Microwaves Patents (Class 210/748.07)
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Patent number: 10590020Abstract: Wastewater sludge is treated by combining the sludge with a carbon-based dielectric additive that includes carbon to yield a modified sludge, irradiating the modified sludge with microwave radiation to yield a treated sludge, and providing the treated sludge to an anaerobic digester.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2019Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignees: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University, The University of MassachusettsInventors: Onur Apul, Paul Dahlen, Paul K. Westerhoff
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Patent number: 10384960Abstract: A method for remediating Frac water and other emulsions created during hydraulic fracturing includes storing contaminated Frac water in a first collection unit, operating at least one pumping unit to pump a portion of the contaminated Frac water, and storing remediated Frac water in a second collection unit. A microwave separation technology (“MST”) unit, an ultra-violet light remediation (“UVLR”) unit, and a chemical additive unit are used to reduce contamination levels of the contaminated Frac water. The MST unit can work alone, or in combination with the UVLR unit, the chemical additive unit, or both, to further reduce contamination levels of the contaminated Frac water. A system operating according to the method can be deployed at an onsite drilling facility or at a centralized offsite location. By reusing remediated Frac water, entities can realize significant cost savings and better environmental compliance.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2015Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Inventors: Ryan Boulware, Alan Springer, Scott Jensen
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Patent number: 10245339Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and a method for sterilizing an internal surface of a lumen in a medical instrument, e.g., an endoscope. The apparatus is in the form of an elongated UVC light guide, e.g., an optic fiber, having a central longitudinal axis and which is configured to be extended down the lumen in the instrument, and a housing including a source of UVC light. The UVC light guide includes a distal end portion and is configured to carry UVC light internally from the source of UVC light to the distal end portion. The distal end portion includes a reflective surface for directing the UVC light radially outward with respect to the central longitudinal axis, whereupon when the UVC light guide is extended into the lumen in the medical instrument the radially directed UVC light impinges the internal surface of the lumen to sterilize it.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2016Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Inventors: Daniel Hyun Shin, Steven B. Krupnick, Casey Clark
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Patent number: 9095788Abstract: Described is an improved method and system for remediating Frac water and other emulsions created during hydraulic fracturing. The system can include a first collection unit adapted to store contaminated Frac water, at least one pumping unit adapted to pump a portion of the contaminated Frac water, and a second collection unit for storing remediated Frac water. The system can further include a microwave separation technology (“MST”) unit, an ultra-violet light remediation (“UVLR”) unit, and a chemical additive unit adapted to reduce contamination levels of the contaminated Frac water. The MST unit can work alone, or in combination with the UVLR unit, the chemical additive unit, or both, to further reduce contamination levels of the contaminated Frac water. The system can be deployed at an onsite drilling facility or at a centralized offsite location. By reusing remediated Frac water, entities can realize significant cost savings and better environmental compliance.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2012Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Inventors: Ryan Boulware, Alan Springer, Scott Jensen
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Patent number: 9034194Abstract: An apparatus for treating a flow of fluid with microwave radiation, the apparatus comprising: a vessel having a sidewall and opposed first and second end walls defining a substantially cylindrical chamber, the first end wall being disposed a predetermined distance d1 from the second end wall; a pipeline for flowing fluid through, the pipeline passing through the first end wall towards the second end wall of the vessel, the chamber and the pipeline being substantially co-axial and the pipeline being substantially transparent to microwave radiation; and a microwave radiation inlet in the side wall of the vessel for admitting microwave radiation of wavelength ? into the chamber, wherein the distance d1 is substantially equal to an integral multiple of ?/2 so that the chamber is a microwave resonator.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2009Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: ADVANCED MICROWAVE TECHNOLOGIES LTDInventors: Yuriy Vladimirovich Zadyraka, Sergey Ivanovich Gritsinin, Mamikon Aramovich Misakyan, Igor Antonovich Kossyl, Eduard Mikailovich Barkhudarou
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Patent number: 8673156Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for removing liquid from a suspension. More particularly, the present invention relates to a filtration apparatus using vacuum pressure, compressed air and radiant heat to facilitate extraction of water from a suspension and an air flow within the vacuum chamber to remove the evaporate as a cost-efficient and resource-efficient means of filtering and drying solids in large volumes of suspension to remove interstitial and chemically bound liquids, resulting in up to 100% total solids.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2009Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Gryphon Environmental, LLCInventors: William Tid Smith Griffin, Joshua Michael-James DeArmond
