Vapor Or Gas Removal Patents (Class 210/180)
  • Publication number: 20100176042
    Abstract: A liquid concentrating device includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and a gas exit. The flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion. The gas liquid combination is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor and a portion of the liquid is evaporated. A demister downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid is introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Michael J. Rutsch
  • Patent number: 7731854
    Abstract: An in situ system used for treating an oil and gas well drilling fluid and treating water after a well is completed. The system includes a fluid treatment unit used in a reserve pit and a water treatment unit disposed next to the pit. The fluid treatment unit includes a floating electrocoagulation unit in the reserve pit for destabilizing contaminates in the fluid and dropping out stable precipitates. The clear treated fluid is then pumped, using a submersible pump, to the water treatment unit. The water treatment includes a number of components including a pre-filter, an activated carbon filter and a heat exchanger for first treating the fluid. The filtered and heated fluid is then piped into a reverse osmosis unit for removing salt and any remaining minerals found therein. From the reverse osmosis unit, approximately 70 to 80% of the filtered water is cleaned and piped to a clean water storage tank for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: H2O Tech, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Herbst
  • Publication number: 20100108587
    Abstract: An energy efficient desalination process that does not produce waste products involves the extraction of water from a first solution, such as seawater, by using a second concentrated solution to draw the water from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. By manipulating the equilibrium of the soluble and insoluble species of solute within the second solution in favor of the soluble species of the solute, a saturated second solution can be used to generate osmotic pressure on the first solution. Also, by adjusting the equilibrium in favor of the less soluble species after the water has been drawn from the first solution, a portion of the solute can easily be precipitated out. Heating the second solution decomposes the solute into its constituent gasses. The constituent gasses and precipitated solute may be recycled through the process to affect the changes in equilibrium and eliminate waste products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Yale University
    Inventor: Robert L. McGinnis
  • Publication number: 20100065496
    Abstract: A membrane distillation system includes a membrane distillation module, a brine loop and a distillate loop. The brine loop and the distillate loop each include means for regulating flow of brine solution and distillate, respectively, to the membrane distillation module. The flow of brine solution and distillate is regulated to prevent brine solution and distillate from penetrating membranes of the membrane distillation module. A method of membrane distillation includes delivering brine solution and distillate to the membrane distillation module at low pressures in a first mode. The method also includes heating the brine solution and cooling the distillate and delivering portions of each to the membrane distillation module in a second mode. The portions of heated brine solution and cooled distillate are adjusted to facilitate membrane distillation while preventing liquid from penetrating membranes of the membrane distillation module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: Milton Roy Company
    Inventors: Zidu Ma, Xiaohong Liao, James R. Irish
  • Patent number: 7678267
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for thermally purifying waste water, comprising a tank through which waste water can flow. The inventive device is characterized by having at least one flow guiding means for guiding the waste water inside the tank in an essentially meandering manner, and by having at least one heating means inside the tank for regulating a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Ami-Agrolinz Melamine International GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruech, Christoph Neumuller, Frank Schroder
  • Publication number: 20100051549
    Abstract: A contactor module for separating a distillate from a feed solution includes an outer casing with an interior region, a distillate collection chamber, and pluralities of hollow fiber membranes and hollow tubes extending through the distillate collection chamber, where the hollow fiber membranes are configured to allow vapor transmission, and the hollow tubes are configured to substantially prevent vapor transmission, and further configured to allow transmission of thermal energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Milton Roy Company
    Inventors: Zidu Ma, Xiaohong Liao, James R. Irish
  • Publication number: 20100025341
    Abstract: A fluid cleaning system including a fluid supply port, a fluid return port, an evaporator including an air intake vent and an air exhaust vent, a ventilation system connected to the evaporator, and a fluid line. The evaporator includes a ventilation air path through the evaporator and connected to the intake vent and the exhaust vent in the evaporator. The evaporator also includes an active airflow device located along the ventilation path. The fluid line connects the evaporator between the fluid supply port and the fluid return port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: Oil Purification Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William Lawrence Priest, Gregory Allen Slawson
  • Publication number: 20090308810
    Abstract: The invention relates to a separation apparatus for separating a liquid from a solution, in particular fresh water from seawater. The separation apparatus comprises an evaporation space in which operatively an amount of the solution is present from which a liquid vapor evaporates under the influence of heat. The separation apparatus further comprises a condensation space which is in connection with the evaporation space via a condensation tube and which is arranged for condensing liquid vapor. The separation apparatus also comprises a flow-through device for transporting the liquid vapor from the evaporation space to the condensation space, wherein the flow-through device is arranged for intermittently transporting the liquid vapor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: ZONNEWATER B.V.
