With Treating Fluid Addition Patents (Class 210/177)
  • Publication number: 20140158620
    Abstract: A system for the separation of the components of an oil, water, and solids mixture, the system comprising a mechanical separation module comprising an oily water output and an input adapted to receive an oil, water, and solids mixture; and a membrane separation module comprising an oily water input and a recirculation output. The oily water output of the mechanical separation module is in flow communication with the oily water input of the membrane separation module, and the recirculation output of the membrane separation module is in flow communication with the input of the mechanical separation module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Eric M.V. Hoek, Subir Bhattacharjee, Arian Edalat, Dian Tanuwidjaja
  • Publication number: 20140151300
    Abstract: Processes and systems for treating high salinity aqueous liquids containing dissolved minerals, suspended solids, colloidal solids, free oil and grease, dissolved organics, and dissolved hydrocarbons. The liquid is passed into an electrocoagulation system in fluid communication with a solids removal clarifier, pressurized ultrafiltration system, the draw side of forward osmosis, and a dilute draw water reverse osmosis system. Impaired water with high sulfate content is used as a source of deionized water for dilution of the forward osmosis draw solution. After concentration, the forward osmosis feed solution is further treated by lime soda softening and sludge from the softening system may be recycled to increase hardness precipitation and silica removal, the outfall from which may be treated by a separate ultrafiltration system and a feed water reverse osmosis system. Concentrate from the feed water reverse osmosis system can be treated to offer a zero liquid or near zero liquid discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: WATER & POWER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Savage, Joseph C. Jimerson, Donald J. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140151276
    Abstract: A wastewater geothermal heat system is supplied with processed wastewater through a drip field in proximity to a thermal array part of a geothermal heat pump system. The wastewater treatment system portion provides a periodic source of treated wastewater. Several sensors and a control system regulate a pump that discharges wastewater from the treatment system and enters a drip field where it is released into the surrounding soil. The dampened soil provides an efficient vehicle to transfer heat into or out of a thermal array which is positioned adjacent to the drip field such that it is in contact with the soil that is dampened by the discharged wastewater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: A.K. Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen A. Sabo
  • Publication number: 20140138286
    Abstract: Systems and methods for removing fluid from a slurry fluid and a plurality of solid particles including flowing a slurry stream that includes the slurry through a slurry conduit, injecting a displacing fluid through a first perforated region that is in fluid communication with the slurry conduit, displacing at least a portion of the slurry fluid from the slurry, and producing a displaced fluid stream, which may include the displaced portion of the slurry fluid and/or a portion of the injected displacing fluid, from a second perforated region that is in fluid communication with the slurry conduit. The systems and methods also may include producing a product slurry stream from the slurry conduit, separating the components of the displaced fluid stream, separating the components of the product slurry stream, and/or recycling a portion of one or more of the streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Robert D. Kaminsky, Matthew A. Dawson
  • Publication number: 20140121406
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing terephthalic acid and for purifying the mother liquor resulting from said process. Useful compounds can be extracted from the mother liquor and the purified mother liquor can be returned for use in the process. Advantageously, certain parameters of the mother liquor purification method are selected such that the purification provides an economic benefit as compared with other purification methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: INVISTA North America S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Finbar Gerald McDONNELL, Harry Ray Connor, Ronojoy Goho
  • 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: 20140076810
    Abstract: Methods and systems for use of switchable water, which is capable of reversibly switching between an initial ionic strength and an increased ionic strength, is described. The disclosed methods and systems can be used, for example, in distillation-free removal of water from solvents, solutes, or solutions, desalination, clay settling, viscosity switching, etc. Switching from lower to higher ionic strength is readily achieved using low energy methods such as bubbling with C02, CS2 or COS or treatment with Bronsted acids. Switching from higher to lower ionic strength is readily achieved using low energy methods such as bubbling with air, inert gas, heating, agitating, introducing a vacuum or partial vacuum, or any combination or thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicants: Greencentre Canaga, Queens's University
    Inventors: Philip G. Jessop, Sean M. Mercer, Tobias Robert, R. Stephen Brown, Timothy James Clark, Brian Ernest Mariampillai, Rui Resendes, Dominik Wechsler
  • Patent number: 8673156
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for removing liquid from a suspension. More particularly, the present invention relates to a filtration apparatus using vacuum pressure, compressed air and radiant heat to facilitate extraction of water from a suspension and an air flow within the vacuum chamber to remove the evaporate as a cost-efficient and resource-efficient means of filtering and drying solids in large volumes of suspension to remove interstitial and chemically bound liquids, resulting in up to 100% total solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Gryphon Environmental, LLC
