And Subsequent Handling Of Evolved Gas, Stripping Gas, Or Residue Liquid Patents (Class 95/254)
  • Patent number: 11560984
    Abstract: Disclosed are processes, apparatuses, and systems in natural gas pipelines to significantly reduce pigging and blowdown emissions. In an example, a process involves filtering and/or separating pigging or blowdown emissions. The filtered and/or separated pigging/blowdown products can then be stored in a storage, sent back into the natural gas pipeline at a downstream location, or sent to an adjacent pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: NEXT CARBON SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Ivan Van Der Walt, Ben Heichelbech, Connor Rivard, Vikrum Subra
  • Patent number: 11441368
    Abstract: Techniques for improving a drilling fluid flow rate of a drilling fluid degasser by splitting the flow of the drilling fluid (e.g., drilling mud) are provided. An exemplary apparatus for degassing drilling fluid generally includes a pressure vessel; a vacuum blower in fluid communication with the pressure vessel; a slotted centrifuge tube having a cross-sectional area; a motor configured to power the vacuum blower and rotate the slotted centrifuge tube; an evacuation pump having an impeller connected with a lower end of the slotted centrifuge tube; and an inlet pipe spaced a distance away from the lower end of the slotted centrifuge tube, wherein the distance is based on a relationship between a cross-sectional area of the inlet pipe and the cross-sectional area of the slotted centrifuge tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Inventor: Harry L. Burgess
  • Patent number: 11097961
    Abstract: Water contaminated with antibiotics, pharmaceuticals, microorganisms and other organic material stripped of these contaminating products with a specialized gas sparged hydrocyclone apparatus using an ozone containing gas as the stripping gas. The stripping gas contains 50-98 volume percent ozone, and the contaminated water is exposed to UV light prior to introduction into the sparger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: John D. Jones Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Jones
  • Patent number: 10576413
    Abstract: The invention pertains to processes for separating gases, acid gas, hydrocarbons, air gases, or combinations thereof. The processes may employ using a liquid phase cloud point with or without subsequent liquid-liquid separation. In some embodiments membranes can be employed with reverse osmosis to regenerate a solvent and/or an antisolvent. In some embodiments thermal switching phase changes may be employed during absorption or desorption to facilitate separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Inventor: Ethan J. Novek
  • Patent number: 10179456
    Abstract: A device for recovery of the atmosphere containing solvent vapors from at least one ink recovery reservoir of a print machine comprising: n (n?1) filter(s) arranged at the outlet from at least one ink reservoir (10). Each filter comprises an inlet face, an outlet face, a filter body between the two faces, and conduit(s) for recovering at least part of a liquid condensed on the surface of the inlet face before this liquid has passed through it. Each filter is either: upstream from a condenser, an atmosphere output from the reservoir, passing through the inlet face, and then the filter body and the outlet face before being sent to the condenser; or downstream from the condenser, an atmosphere from the condenser passing through the inlet face, and then the filter body and the outlet face before being sent to at least one print head of the print machine, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: DOVER EUROPE SÀRL
    Inventors: Jean Xing, Adrien Marion, Francis Pourtier
  • Publication number: 20150059574
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a catch tank for drilling operations. The catch tank is located between a mud-gas separator and a flare. The catch tank has an inlet port with a closed end baffle which allows a drilling fluid-gas mixture to be separated and gas to proceed to the flare without entrained drilling fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Brent Williams
  • Patent number: 8945398
    Abstract: A water recovery process for a steam assisted gravity drainage system for a heavy oil recovery facility, the process comprising a flash drum and a flash drum heat exchanger/condenser, wherein the water recovery process receives hot water produced by a facility at a temperature above the water atmospheric boiling point and cools it to a temperature below the water atmospheric boiling point before transferring it to the remaining section of the water recovery process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: 1nSite Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenneth James
  • Patent number: 8685148
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and a plant for the treatment of the vented gas mixture from a deaerator of a steam production process associated with a hydrocarbon-reforming syngas production process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Pascal Marty, Marie-Pascal Victor, Alain Briglia
  • Patent number: 8632686
