And Recirculating Liquid Patents (Class 210/805)
  • Patent number: 11414786
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the viable production of lyocell cellulose continuous filament yarns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: LENZING AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Christoph Schrempf, Andreas Gressenbauer, Franz Gugerell, Martin Neunteufel, Ernst Reiter
  • Patent number: 10871163
    Abstract: A system includes a motor and a control system operating as a master controller with respect to at least one function, the control system including an automation system with a user interface having a display connected to the automation system. A controller is located remotely from the control system and coupled to a pump or the motor. The controller operating as a slave controller with respect to the at least one function when connected to the control system. The controller is in communication with the motor and the control system, and transmits information to and receives information from the control system over at least one communication link. The controller operates independently to control the motor when disconnected from the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Danfoss Power Electronics A/S
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Christopher R. Yahnker, Daniel J. Hruby, Kevin Murphy, Edward Brown, David MacCallum, Dennis Dunn, Kenneth N. Clack, Einar Kjartan Runarsson, Alberto Morando
  • Patent number: 10734251
    Abstract: A filtration efficiency, which is similar to the filtration efficiency obtained when a plurality of filters are provided, can be obtained by one filter, and decrease in throughput can be prevented. Based on a control signal from a control unit 101, a resist liquid L is sucked into a pump 70 through a filter. A part of the resist liquid sucked in the pump is discharged from a discharge nozzle 7. The remaining resist liquid is returned to a supply conduit 51b on a primary side of the filter. A process is synthesized by adding a replenishment amount equal to the discharge amount to the return amount. The discharge of the synthesized process liquid and the filtration thereof by the filter are performed the number of times corresponding to a rate between the discharge amount and the return amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Koji Takayanagi, Yukie Minekawa, Yuichi Yoshida, Kousuke Yoshihara, Yuichi Terashita, Toshinobu Furusho, Takashi Sasa
  • Patent number: 10268116
    Abstract: A processing liquid supplying apparatus performs an ejecting step in which a processing liquid suctioned into a pump passes through a filter device and is ejected from an ejecting part without returning the processing liquid back to the pump; a returning step in which the processing liquid suctioned into the pump is returned to a processing liquid source side of a mixing section; and a replenishing step in which the processing liquid returned to the processing liquid source side is suctioned into the pump together with the processing liquid replenished from the processing liquid source. The processing liquid passes through the filter device in at least one of the returning step and the replenishing step. The amount of the processing liquid returned to the processing liquid source side in the returning step is larger than the amount of the processing liquid ejected from the ejecting part in the ejecting step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kousuke Yoshihara, Koji Takayanagi, Toshinobu Furusho, Takashi Sasa, Daisuke Ishimaru
  • Patent number: 10207201
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating a phase (A) from a phase (B), phase (A) having a higher viscosity than phase (B), by inverting the direction of dispersion from phase (B) in phase (A) to phase (A) in phase (B) by recycling a stream comprising phase (B) in excess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Daniel Pfeiffer, Stefan Bitterlich
  • Patent number: 10179742
    Abstract: A method of filtering fluid for injection into an injection well comprises detecting a fluid pressure in a conduit upstream of an actuator valve, verifying that the fluid pressure is within an operating pressure range, opening an actuator valve based on the verifying, receiving a fluid having suspended solids within a filter assembly in response to opening the actuator valve, actuating a pump in fluid communication with the filter assembly based on receiving the fluid within the filter assembly, and separating at least a portion of the suspended solids in the fluid within the filter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Inventor: Eric Benavides
  • Patent number: 10112849
