Spaced Along Flow Path Patents (Class 210/199)
  • Patent number: 7011745
    Abstract: The disclosed device is directed toward a rotary water treatment system comprising at least one open channel cell configured to contain a liquid. A cylinder partially disposed in the open channel cell. The cylinder having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a cylinder wall coupled between the first end and the second end. The cylinder wall including a plurality of perforations formed in the cylinder wall. A motive force element is coupled to the cylinder configured to impart rotary motion to the cylinder. At least one influent supply is coupled to the at least one open cell. At least one effluent discharge is coupled to the at least one open cell. A pump is fluidly coupled to the at least one influent supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Inventor: Patrick L. Moulton
  • Patent number: 7011751
    Abstract: A water treatment system for reducing the level of bacteria in a flow of water by creating an environment favorable for aerobic bacteria and unfavorable for anaerobic bacteria is disclosed. The system may include a method including intaking a flow of water, lowering a pH level of the flow of water to a predetermined range of pH levels, and adding sodium chlorite to the flow of water after lowering the pH level to the predetermined range of pH levels for producing chlorine dioxide. The sodium chlorite is added in an amount sufficient to produce a residual amount of sodium chlorite that does not produce chlorine dioxide, and the flow of water is outputted to the point of use with a residual amount of chlorine dioxide. The system may include an apparatus for carrying out the method of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Inventors: Sam G. Waldner, Will Westerman
  • Patent number: 7011749
    Abstract: A system for treating sediments contaminated with organic contaminants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other contaminants polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) includes treating the sediments with ozone to react the contaminants. The system is particularly effective for remediation of PCBs. In an in-situ system for remediating sediments in underwater sediment beds that are contaminated with (PCBs) and other contaminants, the contaminated sediments are treated with ozone with an ozonator conveyed over the sediment bed to mix the sediment with the ozone. The ozone reacts with the PCBs to form more reactive and biodegradable products. The treated sediment is then redeposited upon the sediment bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Donald F. Hayes, Puikwan A. Hong
  • Patent number: 7000655
    Abstract: A fluid additive delivery system includes a container for a fluid additive gel. The container has one or more openings to allow contact of the fluid with the gel to cause one or more additive components in the gel to be released into the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Garvin, James D. Burrington
  • Patent number: 6994782
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing phosphorus from a wastewater effluent stream from a hog waste lagoon. The wastewater effluent is introduced to the bottom of an inverted cone-shaped continuous crystallizer including a fluidized bed of struvite therein. An effective amount of ammonia is introduced to the wastewater effluent at the bottom of the crystallizer to elevate the pH of wastewater effluent a predetermined amount. An effective amount of magnesium is also introduced to the wastewater effluent at the bottom of the crystallizer. The composition adjusted wastewater effluent is then continuously passed upwardly through the fluidized bed of struvite to reduce the total phosphorus content of the wastewater effluent a predetermined amount of up to about 80% or more. The treated wastewater effluent stream is removed from the top of the crystallizer, and struvite crystals that grow large enough to sink from the bottom of the crystallizer are periodically removed from a collection chamber therebeneath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Keith E. Bowers, Philip W. Westerman
  • Patent number: 6982040
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying water by dissolving one or more soluble metal salts in the water to provide corresponding metal ions, by dissolving hypohalite into the water, and by regulating the residence time, and thus hypohalite concentration in the device using a venturi nozzle disposed between the metal generator and the hypohalite generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Alvin Costa, Richard T. Coffey, Michael Pereira, Daniel Nelsen, Thomas Parent, Christopher Kampf
  • Patent number: 6979398
    Abstract: A method and system for the treatment of wastewater is described herein. The system determines a quantity of fresh water entering a building and supplies a quantity of wastewater treatment solution on a basis of the quantity of entering fresh water. The system includes a conventional septic tank and two sanitization modules connected in series and automatically controlled by a controller. Compressed air and aseptic solution may also be supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventors: Gontran Veilleux, Blaise Bégin
