Including Ion Exchange Or Other Chemical Reaction Patents (Class 210/638)
  • Publication number: 20130090597
    Abstract: The present invention relates to chemically modified hollow fiber materials for extracorporeally removing exotoxins produced by pathogenic Escherichia coli from protein containing liquids, particularly from blood or plasma, as well as the use in treating patients suffering from diseases which, for example, are caused by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli bacteria (EHEC infections) or other pathogenic Escherichia coli like enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) or enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: SAFE bt, Inc.
    Inventors: Dietrich Seidel, Beate Roxane Jaeger
  • Publication number: 20130090488
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to solubilizing compounds, a device and a method for solubilizing and removing carboxylic acids and especially fatty acids from oils, fats, aqueous emulsion, aqueous media and organic solutions. Devices utilizing the inventive method shall be used for separating carboxylic acids from oils, fats, aqueous emulsion, lipophilic media or organic solutions, respectively by preparing an aqueous micro- or nanoemulsion of the carboxylic acids especially the fatty acids and the solubilizing compound which contains at least one amidino and/or gianidino group. Solubilization effects of solubilizing compounds combined with the inventive use of separation methods for carboxylic acids can be used to treat persons in need of removal of fatty acids or analyze carboxylic acids from blood or process other solutions in food, pharmacy, chemistry, bio fuel industry or other industrial processings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventor: Ulrich Dietz
  • Publication number: 20130056416
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for converting seawater to drinking water at room temperature include using the processes of osmosis, vacuum stripping, nanofiltration, ion exchange, and breakpoint chlorination, to provide a low-cost alternative to prior seawater conversion methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventor: Kenneth Yat-Yi Chen
  • Publication number: 20130056413
    Abstract: Blow down water from an evaporative cooling system, such as a cooling tower, is treated for re-use as cooling make up water. Water in or entering the cooling system is treated with chemicals, for example corrosion inhibitors, scale inhibitors, or biocides. These chemicals are preferably chosen to be compatible with ultrafiltration (UF) and reverse osmosis (RO) membrane systems. Blow down water is removed from the cooling systems and filtered first through a UF membrane unit. The UF membrane unit removes total suspended solids (TSS), microorganisms and organic contaminants, among other things, from the blow down water. Permeate from the UF membrane unit is then filtered through a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane unit to remove, for example, divalent ions and hardness from the water. The RO membrane unit is preferably operated at a high cross flow velocity to reduce fouling. Permeate from the RO system is returned to the cooling system as make up water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Hugh H. MIRANZADEH, John PEICHEL, Jason Michael KIZER
  • Patent number: 8388846
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing algae are described in which a hydrophilic ionic liquid is used to lyse algae cells at lower temperatures than existing algae processing methods. A salt or salt solution is used as a separation agent and to remove water from the ionic liquid, allowing the ionic liquid to be reused. The used salt may be dried or concentrated and reused. The relatively low lysis temperatures and recycling of the ionic liquid and salt reduce the environmental impact of the algae processing while providing biofuels and other useful products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Streamline Automation, LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey Chew, Alton J. Reich, H. Waite H. Dykes, Jr., Roberto Di Salvo
  • Publication number: 20130048562
    Abstract: A method of treating a wastewater is provided and can be used, for example, to treat a gas well production wastewater to form a wastewater brine. The method can involve crystallizing sodium chloride by evaporation of the wastewater brine with concurrent production of a liquor comprising calcium chloride solution. Bromine and lithium can also be recovered from the liquor in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Various metal sulfates, such as barium sulfate, can be removed from the wastewater in the production of the wastewater brine. Sources of wastewater can include gas well production wastewater and hydrofracture flowback wastewater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: PROCHEMTECH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Timothy Edward KEISTER
  • Patent number: 8377306
