With Heater Or Heat Exchanger Patents (Class 210/175)
  • Patent number: 5639368
    Abstract: A channelized mass transfer membrane (MTM) is disclosed which has improved ion separation characteristics when employed in electrodialysis cells. The MTM exploits the unexpected ion separation ability of channelized membrane geometries. A major improvement of the disclosed invention is the use of tubular channels formed by means of hollow fibers which limit the directions in which ions can diffuse. The chief embodiments of the MTM exploit either the formation of capillary voids in solid material or the use of hollow fibers to form capillary channels. Additional levels of MTM porosity are achieved by filling of the channels with microporous material. Means are disclosed for cooling the MTM and adaptation of the MTM hydraulic resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventors: Dennis W. Davis, John L. Bill
  • Patent number: 5620606
    Abstract: Method/system of adding solid particles to inhibit or prevent plugging in a reactor at conditions such that the temperature and pressure are at least in the vicinity of supercritical conditions for water. Particles may be added in conjunction with a pH-adjusting material, thereby inhibiting plugging in the reactor caused by addition of the pH-adjusting material. Reactor pressure may be reduced by flowing the stream through a static restriction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: RPC Waste Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy N. McBrayer, Jr., Jimmy G. Swan, John S. Barber
  • Patent number: 5597601
    Abstract: Improved apparatus and process for filtering cooking oil of the type used in deep fat fryers such as are used in restaurants and bakeries. Full cooking temperature oil from the fryer vat is forcefully moved by a motorized pump through a canister holding a sintered metal filter which is preferably made of fused Stainless steel granules and which will filter-out solid particles down to about 0.5 microns in dimension from the oil. The hot oil passes through the filter before the filtered hot oil is returned to the fryer vat through a hand held flexible dispensing hose. The canister includes an openable lid to allow repeated removal, washing and re-installation of the highly durable and reuseable sintered stainless steel filter. One preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention is a portable unit mounted on wheels so it can be rolled from one fryer to another fryer and then to an out of the way storage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Purifry, LLC
    Inventor: Jerry A. Griffin
  • Patent number: 5595662
    Abstract: A water purification device comprises a compartment for holding a supply of impure water; a purified water collection zone; and a dense hydrophilic membrane between the compartment and the purified water collection zone. The membrane is capable of functioning by membrane distillation. A water vapour condensing surface is provided in the purified water collection zone. The condensing surface is spaced from the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Water Research Commission
    Inventor: Ronald D. Sanderson
  • Patent number: 5589005
    Abstract: A method of washing a substrate, wherein even traces of impurities in minute and high-aspect-ratio trenches or holes can be washed and removed free from contamination by washing solution and a system and a method for producing ultrapure water, capable of producing ultrahigh pure water for using in the washing. At the intermediate portions of a piping for supplying a predetermined ultrapure water to a use point, there are provided: a first steam generating means for heating a ultrapure water for conversion into a first steam; a steam heating means for further heating the first steam for conversion into a second steam higher in temperature than the first steam; and cooling means for cooling the second steam for conversion into a second ultrahigh water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Inventor: Tadahiro Ohmi
  • Patent number: 5582721
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating a liquid by pervaporation, which comprises at least one pervaporation membrane module unit for purifying a liquid to be treated, a supply line connected to said pervaporation membrane module unit for supplying the liquid to be treated to the membrane module unit, a withdrawing line for withdrawing the permeated fluid from the membrane module unit and a withdrawing line for withdrawing the non-permeated liquid, wherein said supply line is provided with a pressure pump for transporting the liquid and a heater, and the final withdrawing line for the non-permeated liquid is provided with a pressure regulating valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Mitsubishi Kasei Engineering Company
    Inventors: Masaaki Mita, Kenji Sugimoto, Katashi Shioda, Furuto Seiryo, Moriyoshi Kudoh
  • Patent number: 5560823