    Inventor: Jan Cornelis de Koning
  • Publication number: 20090301970
    Abstract: A system and process removes water from an aqueous fermentation product, for example ethanol, using distillation upstream of a first membrane separation unit to produce hydrous alcohol. Optionally, molecular sieves may be used to further dewater the hydrous alcohol. Another system or process removes water from hydrous ethanol using molecular sieves with a second membrane separation unit to process a regeneration stream. Optionally, there may be a distillation column in the regeneration stream upstream of the membrane separation unit. Further optionally, additional hydrous ethanol may be process through the distillation column or second membrane separation unit, by-passing the molecular sieve unit. These systems and processes may be combined and may be used, individually or together, to retrofit an existing ethanol plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventor: Gaetan Noel
  • Patent number: 7608185
    Abstract: A membrane module comprising an outer casing having an interior region, a seal disposed within the outer case, thereby dividing the interior region into a first chamber and a second chamber, and a plurality of hollow fiber membranes extending through the first chamber and the second chamber, where at least a portion of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes have first segments located within the first chamber and second segments located within the second chamber, the first segments being configured to allow vapor transmission therethrough, and the second segments being configured to substantially prevent vapor transmission therethrough, and further configured to allow transmission of thermal energy therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Xiaohong Liao, Zidu Ma, James R. Irish
  • Patent number: 7597803
    Abstract: A multi-phase separation system utilized to remove contaminants from fluids includes a pre-filtering module for filtering a contaminated fluid to provide a filtered contaminated fluid. A condenser module receives the filtered contaminated fluid and a contaminated gas phase for condensing the contaminated gas phase to a contaminated liquid. A phase reaction chamber converts the filtered contaminated fluid to a contaminated mist wherein the mist is subjected to a low energy, high vacuum environment for providing a first change of phase by separating into a contaminated gas phase and a liquid mist phase. The contaminated gas phase is carried out of the phase reaction chamber by a carrier air. A vacuum pump provides the low energy, high vacuum environment in the phase reaction chamber and delivers the contaminated gas phase to the condenser module for condensation providing a second change of phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Liquid Separation Technology and Equipment, LLC
    Inventor: Wayne W. Spani
  • Patent number: 7575672
    Abstract: A mobile separator system for oil and gas well production fluids consisting of a sled supporting a horizontal three phase separator vessel having an upright vessel or blowcase, with an upper section open to a lower section through a check valve, and a vertical two phase vessel mounted beside each other and seated within the horizontal vessel. A direct fired heater in the horizontal vessel provides the required heating for all three vessels. Production fluids tangentially enter the upper section of the upright vessel with gas rising and the fluid descending through a check valve to the lower section and then transferred into the horizontal vessel. The rising gas outlet is connected to the suction of a compressor and discharged under pressure to the intake of the vertical vessel. Separated gas from the horizontal vessel also is directed to the intake of the compressor. Oil and water separated in the horizontal vessel are transferred into storage or pipelines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Inventor: Terry S. Gilmore
  • Publication number: 20090139917
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for filtering particulates and volatiles from fluid systems. The apparatuses and methods include particulate filter and evaporator sections. The apparatuses and methods may furthermore include a heater disposed at least in part in the evaporator section having a ridge on a surface of the heater. The apparatuses and methods may furthermore include an evaporation tube positioned around the heater having a conically shaped outer surface and a heater safety sensor. The apparatuses and methods may also include an air inlet and an air outlet in the evaporator section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: NEXT GENERATION FILTRATION SYSTEMS, LP
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Geiger
