Including Temperature Change Patents (Class 210/774)
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Publication number: 20040011730Abstract: A device for reducing the liquid content of a liquid and solid slurry. In the device, a dual-walled vertical tube sits atop a perforated endplate. The wall of the tube is non-porous at the upper end and porous at the bottom end. A liquid and solid slurry enters at the top of the tube filling the tube. Some of the liquid in the slurry exits the tube by radial outflow through the porous segment of the tube wall. The reduced liquid slurry exits through the perforated endplate.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2002Publication date: January 22, 2004Inventors: James R. Powell, Morris Reich
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Patent number: 6676838Abstract: An apparatus (10′) for extracting biomass includes an extractor (11), evaporator (12), compressor (13) and condenser (14) connected in series by pipework (17) to define a closed loop extraction circuit. A transfer line (18) selectively supplies hot solvent vapor from the outlet side of the compressor (13) to the interior of the extractor (11), where the solvent vapor heats the biomass. This causes stripping of solvent from the biomass. The transfer line (18) includes control elements (19,20) for controlling the flow of solvent vapor.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2002Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Ineos Fluor Holdings LimitedInventors: Stuart Corr, Paul A. Dowdle, Robert E. Low, Frederick Thomas Murphy, James David Morrison
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Publication number: 20030230540Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering particulate matter from internal combustion engine coolant where a replaceable filter is connected between the heater core supply and return lines. A housing that clamps directly to the heater supply and return hoses so that a first portion of the flow is directed through a filter media, and a second portion of the fluid flow bypasses the filter media. In one embodiment the filter housing is installed in a countercurrent fashion to the supply and return line.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2003Publication date: December 18, 2003Inventor: Phillip D. Mooneyham
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Publication number: 20030230530Abstract: A process for the preparation of a combination of Famotidine [Chemical Name (N-Sulfamyl-3-(2-guanidinothiazole-4-yl-methylthio) proionamidine] Polymorphs A and B comprising the following steps: dissolving Famotidine crude in solvent such as methanol under heating and stirring to form a solution; adding activated carbon to the solution of step (a) at 45° C. for 30 minutes; filtering the solution of step (a) to obtain a clear colorless solution; concentrating the solution under vacuum at a temperature of 45° C. to 58° C. under vacuum to get a crystalline slurry; filtering out the crystals of Famotidine Polymorphs A and B combination; drying the said crystals of Famotidine Polymorphs A and B combination in an oven.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2003Publication date: December 18, 2003Applicant: M/S. TONIRA PHARMA LIMITEDInventors: Mandayam Chakravarthy Sriraman, Jignesh Harikesh Vyas, Janardhan Prasad Sanyal, Mahesh Natwarlal Shah, Yogen Talia
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Publication number: 20030230534Abstract: A system and method of desalinating brackish water from an inland, underground water supply is disclosed. The system includes a source of underground water, at least one distillation and/or non-distillation desalination stage, and a source of waste heat from a power generator. The method includes desalinating brackish water drawn from an underground source using waste heat from a power generator and one or more non-distillation and/or distillation desalination stages. Potable water is recovered from both the brackish underground water using waste heat from the power generator, while dissolved salts are taken to dryness and removed as solids and from the flue gases.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2003Publication date: December 18, 2003Inventors: Burl Donaldson, Joseph Genin, Matthew S. Lavery
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Patent number: 6660169Abstract: A method and an apparatus for reclaiming deicer from produced water of an oil or gas well includes a fractionation tower having a top condenser section, a bottom heat exchanger section and an intermediate packing section. A deicer outlet is positioned in the condenser section, for removal of condensed deicer. An inlet is provided to receive produced water contaminated by deicer. The inlet is coupled to the condenser section such that produced water must pass through the condenser to enter the inlet. A water outlet is provided in the heat exchanger section. Operation of the water outlet is controlled to maintain a predetermined level of accumulated water in the heat exchanger section. The heat exchanger is adapted to be coupled with a source of hot fluids produced by an external heat source. The circulation of hot fluids through the heat exchanger heats accumulated water in the heat exchanger section.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Inventor: Kevin Melvin Kjelland
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Publication number: 20030222019Abstract: A method for depositing a substance on a substrate that involves forming a supercritical fluid solution of at least one supercritical fluid solvent and at least one solute, discharging the supercritical fluid solution through an orifice under conditions sufficient to form solid particles of the solute that are substantially free of the supercritical fluid solvent, and electrostatically depositing the solid solute particles onto the substrate. The solid solute particles may be charged to a first electric potential and then deposited onto the substrate to form a film. The solute particles may have a mean particle size of less than 1 micron.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2002Publication date: December 4, 2003Applicant: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: John L. Fulton, George Deverman
