Diverse Patents (Class 210/259)
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Publication number: 20040065614Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for desalinating water are provided. A vessel includes a water intake system, a reverse osmosis system, a concentrate discharge system, a permeate transfer system, a power source, and a control system. The concentrate discharge system includes a plurality of concentrate discharge ports.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2003Publication date: April 8, 2004Inventors: Andrew W. Gordon, Charles R. Cushing, Steven J. Duranceau, J. Michael Cavanaugh
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Publication number: 20040060870Abstract: A multi-stage apparatus and a process for recycling used engine coolant employs a combination of filtration, dissolved air floatation, centrifugation (hydrocyclone separation), semi-permeable nano filtration, reverse osmosis, and continuous deionization for separating ethylene glycol, with or without propylene glycol, and water from used engine coolant. The engine coolant is pre-filtered through a series of filters. The filters remove particulate contaninates. This filtered fluid is then subjected to dissolved air floatation and/or centrifugation to remove organic petroleum contaminants. Then, it is pressurized prior to being passed through semi-permeable nano filtration. The nano filtration separates the feed stream into a ultra filtration solution and a concentrated waste solution. The concentrate solution is returned to a centrifuged coolant tank for continuous circulation through the nano filtration device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventor: Marvin E. Haddock
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Publication number: 20040055966Abstract: Ballast water treatment apparatus and methods for preventing foreign aquatic invasive species form entering marine ecological zones by translocation in ship's ballast water. The apparatus includes a housing, a filter member, and UV water treatment chambers. Methods include use of a ship's fire hydrant system for moving ballast water from the ship's ballast tanks into the apparatus for filtration and treatment. In-port service vessels and dock-side service vehicles are equipped with the treatment and filtration apparatus to provided in-port or dock-side ballast water treatment services. Related methods are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Inventors: Hap Nguyen, William Murray Fowler, Howard Roop, Ronald Yoshio Nishida
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Patent number: 6709575Abstract: A filtering system (10) is provided for filtering working fluid from a machine (12) and includes a cleanable filter (16) and a centrifuge (82) where filter capacity is too low for a permanent filter yet flow rate is too high for a centrifuge. The system transfers the contaminant storage function from the cleanable filter to the centrifuge. A simple effective centrifuge is provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2000Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Nelson Industries, Inc.Inventors: Barry M. Verdegan, Peter K. Herman
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Patent number: 6709591Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for treating wastewater is described which involves the use of a downflow bioreactor filled with active anaerobic granular biomass. Influent wastewater is evenly distributed across the biomass and passes downward through the granules. The system is simple to use since it does not require the use of mixers, gas/solids/liquid separators, heat exchangers, or other sophisticated equipment. Treated water from the system has a solids content of 30 mg/L or less.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2002Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Timothy G. Ellis, Kristin F. Mach
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Patent number: 6706185Abstract: An apparatus and method for the biological removal of phosphorus, in which raw water is introduced into the anaerobic tank 11, together with returned sludge from the sludge return pipe 14. Some of the water in the anaerobic tank 11 is sent to the solid/liquid separating device 16 and the rest is sent to the aerobic tank 12. Some of the water which contains the released phosphorus in the anaerobic tank 11 is sent via the pipe 15 to the second solid/liquid separating device 16, and subjected to a solid/liquid separation treatment. The separated water fraction is sent to the phosphorus-removing apparatus 17 and the phosphorus is removed. Some of the solid fraction is introduced into the anaerobic tank 11. The remainder is sent from the pipe 19 to the solubilizing tank 20 and subjected to a solubilizing treatment, and then it is returned to the anaerobic tank 11.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Kurita Water Industries Ltd.Inventors: Rajeev Goel, Hidenari Yasui
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Publication number: 20040040916Abstract: A process for reclaiming the components of left-over concrete including the steps of adding water to the concrete to produce a first mixture, effecting a first screening of the first mixture to separate any stones and gravel present in the first mixture and produce a second mixture of sand, cement and water, cycloning the second mixture into a first portion containing water and cement and into a second portion containing sand and cement and water, effecting a second screening of the second portion to separate sand from the cement and water, and in a filter press separating the cement from the water from the second portion of the second mixture and separating the cement from the water from the first portion of the second mixture.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2002Publication date: March 4, 2004Inventor: Donald J. Ruppert