  • Patent number: 7537700
    Abstract: A method and a system for removing water from high water content solid such as high water content coal, which enables dewatering with small energy consumption. A liquefied material which is a gas at 25° C. under 1 atm. (hereinafter referred to as material D) is contacted with a solid containing water to allow the liquefied material D to dissolve the water contained in the solid, and to produce a liquefied material D having a high water content and simultaneously remove the water from the solid, and by vaporizing the material D in the liquefied material having a high water content, to thereby separate the water from the resulting gaseous material D, recovering the separated gaseous material D, and liquefying the recovered gaseous material by pressurizing, cooling or a combination thereof, to reuse the resulting liquefied material for removing water from a solid containing water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry
    Inventors: Hideki Kanda, Hiromi Shirai
  • Patent number: 7531144
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for desalination of seawater (5, 30) and separation of CO2 from exhaust (77) from a gas turbine (7). LNG (4) is fed into a heat exchanger (6) in which it receives heat from seawater (5) and heat from steam (27) from an exhaust boiler, and heat from combustion air (3) via a line to an air inlet (33) of said gas turbine (7), for evaporating LNG (4) to gas which is fed to a gas export module (10) and to a fuel gas skid (8) for supplying said gas turbine (7) with fuel. Thus said combustion air (3, 28) at the air inlet to said gas turbine (7) obtains a lowered temperature and increases an efficiency of said gas turbine (7). Said CO2-rich exhaust gas (77) from said gas turbine (7) is fed into a process unit (17) having an inlet (35a) with a fan (35b) and an outlet for CO2-reduced exhaust (13). Said cooled seawater from said heat exchanger (6) is fed into said process unit (17) via a coaxial feed pipe (67) for seawater and NH4OH arranged in said process unit (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Sargas AS
    Inventor: Knut Erik Borseth
  • Publication number: 20090117631
    Abstract: This document describes a fermentation product producing or processing apparatus or process involving membrane pervaporation (PV) and either vapor permeation or distillation or both. The fermentation product may be produced semi-continuously wherein product concentration is maintained below a selected value by removal through pervaporation membranes. After a period of operation, the broth may be distilled. Distillation and/or pervaporation products may be further dewatered using vapor permeation. The PV membranes may be used in the form of immersed modules, for example with a flat sheet configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Pierre Lucien Cote, Steven Kristian Pedersen
  • Patent number: 7520743
    Abstract: With the disclosed device, some or all of the available oil tank vent gas in a production system can be utilized to augment the primary fuel gas needed by a heater treater unit to separate the gas, oil, and water fractions from raw natural gas extracted at the wellhead. Augmenting the primary fuel gas with vent gas reduces the demand for primary fuel gas, which thereby increases the amount of gas traversing a meter. The disclosed device also provides for an auxiliary burner unit that can directly address any available oil tank vent gas that is not utilized to augment fuel gas as waste gas. A method and apparatus for reducing the venting of raw natural gas emissions from an oil storage tank is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Chemical Applications and Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Leslie Clifford Roberts
  • Publication number: 20090078652
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for purifying a waste fluid stream. The system includes a recirculation pump having an inlet for a recirculation stream and an outlet to expel a pressurized stream. The system includes a compressor having an inlet for an evaporation stream and an outlet for a pressurized evaporation stream. A primary heat exchanger has inlets for the pressurized stream and the pressurized evaporation stream, an internal surface area for heat transfer from the evaporation stream to the pressurized stream, and outlets for a cooled product stream and a heated pressurized stream. The heated pressurized stream is formed by heating the pressurized stream and the cooled product stream is formed by cooling the evaporation stream. The system includes an evaporation unit having an inlet for the heated pressurized stream and outlets for an evaporation stream and the recycled liquid bottoms stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: H2OIL, INC.
