Backwash Or Blowback Means Patents (Class 210/275)
  • Publication number: 20040251191
    Abstract: A liquid purification system and method using ion exchange resin is provided in which the ion exchange resin is kept in a compacted state by means of elastic material. Since the resin is always compacted, high efficiency of the process is obtained which yields high quality product and low regenerant consumption. Furthermore, this system may use larger tank with larger volume of resin so that longer service interval can be obtained because the system is not affected by low service and regenerant flow rates. An integrated backwash tank is provided in which the resin to be backwashed is transferred to the backwash tank and returned to the main column when backwashing is finished.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: Arianto Darmawan
  • Patent number: 6830684
    Abstract: The invention recites a filter comprising a block including an outer wall defining an inner chamber and a block exterior, and a conduit having a conduit wall, a first conduit end, a second conduit end, and an inner flow path providing fluid communication between the first and second conduit ends. The conduit wall includes an orifice therethrough. The conduit is coupled to the block such that the first conduit end is in fluid communication with the inner chamber of the block and the second conduit end and the orifice are in fluid communication with the block exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: U.S. Filter Corporation
    Inventor: Jerry Stegge
  • Publication number: 20040238429
    Abstract: A filtration system for cleaning a fluid, typically water, that is contained in a tank having a rounded base and which cleans, during the backwash cycle, the filter media and, in particular, cleans the media in a usually stagnant area found in the rounded base of the tank. Most filtration system include a first pipe array located above the rounded base which provide for backwashing of the upper portion of the tank, but leaves the base area below the first pipe array stagnant and subject to the growth of harmful bacteria. The present invention adds a second array which is located in the base area and therefore is able to clean during the backwash cycle, an area that is left stagnant in most other systems. The second array is configured to follow the contours of the base of the tank to give it a greater cross sectional area than a flat array. This configuration results in greatly improved effectiveness over that provided by the conventional single flat array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: Kevin Mulvey
  • Patent number: 6821435
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for water purification comprising at least two units, of which the first unit comprises at least one filter unit (1) which consists of a container (2) containing a filter bed (3) of zeolite, and of which the second unit (4) consists of a container (5) enclosing a UV lamp (6). The two units are connected to each other by means of a conduit (7) for conveying water. According to the invention, the filter bed (3) consists of at least 50% by weight natural zeolite with a pore diameter of 0.05-5 nm. The pressure in the filter bed is 1-4 bar and the UV lamp (6) has a light intensity of 300-500 J/m2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Josab International AB
    Inventors: Jan Lindqvist, Jan-Olov Sparrman
  • Patent number: 6821445
    Abstract: The present invention is aimed at treating rainwater in a combined sewer system, while enabling removal of a majority of pollution substances even if a large amount of entering rainwater. The invention relates to a rainwater-treating apparatus in a combined sewer system, said apparatus comprising a plurality of upward flow type high-speed filter vessels each having a layer of a floating filter medium, a common treated water vessel which is located at upper faces of said high-speed filter vessels and is adapted to collect treated water from the high-speed filter vessels, a used wash water vessel which collects used wash water from said high-speed filter vessels, a rainwater inflow channel for distributing the entering rainwater into upper portions of the high speed filter vessels, and rainwater inflow portions for flowing downwardly the rainwater distributed from the rainwater inflow channel under the respective floating filter media of the filter vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Miyata, Yoshihiko Nakayama
  • Patent number: 6797166
    Abstract: A filter underdrain apparatus and a method for manufacturing such apparatus. The apparatus includes a cover member, a water orifice member and a bottom member, each being individual pieces. The cover is placed over the water orifice member and connected thereto by welding. The bottom member is likewise connected to the cover and water orifice members by welding. A water passageway and an air passageway are defined in the inside of the assembled members. Water egress from the water passageway is provided by holes in the water orifice member and the cover. Air egress from the air passageway is provided by holes in the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Newtech Filter Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Hambley, David M. Hambley, Cole Carothers, Govert Bassett, II
