Ph Sensing Patents (Class 210/743)
  • Patent number: 11397171
    Abstract: Systems for quantifying a target analyte concentration in a process solution are provided and can be used, for example, in methods for quantifying a target analyte concentration. These systems and methods include continuous automated titration methods that use titration chemistries to measure the target analyte concentration in the process solution. The method steps provide for efficient and robust automated titration methods for a variety of target analytes and can include methods that provide for methods that provide a dynamic range for measurement of target analyte concentrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Ryther, Paul R. Kraus
  • Patent number: 11306010
    Abstract: A method and device for maintaining a body of water in a sanitized condition wherein the body of water is free from a source of bicidal metal ions and free from bromide or bromine compounds that can sanitize the body of water, the method including that steps of maintaining a chlorine level in the body of water at a level of between 1 ppm and 1.0 ppm; introducing a non-chlorine based oxidizing agent into the body of water wherein the chlorine level in combination with the oxidizing agent is selected so as to be insufficient to sanitize the body of water, and introducing a compound having a hydantoin ring therein into the body of water whereby the combination of the chlorine and the oxidizing agent sanitize the body of water without the presence of a source of biocidal metal ions to supplement the chlorine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Inventors: David Guy, Joseph A King, Randy Roseth, Brett Libby
  • Patent number: 11249023
    Abstract: Provided are a rapid detection method for a condition of landfill leachate polluting groundwater and an application thereof. The rapid detection method includes: carrying out fluorescence detection on groundwater in a specific region of a landfill, and determining whether the groundwater is polluted according to a ratio of fluorescence intensities at specific excitation/emission wavelengths in a specific fluorescence region. The rapid detection method provided by the solution establishes characteristic fluorescence spectrum regions, fluorescence intensities and regular characteristics thereof of organic matters in leachate-polluted groundwater of a landfill in a fluorescence spectrum region, and can achieve the rapid detection of a condition of landfill leachate polluting groundwater by means of a portable fluorescence detector on site. The detection method provided by the solution is characterized by rapid detection, no need of chemical reagents, simple operation, high detection sensitivity and lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: CHINESE RESEARCH ACADEMY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
    Inventors: Xiaosong He, Mingxia Zheng, Beidou Xi, Guangchun Shan, Jing Su, Xuemei Fu, Yuanyuan Sun, Hongyu Ding
  • Patent number: 10864478
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide capture system includes a first capture system and a second capture system. The first capture system including a first absorber that causes carbon dioxide contained in a combustion exhaust gas to be absorbed in a first absorbing liquid. The second capture system causes carbon dioxide contained in a combustion exhaust gas to be absorbed in a second absorbing liquid. The second rich liquid releases carbon dioxide at a lower temperature than the first rich liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Koshito Fujita, Mitsuru Udatsu
  • Patent number: 10773978
    Abstract: The present application discloses a method of binding a metal ion in water. The method comprises contacting the water with a fraction of dissolved organic material (DOM) to form a complex between the DOM fraction and the metal ion; and optionally separating the complex from the water. The present application also discloses a use of DOM for binding a metal ion in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Noblegen, Inc.
