Spaced Beds Patents (Class 210/284)
  • Patent number: 7261817
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter module and an apparatus for the static filtration of liquids using filter cells having deep bed filter layers and using spacer layers. According to the invention the filter module has a stack of n filter cells and n+1 spacer layers for filtrate and at least one channel arranged in the interior of the filter module. In this case n is ?1. The filter cells consist of a draining spacer layer for feed liquid and deep bed filter layers which are arranged in a sandwichlike manner thereto and which are joined to one another at their circumference toward the at least one channel at the rim via a sealing compound and wherein the spacer layers for filtrate are furnished with the sealing compound at the rim on their external circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Sartorius Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Willi Requate, Ulrich Grummert, Holger Linne, Pachalis Nikoloudis, Ralf Lausch, Oscar-Werner Reif
  • Patent number: 7258798
    Abstract: A package plant for treating raw water to yield potable water. The package plant includes an inlet for raw water, followed by an ozonator for disinfecting the water. Next is provided an up flow roughing filter including a chemically active layer, on top. A slow sand filter follows, which is sized and shaped to promote growth of a biomass for water purification. The up flow roughing filter removes particulates, contributes to the removal of dissolved organics, and protects the slow sand biomass by removing disinfection residuals. In another aspect a method of maintaining the plant is provided, including washing the up flow roughing filter by draining water down through it, providing a vigorous up flow to agitate the top layer, and then washing the slow sand filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: MS Filter Inc.
    Inventor: Robert LeCraw
  • Patent number: 7229550
    Abstract: In the present invention, a potable water treatment system and apparatus for purifying and treating potable water that is being transferred from a potable water source to a number of potable water user(s) via a potable water line is presented. Said potable water purification and treatment system and apparatus has a filter capable of filtering the potable water to an NTU of less than 0.10, removing TOC and disinfection by-products, as well as a chemical feed system which comprises a measuring device for measuring at least one of: the potable water flow and the potable water quality, at least one proportioning device for determining any amount(s) of chemical additives utilizing input(s) from the measuring device(s) and at least one chemical feed pump to transfer at least one chemical additive to the potable water, wherein at least a disinfectant is added to the potable water downstream of filtration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Inventor: Richard A. Haase
  • Patent number: 7160465
    Abstract: A treatment facility for removing toxic metals from storm water runoff to provide clean water. The treatment facility includes a pretreatment chamber for removing large toxic particles from the storm water runoff and absorbent chamber for removing fine particles of toxic metals from the storm water runoff. The absorption chamber has an absorption bed of three absorptive materials for removing the fine particles of toxic metals from the storm water runoff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Richard Eugene Kirts, Mark Erik Foreman, Gary Daniel Anguiano
  • Patent number: 7156992
    Abstract: A water treatment device includes a case having an inlet fitting on an underside thereof and a plurality of cylinders overlapped and received in the case. Each cylinder has a tube received therein and four first ribs connected between the tube and an inner periphery of the cylinder so as to define four first partitions for respectively receiving four curved magnetic pieces therein. Three second ribs are located in each tube and define three second partitions in each tube and each second partition has a plurality of mineral particles received therein. A first one of the three second ribs has an upper notch defined in a top edge thereof and a second one of the three second ribs has a bottom notch defined in a bottom edge thereof. A plurality of holes are defined through an area of the closed end of each cylinder and the area is located between the first one of the three second ribs and a third one of the three second ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Yi-Yu Chien
  • Patent number: 7118804
    Abstract: A method of using a pellet composed of an aggregate of distinct beads of a chromatography media. The pellet is coherent and capable of being rapidly hydrated on addition of water to form a gel wherein said beads are swollen and substantially uniformly dispersed in the water phase and a combination of the a ligand with the chromatography media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Pierce Biotechnology, Inc.
