publication number: 20140238934
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system or method for the remediation of wastewater with a treatment media in tandem with an electrocoagulation system. The system and method also include cleaning elements for cleaning distribution lines within the system and for cleaning the electrocoagulation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Loren L. Losh, Scott W. Powell, Daryl W. Haerther
  • Patent number: 8808550
    Abstract: A system and method for oxidation treatment of water in which ozone gas is dissolved in water by passing a mixed gas-liquid stream through a monolith at an elevated pressure that is close to the preferred gas output pressure for an ozone generator. The monolith is preferably contained at least partially within a gas-liquid separator vessel. Advanced oxidation is optionally provided by injecting hydrogen peroxide and/or embedding a catalyst on the monolith. At least a portion of the treated water is preferably recycled in order to increase total ozone dosing in the effluent stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Vipul P. Dholakia
  • Publication number: 20140224717
    Abstract: The membrane anaerobic stabilized wastewater treatment system may be substantially free of aerobic biological treatment for processing a wastewater influent. A primary membrane element may process a pretreatment stream produced by a pretreatment system and produce a product stream effluent. A secondary membrane element may receive and filter the product stream effluent to produce a concentrate stream effluent. The concentrate stream may be processed in a microbial fuel cell to convert the dissolved organic material to electronic power, carbon dioxide and an effluent liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventor: Graham John Gibson Juby
  • Patent number: 8795518
    Abstract: A method and system for waste water treatment and disposal includes the use of a sealed chamber having a plurality of sealed light transmitting windows and a relatively large basin connected to the chamber by a large multi-channel conduit. A large fan exhausts gases, humidity and odor from the chamber into a lower portion of the basin. An upper portion of the basin includes a multi-layer grid including layers of hydro stones and/or artificial hydro stones, sand, fertilizer and earth together with a plurality of shallow rooted trees. Any carbon dioxide produced by the waste water is ultimately converted to oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Inventor: Abdulreidha Alsaffar
  • Publication number: 20140209521
    Abstract: A system for treating fluid in a pool, spa, or other main fluid reservoir includes a side-filter tank located next to the main fluid reservoir. An ozone generator pumps a mixture of ozone and air into a lift tube containing fluid from the main fluid reservoir. The fluid flows through the lift tube due to the effect of ozonated air bubbles released by a diffuser at the bottom of the lift tube. Fluid is piped from the main fluid reservoir to the side-filter tank and lift tube and back into the main fluid reservoir. The fluid is caused to pass through the side-filter tank and back into the main reservoir as a result of the flow of ozonated air in the lift tube without the use of any fluid pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventor: Charles E.C. Harris
  • Publication number: 20140202954
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes an outlet barrier for controlling a flow of wastewater from a treatment zone to an outlet from the wastewater environment. An immersed support structure is disposed in the treatment zone for supporting aquatic plants in the wastewater environment. The support structure has adjustable buoyancy such that a position of the support structure relative to the upper surface of the wastewater in the treatment zone may be adjusted by adjusting the buoyancy of the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Leon A. Lassovsky
  • Publication number: 20140197111
    Abstract: Wastewater treatment methods and systems for removal of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) from wastewater and for recovery of them as usable materials. Sufficient amount of dolomite lime and slaked dolomite lime is added into the wastewater to increase the pH of the wastewater to above 8.5 and to form P precipitates and to convert ammonium to ammonia in a precipitation-ammonia stripping reactor or a continuous flow precipitation reactor. The P precipitates are separated from the wastewater and recovered as usable solid material. The ammonia gas is absorbed and concentrated with acid solution in an ammonia absorption tower as usable liquid material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences
    Inventors: Wei MENG, Yonghui SONG
  • Patent number: 8778175
    Abstract: A slow/intermittent sand filter that purifies polluted water by flowing through sand in a manner that achieves greater purity and permits simpler and more effective maintenance than existing filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: E. Neal Caldwell
    Inventors: E. Neal Caldwell, John Kevin Hodges
  • Publication number: 20140190896
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for removing contaminants from an industrial fluid waste. The method comprises the steps of ozofractionating the industrial fluid waste, whereby contaminants are oxidised and a foam fractionate is formed; and separating at least a portion of the foam fractionate and any precipitate from the ozofractionated fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventor: Michael David Dickson
  • Patent number: 8764976
    Abstract: A biological wastewater treatment system includes a tank or reactor for holding and treating wastewater. Disposed in the tank or reservoir is an array of biofilm carriers for supporting biomass that remove pollutants and contaminates from the wastewater. A screen structure is mounted to the tank for screening treated wastewater flowing from the tank and preventing the biofilm carriers from being discharged from the tank. The screen structure includes a vertical screen made up of a plurality of screen modules disposed in side-by-side relationship and disposed upstream of an outlet formed in the tank. Further this screen structure may include a plurality of auxiliary screens that project form the vertical screen inwardly towards the interior area of the tank thereby providing increased screening area through which wastewater is discharged during a wastewater treatment process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Support
