Superposed Compartments Or Baffles, E.g., Parallel Plate Type Patents (Class 210/521)
  • Patent number: 8501018
    Abstract: A process vessel is provided for separating a multi-component stream. The process vessel includes an inlet for permitting introduction of reaction water stream into the vessel and an outlet for withdrawing a water-rich phase from the vessel. The vessel further includes a plurality of draw-off points for drawing off a phase rich in suspended hydrocarbons from the vessel, the draw-off point(s) being located above the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Sasol Technology (Pty) Ltd
    Inventors: Paul Meintjes, Johannes Buys
  • Patent number: 8501014
    Abstract: A separation unit for separating oil from oily water has a first oil to water ratio and the separation unit comprises a body which defines an inner chamber and which has a first end-wall and an opposite second end-wall and first and second side-walls that extend between the first end-wall and the second end-wall. The inner chamber is at least partly delimited by the first end-wall and the second end-wall, the first side-wall and the second side-wall. The separation unit further comprises a third wall which constitutes a separation wall extending from the first end-wall towards the second end-wall and divides the inner chamber into a first and a second sub-chamber. An inlet is defined at the first side-wall and the first end-wall and a first outlet is defined at the second side-wall and the first end-wall. A passage is defined at the third wall and the second end-wall and a fluid path from the inlet which passes through the first sub-chamber and the passage and the second sub-chamber to the first outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Tommy Byskov
  • Patent number: 8496814
    Abstract: A system designed to control and filter runoff water in storm drains is presented. Drain water frequently carries trash, organic matter, suspended solids, hydrocarbons, metals, nutrients and bacteria collected from streets and parking lots into a storm drain inlet, which enters storm water drain pipe systems. The present invention supplies a series of baffle boxes inserted in the drain water stream with a final box possessing an upflow filter and a hydrocarbon absorbing boom. The system can also support a storm flow bypass that directs high-flow storm runoff water directly to the outlet to protect the filter system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventor: Zachariha Kent
  • Publication number: 20130186809
    Abstract: A clarifier system that comprises a clarifier and a launder system. The launder system comprises a plurality of radial launders and a peripheral launder. The launder system and the clarifier may be alloyed with an anti-corrosive material to reduce corrosion and scaling and enable use of the clarifier system for longer operating runs between overhauls. In addition, the launder system is configured to facilitate easy on-line cleaning, thereby minimizing down time of the clarifier system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventor: John L. FEATHERSTONE
  • Patent number: 8491854
    Abstract: A test tube insert includes a flange having a width greater than a width of a mouth of a larger test tube into which the insert is to be inserted. The flange defines a first central opening. An annulus extends integrally downward from the flange. The annulus includes a fenestrated wall and a floor defining a second central opening. A small test tube body, smaller than the larger test tube, extends integrally downward from the floor of the annulus with the second central opening forming a mouth of the small test tube body. The test tube insert is disposed in the mouth of the larger test tube. Fluid is transferred through the central opening and the fluid fills the small test tube body of the test tube insert and flows through the fenestrated wall once the small test tube body is full into the larger test tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: King Saud University
    Inventor: Abdullah Khalid Al-Rasheed
  • Publication number: 20130175209
    Abstract: A clarifier for attachment with a water treatment facility, the clarifier having inlet means for water coming in from the treatment facility and outlet means for clarified water, and means for removing bottom sludge from the clarification tank. The clarifier is divided into a supply chamber with said inlet means opening thereto, as well as a clarification chamber with said outlet connection opening thereto. Between the chambers is a separating partition, which extends from a top region of the clarifier downward to terminate at a distance from a bottom part of the clarifier for establishing a gap between the partition's lower edge and the bottom part, said chambers being thereby in flow communication with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventors: Juho Roine, Gennadi Zaitsev
