Submerged Fluid Inlet Patents (Class 210/220)
  • Patent number: 11905193
    Abstract: Liquid effluent treatment module comprising at least one tank portion suitable for receiving a plurality of packing elements that may receive a biological material, the tank portion defining a horizontal longitudinal axis and comprising at least one effluent feed, characterized in that the tank portion further comprises: ?at least one line for collecting treated effluent arranged in a central part of the tank portion and parallel to the horizontal longitudinal axis, ?at least one air injection line arranged in a lower part of the tank portion, off-centered and parallel to the line for collecting treated effluent so as to give rise to a spiral movement of the liquid effluents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Nicolas Meudal
  • Patent number: 11858838
    Abstract: A sewage uniform distribution treatment device for an aerobic granular sludge system and a use method therefor, the device comprising a reactor tank body (1), a water inlet device (2), and a water outlet device (3). The water inlet device (2) comprises a water inlet inner channel (4), a water inlet weir (5), a water inlet outer channel (6), a vertical water inlet branch pipe (7), and vertical bell mouths (8); the water outlet device (3) comprises a water outlet main pipe (9), a water outlet channel (10), a water outlet weir (11), an outer baffle plate (12), and an inner baffle plate (13); the water outlet channel is connected to the water outlet main pipe; the outer baffle plate is a vertical baffle plate; the inner baffle plate is located at the bottom of the water outlet channel and is connected to the water outlet channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: BEIJING DRAINAGE GROUP CO., LTD
    Inventors: Shujun Zhang, Shuai Zhang, Jiawei Wang, Yong Jiang, Yongqing Gao, Bingyu Zheng, Fangbo Bao
  • Patent number: 11819811
    Abstract: A premixing device includes: a gas flow passage forming member in which an x direction is used as an axial length direction, and a Venturi-shaped gas flow passage into which air can flow in from the outside is formed inside; and a blade portion positioned in the gas flow passage, extending in a y direction, and equipped with a fuel gas outlet. The blade portion includes first and second blade portions spaced apart from each other in a z direction, and an air flow path near the center through which a part of the air flows is formed between these first and second blade portions. At least one of a pair of surfaces of the first and second blade portions facing each other is equipped with an inner bulging portion that bulges in the z direction so as to squeeze a part of the air flow path near the center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: NORITZ CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keiichi Miura, Tsuneo Funabiki, Tatsuya Karaki, Kyohei Ogawa
  • Patent number: 11820683
    Abstract: An ozone injector device comprising a housing having a water passageway through the housing, a corona tube disposed within the housing, an ozone inlet fitting coupled to the water passageway, the ozone inlet being in fluid communication with the corona tube via a corona discharge tube, and a clearing piston positioned to move into and out of the water passageway directly opposite the ozone inlet. The clearing piston is biased upwards, towards to the ozone inlet, and configured to prevent flow of ozone into the water passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: AQUASTAR POOL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Olaf Mjelde
  • Patent number: 11819585
    Abstract: Technologies (e.g., devices, systems and methods) for sanitizing mist humidifiers are described. In some embodiments, the technologies include a sanitization gas system and a connector unit. The connector unit is configured to install into an opening in the mist humidifier that is used in operation to release mist for humidification purposes. The connector unit includes an inlet passageway for supplying sanitizing gas (e.g., ozone) into the humidifier, and an exhaust system for removing sanitizing gas from the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: SOCLEAN, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Leyva, William E. Olszta, Tahira Jayasuriya
  • Patent number: 11731089
    Abstract: A system for producing a liquid with gas bubbles. The system has an eductor to mix a liquid stream and a gas stream to a form of a liquid-gas mixture and a mixing column with a stack of filling layers to reduce a size of gas bubbles within the liquid-gas mixture. The stack of filling layers has a plurality of porous layers separated alternately by plate layers and ring layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: MBA S.A.