    Inventors: Celine Gueguen, Vaughn Mangal
  • Patent number: 10232070
    Abstract: Systems and methods for creating an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) in water for pathogenic control are described. The systems and methods generate an oxidation reduction potential that provides pathogenic control of the solution as well as pathogenic control of the surfaces with which the solution comes in immediate contact. The system supplies the solution to one or more wash-down stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Inventor: Daniel W. Lynn
  • Patent number: 8980095
    Abstract: A process for producing ultrapure water, in which a stream of water is purified in a reverse osmosis device, wherein the water stream is subject to pretreatment including splitting the water stream into at least two partial streams, partial exchange of cations present in at least one of the partial streams for H+ ions by a cation exchanger operated in the H+ mode, and complete exchange of the anions present in at least one further of the partial streams for OH? ions by a softener operative in parallel to the cation exchanger, and treating the partial streams treated by the cation exchanger and the softener by at least one anion exchanger operating in the OH? mode, and wherein the water stream obtained from the pretreatment is fed into the reverse osmosis device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: BWT Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jürgen Johann
  • Publication number: 20150065403
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the safe and efficient generation of chlorine dioxide while achieving a variable chlorine dioxide mass flow rate, with a turn-down to turn-up ratio of at least 1 to 200. The process allows for a single chlorine dioxide generating system to safely provide variable mass flow rate of chlorine dioxide to applications that have wide ranging chlorine dioxide demand, like those experienced in oil and gas applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Truox, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy Martin
  • Publication number: 20150037463
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for treating water and the use of calcium carbonate in such a process. In particular, the present invention is directed to a process for remineralization of water comprising the steps of (a) providing feed water having a concentration of carbon dioxide of at least 20 mg/l, preferably in a range of 25 to 100 mg/l, and more preferably in a range of 30 to 60 mg/l, (b) providing an aqueous slurry comprising micronized calcium carbonate, and (c) combining the feed water of step (a) and the aqueous slurry of step (b) in order to obtain remineralized water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Skovby, Martine Poffet
  • Patent number: 8920657
    Abstract: A grey water dividing and treatment system is provided. A drain system of the grey water dividing and treatment system receives grey water from a grey water producing source. A grey water dividing apparatus of the grey water dividing and treatment system divides the grey water received from the drain system into a number of cells, and determines a contamination level of each of the cells. Grey water treatment tanks of the grey water dividing and treatment system receive the grey water from the grey water dividing apparatus based on the determined contamination level of each of the cells and treat the grey water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Hideki Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 8911630
    Abstract: A process for treating waste water having a low level of metallic contaminants by reducing the toxicity level of metallic contaminants to an acceptable level and subsequently discharging the treated waste water into the environment without removing the treated contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Brian B. Looney, Margaret R. Millings, Ralph L. Nichols, William L. Payne
  • Publication number: 20140299552
    Abstract: A process for disinfecting a treatment fluid is disclosed, including the step of admixing an aqueous solution comprising two or more oxidants generated via electrolysis of a salt solution with a treatment fluid. The mixed oxidants may be generated on site, using a containerized system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Colin Stewart, Mukesh Kapila, James R. Fajt, Perry Lomond, Daniel Gallo, Richard Bingham, Alan McKee
  • Patent number: 8845906
    Abstract: The current invention provides a novel process for the treatment and reclamation of drilling frac flowback and produced wastewater from the drilling industry. The wastewater is delivered to the EMC/F System from a frac tank or other reservoir. The wastewater is pumped into the system and is treated sequentially by passing through a mechanical hydrocavitation unit, an electromagnetic unit, an electrocoagulation unit and/or a hydrocyclone and a flocculation-sedimentation tank. Polishing of the final effluent is accomplished by passing the water through a mixed media tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Don E. Henley and Associates, LLC
    Inventor: Donald E. Henley
  • Publication number: 20140251924
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the treatment of caustic wastewater. Specifically, systems and methods are provided for combining refinery spent caustic and ethylene spent caustic solutions and treating the combined spent caustic mixture using a wet air oxidation process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Kumfer, Chad L. Felch, Bruce L. Brandenburg, Richard W. Lehmann, Timothy Schleusner
  • Patent number: 8753520
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling the microbiological properties of a portion of water within a large body of water by treating such zone with chemical agents, according to the temperature of the water, its salinity, its dilution power and the diffusion of chemicals within the large water body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Crystal Lagoons (Curacao), B.V.
    Inventor: Fernando Benjamin Fischmann
  • Patent number: 8753505
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating a liquid includes a first flow generator having an outlet for generating a first flow stream and a reaction chamber positioned in proximity to the outlet of the first flow generator and having a cavity adapted to receive the first flow stream from the first flow generator and reverse its direction within the confined space of the cavity. The flow generator may be a cavitation generator for producing multiple cavitation bubbles in the first slow stream, or a nozzle for generating a flow stream devoid of cavitation bubbles. A method for treating a liquid includes directing the liquid into a first flow generator configured to generate a first flow stream of the liquid, and directing the first flow stream from the first flow generator into a cavity of a reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Fluid-Quip, Inc.