  • Patent number: 8480908
    Abstract: An apparatus, process and system for treating a hydrocarbon feedstock having a specific gravity differential between components of the feedstock is disclosed and includes a treatment vessel having an inlet for receiving the feedstock. A primary separation container may be located in the treatment vessel to accumulate feedstock to cause a low specific gravity portion of the feedstock to separate and rise to an upper surface of the accumulated feedstock. A secondary separation container may be located in the treatment vessel to receive the collected low specific gravity portion from the primary separation container, to accumulate the collected low specific gravity portion to cause hydrocarbon products to separate and rise to an upper surface of the accumulated low specific gravity portion of the feedstock, producing a hydrocarbon product stream at a product outlet. The operating pressure of the treatment vessel may be regulated to remain within a desired range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Charles Hann
  • Publication number: 20130168313
    Abstract: A baffle system for a clarifier tank where the tank has a tank bottom, a periphery and a substantially vertical peripheral wall bounding the interior of the tank, said tank having an effluent channel. The baffle system includes a plurality of baffles mounted on the clarifier tank, each baffle having a baffle surface with a lower end and an upper end. The upper end of the baffle surface is coupled to a wall of the clarifier tank, the lower end of the baffle surface is disposed at a substantially 60° angle away from the side wall of the clarifier tank such that the baffle surface slopes downwardly and away from the side wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventor: Earle Schaller
  • Publication number: 20130134109
    Abstract: A vessel for use in settling particulate matter from a fluid stream is provided. Fluid is introduced to the vessel through an angled inlet, with flow into the vessel both disrupted and deflected by an inlet baffle, to redirect the fluid stream parallel to a horizontal axis of the vessel. The velocity of the fluid stream is reduced within the vessel, allowing the particulate matter to settle along the bottom of the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: BONAVISTA ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Travis Bjarne Tweit, Robert John Garnier
  • Patent number: 8449821
    Abstract: A system includes a controller and an apparatus that includes a housing having a volume and an inlet. The inlet can receive a fluid that includes a gas and a liquid. The apparatus also includes a baffle that partitions the volume into a first portion and a second portion. The baffle extends from a base of the housing. The first portion can receive the liquid and separate the liquid into a first part and a second part. The second portion can receive the second part of the liquid from the first portion. The controller regulates an amount of the second part of the liquid in the second portion such that a level of the second part of the liquid is higher than a height that the baffle extends from the base of the housing, thus enabling the use of the extra surge capacity in the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjay Kumar Sharma, Ravi Nath
  • Publication number: 20130118998
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus, method and system for separating a first substance from a mixture of the first substance and a liquid. The apparatus comprises inlet means adapted to receive a portion of the mixture into a separator tank; a separator tank for holding a collected portion of the mixture and allowing the first substance to separate from the liquid due to the first substance having a different specific gravity to the liquid; and outlet means adapted to discharge the separated liquid and/or the first substance from the separator tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventor: Christopher Wood
  • Publication number: 20130087515
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of separation of heterogeneous mixtures and, more particularly to a solid-liquid separating tank and system. A settlement tank including: a tank wall defining a tank inner space; an internal wall structure in the inner space and defining a fluid flow path from a center of the inner space to a fluid outlet at the tank wall; and a plurality of drainage pipes having an open internal end and an outer end connected to a drainage manifold, wherein the open internal end is positioned at a bottom of the inner space to remove gravity decanted sediment and hydrostatically decanted water from the inner space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: INTEVEP, S.A.
