Spaced Beds Patents (Class 210/284)
  • Publication number: 20110056880
    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: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: IFP
    Inventors: Frederic AUGIER, Denis Darmancier, Gerard Hotier
  • Patent number: 7901576
    Abstract: The present invention provides: a distributor plate for a composite pressure vessel. The distributor plate includes a thermoplastic polymeric disk having a top side, a bottom side, a perimeter edge and a central opening. Radial slits are formed in the disk to define fluid flow passages through the disk between the central opening and the perimeter edge. The fluid flow passages through the disk are adapted to swirl fluid flowing through the disk from the bottom side to the top side around the central opening. The present invention also provides a water treatment vessel that includes one or more distributor plates, a method for manufacturing a composite pressure vessel that includes one or more of the distributor plates and a method for preparing a composite pressure vessel that includes one or more of the distributor plate for use as a water treatment apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Enpress, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Douglas S. Stolarik, Douglas M. Horner, Michael P. Mormino, Richard A. Mest
  • Patent number: 7870870
    Abstract: This invention discloses an axial multiport rotary valve capable of accomplishing the simultaneous interconnection of a plurality of conduits in accordance with a previously determined cycle, where any conduit communicates with no more than one other conduit at any one cycle step, or valve index position. The rotary valve comprises a hollow stator element and a rotor element inside the hollow interior of the stator element which rotates with a substantially vertical axis of rotation within the stator element, the surfaces of both elements being in the form essentially of a frustum of an inverted cone. Bed-line ports in the stator and rotor have a non-circular shape with a greater dimension in the vertical plane for higher capacities than provided in the known art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Lance A. Baird
  • Patent number: 7871528
    Abstract: The water filter including a container, which has a bottom and a cover, wherein several inlets are provided on the border of the cover and an outlet is provided in the centre of the bottom. A spiral channel is located in the container, through which the inlets are connected to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: elfo AG
    Inventors: Beat Aregger, Ruedi Gasser
  • Publication number: 20110006009
    Abstract: Provided are an anti-microbial matrix and filtration systems containing the same. The matrix comprises a surface-modified inorganic component and a polymeric binder comprising particles having an irregular, convoluted surface. The surface-modified inorganic component comprises a reaction product of an anti-microbial component and an inorganic component. The anti-microbial component comprises a quaternary ammonium salt containing an epoxide group. A covalent bond is, for example, between the quaternary ammonium cation and a hydroxyl group of the inorganic component. The quaternary ammonium salt can be poly(methyldiallylamine epichlorohydrin). Further, the quaternary ammonium salt can have the formula according to I: (Formula I), wherein n is in the range of 5 to 24. The inorganic component can be diatomaceous earth. The polymeric binder can comprise ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW PE). Methods of making and using the same are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas J. Hamlin, Mark T. Meyering, Hemang R. Patel, Derek A. Daigle, Robert A. Governal, Rebecca A. Lucht, Keith D. Solomon, Eshan B. Yeh
  • Patent number: 7857979
    Abstract: An ion exchange apparatus includes at least one fluid passage that extends between an inlet and an outlet for transporting a fluid having ions therein. At least one cartridge includes an ion exchange material and the cartridge has an ion removal rate of removing the ions from the fluid that varies in response to a concentration of the ions in the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Hamilton Sunstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Tony Rector, John W. Steele, Durwood Mace Beringer
  • Patent number: 7857969
    Abstract: A filter module has layers of a filter medium between which are draining elements. The draining layers and the filter layers are stacked on one another, and the draining layers are sealed on alternate sides by sealing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventors: Gerhard Strohm, Georg Schnieder
  • Patent number: 7849879
    Abstract: A powder paint recirculation block assembly for use in a powder paint transfer assembly, and a method of operation, is disclosed. The recirculation block assembly includes a powder paint recirculation block body having an intake flow passage directing flow to an applicator flow passage leading to an application flow control assembly and a return flow passage leading to a return flow control assembly. The angles (change in direction) through which powder paint flows may be minimized to minimize potential impact fusion. The pinch rubbers in pneumatic pinch valves of the application flow control assembly and return flow control assembly may be removable to allow for valve repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank P. Rauch, Eric G. Norrmalm, Fei Yang, Gunnar Van Der Steur
  • Patent number: 7837870