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for treating a fluid. According to the invention, the fluid is contacted with a substrate at the surface of which there is a network of organic molecules, hereafter referred to as “network molecules”. There is a central core and at least one lateral arm, the molecules being adsorbed at the surface of the substrate. The invention also concerns a two-dimensional molecular sieve formed by the substrate at the surface of which a network of network molecules is adsorbed. The invention further concerns a module for treating a fluid including a circulating device for the fluid to be treated, the device containing one or more two-dimensional molecule sieves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Andre-Jean Attias, Fabrice Charra, Ludovic Douillard, Celine Fiorini, David Kreher, Fabrice Mathevet, Guillaume Schull
  • Patent number: 8377307
    Abstract: A method of separating a mixture of discrete structures dispersed in a fluid material includes identifying a target structure and a non-target structure; providing a custom-shaped particle having at least a portion of a surface that is substantially shape-complementary to a portion of a surface of the target structure; introducing the custom-shaped particle into the fluid material; exciting reconfigurations of the custom-shaped particle with respect to the target structure and the non-target structure; binding the custom-shaped particle to the target structure through an attractive interaction to form an aggregate; and isolating the aggregate containing the target structure and the custom-shaped particle from the non-target structure. The custom-shaped particle preferentially binds with the target structure without binding with the non-target structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Thomas G. Mason
  • Patent number: 8372445
    Abstract: A process for the extraction of Vitis vinifera seeds which comprises: a) extraction of grape seeds with a solvent (total extract); b) removal of water-insoluble tannins; c) optional removal of water-soluble tannins; d separation of the products with different MW, through chromatographic purification on a column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Indena S.p.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Giori, Alessandro Anelli
  • Patent number: 8372287
    Abstract: A solid-phase extraction device utilizing a section of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) tubing as the stationary phase is disclosed. The microscopic pores of ePTFE tubing are impregnated with a binding agent having an affinity for a target constituent within a matrix. The matrix is prepared and loaded onto the stationary phase of the system. The target constituent is retained by the stationary phase. The constituent is stripped from the stationary phase with a stripping solution, and collected for further analysis or use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: ALS Group USA, Corp
    Inventors: Stephen M. Workman, Robert T. Shannon
  • Publication number: 20130032533
    Abstract: Integrated membrane treatment systems for treatment of an aqueous solution. In embodiments, components, such as an MBR, are integrated with means to recover energy from the system, for example from an RO concentrate, to operate the other components. In embodiments including biological treatment, RO is integrated with other components, such as an MBR with the ROs ability to remove inorganic nitrogen enabling biological treatment to be performed with only partial nitrification and the MBR operated without active pH control. In embodiments, RO is integrated with a chlorine generator to convert chlorides present in the RO concentrate for an in-situ source of oxidizing biocides for disinfection purposes. Chloramines may be generated in-situ from residual ammonia and chlorides in the RO reject. In embodiments, carrier media is employed in a membrane tank to enhance removal of residual organics by the MBR and to also improve effectiveness of membrane scouring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventors: Vyacheslav Libman, Boris Eliosov
  • Publication number: 20130026096
    Abstract: This invention is to provide a membrane-electrode assembly, an electrolytic cell using the same, a method and an apparatus for producing ozone water, a method for disinfection and a method for wastewater or waste fluid treatment, by using which electrolysis reaction products or decomposition products obtained at the anode are produced at a high efficiency; channel pressure drop is minimized; and the apparatus is designed in compact size without sacrificing the production capacity. This invention relates to a membrane-electrode assembly comprising a solid polymer electrolyte membrane having a cation exchange membrane, an anode and a cathode tightly adhered to the respective surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, with a plurality of through-holes with 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicants: PERMELEC ELECTRODE LTD., AQUAECOS LTD.