  • Patent number: 6773589
    Abstract: A filtration apparatus includes a tank having an upper chamber and a lower baffle, layers of stone and carbon between the upper chamber and the lower baffle, a water inlet to the upper chamber, and a water outlet below the lower baffle. The upper chamber is divided by a vertical baffle which separates the water inlet from a backwash outlet. A backwash inlet is provided below the lower baffle. An air manifold coupled to an air pump is placed between the lower baffle and the upper chamber. During backwash, air is mixed with water to cause a turbulent flow. The baffle in the upper chamber prevents filter media from exiting the apparatus during backwash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: James P. Sharkey
  • Publication number: 20040149641
    Abstract: A modular filter system and a method of repairing and/or replacing one or more components thereof. The modular filter system includes a traveling backwash hood assembly and a plurality of filter cells having media contained therein. The traveling backwash hood assembly includes a hood and a baffle assembly. Preferably, the hood has at least one opening formed therein and a cover plate operably associated with the at least one opening. The baffle assembly includes a plurality of baffles for directing the flow of fluid. The baffle assembly is detachably connected to the hood to permit the baffle assembly to be moved relative to the hood to permit an individual to readily gain access to the baffle assembly to repair or replace one or more components thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: R. Lee Roberts, Mark Kevin Addison
  • Patent number: 6740237
    Abstract: An improved underdrain block for an underdrain system supporting a filter media bed in a liquid filtration system is provided. The underdrain blocks are preferably made of an extrudable polymeric material that is extruded in relatively long sections to provide light weight, strong, easily manufactured underdrain systems having a lower profile than prior art underdrain blocks. The underdrain block comprises an upper wall, side walls, a lower wall, at least one lateral member between the upper wall and the lower wall, at least two chambers within the underdrain block, each chamber being defined by the lateral member, a plurality of upper orifices in the upper wall of the underdrain block, and a plurality of internal orifices in the lateral member. The underdrain block is substantially greater in longitudinal length than a longitudinal distance between the upper orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: RG Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Lee Roberts, Mark Kevin Addison, Andrew Scott Taylor
  • Patent number: 6733670
    Abstract: A porous media support plate module may be used to construct a new filter underdrain or to rehabilitate an existing filter underdrain. A porous plate replacement module may be inserted between two existing cell dividers to replace a damaged porous media support plate, which may be allowing media leakage. The design of the replacement module provides an improved plenum structure, which enhances the backwash process and reduces the drawbacks of applying adhesives in varying weather conditions. In an alternative design, a module may be provided to enhance the backwash process of existing cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Parkson Corporation
    Inventor: John A. Kupke
  • Publication number: 20040007541
    Abstract: The invention recites a filter comprising a block including an outer wall defining an inner chamber and a block exterior, and a conduit having a conduit wall, a first conduit end, a second conduit end, and an inner flow path providing fluid communication between the first and second conduit ends. The conduit wall includes an orifice therethrough. The conduit is coupled to the block such that the first conduit end is in fluid communication with the inner chamber of the block and the second conduit end and the orifice are in fluid communication with the block exterior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Applicant: United States Filter Corporation
    Inventor: Jerry Stegge
  • Publication number: 20040004036
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the raw water-filtering technical field, and is to provide a high speed filtering apparatus which can filter a great amount of raw water containing suspended substances (SS) at a high concentration at a high speed. Floating filter media 2, which are composed of a foamed polymer having an apparent density of 0.1 to 0.4 g/cm3 and a 50% compression hardness of not less than 0.1 MPa and have uneven shapes or cylindrical shapes with sizes of 4 to 10 mm, are charged into an up-flow type filtering tower 1. The raw water containing SS at a high concentration is filtered by passing it through the filtering tower 1 at a linear water-passing speed of 100 to 1000 m/day. While the floating filter media 2 are not compacted, a high SS-capturing percentage can be obtained. Back washing can be also effected at a high linear washing speed of 1.2 to 4.0 m/min.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Nakayama, Atsushi Miyata
  • Publication number: 20030230525
