Diverse Separators Patents (Class 210/182)
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Publication number: 20040129625Abstract: The invention discloses a multifunctional water supply tank with pressure-stabilized water storage and quality-distinguished supply of service and potable water, which includes a service water storage room with a water inlet and a water outlet, a potable water storage room communicated with the service water storage room and containing purifying agents, a potable water outlet, and a water outlet communicated with a solar water heater, the present invention solves the problems of insufficient water pressure of tap water pipe network and the secondary water contamination during water supply by the pipe network, meanwhile it heats and preserves the temperature of the water supply tank cover and the water supply pipe walls, and separates pure water from service water, solar heated water, and purified potable water for separate metering and utilization.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Inventor: Zerong Wang
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Patent number: 6749752Abstract: A process and system for extracting a solute from a solid material, such as oil from oil-bearing foodstuffs, utilize a substantially tubular membrane filter to separate a mass of the extracting medium and the foodstuffs into a miscella and foodstuffs of reduced oil content. In a batch or continuous process, after each extracting stage, the mass from the extraction vessel is conveyed to a membrane filter, which has pores along its cylindrical walls suitably sized to allow a miscella to pass as the permeate, while causing the foodstuffs of reduced oil content to be conveyed axially along the tubes and out of its ends as the retentate. In a continuous process, extractor cells, or stages, consisting of an extraction vessel, pump, and membrane filter, are used in sequential stages, preferably using a miscella from the subsequent stage as the extracting medium. In a batch process, miscella storage tanks may be used to store miscella from the final stage for use in the next batch.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2002Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: CocoTech, Inc.Inventor: Richard B. Trout
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Publication number: 20040099614Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the physicochemical treatment of fluid media. The aim of the method is to modify the surface tension and the viscosity of the fluid, to mechanically reduce and eliminate organic and/or inorganic substances, micro-organisms, such as for example microbes, bacteria, fungi or algae and to chemically oxidise or reduce substances and material compounds entrained by the fluids. According to said method, energy is supplied to the fluid that is to be treated as follows: at least two volumetric flows of the fluid are guided at high speed, so that their surfaces intermingle or collide with one another in the form of a translational and/or rotational motion at a different speed, if the flows originate from the same direction, or at a selectable speed, or optionally an identical speed, if the flows originate from opposite directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2003Publication date: May 27, 2004Inventors: Jorg Lehmann, Hans-Peter Stacker
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Patent number: 6733667Abstract: Methods and apparatus for desalination of salt water (and purification of polluted water) are disclosed. Saline (or otherwise polluted) water is pumped to a desalination installation and down to the base of a desalination fractionation column, where it is mixed with hydrate-forming gas or liquid to form either positively buoyant (also assisted buoyancy) or negatively buoyant hydrate. The hydrate rises or sinks or is carried into a lower pressure area and dissociates (melts) into the gas and pure water. In preferred embodiments, residual salt water which is heated by heat given off during formation of the hydrate is removed from the system to create a bias towards overall cooling as the hydrate dissociates endothermically at shallower depths, and input water is passed through regions of dissociation in heat-exchanging relationship therewith so as to be cooled sufficiently for hydrate to form at pressure-depth.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2002Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Marine Desalination Systems L.L.C.Inventor: Michael David Max
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Patent number: 6709595Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an installation for setting in adsorbed state, on a porous support, compounds contained in a product comprising a first step which consists in extracting the compounds by contacting the product with at least a solvent at supercritical pressure to obtain a mixture of extracts and solvent. The method is characterized in that it comprises a second step which consists in eliminating the water contained in the mixture of extracts and solvent, adjusting the temperature and pressure conditions so as to obtain, a first phase consisting of solvent in gaseous state and a second phase consisting of a mixture of liquids formed of solvent and extracts of the products; causing said two phases to trickle through a porous support adapted to adsorb the extracts; vaporizing the solvent contained in the second phase.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2002Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Separex (Societe Anonyme)Inventors: Michel Perrut, Wieslaw Majewski
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Publication number: 20030205514Abstract: A process water treatment and recycling system clarifies and purifies the process water in a food processing or similar system wherein the treated water may used in the fresh water stream of the system. Removal of useful byproducts in the process water stream is also facilitated. The system is a mechanical filter system and does not use any chemicals. The system is a multiple step filter process. Additional steps may added where further clarification is required and fewer steps are contemplated in certain applications. The system incorporates multiple mechanical screening to remove the solid waste from the water stream. Experimental result have established that up to 100% of TSS, 100% of BOD and 86% of COD are removed. This brings the water to acceptable recycling purity ranges and reduces the amount of fresh water required to be added to the system by as much as 50%. It also increases the recovery level of useful byproducts such as starch.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2002Publication date: November 6, 2003Inventors: J. Leon Potter, James L. Revel, Jerry L. Beatty
