Diverse Type Patents (Class 210/202)
  • Patent number: 6270658
    Abstract: To bring maximum sterility in a stationary drinking water supply installation with a water tank, the invention provides a method for filling a drinking water installation in which, after filling a tank with fresh water, the water is circulated at least over a filter. The invention also provides an apparatus for drinking water supply from a drinking water tank with a supply pipe connectable to a fresh water source and which has a three-way valve (6) with an inlet (4) connected to the fresh water intake (3), as well as a second inlet (22) and a supply pipe (5) leading to the tank (2). There is also a return pipe (21) leading from the water tank (2) to the second inlet (22) of the three-way valve (6) and a circulating pump (9) in the water circuit formed by the return pipe (21) and supply pipe (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Digmesa AG
    Inventor: Heinz Plüss
  • Patent number: 6264832
    Abstract: An apparatus (18) for receiving rain water from a water collecting means (20) and treating this water according to a treatment cycle. The apparatus has a stop tank (24) to hold incoming water while a treatment cycle is being executed in a main tank (32), so there is no mixing of the treated water with water to be treated. The main tank has various reservoirs (42, 52, 62), valves (30, 40, 50) and buoyant elements (68, 70), and the water flow is strictly controlled by gravity and the buoyancy of the water. Treating solutions such as a mineral solution and a chloride solution are added in predetermined quantities to the water during the treatment cycle, and the treated water is stored into a storage tank (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: Fazlollah Panahi
  • Patent number: 6264836
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for decontaminating a fluid, particularly water and wastewater, uses pulsed ultraviolet (UV) light in an automatic pump driven configuration that separately and in real time adjusts each UV reactor module for both water flow and UV power (average and peak intensity) to accommodate a wide range of influent conditions, thereby producing the quality of water discharge desired by the operator. Process control is configured on the basis of a UV transmission-based feedback control loop and on a truly active and independent adjustment of each reactor module, as opposed to the relatively passive and dependent adjustment techniques of the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: Robert M. Lantis
  • Patent number: 6258265
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated methods for purifying water are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: James Phillip Jones
  • Patent number: 6251264
    Abstract: A method for purifying water containing organic matter includes dispersing photo-catalyst particles and an inorganic coagulant into the water; oxidizing the organic matter by activating the photo-catalyst particles by irradiating them with light; maintaining the diameter of the photo-catalyst particles to be equal to or less than 0.1 mm; and condensing the photo-catalyst particles and the inorganic coagulant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Tanaka, Koichi Tsuzuki
  • Publication number: 20010004060
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating solid particles from the suction effluent of, for example, a dental office, preferably driven by a dental office vacuum pump, includes a surge tank for accommodating effluent overfill connected to a sedimentary deposit tank for sedimentation of effluent particles. A bypass conduit is connected to the surge tank inlet which is equipped with a vacuum break valve for allowing air into the system when the suction openings are closed. The sedimentary deposit tank has a series of baffle chambers through which effluent flows in sequence, and in each of which chambers sediment is deposited for later removal. The surge tank preferably has a liquid level sensor and warning device. Modular filters or adsorbants may be installed in the sedimentary deposit tank, or a modular auxiliary filter may be connected downstream of the tank. Chemical injection may be used to improve sedimentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Inventor: Richard H. Chilibeck
  • Patent number: 6238556
    Abstract: A filtration system for filtering particulate matter from a liquid, the filtration system comprises a pre-filtration apparatus and a main filtration apparatus. The pre-filtration apparatus comprises a vessel having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a back-washing outlet, and a filtering medium disposed in the vessel and capable of filtering large particulate matter from the liquid and passing fine particulate matter. The fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are positioned such that liquid flowing therebetween is passed through the filtering medium. The fluid outlet and back-washing outlet are positioned such that liquid flowing therebetween is passed through the filtering medium. The main filtration apparatus comprises a vessel having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a filtering medium disposed in the vessel and capable of filtering fine particulate matter from the liquid. The fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are positioned such that liquid flowing therebetween is passed through the filtering medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Fluid Art Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William D. Hawk, Gary D. Cryer
