Filtering Immiscible Liquids Patents (Class 210/799)
  • Publication number: 20110174746
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system and method for treating wastewater in a filter media apparatus having a draft tube system. The filter media may be walnut shell media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Chad L. Felch, Michael Howdeshell, Eric a. Lorge, Bryan J. Kumfer, Stuart J. Munson, Matthew Patterson
  • Publication number: 20110168647
    Abstract: Disclosed are modular filter-in-filter elements, namely an outer filter element and an inner filter element which may be assembled to form a filter cartridge for use in separation methods and systems. The outer filter element typically functions as a coalescing element and the inner element typically functions as a particulate filter element. The disclosed filter cartridges may be structured for separating water from a hydrocarbon-based liquid fuel as the fuel moves through the cartridge from outside to inside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP INC.
    Inventors: Mark T. Wieczorek, Terry Shults, William C. Haberkamp, Jonathan Sheumaker, Barry M. Verdegan, Christopher Holm, Brian W. Schwandt
  • Publication number: 20110139728
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for separation of substance mixtures on the micro scale. The invention further relates to a process for separating substance mixtures using the inventive device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicants: BAYER TECHNOLOGY SERVICES GMBH, EHRFELD MIKROTECHNIK BTS GMBH
    Inventors: Jürgen Kern, Thomas Runowski, Marcus Paul Grün, Gerhard Ruffert, Rebeka Zecirovic, Jörg-Rainer Schmitz, Helmut Mothes, Olaf Stange, Frank Herbstritt
  • Publication number: 20110088800
    Abstract: A drain system and method for draining a first liquid, including a collection vessel having a first chamber arranged to receive the first liquid, a second chamber, and higher and lower valves positioned between the first and second chambers. When the valves are open, liquids can pass between the chambers. When the pressure in the second chamber exceeds that in the first chamber by more than a first predetermined amount, the valves are closed. A first outlet to the second chamber allows liquids to flow from the second chamber. In a first mode, the first inlet supplies a second liquid at a pressure higher than that of the first liquid in the first chamber such that the valves are closed. In a second mode, the first inlet stops supplying the second liquid such that the pressure in the second chamber reduces relative to the first chamber allowing the valves open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: Phillip R. Core
  • Patent number: 7879245
    Abstract: In a process for treating effluent water, a stream of effluent water is fed to a porous ceramic media filled reactor. Organic and inorganic impurities are absorbed and/or oxidized from the effluent water into the media and/or off-gases. The remainder of the effluent water stream is dispensed from the reactor in an outlet stream suitable for direct discharge to the sea or for recycling without incurring the disadvantages of generating a solid sludge. The reactor includes a chamber containing activated media, such as pellets of porous ceramic material. The pellets are stored in a vertical stacks of sub chambers defined by horizontal perforated trays and/or in a horizontal chains of sub chambers defined by vertical perforated baffles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventors: Gary W. Markham, Harmon L. Kirkpatrick, Rick Guercio, Douglas E. Mast, Stanley C. Gustas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7850929
    Abstract: An internal static mixing system such as a disperser of mesh wire or expanded metal co-knit with a multi filament material selected from inert polymers, catalytic polymers, catalytic metals or mixtures in combination with a vertical reactor having a reaction zone and the disperser disposed in said reaction zone, particularly for carrying out paraffin alkylation using acid catalyst is disclosed. The wire mesh provides the structural integrity of the system as well as the open space required in reactors for the movement of vapors and liquids though the system. The disperser may be in sheets, bundles or bales or positioned within a frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Catalytic Distillation Technologies
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Smith, Jr., Abraham P. Gelbein, John R. Adams
  • Patent number: 7846342
    Abstract: A mobile dehydration system that is operable to remove water from a supply of fluid, such as hydraulic fluid. The mobile dehydration system includes a fluid pump that draws the supply of hydraulic fluid from a storage tank. The flow of hydraulic fluid passes through a fluid heater that elevates the temperature of the hydraulic fluid. The fluid heater includes at least one flow restricting orifice that reduces the pressure of the flow of hydraulic fluid, thereby elevating the temperature of the hydraulic fluid. The outlet of the fluid heater is connected to a dehydrator that removes water from the flow of hydraulic fluid. A fluid feedback line is connected between the outlet of the fluid heater and the inlet of the fluid pump to return a portion of the hydraulic fluid flow when the flow rate through the dehydrator is less than the flow rate from the fluid pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Putzmeister America, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles N. Johnson, Uwe E. Zimmermann, Carsten Funk
