Mechanical Constituent Mover Patents (Class 210/523)
  • Patent number: 11912592
    Abstract: A continuous flow granular/flocculent sludge wastewater process selects for granule biomass capable of nitrogen and phosphorus removal and controls granule size and concentration of granular and flocculent sludge for optimal nutrient, organic, and solids removal in a smaller footprint. A series of biological process zones lead to a secondary clarifier. Mixed liquor sludge, preferably from an aerobic zone, goes through a classifier or separator processing flow from the aerobic zone, to the secondary clarifier. In a sidestream process that can be included a portion of sludge preferably from an aerobic zone goes through a classifier or separator to selectively produce a granular-rich effluent, and the clarifier may also have a separator to further concentrate granular biomass, most of which is cycled back to an initial multi-stage anaerobic process zone. The anaerobic zone is structured and operated to encourage growth of granules in subsequent process zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ovivo Inc.
    Inventors: Hiren Trivedi, John Vorwaller, Tyson Beaman, Sophia Baker, Sergio Pino-Jelcic, David Stensel
  • Patent number: 11787720
    Abstract: Organic solid waste is pressed at a high pressure to separate the solid waste into a dry fraction and a wet fraction. The wet fraction is diluted and floatables (i.e. pieces of plastic and/or paper) in the wet fraction are comminuted. The wet fraction is then de-gritted before being sent to an anaerobic digester. Digestate is withdrawn from the digester from a free liquid surface of the digester. The digestate is filtered to extract comminuted floatables. The resulting filtrate is then composted or directly applied to land. A corresponding system comprises a press, a grinder, a hydrocyclone, an anaerobic digester, a filter and a dewaterer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: ANAERGIA INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Benedek, Juan Carlos Josse
  • Patent number: 11634953
    Abstract: A flow back system for separating solids from a slurry recovered from a hydrocarbon well. The system includes a V-shaped tank with a first series of baffles configured to cause the settling of solids that are moved by a shaftless auger to a conduit fluidly connected to hydrocyclones mounted over a linear shaker. The overflow from the hydrocyclones is discharged through a second conduit back into the tank for processing by a second series of baffles resulting in a clean effluent. The clean effluent is recirculated in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: DEL Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Kulbeth
  • Patent number: 11547962
    Abstract: A processing system for a slurry material. The system has a vibratory screen disposed atop an open-topped tank. A travel path for a vehicle is disposed directly above the screen and the tank. Slurry material dumped from the vehicle onto the screen is separated at the screen into a particulate-rich stream and a fluid-rich stream. The fluid-rich stream may be pumped to a cleaner so that it may be stored and re-used as drilling fluid. The screen may be a conveyor which removes the particulate-rich stream from above the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Avalon, Richard Levings, Michael L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 11472517
    Abstract: A trash skimmer boat including a hull, a connection member, a transmission, a grille assembly, and a measuring member. The hull includes two pontoons and a gap between the two pontoons, and the two pontoons are symmetrical with respect to the gap. Each pontoon includes a deck, a bottom plate, a first side plate, a second side plate, a first sealing plate, a second sealing plate, and a third sealing plate. The connection member includes two longitudinal bars and two transverse bars connecting to one another to form an octothorpe-shaped frame. The transmission comprising a motor, a drive wheel, a driven wheel, a connection plate, and a conveyor belt. The grille assembly including a plurality of flat grilles and a curved grille. The measuring member including a T-shaped frame and a probe. The gap is disposed between two second side plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: DALIAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Yan Lin, Xiaoning Jiang, Yanyun Yu, Xuanyi Bian, Linmao Zhang
  • Patent number: 11319247
    Abstract: A fine grit classifier for removing grit from a milk of lime slurry includes a settling tank for receiving the milk of lime slurry, means for creating turbulence inside the tank to promote grit settling, a launder for collecting milk of lime slurry from an upper portion of the settling tank and directing milk of lime slurry to an outlet, and an auger for transporting settled grit from the lower portion of the settling tank and discharging the settled grit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: RDP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Christy
  • Patent number: 10960363
    Abstract: A brine machine comprises a salt hopper, a source of water for wetting salt in the salt hopper, a brine hopper positioned in side-by-side relation relative to the salt hopper, a filter providing fluid communication between the salt hopper and the brine hopper, a generally horizontal auger positioned in a base of the salt hopper, and an upwardly directed lift auger having a first end in operable association with an end of the horizontal auger and a second discharge end positioned above a level of brine in the brine hopper. The augers convey solid material from the base of the salt hopper and discharge the material from the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Douglas Dynamics, LLC
    Inventors: Clay Houston Hildreth, Andrew John Humke
  • Patent number: 10525381
    Abstract: A system and method of cleaning a desanding vessel is provided including determining that sand has settled in the accumulation zone of the vessel, isolating and depressurizing the vessel and introducing a flush or wash fluid into the vessel. The wash fluid is introduced via a flush inlet at or near the process gas outlet of the vessel, and at a purge rate to fluidize sand in the accumulation zone and form a slurry. The slurry is collected from the vessel at a flush outlet downstream from the flush inlet. The purge rate is maintained for elutriation of the fluidized sand in the slurry, through the vessel and out of the flush outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: SPECALIZED DESANDERS INC.
