By Oxidation Patents (Class 210/758)
  • Patent number: 6267893
    Abstract: A process wherein an aqueous solution of amidoalkane sulfonic acid monomer, described hereafter, the homopolymer of such monomer, the co-polymer or the salt of said monomer or homopolymer, or polyacrylamide polymer, is admixed with the fluids or solids to be cleaned. Thus, solids and fatty acids are flocculated in the completion and workover fluids, hydrocarbon fluids, halogenated hydrocarbon fluids, amines, solvents, glycols, potassium carbonate and other gas processing fluids. The oil free particulate solids as well as the produced waters are thereby rendered environmentally acceptable for discharge to the environment. Hydrocarbon fluids are rendered suitable for storage while the other fluids such as completion and workover fluids are rendered suitable for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Inventor: S. Roy Luxemburg
  • Publication number: 20010009239
    Abstract: A water treating system utilizes antimicrobial sand filter for killing bacteria and preventing microbial growth. Said antimicrobial sand filter consists of organic quaternary ammonium salt and inorganic metal compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: Yen-Kuen Shiau, Chung-Hsun Wu, Vincent T. Chuang
  • Patent number: 6264847
    Abstract: A method is provided for decomposing free cyanide ion and metallic cyano complex ions in a liquid, comprising the steps of bringing the liquid into contact with ozone gas in a counterflow relation in the condition that the pH of the liquid is at least 10 with the mass flow rate of the ozone in the ozone gas up to 20 mg per minute per liter of liquid, and then bringing the liquid into contact in a counterflow relation with ozone gas having an ozone concentration of at least 150 g/m3 in the condition that the pH of the liquid is 7.0 to 9.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Mining, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryozo Ushio, Naoko Kikuta, Koji Sasaki, Yuji Imaizumi, Ryoichi Nakayama, Iichi Nakamura, Takao Suzuki, Masayuki Hisatsune
  • Patent number: 6264176
    Abstract: A diffuser for mixing and oxygenating water or other liquid with an airstrip employs a self supporting microporous tubular membrane, arranged in a spiral or grid configuration, with openings between proximate elements which, are at least equal to the diameter of the membrane. Gas, when forced through the tubular membrane, forms fine bubbles which agitate, oxygenate and entrain the surrounding liquid as it slowly passes through the openings. The tubular membrane is flexible and is to be mounted on a manifold which connects it to a source of air or gas, and which may also impart buoyancy or serve as anchor in the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventors: Daniel H. Dickman, Ted K Vollmer
  • Patent number: 6261464
    Abstract: A portable oxidant generator for generating a chlorine or chloro-oxygen solution suitable for sterilizing contaminated drinking water, thereby providing potable water. The oxidant generators include an electrolytic chamber and a power supply or source. The chamber holds a salt brine solution such that the solution is in contact with an anode and cathode included in the chamber. The power supply provides electrical charge which is passed between the anode and cathode through the salt brine solution. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the power supply includes an energy storage device that is charged to predetermined voltage. The energy storage device is preferably charged by a generator that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. The present invention includes a brine storage compartment in the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Miox Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney E. Herrington, Curtis M. Mitchke, John K. Hickerson, Timothy A. Cushman, John F. White
  • Publication number: 20010007314
    Abstract: In a method of removing organic contaminants from a liquid, an oxidizing gas is formed into sub-micron size bubbles which are dispersed into an initially contaminated liquid, after which the treated liquid is recovered. The oxidizing gas is preferably selected from a group including ozone and chlorine dioxide and is utilized immediately upon its manufacture. An oxidizing liquid may be employed in conjunction with the oxidizing gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Publication date: July 12, 2001
    Inventor: Jeffrey H. Sherman
  • Patent number: 6254786
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for treating the flow of anaerobic groundwater through an aquifer with a primary treatment media, preferably iron, and then passing the treated groundwater through a second porous media though which an oxygenated gas is passed in order to oxygenate the dissolved primary treatment material and convert it into an insoluble material thereby removing the dissolved primary treatment material from the groundwater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Energy
    Inventors: Clay E. Carpenter, Stanley J. Morrison
  • Patent number: 6254779
