Serially Connected Distinct Treating Or Storage Units Patents (Class 210/195.1)
  • Publication number: 20110049015
    Abstract: A system and method for removing and managing water in liquid hydrocarbons is disclosed. The system and method utilize a water absorbent filter, such as one that utilizes super absorbent polymers, cellulose, cotton or other suitable material to remove water from the system that is either present as free water or as dissolved moisture within the liquid hydrocarbon. The super absorbent polymer filter can be regenerated through the introduction of a dried liquid hydrocarbon, through the use of an air drying system, or a combination of both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Babcock, James Doyle, Gregory L. Lavallee, Michael John Madsen, Philip Edward Johnson
  • Patent number: 7892424
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating sewage The apparatus receives sewage at a receiving compartment and separates solids from liquids at the receiving compartment. The solids can be extracted from the receiving compartment by an auger. The liquid sewage flows through a series of treatment compartment containing rotating biological contactor discs for treatment by these rotating biological contactor discs. The rotating biological contactor discs are secured to a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft and the auger are powered by a quasi-submerged turbine displaced by a flow of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Societe EG06 Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Mayrand
  • Publication number: 20110024354
    Abstract: A desalination system comprises an electrical separation device configured to receive and ionize a first stream for desalination and a crystallization device. The crystallization device is configured to provide a second stream to the electrical separation device to carry away ions from the first stream, and defining a crystallization zone for facilitating precipitation of the ions and a solid-liquid separation zone in fluid communication with the crystallization zone for separation of the precipitate. A desalination method is also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jiyang Xia, Rihua Xiong, Wei Cai, Zijun Xia, Chengqian Zhang, James Manio Silva, Weiming Zhang
  • Patent number: 7879229
    Abstract: A liquid treatment plant has sets of membrane trains and processing trains with flow between them through channels. Flow configurations for withdrawing permeate and sludge from the trains are described. Cyclic aeration is provided to the membrane trains. Methods of foam control, backwashing and chemical cleaning are described. Single membrane trains or process trains may be isolated for various functions. An isolated membrane train may be used to thicken sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Zenon Technology Partnership
    Inventors: Deonarine Phagoo, Douglas Joseph Thompson, Jeffrey Peter Penny, Jake Goldstein, Jason A. Diamond
  • Patent number: 7879248
    Abstract: A filter system includes a distribution valve operable to direct a received fluid stream to first and second outlets during respective first and second cycles. A filtering system filters at least some fluid output from the first outlet of the distribution valve during the first cycle with a first filter while back-flushing a second filter and filters at least some fluid output from the second outlet of the distribution valve during the second cycle with the second filter while back-flushing the first filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: Rudy James Svetlik, III
  • Publication number: 20100307984
    Abstract: A system and process for continuously and immediately removing contaminants from wastewater and treating wastewater, where the wastewater is treated to supply fluid that can be reused in the cleaning system or discharged safely into the environment is disclosed. The system and method comprises one or more pumping means for circulating and recirculating fluids captured or collected by the system to one or more of the processes in the system, such as wash water applications or further treatment cycles. According to one embodiment, the wastewater is transported through purification sections of the device. Depending on the system used, these sections could include several of the following: pretreatment to remove debris and certain heavy solids; treatment by methods such as a conductivity solution injection system and/or electrolytic coagulation system, a polymer injection system, and a inline mixer for mixing the polymer in the wastewater stream; and an ozone treatment system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: James Mortensen, Dennis Ashley, Ben Checketts
  • Patent number: 7846328
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wastewater treatment apparatus utilizing time tested techniques for recirculating media treatment with proprietary advancements to produce a system capable of nitrifying and denitrifying wastewater through the use of passive calcium carbonate and organic carbon feed systems. By creating aerobic and anaerobic zones and the ability to monitor and adjust these zones by physical and mechanical means with minimal operator involvement, wastewater is recycled through these zones thereby creating an enhanced biological filtering process. The treated wastewater is then discharged to standard leaching facilities, various irrigation uses and/or introduced to further treatment for water recycling and reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Inventor: Matthew C. Costa