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Publication number: 20030222020Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for recovering lithium cobalt oxide from spent lithium batteries. The method of recovering lithium cobalt oxide comprises the steps of: separating the anodes by dismantling the spent lithium batteries; obtaining lithium cobalt oxide by reacting the anodes with a strong alkali solution under a certain hydrothermal condition; cooling the lithium cobalt oxide to crystallize; and cleansing the synthesized lithium cobalt oxide to remove foreign objects. The apparatus for recovering lithium cobalt oxide comprises a reactor main body 300 having a sealing cap 320 on the upper section and an agitator 130; an outer reacting container 200 installed inside the reactor main body 300; and an inner reacting container 100 installed inside the outer reacting container 200. The inner reacting container 100 comprises a plurality of holes on the upper section and a separating cap 240.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2002Publication date: December 4, 2003Inventors: Churl Kyoung Lee, Kyu Seung Han, Do Su Kim, Jung Soo Shon
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Publication number: 20030222018Abstract: A method for forming a continuous film on a substrate surface that involves depositing particles onto a substrate surface and contacting the particle-deposited substrate surface with a supercritical fluid under conditions sufficient for forming a continuous film from the deposited particles. The particles may have a mean particle size of less 1 micron. The method may be performed by providing a pressure vessel that can contain a compressible fluid. A particle-deposited substrate is provided in the pressure vessel and the compressible fluid is maintained at a supercritical or sub-critical state sufficient for forming a film from the deposited particles. The Tg of particles may be reduced by subjecting the particles to the methods detailed in the present disclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2002Publication date: December 4, 2003Applicant: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Clement R. Yonker, John L. Fulton
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Patent number: 6649027Abstract: A water reclamation system for a closed environment includes a mixer that receives brine. A processor is downstream of the mixer, with the processor distilling substantially salt-free water from the brine in the substantial absence of salt crystallization. A crystallizer subsystem is downstream of the processor, with the crystallizer subsystem crystallizing salt from the brine and recycling the brine to the mixer.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2000Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Allen Kent MacKnight, Alex M. Lubman
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Publication number: 20030209492Abstract: Processes and apparatus are disclosed for separating and purifying aqueous solutions such as seawater by causing a substantially impermeable mat of gas hydrate to form on a porous restraint. Once the mat of gas hydrate has formed on the porous restraint, the portion of the mat of gas hydrate adjacent to the restraint is caused to dissociate and flow through the restraint, e.g., by lowering the pressure in a collection region on the opposite side of the restraint. The purified or desalinated water may then be recovered from the collection region. The process may be used for marine desalination as well as for drying wet gas and hydrocarbon solutions. If conditions in the solution are not conductive to forming hydrate, a heated or refrigerated porous restraint may be used to create hydrate-forming conditions near the restraint, thereby causing gas hydrates to form directly on the surface of the restraint.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2003Publication date: November 13, 2003Inventor: Michael D. Max
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Publication number: 20030205527Abstract: A novel method for separating a target substance, for example, metal ion, drug or biological component is provided. According to the method, the surface of a packing undergoes a chemical or physical environmental change under a physical stimulus so that the interaction of a substance interacting with the target substance is reversibly changed in an aqueous solution, thus effecting separation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2003Publication date: November 6, 2003Inventors: Kimihiro Yoshizako, Yoshikatsu Akiyama, Katsuhiko Ueno, Teruo Okano
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Patent number: 6641741Abstract: Chloride is selectively isolated as NaCl from N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid process wastes by evaporative crystallization of the caustic neutralized brine.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2001Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLCInventor: Scott G Phillips
