Degasification Of Liquid Patents (Class 95/241)
  • Patent number: 7387502
    Abstract: A pumping apparatus for pumping a liquid from a source to a target including a motor, a first pump driven by the motor, a second pump driven by the motor and a separator in fluid communication with the first and second pump for separating a liquid received from a source into a gaseous component and a liquid component. The separator further diverts the gaseous component to the first pump and the liquid component to the second pump, wherein the first pump pumps the gaseous component back to the source and the second pump pumps the liquid component to a target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Fluid Metering, Inc.
    Inventors: David Rawlings, Harry E. Pinkerton, III
  • Publication number: 20080115483
    Abstract: A power generation system. The exemplary system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a gas turbine (28), a gasifier (10) for generating gaseous fuel and a gas combustor (26) configured to receive the fuel and power the gas turbine (28). A drain collection and separation system (5) is positioned to collect gaseous fuel entrained in liquid and to separate the gaseous fuel from the liquid so the gaseous fuel can be cycled or disposed of separately from the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Jack Douglas Moore, Damien G. Teehan, Christopher J. Davila-Aponte
  • Patent number: 7329312
    Abstract: An apparatus for supplying water containing dissolved gas comprising a flowmeter for measuring a flowrate of pure or ultra-pure water and a mechanism for controlling a flowrate, a means for adjusting an amount of water which adjusts an amount of the pure or ultra-pure water supplied to the apparatus for dissolving a gas, a tank which receives the water containing dissolved gas in an excessive amount which is not used at a point of use, a piping system through which the water containing dissolved gas glows from the tank towards the point of use and the water containing dissolved gas in an excessive amount returns to the tank, a piping system for supplying the water containing dissolved gas to the tank, and a controlling means for adjusting an amount of water based on a water level in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Kurita Water Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Morita, Junichi Ida, Kazumi Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20080006578
    Abstract: A method for controlling pervaporation through a membrane includes assessing the vapor pressure of each component material of a mobile phase disposed on a retentate side of the membrane, and maintaining a designed environment on a permeate side of the membrane. The environment maintained on the permeate side of the membrane contains partial pressures of selected component materials of the mobile phase at a level substantially equal to or greater than the respective vapor pressures thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Carl W. Sims, Jonathan Thompson, Yuri Gerner
  • Patent number: 7303607
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a low-pressure storage and delivery system for gases having Lewis basicity, particularly hazardous specialty gases such as phosphine and arsine, which are utilized in the electronics industry. The improvement resides in storing the gases in a liquid incorporating a reactive compound having Lewis acidity capable of effecting a reversible reaction between a gas having Lewis basicity. The reactive compound comprises a reactive species that is dissolved, suspended, dispersed, or otherwise mixed with a nonvolatile liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Tempel, Philip Bruce Henderson, Jeffrey Richard Brzozowski, Ronald Martin Pearlstein, Thomas Richard Gaffney
  • Patent number: 7282084
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a low-pressure storage and delivery system for gases having Lewis acidity, particularly hazardous specialty gases such as BF3 and diborane, which are utilized in the electronics industry. The improvement resides in storing the gases in a liquid incorporating a reactive compound having Lewis basicity capable of effecting a reversible reaction between a gas having Lewis acidity. The reactive compound comprises a reactive species that is dissolved, suspended, dispersed, or otherwise mixed with a nonvolatile liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Tempel, Philip Bruce Henderson, Jeffrey Richard Brzozowski, Ronald Martin Pearlstein
  • Patent number: 7250075
    Abstract: A self-regulated water separator provides centrifugal separation of fuel cell product water from oxidant gas. The system uses the flow energy of the fuel cell's two-phase water and oxidant flow stream and a regulated ejector or other reactant circulation pump providing the two-phase fluid flow. The system further uses a means of controlling the water outlet flow rate away from the water separator that uses both the ejector's or reactant pump's supply pressure and a compressibility sensor to provide overall control of separated water flow either back to the separator or away from the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Arturo Vasquez, Kerri L. McCurdy, Karla F. Bradley