    Inventor: Connie A. Draveling
  • Patent number: 7094342
    Abstract: A water activation device efficiently activates water and maintains its activation performance over a long period of time. The water activation device includes a conductive body having an in-flow opening and an out-flow opening, a cover member that coats the outer perimeter of the body through insulation material and is insulated from water pipes, a plurality of holders overlapped with one another in an axial direction of the body, and a plurality of activation material units each being formed in a cylindrical block containing minerals as a main component. The activation material units are held in a retainer of the holder without contacting with one another. Each of the holders is formed of a retainer having a plurality of flow openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Inventor: Kikuo Tamura
  • Patent number: 7090771
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a filter underdrain for supporting a filter media between at least two dividers forming at least one cell, which includes at least one porous plate for supporting the filter media for filtering a fluid, the porous plate spanning across at least one of the dividers; and a plurality of support members beneath the porous plate, the support members containing at least one port for draining the fluid after the fluid passes through the porous plate. The porous plates may be bound together by a lap joint and an end section may be included between at least two of the support members, the end section containing at least one pocket for holding the porous plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Infilco Degremont, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Dyson, Jack H. Jessop, Harold W. Johnson, Jr., Louis U. Brittingham, Jr., Gregory Matanoski
  • Patent number: 7045057
    Abstract: A process for preparing an ion-exchangeable media within a moving-bed or simulated moving-bed device, which can create a true or simulated media flow, comprising the steps of packing the bed with ion-exchangeable media and passing a solution, containing a mixture of ionic species, through the media, wherein the solution is passed partly or completely counter-current to the media flow direction such that the ionic species are loaded to a desired level upon equilibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Calgon Carbon Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Bollinger, Chen-Chou Chiang
  • Patent number: 7033498
    Abstract: Cartridges useful in regenerating or purifying dialysis solutions are described as well as methods to regenerate or purify spent dialysis solutions. Dialysis systems using the sorbent cartridges of the present invention are further described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Renal Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond J. Wong
  • Patent number: 7025884
    Abstract: A method for treating a fluid by providing raw fluid to a process tank, adding an ion exchange resin to the process tank to form a raw fluid/ion exchange resin mixture, removing treated fluid from the process tank through a membrane filter located within the process tank, and regenerating the ion exchange resin within the process tank. The method may be set up as a batch process or as a continuous process using a magnetic ion exchange resin and continuous withdrawal of the magnetic ion exchange resin from the process tank by use of a magnetic separator. The method may also consist of reusing the regenerant in multiple regeneration steps and periodically filtering the regenerant to restore its regenerative properties. Alternatively, an upflow bed of ion exchange resin may be used to treat the raw fluid before membrane filtration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: CH2M Hill, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Mueller, Anthony G. Myers
  • Patent number: 7025887
    Abstract: A treatment facility for removing toxic metals from storm water runoff to provide clean water. The treatment facility includes a pretreatment chamber for removing large toxic particles from the storm water runoff and absorbent chamber for removing fine particles of toxic metals from the storm water runoff. The absorption chamber has an absorption bed of three absorptive materials for removing the fine particles of toxic metals from the storm water runoff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Richard Eugene Kirts, Mark Erik Foreman, Gary Daniel Anguiano
  • Patent number: 7022229
    Abstract: An apparatus is presented for separating chemicals using adsorption separation methods. The apparatus uses a plurality of adsorption units holding adsorbent, where the adsorption units are serially connected and are moved to shift the relative position of the feeds and drawoffs to the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gavin P. Towler, Stephen R. Dunne, Robert T. Sprague
  • Patent number: 7014755
    Abstract: A filter/plug drain assembly for insertion into a drain so as to prevent the passage of selected contaminants through the drain is disclosed. The filter/plug assembly includes stacked layers of filter, filtering/plugging and plugging material. The filter/plug assembly has alternative internal flowpaths configured to provide different plugging speeds when exposed to ongoing low levels of selected contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventors: Iain Muir, Fiona Elizabeth Barrett
  • Patent number: 7005060
    Abstract: A surface water runoff filtration device comprises an intake which is adapted to receive storm water and other surface water runoff. The surface water runoff flows from the surface through the intake to a point below the filter media, and then up toward the surface through the filter media. This device may be used in both catch basin storm drains and inline drains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: StormTrain LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Pitt, David A. Woelkers, Jeffrey K. Suhr
