With Movable Means Affecting Flow Patents (Class 210/512.3)
  • Patent number: 11814591
    Abstract: A method of recovering gaseous hydrocarbons from tank headspace as fuel on-site includes flowing a hydrocarbon gas composition from headspace of a tank fed by a secondary separator into a compressor to form a compressed mixture. The method includes flowing the compressed mixture into a cooling unit to cool the compressed mixture, to form a cooled composition including liquid hydrocarbons. The method includes flowing the cooled composition to a buffer tank to form a buffered fuel composition. The method includes removing a fuel gas composition from headspace of the buffer tank. The method also includes combusting the fuel gas composition as an on-site fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Energy and Environmental Research Center Foundation
    Inventor: Darren Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11629673
    Abstract: The present invention provides an EGR cleaning station and method of use for efficiently cleaning EGR from soot and debris. The gas recirculation cleaning station is primarily comprised of: a cleaning tank; a water tank; a heating system; a pump; an inlet hose; an outlet hose; and, exterior housing. The EGR cleaning station isolates the EGR while mounted onto the internal combustion engine. The cleaning of the EGR occurs without the need to remove the EGR from the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: FLEET EMISSION SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Scott Storey
  • Patent number: 11505750
    Abstract: A method of recovering gaseous hydrocarbons from tank headspace includes flowing a hydrocarbon gas composition from headspace of a tank fed by a secondary separator into a compressor to form a compressed mixture. The method includes flowing the compressed mixture into a cooling unit to cool the compressed mixture, to form a cooled composition including liquid hydrocarbons. The method includes recovering the liquid hydrocarbons as a recovered liquid hydrocarbon stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Energy and Environmental Research Center Foundation
    Inventor: Darren Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11173427
    Abstract: A separator vessel has inlet, fluid outlet, and sand outlet ports. Each of the fluid and sand outlet ports are spaced below the inlet port. The separator has an enclosure between the inlet and fluid outlet ports. The enclosure redirects the fluid stream and defines an inner cavity above a lower edge of the enclosure, the lower edge defining a liquid flow area. The separator has one or more vanes extending along an outer surface of the enclosure which redirect the fluid stream along a curved flow path as the fluid stream flows toward the lower edge, and a plurality of apertures adjacent to the vanes, the apertures permitting fluid flow into the inner cavity of the enclosure. The fluid outlet port is disposed within the inner cavity above the lower edge of the enclosure and below one or more apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Sand Separation Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Mohsen Bayati, Chris Michael Johnston, Cole William Schultz, Dustin Mackenzie Wohlgemuth
  • Patent number: 10724437
    Abstract: A particle separator system for use with a turbomachine is provided. The particle separator system includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a main separator body extending between the first and second ends, the main separator body including at least one step configured to cause a fluid flow to turn up to 180 degrees, and at least one transversely oriented cyclone separator disposed within the main separator body and defining at least one of a swirling cylinder, a bent cylinder, and a conical volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Satoshi Atsuchi, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., Corey Bourassa, Erich Alois Krammer
  • Patent number: 10213794
    Abstract: A cyclone separator includes a cyclone separator wall and a hopper wall defining an interior space, and a plurality of baffles located in the interior space to assist in minimizing particle re-entrainment, reduce erosion, and reduce pressure losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Van Tongeren America LLC
    Inventors: James Miller, Adam Brandt, William Sinton, Mark Noppenberger, Scott Davies
  • Patent number: 9597615
    Abstract: A fluid handling and separation system has an inlet conduit for receiving a helical fluid flow, a housing connected to the inlet conduit, a collection conduit disposed within the housing in axially alignment with the inlet conduit, and a diversion conduit in fluid communication with the interior of the housing. The housing encloses the collection conduit to form an annular space between the interior surface of the housing and an exterior surface of the collection conduit. Upon receiving a helical flow via the inlet conduit, a radially outward portion of the helical flow is separated from a radially inner portion of the helical flow. The radially outward portion of the helical flow is diverted through the diversion conduit while the radially inward portion of the helical flow is received by the collection conduit. Such a system allows for separating the helical fluid flow by density of materials or fluids within the helical fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SpiroFlo Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Miller
  • Patent number: 8991622
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for separating a heavy fraction from a fluid, comprising: a main channel; swirl means in the main channel; collecting means adjoining the main channel for collecting the discharge heavy fraction; a concentric additional supply conduit with an outlet and extending into the cylindrical housing; a return channel connecting the collecting means with the additional supply conduit, and deflection means wherein the outlet is encircling the circumference of the additional supply conduit. The invention also relates to a method for separating a heavy fraction from a fluid using such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Advanced Technologies & Innovations B. V.