    Abstract: An acidic organics-containing waste water stream (12) derived from for example plant for the production of an aromatic carboxylic acid such as terephthalic acid is treated to allow recovery of alkali and water for recycle to the production process. The treatment comprises adjusting the pH of the waste water stream using an alakaline medium, oxidising (10) the organics content of the stream to convert the same to water, carbon dioxide and (bi)carbonate ions, and supplying the treated stream to a reverse osmosis membrane (28, 30) to produce a retentate containing (bi)carbonate ions and cations derived from the alkaline medium and a permeate which is substantially free of those components. The retentate (46) is recycled for use in adjustment of the pH of the waste water stream and, if desired, water-consuming facilities which can tolerate less pure water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Ian Charles Jeffery, Christopher Howard Jackson
  • Patent number: 6251289
    Abstract: In a method of removing organic contaminants from a liquid, an oxidizing gas is formed into sub-micron size bubbles which are dispersed into an initially contaminated liquid, after which the treated liquid is recovered. The oxidizing gas is preferably selected from a group including ozone and chlorine dioxide and is utilized immediately upon its manufacture. An oxidizing liquid may be employed in conjunction with the oxidizing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: GRT, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey H. Sherman
  • Patent number: 6245240
    Abstract: Provided herein is a process for treatment of solutions which contain ferrous, ferric and soluble manganese species which process comprises addition of an oxidizing agent to such a solution to cause formation of manganese dioxide particles and adding manganese dioxide seed particles so as to cause nascent manganese dioxide agglomerates formed from the action of the addition of the oxidizing agent on the soluble manganese species to adhere to the manganese dioxide seed particles. By a process according to the invention, it is possible to effectively remove the soluble manganese species as solid manganese dioxide by having effective control over the size of the manganese dioxide particles to enable their subsequent removal using ordinary filtration techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Tioxide Group Services Limited
    Inventor: Brian Cameron Noble
  • Patent number: 6245237
    Abstract: An improved method for aeration of septic tanks and the like by drawing atmospheric air into an expansion chamber and from there into agitated sludge to provide low pressure small microbubbles which have long hold times in the sludge material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Sewage Aeration Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald S. Blough, Jerard B. Hoage, Larry A. Messer
  • Patent number: 6241802
    Abstract: A system and method for delivering a gas-supersaturated fluid comprising a fluid reservoir, a fluid pump, a gas source, a high pressure gas exchanger, and one or more arrays of capillary channels is disclosed. Suitable controls such as differential pressure gauge and valves are provided to maintain a near constant hydrostatic pressure of the fluid within the semi-permeable membrane gas-fluid interface of the gas exchanger at approximately 1% to 20% higher than the gas partial pressure of the fluid within the gas exchanger. Gas-supersaturated fluid output from the gas exchanger via the capillary channels is at a flow velocity of greater than 0.05 m/sec, thereby facilitating delivery of large flow rates of gas-supersaturated fluids without cavitation inception.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Wayne State University
    Inventors: J. Richard Spears, Richard J. Crilly
  • Patent number: 6241897
    Abstract: Liquid in which oxygen-containing gas is to be dissolved is pumped through a main and distributed into faster-moving subsidiary streams. Each subsidiary stream passes through a turbulence-inducing means and air or oxygen is introduced into the turbulent region of alternate streams. The relative proportions of air to oxygen introduction are varied so as economically and efficiently to oxygenate the liquid. The gas-containing liquid passes through nozzles back into the volume of the liquid at sufficient velocity to cause further turbulence, making gas bubbles shear into smaller bubbles and also agitating the body of liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: The BOC Group plc
    Inventors: Cedric Hanson, Michael Jack Race
  • Patent number: 6241887
    Abstract: The invention of this application relates to a method for utilizing tires for vehicles whereby the tires are introduced into a water such as rivers, seas, oceans or lakes, and thereby is used to improve the environment of the water and also the general environment. The method includes the step of cutting into and/or removing a portion of the rubber element of the type to expose the metal therein to the water when the tire is submerged in the same. The exposure of the metal to the water allows the same to corrode and allows the introduction of elements of the metal into the water. This creates increased oxygenation of the water which, in turn, improves the quality, and, by photosynthesis, reduces the carbon dioxide content in the water and hence reduces the level of pollution in the same. Preferably a number of tires are linked together to form barriers and/or reefs within the body of water and said barriers and reefs also act as a suitable habitat for marine and river life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventor: James Anthony Powell