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Patent number: 8653148Abstract: A oil and water emulsion breaking system having a reactor including an inner vessel connected to an inlet and an outlet of the reactor and allowing microwaves to pass therethrough, a packed bed of activated carbon retained within and across the inner vessel along at least part of a length thereof and configured for circulation of the emulsion therethrough, and a microwave applicator configured to direct microwaves to the packed bed through the inner vessel.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: C-Micro Systems Inc.Inventor: Chang Yul Cha
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Patent number: 8535542Abstract: A method of separating a mixture of liquid and insoluble solids in a filter press may comprise: pumping the mixture into a chamber between two filter plates in the filter press to form a filter cake, wherein the chamber is lined by filter cloths, and wherein, during the pumping, filtrate is forced through the filter cloths and out of the chamber; heating the filter cake in the chamber, wherein, during the heating, filtrate is forced through the filter cloths and out of the chamber, and wherein the heating is by radio frequency irradiation of the filter cake in the chamber; and releasing dried filter cake from the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2009Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Inventors: Daniel J. Simpson, Ferdinand Kogler
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Publication number: 20130161266Abstract: A method for utilizing microwave generated multi-bubble plasma to treat an effluent is provided. The method comprises: providing a microwave field; flowing an effluent and gas bubbles in the effluent across the microwave field; enhancing electromagnetic field in a path of the gas bubbles in the microwave field via an electrode; triggering plasma in the gas bubbles as the gas bubbles reach a region of enhanced electromagnetic field; and coupling microwave to the plasma.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: June 27, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Mahesh Chandran, Nagaveni Karkada, Laurent Cretegny, Vasile Bogdan Neculaes, Brian Christopher Moore
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Publication number: 20130161255Abstract: Methods for treatment of sludge with microwave irradiation for improving its dewatering are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes exposing the sludge to microwave irradiation at a power density of between about 3 W/ml and about 17 W/ml. Turbidity, total solids content and overall dewaterability are improved when the microwave irradiation treatment is combined with another method for dewatering sludge, such as enzyme treatment, conditioning with a flocculating agent and mechanical dewatering.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2011Publication date: June 27, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Vasile Bogdan NECULAES, Stephen VASCONCELLOS, Brian MOORE, Anthony John MURRAY, June KLIMASH, Kenneth CONWAY, Tracy PAXON, Michael SALERNO, Casey RENKO
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Patent number: 8444861Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 11, 2006Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Inventors: Kwang Victor Lo, Ping Liao, Wayne Wong, Weigang Miles Yi, Weng I Chan, Frederic A. Koch, Donald S. Mavinic
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Publication number: 20130023448Abstract: A method for treating hydrocarbon-servicing fluid is provided for reducing contaminants, especially bacteria, volatile and semi-volatile organics, in hydrocarbon-servicing fluids by microwaving and irradiating the fluid with ultraviolet light, with or without use of catalyst. The treated fluid can be used in upstream and downstream hydrocarbon processing operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2011Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: A3ENVIRON TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Frederick J. Glasscott, Wayne F. Downey, JR., Steven M. Fisher, Mark J. McCasland, Dan R. Neal
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Publication number: 20130015144Abstract: Described is an improved method and system for remediating Frac water and other emulsions created during hydraulic fracturing. The system can include a first collection unit adapted to store contaminated Frac water, at least one pumping unit adapted to pump a portion of the contaminated Frac water, and a second collection unit for storing remediated Frac water. The system can further include a microwave separation technology (“MST”) unit, an ultra-violet light remediation (“UVLR”) unit, and a chemical additive unit adapted to reduce contamination levels of the contaminated Frac water. The MST unit can work alone, or in combination with the UVLR unit, the chemical additive unit, or both, to further reduce contamination levels of the contaminated Frac water. The system can be deployed at an onsite drilling facility or at a centralized offsite location. By reusing remediated Frac water, entities can realize significant cost savings and better environmental compliance.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2012Publication date: January 17, 2013
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Publication number: 20120305496Abstract: An apparatus for treating a flow of fluid with microwave radiation, the apparatus comprising: a vessel having a sidewall and opposed first and second end walls defining a substantially cylindrical chamber, the first end wall being disposed a predetermined distance d1 from the second end wall; a pipeline for flowing fluid through, the pipeline passing through the first end wall towards the second end wall of the vessel, the chamber and the pipeline being substantially co-axial and the pipeline being substantially transparent to microwave radiation; and a microwave radiation inlet in the side wall of the vessel for admitting microwave radiation of wavelength ? into the chamber, wherein the distance d1 is substantially equal to an integral multiple of ?/2 so that the chamber is a microwave resonator.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2009Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: ADVANCED MICROWAVE TECHNOLOGIES LTDInventors: Yuriy Vladimirovich Zadyraka, Sergey Ivanovich Gritsinin, Mamikon Aramovich Misakyan, Igor Antonovich Kossyl, Eduard Mikailovich Barkhudarou