    Abstract: An ion-removing apparatus includes a housing, a first ion-removing unit and a second ion-removing unit. The housing includes an inlet port, a liquid discharge port and a gas discharge port. The first ion-removing unit is disposed within the housing, so that the fluid that has entered the housing via the inlet port flows through the first ion-removing unit. The first ion-removing unit serves to remove a first ion, such anions, contained in the fluid. The second ion-removing unit is disposed within the housing, so that the fluid that has flown though the first ion-removing unit flows through the first ion-removing unit. The second ion-removing unit serves to remove a second ion, such as cations contained in the fluid. The liquid contained in the fluid that has flown through the second ion-removing unit is discharged from the liquid discharge port. The gas contained in the fluid that has flown through the second ion-removing unit is discharged from the gas discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignees: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasunari Arai, Akishi Morita, Nobuhiko Nakagaki, Hiroyuki Sekine
  • Publication number: 20100276360
    Abstract: Wastewater treatment systems, methods and apparatus for polishing a wastewater stream comprising a plurality of contaminants are provided. One system includes a vessel containing a plurality of natural media filtration agents selected to remove selected ones of the plurality of contaminants from the wastewater stream. In one embodiment, the vessel includes a bed of bauxite residue and at least one other natural media filtration agent. In another embodiment, the vessel includes a bed of compost and at least one other natural media filtration agent. The vessel includes a wastewater inlet that is in fluid communication with one or more of the natural media filtration agents. The vessel includes a wastewater outlet that is in fluid communication with one or more of the natural media filtration agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicants: ALCOA INC., CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS LLC
    Inventors: John R. Smith, Jaw Fu, Rajat Ghosh, Kevin Kitzman, Jonell Kerkhoff, Robert C. Horger, Dennis L. Fulmer, Aniruddha Bhattacharyya, Andrew C. Middleton, Robin L. Weightman
  • Publication number: 20100218423
    Abstract: An aeroponic plant growing system includes a water reservoir and growing chambers for growing plants in an aeroponic environment. A pump, a water distribution manifold, and water lines are used to provide water and nutrients from the water reservoir to sprayers in the growing chambers where the water and nutrients are sprayed on the roots of plants growing therein. The water distribution manifold and water lines preferably are provided as closed loop systems, such that water is provided to all sprayers despite a blockage in the manifold or a water line. Non-absorbed water and nutrients are returned to the water reservoir from the growing chambers on water return lines via a filter that includes multiple types of filter media, including filter media that support the colonization of organisms that support plant growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventor: Zack Allen Walhovd
  • Patent number: 7754070
    Abstract: The disclosed invention is a fixed bed ion exchange water purification system. It employs a combination of electronically controlled process steps and specific systems configurations to duplicate the effects of moving resin beds from one operating position to another as is required in moving bed ion exchange water purification systems. The intention combines features of single fixed bed ion exchange systems with those of a moving bed system. The invention applies to the treatment of water having typical industrial and drinking water concentrations of various ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Envirogen Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter L. Jensen, Gerald A. Guter, Dan Ziol
  • Patent number: 7754071
    Abstract: The disclosed invention is a fixed bed ion exchange water purification system. It employs a combination of electronically controlled process steps and specific systems configurations to duplicate the effects of moving resin beds from one operating position to another as is required in moving bed ion exchange water purification systems. The invention combines features of single fixed bed ion exchange systems with those of a moving bed system. The invention applies to the treatment of water having typical industrial and drinking water concentrations of various ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Envirogen Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter L. Jensen, Gerald A. Guter, Dan Ziol
  • Publication number: 20100163496
    Abstract: An oil filtration assembly for filtering oil comprises a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port defining a flow path for oil to flow therethrough. A diatomaceous earth filtering media layer is disposed in the oil flow path, intermediate of the inlet port and the outlet port and is configured to filter soot and contaminants from oil passing through the oil filtration assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventor: Gerard W. Bilski
  • Patent number: 7727628
    Abstract: A particulate reusable sorbing coalescing agent facilitating the separation of a non-aqueous phase from an aqueous phase. The agent has a desired shape and properties, sheared from a block of matrix material and presents a higher coalescing rate relative to existing sorbing coalescing agents. Also, a method of manufacturing the particulate reusable sorbing coalescing agent and a method of use the particulate reusable sorbing coalescing agent are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Torr Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Linda Veronneau, Germain Veronneau
  • Patent number: 7722766