    Inventors: William Tid Smith Griffin, Joshua Michael-James DeArmond
  • Publication number: 20140069821
    Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein process produced/flowback water, such as high total dissolved solids produced water, to generate high purity, high value products with little to no waste. The generated high purity, high value products include caustic soda, hydrochloric acid, and/or sodium hypochlorite. Further, the methods and systems disclosed herein generate high quality brine for electrolysis through the systematic removal of contaminants such as but not limited to suspended solids, iron, sulfides, barium, radium, strontium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, fluoride, heavy metals, organic carbon, recoverable hydrocarbons, silica, lithium, and/or nitrogen containing compounds. Further, some products generated by the systems and methods disclosed herein may be recovered and reutilized or sold for other uses, such as carbon dioxide, calcium oxide, chlorine, magnesium oxide, calcium carbonate, and/or barium sulfate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Mark A. Marcin, Thomas R. Sage
  • Publication number: 20140061023
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a treatment apparatus includes a treatment liquid storage unit and a supply unit. The treatment liquid storage unit is configured to store a treatment liquid containing an acid and an oxidizing substance. The supply unit is configured to supply the treatment liquid stored in the treatment liquid storage unit to a fluid extracted via a production well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hideaki HIRABAYASHI, Naoaki Sakurai, Naoya Hayamizu
  • Publication number: 20140042065
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to treating fluid to at least reduce selenium content within the fluid. The treating includes conditioning stages to alter a composition of the fluid prior to removal of the selenium content from the fluid. The composition of the fluid after the conditioning stages facilitates the removal of the selenium content or at least limits detrimental impact to selenium removal efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Mark A. Hughes, Charles J. Lord III, Bruce B. Randolph, Joe B. Cross, Sumod Kalakkunnath, Mike K. Corbett, Roger K. Goenner, Larry E. Reed
  • Publication number: 20140027388
    Abstract: A system and a method for treating water, the system comprising a first conduit having an inlet and an outlet with an ozone generator situated thereon, the ozone generator being operative to selectively treat water flowing through the conduit with the ozone, a sensor to measure the oxidation reduction potential of water, the sensor being operatively connected to the ozone generator, a holding tank situated at the outlet of the first conduit, the holding tank having a gas outlet conduit and a gas release valve, a second conduit extending from the holding tank, and an activated carbon filter on the second conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventor: Jim Constant
  • Publication number: 20130313206
    Abstract: Biosolids in the nature of sewage sludge is processed in a controlled environment to produce a dried sludge product of relatively high dry solid content with the elimination of or reduced levels of pathogens. The water containing sewage sludge is dried while cascading within a processing chamber using heated air at a temperature below the ignition or smoldering temperature of the sewage sludge to prevent the formation of embers. The sewage sludge before discharge is retained within the processing chamber for a sufficient time and temperature as mandated by the Environment Protection Agency rules and guidelines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: WYSSMONT COMPANY INC.
    Inventor: Edward Weisselberg
  • Publication number: 20130302870
    Abstract: A new and improved biomass conversion system is disclosed using high-temperature flow-though pretreatment and a nanoporous membrane to provide more digestible biomass for subsequent conversion to biofuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
    Inventors: Lee R. Lynd, Chaogong Liu, David A. Hogsett
  • Publication number: 20130248447
    Abstract: A forward osmosis apparatus includes a diluting means for bringing a feed solution and a draw solution containing a cation source and an anion source in an ionized state into contact through a semi-permeable membrane and diluting the draw solution with water separated from the feed solution by means of the semi-permeable membrane; a separating means for separating the diluted draw solution into the cation source and anion source and into water; and a dissolving means, returning the separated cation source and the separated anion source to, and dissolving the cation source and anion source in, the draw solution that has been diluted. The molecular weight of the cation source in an uncharged state is 31 or greater and the Henry's law constant of each of the anion source and cation source is 1.0×104 (Pa/mol·fraction) or greater in a standard state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Morihito IKEDA, Kimiaki MIYAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20130220905
    Abstract: A water production system with a thermal separation device that defines a cold region and a hot region, a fluid-air heat exchanger located remotely from the thermal separation device and exposed to air, and a fluid circulation loop that thermally connects the cold region of the thermal separation device to the fluid-air heat exchanger so as to cool the fluid-air heat exchanger and condense water from ambient air to produce water pure enough so that with further treatment it can be made potable. Also disclosed are filtration and dispensing features that are appropriate for a potable water supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Infinite Water, Inc.