    Inventor: Robert Schook
  • Patent number: 8960447
    Abstract: A separator method and apparatus that includes a rotatable drum defining an annular passageway therein, a plurality of blades coupled to the rotatable drum and located in the annular passageway, each of the plurality of blades including a leading section, a trailing section, a concave surface, and a convex surface, the concave and convex surfaces extending from the leading section to the trailing section, each of the plurality of blades disposed circumferentially adjacent to at least another one of the plurality of blades so as to define blade flowpaths therebetween, and a housing at least partially surrounding the rotatable drum and defining a fluid collection chamber fluidly communicating with the annular passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: William C. Maier, Gocha Chochua
  • Patent number: 8950590
    Abstract: The invention relates to a separator of fluid medium components, said separator including, along one axis, a movable assembly that is rotatable around the axis. Said separator moreover includes an output device. The movable assembly includes a cylindrical separation chamber having an inner wall. The output device includes a second outlet and a first outlet that is farther than the second outlet from the axis. The output device includes a third outlet that is farther than the first outlet from the axis and is intended for extracting a third fluid component comprising solid particles. Said third outlet includes an edge that is near an inner wall of the separation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Total SA
    Inventors: Philippe Coffin, Yves LeCoffre
  • Patent number: 8936162
    Abstract: Methods of producing collection tubes are presented. The methods include providing a separator substance that can rapidly polymerize in a short time to a desired hardness and disposing the separator substance within the lumen of the tube. The separator substance is formulated to have a density between an average density of a serum fraction of whole blood and a cell-containing fraction of whole blood, and to be flowable with whole blood. Upon centrifugation of a tube having blood, the separator substance forms a barrier between the whole blood fractions. The tube and barrier maintain stability of one or more analyte levels, including potassium and glucose, within 10% of their initial values before centrifugation for at least four days.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Jane Emerson
  • Publication number: 20150014258
    Abstract: A system and method for enhancing separation of a denser phase liquid from a lighter phase liquid within a multiphase stream. In one example, a cyclonic coalescer has a tubular housing and a plurality of coaxial flow chambers extending in the axial direction of the housing. A swirling element is associated with each of the plurality of coaxial flow chambers. The swirling elements are constructed and arranged to impart a tangential velocity of the stream flowing through the associated flow chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Scott M. Whitney, Edward J. Grave, Tracy A. Fowler
  • Patent number: 8906233
    Abstract: A grit removal apparatus has a central opening between a cylindrical separation chamber above a grit storage chamber. An influent flume introduces a liquid stream directly into a lower portion of the periphery of the separation chamber, and an effluent flume removes a stream through an opening in an upper portion of the separation chamber wall. Outwardly spiraling vanes extend upwardly at the bottom center of the separation chamber, and a vertical cylindrical duct is supported above the vanes. A tunnel is defined in the separation chamber by an upper wall at the bottom of that opening and an inner wall concentric with the separation chamber wall. A ring extends inwardly from the separation chamber wall, with the tunnel upper wall defining a portion of the ring. A propeller inside the duct rotates to draw fluid flow up through the duct toward the upper portion of the separation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Smith & Loveless, Inc.