  • Patent number: 6228258
    Abstract: The Sewage Treatment System with Chlorinator (“STSC”) processes sewage for buildings not connected to a municipal sewer system. It employs a two stage process for cleaning sewage in a single, light-weight, easy-to-install unit. Sewage is initially cleaned in the aerobic tank, which is divided into an inner chamber and an outer chamber by a funnel-shaped clarifier hanging down in the aerobic tank, with the opening in the bottom of the clarifier held above the bottom of the aerobic tank. Air droplines hang down in the outer chamber of the aerobic tank, so that sewage in the outer chamber is aerated, stimulating aerobic microorganisms which digest the sewage. The sewage in the outer chamber then moves into the inner chamber inside the clarifier where gravity separates solids from the effluent. This cleaned effluent is then drained to the post-treatment tank for the second cleaning stage, where it is chlorinated and stored for discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Inventors: Hubbard H. Donald, George E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6217759
    Abstract: The invention is designed for the treatment of household and industrial sewage, mainly for the biochemical treatment of high-contaminated sewage produced by those enterprises referred to the food, chemical, pharmaceutical and microbiological industries. The installation contains a primary purification stage biocoagulator (3), a secondary stage biocoagulator (14) whose sediment is introduced into a fermenter (17). Clarified effluent from biocoagulator (14) and fermenter (17) is further introduced into a pump plant (33), whereby effluent is pumped into a biofilter (39) and further into a combined device (44) of the same design as fermenter (17)—irrigation system, artificial charge, aeration columns, settling section. Clarified effluent from combined device (44) is finally processed into a tertiary purification bioreactor (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignees: Nadezhda Vladimirovna Kolesnikova, Vladimir Konstantinovich Gordeev-Gavrikov
    Inventors: Vladimir Petrovich Kolesnikov, Vladimir Dmitrievich Klimukhin, Vladimir Konstantinovich Gordeev-Gavrikov
  • Patent number: 6200472
    Abstract: The Three Stage Sewage Treatment System (“TSSTS”) processes sewage for buildings not connected to a municipal sewer system. It employs a three stage process for cleaning sewage in a single, light-weight, easy-to-install unit. Sewage is initially cleaned anaerobically in the pre-treatment tank as gravity acts to separate solids from the effluent. Sewage then flows into the aerobic tank for further cleaning by aerobic microorganisms and continued gravity separation of solid contaminants from the effluent. The aerobic tank is divided into an inner chamber and an outer chamber by a funnel-shaped clarifier. In the TSSTS, the clarifier is a separate piece with a lip around the top of the funnel-shaped main body. The lip of the clarifier rests atop the sidewalls of the aerobic tank, and the clarifier hangs down in the aerobic tank, with an opening in the bottom of the clarifier held above the bottom of the aerobic tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventors: Hubbard H. Donald, George E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6193895
    Abstract: A multipurpose vehicle coolant recycling device is described. The multipurpose vehicle coolant recycling device includes a pump for pumping coolant through said recycling device, a processing tank for receiving used coolant, a fresh coolant tank for receiving fresh coolant, a filter for removing particulates from coolant, a coolant outlet hose constructed for attachment to a cooling system of a motor vehicle, a coolant inlet hose constructed for attachment to a cooling system of a motor vehicle, and a plurality of control valves for directing flow of coolant through the recycling device. The plurality of control valves are adjustable between a first configuration, a second configuration, a third configuration, and a fourth configuration. The first configuration is constructed for directing coolant from the fresh coolant tank through the pump and through the coolant outlet hose, and directing coolant from a cooling system of a motor vehicle through the coolant inlet hose and into the processing tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Century Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: William S. Dea, Todd Moore
  • Patent number: 6193889
    Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a unique apparatus and method for treating and reusing the wastewater discharged from agricultural animal farms. The apparatus and method of the present invention may be readily sized and configured depending upon the amount and constituent(s) of the wastewater to be treated. In a first embodiment, the apparatus and method of the present invention is designed to be a zero discharge system in which no wastewater will be discharged or spray irrigated. In use, the apparatus and method of the first embodiment may actually require addition of make-up water during periods of low rainfall to make-up water losses due to evaporation and drift. It is contemplated that the only byproduct of the apparatus and method of the first embodiment may be a beneficial sludge if a sufficient number of installations are operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Agrimond, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Alfredo J. Teran, John R. Derrick, Jr., Nidal A. Samad, W. Todd Willoughby, Richard G. Wood