    Inventor: Infinite Water, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8491785
    Abstract: A high throughput, positive pressure, gravity operated dewatering system for hydraulic fluids, lubricating fluids, and petroleum based fluids comprises a gravity operated dewatering chamber receiving the industrial fluid and a source of positive pressure drying air coupled to the dewatering chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Schroeder Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Steven R. Evanovich, Martin Bauer, Andreas Schunk, John Kazimierz Duchowski
  • Publication number: 20130161259
    Abstract: A device and method for continuously breaking an initial emulsion of the water-in-oil type includes a first step of mixing the initial emulsion with a superheated washing water so as to obtain an intermediate emulsion of the water-in-oil type that comprises a hydrophilic phase and a hydrophobic phase, and that has a number-average diameter of the droplets less than or equal to 50 ?m, and a temperature above 100° C. and below the boiling point of the hydrophilic phase at the pressure of the intermediate emulsion. A second step includes destruction of the intermediate emulsion by a liquid-liquid separator so as to obtain a separated hydrophilic phase and a separated hydrophobic phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • Publication number: 20130153473
    Abstract: In one aspect the invention provides a system for treating a wastestream, particularly a radwaste, for safe disposal and, in final processing converting it into one or both forms including an aqueous form for safe discharge to the environment and a solidified form for safe disposal. In another aspect the invention provides the capacity to employ a step where a specific target element strategy can be set up synchronizing sorbent substance choices and multiple recycle options to remove target substances from wastestream as a part of its Sorption or Powder Sorbent Isotopic Reduction step (II). Other steps cooperate with Sorption step (II) including Oxidation (I), Solid-Liquid separation (III), and Selective Ion Exchange (IV) to deliver the wastestream to final processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Diversified Technologies Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis A. Brunsell, Charles E. Jensen, Larry E. Beets
  • Publication number: 20130146087
    Abstract: Methods and systems for an integrated acid regeneration of ion exchange resins are disclosed for use in cleaning applications. Acid resins designed for use in a variety of cleaning application using a treated, softened, acidic water source are disclosed. Various methods of using the softened acidic water generated by acid regenerate-able ion exchange resins within a cleaning application, e.g. ware wash machine, are disclosed to beneficially reduce spotting, filming and scale buildup on treated surfaces, reduce and/or eliminate the need for polymers, threshold reagents and/or rinse aids, and using protons generated in the acidic water effluent for triggering events useful in various cleaning applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventor: Ecolab USA Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130140234
    Abstract: The present invention provides a low energy alternative to conventional thermal/evaporation processes for “zero liquid discharge” treatment of strong saline brines. The products of the process include a salt-free liquid and solid salt. In particular, an antisolvent can be mixed with liquids containing high total dissolved solids. The mixture can be chilled, whereby solid salt is precipitated and separated from the mixture at near ambient temperature leaving a mixed liquor. The antisolvent can be selected from a class of organic compounds that form solutions with salt brines that exhibit a critical solution temperature lower than a critical solution temperature of the salt brines alone. The mixed liquor can be heated to a temperature above its lower critical solution temperature to produce an antisolvent liquid phase for recycle to the process. Finally, a reduced salinity aqueous phase can be polished by reverse osmosis or other conventional technology to produce clean water for discharge or beneficial use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventor: Ronald N. Drake
  • Publication number: 20130126409
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for purifying a radiolabelled compound. The method comprises (i) passing a crude reaction mixture comprising the desired radiolabelled compound and one or more contaminants in a solvent through a narrow bore vessel at elevated temperature such that the organic solvent and either the radiolabelled compound or one or more contaminants is vaporised forming a vaporised component, and (ii) collecting the resulting vaporised component by condensing into a collection vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: HAMMERSMITH IMANET LIMITED
    Inventor: Hammersmith Imanet Limited
  • Publication number: 20130126433
    Abstract: Water treatment apparatus, including: a ceramic filter; and a flow apparatus operable to pass water through the ceramic filter in a forward direction so as to filter the water, the flow apparatus also operable to pass water through the ceramic filter in a reverse direction so as to remove material from the ceramic filter, whereby material having been deposited by filtration of the water is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: HYDRASYST PTY LTD
    Inventor: Kyle Anthony Wolff
  • Publication number: 20130105406
    Abstract: An evaporative recirculation cooling water system, the system having a recirculation loop to recirculate water through the system, a space to cool the water in the recirculation loop by evaporation, and an ion removal apparatus to remove ions. The ion removal apparatus has a flow through capacitor to remove hardness ions while leaving silica ions in the water. The flow through capacitor has an inlet connected to a water inlet and an outlet having a regulator to direct the flow of water to the recirculation loop or to a waste water output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: VOLTEA B.V.
