By Oxidation Patents (Class 210/758)
  • Patent number: 7204930
    Abstract: An oxidation filtration system for cleaning groundwater, the system having an aeration tower and a filtration tank. Within the filtration tank is an upper chamber and a lower chamber. Contained within the lower chamber is a plurality of Styrofoam™ filter media. Separating the upper chamber from lower chamber is a filter media mash which keeps the filter media from entering into the upper chamber. The aerated water from the aeration tower enters into the base of the lower filter chamber and rises through the filter media into the upper filter chamber. As the water passes through the filter media, the dissolved solvents fallout of the groundwater and attach themselves to the Styrofoam™ media. An automated back flushing and clarifying process is also provided using a back flush port and a clarification port, a higher level water sensor in the aeration tower and a programmable logic controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Skagit Farmers Supply
    Inventor: William Nightingale
  • Patent number: 7204931
    Abstract: A storable, stable composition that provides the effective antimicrobial benefits of halogenated agents is presented. The invention includes a water-soluble biocidal composition. The composition includes: about 0.01 to about 10 wt. % of a water-soluble inorganic halide; about 5 to about 60 wt. % of an oxidizing agent which, in aqueous solution, reacts with the inorganic halide to generate hypohalite ions; about 1 to about 15 wt. % of N-succinimide; and about 1 to about 30 wt. % of a pH buffering agent. The invention also includes a method of producing the above composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Truox, Inc.
    Inventors: Perry L. Martin, Roy W. Martin
  • Patent number: 7204929
    Abstract: Method of treating an aqueous effluent containing organic matters in solution, comprising the following successive steps: the effluent is rendered basic; the effluent rendered basic is mineralized by being brought into contact with a gaseous oxidizing agent; the mineralized basic effluent is rendered acidic; and the effluent rendered acidic is again mineralized by being brought into contact with the gaseous oxidizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Fulconis, Jacques Delagrange, Jean Sarrazin
  • Patent number: 7183114
    Abstract: A method to determine the concentration ratio of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide in the gaseous product of a fluidized bed reactor for producing titanium tetrachloride. The hot fluidized bed of the reactor is used as the source of infrared radiation which radiation is directed through the gaseous products in upper portion of the reactor through a window in the reactor to an infrared spectrometer. The concentration ratio can be used to control the temperature of the fluidized bed reactor by controlling the amount of cool titanium tetrachloride that is introduced into the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Tronox LLC
    Inventors: Donald Theodore Turnbaugh, Jr., Alan J. Morris, Johnny Balcom Perkins
  • Patent number: 7179388
    Abstract: Formic acid is at least partly removed from an aqueous solution comprising formic acid, cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol by decomposition over certain decomposition catalysts. The method is preferably used for processing reaction products from the oxidation of cyclohexane and comprises: (i) extracting a product gas mixture obtained in the oxidation of cyclohexane with an aqueous scrubbing liquid, (ii) separating the aqueous solution obtained in (i) by distillation into an aqueous solution comprising formic acid, cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol together with further minor organic components and a carboxylic acid mixture (iii) removing the formic acid at least partially from the aqueous solution obtained in (ii) by decomposition, and (iv) further processing the aqueous solution obtained in (iii) to give epsilon-caprolactam, or using the aqueous solution obtained in (iii) as scrubbing liquid in (i).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Nöbel
  • Patent number: 7175766
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for performing tertiary treatment of sewage based on porous filtering media. The apparatus for performing tertiary treatment of sewage based on porous filtering media includes a reaction tank for receiving effluent wastewater from a primary settling tank; and porous filtering media, which is located in the reaction tank and has a predetermined size of surface area and opening, for settling suspension in the effluent wastewater and removing organic matter and nutritive salts included in the suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Construction Technology
    Inventors: Young-Sug Kim, Moon-Hyoung Lee, Hong-Kyu Jang, Chung-Hee Chang, Chai-Sung Gee
  • Patent number: 7175765
    Abstract: There is provided a method for treating for-treatment waste water containing an organic matter and a nitrogen compound, which can quickly and efficiently treat the for-treatment water containing the organic matter and the nitrogen compound and greatly reduce a power consumption amount, and which can be achieved by a relatively compact apparatus. A gist is that in treatment of the for-treatment water containing the organic matter and the nitrogen compound, the followings are carried out: an electrochemical treatment step of immersing at least a pair of electrodes at least partially in the for-treatment water to treat the nitrogen compound thereof by an electrochemical technique; and a biochemical treatment step of biochemically treating the nitrogen compound in the for-treatment water after completion of the electrochemical treatment step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Yamada, Mineo Ikematsu, Masahiro Iseki, Daizo Takaoka, Yui Ogawa, Yoshihiro Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 7160471