  • Patent number: 6174434
    Abstract: A compact dissolved-air-flotation (DAF) clarifier treats raw water with suspended solid contaminants first in a flocculator at the center of an annular tank where microscopic air bubbles float flocked contaminants to form a floating sludge layer. The flocculator has a fixed, cylindrical sidewall. A first clarification, calming and degassing occur here. The water then flows radially outwardly into the tank with a straight cylindrical outer wall where further quiet clarification occurs. A third level of clarification occurs in a lower portion of the tank, specifically, within a set of fixed, inclined lamellae, where a final clarification occurs. The bottom wall of the tank has a set of apertures which allow a gravity flow of clarified water through a layer of pressurized gas to an underlying collection compartment. A set of rotating paddles push the sludge layer up a ramp to an opening in an inclined discharge conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: The Lenox Institute of Water Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Milos Krofta
  • Patent number: 6159364
    Abstract: To allow compact and simple design of a water treatment system capable of denitrification, an anaerobic treatment vessel 3 is provided downstream of an aerobic treatment vessel 2, and a filter layer 5 having a large number of carriers for microbes filled therein is formed in the anaerobic treatment vessel so that sulfur contents may be reduced by sulfate reducing microbes bred in the filter layer and the nitrate nitrogen is gasified by sulfur denitrification microbes with the aid of the sulfides thus obtained. In particular, the carriers preferably comprise a floating filter material in the form of plastic foam blocks that can float in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Daiwa Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ken Hirane
  • Patent number: 6156191
    Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient and highly effective method of removing dissolved selenium from a variety of refinery process water and wastewater streams. The present invention also provides a new and effective method of oxidizing selenium and organo-selenium compounds to the selenite [+IV] oxidation state in order to be adsorbed by a metal oxide or metal hydroxide precipitate. The invention includes two continuous stirred-tank reactors (CSTR) operated in series. The stream to be treated and one of several iron salts (ferric sulfate, ferric chloride, etc.) are introduced into the first CSTR, forming ferric hydroxide and ferric oxyhydroxide precipitates. The pH of the first CSTR is automatically controlled by adjusting the injection rate of the ferric salt. The effluent stream from the first CSTR is directed into a second CSTR into which potassium permanganate is introduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Steven D. Overman
  • Patent number: 6156192
    Abstract: A materials treatment system which initially separates liquid and solid components with a separator. The system can be advantageously utilized for household sewage handling, however various components have other applications. Once the separator separates the solids and liquids, a fire tube combusts the solids with microwaves. The liquids exiting the separator are treated in a liquid treatment system which includes additional particle filtration/separation, treatment of the liquids with an oxidant liquid, and an ultraviolet treatment. An advantageous microwave cavity assembly is also provided for dehydration/combustion of solids exiting the separator and/or for solids filtered from liquids in the liquid treatment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Wastech International, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Rummler
  • Patent number: 6153094
    Abstract: The treatment system is for use with septic tank effluent. Water is passed over polyurethane foam blocks, arranged in a heap so that air can circulate freely around the blocks. The size of the foam cells is small enough that water soaks into the blocks and is retained therin. The foam is soft and easily deformed. At the points of block-to-block engagement, the blocks deflect and conform to each other, giving rise to a large contact area through which water can pass between blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: E. Craig Jowett
    Inventors: E. Craig Jowett, Michaye Louise McMaster
  • Patent number: 6136185
    Abstract: An animal waste treatment system, particularly adapted to process the waste from a large-scale confined animal facility, has two treatment cells and a holding reservoir. Each of the treatment cells has an anaerobic zone which is two to five feet deep and an aerobic zone on top of the anaerobic zone which is at least twelve feet deep. Effluent from the facility is introduced into the anaerobic zone of the first cell; the aerobic zone of the first cell has a fluid connection to the anaerobic zone of the second cell. Residence times are preferably twenty-one days per cell. The aerobic zone is created by the injection of air with a coarse aerator. Oxygen introduced by the aeration oxidizes reduced nitrogen compounds and other volatiles; much of the nitrogen escapes as N2 to the atmosphere. A portion of the cleaned water is returned to the facility for dilution and flushing purposes. The rest of the cleaned water is used to irrigate crops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Sheaffer International Ltd.