    Abstract: A supercritical water oxidation reactor is described having first and second reaction zones connnected in series and through which an aqueous feed stream to be oxidized can be passed in either direction. A self-contained heat exchange fluid system allows supercritical and subcritical temperatures to be maintained in either reaction zone. When supercritical water oxidation is occuring in one reaction zone the effluent is being cooled to a subcritical temperature and used to flush the second reaction zone to remove inorganic scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Abitibi-Price, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip Whiting
  • Patent number: 5556539
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating a liquid by pervaporation, which comprises at least one pervaporation membrane module unit for purifying a liquid to be treated, a supply line connected to said pervaporation membrane module unit for supplying the liquid to be treated to the membrane module unit, a withdrawing line for withdrawing the permeated fluid from the membrane module unit and a withdrawing line for withdrawing the non-permeated liquid, wherein said supply line is provided with a pressure pump for transporting the liquid and a heater, and the final withdrawing line for the non-permeated liquid is provided with a pressure regulating valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Mitsubishi Kasei Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Mita, Kenji Sugimoto, Seiji Sudoh, Katashi Shioda, Moriyoshi Kudoh
  • Patent number: 5547566
    Abstract: Gaseous bubbles are made to rise in two respective measuring columns (30,20) for purified reference water and for the water to be examined, which columns are supplied with descending currents and drained by respective ascending discharge columns (34,24) and overflows (36,26); the bubbles are measured with a konimeter on the rising sections, and the difference in rising times in the two columns is calculated, in order to determine the extent of the presence of surfactants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Inventors: Paolo Sodi, Roberto Sodi
  • Patent number: 5505863
    Abstract: Waste washout liquid containing liquid washable photopolymer from a printing plate manufacturing process is subjected to filtration via a centrifugal filter unit. The unit has a collector for the solid material arranged for rotation and disposed so as to allow deposition upon it of solid material during its rotation. The unit is fitted with at least one of a pretreatment unit for coagulating the solid material and a collector removable from the filter unit so as to allow its disposal together with the solid material deposited on it. Usually, the pretreatment unit is a preheater and the collector is a disposable liner within a rotatable chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Dantex Graphics Limited
    Inventors: Richard Danon, Brian Clegg
  • Patent number: 5492838
    Abstract: A process and a device for the continuous extraction and analysis of chemical substances from solute fluid using membrane is characterized by passing solute fluid 14 through housing 20 on one side of a semipermeable structure 19 and simultaneously passing extracting fluid 11 through the housing on the other side of the semipermeable membrane structure. Substances passing from solute fluid through the semipermeable membrane structure into the extracting fluid are delivered by the extracting fluid as carrier, into a sorbing phase 27. Cooling 28 and heating 24 of the sorbing phase allows substances to be concentrated and detected by detector 50 and to be continuously monitored. Extracting fluid may be a gas or a pressurized dense gas. Extraction using pressurized dense gas and membrane is achieved by maintaining the pressure of the solute fluid and the pressurized dense gas within a high pressure housing substantially equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Inventor: Janusz B. Pawliszyn
  • Patent number: 5470478
    Abstract: The invention pertains to the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOC), generally speaking from industrial fluids, but with special emphasis on water. The dominant feature of the invention is to resort to physical processes such as stripping, absorption and flash evaporation. so that no environmentally undesirable by-products will be formed. Basically the process achieves in one single tower structure air stripping of the contaminated fluid (water) and subsequent removal of the contaminants from the spent stripping air by controlled and special contacting of the contaminated air with certain low volatility solvents in film tray contacting equipment, which can be used with special advantages to permit removal of the VOC from the spent air, as well as for the recovery of the VOC from the VOC-rich solvents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Inventor: Max Leva
  • Patent number: 5470481
