With Discharge Port Patents (Class 210/540)
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130056410
    Abstract: A water purifier includes an outer tube having a partition wall dividing the outer tube into lower and upper storage chambers, an intermediate tube defining a guide receiving space and a plurality of angularly spaced-apart inclined through holes to fluidly communicate the guide receiving space and the upper storage chamber, and an inner tube defining a water-exit passage and a plurality of angularly spaced-apart inclined guide holes to fluidly communicate the guide receiving space and the water-exit passage. A guide unit includes a plurality of flow guide plates disposed at positions corresponding to the inclined through holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventor: Jung-Kuei Wu
  • Patent number: 8382978
    Abstract: A device and method for cleaning up spilled oil and other liquids that are relatively less dense than water, that have spilled on the water or are borne on water or an other relatively dense liquid, and for separating oil and other liquids that are relatively less dense than water, from water or an other relatively dense liquids including an oil/water separation column having a lower end forming a bottom opening oriented substantially parallel to the surface of the body of water in fluid communication with the water and spilled oil, an air pump in airtight engagement with, and proximate the upper end of the oil/water separation column and adapted to draw water and the spilled oil into the oil/water separation column; and an oil pump in liquid tight engagement with and proximate the upper end of the oil/water separation column and adapted to draw the spilled oil from the oil/water separation column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: David L. Prior
  • Patent number: 8377221
    Abstract: A system for cleaning and maintaining a vault includes a vault that may have equipment submerged in water. The vault includes a floor, at least one wall, and a cover that collectively define a vault interior. In some versions there is contaminated water in the vault that is at least one foot above the lowest point on the vault floor. In some versions, the water may be 12 to 14 feet above the lowest point on the floor. A portion of the floor may slope toward a vacuum head that is indirectly coupled with a source of suction. In some versions, at least the vault floor is lined with a liner that has a low coefficient of friction and is corrosive resistant. The source of suction may be a vacuum hose of a vacuum truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventor: Mark L. Taylor
  • 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
  • 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: 8277652
    Abstract: A system for consolidating and removing contaminate such as paint sludge or oils from a fluid mixture. A contaminate tank receives a supply of the fluid mixture containing contaminate from a source such as a manufacturing line where overspray of paints or cleaning solutions containing washed away oils are collected. A free floating weir floats on the surface of the contaminate tank and mechanically separates and removes contaminate from a surface of the contaminate tank and concentrates the contaminate in a consolidation tank. In the consolidation tanks the contaminate is further separated and collected for disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventors: Gordon T. Urquhart, James E. Miller
  • Patent number: 8273255
    Abstract: An economical fat, oil and grease removal assembly and method includes a container having a bottom, a top, a sidewall, an inlet and an outlet. The outlet is spaced above the bottom and below the top to define a static water level for liquid in the container. The container includes at least one baffle extending downwardly to a level below the static water level. The container further includes a port at an elevation such that F.O.G. floating on water in the container can flow from the container out through the port when the liquid level in the container is raised above the static water level. The assembly further includes an inlet bridge, an outlet bridge and a storage tank arranged to accept F.O.G. that is flowed out of the container. A hub on the storage tank interfaces the container with the storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Thermaco, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Batten, Bruce W. Kyles, Randolph H. Batten
  • 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: 8206585
    Abstract: An automatic oil-water separation and recovery device, which comprises a cylindrical tank, on the top of which exists an oil collector. The tank has an inflow pipe that links to a pre-separation regulating water distributor therein. The said water distributor is in the shape of an obconic bell mouth. At the lower part of the tank stands an outflow collector on which a bar-shaped oil-water separation unit is secured. The said outflow collector has an outlet. The said oil-water separation unit is made from stainless steel or plastic antipriming pipe firstly wrapped with unwoven cloth, and then taped with wires and outside the wires further wrapped with nonwoven cloth. All the cloth and wires are made of the same highly hydrophilic, oil-resistant material. The automatic oil-water separation and recovery devices described in this invention can be assembled together for separating and recovering ship-generated oily water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Inventor: Xian Gan
