Utilizing Floating Treating Means Patents (Class 210/747.6)
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Patent number: 11274051Abstract: A capacitive-deionization-type nutritive salt removal system and method uses capacitive deionization (CDI) to remove nutritive salts that cause eutrophication of water due to a water-bloom phenomenon in water held by a dam or a weir. The system includes an intake pump configured to take in the water; a first nutritive salt filtration unit configured to use capacitive deionization to primarily filter out nutritive salts from the taken-in water; a second nutritive salt filtration unit configured to use capacitive deionization to secondarily filter out nutritive salts from the primarily filtered water; and a nutritive salt storage tank configured to collect and store nutritive salts filtered through the second nutritive salt filtration unit. When one filter train is operating the first or second nutritive salt filtration unit, another filter train is subjected to automatic cleaning in a standby state.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2018Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Co., LtdInventors: Hyun Sung Choi, Seog Hyeon Ryu, Seong Ju Kim, Jang Yong You, Seok Ho Choi
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Patent number: 10940930Abstract: An online antifouling ship ballast water treatment system includes a ballast water main pipeline, a ballast water branch pipeline, a dispensing pipeline, a filter on the ballast water main pipeline, an electrolysis unit on the ballast water branch pipeline, and a dispensing pump on the dispensing pipeline. Some of seawater introduced into the system is filtered by the filter and flows to the ballast water branch pipeline and the electrolysis unit, some of seawater electrolyzed by the electrolysis unit is reinjected to the filter through the dispensing pump and the dispensing pipeline after a ballast process is completed, and kept in the filter until a next ballast operation, so that growth and propagation of marine organisms in the filter can be inhibited by sodium hypochlorite contained in a TRO solution when a ballast pump stops working. The present invention also provides a ship ballast water treatment method.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2015Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: SUNRUI MARINE ENVIRONMENT ENGINEERING CO., LTD.Inventors: Guangzhou Liu, Dongxia Duan, Ping Yao
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Patent number: 10792590Abstract: The present invention provides a vacuuming apparatus for removing bubbles from an oil immersed device containing components immersed in insulating oil. The vacuuming apparatus comprises: a supporting mechanism for supporting the oil immersed device; a swinging mechanism for swinging the supporting mechanism and the oil immersed device supported thereby; and a vacuuming mechanism for vacuuming the oil immersed device.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2018Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Xuyong Yang, Xiaoyan Zhang
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Patent number: 10745879Abstract: A floatable, portable and readily deployable apparatus used in a surface water body for the collection, mixing, separation, containment and removal of total solids from fluid in surface water by settling, sorption, floatation or filtration of total solids from fluid entering or induced to flow into the apparatus. Separation of total solids from fluid can include the use and recycling of commercially available or proprietary biologic, chemical and/or physical substances and processes to increase the rate and percentage of total solids removed from fluid in the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2019Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: P-POD TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Jonathan B. Higgins
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Patent number: 10435312Abstract: A multi-stage cavitation subassembly is described. The multi-stage cavitation subassembly includes: (i) a first cavitation-inducing feature for cavitating a fluid; (ii) a second cavitation-inducing feature that is located downstream from the first cavitation-inducing feature and is designed to cavitate the fluid after the fluid has undergone cavitation in the first cavitation-inducing feature; and (iii) a velocity-imparting component that, in a state of motion and when in contact with the fluid, imparts the fluid with sufficient velocity after the fluid has undergone cavitation in the first cavitation-inducing feature so that the fluid traverses from the first cavitation-inducing feature to the second cavitation-inducing feature.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2014Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: BURST ENERGIES INC.Inventors: Stephen L. Miller, Naresh Mahamuni
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Patent number: 10246867Abstract: A river course ecological treatment system for use in a river includes a plurality of plastic retaining dams disposed in the river that receive and divide the river course into sequential retaining regions arranged in a direction from upstream to downstream; a plurality of ecological biological water purification systems disposed in the sequential retaining regions and each ecological biological water purification system being located between any two adjacent plastic retaining dams of the plurality of plastic retaining dams to purify water within the sequential retaining regions and discharge purified water; and at least one damp land ecological water purification system that is disposed beside the river and that includes a rainwater channel disposed along the river; aquatic plants disposed in the rainwater channel are effective to purify water flowing within the rainwater channel; and draining vents provided in the rainwater channel that discharge purified water into the river course.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2017Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Inventor: Thomas Wang
