From Bottom Of Separator Patents (Class 210/197)
  • Patent number: 11938452
    Abstract: A hydro turbulator system includes a volute that has a top duct and a bottom duct that allow fluid to enter and exit the volute. An impeller system including a first impeller and a second impeller is positioned within the volute. The first impeller and the second impeller are axially aligned. A motor is operationally connected to the impeller system so that the first impeller and the second impeller rotate upon operation of the motor. Rotation of the first impeller and the second impeller creates successive zones of high pressure and low pressure to agitate and condition fluid within the volute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: REZOLV TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Robert W. Jacobi, Samuel Spencer Jacobi, Jadranko Grgic
  • Patent number: 11932561
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an assembly for recovering magnesium ammonium phosphate from slurry supplied to a reaction container (10) in which an aerobic milieu that is alkaline as a result of CO2-stripping is present and in which the slurry is guided in a circuit with the aid of ventilation. Cationic magnesium, such as magnesium chloride, is added to the slurry, and magnesium ammonium phosphate crystals which are crystallized out of the slurry are removed via a removal device (30) provided in the base region of the reaction container. The slurry is supplied from the first reaction container (10) to a second reaction container (12) via a first line (14), wherein an anaerobic milieu is set in the second reaction container in order to redissolve the phosphate, and MAP crystals crystallized in the second reaction container are supplied to the first reaction container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: CNP CYCLES GMBH
    Inventor: Bernhard Ortwein
  • Patent number: 11866357
    Abstract: A method of controlling corrosion, scaling, and biological growth in equipment such as boilers, chillers, cooling towers, heat exchangers, radiators, and pipes, each having water therein, comprising: adding oxygen or air to the water; and maintaining a pH level of the water at a level greater than 7. Additionally, the total dissolved solids level of the water may be limited to less than 100 ppm and phosphate to less than 0.1 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventor: Paul Charles Wegner
  • Patent number: 11858839
    Abstract: Methods of recovering nutrients from a high nitrogenous liquid waste are disclosed. The methods include collecting the high nitrogenous liquid waste, introducing the high nitrogenous liquid waste and an oxidant into a reactor to produce oxy-anions of nitrogen, maintaining a predetermined pH to control concentration of the oxy-anions of nitrogen, and concentrating the liquid to produce a concentrated product and a dilute water. Systems for recovering nutrients from a high nitrogenous waste are also disclosed. The systems include a solids-liquid separator, a reactor having an inlet fluidly connected to the solids-liquid separator and an inlet fluidly connected to a source of an oxidant, a pH control subsystem, and a dissolved solids concentrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignees: Gabriel Howard Giraldo-Wingler, NUORGANICS LLC
    Inventors: Eugenio Giraldo, Barbara Jean Wingler, Gabriel Howard Giraldo-Wingler
  • Patent number: 11787715
    Abstract: A bioreactor for a water treatment system includes a tank configured to receive an influent liquid, a separator structure positioned in the tank, the separator structure having a frustoconical shape and defining a downwardly-facing opening proximal to or at a bottom of the separator structure, an interior of the separator structure being in communication with the tank, external to the separator structure, at least via the opening, an aeration vent positioned proximal to a bottom of the tank and configured to direct air into the tank, but not directly into the interior of the separator structure, and an effluent outlet communicating with the interior of in the separator structure, proximal to a top of the separator structure, a relatively clean effluent liquid, in comparison to the influent liquid in the tank, exiting from the separator structure via the effluent outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: STALLION OILFIELD SERVICES LTD.
