By Making An Insoluble Substance Or Accreting Suspended Constituents Patents (Class 210/665)
  • Patent number: 11977166
    Abstract: An optical system, a method and an apparatus for diagnosing the optical system are provided. The optical system includes a laser sensor, and a tubular sleeve surrounding the laser sensor and configured to move upwards or downwards relative to the laser sensor to cover or expose the laser sensor. The method includes: driving the tubular sleeve to cover the laser sensor to form an enclosed chamber; filling the enclosed chamber with fluid; controlling at least one of the one or more transmitters to emit an optical signal into the fluid; controlling at least one of the one or more receivers to detect a scattered signal of the optical signal; determining whether the at least one of the one or more transmitters or the at least one of the one or more receivers has a fault based on the scattered signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: WERIDE CORP.
    Inventor: Ji Yoon Chung
  • Patent number: 11517531
    Abstract: Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs) have been proven to exhibit antioxidant properties attributed to its surface oxidation states (Ce4+ to Ce3+ and vice versa) mediated at the oxygen vacancies on the surface of CNPs. Different anions in precursor cerium salts were used to prepare CNPs resulting in disclosed CNPs with varying physicochemical properties such as dispersion stability, hydrodynamic size, and the signature surface chemistry. The antioxidant catalytic activity and oxidation potentials of different CNPs have been significantly altered with the change of anions in the precursor salts. For one, CNPs prepared using precursor salts containing NO3? and Cl? ions exhibited increased antioxidant activity than previously thought possible. The change in oxidation potentials of CNPs with the change in concentration of the nitrate and chloride ions indicates the disclosed CNP's have different surface chemistry and antioxidant properties. These compositions and methods of their synthesis are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Sudipta Seal, Swetha Barkam, Amitava Adhikary
  • Patent number: 11353238
    Abstract: A system and method for the treatment and disposal of condensate, particularly acidic combustion condensate, are provided. A neutralizer connected with respect to a condensate flow can be used to treat the condensate flow to provide a supply of neutralized condensate to a transfer chamber. Neutralized condensate can be conveyed from the transfer chamber to an ultrasonic atomizer such as via capillary action by way of a wicking assembly. The ultrasonic atomizer is used to produce an atomized neutralized condensate that can be directly discharged or released at a controlled rate, decoupled from condensate generation, and appropriately disposed or utilized (e.g., humidification).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: GAS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Aleksandr Fridlyand, Daniel Suchorabski, Paul Glanville
  • Patent number: 11346093
    Abstract: Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) events require certain minimum treatment, before discharge, according to EPA regulations. However, these events are infrequent, and CSO treatment systems remain idle most of the time. Tertiary filtration is typically used to polish off the secondary treated water in order to remove suspended matter, phosphorous, etc. Tertiary systems are usually designed to handle design flows and remain active most of the time. These are two independent unit operations requiring major capital investment and operational expense. According to this invention an interchangeable system is able to switch a tertiary treatment reactor back and forth between two applications ensuring seamless operation, smooth transition and significant cost savings for treatment facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Ovivo Inc.