    Inventors: Wojciech Mordec, Jean Philippe Francisci, Aneta Maria Werynska
  • Patent number: 11691113
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method to capture water power from head or pressure is provided utilizing pipes, inlets, and outlets. The apparatus comprises a central bore having an internal diameter suitable for a fluid flow, the fluid flow moves inside the central bore through the apparatus, and at least one outlet, the fluid flow exits the apparatus through the at least one outlet, optionally, a plurality of inlets for flowing additional fluid to the central bore mix the fluid flow with the additional fluid from the plurality of inlets. The apparatus can further mix the fluid through additional mixing devices and additional devices can be used to recapture energy such as hydroelectric power from the fluid flow. The system and method can capture water energy from the fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Katz Water Tech, LLC
    Inventor: Gary P. Katz
  • Patent number: 11654391
    Abstract: The device (1) for bringing a gas and a liquid into contact includes an enclosure (E), first means (5) for introducing into the enclosure and circulating therein a gas stream (G), second means (6) for introducing into the enclosure and circulating therein a liquid stream (L) that circulates inside the enclosure (E) in the same direction as the gas stream (G), and means (4A) for mixing the gas stream (G) and the liquid stream (L). These mixing means (4A) are positioned inside the enclosure (E) in the path of the gas stream and liquid stream and are capable of locally deflecting upward, and/or of locally causing to rise, at least one portion of the gas stream and liquid stream, so as to locally create turbulences in the gas stream and in the liquid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: STARKLAB
    Inventor: Audrey Keunebrock
  • Patent number: 11648495
    Abstract: A backwash filtration system comprising a backwash discharge port, a sedimentation collection and separation system, and a final filtration chamber. The backwash discharge port is coupled with a pool filter system and is configured to pass backwashed water from the pool filter system to the sedimentation collection and separation system. The sedimentation collection and separation system has a plurality of sedimentation chambers that are vertically stacked and a plurality of baffles configured to reduce the migration of sediment within the sedimentation chambers. A path for water flow passes down sequentially through each of the sedimentation chambers. The final filtration chamber receives the backwashed water from the sedimentation collection and separation system, filters the backwashed water through a final filtration medium, and passes the filtered water to a water return line of the pool filter system or to a pool of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: CRESCENT GDG FILTER VENTURE, LLC
    Inventors: Steven James Goettl, John M. Goettl, Ross Anthony DiJulio
  • Patent number: 11642709
    Abstract: An in-situ thermal remediation method and a drip system for implementing the method. The drip water system collects data and changes its drip operation to optimize performance of the electrode. Electrical current, drip volume, drip cycle time and change in current are measured as a function of time and adjustments are made to the drip water volume and time between injections to optimize performance based on the observed current performance over time. A specialized screen delivers water where it is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: TRS Group, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Milan, Jason Ozolins, Eric Maki, James W. Erario, Amy Wagner, Mark Boulos, Sean M. Fournier
  • Patent number: 11597667
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes a plurality of reaction tanks, a blowing pipe, a blower unit, and an air supply amount controller. The air supply amount controller includes: a water quality measurement unit configured to measure a state of wastewater; a necessary air amount acquisition unit configured to acquire, a necessary air amount for achieving a predetermined target water quality of wastewater; a target in-pipe pressure calculation unit configured to calculate a blowing pipe loss pressure when the necessary amount of air is supplied into the blowing pipe, calculate a target in-pipe pressure based on the blowing pipe loss pressure, and change the calculated target in-pipe pressure in accordance with change of the necessary air amount; and a blowing control unit configured to control air supply from the blower unit so that the pressure in the blowing pipe becomes equal to the target in-pipe pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Metawater Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takahashi, Daisuke Naka, Nobuki Tsuboi, Masashi Inoue
  • Patent number: 11511212
    Abstract: An oil dehydrator, comprising; a vacuum chamber, a vacuum pump arranged at an upper end region of the vacuum chamber for establishing a negative pressure within the vacuum chamber and for fluid transportation of water and air out from the vacuum chamber through an outlet opening, and a pipe for fluid transportation of oil into and/or out from the vacuum chamber, where the pipe is connected to a lower end region of the vacuum chamber, wherein the vacuum chamber at the lower end region has at least one flow channel fluidly connecting the vacuum chamber and the pipe, wherein an orifice check valve is arranged between the vacuum chamber and the pipe for controlling the flow of oil into and out from the vacuum chamber through the at least one flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventor: Nils Rune Sæthre
  • Patent number: 11479487
    Abstract: The invention provides structures, methods, and assemblies for bioretention systems, including tree box filters with one or more internal bypass features incorporated into the tree box filter. The invention also provides methods and additional structures that are useful for managing stormwater flow and inhibiting the flow of pollutants, debris, and other contaminants into drainage systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Oldcastle Infrastructure, Inc.