    Inventors: Larry D. Sanderson, James W. Schleiffarth, Leslie D. Merrill, Bradford M. Rohwer
  • Publication number: 20090050561
    Abstract: A system and method for processing wastewater into usable water is provided. The method comprises: receiving a supply of wastewater; passing the wastewater into a refractory vessel having a heat generator associated therewith; increasing the temperature of the wastewater to a predetermined temperature using the heat generator for a predetermined amount of time to produce heated exhaust gases containing at least one product gas and water vapor; separating the at least one product gas and water vapor; and condensing the water vapor to produce usable water. The system comprises a refractory vessel defining a heat processing zone, a heat generator that is used to increase the temperature of the wastewater to produce a heated exhaust gas containing at least one product gas and water vapor, a scrubber to separate the product gases and the water vapor, and a condenser to condense the water vapor into usable water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventor: Jon Inman Sattler
  • Publication number: 20090032458
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a facility for conversion of organic waste into biogas, i.e. a methane containing gas, with an improved efficiency and economy. The method comprises three consecutive steps of: i) digestion of the organic waste in a first reactor; ii) hydrolysis of the digested organic waste in an anaerobic hydrolysis tank; and iii) digestion of the hydrolyzed organic waste in a second reactor; wherein evolved gases are removed from the anaerobic hydrolysis tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: Bio-Circuit ApS
    Inventors: Jan Jensen, Preben Jensen
  • Patent number: 7485230
    Abstract: A system and method integrating treatment of waste, polar Fats/Oils/Greases (FOG) with conventional anaerobic wastewater treatment facilities for biologically fueling digestion of solids in, and steady state production of methane from treated wastewater streams that includes a slipstream loop circulating warmed, actively digesting sludge from the base to the head of the anaerobic wastewater treatment facility, a conditioning tank with input screened by a rock trap, actively digesting sludge pumped from the slipstream loop into the tank via the rock trap, before and after FOG wastes are pumped from a hauler tank via a hose connecting to the rock trap into the conditioning tank and mixed with actively digesting sludge in the tank to produce a feedstock slurry rich in volatile fatty acids for injection at a metered rate back into the actively digesting sludge slipstream loop for introduction at the head of the anaerobic wastewater treatment facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Inventors: Joseph A. Magner, Richard V. York
  • Publication number: 20090020481
    Abstract: A system for treating feedwater includes a fluidized bed heat exchanger unit connected to receive feedwater and a flash concentrator column connected to receive feedwater discharged from the fluidized bed heat exchanger unit. A spray dryer is provided to receive a solids/liquid slurry discharged from the flash concentrator column. Feedwater can be treated by converting dissolved solids in the feedwater to suspended solids, vaporizing a portion of the feedwater to produce a solids/liquid slurry, and separating solids from the solids/liquid slurry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Robert E. Bailie, Robert R. Wright
  • Publication number: 20080308496
    Abstract: An integrated heating system for adding heat to a feed fuel within a module by way of an integrated heating element within the body or casing of the module. The heat may be selectively added to maintain a selected temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Diane Lee Aagesen
  • Publication number: 20080296215
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system according to various embodiments of the present invention includes one or more of a settling tank for receiving wastewater; a mineral removal system receiving water from the settling tank, the mineral removal system being for removing at least some of the minerals from the water; and a vaporization system receiving water from the mineral removal system, the vaporization system being for vaporizing the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Daniel F. Simon
  • Patent number: 7449107
    Abstract: A self-contained dehydration toilet having an odor-capturing steam and water recovery system. The dehydration toilet comprises a toilet bowl, a dehydration engine connected to the toilet bowl, a steam, gas and vapor conduit from the dehydrating engine, a water supply infusion tank which receives steam, gases and vapor from the dehydration engine to the infusion water tank, an ozone generator which supplies ozone to the water supply, a vacuum pump connected to the infusion water tank, and a power source supplying power to the dehydrating engine, the ozone generator, a control circuit and the vacuum pump. The dehydrating engine has a heating device and helical paddles to aid in the dehydration process. The dehydrating toilet reuses steam and captures odors and vapors with diffusion chambers in the infusion water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Inventor: Steven Lumbert