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Patent number: 10107756Abstract: A method of fluorometrically detecting the concentration of chemical components in oxidizing formulations is disclosed. In a particular embodiment the detection is of the stabilizing component of picolinic acid, present in such formulations, although any component which fluoresces may be detected. According to the invention sample preparation of the oxidizing formulation includes adding to said sample an excess of reducing agent to bind peracid, and in the case of picolinic acid, adding to said sample an excess of terbium chloride. The sample then is subjected to radiation to induce fluorescence and the concentration of said chemical component is determined by a linear relationship between fluorescence emitted and the concentration of the target chemical.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2016Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: John Wilhelm Bolduc, Eugene Tokhtuev, Anatoly Skirda, Anna Pilipchenko, Justin Scott Valenstein, Amanda Bakken, Stacy Fawbush, Jeffrey S. Hutchison
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Patent number: 9522829Abstract: A novel method and device for treating a liquid are provided, wherein a concentrated liquid recovered using a centrifugal separation method can be utilized as ballast water. The present disclosure relates to a method for treating a liquid that comprises a storage step including carrying out a physical treatment using a centrifugal force with respect to a supply liquid to be supplied to a storage means located inside a housing, wherein the method comprises carrying out an aquatic organism-inactivating treatment contained in a concentrated liquid obtained by the physical treatment using a centrifugal force and supplying to the storage means the concentrated liquid subjected to the aquatic organism-inactivating treatment.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2014Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Akiyoshi Edagawa, Hiroshi Yamamoto, Hideki Nagaoka, Hidenori Funakoshi, Takuya Kotanagi, Takashi Sakakibara
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Publication number: 20150144567Abstract: Method and system is described for enhanced oil release management system by using one or more booms, one or more skimmers and one or more floating burners. The method and system may include skimmers to capture a fluid that is supplied to the floating burner.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Timothy J. Nedwed, Nicholas F. Urbanski, Amy C. Tidwell, Changyong Zhang
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Publication number: 20150083670Abstract: An aqueous harvester is disclosed that utilizes a rotating drum having a mesh surface to collect material from a body of water. The drum is operative to rotate, typically as the drum is propelled through water by a watercraft. Material collecting on the mesh surface below the water line is rotated out of the water. The material is removed from the mesh surface by spraying pressurized water through the mesh surface into a catch trough disposed within the drum. The material is then removed from the catch trough for further processing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2014Publication date: March 26, 2015Inventor: Doug Jackson
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Patent number: 8920652Abstract: A lagoon batch wastewater treatment system for a wastewater treatment lagoon wherein a containment tank expands and contracts during a sewage treatment process reducing erosion of the berm or bank of the lagoon.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2011Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: JPS Industries, Inc.Inventor: Joseph Santamaria
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Publication number: 20140367342Abstract: An apparatus for removing floating waterbourne debris. The apparatus includes a capture section comprising a carrier and a motive member mounted on the carrier, with the motive member adapted to contact and direct floating debris rearwardly. The apparatus further includes a collection and pumping section positioned rearward of the capture section for collecting and removing debris directed from the capture section. The collection and pumping section includes a hopper having opposed first and second ends, the first end thereof positioned adjacent the motive member and comprising an opening adapted to receive debris directed by the motive member, and the second end presenting a port for passing debris therethrough, and a pump mounted to the hopper adjacent the port and in fluid communication with the hopper for transporting the debris received from the hopper to a remote location.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Ryan Patrick Horton, Michael Todd Young, Victor J. Tirado
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Patent number: 8911632Abstract: The invention relates to an oil combating boom (1), which comprises an elongated boom part, which at its first end is connectable to an oil combating vessel (10). At least one pontoon member (5) and a number of turnable transfer members (6) equipped with rotating blade members (9) have been arranged in connection with the elongated boom part. The invention further relates to a method for collecting oil from a polluted shore area, in which method an oil combating vessel is steered to the vicinity of the shore, the oil combating boom (1) is arranged to extend onto the polluted shore area, oil is transferred from the shore area into the water and steered in the water towards the final collecting space (11) by rotating the blade members (9) of the transfer members (6).Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2010Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Oilwhale OyInventor: Markku Järvinen