    Inventors: Juan Brown, Johanna Guerrero, Alvaro Quezada, Lenin Garcia
  • Patent number: 8388805
    Abstract: A coarse separator (10) for a power tool (2) is used for separating, at least partially, from an air flow (L), material particles (M) produced during operation of the power tool (2) and aspirated by a suction device (8), and includes an inlet opening (48) connectable with the suction head (6) of a suction device (8) that aspirates the particles, an outlet opening (40) for letting a purified air flow (L) out, and a lamella separator arranged between the inlet opening (48) and the outlet opening (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Oliver Ohlendorf
  • Publication number: 20130037494
    Abstract: The disclosed method and apparatus separates solid impurities from a fluid containing solid impurities. The method and apparatus allow the introduction of influent comprising a fluid containing solid impurities into a plurality of channels and allowing at least a portion of the solid impurities initially present in the influent to settle on upward-facing surfaces of a plurality of plates forming the channels or slide down the upward-facing surfaces, while permitting fluid, which has been depleted of at least a portion of solid impurities, to flow upward toward the top edges of the plurality of plates. The influent is introduced into the plurality of channels in a manner that inhibits a disrupting or disturbing of the solid impurities, which have separated from the influent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Russell L. Cook, Alejandro Mejia, Lakshminarasimha Krishnapura
  • Patent number: 8357292
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an environmentally sensitive mobile cleaning system, and more specifically relates to a closed loop water recirculation system for high or ultra-high pressure mobile cleaning apparatus. The system includes a water tank sized to contain an established volume of fluid sufficient to circulate through the system, a pump to pressure the fluid to a cleaning head, a vacuum system to return the contaminated fluid to the system, and a filter means to remove the contaminants from the fluid so that clean fluid can be reintroduced to the cleaning head. The method comprises the steps of increasing the pressure of a fixed volume of fluid in a closed-loop system, jetting or blasting the surface with the pressurized fluid, vacuuming the blasted fluid into the system, and removing the contaminants from the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Inventor: James P. Crocker
  • Patent number: 8342338
    Abstract: A separator 2 for separating solids, such as grit, from an influent, such as water, the tray assembly 4 comprising a plurality of nested tray units 14 which are spaced apart from one another along a vertical separator axis 16. Each tray unit 14 comprises a substantially conical tray 18, an aperture 20 in the apex of the tray 18, and a means for restricting flow through the respective aperture 20, such as a baffle 22 disposed at or adjacent the aperture 20. In use, grit is separated from water circulating among the trays 18 and falls through successive apertures 20 in each of the trays to exit through the bottom of the tray assembly 4. The baffles 22 restrict upward flow through the apertures 20 in the trays 18 thereby reducing agitation of the grit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Hydro International plc
    Inventors: Robert Yaw Gyamfi Andoh, Jeremy Fink, Michael Guy Faram, Paul Stephen Barter
  • Patent number: 8337706
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for improved separation or clarification of solids from a solids-laden liquid. Entrained gasses can also be removed. A liquid to be treated is introduced into the inlet of a solid-liquid separator modified to include one or more sources of vibrational energy. The liquid to be treated is directed through a conduit within the separator. Preferably the conduit within the separator is configured into a tortuous flow path to assist in the separation of solids from the liquid. Vibrational energy is applied to the flow path, preferably through the flow path conduit. As solids fall out of solution, they are collected. The clarified liquid is also collected. A vacuum can be applied to the system to assist in moving the solid-liquid mixture through the system and to provide vacuum clarification. Electrocoagulation electrodes and gas sparging can also be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: 1612017 Alberta Ltd.
