Diverse Type Patents (Class 210/202)
  • Publication number: 20040226895
    Abstract: A high content recovery system which allows for the processing of animal waste and the reuse of the nutrient rich solids and water used in the processing of such animal waste. The recovery system includes a solids concentrator section which concentrates solids and aids in removal of the liquids, a liquid treatment section which treats the water in such manner to allow the same to be reused as potable water and an organic waste processing area. The system is efficient in using substantial portions of the animal waste, both as the nutrient rich solids for fertilizer and other applications and reuse of the water for further processing and other uses and thus effectively constitutes a zero waste discharge system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventor: David Bromley
  • Patent number: 6814876
    Abstract: Water may be purified and treated to kill and/or remove various harmful contaminants and microorganisms with a method and system including ozone treatment and oxygenation. In the present system and method, the ozone treatment and oxygenation process is carried out in the chamber of one canister and includes one or two further canisters, either a pre-filtration canister that contains a filter for removing large particulates that might interfere with the ozone treatment and oxygenation process, or a post-filtration canister that contains a filter for removing smaller particulates downstream, or both. The system is versatile in that one or the other of the filtration canisters can be eliminated. To limit the expense of manufacturing the system, the exterior of the canisters are identically molded and the bottom caps of the canisters are integrally molded to the body of the canisters, also eliminating one possible leakage point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Vortech Latinoamerica
    Inventor: Thomas F. Neal
  • Patent number: 6808622
    Abstract: To purify wastewater discharged from lavatories (3), a wastewater purifying apparatus having a shell contact aeration chamber (6, 7) placed with shell microbial carrier members (15), the wastewater being fed to and purified in the shell contact aeration chamber (6, 7). Shells whose mother-of-pearl layer on the inner surface (b) is at least removed are used as the microbial carrier member (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Eiwa Country Environment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoichi Okamoto, Masayuki Komurasaki, Hirofumi Niki
  • Publication number: 20040195181
    Abstract: A water treatment and maintenance system using microbiologically pure alkaline water for use as initial fill and subsequent makeup for water based heating ventilating and cooling (HVAC) closed loop systems and for once-through open-end potable hot and cold water storage systems is disclosed. Loop water is treated with an impregnated media filter comprising silver impregnated activated carbon adsorbents and copper impregnated activated carbon adsorbents to maintain bacteriostasis. A water treatment and maintenance system using copper and silver activated carbon adsorbents in a carbon block cartridge is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph Michael Loftis
  • Patent number: 6797165
    Abstract: A modular water filter system having a plurality of filter canister receptacles, each receptacle having a diverter valve for routing water into and out of the particular canister installed in the receptacle. The diverter valves are interconnected by water hoses such that water is sequentially filtered by flowing into the first diverter valve, through its installed filter canister, then to the second diverter valve and through its installed filter canister, and through the succeeding diverter valves and filter canisters to a final tap. The filter configuration, including filter type, filter quality, and filter sequence, is changed by simply installing different filter canisters into the diverter valves. An intermediate taps can be connected to the output of any diverter valve to provide the user with water filtered by that diverter valve's filter canister and all preceding filter canisters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventor: Dana Harrison
  • Patent number: 6790352
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating water contaminated with metal sulfates and sulfuric acid such as acid mine drainage (AMD) which in part recycles high pH effluent from later steps in the process back to the earlier steps of the process. The recycled high pH effluent added with magnesium hydroxide to the entering AMD generates precipitates separable from the stream to leave sulfate ladened water. A tangential filtering process is used to separate the sulfate ladened water into one stream of pure water and a second stream containing sulfate. One portion of the second stream is treated with ammonia to yield a cake of ammonia sulfate and aqueous ammonia. Ca(OH)2 is added to another portion of the second stream to produce calcium sulfate cake and the high pH effluent that is recycled back to the first step in the cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen Ray Wurzburger, J. Michael Overton
  • Patent number: 6787043