    Abstract: A method for remediation of contaminants in soil and groundwater is disclosed. The method generates oxygen releasing solids in groundwater or soil by injecting an aqueous energetic oxidant solution containing free radicals, oxidative conditions can be created within or ahead of a contaminant plume. Some contaminants may be remediated directly by reaction with the free radicals. Additionally and more importantly, the free radicals create an oxidative condition whereby native or injected materials, especially metals, are converted to peroxides. These peroxides provide a long-term oxygen reservoir, releasing oxygen relatively slowly over time. The oxygen can enhance microbial metabolism to remediate contaminants, can react with contaminant metals either to form immobile precipitants or to mobilize other metals to permit remediation through leaching techniques. Various injection strategies for injecting the energetic oxidant solution are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Westinghouse Savannah River Company, LLC
    Inventors: Brian B. Looney, Miles E. Denham
  • Patent number: 7153377
    Abstract: A method is provided for separating superalloy metal powder from contaminants, such as process-produced contaminants, by enhancing the magnetic properties thereof in a carburizing atmosphere followed by magnetic separation of the contaminants from the superalloy metal powder to thereby enhance the concentration of the contaminants. Heating or mechanical agitation or both are employed to resist agglomeration of the metal powder before magnetic separation thereof from the contaminants. Certain preferred times and temperatures are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: R. J. Lee Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Spangler, Jr., William J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 7147787
    Abstract: A process wherein the use of a degradation-enhancing reactant or a precursor thereof, e.g., an oxidizing agent, can effectively increase the rate of reaction for the degradation of polymers in an aqueous environment and thereby facilitate the disposal of same. For example, in one aspect, the process comprises contacting a solubilized polymer and a degradation-enhancing reactant, within an aqueous environment, and subsequently reacting the polymer under conditions that are effective to provide at least one environmentally benign degradation product from the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Microtek Medical Holdings, Inc
    Inventors: Robert D. Chisholm, Debrah A. Beck, John B. Steward, Jordan M. Johnston, Baosheng Lee
  • Patent number: 7147782
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for selectively removing metal ions of interest from a solution (12), such as the wastewater from a chemical mechanical polishing process. The method comprises contacting a solution (12) containing solid particles, an oxidizing agent and a first concentration of the metal ions with an ion-exchange resin (20), such as a crosslinked poly-4-vinylpyridine resin, that is resistant to damage by the oxidizing agent and that is operative when in contact with the solution (12) to exchange selected ones of the metal ions in the solution for selected preferred ions in the ion-exchange resin thereby to produce a treated solution (22) having a second concentration of the metal ions that is lower than the first concentration. The present invention also relates to an apparatus (100) and system (500) for use with the method of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Juzer Jangbarwala
  • Patent number: 7141175
    Abstract: A method of treating wastewater is described in which an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) of a wastewater stream over time at a plurality of processing stages using a plurality of ORP sensors is used. The wastewater is modified based on the sensed ORP so as to raise the ORP when the sensed ORP is below a target ORP range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventor: Kuldeep C. Verma
  • Patent number: 7122167
    Abstract: A supercritical oxidation process carried out in water is capable of oxidizing “organics” in precious metal organic compositions such as heterogeneous (Pt/C) or homogeneous precious metal catalysts and producing a precious metal oxide with few by-products and low losses of precious metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignees: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company, Chematur Engineering AB
    Inventors: Simon Collard, Anders Gidner, Brian Harrison, Lars Stenmark
  • Patent number: 7118677
    Abstract: In order to use so-called gray water for the flushing of toilets, for example in a conveyance such as a passenger aircraft, the gray water is passed through at least one filter, preferably through a coarse filter followed by a fine filter, into a treatment tank where it is anodically oxidized. The rinsing is performed by a pump that may be a rotary pressure pump or a piston cylinder pump. The pump passes the processed or oxidized water through an excess pressure valve and through at least one spray nozzle into a toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Claus Hoffjann, Hans-Juergen Heinrich