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Patent number: 6641722Abstract: A method of removing silicone oils from waste water generated by a silicones manufacturing plant including the step of centrifuging the waste water to concentrate silicone oil contaminated solids while removing the silicone oils. The silicone oil contaminated solids are then dried in a continuously mixed sludge dryer to remove more silicone oils from the sludge to form a sludge product which comprises at least 10% water and a low silicone oil concentration.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2001Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Amy Rene Freshour, Stephen Lan-Sun Hung, Bang Mo Kim, Mark Allan Moses, Alan Frederick North, Don Royall Houston
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Patent number: 6610210Abstract: A disposable cartridge device is provided for use in a heated cartridge water treatment system in which particles, formed by the heat-induced reaction of bicarbonates in the water, can be efficiently collected in non-turbulent particle settling zones. The cartridge includes multiple containers which are assembled to fit into each other and which form channels for the flow of water within gaps between the walls of the containers. When the particle collecting section becomes full, the water flow automatically is blocked, or cut-off, which signals the need to replace the cartridge. The cartridge also can include a polishing filter and a heater mounted to a surface of the outer container.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2001Date of Patent: August 26, 2003Assignee: The Coca-Cola CompanyInventor: George Plester
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Publication number: 20030127387Abstract: Method and system for extraction of fat or oil-soluble components, e.g. PAH, NDP and/or BTX, from produced water being separated from an oil or gas plant. The method is characterized by injection of a liquid consisting of hydrocarbons from the oil or gas plant into the water flow, the injection liquid having a lower content of the oil soluble components than the original oil phase in equilibrium with the water, the injection liquid is atomized into the whole water phase and the water/hydrocarbon mixture is given a predetermined retention time thus to allow mass transferring of the oil soluble components from the water to the injection liquid, before the injection liquid is separated from the water in a separator, preferably a hydro cyclone, the injection liquid being adapted to the separators working range for pressure and temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2002Publication date: July 10, 2003Inventors: Eivind Aarebrot, Trygve Haland
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Patent number: 6589422Abstract: Discloses is apparatus for extracting biomass from a biomass supply, including a hollow vessel in which is established a countercurrent flow of biomass in the form of liquid or particles of biomass entrained in a liquid and solvent. The vessel includes an outlet for a solvent/extract mixture at a first vessel side and an outlet for biomass at a second vessel side. The solvent/extract mixture outlet is coupled to a closed loop circuit that includes at least a separator which encompasses a condenser having first and second stages connected in series with the second of such stages operating at a lower temperature than the first stage and both stages supplying substantially uncontaminated solvent to the hollow vessel.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2000Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Ineos Fluor Holdings LimitedInventor: Robert Elliott Low
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Patent number: 6585886Abstract: A wastewater treatment reactor includes an upper chamber 4 biomass therein and a lower chamber including a combination filtering/aerating unit 6 having a gas inlet 9 and a discharge outlet 10 for purified water. In operation, wastewater enters the upper reactor chamber via delivery pipe 12 and is mixed with biomass. During a filtering mode, the wastewater then enters the porous hollow body 7 defining a membrane unit 6 and is filtered thereby. In an aerating mode, gas travels across the membrane in an opposite direction freeing the membrane of biomass lodged therein. A heat exchanger 16 can be provided for exchanging heat energy between the wastewater input and the purified water output. A control device for regulating gas flow, wastewater flow, and pH may also be provided including pressure, pH and oxygen content measurement. A channel 7a may be provided for adding a cleaning medium and also an absorbent reactor 13 for treating waste air.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2001Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Inventor: Wolfgang Luehr
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Patent number: 6565744Abstract: The present invention provides treatment of wastewater containing oil, organic and inorganic industrial compounds, urea, and e.t.c. The resulting products will be purified water, dry fertilizer, pure carbomide, uncontaminated gas and liquid fuel, and other products that can be separated from the concentrate after ultrafiltration. In order to accomplish those and other objectives the present invention improves the system for cleaning wastewater by subjecting the wastewater to a magnetic field and heating it before the initial settling process. In addition, before ultrafiltration, the liquid is treated in an electroflotation device. The wastewater cleaning system can also be comprised of a urea separator for separating urea from other products.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Inventors: Mikhail Levitin, Boris Khaytin
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Publication number: 20030089646Abstract: A self-sustaining non-biodegradable waste breakdown system has a preprocessing assembly, a heating assembly, a reaction assembly and a filtering assembly. The reaction assembly has a filtering layer to retain long chain molecules of the melted waste for continuous breakdown so as to change the long chain molecules into short chain molecules. The filtering-adjusting mechanism of the filtering assembly recycles the medium with a special concentration, viscosity and heat resistance in the reaction chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2001Publication date: May 15, 2003Inventors: Cheng-En Lei, Fu-Jung Huang, Wen-Pin Wu, Shyh-Shin Chen, Joe Yueh Chou