    Inventors: Albert Van Der Wal, Hank Robert Reinhoudt, Erik Driessen
  • Patent number: 8414777
    Abstract: A coalescing apparatus including a casing having an inner chamber for accommodating insulating fluid. At least one tube of electrically insulating material extends through the casing and the chamber. Each tube forms a flow channel for emulsion to be treated. A set of electrodes is mounted in the chamber. The tube is allotted at least one pair of electrodes of the set. A voltage set is configured to apply mutually different electric potentials to the electrodes of each electrode pair so as to form an electric field between them and thereby an electric field inside the respective tube. A heater is configured to heat the insulating fluid so as to allow the insulating fluid to transfer heat to emulsion flowing through at least one tube and thereby raise the temperature of the emulsion. An emulsion treatment system includes a coalescing apparatus. A coalescing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hamworthy PLC
    Inventors: Erik Bjørklund, Pål J Nilsen
  • Publication number: 20130082003
    Abstract: Purified water can be obtained via a continuous or semi-continuous process by mixing a liquid composition (e.g., sea water or produced frac water) including water with a directional solvent to selectively dissolve water from the liquid composition into the directional solvent. The concentrated remainder of the liquid composition (e.g., brine) is removed, and the water is precipitated from the directional solvent and removed in a purified form. The solvent is then reused as the process is repeated in a continuous or semi-continuous operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Publication number: 20130032546
    Abstract: A method for the sterilization of a liquid, specifically of water, comprises the steps of: evaporating at least a part of the liquid, and exposing the evaporated liquid to ionizing radiation, specifically to electrons. An apparatus for the sterilization of a liquid, specifically of water, comprises a sterilization chamber for receiving an evaporated part of the liquid and a source of ionizing radiation, specifically of electrons, for exposing the evaporated part of the liquid to radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventor: Hans Scheuren
  • Publication number: 20130015110
    Abstract: A new approach is proposed that contemplates systems and methods to support an environmentally-friendly, “green” thermophilic anaerobic digestion system. The system includes a thermophilic anaerobic digester as well as various independent modular anaerobic units to generate bio-methane from certain organic energy sources, including but not limited to, among other things, green municipal waste, restaurant and organic waste and effluents from industries such as breweries, grocery stores, food processing plants, granaries, wineries, pulp and paper mills, ethanol and biodiesel plants, fat and animal rendering, agricultural field crops, organic sludge accumulation within lagoons and waterways, marine organic matter and animal manure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventor: Robert Knoop
  • Publication number: 20130015138
    Abstract: A liquid flash chromatography process and system are disclosed for separating a sample. The process uses a compressible fluid such as liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) in one embodiment. The liquid CO2 forms the mobile phase into which a suitable solvent is be added for conducting the sample separation. In one embodiment, the process includes depressurizing the CO2 by lowering its temperature via cooling to maintain the CO2 in liquid phase through the chromatographic separation column. The CO2 pressure is maintained below 50 bar in some embodiments thereby obviating the need for high pressure pumps and heavily structured process components such as the column and other equipment to contain high pressure. In some embodiments, the liquid phase is cooled from the gas supply vessel through the column to control the CO2 temperature and hence pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: APPLIED SEPARATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Rolf Schlake, Joseph Stefkovich, Ernie Schlegel, Martin Fetner, Alfred Kaziunas
  • Patent number: 8333844
    Abstract: A method for separating an oil-substance mixture includes communicating the oil-substance mixture into a first separator tank to separate the oil from the substance, and communicating a remaining portion of the oil-substance mixture into a second separator tank to separate the oil from the substance of the remaining portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Inventors: Jake Teichroeb, Juan Wiebe S.