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Publication number: 20030201228Abstract: The invention discloses a process to recover oil from spent bleaching earth recovered from vegetable oil refining process. The process involve three sub-processes comprising of reacting the spent bleaching earth with a solvent selected from a group consisting of toluene, acetone, xylene, isopropyl alcohol or n-hexane at a temperature between 35° C. to 50° C.; separating the solids and liquid from slurry formed in the previous step; and extracting oil from the liquid fraction obtained in the previous step. The separation of the solids and the liquid from slurry can be formed in two steps. The slurry mixture of solids and liquid is first separated into a solid fraction and a liquid fraction. The solid fraction so separated still contains a significant portion of oil. Therefore the solid fraction is reacted with some solvent. The next slurry of solids and liquids is again separated into a solid fraction and a liquid fraction.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2002Publication date: October 30, 2003Inventors: Narain Girdhar Chanrai, Santosh Gajanan Burde
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Patent number: 6638436Abstract: A method and a system for regenerating a metal bath contaminated by mixed crystals, particularly a tin bath (17) in a hot-dip coating process. A partial stream of the tin bath (17) is removed from the coating tank (15) and is first of all heated above its liquidus temperature in a heating unit (24). Subsequently, the tin bath is conducted over a cooling unit (27) and, while flowing through a filter (29), is cleaned of mixed crystals coming down as a result of the cooling. The filter 29 is a ceramic foam filter made of silicon carbide. Subsequently, the regenerated tin bath (17a) is heated in a melting tank to process temperature, and returned from there to the coating tank (15).Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Stolberger Metallwerke GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Klaus Elbern, Robert Leffers, Albert Rumbach
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Publication number: 20030196954Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing the activated carbon from the coffee waste. The method includes steps of immersing the coffee waste in an activator solution so that the activator adsorbs on a surface of the coffee waste, and transferring the immersed coffee waste into a high temperature-rotary reactor for proceeding a reaction of carbonization and activation to result in the activated carbon product having a high specific surface area. Therefore, the present invention can efficiently transform the coffee waste into the activated carbon product used in industries of environment engineering and foodstuff, so as to achieve the object of recycling the waste.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2003Publication date: October 23, 2003Applicant: King Car Food Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nae-Wen Kuo, Pei-Chuan Wu
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Patent number: 6616851Abstract: A water treatment unit having: (a) a cooling tower; (b) a source of cooling water; (c) a main flow pipe for receiving the cooling water; (d) a source of fresh water connected to the source of cooling water; (e) a heat exchanger for heating the cooling water to form heated water; (f) a branched flow pipe for separating the heated water into a main stream of heated water and a partial stream of heated water; (g) a non-backwashable filter capable of separating waste contained in the partial stream of heated water into a compact waste residue and a first filtrate, in the absence of backwashing; and (h) a return pipe for transporting the main filtrate back to the cooling tower, wherein the cooling water is introduced through the main flow pipe into the heat exchanger where it is heated, after which it is split into a main stream of heated water and a partial stream of heated water, the main stream of heated water being transported back to the cooling tower, with the partial stream being transported, by way of theType: GrantFiled: July 10, 2002Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Cognis Deutschland GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Giancinto Sforza-Heinen, Norbert Wrede, Wolfgang Schmitt, Alfred Werner-Busse, Wolfgang Hater, Jens Vier
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Publication number: 20030155298Abstract: A process is disclosed for purifying an aqueous feed stream comprising a product organic acid, such as lactic acid, and a strong contaminant, such as pyruvic acid or oxalic acid. The molar concentration of the product organic acid in the feed stream typically is at least 20 times greater than the molar concentration of the strong contaminant. The aqueous feed stream is contacted with a first immiscible basic extractant that has at least a 3-fold greater affinity for the strong contaminant than for the product organic acid. The majority of the strong contaminant and some product organic acid become complexed with the first immiscible basic extractant. The complexed first immiscible basic extractant is separated from the aqueous stream, thereby producing a first effluent stream that comprises product organic acid and that has a greater ratio of molar product organic acid to molar strong contaminant than the aqueous feed stream did.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2002Publication date: August 21, 2003Applicant: A.E. Staley Manufacturing Co.Inventors: Michael Charles Milner Cockrem, Istvan Kovacs, Idris Mohamednur, David Heidel
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Publication number: 20030155299Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying lactames, especially lactames obtained by cyclization hydrolysis of an aminoalkylnitrile, and more particularly, to the purification of &egr;-caprolactame obtained by cyclization hydrolysis of the aminocapronitrile. This crystallisation process can either be carried out directly on the cyclization reaction medium after removal of the volatile components or on a medium that has been subjected to different treatments or on a caprolactame extracted from the reaction medium, for example by distillation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2003Publication date: August 21, 2003Inventors: Philippe Carvin, Jean-Claude Masson
