Including Temperature Change Patents (Class 210/774)
  • Patent number: 8840758
    Abstract: A process for producing a microfiber product stream, the process comprising: (A) contacting short cut multicomponent fibers having a length of less than 25 millimeters with a heated aqueous stream in a mix zone to produce a short cut multicomponent fiber slurry; (B) routing the short cut multicomponent fiber slurry and optionally, a heated aqueous stream, to a fiber opening zone to remove a portion of the water dispersible sulfopolyester to produce an opened microfiber slurry; and (C) routing the opened microfiber slurry to a primary solid liquid separation zone to produce the microfiber product stream and a first mother liquor stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Kenny Randolph Parker, Daniel William Klosiewicz, Ramesh Chand Munjal, David J Rogers, Jr., Dustin A Tremaine
  • Patent number: 8840757
    Abstract: A process for producing a microfiber product stream is provided comprising: (A) contacting short cut multicomponent fibers having a length of less than 25 millimeters with a treated aqueous stream in a fiber slurry zone to produce a short cut multicomponent fiber slurry; (B) contacting the short cut multicomponent fiber slurry and a heated aqueous stream in a fiber opening zone to remove a portion of the water dispersible sulfopolyester to produce an opened microfiber slurry; and (C) routing the opened microfiber slurry to a primary solid liquid separation zone to produce the microfiber product stream and a first mother liquor stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Kenny Randolph Parker, Daniel William Klosiewicz, Ramesh Chand Munjal, David J Rogers, Dustin A Tremaine
  • Patent number: 8832962
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for drying slurry-like materials, in particular sludge from wastewater treatment plants, including two drying stages, namely: a first indirect drying stage (2), supplied with hot fluid, which receives sludge having an entry dryness Se, and outputs sludge having an intermediate dryness Si and water steam, which is channelled towards a condenser (8) in which a heating fluid, in particular water, is reheated and, in turn, heats a heating gas for a second drying stage (6); and a step (5) of forming strings of sludge at the exit from the first stage; the second stage (6) of drying the strings of sludge using gas at least partially heated by the heat extracted from the condenser, said second stage outputting a slurry having a final dryness Sf; the intermediate dryness Si is controlled according to the measured entry dryness Se and the desired exit dryness Sf, for minimum consumption of the total energy used for drying, the flow rate, pressure and/or temperature of the hot fluid (3)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Degremont
    Inventor: Pierre Emmanuel Pardo
  • Publication number: 20140251903
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improving the results of anaerobic digestion of organic waste especially animal manure such as chicken manure by removing the grit in the waste. by digesting the waste in a slurry at a temperature of 50 degrees C. or more for a period of time sufficient for the grit to settle out of the slurry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventor: Jason Chia Hsing Shih
  • Patent number: 8828192
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a novel pressurized vapor cycle for distilling liquids. In an embodiment of the invention, a liquid purification system is revealed, including the elements of an input for receiving untreated liquid, a vaporizer coupled to the input for transforming the liquid to vapor, a head chamber for collecting the vapor, a vapor pump with an internal drive shaft and an eccentric rotor with a rotatable housing for compressing vapor, a condenser in communication with the vapor pump for transforming the compressed vapor into a distilled product, and an electric motor with motor rotor and magnets hermetically sealed within the fluid pressure boundary of the distillation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Jason A. Demers, Scott A. Leonard, Kingston Owens
  • Publication number: 20140246386
    Abstract: In a method for the thermal separation of a volatile substance from a non- or less volatile substrate having a phase boundary towards a gas chamber that receives the volatile substance subsequent to vaporisation and/or sublimation, mechanical energy is supplied to the phase boundary between the substrate and the gas chamber to increase the material exchange of the volatile substance. In the method, the material exchange is increased by the addition of an additive or mechanical energy to the surface of the phase transition in such manner that said supplied mechanical energy destroys bubbles containing the volatile substrate, so that the volatile substrate can escape to the gas chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: List Holding AG
    Inventors: Daniel WITTE, Andreas DIENER, Pierre LIECHTI
  • Patent number: 8815050
    Abstract: Processes and systems for drying liquid bromine utilizing two fractionators to produce a substantially dry liquid bromine stream and a substantially bromine-free water stream. Wet bromine liquid may be conveyed to a first fractionator wherein a substantially dry bromine liquid is produced, while a vapor stream from the first fractionator may be condensed into a first liquid phase comprising bromine saturated with water and a second liquid phase comprising water saturated with bromine. The water saturated with bromine may be conveyed to a second fractionator to produce at least substantially bromine-free water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Marathon GTF Technology, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sabah A. Kurukchi, Yijun Liu, Anand Moodley