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for treating contaminated wastewater, comprising a feed line (3) that leads into a separator (5) and a discharge line (10) that leaves the separator, which discharge line leads directly or indirectly into an access line (16) into an ultrafiltration system (18), wherein the ultrafiltration system (18) has a permeate outlet line (19) and a concentrate outlet line (17). According to the invention, a system and a method for treating contaminated wastewater that operate effectively and reliably with low component complexity are provided or specified. This is achieved in that the permeate outlet line (19) can be connected to the feed line (3) in a controllable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Philipp Korf, Michael Pettersch, Josef Schwendele, Darius Jung, Juergen Korz, Bernhard Mutschler, Dimitri Sachs
  • Patent number: 9846363
    Abstract: A processing liquid supplying apparatus performs an ejecting step in which a processing liquid suctioned into a pump passes through a filter device and is ejected from an ejecting part without returning the processing liquid back to the pump; a returning step in which the processing liquid suctioned into the pump is returned to a processing liquid source side of a mixing section; and a replenishing step in which the processing liquid returned to the processing liquid source side is suctioned into the pump together with the processing liquid replenished from the processing liquid source. The processing liquid passes through the filter device in at least one of the returning step and the replenishing step. The amount of the processing liquid returned to the processing liquid source side in the returning step is larger than the amount of the processing liquid ejected from the ejecting part in the ejecting step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kousuke Yoshihara, Koji Takayanagi, Toshinobu Furusho, Takashi Sasa, Daisuke Ishimaru
  • Patent number: 9186606
    Abstract: A cutting fluid filtration device attached to a machine tool has the function of backwashing a filter for filtering impurities in a cutting fluid when the filter is clogged. Whether or not the filter is clogged is determined by integrating the time during which the liquid level of the cutting fluid in a clean fluid tank falls below a lower-limit position by means of a sensor configured to detect the height of the liquid level of the cutting fluid. When a preset reference value is exceeded by the resulting integrated value, it is determined that the filter is clogged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuyoshi Ishihara
  • Publication number: 20150129512
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance and a method for filtering liquid in an appliance are provided. The method includes directing a flow of unfiltered liquid over a filter medium of the appliance in a first direction and urging a flow of filtered liquid adjacent the filter medium of the appliance in a second direction. The first direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction. Such cross flow can assist with limiting clogging of the filter medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ramasamy Thiyagarajan
  • Patent number: 9028697
    Abstract: The moisture absorption capacity of biofuels can be more or less 10 times that of fossil diesel oil, causing biofuels to form acids that induce metal corrosion and form deposits in the fuel tank and pipe lines. Methods for removing moisture from stored biofuels and plant oils are described wherein glycerol is used as a solvent to extract the moisture from the bioliquid or oil, comprising the steps of placing the biofuel or oil in fluid contact with glycerol, incubating for a time, and then removing the glycerol. A cellulous ester dialysis or other semi-permeable membrane may be used to prevent the glycerol from contaminating the biofuel while allowing moisture to pass. Crude glycerol produced as a byproduct of biodiesel production may be used in the method of the disclosed invention with good result. Preferred embodiments of apparatus that employ the method of the subject invention are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventor: Masatoshi Matsumura
  • Publication number: 20150122748
    Abstract: A coolant for a machine is filtered by passing some of the coolant into a discharge tube having an opening, the discharge tube supporting a filter bag. Coolant flowing into the discharge tube flows out of the tube through the opening, and then through the bag, and the filtered fluid is recirculated. An end piece, pivotably mounted to the discharge tube, prevents the bag from falling off while in operation, but can be pivoted to a position which facilitates insertion and removal of the bag. When filled, the bag can therefore easily be removed and replaced with a new bag. The invention greatly simplifies the process of filtering a coolant fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Ralph F. Polimeni, JR.