  • Patent number: 7833499
    Abstract: A separation process for separating two or more immiscible liquids using fiber-film technology is disclosed. This separation process is especially useful in the separation of disulfide oil formed during the oxidation of spent caustic solution that was used to remove sulfur contaminates from light hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Merichem Company
    Inventors: Tiejun Zang, V. Kenneth Turner
  • Publication number: 20100218946
    Abstract: A method for treating water at a water treatment facility is provided. In one aspect, the water has been circulated through a subsurface formation in a shale oil development area. The subsurface formation may comprise shale that has been spent due to pyrolysis of formation hydrocarbons. The method in one embodiment includes receiving the water at the water treatment facility, and treating the water at the water treatment facility in order to (i) substantially separate oil from the water, (ii) substantially remove organic materials from the water, (iii) substantially reduce hardness and alkalinity of the water, (iv) substantially remove dissolved inorganic solids from the water, and/or (v) substantially remove suspended solids from the water. The method may further includes delivering the water that has been treated at the water treatment facility re-injecting the treated water into the subsurface formation to continue leaching out contaminants from the spent shale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: William A. Symington, Piyush S. Shah, John D. Miller, Jesse D. Yeakel, Ganesh L. Ghurye
  • Publication number: 20100213144
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly and related methods for separating hydrocarbon emulsions in a fluid is provided. The nozzle assembly comprises an impingement plate into which hydrocarbon emulsions are ejected causing large emulsion particles in the fluid to be broken apart upon impact with the plate, thus allowing the various constituent components of the emulsion to be more easily separated. In certain embodiments, impact of the hydrocarbon emulsions into the impingement plate also expose clean surfaces on the various components of the emulsion fluid that can more easily interact with any surfactant that may be mixed with the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Deberry, JR., Craig R. Green
  • Publication number: 20100193446
    Abstract: A separation unit for separating oil from oily water has a first oil to water ratio and the separation unit comprises a body which defines an inner chamber and which has a first end-wall and an opposite second end-wall and first and second side-walls that extend between the first end-wall and the second end-wall. The inner chamber is at least partly delimited by the first end-wall and the second end-wall, the first side-wall and the second side-wall. The separation unit further comprises a third wall which constitutes a separation wall extending from the first end-wall towards the second end-wall and divides the inner chamber into a first and a second sub-chamber. An inlet is defined at the first side-wall and the first end-wall and a first outlet is defined at the second side-wall and the first end-wall. A passage is defined at the third wall and the second end-wall and a fluid path from the inlet which passes through the first sub-chamber and the passage and the second sub-chamber to the first outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Tommy Byskov
  • Patent number: 7762976
    Abstract: An apparatus for extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient's blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. The apparatus comprises a bubble sensor, arranged at or connected to a venous line, for detecting bubbles in the venous blood received from the patient. When air bubbles are detected, a second pump is activated to draw air from an air chamber provided in an air filter connected to the venous line and arranged downstream of the bubble sensor. A first pump draws the blood from the air filter and supplies the blood to an oxygenator and to the patient via an arterial line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Sorin Group Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Schreyer, Erwin Knott, Andreas Hahn
  • Publication number: 20100133205
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a remotely-actuable actuator connected to a drain valve of a fuel-water separator for manually remotely operating the drain valve, and an elongated drain tube connected to the separator's drain port for dispensing liquid separated by the separator to a desired remote location for collection. The apparatus can be installed in a convenient location in a vehicle, such as to the vehicle's fender well, where it is easily operated and where waste is easily collected. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Steven P. Kuhn
