And Gas Injecting Means Other Than By Mechanical Agitation Patents (Class 210/221.2)
  • Patent number: 11871730
    Abstract: A low head oxygenator system includes one or more chambers, each of the one or more chambers having an open top and one or more distribution plates, each distribution plate disposed over the open top of a corresponding one of the one or more chambers. Each of the one or more distribution plates has a predetermined number of orifices uniformly distributed within one or more zones of the respective distribution plate and no orifices in at least one remaining zone of the respective distribution plate. The oxygenator system further includes a container, disposed on top of the one or more distribution plates, and configured to allow a liquid contained in the container to flow through the orifices of the one or more distribution plates into the one or more chambers. Further, use of the distribution plate frees up the head-space region for a scrubbing insert configured to perform stripping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: INNOVASEA
    Inventor: Barnaby Jude Watten
  • Patent number: 11623166
    Abstract: Provided is a liquid processing apparatus and a liquid processing method for reducing a waste amount of a high specific gravity liquid. The liquid processing apparatus includes: a supply pump; a bubble tank including an inflow port, an overflow port, and a return port; a microbubble generator disposed outside the bubble tank; a recovery tank having a recovery port to recover the processing liquid overflown from a first liquid level to the tank; a separation tank including a settling tank connected to the overflow port, and a floating tank connected to the settling tank at a lower portion, and an ejector having a inlet port connected to the supply pump, a suction port connected the suction body, and a discharge port connected to the return port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: SUGINO MACHINE LIMITED
    Inventor: Akihiro Tanii
  • Patent number: 11458418
    Abstract: A separation tank for the separation of a mixture of oil, gas, water, and solids obtained from an oil field includes distinct regions vertically located within the tank interior where constituent components of the mixture can collect. The inflowing mixture may be directed to a vertical column extending inside the separation tank and can be introduced to the tank interior through a swirl vane diffuser configured to impart a helical direction to the inflowing mixture that assist separation of the mixture component. To further facilitate separation of oil from the mixture, the separation tank may be operatively associated with an aeration system configured to generate and introduce an aerated liquid to the tank interior. Gas dissolved in the aerated liquid may form microbubbles that can naturally adhere to the oil and solids separate it from the mixture which can improve the quality of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: KBK Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Will Dexter Ball, IV
  • Patent number: 11358073
    Abstract: A wastewater dissolved-air floatation apparatus combined with a precipitation tank having sloped plates is proposed. The apparatus can reduce a transfer load according to the discharge of sludge, when the sludge is discharged through a discharge screw which is a discharge means, so as to enable sludge discharge efficiency to be maximized, has a cleaning means so as to enable components provided therein to be easily cleaned, maintained and managed through cleaning when the inside thereof is required to be cleaned, can control the discharge level of wastewater, which has been treated while sludge precipitation and suspended particle floatation are stably performed thereon inside a separation tank to which microbubbles are supplied, selectively blocks the supply of the microbubbles into the separation tank so as to use the separation tank as a precipitation tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventor: Jong Seok Yun
  • Patent number: 10899634
    Abstract: A water treatment system includes an inlet line, a tank in fluid communication with the inlet line to receive therefrom a fluid flow comprising hydrocarbons and water. The tank includes components configured to separate the fluid flow into a hydrocarbon flow and a water flow, with the water flow including a residual amount of hydrocarbons. A first outlet line is in fluid communication with the tank to discharge therefrom the water flow. A second outlet line is in fluid communication with the tank to discharge therefrom the hydrocarbon flow. A sensor is associated with one of the inlet line, the first outlet line, and the second outlet line, and a valve is associated with the second outlet line. In addition, a controller is configured to determine a property of at least one of the fluid flow, the hydrocarbon flow, and the water flow using the sensor, and to control the valve based upon the property so as to reduce the residual amount of hydrocarbons in the water flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER NORGE AS
    Inventors: Karsten Rabe, Steinar Asdahl
  • Patent number: 10858274
    Abstract: Processes, methods, and systems are disclosed for treatment and removal of peracetic acid (PAA), quaternary ammonia compounds (Quat), hydrogen peroxide, chlorine, chloramines, chlorinated organics, surfactants, and other such chemicals from wastewater pretreatment processes typically employed by livestock processing, meat processing, and/or food processing plants that generate wastewater outflows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventor: John H. Reid
