Flow Line Connected In Series With Distinct Separator Patents (Class 210/181)
  • Patent number: 8580111
    Abstract: A device for separating fuel components comprising a separating membrane for separating high-octane fuel components from un-separated fuel and a heat exchanger between first liquid passing through the heat exchanger and second liquid passing through the heat exchanger, is provided. The first liquid is un-separated fuel passing through the heat exchanger before being supplied to the separating membrane. The second liquid is low-octane fuel remaining when the high-octane fuel components are separated from the un-separated fuel, passing through the heat exchanger after changing to an almost liquid phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Exxon Mobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Randall D. Partridge, George Walchuk, Kouseki Sugiyama
  • Publication number: 20130270186
    Abstract: Equipment, systems, processes and techniques for conducting reverse osmosis processing of solutions are described. The techniques can be applied to provide diluted solution (i.e. purified solvent), concentrate solution or each. A variety of specific equipment, example systems and processes are depicted and described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventor: CALVIN WOHLERT
  • Patent number: 8535542
    Abstract: A method of separating a mixture of liquid and insoluble solids in a filter press may comprise: pumping the mixture into a chamber between two filter plates in the filter press to form a filter cake, wherein the chamber is lined by filter cloths, and wherein, during the pumping, filtrate is forced through the filter cloths and out of the chamber; heating the filter cake in the chamber, wherein, during the heating, filtrate is forced through the filter cloths and out of the chamber, and wherein the heating is by radio frequency irradiation of the filter cake in the chamber; and releasing dried filter cake from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventors: Daniel J. Simpson, Ferdinand Kogler
  • 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.
  • Publication number: 20130220906
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) for extracting water from the atmosphere and supplying the extracted water to a domestic water supply to the dwelling, said apparatus being dimensioned and arranged relative to an access opening that leads from the dwelling into a roof space to be small enough to pass through the opening and be located in the roof space, said apparatus further comprising an air intake (12) located to receive humid air from outside the dwelling, a water extractor having a fan (13) operable to draw air in through the air intake (12) and pass the air over a cooling means for condensing water out of the air and means—for collecting the condensed water and supplying the collected water to the water supply tank (30) of the dwelling to replenish water in the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventor: David Stenhouse
  • Patent number: 8518252
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new and improved system for on-site and on-demand production of sterile water for injection (SWFI) from potable water or water that meets the EPA drinking water quality upon preconditioning, in conjunction with reconstitution of IV fluids using dry chemicals or concentrate pre-filled bags, suitable for use at a site under non-clean room environment conditions, and capable of adjusting feed water temperatures. The present invention includes a water temperature conditioning module, a water preconditioning module, a hydrothermal processor, a fluid staging compartment, and combinations and variations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Research Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Lixiong Li
  • Publication number: 20130213865
    Abstract: A fresh water generator utilizing air (100) comprises a main body bracket (114), a water making system, a water purifying system and a water distributing device (126). Both sides and the rear side of the main body bracket (114) are provided with panels, on which ventilating grilles (116, 132, 134) are provided for sucking and exhausting air. The water making system is arranged inside the main body bracket (114) and particularly comprises a condenser/evaporator unit (118), an exhaust fan (140) and a water collecting tank (120), wherein the water collecting tank (120) is arranged on the main body bracket (114) and positioned at the lower end of the condenser/evaporator unit (118), and the exhaust fan (140) is arranged between the condenser/evaporator unit (118) and the ventilating grates (116, 132, 134). The water purifying system is arranged inside the main body bracket (114) and particularly comprises a pump (122) and a filtration device (192).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Henry Hsu, Chi Hung Jimmy Wan
  • Publication number: 20130213870
    Abstract: A cooling tower blow-down, groundwater and wastewater re-use process and system is provided, which system may further include a cooling tower evaporation recovery system and process. Thus, blow-down from cooling equipment may be reused by appropriate treatment of the blow-down water, or treatment of other sources of water such as groundwater or wastewater, for use as make-up water in a cooling tower or other cooling equipment, and the capture of evaporation from cooling equipment is conducted to increase the efficiency and lower costs in the operation of such equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: TEMPEST ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Tempest Environmental Systems, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130199979
