Selective Units Or Compartments Patents (Class 210/264)
  • Patent number: 11951217
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for the inactivation of pathogens (e.g., bacteria, viruses, etc.) in ex vivo stored blood products, such as plasma and/or platelets, by means of directing visible light radiation from an illuminating device into blood product storage containers in order to achieve effective pathogen inactivation without the presence of an added photosensitising agent in the blood product. An exemplary apparatus includes a control unit that operates a light source that emits light in the wavelength region of about 380-500 nm which is directed onto blood product storage bags at sufficient intensity to penetrate the bag material and the opaque blood product therein in order to inactivate pathogens in the blood product but at dose levels that cause no significant detrimental effects on the blood product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignees: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services, University of Strathelyde
    Inventors: Chintamani Atreya, Michelle Maclean, John G. Anderson, Scott J. MacGregor
  • Patent number: 11655904
    Abstract: An exemplary liquid treatment system includes at least one control valve in operative connection with a liquid treatment tank. The liquid treatment tank includes treatment material therein that is operative to treat the liquid that passes therethrough. The liquid treatment material is periodically regenerated to restore treatment function. At least one valve controller is operative to control the flow of liquid through the liquid treatment tank and to deliver treated liquid to liquid use devices. A further tank is operative to produce a saturated liquid solution of regeneration material that is usable to regenerate the liquid treatment material in the liquid treatment tank. The further tank includes at least one pressure sensor and at least one temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: CHANDLER SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: William D Chandler, Jr., Aaron R Wolfe, Cody A Harbaugh, Patrick Frazer
  • Patent number: 10994233
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a water filter cartridge, with a housing and a flow path for air for ventilating a water tank storing water to be processed by the water filter cartridge. The latter is distinguished in that the flow path has a first water barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: AQUIS Wasser-Luft-Systeme GmbH, Lindau Zweigniederlassung Rebstein
    Inventor: Bernd Heitele
  • Patent number: 10526548
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon-in-water purification system includes a high capacity hydrocarbon absorber stage having a high capacity hydrocarbon absorber material and an inlet configured to receive a hydrocarbon-in-water dispersion from a fuel system. A polishing hydrocarbon absorber stage is in liquid communication and downstream of the high capacity hydrocarbon absorber stage including polishing activated carbon. The high capacity hydrocarbon absorber material has a greater saturation capacity than the polishing activated carbon and the polishing activated carbon has a greater polishing capacity than the high capacity hydrocarbon absorber material. A method for controlling and managing the evacuation of water from the hydrocarbon-in-water purification system includes tracking the purification state of water volumes and the bed loading states of purification beds defined in the water filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Davis B. Moravec, Andrew J. Dallas, Joseph M. Block, Bradly G. Hauser, Cullen E. Hall, Mark C. Shepherd, Mike J. Madsen
  • Patent number: 10371674
    Abstract: In order to, in a chromatograph sampler, regulate the pressure of a sample fluid filled in a constant volume tube to be as constant as possible and ensure the reproducibility of measurement, the chromatograph sampler is configured to provide a bypass line between a sample introduction line and a sample discharge line in parallel with the constant volume tube, and when filling the sample fluid in the constant volume tube, flow the sample fluid also through the bypass line in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: HORIBA STEC, CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Sasaki, Tomotaka Yoshimura, Shoji Narukami, Tsuneaki Maeda
  • Patent number: 10365190
    Abstract: Methods and systems for processing samples fixed to a porous substrate generally comprising, a compressor defining one or more fluid isolation areas, a support, for the porous substrate, having an opening corresponding to one or more of the fluid isolation areas of the compressor, an actuator that causes at least a portion of the compressor to press against the porous substrate, a fluid inlet having access to the fluid isolation area at least when the compressor is pressed against the porous substrate, and a fluid outlet to receive fluid, through the opening in the support corresponding to the fluid isolation area of the compressor, at least when the compressor is pressed against the porous substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Whatman International Limited