  • Patent number: 7842121
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing aqueous stream purification services. The system includes at least one separation unit. Each separation unit may include a mechanical vapor recompression separator, a steam stripper, and a secondary recovery heat exchanger. The system for wastewater purification may receive water from a waste water storage, purify the water, and return the purified water to a purified water storage. The system may include a controller. The controller may include an operating conditions module configured to interpret at least one operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Capital Corporation
    Inventors: Larry D. Sanderson, James W. Schleiffarth, Leslie D. Merrill, Bradford M. Rohwer
  • Patent number: 7837768
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for purifying a waste fluid stream. The system includes a recirculation pump having an inlet for a recirculation stream and an outlet to expel a pressurized stream. The system includes a compressor having an inlet for an evaporation stream and an outlet for a pressurized evaporation stream. A primary heat exchanger has inlets for the pressurized stream and the pressurized evaporation stream, an internal surface area for heat transfer from the evaporation stream to the pressurized stream, and outlets for a cooled product stream and a heated pressurized stream. The heated pressurized stream is formed by heating the pressurized stream and the cooled product stream is formed by cooling the evaporation stream. The system includes an evaporation unit having an inlet for the heated pressurized stream and outlets for an evaporation stream and the recycled liquid bottoms stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Capital Corporation as Administrative Agent
    Inventors: Larry D. Sanderson, James W. Schleiffarth, Leslie D. Merrill, Bradford M. Rohwer
  • Patent number: 7833410
    Abstract: In systems for treating wastewater liquid by utilizing aerobic biological species, the contaminated wastewater stream is pretreated in a dissolved air flotation system to remove suspended solid waste, including large particles such as fats, grease, and physically emulsified oils. The purified wastewater containing dissolved waste is thereafter gasified and further decontaminated in a bioreactor tank. Biological species in the bioreactor tank consume gas and perform bodily functions that converts dissolved waste into easily removable carbon dioxide and suspend solids. Gas consumed by the biological species is replenished by pumping the wastewater though a liquid-gas mixer. A controller regulates the speed of the pump based on real-time gas concentration measurements provided by a corresponding gas probe disposed within the wastewater in the bioreactor tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Dwain E. Morse
  • Patent number: 7828975
    Abstract: To provide an apparatus for treating oil- and fat-containing wastewater for the purpose of degrading and treating oils and fats within a grease trap, which has the advantages from the viewpoint of a high versatility, and also from the viewpoints of cost and maintenance, and a method of treating oil- and fat-containing wastewater, which efficiently degrades and treats oils and fats within the grease trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Amano Enzyme Inc.
    Inventor: Takaichi Oya
  • Publication number: 20100276349
    Abstract: The integrated Orbal oxidation ditch, pertaining to water treatment technical field, comprises several ellipse oxidation ditches whose central island position is arranged with two or more round areas. Wherein, two round areas are tangential to or share the wall with the inner wall of the neighbouring oxidation ditch. The process water of various areas is connected with each other. Taking full advantage of the central island position of the traditional Orbal oxidation ditch, present practical and new invention introduces deposition area or deposition area and anaerobic area as well as inner/outer re-circulation zone, making the overall equipment layout of the oxidation ditch be more harmonious and reasonable, space use rate be high, area occupied be less and civil work expenses be lower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Yixing Lingzhi Environmental Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jianjun Ling
  • Publication number: 20100270171