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Patent number: 6562234Abstract: Methods and apparatus for desalination of salt water (and purification of polluted water) are disclosed. Salt (or otherwise polluted) water is pumped to a desalination installation and down to the base of a desalination fractionation column, where it is mixed with hydrate-forming gas to form either positively buoyant or negatively buoyant (assisted buoyancy) hydrate. The hydrate rises or is carried upward and dissociates (melts) into the gas and pure water. In preferred embodiments, residual salt water which is heated by heat given off during formation of the hydrate is removed from the system to create a bias towards overall cooling as the hydrate dissociates endothermically at shallower depths. In preferred embodiments, the input water is passed through regions of dissociation in heat-exchanging relationship therewith so as to be cooled sufficiently for hydrate to form at pressure-depth.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2002Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Marine Desalination Systems L.L.C.Inventor: Michael D. Max
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Publication number: 20030047499Abstract: The present invention provides treatment of wastewater containing oil, organic and inorganic industrial compounds, urea, and e.t.c. The resulting products will be purified water, dry fertilizer, pure carbomide, uncontaminated gas and liquid fuel, and other products that can be separated from the concentrate after ultrafiltration. In order to accomplish those and other objectives the present invention improves the system for cleaning wastewater by subjecting the wastewater to a magnetic field and heating it before the initial settling process. In addition, before ultrafiltration, the liquid is treated in an electroflotation device. The wastewater cleaning system can also be comprised of a urea separator for separating urea from other products.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2001Publication date: March 13, 2003Inventors: Mikhail Levitin, Boris Khaytin
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Patent number: 6517708Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating the heavy hydrogen isotope content of the contaminated water by contacting the contaminated water with a molecular separation material including a support medium carrying a plurality of hydration sites having associated waters of hydration, whereby a portion of the waters of hydration are replaced with heavy hydrogen isotope water molecules from the contaminated water. The hydrogen isotope water molecule content of the contaminated water is thus decreased. The molecular separation material is preferably a polymer, such as a polystyrene/divinyl benzene cross-linked polymer, having hydration sites with associated waters of hydration. Preferred hydration sites are obtained by reacting the polymer, which has been sulfonated or phosphonated to create reactive sites, with a salt of, for example, aluminum, sodium, magnesium, copper, zinc, cobalt, iron, nickel, manganese, potassium and chromium.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2000Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Inventors: James A. Patterson, Louis E. Furlong, Martin J. Gruber
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Patent number: 6511604Abstract: The present invention relates to the techniques of treating a liquid material to be treated, which enables efficient fractional removal of toxic materials such as PCB in a liquid mixture. The treatment method of the invention comprises the step of permitting a liquid material containing materials having different solidifying points to be cooled at a temperature at which desired material(s) is solidified while others are not solidified and the step of separating the solidified material from other liquid materials whereby the desired material is separated, and therefore large facilities are not necessary and toxic materials can be reliably separated and removed.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2001Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignees: Niigata Universal Science Development Co., Ltd.Inventor: Toshio Hanya
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Patent number: 6478955Abstract: Water to be treated is passed through a membrane (net), magnetic floc positioned in a portion below a level of the water to be treated is deposited to a surface of the membrane, and the surface of the membrane with the magnetic floc deposited is moved to an atmospheric portion above the level of the water to be treated. In the atmospheric portion, excess water from the magnetic floc flows downward due to gravity to concentrate the magnetic floc. A permanent magnet is located near a position to which the membrane surface with the magnetic floc deposited thereon moves. There are further provided between the magnet and the membrane surface a moving body (shell) formed by a non-magnetic material, a spatula for scraping the magnetic floc from the moving body, and a sludge vessel in which a released magnetic floc is recovered.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2000Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Norihide Saho, Hisashi Isogami, Minoru Morita, Tadashi Sano
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Publication number: 20020157951Abstract: A thermostat array including an array of two or more capillary columns (10) or two or more channels in a microfabricated device is disclosed. A heat conductive material (12) surrounded each individual column or channel in array, each individual column or channel being thermally insulated from every other individual column or channel. One or more independently controlled heating or cooling elements (14) is positioned adjacent to individual columns or channels within the heat conductive material, each heating or cooling element being connected to a source of heating or cooling, and one or more independently controlled temperature sensing elements (16) is positioned adjacent to the individual columns or channels within the heat conductive material. Each temperature sensing element is connected to a temperature controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2001Publication date: October 31, 2002Inventors: Frantisek Foret, Barry L. Karger
