Organic Patents (Class 210/908)
  • Patent number: 11771604
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for producing recycled pulp fibers such that articles using the recycled pulp fibers can easily achieve a uniform whiteness and users are not prone to feel psychological resistance to articles using the recycled pulp fibers. This method is described below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayoshi Konishi, Toshio Hiraoka, Noritomo Kurita
  • Patent number: 8961798
    Abstract: A method and system of providing ultrapure water for semiconductor fabrication operations is provided. The water is treated by utilizing a free radical scavenging system and a free radical removal system. The free radical scavenging system can utilize actinic radiation with a free radical precursor compound, such as ammonium persulfate. The free radical removal system can comprise use of a reducing agent. The ultrapure water may be further treated by utilizing ion exchange media and degasification apparatus. A control system can be utilized to regulate addition of the precursor compound, the intensity of the actinic radiation, and addition of the reducing agent to the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Bruce Lee Coulter
  • Patent number: 8758720
    Abstract: High purity water produced by reverse osmosis. A feedwater is pretreated to remove hardness and non-hydroxide alkalinity, and the pH is raised to 8.5 or more to ionize solute species such as boron that are sparingly ionized when in neutral or near neutral pH aqueous solution. Ultrapure water resulting is suitable for industrial use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: Debasish Mukhopadhyay
  • Patent number: 8753522
    Abstract: A method and system of providing ultrapure water for semiconductor fabrication operations is provided. The water is treated by utilizing a free radical scavenging system and a free radical removal system. The free radical scavenging system can utilize actinic radiation with a free radical precursor compound, such as ammonium persulfate. The free radical removal system can comprise use of a reducing agent. The ultrapure water may be further treated by utilizing ion exchange media and degasification apparatus. A control system can be utilized to regulate addition of the precursor compound, the intensity of the actinic radiation, and addition of the reducing agent to the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Bruce Lee Coulter
  • Patent number: 8668888
    Abstract: A composition containing titanium and iron compounds, in particular decomposition residue that accumulates as a production residue after the sulphate process during the production of titanium dioxide, is used as an adsorbing agent for inorganic and organic compounds, for example compounds containing phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, sulphur, selenium, tellurium, the cyano group or heavy metal. Toxic substances and pollutants may be removed from a fluid using the adsorbing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sachtleben Pigment GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Auer, Holger Eickhaus, Horst Günnel, Werner Schuy, Bernd Proft, Maurits Van Den Berg
  • Patent number: 8641905
    Abstract: A process for treatment of water. Hardness and non-hydroxide alkalinity are removed from feedwaters to an extent sufficient to avoid scaling when concentrated. Sparingly ionizable components in the feedwater are urged toward increased ionization by increasing the pH of the feedwater. In this manner, species such as silica become highly ionized, and (a) their rejection by membranes used in the process is significantly increased, and (b) their solubility in the reject stream from the membrane process is significantly increased. Sparingly ionized species such as boron, silica, and TOC are highly rejected. Recovery ratios of ninety percent (90%) or higher are achievable with many feedwaters, while simultaneously achieving a substantial reduction in cleaning frequency of membranes used in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Debasish Mukhopadhyay
  • Patent number: 8603341
    Abstract: An oil adsorbent is configured so as to include: at least one particle of an inorganic particle and a metallic particle, at least one particle constituting a core; and a polymer covering the core, wherein the polymer is a copolymer made of at least one substance selected from the group of molecular structure A consisting of styrene, butadiene, isoprene, ethylene and propylene and at least one substance selected from the group of molecular structure B consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylonitrile, vinylpyridine, vinyl alcohol, maleic anhydride and maleic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Taro Fukaya, Shinetsu Fujieda, Shinji Murai, Akiko Suzuki, Hideyuki Tsuji, Tatsuoki Kohno, Nobuyuki Ashikaga
  • Patent number: 8425784
