Lighter Constituent Trap Patents (Class 210/538)
  • Patent number: 11927078
    Abstract: An improved underwater oil, gas and water separator used as party of a hydrocarbon containment system for recovery of oil and/or gas subsea, especially from downed structures with leaking production wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Inventors: Walter Jack Couch, Kevin J. Kennelley, Timothy Couvillion, Scott Schexnayder
  • Patent number: 11845029
    Abstract: A scent presentation system for segregating a desired scent from other scents suspended in a gas. The desired scent has a density that differs from that of another scent in the gas. The system includes a housing having a sloping top wall and a pair of elongated sloping side walls extending downward from the top wall on opposite sides of the top wall. The top wall and the pair of side walls define a channel extending between an upstream end and a downstream end of the housing. The system has a separating gate extending downward into the channel from the top wall to a lower end positioned inside the channel. The gate separates the channel into upstream and downstream chambers. The upstream end has an inlet port allowing the gas to enter the channel, and the downstream end has an outlet port allowing the gas to exit the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 11679342
    Abstract: A separation device configured to separate light and heavy components of an effluent mixture. The separation device includes a separation tank, an inlet discharge, an outlet diffuser, and a baffle. The separation tank includes a tank reservoir for containing the effluent mixture during separation, with light components configured to migrate upwardly toward a static water line and heavy components configured to sink adjacent the bottom. The inlet discharge is located within the tank reservoir to supply effluent mixture to the separation tank. The outlet diffuser is spaced from the inlet discharge and located within the tank reservoir to receive a heavy component of the effluent mixture after separation. The baffle is located within the tank reservoir to separate the inlet discharge from the outlet diffuser. The baffle presents a baffle opening adjacent the static water line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Schier Products Company
    Inventors: Tad Asay, Connor O'Boyle, Benjamin F. Brown, Grahm Heide
  • Patent number: 11679343
    Abstract: A separation system for separating components of a flow of multi-phase fluid includes an elongate separator vessel oriented on an incline to define a lower inlet end having an inlet for receiving the fluid flow, a raised outlet end, and an inclined top inner surface extending from the inlet end to the outlet end. The system includes a lower weir plate positioned above the inlet end and an upper weir plate positioned below the outlet end having an upper edge defining a liquid level within the separator vessel, thereby allowing a lighter fluid component to flow over the upper edge into a upper section located forwardly of the upper weir plate. The system also includes a clear water pipe with a withdrawal opening positioned below the upper weir plate. The incline of the separator vessel is adjustable in accordance with the composition of the multi-phase fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: ENXL LLC
    Inventor: Bruce D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11472720
    Abstract: A wastewater management system has a container with the first chamber and a second chamber therein, a diverter valve having an inlet and a first outlet, a holding tank interconnected to the first outlet of the diverter valve, and a controller connected to the diverter valve so as to move the diverter valve to the first position. The first outlet is directed to the first chamber. The inlet of the diverter valve is adapted to receive wastewater from a location remote from the container. The inlet is connected to the first outlet in the first position. The diverter valve can be a three-way valve having a first outlet directed to the first chamber and a second outlet directed to a second chamber. The controller moves the diverter valve between first and second outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: PARK ENVIRONMENTAL EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Nolan Eberly
  • Patent number: 11376523
    Abstract: An instantaneous separation system for capturing and recovering oil from an outdoor electrical equipment. The system includes a capture system for capturing a mixture of oil and water and transporting the mixture to an instantaneous separation reservoir. The separation reservoir maintains the separated oil and water separate via a separation plate. A water outlet pipe transports the separated water back to the surroundings, an oil outlet pipe transports the separated oil to an oil reservoir; a nominal water level threshold maintains the separated water at a given water height by directing any water surpassing the water height to the surroundings via the water outlet pipe. The nominal water level threshold and the separation plate ensure that substantially only the separated water enters the water outlet pipe. An oil outlet threshold is positioned at a height that is greater than the height of the nominal water level threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Inventors: Christian Martel, Marc Nadeau
  • Patent number: 11112061
