Utilizing Activated Carbon Patents (Class 210/694)
  • Publication number: 20080142449
    Abstract: A module enabling individual adaptation by the user to the respective task in the treatment of fluids using housings and connections of existing filtration devices without any modification is described. The module comprises one or more cells stacked one on top of the other, each of these having at least one opening, the opening of the cell or the similar openings of the cells together forming at least one channel for feeding or discharging the fluid to be treated. Each cell has two flat, porous components delimiting an inner space and designed for passage of the fluid therethrough, the inner space or spaces being connected to the channel. The inner space of the cell or cells contains at least partially a treatment material for the fluid. The method for manufacturing such a module makes provision for a treatment material to be introduced with a carrier fluid into the cells through the channel provided for feeding the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: PALL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wolfgang Diemer, Klaus Figgle, Klaus Feifel
  • Patent number: 7374687
    Abstract: A decolorization treatment method in which not only can a liquid that has been obtained by treating raw water that is stock-raising treatment water in a purifier tank be decolorized swiftly with simple equipment, but moreover the treatment water can be purified to an extent that reuse as a washing liquid or the like is possible. The method of decolorizing stock-raising treatment water comprises adding ferric polysulfate and a nonionic or anionic organic coagulant to a filtrate that has been obtained by treating raw water that is stock-raising treatment water in a purifier tank, and agitating the obtained product to bring about reaction and thus separate into solid and liquid components, and removing the solid component. Preferably, a two-stage reaction is carried out in which the ferric polysulfate is added and agitation is carried out to bring about reaction, and then the nonionic or anionic organic coagulant is added thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: IK Shoji Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Isamu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7361279
    Abstract: Removing metals from metal containing acidic solutions, such as contaminated waters and industrial wastewaters, is described. An amphipathic, heterocyclic, metal-coordinating compound (an extraordinaiy ligand) and a sorbent are added to a solution, such that the addition, at a specific acidic pH of the solution, causes at least some of the metal-coordinating compound to bind with some of the metal cations and at least some of the metal-coordinating compound sorbs to the sorbent, along with any metal cations bound therewith. The compound and the sorbent may be added to the solution, either together or independently, so that the compound may bind the metal. The metal binding compound may be a benzotriazole, a benzothiazole, or another compound to bind a metal. The sorbent is selected to interact with the metal-coordinating compound in sequestering the metal from solution as part of a complexation. Thereafter, the ligand-metal complex may be removed from the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Inventors: Mark Hernandez, Muna Ahmed Abu-Dalo
  • Patent number: 7361280
    Abstract: This application discloses a method for enhanced removal of chloramines from a chloramines-containing fluid media by contacting said media with a catalytic activated carbon characterized by having present in the graphene structure of the carbon from 0.01 to 10 wt % of aromatic nitrogen species. The catalytic activated carbons used in the present invention may be prepared from carbon materials that have been contacted or otherwise exposed to ammonia, with or without simultaneous exposure to an oxygen-containing vapor or gas at temperatures above 700° C. and, preferably, are in the form of a solid carbon block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventor: Frederick Stanley Baker
  • Publication number: 20080078721
    Abstract: A process for treating water is provided where the water is mixed with an inorganic reagent powder such as powder activated carbon. Organics and micropollutants are absorbed by the reagent powder. After the reagent powder has been mixed with the water, the water is directed to a setting tank and sludge from the water settles to produce a clarified effluent. Forming a part of the sludge is the reagent powder previously added. Sludge is collected and directed to a separator that separates the reagent powder from the sludge. Separated reagent powder is recycled and mixed with the water being treated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Patrick Binot, Abdelkader Gaid, Pascal Roche
  • Publication number: 20080073290
    Abstract: Treatment of n-wetted or low moisture activated carbon with a suitable quantity of carbon dioxide provides a material which, on contact with water, controls pH in treatment water. Use of this treated activated carbon in a water treatment system provides water having an essentially neutral pH which is immediately potable thereby eliminating the necessity to drain and dispose of any soak water. The contact pH of the treated carbon remains within the potable pH range for treatment of more than 100 bed volumes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: Calgon Carbon Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Anthony Ryan, Harry Sharrock
  • Publication number: 20080047902