    Inventors: Hiren Trivedi, Michael Snodgrass
  • Patent number: 11339075
    Abstract: A treatment solution and method for removing heavy metal contaminants and oxyanion contaminants from an aqueous solution by promoting the affinity of precipitating the contaminants. The method adjusts the pH and the ORP of the contaminated aqueous solution by applying FeCl2 and/or NaOH reducing agents, and using and applying a titania-based treatment solution of TiO(SO4), H2SO4, and FeSO4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Graver Technologies LLC
    Inventors: James Knoll, Katie Henderson, Joshua L. Mertz
  • Patent number: 11180369
    Abstract: A renewable magnesium removing agent and its use in a preparation of a low-magnesium lithium-rich brine are provided. The magnesium removing agent includes a magnesium phosphate double salt of an alkali metal or ammonium. A regeneration of the magnesium removing agent is realized by adding the magnesium removing agent into Mg2+-containing chloride salt solution, wherein Mg2+ in the chloride salt solution and the magnesium removing agent are subjected to a magnesium removing reaction to form a solid-phase reaction product and carrying out a solid-liquid separation on an obtained mixed reaction product after the magnesium removing reaction is ended to separate the solid-phase material comprising a magnesium phosphate hydrate and then separating out a chlorine salt of the alkali metal or the ammonium from a remaining liquid-phase material, and finally carrying out a regeneration reaction on the magnesium phosphate hydrate and the chlorine salt of the alkali metal or the ammonium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: QINGHAI INSTITUTE OF SALT LAKES, CHINESE, ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Dongdong Li, Wu Li, Yaping Dong, Dandan Gao
  • Patent number: 11047022
    Abstract: In alternative embodiments, the invention provides processes and methods for the recovery, removal or extracting of, and subsequent purification of uranium from a wet-process phosphoric acid using a continuous ion exchange processing approach, where the uranium is recovered from a phosphoric acid, or a phos-acid feedstock using either a dual or a single stage extraction methodology. In both cases an intermediate ammonium uranyl-tricarbonate solution is formed. In alternative embodiments, in the dual cycle approach, this solution is contacted in a second continuous ion exchange system with a strong anion exchange resin then subsequently recovered as an acidic uranyl solution that is further treated to produce an intermediate uranyl peroxide compound which is ultimately calcined to produce the final uranium oxide product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: OCP S.A.
    Inventors: William W Berry, Thomas E. Baroody, Driss Dhiba, Mounir El Mahdi
  • Patent number: 11034596
    Abstract: Methods to separate or recover brine that is present in an invert emulsion are described. The brine is present as an internal phase in the invert emulsion. The brine can be a valuable component, such as an alkali metal formate, and separation and recovering of the brine from the invert emulsion permits the brine to be reused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: SINOMINE RESOURCES (US) INC.
    Inventors: Lauren J. Kaminski, Siv K. Howard, Ravi Sharma, Lukasz Grzybek
  • Patent number: 11005113
    Abstract: Solids can sometimes form in one or more electrolyte solutions during operation of flow batteries and related electrochemical systems. Over time, the solids can accumulate and compromise the integrity of flow pathways and other various flow battery components. Flow batteries configured for mitigating solids therein can include an autonomous solids separator, such as a lamella clarifier. Such flow batteries can include a first half-cell containing a first electrolyte solution, a second half-cell containing a second electrolyte solution, a first flow loop configured to circulate the first electrolyte solution through the first half-cell, a second flow loop configured to circulate the second electrolyte solution through the second half-cell, and at least one lamella clarifier in fluid communication with at least one of the first half-cell and the second half-cell. A hydrocyclone can be used as an alternative to a lamella clarifier in some instances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: LOCKHEED MARTIN ENERGY, LLC
    Inventors: John Goeltz, Thomas H. Madden
  • Patent number: 10960444
    Abstract: Treatment technology directed to using mine waste as a raw material to manufacture a mine filling product for use as a suitable precursor product or mine filling product to be used as a backfill material to close a mine. The precursor product or mine filling product retains its metals and is not be able to generate acidity. According to the disclosure, the precursor product or mine filling product, when placed in a mine, may also remove metals from mine fluids in the mine it contacts, and still retain the metals it hosted when it was a mine waste prior to it being used as a raw material to manufacture the precursor stowing backfill product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Inventors: Karl William Yost, William Simon, Richard Wayne Alexander