  • Patent number: 6238571
    Abstract: A method for the removal of copper from waste waters includes providing a solution to be treated, the solution comprising copper; introducing a source of ferric ions and a source of ferrous ions into the solution; and adjusting the pH of the solution to promote formation of a copper-containing ferrite precipitate, whereby the solution is depleted in copper. In instances where the solution contains ferric ions, the method includes introducing a source of ferrous ions into the solution to obtain a solution comprising ferric ions and ferrous ions; and adjusting the pH of the solution to promote formation of a copper-containing ferrite precipitate, whereby the solution is depleted in copper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ilhan Olmez, Francis X. Pink, Duran Karakas, Duane S. Boning
  • Patent number: 6235204
    Abstract: A method for removing the oxy-anions of selenium from FGD scrubber purge water. The purge water is contacted with free hydroxyl radicals to effect oxidation of reduced forms of sulfur to sulfate and the destruction of sulfur-nitrogen compounds present in the purge water. The purge water is then subjected to chemical reduction and co-precipitation of selenium with an amount of ferrous ions effective to remove the oxy-anions of selenium in the liquid in less than 30 minutes of reaction time. The resultant ferrous-selenium solids generated are separated and stabilized to elemental selenium in a separate reaction vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Radian International LLC
    Inventors: Frank J. Castaldi, Gregory P. Behrens, Oliver W. Hargrove, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6221277
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an activated metal oxide and methods for removing sulfur compounds from fluids, whereby the activated metal oxide includes an amount of metal oxide and an amount of ethoxylated fatty amine, with the ethoxylated fatty amine increasing the rate of reactivity between the metal oxide and the sulfur compounds, which include hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide, mercaptans, and other organic sulfides. The ethoxylated tallow amines include ethoxylated tallow amine, ethoxylated cocoa amine, ethoxylated oleic amine, ethoxylated soya amine, ethoxylated palmatic amine, ethoxylated steric amine, and combinations thereof. The method involves activating the metal oxide, preferably iron oxide or zinc oxide, with an amount of ethoxylated fatty amine so that when fluids, such as water or liquid hydrocarbons, contact the metal oxide the sulfur compounds are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: The SulfaTreat Company
    Inventor: Delbert C. Scranton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6221261
    Abstract: A process for treating sewage containing biological solids including the steps of mixing the sewage with oxygen-containing hydro fluoro ether polymers, retaining the sewage with the hydro fluoro ether polymers for a desired period of time so as to produce oxygenated sewage and carbon dioxide-containing hydro fluoro ether polymers, and separating the carbon dioxide-containing hydro fluoro ether polymers from the oxygenated sewage. Water is separated from the oxygenated sewage so as to produce a sludge. Oxygen is mixed with the carbon dioxide-containing hydro fluoro ether polymers so as to oxygenate the hydro fluoro ether polymers and to remove carbon dioxide therefrom. The sewage is retained with the hydro fluoro etherpolymers at a temperature of between 32° and 140° F. The sewage is dewatered prior to mixing so that the dewatered sewage has a water content of less than 93 percent by weight. The steps of mixing and retaining can be carried in a closed vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventors: Edward E. Boss, Samuel L. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 6214240
    Abstract: Hydrogen peroxide in a hydrogen peroxide reservoir is supplied to an effluent. Ozone gas generated in an ozone generating apparatus is delivered through branched piping to two ozone supplying points and is supplied to the effluent. The ozone and the supplied hydrogen peroxide react to generate hydroxyl radicals. The hydroxyl radicals react with the materials in the effluent to decompose and remove them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nozomu Yasunaga, Junji Hirotsuji, Seiji Furukawa, Yoshitaka Kawaai, Shigeki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 6207060
    Abstract: The inventive method assures the retention of calcium in drinking water provided to an animal by suppling water to a water feed line which is connected to a drinking device, oxidizing the water to retain calcium in the water in solution, ionizing the water using copper/zinc electrodes, the ionization sanitizing the water and providing residual copper and zinc ions which act as an algicide and a biocide, and providing the ionized oxidized drinking water which retains calcium in solution to the animal for drinking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Enproamerica, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott McKay