    Inventor: Derald L. McCabe
  • Publication number: 20120312741
    Abstract: A plate settler arrangement for a liquid clarification system is disclosed. The plate settler is disposed in a clarification tank or basin in a liquid clarification system. Liquid flows into the space between adjacent plates and out of the basin through outlet members disposed in the upper region of the spaces between the plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: Monroe Environmental Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Pashaian, Adam Pashaian
  • Publication number: 20120312740
    Abstract: A filter or clarification system for removing impurities from a liquid to be treated, i.e., influent. The system preferably includes a chamber for receiving a liquid to be treated. The chamber has a settling assembly including a plurality of inclined settling members forming a plurality of inclined liquid passageways through which the liquid to be treated is directed to remove impurities from the liquid to be treated. Preferably, the headloss of the settling assembly is solely controlled by one or more orifices formed in the settling members, i.e., the settling assembly is free of gaps formed between the settling members that appreciably affect the headloss of the settling system. Support members are provided for each of the settling members to allow the settling members to be easily and readily removed. Preferably, the support members provide sufficient stability to allow an individual to walk on the tops of the settling members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: R. Lee Roberts, Mark Kevin Addison
  • Patent number: 8328025
    Abstract: A baffle system for use in a clarifier tank, having a tank bottom and a periphery and a substantially vertical peripheral wall bounding the interior of the tank, has a plurality of baffles mounted on the peripheral wall of the clarifier tank. each baffle has an upper baffle surface with a lower end and an upper end. The upper end of the upper baffle portion is coupled to the side wall of the clarifier tank wall. The lower end of the upper baffle portion is disposed. at a substantially 60° angle away from the side wall of the clarifier tank such that the upper baffle surface slopes downwardly and away from the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventors: Earle Schaller, Elaine Schaller
  • Patent number: 8317035
    Abstract: A debris filter for reactor coolant includes a plurality of adjacent plates defining a plurality of channels therebetween, each of said channels being at an angle to the flow path of the coolant into the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Global Nuclear Fuel-Americas, LLC.
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Elkins, Richard Carl Longren
  • Patent number: 8317036
    Abstract: A filter or clarification system for removing impurities from a liquid to be treated, i.e., influent. The system preferably includes a chamber for receiving a liquid to be treated. The chamber has a settling plate assembly including a plurality of inclined liquid passageways through which the liquid to be treated is directed to remove impurities from the liquid to be treated. An efficiency enhancement unit is operably associated with the settling assembly to improve the filtration efficiency of the settling assembly. Preferably, the efficiency enhancement unit includes a vibrator for imparting a vibration force to at least a portion of the settling assembly to improve the filtration efficiency of the settling assembly. Preferably, the vibrator acts to prevent impurities from collecting on one or more settling members in the settling assembly. The settling members can be settling plates or settling tubes. In the preferred form, the vibrator is operated during substantially the entire filtration cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Roberts Marketing DE, Inc.
    Inventor: R. Lee Roberts
  • Patent number: 8313658
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a removal device for removing gas, dirt and/or particles from a contaminating liquid from a liquid in a liquid conduit system. The removal device includes a housing, a supply opening and a discharge opening, a resistance zone, at least one quiet zone and at least one return opening. The quiet zone allows dirt and/or particles of a relatively heavy contaminating liquid to settle to a bottom of the housing, and/or gas bubbles and/or particles of a relatively light contaminating liquid to rise to an upper end of the housing at least one bifurcation opening in the resistance zone and subsequently returns into the main flow at the merge point through the return opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Flamco B.V.
    Inventor: Jan Henk Cnossen
  • Patent number: 8308959
    Abstract: A material separator removes material such as sand from a fluid utilizing an inclined housing having a fluid flow inlet in a lower portion of the housing. Higher density material descends by gravity to a lower wall of the inclined housing and continues to travel down the lower wall portion to a lower section of the housing where it is removed. The remaining fluid which may contain a liquid and a gas is removed from the housing via an outlet at the upper portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Express Energy Operating LP
    Inventor: Jerry W. Noles, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8308958