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Patent number: 8900461Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for treating ship ballast water, wherein electron beams are irradiated into the ballast water to induce radiolysis of the water, and harmful marine organisms present in the ballast water are killed by radicals produced by the radiolysis. The electron beams are continuously irradiated into the ballast water under operating conditions of an energy of 0.5-5 MeV, an electron beam irradiation dose of 0.1-30 kGy and a flow rate of 1-200 m3/hr.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2011Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: EB-Tech Co., Ltd.Inventors: Bum Soo Han, Jin Kyu Kim, Yu Ri Kim, Ho Kang
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Publication number: 20140319076Abstract: The submarine has a plurality of oil spill detection and removal means, oil/water separating device and oil store tanks. Lights and camera sets are installed in a manner allowing a visual control over the movement of the submarine and over the process of oil removal. A telescopic boom, a sail suction platform and deck suction means are provided to collect the oil spill from the surface of water and from beneath the ice. A bottom suction compartment is provided to collect the oil spill rising from the sea floor to the surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2014Publication date: October 30, 2014Inventor: Sergey Galushko
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Publication number: 20140231361Abstract: A method and an apparatus for processing acidic seawater is disclosed, wherein the acidic seawater is firstly mixed with alkaline seawater, and neutralizing seawater after mixing is transferred into an aeration vessel to be aerated. The volume R of the used aeration vessel and the amount of neutralizing seawater which needs to be processed satisfy a measure relationship: R=(0.008?0.3)L, and the amount of the air brown into the aeration vessel Q, R, and L satisfy a measure relationship: Q=(25?85)L/R. The method and apparatus can be used for processing acidic seawater which rinsed the exhaust of the internal combustion engine, and they are particularly suitable for but not limited to ships, well drilling, floating factories and other offshore platforms.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Inventor: Sigan PENG
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Publication number: 20140231362Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for capturing and removing oil from a body of water with equipment using rod and film technology, which includes a streamlined oil tank that moves in the water and collects surface oil from an attached skimmer, arrays of inverted funnels lowered into the water to concentrate oil for removal, and containment tents to capture leaking fuel or cargo oil from a sunken ship or any underwater oil leak and channel it into a partially submerged rod and film storage tank at the surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Inventor: William R. Becker
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Publication number: 20140197113Abstract: A mobile HEB and TEP mitigation device includes a mobile body capable of movement within or upon a body of water. Located within the mobile body is a hydrodynamic separation system which includes a water inlet, a hydrodynamic separation unit and a collection tank. The hydrodynamic separation unit includes two outputs, one for a clean stream output line containing clean water and arranged to re-circulate the clean water, and another for a concentrate stream output line, the concentrate stream output line configured to place concentrated water containing potentially harmful bio-organic materials into the collection tank. Also included on the mobile body is a power source and an engine/steering unit, wherein the steering portion of the engine/steering unit provides a capacity to move the mobile body in an intended direction. The mitigation device may also be used as an embedded part of an on-shore arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2013Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATEDInventors: Armin R. Volkel, Meng H. Lean, Norine E. Chang, Huangpin B. Hsieh
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Publication number: 20140197114Abstract: In one embodiment, a remediation agent and method of remediation of an algae bloom are disclosed. The remediation agent contains light absorbing compounds in a buoyant water semi-insoluble and biodegradable casein product. The remediation agent may be distributed by boat or seeded by airplane to remediate or prevent algae blooms.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2014Publication date: July 17, 2014Inventor: John P. Fuhrer
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Publication number: 20140190901Abstract: A method to utilize an ice-breaker (10) in a novel way such that tanks of the anti-roll system and/or tanks (21, 22, 23 and 24) of the heeling system are used for recovering and/or processing oil (16) to be recovered from water. The oil is separated from water in a tank of the anti-roll system and/or a tank (21) of the heeling system of the ice-breaker, which tank contains warm water (15) and steam heat pipes (19). The tanks of the anti-roll system and/or tanks of the heeling system of the ice-breaker have separate oil recovery piping which is used when the heeling tanks of the ice-breaker are used for responding to an oil spill.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2012Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: Arctia Shipping OYInventors: Lars Snellman, Kai Valtari, Hanna Suutarla