    Abstract: A fluid filter may include a filter housing including a pot and a lid. A ring filter element may be arranged within the filter housing, through which flow may pass radially and which separates an untreated space from a clean space. The ring filter element may have an upper and a lower end disc. A heating device may be configured to allow heating of the fluid to be filtered. The filter housing may define a port into which the heating device is inserted and the port may separate the heating device from the fluid to be heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: MAHLE INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Jauss, Stefan Seidel
  • Publication number: 20130193049
    Abstract: A system for producing and supplying a coolant to a filtration sub-system, and for reconditioning and recombining a return flow of used coolant. A main reservoir is in two way communication with the filtration sub-system via a clean coolant outlet and a dirty coolant return. An inlet feeds an untreated water supply to a de-ionization canister. A mixing valve in communication with the inlet recombines a remaining untreated portion of the water supply with the de-ionized portion. A mixing pump intermixes the water supply with a chemical concentrate to produce a coolant delivered to a main reservoir. A volume of coolant is drawn through an outlet from the reservoir and communicates the coolant to a particle filter, a chiller, and prior to outputting to the filtration sub-systems. The used return coolant is filtered and reintroduced to the main reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: JK INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Keith Urban
  • Patent number: 8491786
    Abstract: A circulation type water purifier prevents production of bacteria and microbes by periodically circulating water and also increases pump life and reduces pump costs by varying circulation times depending on an amount of water used. The purifier includes a filter 100; a purified water storage tank 200; a cold/hot water supply tank 300 having respective outlets for hot and cold water and drain outlets; a sterilizer 900; and a pump 400. Under control of a microcomputer, the pump periodically circulates water through various circulation piping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Dongyang Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jaekyeong Kim
  • Patent number: 8444851
    Abstract: The system is for the reception and transport of dry lime mud from a continuously operating pressurized filter in a causticization process. A tube valve is used as an outlet from the pressurized process. The tube valve has a minimum length that is twice a diameter of the tube. A column of lime mud can be held within it as a pressure lock. The column of lime mud can be caused to descend through the tube valve by controlling a difference in pressure between an inner surface and an outer surface of the tube such that the diameter of the tube expands essentially uniformly along its length by 5-10% or by at least 4-6 millimeters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Metso Paper Sweden AB
    Inventors: Soren Kindlund, Michael A. Rowe, Hans Barthelson
  • Publication number: 20130087502
    Abstract: Methods and systems for enhanced water treatment comprise inorganic filter systems for impurity removal. Embodiments for water impurity removal include introducing contaminated water into an impurity removal system having an inorganic filter. The inorganic filter comprises an inorganic membrane layer supported by an inorganic support. The inorganic membrane layer comprises pores sized from about 1,000 Daltons to about 10 microns for filtering impurities such as kinetic hydrate inhibitor. Other pre-treatment and post-treatment stages may be included. The inorganic membrane layer or inorganic membrane support may comprise a ceramic such as alumina, zirconia, silica, silicon carbide, and mixed oxides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: David J. BLUMER, Ying XU, Bruce B. RANDOLPH, John A. CRUZE
  • Publication number: 20130040029
    Abstract: A method for processing dairy products by means of membrane filtration, where fouling in the membrane is significantly reduced/avoided without significantly reducing the flow through the membrane module. The present invention also relates to a membrane filtration assembly suitable to practice the disclosed method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: TINE SA
    Inventor: Tom Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20120292240
    Abstract: A cartridge type filter is mounted in a housing and is serviced through the top of the housing. The cartridge includes first and second media packs axially stacked. The second media pack is in series behind the first media pack, and filters a portion of the liquid therethrough. The second media pack has a higher efficiency than the first media pack. The overall design has a drain system which allows liquid to drain from the interior of the filter housing and back to the sump before the filter cartridge is completely removed from the housing. Other optional features include an oil cooler, various valving, and a filter cartridge lockout mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Hacker, Bradley S. HONERMANN, Mark S. Emery
  • Patent number: 8308936