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering wash water from effluent generated by a pulp and paper mill. The method includes filtering at least a portion of the effluent to form a filtrate stream and an organic solids feed stream. The organic solids feed stream is exposed to a temperature and a pressure which are supercritical for water to cause a substantial portion of the organic component to oxidize and form a product stream that, when cooled, includes a gaseous component, an inorganic solids component, and a liquid wash water component. The wash water component is separated from the gaseous and inorganic solids components, thereby recovering wash water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Modell Environmental Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Modell, Edward G. Hauptmann, Stuart A. Gairns
  • Patent number: 5468395
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for demineralizing water include a fibrous microporous body having interfiber spaces in communication with one another and a porosity at least equal to 50%, water supply elements for supplying water to be demineralized through the fibrous microporous body, a heating device adapted to heat the fibrous microporous body to a temperature of at least 60.degree. C., and elements adapted to collect the demineralized water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: C.O.G.I.A. Societe Anonyme
    Inventors: Didier Carron, Philippe Deblay, Robert Desage
  • Patent number: 5462655
    Abstract: A fluid recapture system collects residual waste fluids generated during airplane washing or de-icing procedures and separates and recycles these fluids to prevent contamination of storm water drainage and sewer systems and ground water supplies. The fluid recapture system includes a containment mat, a triangular berm with a resilient foam center surrounding the containment mat, a vacuum system located on the containment mat and recycling apparatus connected to the vacuum system. The recycling apparatus includes a pump for withdrawing fluid from the containment mat through the vacuum system and into the recycling apparatus. The pump withdraws the water from the containment mat and sends it to an effluent storage tank. From the effluent storage tank, the water is cycled through a hydro cycle machine, a reverse osmosis tank and finally into a clean water storage tank. The clean water can be reused in the airplane washing procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventors: Michael Ladd, June E. Ladd, Larry Hinebaugh, Jack E. Hennessy, Susan C. Hennessy
  • Patent number: 5462676
    Abstract: A system and process for treating solid and liquid wastes, where the solid waste is separated from the liquid waste in a chamber, the liquid waste is passed out of the chamber, the solid waste is converted to ash, a fluid such as liquid waste is introduced into the chamber and combined with the ash, and the ash and fluid are exhausted out of the chamber together. Preferably, the system includes the use of hot air to agitate the solids during their conversion to ash. Desirably, the system also includes a filter and means to swirl the liquid waste as it exits the chamber, so that the liquid waste evenly distributes the solid waste within the filter as the liquid waste is exhausted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Envirowaste Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John Pitts
  • Patent number: 5460715
    Abstract: In a process for filtering plasma by separating blood into blood cells and plasma by a primary filter and filtering the separated plasma by a secondary filter to remove macromolecules from the plasma as harmful components, the loss of plasma to be discarded from the system by a procedure for eliminating plugging of the secondary filter can be diminished by opening an inner chamber of the secondary filter to the atmosphere to thereby lower the internal pressure of the chamber every time increase of the pressure to an upper limit value due to an increasing plugging tendency of the secondary filter is detected, and washing the interior of the secondary filter from the inner and outer chamber sides after the internal pressure has lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Akio Kawamura, Motoki Yonekawa, Eiji Sakashita, Hiroshi Kamogawa
  • Patent number: 5460717
    Abstract: An apparatus which performs solids particles separation from a liquids/solids slurry, and subsequent drying of such solids particles, within a single enclosure. Further processing functions, such as reslurry washing, plug washing, crystal growth and other reactions, can also be carried out within that single enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Thomas Broadbent & Sons Limited
    Inventors: Geoffrey L. Grimwood, Geoffrey C. Grimwood
  • Patent number: 5433842
    Abstract: A marine vessel waste treatment system includes a tank for receiving successive charges of liquid and solid waste material. A water conduit conducts heated water from the vessel's engine through the tank to heat the contents thereof above the level at which coliform bacteria can survive, thereby reducing the count of such bacteria to a level at which it is safe and acceptable to discharge the material into a waterway. A macerator pump is mounted in the tank for operation only after the temperature within the tank is sufficiently high. An electrically operated heating element is also mounted in the tank to accelerate the treatment of waste and can be used alone when desired. A thermal switch at the waste material input inhibits discharge if a fresh charge of material is received when the system is ready to discharge, thereby preventing discharge into the environment of untreated material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Inventors: Nathan Morris, Donald P. Gross