  • Patent number: 10781124
    Abstract: The method in the disclosure is achieved by chemically reacting diluted sulfuric acid generated when industrial sulfate titanium white powder production with a titanium raw material, and controlling an acid/titanium ratio and an iron/titanium ratio so as to produce the nano catalytic wastewater treatment agent. When being used for treatment of dyeing wastewater and other alkaline wastewater, by virtue of alkaline and dilution environment in wastewater, the nano catalytic wastewater treatment agent is subjected to self-fitting hydrolysist to produce a new ecological nano titanium dioxide ultrafine particle as a catalyst for decomposing organic matters in wastewater so as to decompose the organic matters into carbon dioxide and water; a decomposed and oxidized hydrated iron compound is used as a flocculation and adsorption nano particle, achieving the purpose of removing organic matters in wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Inventor: Jiazhu Gong
  • Patent number: 10603636
    Abstract: A multistage desalination process for treatment of seawater or salt wastewater. During initially processing the seawater or salt wastewater is treated to precipitate scaling minerals as phosphates including magnesium ammonium phosphate useful as a fertilizer. During the initial phase, ammonium phosphate and sodium phosphate are added to the seawater or salt wastewater followed by an addition of ammonia and a water-based charged solvent. After separating the precipitated solids, the cleaned seawater or salt wastewater is aerated and filtered to produce potable or otherwise usable water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Inventor: XiaoLing Cheng
  • Patent number: 10308528
    Abstract: A system for cleaning contaminants from a body of water includes a dam that restricts a flow of water in the body of water. The system also includes a generator that generates electric power from the body of water, and one or more electrodes that induce an electrocoagulation current upstream of the dam. A filter press then removes contaminants that are precipitated from the water of the body of water by the electrocoagulation current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: World Water Technologies, LLC.
    Inventors: James Morrow, Robert Herbst
  • Patent number: 10308537
    Abstract: Systems and methods related to the desalination of aqueous solutions containing one or more dissolved salts are generally described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Gradiant Corporation
    Inventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John, Mark Zaloudek, Anurag Bajpayee
  • Patent number: 10131325
    Abstract: A wiper assembly for a window of a vehicle and a method of cleaning a window are provided. The wiper assembly includes a wiper blade having a fluid extraction opening, a fluid discharge outlet remote from the wiper blade and a fluid tight conduit connecting the fluid extraction opening to the fluid discharge outlet. The wiper assembly may further include a suction pump configured to draw air and water into the fluid extraction opening and through the fluid tight conduit of the wiper assembly, thereby reducing the amount of water left of the window following wiping and improving visibility for the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: William Gerald Barr
  • Patent number: 10053375
    Abstract: Methods and systems for applying separation processes to a spent caustic stream are disclosed. Methods and systems for regenerating media utilized in spent caustic separation processes are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Kumfer, Andrea J. Larson, Chad L. Felch, Mark Clark
  • Patent number: 10023486
    Abstract: A ballasted sequencing batch reactor system for treating wastewater including one or more sequencing batch reactors. A weighting agent impregnation subsystem is configured to mix biological flocs and weighting agent to form weighted biological flocs. A weighting agent recovery subsystem is configured to recover weighting agent from the weighted biological flocs and reintroduce the recovered weighting agent to the weighting agent impregnation subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Steven E. Woodard
  • Patent number: 9969638
    Abstract: Water treatment systems and associated methods are generally described. Certain of the water treatment systems and methods described herein can be used to pre-treat an aqueous stream that is subsequently transported to a desalination apparatus and/or post-treat an aqueous stream that has been produced by a desalination apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Gradiant Corporation
    Inventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John
  • Patent number: 9903006