  • Patent number: 10843976
    Abstract: In a method of producing nanoconcrete according the bottom-up approach of nano technology with the High-Energy Mixing of composition including cement, water, sand, additives and superplasticizers, the mixing is performed with flow of mixture characterized by Reynolds number and Power number in the range of 20-800 and 0.1-4.0 respectively with installation a disk horizontally into mixing assembly on the top layer of activated mixture coaxially with vertical axis of assembly and with the axis of impeller rotation on the adjustable level to avoid destroying created gel as a result of interruptions of process, to increase laminarity of the mixture flow, energy absorption by the mixture, and shear stress for creation additional quantity of the nanostructured Calcium Silicate Hydrate (C-S-H) gel necessary for making nanoconcrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Inventors: Vladlen Fridman, Richard Charlat
  • Patent number: 10843105
    Abstract: A separator for separating solids from a fluid including a tray assembly, the tray assembly including a plurality of nested tray units which define a separator axis and are spaced apart from one another along the separator axis, wherein each tray unit includes comprising an inner surface facing the separator axis 16 extending outwards, away from an aperture in the tray unit disposed at the separator axis, wherein the inner surface comprises an inner portion and an outer portion, wherein the inner portion is disposed between the aperture and the outer portion, and wherein the gradient of the outer portion is greater than the gradient of the inner portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro International Ltd
    Inventors: Daniel Stuart Jarman, Steven John Daniels, Alma Rahat, Jonathan Edward Fieldsend, Richard Everson, Gavin Tabor
  • Patent number: 10751673
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of fluid aeration and, in particular, fluid aeration in a tank of the type having a fluid aerator or aerators requiring removal for cleaning and/or maintenance. The aeration tank of the present invention may be a Moving Bed Bioreactor or Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) tank forming part of an MBBR wastewater treatment system, although the aeration tank of the present invention may also have utility in other applications. The invention further relates to an aerating lance assembly for use in an aeration tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: AEROFLOAT (HOLDINGS) PTY LTD
    Inventors: Raymond Anderson, Michael Anderson
  • Patent number: 10583378
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a filter for use in filtering a fluid slurry that includes particles of varying size, such as pool water including debris. The filter is in electrical communication with a sensor and includes a housing having an inlet to receive the fluid slurry, an outlet, and an internal chamber. An actuator can be coupled to the filter media to move at least a portion of the filter media to vary a dimension of the pores. The filter also includes a controller connected to the actuator that is capable of receiving a signal from the sensor and controls the actuator to change the dimension of the pores based on the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Ronald B. Robol, Everett Franklin Cox, Thomas Johnson Ray Safon, Anuj Saini, Alex Victor
  • Patent number: 10486168
    Abstract: The serial multistage flotation process for eliminating hydrophobic particles from a stream of materials to be treated includes a step of introducing into one stage a layer of materials to be treated, originating either from a higher state or directly from the inlet of the system. There is an aeration step in which air extracted from the lower stages is mixed, diffused and dispersed in the layer of materials to be treated then escapes to the higher stage or to a foam discharge zone. After the aeration step, there is a deaeration step in which air is no longer introduced into the layer of materials to be treated before the departure thereof from one stage and that enables the discharge of the dispersed air to the higher stages or in the case of the highest stage to foam discharge zone. There is also a step of recovering the deaerated material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: KADANT LAMORT
    Inventor: Stephan Pottier
  • Patent number: 10478830
    Abstract: What is claimed is a flotation separation system for partitioning a slurry. The slurry includes a hydrophobic species that can adhere to gas bubbles that form within the slurry. The flotation separation system includes a flotation separation cell. The flotation separation cell has a sparger unit and a separation tank. The separation tank is constructed to allow the bubble dispersion to form a froth at the top of the slurry contained in the separation tank. The sparger unit includes a slurry inlet, a slurry outlet, a sparging mechanism, a high shear element, and a gas inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Eriez Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Michael J. Mankosa, Jaisen Kohmuench, Eric S. Yan, Gerald H. Luttrell
  • Patent number: 10422066