    Inventors: Brett McNaughton, Nathan Williams
  • Patent number: 10399869
    Abstract: A contaminant recovery device comprising a container sized to hold a body of contaminated liquid. A skimming arrangement adaptable to at least temporarily remove contaminants from the body of contaminated liquid and an assembly for inducing a flow in at least part of the body of contaminated liquid at or about the skimming arrangement. The skimming arrangement is adaptable to at least temporarily remove contaminants from around the surface of the body of contaminated liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: FM Environmental Limited
    Inventors: Christian Attard, Cormac Fitzpatrick, Mario Farrugia
  • Patent number: 9700817
    Abstract: A fluid-forwarding sludge-discharge device for a settlement basin, the device including: a pressurized water spraying unit of which one end is disposed adjacent to the floor of the settlement basin; a sludge suction cover which is disposed on an upper part of the floor such that the lower part thereof covers the upper part of the sludge-receiving unit in a state having an open box shape and collection guide plates which are provided joined to the floor of the settlement basin and guide the sludge being moved by means of the pressurized water spraying unit such that the sludge flows towards the sludge inflow recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventor: Jong Hyung Hur
  • Patent number: 9511309
    Abstract: This mixed liquid separation apparatus separates and extracts an oil and fat component, which has a lower specific gravity and higher viscosity than a coolant, from a mixed liquid in which the oil and fat component forms a surface layer as a result of floating to the surface of the coolant. The mixed liquid separation apparatus has a liquid separation and transfer part that is composed of a helical body, a shaft and rotary drive part. The liquid separation and transfer part is disposed in a vertical orientation such that the bottom of liquid separation and transfer part is inserted in a storage tank, which stores the mixed liquid, and separates the oil and fat component from the coolant and transfers said oil and fat component upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: RIX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuki Itahashi, Yoshitaka Kimura
  • Patent number: 9238184
    Abstract: An apparatus for refining a process liquor that includes solids, which apparatus includes a vessel having a base and a side wall that define an internal volume for containing the process liquor and for allowing gravity settling of the solids in the liquor, whereby to produce a refined liquor toward a top of the internal volume and a slurry toward a bottom of the internal volume, the apparatus further includes solids displacement elements disposed within the internal volume for directing settled solids and/or settling solids in the vicinity of the side wall or of the base toward a flow path of the slurry being extracted from the slurry outlet. A processing plant including the above refining apparatus and a method for refining a process liquor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Rio Tinto Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Guy Peloquin, Alain Larouche, Alain Boivin, Matthieu St-Laurent, Régis Girard, Guy Simard
  • Patent number: 9205352
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating waste water including a tank having at least one waste water inlet for passing waste water into an inlet region of the tank, at least one waste water outlet for draining waste water from an outlet region of the tank, at least one first baffle between said inlet region and a settlement region of the tank, wherein contaminants having a specific gravity less than one are able to settle out from the waste water for subsequent removal, at least one second baffle between the settlement region and the outlet region of the tank. A recirculation system is adapted to recirculate waste water from the outlet region to the inlet region of the tank. The recirculation system includes a water inlet arranged in the outlet region of the tank, at least one water outlet arranged in the inlet region of the tank, and a pump for pumping water from said water inlet to the water outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Inventor: James O'Neill
  • Publication number: 20150122747
    Abstract: A processing system for separating raw slurry material into particulate materials and liquid materials comprising a processing structure, a frame, and a drive motor. The processing structure defines a processing chamber, an inlet, an outlet, and at least one pre-processing opening arranged between the inlet and the outlet. The frame supports the processing structure. Operation of the drive motor rotates the processing structure such that at least some of the particulate materials in the raw slurry material are transported from the inlet to the outlet, at least some of the liquid materials in the raw slurry material are allowed to flow back towards the inlet, and at least some of the liquid materials and at least some of the particulate materials are allowed to flow through the at least one pre-processing opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: David DeWaard
  • Patent number: 8968572