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Patent number: 6372129Abstract: A process and apparatus for effecting the recovery of grease and oils from an aqueous waste stream is disclosed. This is accomplished by a combination of steps which include removing coarse food solids from the waste stream, allowing the oils to separate from the water in a separation zone, removing the oil layer to a storage zone, removing the water layer to a heat recovery zone and transferring heat values from the recovery zone to the separation zone with vapor compression refrigeration. The invention saves energy by recycling the heat of the kitchen waste stream to the separation zone. The recovered oil is useful as a marketable product that can be converted into many useful products. When a fines filter is used in the process, the discharged water can be used for non-agricultural uses such as lawn watering or can be used in water closets and urinals.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2000Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Inventor: Steven R. Moody
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Patent number: 6306307Abstract: Pervaporation or vapor permeation apparatus and method having a separator module located in an unpressurized tank. The module has a plurality of stacked, disk-like separator elements mounted on a central, axial permeate removal tube. The separator elements have a central permeate transport plate, a pervaporation membrane enveloping the permeate transport plate and annular sealing rings located between adjacent membranes, so that fluid has to pass through the membranes to enter the permeate removal tube. A vacuum applied to the permeate removal tube draws permeate through the pervaporation membranes and permeate transport plates into the permeate removal tube. The permeate can be condensed right in the permeate removal tube by direct contact condensation using chilled liquid permeate, however an external condenser can be used. Jets of solution or bubbles of permeate vapor passing between the separator elements reduce or prevent concentration polarization.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2000Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: Fielding Chemical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ian R. McGregor, John G. Wilson, Alia A. Hamza, Mark E. Nye
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Patent number: 6180001Abstract: A quenchant management system having a quenchant separation module for separating a heavy phase polymer such as polyalkylene glycol (PAG) from water. The quenchant separation module includes a heating section for elevating the temperature of the fluid to be separated to provide initial thermal separation. The quenchant separation module also includes a coalescer for further separating the heavy phase from the light phase of the input fluid. In order to obtain a predetermined polymer concentration and the heavy phase, the output flow rate of the coalescer is varied in accordance with the concentration and flow rate of the input fluid.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Moco Thermal Industries, IncorporatedInventors: F. Paul King, Mark Inch, Robert Howard, Niels Bogh
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Patent number: 6156191Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient and highly effective method of removing dissolved selenium from a variety of refinery process water and wastewater streams. The present invention also provides a new and effective method of oxidizing selenium and organo-selenium compounds to the selenite [+IV] oxidation state in order to be adsorbed by a metal oxide or metal hydroxide precipitate. The invention includes two continuous stirred-tank reactors (CSTR) operated in series. The stream to be treated and one of several iron salts (ferric sulfate, ferric chloride, etc.) are introduced into the first CSTR, forming ferric hydroxide and ferric oxyhydroxide precipitates. The pH of the first CSTR is automatically controlled by adjusting the injection rate of the ferric salt. The effluent stream from the first CSTR is directed into a second CSTR into which potassium permanganate is introduced.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1999Date of Patent: December 5, 2000Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventor: Steven D. Overman
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Patent number: 6001246Abstract: A process wastewater treatment plant, and a process relating thereto, which converts process wastewater generated in battery manufacturing and the like into clean process water and sodium sulfate salt by treating the process wastewater to remove impurities and contaminants, including debris, oil/grease, heavy metal oxides, lead and other heavy metals, suspended solids, bacteria, organic compounds, and/or gases, from the wastewater to obtain a clean neutral sodium sulfate brine, subjecting the brine to heat to obtain distilled water and sodium sulfate salt, and purifying the distilled water by reverse osmosis for reuse as clear process water.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1998Date of Patent: December 14, 1999Inventor: Charles M. Suenkonis
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Patent number: 5988283Abstract: A Vertical Combined Production Facility, or gas-well production system, in which the separation of each phase (hydrocarbon gas, hydrocarbon liquids, and produced water), dehydration of natural gas, removal of minute traces of water from the hydrocarbon liquids, and polishing of produced water, are performed in a single pressure vessel. Additionally, the pressure vessel is installed in a vertical configuration such that the pressure vessel shell also serves as the structural support for a small deck and helideck. Additionally, the inlet heating of the well flow-stream is accomplished by a heat exchanger installed in the dehydration/regeneration heater (reboiler).Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1997Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Union Pacific Resources CompanyInventor: Don Mike Gann