    Inventors: Philip Alexander Shoemaker, Weston Blaine Griffin, Erin Jean Finehout, Xuefeng Wang, Kashan Ali Shaikh, Greg Darryl Goddard
  • Patent number: 10327579
    Abstract: A coffee machine with milk frother parts, having an upper body, an inner frame on the upper body, a water gauge in the inner frame, a brewing frame on the inner frame, a piercing pin fixing unit on the brewing frame, an upper piercing pin on the piercing pin fixing unit, a pierced location sealing rubber on the upper piercing pin, a brewing upper cover on the inner frame, a button slot at a frontal surface of the brewing upper cover, a button in the button slot, a locking element provided at a middle section of a front upper part of the brewing frame and connected on the button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Inventors: Zhongyu Shi, Junda Shi, Shukuo Liu
  • Patent number: 10301193
    Abstract: Method for treating water by filtration on a bed of granular material in order to reduce its content in contaminants, said method comprising the steps for: making said water travel in transit in a reactor containing said bed in a upward flow at a speed that does not permit the fluidization of said bed but permits said material to migrate, as and when the filtration takes place, towards the lower part of said reactor, continuously removing a fouled granular material at the foot of the reactor, by means of a piping into which a gas is insufflated, said fouled granular material being constituted by granular material and contaminants adsorbed on said granular material; continuously or intermittently carrying out the physical cleansing of said fouled granular material thus removed, so as to obtain a cleansed granular material essentially rid of said contaminants; reinjecting the granular material thus cleansed into an upper part of said bed; characterized in that the granular material is an adsorbent granular mate
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Support
    Inventors: Abdelkader Gaid, Philippe Sauvignet
  • Patent number: 10214467
    Abstract: The present invention describes a process for the simulated moving bed separation of xylenes which can be used for the treatment of paraxylene-rich feeds (more than 25% by weight of paraxylene), in which the operating conditions are optimized by means of a specific relationship between the cycle time and the desorbant flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: IFP Energies nouvelles
    Inventors: Alexandre Vonner, Damien Leinekugel Le Cocq, Catherine Laroche, Pascal Etienne
  • Patent number: 10150087
    Abstract: A purifier for removing metal, such as chromium, from an organic solvent is disclosed. The purifier comprises a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the fluid inlet; a volume of ion-exchange resin disposed within the housing downstream of the fluid inlet; and a filtration member downstream of the volume of ion-exchange resin, the filtration member comprising at least one microporous membrane having a substantially neutral surface and a microporous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane downstream of the at least one microporous membrane. A method for removing metal, including chromium, from an organic solvent using a purifier of the invention is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: Saksatha Ly, Wai Ming Choi
  • Patent number: 10150973
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for fermenting, separating, and refining a product, which is produced by cultivating a microorganism. The apparatus and the method for fermenting, separating, and refining, of the present invention, can separate and refine the product that is produced by microbial fermentation in a simple, continuous manner and with high efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: GS CALTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sang-Hyun Lee, Moon-Ho Eom, Julia Lee, Sang-Jun Jeon, Jung-Hee Cho, Jin Dal Rae Choi
  • Patent number: 9731220
    Abstract: The present invention describes a novel configuration for simulated moving bed separation processes characterized by using two adsorbers each containing 12 beds, these two adsorbers functioning in parallel. This novel configuration can be used to optimize para-xylene production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: IFP Energies nouvelles
    Inventors: Philibert Leflaive, Damien Leinekugel Le Cocq, Gerard Hotier, Luc Wolff
  • Patent number: 9376653
    Abstract: A cascading hops reservoir may have a series of hops or adjunct reservoirs, each having a drain and an overflow. The series of reservoirs may be used by causing flow through a first reservoir, which may cause liquid to flow through the reservoir and through the drain, as well as past an overflow. When a second set of hops or adjuncts may be added, the flow may be introduced to a second reservoir, which may flow through a drain and also overflow into the first reservoir. A series of multiple reservoirs may thus be used to introduce hops or other adjuncts into a brewing cycle in stages, with each additional stage including previous stages in the recirculating flow during the brewing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: PicoBrew, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Mitchell, James B. Mitchell, Avi R. Geiger