    Inventor: Allison Sprague
  • Patent number: 8747672
    Abstract: Methods and systems for recovery of phosphorus from wastewater and producing inorganic phosphorus complexes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Multiform Harvest Inc.
    Inventor: Keith E. Bowers
  • Patent number: 8734648
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the treatment of caustic wastewater. Specifically, systems and methods are provided for combining refinery spent caustic and ethylene spent caustic solutions and treating the combined spent caustic mixture using a wet air oxidation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Kumfer, Chad L. Felch, Bruce L. Brandenburg, Richard W. Lehmann
  • Patent number: 8702992
    Abstract: A continuous flow reactor, including a cylindrical coagulation crystallizer, a funnel type protective baffle for static settling, and a conical static settler. A lower end surface of the cylindrical coagulation crystallizer is connected with an upper end surface of the conical static settler, and the funnel type protective baffle for static settling is connected with an inner wall of the cylindrical coagulation crystallizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Nanjing University
    Inventors: Hongqiang Ren, Qiucheng Li, Tao Zhang, Lili Ding, Ke Xu, Xinkun Ren
  • Patent number: 8685249
    Abstract: A high-pressure pump P1 that increases the pressure of raw water, a high-pressure reverse osmosis device including a high-pressure reverse osmosis membrane for concentrating a salt content in high-pressure feed water, a first drain valve mounted on a permeated water line for supplying the permeated water downstream and temporarily draining permeated water of an initial start-up from a discharge line, a low-pressure pump that is mounted on a permeated water line provided downstream of the first drain valve and reduces the pressure of the permeated water, a low-pressure reverse osmosis device including a low-pressure reverse osmosis membrane for concentrating a salt content in low-pressure feed water, and a second drain valve mounted on a discharge line at the concentrated water side of the low-pressure reverse osmosis device that temporarily discharges the low-pressure feed water of the initial start-up supplied to the low-pressure reverse osmosis device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Takeuchi, Yoshiaki Ito, Kenji Tanaka, Hideo Iwahashi, Katsunori Matsui, Takayoshi Hori
  • Publication number: 20140088190
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating an aqueous system for biocide control, by adding an acidified solution that includes monoalkyldithiocarbamate salt and alkyl isothiocyanate to an aqueous system. A biocide feed system is also provided that is configured to generate a reproducible level of alkyl isothiocyanate. The method and system provide effective levels of alkyl isothiocyanate for rapid biocidal activity, along with levels of monoalkyldithiocarbamate salt which can decompose to form additional alkyl isothiocyanate and provide longer-term biocidal activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Buckman Laboratories International, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. McNeel, Richard A. Clark, William C. Ganus, Richard D. Lusk, JR., Graciela H. Vunk, Luis A. Zugno
  • Publication number: 20140054235
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for cleaning wastewater, in particular organically polluted wastewater, by means of adding a nitrate source, the method comprising the following steps: filling the wastewater in a container until a first fill level (Niv A) of the reactor is reached, wherein the fill level (Niv A) is 80-99%, preferably 95%, mixing the waste water, measuring the pH value of the wastewater, wherein lye is added to the wastewater if the wastewater has a pH value of <7.0 until a pH value of 7.5 is reached, adding nitrate to the wastewater, stirring the wastewater-nitrate mixture, controlling the addition of further nitrate and/or further lye by measuring at least one parameter of the wastewater-nitrate mixture, ending the stirring motion, and decanting with clarified water discharge at a second fill level (Niv B), wherein the fill level (Niv B) is 50-70%, preferably 60%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: AKW A+V PROTEC INDUSTRY GMBH
    Inventor: Karl Bleicher
  • Patent number: 8636908
    Abstract: A water treatment system for producing a sodium hypochlorite solution to control bacteria levels in well water containing: a pH adjuster; a container containing solid calcium hypochlorite for producing a calcium hypochlorite solution; and a container containing solid sodium carbonate for producing the sodium hypochlorite solution and a method of controlling bacteria levels in well water by using intermittent injections of a sodium hypochlorite solution with alternating pH values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Aquifer Maintenance & Performance Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James Richard Murray
  • Patent number: 8617402
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of raising the pH of a body of water having a pH of less than 4.5 by introducing neutralizing agent, the raising of the pH taking place in at least two stages thus: at pH levels below 4.5, a first neutralizing agent having a final conductivity of not more than 100 ?S/cm, and, after attainment of a pH of at least 4.5, a second neutralizing agent, having a final conductivity of more than 100 ?S/cm, is introduced into the body of water, the final conductivity of the neutralizing agents being defined as the conductivity of an aqueous suspension or solution of neutralizing agent in solution equilibrium at 25° C., having a neutralizing agent content of 0.015% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Rheinkalk GmbH
    Inventors: Christopher Pust, Günter Scholz, Helma Honig, Wolfgang König