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method and a system for reducing the amount of fluid in a biological mass comprising solids and fluid in the form of liquid and gas. The system includes a temporary storage container for receiving and temporary storing a biological mass, at least one separator arranged to receive the biological mass from the temporary storage container and separate at least a portion of the fluid of the mass from the solids of the mass, a solids container for receiving the solids fraction separated from the biological mass, and a liquid-purifying device arranged to purify the liquid which is separated from the mass by means of the separator. The system is substantially fluidtight towards the surroundings and the separator includes a screen cloth and a device for inducing a fluid flow. The fluid flow is arranged to carry a portion of the liquid out of the mass and through the screen cloth, the essential part of the fluid flow has been recirculated in the system (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventor: Per Reider Orke
  • Patent number: 7820048
    Abstract: A method and system for treating organically contaminated waste water for reuse, by: introducing the waste water into a sedimentation tank to remove a significant portion of the organic contaminants; circulating the waste water from the sedimentation tank to an anoxic mixing chamber for denitrifying the waste water; circulating the waste water from the anoxic mixing chamber to a rotary biological contactor to nitrify the waste water by aeration, and to assimilate organic materials therein by bringing the waste water into contact with a biological medium, to thereby output nitrified waste water; and recirculating a portion of the nitrified waste water outputted from the rotary biological contactor back to the anoxic mixing chamber to enhance the nitrifying and denitrifying of the waste water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Inventor: Roni Weissman
  • Publication number: 20100258500
    Abstract: To provide an apparatus for treating a radioactive nitrate waste liquid that includes a denitrification tank (12A) which accommodates active sludge that adsorbs or takes in the radioactive substance in a nitrate waste liquid (11) and in which an anaerobic microorganism that reduces the nitrate to nitrogen gas grows, and a reaeration tank (14) in which a denitrification-treated liquid (24) treated in the denitrification tank (12A) is aerated and mixed with active sludge. A pH adjuster (21), a carbon source (22), and nitrogen gas are supplied to the denitrification tank (12A) so as to separate a denitrified liquid into a solid content and the denitrification-treated liquid (24) by using a first solid-liquid separating film (25), and the denitrification-treated liquid (24) treated with the active sludge in the reaeration tank (14) is reaerated and separated into a solid content and a reaeration-treated liquid (27) by using a second solid-liquid separating film (28).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Ogawa, Katsushi Shibata, Osamu Kohanawa, Kazuhiko Kuroda, Hiromitsu Nagayasu
  • Patent number: 7811449
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is provided that utilizes an equalization tank that stores hydraulic surge flows from the collection system and uses a waterwheel to transfer a maximum flow equal to plant design flow to the downstream treatment systems. The waterwheel aerates the raw wastewater in the equalization tank and prevents it from going septic and causing unacceptable odors. Because the waterwheel cannot transfer more than plant design flow to the downstream treatment elements, these elements will never experience a hydraulic overload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Waste Stream Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Theodore U. Warrow
  • Publication number: 20100243558
    Abstract: A method of suspending bio-solids in an activated sludge during wastewater treatment in an activated sludge system is provided. In one example embodiment, the method may include treating the activated sludge under anaerobic conditions and flowing the activated sludge through an open channel into a separation vessel. The bio-solids are suspended in the activated sludge by either intermittent agitation comprising an agitation interval and a rest interval or by upright flow of an influent and/or activated sludge. Diffusion of gas, mechanical devices, flow of an influent, and flow of the activated sludge can be utilized to agitate the bio-solids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: ALEXANDER EKSTER
  • Publication number: 20100237021
    Abstract: A system is provided for water purification for a recirculation shower in a transport with a filtration unit, a first backwash line and a second backwash line. The filtration unit is designed to filter used shower water. The first backwash line and the second backwash line are designed to clean the filtration unit with a backwashing. The first backwash line is designed to convey backwash water to the filtration unit. The second backwash line is designed to discharge backwash water from the filtration unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Simone GUTTAU, Christiane LINDAUER
  • Patent number: 7799217
    Abstract: A system and a method for solvent purification is provided. The system includes a solvent storage tank and a filter coupled to the tank for filtering out moisture from the solvent. The method includes providing a tank to hold the solvent being purified, providing a filter coupled to the tank, and repeatedly providing solvent from the tank to the filter, and filtering the solvent to remove moisture and returning the filtered solvent to the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: WEMS, Inc.