  • Patent number: 8197679
    Abstract: A particle separation assembly comprises a vessel provided with an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet. The assembly is arranged such that the flow rate of fluid through the inlet is greater than the flow rate of fluid through the first outlet such that there is a resultant fluid flow of lighter particles up the vessel and through the second outlet. Flow adjustment means are provided to enable the velocity of this resultant fluid flow to be adjusted, said means comprising a pivotable flap in one example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Vapormatt Limited
    Inventor: Terence Ives Ashworth
  • 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: 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: 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: 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: 8080157
    Abstract: A gravity water separation system that may be integrated within a well completion. A diverted flowpath is provided for produced hydrocarbons, external to the completion tubing. As produced hydrocarbons travel through the diverted flowpath, they pass through separation stages wherein gravity separation ensues by migration through predefined flow ports which extend from produced oil “separation chamber(s)” into separated “water chamber(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen P. Fenton
  • 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: 20110278212
    Abstract: A fluid drainage system configured for draining a basin impounding fluid and sediment, solids or the like of varying density and turbidity. The system includes a first conduit and a second conduit within or adjacent to the first conduit to form a fluid receiving chamber between the first and second conduits, each conduit having apertures therethrough, with the apertures of the first and second conduits being sized and arranged relative to one another and so configured as to preferentially discharge fluid from the top of a basin, thus providing flow conditions which inhibit the entry of sediment into the system so as to maximize the retention of sediment within the basin and reduce turbidity and Total Suspended Sediment in the discharged fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: JOHN TYNER, Daniel C. Yoder, Brent Pilon
  • Patent number: 8002121
    Abstract: An in-line flow separator (1) comprises an uphill section (2) of pipeline which, in use, carries a gravitationally stratified flow of a first liquid (3) and a second denser liquid (4). The second liquid (4) forms a sump (5) extending uphill from the foot of the uphill section (2), and an interface between the first and second liquids on the uphill section is inclined from the horizontal. An extraction port (6) in the pipeline extracts the second liquid from the sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michel Berard, Kamal Babour, Ibrahim Babelli
  • Patent number: 7981278
    Abstract: This present invention provides a gasoline-ethanol separation apparatus which is used for an internal combustion engine, and can separate a mixture fuel formed of mixed gasoline and ethanol into gasoline and ethanol. The gasoline-ethanol separation apparatus 1 includes a fuel tank 2 for accommodating a mixture fuel, a separation tank 4 for separating the mixture fuel supplied from the fuel tank 2 into the gasoline (A) and an ethanol-water mixture liquid (B), by mixing water supplied by water-supply means 3 with the mixture fuel, and storing the separated mixture liquid (B); pressurizing means 5 for pressurizing the mixture liquid (B) to be supplied into the separation tank 4; gasoline-taking-out means 6 for taking the gasoline (A) out of the tank from an upper part of the interface between the gasoline (A) and the ethanol-water mixture liquid (B) first valve 62; and ethanol-taking-out means 7 for taking the ethanol-water mixture liquid (B) out of the separation tank 4 through a second valve 72.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Kamio, Yasuyuki Kubo
  • Patent number: 7981301
    Abstract: An apparatus includes integrated ultra-filtration and clarification, and an optional electrocoagulation capability. The apparatus comprises an outer tank, an inner casing, and a plurality of ultra-filtration filters contained within the inner casing. Clarification of liquid occurs in the gap between the casing and tank. Solid matter settles, and aggregates in the bottom portion of the tank. The accumulated solid material acts as a secondary filter by pre-filtering the liquid prior to contact with the ultra-filtration filters. Clarified liquid is retained in a chamber of the casing, and the clarified liquid is drawn through the ultra-filtration filters as initiated by a source of vacuum communicating with the ultra-filtration filters. Optionally, and upstream electrocoagulation unit and a downstream reverse osmosis unit are provided. Alternatively, the electrocoagulation function is provided by a plurality of reaction plates mounted to the interior sidewall of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Scott W. Powell
  • Publication number: 20110084033