    Abstract: A fluid clarification system and method is described in which fluid is passed through one or more settling compartments, each having a solids outlet at the base of the compartment. The base of each compartment includes inclined surfaces for guiding settled solids to the outlet. Also described is a polymer reaction trough including baffles to promote gentle mixing of inflow fluid with flocculant. The system is designed to reduce costs of transportation, flocculant, and solids handling. The system is preferably arranged to facilitate transport on a skid or trailer, while maximizing fluid handling capabilities and minimizing costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: Scott Blair Godlien
  • Publication number: 20120255900
    Abstract: This oil-water separation device includes: a supply port (3b) for oily water; a flow passage that causes oily water (X4, X7) supplied from the supply port to flow so that a flow component in a horizontal direction is a main flow component; a floated oil recovery port (F) provided above an upper portion of the flow passage and also at a position spaced from a start end of the flow passage; and a settled oil recovery port (T) provided beneath the flow passage. According to the oil-water separation device, it is possible to separate an oil component from oily water that contains an oil component with higher viscosity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Noriyoshi Osawa, Makoto Kitano, Kenji Sato
  • Publication number: 20120248036
    Abstract: In this respect, the present arrangement provides a density current baffle that employs a baffle that is dimensioned to balance the fact that larger horizontal projections of density current baffles improve performance while simultaneously recognizing that an overly large baffle would simply not correctly function, be unnecessarily large and complex and may in fact have a negative impact on the otherwise ordinary operation of flows within the clarifier tank. Thus, the present arrangement provides a baffle that improves performance while satisfying the desire to remain conservative in defining an upper limit for the projection. The horizontal projection of the baffle is structured according to the following equation: HP=24?+0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventor: Earle Schaller
  • Publication number: 20120223027
    Abstract: Tube and float systems described herein facilitate removal of certain non-target materials in order to further isolation and extraction of a target material. The tube includes a re-sealable plug located in the base of the tube opposite the tube opening. The float is selected with a specific gravity to substantially match the specific gravity of the target material. When the tube, float and suspension are centrifuged for a period of time, the various materials separate into different layers along the axis of the tube according to specific gravity of each material. The plug located in the base of the tube enables non-target material layers located beneath the float to be extracted, which facilitates isolation and extraction of the target material located between the float and inner wall of the tube. The plug also allows other liquids to be injected into the tube from below the float.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventor: Jonathan Lundt
  • Patent number: 8225944
    Abstract: An extraction system and process for extracting bitumen from a slurry containing bitumen, solids and water. The system comprises a cyclone separation facility for separating the slurry into a solids component stream and a bitumen froth stream with the bitumen froth stream including water and fine solids. The bitumen froth stream is then delivered to a froth concentration facility for separating the bitumen froth stream into a final bitumen enriched froth stream, and a water and fine solids stream. The final bitumen enriched froth stream is suitable for further processing. The system of the present invention is preferably mobile so that the cyclone extraction facility and the froth concentration facility can move with the mine face at an oil sands mining site, however, it is also contemplated that the system can be retrofitted to existing fixed treatment facilities to improve the operational efficiency of such fixed facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Bradford E. Bjornson, Craig Aaron Strand, William Nicholas Garner, John Khai-Quang Diep, Darwin Edward Kiel, Thomas Charles Hann
  • Patent number: 8220644
    Abstract: A baffle system for a clarifier tank where the tank has a tank bottom, a periphery and a substantially vertical peripheral wall bounding the interior of the tank, said tank having an effluent channel. The baffle system includes a plurality of baffles mounted on the clarifier tank, each baffle having a baffle surface with a lower end and an upper end. The upper end of the baffle surface is coupled to a wall of the clarifier tank, the lower end of the baffle surface is disposed at a substantially 60° angle away from the side wall of the clarifier tank such that the baffle surface slopes downwardly and away from the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventor: Earle Schaller
  • Publication number: 20120145652
    Abstract: A separator system operable to use centrifugation to fractionate a multiple component material, such as a suspension including blood, comprises a buoy. The buoy can be carried in a separation container and has a tuned density that is configured to reach an equilibrium position in the multiple component material. A guide surface is carried on a buoy upper surface and is inclined to an accumulation position near a buoy perimeter. The buoy suspension fractionation system can be used in a method of isolating a fraction from a suspension, and in a method for re-suspending particulates for withdrawal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicants: Hanuman LLC, Biomet Biologics, LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Leach, Randel Dorian, Jacy C. Hoeppner