  • Patent number: 6203710
    Abstract: A liquid decontamination system has a liquid treatment chamber having a liquid input and output and a gas input and output. A plurality of electrodes are positioned to place a voltage across the liquid treatment chamber and the liquid therein. A plurality of magnets are also positioned adjacent the electrodes for placing a magnetic field across the chamber and liquid therein. As the contaminated liquid is fed through the liquid treatment chamber, a predetermined gas, such as nitrogen, ozone, oxygen, or hydrogen peroxide, are fed into the contaminated liquid while simultaneously having the electric and magnetic fields applied to the liquid. The liquid leaving the treatment chamber is fed to a flush tank which removes contaminates and agglomerated solids therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: David D. Woodbridge
  • Patent number: 6200488
    Abstract: A water bottle cap for sealing a water bottle containing water supersaturated with oxygen The water bottle cap of the present invention is designed to help maintain the supersaturated oxygen level of the oxygenated water in the water bottle from the time of bottling throughout the usage cycle of the water bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Oxygen8, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis E. Crowley, Jason Ritton
  • Patent number: 6200476
    Abstract: In a process for transferring oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas into water or aqueous solutions in the treatment of water or aqueous solutions, oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas is added to the water or aqueous solution continuously or at intervals through an injector and simultaneously through at least one tube sparger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Messer Griesheim GmbH
    Inventors: Sabine Donath, Monica Hermans
  • Patent number: 6197162
    Abstract: A method of remediating water contaminated by dissolved gases and liquids and suspended particles wherein the contaminated water is collected into a closed container without filling the container and heated to a temperature below the boiling point of water. Negative pressure is then drawn on the closed container without causing the water in the container to boil, whereby the dissolved gases and liquids in the contaminated water, having a boiling point lower than water, will evaporate out of the water into the head space above the water in the container. Finally, atmospheric air and/or oxygen are allowed into the container to push the vapors out of the head space of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Jose M. Quiros
  • Patent number: 6197835
    Abstract: Spherical particles having a size on the order of 0.1 to 100 microns in size are created by systems and devices of several types. The device includes a source of a stream of gas which is forced through a liquid held under pressure in a pressure chamber with an exit opening therein. The stream of gas surrounded by the liquid in the pressure chamber flows out of an exit orifice of the chamber into a liquid thereby creating a monodispersion of bubbles with substantially uniform diameter. The bubbles are small in size and produced with a relatively small amount of energy relative to comparable systems. Small particles of liquid may also be produced. Applications of the technology range from oxygenating sewage with monodispersions of bubbles to inhalation therapy with monodisperse aerosol dispersions of pharmaceutically active drugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Universidad de Sevilla
    Inventor: Alfonso Gañan-Cálvo
  • Patent number: 6197200
    Abstract: A method of purifying a flue gas desulfurization aqueous waste slurry containing calcium-sulfur salts and residual solid grits, fly ash, carbon and oils by supplying the aqueous waste slurry to a screening station to remove the grits, passing the grit-free aqueous waste slurry to a magnetic separator to remove fly ash components, and transferring the aqueous slurry to a floatation cell to remove carbon and oils therefrom. A purified aqueous slurry of calcium-sulfur salts is removed from the floatation cell which can be used in producing quality plaster, wallboard, or feedstock in producing &agr;-hemihydrate gypsum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Eastroc LLC
    Inventors: John W. College, Bryan R. Beyer, Robert Mark Golightley
  • Patent number: 6190567
    Abstract: A process for breaking down hydroxylamine in aqueous solutions, especially wastewaters, by treatment with an oxidizing agent, which comprises using as said oxidizing agent an alkali metal hypohalite or alkaline earth metal hypohalite or peroxomonosulfuric or peroxodisulfuric acid or a salt thereof and carrying out the treatment with said oxidizing agent at a pH<8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernd Leutner, Frank Hanus, Hans-Michael Schneider, Otto Watzenberger, Uwe Wegmann
  • Patent number: 6187206