  • Publication number: 20100122899
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the small-scale separation of a mixture of two or more components with different boiling points into enriched fractions. In some embodiments, a first and second fluid (e.g., a liquid and a gas, a liquid and a liquid, etc.) are passed through a channel. The first fluid may comprise at least two components, each with a unique boiling point. Upon contacting the first and second fluids within the channel, at least a portion of the most volatile of the components in the first fluid (i.e., the component with the lowest boiling point) may be transferred from the first fluid to the second fluid. In some instances, the transfer of the volatile component(s) from the first fluid to the second fluid may be expedited by heating, in some cases above the boiling point(s) of the component(s) to be transferred from the first fluid to the second fluid. Contact between the first and second fluids may be maintained, for example, via segmented flow, bubbling flow, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ryan L. Hartman, Hemantkumar R. Sahoo, Klavs F. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20100116751
    Abstract: There is disclosed a material for separating a liquid from a mixture of at least two liquids, for example, for separating water from fuel. In one embodiment, the material comprises a fibrous substrate and carbon nanotubes, both of which have at least one functional group attached thereto. There is also disclosed a method for separating one liquid from another liquid using the disclosed material. In one embodiment, the method comprises flowing a mixture of liquids through the disclosed material, and either coalescing or separating at least one liquid by use of the carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Vardhan Bajpai, Christopher H. Cooper
  • Publication number: 20100089132
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method to obtain a bitumen or heavy oil sample from an oil reservoir sample, such as a core sample, to enable measurement of physical properties such as viscosity, API gravity, or chemical properties such as sulphur content of the obtained bitumen or heavy oil sample. The analyses performed on the samples obtained in accordance with the invention are effective in assisting oil field operators in making timely drilling and production decisions at the oil reservoir or for routine laboratory extraction of oils and bitumens. The invention also permits the collection of samples from simulated thermal recovery operations and also allows the collection of bitumens and oils for online analysis of live oil physical properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen Richard Larter, Chunqing Jiang, Thomas Bernhard Olderburg, Jennifer Jane Adams, Kimberley Jane Noke, Barry Bennett, Ian Donald Gates, Lloyd Ross Snowdon
  • Patent number: 7635435
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating immiscible liquids in a dispersion containing an aqueous liquid and at least one dispersed non-aqueous liquid by passing the dispersion through a series of absorbents, preferably polymeric. The direction of the flow through the absorbent is periodically changed. The period required before a change of the flow direction is established by the differential pressure. There is a gradual increase in the differential pressure across the absorbents which indicates a blockage due to viscous oil and/or solids. The product produced by the method and the apparatus of the invention is a polished non-aqueous phase and a polished aqueous phase both having low contaminant levels. In a preferred embodiment when solids are also present in the dispersion, a solids stream is also recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Separatech Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Amine Benachenhou
  • Publication number: 20090255867
    Abstract: A filtration appliance for wastewater purification, preferably for a sewage treatment plant, in particular for a small sewage treatment plant, including at least one ceramic-based membrane for separating off microorganisms, to a sewage treatment plant having such a filtration appliance, a method of purifying wastewater, in particular in a sewage treatment plant, wherein microorganisms present in the wastewater are separated off by means of at least one ceramic-based membrane, and also to the use of a ceramic-based membrane as filter for separating off microorganisms and, if appropriate, fine solids, from wastewaters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: ItN Nanovation AG
    Inventor: Ralph Nonninger
  • Patent number: 7597809
    Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for separating oil and other contaminants (particularly oleophilic compounds) from water and other carriers. The invention is particularly useful for separating oil and other oleophilic compounds from bilgewater and other wastewater. The compositions typically comprise a hydrocarbon resin and a drying oil. The compounds in the composition are typically combined in an organic solvent. For example, hydrocarbon resin and tung oil are optionally combined into a naphtha solvent. The invention is particularly useful for separating emulsified oil from water, whether oil in water emulsions or water in oil emulsions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Inventor: David Roberts