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter cartridge (1), especially a suction filter cartridge, which is provided, in the outlet opening (20), with an inward-pointing, peripheral snap-on rim (22) which can be folded from a first lower snap position into a second upper snap position and vice versa. The invention also relates to a seat element (30) for such a filter cartridge, comprising a connection sleeve (33) which engages with the outlet opening (20) of the filter cartridge (1). Said connecting sleeve (33) comprises at least one actuator which displaces, when the filter cartridge (1) is placed on the rim, the snap-on rim from a first lower snap position to the second upper snap-on rim from a first lower snap position to the second upper snap positioning which the snap-on rim rests against the connecting sleeve (33) in a sealing and clamping manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Brita GmbH
    Inventor: Marc Namur
  • Patent number: 7708883
    Abstract: A box filter comprises of a casing and at least two filters, which are installed inside the casing and behind the influx channel and have a buffer gap between two adjacent filters; the influx channel, which is installed on the external wall of the box filter. In addition, more than one guide vane is installed at the inlet of the influx channel and the bottom of the guide vane leans against the filter so as to eliminate the clog that forms the channel and so as to stop backflow of the sewage into the aquarium or container of the sift device while the box filter or sift device is removed from the aquarium. The guide vane can effectively improve drawbacks of the box filter of a prior art as well as enhance the filtration effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Tommy Chi-Kin Wong
  • Patent number: 7678265
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for separating environmentally hazardous substances, such as heavy metals and oil, from a contaminated mass, such as sewage sludge or soil from industrial sites. According to the process, an aqueous metal hydroxide solution comprising Na, K or Ca is added to the contaminated material in form of high-pressure jets, in order to disintegrate the material and provide a homogeneous mixture. Thereafter, liquid containing the hazardous substances is separated from the washed material and subsequently filtrated. The essentially pure water resulting from the filtration step may be used for producing new metal hydroxide solution to be used in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Water Treatment Construction
    Inventor: Per-Åke Fabrell
  • Patent number: 7625487
    Abstract: An adsorptive bed having hydrous iron oxide and calcium carbonate materials. The adsorptive bed is useful in water treatment applications for removing metal contaminants, particularly for removing arsenic-containing ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Patricia A. Crawford, Charles J. Hickey, Garth R. Parker, Jr., Jose Antonio Trejo
  • Patent number: 7588686
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a filter unit for depleting or enriching a liquid or gas with substance(s) comprising i) providing a filter unit comprising at least one convective layer and at least one receiving layer adjacent one another, ii) passing the liquid or gas through the filter so that the main direction of flow is along the layers and the main flow of liquid gas is in the convective layer, allowing the substance(s) to: a) be transferred from a convective layer to a receiving layer, and b) be retained or otherwise modified or transferred within a receiving layer, or c) be provided by the receiving layer, and d) be transferred from the receiving layer to the fluid in the convective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: University of Copenhagen
    Inventor: Marina B. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20090127181
    Abstract: A treatment tank for treating waste water or other liquid is provided. The treatment tank has an interior cavity of the treatment tank, a liquid introduction system for introducing a liquid to be treated, into a top end of the treatment tank, an exit aperture for removing liquid from a bottom end of the treatment tank and a plurality of removable layers of filter media. The removable layers of filter media are spaced substantially vertically in the treatment tank between the top end of the treatment tank and the bottom end of the treatment tank. Each layer of filter media has a permeable sheet adjacent a bottom surface of the layer of filter media, the permeable sheet allowing liquid to pass through the permeable sheet but preventing filter media in the layer of filter media from passing through the permeable sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Udo Staschik
  • Publication number: 20090114599
    Abstract: There is provided a method or a system for purification of water from neutral and anionic organic contaminants using either a mixture of a complex of an organic cation adsorbed on clay as a micelle, and a granular material or a complex of an organic cation adsorbed on clay as a micelle. There is also provided a column accommodating the mixture of a complex of an organic cation adsorbed on clay as a micelle, and a granular material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: Yissum Research Development Company of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
    Inventors: Shlomo Nir, Baruch Rubin, Yael G Mishael, Dikla Zadaka, Tamara Polubesova, Eliyahu Wakshal, Onn Rabinovitz
  • Patent number: 7527738
    Abstract: An oil spill containment system for containing oil spills or leaks from an oil containing vessel. In one embodiment, the oil spill containment system comprises a geosynthetic material defining a number of cells, with an oil absorbing material and an oil adsorbing material received in the cells of the geosynthetic material. This system contains oil which spills or leaks from the oil containing vessel while allowing water from rain or snow melt to permeate through the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Kinectrics Inc.