    Inventors: Justin Vance Moulton, Hal D. Hingson
  • Patent number: 11768039
    Abstract: Recovery system for the recovery of thermal energy from waste water from building, which system comprises a heat pump adapted to absorb thermal energy from a non-freeze liquid circulating through the heat pump and arranged to deliver thermal energy to water flowing through the heat pump, a heat exchanger device that is in contact with said waste water, and a pipeline system disposed between the heat pump and the heat exchanger device, and in which non-freeze liquid can circulate. The heat exchanger device is designed so that the non-freeze liquid passes through the heat exchanger device, whereby the non-freeze liquid is able to absorb thermal energy from the waste water. Further, the system comprises a collector tank, and a pipeline system for supplying waste water to the collector tank. The heat exchanger device is disposed in the collector tank, wherein the non-freeze liquid can absorb thermal energy from waste water in the collector tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Inventor: Lennart Olofsson
  • Patent number: 11766644
    Abstract: A liquid polymer or chemical activation system, having a chamber; a top cover plate, a middle cover plate and a bottom cover plate; wherein such configuration creates a hollow space inside the chamber that is flanked by the top cover plate and the bottom cover plate; a blending reactor with one or more inlets for receiving one or more substances; an upper multistage mixing cup configured to receive the one or more substances from the one or more inlets; at least one high shear mixer for mixing the one or more substances; at least one submersible actuator for actuating the high shear mixer; an intermediate blending section for receiving the one or more substances from the upper multistage mixing cup; a lower multistage aging cup for further mixing of the one or more substances; and at least one outlet on the bottom cover plate for releasing the one or more substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Inventor: Adalberto Mercado Alvarado
  • Patent number: 11702811
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for removing oil or other pollutants from the surface of water and an improved method of removing oil or other pollutants from the surface of a body of water, comprising a platform having a left side wall, a right side wall, a rear wall, a front opening, a floor, and a bottom, one or more ballasts which adjust the platform floor relative to a level of oil on the water surface, wherein the oil flows from the front opening across the floor to the rear wall, a rear location near the rear wall to collect the oil from the platform floor; and a pump connected to the rear location that removes the oil from the rear location to a storage area which does not affect the ballast of the platform. The skimmer vessel can work stationary in the water, and does not require a propellor means, as the oil will continue to flow into the skimmer as the oil is pumped out of the rear by the gravity flow to the rear of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Inventor: Michael A. Fesi
  • Patent number: 11691902
    Abstract: A system for reducing total dissolved solids in wastewater can include a vertical reactor that can include a flexible sheet material, where the flexible sheet material can be configured to facilitate the growth and attachment of an algal biofilm. The vertical reactor can include a shaft, where the shaft can be associated with and can support the flexible sheet material, and a drive motor, where the drive motor can be coupled with the shaft such that the flexible sheet material can be selectively actuated. The system can include a fluid reservoir containing a portion of wastewater through which the flexible sheet material is configured to pass as well as a stressor operably configured to stimulate the algae to produce an extracellular polymeric substance. A method of reducing total dissolved solids in wastewater includes moving an algal biofilm through the wastewater and moving the algal biofilm through a gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Inventors: Zhiyou Wen, Juan Peng, Martin A. Gross, Kuldip Kumar, Thomas Kunetz
  • Patent number: 11505479
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for removing contaminants from an industrial fluid waste. The method comprises the steps of ozofractionating the industrial fluid waste whereby contaminants are oxidised and a foam fractionate is formed; and separating at least a portion of the foam fractionate and any precipitate from the ozofractionated fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: EVOCRA PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: Michael David Dickson
  • Patent number: 11473461
    Abstract: An oil blending system for a marine diesel two-stroke engine and/or generator comprises a blender having at least one inlet for receiving a lubrication oil and at least one other component and at least one outlet for outputting a mixed lubrication oil composition to the engine or generator. A blender controller is configured to receive parameter data on the current lubrication oil status used in the engine or generator and receive parameter data on the current engine and/or generator status. The blender controller is also configured to automatically determine whether the currently used lubrication oil is within a predetermined parameter range based on the current engine and/or generator status. If the current lubrication oil is outside a predetermined parameter threshold, the blender controller is configured to determine a new lubrication oil composition for the engine or generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Maersk A/S