    Abstract: A washing machine including a dissolving unit and a bubble generating unit. The dissolving unit includes a hollow outer body that has an open end, and a hollow inner body that has an open end. The inner body is disposed in the outer body. The gap between the inner and the outer body forms a dissolving flow path. The dissolving unit includes flow paths allowing water to mix with air efficiently as water flows through. The bubble generating unit includes a pressure reduction region to reduce pressures of bubbles. Bubbles can be supplied with washing water either to the upper side or the lower side of the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: DONGBU DAEWOO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ui Kun Hwang
  • Patent number: 10385496
    Abstract: A washing machine capable of generating bubbles from a water/air mixture and supplying bubbles to the tub to facilitate removal of residual detergent or the like from laundry during washing or rinsing operations. The washing machine has a dissolving unit with an air supply check valve and can receive air from outside of the dissolving unit in accordance with a pressure in the dissolving unit. Air contained in the dissolving unit can be dissolved in water contained therein to produce water/air mixture. A bubble generating unit receives the water/air mixture from the dissolving unit and generates bubbles as the mixture passes along a water flow path and a pressure reduction region in the bubble generating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: DONGBU DAEWOO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ui Kun Hwang
  • Patent number: 10188983
    Abstract: A system for use in selective catalytic reduction reactor is disclosed. The system may include a catalyst bed and a screen located close to the catalyst bed in a manner so that flow of flue gas to the catalyst bed contacts the screen before it contacts the catalyst bed. The screen may be adapted to support a weight of at least 400 pounds above the catalyst bed so that the weight is not imposed on the catalyst. The screen may have a plurality of holes across its surface in a manner so that the screen is adapted to change the velocity distribution of the flue gas as it flows through the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Integrated Global Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Landers Shelton, Andrew Scott Kline
  • Patent number: 10071928
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treatment of produced water form a steam assisted gravity drain operation are presented in which tight emulsions, total organic compounds, and solids are removed using a skim tanks that receives a multiphase mixture formed from a demulsifier and the produced water and that produces pre-treated water. The so formed pre-treated water is then subject to further total organic compounds reduction via combination with one or more oxidizing biocide to so form treated water that can be fed to a once through steam generator (OTSG) for re-injection into a formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Rafique Janjua
  • Patent number: 10005686
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to systems and methods of fluid treatment systems. Fluid treatment systems and methods thereof may be operable to remove contaminants and optionally reduce hardness. A fluid treatment system may comprise a feed stream configured to provide a contaminated fluid, a concentrate tank configured to receive the contaminated fluid from the feed stream, a filtration unit configured to receive the contaminated fluid from the concentrate tank, and a permeate stream operable to receive a treated fluid from the filtration unit. A concentrate tank may be operable to reduce hardness of the contaminated fluid. A filtration unit may be operable to filter contaminants from the contaminated fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: 1934612 Ontario Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony L. Powell, Brian E. Butters
  • Patent number: 9784023
    Abstract: A door brace to prevent the opening of a door into a room or other area by an intruder includes an elongated tube that is terminated at each end by a door mounting flange and a floor mounting flange. The door mounting flange is configured to be slideably received within a bracket that is mounted to the door. The floor mounting flange includes an aperture for receiving a pin therethrough that is also received within an aperture that has been bored into the surface of the floor. Thus, when the door brace is mounted between the door and floor, the strength of the door is increased, thus preventing the door from being opened by the use of a large entry force applied to the door by an intruder seeking entry into the room or area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Inventor: Ayman Osama Al Kayali
  • Patent number: 9744476
    Abstract: The present invention provides an annular centrifugal contactor, having a housing to receive a plurality of liquids; a rotor inside the housing; an annular mixing zone, with a plurality of fluid retention reservoirs; and an adjustable stem that can be raised to restrict the flow of a liquid into the rotor or lowered to increase the flow of liquid into the rotor. The invention also provides a method for transferring moieties from a first liquid to a second liquid, the method having the steps of combining the fluids in a housing whose interior has helically shaped first channels; subjecting the fluids to a spinning rotor to produce a mixture, whereby the channels simultaneously conduct the mixture downwardly and upwardly; and passing the mixture through the rotor to contact second channels, whereby the channels pump the second liquid through a first aperture while the first fluid exits a second aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventor: Kent E. Wardle