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Publication number: 20040031742Abstract: Methods and apparatus for demulsifying oil in water by dilution and impact, and for separation of the oil and suspended solids by dissolved gas floatation, are described. A produced water treating system is also described. The produced water treating system may include a dissolved gas floatation clarifier system, an oil demulsification system, and a separation system. A demulsification subsystem is also described. The apparatus may include a liquid-liquid fluid mixer and a gas generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2002Publication date: February 19, 2004Applicant: Hydrotreat, Inc.Inventor: Johnny Arnaud
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Publication number: 20040031739Abstract: A paint overspray particulate filtration system includes a collection tank, a floatation consolidation tank, and a vacuum filter assembly having a filter medium that traverses a pair of vacuum chambers. A positive displacement vacuum producer for the first vacuum chamber discharges a first supply of pressurized air at a temperature preferably greater than about 170° F. and a pressure preferably greater than about 6 psig, while a centrifugal compressor discharges a second supply of pressurized air at a temperature of perhaps up to 110° F. and at a pressure of perhaps 4 psig. The first pressurized air supply is heat exchanged with the second pressurized air supply, whereupon the cooled first pressurized air supply is directed through a submerged diffuser nozzle to aerate the collection tank and/or the consolidation tank. The warmed second pressurized air supply is directed onto the paint sludge carried atop the filter medium to enhance sludge dewatering.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2002Publication date: February 19, 2004Inventor: James E. Miller
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Patent number: 6692645Abstract: A water reservoir treatment system for a swimming pool, water tank, spa, or fountain water, which is simple to operate, low in maintenance, and highly reliable. The system preferably comprises, in sequence, a water circulation system, a vortex separator for initial separation of particulates, and an absorption or adsorption filter which may be a conventional pool filter using sand, diatomaceous earth, or paper cartridge as filtering medium.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2000Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Inventor: Joseph Gargas
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Patent number: 6692638Abstract: A filtration apparatus includes a laundry waste sump, a primary 50 micron static screen filter, a 9,000 gallon equalization tank, at least one secondary media/carbon filter, a sludge holding tank with a pump to return excess water to the equalization tank, a backwash pump, an air blower, and a clear well tank water source for backwash. An exemplary embodiment of the invention also includes a surge tank between the primary and secondary filters and a surge tank between the secondary filter and the clear well tank.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Inventor: James P. Sharkey
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Publication number: 20040026335Abstract: The present multi-stage photo-catalytic oxidation fluid treatment system that uses a plurality of modules to implement an efficient, scalable and cost effective fluid treatment process to remove contaminants from a fluid. The multi-stage photo-catalytic oxidation fluid treatment system relies on mechanical and electronic elements, instead of chemicals, to treat the fluid that is input to the system and provide enhanced treatment of the contaminated fluid. The use of ozone and ions causes reactions with the contaminants that are contained in the fluid to purge the contaminants from the fluid or convert the contaminants to a form where they can be removed from the fluid or are rendered harmless.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2002Publication date: February 12, 2004Inventor: William M. Fields
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Patent number: 6685825Abstract: A system for treating water includes an ozone injector combined with a monitoring apparatus 400 that includes a flow meter 402 and a pressure sensor 404. The monitoring apparatus includes a flow path 424 having inlets 420, 422 communicating with the inlet 304 and outlet 306 of the ozone injector main water pipe 302. The flow path inlets are spaced respectively upstream and downstream of the ozone injection point. In operation, water filtered in filter 108 is ozonized in venturi 316 and then sterilized by UV lamp 210. The lamp is also used to generate ozone that is delivered to the venturi via check valve 308. The pressure sensor positioned within the flow path produces signals to control the switch of the UV lamp. The flow meter is used to determine when the filter should be replaced. The pressure sensor may be in the form of a silicon chip.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2003Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Senno Technology Inc.Inventor: Steven Chang