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating particles dispersed in a fluid. The apparatus includes, in succession, an inlet channel, a constriction channel and an outlet channel, the channels configured to receive a fluid dispersion and to create at the junction of the constriction and outlet channels a fluid dispersion flow having a first flow region and a second flow region, wherein the second flow region has a lower concentration of particles than the first flow region. A collection channel is located at the junction of the constriction and outlet channel to collect fluid from the second flow region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: ONCNOSIS PHARMA AIE
    Inventors: Angeles Ivón Rodriguez Villarreal, Martin Arundell
  • Patent number: 7896170
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flow divider promoting separation, the flow divider comprising an inlet, at least one dividing fin, and two or more outlets. According to the present invention a pipeline leading to the inlet is sufficiently long to promote at least a degree of separation of a fluid that is carried through the pipeline and that initially is mixed, the lighter constituents flowing through a top section of the pipeline, and the heavier constituents flowing through a bottom section of the pipeline, wherein the at least one dividing fin is/are arranged either vertically and/or horizontally in order to divide the flow into two or more smaller flow streams downstream of the flow divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Statoil ASA
    Inventors: Bernt Bjerkreim, Karl Olav Haram, Per Salater
  • Publication number: 20110017680
    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: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: FINNKETJU INVEST OY
    Inventor: Pekka Tuomikoski
  • Patent number: 7871516
    Abstract: The invention relates to a decanter for separating a supernatant protruding from a sewage sludge in a sludge tank (1) having a withdrawal device (4) attached to a first end (E1) of a pivot-mounted discharge pipe (3), wherein for discharging the supernatant flowing through the discharge pipe (3) near a second end (E2) opposite of the withdrawal device (4) a flexible hose (14) is provided, which is connected to a connecting piece (13) that is firmly mounted to the base relative to the pivoting bearing. In order to improve the robustness of the decanter, the invention provides that the discharge pipe (3) is received at its second end (E2) pivoting around a pivoting axis (A) in a pivoting bearing (2) having two bearing blocks (17) supported on a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Invent Umwelt-und Verfahrenstechnik AG
    Inventor: Marcus Hoefken
  • Publication number: 20100314329
    Abstract: A device and method for cleaning up spilled oil and other liquids that are relatively less dense than water, that have spilled on the water or are borne on water or an other relatively dense liquid, and for separating oil and other liquids that are relatively less dense than water, from water or an other relatively dense liquids comprising an oil/water separation column having a lower end forming a bottom opening oriented substantially parallel to the surface of the body of water in fluid communication with the water and spilled oil, an air pump in airtight engagement with, and proximate the upper end of the oil/water separation column and adapted to draw water and the spilled oil into the oil/water separation column; and an oil pump in liquid tight engagement with and proximate the upper end of the oil/water separation column and adapted to draw the spilled oil from the oil/water separation column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventor: David L. Prior
  • Patent number: 7824549
    Abstract: An assembly for removing grit particles from a fluid having a flow. The assembly includes a tank having walls for holding fluid for separation of grit particles from the fluid, a fluid inlet for flow of fluid into the tank, a fluid outlet for flow of fluid from the tank, an inlet diffusion baffle assembly including a baffle positioned to direct fluid flow toward the tank walls and a lower chamber of the tank, and an outlet baffle assembly including a baffle positioned in a rear of the tank at an upward slope from the center of the tank toward the fluid outlet configured to direct fluid flow toward the center of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: WSG & Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Wilcher, Robert Slaby, Thomas W. Quimby
  • Patent number: 7824555
    Abstract: System and method for water restoration to a water pool or to water regions associated with freshwater or saltwater marinas. Embodiments include a positive water flow device that works in unison with a negative water flow device, wherein the positive and negative flow devices are separated from each other in the water pool or water regions. The positive flow device, for example, a water jet, directs a stream of water beneath the water surface of the water pool or water regions, and causes a water surface to move towards the negative flow device by a hydraulic pushing action. The negative flow device includes a water pump and receiving port, augments the hydraulic pushing action by providing a complementary pulling action by applying a vacuum or negative pressure to a water receiving port, or scoop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Inventor: Matthew Hughes
  • Patent number: 7807051