  • Publication number: 20090211991
    Abstract: Filtering a dispersed phase (e.g. oil) from a continuous liquid (e.g. water) of a dispersion a filter, for filtering a dispersed phase from a continuous liquid of a dispersion, the filter including a substrate having a plurality of apertures each extending directly through the substrate between a first surface and a second surface and a layer of material applied over at least a portion of the first surface, wherein the material rejects the continuous liquid to a greater extent than the dispersed liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Serguei Rudolfovich Kosvintsev, Richard Graham Holdich, Iain William Cumming
  • Patent number: 7575690
    Abstract: Hydrocarbon stimulation fluids are often used to increase the permeability and productivity of oil and gas reservoirs. The fluid itself is made up of a mixture of hydrocarbons and various chemicals designed to induce gel formation and gel breaking. The successful removal of these chemicals from the fluid has been achieved, through a process of acid-washing and filtration. This will allow the fluid to be re-used many times for further fracturing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Synoil Fluids Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun T. Mesher, Amanda G. Jarvis
  • Patent number: 7572382
    Abstract: Hydrocarbon stimulation fluids are often used to increase the permeability and productivity of oil and gas reservoirs. The fluid itself is made up of a mixture of hydrocarbons and various chemicals designed to induce gel formation and gel breaking. The successful removal of these chemicals from the fluid has been achieved, through a process of acid-washing, mixing with a settling agent, centrifugation and filtration. This will allow the fluid to be re-used many times for further fracturing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Synoil Fluids Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun T. Mesher, Amanda G. Jarvis, Robin Tudor
  • Patent number: 7553418
    Abstract: This is a method of filtration of a liquid comprising steps of sequential filtration of said liquid through at least one deep bed medium producing at least one first filtrate followed by at least one membrane medium filtration producing at least one second filtrate, wherein said membrane medium is at least periodically within said deep bed media Many types of deep bed and membrane media can be used. The domain of using contact clarification (direct filtration) can be expanded towards greater solids concentration. Operation and backwash, is simplified, continuous filtration becomes possible. Water can be water from natural source water, process water, wastewater, aqueous or non-aqueous suspensions, emulsions, solutions. Treatment can include mechanical interception of suspended particles, chemical, physical chemical, electrochemical, and biological processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Khudenko Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Boris M. Khudenko, Rocco M. Palazzolo, James R. Stafford
  • Publication number: 20090114609
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for filtering contaminated water from an oil or gas well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: Robert L. Miller
  • Patent number: 7527697
    Abstract: To provide a process for removing water, capable of maintaining good water removal performance for a long time continuously and constantly. A process for removing water, which comprises a dipping step of dipping an article having water attached on its surface, in a solvent composition comprising at least one member selected from a hydrochlorofluorocarbon, a hydrofluorocarbon and a hydrofluoroether, and an alcohol, as the essential components, to carry out removal of water, a specific gravity separation step of separating water from the solvent composition containing the water removed from the article, by a specific gravity separation method, and a filtration step of filtering the solvent composition having the water removed in the specific gravity separation step, through a coalescer type filter to further remove water remaining in the solvent composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Masaaki Tsuzaki, Tsuyoshi Hanada
  • Patent number: 7527738
    Abstract: An oil spill containment system for containing oil spills or leaks from an oil containing vessel. In one embodiment, the oil spill containment system comprises a geosynthetic material defining a number of cells, with an oil absorbing material and an oil adsorbing material received in the cells of the geosynthetic material. This system contains oil which spills or leaks from the oil containing vessel while allowing water from rain or snow melt to permeate through the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Kinectrics Inc.