  • Patent number: 7241392
    Abstract: A separator and method according to which substances having relatively high densities are separated from a pressurized flow stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: William C. Maier
  • Patent number: 7172646
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to an improvement in low pressure storage and dispensing systems for the selective storing of gases having Lewis acidity or basicity, and the subsequent dispensing of said gases at pressures, e.g., generally below 5 psig and typically below atmospheric pressure, by modest heating, pressure reduction or both. The improvement resides in storing the gases in a reversibly reacted state within a reactive liquid having opposing Lewis basicity or acidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Tempel, Philip Bruce Henderson, Jeffrey Richard Brzozowski
  • Patent number: 7144442
    Abstract: A degassing device capable of regulating an amount of air dissolved in a liquid. A device for measuring amounts of dissolved oxygen measures the amount of oxygen dissolved in one of a coating liquid which has yet to be degassed, and is to be fed to a film degassing device, and a coating liquid which has been degassed and discharged from the film degassing device. Based on measured results, a control unit regulates the degree of opening of a vacuum valve so as to change the degree of degassing performed by the film degassing device, thereby suppressing fluctuations in an amount of oxygen dissolved in the coating liquid. A load never constantly acts on the film all the time, the film life can accordingly be extended, thus resulting in reductions in running costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7144443
    Abstract: An elongated flow-through degassing apparatus includes an elongated gas and liquid impermeable outer tube and one or more gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable elongated inner tubes extending within the outer tube and at least partially through a chamber defined within the outer tube. The apparatus also includes inlet and outlet connection structures operably coupled to respective portions of the outer tube and the inner tubes to further enable a sealed engagement between the outer tube and the inner tubes, and to provide for connection devices to operably couple the degassing apparatus of the present invention to respective spaced apart components. The degassing apparatus is sufficiently flexible so as to be readily manipulatable into desired configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Systec, LLC
    Inventors: Yuri Gerner, Carl W. Sims, Thomas Thielen
  • Patent number: 7122074
    Abstract: Bubbles generated in molding glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) parts using a mold are removed with a device having a body plate with plural perforated gas vent holes and debubbling pipes. The pipes have a cavity and debubbling holes communicating with the cavity. The holes are on the side of the debubbling pipes. The debubbling pipes extend so the cavity communicates with the vent holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Inventor: Ki-Chul Kim
  • Patent number: 7087103
    Abstract: Methods for reducing the number and/or size of gas bubbles in a material are disclosed. The disclosed methods involve subjecting materials to pressure for a period of time. The methods have been found to be useful in the preparation of dental composites and dental structures prepared from those composites. Materials produced using the disclosed methods can have enhanced structural and/or aesthetic features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Bisco, Inc.
    Inventors: Byoung I. Suh, Steven J. Duray
  • Patent number: 6997972
    Abstract: A gas liquid separator comprising at least two containers, a first container for separating gas from a gas liquid mixture and a second container for receiving gas reduced or gas free liquid. The first container has an outlet port to the second container below the level of the gas for the gas reduced or gas free liquid and a separate outlet port for the separated gas. The second container has a height taller than the height of the first container to enable it to hold enough volume of the gas reduced or gas free liquid that can exert pressure on the liquid inside the first container so that the separated gas is forced to escape from the gas outlet port of the first container while allowing the gas reduced or gas free liquid to exit at a separate outlet port of the second container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Skydon Corp.