    Inventors: James Ferguson Holtz, Christopher Ryan Demarest
  • Patent number: 11267735
    Abstract: The invention in one form is directed to an airlift pump that is optimized to transfer large volumes of water using very low pumping head. Specifically, the airlift pump is comprised of a pump inlet and outlet which are both located below pond's surface. The pumping force driving the water flow is supplied by the weight of the volume of water displaced by pressurized air into a vertical pipe, and this energy is dissipated by the friction of the rising bubbles pipe entrance head, plus the frictional effects of the inner pipe wall and the energy contained in the water's exit velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Kellgren Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Kellgren, John Kellgren
  • Patent number: 11129489
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the taste of coffee, a method of controlling the taste of coffee and a coffee maker including the apparatus. The apparatus includes a control unit, configured to determine a target pH value of water corresponding to a desired coffee taste, and a corresponding adjustment control signal; and a pH adjustment unit, configured to adjust, in response to the adjustment control signal applied to the pH adjustment unit, the pH value of water to be fed into a brewing unit of a coffee maker to the target pH value. In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the pH value of water to be fed to a brewing unit of a coffee maker may be adjusted for a desired coffee taste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Qiao Hua, Declan Patrick Kelly, Guangwei Wang, Jingwei Tan
  • Patent number: 11097229
    Abstract: A dual-action water aerator includes structure that generates fine, fizz-type bubbles and structure that generates larger, more roiling bubbles that cause circulation within a body of water in which the aerator is submerged. The disclosed embodiments include a ring-shaped hub with a central aperture, with a central tube extending axially from the aperture. A number of fine-bubble-producing members extend outwardly from the hub and may be attached to the hub using a twist-lock connection designed to facilitate rapid assembly and deployment of the aerator. An internal air chase extends circumferentially around the aperture. A portion of air supplied to the air chase flows into the fine-bubble-producing members and fizzes out through the members, and another portion of air that is supplied to the air chase flows into the central tube and bubbles up out of the tube in a roiling manner to cause circulation in the body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Triplepoint Environmental LLC
    Inventors: Braden J. Galbreath-O'Leary, Michael C. Wever, Patrick D. Hill, Jonathan Wever
  • Patent number: 11059761
    Abstract: Decomposing waste material may use a no-turn, aerobic composting apparatus that includes an enclosure for containing waste material and a fluid distribution system including a fluid injection member removably disposable in waste material disposed in the enclosure. The fluid injection member includes a plurality of spaced apertures for injecting fluid into the waste material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Inventor: Gary L. Bright
  • Patent number: 10919004
    Abstract: The invention relates to an aeration system for seawater oxidation in flue gas purification devices, with at least one tubular diffuser (TD), covered by at least two perforated membranes (20), which are positioned one after the other and at a distance to each other in a direction of the central longitudinal axis (A) of the diffuser (TD) as well as at least one support member (SP), which encircles a membrane-free section (FS) of the tubular diffuser at least partially, and at least one sliding means (40), arranged between the support member (SP) and the membrane-free section (FS) of the tubular diffuser (TD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: DOOSAN LENTJES GMBH
    Inventors: Jürgen Klos, Michael Petri, Annette Ziemann-Nöthe, Karl-Heinz Röder
  • Patent number: 10814294
    Abstract: A pivotal rigid vortex shield configured for use in combination with a propeller-type aerator has a vortex shield, and a rigid support affixing the vortex shield to a support system. The support has a horizontal support bar with at least two cross arches, first and second vertical pivot and locking members, and a top arch affixed between. A pintle couples the support to vortex shield, and defines a pivotal axis about which the vortex shield is configured to rotate. A locking member may be at least one quick release pin that in an operational configuration simultaneously passes through at least a portion of at least one of the vertical pivot and locking members and at least a portion of the vortex shield support to prevent rotation of the vortex shield about the pintle. In a service configuration the pin is removed to permit the vortex shield to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Aeration Industries International, LLC.