  • Patent number: 9005455
    Abstract: A device for extracting a liquid phase from a suspension, the device being characterized in that it comprises: a main duct for conveying a flow of said suspension, the duct being of a length that is sufficient to enable a layer of said suspension to develop that is depleted in solid phase; flow disturbance means for disturbing the flow of said suspension, said means being provided in the main duct and being adapted to cause at least one recirculation vortex to form so as to increase locally the thickness of said depleted layer; and liquid extraction means disposed in a region of the device where said suspension is enriched in liquid phase as a result of said recirculation vortex. A method of extracting a liquid phase from a suspension, the method comprising injecting said suspension into such a device at a flow rate suitable for causing at least one recirculation vortex to be formed, and extracting a fraction of said suspension that is enriched in liquid as a result of said vortex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Achard, Elodie Sollier, Yves Fouillet, Hervé Rostaing
  • Patent number: 8980100
    Abstract: We provide a system and method for reverse osmosis treatment of water, including seawater and brackish water. Methods and systems of embodiments of the invention may include, for example, ultrafiltration followed by biofoulant removal, both of which precede reverse osmosis. In preferred embodiments the system is run at a low flux. For example, a flux of 6-8 GFD may be used with seawater. Additional embodiments may provide the above process in conjunction with a reverse-osmosis membrane cleaning system. The membrane cleaning system is a “clean in place” system that includes use of the natural pressure differential in the reverse osmosis system to remove biofoulants and their precursors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Aquatech International Corporation
    Inventor: Ravi Chidambaran
  • Patent number: 8980102
    Abstract: A system for delivering a cooking medium of a cooking apparatus includes one or more cooking vessels. The system also includes a drain manifold in fluid communication with the cooking vessel, and a fill manifold having input valves, and output valves in fluid communication with a corresponding cooking vessel. A first flow path is connected to the fill manifold. A filter container selectively is in fluid communication with the fill manifold. A filter pump is positioned between the filter container and the fill manifold and conveys a recycled cooking medium. An overflow pump selectively is in fluid communication with the fill manifold via a second flow path and a portion of the first flow path. The overflow pump conveys a new cooking medium to the fill manifold. The first flow path conveys one of the recycled cooking medium and the new cooking medium to the fill manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Henny Penny Corporation
    Inventors: Edward J. Florkey, Joseph J. Tiszai
  • Patent number: 8961795
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for removing molybdenum and other possible impurities from an organic copper-containing extraction solution in connection with the liquid-liquid extraction related to copper recovery. The removal of impurities occurs in one or several removal units built into the organic extraction solution storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Hannu Laitala, Erkki Paatero, Bror Nyman, Eero Ekman
  • Publication number: 20150041415
    Abstract: A filtration system is configured to provide clean fuel to a running combustion engine. The filtration system may be configured to be connected to a main fuel tank for storing contaminated fuel, and to be connected to a fuel supply of a combustion engine. A filtration circuit may include at least one filter, a first auxiliary fuel tank for containing fuel, and a first fuel pump configured to pump the fuel from the first auxiliary fuel tank through the filtration circuit back to the first auxiliary fuel tank. A second auxiliary fuel tank may be connectable to said first auxiliary fuel tank for receiving fuel from the first auxiliary fuel tank via a transfer valve. A control unit may be configured to control the transfer valve such that the first auxiliary tank is fluidly connected to the second auxiliary fuel tank only if fuel of a desired contamination level is contained in the first auxiliary tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR MOTOREN GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Troy D. Cope, Robert Graumuller
  • Publication number: 20150041398
    Abstract: A device can be used to retain circulating tumor cells (CTCs). The device can include a cross-flow module with a retentate channel and a permeate channel. A filter in the cross-flow module can separate the retentate channel from the permeate channel. The filter can be constructed such that CTCs are retained in the retentate channel while other cells can pass through the filter into the permeate channel. A recirculation channel can direct a flow from an outlet of the retentate channel back to an inlet of the retentate channel to thereby concentrate CTCs in the retentate flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Cornelis Johannes Maria van RIJN, Ilan K. REICH
  • Patent number: 8951392
