Preventing, Decreasing, Or Delaying Precipitation, Coagulation Or Flocculation Patents (Class 210/696)
  • Patent number: 6596175
    Abstract: A method is disclosed to dissolve cupric oxide (CuO) deposits on a strainer in a stator water cooling system (SWCS) of an industrial electrical power generator. The method injects carbon dioxide (CO2) into the coolant to increase the CuO solubility of the coolant. By increasing the solubility, the CuO level in the coolant is less than saturated. The unsaturated coolant dissolves the CuO deposits on the strainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Raymond Grant Rowe
  • Publication number: 20030132166
    Abstract: A method of treating mine drainage water including the step of adding a scale control agent to the mine drainage water and, optionally, adding an oxidizing agent to the mine drainage water and/or precipitating and settling the metals in their hydroxide form from the water. The treated water may be safely returned to the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventor: Paul Rey
  • Publication number: 20030132167
    Abstract: In the present invention, a potable water treatment system and apparatus for purifying and treating potable water that is being transferred from a potable water source to a number of potable water user(s) via a potable water line is presented. Said potable water purification and treatment system and apparatus has a filter capable of filtering the potable water to an NTU of less than 0.10, removing TOC and disinfection by-products, as well as a chemical feed system which comprises a measuring device for measuring at least one of: the potable water flow and the potable water quality, at least one proportioning device for determining any amount(s) of chemical additives utilizing input(s) from the measuring device(s) and at least one chemical feed pump to transfer at least one chemical additive to the potable water, wherein at least a disinfectant is added to the potable water downstream of filtration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventor: Richard A. Haase
  • Patent number: 6587753
    Abstract: Described and claimed is a method of controlling a boiler in which control is based on information from a control Matrix applicable to the specific operating parameters of said boiler. This method is applicable for boilers being treated with any of several standard boiler treatment programs. By conducting the instant claimed method it is possible to automatically control a boiler using at least one fluorometer and one or more analytical devices and a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Ondeo Nalco Company
    Inventor: Roger W. Fowee
  • Publication number: 20030075509
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for reducing scale formation and/or corrosion in systems which conduct liquids or are in contact with liquids. According to the invention, this is achieved without reducing the quantity of hardness constituents contained in the liquid overall, without exchanging the hardness constituents in the liquid for other cations such as e.g. hydronium, sodium or potassium and without adding chemicals such as e.g. phosphates which inhibit scale formation to the liquid. Instead, scale formation is reduced by specifically shifting the molar distribution of the hardness constituents, especially the distribution proportions of the individual hardness constituents magnesium and calcium strontium and barium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventor: Bert Miecznik
  • Publication number: 20030066793
    Abstract: A collector for use in removing metal ions from a plasma in a vacuum chamber includes a collector plate that is mounted inside the chamber and formed with an internal cooling channel. An injector introduces a dissociated salt into the chamber with a first throughput value, and it introduces a plasma including metal ions into the chamber with a lower second throughput value. A pump is used to pump a liquid coolant through the cooling channel to maintain the collector plate at a temperature that forms a portion of the salt as a protective layer on the collector plate, and causes the salt to thereafter deposit on the layer in a molten condition at a faster rate than evaporation therefrom to trap metal ions therein. The trapped metal ions are then removed with the molten salt from the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Brian P. Cluggish, Stephen F. Agnew, Sergei Putvinski
  • Patent number: 6540922
    Abstract: A device for treating liquid medium has an ultrasound emitter located relative to a compartment of a container holding a liquid medium and a microbubble emitter located relative to the compartment. The ultrasound emitter emits high-frequency ultrasound between about 200 KHz and 10 MHz. The microbubble emitter emits bubbles with an average diameter of less than 1 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Ashland, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric De Meulenaer Cordemans, Baudouin Hannecart, Marie-Françoise Lepeltier, Yves Canivet
  • Patent number: 6533942
    Abstract: A cooling tower water purification system uses an electrical cleaning method by passing water over or through an anode and a cathode. The pH of the water is monitored and adjusted using injected CO2 gas. The water can also be mechanically filter to remove the now dead biofilm and biomass as well as any scale or other debris. An additional embodiment can use an additional device such as a water jet to “stir” the bottom of the cooling tower to increase the efficiency of the filter in removing any built up or remaining biomass, scale or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: TLC Envirotech, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale E. Steffens, James H. Joyner, Boyd R. Waddle