  • Patent number: 8801941
    Abstract: A method of removing oil from a mixture of tool steel swarf granular material and oil. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Kalumetals, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Beltz, Eugene J. Greskovich
  • Patent number: 8795531
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes: a recycle line that brings a part of salt-enriched membrane separation concentrated water 26 back to the rear flow side of a pretreatment apparatus 12; a water discharge line that discharges the remained concentrated water into a sea area; and a control apparatus 31 that controls to adjust the ratio between the discharging amount of the discharging membrane separation concentrated water to be discharged into a sea area and the supplying amount of supplying seawater. A pH is set to be equal to or less than 7.3 by adding acid 21. The salt 18 is obtained from the dryer 19, and produced water (fresh water) 29 is obtained by combining evaporated water 28 supplied from the evaporator 16 with the permeated water 24 supplied from the reverse osmosis membrane apparatus 25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Takeuchi, Yoshiaki Ito, Hidemasa Kakigami, Hideo Iwahashi, Katsunori Matsui, Kenji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8795532
    Abstract: A process for operating a cooling tower (10), said process comprising: introducing a feed solution into a cooling tower, evaporating solvent from the feed solution to produce a concentrated solution, removing a portion of the concentrated solution as blow-down, passing at least a portion of the blow-down through a first membrane in a nanofiltration unit (14), such that at least some of the solute in the blow-down are retained as a concentrated blow-down solution on the retentate-side of the first membrane, contacting at least a portion of the concentrated blow-down solution (42) with one side of a second membrane (12) and contacting a solution having a lower solute concentration than the combined concentrated blow-down solution and the return from the cooling tower with the opposite side of the second membrane, such that solvent flows across the second membrane to dilute the concentrated blow down solution by direct osmosis, and re-introducing the diluted blow-down solution to the cooling tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Surrey Aquatechnology Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter Nicoll
  • Patent number: 8784663
    Abstract: A trap Including: an inlet configured to receive a fluid conveying nanostructures; ionic liquid configured to trap the nanostructures; and an outlet for the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Di Wei, Zoran Radivojevic, Markku Antti Kyosti Rouvala, Teuvo Tapani Ryhänen
  • Patent number: 8784657
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel method for cleaning a filter surface using a plasma discharge self-cleaning filtration system. The method involves utilizing plasma discharges to induce short electric pulses of nanoseconds duration at high voltages. These electrical pulses generate strong Shockwaves that disintegrate and dislodge particulate matter located on the surface of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventors: Young I. Cho, Alexander Fridman, Alexander F. Gutsol, Yong Yang
  • Patent number: 8784654
    Abstract: Filtration devices for collection and filtration of biological samples are disclosed. Devices having a filtration element oriented in a generally vertical orientation are provided, as well as filtration devices that incorporate a cooling mechanism to reduce the temperature of collected solids. Tissue collection devices, such as aspiration assemblies, tissue sampling devices, and the like incorporating filtration devices are disclosed. Methods of collecting biological samples and separating biological solids from a liquid/solids mixture are also disclosed, together with analytical techniques and protocols for analyzing biological samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Bayer Medical Care, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward I. Wulfman
  • Patent number: 8771477
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for water purification and desalination. The systems have a preheater, a degasser, multiple evaporation chambers with demisters, heat pipes, and a control system, wherein the control system permits continuous operation of the purification and desalination system without requiring user intervention or cleaning. The systems are capable of recovering hear from each distillation stage, while removing, from a contaminated water sample, a plurality of contaminants including: microbiological contaminants, radiological contaminants, metals, salts, and organics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sylvan Source, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene Thiers
  • Patent number: 8764975
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for the separation of solids from a biowaste slurry before heat treatment, and for heat treatment of the separated solids. The device comprises a chamber with a main inlet port for feeding slurry, and outlet ports. A unit for separating solids is adapted to an outlet port so, that liquid leaving the chamber has passed through the separation unit. A second outlet port is provided directly from the chamber to allow removal, following sterilization, of solids collected in the chamber. The sterilization is secured by temperature monitoring at representative locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Steris Europe, Inc. Suomen Sivuliike