    Inventors: Hideo Nitta, Masashi Hosonuma
  • Publication number: 20130023849
    Abstract: The present technology relates to methods and systems for the removal of pathogens and fragments thereof in hemodialysis patients. In particular, methods and systems are described where lectins can be used to remove the Hepatitis C virus and fragments thereof in hemodialysis patients, and to provide a sustained reduction in viral load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: AETHLON MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventor: AETHLON MEDICAL, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130015132
    Abstract: The present invention provides a water purification apparatus and method using a pressurized micro-filter preprocessed with a coagulation inclined-plate sedimentation reservoir and a pore-control fiber filter for improvement of a recovery rate, which removes the dissolved organic materials and the turbidity of raw water through a preprocess by a flash mixer, a two-stage coagulation reservoir and an inclined-plate sedimentation reservoir, thereby making it possible to reduce the use of coagulants, the generation of sludge by-products, the inflow load of membranes, and the facility size in comparison with the conventional standard water purification processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: DAEWOO E&C CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eui-Sin LEE, Bum-Goo LEE, Hee-Kyong OH, Jung-Yeol EOM
  • Publication number: 20130011824
    Abstract: The invention concerns methods of treating blood, blood products or physiologic fluid to maximize shelf life and/or minimizing transfusion related complications such as non-hemolytic transfusion reactions such as fever, transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), transfusion associated dyspnea (TAD), and allergic reactions by removing undesirable molecules in the blood, blood product or physiologic fluid milieu through use of a sorbent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: CYTOSORBENTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Phillip P. Chan, Vincent J. Capponi, Thomas D. Golobish, Humayra Begum Ali
  • Publication number: 20120325741
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for treating wastewater. The system includes a bioreactor which defines a basin for receiving wastewater to be treated; a membrane module in fluid communication with the bioreactor; and a dissolution tank. The tank includes a pressure vessel that contains a portion of the wastewater to be treated and provides a regulated, pressurized gas head space above the wastewater. The tank also includes at least one liquid spray nozzle that permits passage of the wastewater into the gas head space of the pressure vessel and an outlet for discharging the wastewater having a desired gas concentration from the pressure vessel. The system also includes a pumping mechanism for supplying the wastewater to the spray nozzle of the tank such that fluid droplets are formed in the gas head space and the gas contained within the pressurized head space is dissolved into the wastewater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Gregory Scott Osborn, Clay R. Thompson, Marty D. Matlock
  • Publication number: 20120325744
    Abstract: In a process and apparatus for treating produced water, for example for re-use in an oil or bitumen extraction operation of for treating frac water, the produced water flows through a series of treatment units. A portion of the produced water may by-pass one or more of the treatment units but the by-pass portion may be such that the treated water is still acceptable, for example for discharge or reuse. Concentrations of oil and grease, organic carbon, silica, pH or related parameters in the produced water may be monitored and used to control the process or apparatus. Control of the process may involve one or more of altering a by-pass portion, altering the addition of chemicals, and altering the operation of a unit process. The process may be controlled to respond to upset conditions, or such that the concentration of one or more limiting contaminants is near, but not over, a specified maximum for re-use or discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: David M. Polizzotti, Kevin Paul McEvoy, Anthony Yu-Chung Ku, Carl Vess, Abdul Rafi Khwaja, Matthew Alan Petersen
  • Publication number: 20120325743
    Abstract: A treatment system is provided and comprises a precipitation unit and a recovery unit. The precipitation unit is configured to treat a solution using one or more miscible organic solvents to produce a mixture of precipitate solids and a liquid. The recovery unit is in fluid communication with the precipitation unit and configured to facilitate separating the liquid at least into an organic phase liquid and an aqueous phase liquid comprising a portion of the one or more miscible organic solvents. The treatment system further comprises a purification unit comprising one or more membrane devices in fluid communication with the recovery unit and configured to separate at least a portion of the one or more miscible organic solvents in the aqueous phase liquid from the aqueous phase liquid. A treatment system and a treatment process are also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Jiyang Xia, Rihua Xiong, Wei Cai, Wenqing Peng, Zijun Xia, Yiwen Sun
  • Publication number: 20120312747