  • Publication number: 20130341285
    Abstract: A system delivers water with at least a threshold concentration of ozone to an exit point. Ozone is injected into water flowing into a tank. The ozone concentration in the tank is monitored by a first sensor. Once the water in the tank has at least the threshold concentration of ozone, the water may be pumped to an exit point. A second sensor in proximity to the exit point monitors the ozone concentration of the treated water in proximity to the exit point. If the water in proximity to the exit point has at least the threshold concentration of ozone, the system allows a portion of the treated water to exit the system to a point of use. The second sensor in proximity to the exit point assures the treated water that is actually delivered to the exit point has at least the threshold value of ozone concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Chadwick D. Marion
  • Publication number: 20130306571
    Abstract: A method of controlling a froth flotation cell in a froth flotation circuit for separating substances comprises periodically carrying out a control routine to maximise froth stability during the operation of the cell. The control routine comprises changing the gas flow rate to the cell in a series of steps and assessing the froth stability at each gas flow rate and continuing the step changes in the gas flow rate until the froth stability is a peak froth stability or is within a predetermined range of the peak froth stability of the cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: TECHNOLOGICAL RESOURCES PTY. LIMITED
    Inventors: Grant Ashley Wellwood, Damien Harding, Andrew Thorntan, Bruce Northway, Kevin Kropf
  • Patent number: 8545704
    Abstract: Provided is a method for recovering high-concentration and high-purity amine from amine-containing waste water generated from nuclear power plants and thermal power plants. The method includes: capturing amine and concentrating waste water using a cation exchange resin; separating amine from the concentrated amine-containing waste water; and carrying out further separation of amine via distillation. The method may be applied to treat amine, which causes an increase in biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total nitrogen concentration, drastically at the time of its generation from waste water of nuclear power plants and thermal power plants. In this manner, the method may prevent an increase in load of existing waste water treating plants and avoid a need for modifying the equipment in the existing plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Soonchunhyang University Industry Academy Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: In H. Rhee, Byung G. Park, Hyun J. Jung
  • Patent number: 8540882
    Abstract: One embodiment of a method to system for enhancing TOC removal while maintaining membrane filter performance is the implementation of a dual pH control system. This embodiment will enhance the ability to maximize TOC removal while maintaining optimum membrane filter performance. By adjusting pH, dosing a chemical coagulant and incorporating liquid-solids separation, a considerably higher degree of TOC removal is possible. By adjusting pH again after liquid-solids separation this embodiment can drastically increase the efficiency of the membrane microfiltration/ultrafiltration system. Thus pH control for soluble organic removal is critical. This pH level however may not be the ideal set point for minimizing membrane fouling which is the basis for this embodiment. An example: the pH set point for optimum soluble organic removal is designated to be 5.5. However, the optimum pH set point for optimum membrane performance is 7.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregg A. McLeod
  • Publication number: 20130233796
    Abstract: A method for controlling treatment of an industrial water system is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing an apparatus for controlling delivery of at least one treatment chemical, the apparatus comprising at least one sensor and an electronic input/output device carrying out a protocol; measuring a parameter of the industrial water system using the at least one sensor; relaying the measured parameter to the electronic device; adjusting the protocol based on the measured parameter; delivering a concentrated treatment chemical into a stream of the industrial water system according to the adjusted protocol, the concentrated treatment chemical comprising an active ingredient, the active ingredient traced as necessary, the active ingredient having a concentration; repeating the measuring, the adjusting, and the delivering; and optionally repeating the steps for n-number of parameters, n-number of active ingredients, and/or n-number of concentrated treatment chemicals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Narasimha M. Rao, Steven R. Hatch, William A. Von Drasek
  • Publication number: 20130228528
    Abstract: A system and method for the treatment of process streams. A catalyst mediates a wet oxidation process at elevated temperatures and pressures for treating at least one undesirable constituent in an aqueous mixture. The aqueous mixture may be contacted with a catalyst and an oxidizing agent at an elevated temperature and a superatmospheric pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventor: Chad L. Felch
  • Patent number: 8524088
    Abstract: Scaling is controlled in a cooling water system with CO2 based upon measurements of the cooling water's pH, alkalinity and Ca2+concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: American Air Liquide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Arbogast, Meenakshi Sundaram, Daniel D. Duarte
  • Publication number: 20130220939