    Abstract: A modular portable evaporator system for use in a Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) systems having an evaporator, with a sump including an oil skimming weir, a short tube vertical falling film heat exchanger including an outer shell containing short tubes provided for lower water circulation rate. The system further having external to the evaporator, a compressor for compressing evaporated steam from the tube side of the heat exchanger and routing to the shell side of the same exchanger, a distillate tank to collect hot distilled water, a recirculation pump to introduce liquids from the sump into the heat exchanger and an external suction drum protecting the compressor from liquid impurities. The evaporator system receives produced water from the SAGD process into the sump and provides cleaned hot water to a boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: 1nSite Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenneth James
  • Patent number: 8939077
    Abstract: A wiping device includes an intaglio cylinder, a cylinder cleaning device, and a wiping liquid supply device. The intaglio cylinder is rotatably supported. The cylinder cleaning device removes excess ink adhered to an outer surface of the intaglio cylinder. The wiping liquid supply device supplies a wiping liquid for cleaning to the cylinder cleaning device. The wiping liquid supply device includes a waste liquid tank, a new liquid tank, a first pump, and second pump. The waste liquid tank stores a waste wiping liquid discharged from the cylinder cleaning device. The new liquid tank stores a clean wiping liquid. The first pump supplies the clean wiping liquid from the new liquid tank to the cylinder cleaning device. The second pump supplies a supernatant liquid of the waste wiping liquid stored in the waste liquid tank and separated into a precipitate and the supernatant liquid to the cylinder cleaning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventor: Norihiro Kumagai
  • Patent number: 8936727
    Abstract: The systems and processes disclosed herein relate generally to multi bed temperature controlled adsorption for use in the recovery of sorbates that are removed from process streams by adsorption. Multi bed temperature controlled adsorber systems can include three or more temperature controlled adosrbers that operate in parallel. Each temperature controlled adsorber through a series of steps including an adsorption step, a first bed to bed interchange, a regeneration step, and a second bed to bed interchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Stephen R. Dunne, David A. Wegerer
  • Patent number: 8932469
    Abstract: A dialysis machine includes a blood circuit, a dialysate circuit, and a dialyzer placed in communication with the blood circuit and the dialysate circuit. The dialysis machine includes a priming sequence in which dialysate is used to prime a first portion of the dialysate circuit and a physiologically compatible solution, other than dialysate, is used to prime a second portion of the dialysate circuit, the dialyzer and the blood circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Robert W. Childers, Thomas D. Kelly, Rodolfo Roger
  • Patent number: 8926847
    Abstract: A method for using an extractor system to extract particulate material from a liquid tank includes inserting a first conduit into a liquid tank; inserting an outflow line into the liquid tank, the outflow line comprising one or more nozzles having a distal end; inserting an inflow line into the liquid tank, the inflow line comprising a collector having a distal end, the collector and the one or more nozzles being proximate each other; and operating the pump to pump liquid from an extractor tank through an outflow line out of the one or more nozzles to unsettle the particulate material, the particulate material drawn through the collector and the inflow line into the extractor tank without passing through the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: George Schade
  • Patent number: 8920644
    Abstract: A method of producing drinking water from wastewater comprises ozonating the wastewater and treating the wastewater with powdered activated carbon (PAC). The ozonated wastewater and the PAC are mixed together in a contacting zone. The mixture of PAC and wastewater is directed through a membrane filtration unit that separates a PAC rich concentrate from treated water. The PAC rich concentrate is recirculated to the contacting zone to increase the concentration of PAC in the contacting zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Support
    Inventor: Abdelkader Gaid
  • Patent number: 8906235
    Abstract: When lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysate is included in fermentation medium, the broth resulting from biocatalyst production is complex with low filterability. A heat treatment was found to increase filterability, allowing efficient separation of a liquid fraction from a solid fraction, which is further processed for water recycle and syrup production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Susan Marie Hennessey, Annemarie Mitchell, Mathias E. Stolarski, James Gregory Wood
  • Patent number: 8906237