  • Publication number: 20030042208
    Abstract: A coolant additive composition comprising a sustained release component and an additive component, the additive component is effective to provide at least one benefit to a coolant when released into the coolant, the sustained release component includes a polymeric material and is effective to reduce the rate of release of the additive component into the coolant relative to an identical composition without the sustained release component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Yu-Sen Chen, Doug Hudgens, Thomas J. Blakemore, Joseph C. Drozd
  • Publication number: 20030042207
    Abstract: A dispensing device (10) for dispensing a measured amount of a chemical (60) into a fluid piping system including a cap member (24) having a fluid inlet port (33) and a fluid outlet port (34) between which is a tubular flow conduit (28). The cap member (24) also includes bypass and control members (44), which align with an inlet passageway (36) and an outlet passageway (42) in the cap member (24). Fluid flows into the cap member (24) through the inlet port (33). The tubular flow conduit (28) has the inlet passageway (36) therein to divert a portion of the fluid passing through the system into a canister (11) operatively connected to the cap (24). A container (16) is disposed within the canister (11) containing the chemical (60), which is partially dissolved by fluid introduced into the container (16) to create a use solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Patrick H. Kilawee, Jamie W. Lerbs, John E. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20030029796
    Abstract: Various kinds of wastewater and water such as methane fermentation digestion liquids, domestic wastewater, sewage, service water, culture pond water, wastewater defined by an active sludge law and wastewater from food industries are decomposed, cleaned and treated with a high efficiency with oxygen radicals, hydroxyl radicals and diphenyl para picrihydoral radicals, and injurious materials are decomposed, cleaned and treated by oxidizing and reducing functions. An apparatus for cleaning dissolved organic matters and a trace amount of injurious materials consisting of a anode which is formed or welded by coating clay or glass with a material prepared by mixing 2 to 15% by weight of a transition metal with 1 to 10% of an oxidized transition metal and sintering the glass within a range from 800 to 1500° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: Takaaki Maekawa
  • Patent number: 6503400
    Abstract: This invention relates to phosphate stabilizing compositions comprising (a) polyaspartic acid, and (b) an anionic carboxylic polymer. The compositions effectively stabilize phosphates by inhibiting the formation of calcium phosphate scale. The invention also relates to a process for inhibiting calcium phosphate scale in water treatment systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Ashland Inc.
    Inventors: Pavol Kmec, Dwight E. Emerich
  • Publication number: 20020190004
    Abstract: A method for removing a solute from a fluid using magnetically conditioned coagulation includes magnetically conditioning the fluid by applying a conditioning magnetic field to enhance the precipitation of solute particles for coagulation; adding a coagulant to the fluid before, during, or after application of the conditioning magnetic field to coagulate the increased available solute particles to form colloids; and collecting the colloids for removal from the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Ionel Wechsler, Peter G. Marston
  • Publication number: 20020166818
    Abstract: Method intended for continuous detection and control of hydrate formation at any point of a pipe carrying multiphase petroleum fluids. The method uses a compositional code allowing to simulate the circulation modes and conditions at any point of the pipe, considering that the fluid mixture is substantially continuously at equilibrium, that the composition of the multiphase mixture is variable all along the pipe and that the mass of each constituent of the mixture is globally defined by a mass conservation equation regardless of its phase state. The thermodynamic hydrate formation conditions are detected after a particular stage of grouping the petroleum fluids into pseudo-components so as to isolate the hydrate forming components, with definition for each one of a mass fraction and of a certain number of characteristic physical quantities, and the data relative to these particular fractions are applied to the modules so as to determine at any point the hydrate dissociation temperature (Td).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Veronique Henriot, Veronique Lachet, Eric Heintze
  • Publication number: 20020166819
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for the treatment of liquid manure and wastewater produced in animal production plans. The method combined application of filtration, bioreaction, and electrochemical treatment to effect separation of contaminants from the water fraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Applicant: ENVIROGAIN INC.