    Abstract: A method is provided for recycling and treating the wastes of silicon wafer cutting and polishing processes. To begin with, a dewatered filter cake is mixed with water so that the filter cake is diluted to form a working fluid. The water reacts with silicon in the filter cake to produce silicon dioxide and hydrogen. After the hydrogen is extracted for storage, specific gravity separation takes place via water so that silicon carbide and silicon particles are separated for sorting. Then, solid-liquid separation is performed on the remaining working fluid to separate silicon dioxide (solid) from water and PEG (liquid), before PEG is separated from water. Thus, the useful silicon particles, silicon carbide, silicon dioxide, and PEG are recycled from the filter cake to reduce the total amount of wastes. Moreover, as the side product, hydrogen, is of high commercial value, the method also adds value to recycling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventor: Jr-Jung Iang
  • Publication number: 20120312746
    Abstract: A method or process for removing perchlorate ions from water includes mixing water containing perchlorate ions with a reducing agent such that the perchlorate ions and the reducing agent undergo an oxidation-reduction reaction. During the oxidation-reduction reaction, perchlorate ions are reduced to chloride ions and the reducing agent is oxidized. The oxidized reducing agent is separated from the water containing chloride ions and the oxidized reducing agent is regenerated and reused in the reduction of the perchlorate ions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: VEOLIA WATER SOLUTIONS & TECHNOLOGIES SUPPORT
    Inventors: Kashi Banerjee, Charles D. Blumenschein
  • Publication number: 20120305481
    Abstract: A first connector of a connector assembly of a sterile batch container can be unsealed. The connector assembly can be attached to a filling port of the sterile batch container and can have a sterile filter arranged between the filling port and the first connector. The first connector can be coupled so as to receive produced purified water. A transmembrane pressure can be monitored across the sterile filter while flowing the purified water through the connector assembly into the sterile batch container so as to provide a sterile fluid stored therein. The connector assembly can be detached from the filling port of the sterile batch container. After the detaching, the sterile batch container can be coupled to the blood treatment system. In response to a change in the transmembrane pressure exceeding a predefined level, an alarm signal can be generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: JAMES M. BRUGGER, Jeffrey H. Burbank, Brian C. Green
  • Publication number: 20120305482
    Abstract: A method to remove virulence factors from infected blood by passing the blood through a surface cartridge with immobilized carbohydrates, such as heparin, wherein the virulence factors are toxins released from pathogens such as B. anthracis, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: EXTHERA MEDICAL, LLC
    Inventors: Keith McCrea, Robert S. Ward
  • Patent number: 8318027
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for reclamation of waste fluids. A conditioning container is employed for receipt of waste material on a continuous flow for treatment within the container by immersible transducers producing ultrasonic acoustic waves in combination with a high level of injected ozone. The invention discloses a cost efficient and environmentally friendly process and apparatus for cleaning and recycling of flowback, or frac water, which has been used to stimulate gas production from shale formations. The apparatus is mobile and containerized and suitable for installation at the well site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Ecosphere Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis McGuire, Sanjeev Jakhete
  • Publication number: 20120292254
    Abstract: Various methods and apparatus are disclosed that relate to one or more aspects of a treatment system that circum-neutralizes the pH of an aqueous stream, removes one or more heavy metals from the aqueous stream, circum-neutralizes the pH of a CCR supply, and/or removes one or more heavy metals from the CCR supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Jason Swearingen, Lindsay Swearingen
  • Patent number: 8313651
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a membrane stack comprising a first and second membrane layers, and a spacer layer disposed between said first and second membrane layers, said membrane stack configured such that fluid passes through said membrane stack in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of said membrane layers and said spacer layer. The application also discloses a module comprising a membrane as described above, said module having a fluid flow path that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the major surface of the membrane and spacer layers ins aid membrane stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Natrix Separations Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald F. Childs, Elena N. Komkova, Donna Lisa Crossley, Alicja M. Mika
  • Patent number: 8313653
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to processes for extracting iron and/or calcium from geothermal brines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Midamerican Energy Holdings Company
    Inventors: John L. Featherstone, George Furmanski
  • Patent number: 8313648
