Utilizing Electrical Or Wave Energy Directly Applied To Liquid Or Material Being Treated Patents (Class 210/748.01)
  • Patent number: 8460520
    Abstract: Contaminants are removed from raw water or discharge water from plants, such as sewerage and industrial plants, by applying direct current through an array of spaced, alternately charged electrodes to eliminate or minimize clogging of the electrodes with precipitated contaminants. Polarity may be switched periodically to assist in eliminating or minimizing clogging. In illustrated embodiments, electrode arrays are contained in housings of dielectric material to form modules, To increase processing capacity, the modules are arranged in parallel arrays. Alternatively, a single module is scaled up for large or industrial applications or scaled down for personal use. Instead of housing the electrode arrays in modules through which liquid passes, the electrode arrays for some batch applications are dipped in the water or aqueous solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: David Rigby
  • Patent number: 8454839
    Abstract: Methods for modifying the physical, chemical and/or biological properties of a fluid by irradiation are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprising supplying a flow of a fluid to an irradiation chamber; focusing the flow of the fluid so as to create at least one fluid layer; and applying radiation to the fluid layer in a defined portion of the irradiation chamber thereby modifying at least one physical, chemical or biological property of the fluid layer is provided. Systems for the implementation of such methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Macopharma
    Inventor: Pierre-Eloi Bontinck
  • Patent number: 8449820
    Abstract: A method and device related to a liquid product pressure and (optionally) temperature treatment method reduces the level of microorganisms in the liquid product to a preselected level. Utilizing the method, liquid product is diffused in a chamber with the speed of pressure variation of liquid product in one embodiment of about 109 Pa/sec. The preferred speed of the diffused drops is about 10 m/sec. The liquid product can optionally be heated before or during diffusion, and is preferably heated as a diffused liquid product by mixing it with superheated steam. The device includes a chamber and a diffuser in communication with the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Millisecond Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Andrei Alexandrovich Volkov, Nikolay Vladislavovich Arofikin, Alexander Yurievich Kolesnov
  • Patent number: 8444861
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating slurries of organic solids is disclosed. A slurry of organic solids is admixed with hydrogen peroxide, followed by exposure to microwave irradiation resulting in the heating of the mixture and enhanced hydrolysis of the organic solids. The treated slurry of organic solids can then be further treated in a variety of downstream processes, including solid separation, digestion and fermentation. The supernatant portion of the treated slurry of organic solids can be a source from which to recover compounds such as nutrients (for example nitrogen, phosphate, potassium, magnesium, calcium) or industrial organic compounds (such as acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid), or as a source of readily biodegradable organic compounds for supplementing a biological wastewater treatment process, digester or fermenter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventors: Kwang Victor Lo, Ping Liao, Wayne Wong, Weigang Miles Yi, Weng I Chan, Frederic A. Koch, Donald S. Mavinic
  • Patent number: 8440080
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable device for generating ozone in water, purifying the water and making it drinkable. The device comprises a housing; at least two electrodes, including an anode and a cathode extending from the housing into the water and each having semi-rough or rough surfaces in contact with the water. The device also comprises a power supply operatively connected to the electrodes for generating between them a difference of potential creating a current and the hydrolysis of the water creating ozone that purifies the water. The electrodes may have a plate or a rode and tube configuration with a plurality of holes with rough edges. The roughness of the surfaces and of the edges of the holes leads to a coalescence of tiny hydrogen bubbles into larger hydrogen bubbles. The hydrogen may be also removed by absorption in a conductive material and regenerated for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Ozomax Inc.