    Abstract: A water purification system and method using an ionizer and an ozonation treatment for ionization, oxidation and/or decomposition of undegradeable contaminants is disclosed. A high electron-inducing voltage is first applied to the water in the ionizer so that undergradeable materials are ionized and/pr decomposed, then the water is mixed with ozone so the water is purified to be potable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Moon-Ki Cho
    Inventors: Moon-Ki Cho, Han-Young Kang
  • Patent number: 6783676
    Abstract: A process for treating water to remove concentrations of nutrients and pollutants using ozone prior or after the water is exposed to natural filtration by periphyton or other aquatic plants. A system employs a deep water tank containing water to be treated is injected at the bottom with concentrated ozonated water to expose the water to be treated to ozone. The treated water exits from the tope of the tank whereby it is flowed over aquatic plant system to remove the undesired matter, such as pesticides. The process can be repeated successively to further treat the water if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: AquaFiber Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Kyle R. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20040159599
    Abstract: Installation for the removal and the deactivation of organisms in the ballast water, with the following characteristic features:
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Knud Hamann, Holger Hamann
  • Publication number: 20040159615
    Abstract: A desalination system for removing at least a substantial amount of salt from a saltwater. In at least one embodiment, the desalination system may inject the saltwater with one or more ionized gases for removing contaminants from the saltwater. The desalination system may include one or more ionized gas generators for generating one or more ionized gases to be mixed with the saltwater. The desalination system may inject a disinfectant into the saltwater to disinfect the saltwater. The desalination system may generate one or more disinfectants from saltwater using a disinfectant generator. In at least one embodiment, the disinfectant generator may separate disinfectants from saltwater using electrolysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: Charles E. Leffler
  • 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: 6767458
    Abstract: A water purification system 2 includes a pulsed source of UV light. This UV light is emitted by a pulsed laser 12, and the UV light pulses are incident upon water passing though a pulsed UV generator 10. The UV light pulses also strike crystalline members 36, such as diamonds and quartz crystals, which are also disposed within the flow path. The combination of incident UV light pulses and UV light dispersed by crystals 36 having differing crystal structures and differing sizes has been found to be effective in destroying organic pathogens including microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Inventor: Eugen Safta
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20040134847
    Abstract: A water activating apparatus includes (a) a plurality of floatable fibrous filter balls, an atomizer, a plurality of bio-chemical ceramic wave energy tubes, a receiving barrel, and a magnetizer, (b) a water softening device, (c) an ultraviolet sterilizing lamp, a porous bio-chemical ceramic wave energy plate, a plurality of magnetized bodies, an multi-layer stainless steel filter net, and a filter barrel, (d) a faucet, (e) a sprayer, (f) a sprayer switch mounted between the faucet and the sprayer, (g) a reverse washing switch, (h) a water flow monitor, (i) a gas/water mixer, a magnet-actuating reciprocating high pressure air pump, and a super-oxygen generating barrel, and (j) a transfer device. Thus, the water is activated efficiently, thereby enhancing the water quality contained in the receiving barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Jen-Wei Lin
  • 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: 20040129625
    Abstract: The invention discloses a multifunctional water supply tank with pressure-stabilized water storage and quality-distinguished supply of service and potable water, which includes a service water storage room with a water inlet and a water outlet, a potable water storage room communicated with the service water storage room and containing purifying agents, a potable water outlet, and a water outlet communicated with a solar water heater, the present invention solves the problems of insufficient water pressure of tap water pipe network and the secondary water contamination during water supply by the pipe network, meanwhile it heats and preserves the temperature of the water supply tank cover and the water supply pipe walls, and separates pure water from service water, solar heated water, and purified potable water for separate metering and utilization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Zerong Wang
  • Publication number: 20040118759
    Abstract: A method for denitrification of water, in which the water to be denitrified is made to flow over a porous carrier which comprises a transition metal, preferably palladium, used in an amount between 0.01 and 5% by weight on the carrier and on which denitrifying bacterial strains capable of surviving in the presence of hydrogen are made to adhere, and in which hydrogen is used as a reducing agent and the pH of the reaction is adjusted to values of 4.5 to 7.8 preferably by using carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: SUD Chemie MT S.R.L.