    Abstract: A method for producing biofuels is provided that includes dewatering intact algal cells to make an algal biomass, extracting neutral lipids from the algal biomass, and esterifying the neutral lipids with a catalyst in the presence of an alcohol. The method also includes separating a water soluble fraction comprising glycerin from a water insoluble fraction comprising fuel esters and distilling the fuel esters under vacuum to obtain a C16 or shorter fuel esters fraction, a C16 or longer fuel ester fraction, and a residue comprising carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids. The method further includes hydrodeoxygenating at least one of (i) the C16 or shorter fuel esters to obtain a jet fuel blend stock and (ii) the C16 or longer fuel esters to obtain a diesel blend stock. The method further includes supplying the hydrogenation and deoxygenation processes with hydrogen produced from reformed light hydrocarbons or an algae culture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Heliae Development, LLC
    Inventors: Aniket Kale, Luca Costantino Zullo, Sandip Shinde
  • Patent number: 8303818
    Abstract: The invention relates to use of an active ionic liquid to dissolve algae cell walls. The ionic liquid is used to, in an energy efficient manner, dissolve and/or lyse an algae cell walls, which releases algae constituents used in the creation of energy, fuel, and/or cosmetic components. The ionic liquids include ionic salts having multiple charge centers, low, very low, and ultra low melting point ionic liquids, and combinations of ionic liquids. An algae treatment system is described, which processes wet algae in a lysing reactor, separates out algae constituent products, and optionally recovers the ionic liquid in an energy efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Streamline Automation, LLC
    Inventors: Roberto Di Salvo, Alton Reich, H. Waite H. Dykes, Jr., Rodrigo Teixeira
  • Patent number: 8303819
    Abstract: A separating material formed by a solid substrate having a substrate surface, primary or secondary amines coupled to the substrate surface, and a graft polymer formed on the substrate by covalently coupling the primary or secondary amines with a thermally labile radical initiator and subsequently contacting the substrate surface with a solution of one or more polymerizable monomers. Methods for the extracorporeal treatment of blood, blood plasma or blood serum employing the separating material, for affinity adsorption, ion-exchange adsorption, hydrophobic adsorption, or hydrophilic adsorption employing the separating material, and a separating column employing the separating material are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Markus Storr, Egbert Muller, Wolfgang Freudemann
  • Publication number: 20120267307
    Abstract: Separation processes using osmotically driven membrane systems are disclosed generally involving the extraction of solvent from a first solution to concentrate solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources. Pre-treatment and post-treatment may also enhance the osmotically driven membrane processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventor: Robert L. McGinnis
  • Publication number: 20120255902
    Abstract: A biological wastewater treatment system includes an equalization tank for sending a defined first portion of the wastewater to a submerged membrane filter. When the quantity of the received wastewater exceeds the defined first portion, a second portion of wastewater, formed from the wastewater that exceeds the defined first portion, is sent to a filtration process. The filtration process includes adding a flocculating agent to the second portion entering filtration, filtering the second portion, thereby producing retentive waste including flocculated material, and then sending the retentive waste to the submerged membrane filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventor: Dennis Livingston
  • Publication number: 20120255904
    Abstract: A method or process for treating wastewater containing high organics, silica, boron, hardness, and suspended and dissolved solids. The method includes degasifying the wastewater for the removal of dissolved gases and thereafter chemically softening the wastewater. After the chemical softening step, the wastewater is directed through a media filter or membrane which removes additional solids and precipitants. Thereafter the wastewater is directed through a sodium ion exchange that further softens the wastewater. The effluent from the ion exchange is directed through a cartridge filter and the effluent from the cartridge filter is directed through one or more reverse osmosis units. At a selected phase of the process, prior to the wastewater reaching the reverse osmosis unit or units, the pH of the wastewater is raised and maintained such that the pH of the wastewater reaching a reverse osmosis unit is at a pH greater than 10.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Support
    Inventor: LNSP Nagghappan
  • Publication number: 20120241377
    Abstract: There is provided a water treatment method using a water treatment flocculant that suffers from minimal secondary contamination with flocculation residues and contains an alkaline solution of a phenolic resin. A water treatment method involving the addition of a flocculant to water to be treated and subsequent membrane separation treatment. The flocculant contains an alkaline solution of a phenolic resin having a melting point in the range of 130° C. to 220° C. The water treatment flocculant is produced by a resole-type second-order reaction in the presence of an alkaline catalyst in which an aldehyde is added to an alkali solution of a novolak phenolic resin. The novolak phenolic resin is produced by a reaction between a phenol and an aldehyde in the presence of an acid catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicants: GUN EI CHEMICAL INDUSTRY CO., LTD., KURITA WATER INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Ooi, Keijirou Tada, Yukio Abe, Takeshi Iizuka, Satoru Kitano