  • Patent number: 9358480
    Abstract: A modular water filter system includes a plurality of media filter tank modules including an underdrain disposed within the filter tank module at the bottom side of the filter tank module, a controller, and a plurality of back flush valves associated with corresponding ones of the plurality of media filter tank modules, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventor: Paul M. Cordua
  • Patent number: 9140370
    Abstract: A rotary type channel switching valve for use in a heat pump system is provided. The channel switching valve provides a plurality of channel switching means required when switching connection of a plurality of devices to parallel/series connection, e.g., in a system including the plurality of devices including inlet/outlet ports for a fluid. The channel-switching valve can play a role of a plurality of channel switching means which are required when connecting a plurality of heat exchangers in parallel when a refrigerant is passed in a normal direction, and when connecting a plurality of heat exchangers in series when the refrigerant is passed in a reverse direction, for example, in a heat pump including the plurality of heat exchangers, and thereby, can realize simplification of a configuration of the heat pump, reduction in an occupied space, cost and energy consumption, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignees: Fujikoki Corporation, Daikin Industries, LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kannoo, Tomoatsu Minamida, Kouji Shibaike
  • Patent number: 9132369
    Abstract: A gravity flow water filtration cartridge with a novel sieve system. The sieve system comprises an air vent and a shroud. The sieve system is attached or welded onto a housing bottom or barrel. An air permeable material covers the opening of the air vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Brita LP
    Inventors: Russell E. Bell, Allison Jean Fretwell, Gregory Martin Gressel, Ronald Alfred Kolberg
  • Patent number: 8974672
    Abstract: A self-contained water polishing system includes at least a first containment basin that has an inlet for inflow of water from a collection source and contains calcium carbonate for treatment of water flowing through the system; at least a first polishing basin in communication with the containment basin and that contains at least a first pollutant collection substrate for treatment of water flowing through the system; and a vacuum pumping system in fluid communication with the containment and polishing basins that draws water through the polishing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Wasserwerk, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne R. Hawks
  • Patent number: 8926839
    Abstract: The present invention describes a device for the distribution of fluids in a multi-stage column operating in simulated moving bed (SMB) mode comprising, in the direction of flow of the principal fluid, a distribution system (6) for auxiliary fluids, and a distributor plate (10) supported by stiffening elements (7) located below said plate (10), said device being interposed between two successive beds of granular solid (2) denoted the upstream and downstream bed, the distribution system and the stiffening elements being immersed in the upstream and downstream granular beds to a slight extent with an upper limit for the degree of immersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: Frederic Augier, Gerard Hotier
  • Patent number: 8906144
    Abstract: An adsorption dryer (20) for processing gases, in particular compressed air, having a control head (24) with valves (28), pipe connections (26) and means for receiving cartridges, and at least two cartridges (22) which can be connected to the control head (24) and are filled with adsorption means and to which a stream of fluid can be supplied, as required, via the control head (24). The cartridges (22) each have a cover (30), a cartridge casing (32), a base (34) and a central pipe (36) which extends through the cover (30) into an interior space (46) of the cartridge (22). The adsorption dryer (20) is characterized in that the cover (30), the cartridge casing (32) and the base (34) of the cartridges (22) can each be secured in place with respect to one another via the central pipe (36), the central pipe (36) in each case projects out of the cartridge (22) and serves as a connecting means for the control head (24), and the cartridge (22) itself is of compression-resistant design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Beko Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Schlensker, Johannes Sinstedten
  • Publication number: 20140238914