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a water detector of a double structure with a freeze protection function is disclosed. The water detector includes: an external body including a container-shaped structure which has an empty space formed therein, and includes a side surface portion, an upper portion, and a lower portion; and an internal body which is inserted into an inside of the external body and coupled thereto, the internal body including a container-shaped structure which has an empty space formed therein, and includes a side surface portion, an upper portion, and a lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: SOLGE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tae Heon Kim
  • Patent number: 9381448
    Abstract: A distribution array (10) for use in a settler area (12) of a mixer-settler, the distribution array (10) characterized by: at least one panel (26, 28) of linearly-spaced barrier elements (30), wherein the depth of the barrier elements (30), relative to a length of the settler area (12) in which it is to be positioned, is greater than the spacing between the barrier elements (30), thereby defining a fluid flow channel between adjacent barrier elements (30) that is longer than it is wide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Hatch Associates Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Scott Brian Poulter, Ross Jeffrey Haywood, Wesley Adam Taylor
  • Patent number: 9308471
    Abstract: A re-entrainment prevention apparatus (18) for use in a settler area (12) of a mixer-settler, the re-entrainment prevention apparatus (18) comprising: at least one panel (28, 30) of generally vertical linearly-spaced barrier elements (31), an upper barrier element (24) and a lower barrier element (26), wherein the upper and lower barrier elements (24, 26) are arranged relative to the generally vertical barrier elements (31) so as to constrain a fluid flow (32) that impinges thereon such that it is directed through fluid flow channels defined between the generally vertical linearly-spaced barrier elements (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Hatch Associates Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Scott Brian Poulter, Ross Jeffrey Haywood, Wesley Adam Taylor, Christos Panaou
  • Patent number: 8968579
    Abstract: A separation process and system for extracting hydrocarbons from a mixture. In some embodiments, a process for separating a bitumen froth stream containing bitumen froth, water and fine solids into a bitumen enriched froth stream and a water and fine solids stream, comprises: (a) receiving the bitumen froth stream in a concentrator vessel, (b) distributing the bitumen froth stream in the concentrator vessel as a substantially uniform and generally horizontal flow of the bitumen froth stream at a first flow velocity, (c) slowing the bitumen froth stream to a second flow velocity, slower than the first flow velocity, in a separation region of the concentrator vessel to promote separation of the bitumen froth from the water and fine solids, and then (d) collecting a bitumen enriched froth stream and (e) collecting a separate water and fine solids stream. Related embodiments of systems and apparatus may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Bradford E. Bjornson, Craig Aaron Strand, William Nicholas Garner, John Khai-Quang Diep, Darwin Edward Kiel, Thomas Charles Hann
  • Patent number: 8940166
    Abstract: An electrocoagulation apparatus is disclosed integrated with a plate clarifier and sludge chamber for effluent treatment. The clarifier includes first and second tanks, an electrocoagulation reactor positioned in the first tank. The sludge chamber is defined below and integrated with the primary reaction chamber and has a selectively openable outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwater Resource, LLC
    Inventor: Reginald A. Wiemers
  • Publication number: 20140345459
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a removal device for removing gas bubbles and/or dirt particles from a liquid in a liquid conduit system or for removing a second liquid from a first liquid in the conduit system. The removal device includes a main channel for a main flow, the main channel having an entry and an exit which are configured to be connected to the conduit system, a housing which defines an inner space, at least one supply channel extending from the main channel to the inner space, at least one return channel extending from the inner space back to the main channel, directly or indirectly via a return chamber, at least one quiet zone in the inner space in which in use the liquid has a substantially smaller velocity than in the main channel. The quiet zone is configured to allow dirt particles or a relatively heavy liquid to settle at a lower end of the housing and/or gas bubbles or a relatively light liquid to rise to an upper end of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: Jan Henk Cnossen
  • Patent number: 8889000
    Abstract: A stormwater treatment unit comprising a containment vault having an inlet and an outlet separates debris from a flow of stormwater through the unit. The water flow is controlled by a wall which directs flow from the inlet to the outlet through a reservoir of fluid in the unit. Debris separation by density occurs whereby lighter elements such as oil float on top of the fluid and heavier elements such as sediment collect at the bottom of the unit or in collectors in the reservoir. A wire mesh, deflector, and/or ripple boards placed beneath the inlet further increase efficiency of the separation, and a vent pipe is placed above the outlet to release pressure built up in the outlet during operation. A stormwater treatment system and method of retrofitting an existing stormwater trunk line locates the stormwater treatment unit in an off-line position from an existing drainage trunk line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Storm Drain Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Robert Hannemann, Albert Mayer Cohen