  • Publication number: 20120228219
    Abstract: A spiral wound module is suitable for use with high temperature water that is also very alkaline or has a high pH, for example SAGD produced water. The module uses a polyamide-based membrane with a polysulfone or polyethersulfone backing material. For other components, the module uses primarily one or more of, EPDM; polyamide; polyphenylene oxide; polyphenylene sulfide; polysulfone; polyethersulfone; polysulfonamide; polyvinylidene fluoride; mylar; fiberglass; and, epoxy. Polyester is not used. Polypropylene is not used for the feed spacer. For example, a module may use a PVDF feed spacer, a nylon permeate spacer and a polysulfone center tube. The center tube may be provided with 4 rows of 0.063? diameter holes and be rolled under high tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Phillip GOEBEL, David OLSON, David M. POLIZZOTTI, Abdul Rafi KHWAJA
  • Publication number: 20120211420
    Abstract: A desalination apparatus includes a pretreatment device 13 having a pretreatment membrane 13a that filters suspended matters in raw water 11 with added chlorine-containing water 12, a reverse osmosis membrane device 17 having a reverse osmosis membrane 16 that removes a salt content from filtrate water 14 supplied from the pretreatment device 13 to produce permeated water 15, and a reducing-agent injection device 30 that neutralizes the added chlorine on an upstream side of the reverse osmosis membrane device 17. The reducing-agent injection device 30 extracts a part 14a of the filtrate water 14, adds metering SBS solution 18 to the part, obtains a maximum change point (equivalence point) of the oxidation-reduction potential of a reducing agent and chlorine, obtains reducing-agent additive concentration (Csm) corresponding to the equivalence point, and supplies the SBS solution 18 corresponding to the concentration to the filtrate water 14 to thereby neutralize the chlorine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Takeuchi, Yoshiaki Ito, Hidemasa Kakigami, Hideo Iwahashi, Katsunori Matsui, Kenji Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20120211419
    Abstract: A method of producing a scale-control resin including combining in an aqueous solution a cation-exchange resin and a weak-acid anion mineral or salt having a multivalent cation to allow ion exchange between the resin and the multivalent cation. The cation-exchange resin may a weak-acid ion exchange resin. The method may further include adding a strong-acid salt having the same multivalent cation as the weak-acid anion mineral or salt to the aqueous solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: WATTS WATER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Evan E. Koslow
  • Patent number: 8246832
    Abstract: The present invention contemplates various devices that are configured to separate a sample, which contains more than one unique species, into any desired number of sub-samples by passing the sample across a like number of separation media configured for a first separation protocol. Each of the sub-samples may be further separated by an additional separation protocol, thereby creating a plurality of mini-samples, each of which may be further separated and/or analyzed. The invention also contemplates using a simple method of using conduits to form a fluid path that passes through a plurality of separation media, each of which media is configured to isolate a particular sub-sample. After various sub-samples of the sample are isolated by the various separation media, the conduits may be removed, thereby enabling each of the isolated sub-samples to be further separated and/or analyzed independent of any other sub-sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee O. Lomas, Jian Ding, Egisto Boschetti
  • Publication number: 20120205310
    Abstract: A method for treating wastewater including: flocculating and granulating the wastewater in a wastewater collection pool through a flocculation sedimentation tank; pumping the flocculated water with a high/low turbidity into a hair filter through a lift pump; pumping the pretreated water into an organic/inorganic membrane filter to yield clear water containing detergent; treating the clear water containing detergent with activated carbon and an ultraviolet lamp; raising the water pressure to 10-15 Kg using a high-pressure pump, and pumping the neutral clear water into a reverse osmosis apparatus for further removal of inorganic matters, organic matters, virus, and bacteria to obtain purified water. A device for recycling treatment of car-washing and laundry wastewater is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventor: Zicheng WU
  • Publication number: 20120205308