    Inventor: Anthony Tseng
  • Patent number: 6969419
    Abstract: A method for removing bubbles adhering to the interior wall of a fluid-filled chamber through which a fluid flows, and a related method and apparatus for removing bubbles from a chamber having medical sensory equipment such as a blood gas and chemistry analyzer. The method includes drawing a quantity of gas into the chamber to empty the chamber of fluid, maintaining the chamber in an empty state for a predetermined period of time, and then refilling the chamber with fluid at a rate low enough to remove remaining bubbles and to prevent the formation and trapping of new bubbles within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Segars California Partners LP
    Inventor: James H. Macemon
  • Patent number: 6942718
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system for separating gas and liquid phases from a mixed phase system is provided. Furthermore, the present invention provides for the reliable separation of liquid and gas phases, regardless of the orientation of the system with respect to a gravitational field, and in low or zero gravity environments. The system of the present invention generally provides a reservoir having a variable volume that is formed from a gas permeable, hydrophobic, microporous, polymer material. Material confined within the reservoir is maintained under pressure, to expel any gases introduced to the interior of the reservoir as part of a mixed phase inlet stream. The liquid phase component of the mixed phase inlet stream may be removed from the reservoir through an outlet located within the reservoir volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6929745
    Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out a three-phase separation during treatment of wastewater and sludge, which includes a gas collector (1) which traps gases that rise in the settling basin during the treatment process. The gas collector has an inclined outer surface (2, 3) which ensures that sewage sludge can slide down unhindered. The angle of inclination (?) can be adjusted in order to adapt the apparatus to different sewage sludges. The gas collector has a flexible tube (4) which is guided around a plurality of reversing or bending surfaces (5, 6, 7, 8) so that sections (10, 11) of the tube form the inclined outer surfaces (2, 3). Another section (15) of the tube defines the interior volume (V) of the gas collector. The resulting gas collector is simple to produce and effectively prevents the separation apparatus from becoming clogged by particles of sewage sludge adhering to the outer surfaces of the gas collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Inventor: Johan Verink
  • Patent number: 6893485
    Abstract: A kit for constructing a de-aerator that includes a concentrator is adapted to be connected to a standard pipe coupling. The concentrator is inserted in the path of liquid conveyed through the pipe coupling for aggregating gas, and directing the gas to a cavity. The cavity is encased by the fitting which is a vertical, cylindrical sheath with one end adapted to be inserted into standard pipe couplings, and the other end adapted to be connected with the cap. The cap includes a vent adapted to open and shut in response to lowering and raising of the level of the liquid in the cavity below/above a threshold, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Swabey, Ogilvy, Renault
    Inventor: James MacDuff
  • Patent number: 6884283
    Abstract: In a process for removing bubbles from viscous polymer solutions (P) in which the content of dissolved gases lies below the saturation limit, the viscous polymer solution (P) is subjected to a superatmospheric pressure. The superatmospheric pressure is such that the gases contained in the bubbles of the polymer solution (P) dissolve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Seiferling, Achim Müller, Iris Jlona Leder-Brück, Mark Hülsebusch
  • Patent number: 6872240
    Abstract: A method for urging contact between contaminants in an air stream and the wet surfaces of an aqueous-froth, and additional means of limiting the froth to a predetermined volume are provided. A wide spectrum of solution micro-droplet sizes (0.001 to 1000 micron) is introduced into a contaminated air stream. Micro-droplets suspended in the air stream remove contaminants by contact, collide and coalesce in the dynamics of the air stream and are removed by inertia. Smaller micro-droplets remain suspended in the air stream. The smallest micro-droplets evaporate, increasing the solution vapor pressure of the air stream. The humidified or saturated, contaminated air stream continuously expands the surface area of the solution reservoir exponentially into an aqueous froth of tiny bubbles. Airflow velocity drops in the micro-atmosphere inside each bubble of the froth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Peletex, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy J. Pellegrin
  • Patent number: 6869504
    Abstract: A vacuum pump (P0) provides vacuum to a paper machine deaeration tank (11) which has an inlet duct (10) through which the tank is supplied with wire water. A discharge duct (12) extends from the deaeration tank (11). There is an overflow (14) for the wire water in the discharge duct at the discharge end of the discharge duct (12). The overflow (14) of the discharge duct (12) is located below the deaeration tank (11) and opens to a free air space. The discharge duct (12) includes a branch duct (15a1) for a flow which is passed to the headbox (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Matti Hietaniemi
  • Patent number: 6830654