  • Patent number: 9669329
    Abstract: The present invention provides an annular centrifugal contactor, having a housing adapted to receive a plurality of flowing liquids; a rotor on the interior of the housing; an annular mixing zone, wherein the annular mixing zone has a plurality of fluid retention reservoirs with ingress apertures near the bottom of the annular mixing zone and egress apertures located above the ingress apertures of the annular mixing zone; and an adjustable vane plate stem, wherein the stem can be raised to restrict the flow of a liquid into the rotor or lowered to increase the flow of the liquid into the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventor: Kent E. Wardle
  • Patent number: 9606429
    Abstract: An immersion lithographic apparatus is described in which a two-phase flow is separated into liquid-rich and gas-rich flows by causing the liquid-rich flow to preferentially flow along a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Nicolaas Rudolf Kemper, Nicolaas Ten Kate, Joost Jeroen Ottens, Marcel Beckers, Marco Polizzi, Michel Riepen, Anthonie Kuijper, Koen Steffens, Adrianes Johannes Baeten, Anca Mihaela Antonevici
  • Patent number: 9399200
    Abstract: A foaming mechanism configured to receive a plurality of streams of gas and generate a foamed liquid, having an aerodynamic component and an aerodynamic housing disposed around at least a portion of the aerodynamic component. The aerodynamic housing includes a plurality of first channels and a plurality of second channels connected to the plurality of first channels at regular intervals on a distributed plane. The distributed plane is about perpendicular to the plurality of first channels, wherein the plurality of first channels and the plurality of second channels are configured to transform an axial stream of the gaseous working agent into a plurality of radial high-speed streams of the gaseous working agent by channeling the gaseous working agent through the plurality of first channels and into the plurality of second channels on the distributed plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: TURBULENT ENERGY, LLC
    Inventors: David Livshits, Lester Teichner
  • Patent number: 9376331
    Abstract: A system and process for treating water wherein water to be treated is directed to an inlet zone and from the inlet zone to a mixing zone. A flotation zone receives water from the mixing zone. A clarified water collection area is disposed adjacent the flotation zone for receiving clarified water from the flotation zone. There is provided one or more spray nozzles disposed in the mixing zone for injecting pressurized water into the mixing zone and generating air bubbles in the mixing zone such that the air bubbles are mixed with the water to be treated. A perforated plate separates the inlet zone and the mixing zone and includes an array of openings through which water to be treated passes as the water to be treated moves from the inlet zone to the mixing zone. The openings in the perforated plate give rise to a homogeneous mixture of the water to be treated and the air bubbles that result from the pressurized water being injected into the mixing zone by the one or more spray nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Support
    Inventors: Laurence Dumoulin, Delia Pastorelli, Michel Badard
  • Patent number: 9346695
    Abstract: The present inventions relates to an apparatus for purifying wastewater and a method thereof, which comprises: a stirring part to make bubbles impregnated into floc through high speed stirring by adding floc forming materials to influent and stirring them; an air supply part to supply air to the stirring part to make more bubbles impregnated; a pumping part to conduct pressurized conveying of the floc included treatment water; a cyclone part to separate high density floc to downstream and treatment water with low density floc to upstream from the pressurized treatment water; and a flotation part to separate floc from the treatment water with floc supplied from the cyclone part. Therefore, the present invention have an effect that it is possible to improve purification speed of wastewater and obtain good quality of purified water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignees: POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD., BLUEGREENLINK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joo Hyung Ko, Kwan Yeop Kim, Yun Jung Kim, Hyun Bae Kim, Hyoung Gun Kim, Hae Wook Nam, Hee Chul Yoon, Yu Seong Won, Jae Woong Park, Young Hwa Choi
  • Patent number: 9028700
    Abstract: A system and method of operating the same includes an absorption tank having a compressor communicating gas thereto, a suspended solid filtration tank having a primary inlet, a secondary inlet, a primary outlet and a secondary outlet and a pump comprising a pump inlet coupled to the secondary outlet and a pump outlet communicating fluid to the absorption tank. The absorption tank forms a solution from the fluid and gas. A turbine mechanically couples the pump with a common shaft extending to the pump. The turbine has a turbine inlet coupled to the absorption tank and a turbine outlet coupled to the secondary inlet. The turbine depressurizes the solution. The system may also use a centrifugal pump in place of a turbine and absorption tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Fluid Equipment Development Company, LLC
    Inventor: Eli Oklejas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8944421