    Inventors: Henrik Bak Weimar, Martin Olsson, Mark Stephen Wells, Jens Byrgesen
  • Patent number: 11359447
    Abstract: A method including circulating wellbore servicing fluid (WSF) downhole, passing the circulating WSF through a separator configured to separate solids therefrom, separating the plurality of particles into screened particles having a diameter greater than or equal to a mesh size and retained particles having a diameter less than the mesh size in a particulate-reduced WSF, adding a volume of second loss circulation material (LCM) composition including replenishment particles to particulate-reduced WSF to provide LCM-adjusted WSF, and introducing LCM-adjusted WSF downhole and circulating LCM-adjusted WSF. The WSF includes first LCM composition including plurality of particles having first cumulative particle size distribution (PSD). The LCM-adjusted WSF includes LCM-adjusted WSF LCMs. LCM-adjusted WSF LCMs include the retained and replenishment particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale E. Jamison
  • Patent number: 11352276
    Abstract: The present inventions are generally directed to surface aerators for aerating water or wastewater in a basin, lagoon or tank. In particular, the present inventions relate to flow straightening vanes incorporated into an aerator volute tube that straighten the intake and discharge flow thereby minimizing or eliminating torque on the unit and on the mooring components of the aeration assembly. The present inventions also improve mixing and aeration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Knight
  • Patent number: 11352282
    Abstract: A method for reusing farmland drainage is provided. A device used in the method includes a purifying pond, a filtering mechanism, a water pump and a drainage pipe. The method includes steps: (a) siting a wide and suitable place close to farmland to construct the purifying pond according to landform characteristics of the farmland, and performing an anti-seepage treatment on the purifying pond, and connecting the purifying pond with anti-seepage channels of the farmland; (b) adding flocculants into water through the filtering mechanism to remove particulate organic substances, suspended substances, colloid and phosphate pollutants thereof; and (c) pumping and discharging the purified water to an upstream of each of the anti-seepage channels through the water pump and the drainage pipe to refuse the water. The filtering mechanism arranged on a water inlet pipe of the purifying pond can filter impurities in farmland drainage to avoid water pollution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: JILIN JIANZHU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yingying Xu, Xu Yang, Yan Yi, Yingbo Dou
  • Patent number: 10981803
    Abstract: A regulating tank of a wastewater treatment system includes a tank member having an annular wall to receive wastewater, a first overflow weir connected to an interior side of the annular wall of the tank member, and a first pump device having a first pump and a first return pipe. The first pump of the first pump device pumps wastewater in the tank member to the first overflow weir through the first return pipe, and then the wastewater flows back to the tank member from the first overflow weir to disturb the wastewater in the tank member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Kuan Yuan Paper Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuang Yuan Hsieh
  • Patent number: 10920388
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing oil or other pollutants from the surface of water, comprising a platform having a left side wall, a right side wall, a rear wall, a front opening, a floor, and a bottom, one or more ballasts which adjust the platform floor relative to a level of oil on the water surface, wherein the oil flows from the front opening across the floor to the rear wall, a rear location near the rear wall to collect the oil from the platform floor; and a pump connected to the rear location that removes the oil from the rear location to a storage area which does not affect the ballast of the platform. The skimmer vessel can work stationary in the water, and does not require a propeller means, as the oil will continue to flow into the skimmer as the oil is pumped out of the rear by the gravity flow to the rear of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Inventor: Michael A. Fesi
  • Patent number: 10766011
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a blending system including a blending mechanism, wherein said blending mechanism comprises a mixing chamber including at least a submersible motor, at least a high shear mixer, at least an impeller and at least a multistage retention time cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Inventor: Adalberto Mercado Alvarado
  • Patent number: 10384967
    Abstract: Separation processes using osmotically driven membrane systems are disclosed generally involving the extraction of solvent from a first solution to concentrate a solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. Pre-treatment and post-treatment may also enhance the osmotically driven membrane processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: OASYS WATER LLC
    Inventors: Nathan T. Hancock, Marek S. Nowosielski-Slepowron, Zachary Helm, Christopher Drover, George Bischoff
  • Patent number: 10323374