    Abstract: A floating oil skimmer and gravitational separator system, consisting of a vessel adapted to be submerged in a body of water. Oil/water are drawn through the floating skimmer head by a water pump, pumping water through the skimmer head as water is pumped out of the vessel from the bottom of the vessel. The improved skimmer head design improves control of the skimmer head buoyancy and stability, thereby more consistently bringing oil/water into the vessel. An improved means of coalescence and collection of oil into the top of the inside of the vessel is also disclosed, where the oil once collected is then pumped out of the vessel for storage and the water is returned to the water body. Methods of manufacturing the system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventors: Peter Douglas Jack, Nels Robert Ladouceur
  • Patent number: 7807059
    Abstract: During collection of pollutants having a density lower than that of water and carried by a surface layer of a body of water, water of the surface layer is caused to flow into and through a collection vessel having a separation compartment with a top wall, pollutants entrained by the inflowing surface layer water are allowed to collect gravimetrically as a supernatant layer carried beneath the top wall of the separation compartment on water in the separation compartment, and changes of the weight of the collection vessel in the body of water are monitored. Intake and discharge phases may be initiated and terminated to in response to the said weight reaching predetermined values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Surfcleaner AB
    Inventors: Stig Lundback, Jonas Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100236999
    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: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Hideo Utsunomiya, Takao Abe, Kouji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7790023
    Abstract: The apparatus of this invention consists of a float assembly, constrained in its vertical movement by a perforated riser. The riser is surrounded by a flexible, bellows conduit which will allow the float assembly to move up and down the vertically disposed riser. The float assembly supports a weir collar designed to allow multiple weir orifice openings of different sizes. The flexible, bellows conduit is watertight, and prevents water from entering the riser below the float assembly that is buoyed just below the surface of the liquid basin. The riser is connected to an outlet that discharges the liquid from the liquid basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventor: Nickie D. Mills
  • Patent number: 7767085
    Abstract: A system for consolidating and removing contaminate such as paint sludge or oils from a fluid mixture. A contaminate tank receives a supply of the fluid mixture containing contaminate from a source such as a manufacturing line where overspray of paints or cleaning solutions containing washed away oils are collected. A free floating weir floats on the surface of the contaminate tank and mechanically separates and removes contaminate from a surface of the contaminate tank and concentrates the contaminate in a consolidation tank. In the consolidation tanks the contaminate is further separated and collected for disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Air and Liquid Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon T. Urquhart, James E. Miller
  • Patent number: 7754076
    Abstract: A reactor for washing sand contaminated with hydrocarbons comprises a vessel having an aperture in a bottom portion thereof. A steam cleaning device is located near a top of the vessel for receiving contaminated sand and cleaning the contaminated sand as it is introduced into the vessel. A rinsing device is positioned below the steam cleaning device for rinsing the sand with water. A sand conveying device comprising an air injection device is positioned in the bottom portion of the vessel for urging sand out of the aperture using compressed air, such that the sand is partially dewatered as the sand is urged out of the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Inventor: Paul Costinel
  • Patent number: 7744767
    Abstract: A system for separating a mixture of two fluids of different specific gravities comprising: a first chamber having an inlet for receiving said mixture; a second chamber having a connection for receiving the fluid with the higher specific gravity of said mixture from said first chamber, said connection being situated between a portion of the two chambers below the inlet; and a waste outlet in said first chamber to drain residue situated at an interface between the two fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Matt G. Driggers
  • Patent number: 7740752
    Abstract: A system for separating suspended and dissolved materials in a fluid having a pH offset from neutral is disclosed. It employs a plurality of stacked, generally flat treatment beds each having a surface angled downward for receiving the fluid. Since the fluid is spread over a large surface, its velocity slows causing suspended materials to drop out of the fluid as a sludge. A pH correction device may add an agent to the flowing fluid which will bring the pH closer to neutral thereby causing said dissolved materials to precipitate out and into the sludge. Atmospheric oxygen may also be used to effect the precipitation. Portions of the beds may be isolated and the sludge collected resulting in a fluid having substantially less suspended and dissolved materials at a pH and temperature closer to normal. Energy may be produced from the movement of liquid through the system or from the heat energy of the fluid. Magnetics may be utilized to improve the precipitation of solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher S. Gillis