  • Patent number: 8877050
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the treatment of liquid effluents laden with hydrocarbons, which comprises: feeding the effluents into a treatment tank; supplying the treatment tank with a reversible sorbent having a defined particle size; mixing the effluents with the reversible sorbent in the treatment tank in order to load said reversible sorbent with the hydrocarbons in the effluents; removing the hydrocarbon-laden reversible sorbent from the top of the treatment tank; extracting the treated effluents from the bottom of the treatment tank; and separating the hydrocarbons from the laden reversible sorbent from the treatment tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Osead Hydrocarbon Technologies, SAS
    Inventors: Christian Martin, Rene Pascal
  • Patent number: 8858791
    Abstract: Electrocoagulation and sludge control apparatus and feed controller assembly for effluent treatment are disclosed, the apparatus including a primary reaction chamber having electrodes mounted therein and a treated effluent output. A sludge chamber is defined below and integrated with the primary reaction chamber and has a selectively openable outlet. The feed controller assembly is intermediate the primary reaction chamber and the sludge chamber and has a length selected for distribution of all effluent feed water across substantially an entire length of the primary reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwater Resource, LLC
    Inventor: Reginald A. Wiemers
  • Patent number: 8858799
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and arrangement for separating two solutions mixed in dispersion into two solution phases in a liquid-liquid extraction separation cell. The arrangement includes a first guide wall extending along the whole width of the cell with respect to the vertical direction at an inclined angle. The first guide wall includes a bottom edge, which is located at a distance from the cell bottom, so that a clearance gap is formed between the bottom edge and the cell bottom. The arrangement also includes a second guide wall essentially parallel with the first guide wall and placed at a distance therefrom. Between the first guide wall and the second guide wall an uptake shaft is formed extending diagonally upwards at the inclined angle. The second guide wall is pressed tightly against the cell bottom, and includes a number of vertical slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Bror Nyman, Eero Ekman, Pertti Pekkala, Hannu Laitala, Rami Saario
  • Patent number: 8858790
    Abstract: Electrocoagulation effluent treatment apparatus and methods are disclosed, the apparatus including a primary electrocoagulation reactor chamber having treatment electrodes maintained therein and an effluent inlet and treated effluent outlet. An integrated flotation chamber is located above the reaction chamber, a vacuum device connectable with a vacuum source being received in the flotation chamber and including a foam intake and an output. A sludge chamber is defined below and integrated with the primary reaction chamber and has a settled sludge output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwater Resource, LLC
    Inventors: Reginald A. Wiemers, Robert Kohlheb
  • Patent number: 8851299
    Abstract: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as BTEX methanol and other non-phase separable hydrocarbons may be removed from wastewater obtained from oil or gas exploration or production operations by way of a bioreactor. The bioreactor may employ anaerobic microorganisms that metabolize various VOCs. In some embodiments, such a bioreactor may be configured to treat process flow rates of thousands of barrels of wastewater per hour. Such a bioreactor may comprise a large vessel at a larger water treatment site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: R N Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kerry J. Spiroff, Nathan Zaugg, Huiwei Yu
  • Patent number: 8794871
    Abstract: A flow limiting inlet structure is designed to collect water or other fluids in a pool above grade, and to provide improved capture of sediments and surface pollutants such as oils and greases in the pool, while regulating the flow of water or other fluids during discharge into an outlet pipe. In a conventional storm water detention basin a vertical cylindrical discharge structure can be used to regulate the basin water depth and discharge flow rate of storm water out of the detention basin, in conjunction with the use of a specially designed baffle system that prevents the release of any greases or oils floating on the water surface while capturing any floating trash or debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: AMEC Geomatrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Simpson, Gregory Coppola, Ron Borrego
  • Patent number: 8771505
    Abstract: A trap for a catch basin, and means for mounting said trap to a catch basin wall, comprises a hollow trap body having an inner wall and an outer wall, and side walls joining the inner and outer walls. The trap body has a first aperture near the top of its inner wall, allignable with an outlet of a catch basin, and a second aperture at a lower level on said trap body than said first aperture. A mounting plate is secured to the inner wall of the trap body, and has an aperture allignable with the first aperture of the trap body. A retainer plate is provided, onto which the mounting plate can be mounted. The retainer plate also has an aperture allignable with the apertures on the mounting plate and trap body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: PVC Industrial Products Ltd.