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Patent number: 6607639Abstract: A desalinization process and apparatus utilizing a humidity chamber having a saltwater structure; a cooling water structure and a salt-free water collection structure. Saltwater having a first temperature and cooling water having a second temperature are introduced into the humidity chamber. The temperature difference between the saltwater and the water running through the water coil create a temperature gradient causing salt-free water to distill from the saltwater. The salt-free water is then collected.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2001Date of Patent: August 19, 2003Inventor: David E. Longer
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Publication number: 20030141247Abstract: The invention provides processes for treating commercial grade preservatives to remove the off-flavor and/or off-odor from the preservatives. The processes involve preparing a solution by dissolving the preservative in a suitable solvent, such as water or methanol or mixtures thereof. The preservative solution is then passed through a filter to separate and remove organic acid impurities from the preservative. The undesirable tastes and odors, principally caused by the organic acid impurities, are retained in the filter while the preservative passes through the filter. In one embodiment, the filter is a bed of anion exchange resin that reacts with and removes the organic acid impurities. In another embodiment, the filter contains a metal cation that converts the organic acid impurities into insoluble salts which remain in the filter. The solvent can be removed by evaporation after the preservative solution is passed through the filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2003Publication date: July 31, 2003Inventors: Dale F. Kuhn, Bruce E. Plashko
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Publication number: 20030136747Abstract: A method for remediating drilled cuttings from a wellbore which, in certain aspects, includes introducing drilled cuttings with oil and water to a system for remediation, the system including a thermal treatment system and a condensing system, feeding a slurry of the cuttings with oil and water to the thermal treatment system and heating the drilled cuttings therein producing heated cuttings and a stream with oil and water, discharging the heated cuttings from the thermal treatment system, feeding the stream with oil and water to a dual component separation system producing separated-out solids and a vapor with oil and water therein, feeding the vapor to a condenser system producing a liquid stream, and feeding the liquid stream to an oil/water separator apparatus producing an oil stream and a water stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2002Publication date: July 24, 2003Inventors: Bradford Russell Wood, Kenneth W. Seyffert
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Patent number: 6596178Abstract: A system for cleaning, heating and purifying contaminated aqueous solutions. The system utilizes a separator having a wheel with staggered orifices of different diameters and depths. The wheel is tightly held within a housing and is mounted on a rotating shaft. The shaft is held by sealed bearing assemblies. The shaft is rotated by an external electromotive devise. The aqueous solution is transported to the separator via preheat and circulation tanks by use of a pump, and passes to a storage container where it may be utilized for many purposes, via a pair of heat exchangers, a venturi and a second pump.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2001Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: Hydro Development LLCInventors: Guy Archibald, Fred Hayes
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Publication number: 20030127387Abstract: Method and system for extraction of fat or oil-soluble components, e.g. PAH, NDP and/or BTX, from produced water being separated from an oil or gas plant. The method is characterized by injection of a liquid consisting of hydrocarbons from the oil or gas plant into the water flow, the injection liquid having a lower content of the oil soluble components than the original oil phase in equilibrium with the water, the injection liquid is atomized into the whole water phase and the water/hydrocarbon mixture is given a predetermined retention time thus to allow mass transferring of the oil soluble components from the water to the injection liquid, before the injection liquid is separated from the water in a separator, preferably a hydro cyclone, the injection liquid being adapted to the separators working range for pressure and temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2002Publication date: July 10, 2003Inventors: Eivind Aarebrot, Trygve Haland
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Publication number: 20030121869Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out a method for thermophoretically removing particles from a particulate containing liquid the method including providing a heated turbulent flowing particulate contain liquid through a first conduit; redirecting a portion of the particulate containing liquid through a second conduit to provide laminar flow having a flow direction substantially parallel to the first conduit; forming a thermal gradient in said second conduit substantially perpendicular to the flow direction; concentrating particles in the particulate containing liquid in a portion of the second conduit aided at least in part by thermophoretic forces; and, separating the particulate containing liquid into at least a relatively concentrated particle containing portion and a relatively unconcentrated particle containing portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2001Publication date: July 3, 2003Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ruei-Hung Jang, Chih-Lin Ying, Tien-Hsing Woo, Shan-Hua Wu, Ming-Kuo Yu