  • Patent number: 6966985
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of diluting a solid particle-containing slurry in conjunction with a sedimentation process. A slurry is introduced into the launder portion of a feedwell and flowed vertically downward through an eductor nozzle having its exit location placed below the liquid level of a volume of clarified liquor. The eductor nozzle is positioned adjacent a diluent inlet such that discharge of the slurry through the eductor nozzle creates a low pressure zone, drawing clarified liquor through the diluent inlet for mixing and dilution of the slurry. A flocculating reagent may additionally be introduced into the diluted slurry for producing a floc and expediting settling of the solid particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: GL&V Management Hungary KFT
    Inventors: Frederick R. Schoenbrunn, Stephen Hughes, Kurt R. Dahl
  • Patent number: 6960294
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for separation of solids from liquids and separation of liquids from liquids (such as oil from water) by dissolved gas floatation. A dissolved gas floatation clarifier is described as is a liquid-gas mixer, a liquid-liquid mixer, and solid-liquid chemical feeders. The methods and apparatus of the present invention are particularly suitable for supplying dissolved air and mixing of chemicals for use in separation of solids in dissolved air floatation clarifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Hydrotreat, Inc.
    Inventor: Johnny Arnaud
  • Patent number: 6949195
    Abstract: A method for removing contaminants from a liquid includes filtering objects of a relatively large dimension. The liquid is then mixed with additives to adjust the chemistry of the liquid. The liquid is pressurized and directed through a gasification device to dissolve gas into the liquid. This is accomplished by directing the liquid into an inlet of a hydrocyclone of the gasification device, directing the liquid exiting the hydrocyclone upwards to remove large bubbles, and removing liquid containing dissolved gas from a bottom portion of a vessel of the gasification device. The pressure of the liquid is then reduced and the liquid is introduced into a separation tank, and the contaminants are removed from the liquid by stratification. The treated water is removed from the separation tank, and sludge formed by skimming flocs from a liquid surface of the tank is subjected to a dewatering process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Inventors: Dwain E. Morse, Wade O. Morse, Thomas G. Matherly
  • Patent number: 6949196
    Abstract: The invention is directed to methods, apparatuses, and systems for treatment of a liquid flow comprising addition of a chemical treatment at at least two locations along a side stream of a main flow of said liquid, in which the dosing by such additions is sufficient to treat the entire main flow upon return of the side stream to the main flow. Algorithms are utilized to control the additions at the locations of addition of chemical treatments. In a typical embodiment, one chemical addition is principally proportional to the flow rate of the liquid flow, and the other chemical addition is principally adjusted based on signals from a primary measuring device that measures a parameter in the flow after one or both chemical additions. The addition of chlorine dioxide as the chemical treatment, to disinfect wastewater, is discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: FKOS, LLC
    Inventors: Wilfried J. Schmitz, David Francis
  • Patent number: 6932905
    Abstract: A water treatment apparatus includes a mixing tube through which the waste water passes for mixing into the waste water a plurality of chemicals for causing flocculation of contaminants. The mixing tube is connected to a settling chamber for allowing settling of the flocculated contaminants and for supplying clarified water at an outlet of the settling chamber. The mixing tube has a plurality of injection members at spaced positions along the duct, each including a pump and a chemical supply for injecting a selected quantity of a selected chemical into the duct and each including a respective mixing member and drive for mixing the chemical into the water in the duct. An electrical separation section is provided in the system before or after the settling and includes a duct, into which the water is introduced and a plurality of amorphous metal plates across the duct arranged to be charged at low voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Home Farms Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond P. Briltz, Robert J. Hubbard
  • Patent number: 6921476