    Inventor: Jing Huang
  • Patent number: 10765976
    Abstract: A method of air scouring an immersed membrane is described in this specification. The method comprising a step of adjusting one or more aeration parameters: between successive permeation, back pulse or relaxation cycles; during a permeation cycle; or, between a permeation cycle and a backpulse or relaxation cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: BL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Gavin James Boyle, Zamir Alam, Reid Bayly, Michael David Theodoulou, Hongde Zhou
  • Patent number: 10730019
    Abstract: A membrane filtration system and a membrane bio reactor including the same are described. In an example, the membrane filtration system includes: a treatment tank; a membrane support frame disposed in the treatment tank and mounted with a separation membrane; a separation membrane module mounted on the membrane support frame; a vane member disposed at a lower end of the membrane support frame and provided to lift sludge accumulated at a lower part of the treatment tank; and a reciprocating portion connected to the membrane support frame and reciprocating the membrane support frame, in which the separation membrane module includes an upper frame and a lower frame and a hollow fiber membrane installed between the upper frame and the lower frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Woo Nyoung Lee
  • Patent number: 10702831
    Abstract: A membrane filter module configured to treat a liquid contained in a tank at an ambient pressure. The module may have a header, with a bundle containing a plurality of substantially vertical hollow fiber membranes, wherein a lower end of each hollow fiber membrane is fixed in the header. The module may also have a gasification device adapted to periodically generate a gaseous bubble and configured to release the gaseous bubble within the bundle. The module may further have an enclosure that substantially surrounds the bundle that extends from a lower region to an upper region of the membrane bundle, wherein the enclosure is configured to retain the liquid introduced into the enclosure such that the liquid surrounds the membrane bundle. The gaseous bubble has a cross-sectional area that corresponds with a cross-sectional area of the enclosure, such that the cross-sectional area of the gaseous bubble occupies substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the enclosure as it flows along the bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: KOCH SEPARATION SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Taylour Johnson, David M. Colby, Manwinder Singh
  • Patent number: 10689276
    Abstract: The efficiency of water disinfection can be significantly increased by supplying the ozone in combination with oxygen to an inlet of a cavitation pump. The ozone and the oxygen are turned into ultra-fine bubbles via cavitation action within the pump, facilitating the dissolution of the oxygen and ozone within the water. The water mixed with the oxygen and the ozone is subsequently supplied to a line atomizer, where the dissolution of the ozone within the mixture is completed. The combined use of the cavitation pump and the line atomizer can lead to a substantially complete dissolution of the supplied ozone within water that needs to be disinfected, allowing to easily achieve the concentration of ozone necessary for water disinfection. Due to this efficiency, the system and method described are highly scalable and suitable for water purification at water purification plants of various sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Ohki, Whitney Rich
  • Patent number: 10668433
    Abstract: A membrane filtration system, capable of effectively removing foreign matter attached to a separation membrane while saving energy by reciprocating the separation membrane, includes a treatment bath, a membrane support frame disposed in the treatment bath, a separation membrane module installed in the membrane support frame, a reciprocating part connected with the membrane support frame to reciprocate the membrane support frame, and a sludge floating part disposed on a lower end of the membrane support frame to float sludge accumulated in the treatment bath, and a filtered-water discharge part discharging filtered water that has been filtered via the separation membrane module. The filtered-water discharge part is formed to be movable or stretchable in response to a reciprocating motion of the membrane support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Woo Nyoung Lee
  • Patent number: 10668434
    Abstract: A membrane filtration system, capable of effectively removing foreign matter attached to a separation membrane while saving energy by reciprocating the separation membrane, includes a treatment bath, a membrane support frame disposed in the treatment bath, a separation membrane module installed in the membrane support frame, a reciprocating part connected with the membrane support frame to reciprocate the membrane support frame, a sludge floating part disposed on a lower end of the membrane support frame to float sludge accumulated in the treatment bath, and a control part controlling a reciprocating distance or frequency of the separation membrane module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Woo Nyoung Lee
