Embedded Baffle Patents (Class 210/285)
  • Patent number: 10053372
    Abstract: A device and method for increasing the area available for passing contaminated stormwater through a granular media. The device comprises of one or more elements of predetermined size and shape. The increased area available for flow is obtained by introducing a first media into predetermined areas of the device, introducing a second media into predetermined areas of the device, and bringing into contact the first and second media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventor: Jayant M. Dholakia
  • Patent number: 9527015
    Abstract: A fluid treatment unit (1) is provided. The fluid treatment unit (1) comprises a chamber, in which at least one fine grinding fluid treatment medium is accommodated. The chamber has an inlet (15) for introduction of a fluid to be treated and an outlet (16) for discharge of a treated fluid. The inlet (15) is provided at a lower portion of the chamber and the outlet (16) is provided at an upper portion of the chamber. A fluid treatment device (100) adopting the above fluid treatment unit (1) is also provided. The fluid treatment unit (1) and the fluid treatment device (100) enable the fluid treatment medium to be self-cleaned and the fluid to be treated uniformly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Inventor: Yiu Chau Chau
  • Patent number: 8721895
    Abstract: A process for separating an aqueous emulsion including an aqueous phase and an non-aqueous phase into separated aqueous and non-aqueous phases, to provide a recovered non-aqueous phase, and to provide a recovered aqueous phase containing an acceptable level of the non-aqueous phase. In the process, at least one body, and preferably two or more bodies, of polymeric material with a high surface area, typically a foam material or polymer chips, is used in a horizontal flow treatment system to break the emulsion and thus provide both the aqueous and non-aqueous phases as two separate flows. A wide range of polymers can be used in the system as the polymeric material including polyurethane, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester, and polyethylene. If a very low level of non-aqueous phase in the effluent is required, for example to meet potable water standards, then a Kozlowski polyurethane, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,040, is preferred as the last Polymeric material body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventors: Amine Benachenou, Jean-Pierre Parent
  • Publication number: 20140124428
    Abstract: A water improvement/purification container has: a) an elongated housing; b) a water entry; c) two water exit ports adjacent one distal end of the housing; d) the water port providing supply water first to a macrofilter within the housing; e) the intermediate water source exiting the macrofilter flowing into a reverse osmosis membrane; f) the intermediate water being separated into two streams, g) the first stream being vented through the second of the two water exit ports; and h) the second stream being vented out of the housing as waste water through the first of the two water exit ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: IPC EAGLE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dallas W. Simonette
  • Patent number: 8685259
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a fluid distributor in a multistage column, each plate P of the column being divided into a certain number of panels Pa, and each panel Pa being equipped with a distributor of the invention, said distributor comprising: a) a solid jet breaker located substantially in the axis of the outlet opening of the collecting baffle of the panel Pa; b) an intermediate perforated plate extending laterally beyond the jet breaker, with a degree of opening in the range 10% to 40%; c) a distribution plate extending over the entire panel Pa, and with a degree of opening in the range 5% to 20%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: IFP
    Inventors: Frederic Augier, Denis Darmancier
  • Patent number: 8641900
    Abstract: A method and a device for continuously preparing microspheres, and a collection unit thereof are provided. The collection unit for collecting microspheres in the solution comprises a tank and a first plate. The first plate is removably disposed in the tank. The first plate, when lay across the tank, has its two ends came in contact with the sidewall of the tank so as to divide the tank into a first chamber and a second chamber. The tank has an outlet located in the second chamber. After the solution with microspheres are input to the first chamber of the tank, the microspheres are deposited around the first plate, and the solution is caused to pass through or over the first plate to the second chamber and output from the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Biotech Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Shou-Min Huang, Chun-Wei Liu, Kuo-Hua Yang
  • Publication number: 20130056402
