Level Sensing Patents (Class 210/744)
  • Publication number: 20080272064
    Abstract: A rainwater treatment assembly (1) comprising a rainwater storage tank (2) and a treatment tank (3). Rainwater is delivered from the storage tank (3) where ozone is injected into it at regular time intervals. The ozone kills bacteria and oxidises transition metals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventor: Owen Thomas Leonard
  • Patent number: 7442294
    Abstract: A hemodialysis apparatus that carries out hemodialysis treatment by measuring or calculating the blood volume or its volume change as a blood indication level, and by controlling dialysis conditions according to said target blood indication level, wherein the chronological course of said blood indication level is defined as a target control line, and the primary blood volume (BV0) can be calculated as blood indication level. In the former part of the dialysis operation, the water removal is controlled so that the circulating blood volume in the body approach to the standard blood volume (BV st) with the use of said target control line. After the water removal of the former part of the dialysis operation, when the circulating blood volume in the body attains the standard blood volume (BV st), the latter part of the dialysis operation is started. In said latter part of the dialysis operation, the water removal operation is performed by substantively maintaining said standard blood volume (BV st).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: JMS Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20080245737
    Abstract: A method and system of providing ultrapure water for semiconductor fabrication operations is provided. The ultrapure water is treated by utilizing a free radical scavenging system and a particulate removal system. The free radical scavenging system can utilize actinic radiation with a free radical precursor compound, such as ammonium persulfate. The particulate removal system can comprise one or more ultrafiltration apparatus. The ultrapure water may be further treated by utilizing ion exchange media and degasification apparatus. A control system can be utilized in feedforward or feedback mode to regulate addition of the precursor compound and the actinic radiation source, and to maintain a temperature of the ultrapure water product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: SIEMENS WATER TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
    Inventor: Bruce Lee Coulter
  • Publication number: 20080237142
    Abstract: Concentrator systems include a circulating fluid pathway passing through a pump, a filter, and a retentate container. An effluent outlet line communicates with the circulating fluid pathway through a filtering element within a body of the filter. The systems further include a control system. In some embodiments, the pump, filter, and retentate container may be secured within a portable container. Methods for concentrating a foreign substance within a fluid sample include establishing circulation of fluid through a fluid circulation path passing through a fluid pump, a filter body, and a retentate container. Fluid is caused to exit the fluid circulation path through a filtering element within the filter body, and at least one foreign substance is prevented from passing through the filtering element. A control system may be used to control at least one of a speed of the pump and a quantity of retentate within the retentate container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Michael V. Carpenter, Lyle G. Roybal, Alan Lindquist, Vicente Gallardo
  • Patent number: 7416670
    Abstract: It has been discovered that a mechanical flotation system (10) having only two cells (18, 20) can be nearly as efficient as one having more cells, yet provide an apparatus with a considerably smaller footprint, significantly reduced capital and operating costs, as well as be resistant to floating oil recovery platform wave effects. The dual-cell mechanical flotation system (10) has, in sequential order, an inlet chamber (16) and two gasification chambers or cells (18, 20), each with at least one gas ingestion and mixing mechanism (32), and a discharge chamber (24). A common primary skim collection channel (40) atop the partition (44) dividing the gasification chambers (18, 20) efficiently channels away the bulk of the floating collected matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin Stacy, Kenneth C. Tolmie, James C. T. Chen
  • Publication number: 20080164216
    Abstract: A septic tank housing system with extension element for use in a septic system including a filter housing with sides, a top section and a bottom; a filter element holder; a plurality of filter elements; a tubular element secured to the outside of the filter housing: a filter housing extension element for extending the overall height of the filter housing; and preferably, a pump for discharging filter liquid effluent from the filter housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: Zoeller Company
    Inventors: Jay E. Collins, James R. Zimmerman, Jason D. Fletcher, Matthew E. Byers
  • Publication number: 20080142451