    Inventors: Camil Dutil, Gilles Gagne, Rock Chabot, Yves Comeau
  • Publication number: 20020158024
    Abstract: A method of treating an animal waste slurry so as to efficiently extract nutrients, and which can be performed in a zero-discharge system, comprises flocculating the slurry, processing, e.g. filtering, the flocculated slurry to separate liquid from solid material, drying the solid material, processing the liquid to extract ammonium, phosphorous and potassium from the slurry, all within 24 hours, and preferably on average within 12 hours, of production of the waste material by animals. Since the urates of potassium and ammonium in the slurry take a few hours to break down, they remain in crystalline form and therefore a larger portion of the total amount of potassium and ammonium in the slurry can be extracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Victor Van Slyke, Hubert Timmenga, Steve Helle, Paul Watkinson, Xiaotao Bi
  • Publication number: 20020125189
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for removing metallic ions and/or particulate material from an aqueous acid solution using particle removing membranes (e.g., ultra high molecular weight polyethylene) having immobilized ligand groups (e.g., macrocycle or other similar chelating ligands) that possess high equilibrium binding constants for ion and particulate removal. The method is particularly useful for simultaneously filtering/purifying aqueous hydrofluoric or hydrochloric acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Applicant: Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Bipin S. Parekh, Anthony J. DiLeo, Edward Deane, Ronald L. Bruening
  • Publication number: 20020117452
    Abstract: A method is disclosed to dissolve cupric oxide (CuO) deposits on a strainer in a stator water cooling system (SWCS) of an industrial electrical power generator. The method injects carbon dioxide (CO2) into the coolant to increase the CuO solubility of the coolant. By increasing the solubility, the CuO level in the coolant is less than saturated. The unsaturated coolant dissolves the CuO deposits on the strainer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Raymond Grant Rowe
  • Publication number: 20020117453
    Abstract: Methods of using high-density microparticles to bind and remove pathogens from biological fluids are disclosed. Pathogens include prions, viruses, bacteria and protozoa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: David N. Cook, Rodney L. Monroy
  • Publication number: 20020088757
    Abstract: Heat exchange water for cooling an object of heat exchange such as machinery, air, or liquid, which serves to prevent oxidation and deterioration of metal materials used in pipes for supplying/circulating the heat exchange water or in the liquid ends of the heat exchanger, to suppress growth of algae and microorganisms, and to reduce influence on the environment. The heat exchange water is reductive water having zero or negative standard oxidation-reduction potential as determined on the basis of the hydrogen electrode standard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Takashi Imaoka, Hiroshi Morita, Isamu Sugiyama, Tadahiro Ohmi, Masaki Hirayama
  • Patent number: 6416712
    Abstract: Effective corrosion inhibitors having minimal organic content, particularly suitable for use in municipal drinking water systems, are described. The corrosion inhibiting additive is a stannous salt of a non-carbon acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: A.S. Incorporated
    Inventor: Olen L. Riggs, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020046974
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for microfiltration useful in softening water as well as in removing other dissolved constituents where the method comprises passing water that contains a precipitate through a semipermeable tubular membrane. Filtrate is received from the outside of the tubular membrane and the filtrate contains levels of dissolved compounds at concentrations below those that would be predicted by the solubility limits of the compounds. The method may be practiced at elevated pressures without incurring significant fouling of the membrane. It is particularly suited to removing cations such as calcium and magnesium that contribute to water hardness. The water may be treated prior to passing through the membrane by adjusting pH, adding complimentary anions, or adding a flocculant. The apparatus comprises a series of semipermeable tubular membranes housed in a module. The membranes are fluidly connected to an inlet and two outlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Jacob Shorr, John Paul Toohil
  • Patent number: 6375907
    Abstract: The emissions of hydrogen sulfide during the production of natural gas, oil or geothermal fluids from subterranean formations and the subsequent processing of these fluids is reduced by converting the hydrogen sulfide into a hydrogen halide or a halogen acid and then using the hydrogen halide or halogen acid for scale control and/or well acidizing. In a preferred embodiment, hydrogen sulfide produced with geothermal fluids is converted into hydrochloric acid, which is then used to reduce pH and control scale formation during the extraction of energy from geothermal fluids in a geothermal power plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: Darrell L. Gallup
  • Publication number: 20020030018