    Abstract: A method for increasing ozone concentration in a liquid can include: providing a gas having ozone; introducing the ozone-containing gas into a liquid, wherein the liquid and ozone combination has a temperature between about 0.8 and about 1.5 times the critical temperature of ozone; and increasing isothermally, the pressure of the ozone-containing gas above the liquid to about 0.3 to about 5 times the critical pressure of ozone so as to increase the ozone concentration in the liquid. The temperature is expressed in absolute units (Kelvin or Rankin). The method can be used for removing ozone from a gas or for purifying ozone. The liquid having a high ozone concentration can be used for ozonolysis of a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignees: University of Kansas, Archer Daniels Midland Company
    Inventors: Bala Subramaniam, Daryle Busch, Andrew M. Danby, Thomas P. Binder
  • Patent number: 8419948
    Abstract: A method for treating wastewater treats wastewater. In an embodiment, the method for treating wastewater includes treating wastewater comprising a chemical oxygen demand. The method includes dissolving an iron compound in the wastewater. The method also includes adjusting the pH of the wastewater to reduce the chemical oxygen demand of the wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: United Laboratories International, LLC
    Inventor: Jack G. Frost
  • Patent number: 8293116
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method is disclosed to filter liquids, such as water, waste water, agricultural liquids or other industrial liquids. The apparatus and the method rely on a novel technology where an acceleration apparatus facilitates generating energy that fractures the bonds between organic and inorganic particles and water molecules to allow a media to collect the organic and inorganic particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventor: Joseph Williams
  • Patent number: 8221634
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for separating and recovering waste alkali from a cyclohexane oxidation solution are provided. A gradient combination of the gravity separation technique, the vortex separation technique and the coalescence separation technique is used to carry out fine separation of the waste alkali liquor from the cyclohexane oxidation solution. The purified cyclohexane oxidation solution is fed into a down-stream apparatus. Most of the waste alkali liquor thus separated is recycled, while the remaining is expelled. The expelled waste alkali liquor is incinerated in an incinerator, followed by recovering the molten species using a pneumatic pulverization process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: East China University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Zhishan Bai, Zhuoqun Qian, Ji Ma, Ping Zhou, Yanhong Zhang, Hualin Wang
  • Patent number: 8115047
    Abstract: An improved oxidization process may be used to oxidize a wide variety of feedstocks. Oxidation takes place in a reactor where the feedstock is mixed with an oxidizing acid, such as nitric acid. The reaction mixture may also include a secondary oxidizing acid such as sulfuric acid as well as water and/or dissolved and mechanically mixed oxygen gas. The reactor may be maintained at an elevated pressure such as at least approximately 2070 kPa or desirably at least approximately 2800 kPa. The temperature of the reaction mixture may be maintained at no more than 210° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Earth Renewal Group, LLC
    Inventors: George G. Foster, Frederick P. Kesler, Malcolm Draper
  • Patent number: 8101088
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for decontaminating aqueous media comprising organic contaminants. The process is targeted at reducing the COD and/or the TOC of an aqueous medium comprising organic molecules. It consists in subjecting the aqueous medium to an electron beam generated by an electron accelerator in the presence of a catalyst and in then removing the precipitates formed from the treated solution, said catalyst comprising a metal ion persulfate and optionally an Fe(II) salt or an Fe(III) salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignees: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Universite de Poitiers
    Inventors: Nathalie Karpel Vel Leitner, Carole Catastini
  • Patent number: 8048317
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for chemical analysis, bacterial disinfection, oxidative destruction and/or mineralization of organic compounds comprising using zero-valent iron and/or zero-valent iron-containing bimetallic compounds, preferably in acidic solution and/or in the presence of oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: University of Hawaii
    Inventors: Jamil Rima, Qing X. Li, Lizette Aouezova
  • Patent number: 8034156
    Abstract: A method for producing a decomposer of an organic halogenated compound comprises subjecting an iron powder produced beforehand to plastic deformation that gives the iron powder particles a flat shape. Further, an iron powder and a copper salt powder are mechanically mixed in a ball mill to produce a copper salt-containing iron particle powder in which the particles of the two powders are joined. In this case, the method for producing the decomposer of an organic halogenated compound is characterized in that the iron powder is mechanically deformed to give the particles a flat shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Dowa Eco-System Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Kamada, Taishi Uehara