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method of controlling addition rate of an odor control chemical to a wastewater line comprising means for adding odor control chemical to the wastewater. The method comprises measuring a level of dissolved sulfides in the wastewater line using a sulfide probe placed in said wastewater line, transferring data on the level of dissolved sulfides to a computing unit, determining a required odor control chemical addition rate in said computing unit based on said level of dissolved sulfides, and instructing the means for adding odor control chemical to add the odor control chemical at said required addition rate. The invention allows for accurate on-line control of the level of H2S in the wastewater line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: KEMIRA OYJ
    Inventor: KEMIRA OYJ
  • Publication number: 20130213895
    Abstract: A system for treating a wastewater stream produces an effluent having an acceptable level of turbidity. A PID controller is operatively coupled to at least one turbidity meter for monitoring turbidity of the effluent stream. A plurality of chemical treatment additive pumps are provided for adding a plurality of treatment chemicals to the wastewater stream in real time under supervision of the controller, and responsive to monitored turbidity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventor: Denny Allen CRISWELL
  • Patent number: 8501011
    Abstract: A system and method for the treatment of process streams. A catalyst mediates a wet oxidation process at elevated temperatures and pressures for treating at least one undesirable constituent in an aqueous mixture. The aqueous mixture may be contacted with a catalyst and an oxidizing agent at an elevated temperature and a superatmospheric pressure. At least a portion of the catalyst may be precipitated by a pH adjustment and recycled back to contact the aqueous mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Chad L. Felch
  • Publication number: 20130193080
    Abstract: The method for managing the polarity-reversal frequency of at least one pair of electrodes in an electrochemical reactor for water electrolysis includes observing a fluctuation in the hydrogen potential (pH) of the water, while carrying out a comparison of the pH measured at a given moment with a previous measurement or a predetermined initial value. An amount of treatment agent is injected into the water to adjust the pH to around a defined set point. The polarity-reversal frequency of electrodes is calculated on the basis of the temperature of the water, the pH fluctuation and amount of agent injected. The method includes estimating the total alkali strength on the basis of the injected amount and the pH fluctuation, anticipating the fluctuations in the pH relative to the preceding estimations, and readjusting complete alkalinity titration estimate and calculation of the polarity-reversal frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: POOL TECHNOLOGIE
    Inventors: Philippe Grard, Patrice Coquelle
  • Patent number: 8491794
    Abstract: A system and process for enhancing total organic carbon (“TOC”) removal from raw, untreated water while maintaining optimum membrane filter performance. The present invention overcomes many of the disadvantages of prior art water filtration systems by controlling the pH level of the water, prior to the water being directed through said membrane filter, so that the particulate charge of the water aligns with the electromagnetic surface charge of membrane filter. Maintaining the particulate charge of the water within an optimum charge window for the particular membrane filter enhances the membrane filter's performance by decreasing the fouling rate of the membrane filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregg A. McLeod
  • Patent number: 8491788
    Abstract: One embodiment of a method to system for enhancing TOC removal while maintaining membrane filter performance is the implementation of a dual pH control system. This embodiment will enhance the ability to maximize TOC removal while maintaining optimum membrane filter performance. By adjusting pH, dosing a chemical coagulant and incorporating liquid-solids separation, a considerably higher degree of TOC removal is possible. By adjusting pH again after liquid-solids separation this embodiment can drastically increase the efficiency of the membrane microfiltration/ultrafiltration system. Thus pH control for soluble organic removal is critical. This pH level however may not be the ideal set point for minimizing membrane fouling which is the basis for this embodiment. An example: the pH set point for optimum soluble organic removal is designated to be 5.5. However, the optimum pH set point for optimum membrane performance is 7.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregg A. McLeod
  • Patent number: 8486272
    Abstract: A method for keeping constant a pH of a medical liquid being drained from a container includes adding CO2 and at least one other gas or gas mixture to the container during the draining of the medical liquid. An apparatus associated with the method has an outflow for the medical liquid, at least one inflow for the CO2 and an inflow for the other gas or gas mixture, and an electronic control for the determination and automatic supply of a quantity of the CO2 during the draining of the medical liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Achim Rauch
  • Publication number: 20130161265