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Publication number: 20040011715Abstract: A hybrid oil filter assembly includes a housing and a first (e.g., conventional) oil filter element disposed in proximity to a bottom portion of the housing. The first oil filter element contains an open inner volume. A second oil filter element having a generally circular cylindrical shape is disposed circumferentially about a length of the first oil filter element. The second oil filter element may be made of rolled paper and filters particles of a smaller size than the first oil filter element (e.g., down to about one microns, thereby providing micro-filtering of the engine oil).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2003Publication date: January 22, 2004Inventor: Norbert Assion
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Patent number: 6679988Abstract: An improved water purification system for production of USP purified water and/or USP water for injection include backwashable, chlorine tolerant microfilter or ultrafilter for initial filtration of the feed water (10). The filtrate from the filter (18) is provided to a dechlorinator (18) prior to being subjected to an optional, reverse osmosis membrane unit (60) and then to a still (66) which discharges purified water at USP standards for purified water or water for injection.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Mechanical Equipment Company, Inc.Inventor: George V. Gsell
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Publication number: 20030230522Abstract: A cart, preferably welded aluminum, supports both vertically and horizontally for rolling and transport a reverse osmosis and pressure pumping system. In the system preferably (i) two series-flow-connected pre-filters of, nominally, 5 micron sediment and KDF carbon types, that are preferably series-flow-connected with (ii) an optional anti-scaling device, both receive and pre-filter input water. Pressure of the pre-filtered input water is boosted to, nominally 150 p.s.i., in a first pump of nominal 3 g.p.m. flow capacity before being supplied to preferably 3 series-flow-connected RO membrane filters, each typically with a membrane of 2½″×40″ and a flow capacity of 1,300 gallons per day. Water purified to, preferably, less than 10 and nominally 7 ppm Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), is boosted in a second, 2 gpm, pump to, preferably, about 1000 p.s.i., with a nominal 1 gpm waste water going to drain and/or for recycling.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2002Publication date: December 18, 2003Inventor: Augustin Pavel
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Patent number: 6663770Abstract: A water processing device for removing contaminants from water for consumption, consisting of: 1) a heat exchanger; 2) a heater; 3) a boiler chamber; 4) a liquid level control device; 5) a demister; 6) a degasser; and, 7) a self-cleaning component. A water seal to prevent steam from leaking from the device is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2001Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Inventor: Stephan B Sears
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Publication number: 20030226796Abstract: The present invention provides a modular system for separating components of a liquid sample. The system includes arrays of units that may be assembled in series to perform multiple separations on a liquid sample in a single step. Also, the modular nature of the system permits a device according to the present invention to be designed to perform different separation schemes on one or more liquid samples within a single device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2002Publication date: December 11, 2003Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Glen H. Bayer, Jason R. Jacobson, Craig A. Perman
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Patent number: 6660169Abstract: A method and an apparatus for reclaiming deicer from produced water of an oil or gas well includes a fractionation tower having a top condenser section, a bottom heat exchanger section and an intermediate packing section. A deicer outlet is positioned in the condenser section, for removal of condensed deicer. An inlet is provided to receive produced water contaminated by deicer. The inlet is coupled to the condenser section such that produced water must pass through the condenser to enter the inlet. A water outlet is provided in the heat exchanger section. Operation of the water outlet is controlled to maintain a predetermined level of accumulated water in the heat exchanger section. The heat exchanger is adapted to be coupled with a source of hot fluids produced by an external heat source. The circulation of hot fluids through the heat exchanger heats accumulated water in the heat exchanger section.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Inventor: Kevin Melvin Kjelland
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Publication number: 20030213737Abstract: A modular water filter system having a plurality of filter canister receptacles, each receptacle having a diverter valve for routing water into and out of the particular canister installed in the receptacle. The diverter valves are interconnected by water hoses such that water is sequentially filtered by flowing into the first diverter valve, through its installed filter canister, then to the second diverter valve and through its installed filter canister, and through the succeeding diverter valves and filter canisters to a final tap. The filter configuration, including filter type, filter quality, and filter sequence, is changed by simply installing different filter canisters into the diverter valves. An intermediate taps can be connected to the output of any diverter valve to provide the user with water filtered by that diverter valve's filter canister and all preceding filter canisters.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2002Publication date: November 20, 2003Inventor: Dana Harrison