    Abstract: An aquarium filter cartridge includes a frame and a media pack attached to the frame. The frame includes recessed sections along the sides. The filter cartridge can be part of dual filter cartridge, also including a biological host media filter element. The filter cartridge or the dual filter cartridge can be mounted in a filter housing by sliding within receiving grooves in the filter housing. Methods of servicing are included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Tetra Holding (US), Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel A. Newman
  • Patent number: 8808435
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of adsorption-separation technology, and more particularly, to an adsorption-separation device. The device includes a base component, a top cover component and adsorption pipes arranged between the base component and the top cover component. One end of the adsorption pipe is detachably connected with the base component and, the other end of the adsorption pipe is detachably connected with the top cover component, a locking component used for compressing the adsorption pipes is arranged between the base component and the top cover component. The adsorption pipes are detachably inserted between the base component and the top cover component, the base component and the top cover component 200 are connected by the locking component to be convenient for assembly and disassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen Biteman Science & Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yinghui Guo
  • Publication number: 20140224742
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for simulated moving bed (SMB) adsorption and separation with a reduced number of control valves, comprising separating the feedstocks comprising isomers by SMB adsorption, said SMB comprising m beds of adsorbent, each of which is equipped with grids, each of the grids being equipped with the materials charging and discharging pipeline of the bed, the materials charged into and discharged from SMB at least comprising adsorption feedstocks, desorbent, extract, raffinate and the flushing liquids charged from different beds, wherein the to extract is enriched with the target product; there are at least two streams of said flushing liquid selected from any one of the adsorption feedstock, desorbent, extract and raffinate; there are altogether n streams of materials charged to and discharged from the SMB, wherein there are s types of materials having the same composition and flow direction; p sets of on-off valves are used to control n streams of materials is charged to a
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicants: CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORPORATION, RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF PETROLEUM PROCESSING, SINOPEC
    Inventors: Dehua Wang, Zhuo Yu, Huiguo Wang, Jianfeng Ma, Wei Wu
  • Patent number: 8802913
    Abstract: A process for separating a product from a multicomponent feedstream to an adsorption apparatus or system is described. The apparatus or system may comprise a moving-bed or a simulated moving-bed adsorption means. The product comprises at least one organic compound, such as an aryl compound with alkyl substitutes. In embodiments the conduits used to supply the feedstream to the apparatus or system are flushed with media of multiple grades. The improvement is a more efficient use of the desorbent. In embodiments the process achieves improvements in one or more of efficiency of adsorption separation, capacity of adsorption apparatus systems, and purity of product attainable by adsorption process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Porter
  • Patent number: 8802035
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention feature a device (1) and method for performing steps of a multi-step process in parallel. The device (1) and method feature a rotor assembly (13) having vessel stations (33) and stator assembly (15) having work positions. The rotor assembly (13) rotates the vessels (17) to the work stations to perform steps of a multi-step process at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Jenkins, Paul D. Rainville, Sylvain Cormier
  • Publication number: 20140209527
    Abstract: Disclosed is an internal circulation resin ion exchange adsorption reactor with a mechanical stirrer. The upper part ?˜? of the reactor main body is an open cylinder and the lower part 1/5˜? is a cone-shaped body with a slope of 30°±10°. A bell-jar shaped reaction slot with a turbine water stirrer inside is located in the center of the reactor main body. The reactor main body is equipped with a cylindrical guide plate. A water collection weir, an inclined tube separator and an annular resin collection hopper are located between the shell of the reactor main body and the guide plate. The reactor is equipped with a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe. A resin removal pipe is connected with the annular resin collection hopper and a resin desorption slot respectively, and a regenerated resin reflux pipe is connected to the bell-jar shaped reaction slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Chao Long, Jun Fan, Aimin Li, Chendong Shuang
  • Patent number: 8758608