    Inventors: Amir Salama, Marianne Salama
  • Patent number: 8440143
    Abstract: An air purifier is provided, including a body comprising a wall defining an interior space, a first opening to the interior space, and a second opening to the interior space. In one example the body is a tubular body. An airflow pathway is provided through the tubular body defined between the first and second openings. A source of ultraviolet radiation is arranged to emit ultraviolet radiation into the interior space. A photocatalyst is arranged within the interior space and along the airflow pathway, and the ultraviolet radiation can be emitted onto at least a portion of the surface of the photocatalyst to activate the photocatalyst. In one example, the wall includes an aperture, and a cover is coupled to the body about the aperture and configured to enclose the source of ultraviolet radiation. In another example, the air purifier includes turbulence structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Nordea Bank AB (publ)
    Inventor: William Joseph Liptak
  • Patent number: 8430996
    Abstract: An electrocoagulation reactor for the treatment of wastewater. The electrocoagulation reactor typically engages a DC power source and a source of wastewater to be treated. It has a housing with walls and a wastewater inlet, and a treated wastewater outlet. There is at least one anode/cathode pair of oppositely charged spaced apart plates that engage the power source to charge the anode with a positive charge and the cathode with a negative charge. Between each anode/cathode pair is at least one segmented intermediate plate, which is not engaged to the power source of electrical energy, and which intermediate plate is segmented into multiple segments, which multiple segments lay generally in the same plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Kaspar Electroplating Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas Kaspar
  • Patent number: 8419858
    Abstract: method and system for decomposing organic compounds in wastewater that uses an interaction between an acid, a permeable structure and ultra violet light to accelerate the decomposition of organic compounds in wastewater. This invention can be used to decomposing organic compounds in industrial process and wastewater discharges, municipal drinking water supplies, food processing rinse water and commercial and residential water purification systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Haydock Intellectual Properties, LLC
    Inventor: Frederick J. Haydock
  • Patent number: 8420022
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for the treatment and purification of fluids (e.g., water) using a light-emitting diode (LED) light source. In one embodiment, for example, there is provided a fluid flow conduit having an LED light source and a photo-catalytic material disposed therein. The LED light source emits ultraviolet light with a peak wavelength between about 265 nm and about 400 nm. In operation, the photo-catalytic material absorbs the ultraviolet light from the LED light source, and releases free radicals into the fluid. The free radicals then degrade organic substances (e.g., bacteria) in the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Biological Illumination, LLC
    Inventors: Robert R. Soler, Fredric S. Maxik, David E. Bartine, Valerie Ann Bastien, James Lynn Schellack, Eliza Katar Grove
  • Patent number: 8414756
    Abstract: A vertical electrostatic coalescer comprises a first and second electrode surface and a horizontally disposed foraminous surface. The first electrode surface and horizontally disposed foraminous surface are at ground potential. The first and second electrode surfaces share the same planar orientation relative to the central longitudinal axis of the vessel. The unique arrangement of the vessel and opposing pairs of first and second electrode surfaces provides for a substantially uniform voltage field around a perimeter of the vessel and an effective voltage field for coalescence within a center of the vessel. A circular-shaped distributor pipe or a distributor housing serves to absorb momentum of the incoming emulsion stream and distribute the stream into an interior of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: National Tank Company
    Inventors: Gary W. Sams, William A. Summers, Sarabjit S. Randhava, Harry G. Wallace
  • Patent number: 8414779
    Abstract: A UV disinfection system and methods of UV disinfection are provided. The disinfection system may include a UV transparent conduit to carry a flowing liquid to be disinfected, the conduit having an inlet to receive the liquid and an outlet to discharge the liquid and two or more radiation sources positioned within the conduit substantially perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the conduit. The walls of the conduit may be coated with a reflective coating acting as a back-surface mirror for enhancing the performance of the disinfection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Atlantium Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Uri Levy
  • Patent number: 8414777
    Abstract: A coalescing apparatus including a casing having an inner chamber for accommodating insulating fluid. At least one tube of electrically insulating material extends through the casing and the chamber. Each tube forms a flow channel for emulsion to be treated. A set of electrodes is mounted in the chamber. The tube is allotted at least one pair of electrodes of the set. A voltage set is configured to apply mutually different electric potentials to the electrodes of each electrode pair so as to form an electric field between them and thereby an electric field inside the respective tube. A heater is configured to heat the insulating fluid so as to allow the insulating fluid to transfer heat to emulsion flowing through at least one tube and thereby raise the temperature of the emulsion. An emulsion treatment system includes a coalescing apparatus. A coalescing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hamworthy PLC