    Abstract: An oil skimmer apparatus and method for removing oil from the surface of water, comprising a platform having left and right side walls, a rear wall, a front opening, a floor, and a bottom, one or more ballasts which adjust the platform floor relative to a level of oil on the water surface, wherein the oil flows from the front opening across the floor to the rear wall, a rear location near the rear wall to collect the oil from the platform floor; and a pump connected to the rear location that removes the oil from the rear location to a storage area. The skimmer vessel can work stationary in the water, and does not require a propellor means, as the oil will continue to flow into the skimmer as the oil is pumped out of the rear by the gravity flow to the rear of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Inventor: Michael A. Fesi
  • Patent number: 10173184
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for mixing and pumping solids and fluids and includes use of a blender including: a casing defining a cavity; a drive shaft extending through a casing opening into the cavity; a slinger having an outer edge, a center, a bottom slinger surface, a top slinger surface, and a plurality of slinger blades extending upwardly from the top slinger surface, wherein the slinger is attached to the drive shaft, and wherein the height of the top slinger surface above the bottom slinger surface continuously increases from the outer edge to the center; and an impeller having a bottom impeller surface and a plurality of impeller blades extending downwardly from the bottom impeller surface, wherein the impeller is positioned below the slinger and is attached to the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Jonathan Wun Shiung Chong
  • Patent number: 10160678
    Abstract: An upflow continuous backwash deep bed sand filter (UCBF) having a recycle line for returning carbonaceous denitrifying bacteria attached to biomass to the influent of the UCBF. The recycle line returns the biomass to the treatment process at a location upstream of the upflow continuous backwash filter. Further, a liquid level control unit is provided that reduces fluctuations and significant drop in the liquid level upstream of the upflow continuous backwash filter, thereby avoiding or minimizing flow turbulences, air induction, and undesirable wastewater aeration resulting in the need to dose excessive carbon source to remove dissolved oxygen in the aerated wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventors: John H. Reid, Wade Tanner
  • Patent number: 10150687
    Abstract: In a sludge thickener water/wastewater treatment system, sludge solids are recirculated with a mixer positioned in the influent column or offset from the center column and within the stilling well, in order to produce essentially constant sludge solids concentration in the sludge withdrawn from the thickener. This solves the problem of thickeners producing inconsistent underflow solids concentration and often exhibiting problems with binding of rake arms due to sometimes very high sludge concentrations. Also, dewatering steps that follow thickening typically require a relatively constant solids concentration for efficient operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Ovivo Inc.
    Inventors: Tor Heimdal, Ryan Clark, Scott Hawkins, John Vorwaller
  • Patent number: 10080998
    Abstract: A machine and process for providing a gas liquid mixture are described. The process can include providing a pressurized fluid stream; and subjecting the fluid stream to a series of alternating flow regions that include a plurality of laminar flow regions and turbulent flow regions. The machine can include a flow path from a pressure vessel to an ejection point, where the flow path includes a plurality of alternating flow characteristic regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Nano Gas Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Cliffton Lee Roe, Scott A Fiedler
  • Patent number: 9890354
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a biochemical reactor with a lower divider support structure. The biochemical reactor may include a tank configured to house immobilized carriers and fluid. The biochemical reactor may include a circulation conduit at least partially disposed within the tank. The circulation conduit may include a circulation outlet opening. The biochemical reactor may include one or more vanes disposed proximate to the circulation outlet opening. The biochemical reactor may include a tank recirculation port disposed proximate to a second end. The biochemical reactor may include a tank inlet configured for feeding fluid into the tank. The biochemical reactor may include a tank outlet configured for drawing fluid from the tank. The tank outlet may be disposed proximate to a first end. The biochemical reactor may include a first divider and a second divider. The second divider may include a support structure including a grating configured to withstand variable loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: MIH WATER TREATMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Peter J. Hall
  • Patent number: 9809791
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a biochemical reactor with a lower divider support structure. The biochemical reactor may include a tank configured to house immobilized carriers and fluid. The biochemical reactor may include a circulation conduit at least partially disposed within the tank. The circulation conduit may include a circulation outlet opening. The biochemical reactor may include one or more vanes disposed proximate to the circulation outlet opening. The biochemical reactor may include a tank recirculation port disposed proximate to a second end. The biochemical reactor may include a tank inlet configured for feeding fluid into the tank. The biochemical reactor may include a tank outlet configured for drawing fluid from the tank. The tank outlet may be disposed proximate to a first end. The biochemical reactor may include a first divider and a second divider. The second divider may include a support structure including a grating configured to withstand variable loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: MIH WATER TREATMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Peter J. Hall