    Abstract: A UV-assisted advanced-ozonation water treatment system comprises a water treating tank 1, an ozonic water tank 2, an ozonized gas generator 3, and a UV light source 4 disposed in the water treating tank 1 and having a UV-radiating surface 4a, and an ozonic water jetting device including jetting nozzles 5 for jetting the ozonic water onto the UV-radiating surface of the UV light source. An ozonized gas diffusing device 12 is placed in the ozonic water tank 2. An ozonized gas generated by the ozonized gas generator 3 and compressed by a compressor 13 at a pressure in the range of about 2 to about 3 kg/cm2 is diffused into the ozonic water tank 2 by the ozonized gas diffusing device 12. A high-pressure, a high-ozone-concentration ozonic water produced in the ozonized water tank 2 is jetted through the jetting nozzles 5 onto the UV-radiating surface 4a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Norimitsu Abe, Setsuo Suzuki, Seiichi Murayama, Kotaro Iyasu, Kie Kubo, Kenji Taguchi
  • Patent number: 6902667
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the removal of suspended solids from water, waste water and other effluents is disclosed. The raw fluid being extracted is placed in a pressurized equalization chamber by a pumping apparatus. The fluid might be ground in advance to reduce the size of solid particles suspended therein to a manageable size. Solids can settle from the fluid before pumping into a second chamber for further setting. Chemicals are injected between the first and second chambers. The sludge recovered from from the base of the chambers can be sterilized using conventional methods, and the separated fluid discharged from the clarification chamber is further cleaned, also using conventional methods. The method and apparatus of the present replaces or supplements conventional mainframe biological treatments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: 3C Water Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Patrick F. Dunne
  • Patent number: 6890444
    Abstract: Water to be desalinated or otherwise purified is enriched by having hydrate-forming substance dissolved into it, without causing hydrate to form. Hydrate kernels are brought into contact with the enriched water to be treated, and the hydrate kernels grow outwardly into the water to be treated by incorporating dissolved molecules of the hydrate-forming substance and water from the water to be treated. Thus, substantially solid, generally spherical hydrate masses, which are preferred for hydrate-based desalination or purification, can be formed. Hydrate-forming substances can be dissolved into the water to be treated under conditions not conducive to formation of hydrate, such that hydrate does not form, using vigorous means. Hydrate-forming substance is also preferably dissolved into the water to be treated under conditions suitable for hydrate to form, but without causing hydrate to form, e.g., by being infused into the water to be treated using infusion membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Marine Desalination Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael D. Max
  • Patent number: 6890431
    Abstract: A clarification system for fluids in which particles are separated from the fluid by flotation and in which the buoyant media inducing the flotation is recycled. Flotation can be assisted by a flotation assistance device, such as dissolved air flotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: The F. B. Leopold Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Eades, Jeffrey Penno
  • Patent number: 6884344
    Abstract: A degassing device (10), a hydrogen dissolving device (12), and a palladium catalyst column (17) are provided in that order downstream of a high-purity water production device (1), and an impurity removal device (19) is connected to the exit side of treated water of the palladium catalyst column (17). The impurity removal device (19) removes impurity ions which are eluted into the water to be treated or impurity particulates which mix in with the water to be treated during the treatment in the palladium catalyst column (17). The impurity removal device (19) comprises an ion exchange device (20) and a membrane treatment device (21) such as a ultrafiltration membrane device, a reverse osmosis membrane device or the like. By providing an impurity removal device (19) in this manner, it is possible to remove impurities generated during hydrogen peroxide removal treatment by the palladium catalyst and to prevent degradation in quality of hydrogen-dissolved water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Organo Corporation
    Inventors: Yukinari Yamashita, Takashi Futatsuki
  • Patent number: 6878268
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for purification of water in which impurities in contaminated water can be removed with a reduced amount of flocculant and with high efficiency. The apparatus comprises, in the order from the side where contaminated water is introduced, an electrolysis tank (1) for electrolyzing the contaminated water, a gas mixing tank (2) for mixing carbon dioxide into the contaminated water electrolyzed, a coagulation tank (3) for mixing Fe3+ supplied from a flocculant producing device (7) to coagulate impurities in the contaminated water, and a floatation tank (4) for floating and separating the impurities coagulated. The electrolysis tank (1) electrolyzes the contaminated water to lower zeta potential of colloid particles in the contaminated water, and then the contaminated water is mixed with Fe3+ in the coagulation tank (3), thereby reducing the amount of positively charged Fe3+ to be added for neutralizing the colloid particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Sawada