    Abstract: Water purification media contain an activated carbon having at least one of specific a particle size, surface area, and porosity; and a microcrystalline and/or amorphous titanosilicate at least partially coating the activated carbon. Methods of making the media of microcrystalline and/or amorphous titanosilicate coated activated carbon involve contacting activated carbon with titanosilicate precursors. Methods of purifying water involve contacting water containing both heavy metals and volatile byproducts with the media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: BASF CATALYSTS LLC
    Inventors: Colin Beswick, Thomas Shaniuk
  • Patent number: 7332091
    Abstract: An insert for a storm water treatment system includes an elongated baffle member that is configured to be mounted within a substantially upright storm water drain basin so as to separate the interior space of the drain basin into a first compartment that communicates with an inlet opening of the drain basin and a second compartment that communicates with an outlet opening of the drain basin. A predetermined primary flow path is defined in the baffle number between the first and second compartments near a lower end of the baffle member. Treatment material is positioned, optionally in cartridge form, in a lower end of the second compartment so that storm water in the primary flow path will be directed through the treatment material in order to remediate possible contamination of the storm water. The system is designed in order to facilitate retrofitting of existing storm water drainage infrastructure and for original installation. A method of treating storm water is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Inventors: John Peters, Jr., John Markee
  • Patent number: 7311841
    Abstract: The invention concerns a water treatment method which consists in introducing coagulated water in a flocculation zone, to enable flocculation of microflocs in the presence and around a ballast; introducing the mixture in a decantation zone; separating the treated water in overflow and a mixture of sludge and the ballast in underflow; conveying at least part of said mixture to a sludge/ballast separating system and recycling into or upstream of the flocculation zone the ballast and part of the sludge introduced in said separation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: OTV SA S.A.
    Inventors: Patrick Binot, Claus Poulsen Dahl, Joseph Edward Zuback
  • Publication number: 20070284310
    Abstract: A method and system for treating a distilled ethanol or alcoholic spirit wherein the spirit is contacted with ozone and granular activated carbon in sequence to provide an ozonated distilled spirit product of improved purity, aroma, taste or character.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Johannes van Leeuwen, Rick Wood, Jacek A. Koziel
  • Patent number: 7303684
    Abstract: An economically viable process for the microwave destruction of contaminated water-based liquids, such as by chemical and biological agents, employs carbonaceous materials to enhance the efficiency of the microwaves while keeping the bulk temperature down to only a modest rise. A second absorption reactor is used not employing microwaves. The cyclic microwave use of both reactors allows high efficiency for the total process of destruction—adsorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Inventor: Chang Yul Cha
  • Patent number: 7300586
    Abstract: An activated carbon composition is disclosed, which includes an activated carbon and a carboxylic acid containing compound. The activated carbon composition is prepared by immersing an activated carbon in an aqueous solution of a carboxylic acid containing compound. The activated carbon composition is used for purifying aqueous solutions by providing a bed of the activated carbon composition and passing the aqueous solution through the bed of the activated carbon composition. The aqueous solution is passed through the bed such that the flow of the aqueous solution to be purified into the bed and the flow of purified aqueous solution from the bed has a pH differential less than ±1 pH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Envirotrol, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Roodman, Jack Smiley, J. Michael Havelka, Robert Scherrer
  • Patent number: 7276167
    Abstract: When a raw water to be filtered c is fed from a raw water tank 11 reservoiring a raw water (water to be treated) to a membrane module by a raw water pump P1, an activated carbon raw material supplied from an activated carbon tank is milled together with water to be mixed by a wet milling device, and added and mixed into the raw water tank as an aqueous suspension containing activated carbon fine particles having an average particle size of 0.1 ?m to 10 ?m, thus producing the raw water to be filtered (activated carbon-containing water to be treated). The raw water to be filtered (activated carbon-containing water to be treated) is filtered by the membrane module at a subsequent step, thereby obtaining a purified water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Mima, Nobuhiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 7258798
    Abstract: A package plant for treating raw water to yield potable water. The package plant includes an inlet for raw water, followed by an ozonator for disinfecting the water. Next is provided an up flow roughing filter including a chemically active layer, on top. A slow sand filter follows, which is sized and shaped to promote growth of a biomass for water purification. The up flow roughing filter removes particulates, contributes to the removal of dissolved organics, and protects the slow sand biomass by removing disinfection residuals. In another aspect a method of maintaining the plant is provided, including washing the up flow roughing filter by draining water down through it, providing a vigorous up flow to agitate the top layer, and then washing the slow sand filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: MS Filter Inc.