    Abstract: System and methods are disclosed for filtering wastewater. In one embodiment, a water filtering system comprises a first filtering stage and a second filtering stage. The first filtering stage receives a flow of wastewater, and uses electrocoagulation to separate suspended particles from the wastewater and produce filtered wastewater. The second filtering stage receives the filtered wastewater from the first filtering stage, and uses mechanical filtering to remove suspended particles from the filtered wastewater and produce filtered water that is substantially free from suspended particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Curt Johnson
  • Patent number: 8905960
    Abstract: A device for the filtration of a complex fluid composition such as blood, includes a base (12) with a bottom (18), a top (14) with a bottom (30), and a membrane (16) that is arranged between the base and the top so as to define a low chamber C1 and a high chamber C2, with an input tap (26) of the complex composition that is to be filtered emptying into the low chamber C1, an output tap (28) of the retentate with elements for adjusting the flow rate emptying into this same low chamber C1, and an output tap (36, 36-1) of the high chamber C2, whereby this output tap (36, 36-1) of the permeate is subjected to negative pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Direction et Priorites
    Inventors: Francis Gadrat, Bertrand Chastenet
  • Patent number: 8889007
    Abstract: The present invention is a wastewater treatment system utilizing a recirculating filter system comprising sand, gravel, or synthetic media. Septic effluent is continuously, or approximately continuously, dosed under pressure to the treatment media through pressure compensating drip irrigation emitters. The system comprises a commonly known septic tank and recirculation tank. Septic tank effluent is collected in the recirculation tank, from which it is continually dosed by means of a pump to the top of the treatment media of the recirculating filter through pressure compensating drip emitters. Continuous dosing of diluted residential septic tank effluent through drip irrigation emitters provides a slow consistent application of liquid rich in organic material and pathogens over the treatment media. The treated effluent is then recirculated if water is low or went to final disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventors: David Mark Lowe, Richard D. Eldredge
  • Patent number: 8877058
    Abstract: This invention provides a process for separating solute material from an algal cell feed stream. The algal cell feed stream, which contains the solute material, can be introduced into on portion of a mixer-settler vessel, and a solvent feed stream can be introduced into another portion of the vessel to mix with the algal cell feed stream, with a goal of separating at least a portion of the solute material from the algal feed stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Exxonmobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Greaney, James R. Bielenberg, Paul D. Oldenburg
  • Patent number: 8852432
    Abstract: An induced symbiotic osmosis pump (ISOP) (and method of using same) comprising: a closed loop comprising a riser pipe and a downpipe having substantially the same length fluidly communicating at a base with an induced osmosis semipermeable membrane and fluidly communicating at an opposed end with a brine pump fluidly communicating with a pressure exchanger fluidly communicating with a reverse osmosis membrane, the downpipe comprising a check valve; the induced osmosis semipermeable membrane of the closed loop fluidly communicating with an initial reverse osmosis module fluidly communicating with a brine pump fluidly communicating with a source of fluid having an initial salinity; the brine pump electronically communicating with an electrical source; and, the reverse osmosis membrane fluidly communicating with a storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: Maher Isaac Kelada
  • Publication number: 20140246054
    Abstract: A tank cleaning system for use at a drilling location, including a first cuttings storage vessel comprising an inlet and an outlet, at least one tank cleaning machine configured to clean a tank, a disposal vessel, and a module including a pump configured to facilitate the transfer of fluids from a clean water vessel to the at least one tank cleaning machine, and a fluid connection configured to facilitate the transfer of fluids from the outlet of the first cuttings storage vessel to the disposal vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: Jan Thore Eia
  • Patent number: 8815095
    Abstract: An artificial kidney that regenerates dialysate includes: a catheter having an inflow lumen and an outflow lumen for communication with a peritoneal cavity of a patient; a fluid circuit in fluid communication with the catheter for circulating dialysate into, through and out of the peritoneal cavity; a pump configured to circulate the dialysate; a cleaning cartridge coupled to the fluid circuit for removing solutes from the dialysate, including a therapeutically effective amount of urea from the dialysate as the dialysate circulates along the fluid circuit; and wherein the fluid circuit is configured to receive a volume of ultrafilterate removed from the patient, such that the pump can mix the ultrafiltrate volume with the dialysate to an increase an overall therapy fluid volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventor: Brian R. Micheli
  • Publication number: 20140231347