  • Patent number: 7972479
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the control of pitch in an aqueous medium by adding surface-reacted natural calcium carbonate or an aqueous suspension comprising surface-reacted calcium carbonate and having a pH greater than 6.0 measured at 20° C., to the medium, wherein the surface-reacted calcium carbonate is a reaction product of natural calcium carbonate with carbon dioxide and one or more acids, the use of the surface-reacted natural calcium carbonate for pitch control, as well as to a combination of a surface-reacted natural calcium carbonate and talc for pitch control, and the resulting composites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Omya Development AG
    Inventors: Patrick A. C. Gane, Joachim Schölkopf, Daniel Gantenbein
  • Patent number: 7967990
    Abstract: A hybrid chemical/mechanical dewatering sewage treatment plant and method employing rapid sludge chemical dewatering technology in conjunction with slower conventional mechanical dewatering solids agglomeration and disposal methods to meet operating constraints and environmental permitting restrictions and siting limitations for disposal of sewage and wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Earth Renaissance Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Marcus G. Theodore
  • Patent number: 7959799
    Abstract: A street curb filter apparatus can be attached to a street curb side adjacent a manhole to collect storm water runoff from the curbside and direct the collected storm water through a filter basket. The street curb filter has a street curb shelf with a water channel on the surface thereof and filter basket supporting arms. The filter basket supporting arms are positioned to receive collected storm water runoff from the water channels in the street curb shelf. The filter basket is shaped to fit into a storm water manhole opening and is removably attached to the street curb shelf filter basket arms to receive storm water runoff from the water channeling surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventors: Henry Happel, Thomas H. Happel
  • Patent number: 7947182
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing naphthenic acid from a waste water stream using a composition containing a zeolite and carbon, wherein the carbon is present on the exterior surfaces and pore surfaces of the zeolite, for removal of at least a portion of the naphthenic acid from the waste water stream resulting in a treated water stream comprising less naphthenic acid than the waste water stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventor: Xiaoyi Gong
  • Patent number: 7947240
    Abstract: Systems and methods of capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide, comprising mixing a substantially non-aqueous solvent and an alkali such that the solvent and alkali form a solvent suspension, mixing water and a flue gas containing carbon dioxide with the solvent suspension such that a reaction occurs, the reaction resulting in the formation of a carbonate, water and heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Expansion Energy, LLC
    Inventor: David Vandor
  • Patent number: 7947183
    Abstract: A method and a device for purifying water from contaminant trace species, especially arsenic, by co-precipitating trace species during oxidation and precipitation of iron compounds with subsequent separation. The co-precipitation is improved by contacting the water with an iron-containing material prior to oxidation to increase the iron content of the water. Arsenic and other trace species harmful to health may be removed from water effectively and in a simple manner, thus being able to comply with the more restrictive limits of arsenic in drinking water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: MicroDrop Aqua ApS
    Inventor: Finn Lebech
  • Patent number: 7943047
    Abstract: Process for the treatment of wastewater from an aldolization process which is contaminated with water-soluble and/or dispersed organic impurities by means of single-stage or multistage extraction with an organic liquid of the aldolization process wastewater which has been set to a pH of from 0 to 6, in which an organic liquid obtained by stripping of the acidified aldolization process wastewater or of the acidified and extracted aldolization process wastewater, condensation of the stripped compounds and phase separation of the condensate is used as extractant for the extraction of organic impurities from the acidified aldolization process wastewater and wastewater having a lower content of organic impurities than the aldolization process wastewater fed to the extraction is taken off from the stripping apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Siegmar Maassen, Roland Krokoszinski, Detlef Kratz