    Inventors: Luciano A. Gonzalez, Blair F. Sim, Ron H. K. Tsang, Alexander Z. Mlynarczyk
  • Patent number: 7527739
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for multistage water separation. A first separation layer separates water droplets from a fuel flow by repelling the first water droplets. A coalescing layer may coalesce fine water droplets in the fuel flow. In one embodiment, a centrifugal separator directs the fuel flow tangentially to a filter wall and the centrifugal force of the fuel flow directed tangentially along the filter wall biases water droplets from the fuel flow. A second separation layer separates second water droplets from the fuel flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Fleetguard Inc
    Inventors: Zemin Jiang, Ted S. Loftis, Mark J. Johnson, Barry M. Verdegan
  • Publication number: 20090101729
    Abstract: A fragrance is held in one or more layers of a three-layer liquid mixture. The three layers are mutually immiscible to form an aesthetically pleasing effect while the specific gravities of the layers are adjusted so as to provide for their transfer to the atmosphere via a simple wick. Such adjustment is determined as a function of the wicking material that is used. The formulation of the mixture involves the combination of two mutually immiscible non-aqueous components that are temporarily rendered miscible during the formulation process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: LATITUDES INTERNATIONAL
    Inventor: Ron Newman
  • Patent number: 7517944
    Abstract: Provided a process for producing a polycarbonate which comprises reacting an aqueous alkali solution of a dihydric phenol with phosgene in the presence of an organic solvent to produce a polycarbonate oligomer and subsequently polycondensing the oligomer, wherein an emulsion solution of a polycarbonate oligomer-containing organic solvent obtained in the polycarbonate oligomer production step is introduced into a coalescer to separate the emulsion solution into a polycarbonate oligomer-containing organic solvent phase and an aqueous phase, and the polycarbonate oligomer-containing organic solvent phase is subjected to polycondensation. Thus the emulsion solution of a polycarbonate oligomer-containing organic solvent obtained in the polycarbonate oligomer production step is efficiently separated to reduce the content of impurity-containing water in the oligomer for producing a polycarbonate having excellent quality and to a obtain wastewater having a low content of organic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kunishi, Eizo Saito
  • Publication number: 20090087641
    Abstract: A method for making a porous material, includes melt-blending two or more non-miscible polymers to obtain a co-continuous melt, solidifying the melt to obtain a solid mass consisting of two co-continuous polymer phases, and selectively extracting one of the co-continuous phases thereby creating within the solid mass an essentially continuous pore network having an internal surface. The method further includes replicating the internal surface of the pore network within the solid mass by coating the internal surface with successive layers of materials, and selectively extracting the solid mass without extracting the layers of materials, to thereby yield the product porous material, formed of the layers of materials. The material has a void fraction higher than about 75%, and mainly having essentially fully interconnected sheath-like non-spherical pores and essentially non-fibrous walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Basil D. Favis, Pierre Sarazin, Xavier Roy
  • Publication number: 20090032475
    Abstract: A layer of fluoropolymer fine fiber can be made. The fine fiber can be made by electrospinning from a solvent or a solvent blend. The layers of the invention are useful in general filtration of fluid streams including gaseous and liquid streams. The fine fiber layers are also useful as hydrophobic filtration layers that can be used to separate water from a hydrocarbon stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Ismael Ferrer, Chuanfang Yang
  • Publication number: 20080308503
    Abstract: A separation process for separating two or more immiscible liquids using fiber-film technology is disclosed. This separation process is especially useful in the separation of disulfide oil formed during the oxidation of spent caustic solution that was used to remove sulfur contaminates from light hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Tiejun Zhang, V. Keith Turner
  • Patent number: 7445708