    Inventors: Dmitry Vernik, Ron Hood
  • Patent number: 7799218
    Abstract: A paint reclamation clarifier system in communication with a sump tank in a paint booth containing a carrier fluid for capturing paint droplets and a conduit for transporting the carrier fluid mixed with paint droplets to the reclamation clarifier system is presented. The clarifier system includes an influent port, a detackification agent inlet, a sludge tank in a lower portion of the clarifier for collecting the dispersed carrier liquid, where the paint droplets bond with the agent and settle to the bottom of the sludge tank, a sludge outlet, and, at least one effluent port located on or near an upper portion of a sidewall of the clarifier system permitting unsettled material to exit from the clarifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: John M. Spangler
  • Patent number: 7790043
    Abstract: Systems and methods handle air and rinsing fluid during fluid processing. The systems and methods eliminate air from a fluid processing system prior to, during, and after use. The systems and methods provide a connector assembly for establishing fluid flow from a fluid source. The connector assembly has discrete first and second passages that prevent communication between the fluid in first passage and the fluid in the second passage. Prior to system use, the connector assembly may be utilized in a priming function to remove residual air from a fluid circuit prior to use. The connector assembly may also be utilized after use to perform a rinse-back function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: NxStage Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Brugger, Dennis M. Treu
  • Publication number: 20100206788
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for chlorine generation and distribution for the treatment of a pool, spa, body of water, or other water system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: CHLORKING, INC.
    Inventors: David Von Broembsen, Chris Warwick, Michael Podolak
  • Patent number: 7771594
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning solids-laden aqueous fluids includes a settling tank having a sloping floor, which drops off into a collection area; primary and secondary mixing tanks, the lower regions of which are in fluid communication via fluid transfer means; and agitators in each of the mixing tanks. Solids-laden fluid is introduced into the primary mixing tank along with selected coagulant and/or flocculent chemicals, whereupon the agitator in the primary mixing tank is actuated to induce downward fluid flow toward the fluid transfer means and into the secondary mixing tank. The agitator in the secondary mixing tank is actuated to induce upward fluid flow in the secondary mixing tank, from which the fluid mixture overflows into the setting tank. Solids settle or precipitate into the settling tank, and move downward along the settling tank's sloped floor and into the collection area, from which the solids can be removed for further treatment or disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Inventors: Ambrose Ralph, Randy Wold, Roger Allard
  • Publication number: 20100193429
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the footprint of chemical/mechanical/biological wastewater treatment facilities employing sulfur dioxide disinfection and chemical dewatering of solids in conjunction with an environmental biological systems for treating the separated treated wastewater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Earth Renaissance Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Harmon, Marcus G. Theodore, Larry P. Wardle
  • Publication number: 20100187170
    Abstract: An apparatus for water purification is provided. The first aspect of the apparatus for water purification includes at least a water processing unit in connection with a water supply end, and a photocatalyst fiber processing unit having two ends in connection with the water processing unit and a water outlet end, respectively. The second aspect of the apparatus for water purification includes at least a water processing unit in connection with a first water tank, and a photocatalyst fiber processing unit having two ends in connection with the water processing unit and the first water tank, or in connection with the water processing unit and a second water tank, respectively, with the second water tank being in connection with the water processing unit. Therefore, the apparatus for water purification eliminates impurities and bacteria from water but preserves minerals in water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: Yung-Chih LIN
  • Publication number: 20100176037
    Abstract: A system for water purification, filtration and item sanitization are described herein. In one embodiment, a water filtration device uses an extruded carbon sheet or granulated activated carbon to filter unpurified, gravity-fed water. A filtering medium is provided within a lower opening of an upper reservoir for filtering unfiltered water passing therethrough, the filtering medium being located above and not extending into a lower reservoir. The device can be a stand-alone water container or incorporated within a water purification system having a further purification technology located in a base in fluid communication with the water container. The base can include controls for informing a user when the water filtration or item sanitization has been completed. Practical applications include drinking water filtration, sanitization of household items, medical equipment, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: TERSANO INC.