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Publication number: 20140175021Abstract: Provided are a system and a method for treating ballast water for a ship, the system including a rotary filtration apparatus including a filter that is cylindrically formed so as to surround an axis, that is rotatable around the axis, and that has a pleated shape that is folded in a cylinder radial direction; and an electric motor for rotating the filter. A distance between the cleaning nozzle and a recess of the filter is 120 mm or less. The system and the method are configured to perform a steady-state operation that satisfies the following conditions a to d: a) a rotation speed of the filter during a filtering operation is in the range of 20 to 100 rpm, b) a flow speed of cleaning water ejected from the cleaning nozzle is 250 m/min or more, c) a flow rate of filtered water per unit area of the filter is 5.1 m/h or less, and d) a flow rate of discharged water discharged from the discharge channel is 5% of the flow rate of filtered water or more.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2013Publication date: June 26, 2014Inventors: Munetsugu Ueyama, Isao Ozawa, Kenichiro Miyatake, Ryusuke Nakai
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Publication number: 20140158636Abstract: A method of using a portable external modular filtering system is disclosed where each layer of filtering assembly is assembled by attaching the appropriate multi-side vertical frame to a horizontal platform and attaching an appropriate filter material leaving slack for the filter material to create a temporary filter pool. Macro-particle, micro-particle or nano-particle filtration is accomplished using multiple filters and layers. An optional horizontal top layer may serve as a shock absorber to dissipate the force of the discharge and to collect large pieces of debris. Additional serial units are used depending on the speed of filtering desired. After the discharge is finished exiting the ship and is filtered, the filter material and the contaminants can be rolled up and put into plastic bags to be reported, tested, studied and/or destroyed as appropriate for the type and level of contaminant and the local regulations.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2014Publication date: June 12, 2014Inventor: Sky Bleu Martin
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Patent number: 8721897Abstract: An oil collecting apparatus and a corresponding method for collecting oil from the surface of water, the oil collecting apparatus includes a set of oil booms (3) coupled to form a long line of oil booms. The line of oil booms includes, at a distance from each other, a number of anchorage points (4) for anchoring the oil boom (3) onto the sea bed and, in addition, between the anchorage points and in conjunction with the oil boom there is an oil collecting station (5) for collecting the oil directed by the booms from the surface of water.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2009Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: M&L Patent Oy AbInventor: Lars Ingram Lundin
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Patent number: 8696914Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for picking up particles from the surface of a water system, in particular oil, algae or dirt particles, comprising a particle separation space, which is connected to an inflow opening through which water that contains particles can enter the particle separation space, a particle-collecting space into which particles that have been separated from the water that contains particles reach from the particle separation space via a separation mechanism and an adjustment mechanism, which is configured to regulate a filling level of the water that contains particles in the particle separation space. In addition, the invention relates to a method for picking up particles, in particular oil, algae or dirt particles, from the surface of a water system.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2009Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Technische Universität BerlinInventors: Günther Clauss, Florian Sprenger
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Patent number: 8685254Abstract: A method is generally described which includes environmental alteration. The method includes determining a placement of at least one vessel capable of moving water to lower depths in the water via wave induced downwelling. The method also includes placing the at least one vessel in the determined placement. Further, the method includes generating movement of the water adjacent the surface of the water in response to the placing.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2008Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Inventors: Jeffrey A. Bowers, Kenneth G. Caldeira, Alistair K. Chan, William H. Gates, III, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, John Latham, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Stephen H. Salter, Clarence T. Tegreene, Willard H. Wattenburg, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
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Publication number: 20140083950Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating on skimmed oil/water picked up from a body of water to separate the oil from the water and discharge the oil-free water back into the body of water, first feeds the skimmed oil/water into a gravity settling tank wherein the oil tends to settle above the water, removing relatively oil-free water from the bottom of the tank and measuring its oil content with an oil concentration sensor, and either returning the oil/water flow to the settling tank for further processing if the measured concentration of oil exceeds predetermined limits or discharging the water back into the body of water if the oil concentration is measured to be less than the predetermined value.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Inventor: David Usher