  • Patent number: 10639589
    Abstract: A membrane filtration system, capable of effectively removing foreign matter attached to a separation membrane while saving energy by reciprocating the separation membrane, includes a treatment bath, a membrane support frame disposed in the treatment bath, a separation membrane module installed in the membrane support frame, a reciprocating part connected with the membrane support frame to reciprocate the membrane support frame, and a sludge floating part disposed on a lower end of the membrane support frame to float sludge accumulated in the treatment bath. The separation membrane module includes an upper frame, a lower frame, and a hollow fiber membrane provided between the upper frame and the lower frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Woo Nyoung Lee
  • Patent number: 10626035
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) for sewage treatment. The SBR is applicable to an energy-producing sewage treatment system. The SBR includes a treatment tank and a hybrid bacterial strain screening tank. The treatment tank removes ammonium contained in supernatant liquid using anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing (anammox) bacteria. The hybrid bacterial strain screening tank screen anammox bacteria granules out by passing the supernatant liquid discharged from the treatment tank through the hybrid bacterial strain screening tank. The SBR generates biogas using the anammox bacteria and reduces the nitrogen content in the supernatant liquid. The SBR can separate the anammox bacteria granules with high separation efficiency, thereby shortening sewage treatment time and recycling activated sludge, resulting in a dramatic decrease in the amount of waste sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hwan Chul Cho, Seong Ju Kim, Yang Oh Jin, Chul Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 10537921
    Abstract: A wastewater reclamation apparatus and wastewater-recycling washing equipment including the same includes: a reclamation tank configured such that a wastewater intake tube is connected to the lower portion thereof so that wastewater discharged from an external apparatus enters thereinto and is stored therein, a vapor supply tube is connected to the upper portion thereof so that the stored wastewater is heated and then supplied in a vapor form back into used water inside the external apparatus, and a wastewater inflow pump is provided on the wastewater intake tube; a heater provided in the reclamation tank, and configured to heat the wastewater; and a waste sludge discharge assembly provided below the reclamation tank so that deposited wastewater sludge is discharged to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: DREAM HEAT TREATING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Byung-Gil Choe
  • Patent number: 10471392
    Abstract: A membrane filtration system and a membrane bio reactor including the same are described. In an example, the membrane filtration system includes: a treatment tank; a membrane support frame disposed in the treatment tank and mounted with a separation membrane; a separation membrane module mounted on the membrane support frame; a vane member disposed at a lower end of the membrane support frame and provided to lift sludge accumulated at a lower part of the treatment tank; and a reciprocating portion connected to the membrane support frame and reciprocating the membrane support frame, in which the separation membrane module includes an upper frame and a lower frame and a hollow fiber membrane installed between the upper frame and the lower frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Woo Nyoung Lee
  • Patent number: 10457581
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a water treatment module, a bioreactor comprising one or more of such modules and a receptive water treatment system. Also provided herein is a method making use of the above module, bioreactor and system. The water treatment module comprises (i) at least one elongated gas enclosure comprising a gas inlet and two vertical walls, at least one vertical wall comprising a water-impermeable and gas-permeable membrane having a water-facing side and a gas-facing side, the two vertical walls separating between water external to said enclosure and gas within said enclosure, the gas enclosure being in a rolled or folded configuration to thereby define a convoluted horizontal path and one or more water-treatment spaces formed between opposite water facing sides of the enclosure; and (ii) a diffuser arrangement comprising gas diffusers configured for introducing a stream of gas into the one or more water treatment spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: EMEFCY LTD.
    Inventors: Ronen-Itzhak Shechter, Eytan Baruch Levy, Lior Eshed, Yaron Bar-Tal, Tomer Spector, Noam Mordechai Siegel
  • Patent number: 10434474
    Abstract: A membrane filtration system and a membrane bio reactor including the same are described. In an example, the membrane filtration system includes: a treatment tank; a membrane support frame disposed in the treatment tank and mounted with a filtration membrane; a reciprocating portion connected to the membrane support frame and reciprocating the membrane support frame; a sliding portion disposed in the treatment tank, connected to the reciprocating portion, and guiding a moving direction of the membrane support frame; and a sludge lifting portion flexibly disposed at a lower end of the membrane support frame to lift sludge accumulated at a lower part of the treatment tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Woo Nyoung Lee
  • Patent number: 10421678
    Abstract: Embodiments described methods, systems and apparatuses to utilize a plurality of membrane cartridges and a housing frame comprising a lightweight corrosion resistant material (e.g., non-corrosive metals, non-corrosive composites such as PVC, HDPE and FRP). The anti-corrosive properties of said frame allow of it to be re-used (e.g., with replaced MBR filters). Said MBR frame may be used in a single function or multi-function wastewater treatment container. Said container may also include a corrosion resistant liner coupled to interior portions of each of the base and side walls of the basin, an inlet to receive wastewater treatment influent into the basin, and an outlet to output wastewater treatment process material from the basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Liberty Evans, LLC
    Inventors: James Philip Reilly, Victoria Ann Jelderks
  • Patent number: 10414676
    Abstract: A method of providing at least two outlet purified water streams from a water purification system by providing a first purified water into a first reservoir able to provide an outlet purified water stream. At least a portion of the first purified water is passed from the first reservoir through a water purification process to provide an ultra-purified water stream. The ultra-purified water stream is passed to a second reservoir. An excess of ultra-purified water is provided into the second reservoir beyond a pre-determined quantity, The excess ultra-purified water in the second reservoir is allowed to flow from the second reservoir into the first reservoir. An outlet from the water purification system of an ultra-purified water stream is provided from the second reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: VWS (UK) LTD.
    Inventors: Alan Denton Mortimer, Lee Underwood, John Andrew Walker
  • Patent number: 10364171
    Abstract: A media bed reactor may be used to remove selenium from water. An exemplary reactor has a fluid injection system with one or more outlets located within the media bed. The fluid injection system may be connected to a source of gas, liquid or both. In a selenium treatment process, a denitrification zone forms above a selenium-reducing zone in the media bed. Operation of the reactor includes a step of flowing a fluid upwards through only an upper part of the bed. This upper part of the bed preferably contains at least most of the denitrification zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: BL Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nelson Fonseca, Douglas Joseph Thompson
  • Patent number: 10138148
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for treatment of contaminated water employing a mobile supported biofilm. The treatment systems include a bioreactor, a mobile biofilm disposed within the bioreactor, and a solid-solid separation unit attached to the bioreactor. The solid-solid separation unit is adapted to receive an effluent stream from the bioreactor, wherein the effluent contains the mobile biofilm, and separate at least a portion of the mobile biofilm from the effluent and return it to the bioreactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: RENEWABLE FIBERS, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua P. Boltz, Glen T. Daigger, David Austin, Bruce Johnson
  • Patent number: 10046905
    Abstract: A water treatment tank is constructed from several adjoining intermodal containers (ICs). The adjoining ICs are angularly disposed relative to each other so as to surround a tank area. Each IC has a reinforced sidewall defining a tank wall or tank wall part. A bracing structure is attached to ICs end walls at each junction between adjoining ICs. The tank having a liner supported at the sidewalls and covering the ground at the tank area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Newterra Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Downey, Benjamin Wilson, Jeffrey Kempson
  • Patent number: 10023831
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for the delivery of gas bubbles to liquids are generally described. The devices can include a primary conduit comprising a plurality of openings fluidically connecting an internal flow pathway of the primary conduit to an environment outside the primary conduit. The devices may also include, in some instances, a secondary conduit located at least partially within the primary conduit, the secondary conduit configured to redistribute the pressure of the gas delivered to the openings of the primary conduit, and comprising a plurality of openings fluidically connecting an internal flow pathway of the secondary conduit to a portion of the internal flow pathway of the primary conduit outside the secondary conduit. Certain of the gas delivery systems and methods described herein are capable of delivering gas at relatively uniform linear flow velocities across multiple gas outlet openings. Certain embodiments are related to inventive configurations (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignees: Biogen MA Inc., North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Fanxing Li, Weiwei Hu, Yang Liu, Kelly Wiltberger, Haofan Peng, Rachel Ferguson
  • Patent number: 9988320
    Abstract: Decomposing waste material may use a no-turn, aerobic composting apparatus that includes an enclosure for containing waste material and a fluid distribution system including a fluid injection member removably disposable in waste material disposed in the enclosure. The fluid injection member includes a plurality of spaced apertures for injecting fluid into the waste material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Inventor: Gary L. Bright
  • Patent number: 9957800
    Abstract: The invention relates to a horizontal agitator for producing a flow in a clarifier, a submersible motor (1) and a propeller (3) drivingly connected thereto forming an assembly unit (M), wherein a receiving portion (A) for removably attaching the assembly unit (M) is provided and can be supported on the bottom (Bo) of the clarifier, and wherein a guide for guiding the assembly unit (M) along a substantially vertical movement path between a surfacing position above a maximum nominal sewage level (N) defined for the clarifier and the receiving portion (A) is provided. In order to improve the efficiency of the horizontal agitator and to reduce complexity of manufacture, the guide is formed by at least one first cable (S) extending between the surfacing position and the receiving portion (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: INVENT UMWELT-UND VERFAHRENSTECHNIK AG
    Inventors: Marcus Hoefken, Thomas Hagspiel
  • Patent number: 9926213
    Abstract: A system and method for capture of ammonia and phosphorus from an ammonia and phosphorus containing liquid effluent. The invention allows for the precipitation of phosphorus from said liquid effluent that has been under low aeration and has a pH of greater than about pH 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by The Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Matias B. Vanotti, Ariel A. Szogi, Patrick J. Dube
  • Patent number: 9862628
    Abstract: In a submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR or SMU), diffusers are used to eject air bubbles, primarily to facilitate the movement of mixed liquor past the membrane surfaces, cleaning and scouring the surfaces of the membranes with the mechanical energy of the combined air/liquid/solids movement. Oxygen transfer from the bubbles into the mixed liquor is often a secondary goal, for supplying oxygen to biological processes. The invention involves the use of a specific bubble diffuser, oriented at a selected upward angle, to enable a single style diffuser to accomplish simultaneous generation of mid-size and fine bubble aeration, with adjustment of the tilt angle varying the percentages of mid-size and fine bubble aeration. The angle selection, along with the number of diffusers and air volume selected, allows achievement of target liquid movement through the MBR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignees: Ovivo Inc., Aquaconsult Anlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Dennis Livingston, Douglas John Boucher, Noboru Funakubo, Christopher Bryan Lewis
  • Patent number: 9795926
    Abstract: Disclosed is an aeration unit capable of cleaning all the hollow fiber membranes in a filtering apparatus sufficiently and uniformly thereby improving the filtration efficiency and a filtering apparatus comprising the same. An aeration unit of the present invention comprises a plurality of aeration tubes parallel to each other, each of the aeration tubes comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and a first common pipe in fluid communication with the aeration tubes through the first ends of the aeration tubes to provide the aeration tubes with air. The first common pipe is perpendicular to the aeration tubes. The closer to both ends of the first common pipe the aeration tubes are, the more densely the aeration tubes are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: KOLON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Heewan Moon, Ji-hyun Jung
  • Patent number: 9789448
    Abstract: Embodiments of a process for treating a fluid are provided. The process for treating a fluid includes supplying a first fluid to a circulating chamber and introducing a first gas to the first fluid. A portion of the first gas is dissolved in the first fluid and a portion of the first gas is held in a head space portion of the circulating chamber. The process further includes mixing a portion of the first fluid drawn out from the circulating chamber and a portion of the first gas drawn out from the head space portion to form a mixture. The process further includes spraying the mixture back into the circulating chamber by a two-fluid nozzle. In addition, the first gas is further dissolved into the first fluid to form a high conductivity fluid. The process further includes draining the high conductivity fluid from the circulating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shing-Fong Wu, Yung-Ti Hung, Shih-Pao Chien, Yen-Chen Chen
  • Patent number: 9598708