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for aerating a suspension held in a treatment tank, in particular wastewater, activated sludge and the like, with a frame having longitudinal spars (1) and a compressed-air diffuser (3), the housing (G) of which has a multiplicity of first connecting pieces (4) for the connection of air diffuser lines (5) and a second connecting piece (6) for the connection of an air feed line, wherein the housing (G) is fastened to the frame such that first axes of the first connecting pieces (4) run approximately parallel to a plane containing the longitudinal spars (1). To simplify assembly, it is proposed that a second axis of the second connecting piece (6) forms an angle of 30 to 60° with the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Invent Umwelt-und Verfahrenstechnik AG
    Inventor: Marcus Hoefken
  • Patent number: 8926838
    Abstract: A process for the treatment of contaminated fluid and wastewater containing residuals from food processing and waste and residuals from animal feeding operations and effluent from the digestion of these residuals is disclosed. The process is carried out in an enclosed tank using a separation procedure that maintains the state of the separated solids in the same state as they were upon introduction to the system, i.e., aerobic, anaerobic or anoxic, based on the condition of the solids upon introduction to the system. The system utilizes rotary flow instead of rakes to harvest the solids from the effluent. The process has applications in the recovery of emulsion in wastewater treatment and the operation of digesters for re-feeding to the digester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Environmental Stewardship Solutions
    Inventor: Mark Stoermann
  • Patent number: 8926842
    Abstract: A water treatment system using a high pressure advanced oxidation process with unreacted ozone reusing is disclosed, which are able to increase a decomposition speed of a pollutant by reusing a high pressure advanced oxidation process which uses an ozone and photocatalyst and a photo-oxidation reaction of a ultraviolet ray. The capacity of the expensive ozone generator can be reduced as compared to the conventional advanced oxidation process which uses a large capacity ozone generator in which almost ozone is discharged into the air. In addition, it is possible to decrease the load of the off-gas ozone removing apparatus for removing the off-gas ozone which is discharged into the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: Jong Seob Shim
  • Patent number: 8919743
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for facilitating dissolution of one or more gases into a liquid. Preferred gases for use with the apparatus are oxygen, air, and ozone. An apparatus of the present invention includes a dissolution tank that includes a pressure vessel, at least one liquid spray nozzle, and a fluid outlet. The apparatus also includes a gas source, an element for passing fluid into the pressure vessel, and a discharge device connected to the fluid outlet, which discharge device is provided with at least one orifice. Preferred applications include wastewater treatment, treatment of drinking water, fermentation, and bioremediation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas
    Inventors: Gregory Scott Osborn, Marty M. Matlock, Shandi S. Teltschik
  • Patent number: 8916046
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling oxygen supply in a tank (2) for biologically treating wastewater by alternating aeration including consecutive cycles, wherein each cycle comprises a first aeration phase and a second anoxic phase for reducing nitrites and nitrates formed during the preceding aeration phase, the tank is provided with sensors for measuring ammonia nitrogen (4b) and for measuring nitrate (4c) and optionally for measuring oxygen (4a) that is dissolved in the tank liquor or in the liquor thereof exiting the tank, a method according to which the oxygen supply is controlled in the aeration phase when the reduction speed of the nitrate measurement is less than a bottom threshold and the cutoff of the oxygen supply is also controlled in the aeration phase when at least one of the following triggering events occurs: the reduction speed in the measurement of ammonia nitrogen becomes lower than a bottom threshold; the total sum of ammonia nitrogen and nitrate measurements becomes higher
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Degremont
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Hazard, Patrick Descamps
  • Patent number: 8900460
    Abstract: A method for processing interface emulsion, water, and solids contained within a separator vessel that comprises the steps of continually extracting those components from the vessel and then passing them through a gas flotation cell. The cell, which is preferably a vertical induced gas flotation cell, separates the oil and water contained in the interface emulsion and discharges recovered oil from an upper portion of the cell and treated water from a bottom portion of the cell. The recovered oil and treated water may be further processed and recycled to the vessel or sent elsewhere. The treated water may also be recycled to the cell or sent to a process sewer. Fuel gas residing in an upper portion of the cell may be cooled and passed through a splitter. All the steps of the method comprise a closed system with no air emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Gary W. Sams, Ronald D. Hypes
  • Patent number: 8875899