    Inventors: Antonio Pasquale, Carlo Rubini, Michele Rossi, Luigi Cavalli
  • Publication number: 20040112816
    Abstract: A transportable drilling fluid cleaning system for removing solids from drilling fluid at a drill site comprises a platform for transporting the cleaning system to a drill site. A bin region on the platform retains solids from the drilling fluid. A settling tank on the platform has an inlet chamber to receive drilling fluid and at least one other chamber. The settling tank acts to separate the drilling fluids into an upper fluid fraction having a reduced concentration of solids and a lower solids fraction having a higher concentration of solids as the drilling fluid flows from the inlet chamber to at least one other chamber. There is a stand on the platform to support at least one centrifuge for separating the solids from the drilling fluid. The stand is movable between a stored position during transport of the platform and an operating position. A flocculent source can be provided on the platform for adding a flocculating agent to the drilling fluid to promote removal of solids from the drilling fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Donald Roy Smith, Melvin Douglas Kapicki
  • Publication number: 20040099596
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system and methods for local delivery of drugs directly to the coronary circulation which may be isolated from systemic circulation. More especially it relates to a dialysis system and methods of infusing beneficial drugs, therapeutic agents, and/or other beneficial substances, including high doses of these, such as HDL, therapeutic genes, and/or chelating agents to the coronary system. The multi-chambered dialysis machine in the present system is capable of removing unwanted/harmful substances from the blood, enriching and/or otherwise processing the blood, and re-circulating the processed blood back to the coronary circulation of patient. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Morteza Naghavi, Hossein Eftekhari, S. Ward Casscells
  • Patent number: 6733662
    Abstract: In a vertical shaft bioreactor, improved devices and methods are provided for enhanced secondary and/or tertiary treatment of wastewater, including residential, municipal and industrial wastewater. The devices and methods of the invention are useful for enhanced secondary wastewater treatment, including BOD and TSS removal. Tertiary treatment can alternately or additionally be achieved in the bioreactor with nitrification of ammonia, with nitrification and denitrification, and with nitrification, denitrification, and chemical phosphorus removal. A vertical shaft bioreactor is also provided which achieves thermophilic aerobic digestion and pasteurization of sewage sludges, optionally to produce class A biosolids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: V.A.I. Ltd.
    Inventor: David Pollock
  • Patent number: 6733667
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for desalination of salt water (and purification of polluted water) are disclosed. Saline (or otherwise polluted) water is pumped to a desalination installation and down to the base of a desalination fractionation column, where it is mixed with hydrate-forming gas or liquid to form either positively buoyant (also assisted buoyancy) or negatively buoyant hydrate. The hydrate rises or sinks or is carried into a lower pressure area and dissociates (melts) into the gas and pure water. In preferred embodiments, residual salt water which is heated by heat given off during formation of the hydrate is removed from the system to create a bias towards overall cooling as the hydrate dissociates endothermically at shallower depths, and input water is passed through regions of dissociation in heat-exchanging relationship therewith so as to be cooled sufficiently for hydrate to form at pressure-depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Marine Desalination Systems L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael David Max
  • Publication number: 20040084373
    Abstract: A process for removing solids from a water-based flush solution, The process includes: providing dirty flush solution; directing the dirty flush solution to a treatment vessel; adding one or more chemicals to the treatment vessel to form a treated flush solution; separating aggregated paint compounds from the treated flush solution to form a filtered flush solution; and directing the filtered flush solution to spray application equipment. The flush system of the invention includes a treatment vessel, wherein the dirty flush solution is mixed with one or more chemicals to form a treated flush solution; a primary separation unit to remove particles including aggregated paint compounds from the treated flush solution to form a filtered flush solution; and transfer lines to direct the filtered flush solution to spray application equipment. The filtered flush solution contains: 1% to 5% by weight of a water soluble organic solvent; 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien
    Inventor: Neil R. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6723232
    Abstract: A water purification apparatus for purifying water from a municipal water supply prior to a point of use has multiple water purification units including a carbon filter, a particle filter and an ultraviolet light source connected in series. The carbon filter removes free residual chlorine, the particle filter removes particles including carbon particles from the carbon filter, and the ultraviolet filter kills bacteria. A bypass conduit connected in parallel with the water purification units and valves permit system maintenance during which the water from the supply can flow directly to the point of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: United Export & Import, Inc.