  • Publication number: 20080272041
    Abstract: A method of reducing the ethanol content of a beverage which includes ethanol and volatile components: separating the beverage into first and second streams, the first stream including ethanol and the volatile components and the second stream including ethanol but none or little of the volatile components; contacting the second stream with a strip solution to produce a treated second stream to reduce the ethanol concentration thereof; and mixing the treated second stream with the first stream whereby the ethanol content of the beverage is reduced but the volatile components remain substantially unchanged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: Wine Network Technology Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: David Wollan
  • Publication number: 20080254181
    Abstract: An anti-foaming device (1) configured to reduce foaming of a fluid within a fluid reservoir (2, 3), the device including; a conduit (5) wherein the conduit (5) is in contact with at least a part of the exterior surface of the fluid reservoir (2, 3); a thermally conductive media wherein the media is past through the conduit (5); and, a heat transfer device; characterised in that the heat transfer device controls the temperature of the media within the conduit to hold the temperature of the fluid above or below a foaming temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventor: Rex Allan Mason
  • Patent number: 7413650
    Abstract: A compact dehydration engine and method for treating human waste and gray water residual electro-coagulants that includes a heated waste dehydration chamber that has low energy consumption and low water consumption in use. The system can be employed in stationary or mobile platforms that include multiple toilets and gray water sources for reclamation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Inventor: Steven Lumbert
  • Publication number: 20080185348
    Abstract: A method of treating an aqueous cyanide- and/or complexing-agent-containing solution, including high-temperature treating the solution in a closed reaction vessel, discharging at least a portion of the treated solution from the reaction vessel, at least partially replacing the discharged fraction with untreated solution, and subjecting the untreated solution to high-temperature treatment along with a treated-solution fraction remaining in the reaction vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: Wieland Dental + Technik GmbH & Co. KG, a corporation of Germany
    Inventors: Gerhard Gutekunst, Waldemar Mzyk
  • Publication number: 20080179247
    Abstract: A method reducing wastewater in a polyester-manufacturing plant includes a step in which ethylene glycol-containing composition from at least one of the chemical reactors is provided to a water separation column. The water separation column is kept within a predetermined temperature range such that any acetaldehyde present in the water separation column is substantially maintained in a vapor state. A waste-vapor mixture comprising one or more organic compounds is subsequently removed from the water separation column and combusted. The polyester-manufacturing plant optionally includes a spray condenser system having a heat exchanger such that the heat exchanger is contacted with a hot ethylene glycol composition derived from the water separation column when the heat exchanger needs cleaning. The polyester-manufacturing plant may be enclosed with a roof and walls such that rainwater is prevented from being contaminated with any organic chemicals present in the polyester-manufacturing plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventor: Bruce Roger DeBruin
  • Publication number: 20080164207
    Abstract: The invention is a pervaporation process and pervaporation equipment, using a series of membrane modules, and including inter-module reheating of the feed solution under treatment. The inter-module heating is achieved within the tube or vessel in which the modules are housed, thereby avoiding the need to repeatedly extract the feed solution from the membrane module train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas P. Wynn, Yu Huang, Tiem Aldajani, Donald A. Fulton
  • Publication number: 20080167511
    Abstract: A process comprising receiving a hydrocarbon feed stream comprising carbon dioxide, separating the hydrocarbon feed stream into a light hydrocarbon stream and a heavy hydrocarbon stream, separating the light hydrocarbon stream into a carbon dioxide-rich stream and a carbon dioxide-lean stream, and feeding the carbon dioxide-lean stream into a hydrocarbon sweetening process, thereby increasing the processing capacity of the hydrocarbon sweetening process compared to the processing capacity of the hydrocarbon sweetening process when fed the hydrocarbon feed stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: Holloman Corporation