  • Patent number: 6849177
    Abstract: A photocatalyst module comprising a substrate, for example, a metallic substrate, a layer of a photocatalyst such as titanium oxide, and a protective layer containing lithium silicate provided between the substrate and the layer of a photocatalyst wherein the protective layer can sufficiently withstand the heat in a step for forming the layer of a photocatalyst by a flame spray coating method and can prevents oxidation and/or decomposition of the substrate is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignees: Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., LTD, Eco-Logy Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Murata, Masamichi Kikuchi, Kazutoshi Sakurai, Kazuo Abe
  • Patent number: 6800196
    Abstract: Radioactive laundry liquid wastes are supplied in a liquid waste heating vessel. Hydrogen peroxide and an alkali solution are supplied to the liquid waste heating vessel. The pH of the radioactive laundry liquid wastes is adjusted to 7 or higher by the alkali solution. The radioactive laundry liquid wastes are heated to 50° C. or higher by a heating device and introduced to first and second aeration vessels. The temperature is controlled by a device in accordance with the value measured by a thermometer. Ozone is supplied from an ozone generator by way of an ozone gas discharge port to the first aeration vessel. Ozone discharged from the first aeration vessel is introduced from the ozone gas discharge port to the second aeration vessel. Therefore, the amount of ozone dissolved into the radioactive laundry liquid wastes is increased so that the amount of hydroxy radicals formed for decomposing organic substances increases, since the laundry liquid wastes are heated to 50° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Inventors: Toshiaki Matsuo, Takashi Nishi, Takayuki Matsumoto, Masami Matsuda, Atsushi Yukita
  • Patent number: 6790359
    Abstract: Method and process for dramatically increasing mixing, energy and operating efficiency of wastewater treatment plants at reduced capital and operating cost per unit volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Herman P. Miller, III
  • Patent number: 6776903
    Abstract: In this waste-water treatment system, solids suspended in waste water are attached to a radial ring-shaped thread structure 6 filled in an attachment filter tank 2. Then, particle sizes are increased and the attached solids are further made to be anaerobic, digested and reduced. Then, sludge generated from the suspended solids is sedimented, separated and removed in a sedimentation section 3 in the same attachment filter tank 2. In this waste-water treatment system, solids suspended in waste water can be filtered without consuming a large amount of electrical energy. Thus, energy can be saved and waste can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Yamasaki, Kazumi Chujo
  • Patent number: 6773582
    Abstract: A drinking water treatment system includes a pump for pumping water from an aquifer, an aerator connected downstream from the pump for generating an outlet water flow and a hydrogen sulfide-containing gas flow, and a hydrogen sulfide scrubber for scrubbing the hydrogen sulfide-containing gas flow from the aerator. The hydrogen sulfide scrubber includes at least one scrubber tank and scrubber media contained therein. A scrubbing solution circulator includes a dispenser for dispensing scrubbing solution into contact with the scrubber media, a sump for collecting the scrubbing solution after contact with the scrubber media, and a circulating pump for circulating the scrubbing solution from the sump back to the dispenser after contact with the scrubber media. A triazine compound supply is provided for supplying a triazine compound to the scrubbing solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Precision Control Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick M. Anthony
  • Patent number: 6773668
    Abstract: A solid detergent dispenser for use with a dishwashing machine includes a chamber and a lid. The chamber is configured and arranged to receive a solid detergent having a particular composition. A water inlet receives water from a water source, and the water flows through a tunnel into the bottom of the chamber. The chamber is flooded with water from the bottom to ensure relatively constant erosion of the solid detergent, which ensures that a relatively constant concentration of the solid detergent is used in the dishwashing machine. A water outlet allows water to flow out of the chamber into the dishwashing machine. The water must flow into the chamber faster than it flows out of the chamber to ensure that the appropriate amount of dissolution of the solid detergent occurs. The only valve used in the preferred embodiment is a valve to control the amount of water flowing into the water inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence P. Everson, Lee M. Monsrud, Michael P. Kremer, Edward D. Sowle