  • Patent number: 7740757
    Abstract: An exemplary apparatus (20), for removing pollutants atop a body of coolant, includes a filter (21), a pollutant removing structure (22), and a pump (23). The filter includes a housing (210), and a filtering unit (211) positioned in the housing for removing the pollutants from the coolant. The filtering unit is separated into a first cavity (2112) and a second cavity (2113) by a partition sheet (213). The partition sheet is spaced apart from a bottom surface of the housing to define a communicating gap (2131) for the first cavity and the second cavity to communicate with each other. The pollutant removing structure is positioned on the filter. The pollutant removing structure includes a removing member (221) for removing the pollutants out of the filter. The pump is configured for pumping the coolant into the first cavity of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Lu Yang, Wei-Guo Yang, Zheng-Hong Chi, Yu-Jun Wang
  • Patent number: 7704398
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus with which the aqueous solution from liquid-liquid extraction in the hydrometallurgical recovery of metals is purified from droplets of organic extraction solution. The aqueous solution is treated in a settling tank, where it is made to flow through a flow channel area with a reduced cross-section that extends over the width of the tank at least at one point. The flow channels are located in the lower section of the droplet coalescer according to the invention, with the upper section of the device being mainly solid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Pertti Pekkala, Raimo Kuusisto, Juhani Lyyra, Bror Nyman, Eero Ekman
  • Patent number: 7704400
    Abstract: A system for washing contaminated sand comprises a plurality of reactors arranged in a sequence from a first to a last reactor. The first reactor is configured to receive contaminated sand. Each reactor comprises a funnel portion in a lower section thereof for accumulating a sand layer and a sand conveying device for removing sand through an aperture defined near a bottom of the funnel portion. Each reactor except the first reactor receives sand removed from a previous reactor. The system also comprises a steam supply system for providing each reactor with steam for washing the sand, a water supply system for providing the last reactor with clean water for rinsing the sand, and a fluid outlet associated with each reactor for removing fluid and providing the fluid to a separator for separating the fluid into first and second portions respectively containing relatively low and high proportions of hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventor: Paul Costinel
  • Patent number: 7694829
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for the continuous separation of crude oil from tar sands include using a hydrocarbon diluent and an aqueous solution in one or more settling vessels. The light components from the oil are collected and recycled to be used as the hydrocarbon diluent, and the aqueous solution is collected and recycled. A second aqueous solution is introduced in the second and subsequent vessels to prevent the formation of an oil film on the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventors: Fred J. Veltri, John B. Fairbanks
  • Patent number: 7695625
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus with which an organic solution that is slightly soluble in water is scrubbed of aqueous entrainment and impurities. In particular, the organic solution may be the organic extraction solution of liquid-liquid extraction used in connection with the hydrometallurgical recovery of metals. The purpose is to perform the physical separation of water droplets and the chemical removal of impurities from the organic solution simultaneously. This occurs by routing the solution to be purified in the settling tank through at least one flow plate cassette of reduced cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: OutoTec Oyj
    Inventors: Juhani Lyyra, Pertti Pekkala, Raimo Kuusisto, Eero Ekman, Bror Nyman
  • Patent number: 7682509
    Abstract: A buoyant material trap having a treatment tank with a base wall and a vertically-extending sidewall, a feed pipe to introduce fluid at a first location in the tank, and an exit pipe to remove at least a portion of the fluid from a second location in the tank. One or more wall structures form a circuitous passage between the first location and the second location. The wall structures are open at the top and substantially prevent fluid from passing below the passage, but allow buoyant material to rise above the passage. The walls may extend to the bottom of the tank to prevent fluid from passing beneath them, and may be removably installed in the tank to facilitate cleaning. An overflow chamber may be provided to receive buoyant material. The sidewall may have a spout and be adapted to empty the tank by tilting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Green Turtle Americas Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Adam Murray, Balreet Singh Dandiwal, Darren Francis Lawless, Gregory Richard Williams
  • Patent number: 7678286