  • Patent number: 9716020
    Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate liquid processing apparatus including: a first processing liquid supply mechanism provided with a first tank in which a processing liquid is stored and a first nozzle through which the processing liquid stored in the first tank is ejected, and configured to supply the processing liquid to a first surface of a substrate by the first nozzle; a second processing liquid supply mechanism provided with a second tank in which a processing liquid having the same composition as the processed liquid stored in the first tank is stored and a second nozzle through which the processed liquid stored in the second tank is ejected, and configured to supply the processed liquid to a second surface of the substrate by the second nozzle; a processing unit configured to perform processing on the substrate using the processed liquids supplied by the first nozzle and the second nozzle; and a recovery line configured to recover the processed liquids which are supplied to the substrate from the first nozzle a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Takaki, Koji Tanaka, Shun Tominaga
  • Patent number: 9695383
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for in situ regeneration of spent filter aid including the steps of: a) circulating through a spent filter aid cake in a circulation loop a regenerating oil at a temperature of from 40° C. to 100° C., in a regenerating oil/spent filter aid (v/w) ratio of from 0.3/1 to 12/1; b) removing the regenerating oil from the treated spent filter aid cake; and c) recovering the regenerated filter aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: BUNGE NÖVÉNYOLAJIPARI ZÁRTKÖRUEN MUKÖDO RÉSZVÉNYTÁRSASÁG
    Inventors: Zsolt Kemeny, Stéphane Golinski, Oleg Bereznev, Andrey Makarenko
  • Patent number: 9586186
    Abstract: A machine and process for providing a gas liquid mixture are described. The process can include providing a pressurized fluid stream that includes a mixture of a gas and a liquid; and subjecting the fluid stream to a series of alternating flow regions that include a plurality of laminar flow regions and turbulent flow regions. The machine can include a pressure vessel that includes, above a mid-line, a gas nozzle adapted for the addition of a gas to an interior volume of the pressure vessel and a liquid atomizer adapted for the addition of a liquid to the interior volume of the pressure vessel; below the mid-line, a fluid outlet positioned above a bottom of the pressure vessel and a clean-out port positioned at or adjacent to the bottom of the pressure vessel; and a means for determining a fluid level within the interior volume of the pressure vessel; and a flow path fluidly connected to the fluid outlet, the flow path including a plurality of alternating flow characteristic regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: NANO GAS TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Cliffton Lee Roe
  • Patent number: 8986540
    Abstract: A membrane supported biofilm apparatus has a plurality of hollow fiber gas permeable membranes in a tank containing water to be treated. A biofilm supported on the membranes occupies between about 40% and 80% of the volume of water to be treated in a reactor. Wastewater treatment processes are described. A process to denitrify water or treat oxidized contaminants comprises introducing hydrogen into an inner volume of the membranes to grow autotrophic organisms in the biofilm near the membrane and heterotrophic organism near the water. Another process is operated as a biomass concentration of at least 10 g/L and up to about 40 g/L to maintain a biofilm having a surface area of over 1000 square meters per cubic meter of tank volume. A hybrid process has suspended biomass and a membrane supported biofilm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Zenon Technology Partnership
    Inventors: Hidayat Husain, Rocco Mazzaferro, Minggang Liu, Richard Wong, Heather Lossing, Fengshen Fan, Youngseck Hong, Reid Bayly
  • Publication number: 20150060341
    Abstract: A liquid solid separator tank has a motor driven recirculating belt having rollers placed therein processing a mixture of materials. The top belt brings wet materials into a collection trough having overflow weirs disposed externally. These weirs permit overflow liquids to flow down towards a main tank; then, a sump pump reintroduces water back into an influent basin to cleanse the mixture once again. Also, the action of a motor driven auger within the trough forces solids towards a dewatering box attached externally thereto. This box has a motor driven rotating cage mounted on moveable rollers and internally attached removable brushes that act to clean the outer surface of the cage as it moves in addition to a stationary high pressure wash. A shroud channels the influent liquid solid mixture towards a filtered water basin disposed directly underneath the lower belt portion permitting cleansed water to be removed therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: John Christopher Mitchell
  • Patent number: 8951412
    Abstract: A novel lagoon aeration treatment system is provided which can be used with existing or new wastewater lagoons to increase the lagoon's treatment efficiency and capacity, and to allow for a continuous, year round discharge of treated wastewater to the environment. The system can be operated in warm and cold climates for treatment of municipal and industrial wastewaters of varying strength and flow rates in a secondary activated sludge treatment process, a tertiary activated sludge treatment process, or an extended aeration treatment process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Jan A. Korzeniowski