    Inventors: Erik Bjørklund, Pål J Nilsen
  • Publication number: 20130081957
    Abstract: A method for treating a liquid using an apparatus includes: (a) a pump volute or hydrocyclone head having an inlet, and a throat having an outlet and a central axis, (b) a tank connected to the second opening of the throat, wherein the tank has a maximum inner diameter that is larger than an inner diameter of the outlet of the throat, and (d) a wave energy source having a first electrode within the pump volute or hydrocyclone head that extends through the outlet of the throat along the central axis, and a second electrode within the tank that is spaced apart and axially aligned with first electrode along the central axis. The method includes the steps of providing the above-described apparatus, supplying the liquid to the inlet of the pump volute or hydrocyclone head, and irradiating the liquid with one or more wave energies produced by the wave energy source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: FORET PLASMA LABS, LLC
    Inventor: FORET PLASMA LABS, LLC
  • Publication number: 20130082008
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods are described that control and manage wastewater collection and treatment. A method for treating waste water comprises receiving from a vessel, a portion of a body of fluid for treatment at an input port, providing the oxidizing gas under pneumatic or vacuum pressure to a mixing chamber, where the oxidizing gas comprises one or more of oxygen and ozone, and conducting the portion of the fluid to the mixing chamber. The fluid and oxidizing gas may be mixed to obtain treated fluid which may be reintroduced to the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventor: Paul Hatten
  • Patent number: 8405046
    Abstract: The output wavelengths of an electrodeless lamp are controlled by passing a fluid over the surface of the lamp to control its temperature. The stabilized temperature prevents thermal runaway of the lamp and stabilizes the output wavelengths of the lamp. When the fluid passing over the lamp is water, the lamp can be used for sanitary treatment of the water. Lamp radiation can be enhanced by shaping the electrodeless lamp to provide maximally effective photonic output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventor: David Richard NeCamp
  • Publication number: 20130056648
    Abstract: A process has been developed to selectively dissociate target molecules into component products compositionally distinct from the target molecule, wherein the bonds of the target molecule do not reform because the components are no longer reactive with each other. Dissociation is affected by treating the target molecule with light at a frequency and intensity, alone or in combination with a catalyst in an amount effective to selectively break bonds within the target molecule. Dissociation does not result in re-association into the target molecule by the reverse process, and does not produce component products which have a change in oxidation number or state incorporated oxygen or other additives because the process does not proceed via a typical reduction-oxidation mechanism. This process can be used for the remediation of water, particularly ballast water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventors: Richard W. Fahs, II, Matthew D.W. Fahs
  • Patent number: 8388850
    Abstract: A mobile water treatment system is disposed on a trailer of a truck. There is an intake filter, an intake hose, a pump or multiple pumps for water intake and sending water throughout the system, a filtering section that may include sand and/or bag filter or other types of filters, an ozone treatment section after the filters, a holding tank after the ozone section, a UV treatment section after the holding tank, and a chlorination tank. The water may then be sent to a water storage facility or other place as desired. The system includes a generator for power to run the system, and a controller for the system. The ozone section makes use of a misting nozzle in order to increase ozone contact time, and decrease ozone breakdown. The UV section makes use of a slightly downward tilted table with UV bulbs and reflectors above it, and preferably is mounted on a leveling system. A method of treating water uses the mobile system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Neos International, LLC
    Inventor: Roger A. Delano
  • Patent number: 8384043
    Abstract: A plasmon filter may include an element supportive of plasmon energy and having a plurality of openings through which a material may pass. A system includes a fluid filter supportive of evanescent energy, an evanescent field generator, a sensor, and/or other components. A corresponding method may include generating plasmons on the filter and exposing a material to the plasmon energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K. Y. Jung, William Henry Mangione-Smith, Nathan P. Myhrvold, John Brian Pendry, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8382992