    Abstract: In a device and a process for purifying water which is contaminated with sulphate ions and heavy metal ions, the water is collected in a water reservoir and a substance having basic activity in water is fed to the water reservoir in such a manner that a precipitant having heavy metal ions is precipitated from the water, wherein at least a subquantity of water is taken off from the water reservoir and is separated into pure water which is substantially freed from sulphate ions and heavy metal ions and dirty water which is enriched with sulphate ions and heavy metal ions. The dirty water is at least in part recirculated to the water reservoir, as a result of which a concentration of sulphate ions in the water reservoir is achieved such that a precipitant having sulphate ions is precipitated from the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Riebensahm
  • Publication number: 20150008196
    Abstract: A grit removal system for tanks with a need to remove settled solids (e.g., anaerobic digester tank) is described. The system is especially suitable for a large tank, preferably having a flat floor, and it works well while submerged under a liquid. Specifically, a periphery-driven rack & pinion mechanism drives a shaft to rotate about a center pivot, and scrapes settled solids towards tank periphery, where the solids fall into a pit on the tank floor. A drainage opening inside the pit, when opened by a valve, is used to flush out the solids through a standpipe into a settlement tank for final dewatering and solid disposal. The system is compatible for continuous tank operation, and is useful for stirring tanks requiring periodic sediment removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Peter Kotelko, Mike Kotelko, George Caraganis, Glen Foster
  • Patent number: 8926846
    Abstract: A processing system for processing raw slurry material comprising a barrel member defining a feed portion, a processing chamber, and an outlet opening, at least one pre-processing member, and at least one pre-processing opening formed in the barrel member adjacent to a first portion of the pre-processing member. As the barrel member rotates, the at least one pre-processing member transports at least a portion of the raw slurry material such that at least some of the heavy particulate material in the raw slurry material is transported to the outlet opening, at least some of the liquid material in the raw slurry material is allowed to flow back towards the feed portion, and at least some of the liquid material and at least some of the light particulate material is allowed to flow through the at least one pre-processing opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Daritech, Inc.
    Inventor: David DeWaard
  • Patent number: 8926847
    Abstract: A method for using an extractor system to extract particulate material from a liquid tank includes inserting a first conduit into a liquid tank; inserting an outflow line into the liquid tank, the outflow line comprising one or more nozzles having a distal end; inserting an inflow line into the liquid tank, the inflow line comprising a collector having a distal end, the collector and the one or more nozzles being proximate each other; and operating the pump to pump liquid from an extractor tank through an outflow line out of the one or more nozzles to unsettle the particulate material, the particulate material drawn through the collector and the inflow line into the extractor tank without passing through the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: George Schade
  • Patent number: 8919575
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for separating bitumen froth into an upper bitumen-rich, reduced-solids layer, and a lower concentrated solids layer using a cone-bottomed, raked froth tank. The process involves introducing bitumen froth into the froth tank; rotating at least one movable picket through the bitumen froth; recovering the upper bitumen-rich, reduced-solids layer; and withdrawing the lower concentrated solids layer from the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Syncrude Canada Ltd. in trust for the owners of the Syncrude Project as such owners exist now and in the future
    Inventors: Simon Yuan, Jim Lorentz, Jessica Vandenberghe
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8900463
    Abstract: A separator for separating oils from waste water and solids. Waste liquids are drained into a baffle tube of the separator so that the oils rise and the waste water and solids migrate to the bottom of the separator. A collection head having a restriction is located at the bottom of the separator and is adapted for suctioning the waste water and the solids therein and carrying the same to a discharge outlet of the separator. Waste liquids drained into the separator provide the hydraulic force to accelerate the waste water and solids into the collection head. Liquids drained into the separator also provide the hydraulic force that allows the oils to be drained from the top of the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Goslyn, LP
    Inventors: Richard H. Sowerby, Rafael A. Carreras, John Sowerby, Douglas F. Samuelson, Jonathan Owen
  • Publication number: 20140346123