  • Patent number: 6767454
    Abstract: Apparatus for the treatment of a wiping solution, which includes ink flocculation apparatus for flocculating ink contained in a used wiping solution by the addition of a flocculant to the used wiping solution; solid-liquid separation apparatus for separating, into sludge and a filtrate, the used wiping solution containing the ink which is flocculated by the ink flocculation apparatus through filtration of the used wiping solution; distilled water production apparatus for producing distilled water and a concentrated solution through heating of the filtrate which is separated by the solid-liquid separation apparatus; water recycling apparatus for recycling the distilled water which is produced by the distilled water production apparatus as a raw material of a wiping solution; and post treatment apparatus for separating the concentrated solution into steam and a solid residue through heating of the concentrated solution which is produced by the distilled water production apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyoshi Shinoda
  • Patent number: 6767464
    Abstract: Systems for treating water containing unwanted contaminants. More particularly, the present invention relates to waste water treatment systems including biological media used to aerobically or anaerobically treat solid and liquid waste in water for large and small-scale waste water systems in a way that minimizes the size of the system required to output high-quality, environmentally suitable water that is depleted of ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and other contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Environmental Operating Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven H. Boyd, Abdul R. M. Azad
  • Patent number: 6762057
    Abstract: A sample separation apparatus including a porous, or rough, capillary column. The porous capillary column includes a matrix which defines pores, and may be formed from a material such as porous silicon. Alternatively, the capillary column may have a rough surface of hemispherical grain silicon. The capillary column is defined in a surface of a substrate, such as silicon. The sample separation apparatus may include a stationary phase or a capture substrate disposed on the surfaces thereof. The sample separation apparatus may also include a detector positioned proximate the capillary column. A variation of the sample separation apparatus includes an electrode proximate each end of the capillary column. The sample separation apparatus may be employed to effect various types of chromatographic separation, electrophoretic separation, and analyte identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry L. Gilton
  • Publication number: 20040124138
    Abstract: A method and system for the treatment of wastewater is described herein. The system determines a quantity of fresh water entering a building and supplies a quantity of wastewater treatment solution on a basis of the quantity of entering fresh water. The system includes a conventional septic tank and two sanitization modules connected in series and automatically controlled by a controller. Compressed air and aseptic solution may also be supplied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Gontran Veilleux, Blaise Begin
  • Patent number: 6749748
    Abstract: In one aspect the present invention provides purification devices for reducing the amount of contaminants in water, each device includes a water-soluble flocculant disposed within a body defining a multiplicity of pores, wherein the pores have an average diameter in the range of from 1 &mgr;m to 2000 &mgr;m. The present invention also provides methods for reducing the amount of contaminants in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Vanson Halosource, Inc.
    Inventors: John Wallace Macpherson, Jason Jacob Ziemer, Everett J. Nichols
  • Patent number: 6746613
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of a fluid medium to inactivate biocontamination using a pulsed electric field (PEF). A fluid medium is pumped through a treatment assembly to treat the fluid medium. A pulse generating system produces input pulses of high voltage that are supplied to the treatment assembly. A pulsed high intensity electric field associated with the input pulses is produced in a treatment assembly. As the fluid medium flows through the treatment assembly, it is exposed to the high intensity electric field, thereby treating the fluid medium. The pulse generating system includes a pulse compressor to reduce the rise time of the high voltage pulses supplied to the treatment assembly, and forming a pulsed electric field in space, without use of an electrode system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Steris Inc.