  • Patent number: 7915474
    Abstract: An improved oxidization process may be used to oxidize a wide variety of feedstocks. Oxidation takes place in a reactor where the feedstock is mixed with an oxidizing acid, such as nitric acid. The reaction mixture may also include a secondary oxidizing acid such as sulfuric acid as well as water and/or dissolved and mechanically mixed oxygen gas. The reactor may be maintained at an elevated pressure such as at least approximately 2070 kPa or desirably at least approximately 2800 kPa. The temperature of the reaction mixture may be maintained at no more than 210° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Earth Renewal Group, LLC
    Inventors: George G. Foster, Frederick P. Kesler, Malcolm Draper
  • Patent number: 7910516
    Abstract: A decomposer of organic halogenated compounds comprises iron powder constituted of flat iron particles of a planar ratio of 2 or greater. Further, a decomposer of organic halogenated compounds comprises a copper salt-containing iron particle powder constituted of copper salt-carrying iron particles having a flat shape with a planar ratio of 2 or greater whose surfaces have adhered thereto copper salt particles that are finer than the iron particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Dowa Eco-Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Kamada, Taishi Uehara
  • Patent number: 7833423
    Abstract: The treatment of contaminated waters or soils by an oxidizing agent and a catalyst is described. The addition of silica as a catalyst to an oxidizing agent with or without an additional metal catalyst showed a greater remediation effect. Subsequent normal bacterial processes are unimpeded since the treatment process does not leave residual chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Regenesis Bioremediation Products
    Inventors: William A. Farone, Maryam H. Azad
  • Patent number: 7807056
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for bioremediating hydrocarbon contaminated solids. The method can include introducing a slurry comprising one or more drilling fluids and one or more hydrocarbon contaminated solids to a settling system. The settling system can include one or more housings having a receiving compartment at a first end thereof and a collecting compartment at a second end thereof. A barrier can be disposed in the receiving compartment, and at least one wall can be disposed transversely in the housing between the receiving and collecting compartments. The wall can have at least one aperture formed therethrough and at least one flow-restricting baffle disposed thereon, wherein the one or more baffles extend perpendicularly from the wall. The separated hydrocarbon contaminated solids can be contacted with one or more microorganism populations disposed between the receiving compartment and the collecting department.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventors: W. Lynn Frazier, Gary Sweetman, Darin Harding
  • Patent number: 7803337
    Abstract: A method for treating a fluid to be scrubbed, comprising filling a scrubber with a volume of biodiesel or biomass adequate to cover a sintered permeable membrane in the reaction chamber and a bit more to create a reaction zone in not only a plurality of pores in the membrane with fluid but in a reaction zone above the membrane, then introducing fluid to be scrubbed to the membrane, building up pressure in the reaction chamber, and passing a scrubbed fluid from the reaction zone to an exit port at a rate equal to the rate the fluid to be scrubbed is introduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Vapor Point, LLC
    Inventors: Jefferey St. Amant, Kenneth R. Matheson
  • Patent number: 7794602
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a purification method characterized by adding a chitosan powder or a chitosan-coated substance, and optionally further adding a silica sol to liquor and filtering the mixture by a filter machine to remove unsaturated fatty acids, compounds of unsaturated fatty acids with metal ions, or fusel oil from the liquor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Otsuka Foods Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Kadowaki, Takao Nakahara
  • Patent number: 7758757
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for removing hydrazine compounds from solutions. Solutions containing hydrazine compounds are contacted with crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Kiu-Seung Lee
  • Patent number: 7754080
    Abstract: A system for recycling drilling sludge is disclosed. The system has a treatment area and a salt-tolerant bio-reactor coupled to the treatment area. The bio-reactor has i) at least one bio-suspension element for supporting the growth of at least one type of biological microorganism within an enclosed flow zone; ii) an agitator for creating a flow of the drilling sludge through the enclosed flow zone at a flow rate; and iii) an aerator for providing a gas to the enclosed flow zone. The system also has a processor coupled to the agitator and configured to create at least a minimum self-cleaning drag force between drilling sludge passing through the enclosed flow zone and the combined at least one type of biological microorganism and the at least one bio-suspension element. A related method and bio-reactor are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: TVT US Corporation