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Patent number: 8293185Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 10, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Statiflo International LimitedInventor: John Michael Baron
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Publication number: 20120152546Abstract: A system for treating produced water, for example from a SAGD bitumen production operation, has a treatment unit using chemical oxidation (CO) or electromagnetic treatment (ET) to destroy or degrade organics in the produced water. The treatment module may use CO or ET in combination with biological treatment or sorption processes or both. When the treatment module is used upstream of a steam generator, it reduces fouling in the steam generator and in any blowdown water treatment device. A brine concentrator or a crystallizer may be used to treat the blowdown water. The treatment module may be used in combination with a nanofiltration (NF) or reverse osmosis (RO) membrane filter. Optionally, the produced water may be treated with an ET process such as microwaves directly upstream of a steam generator or upstream of a concentrator or crystallizer in a blowdown water stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Inventors: David M. Polizzotti, Brian Christopher Moore, Vasile Bogdan Neculaes, Abdul Rafi Khwaja, Matthew Alan Petersen
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Publication number: 20120111800Abstract: A method for harvesting potable water and energy from waste that comprises the steps of collecting the waste, separating the waste into a water fraction, a solid fraction, and a gas fraction, sterilizing the water fraction, converting the solid fraction into an energy resource; and scrubbing the gas fraction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2009Publication date: May 10, 2012Inventor: Carol Ann Collins
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Patent number: 8101086Abstract: A process for the separation of production fluids is provided. The production fluids comprise an oil/water emulsion stabilized with fine solids. The emulsion may further comprise asphaltenes and naphthenic acids and resins. The process includes subjecting the emulsion to a flocculating agent to flocculate solids within the emulsion, and separating water and solids from crude oil in a first separator. The process further includes subjecting the separated crude oil to a demulsifier after subjecting the emulsion to a flocculating agent, and further separating water from the crude oil in a second separator. A process for producing fluids from a hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir is also provided, using the separation processes herein.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2007Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Ramesh Varadaraj, Lee A. Littlejohn
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Patent number: 8083950Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recovering an organic-inorganic element-doped metal oxide from a hydrolysable metal compound, accompanied with contaminated water treatment. The present invention comprises steps of: a) adding a hydrolysable metal compound as a coagulant to a contaminated water to form a separable floc between the hydrolysable metal compound and contaminants present in contaminated water; b) separating the separable floc and the pre-treated water after flocculation treatment; and c) calcinating the separated floc over 500° C. to produce an organic-inorganic element-doped metal oxide. More preferably, the present invention further comprises subjecting the pre-treated water of the step b) to a microwave treatment to cause a photocatalytic degradation of an organic contaminant that remains in the pre-treated water, with the assistance of the remaining hydrolysable metal compound.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2006Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignees: Photo & Environmental Technology Co., Ltd., University of Technology, SydneyInventors: Hokyong Shon, Vigneswaran Saravanamuthu, Erdei Laszlo, Jong Ho Kim, Jong Beom Kim, Dong Lyun Cho, Byung Chul Choi, Kun Jung Kim, Myung Wan Kim, Sung Jung Song, Hee Ju Park, Jaeweon Cho, In-soo Kim, Seung-hyun Kim
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Publication number: 20110297623Abstract: A method for treating a substance using an apparatus having: (a) a volute or cyclone head, (b) a throat connected to the volute or cyclone head, (c) a parabolic reflector connected to the throat, (d) a first wave energy source comprising a first electrode within the volute or cyclone head that extends through the outlet into the first opening of the throat along the central axis of the throat, and a second electrode extending into the parabolic reflector proximate to the focus wherein the second electrode is spaced apart and axially aligned with first electrode, and (e) a second wave energy source disposed inside the throat, embedded within the throat or disposed around the throat. The substance is supplied to the inlet of the volute or cyclone head and is irradiated with one or more wave energies produced by the first and second wave energy sources.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2011Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: FORET PLASMA LABS, LLCInventor: Todd Foret
