Photocatalytic Patents (Class 210/748.14)
  • Patent number: 11883810
    Abstract: The present, disclosure relates generally to reactor cells comprising an enclosure and one or more plasmonic photocatalysts on a catalyst support disposed within the enclosure. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the enclosure is at least partially optically transparent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Syzygy Plasmonics Inc.
    Inventors: Suman Khatiwada, Trevor William Best
  • Patent number: 11787706
    Abstract: A point-of-use (POU) water filtration device has a container. A plurality of channels is formed within the container, water entering the container flowing through the plurality of channels. A plurality of Ultraviolet (UV) Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) is provided. Each of the plurality of UV LEDs illuminating UV light down an associated channel of the plurality of channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Inventors: Hodon Ryu, Hyoungmin Woo
  • Patent number: 11786070
    Abstract: Described herein includes sample liquid purification apparatus, systems, and techniques of use. The purification apparatus generally can operate to reduce a temperature of a precursor liquid within a beverage machine or appliance. For example, a thermally conductive body can define a heat sink having a tortuous path for propagation of the precursor therethough, facilitating temperature reduction. The purification apparatus can further generally operate to sanitize or otherwise reduce a level of contaminants in the precursor liquid. For example, an energy source, such as a light emitting diode, can be arranged or integrated with the thermally conductive body to emit ultraviolet radiation toward the precursor liquid within the thermally conductive body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Bedford Systems LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Damigella
  • Patent number: 11649175
    Abstract: A UV reactor irradiates a flow of fluid with UV radiation. The reactor comprises: a fluid conduit defined by a heat conducting conduit body comprising one or more heat conducting walls for permitting a flow of fluid therethrough; a UV-LED operatively connected to a PCB and oriented for directing radiation into the fluid conduit. The PCB comprises a heat conducting substrate having a first surface. The conduit body is in thermal contact with the first surface of the heat conducting substrate. Heat is dissipated from the UV-LED via the heat conducting substrate, the thermal contact between the first surface of the heat conducting substrate and the heat conducting conduit body, and from the one or more heat conducting walls of the heat conducting conduit body to the fluid flowing through the fluid conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
    Inventor: Fariborz Taghipour
  • Patent number: 11390548
    Abstract: The invention provides a water purification and dispensing system, preferably for producing ultrapure water and offering the purified water at dispensing sites. The system (100) comprises a first purification stage (1) for purifying water to a first water purity grade, a water recirculation loop (2) including a second purification stage (3) for purifying water to a second water purity grade higher than the first purity grade and a dispensing portion (5) for the purified water, and a reservoir (4) arranged to store the water purified at the first purification stage (1) through a first connecting flowpath (7a) and to deliver the stored water to the water recirculation loop (2) through a second connecting flowpath (7b). A 3-way valve (8) is provided in the flowpath between the first purification stage (1) and the reservoir (4) to selectively block the flow of purified water to the reservoir (4) and to drain the purified water from the first purification stage (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Inventors: Laurent Moreau, Ichiro Kano, Didier Meyer, Pascal Roitel
  • Patent number: 11379966
    Abstract: System and method of implementing an Impurity Detection System in Continually Running Water employing spatially separated smartphone video cameras equipped with periscopic lens attachments, a water flow meter, a sensor operated reagent dispensing system, a light reflecting chamber with patterned surface and optically transmissive windows, and machine vision software for image analysis. The smartphone is equipped with custom optical lens attachments including a periscope that improves spatial separation between camera images. The water flow meter bends according to the amount of water flow, and the sensors modulate the amount of dispensed reagents, such as orthotolidine (C14H16N2). The apparatus monitors the varied levels of impurities, including turbidity and fluorescence, within continually running water, and triggers alarm signals. Machine vision software subsequently analyzes the spatially separated images and matches existing databases to identify key contaminant characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Inventor: Alisha Iyer Jain
  • Patent number: 11298689