    Abstract: A pumpbox, the pumpbox being in fluid communication with one or more vessels, wherein the pumpbox comprises a classification portion and level control means adapted to control the level of fluid within the one or more vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Xstrata Technology Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Francis Young
  • Patent number: 8877065
    Abstract: A skim tank includes a flow-control structure that forces a solid-depleted phase of a mixed-phase feed into a toroidal motion within the container to thereby provide an up-flow movement within the structure. Most preferably, at least a portion of the solid-depleted phase is recirculated to further increase up-flow movement within the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Rafique Janjua
  • Patent number: 8871090
    Abstract: Methods and systems for processing of liquids using compressed gases or compressed air are disclosed. In addition, methods and systems for mixing of liquids are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Turbulent Energy, LLC
    Inventors: David Livshits, Lester Teichner
  • Patent number: 8840786
    Abstract: A system for removing dissolved contaminants, particulate contaminants, and oil contaminants from industrial waste water, the system including a gas floatation and primary oil contaminant removal subsystem including a tank for receiving a flow of the industrial waste water and a flow of gaseous microspheres, wherein the gaseous microspheres combine with oil droplets in the waste water to form flocs which float to the surface and are removed to provide processed waste water with the majority of the oil contaminants removed, and a contaminant removal subsystem for removing dissolved contaminants, particulate contaminants, and any remaining oil contaminants from the processed waste water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Ionel Wechsler, Peter G. Marston
  • Patent number: 8834724
    Abstract: In reviewing the oil industry for the past 30 years there has been a need for a low maintenance, low cost, space saving Induced Gas Flotation Cell. With this said, a method has been invented to do this by making several changes in the present design philosophy of induced Gas flotation. First by providing a cylindrical vessel we have made a stronger unit with better structural integrity, and minimizing the opportunity for accelerated corrosion, secondly by changing the vital operations of the unit, specifically the recirculation rate of the system, lowering the overall discharge flow and increasing the discharge pressure we have been able to increase retention time and increase bubble dispersion, part and parcel with this change is the addition of multiple Eductors in each cell providing greater gasification per cell. The combination of these changes provides a greater overall efficiency thus the overboard water quality is improved using a smaller vessel to accomplish the objective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Enviro-Tech Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Frank A. Richerand
  • Patent number: 8828242
    Abstract: A system for dewatering a stream of slurry has a first and a second separator. The first separator removes objects above a first size, to produce a stream of primary treated slurry. The second separator removes objects above a second size from the primary treated stream, the second size being smaller than the first size. Optionally, a third separator removes objects above a yet smaller third size from the stream of secondary treated slurry. The first separator has a plurality of sieve mat supports alternately connected to a main support frame section and a movable support frame section so that the flexible sieve mat can be agitated by the movable support frame section, a collector being provided for collecting the primary treated slurry passing through the flexible sieve mat. In an optional step, water contained in the separated solids is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Genesis Fluid Solutions, Ltd
    Inventors: Michael K. Hodges, Larry D. Campbell
  • Patent number: 8771520
    Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus comprises a fluid vessel defining first and second fluid chambers. A fluid inlet is provided for delivering a fluid to be treated into the first fluid chamber. One or more nozzle assemblies are provided for fluid communication between the first and second fluid chambers, wherein said nozzle assemblies are adapted to facilitate mixing of a gas with said fluid. The second fluid chamber is adapted to accommodate a fluid treatment process therein, including a floatation treatment. One specific use of the fluid treatment apparatus includes separating oil from water, particularly water produced from a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: VWS Westgarth Limited
    Inventors: Neville Lange, Kenneth Wayne Severing
  • Patent number: 8728310
    Abstract: A system and method for processing impure water is achieved by using ozone for the separation and removal of certain contaminants and for further purification of the water. According to one embodiment, a gas comprised of ozone and air is injected into the impure water. The gas is converted to bubbles which are used as a flotation reagent while the ozone portion of the gas provides for the disinfection and deodorization of the liquid. The impure water is constantly supplied into an upper portion of a working volume or column of fluid contained within a processing unit. At the same time the gas is supplied into the bottom part of the same fluid column through one or more diffusers. Due to their porosity the diffusers generate the bubbles of this ozone-based gas so that each bubble has a predetermined size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: RR Fish SIA