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reactor for the treatment of wastewater solutions containing cyanide and other dissolved organic material, having an elongated tube having an entrance (28) and an exit (32), and an energy source (22) for the tube, preferably positioned adjacent the exit. The energy source generates intense energy such that a cyanide/organic material-containing solution can be treated by passing it through the tube to expose it to said energy so that the solution absorbs sufficient energy from the energy source to degrade the cyanide and/or dissolved organic material contained therein. The source of intense energy is preferably a plasma, e.g. a plasma generated by a plasma torch or a DC electric arc. The invention also relates to a process of treatment of such a wastewater solution by passing it through such a reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Alcan International
    Inventors: Jean Luc Bernier, Luc Fortin, Frank M. Kimmerle, Maher I. Boulos, Vijay Kasireddy, Gervais Soucy
  • Patent number: 6183646
    Abstract: The invention relates to the reduction and prevention of biofouling in facilities utilizing water, e.g. sea water, carrying biological organisms, without causing corrosion, chemical reaction or other detrimental action from the additive or environmental discharge problems. Such operations include, for example, desalination plants, power plants, oilfield water injection facilities and shipboard or ocean platform fire water systems. For example, in the desalination plant of FIG. 1, the biofouling reduction method and apparatus for this invention have a source of oxidizing agent such as chlorine ions or ozone, a source of copper ions and a dosing chamber for delivery of relatively low dosage levels of oxidizing agents and at appropriate times copper ions to form a treatment additive. Flow connectors connect the dosing chamber to various points along the piping in the desalination plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Edward Emyr Williams, Peter William Nickson, Brent Roland Knox-Holmes, Robert Wainwright
  • Patent number: 6183652
    Abstract: A method for removing microorganism contamination from a polishing slurry used for chemical mechanical polishing operations in the semiconductor manufacturing industry includes treating a slurry stream with ultraviolet (uv) energy to destroy the microorganisms, then filtering the uv-treated stream to remove the destroyed microorganisms before the slurry is delivered to the polishing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Annette Margaret Crevasse, William Graham Easter, John Albert Maze, Frank Miceli
  • Patent number: 6177016
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for purifying wastewater, including water which may or may not contain fatty acids or oils, by producing in situ a hydrophobic flocculant including a water-insoluble metal hydroxide. In the preferred methods, metallic cations are produced by the gradual dissolution of consumable, similar metal sources, preferably, a fluidized bed of metallic particles. The motion of the particles of the fluidized bed maintains the surfaces thereof clean of oxides and other contaminants in order to facilitate the gradual dissolution thereof. Oxidation of the dissolved cations to form the water-insoluble metal hydroxide is achieved by flowing an oxidizing agent, e.g., air or pure oxygen, through the system. Contaminants are entrapped and removed within the insoluble flocculants, including the water-insoluble metal hydroxide and, optionally, metallic soaps which are formed in the presence of fatty acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Potable Water Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jorge Miller, Luisa Kling Miller
  • Patent number: 6171485
    Abstract: The present process proceeds from an aqueous reaction solution containing a chlorite and a halogen-free oxidizing agent which is present in an excess of up to double the required stoichiometric amount. The pH of the reaction solution is set at between 5.5 and 9.5, preferably between 6 and 9, and the reaction solution is reacted at ambient temperature until almost all the chlorite has been converted into chlorine dioxide. In this way a chlorine dioxide-containing solution is obtained which is free not only from residual chlorite but also from chlorate and other undesirable by-products and can be used directly as such in water treatment. Preferably an aqueous chlorite solution with a pH or more than 9.5 and an aqueous solution of the oxidizing agent are mixed with one another in order to produce the reaction solution, the pH of the aqueous reaction mixture being adjusted by means of a proton donor present in the oxidizing agent solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventor: Fritz K{umlaut over (u)}ke
  • Patent number: 6156211
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the conversion of methane in solution or gas provides photochemical conversion in a unique two-phase or three-phase boundary system formed in each pore of a semiconductor membrane in a photocatalytic reactor. In a three-phase system, gaseous oxidant, methane contained in a liquid, and solid semiconductor photocatalyst having a metal catalyst disposed thereon meet and engage in an efficient conversion reaction. The porous membrane has pores which have a region wherein the meniscus of the liquid varies from the molecular diameter of water to that of a capillary tube resulting in a diffusion layer that is several orders of magnitude smaller than the closest known reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: LynnTech, Inc.