  • Patent number: 5423980
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment apparatus comprising a generally circular tank having a wall; a rotatable driven bridge having one end positioned above the center of the tank and an opposite end supported above the tank wall; a sludge moving member supported by the bridge and movable in response to movement of the opposite end of the bridge along the tank wall; and a drive apparatus for moving the opposite end of the bridge along the tank wall. The drive apparatus includes a rail extending along the top of the wall, a frame supporting an end of the bridge, an idler wheel supporting the frame for movement along the top of the wall, a drive wheel rotatably supported on the frame, means for urging the drive wheel into frictional engagement with the surface of the rail, and a drive motor operably connected to the drive wheel for driving the drive wheel along the rail. Preferably, the means for urging the drive wheel is adjustable for controlling the frictional engagement of the drive wheel with the surface of the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Envirex Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Casper
  • Patent number: 5417937
    Abstract: The apparatus (1) for wet oxidation is pre-assembled with its individual units, namely a high-pressure pump (2), a heat exchanger (3), a reactor (4) for the actual wet oxidation and a compressor (5) for feeding an oxygen/gas mixture, in one or two supporting flames and is accommodated in such a manner that its dimensions and its overall weight allow it to be transported on a road and/or rail vehicle, there advantageously being provided two such supporting flames in the form of standard containers (8 and 9), of which one may contain the reactor (4), divided into individual tube sections (6), and the heat exchanger (3), and the other may contain the remaining units, so that the entire apparatus can be pre-assembled into virtually operational condition and the two containers simply have to be set up, joined together and connected on site. Wet oxidation can thus be carried out even where relatively small quantities of medium are to be purified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Ciba-Geigy Corporation
    Inventors: Joachim Voigt, Rudolf Buttiker, Rolf Strub
  • Patent number: 5389255
    Abstract: A module having a plurality of chambers which are seated relatively close to each other in a flow-through reservoir having a feed inlet and an oppositely located retentate outlet. The chambers include pervaporation chambers which have a permeation-selective layer and heating chambers. The pervaporation chambers and the heating chambers are alternatingly disposed and supported in cutouts within comb-shaped supports. The flow-through reservoir is box-shaped and has removable, tightly secured longitudinal end walls, one of which supports all pervaporation chambers, the other of which supports all heating chambers. The module is highly efficient due to flow and temperature distribution conditions which remain extremely exact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Krebs & Co. AG
    Inventors: Rene S. Danziger, Claus Gerrath
  • Patent number: 5337703
    Abstract: Mineral salts formed during steam generation are preferentially deposited on one or more non-woven, porous mats made of fiber-forming synthetic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignees: Trouvay & Cauvin, Armstrong International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Schlesch, Rex B. Cheskaty
  • Patent number: 5294351
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling zebra mussels in the inlet cell of a utility power plant by isolating a batch of water in the cell from the water supply of a lake or river and the equipment plant by shutting an inlet gate and shutting outlet valves from said cell. The batch of isolated water is thereafter heated to a lethal temperature which is maintained for a sufficient period of time to ensure 100 percent mortality to the zebra mussels within the cell. The water may be maintained in a static condition and heated by a heat exchanger disposed within the cell. Alternatively the water may be fed to a heat exchanger, heated outside the cell, and returned to the cell. The water is heated to a range of approximately 95.degree. F. to 100.degree. F. and held at the heated temperature within the cell for approximately 30 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: First Thermal Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Clum, Frederick Krosner, Jewel R. Leak, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5282979