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning and shutting down a part-time wastewater treatment system is disclosed. The wastewater treatment system has a water input to receive an influent flow of wastewater to be treated, a water output to discharge treated clean water effluent, and a water treatment capacity volume. An effluent external tank receives the clean water effluent and has a size greater than or equal to the capacity volume. Influent flow of wastewater is terminated. Clean water effluent is pumped through a fluid pathway from the effluent external tank to the water input. A sufficient volume of clean water effluent is passed through the wastewater treatment system to complete treatment of the wastewater within the wastewater treatment system, purge wastewater from the wastewater treatment system, and fill the wastewater treatment system with clean water effluent. The wastewater treatment system is thus prepared to be shut down.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: WATER SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael R. Rusnack, Stephen D. Allen
  • Publication number: 20080116134
    Abstract: A brine recycling apparatus and process form a part of a water softening system (10). The water softening system (10) has a brine tank (43) for receiving brine solution that has passed through a softening tank (19) of the softening system (10) to remove hardness ions adsorbed on resin regenerating particles in the softening tank (19). The brine solution in the brine tank (43) is forced through a filter such as a nanofilter (25) that allows a much higher proportion of the brine ions to pass than the hardness ions. The liquid passing through the filter (25) is returned to the brine tank (43). The liquid that does not pass through the filter (25) may be directed to a drain. A preferred system uses a pump (51) to force the brine solution through the filter (25).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventor: Peter S. Cartwright
  • Patent number: 7368060
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for detecting contaminant in a fuel system, such as a fuel system of an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a fuel filter comprising an upper unit having a fuel inlet port, a fuel outlet port, and a closeable vent port and a lower unit releasably mounted to the upper unit and comprising a contaminant collection zone adapted for holding collected contaminant and a closable contaminant outlet port adapted for draining the collected contaminant. The apparatus further includes a programmable low-voltage variable contaminant detection sensor formed integrally within the upper unit of the fuel filter and comprising detection probes extending into the lower unit of the fuel filter for sensing contaminant levels within the contaminant collection zone, the sensor being adapted for generating a signal upon detection of a predetermined level of contaminant in the contaminant collection zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Warning SA
    Inventor: Mihalis Faxides
  • Publication number: 20080099396
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for purifying water, in particular for the continuous purification of water in the paper industry, said device comprising at least one supply line and at least one drain line for the water. The device also comprises a compression device for at least one sub-stream of the water, an injection device for injecting at least one gas and an expansion device for expanding at least one sub-stream of the water. In addition, the device comprises a unit for separating different phases of the water for purification. The device is characterized by a control system, which detects at least one parameter of the water and controls at least the addition of at least one additive in accordance with the process parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicants: Kowitec Ingenieurgesellschaft Fuer Wassertechnik MBH, Meri Entsorgungstechnik fuer die Papierindustrie GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Rother, Frank Wiemeyer, Eberhard Kopp, Christoph Gundlach
  • Patent number: 7364661
    Abstract: A mixture of fluids is separated into at least two phases, one of which has a higher density than the other, passing the mixture through a normally horizontal supply pipe, by creating a stratified flow in the supply pipe, by passing the mixture through an inclined pipe, whilse maintaining a stratified flow in the inclined pipe, by extracting fluid with lower density (“lighter phase”) via a first discharge system and fluid with a higher density (“heavier phase”) via a second discharge system, wherein the interface between the lighter phase and the heavier phase is monitored in the inclined pipe by a level controller means that varies the flow of the fluid of higher density to keep the interface between set levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Eric Johannes Puik
  • Publication number: 20080087608