  • Patent number: 7056061
    Abstract: A method of treatment of a contaminated material contaminated with an organic compound. The method includes treating the contaminate with a bioremediation step followed by a chemical oxidation step. The bioremediation step includes contacting the contaminate with a microbial consortium under conditions suitable for the consortium to mediate solubilization or biodegradation of the organic compound or chemical oxidation products thereof. The subsequent chemical oxidation step includes treating the bioremediated contaminate with: a transition metal in soluble form; a chelator of the transition metal, to form a transition metal:chelator complex; an oxidizing agent that provides a reactive free radical in the presence of the transition metal complex; and a buffering compound to maintain the pH in a neutral range. The reactive free radical initiates a chemical reaction with the organic compound to produce reaction products of the organic compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
    Inventors: Jerome J. Kukor, Kyoungphile Nam
  • Patent number: 7056400
    Abstract: A method is provided for separating superalloy metal powder from contaminants, such as process-produced contaminants, by enhancing the magnetic properties thereof, such as by oxidizing or leaching of chromium, for example, followed by magnetic separation of the contaminants from the superalloy metal powder to thereby enhance the concentration of the contaminants. Heating conditions or mechanical agitation or both are employed to resist agglomeration of the metal powder before magnetic separation thereof from the contaminants. Certain preferred times and temperatures are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: R. J. Lee Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Spangler, Jr., Frederick Carl Schwerer, III, William J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 7048857
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for selectively removing metal ions of interest from a solution (12), such as the wastewater from a chemical mechanical polishing process. The method comprises contacting a solution (12) containing solid particles, an oxidizing agent and a first concentration of the metal ions with an ion-exchange resin (20), such as a crosslinked poly-4-v resin, that is resistant to damage by the oxidizing agent and that is operative when in contact with the solution (12) to exchange selected ones of the metal ions in the solution for selected preferred ions in the ion-exchange resin thereby to produce a treated solution (22) having a second concentration of the metal ions that is lower than the first concentration. The present invention also relates to an apparatus (100) and system (500) for use with the method of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Juzer Jangbarwala
  • Patent number: 7048862
    Abstract: A free radical solution producing apparatus, which comprises: a feed port (6) in which water is drawn, a dechlorination processing section (1) which produces first water by decomposing chlorine compounds in said water, a magnetic processing section (2) which produces second water by carrying out a process that applies a magnetic field to said first water, a radiation processing section (3) which produces third water by carrying out a process that irradiates a radiation to said second water, an ion exchange section (4) which produces fourth water by carrying out a process that performs an ion exchange for said third water, an electric field applying section (5) which produces fifth water by carrying out a process that applies a strong electric field to said fourth water, and a fifth water intake (7-5) from which said fifth water is obtained, produces water which has the effects of sterilizing and disinfection, and strong cleansing power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Waterware Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Fukui, Hiroaki Kamiya
  • Patent number: 7029589
    Abstract: A method or process of treating a contaminated fluid (10) having at least one contaminant having a property selected from the group consisting of being volatile, hazardous, tacky and a combination thereof is provided. The method comprises contacting the contaminated fluid with an effective amount of an agent (12) selected from oxidizing agents, free radical producing agents and a combination thereof for an effective amount of time to convert a substantial amount of the at least one contaminant to at least one corresponding modified contaminant having a property selected from the group consisting of being non-volatile, less volatile than the converted contaminant non-hazardous, less hazardous than the converted contaminant, non-tacky and a combination thereof; and generating a treated fluid (14) having a level of the at least one contaminant and of the at least one corresponding modified contaminant to allow the treated fluid to at least meet requirements for release, reuse or further treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventor: Michael P. McGinness
  • Patent number: 7005076
    Abstract: A method for treating a spent caustic solution having a pH greater than about 10.5 includes the steps of (a) lowering the pH of the caustic solution into the range of between about 10 to 10.5 to produce a pH-modified caustic solution; (b) oxidizing the pH-modified caustic solution until the solution to produce a non-sulfide reactive oxidized solution; and (c) lowering the pH of the oxidized solution to a pH less than 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: RMT, Inc.