    Abstract: A fluid treatment unit and a sealing structure which is preferably for the fluid treatment unit are provided. The sealing structure includes: a cylinder with an opening formed at one end thereof, the cylinder comprising an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface, and an outer thread being provided on the outer wall surface; a sealing cover which is capable of hermetically cooperating with the inner wall surface of the cylinder to seal the opening; a support cover which is capable of being connected with the cylinder by thread engagement; when the support cover and the cylinder are relatively rotated in order to achieve a threaded connection of the support cover and the cylinder, the support cover is capable of supporting the sealing cover and impelling it to move in parallel so as to allow the sealing cover to reach a position at which it seals the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventor: Yiu Chau Chau
  • Patent number: 8349183
    Abstract: A distributor for use on a dip tube in the particulate bed of a water conditioner includes a sleeve mounted on the dip tube, a plurality of resilient vanes extending radially outwardly from the sleeve, thin membranes on the vanes, and holes in the membranes, whereby water flowing through the bed is evenly distributed throughout the bed and the bed is agitated by up and down flexing of the distributor in the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: George Raymond Field
  • Patent number: 8349182
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a fluid distributor in a multistage column, each plate P of the column being divided into a certain number of panels Pa, and each panel Pa being equipped with a distributor of the invention, said distributor comprising: a) a solid jet breaker located substantially in the axis of the outlet opening of the collecting baffle of the panel Pa; b) an intermediate perforated plate extending laterally beyond the jet breaker, with a degree of opening in the range 10% to 40%; c) a distribution plate extending over the entire panel Pa, and with a degree of opening in the range 5% to 20%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: IFP
    Inventors: Frederic Augier, Denis Darmancier
  • Patent number: 8257589
    Abstract: A coalescing agent for facilitating the separation of a non-aqueous phase from an aqueous phase of an aqueous medium, said agent consisting of particles of a polymeric foam material having: an IFD no. of 40 or higher (i.e. at least 40); a BR no. of 35 or higher (at least 35); a SF no. of 1.8 or higher (i.e. at least 1.8) and a density of 42 kg/m3 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Prosep Inc.
    Inventors: Serge Fraser, Richard Blain, Xuejun Chen
  • Patent number: 8201988
    Abstract: An apparatus is presented for the mixing of a feed fluid with a process fluid between two adsorbent beds. The apparatus creates a space for mixing and redistributing a fluid mixture between the two adsorbent beds, where a process fluid is received from the upper adsorbent bed, and a distributor box passes the feed fluid to space between the adsorbent beds and mixes the feed fluid with the process fluid. The mixture is then redistributed and passed through to the lower adsorbent bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Bing Sun, Paul A. Sechrist
  • Publication number: 20120097592
    Abstract: A fluid treatment filtering cartridge having a permeable filtering element and a permeable high-pressure resistant woven tubular fabric external cover formed by a radial weaving loom process that does not use adhesives, thermal bonding or ultrasonic welding techniques is disclosed. The external high-pressure resistant woven cover is secured to end caps of the filter cartridge by adhesives, thermal bonding or ultrasonic welding and surrounds the filter media to form the exterior surface of the filter cartridge and provide both circumferential and longitudinal strength to the filter cartridge in order for it to withstand internal pressures exceeding 250 psi.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventor: Charles Arthur Rubio
  • Patent number: 8142651
    Abstract: A tank has a side wall bounded by a top and a bottom. An axis extends vertically through the tank. An inlet line for water of a first condition extends through the top with a lower end at a lower extent of the tank. An outlet line for water of a second condition has a lower end within an intermediate extent of the tank. A dispenser at the lower end of the water inlet line has apertured legs extending radially within the tank. An oscillator within the tank above the dispenser is operatively coupled to the inlet line for mixing all of the water of a first condition entering the tank through the inlet line while thereafter forwarding all of the mixed water of a first condition to the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: Larry J. Chernoff
  • Patent number: 8002982
    Abstract: A water/wastewater filtration tank includes a fluid deflector coupled to the inner surface of the water/wastewater filtration tank to divert fluid traveling along the inner surface of the tank into filter media within the tank. The fluid deflector includes a back plate coupled to a tank wall and a flange extending outwardly from the back plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: All Service Contracting Corporation