    Inventor: Eric Prim
  • Patent number: 7396457
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for effectively recovering acetic acid and catalyst from a mother liquor discharged from a series of processes including an oxidation process, a crystallization process and a solid-liquid separation process, in a continuous process for preparing naphthalenedicarboxylic acid by oxidizing dimethylnaphthalene in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas and an acetic acid solvent, using a catalyst system comprising a transition metal such as cobalt or manganese, and a bromine-based compound, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Hyosung Corporation
    Inventors: Ik-Hyun Kwon, Young-Gyo Choi, Byung-Jun Song, Jong-Cheul Ji
  • Patent number: 7396473
    Abstract: An engine oil filter assembly and method for removing solid and liquid contaminants from engine oil. After solid contaminants are removed by passing the oil under engine pressure upwardly through a fibrous filter element within a lower portion of a canister, the oil is then forced through a separator after which the filtered oil under pressure decompresses. A lid having a downwardly sloping central portion is closely spaced above a similar sloping central portion of the separator to define a heating channel therebetween. A heating element in fluid isolation from the heating channel radiates heat through the central lid portion to vaporize liquid contaminants still in the oil, the vaporized contaminants discharging through a vapor vent in the lid, the decontaminated oil passing by gravity through the heating channel into a drain insert and back into the engine via an oil return port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventor: Stacy D. Guynn
  • Publication number: 20080156726
    Abstract: Embodiments include a method and apparatus for recovering ammonia and nitrogen from a waste stream. Embodiments further include recovering ammonia using an ammonia recovery process and a biological nitrogen recovery process. In some embodiments, a return stream from the ammonia recovery process may be used to provide alkalinity, carbon substrate, and/or biological oxygen demand to the biological nitrogen recovery process. In some embodiments, a hydrothermal sludge process may be used to further treat the waste stream and provide additional return to the ammonia recovery system. Other embodiments include an ammonia recovery system for conducting the ammonia recovery process, a biological nitrification and/or denitrification system for conducting the biological nitrogen recovery process, and an optional hydrothermal sludge processing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: Alexander G. Fassbender
  • Publication number: 20080116121
    Abstract: The present invention is a reclamation unit (1) for a liquid comprising a housing (4) with a detachable upper (2) and lower (3) part, where the lower part (3) is connected with a base part (13) which comprises at least one heating unit (17) and inlets (14) and outlets (15,34), where the upper part (2) encloses at least one filter unit (8), and where the lower part (3) and the base part (13) form an evaporation chamber (27), wherein the connection between the lower part (3) and the base part (13) includes a separator plate (19) leading the liquid from the filter unit (8) onto side walls (37) of the evaporator chamber (27), and said heating unit (17) is protruding into the evaporator chamber (27) with no conductive contact to said side walls (37).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: GREENOIL STANDARD APS
    Inventors: Lars Brejnbjerg, Bjarne Egelind
  • Patent number: 7374686
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing an electrocoat coating composition, comprising forming an aqueous emulsion comprising a film-forming component and water and removing at least a portion of the water from the aqueous emulsion by ultrafiltration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Charles L. Tazzia, Robert D. Schiller, Frankie L. Dock, Robert Doty
  • Patent number: 7357260
    Abstract: A solid material separator for separating solid particles from a mixture containing liquid and these particles which enables the process of separating the solid particles from the liquid to be improved. The solid separator comprising a collecting vessel which is movable from a filling position, wherein the mixture containing the particles and the liquid is fed into the collecting vessel, to a liquid run-off position, wherein the liquid can at least partially drain out of the collecting vessel, and a device for producing a magnetic field by means of which the particles are at least partially retained in the collecting vessel in the liquid run-off position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Durr Ecoclean GmbH