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for inline, controlled water separation from a multiphase hydrocarbon production stream. The method includes the steps of directing the multiphase hydrocarbon production stream to a gas/liquid separator in order to separate into a gas stream and a liquid stream. The level of liquid in the gas/liquid separator is monitored and controlled. The liquid stream removed from the gas/liquid separator is directed to an enlarged pipe section in order to separate into an oil portion and a water portion. The level of the oil portion in the enlarged pipe section is monitored and controlled. The water portion from the enlarged pipe section is directed to a liquid-liquid cyclone centrifugal separator in order to separate into a water stream and a hydrocarbon concentrated stream. The water stream from the liquid cyclone centrifugal separator is directed to at least one de-oiling hydrocyclone separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: MULTIPHASE SYSTEMS INTEGRATION
    Inventors: Shoubo Wang, Luis Gomez, Ram Mohan, Ovadia Shoham
  • Publication number: 20080083674
    Abstract: A reservoir is configured to receive a first fluid, and has an inlet configured to receive a second fluid and an outlet. Second fluid received in the reservoir drives a corresponding amount of first fluid out of the outlet and into the wastewater treatment system. A method also is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Murphy J. Cormier, Troy L. Cormier, Ronald J. Suchecki, Robert K. Pertuit, Donald L. Brown
  • Patent number: 7347945
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an installation for separating out an effluent made up of a multi-phase fluid mixture. According to the invention, said installation includes gravity separator means whose geometrical separation characteristics can be adjusted during said separation operation. According to the invention, the method makes it possible to adjust the geometrical separation characteristics of the separator as a function of how the multi-phase composition of the effluent varies over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jul Amado, Baptiste Germond, Pierre Le Foll
  • Patent number: 7314509
    Abstract: A gas/liquid phase separator includes a fluid inlet, a vapor outlet, a liquid outlet, and first and second valves disposed in fluid communication with the liquid outlet. Both valves are controllable in response to a fluid level in the gas/liquid phase separator. Both valves are further disposed in parallel fluid communication with each other. A method of controlling a liquid level in the phase separator includes sensing an amount of liquid in the phase separator, sensing a system pressure, and selectively opening a valve disposed in fluid communication with the phase separator to drain the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Proton Energy System, Inc.
    Inventors: A. John Speranza, Andrzej E. Stanek, Angelo A. Morson, Justin D. Baltrucki
  • Patent number: 7303667
    Abstract: A hemodialysis apparatus that carries out hemodialysis treatment by controlling dialysis conditions, wherein the hemodialysis treatment is carried out under dialysis conditions determined by defining the course of said chronological target blood indication level as a target control line, measuring the blood indication level at each measurement point (controlling point) in said chronological course, calculating the dialysis conditions with the use of said measured blood indication level and the target blood indication level at the next measurement point (controlling point) of said measurement point (controlling point) in the hemodialysis apparatus carrying out hemodialysis treatment by controlling dialysis conditions with the use of blood volume (BV level) or blood volume change as an indication level (hereinafter also referred to as blood indication level), to attain the target blood indication level at the next measurement point (controlling point).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: JMS Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7273560
    Abstract: An apparatus for recycling the stripper solutions with higher recycling rate is disclosed. The apparatus includes a stripper condenser; a first buffer tank; a second buffer tank connecting to said stripper condenser by a first pipe and connecting to said first buffer tank by a second pipe; a recycling device connecting to said first buffer tank by a fourth pipe; a first pump mounted on said first pipe; a second pump mounted on said second pipe; a concentration detector mounted in said stripper condenser; and a controller electrically connected to said concentration detector, said flow meter, and said liquid level sensor for receiving the signals therefrom, and electrically connected to said first pump and said second pump for sending on-off messages to said second pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Ta Sen Su, Chien Chou, Ji Luen Chen
  • Publication number: 20070215557
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a grease processing unit for wastewater treatment. An embodiment of a grease processing unit includes a tank to hold influent. The tank has a top, a bottom, and one or more sides, and the influent is a mixture of grease and water. There is a first inlet in a side of the tank to allow influent to be pumped into the tank, and a second inlet in a side of the tank to allow water into the tank. The tank has an outlet in a side of the tank, where the outlet allows effluent to be released out of the tank. The grease separation unit also includes a control unit, the control unit to control the operation of the grease processing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: Kevin L. Gallegos, Michael J. Kruckenberg, Larry Dean Brown, Ronald Hill, Daniel Tonello, Jack Beach, Timothy Morse, Edwin Tankersley, Charles Bosshardt, Timothy Boyles, S. Bret Guillory