  • Patent number: 6998044
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for purifying effluent wastewater utilizing electrophoretic cross-flow filtration and electrodeionization. The method first comprises filtering the water in a cross-flow direction with a filter membrane (120) in the presence of an electric field that is operative to drive suspended particles away from a surface of the filter membrane (120). The permeate (134) containing dissolved solids is next passed through a mixture (188) of at least one cation-exchange resin and at least one anion-exchange resin disposed between a cation-selective membrane (184) and an anion-selective membrane (181) in the presence of an electric field. The electric field drives cations in the permeate through the cation-selective membrane (184), and drives anions in the permeate through the anion-selective membrane (181), thereby to form deionized water (192). The apparatus includes cell modules adapted to be used in plate-and-frame or radial flow configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Juzer Jangbarwala
  • Patent number: 6972091
    Abstract: An ion exchange resin plant for the demineralizing or softening water with an arrangement that allows the plant to operate continuously. The plant tank is divided into to two separate compartments that work simultaneously. One compartment effects water demineralization while the other compartment regenerates the ion exchanging resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: TM.E. S.p.A. - Termomeccanica Ecologia
    Inventor: Piero Becucci
  • Patent number: 6953525
    Abstract: A package plant for treating raw water to yield potable water. The package plant includes an inlet for raw water, followed by an ozonator for disinfecting the water. Next is provided an up flow roughing filter including a chemically active layer, on top. A slow sand filter follows, which is sized and shaped to promote growth of a biomass for water purification. The up flow roughing filter removes particulates, contributes to the removal of dissolved organics, and protects the slow sand biomass by removing disinfection residuals. In another aspect a method of maintaining the plant is provided, including washing the up flow roughing filter by draining water down through it, providing a vigorous up flow to agitate the top layer, and then washing the slow sand filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: MS Filter Inc.
    Inventor: Robert LeCraw
  • Patent number: 6926835
    Abstract: Sampling pipes 21 and 22 are inserted, separated from outlet openings, into first and second water softeners 4 and 11. Raw water flows through first water softener 4, and raw water does not flow through second water softener 11. Once the hardness component concentration of the treatment water sampled by sampling pipe 21 reaches a specified concentration, the watercourse selection of valves 2 and 6 and valves 9 and 13 are switched, causing raw water to flow through second water softener 11. First water softener 4 is regenerated by salt water from a salt water chamber 14. The resulting water softening device prevents the leaking of hardness components, even with there is a fluctuation in the water quality of the raw water or when there is performance deterioration in the ion exchange resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Kurita Water Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Iizuka, Akikazu Yamamoto, Tutomu Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 6921481
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Ondeo Degremont, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack H. Jessop, Harold W. Johnson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6921477
    Abstract: A groundwater treatment system, which includes subterranean inlet, treatment, and outlet portions. The inlet portion is configured to collect groundwater from an aquifer. The treatment portion includes a replaceable treatment media and is configured to receive the groundwater from the inlet portion and expose the groundwater to the treatment media. The outlet portion is configured to receive groundwater from the treatment portion and expel the groundwater to the aquifer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Inventor: Steven L. Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 6919020
    Abstract: A distributor/collector system includes a distributor provided with an upper header having upper laterals carrying fluid away from the upper header and a collector provided with a lower header having lower laterals carrying fluid toward the lower header. Flow enters the distributor on one side of the vessel and exits the collector on an approximately opposite side of the vessel. The distance traveled by each fluid particle through the system is substantially the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Ekholm
  • Patent number: 6872308
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a condensate polisher system that comprises a feed water flow that enters one or more deep bed condensate polishers. These deep bed condensate polishers contain ion resin beads that exchange a single ion type, typically cation resin for power generation systems. The feed water passing through the deep bed condensate polishers has a substantial portion, and even all of the cations in solution removed. This produces a semi-purified water flow that is then fed into one or more powdered resin polishers. The powdered resin polishers, which contain mixed powdered ion exchange resins or single type powdered resins depending on the nature of the semi-purified water flow, then finish the purification process on the water, producing a purified water flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventor: James C. Bellows
  • Patent number: 6863808