    Abstract: Disclosed are various combinations of three different metal-oxide photocatalysts with three different bandgaps that can be used to harvest multiple wavelengths of incident solar radiation and to thus efficiently degrade recalcitrant contaminants. The photocatalysts are from the class of transition metal oxides and are non-toxic compounds based on earth-abundant materials. In some embodiments, particles of the photocatalysts are formed to be greater in diameter than about 0.1 ?m in order to make them easier to filter out after treating the contaminant. In some embodiments, the metal-oxide photocatalysts are zinc oxide which is ultraviolet active, hematite which is active in the visible spectrum, and copper oxide which is active in the near infrared spectrum. Various combinations in various embodiments achieve measured contaminant degradation rates greater than the sum of the degradation rates of the individual photocatalysts that make up the combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY
    Inventors: Emily Asenath-Smith, Emma K Ambrogi
  • Patent number: 11230485
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for preventing and controlling pollutants in basin water resources utilization. The method includes: providing a hydrolysis tank (1), a nano-aeration tank (2) and a vertical subsurface flow constructed wetland (3) connected in sequence, salvaging duckweed and algae in the basin, then crushing, acidizing and digesting them in the hydrolysis tank (1), importing the supernatant obtained in the hydrolysis tank (1) into the nano-aeration tank (2), then mixing the water from the nano-aeration tank (2) with basin water and importing them into the vertical subsurface flow constructed wetland (3), treating to obtain basin water meeting the irrigation requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: CHINESE RESEARCH ACADEMY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
    Inventors: Beidou Xi, Lei Wang, Jinsheng Wang, Yali Zhang, Wenbing Tan, Tongtong Li, Yangyang Wang, Hui Liu, Qian Zhang, Feng Wu
  • Patent number: 10882768
    Abstract: Contaminated wastewater from the preparation of isophorone, isophoronenitrile and isophoronediamine is treated by A) 1. treating the wastewater from the preparation of isophoronenitrile from the reaction of isophorone with hydrogen cyanide by alkaline hydrolysis of isophoronenitrile to isophorone, and the salts of hydrogen cyanide within a pH range of 12.0 to 13.7 and at temperatures of 60 to 200° C. and 2. processing the wastewater from A) 1. by an oxidation, or B) treating the wastewater from the preparation of isophoronenitrile from the reaction of isophorone with hydrogen cyanide by an oxidation, or C) processing the wastewater from A) 1. and the wastewater from the preparation of isophorone and/or the wastewater from the preparation of isophoronediamine by an oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Evonik Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Kreczinski, Robert Jansen, Matthias Woyciechowski
  • Patent number: 10751702
    Abstract: The present invention refers to lightweight and settable photocatalytic compositions and solid composites; methods of preparing the compositions and solid composites; and their use in water purification. The compositions are comprised of photocatalysts such as titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO), lightweight glass bubbles, and a hydraulic cementing binder. The lightweight and settable photocatalytic compositions can be formed into lightweight photocatalytic solid composites and/or structures by mixing with water and moist curing. This invention also describes relatively simple, fast, and cost effective methodologies to photodope the TiO2—ZnO compositions and composites with silver (Ag), to enhance and extend the photocatalytic activity from the ultraviolet into the visible light spectrum. The lightweight and settable TiO2—ZnO and Ag—TiO2—ZnO compositions are used in making solids, structures, coatings, and continuous or semi-continuous water purification panels for purifying contaminated water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Inventor: Deepika Saraswathy Kurup
  • Patent number: 10696568
    Abstract: The invention provides an injector device for a water treatment apparatus, and a method of use. The injector device comprises a first coupling for fluid connection to a source of liquid to be treated; and a second coupling for fluid connection to at least one liquid treatment vessel arranged to expose liquid in the vessel to ultraviolet radiation in an advanced oxidation process reaction. The device comprises at least one injection port for injecting at least one gas into a liquid flowing through the injector device. The injector device is at least partially formed from a material that is transmissive to ultraviolet radiation. In another aspect, a water treatment apparatus defines a plurality of parallel flow streams between the inlet of the apparatus and the at least one liquid treatment vessel. The injector device comprises an injection port for each of the plurality of parallel flow streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Greenthread Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Henderson, Brian Nutley, Kim Nutley, Ross Clarke
  • Patent number: 10125038
    Abstract: A process for decontaminating a contaminated aqueous liquid comprising methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE) involving pretreating the contaminated aqueous liquid with chlorine and/or a hypochlorous acid salt and irradiating the aqueous liquid with an ultraviolet wavelength to produce a radical molecular species that degrades the MTBE. MTBE is degraded into at least one degradation byproduct including tert-butyl formate (TBF), tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), acetone, carbon dioxide, and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Amana Jemal Kedir, Bassam Tawabini
  • Patent number: 9981863