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Patent number: 8673155Abstract: An oil spill recovery vessel (10) equipped with a skimmer unit (11) moves forward through an oil spill (6) at a normal skimming speed with its skimming unit operating to recover oil, and simultaneously transfers recovered oil through an oil transfer hose (17) to a bladder (19) being towed by the vessel using a towing cable (14). The oil transfer hose (17) and towing cable (14) attach to the vessel in substantially the same location situated approximately on the fore-aft centerline of the vessel and at least one third of the vessel's length from the stern or more forwardly an oil transfer bollard (15) of the vessel. In one embodiment the oil transfer hose (17) and towing cable (14) attach to an oil transfer bollard unit (15) comprising a towing post and an oil transfer pipe. The oil transfer bollard (15) can also be used to transfer oil from a towed unit to the vessel.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2011Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Gobbler Oil Spill Recovery Ltd.Inventors: Paul Jauncey, Jose Suarez
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Publication number: 20140069867Abstract: Systems and methods for remediating an initially liquid-like slurry pond include distributing one or more floating wicks into the slurry pond, wherein the slurry pond includes a slurry with a supernatant level above the slurry. A method also includes placing a load on the slurry, wherein the load causes an effective stress on the slurry and aids in dewatering the slurry.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Inventors: David C. Rennard, Thomas R. Palmer, Scott R. Clingman, Robert D. Kaminsky
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Publication number: 20140054237Abstract: An oil skimmer and vacuum recovery apparatus providing a method for removing the contaminating oil floating on the surface of a water body is disclosed. The apparatus may be mounted on an oil recovery vessel and includes a vacuum head mounted to a vacuum system. The vacuum head is configured at a desired proximity above a horizontally disposed separation plate that is adjustably positionable to be placed between the water surface and a contaminating layer of floating oil. The vacuum system includes a vacuum pump and motor and an associated vacuum tank configured to a fluids collection chamber that is in communication with a fluids vacuum line attached to the vacuum head. A vacuum force is directed by the vacuum head to the layer of floating oil above the separation plate whereby and the oil layer is skimmed from over the separation plate and drawn through the vacuum head the fluids vacuum line to the fluids collection chamber where it is collected for disposal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Inventor: Michael H. James
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Patent number: 8658044Abstract: A stormwater filter cartridge includes a housing with internal filter medium disposed along a flow path between a water inlet and a filtered water outlet. A solid wall float tube in a drainage space has an open lower end and open upper end and is movable between a lowered position and a raised position. As the housing fills, water level in the housing rises to cause the solid wall float tube to move to the raised position and a negative pressure draws fluid through the filter medium. As water level outside the filter cartridge drops, air enters the housing and causes the solid wall float tube to drop to the lowered position, and filtered water in a fluid reservoir backflows through the filter medium while air enters the housing by passing upward through the solid wall float tube so as to enhance rate of backflow.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2010Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Contech Engineered Solutions LLCInventor: Daniel P. Cobb
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Patent number: 8658045Abstract: An oil skimmer system on a marine vessel. The preferred embodiment contemplates a pickup wing pivotally mounted between two hulls in the forward section of the marine vessel, which is formed to collect and direct the oil to the pickup wing. The pickup wing is dynamically repositionable, the pickup wing mount having provided a mechanism for vertically positioning the unit in real time such that the front of the pickup wing is situated just below the water surface, to provide maximum collection of contaminants (in this case, hydrocarbons) floating thereupon. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the pickup wing has a “teardrop” cross sectional profile, and is configured such that fluid motion over the its forward section, either from vessel motion or fluid current, provides a skimming action, so as to urge the surface contaminants over the wing and into a recovery area, where it is separated from the water and pumped into a collection tank.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2010Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Inventor: Leslie Lombas