    Inventors: Ajit K. Chowdhury, Sarah Wilk
  • Patent number: 6994793
    Abstract: A process for treating ground water containing nitrogen compounds, including ammonia, urea and nitrate, is provided. The ground water is extracted downgradient of the source of contamination and mixed with a chemical oxidant to oxidize the nitrogen component to nitrogen gas. The chemical oxidant may be any suitable oxidant, including a halogenated oxidant, such as a hypochlorite, hypobromite or hypoiodite compound, and Fentons reagent, or combinations thereof. The ground water can be further treated as desired to remove residual oxidants, as well as nitrate, to provide a processed water having characteristics suitable for discharge with limited to no adverse impact on the discharge environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Hydro-Trace Incorporated
    Inventors: Roy Follansbee Spalding, Imtiyaz Ahmed Khan
  • Patent number: 6960321
    Abstract: New and in-use fire sprinkler systems can be sterilized by employing antimicrobial gases. The gases include steam, oxygen, and chlorine. Water added to the system after sterilization can be sterilized to prevent the reoccurrence of microbiological contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Inventor: Jerome H. Ludwig
  • Patent number: 6955765
    Abstract: The present invention is process for irrigation of a golf course, which involves monitoring reclaimed water, and treating it when necessary to avoid harmful effects to plantlife. The reclaimed water is tested with a plurality of monitors to obtain results for water quality characteristics, including: pH; residual chlorine; and, sodium. These results are inputted to a computerized data handling system for data collection, storage and analysis for comparison to predetermined acceptable ranges for water quality characteristic, and to show any deviation from said acceptable ranges. Either alarms are set off or treatment occurs or both, when deviations are observed. Treatment includes a dechlorination system to correct active chlorine. Other important monitors may be included for one or more of the following: hardness; turbidity; alkalinity; conductivity and nitrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Inventors: Peter L. Rosen, Robert D. Hodges
  • Patent number: 6942779
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for selectively removing one or more organic and inorganic and also preferably one or more inorganic contaminants from plating baths. More particularly, the invented method relates to the use of a source of energy in combination with chemical oxidants, alone or in conjunction with a catalyst to oxidize organic contaminants in the plating bath to a level such that the electroplating bath can be recovered and reused after appropriate chemical adjustment. The oxidative treatment method may be a continuous process or a batch process that is performed in a single pass. Residual organics, if desired and chloride ions in the bath are removed from the solution by a chemisorption or physisorption treatment. Inorganic contaminants are removed from the electroplating bath by selective ion exchange resins or electrodialysis, while particulate and suspended colloidal particles are removed by filtration before the treated plating bath is recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Mykrolis Corporation
    Inventors: Brett Matthew Belongia, Zhen Wu Lin, John E. Pillion, Jieh-Hwa Shyu
  • Patent number: 6942808
    Abstract: The present invention is an oxidative reaction that converts organic content in the wastewater into harmless CO2 and H2O. The heat produced by the oxidative reaction evaporates the water, thereby concentrating the remaining solids in solution. The final product from the process is the crystal form of sodium carbonates and other oxidized salts carried in by the raw wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventor: Philip T. Chen
  • Patent number: 6942801
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating organic sludge by aerobic digestion has an aerobic digestion tank 1, a circulation line 6 provided with a pump for pumping circulated sludge, a liquid/gas ejector 7 for aspirating an oxygen-containing gas, which has been humidified, and for mixing it with the circulated sludge, a liquid/liquid ejector 8 for mixing the circulated sludge with sludge in a later step, a downward directing pipe 9 for passing downwards therethrough a gas/liquid mixture and an ozone-treated unit 31.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Kurita Water Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Sosuke Nishimura
  • Patent number: 6929746
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method of digesting raw animal waste using diffusers to force circulation and aerate a digesting lagoon. Several lagoons may be used in series to treat raw waste and different variations may be employed to successively digest raw waste. Aeration with slightly ozonated air facilitates a blend of aerobic and anaerobic microbes to quickly and completely digest large amounts of raw animal waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Waterpure Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jimmie A. Keeton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6923901
    Abstract: Contaminated water, particularly, ballast water, blackwater, galley water, accommodation water, laundry water, fresh water and seawater, is disinfected by admixture of a highly reactive gas stream containing ions of oxygen and nitrogen, formed by exposure of air to short-wavelength ultraviolet radiation, and of chlorine, formed in situ by electrolysis of salt in the water. Solids removal can be accomplished by electrophoresis in the same unit employed for electrolysis to release chlorine, or in a separate unit. Heavy metals maybe removed by plating or sacrificing electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Marine Environmental Partners, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Leffler, Dennis E. J. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6893565