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for monitoring and controlling a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in a hot water system to inhibit corrosion in the hot water system. The method includes defining one or more operational protective zones in the hot water system. One or more of the operational protective zones includes an oxidation-reduction potential probe that is operable to measure a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in the hot water system at operating temperature and pressure. The probe transmits the measured real-time potential to the controller, which assesses and interprets the transmitted potential to determine whether it conforms to an oxidation-reduction potential setting. If the measured potential does not conform the oxidation-reduction potential setting, the controller is operable to feed or remove one or more active chemical species into or from the hot water system and further operable to change at least one system parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: NALCO COMPANY
    Inventor: NALCO COMPANY
  • Patent number: 8465651
    Abstract: A sustainable method and system for treating and maintaining bodies of water at low cost for low density recreational use is disclosed. A system of the invention generally includes at least one containing means, at least one coordination means, at least one chemical application means, at least one non-intrusive mobile suction means, and at least one filtration means. The coordinating means can receive information regarding water quality parameters that are controlled, and can timely activate the processes necessary to adjust the water quality parameters within their respective limits. The disclosed methods and system filter only a small fraction of the total water volume, up to 200 times less per day than the flow filtered by conventional swimming pool filtration systems. The disclosed methods and system also use less chemicals, up to 100 times less than conventional swimming pool water treatment systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Crystal Lagoons (Curacao) B.V.
    Inventor: Fernando Fischmann T.
  • Publication number: 20130146535
    Abstract: A method for monitoring and/or controlling the process flow of a waste water system having waste water in waste water lines, comprising the steps as follows: measuring volume flow of waste water at a location remote from a waste water cleaning plant; measuring at least one additional waste water relevant parameter at the location remote from the waste water cleaning plant; evaluating the measurement data and detecting system relevant events; and undertaking measures in the waste water cleaning plant and/or at the location remote from the waste water cleaning plant as a function of the system relevant event. Furthermore, the invention relates to a system for performing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft fur Mess- und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft fur Mess-und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG
  • Patent number: 8460557
    Abstract: A system and method for the treatment of process streams. A catalyst mediates a wet oxidation process at elevated temperatures and pressures for treating at least one undesirable constituent in an aqueous mixture. A catalyst may be selected for its solubility at a detected pH level of the aqueous mixture. Alternatively, a pH level of the aqueous mixture may be adjusted to solubilize a selected catalyst and/or maintain the selected catalyst in a soluble form. A controller in communication with a pH sensor may be configured to generate a control signal to adjust the pH level of the aqueous mixture in response to the pH sensor registering a pH level outside a predetermined pH solubility range for a selected catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad L. Felch, Todd Wingers, Timothy Schleusner, Bryan Kumfer, Clayton Maugans
  • Patent number: 8454895
    Abstract: This invention refers to continuous flow devices for detecting and/or removal of contaminants from a liquid stream. The device comprises a cartridge with an inlet and outlet for the liquid stream, a radiation incident and emerging wall portion and optically transparent support material packed in the cartridge such that a liquid stream can pass between voids or spaces formed within the optically transparent material, as well as a radiation source and detector. The support material comprises molecules for capturing at least one contaminant on the surface of the support material and each of the capture molecules comprises at least one reporter group which emits a signal upon binding of the contaminant. Another form of the invention refers to a rotatable support within the liquid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Nanyang Technological University
    Inventors: Karina Yew-Hoong Gin, Trevor R. Garrett
  • Publication number: 20130126440
    Abstract: A method of managing a reservoir of water having a recirculating arrangement for recirculating water at frequent time intervals is disclosed. The method includes starting a productive recirculation of water within the reservoir by means of the recirculating pump, and sensing control parameter/s relating to the quality of water that are selected from: a level of disinfectant, a pH level, a water turbidity level, or a biological count level. The productive recirculation of water by the recirculating pump is continued until each sensed control parameter has reached its target level in the water. In a power saving management mode the productive recirculation of water by the recirculating arrangement is stopped when each sensed control parameter has reached its target level. Instead in a minimum run time mode the productive recirculation is only stopped when this minimum run time has been completed and each sensed control parameter has reached its target level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Chris Prause, David Venamore, Martin Bailey
  • Patent number: 8444858
    Abstract: There is provided a method of inhibiting the development of a biofilm adjacent a surface, the method comprising intermittently applying a biofilm inhibiting substance to a collection of microorganisms having biofilm developing potential. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: A.Y. Laboratories Ltd.