    Abstract: A heat pump type hot water supply device is provided with a heat source side heat pump unit having a heat radiating heat exchanger that condenses refrigerant to radiate heat from the refrigerant. The hot water supply device is provided with a water tank that stores water, a water supply pipe that supplies water to the water tank from the outside, a water circulation pipe that is extended in a bypassing manner and circulates the water in the water tank from a bottom section to an upper section, a heat absorbing heat exchanger that is arranged on the water circulation pipe and connected to the heat radiating heat exchanger of the heat source side heat pump unit so as to absorb heat, and a hot water supply unit that comprises a hot water supply pipe that supplies warm water in the upper section of the water tank to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuharu Numata, Haruo Nakata, Syuuji Furui, Kaori Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8293102
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the treatment of stimulation fluid that involves passing a mixture of the stimulation fluid and reagents through a sectioned tank, each section having the means to agitate the mixture contained therein. Treated fluid is removed from a final settling section for reuse in oil and gas production operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Synoil Fluids Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun Mesher, Robin Tudor, Jessie Leighton
  • Patent number: 8293114
    Abstract: A method for exchanging heat between an effluent fluid and a blood fluid and a heat exchanger for heat exchange. The heat exchanger comprises a first and a second fluid circuit extending through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger further comprises a stack of fluid plates and a membrane arranged between each of the fluid plates where one interspace is formed between each fluid plate and membrane. The first and the second fluid circuit is each constituted by a passage extending through the fluid plates and membranes and along the fluid plates and membranes in at least two interspaces According to the method for heat exchanging an effluent fluid is passed through the first fluid circuit and a blood fluid is passed through the second fluid circuit such that the effluent fluid is passed along one side of a membrane and simultaneously the blood fluid is passed along the other side of the membrane. Heat is thus exchanged between the effluent fluid and the blood fluid over the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Lennart Jönsson, Jan Sternby, Eddie Nilsson
  • Patent number: 8293113
    Abstract: A method for exchanging heat between an effluent fluid and a treatment fluid and a heat exchanger for heat exchange as well as an arrangement and a kit comprising a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger comprises a first and a second fluid circuit extending through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger further comprises a stack of fluid plates and a membrane arranged between each of the fluid plates where one interspace is formed between each fluid plate and membrane. The first and the second fluid circuit is each constituted by a passage extending through the fluid plates and membranes and along the fluid plates and membranes in at least two interspaces. According to the method for heat exchanging an effluent fluid is passed through the first fluid circuit and a treatment fluid is passed through the second fluid circuit such that the effluent fluid is passed along one side of a membrane and simultaneously the treatment fluid is passed along the other side of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Lennart Jönsson, Jan Sternby, Eddie Nilsson
  • Publication number: 20120223017
    Abstract: Provided is a method of purifying oil by which nano particles are effectively removed from the oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: BIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Han Oh PARK, Jae Ha KIM, Myung Kuk JIN
  • Patent number: 8257583
    Abstract: A fuel separation apparatus comprises a stock fuel storage tank storing stock fuel, a separator provided with a separation film separating the stock fuel into high octane value fuel with an octane value higher than the stock fuel and a low octane value fuel with an octane value lower than the stock fuel, and a high octane value fuel storage tank storing the high octane value fuel separated by the separator. When the temperature of the separation film is lower than the high octane value fuel separation temperature, the high octane value fuel stored in the high octane value fuel storage tank is supplied to the separator. Due to this, vaporization of fuel is suppressed and the fuel can be quickly raised in temperature. Due to this, a vehicle mounted fuel separation apparatus able to quickly raise the temperature of the fuel supplied to the separation film so as to quickly raise the temperature of the separation film at the time of engine cold start can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignees: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Randall D. Partridge, Kouseki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8252174
    Abstract: A vehicle-integrated water harvesting system is provided that enables water-vapor or condensation in a vehicle to be captured, and made available onboard the vehicle for drinking or other uses. The system includes a water emitting component and may include a purification system operatively connected to the water emitting component. The purification system at least partially purifies the water and then sends the purified water to a storage reservoir or directly to a dispenser or outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Jones, Therese A. Tant, Gregory A. Major, Frances H. James, Jeffrey M. Pleune
  • Publication number: 20120211423
    Abstract: A draw solute for forward osmosis may include a copolymer including a first structural unit where a temperature-sensitive side chain is graft polymerized, and a second structural unit including a hydrophilic functional group. The temperature-sensitive side chain may include a structural unit for a side chain including a temperature-sensitive moiety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae-Eun Kim, Bo-Kyung Jung, Jung-Im Han, Hyo Kang, Hyo-Rang Kang, Sung-Soo Han