    Inventors: Luciano A. Gonzalez, Blair F. Sim, Ron H. K. Tsang, Alexander Z. Mlynarczyk
  • Patent number: 7527727
    Abstract: An adsorption apparatus and method of adsorption for treatment of wastewater is disclosed, and comprises an inlet for the wastewater connected to a metals trap which adsorbs metals and a second trap which filters organic materials from the wastewater, positioned between the inlet and the metals trap, wherein the second trap at least partially comprises either a phosphate or an activated carbon. The metals trap can be, for example, fish bone char. A method of manufacturing fish bone char is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Plymouth Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Geary G. Parke
  • Publication number: 20090039009
    Abstract: The present invention provides: a distributor plate for a composite pressure vessel. The distributor plate includes a thermoplastic polymeric disk having a top side, a bottom side, a perimeter edge and a central opening. Radial slits are formed in the disk to define fluid flow passages through the disk between the central opening and the perimeter edge. The fluid flow passages through the disk are adapted to swirl fluid flowing through the disk from the bottom side to the top side around the central opening. The present invention also provides a water treatment vessel that includes one or more distributor plates, a method for manufacturing a composite pressure vessel that includes one or more of the distributor plates and a method for preparing a composite pressure vessel that includes one or more of the distributor plate for use as a water treatment apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: ENPRESS, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Douglas S. Stolarik, Douglas M. Horner, Michael P. Mormino, Richard A. Mest
  • Patent number: 7479220
    Abstract: A method and a plant to remove metals by biosorption from mining or industrial effluents comprising: (a) subject the effluent to at least one first stage of pre-treatment, selecting among: precipitation by pH rising, solvent extraction or solvent extraction on emulsified membranes in order to reduce its load of metals to a concentration level that allows it to be treated by the next stage of biosorption, and (b) subject the liquid that has been previously in the stage of pre-treatment to a second stage of continuous metals removal by biosorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignees: Universidad De Chile, Biotechnologies Del Aqua Ltda.
    Inventors: Davor Cotoras Tadic, Fernando Valenzuela Lozano, Miguel Esteban Zarzar Maza, Pabla Leticia Viedma Elicer
  • Patent number: 7479221
    Abstract: A storm water treatment device that is installed under the grate of new or existing catch basins, and more commonly referred to as an insert. The catch basin decontamination apparatus has a universal housing and support ring that allows one design to fit most applications. Adjustable chains allow for proper position below grate and a semi-flexible molded or rigid deflector directs incoming drain water to the housing. A slip-on filter/absorber cartridge fits over a perforated drain tube, in the center of the housing, allowing the drain water to first pass through the filter/absorber media before exiting through the drain tube and out the bottom of the housing. The filter/absorber cartridge includes a variety of absorber materials that absorb oil and repel water. Activated carbon, microbes and other site specific absorbents can be used in the replaceable slip-on cartridge. A leaf pre-strainer helps prevent leaves and debris from entering the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Inventors: John A. Paoluccio, John J Paoluccio
  • Patent number: 7476311
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the removal and disposal of arsenic from an aqueous medium. The systems and methods include the removal of arsenic from a source by contact with either a chemically treated natural or synthetic zeolite, for example a ferric-loaded zeolite. The spent zeolite is disposed of at an appropriate arsenic disposal site. A system for monitoring and maintaining an arsenic removal/disposal system by an off-site provider is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: WRT International LLC
    Inventors: John E. Litz, Charles S. Williams
  • Publication number: 20080302724
    Abstract: The disclosed method and apparatus involves the use of sequential filters for the purification of liquid. The sequential filters may each produce rejects that can be processed separately in their respective treatment apparatus, which can be fine-tuned to the specific reject that it treats. Alternatively, the first reject may be treated while the second reject may not be treated. The rejects (whether treated or not) may be combined into a combined flow and then be recycled in the sequential filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Brett Hunt Boyd, Walter Andrew Molawka, Dominic Edgar Janssen
  • Patent number: 7455769
    Abstract: A filter appliance including a dilution device, wherein the diluted portion remains largely constant when the entire volume flow is modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Brita GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Heitele
  • Patent number: 7442293
    Abstract: Oil adsorbent layers 4 and packed layers 5 are alternately laminated inside a treatment vessel 2, the oil adsorbent layers 4 comprise ten laminated flat sheets 4a composed of polypropylene, and gelled aluminum hydroxide 15 is evenly applied over the surface of each of these sheets 4a on the laminated side. These flat sheets 4a are lipophilic and hydrophobic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Jyonan Electric Industrial Corporation Limited