    Abstract: A continuously flowing, inner circulatory, quasi-fluidized-bed reactor for resin ion exchange and adsorption. The reactor comprises a main body casing, an inclined pipe separator, an outlet weir, an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe, a reducing fluidization tank, a guide plate, a resin regeneration tank, a resin discharge pipe, and a return pipe for regenerated resin and a distributing ejector. The reactor is particularly suitable for advanced treatment of supply water, wastewater, biochemical effluent and reclaimed water by using (magnetic) powder resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignees: Nanjing University, Nanjing University Yancheng Environmental Protection Technology and Engineering Research Institute
    Inventors: Chao Long, Jun Fan, Aimin Li, Chendong Shuang
  • Publication number: 20140144820
    Abstract: The rapid deployable packaged wastewater treatment system is a low-energy demanding, portable, rapidly deployable and operational wastewater treatment system utilizing a plastic vessel including an aerobic pretreatment and screening chamber that feeds wastewater to a moving bed biological reactor (MBBR) chamber. Immediately downstream from the MBBR bioreactor is a secondary clarifier, which feeds a media polishing filtration system. The media polishing filtration system then passes the treated water to a UV disinfection system. The entire fully functional system, including the plastic vessel and control room, is self-contained in a military-approved TRICON container. A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) provides automated control of the system and monitors water levels, wastewater characteristics and system components. The container has access doors to the wastewater treatment control room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventors: DANIEL M. EARLY, SCOTT F. EASTER
  • Patent number: 8722955
    Abstract: A device (SMB) for separation by simulated moving bed adsorption comprises a plurality of elementary adsorption zones Zi in series operating in a closed loop, and at least one singular adsorption zone with a dead volume which is greater than the adsorption zones Zi, the solid adsorbant of said singular adsorption zone having a granulometry which is lower than that of the solid adsorbant of the ordinary adsorption zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: Gerard Hotier, Tom Frising, Philibert Leflaive, Damien Leinekugel le Coco
  • Patent number: 8709241
    Abstract: A control unit for a softening device, comprising a primary inlet for untreated water, a primary outlet for blended water, a sensor for determining the water hardness of the untreated water WHraw, or the blended water WHblend, a secondary outlet, a secondary inlet, a bypass line, a blending means which can be automatically adjusted for mixing a blended water flow Vblend(t) from a first partial flow (V(t)part1soft of the secondary inlet and a second partial flow V(t)part2raw of the bypass line, and an electronic control means, wherein the control means is designed to readjust the adjustment position of the blending means by means of the determined water hardness in such a fashion that the water hardness in the blended water flow Vblend(t) is adjusted to a predetermined desired value, enables partial softening of water on the basis of fully automatic blending, thereby utilizing already existing softening devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Judo Wasseraufbereitung GmbH
    Inventors: Carsten Dopslaff, Ralf Soecknick, Klaus Neidhardt, Alexander Haug, Siegfried Melcher
  • Publication number: 20140054211
    Abstract: A system for conditioning a liquid such as water, includes a first holder of a medium for treating liquid, the medium in the first holder including an ion exchange material loaded with at least a first counter ion species, and a second holder of a medium for treating liquid, the medium in the second holder including an ion exchange material loaded with at least a second counter ion species of the same polarity as the first. The media in the first and second holders are configured to exchange at least one of the first and second counter ion species for ions in the liquid to a different extent. The system is arranged to lead a first fraction of the liquid to be treated through only the first of the first and second holders and a second fraction of the liquid to be treated through at least the second of the first and second holders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: BRITA GMBH
    Inventor: Berthold Conradt
  • Patent number: 8641906
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for distributing fluids which are to supply a multi-stage column having a succession of plates, each plate supporting a bed of granular solid (2) and being provided with a network for distributing said fluids constituted by substantially horizontal lines (6) having a plurality of degrees of branching from 1 to rank N, the ensemble of lines from rank P to rank N being adherent to the base plane of the plate under consideration, and the lines of the last degree of branching N communicating with mixing chambers (8) disposed immediately below said base plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventor: Frederic Augier
  • Publication number: 20140031601