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for working up wastewaters which are obtained in the purification of crude aromatic nitro compounds after the nitration of aromatic compounds, comprising the following steps: (a) single-stage or multistage washing of the crude aromatic nitro compound to obtain at least one organic phase and at least one aqueous phase, and removal of the aqueous phase or of the aqueous phases, step (a) comprising the addition of a base other than ammonia, and then (b) optional removal of organic constituents from at least a portion of the aqueous phase or aqueous phases obtained in step (a) by stripping, preferably with steam, then (c) removal of organic compounds from at least a portion of the aqueous phase or aqueous phases resulting from step (a) or step (b) by thermal and/or oxidative degradation, then (d) distillative depletion of ammonia from at least a portion of the aqueous phase or aqueous phases resulting from step (c), and then (e) optional supply of at least a portion of the aq
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Julia Leschinski, Leo Denissen, Ludwig E. Heck, Peter Gammer, Bart Van De Voorde, Andreas Heußler, Samuel Neto
  • Publication number: 20120205309
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for separating a solvent from an object solution includes the solvent and a solute is provided. The method includes preparing a forward osmosis membrane having a first surface and a second surface, and contacting the first surface of the membrane with the object solution and contacting the second surface with a liquid for collection. A substance having solidity is configured to exert a force for transferring the solvent in the object solution to the membrane, and disposed on the second surface of the membrane and/or dispersed in the liquid for collection to transfer the solvent in the object solution from the first surface to the liquid for collection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Kenji Sano, Hideyuki Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8241503
    Abstract: Disclosed is an economical process for the purification of water containing soluble and sparingly soluble inorganic compounds using single-stage or two-stage membrane processes that integrate membrane water purification with chemical precipitation softening and residual hardness and silica removal from the membrane concentrates using ion exchange resins and silica sequestering media, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Riad Al-Samadi
  • Publication number: 20120193288
    Abstract: An organic oil boom is a method for containing pollution floating on water or the sea. The invention describes a method that makes it possible to isolate pollution as, for example, oil, from the surrounding environment. Spraying a viscous liquid such as an alginate or chitosan solution over and around the oil results in isolation of the oil from the seawater as the mixture has a density that is lighter than seawater and heavier than oil. To isolate the oil also from the air, a gas is added so that the density of the mixture is lower than the density of the oil. The addition of a multivalent cation solution such as calcium ions will, under the right pH conditions, polymerise the viscous liquid, thus forming a solid polymer film which surrounds the oil and isolates it from the surrounding environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventor: Ingmar Hogoy
  • Publication number: 20120175303
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for purifying water containing soluble species capable of forming one or more sparingly soluble salts or minerals, said process comprising feeding a pressurized water stream into a treatment zone having one or more membranes disposed therein, passing said stream along said membrane(s) to recover a permeate and to withdraw a concentrate therefrom while periodically reversing the direction of the flow of said stream in said treatment zone, wherein the periodicity of the flow reversal is such that said one or more membranes are exposed to supersaturation conditions evolving in said water stream for a period of time which is less then the time required for said supersaturated water stream to precipitate one or more of said sparingly soluble salts and/or minerals therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
    Inventors: Jack GILRON, Eliyahu KORIN
  • Patent number: 8216627
    Abstract: A processes is provide herein for converting waste bio-product pomace to useful bio-product extracts. The process includes the steps of forming a mixture of water as a solvent and a specified quantity of the waste bio-product pomace. Then optionally adding a suitable quantity of citric acid to the water/waste bio-product mixture. Then heating waste bio-product pomace/water mixture to an elevated temperature below the boiling point of water. Then optionally adding a suitable quantity of sodium metabisulfite to the heated waste bio-product pomace/water mixture Then stirring heated waste bio-product pomace/water mixture for a suitable time to disperse the waste bio-product uniformly in the water solvent. Then cooling the stirred, heated waste bio-product pomace/water mixture to a suitable lower temperature at a rate of about 60° C. per hour. Then removing solids from the stirred waste bio-product pomace/water mixture. Then clarifying the cooled stirred water/waste bio-product mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Richard F. Ablett
  • Publication number: 20120168375