    Abstract: System and method for a closed water circulation, comprising: a waterproof, outwardly delimited reservoir for collecting water, whereby a material is included and/or is placed in the reservoir, which is to be treated with water; a collection container, which is basically positioned on or near the bottom of the reservoir, whereby the collection container has at least one opening, through which the water can flow; a water extraction device to extract the water collected in the collection container from the reservoir; a conditioning device, designed to condition for reuse in the system the water extracted from the reservoir, and a recirculation device, designed to drive back into the reservoir the conditioned water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: LUXIN (GREEN PLANET) AG
    Inventor: Arthur Glanzmann
  • Patent number: 8808511
    Abstract: The invention disclosed and claimed herein relates to treatment of water contaminated with glycol to be recycled for further effective use of the cleaned water resulting therefrom, especially at airports. More specifically, this invention relates to improved techniques for efficiently and reliably generating continuous flows of cleaned water as well as a continuous flow of recyclable glycol water of controlled concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventor: Brad Michael Malatesta
  • Publication number: 20140224215
    Abstract: A fuel filtration system is provided. The fuel filtration system includes a pump configured to receive a flow of fuel from a fuel storage tank and at least one filter positioned downstream to the fuel filtration system and fluidly coupled to the pump. The fuel filtration system further comprises a recirculation loop configured to recirculate at least a portion of the fuel through the at least one filter. The recirculation loop is also configured to provide a remaining portion of the fuel to an engine during the recirculation. The remaining portion of the fuel is determined based on a fuel consumption of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Martin A. Lehman, Eric J. Herron, Steven Y. Tian, Krishna K. Chinta, Scott F. Shafer, Byron R. Wear
  • 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: 8795530
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for optimization of dilution of a viscous starting material to isolate and/or concentrate the product of interest from the starting source material such that the process minimizes the volume of diluent and the total volume of the waste stream generated during the process as well as maximizing the yield of desired product. The system employs cross-flow filtration modules with sub-channels that are equidistant to the inlet and outlet of said modules and such modules are characterized by optimal channel height, optimal transmembrane pressure, etc., which are selected in order to achieve the best combination of product quality and production yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Smartflow Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry B. Kopf, James A. Kacmar
  • Patent number: 8795537
    Abstract: A method for controlling fouling of a settler vessel overflow system comprises maintaining at least a minimum stream flow in the overflow system by recirculating a portion of the overflow stream. A system for performing the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Fort Hills Energy L.P.
    Inventors: Shawn Van der Merwe, Thomas C. Hann
  • 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: 8764992
    Abstract: A method of fractionating a dispersion of oxidic nanoparticles wherein at least one step of the method is a membrane crossflow filtration step, the flow of the dispersion over the membrane being brought about by means of driven rotating parts; and dispersions of oxidic nanoparticles that are obtainable by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Wursche, Goetz Baumgarten, Wolfgang Lortz, Michael Kroell
  • Publication number: 20140175008
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure also involved a method of processing waste, such as drill cuttings, involving the operations of receiving a waste material comprising a liquid material and a solid material, the waste material received directly from a source wherein the waste material is warm. The source may be a drilling operation and the waste material may be drill cuttings from the drilling operation. The method further involving pumping the warm waste material to a separation mechanism, such as a dryer, that separates a portion of the solid material (e.g., cuttings) from a portion of the liquid material (e.g., drilling fluid). The method may further involve mixing the separated solid material with a bioremediation agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventor: Mark Joseph Mathis
  • Patent number: 8753514
    Abstract: An energy efficient desalination process that does not produce waste products involves the extraction of water from a first solution, such as seawater, by using a second concentrated solution to draw the water from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. By manipulating the equilibrium of the soluble and insoluble species of solute within the second solution in favor of the soluble species of the solute, a saturated second solution can be used to generate osmotic pressure on the first solution. Also, by adjusting the equilibrium in favor of the less soluble species after the water has been drawn from the first solution, a portion of the solute can easily be precipitated out. Heating the second solution decomposes the solute into its constituent gases. The constituent gases and precipitated solute may be recycled through the process to affect the changes in equilibrium and eliminate waste products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Yale University