    Inventors: Justin L. NAMESPETRA, Scott P. HICKEY, Steve L. HENGSPERGER
  • Publication number: 20100170161
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for treating spent abrasive slurry obtained from a process for cutting a body of a substrate material into wafer-like slices, said slurry comprising a lubricant fluid, unspent abrasive particles and fines. The method comprises separating the spent slurry in a first sedimentation step into a solids concentrate comprising unspent abrasive particles and a solids depleted slurry; and subsequently separating the solids depleted slurry by cross-flow filtration into a fines containing fraction and a solids and fines depleted regenerated lubricant fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: PALL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rolf Berndt, Jochen Ruth
  • Publication number: 20100163482
    Abstract: A system for treating ammonia-based wastewater is provided. The system includes a first reactor, including: denitrification bacteria for denitrification; a second reactor disposed on the back of the first reactor, wherein the second reactor includes an aerator and aerobic heterotrophic bacteria, and has an HRT of less than 6 hours; a third reactor disposed on the back of the first reactor, wherein the third reactor contains nitrification bacteria carried on the carriers for improving nitrification; and a solid-liquid-separating reactor disposed on the back of the third for separating the solids and liquids in the effluent of the third reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Kuan-Foo Chang, Sheng-Hsin Chang, Shwu-Huey Perng, Wang-Kuan Chang, Huey-Song You, Shan-Shan Chou
  • Publication number: 20100163498
    Abstract: A skim tank includes a flow-control structure that forces a solid-depleted phase of a mixed-phase feed into a toroidal motion within the container to thereby provide an up-flow movement within the structure. Most preferably, at least a portion of the solid-depleted phase is recirculated to further increase up-flow movement within the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: FLUOR TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Rafique Janjua
  • Publication number: 20100163474
    Abstract: A system in which human waste in toilet water is decomposed and the treated water is circulated as wash water includes a toilet bowl body portion, a soil water storage tank configured to store the soil water discharged from a toilet bowl temporarily, a pump configured to pump up and deliver the soil water in the soil water storage tank, a reaction treatment tower containing filter elements as a microorganism carrier and performing a biological treatment by dispersing the soil water fed from the pump from an upper portion of the tower to bring the same into contact with the filter element, a water storage tank under the reaction treatment tower and configured to receive and store water passed through the reaction treatment tower, and a pump configured to pump up the water in the water storage tank and deliver the same as the wash water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventor: Masashi Arai
  • Publication number: 20100155327
    Abstract: A system for enhancing an activated sludge process including at least one biological reactor. A weighting agent impregnation subsystem is coupled to the biological reactor for mixing biological flocs and weighting agent to impregnate the weighting agent into the biological flocs to form weighted biological flocs. A weighting agent recovery subsystem is configured to recover the weighting agent from the weighted biological flocs and reintroducing the recovered weighting agent to the weighting agent impregnation subsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Steven Woodard, Peter G. Marston, Ionel Wechsler
  • Publication number: 20100140169
    Abstract: A system and method for treating high-strength organic liquid waste. Generally, the method includes feeding influent high-strength organic liquid waste including organic molecules to an anaerobic digester, converting at least a portion of the organic molecules in the liquid waste to acids using acid forming bacteria, converting at least a portion of the acids in the liquid waste to methane using methanogenic bacteria, separating the liquid waste after treatment with the methanogenic bacteria into alkaline sludge and effluent, and using the alkaline sludge to adjust the pH of the liquid waste in the anaerobic digester. In the case of acidic high-strength organic liquid wastes, a portion of the acids produced by the acid forming bacteria may be recirculated to the front of the anaerobic digester and combined with influent high-strength organic liquid waste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Stephen W. Dvorak
  • Publication number: 20100133155
    Abstract: A water distribution system including a water storage tank, a water treatment unit, a diverter valve, and interconnecting water conduits arranged so that the same water treatment unit can be used to treat water supplied from a fill port to the storage tank during a fill operation, as well as water leaving the storage tank for supply to one or more points of water use during a supply operation. A diverter valve is provided which is movable between a fill position wherein the water treatment unit is in fluid communication with the fill port and not the point of water use device, and a supply position wherein the water treatment unit is in fluid communication with the at least one point of water use device and not the fill port. When the diverter valve is in the fill position, water supplied to the fill port can thus flow through the diverter valve and to the water treatment unit for treatment then to the storage tank for storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: International Water-Guard Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Daniel Nolan
  • Publication number: 20100116753