    Abstract: Processes for starting up and operating anaerobic, deep tank fermentation systems to anaerobically bioconvert hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a gaseous substrate stream to oxygenated organic compounds and for steady operation of such fermentation systems are shown. Injectors use a motive liquid to introduce gas substrate as a stable gas-in liquid dispersion into the deep tank fermentation reactor where at least one of: (i) adjusting the gas to liquid flow ratio through an injector, (ii) changing the rate of liquid flow through an injector, and (iii) adjusting the carbon monoxide mole fraction in the gas feed by admixture with at least one other gas, wherein the mass transfer of carbon monoxide to an aqueous menstruum in the reactor is controlled to obtain the robust growth of the microorganism and/or continued conversion of gas substrate while maintaining the carbon monoxide concentration below that amount which is unduly adverse to the microorganism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SYNATA BIO, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Hickey, Richard E. Tobey, Shih-Perng Tsai
  • Patent number: 9567246
    Abstract: An air diffusion device is provided. The device includes a base coupled to an air supply pipe for supply of air. The base has an air discharge hole for discharge of air supplied from the air supply pipe. The device further includes a perforated cover in the form of a multi-layered stepped plate the height of which is reduced stepwise from the center to the edge. The perforated cover has a plurality of through-holes for discharge of air, and it is coupled to an upper surface of the base to cover the air discharge hole, thus defining an air guide chamber between the perforated cover and the base. The device further includes a securing mechanism configured to secure the perforated cover to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignees: ANT21 CO., LTD
    Inventors: Myung Han Ko, Nam Gyun Kim, Seung Jin Lee, Wook Bae, Dae Hwan Yoon, Joo Shin Park, Kyung Han Ko, Sang Woo Kim, Jae Kyung Yang, Kyoung Ryeol Baek, Kyu Cheol Lee, Byong Cheol Kwon, Hyun Kim, Jin Young Kwon, Dong Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 9522361
    Abstract: A first fixing member which fixes to a membrane module unit a tubular member with a protrusion formed at a tip end or near the tip end for connecting a membrane module of the membrane module unit and a water collecting header to form a filtrate flow path from the membrane module to the water collecting header, the first fixing member includes: a fixing member main body which includes an engaging surface formed at a position at which the fixing member main body engages with the protrusion formed in the tubular member; and a second fixing member which fixes the fixing member main body to the membrane module unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinsuke Furuno, Tomoki Kawagishi, Katsuyuki Yanone, Yoshihito Nakahara
  • Patent number: 9498756
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a distribution conduit, a diffuser body, and an insert. The distribution conduit defines an aperture. The diffuser body defines a mating tube, at least a portion of the mating tube passing through the aperture, and the mating tube defining a mating tube passage therethrough with an inside sidewall. The insert is at least partially disposed in the mating tube passage and presses against the inside sidewall so as to cause the mating tube to expand. Removal of the mating tube from the distribution conduit is thereby inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas E. Frankel, Seoungil Kang, Todd D. Ritter
  • Patent number: 9486751
    Abstract: A mixing apparatus in the form of an aerator for location within a body of water to be remediated by oxygenating the water, including an inlet through which water is pumped into the aerator, the inlet includes a branched distributor in which the inlet divides into four equal branches for forming four equal flow paths for the water. Each of the four equal pathways is provided with an air injector in the form of a venturi for introducing air into the water flow path in order to aerate the water. The advantage of the aerator is that the distributor is designed to have balanced flow so that equal flows of water pass through each flow path to introduce equal volumes of air, which increases the efficiency of the aerator. Forms of the aerator can have two or more distributors in which all individual flow paths are substantially equal to improve the efficiency of the aerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Inventor: Jack David Collins
  • Patent number: 9463991
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the treatment of water with a gas or nutrient infused liquid. One embodiment delivers an oxidized water supply to a wastewater digester medium by means of pure oxygen introduced to the water supply via a pressure vessel or other means to infuse the liquid. This oxygen infused liquid is delivered to the medium to be treated at a critically controlled depth via a surface float delivery system. The invention involves delivering the oxygen infused liquid via nozzles which are located strategically in the supernatant allowing an extended oxygen-water interface time without over oxidizing the sludge blanket below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Inventors: Dennis Lapin, Brad McMahen
  • Patent number: 9364805
    Abstract: A gas sparger produces an intermittent flow of bubbles even if provided with a continuous gas flow. The sparger has a housing to collect a pocket of gas and a conduit to release some of the gas from the pocket when the pocket reaches a sufficient size. The housing is integrated with the potting head of a module. The conduit passes through the potting head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Ronald Cumin, Reid Allyn Bayly, Youngseck Hong