    Abstract: A method of removing at least one single ring aromatic hydrocarbon from a hydrocarbon contaminated fluid. The method includes contacting the hydrocarbon contaminated fluid with carbon nanotubes to adsorb the at least one single ring aromatic hydrocarbon while exposing the hydrocarbon contaminated fluid and the carbon nanotubes to UV irradiation from at least one UV light source, preferably a UV light emitting diode (LED), with a wavelength of about 315-415 nm, preferably about 365 nm, to form a treated fluid having a reduced concentration of the at least one single ring aromatic hydrocarbon relative to the hydrocarbon contaminated fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Basim Ahmed Abussaud, Aamir Abbas
  • Patent number: 9446371
    Abstract: A substance is treated using a device 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 opening of the throat along the central axis, and a second electrode extending into the parabolic reflector and 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 directed to the inlet of the volute or cyclone head and irradiated with one or more wave energies produced by the first and second wave energy sources as the substance passes through the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Foret Plasma Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Foret
  • Patent number: 9149673
    Abstract: The one step process of removal of chromophore/dye/organic pollutant from a solution comprising a polymer free titanium oxide gel i.e. high zeta potential is disclosed. The concentration of the chromophores is removed up to 95-100%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC & INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH
    Inventors: Mohan Kerba Dongare, Shubhangi Bhalchandra Umbarkar
  • Publication number: 20150114912
    Abstract: A reactor that operates with ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) to attain UV photoreactions or UV photo-initiated reaction in a fluid flow for various applications, including water purification. The UV-LED reactor is comprised of a conduit means for passing fluid flow, an ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV-LED), and a radiation-focusing element to focus the UV-LED radiation to the fluid in the longitudinal direction of the conduit. The UV-LED reactor may include photocatalysts or chemical oxidants, which are activated by UV emitted by UV-LEDs for photocatalytic and photo-initiated reactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Fariborz Taghipour
  • Publication number: 20150111724
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a visible light-responsive photocatalyst with an excellent removal efficiency of environmental contaminants, and a method of preparing the same. According to the present invention, the TiO2 surface having an increased visible light absorbance due to nitrogen-doping has been modified into a hydrophilic surface using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), i.e., a silicon-carbon precursor, and thereby significantly improved the removal efficiency of environmental contaminants under visible light. Additionally, the photocatalyst of the present invention for removing environmental contaminants is applicable to environment-friendly fields such as removal of volatile organic compounds, air purification, wastewater treatment and sterilization, and enables to remove contaminants by being attached to the surfaces of external walls of buildings, construction materials, glass windows, sound-absorbing walls, road facilities, signboards, etc., while preventing damages by sunlight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Research & Business Foundation SUNGKYUNKWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Young Dok KIM, Hyun Ook SEO, Kwang Dae KIM, Myung Geun JEONG, Dae Han KIM, Eun Ji PARK, Hye Soo YOON, Youn Kyoung CHO, Bo Ra JEONG
  • Patent number: 8974742
    Abstract: A reactor unit for photocatalytic treatment of fluids such as air, includes a catalyzer device (4) comprising a catalytic material support having a generally tubular shape defining a fluid flow channel extending around and along a fluid flow path and a photocatalytic material coated on at least a portion of an internal surface of the support, and a radiation source (30) received in a central portion of the catalyzer device. The catalytic material support comprises a wall portion and a plurality of tapered protrusions (8) extending from an internal surface of the wall portion to a tip proximate to the radiation source, the tapered protrusions being arranged around the radiation source and along the fluid flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Aelorve S.A.S.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Pastor
  • Patent number: 8961890
    Abstract: Provided is a purifying apparatus, which includes ultraviolet lamps and an ozone lamp having different wavelengths from one another and disposed in tubes to remove bacteria, VOC, bad odors in water or air, and these tubes are arranged in a serial or parallel way. Folds are formed at inner ends of the spiral photocatalytic sheets which are in contact with the lamps and the respective lamps are inserted into to increase the contact area with air or water and the one with the lamp, thereby preventing the lamp from being damaged. The purifying apparatus includes: an outer case having an inlet and an outlet; a spiral photocatalytic sheet to be inserted into the outer case; a UV lamp to be inserted into the spiral photocatalytic sheet, wherein folds are disposed at an inner side of the spiral photocatalytic sheet where a space for inserting the UV lamp is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventor: Kyung-Sook Kim