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Publication number: 20030205514Abstract: A process water treatment and recycling system clarifies and purifies the process water in a food processing or similar system wherein the treated water may used in the fresh water stream of the system. Removal of useful byproducts in the process water stream is also facilitated. The system is a mechanical filter system and does not use any chemicals. The system is a multiple step filter process. Additional steps may added where further clarification is required and fewer steps are contemplated in certain applications. The system incorporates multiple mechanical screening to remove the solid waste from the water stream. Experimental result have established that up to 100% of TSS, 100% of BOD and 86% of COD are removed. This brings the water to acceptable recycling purity ranges and reduces the amount of fresh water required to be added to the system by as much as 50%. It also increases the recovery level of useful byproducts such as starch.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2002Publication date: November 6, 2003Inventors: J. Leon Potter, James L. Revel, Jerry L. Beatty
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Patent number: 6641721Abstract: Wastewater can be treated using a combination of a settleable solids separator, such as a vortex separator, and a gas floatation separation system.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2002Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: Great Circle Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Steven B. Mullerheim
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Patent number: 6641722Abstract: A method of removing silicone oils from waste water generated by a silicones manufacturing plant including the step of centrifuging the waste water to concentrate silicone oil contaminated solids while removing the silicone oils. The silicone oil contaminated solids are then dried in a continuously mixed sludge dryer to remove more silicone oils from the sludge to form a sludge product which comprises at least 10% water and a low silicone oil concentration.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2001Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Amy Rene Freshour, Stephen Lan-Sun Hung, Bang Mo Kim, Mark Allan Moses, Alan Frederick North, Don Royall Houston
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Patent number: 6638433Abstract: A system for controlling the operation and performance of water-only cyclones used in coal preparation plants for separating a fine raw coal slurry into fine coal and fine refuse slurries includes a variable speed pump for feeding the slurry from an underpan of a deslime screen to a water-only cyclone. A nuclear density gauge measures the specific gravity of the slurry feeding the cyclones and generates a signal used to control the addition of water. A level sensor measures the level of the fine raw coal slurry in the underpan. A pressure sensor measures the pressure of the fine raw coal slurry pumped to the water-only cyclone. A speed control device uses signals from the level and pressure sensors to control the speed of the pump in order to maintain an appropriate level of slurry in the underpan, and an appropriate feed pressure to the water-only cyclone.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Sedgman, LLCInventors: Larry A. Watters, Daniel S. Placha
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Publication number: 20030196946Abstract: A water treatment system using magnetism and far infrared technology comprising magnets and tubing coated with far infrared ceramic powder which subject water molecules to magnetic fields and far infrared wavelength energy to bend, stretch and disrupt hydrogen bonds and thereby facilitate removal of entangled impurities.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2003Publication date: October 23, 2003Inventor: Carl M. Denzer
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Patent number: 6630067Abstract: A biofilter system of the present invention utilizes an Alternating-Aerobic-Anoxic (AAA) process in a single reactor to provide efficient and cheap removal of carbonaceous materials, nitrogenous materials, and/or mixtures thereof from aqueous waste. The biofilter system of the present invention is particularly suitable for treating aqueous waste from aquaculture, industrial processes and animal husbandry. The biofilter system includes: a main biofilter chamber containing therein aerobic and anaerobic bacteria without physical separation; an inlet port and an outlet port connected to the main biofilter chamber; and a means for oxygenating the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in the main biofilter chamber, including means for timing the oxygenation of the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria to provide alternating periods of high-oxygen conditions and anoxic conditions.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2001Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: Trustees of the University of PennsylvaniaInventors: Wen K. Shieh, Leon Weiss, Shu K. Tai