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Publication number: 20030121856Abstract: The invention provides methods and an apparatus for more efficiently and economically producing purified water from sea water or some other salty or brackish water source. The efficiency is derived from the co-location with a power plant or other thermal generating source that will heat the feed water. Reverse osmosis membrane filtration systems work optimally when the feed water is at certain higher temperature, where that temperature is typically higher than the feed water at ambient temperatures. By using the heated sea water as the byproduct of the power plant electricity generating process and if necessary mixing it with ambient temperature sea water, if needed to lower the water temperature, and using this feed water with a higher temperature than ambient water temperature, the efficiency of the reverse osmosis system can be increased.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Inventor: Nikolay Voutchkov
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Patent number: 6585899Abstract: Disclosed are waste processing systems capable of being used on-board a transport such as a train, bus, airplane, boat, or other similar vehicles. The liquid waste is evaporated and condensed primarily as water vapor. The resulting liquid may be safely discharged in most places without adverse environmental and health effects. If desired, the liquid can be stored and reused for non-potable applications such as toilet flushing. The solid waste is converted to inert ash or carbon and may be either stored in a filter or discharged as carbon or ash into the water, air, or onto the railroad tracks. The system may also be used in stationary or semi-stationary applications where on-site treatment of waste may be desired.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2000Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Microseptec, Inc.Inventors: Christina Edvardsson, Tomas Edvardsson
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Publication number: 20030119665Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a catalyst composite containing an extruded catalyst support containing an extruded activated carbonaceous material having specifically a defined pore structure. For example, the extruded activated carbonaceous material may have pores wherein at least about 40 % of total Hg porosity occurs in pores having a diameter of about 200 Å and larger. Alternatively the extruded activated carbonaceous material may have a first set of pores having a pore diameter of at least about 40 Å and at most about 100 Å with a porosity of at least about 0.15 cc/g, and a second set of pores having a pore diameter of at least about 5,000 Å and at most about 20,000 Å with a porosity of at least about 0.3 cc/g.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2001Publication date: June 26, 2003Inventor: James Ferguson White
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Patent number: 6582552Abstract: A liquid evaporation method and apparatus wherein the contamination of the heat transfer surfaces is avoided by using a special circulating fluid. The liquid to be evaporated is heated in direct contact with the circulating fluid and conveyed to a vapor separation tank. In the evaporator according to the invention, heat transfer surface contamination may be limited by mixing the liquid to be evaporated with the circulating fluid only after the heat exchanger so that the heat surface contaminating liquid to be evaporated does not make direct contact with the heat surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Rinheat OyInventor: Pentti Juhola
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Patent number: 6582613Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering particulate matter from internal combustion engine coolant where a replaceable filter is connected between the heater core supply and return lines. A portion of the normal engine coolant flow is directed from a heater hose through a paper or media filter in order to remove particulate matter such as rust and scale. A filter assembly comprised of a housing with inlet and outlet ports may installed in a new engine or may be retrofitted to an existing engine by cutting the heater hoses, installing tees, and connecting the filter housing to the tees with short sections of hose. An alternate embodiment includes a housing that clamps directly to the heater hoses so that a portion of the flow is directed through the filter.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Inventor: Phillip d. Mooneyham
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Patent number: 6582606Abstract: A microfiltration process of a fermentation-derived product comprising adding activated carbon to a solution of the fermentation-derived product prior to or during the microfiltration process at a microfiltration process temperature of from 25° C. to 65° C.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Novozymes A/SInventors: Mads Aage Laustsen, Søren Bo Nielsen, Sune Jakobsen, Kim Uhre Hansen
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Patent number: 6576145Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating a mixture of mineral substrate particles and hydrocarbon compounds, especially tar sands and contaminated soils, to recover a hydrocarbon portion and a cleaned substrate portion. In a preferably continuous process, hydrocarbonaceous rock, sand, ore, or soil containing bitumen, petroleum, and/or kerogen is crushed or otherwise comminuted as needed to the particle size of sand or smaller. The comminuted ore is mixed with water to form a slurry, is heated to between 60° C. and 100° C., and is blended with an oxidant in aqueous solution, preferably hydrogen peroxide. Both free interstitial hydrocarbons and those hydrocarbons bound electrostatically to the surfaces of clay-like particles in the ore are released from the mineral substrate.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2001Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Continuum Environmental, LLCInventors: Lawrence M. Conaway, Roger Noble, Michael Keller, David Caffey
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Patent number: 6576132Abstract: A process for pretreating a oily/water stream for closed loop dilution steam production within an ethylene plant using countercurrent multi-stage extraction to remove both free and dissolved organic solutes from in-situ (net) quench water with an organic solvent to yield an aqueous raffinate containing only residual amounts of organic solute. The raffinate is steam stripped to remove the residual organic solutes, yielding a pretreated quench water stream substantially free of organic material. The pretreated quench water is suitable for reuse to generate dilution steam (without fouling). The (solvent) extract from extraction is regenerated in a solvent regenerator having an overhead stream for purging light ends, a bottom stream for purging heavy ends, and a heart-cut side stream for recycling solvent to the extractor.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2002Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Stone & Webster Process Technology, Inc.Inventors: Sabah Kurukchi, Joseph Gondolfe
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Patent number: 6572831Abstract: A material contaminated with a solvent is treated with a hydrofluorocarbon to remove the contaminant. The hydrofluorocarbon can be tetrafluoroethane.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1999Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Advanced Phytonics LimitedInventor: Mazin Nicola
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Patent number: 6565752Abstract: The present invention relates to a new separation method and a device therefor, especially to a device and method for chromatographic chemical analysis. In the method according to the invention, the driving of the mobile phase fluid in, through and out the separation channel, said channel being defined by at least two channel elements, is mainly caused by a relative movement of at least one channel element compared to at least one of the other channel elements preferably the movement of the mobile phase fluid and the sample to be separated through the separation channel is sustained by relief elements, such as one or more protrusions, recesses, holes or irregular porous-like structures, which are arranged on at least one of the channel elements.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2000Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Vrije Universiteit BrusselInventors: Gino Baron, Gert Desmet
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Patent number: 6565715Abstract: Methods and apparatus for desalination of salt water (and purification of polluted water) are disclosed. Salt water is pumped to a desalination installation and down to the base of a desalination fractionation column, where it is mixed with hydrate-forming gas to form positive buoyant hydrate. The hydrate rises and dissociates (melts) into the gas and pure water. In preferred embodiments, residual salt water which is heated by heat given off during formation of the hydrate is removed from the system to create a bias towards overall cooling as the hydrate dissociates endothermically at shallower depths. In preferred embodiments, the input water is passed through regions of dissociation in heat-exchanging relationship therewith so as to be cooled sufficiently for hydrate to form at pressure-depth.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 1999Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Marine Desalination Systems LLCInventor: Michael David Max
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Patent number: 6558452Abstract: Ammonia is recovered from waste water containing NH3, at least one acid gas (CO2, H2S) and inert gases. Firstly, the waste water is passed through a pretreatment column and then, at least in part, into a total stripping column. The top product from the total stripping column is cooled in a condenser, and an aqueous NH3-containing condensate coming from the condenser is fed to an NH3 stripping column. The top product from the NH3 stripping column is brought into direct contact with circulating aqueous NH3-containing condensate in a wash column, and NH3 is recovered from the top product from the wash column. Some of the bottom product from the wash column is fed back into the NH3 stripping column. The temperature in the bottom region of the pretreatment column is set to from less than 30 to 200° C., a sub-stream of the waste water is introduced into the upper region of the pretreatment column, and a second sub-stream of the waste water is fed into the pretreatment column below the first sub-stream.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: MG Technologies AGInventors: Hans-Martin Stönner, Gert Ungar, Matthias Linicus
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Patent number: 6555004Abstract: A method for separating an oxidation catalyst, an oxidation reaction product and a reaction solvent from a reaction mixture obtained by oxidizing a substrate in the presence of an oxidation catalyst containing an aromatic N-hydroxyimide compound and a transition metal, the method including (i) distilling the reaction solvent from the reaction mixture in the presence of an organic solvent which is immiscible with the reaction solvent to obtain the reaction mixture containing the reaction solvent in an amount of 5 parts by weight or less per one part by weight of the N-hydroxyimide compound, and the oxidation catalyst precipitated, and (ii) separating the reaction mixture obtained in the step (i) by a solid-liquid separation method into the oxidation product and the oxidation catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignees: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited, Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Nobuhiro Tani, Shuzo Murata
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Patent number: 6551466Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a contaminant from a fluid feed stream containing the contaminant. The method includes the steps of providing a feed stream and heating it in a first step to at least partially remove some of the contaminants and recover energy from a concentrate and distillate generated. Further heating the feed stream in a second heating step in a heated separator generates a saturated vapor fraction and a concentrated liquid contaminant fraction. The vapor fraction may be compressed to generate a temperature differential in the reboiler exchanger with the vapor fraction being passed into contact with a reboiler exchanger to provide a stream of condensed vapor from the reboiler. The stream may be circulated through the reboiler exchanger and the heated separator to maintain from about 1% to about 50% by mass vapor in the stream.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1999Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Aqua Pure Ventures Inc.Inventors: Steve Kresnyak, Edward Warchol, Robert Becker
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Patent number: 6548681Abstract: A process for the separation of a polyol or multiple polyols in admixture with other organic compounds, usually those produced with the polyol, is described. The process uses a distillation in a column (11) of a cyclic acetal from an aqueous solution which acetal is formed in a reaction mixture of the polyol and an aldehyde or ketone. The polyols, such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, are staple articles of commerce with many uses.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State UniversityInventors: Shubham P. Chopade, Atulkumar D. Dhale, Christopher W. Kiesling, Angela M. Clark, James E. Jackson, Dennis J. Miller
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Publication number: 20030057165Abstract: A vaporization-condensation process using the refrigerant cycle (heat pump) for energy recycling between the vaporization and condensation processes with the refrigerant heat absorption/rejection capacity maximized to minimize installed power by controlling the system operating pressure (absolute) and allowing for the recovery of the condensable liquid vaporized, directly, indirectly, and within the seal liquid of the liquid ring pump if included in the system to; provide the less costly operating system feasible, recover one liquid from another, remove a liquid or liquids from a solid, purify water and, eliminate or minimize gas admission to the environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2001Publication date: March 27, 2003Inventor: Thomas Powell Carson
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Patent number: 6530438Abstract: Liquids are removed from drill cuttings generated during drilling operations, recovered and recycled to the rig drilling fluid system, reducing the amount of waste generated and fluid lost. The process and apparatus to achieve this uses a fluid bed thermal desorption unit that vaporizes the liquids from the cuttings. A portion of this vapour is recycled to fluidize the bed, enhance heat transfer and maintain a low oxygen environment in the desorption chamber. The cuttings become the bed medium. The drilling fluid system is used to condense the vapours for re-use. The unit allows for varying rates of cuttings generation and varying composition of those cuttings.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2000Date of Patent: March 11, 2003Inventor: Barry E. McIntyre
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Patent number: 6531034Abstract: Methods and apparatus for desalination of salt water (and purification of polluted water) are disclosed. Salt (or otherwise polluted) water is pumped to a desalination installation and down to the base of a desalination fractionation column, where it is mixed with hydrate-forming gas to form either positively buoyant or negatively buoyant (assisted buoyancy) hydrate. The hydrate rises or is carried upward and dissociates (melts) into the gas and pure water. In preferred embodiments, residual salt water which is heated by heat given off during formation of the hydrate is removed from the system to create a bias towards overall cooling as the hydrate dissociates endothermically at shallower depths. In preferred embodiments, the input water is passed through regions of dissociation in heat-exchanging relationship therewith so as to be cooled sufficiently for hydrate to form at pressure-depth.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1999Date of Patent: March 11, 2003Assignee: Marine Desalination Sys6tems, L.L.P.Inventor: Michael D. Max
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Patent number: 6527960Abstract: A process for separating oily films from sand particles carried in a solvent free water stream includes the use of a jet pump scrubber in a density classification tank to treat such oily coated particles at controlled operating temperatures above 65° C. whereby, at such controlled temperature, enhanced cavitation in the jet pump separates the oily film from the sand particles to form slop oil, the tank providing for recirculation of the particles through the jet pump before discharge.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2000Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Canadian Environmental Equipment & Engineering Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Diana L. Bacon, Patrick J. Cochrane, Wade R Bozak, Roderick M. Facey