    Inventor: Robert LeCraw
  • Patent number: 7247240
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for treating waste water wherein organic and inorganic substances in waste water can be treated at high levels regardless of the concentration, and a unit itself can be made compact. The method of the invention is a method for treating waste water, which comprises treating waste water at 100° C. or less in the presence of oxygen and catalyst containing noble metal and active carbon and having pores, wherein the volume of pores having a radius of 40 ? or more and less than 100 ? is 0.05 ml/g or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaaki Hashimoto, Kuninori Miyazaki, Junichi Miyake, Tohru Ishii
  • Patent number: 7247241
    Abstract: Process for treating lipophilic fluids employing filters, more particularly, multifunctional filters that are capable of removing as well as adding components to lipophilic fluids being filtered are provided by the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Paul Amaat Raymond Gerard France, Arseni Valerevich Radomyselski, Dewey Edward Burton
  • Patent number: 7172701
    Abstract: A method of treating water including mixing the water with an inorganic powder reagent for reducing the content of organic matter. The water, after being mixed with the inorganic powder reagent, is subjected to a membrane separation step that produces blow off products that are then separated into two fractions: a first fraction containing a majority portion of the powder reagent in a first stream of water, and a second fraction containing a majority portion of inorganic matter not absorbed on the inorganic powder reagent rejected by the membrane separation step in a second stream of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: OTV SA S.A.
    Inventors: Abdelkader Gaid, Mickael Uyttewaal, Annie Tazi-Pain
  • Patent number: 7160468
    Abstract: A cooling system for a fuel cell system is provided with a circulation system including a circulation pump for circulating coolant, the coolant essentially consisting of water and glycol, a fuel cell connected to the circulation system so as to be cooled by the coolant, a heat exchanger connected to the circulation system so as to radiate heat from the coolant and a filter connected to the circulation system and configured to remove oxidation reaction product of the glycol from the coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventor: Tsutomu Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 7157001
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for treating wastewater from a sewer system including the steps of: (A) removing solids contained in the influent to create solids-depleted preliminary effluent (PrE) and to protect downstream systems from premature failure due to wear from solid particles; (B) removing suspended solids from the PrE to produce a suspended solids-depleted primary effluent (PE); (C) treating the PE biologically by exposing it to bacteria-supporting media that removes soluble organic material, thereby creating trickling filter effluent (TFE); (D) separating the bacterial organisms by settling to create a secondary effluent (SE); (E) subjecting the SE to tertiary treatment including granular activated carbon pressure filters to remove PCB's and other compounds and create a carbon filter effluent; (F) disinfecting the CFE to create a final effluent (FE); and (G) discharging the FE to a receiving environment, separately settling and disposing the backwash solids in a backwash clarifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Hubbell, Roth & Clark
    Inventor: Curt A. Christeson
  • Patent number: 7144512
    Abstract: A method of reclaiming a well completion brine solution by using an organic chelant that is capable of discriminating between (i) iron and non-zinc heavy metals; and (ii) calcium and zinc. The chelant contains a functional group selected from the group —CO2H or —PO(OH)R20 or a salt or ester thereof, —C(O)—, —OE, —SE, —N?C(R2)R3, EO—N?C(R2)R3, —N(R2)R3, and —N(C(O)R1)R2 group optionally substituted with a —COOH or —PO(OH)R20 or a salt or ester thereof, —SE or —OE group, wherein R2 and R3 are independently selected from E or forms, with nitrogen, phosphorous, oxygen or sulfur, a heterocyclic ring; E is R1 or —H; R1 is a C1–C30 alkyl or aralkyl group or a derivative thereof and R20 is —OH or R1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Qi Qu, Paul H. Javora, Joel L. Boles, Sandra L. Berry
  • Patent number: 7048862
    Abstract: A free radical solution producing apparatus, which comprises: a feed port (6) in which water is drawn, a dechlorination processing section (1) which produces first water by decomposing chlorine compounds in said water, a magnetic processing section (2) which produces second water by carrying out a process that applies a magnetic field to said first water, a radiation processing section (3) which produces third water by carrying out a process that irradiates a radiation to said second water, an ion exchange section (4) which produces fourth water by carrying out a process that performs an ion exchange for said third water, an electric field applying section (5) which produces fifth water by carrying out a process that applies a strong electric field to said fourth water, and a fifth water intake (7-5) from which said fifth water is obtained, produces water which has the effects of sterilizing and disinfection, and strong cleansing power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Waterware Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Fukui, Hiroaki Kamiya