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Patent number: 5944986Abstract: A magnetic separation apparatus which coagulates substances to be removed in liquid by adding magnetic substances and a flocculent to liquid to be treated and adsorbs and captures the thus obtained magnetic aggregates by utilizing magnetic field of magnetic substances which move relative to the liquid to be treated, and other magnetic separation apparatus comprising a magnetic filter which contains charging magnetic metallic elements placed in a magnetic field and which magnetically adsorbs and captures the magnetic aggregates, are appropriately combined to remove the magnetic aggregates from the liquid to be treated with good efficiency. Substances to be removed in liquid can be removed with further good efficiency by employing a method of separating the magnetic aggregates separated by the magnetic filter from liquid with a centrifugal separator.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1996Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Norihide Saho, Hisashi Isogami, Minoru Morita, Koichi Tsuzuki, Hiroaki Okajima
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Patent number: 5876596Abstract: An apparatus for treating water to produce potable water includes a filter connected to an inlet of a heating unit in turn connected at an outlet to an input of a container with cooling components for separating out heavy water. The heavy water separator is coupled at an outlet to a tank having cooling and heating components and an ultraviolet radiation source for irradiating the water sample from the heavy water separator with ultraviolet radiation during a freezing and subsequent warming of the water sample. A storage vessel and a silver ionizer are disposed on a downstream side of the ultraviolet treatment tank. Various operations, including timing and water transfer, heating cooling and irradiating, are controlled by a programmed computer. Temperature sensors are disposed in the heating unit, the heavy water separator and the irradiation tank for monitoring temperatures of the water in the heating unit, the container and/or the tank.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 1997Date of Patent: March 2, 1999Assignee: Coleman Sudol, LLPInventor: Grigory Sadkhin
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Patent number: 5785847Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for cleaning and reclamation of an industrial waste containing oily metallic solids by magnetically concentrating the oily magnetic solids, mixing the concentrated solids with a chemical release agent, applying microwave radiation to the mixture, and separately collecting the clean metallic solids and recovered oil components.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: July 28, 1998Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.Inventors: David A. Purta, Alberto M. Guzman
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Patent number: 5637212Abstract: A waste water treatment machine for use primarily with dry cleaning equipment to remove the solvent perchlorethylene and other contaminants from waste water so the purified water can be returned to the environment. The machine includes a collecting tank to collect waste water from both a dry cleaning machine and a dry cleaning vacuum press which vacuum waste water and solvent from garments that still remains therein after the dry cleaning operation is completed. The treatment machine pumps the collected waste water through filters and an elevated separation tank wherein the heavier than water perchlorethylene separates from the water, the machine having a re-circulation conduit through which the partially purified water above a separation level in the separation tank can flow by gravity back down for re-circulation through the filters and then pumped up again to the separation tank for additional filtering and separation of the solvent and other contaminants.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1995Date of Patent: June 10, 1997Inventor: Randy Kim
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Patent number: 5616240Abstract: In a method and a device for sewage purification, sewage is purified by continuously passing it through several stages of treatment, wherein the passage of sewage is regulated by a process control device and is monitored by sensors. Treatment ensues in physical processing stages, pre-flotation stages, two-step biological clarification stages and one post-flotation stage. The pre-flotation stages as well as the biological clarification stages are each provided with gas-water mixers, and the pre-flotation stages, the biological clarification stages and the post-flotation stage are provided with solid foam separators having outlet channels. Clear water from a clear water overflow basin is supplied to the individual stages through the gas-water mixers and through a clear water return pipe. It is also possible to provide chemical treatment prior to biological clearing, to provide clear water recycling for additional treatment, and to provide solids treatment and a reduction stage.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1995Date of Patent: April 1, 1997Inventor: Uwe Sonnenrein
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Patent number: 5558783Abstract: The invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for initiating and sustaining an oxidation reaction. A fuel, such as natural gas or hazardous waste, is introduced into a reaction zone within a pressurized containment vessel. A permeable liner is placed within the containment vessel and around the reaction zone. An oxidizer, preferably oxygen, is mixed with a carrier fluid, such as water, and the mixture is heated and pressurized to supercritical conditions of temperature and pressure. The supercritical oxidizer-carrier mix is introduced to the reaction zone gradually and uniformly, over a comparatively large area, by forcing it radially inward through the permeable liner and toward the reaction zone. A means and method for cooling the exhausted by-products and using them as a cleansing rinse are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 1995Date of Patent: September 24, 1996Inventor: Thomas G. McGuinness