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to remove water content in organic solvents characterized in that it comprises treatment tank 10 to which organic solvent is introduced, solvent inlet section 1 that introduces the organic solvent, solvent outlet section 2 from which the treated organic solvent is discharged, inert gas inlet section 3 from which inert gas is introduced, treatment gas outlet section 4 from which gas is discharged, cooling treatment tank 20 in which the treatment gas is cooled and the gas and liquid are separated, treatment gas inlet section 5 from which the treatment gas is introduced, recovered liquid outlet section 6 from which the separated liquid organic solvent is discharged, and waste gas outlet section 7 from which the separated gas is discharged, and that the water content in the organic solvent is removed by having the inert gas flow over the entire liquid surface of the organic solvent inside treatment tank 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventors: Terumasa Koura, Takashi Kameoka
  • Publication number: 20130284019
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating process water which is loaded with gaseous compounds and/or possibly with solids and comes from a wet-cleaning installation for cleaning process gas, e.g., from a melt-reduction subassembly or from a direct-reduction subassembly. Process water is introduced in a tank in a first process stage and degassed on the basis of reduced solubility of the dissolved compounds. The tank has, on its upper side, a gas-collecting chamber, in which the separated-off gases are collected and from which these are discharged. Likewise, the treated process water is discharged from the tank via a drainage means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Alois Gstoettenmayr, Hado Heckmann, Kurt Lukschander, Robert Millner, Ulrike Schmidt, Helmut Siegl, Johann Wurm
  • Patent number: 8501019
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for separating fluid mixtures, in particular for separating oil and water in a vacuum container, into which the fluid mixture is injected by means of an adjustable truncated-cone round jet nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Urag-Industries GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Schomburg
  • Patent number: 8500868
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the separation and capture of carbon dioxide from water are generally described. In some embodiments, a vapor stream containing carbon dioxide and water is separated using a cascade of at least two flash drums. Additional flash steps may be incorporated to remove atmospheric gases, such as nitrogen and argon, from the feed. Carbon dioxide may be condensed and pressurized at purities suitable for pipeline transport and eventual storage in geological formations. In addition, water may be recovered at high purity. In some embodiments, fuel cells may be used in combination with fuel reforming or gasification to produce syngas. Certain aspects of the invention involve innovations related to the combined reforming and fuel cell process, that, in certain embodiments, do not depend upon water and carbon dioxide separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Thomas Alan Adams, II, Paul Inigo Barton
  • Patent number: 8460439
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a two stage process to control the butanol concentration from fermentation broth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventor: William D. Parten
  • Patent number: 8425777
    Abstract: A method of separating includes mixing a fluid into a mixture that has been separated from an oil well stream and that includes water, oil, and gas. The mixture including the fluid is fed into a separator and allowed to separate into a water phase and an oil/fluid phase. The cleaned water phase is removed from the separator via an outlet for water. The oil/fluid phase is subjected to a separation step separating the oil/fluid into an oil phase and a gaseous phase, from which gaseous phase the fluid is recovered by a condensation step and recycled for injection into the mixture. The separator is a liquid-liquid/gas separator in which the pressure is in the range of 0.5 bar to 25 bar, while the mixture including the fluid is separated into the water phase and an oil/gas phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Norge AS
    Inventor: Jorn Folkvang
  • Patent number: 8277565
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing residues of hazardous materials from vapor in a tank (1), wherein such a vapor is heated, passed outside the tank and subsequently cooled and the remaining dry vapor is recirculated, characterized in that a) said vapor is heated to a temperature of at least 5° C. above the melting point and below the self ignition point of the hazardous material, b) the vapor mixture thus formed is passed by means of a pump (3) from the tank through a discharge unit to a recovery unit, c) is cooled to a temperature of at least 5° C. lower and above the melting point of the hazardous material in a recovery unit, d) the liquid components of the vapor are recovered and the dry gas mixture is recirculated to the tank after reheating to the desired temperature, e) said recirculation being repeated as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: VCS Global Systems B.V.