    Abstract: A desalination system includes a transfer conduit between a pool of salt water and a pool of desalinated water. The conduit is initially filled with water and is then elevated so that a portion of the conduit is above the syphon height of water at atmospheric pressure with the open ends of the conduit submerged below the respective pools. Using solar heat to create a temperature differential in the conduit, desalinated water vapor is transferred across a partial vacuum volume formed in the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Inventor: Henry A. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5277828
    Abstract: A filter assembly for fluids such as air and water employs a cleanable filter. The filter is located within a housing having a reservoir, and a steam generator which can be selectively operated to clean the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Inventor: Mark A. Fleming
  • Patent number: 5270005
    Abstract: An extracorporeal blood oxygenation system comprising an integral blood processing unit having a blood reservoir/oxygenator/heat exchanger/pump and pump motor and a remote control console connectable to the integral blood processing unit by way of non-blood containing connections such as electrical cable or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventor: Donald A. Raible
  • Patent number: 5256313
    Abstract: A system and process are provided for treatment of cyanide-containing waste to form a substantially detoxified reaction product. The system comprises a reaction vessel, a heat exchange conduit extending through the reaction vessel to provide a flow path for heat exchange fluid, a heating loop for circulating heat exchange fluid through the heat exchange conduit at a temperature sufficient to initiate hydrolysis of cyanides in cyanide-containing waste to form the substantially detoxified reaction product, a cooling loop for circulating heat exchange fluid through the heat exchange conduit at a temperature sufficient to cool the substantially detoxified reaction product to a discharge temperature, and an apparatus for diverting flow of heat exchange fluid from the heating loop to the cooling loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Heritage Environmental Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Crafton
  • Patent number: 5256290
    Abstract: A unit for cleaning liquid contaminated with solids, including a housing having a tank section defining a compartment in which contaminated liquid is deposited. The solid contaminants tend to collect as a sludge layer on the bottom wall of the tank section. The housing includes a discharge section having a base wall which inclines upwardly away from one end of the tank section. A conveyor moves along the bottom wall and thence upwardly along the inclined base wall for moving the sludge layer upwardly out of the liquid for discharge at a discharge opening. A dryer is associated with the inclined base wall and includes a pressure chamber disposed under the sludge layer for ejecting plural streams of air upwardly through the sludge layer for effecting removal of moisture therefrom. A suction chamber is disposed directly adjacent the upper side of the sludge layer in opposed relationship to the pressure chamber for collecting the moist air passing through the sludge layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Monlan, Incorporated
    Inventors: Roger T. Becker, Leo Inman
  • Patent number: 5246574
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating and disposing of solid pollutants contained in liquids, in particular paint residues in water and/or solvents. The apparatus includes a power-driven heat-resistant surface formed by a turntable, a feed funnel for feeding liquid and/or paste containing solids onto the heat-resistant surface of the support table, a burner mounted underneath the support table for heating the heat-resistant surface of the support table, extracting ducts including a fan for removing the gases and vapors generated during the heat treatment of the liquid and/or paste containing solids, and removing blades for removing dried solids which remain on said heat-resistant support surface. All of the aforedescribed mechanisms and ducts can be mounted in a heat insulating housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Inventor: Klaus Jorgens
  • Patent number: 5242605
    Abstract: A method of removing water from lubricants, coolants and the like consisting of the following described steps. Firstly, pass lubricants through a heater at a predetermined flow rate to decrease its viscosity. Secondly, pass the heated lubricants through a vertical separation vessel which agitates the lubricants such that water entrained in the lubricants is released as steam. Thirdly, recirculate the heated lubricants repeatedly through the separation vessel at a recirculation flow rate that exceeds by many times the flow rate through the heater, thereby improving the degree of separation of water from the lubricants with each pass through the separation vessel. Fourthly, draw lubricants periodically from the separation vessel as the flow rate through the heater permits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Pumpjack Technical Assister Ltd.