    Abstract: A unit for purifying water contaminated by droplets of hydrocarbonaceous liquid has an essentially vertically positioned filter, an inlet chamber for the contaminated water that is partially defined by a first vertical surface of the filter, supply means for contaminated water debouching in the lower portion of the inlet chamber, and outlet means connected to the upper portion of the inlet chamber for discharging hydrocarbonaceous liquid separated from the water in the inlet chamber. The operational period between filter cleaning and/or the hourly capacity of the filter is increased by injecting fine gas bubbles into the contaminated water in least one location selected from locations in the lower portion of the inlet chamber and locations in the supply means to produce a stream of gas bubbles upwards along the first vertical filter surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: M-I Epcon AS
    Inventor: Stein Egil Oserod
  • Publication number: 20080237152
    Abstract: A separator of the present invention provides a means for separating a immiscible dispersion of at least one oil from water. The separator adapted for use with a flow generator, includes a housing, a coalescing cartridge within the housing, the cartridge retains a coalescing media and defines at least one cavity or passage, permitting flow of the dispersion into and out of the passage; and a flow regulator comprising a constriction and the regulator displaceable between an open and a closed position and permitting liquid flow out of the passage when in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Amine BENACHENHOU
  • Patent number: 7429332
    Abstract: A device for separating constituents of a fluid mixture includes an elongate vessel oriented at an acute angle to horizontal. The vessel is operable to receive the fluid mixture and direct the fluid mixture to flow in a convection cell spanning substantially a length of the vessel. The convection cell is formed by gravitational forces acting on the fluid mixture and is operable to deposit a heavy constituent of the fluid mixture about a lower end of the vessel and a light constituent of the fluid mixture about an upper end of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim B. Surjaatmadja, Timothy H. Hunter
  • Patent number: 7416667
    Abstract: A process for separating an aqueous emulsion including an aqueous phase and an non-aqueous phase into separated aqueous and non-aqueous phases, to provide a recovered non-aqueous phase, and to provide a recovered aqueous phase containing an acceptable level of the non-aqueous phase. In the process, at least one body, and preferably two or more bodies, of polymeric material with a high surface area, typically a foam material or polymer chips, is used in a horizontal flow treatment system to break the emulsion and thus provide both the aqueous and non-aqueous phases as two separate flows. A wide range of polymers can be used in the system as the polymeric material including polyurethane, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester, and polyethylene. If a very low level of non-aqueous phase in the effluent is required, for example to meet potable water standards, then a Kozlowski polyurethane, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,040, is preferred as the last polymeric material body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: ProSep Inc.
    Inventors: Amine Benachenou, Jean-Pierre Parent
  • Patent number: 7416103
    Abstract: A compact soldering apparatus capable of increasing reliability of products by reducing occurrence of dross and using lead-free solder, wherein a primary jet nozzle 1, a secondary jet nozzle 2, and a pump (not shown) forming jet waves 24, 25 are installed in a solder tank 6 reservoiring molten solder S. Guide plates 4, 5 are installed between the jet nozzles 1, 2 above a solder face F of the molten solder S on a position where the molten solder is dropped. The guide plates 4, 5 formed into a V-shape are provided with solder guide portions crossing each other so as to drop the molten solder S at different positions on the solder face F of the solder tank 6. Molten solder dropped onto upper portions of the guide plates 4, 5 passes through the solder guide portions and is made to fall on a nozzle side different to a nozzle side where the solder is flowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7413657
    Abstract: A process for the extraction of an unwanted material from a fluid containing the unwanted material comprising the steps of introducing an immiscible extraction fluid into the fluid having an unwanted material therein to form a plurality of extraction fluid droplets in the fluid, allowing the plurality of extraction fluid droplets to hydrophilicly interact with the unwanted material in the fluid to cause the extraction fluid droplets to form into a plurality of coalesceable droplets, coalescing the coalesceable droplets into larger droplets containing the unwanted material, and separating the larger droplets containing the unwanted material from the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Porous Media Ltd.