  • Publication number: 20120241375
    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 to the aerobic zone or vice versa. A fluidized bed heat exchanger configured to accept heat from a heat engine and to transfer the heat from the heat engine to the wastewater is positioned in the aerobic zone or the anoxic zone. The fluidized bed heat exchanger includes particulate media, and fluidization of the particulate media scrubs bacterial growth from portions of the fluidized bed heat exchanger. 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 nitrification reactions in the aerobic zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Alexander Fassbender
  • Publication number: 20120211421
    Abstract: Systems and methods for lowering levels of carbon dioxide and other atmospheric pollutants are provided. Economically viable systems and processes capable of removing vast quantities of carbon dioxide and other atmospheric pollutants from gaseous waste streams and sequestering them in storage-stable forms are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: KYLE SELF, Kasra Farsad, Robert W. Elliott, Brian Curtis, Srikanth Bellur, Miguel Fernandez, Philip Brian Tuet
  • Publication number: 20120193301
    Abstract: A Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) removal solution regeneration and recovery apparatus removes VOC contained in a VOC removal solution. The apparatus includes a liquid pump, a vacuum vessel, a vacuum pump, a gas introducing mechanism that introduces an evaporation enhancing gas into the vacuum vessel, and a liquid discharge mechanism that discharges processed VOC removal solution from the vacuum vessel. The apparatus further includes a compressor that generates compressed air having thermal energy and pressure energy. The liquid pump is an air-driven pump that is driven by air pressure as a power source, and the pressure energy of the compressed air is used as the power source of the liquid pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicants: KEIO UNIVERSITY, ANEST IWATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tamotsu Fujioka, Shigeru Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20120187041
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of removing organic solutes from liquids. The methods include incubating fly larvae with a liquid that contains organic solutes. Also disclosed herein are methods of producing larva biomass. Additionally, apparatus for use with the disclosed methods are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Radu Popa, Terrence R. Green
  • Patent number: 8206578
    Abstract: A dialysis system includes: a water purification unit; a dialysate generation unit configured to use water purified by the water purification unit; a dialysate delivery unit configured to deliver dialysate prepared by the dialysate generation unit; a supplemental power source; and electronic circuitry including: (i) a first electrical connection configured to electrically connect a branch power source with at least one of the water purification unit, the dialysate generation unit and the dialysate delivery unit, and (ii) a second electrical connection configured to electrically connect a supplemental power source with at least one of the water purification unit, the dialysate generation unit and the dialysate delivery unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Justin Rohde, William W. Han
  • Publication number: 20120152546
    Abstract: A system for treating produced water, for example from a SAGD bitumen production operation, has a treatment unit using chemical oxidation (CO) or electromagnetic treatment (ET) to destroy or degrade organics in the produced water. The treatment module may use CO or ET in combination with biological treatment or sorption processes or both. When the treatment module is used upstream of a steam generator, it reduces fouling in the steam generator and in any blowdown water treatment device. A brine concentrator or a crystallizer may be used to treat the blowdown water. The treatment module may be used in combination with a nanofiltration (NF) or reverse osmosis (RO) membrane filter. Optionally, the produced water may be treated with an ET process such as microwaves directly upstream of a steam generator or upstream of a concentrator or crystallizer in a blowdown water stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: David M. Polizzotti, Brian Christopher Moore, Vasile Bogdan Neculaes, Abdul Rafi Khwaja, Matthew Alan Petersen
  • Publication number: 20120145386
    Abstract: We provide an evaporator technology for treatment of produced water that may be deoiled water. Systems described herein utilize a vertical tube heat exchanger bundle where the brine is distributed in a falling film along the inside of the tube wall. Condensing steam causes a portion of the deoiled water to evaporate; this water vapor travels upward in a counterflow direction relative to the deoiled water. This evaporator technology provides several design advantages over the conventional vertical tube co-current flow evaporators (where the vapor flows downward with the falling film). These advantages include a minimal total installed cost (TIC) as well as offering optimal design features for water chemistry management.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel P. Bjorklund, David Kersey, Gregory J. Mandigo, Chandrakant Tiwari