  • Patent number: 8940183
    Abstract: A novel composition for a photocatalyst Fe doped ZnO nano-particle photocatalyst that enables the decontamination process by degrading toxic organic material such as brilliant cresyl blue, indigo carmine and gentian blue by using solar light is described. In the current disclosure method of making a specific size of the nano photocatalyst is described. Characterization of the photocatalyst, optimal working conditions and efficient use of solar light has been described to show that this photocatalyst is unique. The process described to use the photocatalyst to degrade toxic organic material using the solar light to activate the photocatalyst is cost efficient and cheap to clean our water resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: King Abdulaziz University
    Inventors: Abdullah Mohamed Asiri, Sher Bahadar Khan, Khalid Ahmad Alamry, Mohammed M Rahman, Mohamed Saeed Alamoodi
  • Patent number: 8926842
    Abstract: A water treatment system using a high pressure advanced oxidation process with unreacted ozone reusing is disclosed, which are able to increase a decomposition speed of a pollutant by reusing a high pressure advanced oxidation process which uses an ozone and photocatalyst and a photo-oxidation reaction of a ultraviolet ray. The capacity of the expensive ozone generator can be reduced as compared to the conventional advanced oxidation process which uses a large capacity ozone generator in which almost ozone is discharged into the air. In addition, it is possible to decrease the load of the off-gas ozone removing apparatus for removing the off-gas ozone which is discharged into the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: Jong Seob Shim
  • Patent number: 8926915
    Abstract: A smell-diffusing cell array substrate, an apparatus configured to transfer smell information and an electronic device are provided, the smell-diffusing cell array substrate includes at least one smell-diffusing cell having a microcapsule with a core-shell structure. A shell of the microcapsule includes a wall material and a photocatalyst dispersed in the wall material. A core of the microcapsule includes a smell-diffusion material and a hydrophilic liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-jin Park, Seung-nam Cha, Jae-hyun Hur, Jong-min Kim
  • Publication number: 20140346124
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the decontamination of contaminated liquid, as well as a reactor for implementing a decontamination method. The method comprises a step of mixing the contaminated liquid under stirring with at least one persulphate ion with the exception of ammonium persulphate, and at least iron, an iron atom or an iron ion in its ferrous or ferric form at a concentration between 50 ?M and 600 ?M, preferably between 100 ?M and 400 ?M, a second step in which the mixture obtained is subjected for a sufficient time to at least one UV/visible irradiation having a narrow wavelength spectrum comprised between 153 nm and 560 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicants: UNIVERSITE D'AIX MARSEILLE, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE(CNRS)
    Inventors: Stephane Barbati, Serge Chiron, Moussa Mahdi Ahmed, Hichem Bouzidi
  • Publication number: 20140291256
    Abstract: A method for treatment of dye wastewater by using ultraviolet-acetylacetone oxidation process is provided. This method belongs to the field of dye wastewater treatment, comprising the following steps: A) adding acetylacetone into dye-containing water, stirring and mixing them completely; B) putting the liquid obtained in step A) under ultraviolet irradiation till it is effectively decolorized. Provided is a new method for decolorizing high-concentrated dye wastewater on the basis of ultraviolet-induced oxidation process of phydroxyl radicals. This method can realize complete decolorization of the dye wastewater. During the oxidation process, the dye in the wastewater acts as the photosensitizer and can accelerate the decolorization process as the reaction progresses. The method can also improve BOD5/COD ratio from lower than 0.1 to higher than 0.3, which means that this method can be used not only for high-efficient decolorization of dye wastewater, but also as a preliminary step of microorganism treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Shujuan Zhang, Mengshu Wang, Xitong Liu, Bingcai Pan, Lu Lv, Weiming Zhang
  • Patent number: 8840845
    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: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Biological Illumination, LLC
    Inventors: Robert R. Soler, Fredric S. Maxik, David E. Bartine, Valerie Ann Bastien, James Lynn Schellack, Eliza Katar Grove
  • Publication number: 20140272030
    Abstract: A method and a system for producing a change in a medium. The method places in a vicinity of the medium an energy modulation agent. The method applies an initiation energy to the medium. The initiation energy interacts with the energy modulation agent to directly or indirectly produce the change in the medium. The energy modulation agent has a normal predominant emission of radiation in a first wavelength range outside of a second wavelength range (WR2) known to produce the change, but under exposure to the applied initiation energy produces the change. The system includes an initiation energy source configured to apply an initiation energy to the medium to activate the energy modulation agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: IMMUNOLIGHT, LLC.
