With Separator Patents (Class 210/151)
  • Patent number: 8318027
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for reclamation of waste fluids. A conditioning container is employed for receipt of waste material on a continuous flow for treatment within the container by immersible transducers producing ultrasonic acoustic waves in combination with a high level of injected ozone. The invention discloses a cost efficient and environmentally friendly process and apparatus for cleaning and recycling of flowback, or frac water, which has been used to stimulate gas production from shale formations. The apparatus is mobile and containerized and suitable for installation at the well site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Ecosphere Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis McGuire, Sanjeev Jakhete
  • Publication number: 20120292235
    Abstract: A treatment device for stormwater is provided that comprises a container which in use contains a growing medium and a hydrodynamic separator located within the container. The hydrodynamic separator comprises a separation chamber, an inlet duct extending from the outside of the container to the separation chamber, a solids outlet; and a liquid outlet that opens into the container. In use, liquid flow containing solids enters the separation chamber through the inlet duct and is caused to swirl within the separation chamber, thereby causing solids to exit the separation chamber through the solids outlet and liquid to exit the separation chamber through the liquid outlet and to flow into the growing medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Jeremy FINK, Andrew Pearson Nancollis, Robert Yaw Gyamfi Andoh, Keith Garry Hutchings
  • Publication number: 20120285874
    Abstract: An immersion type membrane module unit includes: an immersion type membrane module for membrane separation activated sludge filtration; an extended wall extending from a lower end of the membrane module and surrounding a space downward of the membrane module; and a membrane aerating air diffusion device disposed at one of a lower portion in the space and a position around and downward of the space and having a plurality of air diffusion holes arranged in a plane, and the membrane module has separation membranes with gaps therebetween and the extended wall receives bubbles output through the air diffusion holes and guides the bubbles to the gaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicants: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY, SUMITOMO ELECTRIC FINE POLYMER ,INC.
    Inventors: Toru Morita, Yoshimasa Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20120285892
    Abstract: A bubble generator for generating gas bubbles for a flotation vessel, the bubble generator including at least one inlet through which a water stream can enter the bubble generator; at least one pair of electrodes capable of electrically decomposing water to create gas bubbles; and at least one outlet through which water entrained with gas bubbles can exit the bubble generator. In use, at least one of the outlets is in fluid communication with a flotation vessel containing waste water including contaminants, the gas bubbles being used to separate at least a portion of the contaminants from the waste water in the flotation vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: Process Group Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Philip TUCKETT, Trina Margaret DREHER
  • Patent number: 8307993
    Abstract: A filter apparatus that while maintaining a high revolution speed, realizes reduction of filter element vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: Takerou Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8308939
    Abstract: Flat-sheet membrane filter assemblies require open space around equipment to form a viable path for an internal recycle or roll pattern. Creating a dedicated roll pattern for individual filter assemblies is space intensive and imposes process constraints on tank dimensions. A hollow wall or series of pipes forms a recycle wall designed to consolidate roll patterns and reduces space requirements. The recycle wall is designed such that the structural components also serve as a mixed liquor distribution system for the necessary roll pattern. Fixed vertically oriented conduit and sectional channel pieces allow for easy access and removal of membrane filter assemblies installed side by side. Feeding mixed liquor, air and or influent to the bottom of filter assemblies via submerged conduit improves process efficiency when coupled with return channels spaced not more than 10 feet away and above assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Ovivo Luxembourg S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Dennis Livingston
  • Patent number: 8303810
    Abstract: A device for concentrating ethanol from an ethanol water solution yielded from lignocellulose is equipped with a water separation membrane, an ethanol water solution storing unit and a depressurizing container provided so as to sandwich the water separation membrane, a dry gas cylinder for supplying dry gas to an ethanol vapor residing unit above the ethanol water solution storing unit, a pump for sucking in the interior of the ethanol vapor residing unit, and a cold trap for collecting the concentrated ethanol by condensing the ethanol vapor sucked in by the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Kagawa, Pu Qian, Akihisa Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20120273411
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a system for the metabolization of organic substances, comprising at least one housing with an elongated space. The housing has at least one inlet opening at the top end portion for the introduction of liquids with organic substances therein and at least one outlet opening for liquids at the bottom end portion. The inlet opening and the outlet opening are in communication with the elongated space, where the elongated space extends from the top end portion to the bottom end portion of the housing. Further, the system for metabolization comprises at least one planting opening provided on the housing between the inlet opening and the outlet opening for the accommodation of a support element for plants, the planting opening being in communication with the elongated space, and a porous filler material provided in the elongated space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: DEUTSCHES ZENTRUM FUR LUFT-UND RAUMFAHRT E.V.