    Abstract: Methods of mercury decontamination are provided that include: contacting elemental mercury with a metal salt having a standard reduction potential sufficient to oxidize elemental mercury to an aqueous salt of mercury. In other aspects, methods of mercury decontamination are provided that include: contacting the metal surface with a solution comprising a metal salt having a standard reduction potential (E0) of greater than 0.85, thereby oxidizing a mercury contaminant to a soluble mercury salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignees: Oilfield Mineral Solutions Limited, M-I Drilling Fluids U.K. Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard Keatch
  • Patent number: 9620801
    Abstract: An ion exchanger configured to remove an impurity ion of a coolant for cooling a fuel cell, the ion exchanger includes an inflow portion having an inflow path where the coolant enters, a discharge portion having a discharge path for discharging the coolant, an outer casing having an upstream end where the inflow portion is provided and a downstream end where the discharge portion is provided, an inner casing housed inside the outer casing, an outer path formed between the inner casing and the outer casing to cause the inflow path and the discharge path to communicate with each other, and an inner path that is formed inside the inner casing to cause the inflow path and the discharge path to communicate with each other and is configured to enclose an ion exchange resin capable of removing an impurity ion of the coolant. The inner casing has a through-hole that causes the inner path end the outer path to communicate with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignees: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD., ROKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Takemoto, Satoshi Shirayanagi
  • Patent number: 9540258
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating, harvesting and primary dewatering microalgae biomass from a microalgae solution by destabilization thereof with addition of kinetic energy thereto is disclosed. The method to overcome the energetic barrier preventing a fluid-solid separation comprises injecting the microalgae solution in an electrolytic system comprising an electrocoagulation reactor generally comprising an anode module and a cathode module, the anodes and the cathode(s) being adapted to be electrically connected to perform electrolysis, thus separating, harvesting and primary dewatering microalgae biomass. Such process is generally achieved by providing a DC electric current, between the anodes and the cathode(s), to perform the separation of the biomass in the solution, in preparation the following process steps of for liquid/solid separation and primary dewatering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: E2METRIX INC.
    Inventors: Mohamed Laaroussi, Ihsen Ben Salah, Mathieu Filion, Abderrazak Berrak
  • Patent number: 9505639
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus of embodiments of the invention relate to treating water including contacting a liquid stream with a source comprising inorganic and/or divalent ions and separating the stream into an effluent and a fluid comprising less sulfate than the stream, wherein the effluent comprises more sulfate and more inorganic and/or divalent ions than the stream. Methods and apparatus relate to treating water including a reaction unit comprising an inlet for feed fluid and an inlet for inorganic and/or divalent ions and a separator unit comprising an inlet for output from the reaction unit, an outlet for effluent, and an outlet for fluid comprising less sulfate than the feed fluid. Some embodiments include introducing the fluid comprising less sulfate than the stream into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: M. Fazrie B. A. Wahid
  • Patent number: 9233863
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to methods and rare earth-containing additives for removing target materials in the form of hydroxides, carbonates, hydrates, or oxyhydroxyls from, a typically aqueous, liquid medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Molycorp Minerals, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Cable, Carl Hassler, John Burba
  • Patent number: 9169137
    Abstract: A filtering system with electrolytic action and method is disclosed which is adapted for filtering the water in swimming pools, spas, saunas, hot tubs, whirlpools and the like with circulatory flow or single-flow. The filtering system may include a pump for drawing water from a body of water and circulating this water through an electrolytic filter including a layer of electrolytic filter media of dissimilar metal particles or granules and returning this filtered water to the body of water. The filtering system not only removes sand and sediment but also prevents algae and fungus growth, kills bacteria, and eliminates the need for adding chlorine, bromine, and algaecide to the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Inventor: Richard Ray Hackett
  • Patent number: 9079787