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an automatic backwash filter system that includes at least one influent port for introducing a fluid to the filter; a plurality of partitions forming a plurality of compartments for holding a filtering media for filtering the fluid; at least one porous plate for supporting the plurality of partitions; wherein each of the partitions is mounted atop a continuous portion of the porous plate; and at least one effluent port for draining the fluid away from the compartments. The filter may also include a filter media comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of sand, anthracite coal, and activated carbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: ONDEO Degremont, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack H. Jessop, Harold W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6616852
    Abstract: A modular filter system having a mechanism for performing a filter to waste step on the last cell of a multi-cell system following backwashing. A method of operating a modular filter system in which a filter to waste step is performed on the last cell of a multi-cell system after backwashing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: RG Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Lee Roberts, Mark Kevin Addison
  • Patent number: 6605211
    Abstract: The present invention relates to pool filters. An underdrain design is disclosed that primarily relies on a peripheral ring rather than lateral projections to transfer the water to the sand. The ends of the ring are not joined so that the ring is not closed. The ring is also bent into a helical shape which allows the ring to be screwed into an opening with a smaller diameter than that of the ring. The ring is radially slotted so that water flows radially from it in all directions both toward the center of the tank and away from the center, as well as straight up and down. Since the water transfer takes place primarily along an arc located relatively near the mid-point between the center and the perimeter of the tank, the disadvantages inherent in the concentration of the water flow at the center of the tank are eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Jacuzzi Leisure Products
    Inventor: Herbert N. Slopack
  • Publication number: 20030136718
    Abstract: An ion exchange resin plant comprises a tank (10) divided into two separate compartments, a first compartment (11) and a second compartment (12), containing the exchanging resins, said first and second compartments (11, 12) being arranged so as to allow the plant to operate in continuous so that when one compartment is effecting water purification, the other compartment is regenerating the exchanging resins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: Piero Becucci
  • Patent number: 6596160
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: Minshiou Lee
  • Patent number: 6582595
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a water conditioning apparatus that is compact and easily recharged without removal from the installation location. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a water conditioning apparatus that is generally rectangular in shape and is configured to fit into rectangularly shaped spaces of limited size. In another embodiment, the water conditioning apparatus is configured to fit in a corner location. In still another embodiment, the water conditioning apparatus is of modular configuration and includes a self-contained selector valve system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventor: Alex S. Peabody
  • Publication number: 20030111401
    Abstract: A water treatment plant with two-stage filtration for purification of surface water sources with low turbidity and low temperature. The flow rate of this integrated water treatment should be less than 2 m3/sec (≈46 mgd). The integrated two-stage filtration plant with one flash mixer, six roughing filters, with upward flow, six high rate dual media filters, with downwards flow, and a clearwell is recommended for surface water sources with turbidity less than 100 NTU, color less than 75 UC, coliform less than 20,000/100 mL, algae less than 2,000 ASU/mL, TOC less than 4 mg/L, iron less than 1.5 mg/L, taste and odor less than 5 TON, alkalinity less than 200 mg/L, hardness less than 150 mg/L. For maximum values of alkalinity and hardness given above, and for optimal value of pH, the color has to be less than 40 UC, when alum is to be used. Filter effluent turbidities are foreseen to be 0.1 NTU or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventor: Skender Cocoli
  • Publication number: 20030106859
    Abstract: The present invention is aimed at treating rainwater in a combined sewer system, while enabling removal of a majority of pollution substances even if a large amount of entering rainwater. The invention relates to a rainwater-treating apparatus in a combined sewer system, said apparatus comprising a plurality of upward flow type high-speed filter vessels each having a layer of a floating filter medium, a common treated water vessel which is located at upper faces of said high-speed filter vessels and is adapted to collect treated water from the high-speed filter vessels, a used wash water vessel which collects used wash water from said high-speed filter vessels, a rainwater inflow channel for distributing the entering rainwater into upper portions of the high speed filter vessels, and rainwater inflow portions for flowing downwardly the rainwater distributed from the rainwater inflow channel under the respective floating filter media of the filter vessels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Atsushi Miyata, Yoshihiko Nakayama