    Inventors: Jens Hauslage, Kai Wasser
  • Publication number: 20120273412
    Abstract: Technologies are generally described for a treatment system and a method for treating waste product. In some examples, the treatment system may include a container effective to receive a waste product. The treatment system may further include one or more filters in communication with the container. The filter or filters may include a polymer carrier material. The polymer carrier material may include at least one of Sphingomonas bacteria, Flavobacteriales bacteria or Chryseobacterium bacteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: PEKING UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Zhengfang Ye, Zhongyou Wang, Mohe Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120267325
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wastewater treatment plant and method for treating wastewater, and to a wastewater treatment system having a plurality of filter layers disposed one under the other for purifying the wastewater, wherein at least one feeding device (200) for feeding wastewater to the filter layer (110) and at least one discharge device (300) for discharging the purified wastewater from the filter layer (110) is associated with each filter layer (110). The feeding device (200) for at least two of the filter layers (110) is directly fluidically connected to a wastewater feeding line (400) and the discharge device (300) is directly fluidically connected to an intermediate store (600), such that the unfiltered quantity of wastewater fed to each filter layer (110) can be filtered by said filter layer (110).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Tariq Kaddoura, Gert Köhler
  • Publication number: 20120267305
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for biologically cleaning wastewater (A), comprising the following steps: providing a treatment basin (B) having a floor (1) and at least one wall (2) extending from the floor at a wall height (W), having an inlet opening (3) and having at least one outflow opening (9) in the range from 0 to a maximum of 0.5 times the wall height (W), feeding the wastewater (A) through the inlet opening (3) into the treatment basin (B), bringing the wastewater (A) into contact with microorganisms seeded in loose growth bodies (12) received in the treatment basin (B), and discharging the wastewater (A) at least partially cleaned by the action of the microorganisms from the treatment basin (B) through the outflow opening (9), wherein the growth bodies (12) are retained in the treatment basin (B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: INVENT UMWELT-UND VERFAHRENSTECHNIK AG
    Inventor: Marcus Hoefken
  • Patent number: 8293098
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system comprising: a first treatment zone (11) fluidly connected to one or more further treatment zones (12-14), a membrane module (16) comprising a filter membrane is positioned in or fluidly connected to the further treatment zone; and a gravity settling device (15) fluidly connected to the first treatment zone (11) to receive overflow therefrom. A method of treating wastewater comprising flowing wastewater through one or more treatment zones (11-14) to produce a fluid product which is passed through a filter membrane (16) to produce a concentrated mixed liquor and a filtrate; returning at least a portion of the concentrated mixed liquor to at least one of the treatment zones (11); when the flow of wastewater water exceeds a predetermined level, flowing a portion of the returned mixed liquor to a gravity settling device (15) and clarifying the mixed liquor within the gravity settling device (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: George W. Smith, Dennis J. Barnes
  • Publication number: 20120261320
    Abstract: A food waste management system includes a tank having an internal chamber for containing food waste and sufficient water for fully submersing the food waste. The system further includes a water supply system for supplying water to the internal chamber, a gas supply system for supplying a gas to the internal chamber, a discharge system for discharging water and food waste from the internal chamber, a grinder system adapted for grinding the food waste, the grinder system being disposed in the internal chamber to be fully submersed in the water, a circulation system disposed in the internal chamber for circulating water and food waste and a control system adapted for controlling operation of the food waste management system in accordance with a desired control process. The system further includes a nutrient additive to be supplied to the internal chamber in predetermined amounts at predetermined intervals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: 2245396 ONTARIO INC.