    Inventors: Volker A. Hausin, Eddie L. Cheatham, David A. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7754081
    Abstract: A method of wastewater treatment that reduced equipment cost and running cost and realizes high efficiency implementation and further tank miniaturization, and that reduces excess sludge withdrawal. There is provided a method of wastewater treatment with excess sludge withdrawal reduced, characterized in that there are installed an aeration tank wherein wastewater is brought into contact with carrier particles under aerobic conditions, a total oxidization tank and a sedimentation tank, and that operation is made while maintaining the BOD sludge load in the total oxidization tank at 0.08 kg-BOD/Kg-MLSS*day or smaller, and that a coagulant is charged in the complete oxidization tank in order to improve the setting in the sedimentation tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Baba, Hiroaki Fujii, Hidehiko Okabe, Goro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7731840
    Abstract: A mobile hydrocarbon and heavy metal removal unit for removing hydrocarbons and heavy metals from dirt, coal tar, sludge, slurries and aqueous particulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Green Intellectual Properties, LLC
    Inventors: Doug Mallonee, Edward Beverly Moe
  • Patent number: 7718843
    Abstract: An iron powder for decomposition of organic chlorinated compounds, comprising from 0.03 to 0.5% by weight of Ni and from 0.005 to 5% by weight of carbon, wherein particles having a particle size of less than 53 ?m occupies less than 40% by weight, is used. It is particularly preferable that Ni, carbon and iron are partially alloyed. When the iron powder for decomposition is used by mixing with, for example, an Ni-free iron powder, the total Ni content can be reduced without deterioration of decomposition performance to organic chlorinated compounds. The iron powder has high decomposition performance in the treatment of a solid such as soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Tosoh Corporation
    Inventors: Yoju Shimizu, Yasuyuki Nagai
  • Patent number: 7713413
    Abstract: A process for treating biological oxygen demand (BOD), nitrogen and phosphorus containing wastewater, wherein the process includes providing wastewater influent to an oxygen-deficit aeration zone having activated sludge and mixing the wastewater influent with the activated sludge in the oxygen-deficit aeration zone to form a mixed liquor. The process further includes transferring the mixed liquor from the oxygen-deficit aeration zone to an oxygen-surplus aeration zone and transferring a portion of the mixed liquor from the oxygen-surplus aeration zone to a membrane filter wherein a filtrate is separated from sludge. In addition, the process includes recycling at least a portion of the sludge to the oxygen-deficit aeration zone as recycled activated sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Water Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Dennis J. Barnes
  • Patent number: 7641797
    Abstract: A method for treating a formaldehyde-containing waste liquid, which is formed as a byproduct in a plant for the production of hydrocarbons or oxygen-containing compounds, containing the steps of: subjecting formaldehyde in the liquid to chemical treatment; and treating the resulting waste liquid, while being aerated, by using a membrane bioreactor that is composed of a microorganism or enzyme and a separation membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignees: Toyo Engineering Corporation, Water Re-Use Promotion Center
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ikebe, Masayuki Uchida, Hitoshi Betchaku
  • Patent number: 7635432
    Abstract: A method of treating organic matter-containing waste liquid, which is formed as a byproduct in a plant for the production of oxygen-containing compounds or liquid hydrocarbons (including liquid fuel oil and chemicals, which are produced from natural gas through a synthetic gas), having the step of: treating the waste liquid at a high temperature of 40° C. or higher, while being aerated, by using a membrane bioreactor (2) that is equipped with a separation membrane (7b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignees: Toyo Engineering Corporation, Water Re-Use Promotion Center, Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Uchida, Hiroaki Ikebe, Takaji Akiya, Toshio Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 7615153