    Inventor: John R. Sheaffer
  • Patent number: 6132600
    Abstract: A materials treatment system which initially separates liquid and solid components with a separator. The system can be advantageously utilized for household sewage handling, however various components have other applications. Once the separator separates the solids and liquids, a fire tube combusts the solids with microwaves. The liquids exiting the separator are treated in a liquid treatment system which includes additional particle filtration/separation, treatment of the liquids with an oxidant liquid, and an ultraviolet treatment. An advantageous microwave cavity assembly is also provided for dehydration/combustion of solids exiting the separator and/or for solids filtered from liquids in the liquid treatment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Wastech International, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy Marchesseault, John M. Rummler, Heinz Sauk-Schubert, Thomas Beal
  • Patent number: 6129845
    Abstract: A photo-oxidation device of a water treatment system photo-oxidizes organic material, in particular, aromatic organic material, in the water to facilitate its removal from the water. The photo-oxidation device includes a UV lamp, a flow channel in which the UV lamp is disposed, and a catalyst of an oxidation reaction between an organic material and the UV radiation emitted by the UV lamp. The UV radiation emitted from the UV lamp illuminates the flow channel while the water passes through the flow channel. The catalyst, on the other hand, is fixed to an inner wall of the flow channel to foster the oxidation of the organic material by the UV radiation. The water treatment system in which the photo-oxidation device is incorporated, includes a pre-treatment unit having particle filters, a first treatment section, and a second treatment section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sue-ryeon Kim, Hyeon-jun Kim, Youn-chul Oh, Seung-un Kim
  • Patent number: 6126816
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment device is provided, comprising a first chamber having an influent line for delivering untreated wastewater into the first chamber, wherein the first chamber further includes a first plurality of vertically staggered contact screens below the influent line; a second chamber, fluidically connected to the first chamber by a first transfer conduit for delivering wastewater from the first chamber into the second chamber, wherein the second chamber further includes a second plurality of contact screens; a third chamber, fluidically connected to the second chamber by a second transfer conduit for delivering wastewater from the second chamber into the third chamber, wherein the third chamber further includes an alkaline polish medium; an aeration device disposed within the first chamber for distributing air into the wastewater in the first chamber; and a bioliquid distribution device, fluidically connected to the influent line, comprising a liquid containing select bacteriological and enzymatic
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Inventor: Reuben F. Ruiz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6123838
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying separator waste water from a dry cleaning process. The present invention utilizes 3 stages of purification. In Stage one, highly contaminated separator waste water is put into a solvent separator tank. Liquid solvent settles out of the separator waste water, sink to the bottom of the solvent separation tank where it accumulates below the separated water. In Stage 2 air bubbles are introduced through the separated water, stripping out much of the solvent which is dissolved in the separated water and reducing the dissolved solvent concentration. This air stripping process dramatically extends to useful life of the granulated carbon in the granulated eaton filter. Stage 3 takes the air stripped water and filters it through a granulated carbon filter, which results in the carbon purified water having a dissolved solvent of less than 0.7 parts per million. The carbon purified water can then be safely and economically disposed of without harming the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Evaporation Technology International, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Grossman
  • Patent number: 6113787
    Abstract: A method serves to treat water, in particular condensate and/or seepage water from a biological degradation process. To simplify and improve such a method, the water is alternately put into aerobic and anaerobic states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Herhof Umwelttechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Czermak, Heiko Bender
  • Patent number: 6113800
    Abstract: A treatment process for recovering protein, fatty and water component products from a float material produced by a waste water treatment system, wherein the protein and fatty components possess improved stability and are suitable for further processing for inclusion in various products, such as animal feed. The recovered water component can also be further processed before discharge into a sewer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Novus International, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Hopkins, Robert J. DeRosa, William D. Shermer
  • Patent number: 6106711