    Inventor: James Slanina
  • Patent number: 8287743
    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 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: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Fufang Zha, Gerin James, Edward Joseph Zuback, Peter Zauner, Roger Phelps
  • Publication number: 20120255907
    Abstract: A water producing system which is provided with a semi-permeable membrane treatment process A100 to produce membrane permeate A3 and concentrate A, a semi-permeable membrane treatment process 8200 which is equipped with a treatment target water B branching means for branching treatment target water B2 into two or more to produce a membrane B5 and concentrate B6, and a semi-permeable membrane treatment process C300 which is equipped with a first water mixing means for mixing one of the treatment target water B with at least part of the concentrate A, and subjects the mixed water to the semi-permeable membrane treatment to produce membrane permeate C7 and concentrate C8, thereby producing fresh water from a plurality of kinds of raw water which differ in osmotic pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Wakako Ogiwara, Hiroo Takabatake, Masahide Taniguchi
  • Publication number: 20120255902
    Abstract: A biological wastewater treatment system includes an equalization tank for sending a defined first portion of the wastewater to a submerged membrane filter. When the quantity of the received wastewater exceeds the defined first portion, a second portion of wastewater, formed from the wastewater that exceeds the defined first portion, is sent to a filtration process. The filtration process includes adding a flocculating agent to the second portion entering filtration, filtering the second portion, thereby producing retentive waste including flocculated material, and then sending the retentive waste to the submerged membrane filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventor: Dennis Livingston
  • Patent number: 8282772
    Abstract: A method for processing wastewater includes the steps of introducing air and a liquid into a pump, and subjecting the air and liquid to high heat and pressure; delivering the heated and pressurized air and liquid from the pump to a gas and liquid separator to separate the air from the liquid; expanding the air from the gas and liquid separator through a nozzle to accelerate the air as it expands; injecting at least some portion of the wastewater to be processed into the air from the nozzle in an entrainment section downstream from the nozzle to entrain the wastewater into the air; passing the liquid portion from the gas and liquid separator through a valve to lower the pressure of the liquid to achieve flash evaporation of the liquid to produce water and steam; introducing the water and steam produced from the valve into the air and entrained wastewater in the entrainment section, to enhance entrainment of water into the air; and delivering the air and entrained wastewater from the entrainment section to an i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventor: W Paul Jepson
  • Patent number: 8282818
    Abstract: A single submerged attached growth bioreactor interconnected to an equalization tank and a clear well. The equalization tank receives raw wastewater and provides primary settling of solids from the waste water. The output from the equalization tank is sent into the bioreactor. The wastewater flow path through the bioreactor biofilter is serpentine. Wastewater enters the first cell of the biofilter and flows downward to an opening at the biofilter bottom that hydraulically connects the first cell to a biofilter second cell. In the second cell the wastewater flows up from the bottom to an opening above the media within the cell, which connects the second cell with a third biofilter cell. Wastewater then flows downward through the third cell to the bottom and exits the biofilter through a pipe connected to a pump in the clear well. The hydrostatic pressure created by the differential liquid levels drives forward flow through the cells and into an effluent pipe at the bottom of the third cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventors: Keith Dobie, Andrew R. McBrearty, Philip B. Pedros
  • Patent number: 8277658
    Abstract: A system and method for treating wastewater by continuously flowing wastewater into a chemostat and continuously discharging clean water out of the chemostat. The system can include sensors and an electronic controller for on-line measuring ambient parameters in the chemostat and adjusting the chemostat's operating conditions accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Biological Petroleum Cleaning Ltd.