    Inventor: Andrei Tjutjunnik
  • Patent number: 8708160
    Abstract: A device is provided for filtering particles from a dishwashing fluid in a dishwashing machine, the dishwashing machine having a dishwashing container in which are disposed items to be subjected to the application of a dishwashing liquid thereto such that particles disentrained from the items during the application of a dishwashing liquid are entrained with the dishwashing liquid. The device includes a container operable to retain therein a predetermined quantity of a liquid mixed with at least one of a foam-forming substance and cleaning agents, the container including an arrangement for producing a flow of a gaseous fluid through the predetermined quantity of the liquid so as to generate a foam layer. The foam layer filters out from a dishwashing liquid passed through the foam layer a substantial fraction of particles entrained with the dishwashing liquid and such filtered-out particles are retained in the foam layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: M. Yavuz Dedegil, Rüdiger Eiermann, Helmut Jerg
  • Patent number: 8691089
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a separation process. An aerated inlet mixture of fluid and solids is fed to a flotation separation vessel and is separated into an upper float layer and a lower clarified layer. The upper float layer is withdrawn from the vessel when the height of the upper float layer exceeds the height of an overflow conduit and forms a concentrated solids effluent. The lower clarified layer is withdrawn from the separation vessel as a clarified fluid effluent. The separation process is performed continuously using a control process that maintains a relatively stable distribution between the lower clarified layer and the upper float layer. The control process is a closed loop process that monitors the instantaneous height of the vessel contents and computes an error function based on the instantaneous height and a set-point height. The error function is used to periodically adjust the outlet flowrate of the clarified fluid effluent. The resulting process has improved stability (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Anaergia Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Bias, Brian Ross
  • Patent number: 8685245
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for separating suspended matter from liquid includes a concentrator filter that draws the liquid out of the suspension while the filter kept unblocked by a sparging filter that allows scrubbing of the concentrator filter by gas bubbles. This invention can be used to replace cross-flow filtration and centrifugation in the bioprocess industry and to reduce the volume of suspensions to concentrate the yield of the end product in the chemical industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Therapeutic Proteins International, LLC
    Inventor: Sarfaraz Niazi
  • Patent number: 8678200
    Abstract: A system for dewatering a stream of slurry has a first and a second separator. The first separator removes objects above a first size, to produce a stream of primary treated slurry. The second separator removes objects above a second size from the primary treated stream, the second size being smaller than the first size. Optionally, a third separator removes objects above a yet smaller third size from the stream of secondary treated slurry. The first separator has a plurality of sieve mat supports alternately connected to a main support frame section and a movable support frame section so that the flexible sieve mat can be agitated by the movable support frame section, a collector being provided for collecting the primary treated slurry passing through the flexible sieve mat. In an optional step, water contained in the separated solids is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Genesis Fluid Solutions, Ltd
    Inventors: Michael Kent Hodges, Larry D. Campbell
  • Patent number: 8647514
    Abstract: A standing wave in a water current, which is subject to purification, is swirled in the lower mass-exchange chamber in order to create negative pressure along the central axis, the atmosphere air intake and crating of two countercurrents interacting with each other, resulting in a standing wave and oxygenation of the water current. A cylindrical mixing chamber, which is divided into the upper mass-exchange chamber and the lower mass-exchange chamber by dividing walls with a coaxial orifice towards the air-supply pipe and peripheral bypass channel. In the lower mass-exchange chamber, water, which is subject to purification, is swirled and under the negative pressure in the center it intakes air from the air-supply pipe, creating hydrosol and reaction area of ion exchange due to forming of the standing acoustic wave. Part of the processed current is outlet into the volume through a permeable wall in the side surface of the upper mass-exchange chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventor: Leonid Jurievich Vorobiev
  • Patent number: 8632685