  • Patent number: 8246817
    Abstract: A novel deionization filter for removing ions from a coolant in an electric fuel cell vehicle cooling system is disclosed. The deionization filter includes a filter housing having a coolant inlet port, through which the coolant enters the filter housing; and a coolant outlet port, through which the coolant exits the filter housing. An ion exchange bed having positively-charged and negatively-charged ion exchange resin beads is provided in the filter housing for removing negative and positive ions, respectively, from the coolant. At least one filter assembly is typically provided in the filter housing for filtering particles from the coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Mukesh Kumar, George Shih, Stephen Fan
  • Patent number: 8246820
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for removing volatiles from fluid systems. The apparatuses and methods include evaporator sections. The apparatuses and methods may furthermore include a heater disposed at least in part in the evaporator section, which may have a ridge on its surface. The apparatuses and methods may furthermore include an evaporation tube positioned around the heater, which may have a conically shaped outer surface. The apparatuses and methods may also include an air inlet and an air outlet in the evaporator section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Next Generation Filtration Systems, LP
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Geiger
  • Patent number: 8216460
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for filtering particulates and volatiles from fluid systems. The apparatuses and methods include a particulate filter section, an evaporator section positioned adjacent the particulate filter section, and a manifold coupled to at least one of the particulate filter section and the evaporator section to direct flow through the apparatuses as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Next Generation Filtration Systems, LP
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Geiger
  • Patent number: 8211300
    Abstract: A vehicle-mounted fuel separation system 24 is provided with a fuel heating device 56 heating stock fuel and a separator 57 separating stock fuel heated by the fuel heating device into a plurality of types of fuel. Furthermore, a forced exhaust device 66 forcibly exhausting the fuel in the fuel heating device from the fuel heating device when the temperature of the fuel in the fuel heating device becomes a reference temperature or more or is expected to become a reference temperature or more is provided. Due to this, a fuel separation system where excessive heating of the fuel by the fuel heating device of the fuel separation system is prevented is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignees: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Randall D. Partridge, Kouseki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8206558
    Abstract: A processing apparatus (1) for the processing of process or industrial wastewaters is provided. The processing apparatus (1) has an evaporator (4) in which a tube bundle heat exchanger is provided, whose pure distillate side is connected to a separating apparatus for separating the distillate from floating organic phase or similar free liquid constituents. This separating apparatus is intended to collect the floating organic phase from the condensate, in order that this phase can be sucked back into the evaporator (4). In addition, the vapor mixture is conducted from the separating apparatus (8) to a recuperator (3) and cooled to such an extent that the water, the volatile solvents and the organic material dissolved in the vapor can be condensed and discharged separately or can be sucked back into the evaporator (4). This allows significantly better distillate qualities to be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: H20 GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Fickenscher, Daniel Ladenberger
  • Publication number: 20120152721
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating water in order to desalinate said water, including a step of reverse osmosis or distillation of said water in order to produce water that is at least partially desalinated and a first concentrate. According to the invention, said method includes: a first demineralisation step including a step of nanofiltering said first concentrate such as to produce a nanofiltrate and a second concentrate; a second step of demineralising said second concentrate by means of at least one active material including cationic and/or anionic ion-exchange resins, said second demineralisation step including the extraction of a third concentrate and the extraction of at least partially demineralised water, said at least partially demineralised water being mixed with said at least partially desalinated water; a step of regenerating said at least one active material, said regeneration step including a step of recirculating said nanofiltrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: VEOLIA WATER SOLUTIONS & TECHNOLOGIES SUPPORT
    Inventors: Abdelkader Gaid, Michel Coeytaux
  • Patent number: 8197681