    Inventors: Frederic Avery Bourke, JR., Zakaryae Fathi, Harold Walder, Wayne F. Beyer, JR.
  • Patent number: 8828241
    Abstract: A method for treating a liquid includes providing an apparatus: (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 outlet 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 comprising a first electrode within the pump volute or hydrocyclone head that is aligned with 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 liquid is supplied to the inlet of the pump volute or hydrocyclone head. The first electrode, second electrode or both electrodes are moved along the central axis. The liquid is irradiated with one or more wave energies produced by the wave energy source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Foret Plasma Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Foret
  • Patent number: 8821723
    Abstract: The present invention provides a photocatalytic reactor and a method for treating gaseous pollutants using the same, which can decompose and remove gaseous pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), odors, etc. as well as liquid pollutants using an environmentally friendly photocatalytic reaction. To this end, the present invention provides a photocatalytic reactor including: a solution tank to which a fluid containing gaseous pollutants to be treated is supplied through an inlet; a solution injector installed at the top of the inlet and injecting a gaseous pollutant solution into the fluid to be treated such that the gaseous pollutants of the fluid are dissolved; and a liquid photocatalytic treatment device receiving the gaseous pollutant solution, in which the gaseous pollutants of the fluid are dissolved and liquefied, from the solution tank and decomposing the liquefied gaseous pollutants of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Shin Tae Bae, Soo Hyun Ha, Won Bae Lee, Dae Young Goh
  • Publication number: 20140217036
    Abstract: A reactor system including a main reactor having a reaction vessel in operative communication with a solar concentrator for focusing sunlight onto the reaction vessel for providing waste management and removal is disclosed. The sunlight focused on the reactor vessel provides ultraviolet radiation that degrades organic pollutants within the reaction vessel and infrared radiation boils off the liquid within the reaction vessel, thereby allowing a steady state condition to be achieved in the reactor vessel. The main reactor is in communication with a condenser that receives the water vapor and other gases from the reactor vessel in which a phase separation operation occurs such that heavier water liquid phase is captured within a storage chamber and the gaseous phase is transported to a gas scrubber for filtering the lighter gaseous phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: The Arizona Board of Regents for and on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventor: Christopher N. Bremer
  • Publication number: 20140190902
    Abstract: Waste water from an industrial process, including an organic acid, is reprocessed by introducing the waste water into a heat exchange process in which a heat exchange medium is used so that the waste water which is to be treated is heated to a temperature between 60° C. and the boiling point of the waste water. Subsequently, the waste water is partially evaporated and re-condensed, with the waste water irradiated with UV radiation during the evaporation and condensation process in the liquid and/or gas phase. As a result, a chemical transformation of the organic acid in H2O and carbon dioxide is at least partially carried out. Then, the condensed part of the purified waste water is fed back into the industrial process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Andreas Büttner, Thomas Hammer, Cosima Sichel, Martin Tackenberg, Gernut van Laak
  • Patent number: 8758606
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser device including an outlet duct through which fluid can pass, a dispenser that can be actuated so as to cause fluid to be dispensed through said outlet duct, and an irradiation device that is adapted to irradiate the fluid while said fluid is passing through said outlet duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: L V M H Recherche
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Tranchant, Marc Chevalier, Jacques Gerbron
  • Publication number: 20140151302
    Abstract: Provided is a method for treating a hexavalent chromium-containing aqueous solution by water treatment employing a titanium dioxide photocatalyst that is excellent in both photocatalytic activity and solid-liquid separation performance. The method according to the present disclosure includes the steps of: adding catalyst particles to the aqueous solution; reducing hexavalent chromium by irradiating the aqueous solution with light having a wavelength of 200 nanometers or more and 400 nanometers or less while stirring the catalyst particles in the aqueous solution; and stopping the stirring and separating the catalyst particles from the aqueous solution by sedimentation. Each catalyst particle is composed only of a titanium dioxide particle and a zeolite particle, the titanium dioxide particle is adsorbed on the outer surface of the zeolite particle, the zeolite particle has a silica/alumina molar ratio of 10 or more, and the catalyst particles are contained in the aqueous solution at a concentration of 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuko MARUO, Daisuke INO