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Patent number: 5543041Abstract: The present invention relates to a supply system for pre-treating a petroleum distillation residual oil to be fed to a hydrogenation apparatus. In order to remove iron fine particles having a particle size of less than 25.mu. in the feed oil which could be not removed in the prior art, by constituting a system comprising a heater for heating the feed oil to a given temperature by heat exchange with a high temperature bottom oil of a fractionating tower after hydrogenation treatment of the feed oil, a filter equipped with a back washing mechanism for filtering solid materials in the feed oil after heating, and a high gradient magnetic separator for magnetically separating magnetic iron fine particles having a particle size of less than 25.mu. contained in the feed oil.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1994Date of Patent: August 6, 1996Assignees: Nippon Oil Company, Ltd., Nippon Petroleum Refining Company, Ltd.Inventors: Hajime Okazaki, Manabu Kazato, Masaoki Ouchi, Haruki Nagano, Masaru Ushio, Kozo Kamiya
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Patent number: 5525213Abstract: A system for decontaminating waste water produced during dry cleaning operations which contains dry cleaning solvent and particulate contaminants. The system may preferably include a storage tank having an inlet through which waste water is introduced into the storage tank and a settling chamber having a bottom sediment zone; a particulate filter for removing substantially all of the particulate contaminants remaining in partially decontaminated waste water removed from the tank to provide particulate free waste water; a solvent filter for removing substantially all of the dry cleaning solvent remaining in the particulate free waste water to provide decontaminated waste water; a pump, located between the particulate filter and the solvent filter; an evaporator for evaporating the decontaminated waste water; and a recovery device for recovering the evaporated decontaminated water.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1994Date of Patent: June 11, 1996Assignee: Air Quality CorporationInventor: Alan J. Phillips
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Patent number: 5520803Abstract: A simple, rapid, efficient and inexpensive process for on-site recycling of wastewater with minimal odor wherein the solid wastes generated by the water treatment process are dewatering on-site by solar energy to water content levels. below those required for disposal. All operations, including solar dewatering, are accomplished in a compact unit which may be mobile. The solar dewatering unit includes a drying pan over which a solar collector window arrangement is disposed.In the process, wastewater, a water purifying composition and an oxidizing agent are additively mixed together in a first reactor settling tank and the resulting composition is neutralized to a pH of between 7.5-9.4. The added water purifying composition is then allowed to precipitate wherein it binds to and precipitates heavy metals as well as other impurities. The precipitated purifying composition forms a non-hazardous sludge at the bottom of the tank.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1994Date of Patent: May 28, 1996Assignee: Container-Care International, Inc.Inventors: Larry L. Russell, Louis Mohar
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Patent number: 5512178Abstract: In a water treatment method and an apparatus therefor, a high purification step comprising a precision filter and an ion-exchange resin is added to a treatment system having ozone supply units, filtering units and an ultraviolet-ray irradiating unit. Treatment objective water is treated by an ozone supply unit, a filtering unit and an ultraviolet-ray irradiating unit, so as to be brought to clean water. The clean water is treated, in super pure water, by the high purification step, and an amount of dissolved oxygen is reduced. The clean water can flow out to a location on the outside of the treatment system, from a final step, as super pure water or potable water which can immediately be used.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1995Date of Patent: April 30, 1996Assignees: Yoshihisa Masuda, Shiroh ShimayaInventor: Fumio Dempo
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Patent number: 5507953Abstract: The method of cleaning soil contaminated with contaminants includes comminuting contaminated soil to form a comminuted contaminated soil; filling the comminuted contaminated soil into a countercurrent extractor from above under an inert gas atmosphere so that the comminuted contaminated soil moves as a travelling bed downward through the countercurrent extractor; feeding a solvent, advantageously acetone, into a lower portion of the countercurrent extractor so that the solvent flows upward through the travelling bed to form a decontaminated soil at the bottom of the extractor and a contaminant-charged solvent portion taken from a middle portion; supplying a conveying liquid to the lower portion of the countercurrent extractor so as to transfer the decontaminated soil from the countercurrent extractor to a filter device having a belt filter; and separating the decontaminated soil in the filter device into a cleaned soil and a reusable conveying liquid.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1993Date of Patent: April 16, 1996Assignees: Peter Flakus, Horst Muehr, Erwin WesslingInventors: Rainer Machlitt, Frank Meyer
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Patent number: 5456827Abstract: The auxiliary or working liquid is cleaned by being urged through a pervaporation membrane module (3), then the permeate stream from the membrane module is led through a condenser (4), where the impurities concentrated in the permeate stream precipitate. The stream of retentate and the stream of permeate from the membrane module are then fed back to a compressor (1). The differential pressure of the compressor belonging to the compressor system is used to operate this circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1993Date of Patent: October 10, 1995Assignees: SIHI GmbH & Co KG, GKSS-Forschungszentrum Geesthacht GmbHInventors: Karl-Heinz Nikutta, Dietmar Gosch, Erwin Zimmermann, Klaus Ohlrogge, Jan Wind, Klaus-Viktor Peinemann
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Patent number: 5431810Abstract: A system is provided for the purification of waste water which has been contaminated through the cleaning of circuit boards or other parts. The system continuously recycles rinse/wash water from an aqueous or semi-aqueous cleaner, using a separation tank and a purification unit to continuously purify and deionize the contaminated water. The separation tank removes immiscible organic compounds such as terpenes from the contaminated water to produce partially-purified water. The purification unit heats, further purifies, and deionizes the water. Fresh make-up water is automatically added as needed to assure a sufficient supply of water to the cleaner. The separation tank is designed to provide effective removal of the immiscible organic compounds and to resist solvent attack by the organic compounds and corrosion by the deionized water.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 1994Date of Patent: July 11, 1995Inventors: John F. Russo, Martin S. Fischer, Donald A. Ventullo