    Inventors: Mathews J. Thundyil, Heath Burns, Douglas M. Mittlesteadt, Martin G. Miller, Michael R. Spearman
  • Publication number: 20080149573
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for removing contaminants from seawater by an evaporation/condensation process. The method and system utilize alternative energy sources, such as geothermal, solar, and wind energy. The system may include a water separation unit powered by a geothermal system to sufficiently vaporize source water. The system may further include a first input line configured to receive the source water for distillation by the water separation unit. A first heat exchanger coupled to the first input line is powered by a plurality of energy harnessing devices. The first heat exchanger is configured to preheat the source water. At least one second heat exchanger powered by the plurality of energy harnessing devices is configured to condense the vaporized source water into a distilled water product. The plurality of energy harnessing devices are electrically connected to a roadway system electricity grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Genedics LLC
    Inventors: Gene S. Fein, Edward Merritt
  • Publication number: 20080105629
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems, articles, and methods for removing water from hydrocarbon fluids. In an embodiment, the invention includes a water/fuel separation system including a filter housing and a filter element disposed within the filter housing. The filter element can include a separation article including a porous polymer layer having and a porous substrate comprising a hydrophobic surface. In an embodiment, the invention includes a filter element for separating emulsified water from a hydrocarbon fluid. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for filtering water out of a hydrocarbon fluid including passing a hydrocarbon fluid through a separation article including a polymer layer comprising polytetrafluoroethylene; and a porous substrate comprising a hydrophobic surface, the polymer layer disposed on the porous substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: DONALDSON COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Chuanfang YANG, Kirit PATEL, Robert PANNEPACKER
  • Patent number: 7364663
    Abstract: A filter system for receiving an oil-in-water emulsion contaminated with an emulsified contaminant oil, and separating the emulsified contaminant oil from the oil-in-water emulsion includes a filter media for receiving the oil-in-water emulsion and emulsified contaminant oil, having an inner filter element formed from a 95 percent single pass efficiency 48 micron (5 micron nominal) filtering material of needle punch polypropylene felt, an outer filter element formed from a 95 percent single pass efficiency 19 micron absolute filtering material of a polypropylene microfiber material and a porous spunbond polypropylene sandwiching the outer filter media. The filter element de-emulsifies the emulsified contaminant oil from the oil-in-water emulsion into the contaminant oil and the oil-in-water emulsion, separates the de-emulsified contaminant oil from the oil-in-water emulsion, coalesces the separated contaminant oil and passes both the coalesced de-emulsified contaminant oil and the oil-in-water emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Heritage-Crystal Clean, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas Alan Larson
  • Patent number: 7329347
    Abstract: The invention relates to a separating device for separating a first liquid from a second liquid, wherein the first liquid has a lower specific density than the second liquid. The separating device comprises a receptacle with an inside wall, an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet is arranged above the outlet, and a separating member made of a permeable filter material that is capable of adsorbing the first liquid and is arranged within the receptacle between the inlet and the outlet and is configured in such a manner that it floats on the second liquid when it is clean, and sinks with the increasing adsorption of the first liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Beko Technologies GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Schlensker
  • Patent number: 7300575
    Abstract: A filter system for receiving an aqueous-based fluid contaminated with particles and emulsified contaminant oil, removing the particles, and separating the emulsified contaminant oil from the aqueous-based fluid includes a filter media for receiving the aqueous-based fluid and emulsified contaminant oil, having an inner filter element formed from a 95 percent single pass efficiency 48 micron (5 micron nominal) filtering material of needle punch polypropylene felt, an outer filter element formed from a 95 percent single pass efficiency 19 micron absolute filtering material of a polypropylene microfiber material and a porous spunbond polypropylene sandwiching the outer filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Heritage Crystal Clean, LLC
    Inventor: Doug Larson
  • Publication number: 20070221586
    Abstract: A system for entering a mixture of oil and water thereinto which develops a high back pressure, and via causing said mixture to pass through a mixture of polypropylene and plastic beads in an upper approximately ? thereof, and polypropylene in the lower approximately ? thereof, providing water at an outlet from which the oil has been removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventor: John C. Ruprecht