    Inventor: Munir Simon
  • Publication number: 20040069718
    Abstract: Problems
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Xulin Sun, Junko Ishibashi, Kenichiro Kimura
  • Patent number: 6716351
    Abstract: A system comprising a first anaerobic digester (12), an ammonia recovery vessel (16) and a second anaerobic digester (14). Microorganisms in the first digester are primarily hydrolyzers and acetogens, while those in the second digester are primarily methanogens. A nitrogen containing feed stock undegoes hydrolysis ans acetogenesis in the first digester. The effluent is passed to the ammonia recovery vessel in which ammonia is removed. The low ammonia effluent stream is passed to the second digester to undergo methanogenesis, generating a biogas. In an alternate embodiment, a single anaerobic digester is used. The effluent is treated for ammonia removal and recycled to the digester to keep the ammonia levels sufficiently low to avoid ammonia inhibition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventor: Alexander G. Fassbender
  • Publication number: 20040060876
    Abstract: A system and method for treating and removing hydrocarbon and other contaminants in bilge and ballast water, utilizing a multiple progressive process that chemically and electrically treats-and removes contaminants. Wastewater, received by a sump, is transmitted to a holding tank and treated, over a period of time while-influent wastewater continues off loading. The wastewater is pumped to an oil/water separator tank that decants free-floating oil from the wastewater to an oil retention tank. The wastewater then undergoes an electrocoagulation process where emulsions are broken and compounds that further aid treatment are created. The treated water flows to a retention/separation tank where contaminant particles coalesce and separate. Water is decanted and transferred to a clean water holding tank through an ozone injection system and an activated carbon filter. Treated water is recirculated until it exits the system meeting discharge limits for organics and metals allowing release into the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Gary A. Tipton
  • Patent number: 6709585
    Abstract: Said equipment include a tank-filter (1, 15) in which a pretreatment stage is carried out. The tank (1) is a decanter to which a flocculant that is uniformly mixed with an agitator (3) can be added. The sludge is removed by delivering it to a filter bag (5). The permeates are then fed to a collecting tank (6) and pumped to the same tank (7) receiving the clarified waters. The permeates are then decanted from said tank (7) through a safety filter (8) to a battery of activated carbon columns (9) where they arm purified by adsorption until the established threshold values have been reached. In another embodiment, the reservoir-filter (15) is a polypropylene bag filter with diatomaceous earth, wherein the liquid passes directly to the decanting tank and is then pumped to the battery of activated carbon columns (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Tecnidex, Tecnicas de Desinfeccion, S.A.
    Inventors: Manuel García Portillo, Elías Salvador Aviño, Javier Olivares Vicente, Rafael Llamas De Andrés, María de los Angeles Soriano Jiménez, Juan Pablo Lorenzo Blanco
  • Patent number: 6706171
    Abstract: This invention relates to systems for treating wastewater and more particularly to removing nutrients from wastewater in a wastewater treatment system. Wastewater tanks, each having membrane filters, are arranged in series. Each tank is equipped with respective inlets and outlets and an air supply as well as detectors for monitoring various wastewater parameters. A controller is coupled to the detectors, inlets and outlets for effecting sequences of opening and closing the inlets and outlets and turning the air supplies on and off in response to various detecting conditions and effects different operations, including a cleaning mode, in different cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: BioChem Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaw Fang Lee, James J. Goodley, Mark J. Bubel, Sr., William D. McGurney, Wenjun Liu
  • Publication number: 20040045885
    Abstract: A waste treatment system permitting treatment of organic wastes at low cost is provided. In the waste treatment system, organic wastes such as sewage, garbage and sludge are introduced into a methane fermentation bath for anaerobic fermentation. The methane gas produced in the bath is refined in a gas holder and then supplied to an electric generator, where the methane gas is used as a raw material for power generation. Digested liquid within the methane fermentation bath is supplied to an electrolytic bath via a flow adjustment bath and a fine screen. In the electrolytic bath, the digested liquid is subjected to electrolysis, by applying potentials to an electrode pair in the electrolytic bath based on the electric power obtained by the electric generator. By the electrolysis, nitrogen components including organic nitrogen and ammonia nitrogen, and BOD, SS and phosphorus components are removed from the digested liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Hiro, Masaki Moriizumi, Jun Hirose, Naoki Kitayama, Fumitake Kondo
  • Patent number: 6679988
    Abstract: An improved water purification system for production of USP purified water and/or USP water for injection include backwashable, chlorine tolerant microfilter or ultrafilter for initial filtration of the feed water (10). The filtrate from the filter (18) is provided to a dechlorinator (18) prior to being subjected to an optional, reverse osmosis membrane unit (60) and then to a still (66) which discharges purified water at USP standards for purified water or water for injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Mechanical Equipment Company, Inc.