    Inventor: Robert L. McGinnis
  • Publication number: 20140158170
    Abstract: A foreign object protection system for dishwashers is disclosed. The foreign object protection system prevents large objects from damaging other components of a dishwasher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: MARK S. FEDDEMA
  • Publication number: 20140158620
    Abstract: A system for the separation of the components of an oil, water, and solids mixture, the system comprising a mechanical separation module comprising an oily water output and an input adapted to receive an oil, water, and solids mixture; and a membrane separation module comprising an oily water input and a recirculation output. The oily water output of the mechanical separation module is in flow communication with the oily water input of the membrane separation module, and the recirculation output of the membrane separation module is in flow communication with the input of the mechanical separation module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Eric M.V. Hoek, Subir Bhattacharjee, Arian Edalat, Dian Tanuwidjaja
  • Patent number: 8734649
    Abstract: A method of dewatering algae and recycling water therefrom is presented. A method of dewatering a wet algal cell culture includes removing liquid from an algal cell culture to obtain a wet algal biomass having a lower liquid content than the algal cell culture. At least a portion of the liquid removed from the algal cell culture is recycled for use in a different algal cell culture. The method includes adding a water miscible solvent set to the wet algal biomass and waiting an amount of time to permit algal cells of the algal biomass to gather and isolating at least a portion of the gathered algal cells from at least a portion of the solvent set and liquid of the wet algal biomass so that a dewatered algal biomass is generated. The dewatered algal biomass can be used to generated algal products such as biofuels and nutraceuticals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Heliae Development, LLC
    Inventor: Aniket Kale
  • Patent number: 8734642
    Abstract: An oil filtering and distributing device for supplying a first oil pump and a second oil pump of an aircraft engine, the pumps sucking up oil in a common housing, the device including a casing with a lower part and an upper part; a first sleeve coupling for supplying the first pump; a second sleeve coupling for supplying the second pump; the casing including a first compartment receiving oil via a first screen and supplying the first pump with oil via the first sleeve coupling, a second compartment receiving oil via a second screen and supplying the second pump with oil via the second sleeve coupling, an isolator arranged between the first compartment and the second compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Societe de Motorisations Aeronautiques
    Inventor: Christian Fauchet
  • Publication number: 20140138328
    Abstract: A device and a method for cleaning a hydraulic control circuit such as the hydraulic circuit serving to control a hydraulic element, for example, a cylinder/damper assembly used for controlling the angle of an aircraft landing gear assembly and providing shock absorption on landing. The device comprises a cleaning circuit comprising a filter that is connected to the control circuit instead of the controlled element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventor: Cedric Rodrigues-Morgado
  • Patent number: 8728330
    Abstract: A chemical liquid supply device has a pump provided with a pump chamber which is expanded and contracted by an elastically deformable bellows, and chemical liquid in a chemical liquid container flows into the pump chamber through a suction channel. The chemical liquid in the pump chamber is discharged through a discharge channel to a discharge nozzle. A looped circulation channel for returning the chemical liquid supplied from the pump chamber to the pump chamber is connected to the pump, and provided with an expanding and contracting portion. A filter for filtering the chemical liquid which is returned to the pump chamber is provided to the circulation channel. Since flow resistance of the filter is not applied to the pump when the chemical liquid is discharged from a discharge nozzle, it's possible to discharge a specific amount of chemical liquid from the discharge nozzle with a high degree of accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Koganei Corporation
    Inventor: Toshio Takeishi
  • Publication number: 20140131273
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for selecting and retaining solids in an activated sludge process for the improving wastewater treatment using screens. The screens can be used to separate and retain solids based on size or compressibility. The screens are used to separate and select for slow growing organisms, faster settling organisms, or materials added to absorb, treat or remove constituents in the activated sludge process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: D.C. Water & Sewer Authority
    Inventors: Sudhir N. Murthy, Eugenio Giraldo, Norman D. Dockett, Walter F. Bailey