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Publication number: 20130341287Abstract: Described are methods and systems for filtering and capturing waterway wastes. The system can include a bottom section that can remain stationary irrespective of the height of a waterway surface, a side section, a top section that adjusts in response to a change in the height of the waterway surface, a waste capture apparatus for collecting waterway waste, a floatation device, and a first mounting device. The method can include the steps of providing a waterway waste capturing device including top and bottom sections, adjusting the height of the top section based on the height of the waterway, and collecting waterway wastes. By filtering and capturing waterway wastes in accordance with the inventions provided herein, one can efficiently and effectively improve the manner in which wastes and other debris are removed from a waterway, thus mitigating the wastes' adverse environmental effects and significantly decreasing the cost of its removal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2012Publication date: December 26, 2013Inventor: Perry T. Panousis
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Publication number: 20130319953Abstract: A ballast water treatment apparatus includes a filter that is cylindrically formed so as to surround an axis, a case that includes an outer cylindrical portion that is disposed so as to surround the filter, a rotation mechanism that rotates the filter around the axis, an untreated water nozzle that ejects untreated water to a filter-surrounding region that is defined by an outer peripheral surface of the filter and the outer cylindrical portion, a cleaning water nozzle that ejects cleaning water toward the outer peripheral surface of the filter, a filtered water channel through which filtered water that has passed through the filter flows from a region inside the filter to outside of the case, and a discharge channel through which discharged water that has not passed through the filter is discharged from the filter-surrounding region to outside of the case.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Isao Ozawa, Munetsugu Ueyama, Ryusuke Nakai
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Patent number: 8557121Abstract: A system and method for capturing ecologically harmful substances in the nature of hydrocarbons from the surface of a body of water or from the ground adjacent a landfill or waste dump or from a shoreline of a body of water into which residual waste fluids from an adjacent ground leakage is passed. The system and method including a plurality of modular traps. The traps having a side, end, top and bottom panels constructed of a material that allows fluid flow therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2012Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Inventor: Joseph B. Mendes
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Publication number: 20130220940Abstract: A system for treatment of suspended solids in a liquid medium having a one pond, an apparatus for controlled ventilation and aeration of a liquid medium, the apparatus having a dome supported by a flotation device, a blower, a lower housing supported by the flotation device, the lower housing connected to the dome, an aeration apparatus positioned within the sealed space and partially submerged in the flotation liquid, and having one or more parallel shafts, at least one first disc positioned axially on one of the shafts, at least one second disc positioned axially on another of the shafts, wherein the second disc is interleaved relative to the first disc, and wherein a surface of the first disc rotates in a direction opposite a surface of the second disc relative to each other resulting in a mixing area therebetween, and wherein the apparatus is positioned within the pond.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: August 29, 2013Inventor: Robert J. Galletta
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Publication number: 20130213897Abstract: An oil spill recovery vessel (10) equipped with a skimmer unit (11) moves forward through an oil spill (6) at a normal skimming speed with its skimming unit operating to recover oil, and simultaneously transfers recovered oil through an oil transfer hose (17) to a bladder (19) being towed by the vessel using a towing cable (14). The oil transfer hose (17) and towing cable (14) attach to the vessel in substantially the same location situated approximately on the fore-aft centreline of the vessel and at least one third of the vessel's length from the stern or more forwardly an oil transfer bollard (15) of the vessel. In one embodiment the oil transfer hose (17) and towing cable (14) attach to an oil transfer bollard unit (15) comprising a towing post and an oil transfer pipe. The oil transfer bollard (15) can also be used to transfer oil from a towed unit to the vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2011Publication date: August 22, 2013Inventors: Paul Jauncey, Jose Suarez
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Publication number: 20130204066Abstract: A unit for establishing contact between a liquid and a gas includes: a chamber having a vertical axis; a first series of contact sections disposed along the length of the vertical axis of the chamber; a second series of contact sections disposed along the length of the vertical axis of the chamber, alternated with the contact sections of the first series; and a liquid circulation system designed to circulate a liquid in the contact sections of the first series and in the contact sections of the second series in a separate manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2011Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: TOTAL S.A.Inventor: Denis Chretien