    Abstract: A sedimentation device for separating a material mix, preferably plastic flakes, including a sedimentation basin configured to receive the material mix and a liquid, for example water; an inlet configured to introduce the material mix and/or the liquid into the sedimentation basin; an outlet configured to remove sediment from the sedimentation basin; at least one stilling plate within the sedimentation basin configured as an ultrasonic oscillating element. The invention moreover relates to a method for removing sediment from a sedimentation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventor: Thomas Friedlaender
  • Patent number: 8889016
    Abstract: A processing system for processing raw slurry material comprises a barrel member defining a processing chamber, at least one intermediate opening, and an outlet opening, a trough system arranged to contain the raw slurry material, at least one transport member, and a drive system. As the drive system rotates the barrel member, the at least one transport member transports at least a portion of the raw slurry material from the trough system and through the processing chamber such that at least a first portion of the raw slurry material is transported to outlet opening, at least a second portion the raw slurry material exits the processing chamber through the intermediate opening, and at least at third portion of the raw slurry material is allowed to flow back towards the trough system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Daritech, Inc.
    Inventor: David DeWaard
  • Patent number: 8877050
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the treatment of liquid effluents laden with hydrocarbons, which comprises: feeding the effluents into a treatment tank; supplying the treatment tank with a reversible sorbent having a defined particle size; mixing the effluents with the reversible sorbent in the treatment tank in order to load said reversible sorbent with the hydrocarbons in the effluents; removing the hydrocarbon-laden reversible sorbent from the top of the treatment tank; extracting the treated effluents from the bottom of the treatment tank; and separating the hydrocarbons from the laden reversible sorbent from the treatment tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Osead Hydrocarbon Technologies, SAS
    Inventors: Christian Martin, Rene Pascal
  • Patent number: 8871086
    Abstract: A valveless siphon decanter for processing fluid within a tank having a siphon tube external to the tank, the siphon tube having an output, a boom extending substantially transversely from the siphon tube, the boom providing a path for the communication of fluid from within the tank into the siphon tube, a vacuum head in association with the boom, the vacuum head having at least one orifice disposable within the tank for receiving the fluid, a vacuum source for creating a vacuum within the siphon tube and the boom to draw the fluid in through the at least one orifice of the vacuum head into the boom and into the siphon tube thereafter, a vacuum break for breaking the vacuum within the boom and the siphon tube; and wherein the siphon tube and the boom are disposed outside of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: John Charles Hardison
  • Patent number: 8871101
    Abstract: First and second liquids are separated from mixtures thereof in a holding tank that holds quantities of the two liquids after they have been separated and a quantity of the mixture that has not been separated. A first transfer conduit receives a pressurized mixture of the first and second liquids which is discharged into the holding tank. A venturi passageway is located in the first transfer conduit. A liquid conductor has an entry opening positioned so that at least a portion of the entry opening is located within the quantity of the mixture that is held in the holding tank and an exit opening that is in fluid communication with the venturi passageway. The increase in the velocity of the pressurized mixture flowing through the venturi passageway and the accompanying reduced pressure causes the mixture held in the holding tank to flow through the liquid conductor into the venturi passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Zebra Skimmers Corp.
    Inventor: Steven Davidian
  • Publication number: 20140238930
    Abstract: A mechanical separator for separating a fluid sample into first and second phases is disclosed. The mechanical separator includes a float having a first portion and a second portion, a ballast circumferentially disposed about a section of the float, and a deformable bellows defining an open passageway extending between a first end and a second end. The ballast is longitudinally moveable with respect to the float and engaged with the deformable bellows between the first end and the second end. At least a portion of the float is transitionable from a restraint position to a sealed position through the first end of the bellows. The first portion of the float can be positioned within the interior of the deformable bellows in the restraint position, and the first portion of the float can be positioned at an exterior location longitudinally displaced from the deformable bellows in the sealed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: C. Mark Newby, Christopher A. Battles
  • Patent number: 8795537
    Abstract: A method for controlling fouling of a settler vessel overflow system comprises maintaining at least a minimum stream flow in the overflow system by recirculating a portion of the overflow stream. A system for performing the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Fort Hills Energy L.P.