    Inventors: David Amir, Eugene Rosenberg, Gili Bittan-Banin
  • Publication number: 20120234753
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling method and cooling system comprising a cooling device (1), in particular a cooling tower (1), for cooling cooling water and at least one consumer (4) to be cooled, wherein the cooling device (1) and the at least one consumer (4) are arranged in a cooling water circuit (1, 2, 3, 4), a filter (11) having immobilized microorganisms, in particular having a microorganism colony, being arranged in the cooling water circuit (1, 2, 3, 4) between the at least one consumer (4) and the cooling device (1) or in a separate circuit (1, 9, 10, 11, 12) connected thereto, in order to specifically filter out nutrients from the cooling water by means of metabolizing and/or storing the nutrients by the microorganisms in the filter (11), wherein the immobilized microorganisms are inoculated and cultivated outside the circuit with autochthonous and/or allochthonous microorganisms from the cooling system and are integrated into the cooling system as a functionally ready collection of microorganism
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Marc Alexander Flettner, Juergen Scheen
  • Publication number: 20120234754
    Abstract: An organic wastewater treatment apparatus comprises a biological treatment tank provided with a whole floor aeration section in which a first aerator is disposed so as to perform whole floor aeration, a solid-liquid separation section formed above the whole floor aeration section and provided with a membrane separation device immersed in activated sludge, and a flow path narrowing section formed between the whole floor aeration section and the solid-liquid separation section so as to vertically separate the whole floor aeration section and the solid-liquid separation section, wherein the flow path narrowing section includes a flow path narrowing device configured to narrow a cross-sectional area of the flow path from the whole floor aeration section to the solid-liquid separation section so as to combine fine air bubbles discharged from the first aeration device to each other and discharge the combined bubbles to an area below the membrane separation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soichiro YATSUGI, Hitoshi YANASE, Yoshio KITAGAWA
  • Patent number: 8268166
    Abstract: Protein skimmers having an upright housing including an open topped body with a manually removable foam collection cup for sealing mounting on the body. The foam collection cups encircle a foam collection duct except for a recessed inspection window for exposing an area of the foam collection duct's exterior surface for enabling an aquarist a generally horizontal line of sight to continuously inspect the foam collection duct's interior. The protein skimmers have a canister-like configuration with a front control panel including a main inlet, a main outlet and at least one aspirating pump for circulating an air/water mixture. The protein skimmers include a disperser for dispersing an incoming flow of organic loaded water peripherally downward into a reaction chamber in a substantially uniform manner. The protein skimmers include a washing mechanism for periodically washing their foam collection ducts without having to remove their foam collection cups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Red Sea Fish Pharm Ltd.
    Inventors: Neil H. Marks, Sharon Ram
  • Patent number: 8268174
    Abstract: In a sewage treatment system, microconstituents, including personal care products and pharmaceutical materials, often difficult to degrade biologically, are removed by supersaturating the untreated wastewater feed with ozone. This breaks down refractory microconstituents into more readily biodegradable materials, subsequently treated preferably in an activated sludge membrane bioreactor process. The oxygen byproduct of ozonation is utilized by feeding the oxygen into an aerobic part of the plant to meet a portion of the biological demand, thereby increasing efficiency of ozone use in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Ovivo Luxembourg S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Dennis Livingston
  • Patent number: 8268169
    Abstract: The water treatment system and method incorporating the use of a hydrodynamic separator to remove most of the total suspended solids (TSS) in source water being treated to thereby lighten the load on membrane filtration in the water treatment system and lower energy costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Meng H. Lean, Joe Zuback, Nitin Parekh, Norine E. Chang, Huangpin Ben Hsieh, Kai Melde
  • Publication number: 20120228217