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Publication number: 20130180931Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a solar-activated photochemical fluid treatment system, some of which comprise an group of modules coupled together with attachment mechanisms, the group of modules comprising one or more floats. The modules comprise a porous substrate and a semiconductor photocatalyst coupled to the substrate. The group of interconnected modules can be configured to float at or near the surface of a body of fluid such that the fluid and sunlight can be in contact with the photocatalyst. The fluid treatment system can, responsive to solar radiation applied to the photocatalyst and to the fluid, induce photochemical modification of contaminants and living organisms in the fluid. Related methods are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2011Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: UVCLEANING SYSTEMS, INC.Inventor: Mark D. Owen
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Publication number: 20130180930Abstract: A boat is provided with a pipe assembly operatively connected to a water pump. The pipe assembly can be raised and lowered between transport and use positions. The pump draws water from the body of water, and the water is discharged through a series of holes in a substantially horizontal pipe adjacent the bottom of the body of water. The impingement of the ejecting water dislodges oil or other substances, which then float to the surface for collection.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2012Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: Warner Enterprises, LLCInventor: Bradley William Warner
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Publication number: 20130168324Abstract: A method for retracting oil on a water surface, and a method for reducing the quantity of oil on an oil control boom are described. Spreading of oil can be reversed by reducing the surface tension of the seawater, for example by using a low concentration of a water-soluble surfactant, such as a non-ionic surfactant. A controlled amount of the surfactant may be continuously discharged at the inner-wall of a spill control boom surrounding the oil spill. The spilled oil is caused to retract away from the boom toward the center of the area encircled thereby, such that the oil layer becomes sufficiently thick to be more effectively removed mechanically. The surfactant also reduces the amount of oil on the spill control boom, whereby the boom can easily be removed from a remediated oil spill and reused at a later date without further cleaning.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2012Publication date: July 4, 2013Inventors: Koichi Takamura, Noman R. Morrow, Nina Loahardjo, Winoto Winoto
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Publication number: 20130153513Abstract: The present invention relates in a first aspect to a liquid removal device, and in a second aspect to a method for removing a liquid, such as oil or an algae slurry, from a surface of water. The device comprises a circumferentially extending flexible wall element defining together with a bottom part a suction chamber for receiving the liquid. A floater body is sealingly connected to the flexible wall element at an upper edge of the latter, and is able to effectuate a movement in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the surface of water. The floater body has a circumferentially extending outer member and an inner member. The inner member is adapted to receive a buoyant force exerted by the liquid contained in the suction chamber. The outer member has an upper circumferential edge for receiving the liquid.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: GREEN IQInventors: Jóhann Fragraklett, Grettir Hammer
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Patent number: 8449778Abstract: A method for treating ballast water with sulfurous acid to kill invasive species and remove oxygen from the ballast water to preserve hulls from rusting.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2011Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Earth Renaissance Technologies, LLCInventors: Terry R. Gong, Marcus G. Theodore
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Publication number: 20130092633Abstract: A modular liquid/liquid gravity separation device for separating the aqueous phase and the oil phase of a crude oil at the sea bottom. The device has a plurality of separation modules coupled to a common manifold device. Each separation module has a fluid delivery pipe coupled to at least one gravity separation pipe by a tubular bend device. The common manifold device has a first tank fed with crude oil by a feed pipe resting on the sea bottom via a first inlet orifice, a plurality of first outlet orifices feeding crude oil to said delivery pipes. The aqueous and oil phases are separated within the separation pipes before being delivered into a second tank via second inlet orifices of the second tank to which the separation pipes are coupled. The oil phase is conveyed to the surface from the second tank via a first removal pipe. The aqueous phase is conveyed to the sea bottom.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2011Publication date: April 18, 2013Applicant: Salpem S.AInventors: Stéphanie Abrand, Raymond Hallot, Nicolas Butin
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Publication number: 20130082007Abstract: This invention relates generally to products and processes, and more specifically, to systems and method for recovering oil from water. In one embodiment, a towed net system is provided which has the ability to collect free floating oil to one or more end points from which either/both hydrodynamics and/or one or more powered pumps are used to deliver channeled and collected oil to one or more receiving vessels. In some embodiments, two wing nets are provided, either/each towed by one or more vessels, connected to one or more end receptacle nets. From the one or more end receptacles, the channeled and collected oil is delivered to one or more receiving containers also connected to the one or more end receptacles. The system can be scaled based on the horsepower of the two or more towing vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2011Publication date: April 4, 2013Inventor: Kevin Kennedy