    Abstract: A method for recovering demineralized water from zirconium-containing rinse water having a pH lower than 6.0, wherein a) the rinse water has added to it an aqueous solution of Ca(OH)2 containing no more than 0.1 wt % undissolved Ca(OH)2, in a quantity such that the pH of the rinse water rises to a value in the range from 6.2 to 8.0, b) a precipitate that forms is separated from the rinse water, and c) the rinse water from which the precipitate was removed in step b) is subjected to an ion exchange method or to reverse osmosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Jan-Willem Brouwer, Jens Krömer
  • Publication number: 20150136704
    Abstract: Radioactive strontium is efficiently removed from wastewater containing radioactive strontium. In a treatment method for radioactive strontium-containing wastewater, wastewater containing radioactive strontium and a powdery alkali metal titanate are mixed in a stirrer-equipped reaction tank by stirring such that radioactive strontium in the wastewater is adsorbed on the powdery alkali metal titanate, followed by subjecting the powdery alkali metal titanate having radioactive strontium adsorbed thereon to solid-liquid separation. The radiation dose of treated water can be effectively reduced in such a manner that a powder of an alkali metal titanate is directly added to radioactive strontium-containing wastewater and is dispersed therein and therefore radioactive strontium is efficiently removed by adsorption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Koichi Mori, Satoshi Yamada, Nobuki Itoi, Hiroyoshi Mori, Toshiki Gotou
  • Patent number: 8999172
    Abstract: A system is provided for removal of undesirable dissolved substances from solutions containing two or more dissolved substances to produce one or more new solutions suitable for beneficial use. The system utilizes amphoteric media in a treatment cycle where dissolved substances from the concentrated solution are first adsorbed by the media and subsequently rinsed with water to desorb and collect the dissolved substances sequentially into dilute effluent streams the substances are either aggregated or segregated based upon differences in relative concentrations of dissolved substances that is a result of differences in the affinity of the media for the dissolved substances. One or more of the dilute effluent streams are treated with a desalination process to recover water for media rinse and to concentrate the separated dissolved substances to facilitate beneficial use or disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Global Water Advisors, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph E. Zuback
  • Publication number: 20150076061
    Abstract: A process for treating coking wastewater contains the steps of passing the coking wastewater in such an order through coagulation, particles removal, and ion-exchange resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicants: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, ROHM AND HAAS COMPANY
    Inventors: Chad J. Cai, Jenny Z. Zhang, Zhaohui Yan, Xianrui Wang
  • Patent number: 8974676
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to treating fluid to at least reduce selenium content within the fluid. The treating includes conditioning stages to alter a composition of the fluid prior to removal of the selenium content from the fluid. The composition of the fluid after the conditioning stages facilitates the removal of the selenium content or at least limits detrimental impact to selenium removal efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Hughes, Charles J. Lord, III, Bruce B. Randolph, Joe B. Cross, Sumod Kalakkunnath, Mike K. Corbett, Roger K. Goenner, Larry E. Reed
  • Patent number: 8974674
    Abstract: A method for producing an ammonium tungstate aqueous solution includes the steps of: adding sulfuric acid to a solution containing tungstate ions; bringing the solution having the sulfuric acid added therein, into contact with an anion exchange resin; and bringing the anion exchange resin into contact with an aqueous solution containing ammonium ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignees: National University Corporation Nagoya University, A.L.M.T. Corp., Sumitomo Electric Hardmetal Corp., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Ito, Takeshi Itakura, Yoshiharu Yamamoto, Kazuo Sasaya, Takuya Okuno, Fumiatsu Sato, Syunsuke Yamanaka, Akihiko Ikegaya
  • Publication number: 20150034558
    Abstract: Electrocoagulation effluent treatment apparatus and methods are disclosed, the apparatus including a primary electrocoagulation reactor chamber having treatment electrodes maintained therein and an effluent inlet and treated effluent outlet. An integrated flotation chamber is located above the reaction chamber, a vacuum device connectable with a vacuum source being received in the flotation chamber and including a foam intake and an output. A sludge chamber is defined below and integrated with the primary reaction chamber and has a settled sludge output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicants: Rockwater Resource, LLC
    Inventors: Reginald A. Wiemers, Robert Kohlheb
  • Publication number: 20150008186