    Inventors: Harrison J. Messick, Frank G. Weis, Francis M. Noonan
  • Publication number: 20140319075
    Abstract: A liquid treatment device for treatment of liquid contaminated with living organisms comprising a rotating means having a first surface for receiving the liquid to be treated, where the first surface is provided with engaging means for engaging the liquid and to provide acceleration to the liquid upon rotation of the rotating means, stationary means which is stationary relative to the rotating means and arranged to form a boundary in order to constrict the liquid on the first surface of the rotating means, where the stationary means is arranged to define at least one slit between the first surface of the rotating means and a first end of the stationary means allowing the liquid to pass between the rotating means and the stationary means, and where the engaging means are at least provided on a surface area of the rotating means that interacts with the at least one slit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: Dennis Søgaard
  • Publication number: 20140299540
    Abstract: A centrifugal-force separator for separating particles from a fluid has a housing having an inflow opening and an outflow opening. An axial core and a plurality of guide blades connected to the axial core are provided, wherein the axial core and the guide blades are disposed in the housing. The guide blades generate a turbulent flow of a fluid flowing in through the inlet opening into the housing in an inflow direction. The guide blades extend radially between a first helical line at the axial core and a second helical line at a housing wall of the housing. A first pitch of the first helical line is greater than a second pitch of the second helical line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Steffen Ackermann, Volker Greif, Michael Kraxner, Ulrich Muschelknautz
  • Publication number: 20140275690
    Abstract: Systems and methods for two-phase separation are provided. The system can include a vessel having a first end, a second end, an internal volume, an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. At least one separation tray can be disposed within the internal volume. The inlet can be disposed between the separation tray and the second end. At least one impeller can be connected to a shaft and disposed within the internal volume. The shaft can be mechanically linked to a motor. The at least one impeller can be disposed between the at least one separation tray and the first end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Hernandez, Michael A.G. Hardy
  • Publication number: 20140251145
    Abstract: A device for separating immiscible fluids of different densities from a liquid-containing emulsion, includes a longitudinal rotary drum having a longitudinal axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Yves Lecoffre, Guillaume Maj
  • Publication number: 20140231335
    Abstract: Disclosed is a blood ingredient separator capable of assuring purity of such as separated blood components or stem cells as well as preventing contamination by ambient air during the process of separating components, while simplifying the processes compared to the related art. The ingredient separator includes: a hollow body which includes a flow tube formed at one end portion thereof for communicating body fluids, and a stopper disposed at the other end portion thereof; and a plunger which is movably installed back and forth in the body to vary a space between the flow tube and a top of the plunger thereof; wherein the plunger has a collection portion formed on the top thereof, and a backward movement of the plunger is limited by the stopper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventor: Jun-Woo Kim
  • Publication number: 20140209535
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the invention provides a retrofit for existing water treatment systems where the retrofit includes at least one of the following: a particulate separator, a supplementary inlet, and a waveform disk-pack turbine. In a further embodiment, the invention includes a water treatment system combined with at least one of the following: a particulate separator, a supplementary inlet, and a waveform disk-pack turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: QWTIP LLC
    Inventor: Whitaker B. Irvin, SR.
  • Publication number: 20140190906
    Abstract: A centrifuge separator for different specific gravity fluid separation. Gas enriched influent is then fed into a rotary impeller, where rotational energy of the impeller is transferred to the incoming fluid creating a forced vortex. Centripetal force exerted on the fluid particles help to separate the fluid/solids to rotate at different radius. Solids are moved towards a periphery of the tube where a cone collector facilitates to collect the solids. The conical shape allows the solids to slide into an annulus. The lighter specific gravity fluids are forced to segregate into two different rotating vortexes by virtue of the rotary motion of the impeller. The gas bubbles mixed with the influent help to accelerate the separation of two different specific gravity fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventors: MICHAEL FRAIM, Sanjeev Jakhete
  • Publication number: 20140151291