  • Patent number: 8940159
    Abstract: The invention includes a method for the optimization of the soluble CO2 concentration in the aeration basin of an activated sludge system, which significantly improves the specific growth rate of the nitrifying bacteria. The result is a reduction in capital and energy costs for municipalities. The rate of nitrification is a product of the nitrifying bacteria biomass concentration and the specific growth rate of the bacteria. In the activated sludge system, the biomass concentration is maintained at high concentrations by reducing the wasting rate. The specific growth rate is a function of the ammonium concentration and the environmental conditions. Here, the inventors show that growth of nitrifying bacteria is inhibited when the soluble CO2 concentration is elevated beyond certain parameters. Elevated soluble CO2 concentration also reduces the pH, which also impacts the rate of growth of nitrifying bacteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Peter George Stroot, Raymond Anthony Morris
  • Publication number: 20140263006
    Abstract: Treatment of wastewater containing contaminants is provided. More specifically, treating wastewater through capture and recirculation of percolated fluid effluent through and from one or more infiltration field systems is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: David A. Potts
  • Publication number: 20140209523
    Abstract: A method for treating wastewater using a ballasted flocculation technique includes continuously measuring the concentration of suspended solids, organic matter or other impurities in the water to be treated prior to directing the water to be treated to a flocculation tank. Based on this measurement, the amount of ballast necessary to obtain treated water of a predetermined quality is then calculated. In the flocculation tank, ballast and a flocculating reagent are added to the water to form a water-floc mixture. The water-floc mixture is directed to a settling tank where a sludge-ballast mixture is settled. The sludge-ballast mixture is directed to a mixing tank and then to a separator to separate the ballast from the sludge. The separated ballast is directed to the flocculation tank. The separated sludge is directed to the mixing tank when the level of sludge-ballast mixture in the mixing tank is lower than a predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: VEOLIA WATER SOLUTIONS & TECHNOLOGIES SUPPORT
    Inventors: Philippe Sauvignet, Claus Dahl, Valey Ursel, Celine Levecq, Jean-Francois Beaudet
  • Patent number: 8758608
    Abstract: A continuously flowing, inner circulatory, quasi-fluidized-bed reactor for resin ion exchange and adsorption. The reactor comprises a main body casing, an inclined pipe separator, an outlet weir, an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe, a reducing fluidization tank, a guide plate, a resin regeneration tank, a resin discharge pipe, and a return pipe for regenerated resin and a distributing ejector. The reactor is particularly suitable for advanced treatment of supply water, wastewater, biochemical effluent and reclaimed water by using (magnetic) powder resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignees: Nanjing University, Nanjing University Yancheng Environmental Protection Technology and Engineering Research Institute
    Inventors: Chao Long, Jun Fan, Aimin Li, Chendong Shuang
  • Patent number: 8746464
    Abstract: A fluid separator includes a casing and a tubular main body disposed in the casing and having a central axis, inlet and outlet ends spaced along the axis, inner and outer circumferential surfaces; and drain passage(s) extending radially between the inner and outer surfaces. A collection chamber is defined between the outer surface and the casing and the inner surface defines a central flow passage, such that liquid contacting the inner surface flows through the drain passage(s) and into the collection chamber. A deflector disposed within the flow passage includes a hub located on the central axis with a bore and a plurality of vanes extending radially between the hub and the main body inner surface. Each vane has a first channeling surface facing toward the body inlet and a second channeling surface facing away from the inlet. Recirculation members fluidly connect the collection chamber with the hub bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: William C. Maier
  • Publication number: 20140144820
    Abstract: The rapid deployable packaged wastewater treatment system is a low-energy demanding, portable, rapidly deployable and operational wastewater treatment system utilizing a plastic vessel including an aerobic pretreatment and screening chamber that feeds wastewater to a moving bed biological reactor (MBBR) chamber. Immediately downstream from the MBBR bioreactor is a secondary clarifier, which feeds a media polishing filtration system. The media polishing filtration system then passes the treated water to a UV disinfection system. The entire fully functional system, including the plastic vessel and control room, is self-contained in a military-approved TRICON container. A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) provides automated control of the system and monitors water levels, wastewater characteristics and system components. The container has access doors to the wastewater treatment control room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventors: DANIEL M. EARLY, SCOTT F. EASTER