    Inventor: Roch Lafond
  • Patent number: 8758604
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for integrated waste foam/gas evacuation from an electrocoagulation unit. The electrocoagulation unit has a primary electrocoagulation reaction chamber with processing electrodes maintained therein. A flotation chamber is integrated above the reaction chamber and a vacuum hood is affixed over the flotation chamber. A vacuum nozzle device is connectable with a vacuum source and received through the hood and in the flotation chamber, a height adjustable foam intake provided at one end of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwater Resource, LLC
    Inventor: Reginald A. Wiemers
  • Patent number: 8657896
    Abstract: A separator is disclosed. The separator includes a gas/liquid separator vessel, an enclosure, a coalescer and a demister. The gas/liquid separator vessel has a first end, a second end, a first inlet, a first outlet, and a first separation chamber. The first inlet can be adjacent to the first end. The enclosure is positioned within the first separation chamber of the liquid separator vessel. The enclosure has a second inlet, a second outlet, a drain positioned therebetween, and a second separation chamber. The second inlet can be directed towards the first end of the gas/liquid separator vessel. The second separation chamber defines a flow path for a gas stream in which the flow path passes sequentially through the second inlet, second separation chamber and the second outlet. The coalescer is positioned in the second separation chamber to intercept the flow path of the gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Laurence Gouy, Francis Allouche
  • Patent number: 8608959
    Abstract: A device for picking up floating objects on the water, such as hydrocarbons, has an envelope made of a flexible material impervious to water and to the floating objects, having a mouth at the upstream end and a discharge orifice at the downstream end, a folding rigid framework, arranged inside the envelope and attached thereto at the mouth and at the discharge orifice, at least one inflatable tube attached to the envelope and running along the length of the envelope, and a compressed-gas generation device designed to inflate the or each inflatable tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Robert Gastaldi
  • Publication number: 20130319949
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing solids separated from wastewater, or algae from algal solution, using an improved dissolved air flotation system that incorporates a slowly rotating cylindrical sieve at the end of an upward sloping beach to drain free water from the float, which has been pushed up the beach and onto the rotating sieve, and a doctor blade that removes the thickened float from the rotating sieve is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Kyle Booth, Mike Cosby, Mark Fosshage, Scott Poe, Dave Schlegel
  • Patent number: 8591732
    Abstract: Three flow paths within a single container are provided for the separation of contaminates, such as floating debris, heavy trash, lighter fluids and heavier fluids, from an effluent stream. A first flow path is provided for low flow conditions wherein the effluent stream pools in a first chamber within the container and the surface of the pooled fluid is drawn off, leaving heavy contaminates within the first chamber. The drawn fluid, with lighter and/or floating contaminates, enters a second chamber. The fluid is drawn from the second chamber below the surface level of the fluid, leaving the lighter and floating contaminates within the second chamber. In moderate flow conditions, a second flow path is established from the first chamber and out the container, bypassing the second chamber. Fluid for the second flow path is drawn from below the surface of the fluid in the first chamber to exclude light and floating contaminates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Baysaver Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas E. Pank
  • Patent number: 8562841
    Abstract: One possible embodiment of the invention could be a continuous flow separator for biodiesel formation and a method of operating same. The separator could comprise tank with hollow interior forming a main compartment, a weir-formed compartment, and a sump, the weir being formed at one end of the tank, the sump being formed in the tank bottom, the main compartment being located over the sump; a set of horizontally stacked plates received within the main compartment over the sump, each plate features a series of conical structures, cone apertures, and trough apertures; wherein the plates are so configured and stacked that the cone apertures align to form series of cone aperture columns while the trough apertures align to form series of trough aperture columns. The biodiesel moves up the cone aperture columns over a weir into the separate compartment while glycerine descends the trough aperture columns to the sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventor: James Philip Hygate