    Abstract: A system for separating an emulsion fluid into a recovered fluid and a purified fluid. The emulsion fluid comprises a continuous phase and a dispersed phase. The purified fluid is essentially constituted of the continuous phase. The system comprises a vessel at an inlet of which the emulsion fluid may flow. The system further comprises one or more coalescing elements made of Reusable Polymer Absorbent material. Each coalescing element allows to coalesce at least a portion of the dispersed phase from small droplets into large drops further detached from the coalescing element upon a flow of the emulsion fluid. The system further comprises one or more separating and guiding means made of oleophilic material. Each separating and guiding means is located a distance from an associated coalescing element and is disposed at an output of the associated coalescing element to guide the detached large drops for further recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Christian Pays, Christophe Corailler
  • Patent number: 7678285
    Abstract: The invention refers to an oil recover unit (1) having at least one container (5) for retrieval of a mixture/emulsion of mainly water (3) and oil (4) for separation of the water (3) from the oil (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Inventor: Claes Olofsson
  • Patent number: 7662297
    Abstract: Apparatus for the separation of scum from a liquid including a housing (22) incorporating two side walls in spaced relationship and a scraper wall disposed between said side walls. A rotational device (12) mounted in the housing (22) provides rotational motion about one or more horizontal axes. The rotational device (12) includes one or more paddles (13-16) which extend outwardly with respect to the rotation axis forming a substantial sealing engagement with the opposed inner faces of the side walls of the housing. The scraper wall and rotational device are arranged such that when immersed in water, the paddle(s) (13-16) may be rotated to become at least partly submerged and the outer periphery(ies) engage with the scraper wall to lift a portion of the water and scum above the natural level of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventor: Bradley Desmond Leslie Murray
  • Patent number: 7651001
    Abstract: An apparatus separates a first fluid from a mixture of fluids. The apparatus includes a housing that can have one or more entry openings and one or more exit openings. An endless flexible strip of a material having an affinity for the first fluid is arranged to be advanced through the housing. An advancing assembly advances the endless flexible strip through an entry opening in the housing and through an exit opening in the housing, thereby advancing successive portions of the endless flexible strip sequentially from a position out of contact with the first fluid to a position of contact with the first fluid and again to a position out of contact with the first fluid. More than one pathway can be located within the housing along which the endless flexible strip can be selectively advanced. A means for removing from the endless flexible strip quantities of the first fluid that adhere to the endless flexible strip can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Zebra Skimmers Corp.
    Inventor: Steven Davidian
  • Patent number: 7617940
    Abstract: A device in connection with a separator for cleaning or reaming such a separator. The separator includes a tank or a body (2) with an inlet and at least one outlet (5, 6). A transport pipeline (3) is connected to the inlet for the supply of fluid that is to be separated in the separator. The transport pipeline (3) extends from the inlet through the separator body (2). Part (6) of the line that is located inside the separator body (2) is provided with perforations or slits (7) so that fluid that arrives in the transport pipeline (3) flows into the tank through the perforations/slits (7). Mechanical equipment for cleaning the transport pipeline (3) is designed to be sent from a magazine through the separator body (2) and on via a pipe loop back to the magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASA
    Inventors: Per Eivind Gramme, Gunnar Hannibal Lie
  • Publication number: 20090236278
    Abstract: The invention relates to a decanter for separating a supernatant protruding from a sewage sludge in a sludge tank (1) having a withdrawal device (4) attached to a first end (E1) of a pivot-mounted discharge pipe (3), wherein for discharging the supernatant flowing through the discharge pipe (3) near a second end (E2) opposite of the withdrawal device (4) a flexible hose (14) is provided, which is connected to a connecting piece (13) that is firmly mounted to the base relative to the pivoting bearing. In order to improve the robustness of the decanter, the invention provides that the discharge pipe (3) is received at its second end (E2) pivoting around a pivoting axis (A) in a pivoting bearing (2) having two bearing blocks (17) supported on a base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2007
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: Invent Umwelt UND Verfahrenstechnik AG
    Inventor: Marcus Hoefken
  • Patent number: 7591381
    Abstract: A cover system for a clarifier tank having a combined effluent and influent trough separated by a dividing wall. The cover system includes a mounting bracket attached to an inboard wall of the influent trough and at least one openable cover panel attached to the mounting bracket. An opposite support bracket is located on the dividing wall between the influent and the effluent troughs, where the cover panel covers the effluent channel and is openable for cleaning of the effluent channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: NEFCO
    Inventor: Earle Schaller