  • Patent number: 8721877
    Abstract: An upflow reactor is provided that includes a reactor tank, conduits, a waste water distributor, at least one first flotation separator and an optional second flotation separator for separating reactor water, biomass, and biogas, a collection device, and a gas separator for separating biomass and biogas. The first flotation separator includes one or more gas domes that are connected to the collection device and have outlets, the cross-sectional area or geometry of which can be controlled using movable covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: MCB GmbH
    Inventor: Marianne Buchmueller
  • Patent number: 8673142
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Water Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Steven E. Woodard, Peter G. Marston, Ionel Wechsler
  • Patent number: 8647503
    Abstract: A filter assembly for a fuel delivery system for actuators and fuel control system of an aircraft engine includes a wash flow filter. Fuel flow velocity is increased through the filter through use of a recirculating passage that is effectively achieved through use of an ejector pump. A portion of the pressurized fuel delivered by the main fuel pump is diverted and serves as a motive fluid that scavenges unfiltered flow from downstream of the filter and recirculates or discharges the recirculated flow to an inlet of the filter. This provides increased velocity to maintain sufficient washing of the filter openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Industrial Corporation
    Inventors: Martin A. Clements, Robert Nyzen, John P. Ogger, William T. Flynn
  • Patent number: 8628666
    Abstract: Treatment systems are described which uncouple the solids retention time (SRT) of the recycling bacteria from the wasting bacteria. Elevated recycling bacteria SRTs increase concentrations of nitrifying bacteria in the aeration basin and Anammox bacteria in the anoxic basin, improving nitrification and anaerobic ammonium oxidation. Fluorescence in situ hybridizations were used to identify and determine the abundance of nitrifying bacteria and Anammox bacteria (recycling bacteria) in freshly settled sludge of biological nutrient removal (BNR) secondary clarifiers. An uneven distribution was observed for recycling bacteria in two BNR systems. Settling patterns suggest microcolony formation processes are sensitive to the internal recycle rate, which allow for rapid recycling bacteria microcolony growth by increasing circulation of flocs through the aeration and anoxic basins. Uncoupling the SRT enhances aeration and/or anoxic basin utilization and reduces the overall hydraulic residence time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventor: Peter G. Stroot
  • Patent number: 8623205
    Abstract: A ballasted anaerobic system for treating wastewater including at least one anaerobic treatment reactor. A weighting agent impregnation subsystem is configured to mix weighting agent with the biological flocs to form weighted biological flocs to create a weighted anaerobic sludge blanket in the at least one anaerobic treatment reactor. A weighting agent recovery subsystem is configured to recover the weighting agent from excess sludge and reintroduce the weighting agent to the weighting agent impregnation subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Water Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Steven E. Woodard
  • Patent number: 8518249
    Abstract: A biological wastewater treatment system is provided which is adaptable to small, shop fabricated package plants and large, assembled in place plants, and which can be operated as a secondary treatment, activated sludge process, for suspended solids and BOD removal, or a tertiary treatment, activated sludge process, for suspended solids, BOD, nitrogen and phosphorus removal. The system includes a wastewater pump and an air aspirator-mixer to provide aeration, sludge recirculation and waste, and wastewater recirculation for the secondary and tertiary treatment processes. The aeration system with the air aspirator-mixer transfers oxygen to the wastewater, and is located outside aeration tanks. The wastewater pump and air aspirator-mixer system lends itself to continuous and cyclic aeration and oxic and anoxic treatment processes. The multiple use of the wastewater pump for aeration, recirculation and sludge waste minimizes the number of pumping systems required and eliminates air blowers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventor: Jan A. Korzeniowski
  • Patent number: 8440074
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for treating wastewater in which the majority of solids and biological oxygen demand compounds are separated from the wastewater feed using a primary separation process, to produce a solids phase and a water phase. The solids phase is irradiated to reduce the level of pathogens such that it is safe to use as a soil substitute and/or additive so that the solids can thus be disposed of in an environmentally-friendly manner. In additional embodiments, the solids that have been disinfected by radiation are mixed with a suitable inert filler material to produce a soil substitute, fertilizer, compost, or other soil additive. The liquid phase is treated in a substantially smaller system than would be required for treating the full-strength wastewater that can include a suspended media biological regeneration reactor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignees: Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Conner, Osama I. Fageeha, Thomas E. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20130056400