    Inventor: Perry Van Der Bogt
  • Patent number: 8133300
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a chamber may be configured to separate oil and gas. For example, the oil and gas may be separated as they exit a compressor, an oil storage tank, etc. In some embodiments, the gas may be a heavy gas and the oil may be compressor oil. One or more heated baffles may interact with the oil and gas to increase the velocity of the gas flow to inhibit the gas from absorbing into the oil. In some embodiments, when the compressor feeding the chamber is operating at a decreased compression rate, the chamber may continue to heat the oil to vaporize impurities out of the oil. The impurities may then be vented out of the chamber through the bleed valve to a gas inlet scrubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: S&R Compression, LLC
    Inventors: Louis C. Gonsalves, III, George Alan Sweetman
  • Publication number: 20120048113
    Abstract: A subsea system includes a multiphase pump, configured to transfer a multiphase fluid and a multiphase separator, configured to separate the multiphase fluid into solid, liquid, and gaseous phases. The multiphase separator includes a solid-liquid separation device, which is configured to facilitate separation of the solid phase and the liquid phase from the multiphase fluid. The multiphase separator includes a gas-liquid separation device, which is configured to facilitate separation of the gaseous phase and the liquid phase from the multiphase fluid. The multiphase separator includes a liquid reservoir, which is configured to contain a volume of the liquid phase to be used as a lubricant for the multiphase pump. Finally, the multiphase separator includes a liquid outlet, which is configured to transfer the liquid phase from the liquid reservoir to the multiphase pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Deloyd Anderson, Vasanth Srinivasa Kothnur, Hrishikesh Vishvas Deo, Johan Kristian Sveen, Ove Saele
  • Patent number: 8123833
    Abstract: A process for producing a gas-containing cleaning water which contains a specific gas dissolved in water, which process comprises dissolving the specific gas into water under an increased pressure exceeding an atmospheric pressure to prepare a gas-containing water having a concentration of the gas exceeding solubility of the gas under an atmospheric pressure and, then, removing a portion of the dissolved gas by decreasing pressure on the gas-containing water; an apparatus for producing a gas-containing cleaning water which comprises an apparatus for dissolving a gas (14) in which a specific gas is dissolved into water under a pressure exceeding the atmospheric pressure and an apparatus for removing a portion of a dissolved gas (15) in which the pressure on the gas-containing water obtained from the apparatus for dissolving a gas is decreased to a pressure lower than the pressure under which the gas has been dissolved so that a portion of the dissolved gas is removed; and a cleaning apparatus using the gas-con
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Kurita Water Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Morita, Hiroto Tokoshima
  • Patent number: 8097172
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for recovering organic compounds from plant waste water. A saturator (10) is coupled to a feed gas stream (70) and a heated makeup water stream (54) which includes recoverable organic compounds. The saturator provides a saturated feed gas stream (70) which includes feed gas, steam and recovered organic compounds. A pump (30) recycles saturator water (56) and the makeup water stream (50) is added to that recycle stream (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Aker Kvaerner, Inc.
    Inventors: Muhammad Nazrul Islam, Gwo-Jang Abraham Liou, Stephen D. York
  • Patent number: 8057580
    Abstract: A method of processing a multiphase well effluent mixture comprises: transferring the multiphase well effluent mixture (G+L) via a multiphase well effluent flowline (3, 23) to a gas liquid separator (5, 24) in which the multiphase well effluent mixture is separated into substantially gaseous and liquid fractions; transferring the substantially liquid fraction L into a liquid flowline (7, 25) in which a liquid pump (8, 29) is arranged; transferring the substantially gaseous fraction into a gas flowline (6, 26) in which a gas compressor (10, 30) is arranged; protecting the gas compressor (10, 30) against pressure and/or liquid surges by recirculating a recycled gas stream (Ghot) via a gas recycling conduit (14, 44) through the gas compressor in response to detection of a pressure and/or liquid surge in the multiphase well effluent mixture; cooling the recycled gas stream by injecting cooled recycled liquid (Lcold) from the liquid flowline (7, 25) into the recycled gas stream (Ghot) which recycled liquid is cool
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Edwin Poorte, Ola Skrøvseth, Asbjørn Eriksen, Karl Olav Haram, Julian Van Der Merwe
  • Patent number: 8043588
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and plant for energy-efficient removal of CO2 from a gas phase by means of absorption. The invention is particularly suitable for use in connection with thermal power plants fired by fossil fuels, and is also well-suited for retrofitting in existing thermal power plants. A processing plant according to the invention comprises three sections: a primary CO2-generating process that serves as main product supplier; a CO2-capture and separation plant based on absorption and desorption of CO2 respectively by/from at least one absorbent; and a second CO2-generating process where combustion of carbonaceous fuel in pure oxygen atmosphere serves as energy supply to at least a part of the thermal energy necessary to drive the regeneration of the absorbent in the desorption column(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignees: CO2-Norway AS, Nebb Engineering AS
    Inventors: Carl W. Hustad, Ingo Tronstad
  • Patent number: 8038770