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for sludge treatment, comprising the following steps: (1) mixing a sludge feed from a sewage biotreatment process with a first mixed liquor to obtain a second mixed liquor; (2) subjecting the second mixed liquor to an oxygen-supplying process to obtain a third mixed liquor; (3) subjecting the third mixed liquor to an anoxic process to obtain a fourth mixed liquor; (4) separating the fourth mixed liquor to obtain a supernatant liquid and a first concentrated mixed liquor; (5) discharging the supernatant liquid, and returning at least a part of the first concentrated mixed liquor as the first mixed liquor to the step (1), wherein the amount of sludge of the first concentrated mixed liquor that does not return to the step (1) is less than the amount of sludge of the sludge feed. The present invention further relates to the use of the method for sludge treatment in sewage treatment. The method for sludge treatment can achieve a long term stable run without sludge discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Jinmin Li, Liankui Zhou, Dayong Li
  • Publication number: 20120223018
    Abstract: A method and system for recycling and treating dyeing wastewater are provided. To begin with, the dyeing wastewater is added with an adsorbent for assisted decolorization and filtration. Then, the wastewater is filtered with a first filtration device having hydrophilic membranes. The liquid having passed through the hydrophilic membranes undergoes an RO membrane-base filtration process to produce recycled water and concentrated wastewater. The concentrated wastewater is delivered into a second filtration device having hydrophobic membranes, before a micro-bubbling process is performed on the concentrated wastewater in the second filtration device to turn the concentrated wastewater into a creamy-white nebulized working liquid of high gas content. The steam in the working liquid can readily pass through the hydrophobic membranes to produce an effluent that meets effluent standards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventor: Jr-Jung Iang
  • Patent number: 8257584
    Abstract: The wastewater treatment tank results in high quality effluent meeting what is referred to as “Secondary Treatment Standard. The tank deploys in combination an Facultative Aerobic Bacterial Generators (FABG) that includes a plurality of surrounding horizontally extending bacteria supporting filters disposed in a vertical array along with a second vertical filter media disposed between the FABG and the outlet port. A facultative bacteria generator and additional bacteria supporting filters are also deployed adjacent the FABG and between the second vertical filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Wickham Jenks Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel E. Wickham
  • Publication number: 20120217201
    Abstract: A mixture for treating water in a biological water treatment process is provided comprising an organic-based flocculant, a micronutrient; and a polymer. The flocculant, the micronutrient and the polymer are mixed in a predetermined ratio to enhance said biological water treatment. The mixture is particularly suited to enhancing flocculation of particles, reducing fouling on a surface of a membrane in a membrane bioreactor, improving uptake of phosphorous and/or nitrogen by a biomass in a biological water treatment system, improving bioactivity of a biomass and/or floc in a biological water treatment system and improving flux in a membrane bioreactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, SYDNEY
    Inventors: Huu Hao Ngo, Wenshan Guo
  • Patent number: 8252175
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating fish and debris from water, the apparatus being made up of a frame member within which a rotating drum member is mounted, the drum member containing circumferentially mounted, longitudinally extending chamber members with an open side, and an air distribution member for inducing air into the chambers, facilitating rotation of the drum member. The method and apparatus are conformable for use in areas where the flow of water is a concern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventor: Robert K. Weir
  • Publication number: 20120211416
    Abstract: A system for enhancing an activated sludge process including at least one biological reactor. A weighting agent impregnation subsystem is coupled to the biological reactor for mixing biological flocs and weighting agent to impregnate the weighting agent into the biological flocs to form weighted biological flocs. A weighting agent recovery subsystem is configured to recover the weighting agent from the weighted biological flocs and reintroducing the recovered weighting agent to the weighting agent impregnation subsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Woodard, Peter G. Marston, Ionel Wechsler
  • Publication number: 20120205301
    Abstract: The treatment apparatus is pressurized and operates on a continuous flow of fluids which are subjected to hydrodynamic waves, acoustic ultrasonic waves in combination with injected ozone and electro chemical treatment. The treatment system provides a cost efficient and environmentally friendly process and apparatus for cleaning and recycling fluids as contaminated as frac water, used to stimulate gas production from shale formations, as well as other types of fluids having various levels of contaminants such as aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and suspended solids. The calcium carbonate scaling tendency is reduced to an acceptable level without the use of acids, ion exchange materials, or anti scaling chemicals which is of economical and environmental significance and benefit. The treatment apparatus is modular in construction and compact in overall configuration. The treatment apparatus and associated equipment and electrical power generator is sized and configured to be mounted within a truck trailer body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Dennis McGuire, Sanjeev Jakhete