  • Patent number: 6569328
    Abstract: An underdrain filtration system has improved perforation structure, the perforations being positioned to admit the filtrate into a plenum defined by elongated underdrain rib structures of the system. Instead of drilled or laser-cut holes or slits, the slits are formed by stamping discs from the stainless steel plate, such that the discs extend parallel to the surrounding flat area but are raised just sufficiently to define a plurality of slits under each disc, preferably two to four slits, each being an arc of slightly less than 180°, 120° or 90°, respectively. A pair of metal bridges remain to integrally connect the raised disc and the surrounding flat field. Consistent perforation width is achieved, at, for example, 0.010″ width varying by less than 0.001″ in either direction, improving consistency of pressure drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: Gary D. Haggard
  • Publication number: 20030080039
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a filter surface washer with 8 nozzles and 4 orifices for non-air-scouring of filter medium. The filter surface washer is conceptually original device for sand and dual media rapid filters by gravity. With this type of device, the surface of the filter bed should be washed effectively for a very short period of time. The filter surface washer is very effective for 1 m2 (˜11.0 ft2) of filter area. For each surface washer are required 2.5-3 l/sec/m2 (3.5-4.3 gpm/ft2). The velocity of water jet in nozzle orifice should be 12-14 m/sec (39-46 ft/sec). The height of orifice of the nozzle (H0) from top of the filter surface should be 0.1-0.142 m. The values of velocity gradient will be 1000-1500 1/sec for diameter of nozzle's orifice d0=6 mm (¼″), and for diameter of 4 orifices d0=0.003 m (⅛″), in lower part of the device. These values of velocity gradients should be realized when water level above the filter will be H=0.1-0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: Skender Cocoli
  • Patent number: 6488842
    Abstract: A filtering device includes a container having an inlet for introducing liquid to be treated, an annular multi-layered prepacked screen assembly provided in the container and having an outlet for treated liquid. The screen assembly includes three or more cylindrical screens having different diameters and being coexially disposed in the container with their axes extending vertically in the container. An annulus is formed between the respective cylindrical screens. Two or more different filter materials performing different filtering functions are filled one in each of the annuluses between the cylindrical screens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: Tadayoshi Nagaoka
  • Publication number: 20020166807
    Abstract: An underdrain filtration system has improved perforation structure, the perforations being positioned to admit the filtrate into a plenum defined by elongated underdrain rib structures of the system. Instead of drilled or laser-cut holes or slits, the slits are formed by stamping discs from the stainless steel plate, such that the discs extend parallel to the surrounding flat area but are raised just sufficiently to define a plurality of slits under each disc, preferably two to four slits, each being an arc of slightly less than 180°, 120° or 90°, respectively. A pair of metal bridges remain to integrally connect the raised disc and the surrounding flat field. Consistent perforation width is achieved, at, for example, 0.010″ width varying by less than 0.001″ in either direction, improving consistency of pressure drop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventor: Gary D. Haggard
  • Patent number: 6471857
    Abstract: A filter apparatus removes foreign substances contained in raw water by passing the raw water through a filter layer (8) made up of a particulate filter medium disposed in a filter tank (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Koyo Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Kaibara
  • Patent number: 6461501
    Abstract: There is provided herein a new skimmer apparatus and a new filter mechanism for use in ornamental ponds and the like. According to a first preferred embodiment there is provided a skimmer apparatus which has an enclosing container with a lower terminus that has a perimeter that is larger than that of the upper terminus. This allows the skimmer to be weighted/locked down within the pond itself and substantially reduces or eliminates the risk that the skimmer will float upward if it is emptied of water. Additionally, there is provided a filter which includes a spline and grove combination to firmly attach a pond liner the filter underneath its snout. Further, there is provided a pond filter which contains a true sedimentation chamber within the bottom portion thereof. Finally, there is provided an adjustable-width skimmer snout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Hardscape Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: C. Bradley Porter