    Inventor: Kenichi Yokota
  • Patent number: 7427352
    Abstract: A fluid purifier includes a filter having a chamber of reduced cross section formed either between an inner wall and an outer wall or within the inner wall. A ceramic layer of granular ceramic particles and at least a pair of magnetic layers each comprising an annular magnet and magnetite pieces are provided above or below the ceramic layer in the chamber. The annular magnets are arranged in such a way that the same polarities of adjacent annular magnets are facing each other, and the direction of the magnetic lines of force is parallel to the direction of flow of the fluid. Fluid molecules are activated while passing through the magnetic field produced by the magnetic layers of annular magnets and magnetite pieces which are magnetized by the annular magnets. In other embodiments the magnets may be differently and irregularly shaped magnet pieces, magnetite pieces may also be present and the magnet pieces and/or the magnetite pieces may be coated with the ceramic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: D20 LLC
    Inventor: Harusuke Naito
  • Patent number: 7413649
    Abstract: A fluid treatment system that includes at least one treatment module (“pod”) with rigid and impermeable inner and outer surfaces, and an annular center passage which is designed to provide an alternative flow path during the pod backwashing process. At least one chemical treatment media disposed in the interior portion of the pod. A riser extends upwardly through the pod so that the outer surface of the riser and the inner surface of the pod define the annular passage. At least one valve assembly controls the movement of a fluid within the annular passage. The pod is serviced by directing the fluid into the riser and then directing the fluid through the pod, a portion of the fluid flowing through the annular passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Inventor: Gene Bittner
  • Patent number: 7413663
    Abstract: A water treatment apparatus includes a housing comprising multiple housing portions and a plurality of treatment sections disposed within the housing, each treatment section comprising at least one distinct particulate layer. The apparatus is designed so that no water pressure need be applied to force the water through the apparatus, as gravity pulls the water down through the filtering layers. Water may also be force fed through the treatment apparatus; when the water is force fed, the housing portions need not be vertically stacked, but may be configured in any suitable arrangement. The treatment sections are distributed through the various housing portions in logical groups to perform various kinds of filtering. The housing portions are detachable and sealably stackable in multiple configurations, thus passing water through more or fewer treatment layers, depending on the quality of the incoming water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Zero Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajan G. Rajan, Mathu G. Rajan
  • Publication number: 20080173581
    Abstract: An aerated biological filtration system (10) for treating waste water includes a treatment vessel (11) of elongated configuration which incorporates a circulating filter bed (23) and a static filter bed (24). The circulating filter bed incorporate a particulate material such as granulated activated carbon having a specific gravity in the range of 1.2 to 1.4 and effective size of 0.6 mm to 1.5 mm. The circulating filter bed is disposed above the static filter bed and an aeration system (27) is disposed between the filter beds. The aeration system is arranged to diffuse air through the circulating bed either continuously or intermittently so as to provide oxygen to micro-organisms attaching to the particulate material and to cause slow circulation of that particulate material. The system has particular application for domestic recycling of grey water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: NUBIAN WATER SYSTEMS PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: Gregory W. Maclean
  • Patent number: 7387729
    Abstract: A filter cartridge for a standalone point of use water purification device includes tandem first and second flow passageways containing flowthrough filter media that cooperate to provide opposing flow directions in the first and second flow passageways that reduce, if not eliminate, channeling, and provide self-wetting of the flowthrough filter media contained in the tandem first and second flow passageways, eliminating the need for post-use wetting steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Headwaters R & D, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudy A. Vandenbelt, Jeremy Hamilton, Charles M. Lanning
  • Publication number: 20080128338
    Abstract: An adsorption apparatus and method of adsorption for treatment of wastewater is disclosed, and comprises an inlet for the wastewater connected to a metals trap which adsorbs metals and a second trap which filters organic materials from the wastewater, positioned between the inlet and the metals trap, wherein the second trap at least partially comprises either a phosphate or an activated carbon. The metals trap can be, for example, fish bone char. A method of manufacturing fish bone char is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: Geary G. Parke
  • Publication number: 20080105620