    Abstract: An apparatus for disinfecting a fluid has a fluid-containing structure; an inward-facing first electrically conductive cylindrical body contained within said fluid-containing structure; an outward-facing electrically conductive-second cylindrical body disposed within said first cylindrical body, in mutually facing parallel and coaxial relation thereto, and spaced apart therefrom to define a fluid-occupiable cavity; a power supply electrically coupled between said first cylindrical body and said second cylindrical body, said power supply producing therebetween an electric field, said field comprising a waveform approximating a series of alternating square wave pulses of opposite polarity, said pulses having a maximum absolute value of approximately 60 volts per centimeter, a complete cycle of said waveform, comprising a first pulse and a succeeding pulse of opposite polarity, recurring with a frequency of between about 2 kHz: and about 5 kHz and providing about 2 amps to about 4 amps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Bio Concept, LLC
    Inventor: Sven Mierswa
  • Patent number: 8377165
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to the extraction of rare earth elements and heavy metals from geothermal fluids used in geothermal electrical production. The invention provides systems and methods for extracting these elements from hydrothermal products by the application of one or more forces that affect different components of a condensate differently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Shale and Sands Oil Recovery LLC
    Inventor: Thomas B. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 8377314
    Abstract: A method of providing end-to-end water quality control from a water system operator to a point of delivery proximate a consumer, which may be at the point of entry, and/or between the point of entry and point of use, and/or at the point of use. The method includes treating the water and delivering the water to the consumer at the point of delivery, filtering/ purifying the water at the point of delivery, monitoring water quality at the point of delivery, and reporting water quality at the point of delivery to the water system operator over a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventor: Bernard Frank
  • Publication number: 20130032546
    Abstract: A method for the sterilization of a liquid, specifically of water, comprises the steps of: evaporating at least a part of the liquid, and exposing the evaporated liquid to ionizing radiation, specifically to electrons. An apparatus for the sterilization of a liquid, specifically of water, comprises a sterilization chamber for receiving an evaporated part of the liquid and a source of ionizing radiation, specifically of electrons, for exposing the evaporated part of the liquid to radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventor: Hans Scheuren
  • Patent number: 8360244
    Abstract: A new type of asymmetric flow field flow fractionator, A4F, is described permitting improved sample fractionation means by providing a range of available channel lengths within the same A4F unit. With such an apparatus, samples may be optimally separated by performing such fractionations as a function of channel length. The ability to vary channel length within the same A4F unit has heretofore been unavailable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Wyatt Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Philip J. Wyatt, Michelle H. Chen, David N. Villalpando
  • Patent number: 8361384
    Abstract: A water treatment device and methods of treating cooling tower water are described. The water treatment device utilizes ultraviolet radiation, a magnetic field, and ozone fortified air to treat cooling tower water, resulting in reduced microbial contamination and reduced alkalinity in cooling tower water. Cooling tower water may consequently be run at higher cycles of concentration while reducing or eliminating deposition of minerals on cooling tower components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Aardvark IP Holding, LLC
    Inventor: David Kolstad
  • Patent number: 8354030
    Abstract: A system for removing cyanotoxins and excess ions from contaminated water. Contaminated water passes from a storage tank (200), through a sand filter (210), through a reaction chamber (230), and finally through a carbon filter (270). The sand filter removes particulates and bacteria. The reaction chamber first destroys cyanotoxins, algae, and bacteria through the use of high voltage shocks applied between two groups of electrodes (285, 285? then the voltage on the electrodes is lowered and electrolysis is used to sequester free ions in the water in the region near the electrodes. Partially treated water is removed from the upper portion of the reaction chamber and passed through a carbon filter (270) to remove radiation, and improve taste and smell. The water is then potable. The water remaining in the reaction chamber is discarded into a reservoir (265).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Inventor: Allen John Schuh
  • Patent number: 8347960
    Abstract: A method of improving natural gas release from a well via an enhanced hydraulic fracturing operation. The method includes capturing or retrieving the flow back from the well following the fracturing operation. The flow back or other source water is introduced to an electrocoagulation (“EC”) treatment process. EC treatment separates the water from other fracturing fluid components in the flow back and also removes bacteria and other contaminants. Thereafter, the EC-treated fluid is recycled for subsequent fracturing operations. The process may also be used to treat all source water, including fresh water delivered to the well before it is used as a fracturing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Water Tectonics, Inc.