    Abstract: The present application relates to a centrifugal separator for separating fruit or vegetable juice from fruit or vegetable pulp. The centrifugal separator comprises a body (22) configured to rotate about a central axis (24), a chamber (28) formed by the body (22) for receiving pulp and juice, and an elongate aperture (29) defined by and extending arcuately around the body (22). Therefore juice in the chamber (28) is urged to flow through the aperture (29) when the body (22) is rotated about the central axis. The present application also relates to a juicer for extracting fruit and or vegetable juice from fruit or vegetable pulp comprising a centrifugal separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Juergen Holzbauer, Theodoor Stolk, Klaas Kooijker, Heimo Obersteiner, Haley Danielle Watson, Andreas Jacobus Louis Nijsen, Gertrude Riette Van Der Kamp, Jasper Boter, Marjan Willeke Esther Cornelissen
  • Patent number: 8715511
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for separating grit from liquid sewage while retaining organic solids in suspension. A sustained rotational liquid sewage first fluid flow, an induced upward liquid sewage second fluid flow, and a sustained rotational liquid sewage third fluid flow are employed in an apparatus having a cylindrical grit settling main chamber, a grit storage secondary chamber including a central grit settling access top mouth opening, a vertical shaft, a means for causing rotation of the vertical shaft, and a partition extending transversely through the main chamber and forming upper and lower subchambers. A fluid flow speed gradient is established between the liquid sewage third fluid flow and the liquid sewage first fluid flow. In this manner, grit is separated from liquid sewage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Support
    Inventors: Marc Beliveau, Michel Bruneau, Martin Couture, Karim Essemiani
  • Patent number: 8715506
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for separating minerals in drilling fluid based primarily on density. The separator creates and maintains a slurry with a controllable density for separating minerals from drill cuttings. The density is controlled through the use of an electrode array. The separator comprises a primary separation chamber containing the dense slurry, and a multiple number of secondary separation chambers used to separate cuttings from the drilling fluid. The invention also contains inlet hardware allowing the mixed mineral suspension to enter the first separation chamber, and hardware allowing the three outlet (separated) streams to exit the device. One of the three outlet streams carries the minerals that have a density greater than the user selectable density set point, while the second carries the minerals that have a density less than the density set point, and the third carries clean drilling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Larson
  • Patent number: 8715498
    Abstract: A polymer-free method and self-draining self-cleaning apparatus for treatment of water with high total dissolved solids including optional pretreatment, precipitation/flocculation, and separation. The pH is raised by addition of caustic soda and/or soda ash. In a vertical clarifier silo, the feed is gently mixed to cause dissolved solids to precipitate and agglomerate to form suspended flocculates. The clarifier includes an internal mixer surrounded by a cylindrical tube diffuser. Rotation of the mixer provides gentle dual circulation patterns within the clarifier that allow for flocculates of a predetermined size to settle from suspension. The clarifier may also include one or more vertical recirculation lines to recirculate some of the heavier flocculates at the bottom of the vessel into the mixer chamber to enhance precipitation via the seeding effect. The suspended flocculates are stripped from the feed water in a centrifugal separator. The clarifier silo may be trailer mounted for rapid deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Tervita Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph M. Bly, Jr., Melvin O. Stacy, Enrique M. Proaño
  • Publication number: 20140110358
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system (100) for the cleaning of sand, originating from subterranean oil production and comprises separation of sand from adhering oil out of a sand/oil/water slurry. The sand is cleaned through treatment in a hydrocyclone (13) through rubbing against themselves and the walls of the hydrocyclone. The hydrocyclone discharges the larger/heavier particles into a vessel (1), wherein the vessel has a discharge port (3) for the sand. A fluid extractor (34) is provided between the hydrocyclone (13) and the discharge port of the vessel (1), for extracting fluid from the vessel (1) to permit an increased flow rate of sand into the vessel. The invention also relates to a method of cleaning sand and a method of increasing the flow rate of sand through a hydrocyclone cleaning system as described above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: VWS WESTGARTH LIMITED
    Inventor: Neville Ernest Lange
  • Publication number: 20140066580
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing unreacted monomer in polymer using a SCC comprising a housing having a rotation axis; a supply part of at least one polymer formed inside of the housing; at least two spinning cones that are installed so as to have a constant gradient from the upper part to the lower part to the rotation axis, move polymer supplied through the polymer supply part, and rotate around the rotation axis; a fixed cone that is fixed and formed on the inner side of the housing, and provides a pathway for sequentially moving polymer from a spinning cone at the upper part to a spinning cone at the lower part; a product collection part for collecting polymer moved through the spinning cone and the fixed cone; and a driving part for rotating the spinning cone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Eun-Jung Joo, Dong-Kwon Lee, Dae-Young Shin, Jong-Ku Lee, Chang-Hoe Heo