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Patent number: 6623636Abstract: An oil-conditioning filter, for use with an internal combustion engine, includes a mechanically active filter element and a chemically active filter element. The chemically active filter element has a beneficial oil conditioning agent contained in a plurality of porous additive-dispensing modules. Each of the additive-dispensing modules includes a hollow housing having a plurality of holes formed therein, and a beneficial oil additive disposed within the housing. Optionally, each additive-dispensing module may also include a porous or semi-porous polymeric membrane covering the housing, to control the rate at which the additive material diffuses outwardly therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2002Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Ronald Paul Rohrbach, Gordon William Jones, Peter D. Unger, Daniel E. Bause
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Patent number: 6623650Abstract: There is disclosed a process for treating sewage or similar organic sludge to produce a pasteurized and dried product comprising the steps of: drying the sludge to substantially the desired dry solids content of the product; and thereafter adding an alkaline admixture to the dried sludge in order to pasteurize and/or stabilize the sludge and thereby produce the product without employing subsequent drying by aeration.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2001Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: R3 Management LimitedInventor: Robin Millard
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Publication number: 20030173274Abstract: A device, system, and method are provided for separating blood components. The device includes a separation vessel for placement in a retainer of a rotatable centrifuge rotor. The separation vessel includes an inlet end portion, an outlet end portion, and a flow path extending from the inlet end portion to the outlet end portion. Blood components to be separated are supplied to the vessel via an inlet port at the inlet end portion, and separated blood components are removed via one or more outlet ports at the outlet end portion. The device also includes a leukocyte reduction filter including a porous filtration medium configured to filter leukocytes from at least some of the separated blood components removed from the vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2003Publication date: September 18, 2003Inventors: Frank Corbin, Dennis Hlavinka
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Publication number: 20030173306Abstract: A waste stream from energetics processing is treated using a pre-filter having media, preferably sand, and a metal that has a reducing potential, preferably elemental iron (Fe0). The pre-filter is connected to a zero-valent metal column reactor. The waste stream is pumped through the pre-filter to trap solids and deoxygenate it, then enters the reactor and is subjected to a reducing process. Most of the Fe0 is transformed to the ferrous ion (Fe+2), added to the resultant product, and fed to a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) in which Fenton oxidation occurs. This product is then sent to a sedimentation tank and pH-neutralized using a strong base such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The aqueous portion is drawn off and the sludge pumped from the sedimentation tank. Both tanks are monitored and controlled to optimize required additives, while monitoring of pressure drop across the pre-filter and column reactor establishes replacement requirements.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2002Publication date: September 18, 2003Inventors: Daniel K. Cha, Pei C. Chiu, Seok-Young Oh, Byung Joon Kim
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Patent number: 6620322Abstract: Apparatus can comprise an anoxic zone, an aeration zone in communication with the anoxic zone, and a sedimentation zone in communication with the aeration and anoxic zones. The sedimentation zone may include a first outlet in a lower portion thereof adapted to recycle material. A device may be provided to control the flow rate of the recycle material. Another device may be positioned relative to a sedimentation zone inlet and adapted to manipulate a material flow profile as material travels into the sedimentation zone. A sedimentation zone may also define an inlet comprising an overlapped area. Methods for purifying a waste inlet material comprise the steps of providing an anoxic zone, an aeration zone and a sedimentation zone. The methods may comprise the step of recycling material from a first outlet in a lower portion of the sedimentation zone.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2002Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: Smith & Vesio LLCInventors: Michael G. Vesio, John M. Smith
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Patent number: 6620327Abstract: A multi-stage apparatus and a process for recycling used engine coolant employs a combination of filtration, dissolved air floatation, centrifugation (hydrocyclone separation), semi-permeable nano filtration, reverse osmosis, and continuous deionization for separating ethylene glycol, with or without propylene glycol, and water from used engine coolant. The engine coolant is pre-filtered through a series of filters. The filters remove particulate contaminates. This filtered fluid is then subjected to dissolved air floatation and/or centrifugation to remove organic petroleum contaminants. Then, it is pressurized prior to being passed through semi-permeable nano filtration. The nano filtration separates the feed stream into a ultra filtration solution and a concentrated waste solution. The concentrate solution is returned to a centrifuged coolant tank for continuous circulation through the nano filtration device.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2001Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Inventor: Marvin E. Haddock