    Abstract: In the production of water vapor, particularly in the production of especially clean water vapor, dissolved gases, mainly atmospheric gases, are removed from feed water (2). The feed water is sprayed by a spray nozzle (3) mounted in a hemispherical chamber (1) in a spray pattern which matches an area of an upper end (4) of an arrangement of vertical feed tubes of a falling film evaporator. The dissolved gases are liberated quickly from the sprayed droplets and removed through outlets (5) in the hemispherical chamber. The sprayed droplets collect at the upper ends of the vertical evaporation channels and are distributed evenly thereamong before atmospheric gases can be redissolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Steris Europe Inc Suomen Sivuliike
    Inventor: Mauri Salmisuo
  • Publication number: 20040221719
    Abstract: The invention is targeted at the process of separating gas, such as air, from a liquid path. Specifically, the invention provides a means to remove gas from a dynamic liquid path, manage the removed gas and liquid path. The invention provides a means to remove gas from a dynamic liquid path using the buoyant property of gas in a less buoyant liquid, having ingress and egress ports for liquid and gas flow, and separate points of egress for liquid and trapped gas and integral liquid channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: ORGAN RECOVERY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: David Walter Wright, Jeffrey C. Garland
  • Patent number: 6797178
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes for removing a contaminant from dental effluents and includes transporting a three-phase effluent through a suction line into a particle collection vessel, introducing a suction line cleaning solution which includes a reagent into the suction line, and introducing the three phase effluent and the line cleaning solution into the collection vessel, wherein the effluent separates into solid, liquid, and gas phases in the collection vessel and the reagent includes a flocculant and/or a precipitant, and removing the gaseous and liquid phases from the collection vessel. The contaminant includes mercury, lead, and arsenic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: ADA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Albiston, Craig S. Turchi, Allan Carlson
  • Patent number: 6752855
    Abstract: A plating system comprises: a plating unit which plates a water; a plating solution storage tank which stores a plating solution; and a plating solution supply system which supplies the plating solution in the plating solution storage tank to the plating unit. A dissolved oxygen removing unit which removes dissolved oxygen from the plating solution flowing in the plating solution supply system is provided in the middle of the plating solution supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Yoshinori Marumo
  • Patent number: 6740139
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is an automated system for transporting and deoxygenating a solution. The system is designed to: 1) transport a solution through a deoxygenating device 2) continuously monitor the oxygen content of the deoxygenated solution 3) collect the solution in a reservoir and automatically maintain solution level 4) automatically dispense the solution as requested and 5) perform automated solution prepare, startup, and shutdown operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Todd Aldridge Russell, Milos Sidlo, Robert Donlon
  • Publication number: 20040083889
    Abstract: A sparge vessel having a liquid sample is heated with an immersion heater to more completely purge the analytes from the sample to a sorbent trap. A thermocouple may be used to help the immersion heater maintain the sample at a desired temperature between 70 and 85 degrees C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Nathan C. Rawls
  • Patent number: 6723205
    Abstract: The invention relates to a degassing centrifugal apparatus such as a pump having energy recovery means and to a process for degassing a fluid. The apparatus has a rotatable hollow rotor connected to a fluid inlet at one end and a liquid outlet at the opposite end. A gas exhaust is connected to the center of the apparatus. The apparatus has at its inlet end means for bringing a fluid to rotate on the inner wall of said rotor. The apparatus comprises a turbine at its outlet end recovering excess dynamic energy from the rotating fluid. The apparatus is especially useful for centrifugal degassing of backwater in the production of paper or board machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: FOM Technology Oy AB
    Inventor: Paul Meinander
  • Publication number: 20040069330
    Abstract: A device for wet processing of a semiconductor-containing substrate that addresses contamination in the wet process by removing undesired sources of gas contamination, the method involving pumping a processing liquid through a degasifier, exposing the semiconductor wafer, in a vessel, to the degasified processing liquid; and optionally recirculating the processing liquid through the degasifier and back into the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: J. Brett Rolfson
  • Patent number: 6716268
    Abstract: A method of controlling occurrence of slugging in a riser of a pipeline arrangement including a riser base and pipeline conveying a multiphase fluid system in which the gas phase may be natural gas. The upper end of riser is connected to a separator vessel. The gas phase of the multiphase fluid system is separated from the liquid phase so that the separated gas leaves through gas outlet pipe controlled by a first valve, and the liquid leaves through an outlet pipe controlled by a first valve. The first valve regulates the velocity of gas along the pipeline towards the riser. A pressure sensor observes the gas pressure in the riser base, and if the observed pressure exceeds a predetermined control pressure value a three term pressure indication control causes the first valve to be operated to pen to an extent that increases the gas outflow through the pipe, and thus increases the velocity of gas in the pipeline to avoid occurrence of severe slugging in the riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Lattice Intellectual Property Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter David Molyneux, John Paul Kinvig