    Inventors: Brian K. Burcham, Timothy D. Wallis, Donald L. Tate
  • Patent number: 7922904
    Abstract: The present invention provides an upward-flow manganese contact column for feeding raw water to a manganese catalyst-packed layer through a plurality of dispersion nozzles provided at the upper surface of a chamber by forming the chamber for allowing raw water to flow in at the bottom of a column body into which a granular manganese catalyst is packed. Each dispersion nozzle has an umbrella portion above a perpendicular nozzle body, and the umbrella portion is configured so that the lower end of the umbrella portion is elongated below the upper end of the nozzle body. Raw water is supplied to the entire manganese catalyst-packed layer from the lower end of the umbrella portion of each dispersion nozzle. It is capable, of exhibiting stable treatment ability for a long time by suppressing particles of the manganese catalyst from being worn by collisions of the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Metawater Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Sugiura, Hideki Takeuchi, Hiroyuki Oyachi
  • Patent number: 7914673
    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: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Stanley J. Frey, Paul A. Sechrist, Daniel A. Kauff
  • Publication number: 20100230344
    Abstract: Provided are surfaces comprising particles, which particles may possess, for example, antimicrobial or biosensing properties. Also provided are related methods for fabrication of the inventive articles. Also provided are systems and methods for treating fluids, objects, and targets with the inventive surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: INNOVA MATERIALS, LLC
    Inventors: Arjun Daniel Srinivas, Calvin Peng, Alexander Chow Mittal, Priyanka Agarwal
  • Publication number: 20100213134
    Abstract: An embodiment of the inventive apparatus comprises a conical, elliptical or dish bottom vessel with bottom flow strainers containing a combination of a layer of anthracite particles covering the strainers and acting as a flow dispersion layer and an ion exchange bed to remove ionic contaminants from water. In an embodiment of the invention, removal of ionic contaminants in water by ion exchange and volume reduction of the ion exchange resin bed after attainment of bed exhaustion or defined point of reduced activity is affected by treating the water with an apparatus comprising a conical, elliptical or dish bottom vessel with bottom flow strainers containing a combination of a layer of combustible particles acting as a flow dispersion layer and an ion exchange resin bed, followed by combusting together the ion exchange bed and anthracite particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: Robert M. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20100108604
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new composite material comprising a polymer matrix comprising dispersed molecular sieve porous particles of which at least part are hollow particles, meaning that the particles comprise a shell enclosing cavities, of which the volume is at least two times larger than the average volume of the pores comprised in the shell of such particle. The invention further relates to membranes comprising such materials as well as the use of such membranes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Alexander AERTS, Steliana Aldea, Johan Martens, Katrien Vanherck, Ivo Vankelecom
  • Publication number: 20100102001
    Abstract: The invention provides chemically activated valves based on crystalline molecular sieve membranes. Adsorption of a swelling agent within the pores of the molecular sieve crystals limits transport through the membrane. Desorption of the swelling agent can re-establish transport through the membrane. This valving mechanism can be used in methods for storing and dispensing various substances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, A BODY
    Inventors: John L. Falconer, Richard D. Noble, Miao Yu
  • Publication number: 20090308812
    Abstract: A method of removing impurities from heavy fuel includes providing a first stationary adsorption column. The method further includes packing adsorbent particles that have a particle size distribution wherein at least about 50% of the particles have a diameter greater than about 18 microns in the first column. The method further includes diluting heavy fuel with a solvent to form a solvent-fuel mixture, and supplying the solvent-fuel mixture through the first column to facilitate removing impurities from the mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: John Aibangbee Osaheni, Thomas Joseph Fyvie, Gregory Allen O'Neil, Hope Matis
  • Patent number: 7585460
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for inhibiting the biological acidification of water which is in contact with materials containing sulfur in reduced form or with elemental sulfur, susceptible to oxidation on the part of Thiobacilli, comprising putting said materials in contact with soluble inorganic salts at concentrations ranging from 0.4 normal to saturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignees: ENI S.p.A., Enitecnologie S.p.A.