    Inventors: Shawn Van der Merwe, Thomas C. Hann
  • Publication number: 20140161680
    Abstract: A controllable, continuous-feed system and process for the reduction or depolymerization of organic materials using microwave energy in a reducing, substantially oxygen-reduced atmosphere. The microwave energy is generated by a plurality of magnetrons in a microwave tunnel. Gaseous products may be extracted from the microwave tunnel for recycling and/or analysis. A collector such as a liquid trap may be used to separately collect floating and sinking constituents of the solid products while preventing the escape of the reducing atmosphere from the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Steven L. Kantor, Stephen P. Simms
  • Publication number: 20140151292
    Abstract: An acoustic treatment module stack includes a plurality of stacked pipe segments. Each pipe segment includes n ultrasound amplifier-transducers with an angular separation of (360/n)° on an outer circumference of the pipe segment, in which n is a positive integer, and a reflector unit disposed in a center of the pipe segment that includes n reflectors in which each ultrasound amplifier-transducer has a corresponding reflector positioned opposite of the ultrasound amplifier-transducer. Each acoustic treatment module is rotated (360/(n×m))° with respect to a preceding acoustic treatment module, in which m is a positive integer, and the plurality of acoustic treatment modules includes at least m pipe segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Lee Hong Ng
  • Patent number: 8741133
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon removal apparatus includes a plurality of fibers and a backing substrate. Each of the plurality of fibers includes a proximal end and a distal end. Each proximal end is secured to the backing substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Abanaki Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Thomas Hobson
  • Patent number: 8691087
    Abstract: A filtration apparatus that removes chips from a chip-containing machining fluid is applied which effectively prevents clogging of a filtration filter that makes up the apparatus. A filtration apparatus 1 is provided with a magnet 9 attached to an outer wall surface of a drum housing chamber 5, the magnet 9 functions as means for fixing chips in the machining fluid that flows into the drum housing chamber 5 from an inlet 16 on a bottom surface 5B or a slope 5A of the drum housing chamber 5 by a magnetic force, and the periphery of the inlet 16 is configured as a magnet non-existent section 17 where the magnet 9 does not exist so as to suppress a phenomenon that chips in the machining fluid are fixed near a top edge of the slope 5A of the drum housing chamber 5 by the magnetic force of the magnet 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Mosnic Corporation
    Inventors: Kazumi Asada, Shuichi Mogi
  • Publication number: 20140042109
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a separator including one or more separation members upon which residue can accumulate. An agitator is provided for agitating the separation members to remove the residue. The agitator may clean residue from the members without removing the separation members from the separator. Advantageously, the frequency that the members need to be removed from the separator and thoroughly cleaned is reduced when compared with the known separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventor: Peter Hardman
  • Publication number: 20130327728
    Abstract: A method of removing sediment from the bottom of a settling collects the sediment from the compressed Zone IV layer of sediment adjacent the floor of the settling tank. The process utilizes a fabricated metal sludge collection system having a central truck and a pair of triangularly shaped header wings extending laterally to each side of the central truck. The header wings have an open throat that allows the passage of the Zone IV sediment layer into the header wing, while the diagonally oriented, rearwardly extending side edges of the header wing have elastomeric sweeps attached to prevent the sediment from passing out of the header wing. The sweeps accumulate the sediment at the rearwardly trailing apex of the header wing where a pump extracts the accumulated sediment remotely from the settling tank. A T-connector is formed with a baffle to improve the discharge of sediment from the header wings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Shanshan Jin, Stephen A. Antolich, Lisa A. Peterson, Stephen J. Fenwick, Ludovica Ursoi, Jason C. Ruch
  • Publication number: 20130319949
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing solids separated from wastewater, or algae from algal solution, using an improved dissolved air flotation system that incorporates a slowly rotating cylindrical sieve at the end of an upward sloping beach to drain free water from the float, which has been pushed up the beach and onto the rotating sieve, and a doctor blade that removes the thickened float from the rotating sieve is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Kyle Booth, Mike Cosby, Mark Fosshage, Scott Poe, Dave Schlegel
  • Patent number: 8585900
    Abstract: In accordance with particular process, method and system aspects there is provided a biological manner of treating water/wastewater. Treatment is undertaken in bioreactor configured to treat the water/wastewater through a first process of denitrification followed by a second process of biological phosphorus removal. The bioreactor may be defined by multiple stages arranged in compact vertical alignment, for example, to reduce a footprint of the bioreactor and to feed the water/wastewater between the stages using gravity. The stages may comprise, in order, a Deaeration stage, an Anoxic stage, an Anaerobic stage, and an Aerobic stage. Continuous vacuum operation in the Deaeration stage enhances the physical removal of oxygen and other dissolved gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventors: Manuel Alvarez-Cuenca, Maryam Reza
  • Patent number: 8470183
    Abstract: The present invention may be embodied as a processing system for processing raw slurry material. The processing system comprises a barrel member, at least one pre-processing member, and a plurality of separator members. The at least one pre-processing member and the plurality of separator members are supported by the barrel member, and the plurality of separator members define at least one separator gap. As the barrel member rotates about the processing axis A, the at least one pre-processing member transports at least a portion of the raw slurry material from the feed portion to the separator portion through the pre-processing portion. The plurality of separator members transport at least a portion of the raw slurry material from the pre-processing portion to the outlet opening through the separator portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Daritech, Inc.