  • Patent number: 6428690
    Abstract: A filtering system with an improved backwashing capability includes influent and effluent means, and uses plastic beads as the filtering medium. The system further includes a plurality of backwash jets that eject water under pressure at angles such that the force of the water contacting the filter beads breaks apart the beads. Separating the filter beads allows the backwash operation to provide a far more thorough cleaning of the filter tank. This leads to improved performance of the filter and extended life of the filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Tom Tse
  • Publication number: 20020096463
    Abstract: A fluid distribution system for directing fluids through a filter system. The fluid distribution system ensures proper distribution of fluids during the process of filtering as well as the process of washing a filter bed. The fluid distribution system may be used with numerous filter systems including but not limited to an upflow filter, a downflow filter, a combined upflow/downflow filter and/or multiple downflow filters connected in series.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: R. Lee Roberts, Mark Kevin Addison
  • Patent number: 6423216
    Abstract: A biological oxidation filter system can be used as a pretreatment process in water treatment, or for processing sewage or wastewater by reproducing the purification mechanisms in nature environments. It has a physical screening function and an oxidation function through the aeration and biological decomposition. The biological oxidation filter system includes: a raw water inflow unit; a biological contact filter unit; a filtrate outflow unit; an oxidation air supply unit supplying air and/or oxygen in order to provide a proper growth environment for microbial flora and perform the oxidation in the biological contact filter unit; and an air backwashing unit and a water back washing unit for backwashing the filter media when the biological contact filter unit is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Shinwoo Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung-Ho Yum, Suing-Il Choi
  • Patent number: 6419823
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for sanitizing and cleaning filtration systems is provided. The apparatus includes a chamber fluidly connected to a source of fluid for backwashing the system, and a heat exchanger for increasing the temperature of the fluid. A filter media is positioned within the chamber. The method of sanitization involves backwashing the apparatus to remove debris, then continuing to circulate the backwash fluid through the system while increasing the temperature of the fluid, until the temperature of the water and apparatus is sufficient to deactivate microorganisms. The method may also involve increasing the disinfecting power of the fluid by adjusting the pH of the fluid. The apparatus may be provided with a scavenger to assist in the substantially complete removal of fluid from the chamber during and after a steaming or cleaning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: United States Filter Corporation
    Inventors: Harry C. DeLonge, Michael G. Costello, Karen L. Asher
  • Patent number: 6413423
    Abstract: Apparatus for treating water utilizes a single flow control valve that has only one moving part to divert treated water from several water treatment units to backwash another water treatment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventor: Kemp E. Falkner
  • Publication number: 20020079267
    Abstract: A process for removing BOD and suspended solids from wastewater without passing through a primary clarifier or secondary aeration tank, the process. During the process, raw sewage wastewater, comprising soluble BOD, insoluble BOD and suspended solids, is piped directly to a deep bed granular filter. The bed depths of deep bed filter are within a range of approximately 2.0 ft to approximately 10.0 ft. The raw sewage wastewater is filtered by filtration through the deep bed filter in which the filter media is a granular media with a size range between approximately 2.0 mm to 10.0 mm. Backwashing the deep bed filter occurs at least once every 48 hours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: E. Stuart Savage, David C. Slack
  • Patent number: 6387283
    Abstract: An apparatus for continuously filtering a suspension includes a filter-medium washer provided with length-adjustable walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Polyproject Sweden AB
    Inventor: Henric Lind
  • Patent number: 6383376
    Abstract: A filter comprises a main tank and at least two separate beds of particulate filter media contained in respective conical recipients integrated within the main tank so as to minimize the overall height and weight of the filter. A transport pipe is provided for each conical recipient in order to transport dirty filter media therefrom to a washing device in which the dirty filter media is washed as it flows downwardly in counter-current with a wash liquid. A filter media return pipe is provided for each conical recipient in order to return the cleaned filter media therein. The provision of multiple transport pipes and return pipes ensures efficient distribution of the filter media within the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignees: Plasti-Drain Ltée