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of circular use of waste brine produced in the manufacture process of MDI, comprising the following steps: (1) the waste brine produced in the manufacture process of MDI is subjected to a high-gravity extraction and then to a column extraction, wherein said waste brine contains aniline, diaminodiphenylmethane and polyamine; (2) the waste brine from step (1) is transmitted to a stripping tower for steam stripping; (3) the waste brine from the stripping tower of step (2) and a chemical oxidant are transmitted to an oxidation reactor to which air is blown for aeration; (4) the waste brine after the treatment of step (3) is transmitted to an absorption tower for absorption. The invention makes the salt water have TOC of less than 8 ppm and TN of less than 2.5 ppm and achieves regeneration of resources in the waste brine such as sodium chloride and water and the like for circular use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicants: Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Ningbo Polyurethanes Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hongke Zhang, Weiqi Hua, Xiaogao Liu, Zhenhua Zhao, Shuchang Sun, Jiansheng Ding, Jianfeng Chen, Pengyuan Zhang, Haikui Zou, Guangwen Chu, Limin Xu
  • Patent number: 8211307
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing algae are described in which a hydrophilic ionic liquid is used to lyse algae cells. The lysate separates into at least two layers including a lipid-containing hydrophobic layer and an ionic liquid-containing hydrophilic layer. A salt or salt solution may be used to remove water from the ionic liquid-containing layer before the ionic liquid is reused. The used salt may also be dried and/or concentrated and reused. The method can operate at relatively low lysis, processing, and recycling temperatures, which minimizes the environmental impact of algae processing while providing reusable biofuels and other useful products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Streamline Automation, LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey Chew, Alton J. Reich, H. Waite H. Dykes, Jr., Roberto Di Salvo
  • Patent number: 8211314
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes using the naturally present dissolved chemicals as precipitants from local water sources to form an adsorbent and a process of purifying the water using natural resources. The adsorbent may be processed at the right pH and temperature to purify and remove heavy metals from waste water. Once the heavy metals are removed the concentration of the heavy metals are estimated in the reusable water. The local authority acceptable level heavy metal containing reusable water is reclaimed for non-human consumption. This disclosure enables to conserve water and provide a cheap and an effective method to decontaminate industrial waste water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology “KACST”
    Inventor: Saad A Al-Jlil
  • Publication number: 20120160769
    Abstract: A method of water treatment comprising: providing an electrolysis device comprising an electrolysis vessel; providing feed streams to the first salt water chamber of the vessel, second salt water chamber of the vessel, acidic chamber of the vessel, and alkalic chamber of the vessel, the acidic chamber producing an acidic solution and the alkalic chamber producing an alkalic solution; directing at least a portion of the contents of the first and second salt water chambers into a precipitation tank; directing at least a portion of the alkalic solution into the precipitation tank, thereby increasing the pH in the precipitation tank to produce precipitate; and removing the precipitate from the precipitation tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Caroline Chihyu Sui, Caibin Xiao, Hai Yang
  • Publication number: 20120164199
    Abstract: This disclosure provides novel compositions comprising an inorganic and organic compound, which provides a means for the indirect attachment of a reactive species, such as an organic reactive molecule, within a binder polymer matrix. Such compositions provide a hydrophilic nanoscale domain that is uniformly dispersed within the polymer matrix. The nanoscale domain comprises inorganic particles having a nanoscale dimension. Such compositions can enhance the performance potential of the re-active species within the polymer material. The polymer composite that results from the introduction of such reactive species into a polymer matrix provides a self-decontaminating feature. The reactive species include those that are capable of associating with a halogen to form a complex that is active in decontamination of chemical or biological agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Isotron Corporation
    Inventors: Henry LOMASNEY, Christina Lomasney, John Grawe
  • Patent number: RE43838
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for isolating constituents from organic material, comprising the following process steps: a) freeze-drying of the organic material; b) extracting the constituents with a polar solvent or solvent mixture (A) and an organic solvent or solvent mixture (B), it being possible for the extracts of the extraction with (A) and (B) to form one phase; c) combining the extracts (A) and (B) to give one phase; and d) carrying out an esterification/transesterification in the unpolar phase with an alcohol, the esterification/transesterification being carried out in the presence of a volatile acid; the process being a high-throughput process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Metanomics GmbH
    Inventors: Michael M. Herold, Martin Dostler, Ralf Looser, Tilmann B. Walk, Achim Fegert, Martin Kluttig, Britta Lehmann, Silke Klein, Annette Hennig, Joachim Kopka