  • Patent number: 6716802
    Abstract: The invention encompasses polishing systems for polishing semiconductive material substrates, and encompasses methods of cleaning polishing slurry from semiconductive substrate surfaces. In one aspect, the invention includes a method of cleaning a polishing slurry from a substrate surface comprising: a) providing a substrate surface having a polishing slurry in contact therewith; b) providing a liquid; c) injecting a gas into the liquid to increase a total dissolved gas concentration in the liquid; and d) after the injecting, providing the liquid against the substrate surface to displace the polishing slurry from the substrate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan G. Custer, Aaron Trent Ward, Shawn M. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6706094
    Abstract: A system for rapid collection of large volumes of dissolved gases from groundwater pumps the water from a large-diameter passage through a small-diameter restrictor passage, and then into a flow-through collection chamber. The small-diameter passage causes a drop in the hydrostatic pressure of the groundwater traveling therein, causing spontaneous ebullition of gas bubbles which are then collected in the collection chamber. Testing reveals that the gases are collected in proportion to their presence in the groundwater, and thus the system allows accurate quantification of concentrations of dissolved gas in groundwater. The system may beneficially be made easily portable, thereby allowing its use in the field as well as in laboratory settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: WiSys Technology Foundation Inc.
    Inventor: Bryant Alan Browne
  • Publication number: 20030233937
    Abstract: The disclosed system comprises an apparatus and a method continuously removing air from a mixture of ground polyurethane particles and a polyol liquid. The apparatus for continuously removing air from a mixture of ground polyurethane particles and a polyol liquid comprises a deaerator having an inlet to receive a mixture of liquid and fine particles and an outlet to disperse the mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: Mobius Technologies, Inc., a California Corporation
    Inventor: Bryan Louis Martel
  • Publication number: 20030221557
    Abstract: The invention is a stackable packing element for use in degassing liquid ophthalmic lens monomer, and to a modular degasser and process, including an in-line degassing process, employing same. The stackable packing element is comprised of a body module and a removable puck component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Kent A. Young, Stephen C. Pegram, Kerry T. Sanders
  • Publication number: 20030209143
    Abstract: A liquid material supply system in which an inert gas is injected into a material tank accommodating a liquid material so as to discharge the liquid material into a liquid material discharge pipe connected to the material tank and that the inert gas dissolved or mixed in the discharged liquid material is trapped by a gas trap provided on the liquid material discharge pipe, is constructed in such a manner that when a dissolution temperature characteristic of the inert gas with respect to the liquid material is negative, an upstream side of the liquid material discharge pipe with respect to the gas trap is heated while the downstream side of the liquid material discharge pipe with respect to the gas trap is cooled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Makoto Yonebayashi, Hideaki Miyamoto, Tetsuo Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6626196
    Abstract: An arrangement and method for the degassing small high-aspect ratio drilled holes or vias which are present in panels such as printed circuit boards prior to wet chemical processing, including copper plating of the vias, in order to remove any air or gas bubbles from the vias tending to inhibit the reliable plating thereof. This is carried out through the utilization of an ultrasonic prewetting in a liquid bath preceding cleaning for the electroless plating process, thereby enabling all of the vias or holes to be degassed; in effect, having air removed and the vias or holes filled with liquid; thereby allowing subsequent process cleansing solutions to easily flow into the respective holes or vias in order to facilitate the electroless copper plating process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: International Busines Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Francis J. Downes, Jr., Raymond T. Galasco, Lawrence P. Lehman, Robert D. Topa
  • Patent number: 6616731
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for monitoring the vacuum conditions for the treatment of vegetable or animal oil. During the treatment, a number of processes, such as refining, bleaching and/or deodorization, are carried out under a vacuum. The vacuum is maintained by a vacuum system, comprised of at least one vacuum creating means and at least one condenser, and a pump arranged at the outlet of the condenser. The condenser is connected to a mass flow meter monitoring the flow of a gas and generates a signal receivable by a controller. The method of monitoring the vacuum system, using the above apparatus, includes the steps of sensing, and registering the mass flow of non-condensable gas out of the vacuum system. An alarm is triggered when the amount of gas exiting the vacuum system differs from a set value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Alfa Laval AB