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Patent number: 6616844Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for treating high-concentrated organic wastewater, such as night soil or livestock wastewater, which has high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous. In particular, it is related to a method for treating night soil or livestock wastewater having high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous, comprising an anaerobic ammonium oxidizing (Anammox) step and a biopond step. The process for treating wastewater according to the present invention provides good efficiency in removing organic material and nutrients.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2001Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and TechnologyInventors: Wan Cheol Park, Tae Hyung Kim, Chang Ju Lee, Hun Jung
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Patent number: 6616851Abstract: A water treatment unit having: (a) a cooling tower; (b) a source of cooling water; (c) a main flow pipe for receiving the cooling water; (d) a source of fresh water connected to the source of cooling water; (e) a heat exchanger for heating the cooling water to form heated water; (f) a branched flow pipe for separating the heated water into a main stream of heated water and a partial stream of heated water; (g) a non-backwashable filter capable of separating waste contained in the partial stream of heated water into a compact waste residue and a first filtrate, in the absence of backwashing; and (h) a return pipe for transporting the main filtrate back to the cooling tower, wherein the cooling water is introduced through the main flow pipe into the heat exchanger where it is heated, after which it is split into a main stream of heated water and a partial stream of heated water, the main stream of heated water being transported back to the cooling tower, with the partial stream being transported, by way of theType: GrantFiled: July 10, 2002Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Cognis Deutschland GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Giancinto Sforza-Heinen, Norbert Wrede, Wolfgang Schmitt, Alfred Werner-Busse, Wolfgang Hater, Jens Vier
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Patent number: 6616833Abstract: A water pollution remediation system includes a plurality of decontamination modules that are self supporting and interconnectable for sequentially removing a plurality of different contaminants. The modules are designed to be independently transportable to a ship for decontaminating bilge water, in particular, after a fire when a foaming fire suppressant composition has been introduced into the bilge water. The modules may be placed on the deck of the ship, connected together and powered by the ship's hydraulic, electric and bilge pumping systems to provide comprehensive decontamination.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2001Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Inventor: Gerard Lynch
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Patent number: 6607663Abstract: A treatment and filtration device for use with a wastewater output contaminated with a chemical associated with a dry cleaning operation. An enclosed basin is capable of being filled with a volume of the wastewater for timed treatment. A first elongated module is arranged within the basin at a first location, the first module accomplishing initial filtration of the wastewater and substantial recovery of the chemical contaminant. A second elongated module is arranged within the basin at a second spaced apart location relative to the first module, a series of exterior and porous membranes interconnect the first and second modules as well as inwardly opposing wall edges of the basin proximate the modules and in order to divide the basin into first and second zones. The second module vaporizes a substantial remaining component of the chemical contaminant concurrent with discharging, from the first zone into the second zone, a further filtrated water output.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2002Date of Patent: August 19, 2003Inventor: Cameron Dixon
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Publication number: 20030150810Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a water purification system capable of treating for-treatment water containing a nitrogen compound such as polluted ground water efficiently and achieving a reduction in size of the system. The water purification system comprises an electrodialyser for concentrating a nitrogen compound in polluted ground water as for-treatment water containing a nitrogen compound, a nitrogen treatment device for treating the nitrogen compound in the for-treatment water treated in the electrodialyser by electrolysis as an electrochemical process, the for-treatment water containing at least chloride ions, and a pump for returning the for-treatment water treated in the nitrogen treatment device to the electrodialyser.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2003Publication date: August 14, 2003Inventors: Naoki Hiro, Motoki Kouchi, Tomohito Koizumi, Tsuyoshi Rakuma