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a process and system for treating animal waste. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a process and system for treating animal waste effluent with ozone to decompose the organic material within and improve the odor of the animal waste. The process of the present invention also reduces biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total bacterial content and coliform bacterial count of the animal waste. The process of this present invention comprises collecting an animal waste solution, containing a mixture of water and animal fecal material; contacting the waste solution with ozone in an amount sufficient to oxidize at least a portion of the organic material contained within; and feeding the ozone treated waste solution to a solids separating device prior to collecting the waste solution in a biobasin or, alternatively, recycling the ozone treated waste solution for use as a source of irrigation or flushwater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Clemson University
    Inventor: Annel K. Greene
  • Patent number: 6887908
    Abstract: An integrated Fischer-Tropsch process provides methods for recovering reaction water from a Fischer-Tropsch reactor with minimal adverse environmental effects and with reduced costs compared to traditional methods. Reaction water, preferably separated from an overhead stream from a Fischer-Tropsch reactor, is vaporized and contaminants are thermally oxidized while in the vapor state. The thermal oxidation also produces flue gases, which flue gases may be condensed to recover water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Randall B. Pruet
  • Patent number: 6884391
    Abstract: A method for oxidizing an inorganic species in an aqueous solution comprises the steps of: (i) supplying an oxidizable source of sulphur, and oxygen to the solution; and (ii) irradiating the solution with UV light such that both the inorganic and sulphur species are oxidized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: CRC For Waste Management & Pollution Control Limited
    Inventors: Ging Hauw Khoe, Myint Zaw, Patricia Salini Prasad, Maree Therese Emett
  • Patent number: 6884358
    Abstract: A unitary liquid flow separator-collector-distributor controls the flow of liquid streams in liquid treatment tanks and treatment methods that can utilize the entire cross section of the vessels in which the treatment takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Inventor: Kemp E Falkner
  • Patent number: 6878284
    Abstract: A method of treating water containing a nitrogen compound, and an apparatus of treating water containing a nitrogen compound at high speed without using a biologically unstable treatment causing eutrophication in lakes and swamps. The waste water is introduced into an adsorbing tank that is filled with a zeolite, only nitrogen components are adsorbed by the zeolite, a solution containing hypochlorous acid or hypobromous acid is introduced into the adsorbing tank, and the nitrogen adsorbed in the zeolite is decomposed by the hypochlorous acid or the hypobromous acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Hasegawa, Brahim Messaoudi, Toshiyuki Kamiya, Junji Hirotsuji
  • Patent number: 6872318
    Abstract: Apparatus for active in situ multi-element gas sparging for bioremediation or physico-chemical degration for removal of contaminants in a soil formation containing a subsurface groundwater aquifer or a substantially wet unsaturated zone, the multi-gas contained in bubbles, wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of injection wells extending to a depth of a selected aquifer; introducing an oxidizing agent comprising ozone mixed with ambient air to provide a multi-element gas by means of microporous diffusers, without applying a vacuum for extraction of stripped products or biodegration by-products, wherein said diffusers form micro-fine bubbles containing said multi-element gas that oxidizes, by stripping and decomposition, chlorinated hydrocarbons from the aquifer and surrounding saturated soil formation into harmless by-products; also including a pump for agitating water in the well selecting microbubbles, injecting them into the aquifer and effective to alter the path of micro-fine bubbles through a poro
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Inventor: William B. Kerfoot
  • Patent number: 6869535
    Abstract: There is disclosed a co-oxidation method and a reagent system of co-oxidation agents for removing from a contaminated zone below the ground surface a water-immiscible organic compound having a density greater than that of water from a contaminated zone below the ground surface, comprising the steps of (a) injecting into the contaminated zone a solution of at least one inorganic permanganate salt, (b) injecting into the zone a cosolvent compatible with the inorganic permanganate salt, (c) causing reaction of the permanganate salt with the water-immiscible organic compound, and (d) extracting co-oxidant from the contaminated zone, thereby diminishing the level of water-immiscible organic compound present in the contaminated zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Collins Cowdery, Joseph Linn Applegate, Kevin Michael Warner
  • Patent number: 6866788