  • Publication number: 20140057344
    Abstract: Separating apparatus, comprising a sedimentation settler and a collection vessel disposed underneath and being in fluid communication with the sedimentation settler, the collection vessel forming a receiving chamber having an outlet at or adjacent to the chamber bottom and having an inlet opening, wherein the collection vessel is arranged such the flow direction of the fluid in the area underneath the sedimentation settler is substantially in line with the direction of the channels of the sedimentation settler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Oskar Brauner-Sreuther, Alexander Jockwear, Torsten Klabuhn, Michael Pohlscheidt, Joerg Thiele
  • Patent number: 8623212
    Abstract: A system and method are provided in at least one embodiment to filter water through a vortex leading into a disk-pack turbine having an expansion chamber and outlets into a discharge chamber that leads to at least one discharge port. In a further embodiment, the system includes an intake module, a vortex module, a disk-pack module, and a motor for driving the disk-pack turbine. The intake module brings water into the system and routes the water to the vortex module that speeds up the water into a vortex that flows into the disk-pack turbine that discharges into a discharge chamber that leads to at least one discharge port. The disk-pack turbine includes a plurality of disks that are spaced apart forming chambers between the disks that provide at least one passageway between the expansion chamber and the discharge chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: QWTIP LLC
    Inventors: Whitaker Ben Irvin, Sr., Luis Octavio Perez Hirschfeld
  • Publication number: 20130327725
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for separating a fluid, with the apparatus including a rotatable drum having an inner drum wall and an outer drum wall disposed around the inner drum wall to define a separation passage therebetween. The apparatus also includes radial separator blades that are curved in a circumferential direction and are disposed in the separation passage of the drum, the radial separator blades extending radially at least partially between the inner drum wall and the outer drum wall. The apparatus further includes a first circumferential separator blade that is curved in a radial direction and is disposed in the separation passage of the drum, the first circumferential separator blade extending at least partially around the inner drum wall. The apparatus also includes a housing disposed around the drum and configured to receive a higher-density component of the fluid separated in the separation passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: DRESSER-RAND COMPANY
    Inventors: Jay Kumar, Allan H. Kidd, William Maier
  • Patent number: 8585893
    Abstract: A particle collector for a dynamic cyclone placed on the ocean bottom for separation of particles in a fluid is described, where the dynamic cyclone comprises a tank (2) which is equipped with an upper inlet opening (25) and an upper and lower outlet opening (26, 32) for outflow of fluid and particles, respectively. Furthermore, the tank comprises a shaft (5) which is equipped with a number of vanes or blades (6) and which is arranged to be driven by an adjoining motor (1), where a centrally placed piece of pipe (4) with a number of slits is arranged around the shaft (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: AGR Subsea AS
    Inventor: Anders Mathias Arefjord
  • Patent number: 8580183
    Abstract: Methods of producing collection tubes are presented. The methods include providing a separator substance that can rapidly polymerize in a short time to a desired hardness and disposing the separator substance within the lumen of the tube. The separator substance is formulated to have a density between an average density of a serum fraction of whole blood and a cell-containing fraction of whole blood, and to be flowable with whole blood. Upon centrifugation of a tube having blood, the separator substance forms a barrier between the whole blood fractions. The barrier rapidly hardens forming a solid barrier when triggered by a suitable energy source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Jane F. Emerson
  • Patent number: 8578628
    Abstract: A cyclone comprising: an upper cylindrical portion which opens into the wider end of a lower frusto-conical portion, with the longitudinal axes of said upper and lower portions aligned and substantially vertical; a primary air inlet into the cyclone arranged such that the inlet air is substantially tangential to the circumference of the cyclone; an exhaust outlet at or adjacent the top of the cylindrical portion; a control valve associated with said exhaust outlet and capable of partially or completely shutting off said exhaust outlet; a secondary air inlet associated with the narrow end of the frusto-conical portion and provided with an airflow stabilizing device which is adapted to admit a stream of air substantially along or spirally around the longitudinal axis of the cyclone; means for removing processed product from the cyclone; means for moving said airflow stabilizing device into and out of the narrow end of the frusto-conical portion during product processing and/or between product processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Rich Technology Solutions Limited