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Patent number: 6605214Abstract: A single housing includes a diluent inlet, a solution outlet, and a plurality of discrete reagent beds comprising at least one reagent in dry form, wherein the reagent is present in the discrete reagent bed in a proportion sufficient for production of a complete hemodialysate solution.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2000Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Assignee: Prismedical CorporationInventor: Michael A. Taylor
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Patent number: 6605215Abstract: An oil filter including a housing, a first oil filter element, a second oil filter element disposed circumferentially about a length of the first oil filter capable of filtering particles of a smaller size than the first oil filter element. A first oil filter inlet is disposed at a bottom portion of the housing for providing oil to be filtered to an outside surface of the first oil filter element, and a second oil filter inlet is disposed at the bottom portion of the housing and surrounding the first oil inlet for providing oil to be filtered to a bottom surface of the second oil filter element. A fluid communication path extends from a top surface of the second oil filter element into the first oil filter element such that oil filtered through the second oil filter element is mixed with oil filtered by the first oil filter element.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2001Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Inventor: Norbert Assion
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Publication number: 20030146175Abstract: A method and a system for separating a mixture that comprises an oil-water emulsion together with gas. The system comprises a separator tank (11) for separating oil from water in the emulsion, and means for separating gas from the emulsion. The means (7) for separating the gas from the emulsion is arranged separately upstream of the separator tank (11).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2003Publication date: August 7, 2003Inventors: Pal J. Nilsen, Erik A. Wolff
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Publication number: 20030146158Abstract: Many areas in the world already suffer shortages of water, and others will suffer from it in the coming years. Therefore more efficient water sweetening is essential for our survival on this planet. The most commonly used water sweetening methods are: Reversed osmosis, distillation, electrodyalisis, and partial freezing. However, these methods suffer from low efficiency and high energy consumption, thus making them significantly more expensive than naturally obtained water. The present invention describes a system & method for efficient and low energy sweetening of water, based on borderline fast fluctuation between liquid to gaseous state and back, by using centrifugal forces to make water droplets fly at a high speed, so that they evaporate for a split second, the salt is separated, and they condense again. The present invention tries to make the process energy-efficient by enabling the use of lower speeds and smaller droplet sizes and solving various problems involved with that.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2002Publication date: August 7, 2003Inventors: Yaron Mayer, Boris Dechovich, Haim Gadassi
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Patent number: 6602409Abstract: An apparatus for supplying deozonized ozone sterilized water includes a first UV lamp unit received in an ozone-containing gas generating member to irradiate oxygen-containing gas flowing through the gas generating member to produce ozone-containing gas. The ozone-containing gas is entrained in water flowing in a water supplying conduit for sterilizing the water. A cooling system can cool the gas generating member during the UV radiation for maintaining the ozone concentration entrained in the water. The ozone sterilized water in the conduit is deozonized by a second UV lamp unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2002Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Inventor: Joseph Kuo
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Publication number: 20030141234Abstract: A water treatment device includes four filtering members connected in series and the filtering members include a porous film, an active carbon, a ceramic tank or magnets and porous objects. The magnets activate the water and the mineral substances can be solved in the water.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2002Publication date: July 31, 2003Inventor: Yi-Yu Chien
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Publication number: 20030141228Abstract: A separator for use in ships' bilges capable of physical and chemical separation of both free and emulsified hydrocarbons from a water stream that includes two separation units, the first one being a gravimetric separation unit that utilizes coalescent plates to separate free hydrocarbon in the mixture of water/hydrocarbons and a pump which recirculates the water emulsified hydrocarbon mixture through the self-filtration unit and also sends the separated hydrocarbons in the gravimetric unit to the corresponding deposit of free hydrocarbons collecting tank, and the second separation unit being a membrane ultrafiltration apparatus to separate the emulsified hydrocarbons from the water stream, the separator also including a control panel that controls the operation of all elements and devices of the separator, and a phase detector which determines the quantity of accumulated hydrocarbons at the top part of the gravimetric unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2003Publication date: July 31, 2003Inventors: Camilo Vazquez Perez, Jose Saavedra Pereira