    Inventor: George V. Gsell
  • Patent number: 6669839
    Abstract: A process and system for pretreating, gathering, transmitting and finally treating waste produced at multiple locations includes pretreating the waste proximate the generation site, gathering the pretreated waste and transmitting the waste to a final treatment facility. One or more gathering stations, with sensing and feedback mechanisms, allow for controlled injection of waste to collection lines, and segments thereof, to control system demand through the collection line and to final treatment facility. The pretreating step includes removing particulates that impede the flow of waste through the collection lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventors: Gary A. Tipton, Guy L. Harrell
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20030226803
    Abstract: A process for treating organic wastewater which comprises treating organic wastewater with ozone and successively with alkali and introducing said alkali treated organic wastewater into an anaerobic digestion tank for anaerobic digestion. Instead of the ozone and successive alkali treatments, ozone treatment in the presence of hydrogen peroxide or ozone treatment under UV radiation is applicable. Prior to introduction into the anaerobic digestion tank, the treated wastewater may be separated into solids and phosphorus is preferably recovered from the solution. Solubilization of solids in the organic wastewater and transformation of organic substances into methane are greatly enhanced and sludge to be disposed is greatly reduced. Moreover, phosphorus is efficiently eluted out and recovered from solids in the organic wastewater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: Mitsibishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kamiya, Junji Hirotsuji, Nozomu Yasunaga, Seiji Furukawa, Naoki Nakatsugawa
  • Patent number: 6649052
    Abstract: An ozone oxidizing apparatus in which, after fine air bubbles are distributed in a fluid (a waste water) delivered together with air to increase a dissolvable oxygen concentration, when ozone evenly contacts a contaminant of the fluid, oxidation is maximized by virtue of the instantaneous catalytic action of the oxygen air bubbles, thereby effectively removing the contaminant contained in the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: IEI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-rai Lee, Se-ho Mun, Gwang-lok Han, Seong-lak Im, Seok-won Son
  • Patent number: 6641721
    Abstract: Wastewater can be treated using a combination of a settleable solids separator, such as a vortex separator, and a gas floatation separation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Great Circle Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven B. Mullerheim
  • Publication number: 20030196969
    Abstract: A method and system for removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from sludge advantageously utilizes a stripper for removing the VOCs directly from the sludge to convert the sludge into a non-hazardous material. Preliminary steps of mixing may include addition of a liquid to improve flowability. Then the sludge is moved through the stripper in which the VOCs are carried away in a gas provided in the stripper for the purpose of carrying the VOCs away. Any of a variety of strippers may be utilized for VOC removal. Subsequently, the liquid is separated from the sludge material in, for example, a dewaterer, and each of the liquid and the sludge is either recycled or dumped as a non-hazardous material or waste. The system may be configured in a variety of ways and still function properly in carrying out the method of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventor: Paul W. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6630072
    Abstract: Novel methods and apparatuses are disclosed for the treatment of wastewater to reduce often associated offensive odors by promoting aerobic conditions through decreasing the amount of oxygen required to maintain aerobic cultures and/or aerobic biological activity in the wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Hoffland Environmental, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert O. Hoffland
  • Patent number: 6623636
    Abstract: An oil-conditioning filter, for use with an internal combustion engine, includes a mechanically active filter element and a chemically active filter element. The chemically active filter element has a beneficial oil conditioning agent contained in a plurality of porous additive-dispensing modules. Each of the additive-dispensing modules includes a hollow housing having a plurality of holes formed therein, and a beneficial oil additive disposed within the housing. Optionally, each additive-dispensing module may also include a porous or semi-porous polymeric membrane covering the housing, to control the rate at which the additive material diffuses outwardly therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Paul Rohrbach, Gordon William Jones, Peter D. Unger, Daniel E. Bause
  • Publication number: 20030173306