    Inventors: Justin Schreiber, Charles H. Guthrie
  • Publication number: 20140174998
    Abstract: A filtration assembly comprising a first and second module, each module comprising a plurality of vertically aligned semi-permeable hollow fiber membranes extending along a length between first and second ends with one of said ends potted within a header, and wherein the headers of the modules are aligned and spaced apart to define a vertical flow path; and at least one fiber support positioned along the length of the hollow fiber membranes of both modules, wherein the fiber support comprises a frame including a plurality of partitions that segment the hollow fiber membranes of both modules into common fiber groupings passing through the fiber support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Peter E. Aerts, Scott T. Burr, Steven J. Gluck, Chengfeng Wang
  • Publication number: 20140158614
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and devices for biologically treating water and/or wastewater. The methods and devices for treating wastewater may be enhanced using an surge lifting device which moves water and/or solids using volumes of air (for liquid transfer and mixing) and the automatic sludge return mechanism, combined with alternating aeration on and off operation to achieve comprehensive nitrogen and phosphorus removal. This surge lifting device can provide occasional surges of water using large bubbles which are able to move great volume of liquid while minimizing dissolved oxygen transfer to the surrounding liquid. Use of the devices and processes herein provides a simple, eloquent approach to wastewater treatment with less operation and maintenance costs than conventional devices and/or processes. The same surge lifting device can also be installed in an anaerobic digester, and use the biogas generated below the device to automatically mix the digester, without external energy input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventor: Jianmin Wang
  • Publication number: 20140158635
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for desalinating and/or treating polluted water. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for desalinating and/or treating polluted water using gas hydrates. In particular, the system comprises a desalination tank configured to form gas hydrates using a suitable hydrate former taken from a storage tank that is operatively connected to the desalination tank. With all operations, including formation of gas hydrates, discharging of highly saline water, washing the gas hydrates and dissociation of gas hydrates being conducted in a single pressurized tank such as the desalination tank, the present apparatus provides a simple and efficient solution at a low manufacturing and operating cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventor: Amit Katyal
  • Publication number: 20140151294
    Abstract: A wastewater recycling system includes a biological reactor having anaerobic, anoxic, and aerobic chambers. A lift station including a pump is operatively connected to the biological reactor. The lift station receives biologically treated liquid from the biological reactor and pumps the liquid from the lift station. A filtration subsystem is operatively connected to the lift station. The filtration subsystem receives and filters the liquid pumped by the lift station. The filtration subsystem includes a salt-rejecting membrane filter comprising a concentrate recirculation conduit operatively connected to recirculate salt-rejecting membrane filter concentrate to a point along the wastewater recycling system upstream of the salt-rejecting membrane filter, thereby forming a salt concentration loop between said point along the wastewater recycling system and the salt-rejecting membrane filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Tangent Company LLC
    Inventors: William C. Prior, James E. Bolton, Lyle E. Kirman, David F. Rath, Adam Arnold, Glenn Graff, Kevin J. Elliot
  • Publication number: 20140144836
    Abstract: A method and a system for selecting and retaining solids with superior settling characteristics, the method comprising feeding wastewater to an input of a processor that carries out a treatment process on the wastewater, outputting processed wastewater at an output of the processor, feeding the processed wastewater to an input of a gravimetric selector that selects solids with superior settling characteristics, and outputting a recycle stream at a first output of the gravimetric selector back to the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicants: D.C. Water & Sewer Authority, Hampton Roads Sanitation District
    Inventors: Geert Nyhuis, Maureen O'Shaughnessy, Bernhard Wett, Charles Bott, Sudhir Murthy
  • Patent number: 8734647
    Abstract: Process for the biological treatment of organic wastes, includes a first anaerobic digestion phase and a second aerobic digestion phase in succession, a respective filtration phase of the solid substance being provided between the two digestion phases, a separation phase of the biogas released in the anaerobic digestion phase and a nitrogen recovery phase from the exhaust gases rich in ammoniac substances separated from the aerobic digestion phase. The solid substance coming from each of the filtration phases is separately returned to the respective digestion phase, while the liquid phase coming from the filtration phase downstream of the anaerobic digestion phase is sent to aerobic phase. In the nitrogen recovery phase the gaseous current consisting of exhaust gases rich in ammoniac substances is treated with a solution of carbonic acid supplied in countercurrent in a first gas/liquid contactor to obtain a mixture of nitrogen salts (ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium carbonate, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Bioenergia S.r.l.