    Inventors: James Mothersbaugh, Gene Hancock
  • Patent number: 8349190
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a method for cleaning circulation water, which reduces the cost of operation and maintenance as much as possible, without a cumbersome cleaning operation such as by detaching electrode plates from an electrolysis cleaning tank and removing scale from inside the tank, and to provide a device used in this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Koganei Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Taguchi, Takayuki Nakano, Masahito Kato
  • Patent number: 8337706
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for improved separation or clarification of solids from a solids-laden liquid. Entrained gasses can also be removed. A liquid to be treated is introduced into the inlet of a solid-liquid separator modified to include one or more sources of vibrational energy. The liquid to be treated is directed through a conduit within the separator. Preferably the conduit within the separator is configured into a tortuous flow path to assist in the separation of solids from the liquid. Vibrational energy is applied to the flow path, preferably through the flow path conduit. As solids fall out of solution, they are collected. The clarified liquid is also collected. A vacuum can be applied to the system to assist in moving the solid-liquid mixture through the system and to provide vacuum clarification. Electrocoagulation electrodes and gas sparging can also be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: 1612017 Alberta Ltd.
    Inventor: Derald L. McCabe
  • Patent number: 8337708
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing green-energy water, including: conducting water flow through a self-support visible-light photocatalytic reaction device, which decomposes the water into hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions; conducting the hydrogen ions and the hydroxide ions through an ion separation device, which separates the hydrogen ions and the hydroxide ions from each other; and conducting the separated hydroxide ions into an amount of water to form an amount of alkaline green-energy water and conducting the separated hydrogen ions into another amount of water to form an amount of acidulous green-energy water. The green-energy water manufactured in this way is environmentally friendly and can be used in cleaning purposes of photoelectric and semiconductor industries, processing of waste water, organic cultivation, organic agriculture, purification of water, sterilization of medical facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: S.A.W. Green Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Tien-Tsai Lin
  • Publication number: 20120318749
    Abstract: A system for disinfecting a fluid, including: a flow cell including one or more inlet ports and one or more outlet ports, wherein the flow cell is configured to communicate a fluid containing a biological contaminant from the one or more inlet ports to the one or more outlet portions through an interior portion thereof; and one or more point radiation sources disposed about the flow cell, wherein the one or more point radiation sources are operable for delivering radiation to the biological contaminant; wherein an interior surface of the flow cell is operable for reflecting the radiation delivered to the biological contaminant by the one or more point radiation sources; and wherein the interior surface of the flow cell is operable for reflecting the radiation delivered to the biological contaminant by the one or more point radiation sources such that a radiation intensity is uniform throughout the interior portion of the flow cell. In one exemplary embodiment, the flow cell is an integrating sphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Edward Brittain STOKES, Jennifer Godwin PAGAN, Thomas Andrew SCHMEDAKE
  • Patent number: 8333893
    Abstract: A filtration separation method for waste resin containing highly radioactive uranium powder and device thereof is mainly used for the waste resin after water treatment process in a nuclear facility. The uranium powder contained in the waste resin is highly radioactive. Thus, prior to the treatment of the waste resin, it is necessary to filter and separate the highly radioactive uranium powder to reduce the radioactivity. It is to put the uranium powder containing waste resin into an underwater holding tank and withdraw the waste resin by an underwater pump into a uranium powder filtration box. Then the uranium powder filtration box is lifted by a hoist to move to an underwater ultrasonic cleaner. High-pressure water flushing is applied and followed by underwater ultrasonic cleaning. Then the cleaning water (containing precipitated uranium powder) from the ultrasonic cleaner is drained to uranium powder collection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research
    Inventors: Kuo-Yuan Chang, Ling-Huan Chiao, Chin-Teng Hsu, Chin-Chun Chu Ko, Bing-Rong Wu
  • Patent number: 8333887