    Inventor: Sergey A. Korenev
  • Patent number: 6743363
    Abstract: In the invention, the pipe lines around permselective membranes and the surfaces of permselective membranes are intermittently disinfected by adding an inexpensive acid such as sulfuric acid or the like to pre-treated crude water so as to make the water have a pH of 4 or lower. Accordingly, the invention provides a method of surely disinfecting the permselective membranes in membrane separation systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Takuhei Kimura, Yuichiro Nakaoki, Yohito Ito, Yoshinari Fusaoka, Toshihiro Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 6740231
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for monitoring and/or controlling treatment of aqueous systems including water cooling systems are provided. The present invention includes a self-contained treatment unit for controllably bleeding water from an aqueous system and delivering treatment agents, such as inhibitor agents and/or anti-biofouling agents, to treat conditions, such as scale, corrosion, biofouling or the like within the aqueous system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Scott D. Bauman, David L. Adams, James W. Beard, Monte Krier
  • Patent number: 6736979
    Abstract: A device for treating liquid medium has an ultrasound emitter located relative to a compartment of a container holding a liquid medium and a microbubble emitter located relative to the compartment. The ultrasound emitter emits high-frequency ultrasound between about 200 KHz and 10 MHz. The microbubble emitter emits bubbles with an average diameter of less than 1 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Ashland, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Cordemans de Meulenaer, Baudouin Hannecart, Yves Canivet
  • Patent number: 6719897
    Abstract: Treatment apparatus comprising a treatment chamber (10), for receiving a process fluid, in which there are provided means for introducing gas (19, 20) at a low level within the chamber to create bubbles which drive the process fluid to circulate within the chamber as they rise, in which there are provided means associated with the gas inlet openings for collecting solid particles entrained with the process fluid which sink as a consequence of contact with the bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Christopher Maltin
  • Patent number: 6663769
    Abstract: A system for making use of rainwater falling on houses and buildings, which comprises a means for removing a predetermined quantity of initial precipitation from the rainwater collected form the roof surface of the building; and a purifier receiving the subsequent rainwater from which the initial precipitation has been removed. The purifier includes a filtering tank, a sterilization tank, and a supply tank connected to the sterilization tank. The filtering tank has a physical filter and a pH adjusting agent, the sterilization tank contains a primary reactive catalyst for producing active oxygen species, and the supply tank supplies aqueous hydrogen peroxide to the primary reactive catalyst. The system also has a storage tank that stores the purified rainwater supplied from the purifier. The storage tank contains a secondary reactive catalyst for decomposing and eliminating residual active oxygen species remaining in the purified rainwater supplied from the purifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Takachiho Corp.
    Inventor: Makoto Hosoya
  • Patent number: 6623642
    Abstract: Phosphate-contaminated water passes through a domestic sewage treatment system, in which oxidation of the ammonium progresses far enough to cause a lowering of the pH to 5 or less. The water is passed over sand grains coated with aluminum hydroxide (gibbsite). Enough Al3+ ions enter solution, at the low pH, to cause all the phosphate-P to precipitate as aluminum phosphate, and nothing else precipitates other than the aluminum phosphate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Centre for Research in Earth and Space Technology
    Inventor: William Dean Robertson
  • Patent number: 6616849
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a method of and system for continuously processing liquid material by which enzymes in the liquid material are inactivated and the liquid material is sterilized effectively. In one example of the system according to the present invention, a liquid material is introduced into a processing chamber 11 from an introduction port at the bottom, and liquefied carbon dioxide formed into micro-particles by a filter 16 is also introduced in the chamber 11. The micro-particles of liquefied carbon dioxide dissolves into the liquid material efficiently. The liquid material taken out from a take-out port 18 is introduced into a warming pipe 20 kept at such a preset temperature and pressure where the carbon dioxide turns to a supercritical fluid. After that, the liquid material is introduced through a pressure control valve 24 into a pressure-reducing chamber 24. The carbon dioxide rapidly changes from supercritical fluid to gas, and vaporizes from the liquid material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Osajima, Mitsuya Shimoda, Michinosuke Takada, Masaki Miyake