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for purifying aqueous effluents, in particular polluted water, by catalytic oxidation using a three-phase reactor comprising two communicating chambers. The invention is characterised in that it consists in: maintaining the catalyst suspended and continuously circulating it between the two chambers of said reactor, by entrainment under the effect of carrier gas injected into one of said chamber, and in oxidizing the pollutants in contact with the in the other chamber, by injecting a reactive oxidizing gas in said other chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Ondeo Degremont
    Inventors: Sylvie Baig, Michel Cordier, Alain Truc
  • Patent number: 6866781
    Abstract: A bioremediation method and system for destroying or reducing the level of contaminants in a contaminated subterranean body of water includes a plurality of spaced injection sites. The injection sites extend below ground and intersect a body of groundwater. Each of the plurality of injection sites are in communication with a supply of concentrated oxygen. The oxygen is conveyed by a delivery mechanism from the supply of oxygen to the injection points to naturally reduce the contaminants in the groundwater. The amount of oxygen delivered to the groundwater is maintained such that the amount of oxygen in the soil gas vapor is between 15% and 25%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Inventor: A. Russell Schindler
  • Patent number: 6858179
    Abstract: By treating potable water at a temperature of at least 230° C. (446° F.) and at a pressure at least equal to the pressure of saturated steam at said temperature, can produce pyrogen-free water using treatment times of 0.05 to 5 seconds or less. The addition of an oxidant, in the form of a gas, a liquid, or a solid, further decreases the required treatment time to less than 0.05 second. The reduction n equipment size achieved with this rapid treatment time allows the utilization of treatment units small enough to be easily transported to remote locations or installed in the restricted space environment existing in ships and submarines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Applied Research Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Lixiong Li, Jean J. Renard
  • Patent number: 6855256
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid biological and chemical method for decontaminating sludge containing heavy metals and pathogenic microorganisms, consisting of the following steps: the sludge is mixed with an acidic leaching solution in order to acidify the sludge with a pH which is low enough to solubilize the majority of the heavy metals and to destroy most of the pathogenic microorganisms but which is also high enough to minimize the solubilization of fertilizing elements; oxidation-reduction of more than +400 mv is maintained, liquid-solid separation occurs in order to obtain a solid fraction comprising decontaminated acidic sludge and a liquid fraction comprising heavy metals which are dissolved in a leaching solution; the sludge is neutralized: and neturalized decontaminated sludge is recovered, whereby the fertilizing elements contained therein, i.e. carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, remain substantially unchanged in relation to the initially contaminated sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Institut National de la Recherche
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Blais, Nathalie Meunier, Jean-Louis Sasseville, Rajeshwar D. Tyagi, Guy Mercier, Fatima Hammy
  • Publication number: 20040262240
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous or regular cleaning and purification of water in HVAC systerns, such as Evaporative Coolers, Cooling Towers and Hot/Warm Water Systems. Oxidants and oxidant radicals are produced electrically in a stream of air and the resultant gas is injected into a stream of water which flows through the HVAC system and where further oxidants may be generated in this downstream flow of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Simon Oke
  • Patent number: 6833085
    Abstract: Calcium nitrate, which is known to have the effect of inhibiting elution of phosphorus contained as insoluble substance in sludge in rivers, lakes and coasts in a reducing environment, can be applied not by injection of an aqueous solution of calcium nitrate, but by putting it in a solid form. An agent for inhibiting elution of phosphorus is proposed which comprises calcium nitrate as the major component (10-30%), calcium carbonate or calcium sulfate (a total of 50-90%), and stearic acid or its salt (1-20%) as a hydrophobic substance for delaying elution of the calcium salt, and sucrose fatty acid isobutyl or paraoxy isobutyl benzoate (1-20%) as a binder, and the composition is pressed in a mold into tablets or briquette. The application into sludge by use of an air gun is preferable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventors: Kiyoharu Hamasaki, Hironobu Hirasawa, Noboru Yamada
  • Publication number: 20040245188
    Abstract: A method for treating a spent caustic solution having a pH greater than about 10.5 includes the steps of (a) lowering the pH of the caustic solution into the range of between about 10 to 10.5 to produce a pH-modified caustic solution; (b) oxidizing the pH-modified caustic solution until the solution to produce a non-sulfide reactive oxidized solution; and (c) lowering the pH of the oxidized solution to a pH less than 9.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Ajit K. Chowdhury, Sarah Wilk
  • Patent number: 6824794