    Abstract: A process for separating a product from a multicomponent feedstream to an adsorption apparatus or system is described. The apparatus or system may comprise a moving-bed or a simulated moving-bed adsorption means. The product comprises at least one organic compound, such as an aryl compound with alkyl substitutes. In embodiments the conduits used to supply the feedstream to the apparatus or system are flushed with media of multiple grades. The improvement is a more efficient use of the desorbent. In embodiments the process achieves improvements in one or more of efficiency of adsorption separation, capacity of adsorption apparatus systems, and purity of product attainable by adsorption process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventor: John R. Porter
  • Patent number: 8632740
    Abstract: A collection device and a method for collecting a biological sample, particularly whole blood, includes a separating member to separate the whole blood into its components, and at least reagent positioned to selectively interact with a component of the separated sample. The reagent is able to selectively interact with the plasma/serum, and is prevented from contacting or interacting with the whole blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Ajit Dastane, Dimitrios Manoussakis, Christopher Battles, Paul Dicesare, Jeffrey Radziunas
  • Patent number: 8608963
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a twin tank water treatment system and method. The water treatment system includes first tank with a first set of sensors and a first resin bed, a second tank with a second set of sensors and a second resin bed, and a valve assembly with a flow meter and a controller in communication with the first set of sensors, the second set of sensors, and the flow meter. The method includes determining when the resin beds are exhausted based on input from the flow meter, the sensors, and a water hardness setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Pentair Residential Filtration, LLC
    Inventors: John Stewart, Andrew F. Tischendorf, Kenneth J. Sieth, Rahul Sadashiv Kamble
  • Patent number: 8491854
    Abstract: A test tube insert includes a flange having a width greater than a width of a mouth of a larger test tube into which the insert is to be inserted. The flange defines a first central opening. An annulus extends integrally downward from the flange. The annulus includes a fenestrated wall and a floor defining a second central opening. A small test tube body, smaller than the larger test tube, extends integrally downward from the floor of the annulus with the second central opening forming a mouth of the small test tube body. The test tube insert is disposed in the mouth of the larger test tube. Fluid is transferred through the central opening and the fluid fills the small test tube body of the test tube insert and flows through the fenestrated wall once the small test tube body is full into the larger test tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: King Saud University
    Inventor: Abdullah Khalid Al-Rasheed
  • Patent number: 8398850
    Abstract: A package of water treatment pellets includes a first container and a second container. The first container is fabricated from a water-dissolvable sheet material and the first container is filled with and encases the water treatment pellets. The second container is fabricated from a non-water-dissolvable, porous material and is sized and adapted to receive the first container filled with and encasing the water treatment pellets. A water treatment feeder device includes a hollow, box-shaped magazine body defining an internal magazine chamber and a plurality of porous holders disposed in the internal magazine chamber. Each one of the plurality of porous holders retains a respective one of the packages of water treatment pellets. A water treatment feeder system for a structure operative to circulate water thereabout incorporates the water treatment feeder device and the package of water treatment pellets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Evapco, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah Ferrari, John W. Lane
  • Patent number: 8388840
    Abstract: Device for stiffening the plates of a multi-stage column with a diameter of more than 2 meters, whereby each plate supports a particle bed and the flow of at least one fluid passes through it from top to bottom, whereby said device consists of a number of beams that are located under the plate in question, each beam having a lower surface that is shaped like a triangle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: Frederic Augier, Denis Darmancier, Gerard Hotier
  • Patent number: 8329031