    Abstract: A waste stream from energetics processing is treated using a pre-filter having media, preferably sand, and a metal that has a reducing potential, preferably elemental iron (Fe0). The pre-filter is connected to a zero-valent metal column reactor. The waste stream is pumped through the pre-filter to trap solids and deoxygenate it, then enters the reactor and is subjected to a reducing process. Most of the Fe0 is transformed to the ferrous ion (Fe+2), added to the resultant product, and fed to a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) in which Fenton oxidation occurs. This product is then sent to a sedimentation tank and pH-neutralized using a strong base such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The aqueous portion is drawn off and the sludge pumped from the sedimentation tank. Both tanks are monitored and controlled to optimize required additives, while monitoring of pressure drop across the pre-filter and column reactor establishes replacement requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel K. Cha, Pei C. Chiu, Seok-Young Oh, Byung Joon Kim
  • Patent number: 6616844
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for treating high-concentrated organic wastewater, such as night soil or livestock wastewater, which has high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous. In particular, it is related to a method for treating night soil or livestock wastewater having high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous, comprising an anaerobic ammonium oxidizing (Anammox) step and a biopond step. The process for treating wastewater according to the present invention provides good efficiency in removing organic material and nutrients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Wan Cheol Park, Tae Hyung Kim, Chang Ju Lee, Hun Jung
  • Patent number: 6613232
    Abstract: A floating mobile self-contained membrane filtration treatment vessel that is suitable for use in the treatment of contaminated marine waters and shipboard wastes including, but not limited to, ballast water, graywater, and blackwater and excess dredge waters. The mobile treatment vessel preferably includes a micro or ultrafiltration membrane treatment system for micron and submicron sized particulate removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventors: Warren Howard Chesner, James Melrose
  • Patent number: 6602414
    Abstract: A molecule separator device for isolating molecules having at least two separable properties and within a solution. The device includes a housing, and at least two molecule collection media disposed within the housing, whereby each such medium captures molecules exhibiting a respective property. In one embodiment, a first membrane captures only molecules with an ionic and/or hydrophobic and/or affinity attraction property while a second membrane captures only such molecules that additionally fall within a particular molecular weight range. A preferred housing is cylindrical for acceptance within a centrifuge, and is constructed of a plurality of releasably-connected compartments. The collection media is sequentially situated and centrifugation of the housing drives the solution through the media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Formulations Pro
    Inventor: Timothy Neal Warner
  • Patent number: 6599418
    Abstract: An integrated apparatus that contains both the gravity settling mechanism and the dissolved-air floatation (DAF) mechanism in a compensating manner is provided. The said apparatus comprises a gravity settling chamber (34), a DAF chamber (42), a chamber connection channel (22), an air-dissolving device (38), a means for collecting treated water (24), and a water level control device (16). During treatment, heavy solid particles in water or wastewater can be quickly removed by gravity settling, while the remaining light solid particles and/or oil can be quickly removed by DAF. Thus, the apparatus of this invention is more effective and efficient compared with conventional clarifiers that employ only one clarification mechanism. Therefore, the apparatus of this invention is more compact and can achieve better effluent quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Inventor: Jianmin Wang
  • Publication number: 20030136748
    Abstract: A water purification system comprises: a water source; a dispenser for dispensing water to fill a container; a conduit connected to the source and the dispenser for the transport of the water from the source to the dispenser; one or more filters interposed between the source and the dispenser for filtering the water that is dispensed to the container; and sanitising apparatus for sanitising the container. The sanitising apparatus comprises a reservoir of disinfectant and distributing apparatus for distributing the disinfectant to the container with the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: John Brian Braithwaite
  • Patent number: 6592757
    Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention generally comprises a wastewater contact tank that is broken into three distinct zones: a selector zone positioned between a stabilization zone and a contact zone. The entire influent is introduced into the selector zone which is maintained in an anoxic condition. Baffles positioned within the selector zone permit control of microorganisms levels present in the zone. The wastewater introduced into the selector zone and treated via the microorganisms present therein, flows over a weir into the contact zone. In the contact zone, the solids suspended in the liquor (the mixture of the wastewater and activated sludge) settle to the bottom and pass through a line which returns it to the selector zone. The return line, however, includes a valve which controls the rate of passage. The treated wastewater (which includes waste activated sludge and treated water) passes from the contact zone into the clarifiers for final processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: O'Brien & Gere Engineers, Inc.