    Inventors: Paolo Bresciani, Andrea Manfredini, Andrea Peri, Federico Peri, Mario Peri, Vanessa Pizzaballa, Martino Pretalli, Antonio Tabarelli, Antonio Trilli
  • Patent number: 8728316
    Abstract: A membrane filter unit includes a hollow fiber membrane module with a plurality of sheet-like hollow fiber membrane elements arrayed in parallel at predetermined intervals, each of the hollow fiber membrane elements obtained by arranging a great number of porous hollow fiber membranes in parallel, and an air diffuser arranged below the hollow fiber membrane module for releasing minute bubbles toward a lower end of the hollow fiber membrane module and generating a gas-liquid mixed flow vertically swirling between an inner space and an outer space of the hollow fiber membrane module. The membrane filter unit has a residue eliminating mechanism for forming a forced flow in part of the mixed flow between the porous hollow fiber membranes and between the sheet-like hollow fiber membrane elements of the fiber membrane module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihito Nakahara, Tetsuya Torichigai, Hiroyuki Okazaki
  • Publication number: 20140131261
    Abstract: A continuously flowing, inner circulatory, quasi-fluidized-bed reactor for resin ion exchange and adsorption. The reactor comprises a main body casing, an inclined pipe separator, an outlet weir, an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe, a reducing fluidization tank, a guide plate, a resin regeneration tank, a resin discharge pipe, and a return pipe for regenerated resin and a distributing ejector. The reactor is particularly suitable for advanced treatment of supply water, wastewater, biochemical effluent and reclaimed water by using (magnetic) powder resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicants: Nanjing University, Research Institute
    Inventors: Chao Long, Jun Fan, Aimin Li, Chendong Shuang
  • Publication number: 20140131262
    Abstract: A filter for removing at least some impurities (e.g. foreign matter of any nature including a solid, a liquid or a gas) from water or wastewater. A vibrator operably associated with at least a portion of the filter for imparting a vibrational force to enhance any one or more of numerous aspects of the filtration process including: (i) installation of the filter and/or various components thereof; (ii) servicing of the filter and/or components thereof; and, (iii) operation of the filter during a filtration cycle and a cleaning cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: ROBERTS MARKETING DE, INC.