  • Publication number: 20140151301
    Abstract: Provided is a method for treating an arsenic-containing aqueous solution by water treatment employing a titanium dioxide photocatalyst that is excellent in both photocatalytic activity and solid-liquid separation performance. The method according to the present disclosure includes the steps of adding catalyst particles to the aqueous solution; oxidizing trivalent arsenic by irradiating the aqueous solution with light having a wavelength of 200 nanometers or more and 400 nanometers or less while stirring the catalyst particles in the aqueous solution; and stopping the stirring and separating the catalyst particles from the aqueous solution by sedimentation. Each catalyst particle is composed only of a titanium dioxide particle and a zeolite particle, the titanium dioxide particle is adsorbed on the outer surface of the zeolite particle, the zeolite particle has a silica/alumina molar ratio of 10 or more, and the catalyst particles are contained in the aqueous solution at a concentration of 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuko MARUO, Daisuke INO
  • Patent number: 8741156
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is a hybrid photocatalyst which is a layered aluminosilicate, possibly organically modified, containing compounds introduced into the aluminosilicate galleries bearing groups such as porphyrin, rose bengal, anthracene, pyrene, perylene, tetracene, rubrene, naphthalene, phthalocyanines, coumarins, and methylene blue, which are organic chromophores able to absorb visible and/or ultraviolet light and sensitize photochemical reactions. The invention includes also the methods of synthesis and application of the photocatalysts for the photocatalytical degradation of water pollutants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Uniwersytet Jagiellonski
    Inventors: Maria Nowakowska, Krzysztof Szczubialka, Dominik Drozd
  • Patent number: 8734654
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Foret Plasma Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Foret
  • Publication number: 20140131288
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed at a microparticle for use in water treatment comprising a core layer; a shell layer, deposited on and encasing the core layer; and a photoactive layer surrounding the shell layer. The disclosure also provides a method for producing same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Frank Gu, Timothy Michael Carter Leshuk, Stuart Linley
  • Patent number: 8709262
    Abstract: Toxic organic materials contaminate water resources and one need to find an easy and energy efficient way to decontaminate water resources. The current invention discloses a photocatalyst Fe doped ZnO nano-particle photocatalyst that enables the decontamination process by degrading toxic organic material such as brilliant cresyl blue, indigo carmine and gentian blue by using solar light. In the current disclosure many examples of characterization of the photocatalyst, optimal working conditions and efficient use of solar light has been described. The process described to use the photocatalyst to degrade toxic organic material using the solar light to activate the photocatalyst is cost efficient and cheap to clean our water resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: King Abdulaziz University
    Inventors: Abdullah Mohamed Asiri, Sher Bahadar Khan, Khalid Ahmad Alamry, Mohammed M Rahman, Mohamed Saeed Alamoodi
  • Publication number: 20140102991
    Abstract: Despite significant progress in the synthesis of nanocomposite materials, integration of several components with various functions remains a big challenge, which significantly limits control over nanocomposite properties. The disclosure provides a multifunctional micro particle based on incorporation of titania nanoparticles combined into a porous polylactic acid (PLA) matrix. PLA is used as a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer and titania nanoparticles represent photocatalytically active nanofillers capable of degradation of organic compounds under solar irradiation. Titania nanoparticles are integrated with PLA by using ‘mixed’ and ‘in situ grown’ approaches. The hybrid systems effectively absorbed and degraded organic impurities from water. The sorption capacity, dye degradability, and PLA disintegration were controlled by varying the concentration of incorporated titania.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Eugenia P. Kharlampieva, Benjamin Yancey
  • Patent number: 8685237