    Abstract: Methods and acidizing compositions for reducing the corrosion of the metal surfaces of tubular goods and the like and reducing the precipitation of metal sulfide from the acidizing compositions are provided. The methods basically comprise the steps of combining an aldol-amine adduct with an aqueous acid solution to preferentially react with sulfide ions subsequently dissolved by the aqueous acid solution and thereby prevent subsequently dissolved metal ions from reacting therewith and precipitating, and then introducing the aqueous acid solution containing the aldol-amine adduct into a well or other location to be acidized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventor: Michael M. Brezinski
  • Patent number: 6351986
    Abstract: This invention concerns a method of measuring parameters of fresh and waste water, where the time change or the first derivative of the measured values is determined from the measured values of at least two successive measurements, considering the time interval between the measurements. The pause interval until the next measurement is then determined, depending on that value for the time change or first derivative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: WTW Wissenschaftlich-technische Werkstaetten GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Schwab
  • Publication number: 20020017494
    Abstract: In the present invention, a potable water treatment system for treating potable-water that is being transferred from a potable water source to a number of potable water using entities via a potable water line is presented. Said potable water treatment system has a chemical feed system that comprises a measuring device for measuring the characteristics of the potable water in the potable water line, a number of chemical feed sources containing a number of chemical additives (including, but not limited to, a number of chelants, a number of oxidizers and a number of dispersants), a proportioning device for determining any required amounts of the number of chemical additives to be added from the chemical feed source to the potable water in the potable water line and a number of controlling pumps for adding the required amounts of the number of chemical additives to the potable-water in the potable water line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventor: Richard Alan Haase
  • Publication number: 20020014460
    Abstract: The inventive method and apparatus for treating water and water systems. The apparatus and method also assures the retention of calcium in drinking water provided to an animal by suppling water to a water feed line which is connected to a drinking device, oxidizing the water to retain calcium in the water in solution, ionizing the water using copper/zinc electrodes, the ionization sanitizing the water and providing residual copper and zinc ions which act as an algicide and a biocide, and providing the ionized oxidized drinking water which retains calcium in solution to the animal for drinking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventor: Scott McKay
  • Patent number: 6336058
    Abstract: Described and claimed is a method of controlling a boiler in which control is based on information from a control Matrix applicable to the specific parameters of the boiler. The control matrices include (a) Polymer Based All-in-One Product; (b) Residual Phosphate Polymer Product with Scavenger and Condensate Corrosion Inhibitor Fed Separately; (c) pH/Phosphate Product with Polymer, Scavenger, and Condensate Corrosion Inhibitor Fed Separately; (d) All-Polymer Product with Separate Scavenger and Condensate Corrosion Inhibitor Fed Separately; and (e) pH/Phosphate Polymer Product with Scavenger and Condensate Corrosion Inhibitor Fed Separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventor: Roger W. Fowee
  • Patent number: 6315909
    Abstract: Described and claimed is a method of controlling a cooling water system in which control is based on information from a control Matrix applicable to the specific operating parameters of the cooling water system including: (i) providing a suitable fluorometer, sufficient analytical devices and a suitable controller; (ii) programming the suitable fluorometer and controller using planning information from a control Matrix for cooling water systems being treated with treatment programs selected from the group consisting of: (d) stabilized phosphate, (e) zinc, and (f) all organic; (iii) using the fluorometer and sufficient analytical devices to determine the status of system factors; (iv) determining the pattern of changes in the readings from step (iii) over time; (v) comparing the changes in readings in steps (iii) and (iv), with the information listed in the control Matrix to determine what corrective action(s) is recommended; and (vi) using the controller to automatically implement the corrective acti
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: John E. Hoots, Paul R. Young, David P. Workman
  • Patent number: 6280495
    Abstract: A homogeneous calcium/magnesium peroxide, its manufacture and use are described. The new calcium/magnesium peroxide is suitable in particular as an additive used as source of oxygen and acid buffer, e.g. in the application, processing, treatment and/or disposal of various biomaterials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Solvay Interox GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Doetsch, Otto Caspar
  • Patent number: 6270677