    Abstract: A system for processing drilling mud, the system including a primary separation tank having an inlet for receiving drilling waste and an outlet in fluid communication with a feed line, and an injection pump in fluid communication with a polymer tank and the feed line. The system also includes a clarifying tank in fluid communication with the feed line and a first collection tank, wherein effluent from the clarifying tank is discharged into the first collection tank, and a centrifuge in fluid communication with the clarifying tank and a second collection tank, wherein effluent from the centrifuge is discharged into the second collection tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: John O. Pruett, Gary E. Fout
  • Publication number: 20100121559
    Abstract: A fuel management system for using water for on-board vehicular separation of ethanol from ethanol-gasoline blends is described. Water or a water-alcohol mixture from a secondary tank is mixed with the ethanol-gasoline blend resulting in separation of the ethanol. By using on-board vehicular separation, the consumption of the externally supplied liquid from a secondary tank can be decreased to less than 1% of the gasoline consumption. This allows for long refilling periods for the externally supplied fluid. In another embodiment, a water-based fluid is directly injected into the cylinders of a spark ignition engine to eliminate knocking without causing misfire. In a further embodiment, an alcohol-based fluid is also used in those circumstances where injection of the water-based fluid may cause misfire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Leslie Bromberg, Daniel R. Cohn, John Heywood
  • Patent number: 7713427
    Abstract: A water treatment and recycling system for filtering grey waste water to clear water for stone fabrication equipment includes a waste water storage tank connected to receive grey water from stone fabrication equipment and a clear water supply loop. The clear water supply loop includes a high capacity filter assembly receiving waste water from the waste water storage tank and filtering the waste water into clear water that is provided to the fabrication equipment through a clear water storage tank. The high capacity filter assembly includes at least one high pressure filter unit wherein each high pressure filter unit includes a duplex air diaphragm pump assembly, forfiltering the waste water into the clear water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Stone Industry Recycling, Inc.
    Inventors: Ross Perry, Paula Perry
  • Patent number: 7713410
    Abstract: In a waste water treatment apparatus and/or method, waste water containing aminoethanol and dimethyl sulfoxide is introduced into a first denitrification tank within a first waste water treatment apparatus. Malodorous gas generated in the first waste water treatment apparatus is decomposed and treated in a second waste water treatment apparatus where another waste water is treated as another system. The second waste water treatment apparatus has a second nitrification tank including a semi-anaerobic section. The malodorous gas is introduced from the first waste water treatment apparatus into a scrubber. The malodorous gas is treated by sludge which is circulated between the second nitrification tank and the scrubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabuhsiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Yamasaki, Kazuyuki Sakata
  • Publication number: 20100108603
    Abstract: In a device and a process for purifying water which is contaminated with sulphate ions and heavy metal ions, the water is collected in a water reservoir and a substance having basic activity in water is fed to the water reservoir in such a manner that a precipitant having heavy metal ions is precipitated from the water, wherein at least a subquantity of water is taken off from the water reservoir and is separated into pure water which is substantially freed from sulphate ions and heavy metal ions and dirty water which is enriched with sulphate ions and heavy metal ions. The dirty water is at least in part recirculated to the water reservoir, as a result of which a concentration of sulphate ions in the water reservoir is achieved such that a precipitant having sulphate ions is precipitated from the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Michael Riebensahm
  • Publication number: 20100102009
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for the efficient purification of aqueous liquids comprising an ionic solute. The liquids are purified by a plurality supercapacitor desalination units working in tandem; a first unit operating in “charge” mode, deionizing the feed solution and producing a purified product liquid, while a second supercapacitor desalination unit is operated in “discharge” mode, releasing ions into a circulating stream and producing a concentrate. The output of the first desalination unit is removed as a purified product stream. The output of the second desalination unit is a concentrate, which is directed to a common precipitation unit where a portion of the ionic solute is precipitated and separated from the remaining liquid phase, which may be recirculated to the second desalination unit. The use of two supercapacitor desalination units operating out of phase allows the common precipitation unit to be operated continuously under steady state conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: James Manio Silva
  • Publication number: 20100096305
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment apparatus (10) includes one or more treatment tanks (12, 14). Each treatment tank (12, 14) has an associated oxygenation treatment circuit (18) including a gas and liquid mixing chamber (20), a gas injector (22) upstream of the mixing chamber (20) and one of an oxygen generator (24) or an ozone generator (26) supplying gas to the gas injector (22), and a pump (28, 29) for pumping wastewater from the treatment tank (12, 14) through the mixing chamber (20) and back to the treatment tank (28, 29).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: SEAIR INC.