    Inventors: Francesco Crescenzi, Antonella Crisari, Cesare Achille Piatti
  • Patent number: 7416667
    Abstract: A process for separating an aqueous emulsion including an aqueous phase and an non-aqueous phase into separated aqueous and non-aqueous phases, to provide a recovered non-aqueous phase, and to provide a recovered aqueous phase containing an acceptable level of the non-aqueous phase. In the process, at least one body, and preferably two or more bodies, of polymeric material with a high surface area, typically a foam material or polymer chips, is used in a horizontal flow treatment system to break the emulsion and thus provide both the aqueous and non-aqueous phases as two separate flows. A wide range of polymers can be used in the system as the polymeric material including polyurethane, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester, and polyethylene. If a very low level of non-aqueous phase in the effluent is required, for example to meet potable water standards, then a Kozlowski polyurethane, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,040, is preferred as the last polymeric material body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: ProSep Inc.
    Inventors: Amine Benachenou, Jean-Pierre Parent
  • Patent number: 7323104
    Abstract: A water filter device includes a container (1) that has an opening for filling of water, and a filter unit (3) that is movable relative to the container (1). It is significant of the device that the filter unit (3) includes a filter element (5), an operating rod (7) connected to the filter element (5) and sealing means (14) along the periphery of the filter element (5), and that the filter element (5) has a particle filter (10) and an adsorption filter (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Blue Air AB
    Inventor: Johan Wennerström
  • 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: 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: 6797167
    Abstract: A composite filter medium for removing at least 99.95 percent of particulates of a size in the 3 to 4 micron range and dissolved chemical contaminants from a fluid and filters of various configurations employing the composite filter medium are disclosed. The composite filter medium comprises an adsorbent layer containing an adsorbent agent and a hydrophilic particulate intercepting layer disposed adjacent to the adsorbent layer. The composite medium has a mean flow pore diameter of about 1 to 10 microns, a bubble point of about 3 to 15 microns and an air permeability of about 0.5 to 7 liters per minute/cm2 with a pressure drop of about 0.1 bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Koslow Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Evan E. Koslow
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20040112823
    Abstract: A process for separating an aqueous emulsion including an aqueous phase and an non-aqueous phase into separated aqueous and non-aqueous phases, to provide a recovered non-aqueous phase, and to provide a recovered aqueous phase containing an acceptable level of the non-aqueous phase. In the process, at least one body, and preferably two or more bodies, of polymeric material with a high surface area, typically a foam material or polymer chips, is used in a horizontal flow treatment system to break the emulsion and thus provide both the aqueous and non-aqueous phases as two separate flows. A wide range of polymers can be used in the system as the polymeric material including polyurethane, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester, and polyethylene. If a very low level of non-aqueous phase in the effluent is required, for example to meet potable water standards, then a Kozlowski polyurethane, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,040, is preferred as the last polymeric material body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Amine Benachenou, Jean-Pierre Parent
  • Publication number: 20030127394
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Gerard Hotier
  • Patent number: 6454948
    Abstract: Device (DME) or panel for collecting, distributing, mixing or drawing off several fluids, at least one main fluid and at least two secondary fluids, that comprises at least: means for collecting a main fluid (3, 9), at least two injection and/or draw-off rails (6, 7) that allow the passage of secondary fluids, at least two mixing chambers (11, 11b) that communicate with injection and/or draw-off rails (6, 7) with orifices or passages (6i, 7i), means (12, 4) for redistributing the fluid that is obtained from said mixing chambers, means (5a, 5b) for separating collecting and redistributing means and draw-off rails (6, 7) are arranged one above the other, and mixing chambers (11a, 11b) are arranged on both sides of the rails and symmetrically relative to the orifices that have an injection function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Gilles Ferschneider, Jean-Christophe Viguie, Olivier Callebert, Frédéric Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 6447678