  • Patent number: 8191716
    Abstract: A horizontal-tube segmentation-separation apparatus has multiple parallel inclined plates, which are arranged in pairs having an upper inclined plate and a lower inclined plate. Between the inclined plate pairs are isolated plates which are parallel thereto. One or more baffles are set under the isolated plates transverse to the flow of water to block the flow of water under the isolated plates. Between the isolated plate and the upper inclined plate is a flat supporting plate which separates the water flowing region into several water channels that have a parallelogram-shaped cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Zhuhai 9Tone Water Service Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Liangchun Zhang, Jianguo Zhang
  • Patent number: 8192632
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating an aqueous phase from an oil phase of an oil-water mixture (6), which has a pressurized dewatering system (14) having multiphase separation profiles (15). According to the invention, it is essential that the pressurized dewatering system (14) operates in a plurality of stages. In addition, the invention relates to an apparatus (8) for carrying out the process of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Ralph Michael, Eberhard Runge
  • Patent number: 8187370
    Abstract: A high separation efficacy, compact, bulk oil separator oriented horizontally and used with a scroll-type oil-lubricated compressor unit adapted to compressing helium. The horizontal bulk oil separator contains an integral oil reservoir and removes more than 99.9% of the oil from the helium that exits. The bulk oil separator contains successive chambers where oil separates from the gas by impingement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignees: SHI-APD Cryogenics, Inc., Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Dunn, Ralph C. Longsworth
  • Patent number: 8182678
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating liquid includes a tank having a water inlet for receiving water, a treated water outlet for outputting treated water and a flow path between the inlet and the outlet. An injection section of the tank is located along the flow path of the tank with an outlet toward a bottom of the tank. Ozonated liquid containing ozone microbubbles is injected through an injection manifold positioned within the injection section of the tank. The ozone microbubbles adsorb to impurities in the ozonated water. A separation section of the tank is positioned downstream of the outlet of the injection section. The separation section has a contact surface such that the ozonated water travels upward to contact the contact surface and such that at least a portion of the ozone microbubbles adsorb to the contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Seair Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Kinasewich, Kyle Greene
  • Publication number: 20120103896
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for separating a flowing liquid mixture into at least two fractions with differing mass density, comprising: a plurality of plates disposed substantially parallel to each other and a frame engaging at least substantially round the plates. The invention also relates to a throughflow tank provided with such a plate separator device and a method for manufacturing a plate separator device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: ADVANCED TAIL-END OIL COMPANY N.V.
    Inventor: Robert Schook
  • Patent number: 8168071
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for treating a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock having a specific gravity differential between components of the feedstock is disclosed. The apparatus includes a treatment vessel having an inlet for receiving the feedstock. The apparatus also includes a primary separation container located in the treatment vessel, the primary separation container being operable to accumulate feedstock to cause a low specific gravity portion of the feedstock to separate and rise to an upper surface of the accumulated feedstock. The apparatus also includes a first weir for collecting the low specific gravity portion from the surface of the accumulated feedstock in the primary separation container. The apparatus further includes a first outlet in the primary separation container, the first outlet being operably configured to receive settling solids in the accumulated feedstock and to produce a first discharge stream at the first outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Charles Hann
  • Patent number: 8168073
    Abstract: A reclaimer, for the separation of heavier solids from slurry water, including an inlet means (50) to allow loading of a flow of the solid laden slurry water (90), a reclaiming tank (10) to contain the input from the inlet means (50), a plurality of lamella plates (20) to increase the effective separation surface area to improve the separation process, said lamella plates (20) provided at an angle, an agitation mechanism (40) for loosening up the slurry water from the heavier solids, an outlet means (82) to allow the separated slurry water to exit the tank (10), wherein the agitation mechanism (40) is a conveyor, with a plurality of protrusions (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: SP-ZI-COM Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Khee Yang Ng, Samuel Wong, Giau Leong Low, Wei Leng Ng, Giok Lak Sim