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for the efficient purification of aqueous liquids comprising an ionic solute. The liquids are purified by a plurality supercapacitor desalination units working in tandem; a first unit operating in “charge” mode, deionizing the feed solution and producing a purified product liquid, while a second supercapacitor desalination unit is operated in “discharge” mode, releasing ions into a circulating stream and producing a concentrate. The output of the first desalination unit is removed as a purified product stream. The output of the second desalination unit is a concentrate, which is directed to a common precipitation unit where a portion of the ionic solute is precipitated and separated from the remaining liquid phase, which may be recirculated to the second desalination unit. The use of two supercapacitor desalination units operating out of phase allows the common precipitation unit to be operated continuously under steady state conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: James Manio Silva
  • Patent number: 8329042
    Abstract: Sludge is treated in a treatment chamber by providing a pair of electrodes in the treatment chamber and applying an electrical current between the electrodes such that one of the electrodes functions as an anode and one of the electrodes functions as a cathode in proximity to the outlet. A flow of water is induced from the sludge towards the outlet by the electrical current. An ion exchange textile comprising exchangeable functional groups grafted thereon is located in proximity to at least one of the electrodes such that the ionic forms of the metals are exchanged with the functional groups on the ion exchange textile. Accordingly the sludge is dewatered and metals in the sludge are captured commonly in the treatment chamber while the electrical current simultaneously inactivates pathogens in the treatment chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventors: Maria Elektorowicz, Jan Oleszkiewicz
  • Patent number: 8329037
    Abstract: A filtration apparatus including an annular filter surrounding a waste treatment chamber, a first turbine drawing liquid up within the chamber and a second turbine driving liquid outwardly through the filter. In the method of treating organic waste, the chamber includes an ultraviolet lamp and a cylindrical baffle surrounding the chamber having a mirrored surface. The disclosed apparatus further includes anodic and cathodic plates surrounding the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventor: E. Bayne Carew
  • Patent number: 8329043
    Abstract: In a method of treating a liquid, a liquid to be treated is introduced into a space, a mechanical cavitation element acts upon the liquid while gas is supplied into the region of the surface of the cavitation element and introduces the gas into the liquid by moving the cavitation element, and sound waves are introduced directly into the liquid by at least one acoustic power transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Ultrasonic Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Guenter Poeschl
  • Publication number: 20120305495
    Abstract: A liquid contaminant-extraction apparatus arranged for submersion in liquid such as water and comprising a draft tube arrangement extending from an upper region of the apparatus to a lower region thereof, floatation means provided at the upper region, gas introduction means located at the lower region and arranged for the introduction of gas into the draft tube arrangement to create an air lift for water therethrough and for the said extraction of contaminants therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Aquafide Engineering Limited
    Inventor: Mehdi Siami
  • Patent number: 8323510
    Abstract: Methods and systems for heavy metal separation and recovery from heavy metal-containing sludge or wastes. The method utilizes ultrasonic treatment assisted acid leaching process to separate and recover different heavy metals from multi metals-containing sludge. The technique can be cost effectively implemented for heavy metal separation and purification processes in the real world at industrial scales.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventors: Fengchun Xie, Yang Ma
  • Patent number: 8318027
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for reclamation of waste fluids. A conditioning container is employed for receipt of waste material on a continuous flow for treatment within the container by immersible transducers producing ultrasonic acoustic waves in combination with a high level of injected ozone. The invention discloses a cost efficient and environmentally friendly process and apparatus for cleaning and recycling of flowback, or frac water, which has been used to stimulate gas production from shale formations. The apparatus is mobile and containerized and suitable for installation at the well site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Ecosphere Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis McGuire, Sanjeev Jakhete
  • Patent number: 8313657
    Abstract: A method and system are described to treat ammonia-containing wastewater or process waters. Sewage containing human or animal waste and certain process liquids, typically water, contains high levels of nitrogen in the form of ammonia. An electro-chemical method to extract the ammonia from the wastewater is also described. The system described is one implementation of this method. One or more electrolysis cells convert ammonium to ammonia where the generated ammonia gas can readily be extracted for disposal or reuse. Such a system can involve electrolysis cells of numerous types as described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Inventors: Rick B. Spielman, Link E. Summers