    Abstract: Regeneration of water treatment media is disclosed which includes a water treatment unit having one or more media therein, and which upon initiation of flow of the water, imparts turbulence and abrasion to the treatment medium to automatically cleanse the medium of light solid contaminants, as well as contaminant coatings on the media. This greatly improves the operation of the media and extends its life. In addition, the water treatment unit disclosed may simply be rotated through any one of a number of positions between service, backwash, flush, off, and/or bypass operational modes for further regeneration of the treatment media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventor: Yiu Chau Chau
  • Patent number: 6402959
    Abstract: A fluid distributing-collecting process using a device for bringing fluids and solids into contact comprises several distributor plates and several panels for mixing, distributing or extracting fluids. The system for practicing the method includes at least one level one chamber in connection with the outside of said device with at least one hose and, at least one level two chamber that is linked with the level one chamber and that comprises one or more connecting hoses of a selected length that are arranged in at least one zone. The zone is identified relative to an angle &agr; relative to a radius of a plate and corresponds to a given angle sector, whereby hose lengths, angle &agr; and the angle sector are selected in accordance with the process so that injected fluid arrives approximately at the same time on all of the panels of the same plate. This process is used for separation of paraxylene in a simulated moving bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Dessapt, Pascal Duchene, Bertrand Szymkowiak, Gilles Ferschneider, Olivier Callebert
  • Patent number: 6337015
    Abstract: The present invention provides a water filtration apparatus for mounting on the exposed exterior surfaces of a refrigerator to provide filtered water to the interior of a refrigerator cabinet. The apparatus may be mounted on the exposed or visible surfaces of the refrigerator for ease of installation, monitoring, and filter replacement. A readily replaceable filter cartridge is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Malcolm D. Poirier
  • Patent number: 6231763
    Abstract: Regeneration of water treatment media is disclosed which includes a water treatment unit having one or more media therein, and which upon initiation of flow of the water, imparts turbulence and abrasion to the treatment medium to automatically cleanse the medium of light solid contaminants, as well as contaminant coatings on the media. This greatly improves the operation of the media and extends its life. In addition, the water treatment unit disclosed may simply be rotated through any one of a number of positions between service, backwash, flush, off and/or bypass operational modes for further regeneration of the treatment media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Yiu Chau Chau
  • Patent number: 6221157
    Abstract: An apparatus for exhausting coating materials used in the process of spin coating a top surface of a wafer, the wafer having an edge and a bottom surface that is supported and rotated by a rotatable chuck attached by a shaft to a spin motor. The apparatus includes a bowl having an exhausted drain configured to receive excess liquid and vapor from the spin coating and an assembly configured to maintain the drain at a negative pressure differential relative to the bowl. In a preferred embodiment, a baffle is attached to the bottom to limit the flow of the liquid and vapor into the drain to a predetermined direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn D. Davis, John S. Molebash, Bruce L. Hayes, John T. Davlin
  • Patent number: 6156197
    Abstract: A fluid distributing-collecting system for a device for bringing fluids and solids into contact comprising several distributor plates and several panels for mixing, distributing or extracting fluids. The system comprises at least one level 1 chamber in connection with the outside of said device with at least one hose and, at least one level 2 chamber that is linked with the level 1 chamber and that comprises one or more connecting hoses of a selected length that are arranged in at least one zone. The zone is identified relative to an angle .alpha. relative to a radius of a plate and corresponds to a given angle sector, whereby said hose lengths, angle .alpha. and the angle sector are selected so that the injected fluid arrives approximately at the same time on all of the panels of the same plate. This system is used for separation of paraxylene in a simulated moving bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Peetrole
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Dessapt, Pascal Duchene, Bertrand Szymkowiak, Gilles Ferschneider, Olivier Callebert
  • Patent number: 6132611
    Abstract: A filtering device for removing contaminants from fluids, comprising a container having an interior chamber with a volume, at least one inlet, at least one outlet and at least one substantially non-granular material adhering outlet filter and at least one type of granular material occupying about 20 percent to about 67 percent of the volume of the container, the granular materials being agitated by the fluid entering the chamber through the inlet and exiting the chamber through the outlet with the outlet filter preventing the granular media from escaping the container, whereby the contaminants being removed from the fluid by the fluid agitating the granular materials and the contaminants are kept within the outlet screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Po S. Yuen