    Inventors: Graeme Douglas Coles, Karen Millicent Rafferty
  • Patent number: 8512574
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a grit chamber, wherein the chamber body of the grit chamber is in the shape of a hollow cylinder with a cone-shaped bottom; a grit channel is installed below the center of the cone-shaped bottom; a grit removing device is installed in the grit channel; a wall mixer, a plurality of vertical mixers and a spiral grit remover are installed in the chamber body; the wall mixer is installed on the wall of the hollow cylinder; the spiral grit remover is installed in the center of the cylinder, and is provided with a grit-removing blade for removing the grit on the cone-shaped bottom; and the vertical mixers are installed at the position close to the cone-shaped bottom and are vertical to the wall. The invention also provides a grit removing system containing a grit chamber and a grit removing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Beijing Helee Bio-Energy Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wenzhi Pan
  • Patent number: 8485367
    Abstract: Embodiments, presented herein are directed to a filtration system including an outer pipe, an inner pipe and a stirrer. The outer pipe is configured to receive a working fluid from a filter inlet. The outer pipe includes a venturi neck and an outer channel. The venturi neck is located downstream of the filter inlet. The outlet channel is located downstream of the venturi neck, wherein the outlet channel is configured to provide an outlet for a first type of impurity. The inner pipe is co-axially positioned with the outer pipe, wherein the inner pipe is configured to receive a second type of impurity. The stirrer is positioned inside the outer pipe, wherein the stirrer rotates with the inner pipe to substantially separate at least the first and the second types of impurities from the working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Paul Mathew, Ramasamy Thiyagarajan, Nikhil Subhashchandra Tambe
  • Patent number: 8480606
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for removing gas bubbles from blood during circulatory assist procedures. Such bubbles are generated, along with particulate matter, in an extracorporeal circulatory bypass system by the pump, oxygenator and other components. Current filters are inefficient at removing small bubbles that can cause neurological defects and renal and other organ failures in the patient. An active filter apparatus and method is disclosed that forces the bubbles to the center of the system where they are removed from the blood before the blood exits the filter. The filter comprises an axially elongate cylindrical shell with a blood inlet, a blood outlet and a gas outlet. A motor driven impeller spins the blood within the shell and forces the gas toward the center by centripetal force, utilizing the buoyancy effects of the bubbles in blood, whereby the bubbles can be bled off at the center of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Indian Wells Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Wieting, Jay A. Lenker
  • Publication number: 20130048577
    Abstract: A collection apparatus for a separator. The collection apparatus including a housing at least partially encircling a flow separation passage and defining a chamber and a cutout, the chamber being in fluid communication with the flow separation passage to receive a separated flow therefrom, and the cutout extending outward from the chamber to at least partially deflect the separated flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: DRESSER-RAND COMPANY
    Inventors: William C. Maier, Gocha Chochua
  • Publication number: 20130037493
    Abstract: Exhaust gas cleaning equipment including a gas scrubber and a scrubber fluid cleaning equipment for cleaning polluted scrubber fluid. The scrubber fluid cleaning equipment includes a centrifugal separator for separating at least a pollutant phase and a cleaned scrubber fluid from said polluted scrubber fluid. The centrifugal separator has a rotor enclosing a separation space with a stack of separating discs, a separator inlet for polluted scrubber fluid extending into said separation space, a first separator outlet for cleaned scrubber fluid extending from said separation space, and a second separator outlet for the pollutant phase extending from said separation space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Staffan Königsson, Lena Sundquist
  • Patent number: 8333283
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a cyclone separator (1) which comprises an inlet section (2), a first cone (3) and a steady flow section (7) that are connected in succession, wherein the inlet section (2) is provided with at least one tangent inlet (11) with which a inflow pipe (8) is connected; the first cone (3) is tapered downwards; the steady flow section (7) is an elongated cylindrical pipe with an outlet (12) at its tail; characterized in that it further comprises a second cone or tapered body (4) positioned above the inlet section (2) and connected with the same, wherein the second cone or tapered body (4) is tapered upwards and has a top opening (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Sino-Gas & Oil Technology, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ling Zhang