  • Patent number: 8314157
    Abstract: Improved method, apparatus and system for treating bilge water and other marine emulsion wastes comprising water and hydrocarbon, and possibly solids in some cases. Microwave Separation Technology (MST) is used to treat a broad class of emulsion wastes associated with, generated by, or carried at sea on, ships or other marine entities (such as drilling platforms, oil spill clean-up systems, etc.). The hydrocarbon component from a marine emulsion waste comprising water and hydrocarbon, and possibly solids in some cases, is concentrated (e.g., the emulsion's water content is reduced) so that the volume of waste material that requires off-loading or out-hauling (or both) is reduced over conventional methods of separating emulsion wastes for disposal. In view of the reductions achieved in process volumes, significant cost savings may be realized. Better compliance with environmental laws and standards may also be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Imperial Petroleum Recovery Corp.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Albinson, Scott Jensen, Mark J. Porter, Kevin Maki
  • Patent number: 8309408
    Abstract: A method for fractionating particles includes flowing a fluid having particles therein along a first channel, applying acoustic radiation pressure to the fluid, focusing the particles within the fluid into a single file line, moving the particles in a flow rate, applying acoustic radiation pressure to the fluid for a second time, focusing the particles based on size and acoustic contrast, producing at least two fluid fractions of the particles, and collecting at least one of the fractions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Ward, Gregory Kaduchak
  • Patent number: 8293091
    Abstract: Electrostatic filters, systems and methods having separate positively and negatively charged filter elements within electrically isolated filter tanks for electrostatically filtering particles from a fluid flow. Both positive charged connections biased to earth ground and negative charged connections biased to earth ground are made to the respective positive and negative charged filter elements, along with triboelectric induced charge accumulations from the fluid flow, for separating charged particles within the fluid flowing parallel through these oppositely charged filter elements. Variable resistors of a power supply connected to such filters, systems and methods provide for controlling and adjusting for any undesired voltage excesses and/or shortfalls within these filter tanks so that the fluid flowing exiting these filter tanks is unbiased to generate a filtered fluid having balanced electrostatic charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: McCormick and Munson Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald L. Munson, David M. Butler, Daniel P. McCormick
  • Patent number: 8292100
    Abstract: A highly portable solar UV disinfection and water storage container with a uniquely traceable security seal that passively indicates by means of a permanent photochromic color change the efficacy of the UV disinfection process performed upon the drinking water within the sealed container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Aquasolix Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Lantis, Joesph Patrick Phelan, Anna Phelan
  • Patent number: 8293185
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are described for use in the irradiation of fluids. The apparatus has an elongate conduit (312) having a central axis (334) and two or more elongate ultraviolet radiation sources (114) extending along the interior of the conduit for irradiation of the fluid within the conduit. An array of static mixer elements (300) is located within the conduit, and the two or more elongate ultraviolet radiation sources (114) are arranged to extend through apertures in deflection surfaces of the static mixer elements making up the array (300). The apparatus and method allows for reliable and uniform ultraviolet irradiation of fluids of low UV transmissivity, such as turbid fluids, particularly for ultraviolet disinfection of such fluids. Wipers may be fitted to the static mixer elements to enable relative movement between the static mixer elements and the surfaces of the elongate ultraviolet radiation sources to clean the surfaces of the sources without need to dismantle the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Statiflo International Limited
    Inventor: John Michael Baron
  • Patent number: 8287710
    Abstract: The system for electrostatic desalination provides evaporative desalination of salt water utilizing ionized gas formed through corona discharge. The system includes a plurality of stacked water collection plates, each water collection plate having an upper surface and a lower surface. A thin film of salt water is formed on the upper surfaces thereof. A plurality of cathodes are provided, each cathode extending between a pair of adjacent ones of the plurality of stacked water collection plates. A plurality of anodes are attached to a corresponding one of the lower surfaces of the plurality of stacked water collection plates. Each anode and cathode is in communication with an external voltage source to generate an electrostatic field between the cathodes and the anodes. Thus, corona-induced ionized gas is produced between each of the stacked water collection plates in order to enhance condensation of pure evaporated water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventor: Jihad Hassan Al-Sadah