    Inventor: Egon Kaeske
  • Publication number: 20080083676
    Abstract: Improved oil reconditioning systems and methods are disclosed. One preferred system provides an oil purifier for an internal combustion engine for separating contaminants in an oil stream from the oil. The system may include a housing, an oil distributor, and a heating element. The housing may enclose a platen having an evaporation surface. The oil distributor may also be located in the housing and may be configured to receive an incoming oil stream. The oil distributor may have a discharge manifold for transforming the oil stream into a mist. The mist may be directed toward, and distributed over, at least a portion of the evaporation surface. The heating element may be in thermal communication with the platen. The evaporation surface may be heated to a temperature sufficient to volatilize the contaminants, resulting in a purified liquid oil which may be collected and reused with the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventor: Frank DePaul
  • Publication number: 20080078650
    Abstract: An oil-purifying device incorporating a housing that includes an evaporation chamber. In one implementation, there are an oil intake port and an oil exit port, both in fluid communication with the evaporation chamber. There are also at least two ventilation ports in gaseous communication with the evaporation chamber. The oil-purifying device may include an oil diffusing assembly to receive oil from the oil intake port and distribute it. In one implementation, the oil diffusing assembly includes perforated oil journals. The oil-purifying device may include a heating device to heat the oil to increase the rate of evaporation of contaminants. The oil-purifying device may also include a high-surface-area structure to increase a surface area of the oil for improved evaporation of contaminants. In one implementation, the high-surface-area structure includes a metallic or synthetic material with a rough filamentous surface upon which to deposit oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Donald Patrick Cox, Stephen Donald Hauck
  • Patent number: 7329340
    Abstract: A continuous flow multistage aerobic wastewater sludge digestion system comprising at least two stages connected in series, each stage comprising one or more covered tanks, tank segments or compartments, each having an enclosed separate gas headspace, wherein the gas headspaces of each stage are connected in a specified sequence that may be identical to or different from the staging sequence followed by the sludge liquid. An oxygen containing gas stream, such as air or an oxygen enriched gas stream, is supplied to the headspace of each stage, and a means for aerating the sludge in one or more of the tanks, tank segments or compartments is provided to enhance the transfer of oxygen from the gas headspace into the sludge liquid for use by bacteria in digestion of the sludge. At least one stage of the sludge digestion system is operated at a thermophilic temperature above 50° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Mixing and Mass Transfer Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John R. McWhirter, Prakash G. Balan, Bradley A. Swope
  • Publication number: 20080023384
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning contaminated water and evaporating the produced cleaned water, comprising heat exchange means within an evaporation region of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Ricky Dale Patmore
  • Patent number: 7311799
    Abstract: The invention provides a hydrofluoric acid wastewater treatment method that achieves efficient recovery of hydrofluoric acid from hydrofluoric acid wastewater and also achieves sufficient reduction in the hydrofluoric acid concentration of the dehydrofluorinated water after treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignees: Sasakura Engineering Co., Ltd., Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junji Mizutani, Mitsuo Maeda, Tamito Mukaida, Yasushi Nishimura, Yutaka Shiomi, Koji Harada, Yoshio Tanimoto, Toshiaki Muratani
  • Patent number: 7306720
    Abstract: In a liquid chromatographic system, removing at least part of a volatile component from the liquid sample stream after separation by flowing it through a volatile component-removal device including a porous wall having a surface coating of a permeable polymer less than 10 ?m thick. A liquid chromatographic system suitable for performing the method. Also, a liquid chromatographic system in which volatile component is removed prior to separation across the same type of membrane or across a membrane made of a copolymer of perfluoro-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Dionex Corporation
    Inventors: Purnendu K. Dasgupta, S. M. Rahmat Ullah, Kannan Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 7244353