    Abstract: A water purification system and method for the use and maintenance service of said system, whereby a combination of a primary ion exchange resin element, a secondary ion exchange resin element, a water quality monitor placed so as to indicate that the primary resin element is exhausted and the secondary resin element is being used, activated carbon elements, sterilizing or sanitizing filters, and sanitizing components such as UV radiation, or other sanitizing technologies, is used to produce purified water for consumption or other intended use. Both the primary and secondary ion exchange resin elements are comprised of one or more mixed bed ion exchange resin unit(s), or one or more paired set(s) of anion and cation exchange resin units arranged in series. The system's redundant ion exchange resin configuration allows purification to continue after the resin in the primary resin element is exhausted and can no longer remove unwanted impurities in the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventor: Lawrence A. Hicks
  • Patent number: 7361281
    Abstract: The disclosed invention is a fixed bed ion exchange water purification system. It employs a combination of electronically controlled process steps and specific systems configurations to duplicate the effects of moving resin beds from one operating position to another as is required in moving bed ion exchange water purification systems. The invention combines features of single fixed bed ion exchange systems with those of a moving bed system. The invention applies to the treatment of water having typical industrial and drinking water concentrations of various ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Basin Water, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter L. Jensen, Gerald A. Guter, Dan Ziol
  • Patent number: 7335299
    Abstract: A dual filter apparatus and a process of making a dual filter apparatus that minimizes disruption to the normal flow pattern through the filter apparatus by forming a porous medium suitable to carry a fluid activator and placing an activator proximate the porous filter medium for in situ fluid treatment and removal of debris from the fluid by screening action of the porous filter medium that entraps debris thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: King Technology, Inc
    Inventor: Joseph A. King
  • Publication number: 20080035578
    Abstract: Disclosed is a three-tank water treatment system. In operation, water flows through each tank in succession, with each tank performing one or more treatment operations. By allocating a separate tank for the copper/zinc redox alloy filtration medium, some embodiments of this system allow for a greater amount of the redox alloy to be deployed than is practical with existing systems. This increases the effectiveness of this type of filtering and increases the lifetime between necessary changes of the filtration media. In a preferred embodiment, the three tanks are placed in a vertical column. Each of the uppermost two tanks has one dome hole or bulkhead hole near its top and another near its bottom. When the time comes to exchange the filtration medium in a tank, the top and bottom holes are opened, and the media is easily drained out and replaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: Bio-Water Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence Robert Powers
  • Patent number: 7314551
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mixer-distributor-collector apparatus for use between beds of solid particles in a fluid-solid contacting vessel. The apparatus includes a solids retaining screen, fluid deflector, passageway, fluid distributor, and flow manipulator. The flow manipulator is a device such as a honeycomb, porous solid, perforated plate, screen, or grid having an open area greater than the open area of the fluid distributor and is located below and spaced apart from the fluid distributor. The apparatus improves the fluid flow characteristics by minimizing or eliminating fluid velocity jets and/or other turbulence which can disturb the downstream particle bed. In an exemplary application, the invention finds use in simulated moving bed (SMB) adsorptive separation processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Stanley J. Frey, Paul A. Sechrist, Daniel A. Kauff
  • Patent number: 7309436
    Abstract: Methods and systems for removing perchiorate from water are disclosed which involve the use of a plurality of vessels containing an ion exchange resin having affinity for perchiorate ions, and in which perchiorate-contaminated water is passed over the resin in some but not all of the plurality of vessels operating in parallel to one another thereby removing perchlorate ion from the water stream and generating reduced perchlorate content product water streams and in which a subset of the plurality of vessels is removed from service, their resin is removed and replaced and they are returned to service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Basin Water, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter L. Jensen, Bryan Zinn, John Zitlau
  • Patent number: 7294265
    Abstract: An ion adsorption module comprises a container with at least an opening into which feed water flows, and an organic porous ion exchange material having a three-dimensional reticular structure filled into the container, which has a continuous pore structure comprising macropores and mesopores, the macropores being interconnected with each other forming mesopores with an average diameter of 1-1,000 ?m in the interconnected parts, has a total pore volume of 1-50 ml/g, contains uniformly distributed ion exchange groups, and has an ion exchange capacity of 0.5 mg equivalent/g or more of the porous material on a dry basis. The ion adsorption module can be extremely easily filled with the ion exchange material, and the packed layer does not move even if the layer is placed in an upward flow. The ion adsorption module and the water processing method using the ion exchange material are extremely useful.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Organo Corporation
    Inventors: Akiko Yoshida, Koji Yamanaka, Hiroshi Inoue