  • Patent number: 7247241
    Abstract: Process for treating lipophilic fluids employing filters, more particularly, multifunctional filters that are capable of removing as well as adding components to lipophilic fluids being filtered are provided by the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Paul Amaat Raymond Gerard France, Arseni Valerevich Radomyselski, Dewey Edward Burton
  • Patent number: 7163636
    Abstract: A multi-phase separation system utilized to remove contaminants from fluids includes a pre-filtering module for filtering a contaminated fluid to provide a filtered contaminated fluid. A condenser module receives the filtered contaminated fluid and a contaminated gas phase for condensing the contaminated gas phase to a contaminated liquid. A phase reaction chamber converts the filtered contaminated fluid to a contaminated mist wherein the mist is subjected to a low energy, high vacuum environment for providing a first change of phase by separating into a contaminated gas phase and a liquid mist phase. The contaminated gas phase is carried out of the phase reaction chamber by a carrier air. A vacuum pump provides the low energy, high vacuum environment in the phase reaction chamber and delivers the contaminated gas phase to the condenser module for condensation providing a second change of phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Phase Separation, LLC
    Inventor: Wayne W. Spani
  • Patent number: 7094344
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a filter device for removing impurities contained in liquid. A filter housing 18 is provided with a container for accommodating a filter bag 2 therein, a deposit recovery tank 3 for recovering a deposit and a floating material recovery tank 4 for recovering a floating material. Thus, it is possible to prevent any deterioration of filtration performance caused by filtered and separated impurities, and to achieve both of filtration and specific gravity difference separation by a single device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Shirakawa, Toshihiro Aramaki, Ichiro Tominaga
  • Patent number: 7014779
    Abstract: A vacuum separation, transport and collection system for immiscible liquids includes a separator (12) for separating two immiscible liquids such as oil and a water-based coolant, and for directing the separated immiscible liquid into a holder (16). A collector (18) is secured through a vacuum line (20) with the holder (16) and a vacuum generator (22) applies a vacuum to the collector (18) and holder (16). A controller (28) controls the vacuum generator (22) to apply a vacuum to the collector (18) and the holder (16) for a predetermined vacuum duty cycle for periodically removing separated immiscible liquid (26) from the holder (16) into the collector (18). Contaminants in the immiscible liquid cannot degrade performance of the system because such contaminants do not contact the vacuum generator (22) or controller (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Edward C. Kirchner
  • Patent number: 6926827
    Abstract: A fuel dispenser filter for filtering fuel is adapted to be connected to a support in a fuel distribution system. The filter comprises a housing including an adaptor constructed and arranged to be secured to the support and a bowl operatively connected to the adaptor. A stud/spacer is secured in the adaptor. The stud/spacer defines a centrally disposed outlet flow passage and outwardly disposed inlet flow passages. A sleeve member is movably supported in the adaptor between the stud/spacer and the adaptor. The sleeve member is constructed and arranged to open and close the fuel flow through the inlet flow passages. A filter assembly including filter media is provided in the bowl for filtering the fuel passing through the filter. When the bowl is firmly engaged with the adaptor, the sleeve member is moved to open position to permit the flow of fuel through the filter and when the bowl is removed from the adaptor, the sleeve member is moved to a closed position to stop the flow of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Champion Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Gruca, David E. Hahn, W. Scott Atteberry
  • Patent number: 6919034
    Abstract: A system and method for separating immiscible fluids are provided. The system (10) includes a hollow vessel (50) which receives a mixture (20) of a first fluid (40) and a second fluid (60), which are immiscible with respect to one another. The density of the first fluid (40) is less than the density of the second fluid (60). The mixture (20) is pumped into the hollow vessel (50) by a pump (110) where it is received by a primary tube (80). The primary tube (80) is immersed in a separation medium (70). The separation medium has a density greater than the density of the first fluid (40) and less than the density of the second fluid (60). The second fluid (60) settles out of the separation medium (70) and the first fluid (40) rises above the separation medium (70). The first fluid (40) and the second fluid (60) can then be drained separately from the hollow vessel (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Apartar Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew F. Kozak, III