    Abstract: A separator for a hydraulic system is provided, including a substrate and a membrane. The substrate includes a substrate outer surface and a gas side expulsion area. The expulsion area is for expelling gas from the separator. The membrane is in communication with the substrate, and is for permeating gas to the substrate outer surface while substantially blocking ingression of fluid to the substrate. The substrate outer surface is for receiving gas. The substrate is for transporting gas from the substrate outer surface to the expulsion area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Edward J. Hummelt
  • Publication number: 20110048391
    Abstract: A breather system for a crankcase of an internal combustion engine includes a gas compressor configured to elevate the pressure of crankcase blow-by gas. At least one gas-oil separator receives gas with entrained oil from the compressor, separates oil from the gas and discharges cleaned gas. The oil is re-circulated back to the crankcase. The cleaned gas is either discharged through the engine exhaust system or re-circulated back into the engine combustion air intake. A bypass conduit allows cleaned gas to be re-circulated from the gas-oil separator outlet to the compressor inlet to balance the blow-by production with the capacity of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Christofer J. Palumbo
  • Patent number: 7892325
    Abstract: A process for controlled conversion of at least two gases which form ignitable and/or explosive mixtures with one another, in which the gases are absorbed either separately or together in a carrier liquid which is inert in relation to the gases; the carrier liquid with the absorbed gases is fed to a degasser which comprises a closed degassing vessel (2) which comprises at least one feed line for the gas-laden carrier liquid (1) and at least one gas outlet (3) at its upper end, and also one or more drains for the carrier liquid below the feed line for the carrier liquid and in each case connected to a drain pipe (4), and in such a manner that the liquid flow rate in the degassing vessel (2) is less than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Christ Water Technology AG
    Inventors: Thomas Menzel, Grigorios Kolios, Monique Bissen, Jürgen Johann
  • Patent number: 7803253
    Abstract: A dehydration method of a water-containing substance using a liquefied matter, including a step (1) of contacting a liquefied matter of a substance which is in a gas phase under a condition at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure with the water-containing substance, to dissolve contained water in the water-containing substance into the liquefied matter, for obtaining the liquefied matter containing a large amount of water; and a step (2) of vaporizing the substance out of the liquefied matter containing a large amount of water, to thereby separate the substance as the gas from water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry
    Inventors: Hideki Kanda, Youichi Urakawa
  • Patent number: 7780766
    Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for collecting vapor gas generated by an oil-containing material within a production tank. The devices and associated methods result in produced oil having a reduced level of dissolved hydrocarbons and recovery of vapor gas for resale. The devices include vapor recovery units connected to conventional oil-production units so that a conventional unit is converted to a low emission unit. In an embodiment, the device is a column separator comprising a perforated, packed spiral baffle with one end that receives vapor gas and a second end for removing gas that has traversed the length of the column separator. Also provided are methods for converting an oil-production unit into a low-emission oil production unit using any of the devices disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Leed Fabrication Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Delbert Thompson
  • Patent number: 7753990
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for reducing entrained and dissolved gasses from a well fluid. The system includes a well fluid, at least one process tank into which the well fluid flows, wherein a first process tank comprises a weir arrangement over which the well fluid spills, a mechanical degasser coupled to the at least one process tank and configured to receive the well fluid, and an aeration device disposed in the at least one process tank that generates bubbles in the well fluid. The present invention also provides a method of reducing entrained and dissolved gases from a well fluid that includes flowing a well fluid into a process tank, exerting a centrifugal force on the well fluid, and generating bubbles in the well fluid in the process tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: M-I LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Freeman, Eric Hand
  • Patent number: 7745567
    Abstract: A process for continuously stripping a polymer dispersion comprising a heat exchanger with minimal internal obstructions for the stripper. The process is particularly adapted to dispersions that are heat and shear sensitive. The process is able to extract hydrophobic VOC's more efficiently than a single, jacketed tube design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: James Kent Carpenter, Adam Loyack
  • Publication number: 20100124676
    Abstract: A system and method for managing gas bubbles in a liquid flow system are described. In particular, according to the system and method, novel techniques reduce a volume of cavities in the liquid flow system and limit a cross-sectional area of the liquid flow system to a maximum cross-sectional area of tolerably sized bubbles. In this manner, by reducing the cavity volumes and limiting cross-sectional areas, the formation of intolerably sized bubbles and the aggregation of tolerably sized bubbles into intolerably sized bubbles are each substantially prevented. Also, bubbles may be removed from the system to reduce the quantity of bubbles that are to be managed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Inventors: John E. Meschter, James K. Prueitt, Paul Bishop, Robert Miller, Karen Thatcher, Bryan Grygus, Michael Chen, Zhigang Qi
  • Publication number: 20100064892