    Inventors: Mauri Salmisuo, Juha Mattila, Teppo Nurminen
  • Publication number: 20140175027
    Abstract: A filter includes a filter screen with at least one hollow member and a heating element within at least one hollow member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Taylor Fausett
  • Patent number: 8758573
    Abstract: The present application concerns a process for the removal of hydrocarbons from an aqueous stream, which process may include conducting a phenol-containing water stream into a separation column, separating the phenol-containing water in the column using heat to form an overhead portion and a bottoms portion, and collecting the overhead portion as well as the bottoms portion. Further, the process may include adding an eluent to an aqueous stream, thereby forming an aqueous mixture, subsequently conducting the aqueous mixture into a separation vessel, wherein it is allowed to settle into two phases, which form a hydrocarbon stream and a phenol-containing water stream, subsequently collecting the hydrocarbon stream, and conducting the phenol-containing water stream to the separation column for further separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Borealis Technology Oy
    Inventors: Henrik Andtsjo, Maarit Aarni-Sirvio
  • Publication number: 20140158643
    Abstract: A high throughput, positive pressure, gravity operated dewatering system for hydraulic fluids, lubricating fluids, and petroleum based fluids comprises a gravity operated dewatering chamber receiving the industrial fluid and a source of positive pressure drying air coupled to the dewatering chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: SCHROEDER INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven R. Evanovich, Martin Bauer, Andreas Schuck, John Kazimierz Duchowski
  • Patent number: 8747674
    Abstract: A process for the treatment of water/oil (W/O) emulsions is described which includes the addition of an ionic liquid, under heating, to a water/oil emulsion containing between 0.5% and 85% of water per volume as a dispersion phase, until the concentration of the ionic liquid in the emulsion remains within the range of 0.01 ?L/g to 100 ?L/g. The ionic liquid used is a salt of a general C+ A? formula in a liquid state at temperatures below 150° C., where A? is an anion and C+ is a cation, which has at least a hydrophobic alkyl chain connected to a cation group. The heating method includes conventional heating and heating via microwaves. In the heating via microwaves, the salts of the general C+ A? formula present synergic behavior in separation efficiency in relation to conventional heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.—Petrobras
    Inventors: Regina Celia Lourenco Guimarães, Bianca Machado da Silva Ferreira, Maria de Fatima Pereira dos Santos, Ricardo Andre Guarnieri, Montserrat Fortuny Heredia, Cláudio Dariva, Alexandre Ferreira Santos, Rita de Cássia Bomfim Lemos, Lisiane dos Santos Freitas
  • Patent number: 8747673
    Abstract: A method of removing a nonpolar solvent from a fluid volume that includes at least one nonpolar compound, such as a fat, an oil or a triglyceride, is provided. The method comprises contacting a fluid volume with an expanding gas to expand the nonpolar solvent and form a gas-expanded solvent. The gas-expanded solvent may have a substantially reduced density in comparison to the at least one nonpolar compound and/or a substantially reduced capacity to solubilize the nonpolar compound, causing the nonpolar compounds to separate from the gas-expanded nonpolar solvent into a separate liquid phase. The liquid phase including the at least one nonpolar compound may be separated from the gas-expanded solvent using conventional techniques. After separation of the liquid phase, at least one of the temperature and pressure may be reduced to separate the nonpolar solvent from the expanding gas such that the nonpolar solvent may be recovered and reused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel M. Ginosar, Daniel S. Wendt, Lucia M. Petkovic
  • Patent number: 8741145
    Abstract: A method for producing biofuels is provided. A method of making biofuels includes dewatering substantially intact algal cells to make an algal biomass, extracting neutral lipids from the algal biomass, and esterifying the neutral lipids with a catalyst in the presence of an alcohol. The method also includes separating a water soluble fraction comprising glycerin from a water insoluble fraction comprising fuel esters and distilling the fuel esters under vacuum to obtain a C16 or shorter fuel esters fraction, a C16 or longer fuel ester fraction, and a residue comprising carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids. The method further includes hydrogenating and deoxygenating at least one of (i) the C16 or shorter fuel esters to obtain a jet fuel blend stock and (ii) the C16 or longer fuel esters to obtain a diesel blend stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Heliae Development, LLC
    Inventor: Aniket Kale
  • Patent number: 8728320
    Abstract: This invention relates to a lignin sorbent, a lignin removal unit, a biorefinery, a process for removing lignin, a process for binding lignin, and a renewable material. The lignin sorbent includes a substrate, and a lignin binding material dispersed with respect to the substrate. The lignin binding process includes the step of adding a lignin binding material to an input stream, and the step of converting the input stream into a renewable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob Borden
  • Patent number: 8721794
    Abstract: Lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysate fermentation broth may be processed to produce a high solids syrup having relatively low viscosity that has a high energy content and may be burned in a fermentation production process. The high solids syrup was achieved through liquid/solid separation of broth or depleted broth producing a thin stillage with low suspended solids allowing evaporation to high solids while maintaining low viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Susan Marie Hennessey, Rahul B. Kasat
  • Patent number: 8720082
    Abstract: An improved desolventizer toaster and methods are provided wherein a solvent vapor recycle system may be employed to recycle solvent vapor throughout a portion of the desolventizer portion of the apparatus housing. In other embodiments of the invention, a water vapor recycle system may be employed to recycle water vapor throughout a portion of the toaster portion of the apparatus housing. The solvent vapor recycle system may comprise an appropriate meal dust separator, blower and superheater. The water vapor recycle system may comprise an appropriate ejector or blower and superheater. Water vapor recovered in the solvent extraction process may be used as a water vapor feed to the heated water vapor recycling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Desmet Ballestra North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy G. Kemper, Marc Kellens, Philippe Van Doosselaere
  • Patent number: 8709257
    Abstract: A method and system for purifying liquid using waste heat is provided. Initially, a liquid is mixed with an anti-sealant agent in a first filtering unit to form a liquid mixture. Thereafter, the liquid mixture is filtered in the first filtering unit to separate foreign objects from the liquid mixture. Subsequently, the liquid mixture is heated in a pipe arrangement connecting the first filtering unit and one or more second filtering units to generate steam. The steam obtained from the heated liquid mixture is then purified in the one or more second filtering units. Thereafter, the purified steam is condensed in the pipe arrangement to obtain the purified liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST)
    Inventors: Mazen Abdullah Ba-Abbad, Hany Abdulrahman Al-Ansary
  • Publication number: 20140110355
    Abstract: A method of separating a mixture of liquid and insoluble solids in a filter press may comprise: pumping the mixture into a multiplicity of chambers to form a filter cake, each of the chambers being between adjacent filter plates, each of the chambers being lined by filter cloths, wherein, during the pumping, filtrate is forced through the filter cloths and out of the chambers; and releasing dried filter cake from the chambers; wherein the pumping comprises pumping the mixture through a multiplicity of side feed ports and into each of the chambers through a multiplicity of delivery slots, and wherein the openings of the delivery slots into each of the chambers is above the height of the side feed ports. A filter press system is described which includes filter plates and chambers with the aforementioned configuration of side feed ports and delivery slots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: DES, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Simpson, Ferdinand Kogler
  • Publication number: 20140110345
    Abstract: A lignin plastics solids mass containing lignin solids and liquids with up to 85% liquids can be partially dewatered by heating the lignin plastics solids mass to above a critical temperature at which time the lignin plastics solids agglomerate into lower moisture granular solids with between about 45% to 55% liquids releasing excess liquid which can be easily removed from the solids. The process is particularly useful for lignin plastics solids removed from black liquor from paper mills, or for similar lignin plastics solids masses, which can contain up to 85% liquids and which need to be dried to form useful lignin solids, which can be used for example for fuel. The dewatering process can be combined with the process for separating the lignin from the black liquor to separate the dewatered lignin directly from the black liquor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventor: Harrison R. Cooper
  • Patent number: 8696873
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purification of bilge and sludge water on a ship, especially at sea, using excess heat from the ship's engine(s) to a level of oil contamination of less than 15 ppm. The invention also relates to a plant for carrying out the method, and a vessel including such plant, as well as the use of the method and plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: PPM-Clean AB
    Inventors: Benny Karlström, Jan Hedkvist
  • Patent number: 8696872
    Abstract: An improved water desalination system is disclosed, in which contaminated water such as seawater or brackish water is preheated and fed into a primary pressure vessel through a distribution head. The seawater is distributed from the distribution head over a non-adherent surface such as a plurality of silicone chords hanging below a distribution tank or a cone- and cylindrical-shaped surface. The water is exposed to a high temperature steam environment in the chamber to cause at least a portion of the water in the contaminated water to evaporate, while the remaining concentrated salts from the contaminated water fall to the bottom of the chamber. A portion of the steam in the primary pressure vessel is withdrawn to be condensed into fresh water. The energy withdrawn with the steam extracted from the primary pressure vessel is made up by a supplemental energy apparatus, such as a steam generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Water Desalination International, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Passarelli