    Inventor: Dave DeWaard
  • Publication number: 20130140243
    Abstract: A method of purifying raw water comprises the steps of supplying the raw water to a generally vertical, open-ended inlet cylinder (23) in a reservoir (20), exposing the water in the inlet cylinder (23) to air for accomplishing oxidizing of matter, such as iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulphide in the water and/or agitation of the water, allowing the oxidized matter to fall down by gravity to the bottom of the reservoir (20), allowing the purified water to flow upwards past the inlet cylinder (23) and through a distribution disc (24) in the reservoir (20), and removing the purified water from the upper part of the reservoir (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventor: Bert Gustafsson
  • Patent number: 8449779
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a collection receptacle and a method for reclaiming backflow from a wellbore. The collection receptacle, in one embodiment, includes an enclosure configured to collect solid and liquid matter, and an elevated auger extending into the enclosure and configured to remove the solid matter from the enclosure. In this embodiment, the auger includes a housing and a flighting, the housing and flighting configured in such a way as to promote separation of the solid matter from the liquid matter as the solid matter travels up the auger and out of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Granbury Thompson Group, LLC
    Inventor: Bruce Thompson
  • Patent number: 8397921
    Abstract: A spraying means is arranged on the scum-flowing wall surface side of wall surfaces forming a scum inlet of a scum discharging mechanism. The spraying means sprays pressured water upward along the wall surface on the scum-flowing side from when a part of the scum inlet is submerged in water until the scum begins to flow into the scum inlet. As a result, even large lumps of scum exceeding 10 cm in thickness (diameter) may be lead smoothly into a pipe by the pressured water, and the amount of discharged water accompanying scum discharge may be reduced to 1/20 to 1/30 than by a conventional scum removing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Utsunomiya Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Utsunomiya, Takao Abe, Kouji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8377301
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating solids from a fluid. The apparatus includes a first container for receiving solids and fluid and a second container adjacently disposed to the first container in fluid communication therewith. The apparatus includes a conveying member extending upwardly from the bottom of the first container and angling upwardly through the second container such that the conveying member transports solids that settle to the sloped bottom portion of the first container from the first container and through the second container. A conveyor member housing may be disposed in the second container so as to provide an enclosure about the conveyor member to prevent solids that are being transported through the second container by the conveyor member from being deposited into the second container while permitting fluid that separates from the solids during transport to pass from the conveyor member housing and into the second container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: 4 M Welding, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas D. Miller
  • Patent number: 8349193
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for separating drilling fluid from drill cuttings are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: Gary E. Fout
  • Patent number: 8337707
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device, for dewatering dredged material with a dry substance rate below 15%, comprising a tank (2) which is arranged with at least one inlet (5) for dredged material, a first outlet (8) for cleaned water and a second outlet (9) for sludge; the tank further comprises a mixing chamber (3), to which the inlet (5) for dredged masses leads, and a sedimentation chamber (4) in which the first (8) and the second outlet (9) are arranged. The mixing chamber (3) and the sedimentation chamber (4) are in fluid communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Leif Ahl Verkstad Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Torbjörn Wold
  • Patent number: 8273302
    Abstract: A component separating device includes a flow channel, an acoustic wave generator for generating an acoustic wave in the flow channel, a first inlet channel for introducing a fist solution containing solid particles into the flow channel, a second inlet channel for introducing a second solution, and outlet channels for discharging a solution from the flow channel. A density grade generator is provided at the first inlet channel for forming a density grade of the solid particles. This component separating device extracts the solid particles into a high-purity solution at a high collecting rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Takahashi, Masaya Nakatani, Soichiro Hiraoka, Hiroshi Ushio, Akiyoshi Oshima