  • Patent number: 7018541
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of removing a fluorinated surfactant from waste water comprising fluoropolymer particles. The method comprises (i) adding a non-fluorinated surfactant to the waste water (ii) contacting the thus obtained waste water with adsorbent particles to adsorb at least a portion of the fluorinated surfactant to the adsorbent particles and (iii) separating the waste water and the adsorbent particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Klaus Hintzer, Egon Obermaier, Werner Schwertfeger
  • Patent number: 7008543
    Abstract: A method of oxidation or pathogen inactivation in water supplies using the combination of treatments of chlorine dioxide and ozone in the sequential steps prior to filtration and distribution. Results indicate that the addition of chlorine dioxide before prezonation reduces the bromate formation and chlorine dioxide can be substituted for preoxidation with ozone, while maintaining the enhanced filtration effects observed from the presence of a preoxidant. A majority of the chlorite formed from reactions of chlorine dioxide with constituents in raw water are converted to chlorate by the following ozonation step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Contra Costa Water District
    Inventors: Dale Darrow Newkirk, Xuejun Zhou, Jeffrey John Neemann
  • Patent number: 6991731
    Abstract: The liquid effluent from solvent extraction contains radioactive thorium Th-231 and Th-234. This invention uses an ion exchange process to remove and concentrate the thorium. The process is designed so that the thorium remains on the ion exchange column until it decays to uranium and protactinium. These decay products are subsequently replaced by additional thorium. Therefore, the thorium never reaches break-through and the column can be used continuously without regeneration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Framatome ANP Inc.
    Inventor: Sydney Koegler
  • Patent number: 6991730
    Abstract: Methods for removing organolead compounds from aqueous and non-aqueous organolead compositions. The methods of the present invention include: providing aqueous or non-aqueous compositions including organolead compounds; ozonating the organolead compositions with ozone, wherein the organolead compounds are oxidized producing insoluble lead oxide polymers; contacting the aqueous or non-aqueous compositions including insoluble lead oxide polymers through activated carbon to remove the insoluble lead oxide polymers; filtering the aqueous or non-aqueous compositions including lead oxide polymers through at least one filtering means to remove the insoluble lead oxide polymers; and recovering the aqueous or non-aqueous compositions substantially free of organolead compounds and/or other unwanted contaminants or impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Kathleen A. Fallis
  • Patent number: 6991732
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the recovery of a fluorosurfactant present in an aqueous solution, in a gaseous effluent or in both involving a) obtaining an aqueous solution or gaseous effluent comprising 1 to 1,000 ppm of surfactant, b) removing any suspended solids, c) optionally concentrating the solution, d) passing the aqueous solution over a stationary bed of granular active charcoal such that all the surfactant is adsorbed without any solvents being adsorbed, e) halting the passage of the solution and gaseous effluent over the beds of activated charcoal which are eluted with a solution comprising a solvent and an inorganic acid, and then f) treating the solution recovered in stage e) to regenerate the fluorosurfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Arkema
    Inventor: Remi Le Bec
  • Patent number: 6989102
    Abstract: An alginate gel adsorbent to remove heavy metal ions according to the present invention is prepared by adding dropwisely 0.1-5 wt % alginate solution to a polyvalent cationic solution thereby cross-linking alginic acid with polyvalent cations. An alginate gel adsorbent containing activated carbon capable of simultaneously removing heavy metal ions and organotoxic materials, that is, activated carbon/alginate gel adsorbent, is prepared by adding dropwisely a mixed solution of 0.17-10 wt % of alginate and 0.1-10 wt % of activated carbon powder to a polyvalent cationic solution thereby cross-linking alginic acid with polyvalent cations in order to immobilize polyvalent cation to alginic acid containing activated carbon. The polyvalent cationic solution is selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride (CaCl2), strontium chloride (SrCl2), barium chloride (BaCl2) and aluminium chloride (AlCl3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung General Chemicals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Gyu Park, Kyung Hwa Kim, Myeong Yun Chae, Eu Gene Oh, Eun Yeol Lee
  • Patent number: 6982068
    Abstract: A method for oxidizing carbon adsorbable organic compounds in a controlled manner within a bed of activated carbon. The bed of activated carbon is exposed to a source of molecular oxygen, such as air, and is controlled within a temperature range whereby the molecular oxygen is slowly oxidizing the activated carbon. Under this controlled set of conditions, the activated carbon will oxidize organic compounds present within the bed of activated carbon. This technique has widespread versatility for the controlled destruction of organic vapors and liquids by activated carbon and applications for the regeneration of spent activated carbons containing previously adsorbed organic compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Inventor: Hugh Stanley McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 6946077