  • Patent number: 6610199
    Abstract: A system for the treatment of water integrating the use of pods. The pods have a sturdy rigid base and a flexible permeable membrane. The tank itself has a viewing port in the sidewall for an observer to witness the treatment process. The tank also has a base with anchor rods for securing the lid. The lid has a monitoring unit and permits the flow of water into and out from the tank. Inserted into the tank is an internal riser tube acting as the return line for the water to the monitoring unit and a directional flow disk. Pods are stacked on top of one another in a predetermined order for the treatment of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Inventor: Gene Bittner
  • Publication number: 20030155288
    Abstract: A microporous diffuser includes a first elongated member including at least one sidewall having a plurality of microscopic openings. The sidewall defines an interior hollow portion of the member. The diffuser has a second elongated member having a second sidewall having a plurality of microscopic openings, the second member being disposed through the hollow region of the first member. The diffuser includes an end cap to seal a first end of the microporous diffuser and an inlet cap disposed at a second end of microporous diffuser for receiving inlet fittings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventor: William B. Kerfoot
  • Patent number: 6602426
    Abstract: A process and facility for treating and disinfecting water supplies comprising first treating the water with chlorine, then with ammonia, then with ozone to substantially disinfect the water, then passing the water through a filter with microorganisms to reduce the amount of small organic compounds and carbon in the water and finally again treating with chlorine so as to produce a residual level of chlorine in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Black & Veatch Holding Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Hulsey, Jeffrey J. Neemann, Ronald E. Zegers, David J. Rexing
  • Publication number: 20030141246
    Abstract: The resist stripping waste liquid regenerating apparatus of the invention regenerates a resist stripping waste liquid to obtain a resist stripping regenerated liquid. The apparatus is provided with a membrane separating apparatus which employs a membrane with a molecular weight cutoff of 100-1500 to separate a resist stripping waste liquid into a concentrated liquid and a permeating liquid, an adjusting tank which stores the permeating liquid and adjusts the concentration of an alkanolamine and organic solvent, means for supplying the alkanolamine to the adjusting tank, and means for supplying the organic solvent to the adjusting tank. This construction adequately reduces the resist concentration of the permeating liquid since the resist in the resist stripping waste liquid cannot permeate the membrane. It is thereby possible to lessen the need for dilution of the resist concentration and thus satisfactorily reduce the amount of alkanolamine and organic solvent supplied to the adjusting tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Shu Ogawa, Yasuyuki Kobayakawa, Yoshiya Kitagawa, Makoto Kikukawa, Takayuki Kaneyasu
  • Patent number: 6596161
    Abstract: A microporous diffuser includes a first elongated member including at least one sidewall having a plurality of microscopic openings. The sidewall defines an interior hollow portion of the member. The diffuser has a second elongated member having a second sidewall having a plurality of microscopic openings, the second member being disposed through the hollow region of the first member. The diffuser includes an end cap to seal a first end of the microporous diffuser and an inlet cap disposed at a second end of microporous diffuser for receiving inlet fittings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: William B. Kerfoot
  • Patent number: 6582592
    Abstract: A system is provided for removing dissolved metals from industrial wastewater by electrocoagulation. The system includes an electrocoagulation reactor with a DC power supply having an insulation support enclosure with positive and negative electrode plates disposed thereon. The electrode plates are insulated for each other but remain in direct contact with the wastewater as it flows between the electrodes. The DC power supply induces opposite charges on alternate electrodes thereby generating an electric field between adjacent electrodes to cause the electrodes to ionize and go into solution for interaction with the contaminants in the wastewater as it flows through the reactor. The reactor is housed in a pressure vessel container so the exterior pressure on the reactor is higher than its internal pressure preventing leakage of fluids and oxygen and hydrogen gases produced in the reactor by decomposition of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Hydrotreat, Inc.
