US4116835A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pollution control system
Assignee: Savage Technical Services Inc
•
Filing: 1977-04-08
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Granted: 1978-09-26
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Expires: 1997-04-08
Abstract
Abstract Oil and other contaminants are separated from aqueous effluents by a system which includes means for introducing the contaminated aqueous effluents into a separation zone where they are passed through the labyrinth course of a coalescing chamber to separate oil particles. The oil is removed by means of a skimmer and moved into an oil storage area. The aqueous effluents are then passed from the bottom of the separation zone to an extraction zone where they are passed through a bed of a material capable of adsorbing hydrocarbons and other pollutants. The effluent may then be discarded or may be moved through a fail safe system designed to assure that hydrocarbon removal is complete in all instances.
Inventors
- 👤 Alexander Bruno Bertelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 01:24
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D17/00; B01D17/02; B01D17/0202; B01D17/0208; B01D17/0211; B01D17/04; B01D17/045; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
312 words
A unitary apparatus for removing hydrocarbons and other contaminants from aqueous effluents, comprising, a. a unitary tank having a bottom and substantially vertical side and end walls; b. a first vertically disposed wall adapted and constructed to divide said tank into a separation zone and an extraction zone; c. said separation zone having at least one vertical baffle having one vertical end connected to a wall and the other end in spaced relationship to an opposite wall and adapted and constructed to provide a tortuous horizontal flow path for said aqueous effluents; d. an aqueous effluent entrance orifice at substantially one end of said flow path of said separation zone; e. at least one foraminous web positioned to interrupt said flow path extending from substantially said bottom upwardly at an angle in a direction against said flow path; f. said foraminous web being constructed of an oleophilic material whereby said hydrocarbons coalesce into droplets on said foraminous web and then accumulate on the surface of said effluent; g. skimmer means positioned near the other end of said flow path of said separation zone whereby said accumulated hydrocarbon is removed from said effluent; h. said tank having a horizontally disposed member substantially coextensive with said separating zone adapted and constructed to form a reservoir for said hydrocarbon material between said bottom and said separating zone; i. means for fluidly connecting said skimmer and said reservoir whereby hydrocarbons are discharged from said skimmer into said reservoir; j. means fluidly connecting said separation zone and said extraction zone whereby substantially hydrocarbon free effluent is charged into said extraction zone; k. a horizontally positioned foraminous web dividing said extraction zone; l. a mass of adsorbing material positioned below said foraminous web for adsorbing any additional contaminants in said effluent; m. and means in said tank below said foraminous web to discharge cleansed effluent from said tank.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
312 words
A unitary apparatus for removing hydrocarbons and other contaminants from aqueous effluents, comprising, a. a unitary tank having a bottom and substantially vertical side and end walls; b. a first vertically disposed wall adapted and constructed to divide said tank into a separation zone and an extraction zone; c. said separation zone having at least one vertical baffle having one vertical end connected to a wall and the other end in spaced relationship to an opposite wall and adapted and constructed to provide a tortuous horizontal flow path for said aqueous effluents; d. an aqueous effluent entrance orifice at substantially one end of said flow path of said separation zone; e. at least one foraminous web positioned to interrupt said flow path extending from substantially said bottom upwardly at an angle in a direction against said flow path; f. said foraminous web being constructed of an oleophilic material whereby said hydrocarbons coalesce into droplets on said foraminous web and then accumulate on the surface of said effluent; g. skimmer means positioned near the other end of said flow path of said separation zone whereby said accumulated hydrocarbon is removed from said effluent; h. said tank having a horizontally disposed member substantially coextensive with said separating zone adapted and constructed to form a reservoir for said hydrocarbon material between said bottom and said separating zone; i. means for fluidly connecting said skimmer and said reservoir whereby hydrocarbons are discharged from said skimmer into said reservoir; j. means fluidly connecting said separation zone and said extraction zone whereby substantially hydrocarbon free effluent is charged into said extraction zone; k. a horizontally positioned foraminous web dividing said extraction zone; l. a mass of adsorbing material positioned below said foraminous web for adsorbing any additional contaminants in said effluent; m. and means in said tank below said foraminous web to discharge cleansed effluent from said tank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The unitary apparatus for removing hydrocarbons and other contaminants from aqueous effluents as claimed in claim 1 wherein said coalescing chamber contains a series of screen type grids which are coated with a material that repels water and attracts liquid hydrocarbon particles to facilitate separating liquid hydrocarbon particles from said effluent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The unitary apparatus for removing hydrocarbons and other contaminants from aqueous effluents as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for discharging cleansed effluent from said tank includes a fail safe apparatus capable of shutting down the apparatus in case of a catastrophic spill.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said fail safe apparatus consists of a line filled with a material that swells on contact with hydrocarbons and acts as a valve to shut off flow through the system when a high concentration of hydrocarbons is present.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said fail safe apparatus includes an after-extractor member that removes pollutants escaping through the automatic closure apparatus during the swelling/shut off interval.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The unitary apparatus for removing hydrocarbons and other contaminants from aqueous effluents as claimed in claim 1 wherein said extraction zone contains a bed of material capable of absorbing hydrocarbons and reducing the hydrocarbon concentration in said effluents to less than five parts per million.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-09-25 | 1982-03-27 | 1982-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-09-25 | 1986-03-27 | 1986-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-09-25 | 1990-03-27 | 1990-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |