Destroying Microorganisms Patents (Class 210/764)
  • Patent number: 7713501
    Abstract: A system for providing a chemical to a stream of a fluid. The system includes an elongate member with the chemical therein and moveable through the fluid to provide the chemical to the fluid. Optionally, the elongate member may be unwound from a first reel to a second reel through the stream of fluid to provide the chemical to the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Twist Engine, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack C. Priegel
  • Patent number: 7704401
    Abstract: A liquid treatment apparatus and a liquid treatment method are provided. The liquid treatment apparatus includes a nozzle configured to cause cavitation bubbles to be generated in liquid to be treated, and a discharger which generates discharge plasma in a region where the cavitation bubbles are generated. The liquid treatment method includes causing the cavitation bubbles to be generated in the liquid to be treated, and generating discharge plasma in the region where the cavitation bubbles are generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventors: Hideaki Ike, Kazunori Hakiai
  • Patent number: 7704390
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system for removing contaminants from wastewater on a vessel using electricity. The wastewater treatment system may inject wastewater with one or more disinfectants or ionized gases, or both, to remove at least a portion of contaminants from the wastewater. The water treatment system may produce disinfectants from saltwater using one or more disinfectant generators and return the byproducts to a water body. The wastewater treatment system may also pass wastewater through an electrical coagulation unit in which an electrical current may be emitted into the wastewater, whereby flocculants are formed and cause suspended solids and other materials to settle out of the wastewater. The wastewater treatment system may include a secondary treatment system for further reducing concentrations of contaminants. In addition, the wastewater treatment system may include a solid waste treatment system for incinerating solids produced by the wastewater treatment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Ionz Bluewater Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Leffler, William Paul
  • Patent number: 7704399
    Abstract: A system and method for the treatment of water for human consumption using a naturally occurring inorganic catalyst working within a pH range between 3 and 13, combining the inorganic catalyst at 3 parts per million to an oxidant, primarily hydrogen peroxide and a metal salt used as a coagulant and a primary catalyst, resulting in an efficient and economical phasic water purification and filtration system and process. The inorganic catalyst is a zeolite a synthetic zeolite or preferably chabazite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventor: Randy Gene Condit
  • Patent number: 7699995
    Abstract: A method for treating water in a closed cooling system, having a pH of at least 7 and a temperature of at least 25° C., by adding a composition comprising 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one; wherein the composition is substantially free of non-aqueous solvents, volatile organic compounds and halogenated biocides; and wherein 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one is present in an amount sufficient to produce in the water a 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one concentration from 15 ppm to 500 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventor: Terry Michael Williams
  • Patent number: 7691274
    Abstract: A filter installation and method, especially a seawater filter installation and method, includes at least one fluid line (18,20) for transporting a biological fluid, a filter device (54) mounted in the fluid line with at least one filter element (22) in a filter housing (10), and a device for biological decontamination. The device for biological decontamination contains active substances that can be introduced into the filter housing (10), such as inert gases or special metals, ensuring that toxic impurities cannot enter. The active substances used are ecofriendly unlike chemically produced fungicides and herbicides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Hydac Process Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Wnuk, Thomas Schneider
  • Patent number: 7691273
    Abstract: A method for clarifying a sludge, characterized in that a raw waste water is subjected to a solid-liquid separator and then to a primary filtration device, to separate it into a solid material and a liquid material, and the resultant liquid treated material is then treated by a process comprising an ozone treatment and a special light ray treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventor: Seishiro Murakami
  • Patent number: 7691324
    Abstract: In a reaction chamber, which constitutes a component of a process installation for obtaining foodstuffs or foodstuff components, biological products in harvested form that are whole or in pieces are subjected to pulsed electric fields as they pass through said reaction chamber, said electric fields forming pores in the cell walls so as to irreversibly open the latter, thus making the content of the cells more easily accessible. This is achieved by electrode groups, which can be energized to a high voltage and are located in the wall of a longitudinal passage of the reactor through which the process material is moved past grounded electrodes located in an opposing longitudinal wall area. Each electrode group is connected to an electric energy accumulator such as for example, a Marx generator, by means of a switch, in order to rapidly establish electric fields of multiple directions between the charged and the grounded electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignees: Südzucker AG, Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH
    Inventor: Christoph Schultheiss
  • Publication number: 20100078393
    Abstract: Provided is a biocidal composition comprising glutaraldehyde and an oxazolidine biocidal compound. The composition is useful for controlling microorganisms in aqueous or water containing systems such as found in oil and natural gas production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventor: Bei Yin
  • Patent number: 7682510
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of sterilizing a chromatography column which is packed with a separation matrix, which method comprises passing a superheated aqueous liquid through the packing of the column to obtain at least one substantially sterile packed chromatography column. The method may also comprise a preceding heating. In the most advantageous embodiment, the superheated aqueous liquid is passed in a substantially uniform flow through the packing of the column, resulting in a sterility of the packed column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences AB
    Inventors: Jan Berglof, Ingrid Drevin, Ola Lind, Ulf Segerbo
  • Publication number: 20100044321
    Abstract: A method for filtration of fluid, primarily liquid, with fluid filtration device haying a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a fluid path between the inlet and the outlet through a microporous filter with a pore size adapted for filtering bacteria or bacteria and virus by mechanical particle size separation. The filtration device comprises further an antimicrobial source adding antimicrobial substance to the fluid in the fluid path between the fluid inlet and the inlet surface of the microporous filter. The fluid filtration device is provided with a design flow through the device, the design flow assuring a proper filtration of the fluid flowing through the device with a cleaned fluid at the flow outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventor: Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen
  • Patent number: 7666317
    Abstract: The invention described herein contains two aspects, usable together or separately, that address the needs in the art described above, namely a first aspect that relates to the provision of a transportable water purification system that can be contained on a passenger transport vehicle, and that can use, but does not require, continuous, real-time monitoring, and a second aspect that relates to the use of UV purification of the water as it is uploaded to the passenger transport vehicle after a single pass through the UV chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: MAC Aerospace Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Angela M. Hsueh, Razmik Baghdassarzadeh Boodaghians
  • Patent number: 7662741
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of highly active silver deposited on carbon covered alumina catalyst, in controlling the microorganism in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
    Inventors: Kamaraju Sheetha Rama Rao, Bussi David Raju, Aytam Hari Padmasri, Sivakumar Vasireddy, Naga Ratnakar Adapa, Seetharamulu Podila, Shashikala Veldurthi, Mallanna Nagaraja Bhari, Sanapureddy Sreevardhan Reddy, Ponnapalli Nageswara Sarma, Katuri Krishna Prasad, Reddy Venkata Mohan Srinivasula
  • Patent number: 7662294
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments provide methods for reducing a concentration of a contaminant associated with a medium, which can be any substance or material, such as soil, water, air, and/or fluid. In one exemplary method, the medium is treated with a ferric chelate and an oxidizing agent in amounts effective to oxidize at least a portion of the contaminant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventor: Henry Wilmore Cox, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100025332
    Abstract: A personally portable water purification compound prepared in unit dosage form such as tablets, packages and the like and having titanium dioxide (TiO2) in the form of fine particles, and adsorbed chlorine held at the surface of the titanium dioxide particles; and a titanium based coagulant; the compound being prepared in a plurality of unit dose size packages, for personal use by individuals. Also disclosed is a method of preparing a personally portable water purification compound consisting of the steps of heating titanium dioxide particles up to a temperature between about 260-500° C., passing a cold dry gaseous chlorine flow around the titanium dioxide particles; and cooling the titanium dioxide during the treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Nina N. Stremilova, Serguei V. Stremilov
  • Patent number: 7651622
    Abstract: A process for killing microorganisms and controlling biofouling in high chlorine demand waters comprises mixing two components, one of which is an oxidant and the other an ammonium salt, and adding the mixture immediately to the aqueous system to be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Bromine Compounds Limited
    Inventor: Ayala Barak
  • Patent number: 7651614
    Abstract: Systems and methods to treat wastewater are described herein. A wastewater treatment system may include a primary treatment system, a secondary treatment system, a disinfection treatment system, a solids treatment system, one or more fluid treatment systems, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: VRTX Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Kelsey, Qiwei Wang
  • Publication number: 20100012593
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for treating impure water by introducing a solution of electrolyticially generated silver citrate into the impure water wherein the silver is electrolytically generated in a solution of citric acid and water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventor: Andrew B. ARATA
  • Patent number: 7645420
    Abstract: An automated flushing system removes stagnant water and the micro-organisms it contains from dental unit waterlines when a dental chair is not in use. The system prevents the exponential replication of micro-organisms in dental waterlines and can be used to increase the contact time of disinfectants with adherent biofilms in waterlines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Inventor: Edward David Fillery
  • Patent number: 7641797
    Abstract: A method for treating a formaldehyde-containing waste liquid, which is formed as a byproduct in a plant for the production of hydrocarbons or oxygen-containing compounds, containing the steps of: subjecting formaldehyde in the liquid to chemical treatment; and treating the resulting waste liquid, while being aerated, by using a membrane bioreactor that is composed of a microorganism or enzyme and a separation membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignees: Toyo Engineering Corporation, Water Re-Use Promotion Center
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ikebe, Masayuki Uchida, Hitoshi Betchaku
  • Publication number: 20090324790
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and systems for reconditioning a used food processing fluid. The reconditioned fluids can be used in an upstream or downstream food processing application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: John D. Hilgren, Stefanie E. Gilbreth
  • Patent number: 7638064
    Abstract: A method for disinfecting agricultural irrigation water system-wide comprises (a) continuously feeding chlorine to the irrigation system and (b) monitoring an outer field point to determine whether at least a detectable level of residual chlorine is seen at that point, whereby chlorination disinfection system-wide is achieved. An enhanced irrigation system which is adapted for disinfecting agricultural irrigation water system-wide includes (a) apparatus for continuously feeding chlorine to the irrigation system and (b) apparatus for monitoring residual chlorine at an outer field point (to determine whether at least a detectable level of residual chlorine is seen at that point) for the purpose of achieving chlorination disinfection system-wide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventors: John C. Miller, Deborah L. Miller
  • Patent number: 7638056
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of reducing the pathogen content of sewage sludge comprising (a) adding to the sludge an effective amount of a phosphorous-containing compound and (b) keeping the phosphorous-containing compound in contact with the sludge for a sufficient time to reduce the amount of pathogens present in the sludge by an amount equivalent to a logarithmic reduction of 2 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Rhodia Operations
    Inventors: Stephanie Edmunds, Douglas Paul Gilbert, Eric Robert Talbot, Manocher Asaadi, Peter Winter
  • Patent number: 7638055
    Abstract: The invention provides the use of an effective amount of a non-oxidizing water-soluble biocide in the improvement of sludge quality by reducing the sludge tendency towards bulking, wherein the biocide comprises an alkyl-substituted phosphonium compound, an alkyl-substituted phosphine, an alkyl-substituted phosphine condensate, or a polymeric quaternary ammonium compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Rhodia Operations
    Inventors: Yvette Pescher, Robert Talbot, Luc Louvel, Agnes Pilas-Begue
  • Patent number: 7638067
    Abstract: A food processing effluent refurbishing system of the present invention refurbishes effluent water in a first and a second food processing loop. The system includes first and second circulation systems, first and second balance tanks, and a side stream. The first circulation system circulates water through the first food processing loop. The first balance tank connected to the first circulation system refurbishes effluent water circulating through the first food processing loop. The second circulation system circulates water through the second food processing loop. The second balance tank connected to the second circulation system refurbishes effluent water circulating through the second food processing loop. The side stream connects the first and second circulation systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hilgren, Roger J. Tippett, Scott L. Burnett
  • Patent number: 7632413
    Abstract: Devices and methods for treating, preventing from growth, and neutralizing hyperproliferative, undifferentiated, or virally infected cells in a liquid medium using high-frequency, low-energy ultrasound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Ashland Licensing and Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Eric D. Cordemans De Meulenaer, Baudouin Hannecart, Yves Canivet
  • Patent number: 7632414
    Abstract: The process for suppressing the growth of green algae in aqueous systems, such as lakes or rivers, comprises introducing carbon dioxide, preferably industrially produced carbon dioxide, into the water to be treated, thereby acidifying the water and suppressing the growth of green algae and promoting the growth of diatoms. The carbon dioxide can be produced by industry. Thus disposal of such industrially produced gases for acidification of waters serves for cleaning water and leads at the same time to clean air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Hsu
  • Patent number: 7628929
    Abstract: There is provided a method of inhibiting the development of a biofilm adjacent a surface, the method comprising intermittently applying a biofilm inhibiting substance to a collection of microorganisms having biofilm developing potential. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: A.Y. Laboratories Ltd.
    Inventor: Ayala Barak
  • Publication number: 20090294345
    Abstract: A container for releasing a microbiocide component into a liquid composition susceptible to unwanted microbial growth (LCMG) includes a LCMG impermeable casing separate and apart from an internal combustion engine filter housing, and having a hollow interior and at least one opening. A microbiocide component, for example, at least one LCMG-soluble microbiocide, as the only active material located in the hollow interior. At least one liquid permeable element, for example, a membrane member, is provided at or near an opening in the casing and is effective to provide for release of microbiocide component into the LCMG. Methods of releasing microbiocide component into LCMGs are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Dober Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis R. Kelly, David Alan Little, Magesh Sundaram
  • Publication number: 20090294382
    Abstract: A method for treating ship ballast water in which aquatic organisms in the ship ballast water are exterminated by adding hydrogen peroxide or a compound producing hydrogen peroxide in an amount such that a hydrogen peroxide concentration comes to be 10 to 500 mg/L to the ship ballast water, and then providing physical means for causing shear strength and/or cavitation to the ship ballast water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicants: KATAYAMA CHEMICAL, INC., MARINE TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE CO., LTD., LABORATORY OF AQUATIC SCIENCE CONSULTANT CORPORATION, M.O. MARINE CONSULTING, LTD., MITSUI ENGINEERING & SHIPBUILDING CO., LTD., SHINKO IND. LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuo Fukuyo, Yoshiharu Wakao, Takuro Tabuchi, Takashi Mizumori, Takeaki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7625492
    Abstract: Generally, systems for air and water purification using unpowered charged sorbent mediums (3) which may include layered double hydroxide (LDH) (1) compositions, lignin (2), and methods of sorbing inorganic or organic material(s) onto such mediums, including anionic contaminants (10), cationic contaminants (11), non ionic organic contaminants (20), and even biological agents (7) such as bacteria or viruses present in liquids or gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: The University of Wyoming Research Corporation
    Inventors: Song Jin, Terry H. Brown, Youwen You, George F. Vance
  • Patent number: 7622042
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide an effective technique for detecting the quality of water with high accuracy. A representative water treatment apparatus includes an aerobic treatment region that treats water aerobically, a downstream region in which the water aerobically treated in the aerobic treatment region flows, a water quality sensor that is submerged in the downstream region and detects the water quality and a sensor washing arrangement that washes the water quality sensor by supplying the water of the downstream region to the water quality sensor at a flow rate higher than water flowing around the water quality sensor. As a result, sludge generated due to aerobic treatment can be prevented from being deposited on the water quality sensor and/or deposited sludge can be removed, so that the accuracy of water quality detection of the water quality sensor can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Fuji Clean Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiichi Suzuki, Yukio Doi, Hayato Kurokawa, Yosuke Tabata, Toshiyuki Iwama
  • Patent number: 7618545
    Abstract: A method for treating ship ballast water in which organisms viable in the ship ballast water are exterminated by adding to the ship ballast water hydrogen peroxide or a compound producing hydrogen peroxide in an amount such that a hydrogen peroxide concentration comes to be 10 to 500 mg/L and at least one type selected from a ferrous ion or a compound supplying ferrous ion in an amount such that a ferrous ion concentration comes to be 0.1 to 400 mg/L, catalase in an amount such that a concentration of catalase comes to be 0.5 to 2,500 unit/L and iodine or a compound supplying iodine amount such that an iodine concentration comes to be 0.1 to 100 mg/L.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Katayama Chemical, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Wakao, Takuro Tabuchi, Takashi Mizumori
  • Patent number: 7611638
    Abstract: In a first treatment step part of at least one difficulty biodegradable or non-biodegradable organic compound is oxidized in polluted water by bringing said polluted water into contact with an ozone containing gas. The effluent is subsequently diluted with an aqueous liquid before a second treatment with ozone is carried out. If the concentration of the organic compound is still not sufficiently low, the treated effluent is diluted again and subjected to a further treatment with ozone. It was found that a more effective ozone treatment was obtained by the dilution or dilutions and that in particular no pH control was needed, so that no formation of additional salts occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Recticel
    Inventors: Alain Neyt, Luc Wouters
  • Publication number: 20090255879
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating a potable water source can the apparatus comprise a solid phase treatment material for treating a potable water source, a solid phase treatment material dispenser comprising a floatation device and a container configured to hold the solid phase treatment material, the container comprising a bottom surface and sidewalls extending from the bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface and/or sidewalls comprise apertures, and wherein the flotation device can comprise a plurality of fasteners attached thereto, and, optionally, a opening securement system comprising a tether in operative communication with the plurality of fasteners and an attachment point about the opening, wherein the tether is configured to permit travel of the floatation device within the water storage tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas D. Payeur
  • Patent number: 7601266
    Abstract: A biofilm reducing agent (BRA) and a mineral deposit distorting agent (MDDA) are admixed to irrigation water in amounts sufficient to substantially eliminate biofilm formation in the emitters (14) of an irrigation system (10) and produce amorphous mineral deposits in the emitters that are easily washed away by the irrigation water as it flows through the emitters (14). The BRA may be an oxidizer selected from the group consisting of chlorine, ozone, chlorine dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxy peracitic acid, iodine, bromine, hydrogen dioxide, chlorate salts, chlorite salts and hypochlorite compounds and mixtures thereof. The MDDA is a phosphonate selected from the group comprising AMP, ATMP, HEDP, EDTMPA, HMDTMPA, DETPMPA, BHMPTMPA, PBTC, HPA, PCA, NTMP, and DTPMP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: CH2O Incorporated
    Inventor: Carl E. Iverson
  • Patent number: 7601755
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for treating impure water by introducing a solution of electrolyticially generated silver citrate into the impure water wherein the silver is electrolytically generated in a solution of citric acid and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Pure Bioscience
    Inventor: Andrew B. Arata
  • Publication number: 20090242484
    Abstract: This is a method that is an environmentally friendly hybrid microbiological control compromising a physical method through fine filtration, which removes nutrients, bacteria and suspended solids from open recirculating cooling systems. The method for microbiological control in cooling systems wherein a recirculating fluid containing an oxidising or a non-oxidising biocide or a mixture of an oxidising and a non-oxidising biocide and is passed through a fine filtration system resulting in reduced microbiological matter, suspended solids and nutrients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Ana-Mariana Urmenyi, Jeroen A. Koppes, Robert L. Wetergrove, Menno J.T. van Haasterecht
  • Patent number: 7595003
    Abstract: A contactor apparatus is provided to treat ballast water that has exited a ballast tank before being expelled from a water-borne ship. Within the contactor apparatus, means are provided for supplying a combination of acoustic energy and dissolved ozone. The acoustic energy can be provided at two or more frequencies (e.g., at 16 and 20 kHz). The acoustic energy and dissolved ozone, together, offer a more-effective and more-efficient mode of disinfecting the ballast water before release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Environmental Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Maddox
  • Patent number: 7595020
    Abstract: An improved singlet oxygen generator (SOG) and method of using gas phase electronically excited states of oxygen for bio-medical and chemical treatment applications are disclosed. According to the invention, both gas phase O2(1?) and O2(1?) are used for medical treatment, sterilization, and deactivation of biological and chemical agents, including diseased tissue and biological and chemical weapons. The improved SOG is compact and scalable, portable, capable of operating in a zero-gravity or low gravity environment, may use gaseous diluent or buffer gas, and is capable of operating at pressures as high as one atmosphere. The SOG is capable of operating within a short distance of the target site for the electronically excited states of oxygen, which are delivered to the target site via a conduit. The SOG and delivery system provide higher yields of electronically excited oxygen with longer lifetimes suitable for bio-medical applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: KSY Corporation
    Inventor: George Emanuel
  • Patent number: 7585460
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for inhibiting the biological acidification of water which is in contact with materials containing sulfur in reduced form or with elemental sulfur, susceptible to oxidation on the part of Thiobacilli, comprising putting said materials in contact with soluble inorganic salts at concentrations ranging from 0.4 normal to saturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignees: ENI S.p.A., Enitecnologie S.p.A.