  • Patent number: 7270755
    Abstract: Presented is a liquid filtering apparatus and method that overcomes the disadvantages encountered with prior bed filtration systems by providing a filtering apparatus that incorporates a super-buoyant filter medium having a specific gravity very substantially lower than that of the process liquid being filtered. This feature enables a majority of the medium to float on top of the process liquid. Due to the significant differences in specific gravity between the media and the process liquid, super-buoyant media produce a highly advantageous means of naturally, gravimetrically separating both clean and contaminated filter media and process liquid into separate “phases”. Under normal filtering operation, the filter media is contained within a filter housing by a bed support near the top of the filter housing, and particulate material is filtered from a process liquid that passes through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventor: Steven H. Schwartzkopf
  • Patent number: 7264006
    Abstract: The invention features an apparatus and a method for supplying ozonated water to more than one process tool. Ozonated water of a first concentration received from an ozonated water generator and water received from a source are mixed to produce ozonated water of a second concentration. The ozonated water of a second concentration is supplied to a first process tool. Ozonated water from the ozonated water generator is supplied to a second process tool while supplying the ozonated water of the second concentration to the first process tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Jens Fittkau, Johannes Seiwert, Christiane Gottschalk
  • Publication number: 20070181507
    Abstract: A fluid handling apparatus 10 has an upper apparatus body 12 on which a plurality of upper fluid handling sections 16 are arrayed, and a lower apparatus body 14 capable of mounting thereon the upper apparatus body 12. Each of the upper fluid handling sections 16 of the upper apparatus body 12 has an upper fluid handling chamber 28 in which a large number of beads 24 are housed, and a valve body 26 which is provided in the bottom portion of the upper fluid handling chamber 28, the valve body 26 being pushed up by a protruding portion 18b when the upper apparatus body 12 is mounted on the lower apparatus body 14.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventor: Takuhito Ohse
  • Patent number: 7247243
    Abstract: A separator device including a vessel for separating water from oil. The separator device is provided with a measurer for measuring the temperature of the wall of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS
    Inventor: Klas-Gøran Eriksson
  • Patent number: 7241378
    Abstract: A hemodialysis apparatus includes means for measuring or calculating a blood volume or a blood volume change as a blood index level, a hemodialysis means, and a controlling means that controls hemodialysis conditions of the hemodialysis means according to the blood index level. The controlling means controls the hemodialysis means so that hemodialysis operation is carried out without performing water removal at the time of the initiation of the hemodialysis operation until the blood volume stabilizes. The hemodialysis operation is carried out by performing water removal after the blood volume is stabilized by the hemodialysis operation without performing water removal, and that is a constitution so that it is possible to calculate the primary blood volume (BV0) of each patient according to the following formula (I), from % ?BV of hemodialysis operation which has been carried out before the blood volume is stabilized, and the increased blood volume circulating outside the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: JMS Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7204930
    Abstract: An oxidation filtration system for cleaning groundwater, the system having an aeration tower and a filtration tank. Within the filtration tank is an upper chamber and a lower chamber. Contained within the lower chamber is a plurality of Styrofoam™ filter media. Separating the upper chamber from lower chamber is a filter media mash which keeps the filter media from entering into the upper chamber. The aerated water from the aeration tower enters into the base of the lower filter chamber and rises through the filter media into the upper filter chamber. As the water passes through the filter media, the dissolved solvents fallout of the groundwater and attach themselves to the Styrofoam™ media. An automated back flushing and clarifying process is also provided using a back flush port and a clarification port, a higher level water sensor in the aeration tower and a programmable logic controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Skagit Farmers Supply
    Inventor: William Nightingale
  • Patent number: 7172704