    Abstract: An improved draft tube spout fluid bed (DTSFB) mixing, handling, conveying, and treating apparatus and systems, and methods for operating are provided. The apparatus and systems can accept particulate material and pneumatically or hydraulically conveying the material to mix and/or treat the material. In addition to conveying apparatus, a collection and separation apparatus adapted to receive the conveyed particulate material is also provided. The collection apparatus may include an impaction plate against which the conveyed material is directed to improve mixing and/or treatment. The improved apparatus are characterized by means of controlling the operation of the pneumatic or hydraulic transfer to enhance the mixing and/or reacting by controlling the flow of fluids, for example, air, into and out of the apparatus. The disclosed apparatus may be used to mix particulate material, for example, mortar; react fluids with particulate material; coat particulate material, or simply convey particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Howard Littman, Joel L. Plawsky, John D. Paccione
  • Patent number: 8663471
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to devices and methods of treating aqueous solutions to help remove or otherwise reduce levels, concentrations or amounts of one or more contaminants. The present disclosure relates to a apparatus including a substantially self-contained housing or container which is adapted to receive components including at least one counterelectrode (e.g. cathode) and at least one photoelectrode (e.g. anode) provided or arranged around at least one UV light source, and/or receive, contain and/or circulate fluid or aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: AquaMost, Inc.
    Inventors: Terence P. Barry, Thomas P. Barry, Jake Myre, Anton Asmuth
  • Patent number: 8658035
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to devices and methods of treating aqueous solutions to help remove or otherwise reduce levels, concentrations or amounts of one or more contaminants. The present disclosure relates to a apparatus including a substantially self-contained housing or container which is adapted to receive components including at least one counterelectrode (e.g. cathode) and at least one photoelectrode (e.g. anode) provided or arranged around at least one UV light source, and/or receive, contain and/or circulate fluid or aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: AquaMost, Inc.
    Inventors: Terence P. Barry, Thomas P. Barry, Jake Myre, Anton Asmuth
  • Patent number: 8658046
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to devices and methods of treating aqueous solutions to help remove or otherwise reduce levels, concentrations or amounts of one or more contaminants. The present disclosure relates to a apparatus including a substantially self-contained housing or container which is adapted to receive components including at least one counterelectrode (e.g. cathode) and at least one photoelectrode (e.g. anode) provided or arranged around at least one UV light source, and/or receive, contain and/or circulate fluid or aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: AquaMost, Inc.
    Inventors: Terence P. Barry, Thomas P. Barry, Jake Myre, Anton Asmuth
  • Publication number: 20140027387
    Abstract: Provided is a method for decomposing at least one of organic compound contained in an aqueous solution by using a titanium dioxide photocatalyst that is excellent in both photocatalytic activity and solid-liquid separation performance for water treatment. The method includes: a step of adding catalyst particles into the aqueous solution; a step of decomposing the organic compound by irradiating the aqueous solution with light having a wavelength of 200 nanometers or more and 400 nanometers or less while stirring the catalyst particles in the aqueous solution; and a step of stopping the stirring, and separating the catalyst particles from the aqueous solution by sedimentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuko MARUO, Daisuke INO
  • Patent number: 8623220
    Abstract: A simple, room-temperature method of producing CuO-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles was established by reacting zinc nitrate hexahydrate, copper nitrate trihydrate and cyclohexylamine (CHA) at room temperature. These nanoparticles may be used for photocatalytic degradation of cyanide in aqueous solutions. The degradation of cyanide is effective because electrons transfer from the p-type copper oxide to the n-type zinc oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST)
    Inventors: Abdulaziz A Bagabas, Ahmed S. Alshammari, Mohamed F. Aboud, Mohamed Mokhtar Mohamed Mostafa, Emad Addurihem, Zeid A. Al-Othman, Musaed A Alangari
  • Publication number: 20130334145
    Abstract: Mixed chloride-bromide bismuth oxyhalide compounds, with the molar ratio chloride:bromide being equal to or greater than 1:1, in the form of microspheres exhibiting flower-like surface morphology, are disclosed. Processes for preparing the compounds, formulations of the compounds and a method for purifying water using said compounds are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Yissum Research Development Company of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem LTD.