    Inventors: Anuncia Gonzalez-Martin, Oliver J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 6149820
    Abstract: A catalyst for use in abatement of organic compounds, including noxious compounds in water, wherein the water in a first step is enriched with ozone/oxygen. The enriched water is then passed through a catalyst, consisting of activated carbon as carrier for metal oxides including iron oxide, cobalt oxide, nickel oxides, manganese oxide. Furthermore, the catalyst can contain one or more of the noble metals, preferably platinum or palladium. By the catalyst, undesired intermediate products from the ozone treatment are avoided. The catalyst is employed in a water treating plant and in a process for treatment of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Haldor Topsoe A/S
    Inventor: Karsten Pedersen
  • Patent number: 6146525
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for material separation consisting of a cyclone aerator which can enhance contact between contaminated water and air, or a oxidant gas, and can enhance the contact and attachment between particulates contained in the suspension and bubbles formed in the cyclone aerator. One embodiment comprises a plurality of plates positioned in a spaced relationship to one another within a jacketed tube. The plates are arranged in a distinct, non-radial orientation extending partially towards the center of the jacketing tube to define a cylindrical chamber within a center of the plates and an annular cylindrical chamber between the plates and the jacketing tube. A suspension is introduced into the cylindrical chamber tangentially through a feed line proximate or integral with a jacketing tube top of said jacketing tube to develop a swirling flow pattern of the suspension within the cylindrical chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Cycteck Environmental, Inc.
    Inventors: Minhua Li, Zhaoyi Yang
  • Patent number: 6139745
    Abstract: A purification apparatus and method for enabling the purification of the lake and pond waters, is installed as a fluidized bed sewage system directly on the raw water area. The apparatus takes in the raw waters in the lake and pond and purifies the water. The purified water is fed back to the raw water area by the pump.With this purification apparatus, the salt materials such as phosphate in the lakes, and the overall area of the waters can be purified while preventing the generation of phytoplanktons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Mizumori, Koichi Tsuzuki, Junichi Kobayashi, Takeo Takagi, Hiroaki Yoda, Kazuo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6136205
    Abstract: The invention is a method for preparing a stabilized aqueous alkali or alkaline earth metal hypobromite solution. The method comprises the steps of:a. Mixing an aqueous solution of alkali or alkaline earth metal hypochlorite having from about 5 percent to about 70 percent available halogen as chlorine with a water soluble bromide ion source;b. Allowing the bromide ion source and the alkali or alkaline earth metal hypochlorite to react to form a 0.5 to 70 percent by weight aqueous solution of unstabilized alkali or alkaline earth metal hypobromite;c. Adding to the unstabilized solution of alkali or alkaline earth metal hypobromite an aqueous solution of an alkali metal sulfamate in a quantity to provide a molar ratio of alkali metal sulfamate to alkali or alkaline earth metal hypobromite is from about 0.5 to about 7; and,d. Recovering a stabilized aqueous alkali or alkaline earth metal hypobromite solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Anthony W. Dallmier, William F. McCoy, Shunong Yang
  • Patent number: 6132628
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a liquid (2) to inhibit growth of living organisms therein by adding to the liquid an active biocidal ingredient formed by mixing an oxidant (4) and an amine source (6), by: producing a predetermined dilution of the oxidant (4); producing a predetermined dilution of the amine source (6); synchronously metering the two dilutions into a conduit (16) to continuously mix therein according to a predetermined ratio to produce the active biocidal ingredient having high reproducibility, stability and efficacy in situ in the conduit (16); and continuously injecting the active biocidal ingredient, as it is produced in situ in the conduit (16), directly from the conduit into the liquid being treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: A.Y. Laboratories Ltd.