    Abstract: A method for treating waste water fluid, wherein the method comprises the steps of macerating waste water fluid in a first tank forming a sheared fluid, filtering the sheared fluid to remove solids, forming unfiltered waste water and product water, flowing product water to the first tank when the waste water fluid level is below the product water manifold, flowing the product water to a second tank when the waste water fluid level covers the product water manifold, flowing product water in the second tank into a vented loop to a third tank, diluting fluid in the third tank with raw water from a raw water source forming de-chlorinated water; and removing the de-chlorinated water from the third tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Headhunter, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Kroesser, III, Paul Craig Mellinger, Mark Wayne Mellinger, Lynn Wallace, Art Smith, Randy Lego, Melvyn Wayne Mellinger, Scott Hudson
  • Patent number: 7153436
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel method and system for enhancing the efficiency of hydraulic centrifugal separators (cyclones) in the removal of fine size particles from a liquid carrying medium. More particularly, it is concerned with improvements in the removal efficiency of any number of cyclonic devices that rely on the use of centrifugal force to separate fine size particles of differing density from the liquid carrying medium by addition of polymeric additives, both before, and, as necessary, inside the cyclone body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventors: Patrick W Bair, Charlynn Bair
  • Patent number: 7125393
    Abstract: A device for carrying fluids for a medical treatment device with two balancing chambers, each having two partial chambers. The filling times of the partial chambers are initially determined using a monitoring device, and then the filling times of the first partial chambers of the first and second balancing chambers, are compared to the filling times of the second partial chambers of the first and second balancing chambers, respectively, to detect leakage or an incomplete filling or discharging of the respective partial chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Helge Brauer, Walter Ehrenberger, Helmuth Ender, Joachim Noack
  • Patent number: 7118677
    Abstract: In order to use so-called gray water for the flushing of toilets, for example in a conveyance such as a passenger aircraft, the gray water is passed through at least one filter, preferably through a coarse filter followed by a fine filter, into a treatment tank where it is anodically oxidized. The rinsing is performed by a pump that may be a rotary pressure pump or a piston cylinder pump. The pump passes the processed or oxidized water through an excess pressure valve and through at least one spray nozzle into a toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Claus Hoffjann, Hans-Juergen Heinrich
  • Patent number: 7074337
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for filtering or purifying water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventor: Robert L. Miller
  • Patent number: 7074338
    Abstract: Using the filter auxiliary agent separated by backwashing from a filter element repeatedly and effectively, the consumption amount of a filter auxiliary agent and the generation of industrial waste can be suppressed. In a filter auxiliary agent pre-coat circuit, a filter auxiliary agent in a pre-coat tank is attached and stacked on a filter element in a filter case, and a filter auxiliary agent layer is formed. In a filter circuit, the filter auxiliary agent layer of the filter element removes sludge in the filter treatment liquid in a main tank. A backwashing circuit breaks down the filter auxiliary agent layer and a sludge layer, separates the filter auxiliary agent layer and the sludge layer by backwashing from the filter element, and circulates to the pre-coat tank. After repeating these steps a plurality of times, the filter auxiliary agent and sludge separated by backwashing are taken out to the exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Nikuni
    Inventor: Yuji Mizuno
  • Patent number: 7060189
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for recycling a wash solution used in powder coating which uses filters. The invention also relates to methods and apparatuses for recycling wash solutions used in spray washing, steam cleaning or car washes using filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventor: Robert L. Miller
  • Patent number: 7052612
    Abstract: A skimmer and filter unit for use with a body of water. A tank portion of the unit defines an interior skimmer chamber, one or more ultraviolet light chambers, filter chamber, and pump chamber. Water is received through a pivoting weir door of a skimmer faceplate assembly affixed to the tank portion. Water is directed downward from the weir opening to a skimmer basket, then through unidirectional ports defined in a lower portion of a partitioning wall to one or more ultraviolet light chambers where it is subjected to ultraviolet light. After being subjected to ultraviolet light, the water is passed through a filter chamber then to a pump chamber where it is pumped away from the skimmer and filter unit. An interlocking lid is secured to the tank portion to seal the interior of the tank portion and protect the tank from deformation caused by the surrounding environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: Charles F. Kelty