    Inventors: Harold Kinasewich, Chris Kinasewich
  • Patent number: 7699991
    Abstract: A conditioning process and equipment are provided for removing hardness from water circulated in a system. A sidestream from such system is routed to a reaction chamber and back to the system. A conditioner is added to the sidestream water and in some embodiments is routed through a sidestream inlet from the top of the reaction chamber to its lower portion in a swirling motion. A buffer is added to the sidestream exiting the reaction chamber, and in some embodiments is added upstream of a pH sensor. In some embodiments a polymer is added. A fluid bed develops in the reaction chamber consisting of conditioner, buffer, precipitated solids and sidestream water. An upper outlet on the reaction chamber regulates the height of the fluid bed, and a drain provides for periodic discharge of the lower fluid bed. In some embodiments, a corrosion inhibitor blend is pre-mixed with the buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Samuel Rupert Owens
  • Patent number: 7686966
    Abstract: An automatic tank cleaning system includes a water recycling unit having a weir therein and a conically-shaped bottom, a cutting box having a portable weir therein, a hydrocyclonic separator, and a mud tank. Tank slop is pumped from the mud tank to the water recycling unit where solids collect at the bottom. The solids are removed and collected in the cutting box. Water in the recycling unit may be pumped through the hydrocyclonic separator. Solids removed by the separator are collected in the cutting box and the water is directed into a clean water compartment defined by the weir within the recycling unit. Water in the cutting box is collected by the portable weir therein and pumped to the clean water compartment. Water from the clean water compartment is pumped to one or more rotary jet heads within the mud tank. Overflow from the water recycling unit may be directed to the cutting box. A chemical inductor may be used to add cleaning chemicals to the water prior to being directed through the wash nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: Frank Eriksen
  • Publication number: 20100059456
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for purifying MTO quench water and scrubbing water via mini-hydrocyclone separation, comprising: removing the entrapped catalyst particles from the MTO quench water via mini-hydrocyclone separation; cooling the quench water purified by mini-hydrocyclone separation so as to effect the recycling of water; removing the entrapped catalyst particles from the MTO quench water to be stripped via mini-hydrocyclone separation, so as to reduce the deposition of the catalyst particles within the stripping tower; removing the entrapped catalyst particles from the MTO scrubbing water via mini-hydrocyclone separation; and cooling the scrubbing water purified via mini-hydrocyclone separation so as to effect the recycling of water. The invention also provides an apparatus for purifying MTO quench water and scrubbing water via mini-hydrocyclone separation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Hualin WANG, Yanhong Zhang, Qiang Yang, Ji Ma, Zhishan Bai
  • Publication number: 20100051524
    Abstract: A return flow filtration assembly for filtering return hydraulic fluid is provided. The filtration assembly includes a first return fluid chamber including a first inlet and first and second of outlets. The second outlet is configured to be coupled to a secondary return flow filter for providing micro-filtering of the return fluid. The first outlet includes a restriction element for restricting flow through the first outlet and generating an artificial back pressure within the first return fluid chamber to drive fluid through the second outlet, when the second outlet is coupled to a secondary return flow filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: HELGESEN DESIGN SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas C. Marshall, Robert E. Broman
  • Publication number: 20100047134
    Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor for removing phosphorus and nitrogen from wastewater has a column comprising a number of sections. The diameter of the column changes stepwise between the sections. A flow velocity in excess of 100 cm/min is maintained in a lowermost one of the sections and lower flow velocities are maintained in subsequent sections. A struvite supersaturation ratio is controlled in part by recycling wastewater from an outlet of the column. Struvite pellets are removed periodically from the bottom of the column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