    Abstract: A mixed culture of Dehalococcoides species is provided that has an ability to catalyze the complete dechlorination of polychlorinated ethenes such as PCE, TCE, cDCE, 1,1-DCE and vinyl chloride as well as halogenated ethanes such as 1,2-DCA and EDB. The mixed culture demonstrates the ability to achieve dechlorination even in the presence of high source concentrations of chlorinated ethenes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignees: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC, Clemson University
    Inventors: Christopher E. Bagwell, David L. Freedman, Robin L. Brigmon, William B. Bratt, Elizabeth A. Wood
  • Patent number: 7582467
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for processing organic material, the method employing at least two reactors and including the steps of combining carbon dioxide or carbon-dioxide containing gas and ammonia or ammonia-containing material in a first reactor to form a buffer compound/buffer compounds, then feeding the buffer compound or buffer compounds formed in the first reactor into a second reactor, and performing bioconversion on organic material in the second reactor. In that case, the carbon dioxide of the mixed carbon dioxide gas reacts with the ammonia, forming a buffer compound, such as ammonium bicarbonate and/or ammonium carbonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Preseco Oy
    Inventor: Jussi Järventie
  • Patent number: 7537706
    Abstract: Apparatus for active in situ multi-element gas sparging for bioremediation or physico-chemical degration for removal of contaminants in a soil formation containing a subsurface groundwater aquifer or a substantially wet unsaturated zone, the multi-gas contained in bubbles, wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of injection wells extending to a depth of a selected aquifer; introducing an oxidizing agent comprising ozone mixed with ambient air to provide a multi-element gas by means of microporous diffusers, without applying a vacuum for extraction of stripped products or biodegration by-products, wherein said diffusers form micro-fine bubbles containing said multi-element gas that oxidizes, by stripping and decomposition, chlorinated hydrocarbons from the aquifer and surrounding saturated soil formation into harmless by-products; also including a pump for agitating water in the well selecting microbubbles, injecting them into the aquifer and effective to alter the path of micro-fine bubbles through a poro
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: ThinkVillage-Kerfoot, LLC
    Inventor: William B. Kerfoot
  • Patent number: 7510655
    Abstract: A process for treating BOD, nitrogen and phosphorus containing wastewater, wherein the process includes the steps of providing wastewater influent into an anoxic zone having activated sludge and mixing the wastewater influent with the activated sludge in the anoxic zone to form a mixed liquor. The process further includes providing the mixed liquor into one more further treatment zones and transferring a portion of the mixed liquor from the further treatment zone to a membrane filter wherein a filtrate is separated from sludge. The process also includes selectively recycling at least a portion of the sludge to the anoxic zone as recycled activated sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Water Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Dennis J. Barnes
  • Patent number: 7491330
    Abstract: A porous grog with a body composition of water, clay and combustible material. Further, an earthenware water purification filter utilizing the porous grog in the body composition of the filter. Further, an earthenware filter utilizing silver chloride treatment for water disinfection is disclosed. A water purification system incorporating said filter, said water purification system capable of removing about 99% of all particles not less than 1.0 micron is size, and removing virtually 100% of fecal coliform indicators. In other embodiments, methods of disinfecting pottery toilet liners including various open surfaces using silver chloride treatment are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Inventor: Anthony Reid Harvey
  • Patent number: 7485218
    Abstract: A storm water filtering system located in a storm water catch basin, the basin having a storm water inlet spaced from at least one storm water outlet and defining a chamber for storm water collection between the inlet and the outlet. The filtering system comprises a plate for dividing the basin into a first chamber for receiving storm water and a second chamber for passing storm water out of the basin and a filter assembly mounted within a hole formed in the plate, the filter assembly including a filter media having a predetermined effective flow rate for removing pollutants from the storm water. The system further includes at least one overflow tube coupled to the plate at another hole formed therein for passing storm water through the plate and bypassing the filter assembly. The overflow tube has a storm water inlet at a height above the filter media so as to limit the maximum water pressure applied to the filter media. The overflow tube also includes a diverter lid mounted to a top of the overflow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: EcoSense International, Inc.