  • Patent number: 8529763
    Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for reclaiming water contaminated with the expected range of contaminants typically associated with produced water, including water contaminated with slick water, methanol and boron. The system includes anaerobically digesting the contaminated water, followed by aerating the water to enhance biological digestion. After aeration, the water is separated using a flotation operation that effectively removes the spent friction reducing agents and allows the treated water to be reclaimed and reused as fracturing water, even though it retains levels of contaminants, including boron and methanol, that would prevent its discharge to the environment under existing standards. The treated water may further be treated by removing the methanol via biological digestion in a bioreactor, separating a majority of the contaminants from the water by reverse osmosis and removing the boron that passes through the reverse osmosis system with a boron-removing ion exchange resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Anticline Disposal, LLC
    Inventors: Lee L. Shafer, John W. James, Richard D. Rath, Jesse Eubank
  • Patent number: 8512556
    Abstract: A hood that mounts around an outlet of a catch basin with a cover having a proximal end and distal end; the proximal end being pivotally attached to the hood. The cover pivots between a closed sealed position that substantially prevents water born contaminants from passing through the access opening and an open position that allows access to the access opening. The cover is made from a flexible material to allow the cover to be lifted from the closed sealed position in a substantially vertical path that allows access to the outlet of a catch basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Best Management Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee A. Duran, Thomas J. Mullen, III
  • Patent number: 8501018
    Abstract: A process vessel is provided for separating a multi-component stream. The process vessel includes an inlet for permitting introduction of reaction water stream into the vessel and an outlet for withdrawing a water-rich phase from the vessel. The vessel further includes a plurality of draw-off points for drawing off a phase rich in suspended hydrocarbons from the vessel, the draw-off point(s) being located above the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Sasol Technology (Pty) Ltd
    Inventors: Paul Meintjes, Johannes Buys
  • Patent number: 8475664
    Abstract: The overflow and underflow effluents of a conventional hydrocyclone are discharged into enclosed vessels, so that the operating pressure may be manipulated for each effluent independently of other operating parameters. Each of the effluent vessels is equipped with a source of pressurized gas to form a gas blanket over the effluent at a controllable pressure. Such variable pressures in each vessel, in combination with the pressure of the incoming feed stream, provide the necessary parameters to implement pressure-differential-ratio control, thereby improving the efficiency of separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: FLSmidth A/S
    Inventors: Paul Martin Keyser, Timothy John Olson
  • Patent number: 8268166
    Abstract: Protein skimmers having an upright housing including an open topped body with a manually removable foam collection cup for sealing mounting on the body. The foam collection cups encircle a foam collection duct except for a recessed inspection window for exposing an area of the foam collection duct's exterior surface for enabling an aquarist a generally horizontal line of sight to continuously inspect the foam collection duct's interior. The protein skimmers have a canister-like configuration with a front control panel including a main inlet, a main outlet and at least one aspirating pump for circulating an air/water mixture. The protein skimmers include a disperser for dispersing an incoming flow of organic loaded water peripherally downward into a reaction chamber in a substantially uniform manner. The protein skimmers include a washing mechanism for periodically washing their foam collection ducts without having to remove their foam collection cups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Red Sea Fish Pharm Ltd.