    Abstract: A fluid conditioning system and method is disclosed for coupling to a first solution source comprising a suspension solution and particles suspended in the suspension solution. The fluid conditioning system includes a containment vessel defining a treatment environment and including a wall defining a fluid passage and a having an inlet apparatus. The inlet apparatus is coupled to the solution source for receiving a solution stream and directing the solution stream through the passage helically along the cylindrical wall. The containment vessel includes a sparging apparatus disposed downstream of the inlet apparatus for introducing a gas into the solution stream, and an outlet for discharging the sparged solution stream. The system further includes a flotation tank disposed proximate the containment vessel outlet for receiving the discharged solution stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventors: Dwain E. Morse, Joseph B. DeWitt, Brad Gnegy, Eddie Dean Hendrickson, Raffael Jovine, Allen Matlick, Thomas G. Matherly, Wade O. Morse, Jonathan J. Owen
  • Patent number: 6106716
    Abstract: The invention provides a system 10 for treatment and purification of domestic household effluent, and for the elimination within said system of organic solid wastes, comprising elements 12 and 14 for separately collecting first and second constituents of the sewage of a domestic residential unit, lavatory sewage comprising said first sewage constituent, and bath, shower, wash basin, laundry, kitchen sink sewage and the like comprising said second sewage constituent, a first and a second dual-purpose vessel 22 and 24, each vessel having at least one inlet port 18 and 20 and at least one outlet port 26, 28, 30, 32 and being arranged so that during the time period that one of said vessels 22 receives said first sewage constituent and acts as a collector and settling tank, the remaining vessel 24 operates as an anaerobic reaction vessel, the vessel operating as an anaerobic reaction vessel carrying out a decomposition process during which the volume of sludge 34 contained therein is greatly reduced by conversion
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: Eliezer Berkman
  • Patent number: 6103108
    Abstract: A water treatment apparatus provides treatment of water to remove, for example, hydrogen sulfide and iron, dissolved or dispersed in ground water. The system is provided with water from a conventional well and pump and includes a venturi-type aerating device which may be supplied air by a compressor. The air and water mixture are supplied to a first aerating tank through a spray nozzle which reduces the aerated water flow to a mist of fine droplets. A draw tube adjacent the bottom of the first tank provides the water to a treatment tank which is partially filled with a chemically active filtration media. The treatment tank is also equipped with a draw tube which draws off the treated water at the bottom of the tank and provides it to a third, deaerating tank wherein the air separates from the water and is purged to the atmosphere. Reduction of hydrogen sulfide content from 30 ppm to less than 5 ppm has been achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventor: Larry D. Kohlenberg
  • Patent number: 6103109
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system which comprises a tank having defined therein an aerobic treatment zone and a suspended micromedia zone. One embodiment further includes an anaerobic treatment zone. The suspended micromedia zone includes a separating media. Substantially continuous aeration is provided to energize the separating media and cause it to be stirred up into a water column within the tank. The air flow provides partial suspension of the separating media and imparts continual upward motion to the wastewater in such zone. A chimney is provided above a portion of the suspended micromedia zone and extends above the aerobic treatment zone. The mixed liquid and air rising due to the aerator air flow travels within the chimney into the aerobic treatment zone. Some separating media also travels within the chimney into the aerobic treatment zone. Aerobic bacteria is provided in the aerobic treatment zone external of the chimney.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventors: Dan G. Noyes, Louis H. Knieper, Gary A. Tipton
  • Patent number: 6103111
    Abstract: Tourmaline fine powders are mixed with glass powders having melting point between 500.degree. C. and the transition temperature of tourmaline, and the grains are formed from the mixture and sintered at a temperature below melting point of the glass. Tourmaline powders are stacked in the glass matrix in the tourmaline composite grains prepared above. When water passes through a case including many such grains, the water contacts with the grains and is converted to activated water by the grains. By using the activated water, a structure such as a moving vehicle or an outer wall of a building can be washed efficiently without a detergent. Further, the grains can be used in an apparatus for recycling wash water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignees: Mino Ganryo Kagaku Corporation, Hikohiro Sano
    Inventors: Yoshinori Kakamu, Hikohiro Sano, Minoru Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6099731
    Abstract: A process for treating a water containing chlorinated organic compounds, wherein a microorganism is introduced from a degradation tank to a separation tank and an energy source is supplied to the microorganism separated in the separation tank. A water-treatment apparatus having a structure capable of continuously introducing water to be treated through a degradation tank, a separation tank and a reactivation tank. A loss of the energy source such as methane or propane discharged from the separation tank can be reduced. A water-treatment apparatus having a degradation tank and a separation tank, wherein a microorganism can be cultivated in the separation tank. The reactivation tank can be omitted, whereby the entire size of the apparatus can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignees: Ebara Research Co., Ltd., Japan as represented by Director General of Agency of National Institute for Environmental Studies