  • Patent number: 7294266
    Abstract: The filter cartridge for the water tank of a coffee machine comprises a housing having on both sides a plurality of slot-shaped openings constituting two inlets. For softening the water, the housing of the filter cartridge contains a ion exchange resin. The bottom of the housing comprises a central outlet. The interior of the housing is provided with a plurality of baffle members increasing the length of the flow path of the water between inlets and outlet. The housing comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, sealingly fixed to each other. The baffle members extend essentially in vertical direction and are alternately fixed to the upper and to the lower housing portion. Water passages are provided between the upper housing portion and the baffle members fixed to the lower housing portion, as well as between the lower housing portion and the baffle members fixed to the upper housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: SAECO IPR Limited
    Inventor: Heinz Vetterli
  • Patent number: 7291266
    Abstract: To compose a composite filter for obtaining water having a high purity usable as water for life and water for medicine from water in which impurities are mixed. Furthermore, to compose an apparatus for obtaining water having a high purity using the filter. Moreover, to configure the apparatus so as to facilitate exchange of the filter. That is, water having a high purity can be obtained by allowing raw water to permeate through a composite filter which consists of a first layer 11 made of fibers, a second layer 12 made of ion exchange resin, a third layer 14 made of activated carbon and a fourth layer 16 made of an unwoven textile. These first layer, second layer, third layer and fourth layer are configured as separate independent filters respectively so that each filter can be exchanged independently. Furthermore, different kinds of filters can be combined dependently on purposes of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Iida Kensetu Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seisuke Takashima, Ryousuke Murayama, Masatoshi Iida, Masayoshi Furuhashi
  • Publication number: 20070246419
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to filter media compositions, apparatuses and systems for removing contaminants from fluids, as well as methods of using the same. In certain aspects the filter media comprises one or more halogenated resins and one or more contaminant sorbent media. The filter media of the present disclosure may be self-contained in a single unit or certain components may be housed in separate units acting in parallel or in series.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Applicant: Water Security Corporation
    Inventor: Emil Milosavljevic
  • Patent number: 7285220
    Abstract: Disclosed is a water softener capable of producing soft water at various temperatures and facilitating the regeneration of an ion exchange resin thereof. The water softener includes a water softening tank in which an internal region containing therein the ion exchange resin is partitioned into a plurality of water softening regions which are individually assigned into a predetermined temperature; a regeneration tank integrated with the water softening tank into a single body and containing the regeneration material of the ion exchange resin; a cold/hot control valve to supply raw water to a selected one of the plurality of water softening regions according to the temperature of the raw water to rapidly supply the soft water at a desired temperature to a user; and a regeneration valve to facilitate the periodic regeneration of the ion exchange resin through a simple manual operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Seung Gwang Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-hoon Jeong, Choong-hoon Jeong
  • Patent number: 7270745
    Abstract: Presented is a liquid filtering apparatus and method that overcomes the disadvantages encountered with prior bed filtration systems by providing a filtering apparatus that incorporates a super-buoyant filter medium having a specific gravity very substantially lower than that of the process liquid being filtered. This feature enables a majority of the medium to float on top of the process liquid. Due to the significant differences in specific gravity between the media and the process liquid, super-buoyant media produce a highly advantageous means of naturally, gravimetrically separating both clean and contaminated filter media and process liquid into separate “phases”. Under normal filtering operation, the filter media is contained within a filter housing by a bed support near the top of the filter housing, and particulate material is filtered from a process liquid that passes through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventor: Steven H. Schwartzkopf
  • Patent number: 7261811
    Abstract: Biological nutrient removal (BNR) in municipal wastewater treatment to remove carbonaceous substrates, nutrients and phosphorus, has recently become increasingly popular worldwide due to increasingly stringent regulations. Biological fluidized bed (BFB) technology, which could be potentially used for BNR processes, can provide some advantages such as high efficiency and compact structure. This present invention incorporates the fixed-film biological fluidized bed technology with the biological nutrient removal in a liquid-solid circulating fluidized bed, which has achieved the simultaneous elimination of organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, in a very efficient manner and with very compact space requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: The University of Western Ontario
    Inventors: George Nakhla, Jingxu Zhu, Yubo Cui