    Abstract: A water softener system including a hard water flow pipe through which hard water flows, a modular water softener assembly, and a regeneration tank is provided. The modular water softener assembly includes an elongated tube having a first end, a second end, a length extending therebetween, and a predetermined inner volume for storing an amount of water softening particles. The water softener assembly also includes a first end cap coupled to the tube at the first end having a first port in flow communication with the hard water flow pipe and a second port in flow communication with an outlet pipe through which soft water flows. The water softener assembly is supported by the hard water flow pipe and the outlet pipe. The regeneration tank contains a regenerate for regenerating the water softening particles and is in flow communication with the water softener assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David M. Fullmer, Richard L. Butsch
  • Patent number: 6860992
    Abstract: A water treatment unit for treating water in a reservoir of a coffee maker or a container water treatment system. The water treatment unit has several particulate finely divided water treatment media therein and it includes a housing which has transverse dimensions which are substantially greater than its height to cause the water to flow through the housing and the media therein in a transverse direction. Such transverse flow results in a substantially reduced pressure drop across the media with an increased water flow rate which permits a substantial reduction in size or elimination of one of two water reservoirs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventor: Yiu Chau Chau
  • Patent number: 6858139
    Abstract: A single housing comprising a diluent inlet, a solution outlet, and a plurality of discrete reagent beds comprising at least one reagent in dry form, wherein said reagent is present in the discrete reagent bed in a proportion sufficient for production of a complete hemodialysate solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Prismedical Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6843920
    Abstract: This invention is a liquid separation system using ion exchange resin, adsorbent resin and catalytic resin based on U-tube principle. It is shown that relatively low fluid velocity is sufficient to maintain the resin bed in compacted state during the operation as well as during the regeneration processes so that high quality product, low regenerant consumption, and convenient operation are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventor: Arianto Darmawan
  • Publication number: 20040256304
    Abstract: A self contained filter for a recirculating tank is used in a septic system. The self contained filter is a mattress-like filter made of woven material encapsulating aggregate material therein. The weave of the mattress-like woven material is smaller than the aggregate material. In another aspect, at least one mattress-like filter is placed within a tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventor: Carlos V. Perry
  • Publication number: 20040251207
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing deionized water by passing water to be treated through a deionizing and water treatment system having carbon filtration and beds of packed ion exchange resins, specifically including beds of mixed anion resins, so that sediment and impurity ions are removed as adsorbed on the ion exchange sites of the resins and a method of regenerating the ion exchange resins after having its ion-exchanging and adsorbing abilities lowered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: Robert Carlberg
  • Patent number: 6818129
    Abstract: A novel process and apparatus are disclosed for cleaning wastewater containing metal ions in solution, hydrogen peroxide, and high solids, e.g., greater than about 50 mg/l particulate solids. A carbon adsorption column removes hydrogen peroxide in the wastewater feed containing high solids. A ion exchange unit removes the metal ions from solution. The process and apparatus remove metal ions such as copper from a high solids byproduct polishing slurry from the chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) of integrated circuit microchips to form an environmentally clean wastewater discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: USFilter Corporation
    Inventors: Philip M. Kemp, James L. Filson, Stanley R. Kaars, Frank L. Sassaman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6802970
    Abstract: A fluid-treating device containing a distributing device having a revolving disc in a stationary housing, and a motor for rotating the disc. Feed and discharge pipes are connected to an end wall of the housing and open onto the revolving disc. Stationary vessels are connected to the housing via connecting pipes. The revolving disc includes a plurality of passageways that open on the outer side of the disc. For a number of positions of the disc, the passageways are each connected to one of the connecting pipes, while feed and discharge pipes open via ring-like ducts into different passageways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Puritech Besloten Vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid
    Inventor: Filip Rochette
  • Patent number: 6797175
    Abstract: A device and process for injecting a diverted fluid into a simulated moving bed comprises a vessel containing beds of adsorbant Ai separated by plates Pi for distributing and extracting fluids, each plate comprising at least one pannel, each pannel comprising a single chamber Ci for distributing, mixing and/or extracting fluid, and a bypass circuit placing a plate in communication with a bypass line (Li, j). The device also comprises means (14, Voi,j, 20) for bringing at least one chamber (Ci) into communication with at least one bypass line (Li, j); one end of the bypass line is connected with said chamber Ci of a pannel of plate Pi and the other end communicates with a region (Ri+1) of a pannel of the distributor plate Pi+1, said region being distinct from the distribution chamber Ci+1. Application to separating n-paraffins containing 10 to 13 carbon atoms from sweetened kerosene type feeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Gérard Hotier