    Inventors: Hiroo Uchiyama, Osami Yagi, Masayoshi Kitagawa, Tatsuo Shimomura, Takeshi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6096206
    Abstract: Manufacturing equipment for drinkable water containing high oxygen includes at least an original water storing and feeding device, a filter device, a softening device, a deodorising device, a film filter device, a collecting and reacting device, an ozone sterilizing device, a sophisticated filter device, a liquid oxygen supply device, and a dispensing device combined together for producing the best quality drinkable water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: Wen-Tien Huang
  • Patent number: 6083386
    Abstract: A method for treating waste from animal husbandry sites. The process is a closed loop system with no need for an anerobic lagoon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: AgTech Environmental, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Don Lloyd
  • Patent number: 6083388
    Abstract: Water treatment plant having pretreatment means, such as in particular means of desanding, degreasing, physico-chemical pretreatment such as coagulation and flocculation and biological pretreatment, as well as means of separating the solid particles contained in the untreated water, characterized in that the solid/liquid separation means are contained within a construction of circular shape, and the untreated-water supply means as well as at least one of the pretreatment means are incorporated in a structure in the shape of an isosceles trapezoid whose projected apex lies on a diametral axis of the construction of circular shape containing the separation means, whose sides are formed by the two tangents to the circular construction leading from the said projected apex and whose base is tangent to the circular construction at the point of intersection of this construction with the diametral axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Degremont
    Inventor: Patrick Vion
  • Patent number: 6080313
    Abstract: A modular water treatment and purification system, suitable for home use, is connected to a water supply and contains a closed fluid treatment circuit extending to a water outlet. The closed fluid circuit flows through a plurality of replaceable water treatment modules each having a specific water treatment function, such as the removal of a particular material from the water by the use of filtration, carbon adsorption, ion exchange or the addition of a chemical to balance the desired water conditions. Preferably the circuit also includes traversing a radiation device, for example an ultra violet light, for the purpose of sanitizing the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventor: Maher I. Kelada
  • Patent number: 6080309
    Abstract: The method of separating impurities from an aqueous solution by means of rotating the aqueous solution at high speeds until a high pressure and a high temperature is reached. At that time the impurities are separated from the solution. The aqueous solution is kept at high temperatures and pressures until the impurities are separated from the liquid. Preferably, a device providing a centrifugal force, such as a centrifuge, is used to achieve the high temperatures and pressures which should preferably be no lower than 705.4.degree. F. and 3,208 psi, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventors: Allen F. Reid, Albert H. Halff
  • Patent number: 6071407
    Abstract: A method of generating an adsorbent product for use in magnetic separation of contaminants from an influent liquid comprises the steps of: (i) mixing at least one micro-organism with the liquid in a chemostat vessel; (ii) magnetically separating a magnetic fraction of liquid from the vessel from a non-magnetic fraction (iii) returning the magnetic fraction to the vessel; and (iv) collecting precipitated material from the vessel for use as the adsorbent product. In an embodiment, a solution comprising heavy metals is fed to a chemostat containing sulphur-generating micro-organisms, iron, sulphates and a nutrient compound together with N.sub.2. Liquid is drawn off to a high gradient magnetic separator where the non-magnetic fraction containing decontaminated liquid is separated off; the slurry is removed for use as an adsorbent. Sulphide generating micro-organisms are listed. Dy and Er salts or complexes can be added, as can other specified micro-organisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: University of Southampton
    Inventors: James Henry Peter Watson, Derek Clifford Ellwood
  • Patent number: 6056876
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for wastewater treatment is provided which can treat persistent surface active agents and coloring substances in wastewater, and which is compact and economical. The wastewater treatment method introduces water to be treated into a charcoal tank 3 packed with charcoal 10 and treats the water therein, the water to be treated having been pretreated in a pretreatment section 2. The water under treatment is introduced from the charcoal tank 3 into an activated carbon tower 6 packed with activated carbon 17 to treat the water therein. Treatment of the water in two stages, namely, treatment by bioactivated charcoal 10 and treatment by bioactivated carbon 17, makes it unnecessary to carry out backwashing of the activated carbon tower 6 and regeneration of activated carbon 17. The service life of the activated carbon can be greatly extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Yamasaki, Atsushi Yokotani, Satoshi Nishio, Takamasa Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 6054044