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a filter system for ornamental ponds and stock tanks that has a housing defining an internal chamber. A number of feet are located on a lower flat surface of the housing, which hold the housing off of the bottom of the pond. A filter slot in the lower surface holds a filter. A pump is inside the internal chamber of the housing and has an inlet inside the internal chamber and an outlet outside the internal chamber of the housing. When the filter system is submerged, the pump draws water in along the bottom of the body of water through the filter. As a result, the debris on the bottom of the body of water is drawn into the filter. Once the debris is drawn into the filter, microbes in the filter are able to break down the debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: K&H Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: James Donald Koskey, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120111804
    Abstract: An apparatus for purifying thermoplastic polymers, including a means for generating and conveying a polymer melt, the means including a first heating unit and a filter means, and the filter means including a second heating unit. And a method for purifying thermoplastic polymers, including a step of filtering a polymer melt by way of a filter means, wherein the filter means is at least temporarily heated to a temperature which is higher than that of the polymer melt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Thomas Friedlaender, Klaus-Karl Wasmuht, Jörg Zacharias, Stephan Mayr
  • Patent number: 8173014
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for hydrolyzing protein-containing raw material into water soluble protein and other products. The apparatuses and methods include an optional collection or processing stage in which protein-containing raw material, such as fish or animal carcasses from food production plants, are collected and optionally processed. The raw material is then reacted with one or more enzymes to hydrolyze the protein present, after which the one or more enzymes are inactivated and the components separated. The processes and apparatuses, which can be run as a batch processes or, advantageously as a continuous processes, can yield water soluble protein, oils, bone meal and other products that have utility as food or food additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Marine Bioproducts AS
    Inventors: Stig Soerensen, Kjartan Sandnes, Harald Hagen, Karstein Pedersen
  • Patent number: 8173011
    Abstract: A pool/spa water treatment system may include a pump and a pool filter. The pump may include a pump inlet and a pump outlet. The pump inlet and outlet may be aligned on a first axis or within a first vertical plane. The pool filter may be offset a select transverse distance from the pump. The pool filter may include a pool filter inlet in fluid communication with the pump outlet. The pool filter inlet and the pump outlet may be aligned on a second axis or within a second vertical plane that is transverse to the first axis or plane. The pool/spa water treatment system may further include a heater. The heater may include a heater inlet in fluid communication with the pool filter outlet. The heater inlet may be aligned with the pool filter outlet within the second plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Nibler, Emily R. Colomes, Peter M. Owenson
  • Patent number: 8157992
    Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning lubricating oil which circulates in a lubricating oil circuit has an intake to be connected with the lubricating oil circuit, through which a part quantity of the lubricating oil circulating in the lubricating oil circuit is to be fed to the cleaning and a return to be connected with the lubricating oil circuit for the returning of the cleaned lubricating oil into the lubricating oil circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: MAN Diesel SE
    Inventors: Nikolaus König, Michael Förster
  • Publication number: 20120073790
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wastewater heat recovery device and a method thereof which prevent blockage phenomenon by effectively removing sediment and fine foreign material included in the wastewater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Sung Kyoon Moon, Ho Hyun Jung, Jong Sun Lee
  • Patent number: 8133385
    Abstract: A grey water treatment system for use in conjunction with a water softener, including a grey water holding tank including a first inlet configured to receive grey water and a second inlet configured to receive spent brine from the water softener. The spent brine is mixed with the grey water in the holding tank to flocculate suspended solids in the grey water for subsequent removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Culligan International Company
    Inventors: Kumudika Premathilake, Gene Wayman, Sharyn Schnabel, Kerry Quinn
  • 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: 20120043269
    Abstract: A system for the management of fluid, such as saline solution for medical procedures, is provided. The system generally includes a water purification station and a portable fluid station, which is dockable to the water purification station. The portable fluid station is capable of combining purified water from the water purification station with a concentrate in powder or liquid form to create a usable solution. A method of using such a system is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: Ruzbeh N. Shariff, James Lescoulie, Reid S. Cover
  • Publication number: 20120018365
    Abstract: A process for purification of fluids, for example, desalination of seawater or brackish water, using organic solutes in a concentrated water solution for use in a forward osmosis process, to extract fresh water out of salt water through the forward osmosis membrane, and subsequently separating the organic solutes out of the diluted forward osmosis permeate by cloud point extraction, thereby regenerating a concentrated organic solution for recycling to the forward osmosis process, and fresh water for potable water use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: NRGTEK, INC.