  • Patent number: 6042729
    Abstract: Regeneration of water treatment media is disclosed which includes a water treatment unit having one or more media therein, and which upon initiation of flow of the water, imparts turbulence and abrasion to the treatment medium to automatically cleanse the medium of light solid contaminants, as well as contaminant coatings on the media. This greatly improves the operation of the media and extends its life. In addition, the water treatment unit disclosed may simply be rotated through any one of a number of positions between service, backwash, flush, off, and/or bypass operational modes for further regeneration of the treatment media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventor: Yiu Chau Chau
  • Patent number: 6024871
    Abstract: Disclosed is a single-phase fluid distributor-mixer-extractor for separating beds of granular solids used in chromatography. The distributor includes a device for adding or removing a secondary fluid. The distributor further includes at least one calibrated orifice having a geometry designed to create a sufficient pressure drop to confine fluid turbulence inside a mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Isabelle Harter, Denis Darmancier, Pierre Renard
  • Patent number: 5975434
    Abstract: A showerhead system with internal filtration media includes a fluid-tight pressure housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the outlet substantially co-axial with the inlet, the housing having a substantially cylindrical internal surface. The system further includes several porous radial disks axially disposed internally to the pressure housing and having circumferential edges in integral communication with the internal cylindrical surface of the pressure housing. The system also include filtration media positional within regions defined between the porous disks. The system additionally includes at least one rigid radial disk axially disposed within the axial distribution of the plurality of porous disks, the rigid disk including groups of apertures. The rigid disk may or may not have an integral securement to the internal cylindrical surface of the pressure housing such that its axial position, within the system, is defined by filtration media packed on either side of it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: John H Douglas
  • Patent number: 5972214
    Abstract: The invention is a column for separating a substance from a liquid having a plurality of separable compounds. The column has at least a first and a second bed of granular solids separated by at least one device, the device has at least a collection device which collects the substance to be separated, the collection device being in fluid connection to at least one mixing chamber, at least a first circuit for injection and/or removal of a first secondary fluid B.sub.1 and at least a second injection and/or removal circuit of a second secondary fluid B.sub.2. The injection and/or removal circuits are in communication with the mixing chamber with at least one opening allowing passage of the secondary fluids B.sub.1, B.sub.2 into the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Olivier Callebert, Jean-Paul Dessapt, Annick Pucci, Pierre Renard
  • Patent number: 5858248
    Abstract: A water treatment method uses a removable, disposable cartridge having an internal mesh structure. A permanent heater heats water fed to the cartridge. Precipitated solids collect on the mesh surface provided temperature and residence time are appropriately maintained. The heat breaks down the bicarbonate hardness of the water thereby depositing carbonates on the mesh surface and heavy metals will be codeposited due to the resultant change in pH. The cartridge has a head-space for collecting entrained gasses such as volatile organic compounds, chlorine and air. Water sterility is achieved by heating the water over an appropriate period of time. Turbidity is removed within the cartridge due to settling induced by the low fluid velocity controlled by a controller and by a filter provided at the outlet of the cartridge. The filter will become blocked when bicarbonate hardness is carried over forcing a user to replace a spent cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: George Plester, Stijn Vandekerckhove
  • Patent number: 5846411
    Abstract: Disclosed is a single-phase fluid distributor-mixer-extractor for separating beds of granular solids used in chromatography. The distributor includes a device for adding or removing a secondary fluid. The distributor further includes at least one calibrated orifice having a geometry designed to create a sufficient pressure drop to confine fluid turbulence inside a mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Institute Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Isabelle Harter, Denis Darmancier, Pierre Renard