    Abstract: A gas liquid separator system for a hydrogen generating apparatus includes a collection area for collecting liquid from the generated gases. To empty the collection area occasionally so that liquid does not build up and become entrained again in the dried gas, a vent solenoid is provided in communication with the collection area and a pump is used to create a vacuum periodically on the electrolysis cells. Such arrangement is used to open the liquid gas filter and possibly just the sump to atmosphere occasionally and vacuum generated to draw the liquid from the sump back to the electrolysis cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: HY-DRIVE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventor: Andrew Harland Linsday
  • Patent number: 7615103
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatuses for removing bubbles from a process liquid. The process liquid can comprise a plating solution used in a plating tool. The process liquid is supplied to a tank. A plurality of streams of the process liquid are directed towards a surface of the process liquid from below. This can be done by feeding the process liquid to a flow distributor comprising a plurality of openings providing flow communication between an inner volume of the flow distributor and a main volume of the tank. Before leaving the tank through an outlet, the process liquid flows through a flow barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Helge Hartz, Markus Nopper, Axel Preusse
  • Publication number: 20090135410
    Abstract: An ophthalmic device forming system includes an inspection station configured to receive a plurality of ophthalmic devices, a fluid supply fluidly connected to the inspection station, the fluid supply containing a working fluid, and a heat source fluidly connected between the fluid supply and the inspection station. The heat source includes a housing, a transfer element, and a low pressure gas region defined by the housing adjacent to the transfer element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventor: Kevin D. Beebe
  • Patent number: 7537643
    Abstract: A method for treating a waste product from a chemical processing plant. Chemical processing plants such as oil refineries produce sour water waste that includes ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. The sour water is typically steam stripped to form a vapor stream including water, the ammonia and the hydrogen sulfide. The vapor stream is converted into a concentrated ammonium sulfide solution using a scrubber unit that includes a cooling and quenching column. Concentrating the byproducts provides for more efficient transportation of the concentrate from several refineries to a remote, centralized purification facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: PCS Nitrogen Fertilizer LP
    Inventors: Richard Neylon, Clark Bailey, Allen D. Bierle, Fred Elliot, Scott A. Bierle
  • Patent number: 7537700
    Abstract: A method and a system for removing water from high water content solid such as high water content coal, which enables dewatering with small energy consumption. A liquefied material which is a gas at 25° C. under 1 atm. (hereinafter referred to as material D) is contacted with a solid containing water to allow the liquefied material D to dissolve the water contained in the solid, and to produce a liquefied material D having a high water content and simultaneously remove the water from the solid, and by vaporizing the material D in the liquefied material having a high water content, to thereby separate the water from the resulting gaseous material D, recovering the separated gaseous material D, and liquefying the recovered gaseous material by pressurizing, cooling or a combination thereof, to reuse the resulting liquefied material for removing water from a solid containing water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry
    Inventors: Hideki Kanda, Hiromi Shirai
  • Patent number: 7387660
    Abstract: A method of degassing cavitation fluid using a closed-loop cavitation fluid circulatory system is provided. The procedure is comprised of multiple stages. During the first stage, the cavitation fluid contained within the reservoir is degassed using an attached vacuum system. During the second stage, the cavitation fluid is pumped into the cavitation chamber and cavitated. As a result of the cavitation process, gases dissolved within the cavitation fluid are released. The circulatory system provides a means of pumping the gases from the chamber and the vacuum system provides a means of periodically eliminating the gases from the system. A third stage, although not required, can be used to further eliminate gases dissolved within the cavitation fluid. During the third stage cavities are formed within the cavitation fluid within the chamber using any of a variety of means such as neutron bombardment, laser vaporization or localized heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Impulse Devices, Inc.,
    Inventors: Ross Alan Tessien, Dario Felipe Gaitan
  • Patent number: 7381241
    Abstract: A method of degassing cavitation fluid using a closed-loop cavitation fluid circulatory system is provided. The procedure is comprised of multiple stages. During the first stage, the cavitation fluid is continuously circulated through the cavitation chamber, reservoir and the circulatory system while the fluid within the chamber is cavitated. A vacuum system coupled to the fluid reservoir periodically degasses the fluid. During the second stage, pumping of the cavitation fluid through the chamber is discontinued. Gases released by the cavitation process are periodically pumped out of the chamber and periodically eliminated by the vacuum system. A third stage, although not required, can be used to further eliminate gases dissolved within the cavitation fluid. During the third stage cavities are formed within the cavitation fluid within the chamber using any of a variety of means such as neutron bombardment, laser vaporization or localized heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Impulse Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Ross Alan Tessien, Dario Felipe Gaitan
  • Patent number: 7347945