    Inventors: Neil H. Marks, Sharon Ram
  • Patent number: 8268167
    Abstract: Separating apparatus, for separating a substance from a liquid on which the substance can float, comprises: a separation chamber; an inlet adapted to convey a supply comprising the substance and the liquid into the separation chamber; and an outlet adapted to convey liquid collected in the separation chamber out of the separation chamber. The inlet is arranged such that, in use, the supply emerging from the inlet into the chamber is directed upwardly into the chamber, and the apparatus further comprises venting means arranged to convey gas out of the chamber. The apparatus may further comprise a floating pick up connected to a pump for pumping the supply to the separation chamber. In certain examples a non-floating pick up is used, comprising an elongate hollow body with a pick up inlet mouth in the form of a vertical slot extending along a length of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Safety-Kleen Europe Limited
    Inventors: Richard Dawes, Steven Ellis
  • Patent number: 8231780
    Abstract: The present invention is a storm water filter system for filtering floatable debris and non-floating pollutants from storm, water passing through a storm water drain system vault. The storm water filtering system has a vault having chamber having a floating skimmer panel between the inlet thereto and the outlet therefrom. The skimmer panel has a filter passageway therethrough for filtering the storm water while the floatable skimmer panel captures floatable debris and trash from the storm water. Storm water entering the vault inlet passes through a filter element in the skimmer panel and out the vault outlet and also can pass under the floating skimmer panel when the floatable skimmer panel is floated to a raised position to thereby prevent storm water from accumulating on the inlet side of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas H. Happel
  • Patent number: 8225944
    Abstract: An extraction system and process for extracting bitumen from a slurry containing bitumen, solids and water. The system comprises a cyclone separation facility for separating the slurry into a solids component stream and a bitumen froth stream with the bitumen froth stream including water and fine solids. The bitumen froth stream is then delivered to a froth concentration facility for separating the bitumen froth stream into a final bitumen enriched froth stream, and a water and fine solids stream. The final bitumen enriched froth stream is suitable for further processing. The system of the present invention is preferably mobile so that the cyclone extraction facility and the froth concentration facility can move with the mine face at an oil sands mining site, however, it is also contemplated that the system can be retrofitted to existing fixed treatment facilities to improve the operational efficiency of such fixed facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Bradford E. Bjornson, Craig Aaron Strand, William Nicholas Garner, John Khai-Quang Diep, Darwin Edward Kiel, Thomas Charles Hann
  • Patent number: 8153004
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to separate grease and solids from wastewater before reaching the sewers using a grease trap, wherein said grease trap comprises a detachable residue trap reducing turbulence and including a mesh which efficiently trap solid particles from the water waste in other to make easier the compliance with regulating agencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventor: Felix Juan Rodriguez-Jovet
  • Patent number: 8133388
    Abstract: A wastewater filtering system is provided for the passage of the wastewater from the home to the septic tanks prior to passage to the drain fields. The system comprises a separate septic tank assembly and a grease trap assembly operatively adapted to receive the wastewater from the home prior to the passage of the wastewater into the drain fields. Septic tank assembly and grease trap assembly are specifically configured to separate the filtering of waste water from the kitchen from the sewage from the bathrooms to prevent the clogging of the entire filtering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventor: John Larry Perkins
  • Patent number: 8119015
    Abstract: The device (1) serves for the generation of a discrete liquid phase in a continuous liquid phase with a first or a second liquid. The two liquids coexist as separate phases, have different densities and permit a desired exchange of material. Provision is made to arrange the device in a container (9) which contains the second liquid forming the continuous phase. The device includes a distribution member (2), in particular a cylindrical tube, and a collection passage (3) for the first liquid in a horizontal longitudinal extent. The collection passage has an outlet side (4), a collection side (5) and at least one side wall (6) connecting the outlet side and the collection side. The side wall establishes a connection between the outlet side and a horizontal drip edge (7). This side wall has a shape and an inclination which enables the formation of a liquid film of the discrete liquid phase. For enhancing the stability of the Film, the side wall (6) can have a good wettability for the first liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AG