  • Patent number: 8696916
    Abstract: A process for purifying water via freezing is disclosed. The process may include: contacting an aqueous mixture with a flotation medium, wherein the flotation medium has a density greater than or equal to the density of ice or hydrate and less than the density of the aqueous mixture or concentrated brine at its freezing point; reducing the temperature of the aqueous mixture to a temperature equal to or below the freezing point of the aqueous mixture to form ice or hydrate and a concentrate; phase separating the concentrate and the flotation medium; recovering the concentrate; and recovering the ice or hydrate and flotation medium as a slurry. Upon melting, phase separation of the resultant water from the flotation medium may provide a purified water product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cryodesalination, LLC
    Inventor: Norbert Nathan Buchsbaum
  • Patent number: 8679291
    Abstract: A process for concentrating wastewater includes combining heated gas and liquid wastewater to form a mixture of heated gas and entrained liquid wastewater, breaking the entrained liquid wastewater into fine entrained liquid wastewater droplets, transferring heat from the heated gas to the entrained liquid wastewater to partially evaporate the entrained liquid wastewater, and removing a portion of the fine entrained liquid wastewater droplets from the mixture to provide a demisted gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Heartland Technology Partners LLC
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Michael J. Rutsch, Craig Clerkin
  • Patent number: 8679233
    Abstract: A method of modifying the apparent wettability (the area contacted by a liquid) of solids with liquids by controlling the surface geometry or the capillary geometry. This modification is possible by understanding the geometric relationship between the contact angle and the included angle of surface features. This same geometric relationship can be used to enhance two-phase fluid separation during phase transformation as well as measure dynamic contact angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Phillip G. Wapner, Wesley P. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20140076826
    Abstract: An improved circular multi-element semiconductor thermoelectric hybrid utilizes a make-before-break high frequency switching output component to provide nominal alternating current voltage outputs. Overall efficiency of heat conversion is improved by coupling a chiller to the thermoelectric generator where exhaust heat produces chilled liquid or air that is conveyed to the cold side of the thermoelectric device. The thermoelectric generator is used in a variety of transportation vehicles including manufactured vehicles, retrofitted vehicles and vehicle power combinations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Jon Murray Schroeder, Gerald Philip Hirsch
  • Publication number: 20140080183
    Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for using a single feedstock of barley to produce a fermented product and a method for filtering a large-particles stream from a liquid stream containing small particles of a process stream using a series of mechanical separation devices to increase yield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: ICM, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt A Dieker, Scott D. Kohl, Justin McMillen, Keith Tjaden
  • Patent number: 8673156
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for removing liquid from a suspension. More particularly, the present invention relates to a filtration apparatus using vacuum pressure, compressed air and radiant heat to facilitate extraction of water from a suspension and an air flow within the vacuum chamber to remove the evaporate as a cost-efficient and resource-efficient means of filtering and drying solids in large volumes of suspension to remove interstitial and chemically bound liquids, resulting in up to 100% total solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Gryphon Environmental, LLC
    Inventors: William Tid Smith Griffin, Joshua Michael-James DeArmond
  • Patent number: 8673158
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying wastewaters of melamine systems. The method is characterized in that triazine-containing wastewater is subjected to a thermal pretreatment stage, whereupon the vapors are condensed from the gas phase of the thermal pretreatment stage, and the liquid phase of the thermal pretreatment stage is subjected to a thermal hydrolysis stage while NH3 is isolated from the obtained liquid phase containing H2O, CO2, and NH3. The inventive method makes it possible to compensate varying wastewater qualities, thus allowing the melamine system and wastewater station to be operated in a constant and safe fashion. Furthermore, the strain on the subsequent thermal hydrolysis stage is relieved with the aid of the thermal pretreatment stage of the inventive method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: AMI Agrolinz Melamine International GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruech, Christoph Neumüller, Thomas Wallek