  • Patent number: 6767457
    Abstract: A self contained filter for a recirculating tank is used in a septic system. The self contained filter is a mattress-like filter made of woven material encapsulating aggregate material therein. The weave of the mattress-like woven material is smaller than the aggregate material. In another aspect, at least one mattress-like filter is placed within a tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: EZ Set Tank Company
    Inventor: Carlos V. Perry, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6733661
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrapure water producing apparatus with reduced problems resulting from impurities generated after replacement of unit apparatuses. A TOC-UV (1), a CP (2) and a UF film (3) are provided in this order from the upstream side of a pure water supply route. Ultrapure water flowing through the UF film (3) is supplied to a use point. A branch route branched from the pure water supply route is provided downstream of the UF film (3). A dissolved oxygen concentration meter (M1) is interposed in the branch route for measuring dissolved oxygen concentration in ultrapure water passed through the UF film (3). The branch route is connected to an oxidant decomposition unit (11). Oxidants included in ultrapure water flowing through the branch route are all converted into DO at the oxidant decomposition unit (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Yasukazu Mukogawa, Masaharu Hama
  • Patent number: 6716344
    Abstract: A continuous Liquid-Solids Circulating Fluidized Bed (LSCFB) preferably for use as an ion exchanger consists of two fluidized bed columns, a fluidized bed adsorber (downer) operating in conventional fluidized bed mode for adsorption of ions of interest and a fluidized bed riser for desorption of ions (operating as a riser fluidized bed) to provide regenerated particles. Ion exchange particles circulate continuously between the riser and the downer i.e. the particles that have adsorbed ions in the absorber pass from the adsorber (downer) to the desorber where they are regenerated and the so regenerated particles are return to the adsorber near the top of the adsorber column. The LSCFB can be used in processes for continuous recovery of the ions of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: The University of Western Ontario
    Inventors: Amarjeet Singh Bassi, Jingxu Zhu, Qing Dao Lan, Argyrios Margaritis, Ying Zheng
  • Patent number: 6709743
    Abstract: A pellet composed of an aggregate of distinct beads of a chromatography media. The pellet is coherent and capable of being rapidly hydrated on addition of water to form a gel wherein said beads are swollen and substantially uniformly dispersed in the water phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Pierce Biotechnology, Inc.
    Inventor: Connie A. Draveling
  • Patent number: 6709603
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method and filter apparatus (10) for filtering and/or treating water are shown and described, each embodiment being for multiple-stage processing of water or other liquid, with storage intermediate between the stages. Preferably, water is passed through a first zone (28) of a filter housing cavity and conducted through an intermediate port (16) to storage (24). When water is demanded by a usage device (22), water flows in reverse from storage back into the filter (10), to flow through the second zone (42) for a second stage of filtering/treatment, and then preferably out an outlet port (18) to the usage device. Water may also flow from the water source directly through the first and second zones (28, 42) and to the usage device (22), without intermediate storage. Preferably, both first and second zones are contained and axially arranged within a single filter housing (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventor: Roger P. Reid
  • Patent number: 6660160
    Abstract: A separation apparatus, in particular intended for separation of amalgam from water, includes a pre-settling chamber, a distribution chamber and a fine settling zone. The fine settling zone includes a plate package, with a plurality of plates fixed with spacing, forming settling channels. The plates can be machined so that they are provided with a large number of fine bumps and recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Sweden Recycling AB
    Inventor: Leif Ernryd
  • Patent number: 6638422
    Abstract: A liquid filtering apparatus which incorporates a filter bed medium having a specific gravity lower than that of the process liquid being filtered. Process liquid is pumped through one or more filter chambers containing the filter bed medium. A discharge line at the top of the housing directs the filtered liquid either back into a process liquid tank or stream, or into a clean liquid storage tank. A small storage tank provides a volume of filtered liquid for use in backwashing the filter bed medium. The particle size and nature of the filter bed medium are determined by the identity and specific gravity of the process liquid to be filtered so that the filter bed is buoyant on the process liquid. As the process liquid is pumped into the filter chamber, the composite filter bed floats to the top of the chamber where it stops rising. The process liquid then passes through the filter bed and the particulates are strained from the liquid by surface filtration and depth filtration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Steven H. Schwartzkopf
  • Publication number: 20030189002