    Inventor: Ayala Barak
  • Patent number: 6127167
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of controlling the proliferation of an aerobe, in which in the continuous culture of the aerobe by supplying a substrate and oxygen to a culture tank of the aerobe to cause the aerobe to decompose the substrate, the proliferation of the aerobe is inhibited while retaining the substrate-decomposing activity inherent in the aerobe. An oxidation-reduction substance which is reduced by electrons donated by an electron transport system of the aerobe and oxidized by oxygen supplied to the culture tank is caused to coexist with the aerobe in the culture tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Maruyama, Takuya Sato, Akio Yamamoto, Yuichiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6117337
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for mineralizing organic contaminants in water or air provides photochemical oxidation in a unique two-phase or three-phase boundary system formed in each pore of a TiO.sub.2 membrane in a photocatalytic reactor. In the three-phase system, gaseous oxidant, liquid contaminant, and solid semiconductor photocatalyst having a metal catalyst disposed thereon meet and engage in an efficient oxidation reaction. The porous membrane has pores which have a region wherein the meniscus of the liquid varies from the molecular diameter of water to that of a capillary tube resulting in a diffusion layer that is several orders of magnitude smaller than the closest known reactors. The photocatalytic reactor operates effectively at ambient temperature and low pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Lynntech, Inc.
    Inventors: Anuncia Gonzalez-Martin, Oliver J. Murphy, Dalibor Hodko, Carlos Salinas
  • Patent number: 6110387
    Abstract: This invention describes a method for stabilizing bromine biocides in water. A water-soluble bromide salt and a sulfamate source are added to a body of water, and then an oxidant is added to the body of water to form the biocidal bromine species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Pranab Choudhury, Robert L. Davis, Michael J. Sanders, David N. Roark
  • Patent number: 6110385
    Abstract: A system and method for providing an oxidized liquid effluent stream substantially free of volatile compounds is provided. The system includes a stripper positioned downstream of a separator, or disposed within a separator. The method involves volatilizing volatile compounds by performing a separation followed by stripping, or in the same chamber as the separation. In another aspect, the invention involves adjusting the pH of the oxidized waste stream prior to stripping in order to convert ionic species to volatile species that can be removed by stripping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: United States Filter Corporation
    Inventors: William M. Copa, Russell G. Forbess
  • Patent number: 6110386
    Abstract: Apparatus for maintaining the condition of cutting fluids in a machine tool sump and for the removal of tramp oil from the cutting fluid has a pump to draw cutting fluid from the machine tool sump and transfer the fluid to an auxiliary tank where the fluid outlet is directed to drive a turbine wheel for rotation of a shaft and simultaneously aerate the cutting fluid. Drums on the shaft are partially submerged so as to be wetted by the tramp oil content. Wiper blades bear against the drum surfaces to strip the tramp oil from the drums as they rotate. A collecting trough is positioned below the wiper contact line to receive the tramp oil as it is stripped from the drum and drain it off to a waste container. In this manner, the cutting fluid is in constant circulation, even when the machine tool is idle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Jasper Underhill
  • Patent number: 6106729
    Abstract: An apparatus for aerating water contained at a dam site includes a force main pipe for receiving water from a dam site water reservoir therethrough and a dam aeration assembly in communication with the force main pipe. The dam aeration assembly, via an array of aerators, aerates water delivered from the force main pipe and introduces the aerated water into a dam site discharge waterway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventors: Jack E. Prince, William H. Mullins
  • Patent number: 6103130
    Abstract: In a method of removing organic contaminants from a liquid, an oxidizing gas is formed into sub-micron size bubbles which are dispersed into a flowing initially contaminated liquid, after which the treated liquid is recovered. The oxidizing gas is preferably selected from a group including ozone and chlorine dioxide and is utilized immediately upon its manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: GRT, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey H. Sherman