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Patent number: 5336398Abstract: A simple, rapid, efficient and inexpensive process for on-site recycling of wastewater with minimal odor wherein the solid wastes generated by the water treatment process are dewatering on-site by solar energy to water content levels below those required for disposal. All operations, including solar dewatering, are accomplished in a compact unit which may be mobile. The solar dewatering unit includes a drying pan over which a solar collector window arrangement is disposed.In the process, wastewater, a water purifying composition and an oxidizing agent are additively mixed together in a first reactor settling tank and the resulting composition is neutralized to a pH of between 7.5-9.4. The added water purifying composition is then allowed to precipitate wherein it binds to and precipitates heavy metals as well as other impurities. The precipitated purifying composition forms a non-hazardous sludge at the bottom of the tank.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 1993Date of Patent: August 9, 1994Assignee: Container-Care International, Inc.Inventors: Larry L. Russell, Louis Mohar
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Patent number: 5316625Abstract: An apparatus for separating a partially miscible solvent from a contaminated water stream. The apparatus includes a fully enclosed containment vessel having an internal volume bounded by a plurality of walls which define the width, length and height of the internal volume. Devices for feeding the contaminated water, for discharging a solvent rich vapor stream, and for discharging a purified water stream are provided. A dam separates the internal volume into a phase separation zone and a falling film stripping zone with the dam located proximate one end of the internal volume. The dam includes a wall sealably disposed across the entire width of the internal volume and extended upward to a terminal location a distance from the bottom of the internal volume over a portion of the height of the internal volume. In use, the dam determines and maintains a maximum liquid level in the phase separation zone.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1993Date of Patent: May 31, 1994Assignee: Crown Iron Works CompanyInventor: George E. Anderson
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Patent number: 5286380Abstract: A novel process and related apparatus for removing common contaminants from used motor oil. Propane, butane or a similar solvent is mixed with the contaminated oil to form a solution. This solution is agitated and then given time to settle thus allowing gravitational separation of asphaltic pollutants. The solution is then percolated through a columned filter to remove heavy metallic contaminants and the solvent recovered by heating the solution.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1990Date of Patent: February 15, 1994Assignee: Petroleum Technology CorporationInventor: Craig R. Mellen
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Patent number: 5254266Abstract: A self-contained oil spill cleanup craft and method which operates well in both rough and calm seas, is rapidly deployed, which provides high flow rate continuous separation and processing of recovered oil and water mixtures, and outputs water which is substantially free of oil and oil which is substantially free of water and other contaminants and, as such, refinery ready without further processing. The craft of the present invention can be used, for example, to clean up light and medium weight crude oil, lubricating oil, or diesel fuel that is floating on the surfaces of either fresh or salt water.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1992Date of Patent: October 19, 1993Assignee: Aquatron, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Barnes, Craig R. Fischer
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Patent number: 5240593Abstract: A purification method and device for purifying industrial liquid such as oil from contaminates including first container housing for receiving the industrial liquid in bulk and separating liquid and particulate contaminates therefrom by reversing a flow direction of the received liquid. The thus processed liquid is transferred to a second container and is subjected to a further filtration by forcing the liquid under high pressure through at least one filter element accommodated in the second container. The high pressure on the at least one filter element results in a compression of the at least one filter element thereby precluding the liquid being processed from bypassing the filter element. A further filter barrier seal element may be provided above the at least one filter element and serves as a final filtration prior to a discharge of the liquid from the second container.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 1991Date of Patent: August 31, 1993Inventor: James G. Moredock
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Patent number: 5228987Abstract: A system for clarifying liquids, having particular utility in dry cleaning operations. The system includes a filter apparatus which includes a plurality of axially spaced filter elements each having a high pressure side through which unclarified liquid is directed and upon which solids in the unclarified liquid accumulate and a low pressure side in communication with a liquid outlet of the filter apparatus. A liquid agitating impeller is disposed between respective adjacent pairs of the filter elements for defining a predetermined spacing between the filter elements and for creating liquid turbulence and agitation between the filter elements in response to rotation of a common shaft upon which the filter elements and impellers are mounted for effecting substantially complete removal of accumulated solids on the high pressure sides of the filter elements without movement between the impellers and filter elements.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1991Date of Patent: July 20, 1993Assignee: Hydro-Tek, Inc.Inventor: Kostas S. Arvanitakis