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Publication number: 20030034313Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering particulate matter from internal combustion engine coolant where a replaceable filter is connected between the heater core supply and return lines. A portion of the normal engine coolant flow is directed from a heater hose through a paper or media filter in order to remove particulate matter such as rust and scale. A filter assembly comprised of a housing with inlet and outlet ports may installed in a new engine or may be retrofitted to an existing engine by cutting the heater hoses, installing tees, and connecting the filter housing to the tees with short sections of hose. An alternate embodiment includes a housing that clamps directly to the heater hoses so that a portion of the flow is directed through the filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2001Publication date: February 20, 2003Inventor: Phillip d. Mooneyham
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Patent number: 6521133Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system for thermal disinfection of sludge with the aim of pathogen reduction. Such thermal sludge treatment systems require a certain minimum detention time t dependent on the temperature T of the heated sludge. The system according to the present invention is a continuous flow system. The system includes means for continuous sludge heating. The heated sludge flows continuously through at least one chamber, whereby the flow through the chamber has a substantially vertical direction. The mean residence time t2 of the sludge between entering the chamber and leaving the chamber is minimum 2 times the time period t required by regulations for conventional batch systems. The ratio of the flow path length of the flow through the chamber or chambers to the hydraulic diameter of the vertical flow through the chamber or chambers l/d is at least 3:1. The higher the ratio t2/t, the smaller can be the required ratio l/d. The relationship is: l/d*t2/t>8.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2000Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Roediger Pittsburgh, Inc.Inventor: Markus Roediger
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Publication number: 20030029815Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple method for effective, low-cost and safe separation and recovery of oils with excellent safety and quality, without causing degradation of oils or creating a danger of explosion or inflammation, from inorganic materials containing the adhered oils such as oils and fats, lipids, mineral oils, and the like. The method proposed hereby is for separating oils from inorganic materials by adding water to inorganic materials containing the adhered oils such as oils and fats, lipids, mineral oils, and the like, and conducting heating and pressurizing treatment under conditions of a temperature of 120-300° C. and a pressure of 0.2-13.0 MPa.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2002Publication date: February 13, 2003Inventors: Satoshi Nakaoka, Kazuhito Okada, Hiroyuki Yoshida
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Patent number: 6511601Abstract: A method and system for extraction of chemicals from an groundwater remediation aqueous effluent are provided. The extraction method utilizes a critical fluid for separation and recovery of chemicals employed in remediating groundwater contaminated with hazardous organic substances, and is particularly suited for separation and recovery of organic contaminants and process chemicals used in surfactant-based remediation technologies. The extraction method separates and recovers high-value chemicals from the remediation effluent and minimizes the volume of generated hazardous waste. The recovered chemicals can be recycled to the remediation process or stored for later use.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2001Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLCInventors: Ryan D. McMurtrey, Daniel M. Ginosar, Kenneth S. Moor, G. Michael Shook, Donna L. Barker
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Patent number: 6511604Abstract: The present invention relates to the techniques of treating a liquid material to be treated, which enables efficient fractional removal of toxic materials such as PCB in a liquid mixture. The treatment method of the invention comprises the step of permitting a liquid material containing materials having different solidifying points to be cooled at a temperature at which desired material(s) is solidified while others are not solidified and the step of separating the solidified material from other liquid materials whereby the desired material is separated, and therefore large facilities are not necessary and toxic materials can be reliably separated and removed.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2001Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignees: Niigata Universal Science Development Co., Ltd.Inventor: Toshio Hanya
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Patent number: 6500340Abstract: An anaerobic process in accordance with the present invention includes the step of digesting an organic substrate in a first anaerobic reactor to provide reactor contents comprising solids and liquid products of digestion. The process also includes a step of removing a portion of the reactor contents, and a step of pasteurizing all or part of the removed reactor contents by direct contact with a hot or inhibitory fluid to cause pathogen destruction. The fluid may be in a gaseous or liquid phase and the fluid may have inhibitory effects which causes the organisms to undergo lysis.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2000Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Western Environmental Engineering CompanyInventor: Dennis A. Burke