  • Patent number: 6096283
    Abstract: An integrated system for destruction of organic waste comprises a hydrolysis step at moderate temperature and pressure, followed by direct chemical oxidation using peroxydisulfate. This system can be used to quantitatively destroy volatile or water-insoluble halogenated organic solvents, contaminated soils and sludges, and the organic component of mixed waste. The hydrolysis step results in a substantially single phase of less volatile, more water soluble hydrolysis products, thus enabling the oxidation step to proceed rapidly and with minimal loss of organic substrate in the off-gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: John F. Cooper, G. Bryan Balazs, Peter Hsu, Patricia R. Lewis, Martyn G. Adamson
  • Patent number: 6090296
    Abstract: A novel UV-oxidation and UV-disinfection system uses a highly-efficient, electrodeless microwave-excited lamp combined with a coaxial flow-through reactor design in which a liquid to bc treated is pumped from the bottom of the reactor and flows vertically upward through a reactor vessel against gravity. A hydrogen peroxide solution is injected into the liquid to be treated and thoroughly mixed by an inline mixer just before the liquid enters the reactor vessel. The solution is irradiated during its entire passage through the reactor vessel by the lamp which is configured to evenly irradiate the entire cross section of the reactor vessel and which has a substantial part of its spectral output in the wavelength most effectively absorbed by hydrogen peroxide molecules. A method of using the coaxial flow-through reactor to destroy toxic chemicals in water is also provided. The reactor is also used for UV disinfection of water supplies. The system is scaleable to enable high-volume application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Stephen P. Oster
  • Patent number: 6090737
    Abstract: A method for efficient removal of lead co-catalyst species from organic process streams arising from diaryl carbonate synthesis, by contacting the organic reaction mixtures with an aqueous acid, salt, or acid/salt solution, thereby extracting the treated mixture into an aqueous phase, or by treating the organic reaction mixtures with solid oxalic acid or oxalic acid salt, or an aqueous solution of oxalic acid or oxalic acid salt, thereby resulting in precipitation of the lead. The precipitated lead may then be calcined to provide a lead compound that is catalytically active in the carbonylation of phenol to yield diary carbonates. Use of these methods will substantially reduce both financial and environmental concerns for the preparation of diaryl carbonates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John Yaw Ofori
  • Patent number: 6083409
    Abstract: Organic materials such as raw refuse, waste plastics, waste biomass, sludges, etc. are decomposed by the use of supercritical water to selectively produce hydrogen. A thermochemical reaction is promoted to reduce the supercritical water and selectively produce hydrogen, without substantially adding any oxidizing agent to the supercritical water of a specific temperature and pressure, in the presence of a carbon dioxide-absorbing substance in an amount sufficient to absorb all of the generated carbon dioxide, so that carbon contained in the organic wastes reduces the supercritical water, and hence the organic materials are completely decomposed and also hydrogen gas is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignees: Center for Coal Utilization, Japan, Japan as represented by Director General of Agency of Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Shi-Ying Lin, Hiroyuki Hatano, Yoshizo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6083405
    Abstract: A floating water purification free-running apparatus includes a floating structure, a water purification section, second pumps, a drain outlet, a free-running section, a water quality sensor, a solar cell, an inverter, a sunshine recorder, and a controller. The floating structure is set afloat in a water area. The water purification section filters water in the water area by first pumps. The second pumps inject air into the water area. The drain outlet communicates with the water purification section to drain treated water. The free-running section moves the floating structure in the water area on the basis of a drain injection pressure from the drain outlet. The water quality sensor detects water quality in the water area. The solar cell receives sunlight to generate power. The inverter converts the power into an AC voltage and applies it to each pump. The sunshine recorder measures a sunshine intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraphand Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Tanaka, Katsuhisa Kimata, Yasuo Sajika