    Abstract: A process for treating alkaline solutions obtained from lithographic printing plate processing comprises admixing at least one alkaline solution and at least one acidic solution in the presence of at least one aqueous solution to obtain a discharge solution having a pH in the range of about 5.0 to 11.5. Another process for treating alkaline solutions obtained from lithographic printing plate processing comprises admixing at least one alkaline solution and at least one aqueous waste water solution to obtain an aqueous alkaline solution, and admixing the resultant aqueous alkaline solution with at least one acidic solution to obtain a discharge solution having a pH in the range of about 5.0 to 11.5, and to control systems for such processes, and methods of controlling such processes. The alkaline solution has a pH greater than 7.0, preferably greater than about 12.5, and the acidic solution has a pH less than 7.0, preferably less than about 2.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
    Inventors: Pradip Goolab Gopal, Dean Ginther, Randolph Alben Horton
  • Patent number: 6270671
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for microfiltration useful in softening water as well as in removing other dissolved constituents where the method comprises passing water that contains a precipitate through a semipermeable tubular membrane. Filtrate is received from the outside of the tubular membrane and the filtrate contains levels of dissolved compounds at concentrations below those that would be predicted by the solubility limits of the compounds. The method may be practiced at elevated pressures and turbulent flow without incurring significant fouling of the membrane. It is particularly suited to removing cations such as calcium and magnesium that contribute to water hardness. The water may be treated prior to passing through the membrane by adjusting pH, adding complimentary anions, or adding a flocculant. The apparatus comprises a series of semipermeable tubular membranes housed in a module. The membranes are fluidly connected to an inlet and two outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: United States Filter Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob Shorr, John Paul Toohil
  • Patent number: 6267883
    Abstract: A water and fuel conditioning device includes a core or casting made of 40-66% copper, 2-30% zinc, 10-25% nickel, 2-5% tin, 0-1.5% iron and 0-2% lead, all percentages being by weight. Water flowing in contact with this core exhibits greater electrical charge than with prior art devices. The same composition is effective as a fuel conditioner to reduce emissions. In both applications, the near absence of lead has environmental advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Inventors: Roy J. Weaver, Robert O. Crane
  • Patent number: 6264844
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for oxidation of aqueous mixtures of organic material, including toxic material in the presence of inorganic materials, by reaction of said material with water and oxygen at supercritical conditions. Oxygen and the aqueous mixture are separately pressurized to greater than about 218 atmospheres, combined to form a reaction mixture and then directed through a tubular reactor having a substantially constant internal diameter. The velocity of the reaction mixture is sufficient to prevent settling of a substantial portion of solids initially present in the reaction mixture and of solids which form during passage through the reactor. The mixture is heated to temperature above about 374° C. in the tubular reactor. A substantial portion of the organic material in the reaction mixture is oxidized in the tubular reactor to thereby form an effluent mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Modell Environmental Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Modell, Evan F. Kuharich, Michael R. Rooney
  • Patent number: 6237670
    Abstract: The metal content of a thermoplastic composition containing an undesirably high concentration of metal can be reduced by adding to 100 parts by weight of the composition at least about 0.3 parts by weight of a chelating agent and sufficient water to chelate metal in the composition to form chelated metal in the composition, and then removing at least some of the chelated metal from the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: M. Argueso & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry M. Muschio
  • Patent number: 6231765
    Abstract: A process for obtaining a polymeric complex from a by-product effluent obtained in a process for manufacturing alcohol by distilling a fermented aqueous sugar solution containing yeast. After distilling alcohol from the effluent a chemical or biological flocculant is added to the effluent to form a homogeneous mixture, which is heated to a temperature of at least about 80° C. Yeast is removed from the heated mixture by a first decantation, then insoluble solids and muds are removed by a second decantation. The mixture is then concentrated by partially evaporating water therefrom to obtain an aqueous solution of the polymeric complex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Luis Perez Barrenechea
  • Patent number: 6207060
    Abstract: The inventive method assures the retention of calcium in drinking water provided to an animal by suppling water to a water feed line which is connected to a drinking device, oxidizing the water to retain calcium in the water in solution, ionizing the water using copper/zinc electrodes, the ionization sanitizing the water and providing residual copper and zinc ions which act as an algicide and a biocide, and providing the ionized oxidized drinking water which retains calcium in solution to the animal for drinking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Enproamerica, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott McKay