  • Publication number: 20120125827
    Abstract: A device for separating components of a mixture, particularly industrial fluids but also gases including air, allows for targeted components of the mixture to be attached onto a separating bar and removed from the mixture. The separating bars traverse a track formed within the body of the separating device and through respective tank, cleaning, free roll, and compression regions in a controlled cleaning system. The separating bars are detached from one another and allowed to move through the separating device independently of one another. The device removes the use of chains to connect cleaning bars traversing through a cleaning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Richard E. Fogel, Brent D. Terrell
  • Patent number: 8182700
    Abstract: A method and exhaust arrangement in the removal of surface scum. An exhaust arrangement is used existing in connection with a liquid basin. The exhaust arrangement includes a first surface chute arrangement for removal of surface scum utilizing an overflow arrangement, belonging to the first chute arrangement and being based on a continuous flow for overflowing the surface scum in at least two successive phases, from the fluid basin into a primary space in the fluid basin and from the primary space into a secondary space in the fluid basin, from where overflow is finally exhausted from the liquid basin utilizing an exhaust assembly for the surface scum. A second surface chute arrangement removes liquid processed in the liquid basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Finnketju Invest Oy
    Inventor: Pekka Tuomikoski
  • Patent number: 8163175
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for conveying lime slurry, removing and controlling the amount of grit, and feeding lime slurry, wherein the lime slurry moves through a recirculation loop, and wherein gravity removal of grit from the lime slurry takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: RDP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul G. Christy, Michael Quici
  • Publication number: 20120012540
    Abstract: A grit removal system for tanks with a need to remove settled solids (e.g., anaerobic digester tank) is described. The system is especially suitable for a large tank, preferably having a flat floor, and it works well while submerged under a liquid. Specifically, a periphery-driven rack & pinion mechanism drives a shaft to rotate about a center pivot, and scrapes settled solids towards tank periphery, where the solids fall into a pit on the tank floor. A drainage opening inside the pit, when opened by a valve, is used to flush out the solids through a standpipe into a settlement tank for final dewatering and solid disposal. The system is compatible for continuous tank operation, and is useful for stirring tanks requiring periodic sediment removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Peter Kotelko, Mike Kotelko, George Caraganis, Glen Foster
  • Patent number: 8075785
    Abstract: A separation device for removing solids from an input stream is provided, comprising a vessel, such as a production vessel or storage tank, having an inlet for receiving an input stream containing fluids, such as oil and water, and solids, such as sand and silt. The vessel also includes a fluid outlet and a drain outlet. An optional fluid recirculation and injection device is mounted inside the vessel and delivers fluid to facilitate removal of the solids through the drain outlet. The vessel also includes an agitation or flighted device mounted adjacent to the drain outlet for contacting and dislodging solids which have settled within the vessel. The agitation device includes a rotatable shaft driven by a motor, and an agitation element, such as an auger, to break up the solids and move them toward the drain outlet. A method of removing solids is also provided using the auger device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Omni Energy Services Corp.
    Inventors: Andy Dufrene, Joey Jacob, Vincent Spekschate, Eddie Boudreaux, Brian Fontenot
  • Publication number: 20110278218
    Abstract: Several prototype systems are described for separating oil and water from emulsions. The systems operate at ultrasonic resonance and are thus low power. Each system contains one or more acoustic transducers operating in the 100 kHz to 5 MHz range. Each system contains flow input for the emulsion and two or more flow outputs for the separated oil and water. Existing prototypes operate from 200 mL/min to >15 L/min. Each uses low power in the range of 1-5 W.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: Flodesign Sonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Dionne, Bart Lipkens, Edward A. Rietman