    Abstract: A process removes radioactive contamination from wastewater obtained in the decontamination of a cooling circuit of nuclear reactors or of parts thereof or in the course of operation of a nuclear reactor. A MnO2 precipitate is exclusively produced in the wastewater with the aid of permanganate ions added thereto as an oxidizing agent and of one or more organic reducing agents present in and/or metered into the wastewater, and the MnO2 precipitate is separated from the wastewater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: LUIS SEMPERE-BELDA, RAINER GASSEN, BERTRAM ZEILER, JOSE PEDRO MOREIRA DO AMARAL
  • Patent number: 8916049
    Abstract: The processing method for a mixture according to the present invention is a method for processing a mixture having first particles made of a magnetic material or a nonmagnetic material and second particles made of a magnetic material or a nonmagnetic material wherein the second particles are mixed in a fluid medium containing the first particles, and comprises a dispersion step of dispersing aggregates of the first particles and the second particles present in the mixture, and a magnetic separation step of providing the first particles and second particles with a magnetic force a of different magnitudes by applying a magnetic field to the mixture in parallel with or after the dispersion step, thereby separating the first particles and the second particles from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignees: Osaka University, Ube Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigehiro Nishijima
  • Publication number: 20140367335
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for the removal of mercury and selenium from sulfate-containing waste water. The method may include the following steps: a) a mercury- and selenium-contaminated waste water with a known sulfate concentration is provided, b) barium sulfate (BaSO4) is precipitated from the provided waste water by the addition of a predefined amount of Ba2+ ions to the waste water, c) BaSO4 (if necessary together with other solids) is separated obtaining a low-solid waste water, d) the low-solid waste water is fed to an ion exchanger for the removal of mercury obtaining a waste water with a reduced mercury content, e) selenium and/or selenium compounds are removed from the waste water with the reduced mercury content and f) a sulfate-containing solution or solid is added to the waste water with a reduced selenium and/or selenium compound content in order to precipitate barium sulfate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Luis Fernando Piedra-Garza, Thomas Lauer, Magdalena Hilger
  • Publication number: 20140346114
    Abstract: Flow and product waste water from fracturing can be cleaned and reused utilizing a precipitation methodology incorporating, in part, a super critical reactor 30. Initially, the waste water is treated to remove solids, destroy bacteria, and precipitate out certain salts, such as barium, strontium, calcium, magnesium and iron. The waste water then can be passed through a radioactive material adsorption unit 20 to remove radium, as well as other radioactive materials, and then introduced into the super critical reactor 30. The super critical reactor is designed to bring the waste water to super critical conditions at a central portion of the reactor. This causes any dissolve solids, in particular sodium chloride and the like, to precipitate out of solution in the center 42 of the reactor 30 thereby avoiding scale formation on the walls of the reactor. A catalyst can be utilized to promote the breakdown of carbon bonds and promote the water/gas shift reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: Jason Patrick Trembly
  • Patent number: 8889011
    Abstract: A method of removal of oil slicks or spills floating on the surfaces of bodies of water is disclosed in which, unlike the traditional methods, a floatable or a non-floatable oil-absorbing substance is pumped into the water under the oil-spill layer. The pumped substance will reach and lie under the oil-spill layer and cannot be blown away by wind or other causes during or after dispersion of the substance. After application of the substance, the oil layer may be naturally or mechanically agitated to facilitate formation of a removable mixture of oil and the substance. In various embodiments, after the removal of the oil-substance mixture, the oil may be separated from the mixture and be reused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventor: Roger Lee Corn
  • Patent number: 8877690
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: ProChemTech International, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Edward Keister
  • Publication number: 20140319059
    Abstract: Provided herein is a method for reducing down-time in a recreational body of water having a water filtering system and water recirculation system after a potential release of Cryptospridium oocyst and/or Giardia cysts. Also described is a kit for practicing the method for reducing down-time in a recreational body of water that may have a potential release of Cryptospridium oocyst and/or Giardia cysts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Joseph Unhoch
  • Publication number: 20140263070