    Inventor: Subramanian IYER
  • Patent number: 8097152
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing oil from sea ice comprises modular crusher units which may be pivotally mounted on a barge or other vessel. A rotating, toothed drum crushes the ice against a grating and mixes it with warmed, recycled water to form an ice/water slurry which is conveyed by means of an auger to one or more melting units. The liquid phase output of the melting units is first conveyed to a surge tank and then to a separator unit which separates the oil from the water. The oil is conveyed to a storage tank for subsequent offloading and disposal and the water is returned in a recycle line to sprayers mounted in the crusher unit(s) for deicing the intake section of the crusher and mixing with the crushed sea ice to form an ice/water slurry for subsequent, on-board treatment. The modular design of the apparatus permits a plurality of units to be mounted on a vessel in a side-by-side array such that substantially the entire beam of the vessel at the stern (or bow) may be covered and used for ice intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventor: James Clifford Lewis
  • Publication number: 20110303588
    Abstract: A hemodialysis system includes (i) a plurality of pump rollers: (ii) a fluid heater, the pump rollers and the heater positioned and arranged to accept a horizontally loaded dialysate cassette: (iii) a dialyzer; (iv) a sorbent cartridge; and (v) wherein the dialysate cassette includes first and second tubes for horizontal interaction with the pump rollers and a third tube for horizontal interaction with the heater, the cassette in fluid communication with the sorbent cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 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
  • Patent number: 8075768
    Abstract: A liquid chromatograph device was provided wherein operations inside a thermostatic chamber can be safely performed even while a heat block is being heated. The liquid chromatograph device comprises: a thermostatic chamber; outer doors and that are disposed at the front surface of the thermostatic chamber; a heat block; heater for heating said heat block; temperature sensor for the heat block; flowing means for flowing air between the inside and outside of the thermostatic chamber; a control means for controlling the supply of power to the heater based on the result of the temperature sensor; and an inner door between the outer door and the heat block, the inner door comprising a hollow inner door main body, a heat-insulating material that is housed within the inner door so as to form an air chamber between the heat-insulating material and the surface of the outer door of the inner door main body and inlet/outlet slits and that are formed in the inner door main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Takao Okado
  • Publication number: 20110297598
    Abstract: A hemodialysis system includes (i) a dialyzer; (ii) a blood pump; (iii) a blood cassette operatively connected to the dialyzer and the blood pump; (iv) a dialysate heater; (v) first and second peristaltic dialysate pumps; and (vi) a dialysate cassette separate from the blood cassette, the dialysate cassette including an organizer configured to support a drain tube, a to-dialyzer tube and a from-dialyzer tube, the cassette further including a first pumping tube, a second pumping tube and an inline fluid heating pathway, the cassette when mounted for operation orienting (a) the first pumping tube for operation with the first peristaltic dialysate pump, (b) the second pumping tube for operation with the second peristaltic dialysate pump and (c) the fluid heating pathway for operation with the dialysate heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicants: BAXTER HEALTHCARE S.A., BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Ying-Cheng Lo, Robert W. Childers, Thomas D. Kelly, Justin Rohde
  • Publication number: 20110300231
    Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments concern systems and methods of preparing dialysate for use in a home dialysis system that is compact and light-weight relative to existing systems and consumes relatively low amounts of energy. The method includes coupling a household water stream to a dialysis system; filtering the water stream; heating the water stream to at least about 138 degrees Celsius in a non-batch process to produce a heated water stream; maintaining the heated water stream at or above at least about 138 degrees Celsius for at least about two seconds; cooling the heated water stream to produce a cooled water stream; ultrafiltering the cooled water stream; and mixing dialysate components into the cooled water stream in a non-batch process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Richard B. Peterson, James R. Curtis
  • Publication number: 20110297599
    Abstract: A hemodialysis system for operation with a blood source and a dialysate source, the system including: (i) a first machine portion including a blood pump; (ii) a blood cassette operatively connected to the blood pump such that the blood pump can pump blood through the blood cassette when the blood cassette is in fluid communication with the blood source; (iii) a dialyzer fluidly connected to the blood cassette; (iv) a second machine portion separate from the first machine portion, the second machine portion including a dialysate pump; and (v) a dialysate cassette separate from the blood cassette, the dialysate cassette operatively connected to the dialysate pump such that the dialysate pump can pump dialysate through the dialysate cassette when the dialysate cassette is in fluid communication with the dialysate source, the dialysate cassette being fluidly connected to the dialyzer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicants: BAXTER HEALTHCARE S.A., BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Ying-Cheng Lo, Robert W. Childers, Thomas D. Kelly, Justin Rohde