    Inventors: Clayton Romeo, Daniel Smith
  • Patent number: 5240599
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for fragmenting waste water sludge particles to destroy sludge particles and to enhance a dewatering process performed on the sludge. Sludge is passed through a slotted rotor that centrifugally propels the sludge through slots in a surrounding annular stator. Sludge particles forcibly impact against the side surfaces of the stator slots to fragment into smaller sized particles. During the fragmentation process water located in the pores of the sludge particles is released. The free water can later be separated from the sludge in a dewatering apparatus. When passing through the rotor and stator slots, organic cells are broken apart and a portion of each is converted to dissolved sugars and proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Kinetic Dispersion Corporation
    Inventors: S. Alan Kew, Robert M. Kritzer, Bruce E. Soule
  • Patent number: 5225086
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the treatment of wash water from the gas washing system of an iron ore reduction plant, the wash water being brought into direct contact with dust-laden gas in a gas washer, is removed from the latter and after solids separation is again supplied in cooled form to the gas washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Deutsch Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Bogdan Vuletic
  • Patent number: 5211856
    Abstract: This invention provides a new low vacuum oil/water mixture liquid separation method and an improved oil purification device for oil/water separation. Fully diffused purified gas is introduced into an oil/water mixture liquid in a low vacuum container, enabling the liquid to produce concentrated micro fine gas bubbles, enabling in the liquid to be in a state of gas/liquid two-phase mixture. This greatly increases the surface area of the oil/water mixture liquid, speeding up the oil/water separation. This invention provides an oil/water separation rate ten times higher than that of the conventional method. This invention is not only suitable for the purification of new oil, but is adequate in the recovery, regeneration and purification of various waste lubrication oils, hydraulic oils, and transformer oils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Inventor: Hanshi Shen
  • Patent number: 5207904
    Abstract: Apparatus for composting biological waste material, comprising a screen for separating the waste material into solids and liquids, a sludge outlet for adding sludge to the solids to form a mixture therewith and a compacting section for compacting the mixture. Further sludge is mixed with the compacted mixture to form a further mixture therewith, which is composted in a composter. The liquid separated from the biological waste is screened to remove fine solids and the fine solids are added to the first-mentioned mixture prior to the compacting thereof, the liquid being added to the further mixture in the composting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: 396234 B C Ltd.
    Inventor: Gunther Abel
  • Patent number: 5188742
    Abstract: The apparatus has a vaporization vessel and a combustion chamber including a burner. Contaminated water is supplied to the vessel, and vaporized. Simultaneously, any oil-based contaminants in the water are combusted or consumed, with excess air being supplied for this purpose. The water vapour and combustion products exit the chamber and may be condensed to recover the water. The recovered water contains a sufficiently low concentration of oil-based contaminants that it may be discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Inventor: Edward C. Shurtleff
  • Patent number: 5160427
    Abstract: A passive type of filter apparatus for an automotive type cooling system utilizes a conventional gasoline fuel filter for filtering a portion of the liquid coolant moving through the system. Pickup and return conduits are positioned within the coolant flow circuit, and part of the coolant flow is diverted through the pickup conduit so as to pass through the fuel filter. After the coolant has passed through the fuel filter, it is returned to the coolant system through the return conduit. Two different types of sight glasses can be employed in the system to allow a viewing of the coolant flow and to also provide an indication of when the coolant is no longer acceptably clean.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Inventor: Stuart M. Barnette
  • Patent number: 5135648
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing an influent liquid including at least a solvent and non-volatile impurities by combining the liquid with a vapor to produce a precipitated sludge is disclosed. The influent liquid is introduced into a wet well. A saturated, water containing reflux and a precipitated sludge are transferred to the well from a reactor. The saturated, water containing reflux precipitated sludge and influent liquid are mixed to form a mixture of saturated, water containing reflux and precipitated sludge. The saturated, water containing reflux is then transferred to the reactor and contacted with a vapor to form the precipitated sludge. The vapor is then discharged from the reactor, and the precipitated sludge is discharged from the wet well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Inventor: Andrew A. Rathsack