    Inventors: Christian Gottlieb Bachmann, Ansor Gäbler
  • Patent number: 8096425
    Abstract: An extraction system and process for extracting bitumen from a slurry containing bitumen, solids and water. The system comprises a cyclone separation facility for separating the slurry into a solids component stream and a bitumen froth stream with the bitumen froth stream including water and fine solids. The bitumen froth stream is then delivered to a froth concentration facility for separating the bitumen froth stream into a final bitumen enriched froth stream, and a water and fine solids stream. The final bitumen enriched froth stream is suitable for further processing. The system of the present invention is preferably mobile so that the cyclone extraction facility and the froth concentration facility can move with the mine face at an oil sands mining site, however, it is also contemplated that the system can be retrofitted to existing fixed treatment facilities to improve the operational efficiency of such fixed facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Bradford E. Bjornson, Craig Aaron Strand, William Nicholas Garner, John Khai-Quang Diep, Darwin Edward Kiel, Thomas Charles Hann
  • Patent number: 8083937
    Abstract: The present invention is a storm water filter system for filtering floatable debris and non-floating pollutants from storm water passing through a storm water drain system vault. The storm water filtering system has a vault having chamber having a wall between the inlet thereto and the outlet therefrom. The wall has a filter passageway therethrough for filtering the storm water and a floatable baffle panel covering a second passageway therethrough for capturing floatable debris and trash from the storm water. Storm water entering the vault inlet passes through a filter element and out the outlet and also can pass under the floating baffle panel when the floatable baffle panel is floated to a raised position to thereby prevent storm water from accumulating on the inlet side of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas H. Happel
  • Patent number: 8062519
    Abstract: A flange joint for connecting two objects in a fluid connection so that fluid can flow between the objects. The flange joint has a gasket, and the gasket is installed in the flange joint. The flange joint has at least one channel for feeding additional fluid from outside of the flange joint through the gasket into fluid flowing between the two objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventor: Timo Niitti
  • Publication number: 20110259803
    Abstract: A method and device for removing floated matter such as sludge located near the surface of a fluid body is contemplated that employs pneumatic force to remove the floated matter. The contemplated device employs pneumatic force for lifting and blowing the floated matter into an inlet channel. The device is configured to provide uniform airflow across the inlet channel. The inlet channel of the device may also include an adjustable section, or a fixed section and an airflow damper, which allows air flow along the channel to be controlled in a periodic fashion. There are also portable devices for removing such floated matter from the surface of a body of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Fang Chao
  • Patent number: 8034236
    Abstract: A floatable skimmer apparatus is movably attached in a storm water filter box with a pair of tracks attached in the housing chamber of the filter box. A floatable skimmer has a skimmer panel having floatation members attached to the inlet side of the storm water filter box for raising and lowering the skimmer panel responsive to the rise and fall of storm water in the housing chamber. Storm water is forced under the bottom of the floatable skimmer panel while blocking floatable debris from entering the housing chamber outlet. A floatable hydrocarbon absorbing boom is attached to the skimmer panel and floated independent thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas H. Happel
  • Patent number: 8034234
    Abstract: The present invention is a storm water filter system for filtering floatable debris and non-floating pollutants from storm water passing through a storm water drain system. The storm water filtering system has a floatable skimmer therein for capturing floatable debris and trash from the storm water and a separate filtration system to filter non-floatable pollutants from water passing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas H. Happel
  • Patent number: 8002121