  • Patent number: 8236174
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for treating wastewater. The system includes a microorganism clad structure positioned in a body of wastewater such that the microorganism clad structure is at least partially submerged in the body of wastewater. The apparatus also includes an aeration device, such as a propeller-type, surface mounted aeration device, supplying a horizontal flow of oxygenated water to the microorganisms attached to the microorganism clad structure such that the microorganisms may carry out a biological process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Aeration Industries International LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Durda, G. Shawn Brown, Cory Mortenson
  • Publication number: 20120193303
    Abstract: A system is described herein which provides an ozonated liquid. The system comprises a liquid inlet arranged to continuously accept a liquid into the system at a desired flow rate; a liquid outlet to dispense ozonated liquid out of the system, the ozonated liquid having an oxidation-reduction potential of at least 450 mV due solely to ozone dissolved in the liquid, the liquid outlet being in fluid communication with the liquid inlet and arranged to dispense the ozonated liquid out of the system at the desired flow rate. The system has a tank-less ozonation flow path between the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet, the flow path adapted to ozonate the accepted liquid, producing the ozonated liquid to be dispensed out of the system. The accepted liquid has a fluid residence time in the ozonation flow path of less than 5 minutes prior to being dispensed as the ozonated liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: ADVANTAGE ENGINEERING INC.
    Inventors: Steve L. Hengsperger, Justin L. Namespetra
  • Publication number: 20120193287
    Abstract: An installation and a method for removing dissolved biodegradable compounds as a biological treatment step up-stream of an equipment to be protected from biofouling being part of a ground water, surface water or tertiary wastewater treatment line, wherein said upstream biological treatment step is carried out in at least one packed bed bioreactor comprising a vessel or a tank filled with packing elements, characterized in that: iv) said packing elements of said packed bed show a void fraction of at least 70% and the flow velocity of water through said packed bed bioreactor is at least 20 m/h, so that said packed bed does not have a removal efficiency of suspended solids in water, if any, of more than 30%; v) said packing elements of said packed bed show a specific surface area of at least 750 m2/m3; vi) said process does not require the use of any biocide or biostatic compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: VEOLIA WATER SOLUTIONS & TECHNOLOGIES SUPPORT
    Inventors: Harry Brouwer, Erich Wittmann
  • Publication number: 20120197174
    Abstract: An extracorporeal filtration and detoxification system and method generally comprise separating ultrafiltrate from cellular components of blood, treating the ultrafiltrate independently of the cellular components in a recirculation circuit, recombining treated ultrafiltrate and the cellular components, and returning whole blood to the patient. A recirculation circuit generally comprises an active cartridge including active cells operative to effectuate a selected treatment; in some embodiments, the active cells are the C3A cell line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: John D. Brotherton, Dar He
  • Patent number: 8226828
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system comprising one apparatus (1) for de-nitrification and effluent solids removal, another apparatus (2) for biological main treatment, and a further apparatus (3) for solids removal (5), each apparatus including a volume (40) in which each process is performed, a media-retaining sieve (6) at the volume (40) and arranged to retain buoyant media particles (4) in the volume (40), and a gas sparging device (8), (9) which is located in a lower end region of the volume (40) and which is controllable by way of valves (11) and (15). The three volumes (40) are substantially (10) identical to, or multiples of, each other, the three sieves (6) are substantially identical to each other, and the three sparging devices (8), (9) are substantially identical to each other. The gas is sparged into the main treatment bed at a lower flow rate for wastewater aeration but intermittently at a higher flow rate to disrupt and clean the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventors: Alan David Cole Cantwell, Paul Antony Zuber
  • Patent number: 8221631