  • Patent number: 5133880
    Abstract: A fluid purifier includes a vacuum separator having a rotating disc disposed inside a chamber which is maintained at a negative pressure. Oil contaminated with a chlorofluorocarbon is introduced onto the surface of the disc, and the disc is rotated to disperse the oil into droplets. Chlorofluorocarbons in the oil are vaporized from the droplets to form a vapor. The vapor is condensed to recover a liquid chlorofluorocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph E. Lundquist, Mark R. Christy
  • Patent number: 5108594
    Abstract: An aquarium trickle filter for filtering aquarium water includes a housing. The housing includes an inlet for prefiltered aquarium water and an outlet for filtered aquarium water. Disposed within the housing is a chamber including filter elements. A drip tray having a top surface and edges is disposed adjacent the chamber to form a cover for the chamber. The drip tray top surface includes a plurality of grooves which include a plurality of apertures for allowing prefiltered aquarium water to enter the chamber and be uniformly dispersed over the filter elements. A channel is disposed adjacent to the chamber and in fluid communication with an aquarium. The channel is further disposed adjacent to a side wall of the housing. The channel includes an inlet and an outlet. Structure is disposed adjacent to the channel outlet for directing prefiltered aquarium water from the channel to the edges of the drip tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Oceanic Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Giovanetti, Thomas G. Hudson, Jeffrey R. Watters
  • Patent number: 5100544
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a liquid separating apparatus comprising a primary chamber on the high pressure side to which the given mixed liquids containing the liquid to be separated and the other liquid are fed, and a secondary chamber on a low side which comes into contact with the primary chamber through the selective transmission separation membrane for liquid separating use, and heating pipes which heats the mixed liquids to be fed so as to raise the temperature thereof, and simultaneously, and interrupts the flow of the mixture liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoaki Izutani, Yuji Watanabe, Takashi Yasuhara, Kayoko Sugioka
  • Patent number: 5094817
    Abstract: An apparatus for quantitative determination of trihalomethanes comprises a separation unit containing two channels in contact with each other via a microporous membrane that will not react with trihalomethanes, a reaction unit for heating a carrier solution that has passed through the separation unit, a cooling unit for cooling the carrier solution that has undergone complete reaction; and a detection unit for determining the quantity of a fluorescent substance in the carrier solution. A method for quantitative determination of trihalomethanes comprises flowing a sample solution or a mixture thereof with a reducing agent through one of the two channels in the separation unit, flowing the carrier solution through the other channel, heating the carrier solution that has passed through the separation unit and to which an alkaline nicotinamide or a derivative thereof has been added, cooling the carrier solution, and subjecting the cooled solution to fluorimetry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toyoaki Aoki, Kouji Kawakami, Yoshiharu Tanaka, Hiroshi Hoshikawa
  • Patent number: 5091079
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for reducing sludges, especially those sludges containing heavy metals and generated in electroplating, to a solid state where the toxic constituents of the waste are prevented from leaching. The process involves mixing a metallic soap with the sludge and then using low-temperature induction heating to form coacervate bonds that encapsulate the toxic waste particles in a pumice-like matrix. The apparatus allows a small amount of metallic soap to be thoroughly mixed through sludge and a continuous ribbon of the resulting putty-like waste to be fed into a series of microwave drying ovens and evacuation chambers. After the drying and dewatering sequences, the apparatus extrudes a pumice-like solid suitable for disposal in accordance with EPA regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Inventor: Danny Gayman
  • Patent number: 5089121