  • Publication number: 20140073038
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method recovers oil from a concentrated byproduct, such as evaporated thin stillage formed during a dry milling process used for producing ethanol. The method includes forming a concentrate from the byproduct and recovering oil from the concentrate. The step of forming the concentrate may comprise evaporating the byproduct. Further, the step of separating the oil from the concentrate may comprise using a centrifuge and, in particular, a disk stack centrifuge. Other aspects of the invention include related methods and subsystems for recovering oil from thin stillage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: GS CLEANTECH CORPORATION
    Inventor: DAVID J. WINSNESS
  • Publication number: 20140054238
    Abstract: A method of treating water, applicable to sterilise water for drinking or to treat ballast water, may include flowing water through a conduit containing a reduced pressure zone arranged to reduce the pressure of the flow by at least 102 to a sub-atmospheric pressure. The method may include passing water through a siphon conduit having a headspace provided with a gas removal pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Seafarm Products AS
    Inventor: Morten Aga
  • Patent number: 8652333
    Abstract: A process for removing a solvent from a source solution, said process comprising a) contacting the source solution with one side of a selectively permeable membrane, b) contacting a draw solution having a higher osmotic pressure (higher solute concentration) than the source solution with the opposite side of the membrane, such that solvent from the source solution passes across the membrane to dilute the draw solution by direct osmosis, c) removing solvent from the diluted draw solution to regenerate the draw solution, and d) recycling the regenerated draw solution to step a), characterized in that a portion of the draw solution is discarded or treated before and/or after the draw solution is regenerated in step c) so as to reduce the concentration of any solute species present in the draw solution from the source solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Surrey Aquatechnology Limited
    Inventor: Peter Nicoll
  • Patent number: 8652303
    Abstract: A desalination device includes a vessel, a breathable sheet, a water-repellent particle layer and a tank layer. The tank layer is positioned at the lower portion inside the vessel and the breathable sheet is interposed between the water-repellent particle layer and the tank layer. The breathable sheet includes a through-hole, the water-repellent particle layer is composed of a plurality of water-repellent particles, and the surface of the respective water-repellent particles includes a water-repellent film. The saltwater is desalted by a step of pouring saltwater into the vessel to dispose the saltwater on the surface of the water-repellent particle layer, a step of heating the saltwater to evaporate the saltwater into vapor; and a step of liquefying the vapor to obtain fresh water in the tank layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Norihisa Mino, Daisuke Ueda
  • Patent number: 8641908
    Abstract: A method of recovering polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from municipal waste sludge includes: (a) measuring a solid content in the municipal waste sludge in terms of a volatile suspended solid in the municipal waste sludge; (b) removing supernatant from the municipal waste sludge; (c) freezing the municipal waste sludge; (d) conducting a pretreatment of the municipal waste sludge that has been frozen; (e) adding a surfactant into the pretreated sludge to obtain a slurry; (f) adding a controlled amount of sodium hypochlorite solution to the municipal waste sludge obtained in step (e), a ratio of a volume of the sodium hypochlorite solution to the solid content of the municipal waste sludge ranging from 0.67 mg/ml to 1.25 mg/ml and being defined as a liquid-solid ratio; and (g) separating PHAs from non-PHAs substances in the municipal waste sludge obtained in the step (f).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: National Chi Nan University
    Inventors: Yung-Pin Tsai, Meng-Shan Lu, Chih-Chi Yang, Shou-Te Chen
  • Patent number: 8641907
    Abstract: A method of recovering polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from municipal waste sludge includes: (a) removing coarse particles in the municipal waste sludge and measuring a solid content in the municipal waste sludge in terms of a volatile suspended solid in the municipal waste sludge; (b) removing a supernatant from the municipal waste sludge; (c) freezing the municipal waste sludge; (d) adding a controlled amount of sodium hypochlorite solution to the municipal waste sludge that has been frozen, a ratio of the solid content of the municipal waste sludge to a volume of the sodium hypochlorite solution added in step (d) ranging from 0.67 mg/ml to 4 mg/ml and being defined as a liquid-solid ratio; and (e) separating PHAs from non-PHAs substances in the municipal waste sludge obtained in the step (d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: National Chi Nan University
    Inventors: Yung-Pin Tsai, Meng-Shan Lu, Chih-Chi Yang, Shou-Te Chen
  • Patent number: 8637718
    Abstract: A method and system of converting biomass to biochar in a hydrothermal carbonization apparatus wherein subcritical water at a temperature of 230-350° C. and 500-3000 psi is reacted with the biomass to form biochar, biocrude and gases. The method and system include recycling the biocrude back to the hydrothermal carbonization apparatus which improves biochar yield and provides water for the biomass reaction to occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Auburn University