    Inventor: Johnny Arnaud
  • Patent number: 6576144
    Abstract: Spent caustic and other wastewater streams are pretreated by continuous chemical oxidation. According to one aspect, a wastewater stream is pretreated by continuous chemical oxidation in a plug flow reactor. According to another aspect, a catalyst and an oxidizer are fed into a wastewater stream at first and second predetermined points of addition. Compounds in the wastewater stream susceptible to chemical oxidation are reacted with the chemical oxidizer. A modular, optionally fully automated apparatus is provided for pretreating spent caustic and other wastewater streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: MPR Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark K. Vineyard
  • Publication number: 20030070973
    Abstract: A water treatment apparatus includes a mixing tube for receiving the waste water from the inlet and through which the waste water passes to an outlet of the mixing tube assembly for mixing into the waste water a plurality of chemicals for causing flocculation of contaminants in the waste water and a settling chamber connected to the outlet of the mixing tube assembly for receiving the waste water and the chemicals mixed therein for allowing settling of the flocculated contaminants and for supplying clarified water at an outlet of the settling chamber. The mixing tube has a plurality of injection members at spaced positions along the duct each including a pump and a chemical supply for injecting a selected quantity of a selected chemical into the duct and each including a respective mixing member and drive therefore in the duct at spaced positions therealong arranged such that each injection member is associated with a respective mixing member for mixing the chemical into the water in the duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Raymond P. Briltz, Robert J. Hubbard
  • Patent number: 6540922
    Abstract: A device for treating liquid medium has an ultrasound emitter located relative to a compartment of a container holding a liquid medium and a microbubble emitter located relative to the compartment. The ultrasound emitter emits high-frequency ultrasound between about 200 KHz and 10 MHz. The microbubble emitter emits bubbles with an average diameter of less than 1 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Ashland, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric De Meulenaer Cordemans, Baudouin Hannecart, Marie-Françoise Lepeltier, Yves Canivet
  • Publication number: 20030038069
    Abstract: A system for the treatment of water integrating the use of pods. The pods have a sturdy rigid base and a flexible permeable membrane. The tank itself has a viewing port in the sidewall for an observer to witness the treatment process. The tank also has a base with anchor rods for securing the lid. The lid has a monitoring unit and permits the flow of water into and out from the tank. Inserted into the tank is an internal riser tube acting as the return line for the water to the monitoring unit and a directional flow disk. Pods are stacked on top of one another in a predetermined order for the treatment of the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventor: Gene Bittner
  • Publication number: 20030029792
    Abstract: This invention relates to remediation systems, and more particularly to remediation systems for water, soil, and sediment bodies using thin-layer coated microbubbles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: William B. Kerfoot
  • Patent number: 6517713
    Abstract: A water purification system for a swimming pool, pond, aquatic mammal tank, spa or fountain, which is simple to operate, low in maintenance, and highly reliable. The system comprises at least an ozonator and an electrolytic chlorinator. The system preferably comprises, in sequence, a vortex separator for initial separation of particulates; optionally an absorption or adsorption filter which may be a conventional pool filter using sand, diatomaceous earth, or paper cartridge as filtering medium; an ozone injector; an ozone contact chamber having a top end and a bottom end, wherein said water stream injected with ozone enters at or near said top end and is withdrawn from at or near said bottom end; and an electrolytic chlorinator for production of chlorine which is then oxidized to oxychlorine species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph Gargas
  • Publication number: 20030015481
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for ballast water treatment in order to eliminate/strongly reduce the ballast water's content of biological organisms, by injecting ozone gas into the ballast water during loading of ballast water. The inventive apparatus is sufficiently light, small and cheap such that it can relatively easily be implemented in most existing ships as well as new ship designs, and that is able to satisfactory kill the marine organisms in the ballast water, either as a separate system or in combination with conventional ballast water treatment systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventor: Ola Magne Eidem