    Abstract: The present invention is a composite filter for use with recycling gray water. The filter is comprised of a housing containing a series of filters, a first depth filter, preferably made of cellulose fibers for removing particles and turbidity causing materials, a second depth filter, preferably made of cellulose and diatomaceous earth for removing additional particles and turbidity causing materials, an organics filter, preferably a carbon filter to remove organic material and an ion exchange material to remove dissolved ionic species such as salts, acids and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: Andrew Proulx, Kitty K. Siu, Gary Alan O'Neill
  • Patent number: 6616832
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment unit (10) including a recirculation chamber (32), a dosing chamber (34) having no direct fluid connection to the recirculation chamber (32), and at least two filter layers (28, 30) in a single tank (12). Each filter layer (28, 30) containing filter media (56) and being located above the recirculation (32) and dosing chambers (34). The wastewater treatment unit (10) also including an influent pipe (50), a recirculation pump (72) located in the recirculation chamber (32), and an effluent discharge pipe (88) connected to the dosing chamber (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Earthtek Environmental Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin R. Chaffee
  • Patent number: 6616833
    Abstract: A water pollution remediation system includes a plurality of decontamination modules that are self supporting and interconnectable for sequentially removing a plurality of different contaminants. The modules are designed to be independently transportable to a ship for decontaminating bilge water, in particular, after a fire when a foaming fire suppressant composition has been introduced into the bilge water. The modules may be placed on the deck of the ship, connected together and powered by the ship's hydraulic, electric and bilge pumping systems to provide comprehensive decontamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Gerard Lynch
  • Publication number: 20030159979
    Abstract: A water treatment unit for treating water in a reservoir of a coffee maker or a container water treatment system. The water treatment unit has several particulate finely divided water treatment media therein and it includes a housing which has transverse dimensions which are substantially greater than its height to cause the water to flow through the housing and the media therein in a transverse direction. Such transverse flow results in a substantially reduced pressure drop across the media with an increased water flow rate which permits a substantial reduction in size or elimination of one of two water reservoirs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventor: Yiu Chau Chau
  • Patent number: 6605214
    Abstract: A single housing includes a diluent inlet, a solution outlet, and a plurality of discrete reagent beds comprising at least one reagent in dry form, wherein the reagent is present in the discrete reagent bed in a proportion sufficient for production of a complete hemodialysate solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Prismedical Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Taylor
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20030132155
    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: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: John E. Litz, Charles S. Williams
  • Patent number: 6572769
    Abstract: A water treatment apparatus including 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: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Inventors: Rajan G. Rajan, Mathu G. Rajan
  • Patent number: 6540921
    Abstract: Process for the on-site purification of an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, in which the solution is made to pass through a resin bed capable, at least partially, of adsorbing or absorbing the impurities present in the solution. The hydrogen peroxide solution is injected into the resin bed and passes through the latter at an approximately linear velocity preferably of between 10 m/h and 50 m/h and more preferably between 10 m/h and 20 m/h, while the resin bed is kept substantially compacted for at least 50% of the time during which the solution is being purified by coming into contact with the said resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Christine Devos, Didier Demay, Hervé Dulphy
  • Patent number: 6533941
    Abstract: A flow through drain filter for removing trash, sediment, liquid hydrocarbons, and metal ions comprised of at least four concentric screens having a deionizing filter material disposed between an exit screen and a second middle inner screen and hydrophobic and liquid hydrocarbon absorbent material disposed between first and second middle screens and a sediment capture space between the first middle screen and a trash exclusion intake screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: George R. Butler
  • Patent number: 6531063
    Abstract: A septic system and method for the removal of nitrogen contaminants, such as nitrates and ammonia, from a wastewater effluent. The system comprises one or more zeolite tanks which contain a regenerable, granulated zeolite material to receive wastewater effluent from a septic tank and to capture the nitrogen contaminants to provide a treated, decontaminated effluent to flow out of the tank into a leach field. The system includes a secondary treatment.tank to reduce suspended solids and the biological oxygen demand (BOD) of the wastewater effluent prior to introduction into the zeolite tank. The system also includes an ion sensor to monitor the ammonium ion concentration in the system and to signal the need to regenerate the zeolite tank with saline water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventor: Jane Anne Rose