  • Patent number: 8318077
    Abstract: Methods of producing collection tubes are presented. The methods include providing a separator substance that can rapidly polymerize in a short time to a desired hardness and disposing the separator substance within the lumen of the tube. The separator substance is formulated to have a density between an average density of a serum fraction of whole blood and a cell-containing fraction of whole blood, and to be flowable with whole blood. Upon centrifugation of a tube having blood, the separator substance forms a barrier between the whole blood fractions. The barrier rapidly hardens forming a solid barrier when triggered by a suitable energy source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Jane Emerson
  • Patent number: 8282540
    Abstract: Methods for using a centrifuge are presented. A vessel containing a sample and a separator substance is placed within a centrifuge. Upon sufficient centrifugation, the sample separates into two or more fractions separated by the separator substance. The centrifuge exposes the separator substance to a sufficient energy to polymerize the separator substance to produce a hardened barrier between the fractions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Jane Emerson
  • Publication number: 20120248035
    Abstract: The invention relates to a separator of fluid medium components, said separator including, along one axis, a movable assembly that is rotatable around the axis. Said separator moreover includes an output device. The movable assembly includes a cylindrical separation chamber having an inner wall. The output device includes a second outlet and a first outlet that is farther than the second outlet from the axis. The output device includes a third outlet that is farther than the first outlet from the axis and is intended for extracting a third fluid component comprising solid particles. Said third outlet includes an edge that is near an inner wall of the separation chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: TOTAL SA
    Inventors: Philippe Coffin, Yves Lecoffre
  • Publication number: 20120241390
    Abstract: Herein disclosed is a method of removing at least one component from a feed stream, the method including steps of subjecting the feed stream to high shear separation in a high shear device to produce a high shear-treated product stream; and substantially separating the at least one component from the high shear-treated product stream to produce a component-reduced product stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: H R D CORPORATION
    Inventors: Abbas Hassan, Aziz Hassan, Krishnan Viswanathan, Gregory G. Borsinger, Rayford G. Anthony
  • Patent number: 8268136
    Abstract: Axially fed fluid is sheared during long residence time in a radial workspace between counter-rotating coaxial disk-shaped centrifugal impellers. Gases evolve in the fractal turbulence of a shear layer, which is forced between laminar boundary layers, and an axial suction pump axially extracts evolved noncondensables and volatiles through cores of radial vortices in the shear layer. Cavitation due to shear between the impellers kills pathogens by shock waves, microjets, OH radicals, and nearby UV light pulses. Oppositely charged electrodes bounding the workspace cause electroporesis and electrohydraulic cavitation. The electrodes are counter-rotating ridged armatures of disk dynamos, forming a dynamic capacitor having audio frequency pulsed electric fields. Electrode erosion by arcing is prevented by shear between the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: McCutchen, Co.
    Inventors: Wilmot H. McCutchen, David J. McCutchen
  • Publication number: 20120211442
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning system for hydrocyclone sand cleaning comprising a hydrocyclone for receiving a slurry containing sand to be cleaned and a vessel for receiving sand exiting the hydrocyclone, wherein the vessel has an discharge port for the sand. A fluid extractor is provided between the hydrocyclone and the discharge port, for extracting fluid from the vessel to permit an increased flow rate of sand into the vessel. The invention also relates to a method of cleaning sand and a method of increasing the flow rate of sand through a hydrocyclone cleaning system such as that described above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: VWS Westgarth Limited
    Inventor: Neville Ernest Lange
  • Publication number: 20120211404
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recovering spent machining slurries and to an apparatus for carrying out the method. The spent machining slurry that contains a machining medium, a carrier fluid for the machining medium, material stemming from the machined articles, particles stemming from the machining tools and optionally additives, is recovered by centrifugation in the undiluted state, thereby allowing an especially effective recovery according to materials and without much effort. The used apparatus is characterized in that it comprises a centrifuge having a suspended centrifugal drum or a stationary centrifuge having a floating centrifuging drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventor: Guntram Krettek