    Abstract: An activated carbon composition is disclosed, which includes an activated carbon and a carboxylic acid containing compound. The activated carbon composition is prepared by immersing an activated carbon in an aqueous solution of a carboxylic acid containing compound. The activated carbon composition is used for purifying aqueous solutions by providing a bed of the activated carbon composition and passing the aqueous solution through the bed of the activated carbon composition. The aqueous solution is passed through the bed such that the flow of the aqueous solution to be purified into the bed and the flow of purified aqueous solution from the bed has a pH differential less than ±1 pH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Envirotrol, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Roodman, Jack Smiley, J. Michael Havelka, Robert Scherrer
  • Patent number: 6878284
    Abstract: A method of treating water containing a nitrogen compound, and an apparatus of treating water containing a nitrogen compound at high speed without using a biologically unstable treatment causing eutrophication in lakes and swamps. The waste water is introduced into an adsorbing tank that is filled with a zeolite, only nitrogen components are adsorbed by the zeolite, a solution containing hypochlorous acid or hypobromous acid is introduced into the adsorbing tank, and the nitrogen adsorbed in the zeolite is decomposed by the hypochlorous acid or the hypobromous acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Hasegawa, Brahim Messaoudi, Toshiyuki Kamiya, Junji Hirotsuji
  • Patent number: 6863818
    Abstract: An apparatus using activated sludge for the removal of biological nutrients from a wastewater includes a bioreactor for containing a mixture of wastewater under treatment and activated sludge. The bioreactor is divided into a plurality of serially connected treatment zones and includes a wastewater inlet, a downstream aerobic zone and an upstream aerobic zone between the wastewater inlet and the downstream aerobic zone, the upstream and downstream aerobic zones being separated by an anoxic zone. A method for removal of nutrients from a wastewater includes providing a wastewater to an inlet of a serial, multi-zone, activated sludge bioreactor containing an activated sludge. The bioreactor has a downstream aerobic zone from which water is removed and an upstream aerobic zone between the wastewater inlet and the downstream aerobic zone, the upstream and downstream aerobic zones being separated by an anoxic zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: CH2M Hill, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen T. Daigger, Albert M. Wollmann, Sudhir N. Murthy, Edwin J. Fleischer, Thomas A. Broderick
  • Patent number: 6855173
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of absorbent materials for separating water from an emulsion comprising water and lipophilic fluid. The methods, systems, and compositions of the present invention expose the emulsion to absorbent materials such that water is absorbed out of the emulsion in order to facilitate the recovery of the lipophilic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Bruno Johannes Ehrnsperger, Paul Amaat France, Arseni V. Radomyselski, Jean Wevers
  • Patent number: 6821433
    Abstract: This is provided a water purification method using a filter capable of being molded into free shapes in which RB ceramics and/or CRB ceramics of 10 to 2,000 angstroms in pore diameter and 0.1 to 1.1 cm3/g in pore volume are used as an absorption and filtration material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Hokkirigawa, Motoharu Akiyama, Noriyuki Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 6818131
    Abstract: A system for the treatment of CMP wastewater, including wastewater from a copper CMP process. The wastewater treatment system includes a coagulant supply tank from which an FSC polymer coagulant is directed into a reaction tank that separately receives the untreated wastewater. The coagulant may be mixed with the untreated wastewater in selected ratios to provide a desired dosing quantity of the coagulant in the reaction tank. As the wastewater and the FSC polymer coagulant are mixed in the reaction tank, the coagulant flocs the slurry chemicals in the wastewater and removes the chemicals from solution in the wastewater as a precipitate before the wastewater is directed to a clarifier. The clarifier separates the flocked precipitate from the wastewater, and the flocked particles settle on the bottom of the clarifier to form a sludge. The sludge is re-distributed back into the clarifier to coagulate inert particles in the wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Max Sha, Howard Ting, Anderson Chen, Lung Chi Yang
  • Patent number: 6808624
    Abstract: An improved method for using replaceable filtration media in a rotatable drum. A plurality of media cartridges are installed on the rotatable drum. As the drum rotates, the media cartridges are alternately submerged and lifted from the water. The constant cycle of flooding, draining, and tumbling of the media provides excellent water filtration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventor: Joe Norris
  • Patent number: 6790364