    Inventor: Anders Hillstrom
  • Patent number: 6616733
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering an air stream with an aqueous froth are provided. The process includes: passing a contaminated air stream through a diffusing sieve, into an aqueous solution in an expansion chamber; generating, maintaining, and containing an aqueous froth between the liquid-bath reservoir and a saturated fiber element; and continually saturating a coarse-fiber element with liquid from the aqueous solution. The froth is generated and maintained, and the fiber element is saturated, by controlling the dynamic interface between the contaminated air stream and the liquid-bath reservoir. The apparatus for filtering an air stream includes: an air filter device that incorporates a liquid-bath filter initial stage; an aqueous-froth filter second stage; a constantly saturated, coarse-fiber filter as a combined third stage and froth-limiter; and a moist, fine-fiber filter as the final stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Peletex, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy J. Pellegrin
  • Publication number: 20030150477
    Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate cleaning method for removing particles from a substrate includes a first step of adjusting the concentration of dissolved nitrogen in pure water, so as to be less than or equal to the concentration of dissolved nitrogen in equilibrium with the atmosphere (about 16 ppm), in a supply line that supplies the pure water, and a second step of cleaning a substrate by supplying a cleaning tank with a cleaning solution produced by mixing at least hydrogen peroxide with the pure water adjusted at the first step, and applying an ultrasonic wave to the cleaning solution in which the substrate is immersed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Applicant: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tatsuya Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6562107
    Abstract: A bubble trap having a cylindrically symmetrical chamber, a filter covering an outlet and offset from the axis of the chamber, an inlet with a plurality of vertically aligned orifices, the orifices arranged to produce circumferential flow within the chamber. Bubbles in the liquid coalesce on the filter and are removed. A method of removing bubbles is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Geoff Purdom, Daniel Karrer, Ian Rayner
  • Patent number: 6547855
    Abstract: A mass transfer machine removes dissolved gases or volatile organic compounds from air or a liquid. The mass transfer machine includes a vessel capable of containing a liquid and having a liquid inlet and an air inlet at a near end. It further includes a liquid outlet at a far end. Two or more baffles are located transversely inside of the vessel. The baffle located nearest to the far end of the vessel has a window. Two or more diffusers are located near a bottom surface of the vessel. The diffusers are in communication with the air inlet and have two or more orifices through a wall. An adjustable plate is releasably mounted over the window of the baffle located closest to the far end of the vessel. The plate is adjustable in a vertical direction. In one embodiment, an air source supplies air to the air inlet located on the near end of the vessel. In another embodiment, an air source is connected to the an air exit located on the far side of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Aeromix Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Troy D. Schmidtke
  • Patent number: 6528210
    Abstract: An anode degassing process for removing gas and densifying a slurry of anode mix. The process includes the steps of manufacturing an anode mix, aging the anode mix for at least thirty minutes following manufacture of the anode mix, disposing the aged anode mix into a degassing mixer, generating a vacuum in the degassing mixer, and agitating the anode mix by mixing in the presence of the vacuum so as to remove gas from the anode mix. The anode mix achieves a density of greater than 96 percent of the theoretical density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Micah R. Oertel, Thomas N. Deighton, Susan L. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20030029317
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is an automated system for transporting and deoxygenating a solution. The system is designed to: 1) transport a solution through a deoxygenating device 2) continuously monitor the oxygen content of the deoxygenated solution 3) collect the solution in a reservoir and automatically maintain solution level 4) automatically dispense the solution as requested and 5) perform automated solution prepare, startup, and shutdown operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Todd Aldridge Russell, Milos Sidlo, Robert Donlon
  • Publication number: 20030015304
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for degassing of suspension, specifically fiber stock suspension. The method according to the invention is characterized in that separated excess suspension is discharged sideways through an overflow having an overflow edge that is located in the tank outside wall and is positioned parallel to the tank axis. The device according to the invention is characterized in that the overflow includes at least one overflow having an overflow edge that is located in the tank outside wall and is positioned parallel to the tank axis and that at least one overflow system, for the purpose of discharging the separated excess suspension, is located following the overflow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Beuermann