    Inventor: Pierre Beauchamp
  • Patent number: 6358407
    Abstract: A device and method for the filtration and purification of suspended solids from high turbidity wastewater or other fluids using a slow circulating fluid stream flow inside a vessel of fluid containing a mixture of coagulant and suspended solids. By determining and using a calculated velocity of the flow of the fluid in the vessel, suspended solids are caused to separate from the fluid in which they are suspended by natural actions of gravity and pressure differentials in the vessel ceasing the rise of the suspended solids. The suspended solids are filtered from the water or other fluid by a filter layer of the suspended solids themselves which form a filter element for the fluid at a determined level in the vessel wherein suspended solids are separated and drain back though a return orifice leaving cleansed fluid to rise through a secondary filtration system of buoyant balls floating at a higher lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventors: Taiouan Liao, Chunjiang Liao, Manhoi Lam
  • Patent number: 6342163
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for sanitizing and cleaning filtration systems is provided. The apparatus includes a chamber fluidly connected to a source of fluid for backwashing the system, and a heat exchanger for increasing the temperature of the fluid. A filter media is positioned within the chamber. The method of sanitization involves backwashing the apparatus to remove debris, then continuing to circulate the backwash fluid through the system while increasing the temperature of the fluid, until the temperature of the water and apparatus is sufficient to deactivate microorganisms. The method may also involve increasing the disinfecting power of the fluid by adjusting the pH of the fluid. The apparatus may be provided with a scavenger to assist in the substantially complete removal of fluid from the chamber during and after a steaming or cleaning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: United States Filter Corporation
    Inventors: Harry C. DeLonge, Michael G. Costello, Karen L. Asher
  • Patent number: 6325931
    Abstract: An improved underdrain block for an underdrain system supporting a filter media bed in a liquid filtration system is provided. The underdrain blocks are preferably made of an extrudable polymeric material that is extruded in relatively long sections to provide light weight, strong, easily manufactured underdrain systems having a lower profile than prior art underdrain blocks. The underdrain block comprises an upper wall, side walls, a lower wall, at least one lateral member between the upper wall and the lower wall, at least two chambers within the underdrain block, each chamber being defined by the lateral member, a plurality of upper orifices in the upper wall of the underdrain block, and a plurality of internal orifices in the lateral member. The underdrain block is substantially greater in longitudinal length than a longitudinal distance between the upper orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: RG Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Lee Roberts, Mark Kevin Addison, Andrew Scott Taylor
  • Patent number: 6322705
    Abstract: A water-based heating or cooling plant incorporating a filtration device and a pipeline network for bleeding water from the heating or cooling plant to the filtration device, the filtration network for bleeding water from the heating or cooling plant to the filtration device, the filtration device having a tank with an upright column of horizontal layers of granulated filtration materials, the densities in the layers increasing from the layer at the top downwardly to the most dense bottom layer, at least one layer being a mechanical layer and at least one layer having a chemically active material to increase the pH value of the water to a magnitude exceeding neutral. The invention includes a method for operating the plant and for backwashing the granulated filtration material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: RC EnWa A/S
    Inventor: Svein Olav Stornes
  • Patent number: 6322704
    Abstract: A radial flow fluidized unit (RFFU) (250) employing non-bonded media particles (56) for removing impurities from an influent, that can be backwashed and/or regenerated by fluidizing the media particles (56) to free the impurities therefrom. During a fluidization operation a fluid applies a drag force on a section of the media particles (56) within a volume of the unit where the media co-acts with the influent: (Volume 1). The drag force transports the media particles (56) into a second volume (Volume 2) for fluidization. Under normal conditions the top portion of the unit contains the packed media (56) where the influent co-acts with the media (56) (Volume 1). The RFFU (250) can also operate in the reverse where the bottom or opposite end contains the packed media (56) for co-acting with the influent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventor: John D. Martin
  • Patent number: 6319400