    Inventors: Francesco Crescenzi, Antonella Crisari, Cesare Achille Piatti
  • Patent number: 7575691
    Abstract: A composition and method for cleaning, sanitizing and maintaining contained bodies of water such as swimming pools, wading pools, fountains, ornamental ponds, etc. The composition includes pre-determined percentages of copper sulfate, zinc sulfate, and aluminum sulfate by weight. The composition and method reduce amounts of chlorine and an amount of labor associated with the cleaning, sanitization and maintenance of contained bodies of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Inventors: David J. Moore, William C. Betts
  • Publication number: 20090191137
    Abstract: A method is shown for reducing or eliminating the levels or activities of potentially harmful or contaminating organisms or cells by applying nanophase manganese (VII) oxide to solutions, surfaces or materials to eliminate, reduce or prevent the growth of potentially harmful, contaminating or undesirable microorganisms, such as algae and bacteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Rajan K. Vempati, Richard E. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20090184062
    Abstract: The growth of biofilm present in open recirculating water systems is inhibited by introducing into the water comprising such a water system (a) a source of free halogen, e.g. e chlorine and (b) a source of di(lower alkyl) substituted-2-oxazolidinone, the mole ratio of (a) to (b) and the combined amount of (a) and (b) being sufficient to at least inhibit the growth of the biofilm, e.g., the bacteria comprising the biofilm, the source of free available halogen being present in less than biostatic amounts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: PPG INDUSTRIES OHIO, INC.
    Inventor: Stanley R. Pickens
  • Patent number: 7562711
    Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore comprising transporting at least two portable tanks to a well site to be serviced, and hydraulically injecting biocide into a first of the two tanks, wherein a second of the two tanks serves as a fluid source for conveying the biocide into the first tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Flemma, Jr., Mitch Mitchum
  • Patent number: 7540966
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying water by dissolving one or more soluble metal salts in the water to provide corresponding metal ions, by dissolving hypohalite into the water, and by regulating the residence time, and thus hypohalite concentration in the device using a venturi nozzle disposed between the metal generator and the hypohalite generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Alvin Costa, Richard T. Coffey, Michael Pereira, Daniel Nelsen, Thomas Parent, Christopher Kampf
  • Publication number: 20090134099
    Abstract: Provided are methods of modifying solid particles with functional agents to provide anti-microbial media. The anti-microbial media comprise a surface-modified inorganic component which is a reaction product of an anti-microbial component and an inorganic component. Methods of making the media include agitating inorganic base material in a processing tank substantially simultaneously with spraying the anti-microbial component into the processing tank to form a coated base material. Methods of making the media also include maintaining a ratio of the anti-microbial component to the inorganic component such that the coated base material is below its compaction point. Methods of use are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Eshan B. Yeh, Keith D. Solomon
  • Publication number: 20090127210
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for water remediation in general and particularly, for killing bacteria, algae and other microorganisms in water used to fracture-stimulate oil and gas wells and using a coagulant and/or a flocculant for removing the dead microorganisms. A biocide is first introduced into a pit or tank containing the water to be treated and after the microorganisms are dead, the flocculent is added to the biocide-treated water to remove the dead microorganisms. Sequential introduction of the biocide and flocculant into the water to be treated may be accomplished by a number of techniques and after each biocide application the water is tested to determine the remaining living microorganism concentration. The clarity of the treated water is then determined after removal of the dead microorganisms from the water using the flocculant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Anthony E. Swisher
  • Publication number: 20090107925
    Abstract: Process, apparatus and article for treating an aqueous solution containing biological contaminants. The process includes contacting an aqueous solution containing a biological contaminant with an aggregate composition comprising an insoluble rare earth-containing compound to form a solution depleted of active biological contaminants. The aggregate includes mote than 10.01% by weight of the insoluble rare earth-containing compound. The insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. A suitable insoluble cerium-containing compound can be derived from a cerium carbonate, a cerium oxalate or a cerium salt. The composition can consist essentially of cerium oxides, and optionally, a binder and/or flow aid. The aggregate includes no more than two elements selected from the group consisting of yttrium, scandium, and europium when the aggregate is to be sintered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: John L. Burba, III, Tim L. Oriard
  • Patent number: 7517460
    Abstract: A circulation system for bodies of water. In one set of embodiments for larger bodies of water, modified horizontal plate designs are provided at the entrance of the draft hose. The plate designs have sections that pivot downwardly as the flotation platform and depending draft hose are rapidly raised in high wave conditions to let the water escape downwardly out of the hose. Adaptations to the floats for the elongated arms of the platform are also made to essentially eliminate the creation of any damaging torques on them from high waves. Another set of embodiments are particularly adapted for smaller systems in municipal water tanks for thorough mixing of the water and treatment to kill undesirable ammonia oxidizing bacteria and prevent or at least inhibit their return.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Medora Environmental, Inc.
    Inventors: Willard R. Tormaschy, Gary A. Kudrna, Corey M. Simnioniw, Joel J. Bleth, Jonathan L. Zent