    Abstract: A water treatment apparatus includes a first treatment tank forming thereon a first, fixed bed includes a powdery phosphorus adsorbent includes an inorganic layered compound, wherein the first bed separates phosphorus and solid matter from the water, and recovers the phosphorus in a state adsorbed on the phosphorus adsorbent in the first bed, a second treatment tank forming a second, fluidized or fixed bed includes the phosphorus adsorbent, wherein the second bed separates phosphorus from the water received from the first treatment tank, and recovers the phosphorus in a state adsorbed on the phosphorus adsorbent in the second bed, and a transferring line configured to transfer the phosphorus adsorbent, having phosphorus adsorbed thereon in the second treatment tank, from the second treatment tank to the first treatment tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shinobu Moniwa, Masahiko Tsutsumi, Hidetake Shiire, Nobuyuki Ashikaga, Satomi Ebihara, Katsuya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8323505
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards systems and methods for the treatment of wastewater. A system in accordance with one particular embodiment may include a vacuum filter band system configured to receive a saturated ion exchange resin tank and to apply a water rinse to the resin to generate a resin slurry. The vacuum filter band system may further include a vacuum filter band configured to receive the resin slurry. The vacuum filter band system may also be configured to generate a mixed metal solution. The system may further include a metal specific purification system including a plurality of purification units configured to receive a continuous flow of the mixed metal solution, each of the purification units configured to target a particular metal from the mixed metal solution. Numerous other embodiments are also within the scope of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Hydroionic Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rainer Bauder, Richard Hsu Yeh
  • Patent number: 8318024
    Abstract: The present invention consists of a device for distributing and collecting fluids at the outlet from an upstream granular bed in a multistage column having a plurality of granular beds, said device comprising a deflector, which can equalize the trajectories of the fluid stream lines from the outlet from the mixing chamber to the downstream bed of granular solid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: Frederic Augier, Denis Darmancier
  • Patent number: 8241504
    Abstract: A filter unit includes a flexible bag having permeable material on a first side and a second side that allows fluid to pass through the container. Granularized rubber is enclosed within the flexible bag. The granularized rubber filters hydrocarbon products from the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Wayne Bennett
  • Patent number: 8231791
    Abstract: A water softening system including a first treatment tank having a first water capacity, a second treatment tank in parallel with the first treatment tank and having a second water capacity that is less than the first water capacity, a flow meter connected to the first and second treatment tanks, the flow meter configured to determine a demand flow rate of water entering the system and a controller in communication with the flow meter, the controller configured to direct the water into the first treatment tank when the demand flow rate is greater than a designated flow rate, and to direct the water into the second treatment tank when the demand flow rate is equal to or less than the designated flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Culligan International Company
    Inventor: Kerry Quinn
  • Publication number: 20120091055
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter device for cleaning water polluted with solid particles and/or dissolved pollutants, particularly surface water from streets or roof runoffs, comprising a housing (12), which has at least one inlet (13) for polluted water and at least one outlet (14) arranged upstream of the inlet (13) for cleaned water, wherein in the housing (12) in a flow direction (20) of the water a filter unit (16) is arranged between the inlet (13) and the outlet (14), through which filter unit the water to be cleaned flows in the upstream direction, and wherein the filter unit (16) comprises an ion exchanger. The ion exchanger is designed as a synthetic molecular sieve (17).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicants: H2O RESEARCH GMBH, 3P TECHNIK FILTERSYSTEME GMBH
    Inventors: Jorge Torras-Pique, Carsten Dierkes
  • Patent number: 8147756
    Abstract: Device for carrying out a chemical or physical treatment, comprising a frame on which a turntable is arranged rotatably. The reaction vessels are arranged on the turntable, and a different connection between the feed/discharge lines, which are fixedly connected to the frame, and the reaction vessels is constantly provided via a valve assembly. The valve assembly comprises two disks, each provided with ports which are positioned opposite one another in constantly changing positions. In order to minimize the non-operational time, an indexing movement is carried out using the turntable. In the case of relatively large installations, to prevent associated forces from affecting the movement of the valve assembly, it is proposed that the valve assembly be fitted directly on the turntable and that the turntable be driven directly by the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventor: Bernard Pieter Wijnberg
  • Patent number: 8047230