  • Patent number: 8153004
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to separate grease and solids from wastewater before reaching the sewers using a grease trap, wherein said grease trap comprises a detachable residue trap reducing turbulence and including a mesh which efficiently trap solid particles from the water waste in other to make easier the compliance with regulating agencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventor: Felix Juan Rodriguez-Jovet
  • Patent number: 8141718
    Abstract: A separation device for the separation of constituents of different density, in particular of a fluid fed from a well hole, exhibits a container in which the fluid at least partially after entry via a feed line is separated into its constituents using centrifugal force in the radial direction and/or using gravitational force in the vertical direction. To improve this type of separation device such that it can be constructed more compact and in a constructively more simple manner and also that it simultaneously can reliably enable separation of all constituents and their removal from the separation device, a classifier device is arranged in a lower section of the container interior, which at least exhibits one discharge line, extending radially outwards, for the discharge of the fluid into the container interior and delivery lines, joined to the container interior at different levels in the vertical direction, for the separated fluid constituents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Klaus Biester
  • Patent number: 8142666
    Abstract: Devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using baffle boxes with turbulence deflectors and flow spreaders. Turbulence deflectors are added about the inlet port of a baffle box, and a flow spreader is added centrally beneath an outlet port to increase removal efficiency of pollutants and prevent the conveyance of pollutants down stream. The turbulence deflectors and the flow spreader will increase the removal efficiency of particles, especially fine and ultra fine particles without impeding the water flow. The turbulence deflectors will significantly reduce the turbulence within the sediment chambers which will lead to better settling and less re-suspension. The flow spreader spreads the flow wide sooner within the baffle box to reduce the linear velocity of the water current, and directs water flow away from the area of greatest turbulence adjacent to the inflow, and will increase the settling of particles and minimize re-suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: Tom Happel
  • Patent number: 8141477
    Abstract: A mash/lauter tun and method of converting grains to wort. The mash/lauter tun comprises a container with a double false bottom filter having two perforated plates disposed parallel with a space therebetween for receiving filtration media. The container further comprises thermometers extending to near the center of the tun and a rotating heat exchanger. In use, mash is loaded into the container and heated via the rotating heat exchanger by passing hot fluid through the rotating heat exchanger. The mash is then sparged by increasing pressure in the rotating heat exchanger above a threshold pressure via closure an outlet valve of the heat exchanger. The wort then passes through the double false bottom filter and is subsequently transferred to a brew kettle for boiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: William Broderick
  • Patent number: 8137543
    Abstract: A vessel system comprising a vessel is presented. The vessel system comprises at least one internal wall located within the vessel. The vessel system further comprises at least one inflatable seal to create a seal between an outer periphery of the internal wall and an internal cavity wall of the vessel. The vessel system further comprises a shaft longitudinally traversing the vessel and adapted to transmit a force applied on the at least one internal wall to an end of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Christian Pays, Christophe Corailler
  • Patent number: 8137547
    Abstract: A fluid treatment tank for use in a well fluid processing system. The tank is divided into at least three compartments, including an oil treatment compartment for receiving oil from a separator vessel of the well fluid processing system so as to allow stabilization and/or final separation and treatment of the oil, a reject treatment compartment for receiving reject fluid from one or more water treatment units of the well fluid processing system so as to allow gravitational separation of heavier and lighter components of the reject fluid, and a water treatment compartment for receiving de-oiled water from one or more water treatment units of the well fluid processing system so as to allow degassing and/or final separation of the water. Also, a well fluid processing system including such a fluid treatment tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Hamworthy PLC
    Inventors: Pål Jahre Nilsen, Matteo Chiesa, Peder Hansson, Helge Andersen
  • Patent number: 8133392