  • Patent number: 7045065
    Abstract: A method and related apparatus for monitoring and eliminating gas build-up in an anion exchange column comprised of an anion exchange material placed within a vessel and a liquid layer comprising water contaminated by at least antimony passing through said vessel, which method comprises maintaining said anion exchange material within said liquid layer by allowing gases produced by a reaction of said liquid layer with said anion exchange material to be released from said anion exchange vessel though a valve or other gas release mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Inventors: Luis M. Penafiel, Pedro M. Buarque de Macedo
  • Patent number: 7034193
    Abstract: A method for purifying a spent acid catalyst from an acid catalyzed chemical reaction that generates a mixture of a product, spent add and tar, includes the steps of separating the mixture of product, spent acid, and tar into a product fraction and a spent acid fraction, said spent acid fraction comprising a mixture of spent acid and tar, and separating the spent acid fraction, by flotation separation, centrifugation, or liquid-liquid coalescence, into a tar fraction and a de-tarred spent acid fraction. The fluidized tar and the de-tarred spent acid can each be further processed to produce concentrated acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Rhodia Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Wai-Chun Liu, Philip Dean Hill, Thomas Edwin Pruitt, Forrest Lee Sanders, Albert Yi Yang
  • Patent number: 7025888
    Abstract: A floating decanter and method for charging supernatant from a vesel without drawing floating solids or scum into the discharge. The decanter includes a weir (16) having a central opening, and a solid bottom side, a float (12) adjacent to an outer edge of the weir, a weir lift and drive (14) having at least two screw jacks (20) attached to the float and a attachment arm (26) extending to the weir, and an discharge pipe (32) attached to the bottom of the weir. The weir is lowered with respect to the float to discharge supernatant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Ashbrook Simon-Hartley Operations, LP
    Inventors: James E. Thompson, Jeffrey S. Devine, Michael Combs
  • Patent number: 7017663
    Abstract: System for producing de-watered oil from an underground formation to the surface, which system comprises a reception well having a substantially horizontal or inclined section for primary oil/water separation of the well fluid; a water discharge system having an upstream end that is capable of receiving during normal operation liquid from the lower region of the downstream part of the reception well; and a secondary underground oil/water separator having an upstream end that is capable of receiving during normal operation liquid from the upper region of the downstream part of the reception well, the secondary separator having an outlet for de-watered oil that is in fluid communication with the inlet of a production well and an outlet for a water-enriched component that is in fluid communication with the water discharge system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Gerardus Hugo Polderman, Paulus Henricus Joannes Verbeek, Jelle Sipke Bouma, Eric Johannes Puik
  • Patent number: 7014779
    Abstract: A vacuum separation, transport and collection system for immiscible liquids includes a separator (12) for separating two immiscible liquids such as oil and a water-based coolant, and for directing the separated immiscible liquid into a holder (16). A collector (18) is secured through a vacuum line (20) with the holder (16) and a vacuum generator (22) applies a vacuum to the collector (18) and holder (16). A controller (28) controls the vacuum generator (22) to apply a vacuum to the collector (18) and the holder (16) for a predetermined vacuum duty cycle for periodically removing separated immiscible liquid (26) from the holder (16) into the collector (18). Contaminants in the immiscible liquid cannot degrade performance of the system because such contaminants do not contact the vacuum generator (22) or controller (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Edward C. Kirchner
  • Patent number: 6955763
    Abstract: It has been discovered that a mechanical flotation system having only two cells can be nearly as efficient as one having more cells, yet provide an apparatus with a considerably smaller footprint, significantly reduced capital and operating costs, as well as be resistant to floating oil recovery platform wave effects. The dual-cell mechanical flotation system has, in sequential order, an inlet chamber and two gasification chambers or cells, each with at least one gas ingestion and mixing mechanism, and a discharge chamber. A common primary skim collection channel atop the partition dividing the gasification chambers efficiently channels away the bulk of the floating collected matter. At least one baffle depending from the top of the vessel near the primary skim collection channel helps dampen the action of the fluid containing the suspended matter when the vessel is affected by wave motion against the floating oil production platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Petreco International Inc.