    Inventors: Fred A. KOCH, Donald S. MAVINIC, Noboru YONEMITSU, Ahren Thomas BRITTON
  • Patent number: 7662290
    Abstract: The present invention removes contaminants from well water without creating the problem of large volumes of waste liquid disposal. It uses double-cone devices as pressure amplifiers which due to their lack of moving parts avoid the risk of additional contamination of the well and provide a prolonged lifetime. For toxic contaminants, a periodic purging of the concentrated contaminants is required. In the case of (sea) salt contamination, there is no waste brine to be continuously handled at all and the system may be run without interruption over an extended period. In this case, the brine is dumped into the well simply by periodically stopping the plant. The brine pours out of the double-cone unit(s) and due to its higher density, sinks down in the well without disturbing the operation of the purification plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: DCT Double-Cone Technology AG
    Inventor: John Stark
  • Publication number: 20100032369
    Abstract: Plant and procedure thereof for the purification of sewage that enables the sewage to be purified and energy to be obtained, and at the same time enables a product to be obtained given by the combination of organic residues and fibre filters, appropriate, for example, to supply a plant for breeding earthworms, or for different types of agricultural crop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventor: Antonio Bertolotto
  • Patent number: 7658855
    Abstract: A conditioning process and equipment are provided for removing hardness from water circulated in a system, such as an evaporative cooling system. A sidestream from such system is routed to a reaction chamber and back to the system. A conditioner is added to the sidestream water and in some embodiments is routed through a sidestream inlet from the top of the reaction chamber to its lower portion. A buffer is added to the sidestream exiting the reaction chamber, and in some embodiments is added upstream of a pH sensor. A fluid bed develops in the reaction chamber consisting of conditioner, buffer, precipitated solids and sidestream water. An upper outlet on the reaction chamber regulates the height of the fluid bed, and a drain provides for periodic discharge of the lower fluid bed. In another embodiment, a corrosion inhibitor blend is pre-mixed with the buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Samuel Rupert Owens
  • Publication number: 20100022938
    Abstract: Systems and methods handle air and rinsing fluid during fluid processing. The systems and methods eliminate air from a fluid processing system prior to, during, and after use. The systems and methods provide a connector assembly for establishing fluid flow from a fluid source. The connector assembly has discrete first and second passages that prevent communication between the fluid in first passage and the fluid in the second passage. Prior to system use, the connector assembly may be utilized in a priming function to remove residual air from a fluid circuit prior to use. The connector assembly may also be utilized after use to perform a rinse-back function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: James M. Brugger, Dennis M. Treu
  • Publication number: 20100018919
    Abstract: A system for treating recirculating nutrients using floating media is disclosed. The system is operated in such way that wastewater influent path is changed between a first mode and a second mode at a certain period of time interval. Wastewater influent at the first mode sequentially flows into a first anoxic tank, a second anoxic tank, and an aerobic tank. Wastewater influent at the second mode sequentially flows into the second anoxic tank, the first anoxic tank, and the aerobic tank. Part of the wastewater that flows into the aerobic tank bypasses the first anoxic tank and the second anoxic tank. Part of the wastewater, which flows from the aerobic tank into the first anoxic tank or from the aerobic tank into the second anoxic tank, continuously bypasses the aerobic tank through an internal recirculation pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Sang ill Lee, Keum Young Kim, Jin Hyung Kim, Joa Hyoung Kang, Hyoung soon Park, Tae Su Kim