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Patent number: 8070964Abstract: The present invention is characterized in that a base material comprises ester groups in the main chain and/or in the side chain(s), and comprises a polymer having hydrophobic groups. Particularly, the hydrophobic groups can be introduced by irradiating the base material with a radiation during the base material contacts an aqueous solution of a monohydric alcohol or an aqueous solution of an alcohol having not less than 2 hydroxyl groups, which is a monomer or a polymer, and which has one or more carbon atoms between the carbon atoms to each of which the hydroxyl group is bound in the monomer or in each monomer constituting the polymer.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2006Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: TORAY Industries, Inc.Inventors: Miho Araki, Yoshiyuki Ueno, Hiroyuki Sugaya
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Patent number: 7914688Abstract: A method for breaking an emulsion of an ionic liquid which is a salt that is in the liquid state at a temperature below 1500 C, and an oil, comprising the steps of (a) irradiating the emulsion with microwave radiation; (b) separating the emulsion into an ionic liquid phase and an oil phase; and (c) recovering at least one of the phases.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2006Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas)Inventors: Kris Anderson, Markus Fanselow, John David Holbrey
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Publication number: 20110033337Abstract: Process, apparatus and article for treating an aqueous solution containing biological contaminants. The process includes contacting an aqueous solution containing a biological contaminant with an aggregate composition comprising an insoluble rare earth-containing compound to form a solution depleted of active biological contaminants. The aggregate includes more than 10.01% by weight of the insoluble rare earth-containing compound. The insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. A suitable insoluble cerium-containing compound can be derived from a cerium carbonate, a cerium oxalate or a cerium salt. The composition can consist essentially of cerium oxides, and optionally, a binder and/or flow aid. The aggregate includes no more than two elements selected from the group consisting of yttrium, scandium, and europium when the aggregate is to be sintered.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2010Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLCInventors: John L. Burba, III, Tim L. Oriard
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Publication number: 20100254868Abstract: A system and method (60) for a purifying a fluid (such as air or water) containing contaminants includes removing the contaminants from the fluid (70) using a capturing device, such as an adsorbent and/or a particle filter. The contaminants may include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and microorganisms. The method (60) further includes generating ozone molecules using an ozone generating device (62). An ozone decomposition device is used to decompose at least a portion of the ozone molecules into oxygen and oxygen radicals (68). The captured contaminants (VOCs and microorganisms) react with the oxygen radicals and the ozone molecules to denature the contaminants (72), rendering them less harmful than the original contaminants in the fluid. In some cases, the contaminants may be reduced to carbon dioxide and water.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2007Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATIONInventors: Timothy N. Obee, Stephen O. Hay, Susan D. Brandes, Leland G. Brandes, Thomas Henry Vanderspurt, Wayde R. Schmidt, Norberto O. Lemcoff
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Publication number: 20100218645Abstract: A method for removal of heavy metal ions from water including submerging an aquatic plant or dried material thereof in said water and subsequently irradiating the water in which the aquatic plant or dried material has been submerged with microwave irradiation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2007Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicants: BAR-ILAN UNIVERSITY, YISSUM RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT COMPANY OF THE HEBREWInventors: Aharon Gedanken, Elisha Tel-Or, Benny Chefetz, Smadar Elmeshaly
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Publication number: 20100116755Abstract: A method of separating a mixture of liquid and insoluble solids in a filter press may comprise: pumping the mixture into a chamber between two filter plates in the filter press to form a filter cake, wherein the chamber is lined by filter cloths, and wherein, during the pumping, filtrate is forced through the filter cloths and out of the chamber; heating the filter cake in the chamber, wherein, during the heating, filtrate is forced through the filter cloths and out of the chamber, and wherein the heating is by radio frequency irradiation of the filter cake in the chamber; and releasing dried filter cake from the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2009Publication date: May 13, 2010Inventors: Daniel J. Simpson, Ferdinand Kogler
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Publication number: 20100062121Abstract: The present invention relates to the isolation of biological materials by hydrodiffusion by microwave irradiation, to an apparatus suitable for carrying out present method and to a system for carrying out the present method continuously.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2008Publication date: March 11, 2010Applicants: MILESTONE S.r.l., UNIVERSITE D'AVIGNON ET DES PAYS DE VAUCLUESInventors: Chemat Farid, Maryline Vian, Francesco Visinoni
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Publication number: 20100044306Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2006Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIAInventors: Kwang Victor Lo, Ping Liao, Wayne Wong, Weigang Miles Yi, Weng I Chan, Frederic A. Koch, Donald S. Mavinic