  • Patent number: 6200529
    Abstract: Effective corrosion inhibitors having minimal organic content, particularly suitable for use in municipal drinking water systems, are described. The preferred corrosion inhibiting additive is an aqueous solution of a stannous halide, preferably stannous chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: A. S. Incorporated
    Inventor: Olen L. Riggs, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6196314
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for enhancing hydrocarbon production from a subsurface hydrocarbon-bearing formation. The system includes a mechanical fluid treatment unit that substantially reduces the concentration of precursor ions from the injection water. The treated water is injected under pressure into an injection well to cause the hydrocarbons to flow toward a production well. A chemical unit injects selected amounts of additives into the injection well to inhibit in-situ growth of crystals from insoluble salt precipitates formed due to the interaction of precursor ions present in the injected water and ions residents in the reservoir. The selected chemicals and their respective amounts are determined at least partially based on reservoir characteristics and the concentration of precursor ions in the treated water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: James C. T. Chen
  • Patent number: 6153099
    Abstract: An apparatus for wastewater treatment, includes a calorie reducer first vessel having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet adapted to control the retention time of wastewater within the first vessel. A first recycle pump is connected to the first vessel to recycle wastewater from a bottom of the first vessel to a top of the first vessel through a recycle conduit, at a high velocity. The recycle conduit provides an air gap for drawing air into the first vessel. Bacteria within the calorie reducer vessel consume biodegradable food with a minimum number of bacteria while in the log growth phase. A second bio-reducer vessel is connected to the calorie reducer vessel. The bio-reducer holds a media supported above a bottom reservoir. A bio-reducer recycle pump recycles wastewater within the reservoir to be sprayed onto a top of the bio-reducer, to wash over the media. Further bio-reducers can be arranged downstream of the first bio-reducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Smith & Loveless, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank G. Weis, Lindy Ty Cooper
  • Patent number: 6136200
    Abstract: A composition for the detackification and clarification of acid and alkaline paint and lacquer waste waters and paint spray booth wastes, comprising:an inorganic-organic and/or organic adduct alloy polymer composition having the formula:A.multidot.B.sup.+ .multidot.D.sup.+wherein: A=[(SiO.sub.2 /Me.sup.I.sub.2 O).sub.u Me.sup.II.sub.m Me.sub.m.sup.III(OH).sbsp.p.sup.(SO.sbsp.4.sup.).sbsp.y.sup.(Aci) (2m+3n)-p-2y].sub.rwhere r=1 to 98% bw; u=0 to 10% bw; ##STR1## where: x=0 to 98% bw; Z is a divalent substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heterocyclic or aromatic radicalD.sup.+ =(PQAM).sub.wwherew=2 to 98% b.w. of polyquaternized polymer (PQAM)Me.sub.m.sup.II is selected from the divalent cationic group comprising: Mg, Zn, Ca, and Fe.sup.2+m=0 to 5Me.sub.n.sup.III is a tri-or more valent metal selected from the group comprising: Fe, Al, and Al--Zn complexes;n=1 to 20Aci is selected from the monovalent anionic group comprising Cl.sup.-, Br.sup.-, I.sup.-, NO.sub.3 --, H.sub.2 PO.sub.4 --, CH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Polymer Research Corporation
    Inventor: John J. Waldmann
  • Patent number: 6096221
    Abstract: A process and device for treatment of water circulating in a conduit, which water carries microorganisms that must be eliminated and ions susceptible of leading to the formation of deposits on the internal wall of the conduit. To this end, there is injected in the water to be treated effective quantities of ozone and carbon dioxide. Particularly useful to treat the water conduits of a hospital building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Air Liquide Sante ( International)
    Inventors: Kera Kerchouche, Vincent Boisdon
  • Patent number: 6096806
    Abstract: Epoxy resins, particularly those based on bisphenol A, can constitute the principal film forming polymer component of a storage stable autodepositable composition wherein the particle size distribution of all the film forming polymers in the composition satisfies certain criteria of size distribution, and an accelerator component which is an acid, oxidizing agent or complexing agent is present in amount sufficient to provide an oxidation-reduction potential at least 100 mV more oxidizing than a standard hydrogen electrode. Such dispersions can conveniently be prepared using a two stage process in which a solution of the film forming polymers is emulsified into water to form a preliminary dispersion and this preliminary dispersion is subjected to at least one particle size refinement stage in which the preliminary dispersion is forced through a narrow aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Henkel Corporation
    Inventors: Brian L. Mueller, Elizabeth J. Siebert
  • Patent number: 6056878