  • Patent number: 8187429
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment apparatus and method with stair-like heat treatment tanks for performing a breakdown process are disclosed, in which the apparatus comprises: a mixing tank, for evenly mixing wastewater with reaction agents and thus forming a mixed solution; a plurality of heat treatment tanks, for enabling the mixed solution to circulate therein while being heating for a period of time so as to perform an organic destruction process upon the mixed solution and thus cause a discharging liquid to be formed; a heat exchanger, for enabling a heat exchanging process between the discharging liquid and the mixed solution to be performed therein; a condensation tank, for receiving and cooling the discharging liquid; a water purifier, for purifying and thus separating the discharging water into a cleaned water and a concentrated liquid for outputting; an agent recycling unit, for electrolyzing the concentrated liquid so as to recycle the reaction agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan
    Inventors: Jen-Chieh Chung, Ming-Hsin Wu, Yu-Chang Liu
  • Publication number: 20120091061
    Abstract: Water from underground and other sources is brackish and not suitable for human consumption. Naturally present dissolved chemicals in water make it brackish. The precipitants and dissolved chemicals need to be separated from water to make it consumable. A combination of aeration systems, filtration systems, crystallizers and hydrophobic membrane carrying filter are used to desalinate the brackish water. Pressure retarded osmosis process using an apparatus is also used to further purify water. Various heat exchange apparatus are used for energy conservation and efficient processing of water in a feasible way. The disclosure enables to purify water and provide a useful technology to eradicate water scarcity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: King Abdulaziz City for Organization Name Science and Technology "KACST"
    Inventor: Saad A. Al-Jlil
  • Publication number: 20120085711
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the treatment of a used waste alkali, in which the used waste alkali is oxidized at a superatmospheric pressure in the range from 60 bar to 200 bar. The pressure of the used waste alkali L is increased and then heated by indirect heat exchange. The heated used waste alkali is conveyed into a separator, wherein vaporized aqueous phase is separated from the used waste alkali. The resultant liquid phase is brought to the desired reaction pressure and introduced into an oxidation reactor. In the oxidation reactor, the used waste alkali is oxidized. In a first reaction, thiosulphates are formed from the sulphides. In a second reaction, the thiosulphates are converted into more stable sulphates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: LINDE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Hans-Jorg Zander, Holger Schmigalle, Timo Rathsack
  • Publication number: 20120080363
    Abstract: A high throughput, positive pressure, gravity operated dewatering system for hydraulic fluids, lubricating fluids, and petroleum based fluids comprises a gravity operated dewatering chamber receiving the industrial fluid and a source of positive pressure drying air coupled to the dewatering chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: SCHROEDER INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven R. Evanovich, Martin Bauer, Andreas Schunk, John Kazimierz Duchowski
  • Publication number: 20120055857
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a water purifier having a non-drinkable water inlet (I) and a drinkable water outlet (O1), and comprising at least a boiler (8) having a water inlet and a steam outlet, a fluids separating filter (5) operating by flow and float, having an inlet and an outlet, and a heat exchanger (4) adapted to exchange heat between a first and a second separated fluid flows, having an inlet and an outlet for a first water flow to be heated as well as an inlet and an outlet for a second water flow to be cooled; the non-drinkable water inlet (I) is coupled to the first flow inlet of the heat exchanger (4), the first flow outlet of the heat exchanger (4) is coupled to the inlet of the fluids separating filter (5), the outlet of the fluids separating filter (5) is coupled to the inlet of the boiler (8), the outlet of the boiler (8) is coupled to the second flow inlet of the heat exchanger (4), the second flow outlet of the heat exchanger (4) is coupled to the drinkable water outlet (O1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Adriano Marin, Andrea Benetello
  • Publication number: 20120024800