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Patent number: 6599418Abstract: An integrated apparatus that contains both the gravity settling mechanism and the dissolved-air floatation (DAF) mechanism in a compensating manner is provided. The said apparatus comprises a gravity settling chamber (34), a DAF chamber (42), a chamber connection channel (22), an air-dissolving device (38), a means for collecting treated water (24), and a water level control device (16). During treatment, heavy solid particles in water or wastewater can be quickly removed by gravity settling, while the remaining light solid particles and/or oil can be quickly removed by DAF. Thus, the apparatus of this invention is more effective and efficient compared with conventional clarifiers that employ only one clarification mechanism. Therefore, the apparatus of this invention is more compact and can achieve better effluent quality.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2002Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Inventor: Jianmin Wang
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Publication number: 20030136716Abstract: Disclosed is an improved, fully automated system for on-site growth and conditioning of microorganisms for use in water body restoration. The system includes a reservoir for the microorganisms and the nutrients, a bioreactor system, a water conditioning system, and an electrical control device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2003Publication date: July 24, 2003Applicant: AQUARESEARCH CANADA LTD./ AQUARECHERCHE CANADA LTEEInventors: Scott Moffitt, Karl F. Ehrlich, Bruce Arrington
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Publication number: 20030136740Abstract: Waste water to be treated is introduced into a first electrolytic bath, and then, hydroxide iron particles are supplied into the waste water through the electrolysis reaction at iron electrodes. Impurities such as organic compounds, phosphoric compounds, persistent compounds and the like are physically absorbed onto the hydroxide iron particles. Then, the hydroxide iron particles (flocks) with absorbed impurities are discharged via a drain valve, to purify the waste water to some degree. The waste water is introduced into a second electrolytic bath with a water pump. In the second electrolytic bath, the remnant impurities in the waste water are chemically dissolved and removed through the oxidation reduction reaction between the surfaces of metallic oxide electrodes and the waste water.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2002Publication date: July 24, 2003Applicant: JAPAN SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF SCIENCEInventors: Tsuneo Watanabe, Ikko Ihara, Kiyoshi Kanamura, Iori Kanamori
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Patent number: 6596160Abstract: A periodic ozone treatment system for a showering tower type water cooling system worked once daily for a period of 10˜30 minutes essentially comprises: an ozone dissolving tank to prepare high density ozone solution therein and periodically fed to the cooling system from a top of the showering tower automatically; a bypass piping connected from a heated water recycling pipe after a heat exchanging in a main functional heat exchanger to a sand filter to shift recycling water for washing the sand in the filter by a reverse osmosis operation during the period while the ozone treatment system is working; and an ozone decomposition reactor disposed at a front of heat exchanger free from corrosion.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2001Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Inventor: Minshiou Lee
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Patent number: 6592754Abstract: An apparatus for separating solid particles from the suction effluent of, for example, a dental office, preferably driven by a dental office vacuum pump, includes a surge tank for accommodating effluent overfill connected to a sedimentary deposit tank for sedimentation of effluent particles. A bypass conduit is connected to the surge tank inlet which is equipped with a vacuum break valve for allowing air into the system when the suction openings are closed. The sedimentary deposit tank has a series of baffle chambers through which effluent flows in sequence, and in each of which chambers sediment is deposited for later removal. The surge tank preferably has a liquid level sensor and warning device. Modular filters or adsorbants may be installed in the sedimentary deposit tank, or a modular auxiliary filter may be connected downstream of the tank. Chemical injection may be used to improve sedimentation.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2001Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Inventor: Richard H. Chilibeck
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Publication number: 20030127381Abstract: An improved water purification system for production of USP purified water and/or USP water for injection include backwashable, chlorine tolerant microfilter or ultrafilter for initial filtration of the feed water (10). The filtrate from the filter (18) is provided to a dechlorinator (18) prior to being subjected to an optional, reverse osmosis membrane unit (60) and then to a still (66) which discharges purified water at USP standards for purified water or water for injection.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2002Publication date: July 10, 2003Inventor: George V. Gsell