  • Patent number: 8241507
    Abstract: A method and a device for separation of a fluid in the liquid state comprising two liquids that are not mutually miscible, with different densities, wherein a first liquid is to be cleansed from a second liquid, whereby the fluid in the liquid state is conducted through a rotor where centrifugal separation of the second liquid from the first liquid takes place, and is then conducted into a tank, with the proportion of the second liquid being reduced to less than 5%, and by conducting the fluid, after centrifugal separation, through a restriction, whereby the pressure of the fluid in the liquid state is reduced, which causes portions of the fluid in the liquid state to evaporate so that further portions of the second liquid escape in the form of a gas which is conducted away, thereby further reducing the proportion of the second liquid in the outgoing fluid in the liquid state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Alfa-Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Claes-Göran Carlsson, Leonard Borgström, Carl Häggmark, Hans Moberg, Jan Skoog
  • Publication number: 20120199524
    Abstract: A polymer-free method and self-draining self-cleaning apparatus for treatment of water with high total dissolved solids including optional pretreatment, precipitation/flocculation, and separation. The pH is raised by addition of caustic soda and/or soda ash. In a vertical clarifier silo, the feed is gently mixed to cause dissolved solids to precipitate and agglomerate to form suspended flocculates. The clarifier includes an internal mixer surrounded by a cylindrical tube diffuser. Rotation of the mixer provides gentle dual circulation patterns within the clarifier that allow for flocculates of a predetermined size to settle from suspension. The clarifier may also include one or more vertical recirculation lines to recirculate some of the heavier flocculates at the bottom of the vessel into the mixer chamber to enhance precipitation via the seeding effect. The suspended flocculates are stripped from the feed water in a centrifugal separator. The clarifier silo may be trailer mounted for rapid deployment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: JOSEPH M. BLY, JR., Melvin O. Stacy, Enrique M. Proaño
  • Publication number: 20120187032
    Abstract: A sweeper assembly can include a plurality of holes drilled in one or more sweeper headers that can be angled downwards towards the basin floor to produce a gentle flow of fluid to keep particulate matter rolling along the basin floor. A centrifugal separator can include a curved velocity plate for smoothly directing flow from an inlet pipe to an inner wall of the separator and creating a downward vortex of particulate-laden fluid within the centrifugal separator. The centrifugal separator can include one or more reversal mechanisms for transferring particulate matter to a collection chamber and reversing the direction of particle-free fluid, which may upwardly exit through a discharge pipe. The centrifugal separator can include a bleed valve in the discharge pipe for automatically bleeding accumulated air in the “dead zone” between the inlet pipe and the top of the centrifugal separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Electronic Precipitation Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jerry Davey, Richard P. Escue, Robert P. Kazanjy
  • Publication number: 20120171718
    Abstract: A device for biological purposes such as cell culturing, enzymatic reactions or filtering of fluid has a body with first and second surfaces. The body is delimited by a rim and an aperture in the center of the body. The aperture is covered at the first and second surface by first and second plates. The first and/or second plate has an inlet orifice allowing liquid medium into the aperture. Rotating means are arranged in the aperture between the first and second plate. At least one recessed portion is a cavity in the rim of the body having a first outlet orifice allowing the liquid medium to flow out of the body. At least one outlet channel connects the circular aperture with the recessed portion. Liquid is pumped into the aperture of the device and pumped through at least one outlet channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicants: REGION MIDTJYLLAND, AARHUS UNIVERSITET
    Inventors: Dang Quang Svend Le, Jens Vinge Nygaard, Morten Foss, Flemming Besenbacher, Cody Bünger
  • Patent number: 8173017
    Abstract: A mechanical flotation system having only one cell may be nearly as efficient as one having two or more cells, yet provide an apparatus with a considerably smaller footprint, significantly reduced capital and operating costs, as well as be resistant to floating oil recovery platform wave effects. The single-cell mechanical flotation system may have one skim collection channel that at least partially surrounds a single gas ingestion and mixing mechanism. At least one baffle may direct suspended matter or floc toward the skim collection which may be circular. The gas layer over the liquid is not vented for the purpose of gasification. The vessel may be a cylindrical pressure vessel oriented vertically, and optionally the inlet may be tangential to the periphery of the vessel to impart liquid rotation inside the vessel when liquid is introduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: James C. T. Chen, Shaya Movafaghian