    Abstract: A three-phase separator for separating gas and solids from a three-phase mixture containing liquid, gas and solids includes an inlet region for the three-phase mixture, an outlet for a fraction rich in solids, an outlet for liquid, a first separator for separating gas from the three-phase mixture, forming a two-phase mixture which contains liquid and solids, and a second separator for separating solids from the two-phase mixture formed in the first separator, the first separator and the second separator in each case having at least one plate block each having at least three mutually parallel plates, between which a flow channel is formed in each case, the first separator being configured such that the mixture entering through the inlet region is led from top to bottom in the at least two flow channels, relative to the vertical, the second separator being configured and arranged in relation to the first separator such that the two-phase mixture emerging from the first separator enters the at least two flow cha
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Lukas Menke, Georgios Troubounis, Ronald Mulder
  • Publication number: 20120043276
    Abstract: A baffle system for use in a clarifier tank, having a tank bottom and a periphery and a substantially vertical peripheral wall bounding the interior of the tank, has a plurality of baffles mounted on the peripheral wall of the clarifier tank. each baffle has an upper baffle surface with a lower end and an upper end. The upper end of the upper baffle portion is coupled to the side wall of the clarifier tank wall. The lower end of the upper baffle portion is disposed. at a substantially 60° angle away from the side wall of the clarifier tank such that the upper baffle surface slopes downwardly and away from the side wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: Earle Schaller, Elaine Schaller
  • Patent number: 8119015
    Abstract: The device (1) serves for the generation of a discrete liquid phase in a continuous liquid phase with a first or a second liquid. The two liquids coexist as separate phases, have different densities and permit a desired exchange of material. Provision is made to arrange the device in a container (9) which contains the second liquid forming the continuous phase. The device includes a distribution member (2), in particular a cylindrical tube, and a collection passage (3) for the first liquid in a horizontal longitudinal extent. The collection passage has an outlet side (4), a collection side (5) and at least one side wall (6) connecting the outlet side and the collection side. The side wall establishes a connection between the outlet side and a horizontal drip edge (7). This side wall has a shape and an inclination which enables the formation of a liquid film of the discrete liquid phase. For enhancing the stability of the Film, the side wall (6) can have a good wettability for the first liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AG
    Inventors: Christian Gottlieb Bachmann, Ansor Gäbler
  • Patent number: 8096425
    Abstract: An extraction system and process for extracting bitumen from a slurry containing bitumen, solids and water. The system comprises a cyclone separation facility for separating the slurry into a solids component stream and a bitumen froth stream with the bitumen froth stream including water and fine solids. The bitumen froth stream is then delivered to a froth concentration facility for separating the bitumen froth stream into a final bitumen enriched froth stream, and a water and fine solids stream. The final bitumen enriched froth stream is suitable for further processing. The system of the present invention is preferably mobile so that the cyclone extraction facility and the froth concentration facility can move with the mine face at an oil sands mining site, however, it is also contemplated that the system can be retrofitted to existing fixed treatment facilities to improve the operational efficiency of such fixed facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Bradford E. Bjornson, Craig Aaron Strand, William Nicholas Garner, John Khai-Quang Diep, Darwin Edward Kiel, Thomas Charles Hann
  • Patent number: 8087518
    Abstract: A rectangular sedimentation tank includes an upstream hopper, a downstream inclined floor, and a baffle assembly at the upstream hopper. The baffle assembly comprises: a vertical baffle with at least one upper introduction hole; a vertical screening plate; and a horizontal baffle provided between the vertical baffle and the vertical screening plate. With the tank, contaminated water can be treated cost-effectively and efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignees: Ecodigm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jung Chun Kwon
  • Patent number: 8083075
    Abstract: A density current baffle for use in a clarifier tank has a first baffle portion having a lower end, an upper end and an intermediate central portion. The lower end of the baffle portion is coupled to a side wall of the clarifier tank, the upper end of the baffle portion is disposed, at a predefined angle, away from the side wall of the clarifier tank such that the first baffle portion slopes upwardly and away from the side wall. The upper end is configured to receive a mounting bracket having a first end coupled to the end flange and a second end coupled to the side wall of the tank wall. The mounting bracket is a downwardly sloping panel member which together with the first baffle portion form a substantially closed baffle, so that solid materials may be prevented from building up behind the upwardly sloping central baffle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventors: Earle Schaller, Elaine Schaller