    Inventor: George Victor Anthony Dussich, I
  • Patent number: 7473372
    Abstract: An improved method for treating organic compounds present in soil, groundwater and other environments is disclosed. The method involves the use of a peroxygen compound and a chelated transition metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Philip A. Block, Dalbir S. Sethi, Richard A. Brown, David S. Robinson
  • Patent number: 7449115
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dialysis method of recovering foreign substances, particularly low-molecular weight inorganic and/or organic substances, from semipermeable membrane of varying length and dimensions, using a PLE (pressurized liquid extraction) apparatus. The membranes are preferably in the form of a tube, for example semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) which, in the form of passive samplers, accumulate foreign substances/pollutants on an absorbent or adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: UFZ-Umweltforschungs Zentrum Leipzig-Halle GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Wenzel, Branislav Vrana, Andreas Hubert, Brigitta Mothes, Marion Heinrich, Gerrit Schueuermann
  • Patent number: 7449117
    Abstract: A filtration unit that includes a casing that has a closed bottom and is immersed in a water storage tank (or water storage pond) into which raw water is introduced, the casing being composed of a introduction port which introduces the raw water in the water storage tank into the casing, an active carbon supply device which adds active carbon to the introduced raw water, an agitator which agitates the raw water inside the casing to which active carbon has been added, a filtration module which filters the raw water, a back flow preventing device which prevents the raw water inside the casing from flowing back into the introduction port and being discharged into the water storage tank, and a discharging device which discharges the raw water from the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Tsukishima Kikai Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7445722
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for thermally purifying waste water, comprising a tank through which waste water can flow. The inventive device is characterized by having at least one flow guiding means for guiding the waste water inside the tank in an essentially meandering manner, and by having at least one heating means inside the tank for regulating a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: AMI - Agrolinz Melamine International GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruech, Christoph Neumüller, Frank Schröder
  • Publication number: 20080116131
    Abstract: Cost-effective tailored earth materials and methods of making and using these tailored earth materials are disclosed. These tailored earth materials can be used to treat (filter) emergent contaminants, such as perchlorate, from water or brine. The sorbed contaminants on the spent tailored earth materials can be degraded after use by bioremediation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventor: Valentine A. Nzengung
  • Patent number: 7332095
    Abstract: An oxidation process is described which involves subjecting a feedstock which contains oxidizable material to temperature, pressure and contact with an oxidant. Excess water and volatile oxidation products, such as carbon dioxide, formic acid and acetic acid, are removed in the vapor phase. A catalyst may be employed to increase the rate of reaction. Preferred catalysts include the transition metal ions. Advantageously, the process may be operated in a continuous manner wherein the feedstock is continuously introduced into a reactor and a vapor phase containing volatile oxidation products continuously removed. The process is particularly applicable to the treatment of consumer and industrial waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Victoria Link Limited
    Inventors: James Howard Johnston, Peter Thomas Northcote, Michael James Richardson
  • Patent number: RE43350
    Abstract: Apparatuses for removal of volatile organic compounds in a soil formation include a microporous diffuser for injecting air and gaseous ozone as bubbles into water in the soil formation. The gaseous ozone is present at concentrations to effect removal of volatile organic compounds by the gaseous ozone reacting with the volatile organic compound(s). Injection of air and gaseous ozone is controlled by a timer to allow separation of bubbles by size. In various embodiments, a plurality of microporous diffusers may be controlled by a single timer or each of the plurality of microporous diffusers may be controlled by one of a plurality of timers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Think Village-Kerfoot, LLC
    Inventor: William B. Kerfoot
  • Patent number: RE45309
    Abstract: Systems and methods of capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide, comprising mixing a substantially non-aqueous solvent and an alkali such that the solvent and alkali form a solvent suspension, mixing water and a flue gas containing carbon dioxide with the solvent suspension such that a reaction occurs, the reaction resulting in the formation of a carbonate, water and heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Expansion Energy LLC
    Inventor: David Vandor