    Abstract: A multistage dissolved air flotation and advanced oxidation (MDAF-AO) system/method with multi-functions in oil recovery, solids removal, emulsion breaking, and advanced oxidation. Influent, with oil and suspended solids, enters a first stage for oil recovery includes a gas ionizer and an air dissolving pump. A second stage includes of two coagulation/flotation compartments connected in serial to enhance solids removal efficiencies. Micro air bubbles are created by air dissolving pumps in each compartment. A third stage is for the emulsion breaking unit to further remove or recover the emulsified oils. A fourth stage includes advanced oxidation by using ultraviolet (UV) and hydrogen peroxide to oxidize and disinfect the bacteria and microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: WSI International LLC
    Inventors: Yuanchun Xu, Alfred Tyler, William Fields
  • Patent number: 8608965
    Abstract: A gas bubble agitated mixing system for viscous fluids comprising: a container (1) in which a viscous fluid (2) may be held; one or more gas pipes (6), each gas pipe having an outlet (8) arranged to introduce gas bubbles (9) into the base region of the container (1), said gas bubbles (9) being of a size suitable to agitate the viscous fluid (2). The system also comprises a moveable carrier arm (4) upon which said one or more gas pipe outlets (8) are mounted; and wherein the movement of the carrier arm (4) causes the position at which each outlet (8) introduces gas bubbles (9) into the container (1) to vary over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Farm Renewable Environmental Energy Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Morris, James Murcott, Jonathan Tomlinson, Richard Tomlinson
  • Patent number: 8591738
    Abstract: In a membrane separation apparatus, a cleaning effect for membrane elements by scrubbing is improved. In the membrane separation apparatus 14 including a separation membrane 5 (membrane element) dipped in treated liquid in a treatment bath 15, and air diffusing means 2 for diffusing air bubbles 6 for cleaning the separation membrane 5, an air bubbles staying plate 3 is provided between the air diffusing means 2 and the separation membrane 5. The air bubbles staying plate 3 is configured to allow air bubbles 6 diffused from the air diffusing device 2 to stay, by which air bubbles 6 gather each other to form air bubbles 6 having large diameters. By causing air bubbles having large diameters to act on the separation membrane 5, air bubbles 6 can be allowed to act whole the separation membrane 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Meidensha Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Toyooka, Hiroshi Noguchi, Shigeo Sato
  • Patent number: 8540884
    Abstract: A flotation apparatus (10) for the separation of solid particles from a suspension with formation of a fraction lacking in solid particles and a fraction rich in solid particles comprises a tank with an inlet (14) for the suspension, with an outlet (16) for the fraction lacking in solid particles, with an outlet (18) for the fraction rich in solid particles, and with at least one block of slats (20) composed of multiple overlapping slats (22), wherein the at least one block of slats (20) has a rear side oriented toward the tank wall and a front side arranged on the opposite side of the block of slats (20). On the rear side of the at least one block of slats, a plate (26) is arranged which extends over at least a part of the rear side of the block of slats, wherein the plate has a plurality of openings which facilitate the penetration of liquid through the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Meri Entsorgungstechnik fuer die Papierindustrie GmbH
    Inventors: George Troubounis, Lucas Menke
  • Patent number: 8523984
    Abstract: Water circulation systems with air stripping arrangements to treat and remove undesirable disinfectant byproducts from potable water in municipal water tanks, ponds, and other bodies of water. The systems include a flotation platform, dish, draft tube, and an impeller to draw water from the depths of the tank up through the draft tube to be discharged outwardly of the dish to create a primary circulation pattern and an induced, inner or secondary circulation pattern. Each system additionally includes an air stripping arrangement positioned adjacent and about the upper portion of the draft tube and adjacent an upper portion of the secondary flow. The air stripping arrangement includes a plurality of submerged sets of air manifolds wherein pressurized air is supplied to the air manifolds and driven out of them in bubbles to create a treatment zone immediately above each set of manifolds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Medora Environmental, Inc.
    Inventors: Corey M. Simnioniw, Jonathan L. Zent, Douglas P. Walter, Joel J. Bleth, Willard R. Tormaschy
  • Patent number: 8518266
    Abstract: A dissolved air flotation clarifier for removing impurities from a liquid to be clarified. The dissolved air flotation clarifier includes a housing having an inlet for receiving a liquid to be clarified. The housing further includes a reaction zone, a clarification zone and an effluent channel. The reaction zone has at least one saturated water distributor and at least one dissolved air flotation nozzle operably connected to the at least one saturated water distributor to receive saturated water from the at least one saturated water distributor. The dissolved air flotation nozzle is configured to release micro-bubbles from a saturated water so that the micro-bubbles can mix with the liquid to be clarified to remove impurities from the liquid to be clarified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: RG Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Lee Roberts, Mark Kevin Addison