    Abstract: Methods and systems for removing leukocytes from a biological fluid are disclosed. The methods and systems include a device that has a magnetic substrate coated with one or more polymeric materials that have an adhesion or adsorption affinity for leukocytes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Mizobuchi, Bruce Perry
  • Publication number: 20140263072
    Abstract: A process for removing suspended particles and at least one ionic species from a feed water stream to produce a product water stream, the process includes the steps of forming agglomerates of the suspended particles in the feed water stream; passing the feed water stream containing agglomerated particles through a bed of particulate sorbent material so as to sorb the ionic species from the feed water onto the sorbent to provide a loaded sorbent and filter the agglomerated particles from the feed water using the bed of particulate sorbent material as a filtration medium to load the bed with the agglomerated particles, and thereby produce the product water stream; removing the filtered particles and the ionic species from the filtration medium; and re-using the regenerated sorbent in step b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Clean TeQ Holdings Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter Voigt, Nikolai Zontov, John Carr
  • Publication number: 20140151296
    Abstract: Systems and methods for removing organic contaminants from water may be used, for example, to treat produced water from a steam assisted heavy oil recovery operation. The treated produced water may be re-used to create steam. Alternatively, the produced water may be a blowdown stream treated to facilitate further treatment in a thermal crystallizer. The treatments may include pH adjustment or separating de-solubilized organics or both. Other treatments may include one or more of oxidation, sorption and biological treatments. The treatments may be used alone or in various combinations. One exemplary combination includes reducing the pH of produced water, separating de-solubilized organics from the produced water, and oxidizing the produced water or contacting the produced water with activated carbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian Christopher MOORE, Hope MATIS, William Leonard KOSTEDT, IV, David M. POLIZZOTTI, Matthew Alan PETERSEN, Jeffrey Lynn SCHWORM, Anthony Yu-Chung KU
  • Publication number: 20140116948
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to systems and methods for removal of contaminants from water including, but not limited to, industrial wastewater, brackish water, municipal wastewater, drinking waters, and particularly waters obtained from fracking operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventor: Stanley M. MEYER
  • Publication number: 20140116947
    Abstract: An immiscible lipophilic or hydrophilic liquid phase separated respectively from a continuous hydrophilic phase or a lipophilic phase liquid. Fibers having hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties are formed into a filter. The separation mechanism involves capture of small droplets of the immiscible phase, coalescence of the small droplets into larger droplets as the immiscible liquid flows through the fiber filter, and release of the large immiscible droplets from the filter. Regarding separation of a hydrophilic immiscible fluid such as water in a lipophilic continuous fluid such as oil, the hydrophobic fibers cause small water droplets to migrate towards the hydrophilic fibers whereby large droplets form on hydrophilic surface. The large droplets stay on hydrophilic fiber surface for extended periods of time and continue to coalescence until they are so large that they can no longer be maintained by the hydrophilic fibers and are released and drained off of the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
    Inventors: George Chase, Prashant Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 8709259
    Abstract: The present invention is a wastewater treatment method using dried BOF slag and hydrogen peroxide, wherein hydrogen peroxide is oxidized to generate hydroxyl radicals that reacts with soluble metal contaminants in the sludge such that these contaminants can be adsorb on the catalyst particles and/or eliminated from the wastewater stream by separation techniques. The process can use catalytic oxidation for soluble metals removal. In addition, catalytic oxidation can produce a filtered water saturated with Oxygen and higher in pH resulting in enhanced precipitation of soluble metals when softening agents, such as Sodium Carbonate, are added in a subsequent processing step. Another embodiment of the present invention is a method using ferrous sulfate for removing soluble metals in wastewater, followed by Catalytic Oxidation to remove soluble Fe without addition of metal salts, and removing sulfates by adding Barium Carbonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventor: Frederick Douglas, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8691096