    Inventors: Hani Gnayem, Yoel Sasson, Sanaa Shenawi-Khalil
  • Patent number: 8597523
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Foret Plasma Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Foret
  • Patent number: 8585908
    Abstract: A ceramic structure for water treatment, a water treatment apparatus and method are provided. Immersion efficiency of a photo catalyst and a specific surface area of the immersed photo catalyst can be improved using a ceramic medium including a ceramic paper prepared of a ceramic fiber. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the water treatment apparatus and method capable of increasing decomposition efficiency of contaminated materials due to irradiation of ultraviolet light, and so on, enabling continuous purification treatment, and remarkably reducing preparation, management and water treatment expenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: LG Hausys, Ltd.
    Inventors: Moonsuk Han, Ju-Hyung Lee, Seongmoon Jung
  • Publication number: 20130270196
    Abstract: A system and method for removing fouling from a photoelectrocatalytic oxidation assembly is provided. The method includes resetting a first counter, increasing the first counter by a first channel increment value, and determining if the value in the first counter exceeds a value corresponding to the number of channels provided in the assembly. If the first counter does not exceed the number of channels, the polarity in a channel associated with the value in the first counter is reversed, and a first timer is reset. If an amount of time in the first timer does not exceed a first time period, the first timer is increased by a first time increment until the time remaining in the first timer exceeds the first time period and the polarity reversal is terminated, returning to the step of increasing the first counter by a first channel increment value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Terence P. Barry, Craig Doolittle, Alan Carlson, Douglas S. Winkie
  • Patent number: 8557188
    Abstract: A UV photocatalytic air purifier/sterilizer in which the multiple limited-lifetime components (such as the UV light, UV light electronics, and catalytic portion) of a photocatalytic UV air purifier/sterilizer are packaged together to form a single, handheld, unitized package, designed for easy insertion and removal into an air purifier. The invention may be configured enable maximum air flow through the photocatalytic portions of the device, thus further improving air cleaning efficiency by allowing many volumes of room air to be recirculated through the device and cleaned/purified/sterilized over the course of a day. In a preferred embodiment, the device may package a series of stacked TiO2 coated parallel metal catalytic plates, a UV germicidal lamp with a fluorescent tube form factor, and a UV lamp ballast into a single disposable or recyclable unit. This disposable unit can be easily clipped into a motorized air purifier unit designed for rapid servicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: Yang Zhen Lo
  • Publication number: 20130220934
    Abstract: Disclosed is an ultraviolet oxidation device for decompositing organic materials present in water in low energy consumption and low cost, an ultrapure water production device using the same, an ultraviolet oxidation method, and an ultrapure water production method. An ultraviolet oxidation device including: a flow tank 10; photocatalyst fibers 12; an ultraviolet radiating unit 14; and an ultraviolet radiating unit housing unit 16 which is arranged to occupy an entire cross-section of the flow tank intersecting with flowing direction of the water to be processed in the flow tank 10; wherein the ultraviolet radiating unit housing unit 16 is constructed such that the water to he processed flows toward the ultraviolet radiating unit 14 from an upstream side, and after flowing in the housing unit 16, the water to be processed flows out to a downstream side, and is formed of a material that allows the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet radiating unit 14 to radiate the photocatalyst fibers 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: UBE INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichirou Otani, Hiroyuki Yamaoka, Yoshikatsu Harada, Teruaki Fujii, Sadayoshi Suhara, Kouichirou Suyama