    Inventor: R. Lee Roberts
  • Patent number: 8715512
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating components of a fluid mixture. The apparatus includes a vortex generation zone shaped as an inverse truncated cone, a solids collection zone, a separation zone, one or more fluid inlets, one or more gas inlets, one or more fluid outlets, and one or more gas outlets. Gas is introduced into fluid in the vortex separation zone to facilitate the separation of components of the fluid mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Howdeshell, Edward J. Godeaux, Asadollah Hayatdavoudi, Curtis D. Cooley
  • Publication number: 20140120018
    Abstract: A process and apparatus to remove and breakdown volatile organic compounds from drinking water, groundwater, wastewater, frack water and air exhaust. The process entails filling a tank, chamber, pipe, or column with ozone-containing gas, introducing into this ozone-containing gas-filled tank, chamber, pipe or column, very small droplets of water, contaminated with volatile organic compounds which then volatilize out from the water and break down in the ozone gas thereby improving the water quality and associated air quality. The current invention has been shown to achieve more than 99% combined removal efficiency. The process can also be used to treat air streams containing volatile organic compounds. To increase efficiency, ozone is introduced where the atomized particles are smallest. Three configurations utilizing said process include upward and downward spray of contaminated water into ozone and pumping through openings in an enclosure to a reaction chamber filled with ozone-containing gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Marcia Jada Berger, Isaac Wayne Anderson
  • Publication number: 20140116937
    Abstract: A sludge treatment apparatus includes an aeration tank serving to degrade microorganisms other than Bacillus sp. in sludge to produce organic matter to thereby activate Bacillus sp.; a poor aeration tank serving to reduce the activity of microorganisms in the sludge; a spore-forming tank operated under oxygen-free conditions and serving to induce the degradation and death of microorganisms remaining in the sludge while inducing the formation of spores of Bacillus sp.; a Bacillus sp.-activating reactor provided in an internal return line extending from the spore-forming tank to the aeration tank and serving to supply minerals to the sludge returned from the spore-forming tank to activate spore-type Bacillus sp.; and a sedimentation tank serving to induce the gravity sedimentation of the sludge discharged from the spore-forming tank to separate the discharged sludge into a supernatant and a concentrated sludge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Yong Su Choi, Kyo Bum Kim, Jae Shik Chung, Yong Bae Park, Kyu Won Seo
  • Publication number: 20140116957
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a floating filter module installed in a water treatment apparatus, such as in a public water treatment plant, a village water supply facility, a public sewage treatment plant, a wastewater treatment plant, or a village sewage treatment plant, in order to remove contamination particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: DAEWOONG ECOSYSTEMS AND SOLUTION
    Inventors: Kwang Jae Woo, Yeon Gil Kim, Wan Jung Kim
  • Patent number: 8696892
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating a radioactive nitrate waste liquid includes: a denitrification tank (12) that accommodates active sludge which adsorbs or takes in a radioactive substance in a nitrate waste liquid (11) containing nitrate and the radioactive substance and in which an anaerobic microorganism that reduces the nitrate to nitrogen gas grows; a reaeration tank (14) that aerates and mixes a denitrification-treated liquid (24) treated in the denitrification tank (12) with the active sludge in which the aerobic microorganism grows; and a sludge dissolution tank (81) that dissolves redundant sludge (26A, 26B) discharged from the denitrification tank (12) and the reaeration tank (14). Acetic peracid (80) is supplied to the sludge dissolution tank (81) to dissolve redundant sludge, a sludge lysate is supplied to the denitrification tank (12) as a carbon source (22), and acetic acid is supplied to the denitrification tank (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Ogawa, Katsushi Shibata, Kazuhiko Kuroda, Hiromitsu Nagayasu
  • Patent number: 8695813
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for desolvating flowing liquid streams while retaining temporal resolution of dissolved substrates are disclosed. A novel small-scale self-regulating spray dryer preserves temporal resolution while desolvating a liquid chromatography eluent stream and depositing the solute onto an optical surface for infrared spectrographic analysis. The liquid eluent is pumped through a heated nebulizer to create a high-speed jet of solute containing liquid and solvent vapor. This jet is directed circumferentially inside a hot cylindrical cavity. Centrifugal force causes the larger liquid droplets to travel along the outer diameter of the cavity. The cavity surface is heated to cause the droplets to film boil. Film boiling reduces droplet contact with the cavity surface thereby retaining the solute in the droplets. The solute temperature is limited by controlling the pressure into which the solvent evaporates from the droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Spectra Analysis Instruments, Incorporated