  • Patent number: 5830360
    Abstract: A gravity fed, pour-through water filtration device includes a chamber housing a spiral filter including a biocidal material and an annular holding chamber. Several porous separator disks, a volume of filtration media, and a cyst membrane are positioned beneath the spiral filter and holding chamber. The device is effective in significantly reducing the number of bacteria, viruses and cysts present in the filtrated water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventor: B. Robert Mozayeni
  • Patent number: 5755960
    Abstract: A device for distributing, mixing, injecting, and/or removing several fluids, one of the fluids being a main fluid A.sub.1, and at least a first secondary fluid B.sub.1 and a second secondary fluid B.sub.2, said device having means (3, 4) for collecting said main fluid A.sub.1, said collecting means being related to at least one mixing chamber having at least one wall substantially parallel to the device axis circuit (12, 5) of a first secondary fluid B.sub.1, and at least a second injection and/or removal circuit (13, 6) of a second secondary fluid B.sub.2, said injection and/or removal circuits being in communication with the mixing chamber (7) by means of one or more openings (15, 16) allowing passage of said secondary fluids B.sub.1 and B.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Olivier Callebert, Jean-Paul Dessapt, Annick Pucci, Pierre Renard
  • Patent number: 5728293
    Abstract: External filter assembly for aquariums includes a filter chamber containing a mechanical and/or chemical filter and a functionally active filter upstream of the mechanical filter for actively filtering the water before the water is filtered by the mechanical filter. Fresh air is mixed with the aquarium water immediately upstream of the functionally active filter whereby the functionally active filter is directly exposed to both dissolved oxygen in the water and atmospheric oxygen mixed in the water which significantly improves both the efficiency and capacity of the filter in performing its active function. Both the mechanical/chemical filter and the functionally active filter are cartridge type filters, whereby either may be replaced without disturbing and/or affecting the operation of the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Aquarium Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Giacomo Guoli, Edmund J. Mowka, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5714077
    Abstract: An automatically-regulated, self-flushing method of filtering a liquid suspension includes passing the suspension through a granular filter material. The flow of suspension is halted to relieve the pressure in the system, so facilitating the settling of the removed particles down the filter. Further settling of the particles may be achieved by passing an airstream through the filter material. A reverse flow of the filtrate then effects a backwashing action on the filter material so that further settling of the particles is encouraged. The filter material may be contained in a drain passage which follows a generally sinuous path. The drain passage may serve a waste landfill site in which toxic, hazardous or domestic waste is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: British Nuclear Fuels plc
    Inventors: David John Brown, Stephen Geoffrey Higson
  • Patent number: 5562824
    Abstract: A gravity percolation water purifier assembly. The assembly includes a covered storage container having a dispensing spigot. A flanged filtration chamber is supported beneath the cover to receive untreated water. A porous filter cartridge is sealed to an outlet port. A purifier cartridge is threaded to the outlet port and supports multiple fibrous spacers and treatment chambers containing beds of treatment media, including a multi-valent iodine media, granular activated carbon, and a halogen scavenger media. In one purification cartridge, water passes from multiple inlet ports at an inlet bore through adjoining concentric chambers and to the storage container via outlet ports at the periphery of the purifier cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: WTC/Ecomaster Corporation
    Inventor: Jan H. Magnusson
  • Patent number: 5552057
    Abstract: A filter for disinfecting non-potable water is disposed in-line in a water delivery pipe, such filter having a plurality of chambers. The first chamber contains biocidal resin which imparts a biocide residue to the water as it passes there-through to kill microorganisms. The water then passes through a turbulating disk to an extended contact time chamber of a selected volume to allow further contact time between the biocide residue and any microorganisms in the water. The water then passes through a 1-3 micron screen, which acts to retain protozoan cysts within the filter, and then passes through a biocide removal chamber containing medias which remove the biocide from the water. The water then passes through a chamber containing bacteriostatic media which acts to prevent back contamination from the effluent end of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventors: Doug Hughes, Roger Reid