    Abstract: A system and method include providing waste water to a treatment tank, diffusing air into the waste water in the treatment tank to treat the waste water, and measuring O2 percentage in off gas from the waste water having diffused air. Dissolved oxygen in the waste water is measured in further embodiments, and the amount of air diffused into the waste water may be controlled as a function of the measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Bhaskar, Herman Dharmarajah, Bill Sheridan, Sujit V. Gaikwad, Sachi K. Dash
  • Publication number: 20120175301
    Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method of treating a source water, comprising: providing a source water containing an amount of silicon-containing molecules; and exposing the source water to a plurality of organisms, whereby the amount is reduced after the exposure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Andy Komor, Keisuke Ikehata
  • Patent number: 8216477
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing organics from water has an upwardly open and downwardly closed column having a tubular side wall and a floor and a generally closed chamber on the floor of the column and forming with the side wall an upwardly open annular space. The column has an outlet opening into the annular space. A pump forces water containing organics into the chamber and thereby fills the column with water that then flows out of the column through the outlet. An aerator pump moves at least some of the water containing organics out of the chamber, mixes the pumped-out water with bubbles, and pumps the water and bubbles back into a downwardly and horizontally closed but upwardly open flow space in the column above the chamber. A skimmer clears the organics from the surface of the water above the flow space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: DELTEC GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Weidl
  • Publication number: 20120168385
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for the treatment of water and, in particular, an apparatus and method which may be applied to fluids such as grey water to be treated prior to discharge. The invention is intended for particular use on marine vessels such as house boats to treat grey water which at present is discharged untreated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventor: Raymond Anderson
  • Publication number: 20120160750
    Abstract: Disclosed is a membrane module including: one or more membrane units covering a support and including a membrane having at least one side fused, wherein both sides of each of the membrane units perpendicular to one side of the membrane are molded to be coupled with the first and second frames, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Woong Choi, Incheol Kim, Namdoo Kim, Wonseok Lee
  • Patent number: 8206579
    Abstract: An aquarium filtration system with enhanced features comprising a continuous flow of filtered and processed water as well as a continuous drain system is herein disclosed. In such a manner, the water is continually changed over time, thus minimizing required emptying and/or cleaning. Additionally the system holds and maintains the desired pH level and water hardness, while controlling ammonia and nitrite levels. A filter on the incoming water line removes chlorine and other chemicals before the water passes onto the aquarium. The system works in conjunction with a conventional automatic water level controller. Automatic check valves control water flow and prevent back flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Inventor: Leon Shaw
  • Publication number: 20120152812
    Abstract: The systems and methods described provide for reducing sludge generation, and thus sludge wasting and handling, by including an anaerobic completely stirred tank reactor (CSTR) as a bioreactor in a side-stream. The CSTR provides a significant simplification of side-stream treatment design, enhanced sludge minimization, and enhanced removal of nitrogen and phosphorous without the need to add organic carbon. The described systems and methods provide generation of biogas including both hydrogen and methane from the activated sludge system. The described systems and methods avoid complex reactor designs for nutrient removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
    Inventors: Chul Park, Dong-Hyun Chon
  • Publication number: 20120152834
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment facility with a rotating biological contactor (“RBC”) that has a control system. The RBC sits in a tank that receives wastewater to be purified over which a reversible rotatable shaft is supported. One or more stages of rotating disk assembles progressively purify incoming wastewater. Each stage is oriented transversely to the shaft and has a plurality of disk assemblies. Each disk assembly has a number of disks that are sandwiched between end plates. Each of the disks comprises multiple concentric truncated pie-shaped segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: BioMass Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Indra R. Baxi
  • Publication number: 20120152833