    Abstract: A process for separation and environmentally benign disposal of amine borane complexes includes adsorbing amine borane complex onto a solid support, treating the adsorbed amine borane complex with an oxidizing agent in situ on the adsorbent thereby forming decomposition products without the formation of hydrogen gas, and collecting the decomposition products for disposal thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Qing Min Wang, Juzer Jangbarwala
  • Patent number: 6780329
    Abstract: A microporous diffuser includes a first elongated member including at least one sidewall having a plurality of microscopic openings. The sidewall defines an interior hollow portion of the member. The diffuser has a second elongated member having a second sidewall having a plurality of microscopic openings, the second member being disposed through the hollow region of the first member. The diffuser includes an end cap to seal a first end of the microporous diffuser and an inlet cap disposed at a second end of microporous diffuser for receiving inlet fittings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventor: William B. Kerfoot
  • Patent number: 6773598
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating groundwater or other water stream(s) contaminated with an oxygenate to degrade said oxygenate which comprises: a) inoculating a biodegrader capable of degrading said oxygenate on a packed activated carbon bed through a rigid tubular instrument having a plurality of holes in the part of the rigid tubular instrument used for inoculation of the carbon bed; and b) flowing said groundwater, or other water stream contaminated with said oxygenate through a structure having a top, bottom and sides and a predetermined volume containing said bed of activated carbon having said biodegrader inoculated thereon. and an apparatus for the same. The method is particularly effective for treating water contaminated with methyl t-butyl ether (MTBE) and/or t-butyl alcohol (TBA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Dallas Lea Byers, Charles Lee Meyer, Paul Ta-chin Sun, Joseph Patrick Salanitro
  • Patent number: 6770205
    Abstract: A method for pollutants using an iron-impregnated, carbon-coated silica sand with the iron containing between to and 16 percent silicon. The invention provides an improved method for performing remeditation of pollutants by dissolved metal reactions while minimizing interferences caused by oxide fouling from oxygen in the water or in the atmosphere. The invention further provides an inexpensive media with high surface area for adsorptive fixation and reductive treatment that yields higher than anticipated reaction kinetics utilizing only low concentrations of iron in the media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventors: David Lawrence Schroder, Daniel William Oberle, James R. Burns, Thomas Barton Cole
  • Publication number: 20040124152
    Abstract: This application discloses a method for enhanced removal of chloramines from a chloramines-containing fluid media by contacting said media with a catalytic activated carbon characterized by having present in the graphene structure of the carbon from 0.01 to 10 wt % of aromatic nitrogen species. The catalytic activated carbons used in the present invention may be prepared from carbon materials that have been contacted or otherwise exposed to ammonia, with or without simultaneous exposure to an oxygen-containing vapor or gas at temperatures above 700° C. and, preferably, are in the form of a solid carbon block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventor: Frederick Stanley Baker
  • Patent number: 6755973
    Abstract: A process and system for removing animal processing contaminants and fats, oils, and greases from large volume quantities of waste water. In the process, a waste water stream containing the contaminants is treated with a chemical oxidant, polymer compound and coagulant to create a particle having a diameter greater than 50 microns. Treated waste water is passed through a microfiltration membrane which physically separates the contaminant particle from the waste water. Commercially available microfiltration membranes having a pore size in the range of 0.5 micron to 10 microns may be used. The treated waste water flow rate through the microfiltration membranes can range from at least 200 gallons per square foot of membrane per day (“GFD”) to in excess of 750 GFD. Solids are removed from the membrane surface by periodically backflushing the microfiltration membranes and draining the filtration vessel within which the membranes are located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Water Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Donald Allen
  • Patent number: 6685839
    Abstract: In the field of biomass extraction, there is a need for effective removal of solvent from spent biomass material. An apparatus for removing solvent residues includes a vessel (11) for containing biomass; a steam source (19) for supplying steam to contact the biomass; and a separator (24) for separating solvent from steam that has contacted the biomass. The disclosure includes a method of use of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Ineos Fluor Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Stuart Corr, Paul A. Dowdle, Robert E. Low, James David Morrison, Frederick Thomas Murphy
  • Publication number: 20040011742