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Patent number: 8388849Abstract: An adjustable and removable skimming assembly is provided for attaching to the bow of a watercraft. When mounted, the skimming assembly presents vertically orientated starboard, port and bow cages that house oil absorbent padding. The cages with the positioned pads are largely porous so that at slow watercraft velocities, the water flows through the pads but the oil is retained within the pads across a substantially horizontal plane. As the pads become oil saturated along this common plane, the vertical cages are adjusted to expose a section of the pad that is not saturated. This process is repeated until the entire pad surface is saturated. The resistance force created by the water against the starboard and port cages during movement is countered by a plurality of tethering cables extending from the structural members attached to the bow of the watercraft to the outer edges of the cages.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Inventor: John Morgan Sherman
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Patent number: 8372277Abstract: A floating streambed comprising a circulation pump having an inlet hose or pipe, an inlet hose or pipe depth adjuster, and one or more treatment channels comprised of permeable matrix. The floating streambed floats on a water body. Water enters the inlet hose or pipe from the water body and is pumped by the circulation pump into the treatment channels. The treatment channels are comprised of permeable matrix, and water entering the treatment channels flows both horizontally through the treatment channel and into the water body and also vertically downward through the permeable matrix of the treatment channels.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2010Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Fountainhead L.L.C.Inventors: Bruce G. Kania, Frank M. Stewart
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Patent number: 8343358Abstract: A three-hulled oil combatting vessel (500) has a separating structure (100), which pushes ice blocks (J1), which move between the middle hull (SH1) and side hulls (SH2, SH3) from the prow to the stern, underneath the water surface (WL1). The separating structure (100) may be a grate in the longitudinal direction of the vessel (500). The density of the oil (B4) or oil refining product to be collected is smaller than that of the water, so the oil (B3), which has been separated from the ice blocks (J1) that were pushed down, tends to rise through the separating structure (100) to the water surface. The separating structure (100) separates the oil (B3) from the ice blocks (J1) for easier collection into a container. The separated (B4) oil can thus be collected from the relatively ice-free water surface (WL1) with an oil collecting device (200), which may have a brush skimmer.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2008Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Mobimar OyInventor: Pauli Immonen
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Publication number: 20120305493Abstract: An oil containment recovery dome including an upper containment portion and at least one bladder. The upper containment portion has an enclosure defined therein that is adapted to receive equipment used in conjunction with a well and to retain therein oil or gas that escapes from the well. The at least one bladder is attached to the upper containment portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Inventor: Thomas T.K. Zung
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Publication number: 20120285898Abstract: A method for dispersing oil from an oil spill in a marine environment, in a bay, a sea or ocean in an Arctic region The method generally comprises identifying an oil spill in proximity to an ice field, and further locating an intervention vessel in proximity to the ice field, the intervention vessel having a water-agitating mechanism The method includes actuating the water-agitating mechanism while the intervention vessel is in a substantially stationary location, serving to propagate artificially generated waves into the ice field The method includes continuing to operate the water-agitating mechanism so as to fracture the at least one floating ice mass into smaller ice pieces The method further comprises applying a chemical dispersant to the oil spill, while further operating the water-agitating mechanism, enhancing wave energy within the oil spill, thereby causing oil to disperse within the marine environmentType: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2010Publication date: November 15, 2012Inventor: Timothy J. Nedwed
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Publication number: 20120248043Abstract: The invention relates to an oil combating boom (1), which comprises an elongated boom part, which at its first end is connectable to an oil combating vessel (10). At least one pontoon member (5) and a number of turnable transfer members (6) equipped with rotating blade members (9) have been arranged in connection with the elongated boompart. The invention further relates to a method for collecting oil from a polluted shore area, in which method an oil combating vessel is steered to the vicinity of the shore, the oil combating boom (1) is arranged to extend onto the polluted shore area, oil is transferred from the shore area into the water and steered in the water towards the final collecting space (11) by rotating the blade members (9) of the transfer members (6).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2010Publication date: October 4, 2012Inventor: Markku Järvinen