    Abstract: A water treatment agent and method of treating water to inhibit, reduce, or prevent the formation of algae and bacteria in a water body. The water treatment agent may include copper sulfate penta-hydrate and/or silver, di-sodium ethylene di-amine tetra-acetic acid dihydrate, a scale inhibitor, a shocking agent and a buffer agent. For instance, the treatment agent may include a composition of copper sulfate pentahydrate, di-sodium ethylene di-amine tetra-acetic acid, monopotassium phosphate or sulfuric acid, and potassium monopersulfate and 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Innovative Water Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry A. Ring, Tom Smolkov, M. Anthony Gamarra
  • Publication number: 20040232088
    Abstract: A process for treatment of waste containing organic material, phosphorous and water in suitable amounts to be a pumpable sludge and in order to be oxidizable through supercritical water oxidation, comprises the steps of: putting the sludge into conditions being supercritical for water; adding oxidant, particularly, oxygen to the sludge, wherein the organic material contained in the waste is substantially completely oxidized by means of supercritical water oxidation; separating the phosphorous from water and from carbon dioxide formed during the oxidation; and recovering the phosphorous by means of dissolving the phosphorous in an alkali.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Lars Stenmark, Stefan Jafverstrom, Kjell Stendahl
  • Patent number: 6821438
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for increasing dissolved oxygen levels in a liquid. An oxygenation system (100) includes a liquid source (102) from which liquid is introduced into a piping network (106) by a pump (104). Colloidal minerals are injected into the liquid in a dwell chamber (110). The mixture of liquid and minerals flows into an oxygenator (118) where gaseous oxygen is injected into the liquid. The resulting two-phase flow stream is accelerated to supersonic speeds through a linear flow accelerator (126) comprising a flat Venturi (130) and electromagnets (128) positioned adjacent the flat Venturi. The electromagnets generate an electromagnetic field to exert a force on the two-phase mixture in the direction of the flow. The flow stream then passes through a laminar flow grid (132) to remove turbulence, after which the oxygenated liquid is bottled at a bottling system (134).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Geir Corporation
    Inventors: Darrell J. Hadley, Jeffrey D. Hadley, William R. Rey, Geir O. Eriksen
  • Patent number: 6808639
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reducing the amount of hydrogen sulfide in the effluent of a water heater. A water heater of the present invention comprises an aeration device comprising a pump connected to a tube connected to an air sparging unit. The water heater may further comprise a programmable thermostat capable of controlling the temperature of the water in the water heater. The method of the present invention comprises the step of periodically or constantly passing a plurality of air bubbles through the water contained in a water heater. The method may further comprise the step of heating the water in the water heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Rulon Young Rawson, Richard Leland Butsch
  • Publication number: 20040200779
    Abstract: A method of oxidation or pathogen inactivation in water supplies using the combination of treatments of chlorine dioxide and ozone in the sequential steps prior to filtration and distribution. Results indicate that the addition of chlorine dioxide before prezonation reduces the bromate formation and chlorine dioxide can be substituted for preoxidation with ozone, while maintaining the enhanced filtration effects observed from the presence of a preoxidant. A majority of the chlorite formed from reactions of chlorine dioxide with constituents in raw water are converted to chlorate by the following ozonation step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Dale Darrow Newkirk, Xuejun Zhou, Jeffrey John Neemann
  • Patent number: 6802976
    Abstract: A process for reducing organic sulfur in a fluid, which comprises an organic sulfur compound, comprises contacting the fluid with an oxidizing agent to produce a pretreated fluid and contacting the pretreated fluid with an biologically active solid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Carl Eugene Camp, John George Hnat, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6802979
    Abstract: A composition having a depot effect and a method for treating polluted waters and water sediments such that constituents that are hazardous to water are essentially decomposed or bound. Microbiological decomposition processes are long-term supported and water quality is improved without adding salt or decreasing the pH value. The composition contains one or more compounds which are produced by converting iron(III) nitrade and/or aluminium nitrade and hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a base and release oxygen and/or nitrations as oxygen donors in a prolonged manner when contacting water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventors: Frank Panning, Klaus Kretschmer, Berit Hillbrecht
  • Patent number: RE39203
    Abstract: A defined current and aeration system for the aeration chamber of an aerobic wastewater treatment plant is disclosed. It includes the release of oxygenation gas or air into the aeration chamber through a diffuser or the like at a position such that the air injected into the tank provides the necessary amount of oxygen for aerobic bacterial digestion of the waste while creating a current or circulation pattern in the chamber that forces every portion of the fluid within the aeration chamber into circulation thus preventing the accumulation of solids as sludge in the wastewater treatment plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Jerry L. McKinney 2002 Trust
    Inventor: Jerry McKinney