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment facility with a rotating biological contactor (“RBC”) system. The RBC sits in a tank that receives wastewater to be purified. The tank supports a rotatable shaft. One or more stages of rotating disk assembles progressively purify incoming wastewater. Each stage is oriented transversely to the shaft and has a plurality of disk assemblies. Each disk assembly has a number of disks. Each of the disks comprises multiple concentric arcuate segments. The segments are provided with two generally radially extending edges, two circumferential edges that extend between the two radially extending legs, and a front face and a back face. Posts extend from the front and back faces of the disks for stirring wastewater and for offering a site for adherence of biomass suspended in the wastewater. Connecting members interconnect adjacent disks and optionally define a flow channel therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: BIOMASS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Indra Baxi
  • Patent number: 8197689
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes wastewater having nitrogen-containing compounds, an anoxic zone having denitrifying bacteria, and an aerobic zone having nitrifying bacteria. The anoxic zone is coupled to the aerobic zone, and wastewater flows from the anoxic zone to the aerobic zone or vice versa. The wastewater treatment system is configured to accept heat from a heat engine to heat the wastewater. Treating wastewater can include flowing wastewater having nitrogen-containing compounds into a biological reactor having an anoxic zone and an aerobic zone, and heating the wastewater with heat from a heat engine to facilitate denitrification reactions in the anoxic zone and to facilitate nitrification reactions in the aerobic zone. In some cases, the wastewater is heated with a three phase fluidized bed heat exchanger having porous particulates in contact with heat exchange tubes, with bacteria coupled to an interior of the porous particulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventor: Alexander Fassbender
  • Patent number: 8197690
    Abstract: A biological wastewater is mixed in an activated sludge tank with activated sludge that is concentrated in the activated sludge tank to a predetermined value. The mixture of wastewater and activated sludge running off in a drain of the activated sludge tank is then sieved to effect an incomplete solid/liquid separation that leaves a separated solid phase in the activated sludge tank. The liquid phase including a remnant of solids is then removed from the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Universitaet Kassel
    Inventors: Franz-Bernd Frechen, Wernfried Schier
  • Patent number: 8192617
    Abstract: Treatment of contaminated liquid is provided including an integrated ultra-filtration and clarification apparatus. Clarification of liquid occurs in a gap between a casing and a tank of the apparatus. Solids settle and aggregate in the bottom of the tank. The solids act as a secondary filter prior to contact of the liquid with the ultra-filtration filters. Clarified liquid is drawn through the ultra-filtration filters. An upstream electrocoagulation unit and a downstream reverse osmosis unit may be included in combination. Electrocoagulation can occur in the tank by reaction plates mounted within the tank. One embodiment includes dual integrated ultra-filtration and clarifier apparatuses and corresponding electrocoagulation units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Scott W. Powell
  • Patent number: 8192625
    Abstract: A jet aeration apparatus for aerating a membrane bioreactor has a jet aerator and an air supply pipe. The jet aerator is disposed in the membrane bioreactor and includes a water inlet, a pump disposed below a liquid surface of the membrane bioreactor, an air inlet pipe whose air inlet is disposed above the liquid surface of the membrane bioreactor, and a jet pipe having a jet nozzle. The air supply pipe includes a connector; and the connector of the air supply pipe is connected to the jet nozzle of the jet pipe of the jet aerator. A method of using the jet aeration apparatus is also provided. The jet aeration apparatus is easy to install, quiet in operation, and features a high degree of integration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Jiangxi JDL Environmental Protection Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhimin Liao, Jianzhong Xiong, Shengyun Yang, Jialin Zhou, Xingfu Jiang, Lingyun He, Qihu He, Dejin Ju, Aiguo Wan, Zhihua Yuan, Jiejun Cao, Kun Tao
  • Publication number: 20120132575
    Abstract: A foam filter is provided that may form a radial flow or a stacked flow filter. In the radial flow configuration, the foam may be wrapped around an inner support core. The inner support core may define holes to allow the water to enter the support core and exit the filter. More than one foam layer may be used, and a single sheet of foam wrapped in a spiral may form a multi-layer configuration. A non-permeable flexible layer may be positioned between adjacent foam layers to facilitate flow through the filter. In the stacked flow configuration, multiple foam layers may be used and water can flow successively or simultaneously through the foam layers. Functional layers may be added to provide other filtration functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: Roy W. Kuennen, Kenneth E. Conrad, Audrey Conrad, David W. Baarman