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for inhibiting scaling in an electrodeionization system or in a combined reverse osmosis/electrodeionization system for water treatment and, more particularly, for increasing tolerance to hardness in the feed water to an electrodeionization unit to inhibit precipitation of metal cations contained in the feed water and for increasing efficiency of the electrodeionization system. Water to be purified is passed through a electrodeionization unit in which a concentrate stream recycling through concentrating compartments and anode and cathode compartments contains effective amounts of an antiscalant to inhibit precipitation of scale. One or more preliminary reverse osmosis units in series with the electrodeionization unit preferably receives a portion of the antiscalants in the concentrate stream. The antiscalant in the water fed to the reverse osmosis unit can be supplemented and adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: E-CELL Corporation
    Inventors: David Florian Tessier, Tom Kosir, Steve Siverns, Mark Philip Huehnergard, Robert Glegg
  • Patent number: 6051141
    Abstract: A method of treating water containing silicon-containing impurities in a concentration of up to 10,000 parts per million by weight of the water, by contacting the water over a period of time with a particulate solid which entrains silicon-containing impurities in the water and subsequently separating the water from the particulate solid, wherein the particulate solid is a high alumina cement which is anhydrous when first contacted by the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Imerys Minerals Limited
    Inventors: Neil Robert Forbes, Thomas Richard Jones
  • Patent number: 6045706
    Abstract: The instant invention is directed toward an improved calcium hypochlorite feeder for water treatment applications. Tablets of calcium hypochlorite are diluted in an erosion feeder and the high pH effluent is then directed to a precipitation basin where a precipitation enhancing combination of calcium hypochlorite solution and precipitate act to initiate precipitation within the newly formed solution such that calcium carbonate scaling at the injection point and within the associated feed lines and equipment is substantially eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: U.S. Filter/Stranco
    Inventors: Ralph Morrison, Michael Liebendorfer, Richard Dennis, II, Joseph Tietjens, Roy Martin
  • Patent number: 6035933
    Abstract: A process for the thermo-hydraulic control of gas hydrates in subsea production and injection wells as well as pipelines which transport liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons is described, the process making use of a Nitrogen Generating System foamed or in solution. The control may signify the prevention of the formation of the gas hydrates or the dissolution of the gas hydrate plug already formed. Under conditions of use designed for the prevention of the formation of gas hydrates the SGN fluid prevents the thermal conditions leading to the gas hydrate plugs. Under conditions of use designed to dissolve the already formed gas hydrate plugs, the SGN fluid alters the thermo-hydraulic conditions which favor the gas hydrate plugs, so that they are dissolved and return to the water+gas phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.-Petrobras
    Inventors: Carlos Nagib Khalil, Nelson De Oliveira Rocha, Lucia Cristina Ferreira Leite
  • Patent number: 6036867
    Abstract: A process for the desalination and demineralization of solutions conmining acids and/or metal salts comprising a number of steps after introducing a solution to be treated. Initially, chemical agents are added to precipitate predetermined salts. Afterward clarification occurs. An inhibitor is then introduced for inhibiting further precipitation of the salts. The process proceeds by concentrating the salts in 5%-80% of tile flow of the solution to be treated into a supersaturated concentrate to form a concentrated fraction, the remaining fraction being a demineralized permeate. There is then removal of the effect of the precipitation inhibitor allowing precipitation of crystallizable supersaturated salts in the concentrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Degremont
    Inventors: Henri Louis Armand Jogand, Pierre-Alain Jean Henri Peron
  • Patent number: 6019903
    Abstract: A corrosive acid sulfate geothermal brine is mixed with a near neutral, bicarbonate geothermal brine containing above about 300 ppm silica to produce a relatively benign mixed brine of pH from about 4.5 to about 6.5 having reduced corrosivity as compared to the acid sulfate brine and a reduced tendency as compared to the near neutral, bicarbonate brine for depositing silica in equipment during brine processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: Darrell L. Gallup
  • Patent number: 6010869
    Abstract: Presented herein is an improved method to collect and recover microorganisms from environmental samples. The method of this invention comprises the steps of (a) obtaining a sample for testing and, optionally, suspending the sample in a suitable liquid, (b) amending the sample with sodium hexametaphosphate and, optionally, centrifuging the sample to remove solid sediments, insoluble salts, inert materials, and the like, (c) centrifuging the sample through a separation column amended with sodium hexametaphosphate, and (d) recovering the microorganism-containing material remaining above the column for analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Jon J. Calomiris