  • Patent number: 8273251
    Abstract: A fluid feed stream is flowed, subject to electromagnetic pulses, to a filter element via an input feed conduit for the filter element. A coil assembly is disposed about the input feed conduit and an AC power source is connected with the coil assembly. The AC power source has a period including first and second half-cycles of opposing polarities. A switch in series with the coil assembly forms a series connected circuit. A second switch connected with the coil assembly forms a second circuit. A control means closes the first switch and opens the second switch during a first half-cycle of the AC power source. During a second half-cycle, the control means closes and then opens the second switch to produce a first large ringing pulse in the coil assembly. A subsequent pulse may be produced either before or after the first pulse substantially decays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Clearwater Systems Corporation
    Inventor: David Wayne Alley
  • Patent number: 8273249
    Abstract: A new method that integrates electrochemical oxidation and flocculation processes for removing ammonia nitrogen in coking wastewater is disclosed in this invention. It comprises steps as follow: first, adjusting the PH of coking wastewater and adding Fe2+ into the wastewater; then leading the wastewater containing Fe2+ through such 5 areas as pulsed high-voltage discharge oxidation area, pulsed high-frequency DC electrolytic oxidation area, microbubble oxidation area, flocculation area and precipitation area in succession. High-voltage pulse and high-frequency pulse are two different mechanisms for achieving strong oxidation. With help of both solid and liquid catalysts, these two oxidations can work synergistically. The recalcitrant organic chemicals are effectively destroyed and satisfactorily removed out of wastewater. The high-concentration coking waster pretreated with this method will meet Chinese highest discharge standard as long as the routine biochemical treatment is applied thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Nanjing University
    Inventors: Hongqiang Ren, Yunjun Yang, Lili Ding, Xiaolei Shi
  • Patent number: 8273252
    Abstract: A solution reactor allows the solution L to contact with the reactant gas G, and the component contained in the solution L is chemically changed by means of the reactant gas G. The reactor includes a nozzle 41 for spraying the solution L into a state of mists M, and a pressure feed unit 42 for feeding the reactant gas G, which is pressurized, into the nozzle 41. Further, in the reactor, the pressure feed unit 42 feeds such pressurized reactant gas G to the nozzle 41 to be flown fast, so that the nozzle 41 allows the fast flowing reactant gas G to contact with the solution and the solution L is broken into the state of mists M to be jetted out, and thus the component contained in the solution L is chemically changed by means of the reactant gas G.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Ultrasound Brewery
    Inventors: Kazuo Matsuura, Susumu Nii
  • Patent number: 8268136
    Abstract: Axially fed fluid is sheared during long residence time in a radial workspace between counter-rotating coaxial disk-shaped centrifugal impellers. Gases evolve in the fractal turbulence of a shear layer, which is forced between laminar boundary layers, and an axial suction pump axially extracts evolved noncondensables and volatiles through cores of radial vortices in the shear layer. Cavitation due to shear between the impellers kills pathogens by shock waves, microjets, OH radicals, and nearby UV light pulses. Oppositely charged electrodes bounding the workspace cause electroporesis and electrohydraulic cavitation. The electrodes are counter-rotating ridged armatures of disk dynamos, forming a dynamic capacitor having audio frequency pulsed electric fields. Electrode erosion by arcing is prevented by shear between the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: McCutchen, Co.
    Inventors: Wilmot H. McCutchen, David J. McCutchen
  • Patent number: 8263013
    Abstract: A liquid supply apparatus capable of removing micro-bubbles and particles is described, including a pipe, a laser provider and at least one micro-bubble/particle outlet. The laser provider provides a laser crossing the pipe, wherein the laser is provided in a manner such that a micro-bubble/particle blocking/repelling barrier is formed crossing the pipe blocking or repelling micro-bubbles, particles or both in the liquid in the pipe. The micro-bubble/particle outlet is disposed on the pipe between the barrier and the liquid inlet of the pipe, adjacent to the barrier for discharging micro-bubbles, particles or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chin-Sheng Yang, Wen-Sheng Chien