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Patent number: 5223152Abstract: A process and apparatus for dewatering a recovered oil stream prior to the recovered oil stream being fed to a fractionator for reprocessing into product s rea s uses a blowdown drum controlled like a drstillatron tower so that the bottoms temperature of the blowdown drum is maintained at a temperature above the dewpoint temperature of the water in the blowdown drum by a reboiler. For refineries that contain a delayed coker unit and a coker fractionator which is used for fractionating light products from residual oil serving as coker feedstock, which coker fractionator is also used to fractionate recovered oil containing water and hydrocarbons, a coker blowdown drum is controlled to maintain an appropriate bottoms temperature to achieve separation in the blowdown drum of water from the hydrocarbons in the recovered oil stream, and the blowdown drum is thus used for dewatering the recovered oil before it is fed to the coker fractionator.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1991Date of Patent: June 29, 1993Assignee: Atlantic Richfield CompanyInventors: Douglas A. Freymeyer, J. Paul Love, Richard L. Holloway, Daniel L. Torres, Alfred G. Brosman
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Patent number: 5209856Abstract: A process and device for the crystallization of sugar syrup is described. Sugar syrup is cooked to provide a massecuite. Thereafter, the massecuite is subjected to at least one stage of continuous mixing under vacuum to promote crystallization of the massecuite. The crystallized massecuite is then separated to separate the crystals from the mother liquor. The mother liquor is thereafter divided into a first discharge which is water syrup poor and a second discharge which is water syrup rich. Substantially all of the first discharge is recycled to the continuous mixing stage under vacuum. Accordingly, the massecuite and the crystals are subjected to a treatment having continuity during mixing under vacuum to maintain homogeneity of the sugar crystals.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 1990Date of Patent: May 11, 1993Assignee: Beghin-Say, S.A.Inventors: Jacques Cuel, Claude Longue-Epee
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Patent number: 5209855Abstract: A batch type process for purification of a polymer resin, in which a predetermined volume of acid is rapidly emptied and stirred into a fixed volume of polymer slurry for chemically treating impurities in the slurry, is converted to a continuous operation by supplying a substantially constant stream of polymer slurry and a controlled stream of acid to a mixing vessel. pH control of the polymer slurry required for effective purification of the polymer resin is achieved by manipulating the flow rate of the acid stream responsive to a feedforward control signal which operates in conjunction with a feedback signal. The feedforward signal is based on an upstream measurement of slurry flow rate to the mixing vessel and the feedback signal is based on a downstream pH measurement of slurry flowing from the mixing vessel.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1991Date of Patent: May 11, 1993Assignee: Phillips Petroleum CompanyInventors: Dale M. Solaas, Donald E. Cummins, Glenn W. Kile, George E. Long
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Patent number: 5200085Abstract: According to the process the sludge is homogenized and heated to 30.degree.-60.degree. C. temperature. The heated sludge is circulated under 2-4 bar overpressure, and its temperature is raised to about 130.degree.-150.degree. C. in 1-2 sec by conducting steam of 130.degree.-151.degree. C. and 2-4 bar pressure directly into the sludge, thus granulation is brought about in the sludge. The sludge of increased temperature--while its temperature and pressure maintained--is further circulated for about 60-300 sec. Then, the sludge is adiabatically expanded in 1-2 sec by reducing the pressure to about 0.01-0.02 bar. The expanded sludge is separated to water, fat containing water and solid impurity and wet solid phase containing protein.It is characteristic to the apparatus that it is provided with device for heating the sludge, and pipe (18) for passing on the heated sludge connected with the heating unit (5) where an expansion valve is built in.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1991Date of Patent: April 6, 1993Assignee: Richter Gedeon Vegyeszeti Gyar Rt.Inventors: Peter Rudolf, Bela Szabo, Ferenc Janko, Erzsebet Neszmelyi, Janos Illes, Istvan Takacs, Ferenc Havas, Gyorgy Bende
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Patent number: 5196113Abstract: Removing radioactive contaminants from liquid hazardous material such as oil, includes recirculating the material between a processing tank and a filter medium. The material is heated to increase viscosity during the circulation through the tank and filters. Chemicals including chelating agents are added to enhance the removal of the radioactive elements. Water is added to the processing tank or upstream, in a settling tank, to effect a water wash of the liquid hazardous material. A pre-filter stage upstream of the settling tank is followed by a mid-range filter stage in the recirculation loop with the main processing tank. A finishing filter stage is in the outlet from the main processing tank.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1991Date of Patent: March 23, 1993Assignee: Southern California Edison Co.Inventor: Brian D. Metz
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Patent number: 5190649Abstract: The invention relates to a method of removing metals from metal-charged waste sludges from industry, clarification plants, or the like, in which the sludges are treated with a solvent for the metals, the resulting solution is separated from the undissolved substances and worked up to yield the metals, and the remaining solids are dumped as safe waste materials or used as fertilizers. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out this working-up method, characterized by a mixing apparatus for mixing the solvent and the sludge which is to be treated, a residence zone, an adjoining apparatus for separating the metal-charged solvent from the insoluble fraction, and optionally an apparatus for drying the insoluble fraction. Metal sludges can be continuously worked up, if desired, in the apparatus according to the invention.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1989Date of Patent: March 2, 1993Inventor: Antonio M. Celi