    Abstract: The application relates to a liquid mixing and pumping system (10) and to a waste water treatment works incorporating it. The system is for a reservoir (20) operatively containing liquid and includes a mixer (28), operatively submerged in the liquid and rotatable about a vertical rotational axis (30. By rotation of the mixer by drive means (32), a reduced pressure zone is induced at the mixer and about the rotational axis. Peripherally around the vanes, outward flow of the liquid away from the mixer is induced. The system includes also at least one transfer pipe (34) defining an outlet (38) exposed to the reduced pressure zone and an inlet (36) in a source (22) of the liquid. The reduced pressure zone induces a pressure head which causes transfer of liquid from the source into the reservoir. The system serves a dual purpose, i.e. mixing in the reservoir (20) and pumping into the reservoir (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventor: Zacharias Joseph Van Den Berg
  • Patent number: 8333886
    Abstract: A water treatment unit includes a mixing chamber surrounding the upper end of a riser containing an impeller. Water can be moved from a body of water up through the riser, and out through laterally directed openings into the chamber adjacent to an air inlet. The water moving out the laterally directed openings of the stand pipe, mixes with air drawn in through the air inlet to oxygenate the water, and the oxygenated water exits the chamber into the body of water through one or more water outlets in the lower portion of the chamber due to the head developed by the inflow of water into the chamber. The outward flow of water from the chamber can cause a toroidal or other desired flow of water within the body of water surrounding the water treatment apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Aqua Manna, LLC
    Inventor: James Bradley
  • Patent number: 8329041
    Abstract: A ship comprises a bilge water sump collecting bilge water and contaminants. A first contaminant separation device is provided comprising a conveyor arrangement with an endless belt comprising adsorbing/absorbing material. The conveyor arrangement has a first portion submergible into the bilge water and contaminants in the bilge water sump, and a second portion being spaced from the first portion and provided with means for releasing adsorbed/absorbed contaminants from the conveyor belt and means for collecting the contaminants released. The conveyor arrangement is further provided with means for driving the endless belt along a moving path defined by guiding means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: P/F Faroe Maritime Technic
    Inventor: Kaj Joensen
  • Patent number: 8323499
    Abstract: Biologically treated wastewater is directed as mixed liquor from a treatment tank to a downstream filtration tank having a having a submerged membrane module extending across the cross-sectional area of the filtration tank. Mixed liquor is directed from the bottom of the filtration tank upwardly into the membrane module such that substantially all of the mixed liquor received in the bottom of the filtration tank flows through the membrane module. A permeate stream is produced. A portion of a non-permeate stream is recirculated to the treatment tank. The filtration tank is sized such that there is no substantial recycle of mixed liquor in the filtration tank. Once the mixed liquor in the filtration tank makes one pass through the membrane module the mixed liquor is recycled to the treatment tank and generally not permitted to be recycled through the membrane module without first returning to the treatment tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Support
    Inventors: Hong W. Zhao, Martin Brockmann, Heribert Moeslang, Pierre Girodet
  • Publication number: 20120187032
    Abstract: A sweeper assembly can include a plurality of holes drilled in one or more sweeper headers that can be angled downwards towards the basin floor to produce a gentle flow of fluid to keep particulate matter rolling along the basin floor. A centrifugal separator can include a curved velocity plate for smoothly directing flow from an inlet pipe to an inner wall of the separator and creating a downward vortex of particulate-laden fluid within the centrifugal separator. The centrifugal separator can include one or more reversal mechanisms for transferring particulate matter to a collection chamber and reversing the direction of particle-free fluid, which may upwardly exit through a discharge pipe. The centrifugal separator can include a bleed valve in the discharge pipe for automatically bleeding accumulated air in the “dead zone” between the inlet pipe and the top of the centrifugal separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Electronic Precipitation Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jerry Davey, Richard P. Escue, Robert P. Kazanjy
  • Patent number: 8192617
    Abstract: Treatment of contaminated liquid is provided including an integrated ultra-filtration and clarification apparatus. Clarification of liquid occurs in a gap between a casing and a tank of the apparatus. Solids settle and aggregate in the bottom of the tank. The solids act as a secondary filter prior to contact of the liquid with the ultra-filtration filters. Clarified liquid is drawn through the ultra-filtration filters. An upstream electrocoagulation unit and a downstream reverse osmosis unit may be included in combination. Electrocoagulation can occur in the tank by reaction plates mounted within the tank. One embodiment includes dual integrated ultra-filtration and clarifier apparatuses and corresponding electrocoagulation units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Scott W. Powell