    Inventors: Ram B. Gupta, Sandeep Kumar, Lingzhao Kong
  • Publication number: 20140021143
    Abstract: A system for treating ballast water in ballast tanks onboard vessels and offshore constructions is provided. The system comprises one or more ballast tanks, a circulation pump capable of circulating or recirculating, via a tubing, ballast water from and to the one or more ballast tanks, a gas supply unit which is connected to the tubing on the delivery side of the recirculation pump in such a manner that gas, such as air and/or inert gas such as nitrogen and/or carbon dioxide can be supplied to the ballast water; and one or more nozzle heads that are functionally connected to the tubing and is/are arranged in one or more ballast tanks, said one or more nozzle heads comprising at least one nozzle for injection of the gas-containing water into the one or more ballast tanks, and a device configured for removing and/or killing live organisms in the ballast water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: BAWAT A/S
    Inventor: Jan Stumpe Hummer
  • Patent number: 8632686
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to remove water content in organic solvents characterized in that it comprises treatment tank 10 to which organic solvent is introduced, solvent inlet section 1 that introduces the organic solvent, solvent outlet section 2 from which the treated organic solvent is discharged, inert gas inlet section 3 from which inert gas is introduced, treatment gas outlet section 4 from which gas is discharged, cooling treatment tank 20 in which the treatment gas is cooled and the gas and liquid are separated, treatment gas inlet section 5 from which the treatment gas is introduced, recovered liquid outlet section 6 from which the separated liquid organic solvent is discharged, and waste gas outlet section 7 from which the separated gas is discharged, and that the water content in the organic solvent is removed by having the inert gas flow over the entire liquid surface of the organic solvent inside treatment tank 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventors: Terumasa Koura, Takashi Kameoka
  • Publication number: 20140008210
    Abstract: The present invention provides a filtration chamber comprising a microfabricated filter enclosed in a housing, wherein the surface of said filter and/or the inner surface of said housing are modified by vapor deposition, sublimation, vapor-phase surface reaction, or particle sputtering to produce a uniform coating; and a method for separating cells of a fluid sample, comprising: a) dispensing a fluid sample into the filtration chamber disclosed herein; and b) providing fluid flow of the fluid sample through the filtration chamber, wherein components of the fluid sample flow through or are retained by the filter based on the size, shape, or deformability of the components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Antonio GUIA, Douglas T. YAMANISHI, Andrea GHETTI, Guoliang TAO, Huimin TAO, Ky TRUONG, Lei WU, Xiaobo WANG
  • Publication number: 20130343953
    Abstract: Provided are devices, device systems, and methods to intercept and kill fluid borne cancer cells to slow or prevent metastases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eric V. Kline
  • Patent number: 8609874
    Abstract: Processes and methods of recovering desired products from fermentation stillage are presented, including processes and methods of recovering lipids and aqueous materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Edeniq, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Root Woods, Vahik Krikorian, Juston Smithers
  • Patent number: 8608970
    Abstract: A system and method for hardwood pulp liquid hydrolysate conditioning includes a first evaporator receives a hardwood mix extract and outputting a quantity of vapor and extract. A hydrolysis unit receives the extract, hydrolyzes and outputs to a lignin separation device, which separates and recovers a quantity of lignin. A neutralization device receives extract from the lignin separation device and a neutralizing agent, producing a mixture of solid precipitate and a fifth extract. The solid precipitate is removed from the fifth extract. A second evaporator removes a quantity of acid from the fifth extract in a vapor form. This vapor may be recycled to improve total acid recovery or discarded. A desalination device receives the diluted extract, separates out some of the acid and salt and outputs a desalinated solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignees: Red Shield Acquisition, LLC, University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Darrell M. Waite, Richard Arnold, James St. Pierre, Hemant P. Pendse, William H. Ceckler
  • Publication number: 20130327719
    Abstract: An automated lubrication oil filtration device including an oil pump adapted to transfer a lubrication oil from an engine to an oil reservoir, an oil heater associated with the oil reservoir and adapted to increase a temperature of the lubrication oil, a filter pump adapted to transfer the lubrication oil from the oil reservoir through a filtering device and return the lubrication oil to the oil reservoir, and a programmable logic controller adapted to control operation of the oil pump, the oil heater, and the filter pump. The oil heater maintains the temperature of the lubrication oil at a desired temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventor: William J. Van Ee