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an installation for separating out an effluent made up of a multi-phase fluid mixture. According to the invention, said installation includes gravity separator means whose geometrical separation characteristics can be adjusted during said separation operation. According to the invention, the method makes it possible to adjust the geometrical separation characteristics of the separator as a function of how the multi-phase composition of the effluent varies over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jul Amado, Baptiste Germond, Pierre Le Foll
  • Patent number: 7303608
    Abstract: In a system for collecting gas from a subsurface body of contaminated water, a site collects unabsorbed reactive gas from the subsurface body of contaminated water. In addition, a vacuum source is connected to the site. Furthermore, a controller regulates a flow of the reactive gas from the site to the vacuum source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel McGrade
  • Patent number: 7304124
    Abstract: A stripping process is provided which continuously strips volatile substances from a dispersion containing a polymer particles through stripping the volatile substances from a dispersion by blowing an inert gas into the dispersion to draw the volatile substances into the inert gas, removing the volatile substances from the gas mixture of the inert gas and the stripped volatile substances and circulating the purified inert gas obtained by removing the volatile substances from the gas mixture, and blowing the purified inert gas into the dispersion. Also provided is a production process for a toner which uses this stripping process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Zeon Corporation
    Inventors: Takeo Fujino, Kazuhiro Sato
  • 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: 6989103
    Abstract: Methods of treatment of fluids produced by an oil or gas well following a stimulation operation, allowing separation from the fluids and re-injection of oil and gas hydrocarbons in a production pipeline under pressure, and allowing achievement of suitable quality for the residual fluids compatible with their rejection, for example into the sea, including the following three elements; neutralization of the fluids by mixing with a high pH chemical, until the resulting pH reaches a level compatible with the equipment and pipes; use of optimized emulsion breakers in a phase separator, selected for best results with the fluids produced by the well, to accelerate the separation of oil from the fluids, and to lower the residual oil content in the fluids to levels compatible with environmental regulations; and use of a multi-phase pump to pump the oil and gas hydrocarbons produced and reinject them in a pipeline under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Abdul Hameed Mohsen, Mohammed Nashat, Mansour Shaheen, Alp Tengirsek, Thomas Wilson
  • 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: 6843832
    Abstract: The compound/curvilinear immiscible liquid separator has a separator section with an outer, elongated, cylindrical shell aligned vertically opening into an upper transition section and vapor dome at the top and a lower transition section and solid/heavy crude containment section at the bottom. A center column is disposed in the axial center of the separator section and a plurality of serially connected curved plates are disposed between the outer shell and center column to define an elongated curvilinear flow path having reverse flow pathways. An oil-water-gas mixture is introduced into the separator section under pressure past heating coils and through the curvilinear path, the lighter density oil entering and being removed from the top of the center column, and heavier sludge and brine collecting in the containment section. Gases bubble up through the center column and are removed from the vapor dome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventors: Boyd B. Greene, Helen C. Greene
  • Patent number: 6758886
    Abstract: A three-phase separator for separating off from a fluid gas and particles contained therein, includes at least one pair of two gas collection caps extending in a horizontal longitudinal direction (L) and each having a plate section. The plate sections converge in the downward direction. At the bottom ends the plate sections leave an inlet passage, elongated in the longitudinal direction, for the fluid containing particles and an outlet passage, elongated in the longitudinal direction, for settled particles. A discharge opening for fluid, opening into the settling chamber, is provided at a level higher than the inlet and outlet passages. The inlet passage and the outlet passage are located in the extension of one another, viewed in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Paques Water Systems, B.V.
    Inventor: Sjoerd Hubertus Jozef Vellinga
  • Patent number: 6719823
    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: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan G. Custer, Aaron Trent Ward, Shawn M. Lewis
  • 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: 20030159581
    Abstract: A method and system for sea-based handling/treatment of fluid hydrocarbons (oil) with associated gas comprise a first separation step in a high-pressure separator (18) installed on the sea bed, from which is output an oil flow containing an essentially predefined percentage of residual gas. The oil containing residual gas is carried through a riser (22) up to a surface vessel/production ship (12), where it is subjected to a second separation step in a second separator (24) incorporated in a low-pressure surface plant on board the vessel (12), this separated residual gas being used as fuel for direct/indirect generation of electric power for the operation of the underwater and above-water sections of the system. Water and gas produced in the first separation step is returned to a suitable reservoir by the use of a multiphase pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Morten Sanderford, Bernt Helge Torkildsen, Jens Grendstad, Egil Tveit, Olav Inderberg
  • 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: 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