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for recovering sticky tar or oil from a fluid medium, such as water or sand. The tar is first separated from the fluid medium, e.g. by an open mesh conveyor, and the separated tar is subjected to intense heating, e.g. from live flame tubes or heat exchangers using very high temperature circulating medium. This heating liquefies the tar rapidly, and the liquid tar is directed into a suitable collection tank, which may itself be provided with a heater to maintain the tar in its liquid state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Alba International Limited
    Inventor: Robert McWhinnie
  • Patent number: 5080796
    Abstract: A method for more selectively removing macromolecules from a plasma solution, whereby plasma containing the macromolecules to be removed is provided and heated to a temperature near or above normal body temperature but below the boiling point of the plasma solution. The heated plasma solution is filtered while at a temperature near or above normal body temperature but below its boiling point with a membrane filter to remove selectively macromolecules from the plasma solution. An apparatus for accomplishing the foregoing is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
    Inventors: Yukihiko Nose', Paul S. Malchesky, Takashi Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 5078868
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleansing contaminated soil (11), the apparatus includes an extraction vessel (12) into which contaminated soil (11) is delivered together with a solvent. A slurry is produced which is delivered to a settler (18) which produces a settler underflow and contaminated solvent. The settler (18) underflow is delivered to a drier (23). The contaminated solvent passes through a filter (20) which produces a filter cake also delivered to the drier (23). The contaminated solvent passes through a distillation column (28) and is subsequently delivered to a plasma gun (35) whereat the contaminants are oxidized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Zenata N.V.
    Inventor: Struan Robertson
  • Patent number: 5045200
    Abstract: A device for removing free fatty acids from cooking oil is formed by a pair of superposed reservoirs having a screen and filter pad provided partition dividing the reservoirs from each other through which the cooking is forced from the upper reservoir to the lower reservoir by air pressure. A powder commingled with the oil prior to the filtering step is trapped with free fatty acids on the filter pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Inventor: Edward E. Brook
  • Patent number: 5045217
    Abstract: A barge has a submersible pump which pumps sea water from a depth of about three feet, heats the water, and uses a boom to direct the heated sea water on the rocks and sand on the beach. The oil which is washed from the beach enters the sea around the barge but is contained by a containment boom. The floating oil in the water around the barge is then recovered by conventional skimming techniques. The sea water from the pump is heated by oil-fired burners. The temperature of the water may be controlled by regulating the amount of heating oil fed to the burners or by varying the number of oil-fired heaters used. The boom is a 100 foot long articulated structure which can be moved across the beach at will to direct the hot water on any desired part of the beach. Either a series of nozzles producing high intensity fan sprays on a series of nozzles producing cone sprays may be selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Inventors: Charles B. Ronan, William R. Breedlove, Siegfried Jokiel
  • Patent number: 5036170
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for cleaning ferromagnetic chip from a lubricant-coolant the chip is heated, held at a preset temperature, and acted upon by a rotating electromagnetic field within a temperature range from 105.degree. C. to 310.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Inventors: Boris G. Arabei, Sergei B. Kostyrev, Alexandr S. Mints, Lev A. Pronin, Dmitry I. Ryzhonkov, Sergei A. Sopochkin, Sergei A. Stepnov, Vladimir L. Esikman, Andrei V. Vasiliev, ALexandr P. Kolgin
  • Patent number: 5032289
    Abstract: An offshore sewage treatment facility or sludge facility is serviced on a ship. The ship is secured and in position by means of a single point mooring system which is attached to the vessel's stem or stern and is connected to a submerged pipeline as a conduit from the shore. This offshore facility is alternatively housed aboard a conventional offshore platform. The facility is totally and/or partially energy self sufficient by means of utilizing methane gas generated by the processing plant. The processing facility allows for primary and secondary waste water treatment and digestion, dehydration of sludge or solids, generation of methane gas, drying of sludge or solids and pelletization of sludge with end products or by-products of recyclable water for industrial and/or agricultural purposes, fertilizer after the dry sludge is mixed with potash, or the dry sludge may be manufactured into blocks suitable for the construction of buildings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Inventor: Andre P. Martineau