    Inventor: Ayala Barak
  • Publication number: 20130105405
    Abstract: A water purification device is provided in the form of a hydrogel matrix containing immobilized nanoparticles that are directly synthesized in-situ in the hydrogel matrix. A related method of decontaminating the water supply contaminated with a target pollutant is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Dibakar Bhattacharyya, Li Xiao
  • Patent number: 8425768
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards systems and methods for the treatment of wastewater. A system in accordance with one particular embodiment may include an oxidation reactor configured to receive a flow of wastewater from a wastewater producing process. The oxidation reactor may be further configured to oxidize a chemical associated with the flow of wastewater with an oxidation agent. The oxidation reactor may include at least one reaction member configured to pressurize at least a portion of the oxidation reactor. The system may further include at least one resin tank configured to contain an ion exchange resin configured to target a particular metal, the at least one resin tank configured to receive an output from the oxidation reactor. Numerous other embodiments are also within the scope of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Hydroionic Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rainer Bauder, Richard Hsu Yeh
  • Patent number: 8419912
    Abstract: A water quality analyzer comprises: sensor electrodes 1a, 1b made of different metals from each other, the electrodes in a liquid of inspecting object generating a sense voltage in proportion to the liquid's impurities concentration; an operational amplifier OP1 amplifying the sense voltage without inverting to provide for a CPU 3; a resistor R0 whose one end is connected to the electrode 1a; and a voltage divider 2 applying a voltage obtained by dividing the sense voltage by a prescribed division ratio to R0's another end. The CPU 3 calculates input signal from OP1 to obtain chlorine concentration and displays the calculated result on a LCD 4 in a measurement mode, and sets the division ratio of the divider 2 so that sense voltage across electrodes 1a, 1b soaked in a liquid including prescribed concentration chloride approximately agrees with a reference voltage of prescribed concentration in a sense-voltage calibration mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignees: Tanita Corporation, FIS Inc.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Sagawa, Shinichi Harima, Kazuo Onaga, Junko Yanagitani, Osamu Inazawa
  • Patent number: 8357305
    Abstract: A pre-treatment method injecting sulfur dioxide into waters containing suspended solids to undergo ultra violet disinfection to form sulfurous acid (H2SO3) to self-agglomerate and precipitate solids from the wastewater for settling or filtration removal and provide acid to reduce bicarbonate and mineral scaling and microbial buildup on ultraviolet light tubes to improve their performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Earth Renaissance Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marcus G. Theodore, Terry R. Gong
  • Publication number: 20130015137
    Abstract: Disclosed and claimed is a method of removing contaminants from a process stream or stabilizing a system parameter in the process stream. The method includes providing a filtration system in communication with a controller, wherein the controller is operable to automatically initiate a flow from the process stream into the filtration system when the system parameter of the process stream is within above an upper threshold value and/or below a lower threshold value; and activating the filtration system, wherein the flow comprises a flow rate through the filtration system and the controller is operable to adjust the flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Ana-Mariana Urmenyi, Amit Gupta, Chris D. Davies, Bert Simons