    Inventors: Melvin O. Stacy, Kenneth Tolmie, James C. T. Chen
  • Patent number: 6951615
    Abstract: A grease removal system includes a solid interceptor fluidly coupled to a grease trap tank, which is fluidly coupled to a secondary tank. The secondary tank contains an enzyme solution which biodegrades the grease. The grease removal system may also include a solid interceptor fluidly coupled to a grease trap tank which is fluidly coupled to a replaceable container. Grease is diverted from the grease trap tank into the replaceable container and thereafter discarded. The grease removal system may include a grease trap tank utilizing a unique arrangement of grease baffles and solids baffles which work together to isolate grease within a single region of the grease trap tank for ease of disposal. Finally, the grease removal system includes two level sensors which detect the level of grease within the grease trap tank and, at the appropriate level direct the accumulated grease from the grease trap tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Zurn Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Tripodi, Carl R. Nicolia, Douglas R. Wroblewski, Robert J. Burnham
  • Patent number: 6932910
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for recycling a wash solution used in powder coating which uses filters. The invention also relates to methods and apparatuses for recycling wash solutions used in spray washing, steam cleaning or car washes using filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Robert L. Miller
  • Patent number: 6905607
    Abstract: A system for making use of rainwater falling on houses and buildings, which comprises a means for removing a predetermined quantity of initial precipitation from the rainwater collected form the roof surface of the building; and a purifier receiving the subsequent rainwater from which the initial precipitation has been removed. The purifier includes a filtering tank, a sterilization tank, and a supply tank connected to the sterilization tank. The filtering tank has a physical filter and a pH adjusting agent, the sterilization tank contains a primary reactive catalyst for producing active oxygen species, and the supply tank supplies aqueous hydrogen peroxide to the primary reactive catalyst. The system also has a storage tank that stores the purified rainwater supplied from the purifier. The storage tank contains a secondary reactive catalyst for decomposing and eliminating residual active oxygen species remaining in the purified rainwater supplied from the purifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Takachiho Corp.
    Inventor: Makoto Hosoya
  • Patent number: 6899666
    Abstract: Systems and methods centrifugally separate whole blood into red blood cells, plasma, and a platelet concentrate. The systems and methods rotate a first rotating separation zone about a rotational axis, to separate whole blood into red blood cells and plasma constituent carrying platelets. Red blood cells separated are directed in a first circumferential flow direction toward a terminal wall, where blood flow is halted. Surface hematocrit is successively increased in the first circumferential flow direction by separating the plasma constituent from the red blood cells. Separated red blood cells are directed from the first rotating separation zone through a path where the surface hematocrit is the most. Plasma constituent separated is directed in a second circumferential flow direction opposite to the first circumferential flow direction toward a different region in the first rotating separation zone, where the surface hematocrit is the least.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventor: Richard I Brown
  • Patent number: 6896818
    Abstract: A water treatment and recycling system to provide grey water and crystal clear water to a stone processing system including crystal clear water stone fabrication equipment requiring crystal clear water and grey water stone fabrication equipment capable of using grey water. The system includes a waste water storage tank connected from the waste water discharge ports of the crystal clear water and grey water stone fabrication equipment, a grey water supply loop for pumping waste water from the waste water storage tank as grey water to the grey water stone fabrication equipment and a crystal clear water supply loop for pumping waste water through a high pressure filter to convert the waste water into the crystal clear water, and a crystal clear water supply pump for pumping crystal clear water to crystal clear water stone fabrication equipment. The high pressure filter includes a frame holding a filter stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: PKP Revocable Trust
    Inventors: Ross E. Perry, Paula K. Perry
  • Patent number: 6893572
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for flotation separation. The method has the steps of feeding an influent stream containing liquids and solids to a vessel, while removing clarified liquid at the same time as the feeding process. The method employs a step for emptying the solids from the vessel based on the solids having formed a float blanket of a predetermined depth. The solids are removed from the vessel through a bottom nozzle as opposed to being skimmed off the top surface with mechanical separators. The depth of the float blanket can be monitored. Once it is determined that the float blanket has reached the predetermined depth, the feed to the vessel is stopped and the vessel is emptied of liquids and solids through a suitable outlet other than the feed inlet, by an arrangement of valves and lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Western Environmental Engineering Company
    Inventor: Dennis A. Burke
  • Patent number: 6887383