    Abstract: System for the chemical/physical treatment of a fluid in which a distributor valve has been installed for the feed/discharge of fluid to/from various reactors. The distributor valve consists of a plate valve with stationary plate and rotary plate. A cylindrical body provided with a number of axial bores that change into radial bores and emerge in the wall of a stationary housing adjoins the rotary plate and rotates therewith. A number of inlets/outlets located one after the other viewed in the axial direction are provided on the stationary housing. According to the invention the various radial bores in the cylindrical body are provided with a fluid via axial bores, based on a single valve plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventor: Johannes Albertus Evers
  • Publication number: 20110201041
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method whereby small particle nano materials may be contained in a highly functional package for fluid separation and/or purification applications. The package consists of an aerogel material which uniformly surrounds the nano-particles. The aerogel may be composed of carbon, silicon, or silicon oxide or other suitable materials. The morphological features of the aerogel may be tailored specifically towards fine particle and ultrafine particle containment while maintaining uniform fluid flow in separation and purification processes. The aerogel may be bonded to a suitable rigid housing by chemical or mechanical means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Alexander David Deptala, Daniel Alvarez, Arthur Deptala
  • Patent number: 7935189
    Abstract: A process for producing sugar products from grapes includes treating a solution of liquid rectified concentrated must by chromatography, to separate at least one sugar contained in it. A plant for producing sugar products from grapes comprises a plurality of columns connected together in series, each column implementing in succession all steps of the chromatographic process, but implementing steps of the process which are different from the other columns. A recirculation step is provided in passing from one step to the next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Cantine Foraci S.R.L.
    Inventor: Fabio Foraci
  • Publication number: 20110042287
    Abstract: A portable water softener for converting hard water from a household water outlet to softened water is disclosed. The portable water softener includes an elongated housing having opposite first and second ends and an elongated conduit having opposite first and second ends. The first end of the conduit is coupled to the first end of the housing by a first water connector element while the second end of the conduit is coupled to the second end of the housing by a second water connector element. The conduit extends between the first and second ends of the housing in a sinusoidal fashion and contains a quantity of water softening ion exchange beads. The portable water softener also includes a first flush port coupled to the first end of the housing and the first end of the conduit and a second flush port coupled to the second end of the housing and the second end of the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventor: John Staines
  • Patent number: 7862726
    Abstract: In a method for regenerating ionic exchange resins (3) used for softening water and a device for softening water, a flow of brine (S) is fed into a housing compartment (2) of the resins (3) at a determined velocity and subsequently a first flow of water alone is fed at a lower velocity than the velocity of the flow of brine (S). The velocities are determined by a ratio between the passage section of a respective throat (8) for feeding the water, and the passage section of a nozzle (10) for feeding the brine (S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: M.I.R. snc di Biscarini S. & Caiello G.
    Inventor: Albano Latini
  • Publication number: 20100300948
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, water to be treated is passed through each of a first reactor vessel and second reactor vessel, phosphorus contained in the water is removed by using an adsorbent, thereafter the liquid held in each of the reactor vessels is discharged from each of a first treated water discharge path and second treated water discharge path, and thus the influence of soluble impurities derived from the water is eliminated. Further, when suspended solids impurities contained in the water are accumulated in the phosphorus adsorbent, the accumulated impurities are eliminated by a reverse cleaning operation using a liquid to be thereafter introduced from a reactor vessel liquid introduction path into the reactor vessel, and hence the influence of the suspended solids in the water on a desorption agent liquid to be thereafter introduced into a crystallization vessel, and containing phosphorus from the phosphorus adsorbent is eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Shinobu Moniwa, Hidetake Shiire, Satomi Ebihara, Masahiko Tsutsumi, Nobuyuki Ashikaga, Satoshi Haraguchi, Akiko Suzuki, Hideyuki Tsuji, Tatsuoki Kohno, Kazuhiko Noda, Katsuya Yamamoto