    Abstract: An system for treating livestock wastewater to provide treated water suitable for exposure to livestock and crop irrigation. The system provides an anoxic culture, an anaerobic culture, and an aerobic culture, to which wastewater is exposed sequentially. Also provided is return of water from the aerobic culture to the anoxic culture for further treatment. The aerobic culture may be provided such that conditions cycle from aerobic to anoxic. Clarified, treated water results, wherein the resulting water is suitable for exposure to livestock, such as for flushing livestock waste. The resulting water is also suitable for crop irrigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Hoffland Environmental, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert O. Hoffland, Jim Austin
  • Patent number: 6039884
    Abstract: A purifier treating a batch of liquid with ozone uses a reversible pump that directs liquid flow along different courses during forward and reverse pumping. In a forward mode, the pump directs ozonized liquid through a purification course that purifies the liquid; and in a reverse mode, the pump withdraws ozonized liquid from the purification course and redirects the withdrawn liquid to a reverse destination, which can be a purified liquid output or a return of the withdrawn liquid to a liquid container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Alab, LLC
    Inventors: William Alan Burris, Philip M. Prinsen
  • Patent number: 6039874
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating and reusing the wastewater discharged from agricultural animal farms. The apparatus and method of the present invention is designed to be a zero discharge system in which no wastewater will be discharged or spray irrigated. The wastewater effluent is first passed through a mechanical screen were bulk solids are separated and partially de-watered. The screened effluent is then directed to a primary plastic-lined earthen lagoon where it undergoes aerobic digestion utilizing specially selected bacteria. After treatment in the primary lagoon, the wastewater effluent is used to wash the floors of the hog houses or undergoes a purification phase including solids separation/denitrification, filtration and sterilization. The solids separation/denitrification phase (clarification) preferably takes place in an anoxic environment in preferably above-ground tanks where suspended solids removal will occur as well as denitrification for nitrate reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: AJT & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfredo J. Teran, John R. Derrick, Jr., Nidal A. Samad, W. Todd Willoughby, Richard G. Wood
  • Patent number: 6036854
    Abstract: A process and system for waste water treatment including a concentration means positioned at the front of the treatment system in order to concentrate the starches and sugars contained in a waste stream. In a mixing vessel, the concentrate stream is treated with a variety of additives in order to increase consumption of the biological components and to produce a stream having a predictable and predetermined level of soluble starches. The waste stream is solubilized by subjecting the stream to heat and enzyme treatment such that the starches and complex sugars are converted to simple sugars. In a fermentation vessel, a carefully selected yeast strain is introduced into the waste stream and permitted to feed on the sugars. The operating conditions in the vessel (e.g. pH, temperature, oxygen supply, and mineral supply) are carefully controlled to enhance consumption of the biological components in the waste stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Shane-Agra Corporation
    Inventor: J. Leon Potter
  • Patent number: 6033572
    Abstract: Selenium-containing wastewater is sequentially treated through use of biological treatment means (6), chemical treatment means (12), and filtration means (14). In the biological treatment means (6), raw waste water (16) is subjected to anaerobic biological treatment so as to reduce selenate ions and/or selenite ions (soluble selenium) present in the raw waste water (16) to simple selenium, which is insoluble, to thereby remove the selenate ions and/or the selenite ions in the form of insoluble simple selenium. In the chemical treatment means (12), for example, a metal salt that reacts with soluble selenium to form an insoluble selenium compound is added to water treated by the biological treatment means (6), to thereby remove residual soluble selenium in the form of the insoluble selenium compound. In the filtration means (14), an insoluble substance remaining in water treated by the chemical treatment means (12) is removed through filtration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Organo Corporation
    Inventors: Rie Yano, Hideo Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 6030528
    Abstract: A waste water treatment plant for removing nitrogen and phosphorus is provided. The plant is operable by flow path change and intermittent aeration by the combination of at least two sets if intra-clarifier type oxidation ditches, external-clarifier type oxidation ditches or activated sludge processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventor: Sang-Bae Han
  • Patent number: 6027642