    Inventors: William W. Carson, Sidney Bourne
  • Publication number: 20140097137
    Abstract: A coupling bioreactor in the form of a tower type seal structure filled with a suspended carrier. A water inlet pipe, an air inlet pipe, and a first microporous aerator are arranged at the bottom of the coupling reactor. The water inlet pipe is connected to a water distributor. The air inlet pipe is connected to the first microporous aerator. A gas inlet pipe and a second microporous aerator are arranged at the middle part of the coupling bioreactor and are connected with each other. An annular overflow weir is arranged at the upper part of the coupling bioreactor and is connected to a water outlet pipe. A gas outlet pipe is arranged at the top of the coupling bioreactor. The ratio of the height to the diameter of the coupling bioreactor is between 3 and 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventors: Hongqiang REN, Ke XU, Lili DING, Jinju GENG
  • Publication number: 20140097136
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite microorganism reactor, wherein both dephosphorization and denitrification occur in one reactor, and an apparatus and a method for water treatment using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: DAEWOONG ECOSYSTEMS AND SOLUTION
    Inventors: Kwang Jae Woo, Yeon Gil Kim
  • Patent number: 8685245
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for separating suspended matter from liquid includes a concentrator filter that draws the liquid out of the suspension while the filter kept unblocked by a sparging filter that allows scrubbing of the concentrator filter by gas bubbles. This invention can be used to replace cross-flow filtration and centrifugation in the bioprocess industry and to reduce the volume of suspensions to concentrate the yield of the end product in the chemical industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Therapeutic Proteins International, LLC
    Inventor: Sarfaraz Niazi
  • Patent number: 8685235
    Abstract: An integrated sewage biochemical treatment plant containing mechanical treatment devices, a sewage-and-sludge mixing chamber with a circulation pump and a combined biological treatment device, includes a plane feed biofilter, a spray line, collecting trays and drain collectors connected to water-jet aeratic columns sunk in the aeration zones, and aftertreatment devices. The combined biological treatment device whose capacity is 5 to 15,000 m3/day has a biofilters spray line that includes trays with emptying fittings and reflecting disks, the distance from the trays emptying fittings upper ends to the disk reflectors is 0.8 to 2 m, and the distance between the trays centers and the distance between the trays fittings axes is 0.6 to 1.8 m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Vladimir Petrovich Kolesnikov
  • Publication number: 20140083935
    Abstract: A system of treating high nitrogen content waste water is disclosed, where the system includes a precipitation and conditioning subsystem, an ammonia stripper subsystem, and a denitrification subsystem. The system is adapted to reduce nitrogen contamination to level below about 10 ppm and in certain embodiments below 3 ppm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: KINDER MORGAN OPERATING L.P."C"
    Inventors: Randy A. Galgon, Allen Ray Stickney, Richard B. Steinberg
  • Patent number: 8678200
    Abstract: A system for dewatering a stream of slurry has a first and a second separator. The first separator removes objects above a first size, to produce a stream of primary treated slurry. The second separator removes objects above a second size from the primary treated stream, the second size being smaller than the first size. Optionally, a third separator removes objects above a yet smaller third size from the stream of secondary treated slurry. The first separator has a plurality of sieve mat supports alternately connected to a main support frame section and a movable support frame section so that the flexible sieve mat can be agitated by the movable support frame section, a collector being provided for collecting the primary treated slurry passing through the flexible sieve mat. In an optional step, water contained in the separated solids is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Genesis Fluid Solutions, Ltd
    Inventors: Michael Kent Hodges, Larry D. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20140061126
    Abstract: The present invention relates to filtration of liquids, such as water, containing substances that desirably should be removed from the liquids. The invention relates in particular to a filtration cake, being produced in situ of a cleaning system from substances that desirably should be filtered away. Particular preferred embodiments of the present invention relate to treatment of waste water, where an activated sludge is provided, which sludge contains activated sludge flocs. These flocs are accumulated on a fluid penetrable support structure to form a layer of flocs, which subsequently is compressed to form a filter of desired properties. The invention also relates to adapting waste water—or other liquids containing biodegradable substances—to optimised biodegradation and filtration by deflocculating flocs in an activated sludge during or before a biodegradation step and subsequently promoting re-flocculation prior to filtering or other means of biomass separation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Dominik Marek Dominiak, Tom Bjerregaard Jæger