    Abstract: Novel filter elements for sequestering acids from oil or fuel, the strong base flocs that comprise the filter elements, and methods of their preparation and use are disclosed. The filter elements comprise a mechanically linked interlocking fiber matrix interspersed with strong base particle flocs wherein the strong base particles constitute at least 30% by weight of the filter element. Certain filter elements may be useful for sequestering acids or neutralized acids in certain oils or fuels, for example, the acids originating in the combustion and lubrication system of an internal combustion engine or those contained in oils in an oil circulation system. Other filter elements may be useful for reducing oxidation of an oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Lutek, LLC
    Inventors: Scott P. Lockledge, Darrell W. Brownawell
  • Publication number: 20140054507
    Abstract: Processing of wet biomass feedstock by liquid-phase catalytic hydrothermal gasification must address catalyst fouling and poisoning. One solution can involve heating the wet biomass with a heating unit to a pre-treatment temperature sufficient for organic constituents in the feedstock to decompose, for precipitates of inorganic wastes to form, for preheating the wet feedstock in preparation for subsequent removal of soluble sulfate contaminants, or combinations thereof. Processing further includes reacting the soluble sulfate contaminants with cations present in the feedstock material to yield a sulfate-containing precipitate and separating the inorganic precipitates and/or the sulfate-containing precipitates out of the wet feedstock. Having removed much of the inorganic wastes and the sulfate contaminants that can cause poisoning and fouling, the wet biomass feedstock can be exposed to the heterogeneous catalyst for gasification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicants: GENIFUEL CORPORATION, BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Douglas C. Elliott, James R. Oyler
  • Publication number: 20140048488
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for treatment of industrial waste water and/or marine vessel bilge water before discharge into waterways, said waste water having hydrocarbon, and synthetic oils, chemical or surfactant based hydrocarbon emulsions, and water soluble hydrocarbons, containing hydrocarbon coated organics and fine suspended particulate matter, said treatment utilizing a hydrocarbon sorbing pre-filter media together with filter structural elements to first remove hydrocarbon contaminated organics and particulate, coalesce then bifurcate and adsorb heavier hydrocarbon elements; the remaining liquid entering the second stage of filtration wherein a cryogenically pulverized recycled tire powder material removes the remaining hydrocarbons, synthetic oils, hydrocarbon emulsions, and water soluble hydrocarbons, providing a highly clarified and oil free effluent at high flow rates and with substantially reduced filter system maintenance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventor: Craig A. Mason
  • Publication number: 20140038266
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing an oil absorbent composition. The method comprises heating and then de-mineralising a precursor plant material under conditions suitable to produce an oil absorbent composition comprising charcoal. The invention extends to oil absorbent compositions per se, such as charcoal-based compositions, and to various uses of the compositions for efficiently and rapidly absorbing spilled oil, for example from water surfaces, or from bituminous sands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: The Forestry Commission
    Inventors: Franciscus Antonius Anna Maria De Leij, James Stratford, Tony Hutchings
  • Publication number: 20140014586
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for removing an oxidizable target contaminant from a fluid, and methods for their use. In embodiments, these systems and methods include an oxidizing agent, wherein adding the oxidizing agent to the oxidizable target contaminant forms an oxidized species that precipitates as an insoluble precipitate in the fluid; a substrate that forms a removable complex with the insoluble precipitate, thereby sequestering the oxidizable contaminant, and a removal system for removing the removable complex from the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: David S. Soane, Robert P. Mahoney, Ian Slattery
  • Publication number: 20140014584
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and method for wastewater purification. The system may include a sludge filtration unit, a screen filtration unit, a multi-media filtration unit, and a soluble hydrocarbon filtration unit. The sludge filtration unit may remove impurities from wastewater. Impurities include hydrocarbons, suspended solids, and/or dissolved solids. The screen filtration unit may remove impurities from the wastewater. The multi-media filtration unit may remove impurities from the wastewater. The soluble hydrocarbon filtration unit may remove impurities from the wastewater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Steven Wayne Cone, Robert Wayne Hayes