    Abstract: An in-line flow separator (1) comprises an uphill section (2) of pipeline which, in use, carries a gravitationally stratified flow of a first liquid (3) and a second denser liquid (4). The second liquid (4) forms a sump (5) extending uphill from the foot of the uphill section (2), and an interface between the first and second liquids on the uphill section is inclined from the horizontal. An extraction port (6) in the pipeline extracts the second liquid from the sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michel Berard, Kamal Babour, Ibrahim Babelli
  • Patent number: 7980784
    Abstract: A flow limiting inlet structure is designed to collect water or other fluids in a pool above grade, and to provide improved capture of sediments and surface pollutants such as oils and greases in the pool, while regulating the flow of water or other fluids during discharge into an outlet pipe. In a conventional storm water detention basin a vertical cylindrical discharge structure can be used to regulate the basin water depth and discharge flow rate of storm water out of the detention basin, in conjunction with the use of a specially designed baffle system that prevents the release of any greases or oils floating on the water surface while capturing any floating trash or debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventors: Timothy S. Simpson, Gregory Coppola, Ron Borrego
  • Patent number: 7951294
    Abstract: A hood for mounting over an outlet in a wall of a catch basin is disclosed. The hood includes a hood wall that forms a prow in a horizontal plane. The prow extends along an axis of the hood thereby achieving optimal flow conditions in the catch basin. In some embodiments the hood wall is shaped to be at least partially sealably mounted to the interior wall of a catch basin have a circular cross section in a horizontal plane. This novel hood shape facilitates installation of the hood in the circular catch basin, while also reducing the flow of oil and other pollutants into the outlet pipe in the circular catch basin. In some embodiments a perforated screed is also disclosed that surrounds the hood to aid in the capture of floatable pollutants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventors: Lee A. Duran, Thomas J. Mullen, III
  • Patent number: 7927490
    Abstract: An oil spill recovery system includes a first separator tank and a second separator tank. The first separator tank has a first volume and the second separator tank has a second volume that is different from the first volume. Each of the first separator tank and the second separator tank include an intake pipe having a plurality of branch outlets that receive an oil-water mixture and facilitate separation of the water from the oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventors: Jake Teichroeb, Juan S. Wiebe
  • Patent number: 7892425
    Abstract: A water separation system includes a flow container includes a water inlet pipe; an inlet chamber in fluid communication with the water inlet pipe; a first settling chamber configured to settle grit and to float oil; an elevated, horizontally-oriented, elongate-rectangular water treatment flow inlet leading from the inlet chamber to the first settling chamber; a second settling chamber configured to settle solids; one or more plug flow conduits leading from the first settling chamber to the second settling chamber; an outlet chamber; an elevated treatment flow outlet disposed between the second settling chamber and the outlet chamber; a water outlet pipe in fluid communication with the outlet chamber; and an overflow mechanism disposed between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: StormwateRx, LLC
    Inventors: Ayn Generes, Calvin Paul Noling
  • Patent number: 7887255
    Abstract: A flow limiting inlet structure is designed to collect water or other fluids in a pool above grade, and to provide improved capture of sediments and surface pollutants such as oils and greases in the pool, while regulating the flow of water or other fluids during discharge into an outlet pipe. In a conventional storm water detention basin a vertical cylindrical discharge structure can be used to regulate the basin water depth and discharge flow rate of storm water out of the detention basin, in conjunction with the use of a specially designed baffle system that prevents the release of any greases or oils floating on the water surface while capturing any floating trash or debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: AMEC Geomatrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Simpson, Gregory Coppola, Ron Borrego
  • Patent number: 7875190
    Abstract: An input chamber receives runoff water to be cleaned. Part of the way up the chamber wall is a restricted outlet which feeds a system for cleaning the water. At a still higher elevation another opening allows runoff water to flow to an extended detention chamber. Near the top of the chamber is an outlet pipe. A vertical baffle in front of the outlet cleans water that flows under the baffle on its way to the outlet. When the incoming flow rate is very high, water passes over the baffle to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas E. Pank