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems for processing waste are provided. For example, a system for processing waste, wherein the waste comprises hard particulates embedded therein, can be provided. The system can comprise a waste disruptor, wherein the waste disruptor disrupts the waste and releases at least one of the embedded hard particulates from the disrupted waste; a segregator, wherein the segregator segregates at least one of the released hard particulates from the waste; and a dilution unit, wherein the dilution unit dilutes the waste. In some embodiments, the system can include a waste loader that provides waste continuously to the waste disruptor, which is configured to disrupt at least a portion of the continuously provided waste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Mike Kotelko, Peter Kotelko
  • Publication number: 20120012529
    Abstract: A unit for pretreating water by heat and/or ion treatment. It provides a pretreatment unit including a direct contact heat and/or ion exchanger having a continuous or dispersed phase that includes a fluorinated liquid that is not miscible with water with a density of more than 1.25.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventor: Guillaume De Souza
  • Publication number: 20120000849
    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: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventor: Alexander Fassbender
  • Publication number: 20110297593
    Abstract: A hemodialysis system including (i) a dialyzer; (ii) a blood circuit including a blood pump in fluid communication with the dialyzer; (iii) a dialysate circuit including a dialysate circulation pump in fluid communication with the dialyzer, at least a portion of the dialysate circuit incorporated into a disposable dialysate cassette; (iv) a sorbent cartridge for cleaning used dialysate flowing in the dialysate circuit; (v) a reservoir holding an initial supply of dialysate; (vi) a reservoir pump in fluid communication with the dialysate circuit and the reservoir; (vii) a supply of infusate; and (viii) an infusate pump in fluid communication with the dialysate circuit and the supply of infusate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicants: BAXTER HEALTHCARE S.A., BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Kelly, Robert W. Childers, Don Busby, Rodolfo Roger, Waleed Mutasem El Sayyid, Shahid Din
  • Publication number: 20110290740
    Abstract: A waste treatment system and method for treating a substantially liquid waste stream. The waste treatment system includes a conditioning stage for conditioning the waste stream for treatment. A metal ion generation stage is provided for generating metal ions for disinfection of the waste stream and for catalytic oxidation. A wet oxidation stage is provided in fluid flow communication with the metal ion generation stage for denaturing the waste stream using an oxygen-containing gas. A chelation stage in fluid flow communication with the oxidation stage is provided for deactivating metal ions in the waste stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: INNOVATION SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph B. Dooley, Jeffrey G. Hubrig
  • Patent number: 8066953
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for hydrolyzing biological material for safe disposal thereof without the necessity of incineration or use of disinfectants are described. An alkaline solution having a concentration and an amount effective for hydrolyzing the biological material is brought into contact therewith by means of rotating paddles which both pound the biological material into small pieces and thoroughly mix the alkaline solution with the material under pressure and at elevated temperature. Following the hydrolysis of the biological material, a chosen portion of the water is removed from the alkaline solution and from the liquefied biological material, such that the resulting product solidifies when cooled. The present safe disposal of the biological material does not require incineration thereof, the addition of disinfectants thereto, or the discharge of liquid effluent containing processed biological material into the sewage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Gyver L. Electric, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Muth
  • Publication number: 20110277670
    Abstract: Systems and methods for lowering levels of carbon dioxide and other atmospheric pollutants are provided. Economically viable systems and processes capable of removing vast quantities of carbon dioxide and other atmospheric pollutants from gaseous waste streams and sequestering them in storage-stable forms are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Kyle Self, Kasra Farsad, Robert W. Elliott, Brian Curtis, Srikanth Bellur
  • Patent number: 8057666
    Abstract: A supercritical fluid polymer depolymerization machine is disclosed herein, which machine is capable of converting a wide range of biomass and/or waste plastic materials into a plurality of reaction products (liquid and gaseous) including fermentable sugars, hydrocarbons, and various aromatic substances that, in turn, are readily convertible into liquid transportation fuel known as “neodiesel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Xtrudx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Graham Allan, Thomas E. Loop, James D. Flynn