    Abstract: A portable water purification device is disclosed. The device is used to purify water for drinking and comprises a container which is portable and has an activated carbon, which can purify drinking water and is contained within the container. The purification device is directly placed into the dining water to facilitate and rapidly purify drinking water. All that is required to purify water is to place the device into the drinking water, and said device can easily be disposed of after use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventor: Nae-Wen Kuo
  • Publication number: 20040007524
    Abstract: The present invention provides a supported catalyst for in situ remediation of soil and/or groundwater contaminated with a halogenated hydrocarbon comprising an adsorbent impregnated with zero valent iron, wherein the adsorbent is capable of adsorbing the halogenated hydrocarbon. This invention further provides a bioremediation composition for in situ bioremediation of soil and/or groundwater contaminated with hydrocarbons, comprising an adsorbent capable of adsorbing said hydrocarbons, a mixture of facultative anaerobes capable of metabolizing said hydrocarbons under sulfate-reduction conditions, a sulfate-containing compound that releases sulfate over a period of time, and a nutrient system for promoting growth of said anaerobes, wherein said nutrient system includes a sulfide scavenging agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Scott Noland, Bob Elliott
  • Patent number: 6669849
    Abstract: The present invention relates to water treatment, in particular to a process for the removal of dissolved organic carbon from water. The process includes the following steps, adding an ion-exchange resin to water containing a contaminant such as dissolved organic carbon, dispersing the resin in the contaminated water to enable adsorption of the dissolved organic carbon onto the resin, and separating the resin loaded with contaminant from the water. In a preferred embodiment the process employs a magnetic ion-exchange resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Orica Australia Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Hung Van Nguyen, Donald Bruce Bursill, James Young Morran, Mary Drikas, Veronica Laurel Pearce
  • Patent number: 6663781
    Abstract: Contaminated water is treated by adsorbing contaminant onto a sorbent to concentrate the contaminant and then oxidizing the contaminant via the Fenton and related reactions. Iron is attached to the sorbent or can be added in solution with an oxidant. Both systems, iron attached to the sorbent or iron in solution, can be used to oxidize contaminants on or near the surface of the sorbent. The process can be used to treat contaminated water in above-ground and below-ground treatment systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignees: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, The University of Arizona
    Inventors: Scott G. Huling, Robert G. Arnold, Raymond A. Sierka
  • Patent number: 6660166
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of removing hormone(s) from a liquid, the method comprising contacting the liquid with a filter comprising activated carbon fibers. Also disclosed is an article of manufacture comprising (i) a filter comprising activated carbon fibers and (ii) instructions informing a user that the filter is capable of removing hormone(s) from I.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Co.
    Inventors: Mario Elmen Tremblay, Dimitris Ioannis Collias
  • Patent number: 6599428
    Abstract: An improved filter device for the removal of contaminants from water and method of using same. The present invention comprises an outer housing having an inlet at one end for water to be purified and an outlet for purified water at an opposing end thereof. An inner filter is situated within and in fluid communication with the outer housing to remove contaminants from the water. Within the inner filter is an inner filter housing. Within the inner filter housing is at least one uniform region of dispersed granular copper media. A filter pad is positioned within the inner filter housing. Further, a region of granular activated carbon is positioned opposite the uniform region by the filter pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Paragon Water Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John H. Douglas
  • Patent number: 6581375
    Abstract: A method for the recovery and purification of water from the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. An apparatus for carrying out that method is also disclosed. In this method, the water is condensed out from the vehicle's exhaust (for example, by using a countercurrent flow heat exchanger in combination with a chiller), and the condensed water is then purified. The purification typically includes passing the water through one or more particulate filters; passing the water through one or more activated carbon filter beds, and passing the water through one or more ion exchange resin filter beds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Lexington Carbon Company LLC
    Inventors: Marit Jagtoyen, Geoffrey M. Kimber
  • Publication number: 20030106851
    Abstract: A process for forming an activated carbon fiber filter for removing viruses from liquids is provided. The process includes selecting a plurality of activated carbon fibers, placing the activated carbon fibers in a hollow form open at least one end, and applying a predetermined compressive force to the fibers along the axis through the hollow form parallel to the direction in which the liquid will pass until the fibers are densely and uniformly packed within the form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Mario Elmen Tremblay, Steve Gary Fishter, Dimitris Ioannis Collias