  • Patent number: 6508859
    Abstract: A device for removing entrained air or gas from fluids includes a first chamber having a fluid inlet and an outlet, a second chamber, adjacent said first chamber, having a plurality of channels, a porous barrier separating the first chamber and the second chamber and a vent in fluid communication with the second chamber. The inlet is connected to the first chamber through at least one fluid passage. Fluid flows from the inlet, through the passage, and into the first chamber. A fluid dead zone adjacent the barrier assists an air or gas bubble to coalesce and pass through the barrier into the second chamber. The plurality of channels within the second chamber collect the air or gas and direct it to the vent in communication with the channels. A clip, or similar device, may be used to secure the device to medical equipment adjacent the patient or fluid source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Porous Media Corporation
    Inventors: Majid Zia, Eric M. Hollnagel, Craig J. Cuta
  • Publication number: 20030010204
    Abstract: A method of controlling occurrence of severe slugging in a riser (6) of a pipeline arrangement (2) comprising a riser base (8) and pipeline (4) conveying a multiphase fluid system in which the gas phase may be natural gas. The upper end of riser (6) is connected to a separator vessel (10) wherein the gas phase of the multiphase fluid system is separated from the liquid phase so that the separated gas leaves through gas outlet pipe (12) controlled by a valve (14), and the liquid leaves through an outlet pipe (16) controlled by valve (18). The valve (14) regulates the velocity of gas along the pipeline towards the riser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Peter David Molyneux, John Paul Kinvig
  • Publication number: 20030000893
    Abstract: A plating system comprises: a plating unit which plates a water; a plating solution storage tank which stores a plating solution; and a plating solution supply system which supplies the plating solution in the plating solution storage tank to the plating unit. A dissolved oxygen removing unit which removes dissolved oxygen from the plating solution flowing in the plating solution supply system is provided in the middle of the plating solution supply system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Yoshinori Marumo
  • Patent number: 6436710
    Abstract: A headspace sampling system monitors materials in wastewater. The headspace sampling system comprises a sample receptacle that can contain a wastewater sample; a sparger chamber vapor column; a sample receptacle cover assembly that connects the sparger chamber vapor column to the sample receptacle; a sparger tube; at least one sensing device; and at least one analytic device. The sparger tube and the sample receptacle define a headspace. The sparger chamber vapor column is in communication with the sample receptacle and is closed by a sparger chamber vapor column cover at a second end that is opposed to the sample receptacle. The sparger tube extends into the sample receptacle and the wastewater sample in the sample receptacle. The sparger tube is connected to a source of inert gas at a first end opposed to the sample receptacle and comprises a dispersion device at an end opposed to the first end. The sensing device is disposed in the headspace sampling system in the headspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Timothy Mark Sivavec, Sunita Singh Baghel, Don Royall Houston, Angelo Anthony Bracco
  • Patent number: 6413299
    Abstract: In the instant invention a secondary gas pipeline is constructed which runs in parallel with the primary gas pipeline and which secondary gas pipeline is of an appropriate size and configuration that a liquid slug passing through the primary gas pipeline will tend to divide and partially enter the secondary gas pipeline, and while in the secondary gas pipeline will substantially become transformed into a two phase flow one phase of which is gas and the other phase of which is liquid, and wherein when the gas phase in the secondary gas pipeline re-enters the primary gas pipeline it will tend to cause the dissipation of any liquid slugs in the primary gas pipeline at the point of re-entry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventor: Miles E. Haukeness
  • Patent number: 6409888
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for water degasification and distillation in an apparatus having a container for a reservoir of water to be degassed and distilled, a relatively small boiler adjoining the container and having a feed water conduit connecting the container and boiler so that a selected water level in the container will fill the boiler to the same level, a coiled tube condenser within the container immersed in the water therein, the condenser coil having a vertically disposed longitudinal axis, a second conduit in the boiler connecting the space above the water level therein to the inlet of the condenser so that steam flows from the boiler to the condenser, an outlet on the condenser extending through a container wall for discharging the condensed steam as degassed distilled water, a heater in the boiler for heating the water therein, a motor driven stirrer axially of the coiled tube condenser for generating a swirling movement of the reservoir water with formation of steam bubbles therein and an ozone ge
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: John C. Ellis, Jr.