    Abstract: The performance of a leach field of a septic tank type wastewater treatment system and other analogous devices is enhanced, maintained or rejuvenated by flowing air or other active gas through conduits of the system. Air is flowed serially through cesspools, leaching chambers, perforated pipes in stone filled trenches, leach pits and the like, and the adjacent soil where wastewater treatment takes place. In alternate embodiments, conduits are pressurized or evacuated; and, auxiliary pipes are buried in vicinity of the conduits. An air mover creates a differential pressure sufficient to effect a significant pressure differential with atmosphere and to effect a desired physical or biochemical change in the soil adjacent the conduits. A typical pressure will be around 7-8 cm (about 3 inch) water column. If the soil is saturated, the air pressure will push water from the soil, as well as change the gas composition in the soil. The flow of wastewater may be alternated with the flow of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventor: David A. Potts
  • Patent number: 6878105
    Abstract: Collection systems and methods use a separation chamber that receives blood or a suspension containing red blood cells and performs a separation process including separation of red blood cells from the blood or suspension. The separation chamber contains, during the separation process, a red blood cell volume. An outlet line is coupled to the separation chamber to remove red blood cells from the chamber device, at least in part, while the separation process occurs. A collection container is coupled to the outlet line to receive a volume of red blood cells removed from the separation chamber. A controller includes a processing function that, during the separation process, includes comparing the volume of red blood cells received by the collection container to a selected targeted red blood cell collection volume to derive a difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Kelly B. Smith, Matthew Muller
  • Patent number: 6846407
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for recovering wastewater from laundry operations. A substantially closed loop series of tanks, conduits and pumps hold and transfer water output from a wash machine through a series of filters, including a lint pulloff filter, a multimedia pressure filter, a clay filter, and a carbon filter. The water is ozonated to coagulate suspended solids and to disinfect and is subjected to ultraviolet light to disinfect and to reduce residual ozone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: EMI, LLC
    Inventors: Harold Randoph Anderson, Jeffrey Stuart Lebedin
  • Patent number: 6818799
    Abstract: There is a process for removing by-product tar during the manufacture of isopropyl alcohol. The process comprises the following: a) reacting propylene with concentrated sulfuric acid and water to form isopropyl alcohol and a spent acid having a by-product tar; b) capturing at least a portion of the isopropyl alcohol; c) contacting the spent acid with a gas in bubble form; d) allowing a least a portion of the tar to separate from the remainder of the spent acid to form a layer of tar and a layer of cleaned acid solution; e) capturing the tar; and h) recycling the cleaned acid solution to step a) as a source of sulfuric acid. There is also a process for removing by-product tar during the manufacture of methyl ethyl ketone. The process is substantially the same except that 1-butene is substituted for propylene. There is also a process for removing tar from a spent acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Rhodia, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Wai-Chun Liu, Philip Dean Hill, Thomas Edwin Pruitt, Forrest Lee Sanders, Albert Yi Yang
  • Patent number: 6814874
    Abstract: A ClariCone-type clarifier is provided with a level sensor, a flow-condition detector, and a controller that work together for automatic control of a blow-down valve. The flow-condition detector detects a condition of the flow through the tank. The detector sends the input to the controller, which uses the input to determine a desired blow-down level. The level sensor detects the height of slurry in the tank, and the controller opens the valve when the slurry level reaches the level determined by the controller. The valve can be set to close after a predetermined fixed period of time, by a timer, or when the level sensor detects that the slurry level has fallen to a predetermined or calculated blow-down termination level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Chicago Bridge & Iron Company
    Inventor: Donald Neil Ruehrwein
  • Patent number: 6808637
    Abstract: An ozone water producing system and control method, which is flexibly used indoor or outdoor irrespective condition of a flow channel, is provided for reconstituting polluted water as environmentally friendly. The ozone water generating system is maintained in an optimum state for improving entire performance of the system as well as predicting and preventing the backflow of ozone water, which is occurred due to outlet blocking in a discharging process. The controlling method of the present ozone water producing enables to prevent the deteriorating the performance and ensure the operation stability. The ozone water-producing system comprises an influent air controller, an injector, a gas-liquid separator, and an ozone water-backflow, preventing device. The present system and controller is designed to prevent water backflow, being frequently occurred in the conventional system, for improving the performance, stability and extending operating lifetime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Dong Woo Kiyoun Inc.
    Inventor: Soo Hawn Cho