    Abstract: A water purification system which filters particulates from the water and treats organic contaminats with ozone. The incoming contaminated water flow is divided, with half passing through each of two filter and ozone contact systems. Initially, each stream is passed though a sand separation device to remove large high density particulate mater, then through a multi-stage filter arrangement incorporating disposable filter cartridges. Ozone is injected into each stream leaving the filter system. The flow passes through elongated plug-flow tubing to assure optimum water/ozone contact, then enters a multi-compartment secondary contactor having a series of perforated baffle plates through which the water flows to assure complete ozone/water contact. Finally, each stream passes through a final filter stage, then the streams are combined and pass to storage or a purified water outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Inventors: Richard N. Prince, Alan M. Young, Donald M. Young
  • Patent number: 6017449
    Abstract: A device for distributing and dispersing highly pressurized air-saturated water, preferably for use in a flotation tank (1) of a water purification plant, is placed adjacent to inlet openings (2) through which water to be treated in the flotation tank (1) passes. The distribution and dispersion device includes a pre-dispenser (27, 28) which is arranged in a distribution pipe (21, 22) or its supply conduit (24), and which includes a perforated pipe mounted, preferably, coaxially in the distribution pipe or the supply conduit. Air-saturated water passes through the perforations or throttling holes (26) resulting in a first pressure decrease and subsequent dispersion. The water then passes to the distribution pipe (22) from which it passes through one or more openings (23) in the wall of the distribution pipe (22), and is forced out the flotation tank (1) during a further decrease in pressure and dispersion of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventors: Hans Eriksson, Kent Isaksson
  • Patent number: 6010624
    Abstract: A system and method for the treatment of contaminated sediment found in rivers, lakes and certain bodies of water, wherein the contaminated sediment is removed from the body of water as part of a liquified mixture including both water and the contaminated sediment. The water is separated from the contaminants by treating the sediment through the introduction of a solidifying compound, certain specified sorbents and a cementitious material. The result is a solidification of the treated contaminants into a solid structural configuration which facilitates disposal of the resulting solidified contaminants as by ocean dumping or disposal at an appropriate landfill site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Inventor: Paul Larsen
  • Patent number: 6001243
    Abstract: Systems and methods for heating, reacting, and/or treating a stream containing oxidizable matter. Recycle reactor is used alone or in conjunction with plug-flow reactor. Density differences in the recycle reactor facilitate flow within the recycle reactor without substantial external heat exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Chematur Engineering AB
    Inventors: James M. Eller, Roy N. McBrayer, Jr., Richard D. Peacock, John S. Barber, Walter H. Stanton, Fred Applegath, Gordon H. Lovett, deceased
  • Patent number: 6001246
    Abstract: A process wastewater treatment plant, and a process relating thereto, which converts process wastewater generated in battery manufacturing and the like into clean process water and sodium sulfate salt by treating the process wastewater to remove impurities and contaminants, including debris, oil/grease, heavy metal oxides, lead and other heavy metals, suspended solids, bacteria, organic compounds, and/or gases, from the wastewater to obtain a clean neutral sodium sulfate brine, subjecting the brine to heat to obtain distilled water and sodium sulfate salt, and purifying the distilled water by reverse osmosis for reuse as clear process water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Inventor: Charles M. Suenkonis
  • Patent number: 5980739
    Abstract: The treatment system is for use with septic tank effluent. Water is passed over polyurethane foam blocks, arranged in a heap so that air can circulate freely around the blocks. The size of the foam cells is small enough that water soaks into the blocks and is retained therin. The foam is soft and easily deformed. At the points of block-to-block engagement, the blocks deflect and conform to each other, giving rise to a large contact area through which water can pass between blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: E. Craig Jowett
    Inventors: E Craig Jowett, Michaye Louise McMaster
  • Patent number: 5976366
    Abstract: The system for treating effluent water coming out from the desalter in accordance with the present invention comprises a slop oil separator 1 for removing oil components in the effluent water from the desalter; a WSR separator 2 for further removing emulsion type oil components using naphtha; a water stripper 4 for removing gas components such as H.sub.2 S and NH.sub.3 in the effluent water discharged from the WSR separator; a reaction tank 5 for reacting organic and/or inorganic impurity matters such as phenols and suspended solids in the effluent water discharged from the water stripper with activated charcoal; and a settling tank 6 in which an agglomerating agent is introduced, thereby precipitating sludge in the lower part of the settling tank. A buffering tank 3 may be installed between a desalter (not shown in FIG. 1) and an oil separator 1 or between a WSR separator 2 and a water stripper 4 to play a role as a buffer for safety in case of an accident in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: LG-Caltex-Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Ho Hwang, Joo Kwan Park, Tai O Kim, Jung Choon Suh