    Inventor: Sami M. Nasr
  • Patent number: 6579447
    Abstract: A self-cleaning prefilter system generally includes a system inlet 11, a sediment filter 13 having a selectively openable drain port 18, a chemical injector 21, a pressure accumulator 28 having a upper chamber 31 in open fluid communication with the filter outlet 16, and a system outlet 12. A controller 33 in communication with a plurality of valves (V1, V2, V3) initiates a backwashing mode such that upon opening of the drain valve V3, fluid within the upper chamber 31 of the pressure accumulator is driven back towards the sediment filter to backwash the filter screen thereof. Contemporaneously, chemicals within the chemical injector 21 are driven along with the backwash flow via capillary 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael T. Romanyszyn, Robert S. Bosko
  • Publication number: 20030094406
    Abstract: A process is provided to produce water that will meet the specifications of the United States Pharmacopeia Inc. for Purified Water and Water for Injection, and water for dialysis as circumscribed by the American Association for Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). The system has no storage tanks where stagnant water will be fouled by biofilm colonizing the tank surface. Water is circulated throughout the purification system and drawn as required, on demand. The water is purified and used immediately or recycled and repurified to ensure quality. Sanitation of the purification system, maintaining microbiological purity and cleaning is done by controlling the pH so that it is normally acidic by maintaining a high carbon dioxide concentration in solution, the carbon dioxide being allowed to pass into the permeate from a reverse osmosis membrane assembly used to purify the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventor: Steven D. Smith
  • Patent number: 6565744
    Abstract: The present invention provides treatment of wastewater containing oil, organic and inorganic industrial compounds, urea, and e.t.c. The resulting products will be purified water, dry fertilizer, pure carbomide, uncontaminated gas and liquid fuel, and other products that can be separated from the concentrate after ultrafiltration. In order to accomplish those and other objectives the present invention improves the system for cleaning wastewater by subjecting the wastewater to a magnetic field and heating it before the initial settling process. In addition, before ultrafiltration, the liquid is treated in an electroflotation device. The wastewater cleaning system can also be comprised of a urea separator for separating urea from other products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventors: Mikhail Levitin, Boris Khaytin
  • Patent number: 6562234
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for desalination of salt water (and purification of polluted water) are disclosed. Salt (or otherwise polluted) water is pumped to a desalination installation and down to the base of a desalination fractionation column, where it is mixed with hydrate-forming gas to form either positively buoyant or negatively buoyant (assisted buoyancy) hydrate. The hydrate rises or is carried upward and dissociates (melts) into the gas and pure water. In preferred embodiments, residual salt water which is heated by heat given off during formation of the hydrate is removed from the system to create a bias towards overall cooling as the hydrate dissociates endothermically at shallower depths. In preferred embodiments, the input water is passed through regions of dissociation in heat-exchanging relationship therewith so as to be cooled sufficiently for hydrate to form at pressure-depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Marine Desalination Systems L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael D. Max
  • Publication number: 20030080068
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating an oxygen containing gas (generally air) and/or water in an appliance such as a refrigerator washing machine, dryer or dishwasher with ozone so as to disinfect the water used within the appliance and use the ozone in the air to disinfect the interior space and the contents of the appliance. Arrangements may be made to provide disinfected water on demand. The ozone containing gas is provided when needed, or in the case of a refrigerator, at a time of the day when the refrigerator is not generally in use. The generator may include a source of ultraviolet radiation, a plenum for the air and a plenum for the water. The plenum for the water may be in the form of a tube which is transparent to ultraviolet. The diameter of the tube is preferably selected so that plug flow of water through the tube occurs. The ozone containing air and the disinfected water may be provided to a location remote from the appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Evan E. Koslow, Lawrence S. Walters