    Abstract: A deep bed filter principally used for filtration of contaminated aqueous fluid comprises a layer of polymeric cylindrical particles in combination with a layer of anthracite particles and a layer of sand. The polymeric cylindrical particles are approximately 1.5 millimeters in diameter and in the range of 6-12 millimeters high, with a specific gravity of approximately 1.15. When the filter is backwashed particles of anthracite mix with a portion of the polymeric particle layer, thereby creating larger surface voids for penetration of larger contaminant particles into the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Gene Hirs
  • Patent number: 6312611
    Abstract: A concurrent backwash distribution apparatus for a filter having a filter tank and a plurality of underdrain laterals includes a baffle positioned in a common main conduit to define an auxiliary flume between the baffle and the underdrain laterals. The auxiliary flume is in fluid communication with the common main conduit and the underdrain laterals. The baffle has at least one flume liquid metering orifice preferably located near the bottom of the baffle so that it may be below a gas/liquid interface in the auxiliary flume during concurrent gas/liquid backwash operations. A flow distribution plate may be positioned between the auxiliary flume and the underdrain laterals, the flow distribution plate having at least one liquid metering orifice and at least one gas metering orifice. The baffle may take one of many forms. The baffle creates an adequate liquid pool in the common main conduit for low velocity flow of backwash liquid while at the same time providing uninhibited flow of backwash gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: The F.B. Leopold Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene O. Bergman, Richard W. Hsieh, John Geibel
  • Patent number: 6312592
    Abstract: Clarifier for liquids laden with suspended matter, comprising: an outer, first, cylindrical tank (4), a central, second, cylindrical tank (1) for collecting the filtered liquid, roughly coaxial with the first; an intermediate tank (2), formed between the outer tank (4) and the central tank (1) and roughly coaxial therewith; structure (19) for the feed of pressurized backwash liquid to the filter medium (14); a hood (26) for recovering the washing liquid after it has passed through the filter medium (14); a rotary bridge (8) which can rotate above the collection of cylindrical tanks (1, 2, 4), a compartment for introducing the liquid that is to be clarified, this compartment being positioned between the intermediate tank (2) and the central tank (1) and feeding the outer tank (4) centrally with liquid laden with suspended matter, the said compartment being itself fed with liquid that is to be clarified from the outside via a number of inlets (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Inventor: Roumen Kaltchev
  • Patent number: 6306310
    Abstract: A concurrent backwash distribution apparatus for a filter having a filter tank and a plurality of underdrain laterals includes a baffle positioned in a common main conduit to define an auxiliary flume between the baffle and the underdrain laterals. The auxiliary flume is in fluid communication with the common main conduit and the underdrain laterals. The baffle has at least one flume liquid metering orifice preferably located near the bottom of the baffle so that it may be below a gas/liquid interface in the auxiliary flume during concurrent gas/liquid backwash operations. A flow distribution plate may be positioned between the auxiliary flume and the underdrain laterals, the flow distribution plate having at least one liquid metering orifice and at least one gas metering orifice. The baffle may take one of many forms. The baffle creates an adequate liquid pool in the common main conduit for low velocity flow of backwash liquid while at the same time providing uninhibited flow of backwash gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: The F. B. Leopold Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugen O. Bergmann, Richard W. Hsieh, John Geibel
  • Patent number: 6290845
    Abstract: A two-chambered water softener tank with a bi-directional valve for controlling the flow of water between the chamber for use with a water softener is disclosed. The tank includes an outer shell, an upper chamber located within the outer shell containing a redox medium, a lower chamber located within the outer shell and beneath the upper chamber that contains an ion exchange resin, a first port allowing water to flow into the upper chamber, a second port allowing water to flow into the lower chamber, and a third port for allowing water to flow between the upper chamber and lower chamber. The water softener tank also includes a bi-directional valve engageable with the third port for regulating flow of water through the third port from the upper chamber to the lower chamber during service of the water softener and from the lower chamber to the upper chamber during regeneration of the water softener. The bi-directional valve remains open as water flows from the upper chamber to the lower chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: iNetWater LLC
    Inventors: Earl Brane, Boyd Cornell
  • Patent number: 6287457