  • Patent number: 8066874
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating an aqueous solution containing arsenic. The apparatus comprises a container that includes a housing, an inlet located at a first end of the housing and an outlet located at a second end opposite the first end. An outer wall extends between the first and second ends and enclosing a fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet and an arsenic fixing agent is disposed in the fluid flow path. The arsenic fixing agent can include an insoluble rare earth-containing compound, more specifically, a compound comprising one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. The inlet and the outlet are adapted to be closed during transport and storage. The container is adapted to be sealed for long term disposal after exposure to an aqueous solution containing arsenic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Molycorp Minerals, LLC
    Inventors: John L. Burba, III, Carl R. Hassler, C. Brock O'Kelley, Joseph A. Lupo, Joseph R. Pascoe
  • Patent number: 8057665
    Abstract: Disclosed are a cold water tank and a water treatment apparatus. The cold water tank includes a tank body, a water inlet pipe provided at the tank body to convey water into the tank body, a water outlet pipe provided at the tank body to convey the water out of the tank body, and including an air vent hole, and a floating member movably provided at the water outlet pipe to block the air vent hole when the water filling the tank body reaches a height of the air vent hole. The water in the upper portion of the tank body is prevented from passing through the air vent hole and draining through the water outlet pipe, thereby preventing the cooler water in the lower portion from mixing with the hotter water in the upper portion. Only the cooler water in the lower portion can be supplied to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Woongjin Coway Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Man Kim, In Du Choi
  • Publication number: 20110253629
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes devices useful for microscale fluid purification, separation, and synthesis devices. Generally, such devices comprise a fluid membrane that separates two or more fluids flowing through plural microchannels operatively associated with the membrane. The fluids can both be liquids, gases, or a liquid and a gas, such as may be used for gas absorption into a liquid. Often, the membrane is a semipermeable membrane, such as might be used with a filtration device, such as a dialyzer. Devices of the present invention can be combined with other microscale devices to make systems. For example, the devices may be coupled with one or more microchemical microfactories, one or more micromixers, one or more microheaters; etc. Examples of devices made according to the present invention included an oxygenator, a dialzyer, microheat exchangers, etc. Particular materials had to be developed for use with certain embodiments of the device disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Goran Jovanovic, Sundar V. Atre, Brian Kevin Paul, John Simonsen, Vincent Thomas Remcho, Chih-Hung Chang
  • Publication number: 20110247980
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a liquid processing system. In the liquid processing system, a first liquid source transmits feed liquid to a heat exchange unit while a heat generation unit transmits warm coolant to the heat exchange unit. A heat generation unit warms the feed liquid while cooling the warm coolant. The warmed feed liquid is sent to a pump, and cooled feed liquid from a second liquid source is mixed with the warmed feed liquid as necessary until a target temperature is reached. The warmed feed liquid is sent to a reverse osmosis unit for filtering and the resulting permeate is sent to the liquid utilization unit. The cooled coolant is sent from the heat exchange unit to the storage tank and if the cooled coolant is not cool enough, it is sent to a cooling tower for further cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: John A. Goodfellow
  • Publication number: 20110220573
    Abstract: A system for separating solids from fluid including a solid-laden fluid including a base fluid, a first separator configured to receive the solid-laden fluid and separate the fluid into a solids portion and an effluent, and a membrane separator configured to receive the effluent and separate the effluent into a permeate and a concentrate is disclosed. A method for separating solids from fluid including obtaining a solid-laden fluid, wherein the solid-laden fluid comprises a base fluid, feeding the solid-laden fluid through a centrifuge, removing at least a portion of high gravity solids from the solid-laden fluids, flowing the solid-laden fluid through a membrane separator, removing at least a portion of low gravity solids from the solid-laden fluid, and collecting a permeate from the membrane separator is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Rahul Dixit, Mukesh Kapila