    Abstract: A method of and system for purifying fluid of an internal combustion engine or hydraulic system utilizes an evaporation chamber separate from a filtering chamber. A metering valve may be oriented between the filtering chamber and the evaporation chamber to control the flow of fluid to the evaporation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Oil Purification Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Barclay Whitmore, Javier G. Gutierrez, Jose G. Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 7211187
    Abstract: A compact dehydration engine and method for treating human waste and gray water residual electro-coagulants that includes a heated waste dehydration chamber that has low energy consumption and low water consumption in use. The system can be employed in stationary or mobile platforms that include multiple toilets and gray water sources for reclamation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Inventor: Steven Lumbert
  • Patent number: 7198715
    Abstract: A device for separating fluid mixtures, in particular for separating water from oil, includes a vacuum container (10) with several sub-chambers (26, 44, 40). At least one liquid constituent of the fluid mixture can be transported from the vacuum container after separation, by a transport device (12). The other constituents can be extracted from the vacuum container (10) in the form of gas and/or steam, using a vacuum pump (20). One of the sub-chambers (26) of the vacuum container (10) houses a heating device (28, 30), which heats the fluid mixture. The fluid mixture is guided into an additional sub-chamber (40), and is separated into its constituents by traversing a packed bed. Even cold and consequently viscous fluid mixtures can be supplied, due to the heating device, for separation inside the aforementioned vacuum container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Hydac Filtertechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Knut Herges, Andreas Busch
  • Patent number: 7198722
    Abstract: Water containing dissolved salts, such as calcium sulfate, calcium chloride, magnesium sulfate, magnesium chloride, sodium carbonate, sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, calcium bicarbonate, and mixtures thereof, is treated to reduce the concentration of those salts. About 0.1 to about 60 g/L of sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide, aluminum sulfate, aluminum potassium sulfate, and mixtures thereof is added to the water, whereby a precipitate forms in the water. The precipitate is separated from said water and the water is desalinated using reverse osmosis, flash evaporation, or another method. The process is preferably performed by first adding calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide, separating the precipitate that forms, then adding sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate to form a second precipitate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Inventor: Mohammed Azam Hussain
  • Patent number: 7097762
    Abstract: The modular waste water treatment system receives waste water from a waste water source containing organic waste and produces a treated water effluent. The modular system includes bioreactors and a bioreactor support module. The bioreactors receive a waste water mixture from the bioreactor support module and produce treated water substantially free of organic waste. The bioreactor support module is a transportable unit fabricated upon a frame adapted for transport by a truck upon a public roadway. The bioreactor support module includes items of equipment needed for conditioning waste water for intake by the bioreactors, items of equipment for receiving, processing and discharging treated water from the bioreactors and may include other items of equipment for receiving and processing other byproducts from the bioreactors. The transportable bioreactor support module is sized to support the operation of between one and preferably as many as six bioractors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignees: ICM, Inc., Phoenix Bio-Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph John Ruocco, Paul John Russell
  • Patent number: 7087157
    Abstract: A multi-phase separation system utilized to remove contaminants from fluids includes a pre-filtering module for filtering a contaminated fluid to provide a filtered contaminated fluid. A condenser module receives the filtered contaminated fluid and a contaminated gas phase for condensing the contaminated gas phase to a contaminated liquid. A phase reaction chamber converts the filtered contaminated fluid to a contaminated mist wherein the mist is subjected to a low energy, high vacuum environment for providing a first change of phase by separating into a contaminated gas phase and a liquid mist phase. The contaminated gas phase is carried out of the phase reaction chamber by a carrier air. A vacuum pump provides the low energy, high vacuum environment in the phase reaction chamber and delivers the contaminated gas phase to the condenser module for condensation providing a second change of phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Phase Separation, LLC
    Inventor: Wayne W. Spani