    Abstract: A water treatment device wherein the water during treating is brought into contact with a treatment medium (29), whereby this treatment medium (29), either by means of a regeneration medium (42) or not, is regenerated regularly and whereby, a regulator (59) is used which is provided, with a hydraulically driven first monitoring mechanism (24) with which the water consumption can be controlled and the start of the regeneration cycle can be ordered, and with a hydraulically driven second monitoring mechanism (25) with which the regeneration cycle is controlled and characterized in that both monitoring mechanisms (24-25) are driven by means of the same volumeter (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Padema, Naamloze Vennootschap
    Inventor: Guido Ivo Cesar Maria Van De Moortele
  • Patent number: 6280619
    Abstract: An inline filter having a swivel right-angle fitting for coupling an inlet or outlet tube. The fitting includes a stem having a pair of O-rings and a distal ridge and notch. The cap of the filter includes a port having a plurality of annular, resilient tabs that engage the notch and ridge to retain the fitting to the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries
    Inventors: Charles R. Lacy, Michael T. Baird
  • Patent number: 6238556
    Abstract: A filtration system for filtering particulate matter from a liquid, the filtration system comprises a pre-filtration apparatus and a main filtration apparatus. The pre-filtration apparatus comprises a vessel having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a back-washing outlet, and a filtering medium disposed in the vessel and capable of filtering large particulate matter from the liquid and passing fine particulate matter. The fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are positioned such that liquid flowing therebetween is passed through the filtering medium. The fluid outlet and back-washing outlet are positioned such that liquid flowing therebetween is passed through the filtering medium. The main filtration apparatus comprises a vessel having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a filtering medium disposed in the vessel and capable of filtering fine particulate matter from the liquid. The fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are positioned such that liquid flowing therebetween is passed through the filtering medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Fluid Art Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William D. Hawk, Gary D. Cryer
  • Patent number: 6171480
    Abstract: The present invention relates to computer automated upflow bead filter systems. These systems typically include a bead bed; in situ sensors/transducers for monitoring dissolved oxygen, differential pressure across the filter, water flow, pH, oxidation-reduction potential or any combination of these; a control system, such as a computer, operably coupled to the in situ sensors/transducers; an influent conduit below the bead bed; and an effluent conduit above the bead bed. The in situ sensors/transducers convert monitored conditions to electrical signals and at least back washing or dissolved oxygen may be continually adjusted in accordance with the electrical signals using the control system. By virtue of the control system, water flow rate or residence time, backwash frequency, and backwash duration may be continually adjusted to optimize the operation of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Phillip G. Lee, Philip E. Turk, John L. Whitson
  • Patent number: 6159384
    Abstract: A differential pressure monitor measures the pressure at a plurality of heights in a filter bed. A preferred embodiment of the monitor comprises an elongated body, a plurality of pressure sensors located on the elongated body for obtaining the pressure readings, a control apparatus for determining differential pressures from the pressure readings, each differential pressure being the difference in pressure between pressures measured at two different heights in the filter bed, and transmission apparatus to transmit the pressure readings from the pressure sensors to the control apparatus. Methods of monitoring and controlling the performance of a filter bed during filtration and during backwashing also are provided. Two such methods include measuring turbidity levels in a filter bed and obtaining water samples from a filter bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: RG, Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Lee Roberts, John D. Simmons
  • Patent number: 6143186
    Abstract: A continuous filter device for liquids has a filter chamber that receives a granular bulk material forming a filter bed. The filter chamber has rectangular inner-walls with a liquid-permeable inlet side and a liquid-permeable outlet side positioned opposite the inlet side. A liquid-impermeable outer wall is positioned at the inlet side and forms together with the inlet side an inlet chamber. The inlet side has openings allowing flow of a liquid to be filtered from the inlet chamber into the filter chamber. A liquid-impermeable outer mantle is positioned at the outlet side and forms together with the outlet side a filtrate collection chamber. The outlet side has openings allowing filtrate flow from the filter chamber into the filtrate collection chamber. A cone-shaped removal chamber is connected to a lower end of the filter chamber. A flow discharge chamber is connected to an upper end of the filter chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Inventor: Sabine Van Unen