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Sommaire du brevet 2990383 

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Disponibilité de l'Abrégé et des Revendications

L'apparition de différences dans le texte et l'image des Revendications et de l'Abrégé dépend du moment auquel le document est publié. Les textes des Revendications et de l'Abrégé sont affichés :

  • lorsque la demande peut être examinée par le public;
  • lorsque le brevet est émis (délivrance).
(12) Demande de brevet: (11) CA 2990383
(54) Titre français: SYSTEME D'ELECTROSEPARATION SOUS PRESSION
(54) Titre anglais: PRESSURIZED ELECTRO-SEPARATION SYSTEM
Statut: Examen
Données bibliographiques
(51) Classification internationale des brevets (CIB):
  • B01D 17/06 (2006.01)
  • B01D 21/26 (2006.01)
  • B01D 45/12 (2006.01)
(72) Inventeurs :
  • FRISKY, SEAN (Canada)
  • BEAUDIN, JASON (Canada)
  • LEE, JUSTIN (Canada)
(73) Titulaires :
  • GROUND EFFECTS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES INC.
(71) Demandeurs :
  • GROUND EFFECTS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES INC. (Canada)
(74) Agent: MLT AIKINS LLP
(74) Co-agent:
(45) Délivré:
(22) Date de dépôt: 2017-12-28
(41) Mise à la disponibilité du public: 2019-06-28
Requête d'examen: 2022-12-09
Licence disponible: S.O.
Cédé au domaine public: S.O.
(25) Langue des documents déposés: Anglais

Traité de coopération en matière de brevets (PCT): Non

(30) Données de priorité de la demande: S.O.

Abrégés

Abrégé anglais


A treatment system for treating a liquid containing contaminants is provided.
The system
can include a separation apparatus, an oxidation reactor and a power supply.
The
separation apparatus can include: a housing capable of maintaining a pressure
of 50 psi or
greater in an interior space; an inlet; an outlet; and an electrode assembly
provided in the
housing. The oxidation reactor can include: a housing defining an interior
space; an inlet
oriented to induce swirling in an incoming flow of liquid in the interior
space of the
housing, the inlet connected to the outlet of the separation apparatus; an
ozone port
leading into the housing; an outlet; and a conduit connected at a bottom end
to the outlet
and extending vertically in the housing to an opening at a top end. The power,
supply
operative to supply a voltage to the first and second electrical conductors of
the
separation apparatus.

Revendications

Note : Les revendications sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.


- Page 21 -
CLAIMS:
1. A separation apparatus comprising:
a housing capable of withstanding pressures of 50 psi or greater and defining
an
interior space;
a sealable lid operative to maintain a pressure of 50 psi or greater in the
interior
space of the housing when the lid is sealed to the housing;
a first electrical conductor;
a second electrical conductor;
an inlet operative to allow liquid to be introduced into the housing;
an outlet operative to allow liquid to be discharged from the housing; and
an electrode assembly provided in the housing, the electrode assembly
comprising:
a plurality of parallel-spaced electrode plates, each electrode plate formed
from an electrically conductive material;
a first bus bar operatively connected by the first electrical conductor to a
first set of the electrode plates; and

- Page 22 -
a second bus bar operatively connected by the second electrical conductor
to a second set of the electrode plates,
wherein the first set of electrode plates alternate with the second set of
electrode plates in the plurality of electrode plates so that adjacent
electrode plates for an anode-cathode pair.
2. The separation apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first electrical
conductor and the
second electrical conductor are formed of copper.
3. The separation apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first electrical
conductor has a
diameter of 5 inches or greater and the second electrical conductor has a
diameter
of 5 inches or greater.
4. The separation apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first electrical
conductor has a
diameter of substantially 6 inches and the second electrical conductor has a
diameter of substantially 6 inches.
5. The separation apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first bus bar is
connected to the
first electrical conductor by a first connection plate and wherein the second
bus
bar is connected to the second electrical conductor by a second connection
plate.
6. The separation apparatus of claim 5 wherein the first bus further
comprises: a
plurality of connectors, each connector connected to one of the electrode
plates in

- Page 23 -
the first set of electrode plates; a plurality of spacers; and at least one
support rod,
the connectors and the spacers alternatingly provided on the at least one
support
rod, and wherein the second bus further comprises: a plurality of connectors,
each
connector connected to one of the electrode plates in the second set of
electrode
plates; a plurality of spacers; and at least one support rod, the connectors
and the
spacers alternatingly provided on the at least one support rod.
7. The separation apparatus of claim 6 wherein the support rods are formed
of tin-
plated copper.
8. The separation apparatus of claim 6 wherein the connectors on the first
bus bar
correspond with spacers on the second bus bar and wherein spacers on the first
bus bar correspond with connectors on the second bus bar.
9. The separation apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an insert sized
to find in
the interior space of the housing and defining an interior space, the interior
space
of the insert sized to fit the electrode assembly.
10. The separation apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing and the lid can
maintain
a pressure of between 50 psi and 150 psi in the interior space of the housing.
11. The separation apparatus of claim wherein the housing and the lid can
maintain a
pressure of between 50 psi and 80 psi in the interior space of the housing.

- Page 24 -
12. The separation apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an autowash
assembly.
13. The separation apparatus of claim 12 wherein the autowash assembly is
provided
in the housing and below the electrode assembly.
14. The separation assembly of claim 13 wherein the autowash assembly
comprises a
plurality of spray nozzles operative to direct a flow of liquid from the
atitowash
assembly into gaps formed between adjacent electrode plates of the electrode
assembly.
15. The separation assembly of claim 14 wherein the autowash assembly
further
comprises: a wash bar containing the plurality of spray nozzles; and a motor
operative to rotate the wash bar.
16. The separation assembly of claim 15 wherein when the motor rotates the
wash
bar, each spray nozzle rotates through a plane extending between a pair of
adjacent electrode plates.
17. The separation assembly of claim 16 wherein the autowash assembly
further
comprises an inlet flange provided outside the housing and fluidly
communicating
with an interior of the wash bar.
18. A method comprising:

- Page 25 -
providing a separation apparatus comprising: a housing defining an interior
space;
and an electrode assembly provided in the interior space, the electrode
assembly
having a plurality of electrode plates;
routing liquid containing contaminants into the interior space of the housing
of the
separation apparatus;
increasing the pressure in the interior space of the housing to 50 psi or
greater and
supplying a voltage across adjacent electrode plates; and
supplying the voltage for a period of time while maintaining the pressure in
the
liquid above 50 psi to allow the contaminants in the liquid to destabilize.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the pressure in the interior space of
the housing
is increased and maintained at a pressure between 50 psi and 150 psi.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein the pressure in the interior space of
the housing
is increased and maintained at a pressure between 50 psi and 80 psi.
21. The method of claim 18 further comprising providing an autowash
assembly and
using the autowash assembly to spray a cleaning liquid between adjacent
electrode plates of the electrode assembly.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the autowash assembly is used when the
housing
contains liquid to be treated.

- Page 26 -
23. The method of claim 21 wherein the autowash assembly is used when the
housing
is drained of liquid to be treated.
24. A oxidation reactor comprising:
a housing extending vertically along a central axis and defining an interior
space;
an inlet provided proximate a bottom of the housing, the inlet passing into
the
interior space of the housing and oriented to create an incoming flow of
liquid in
the interior space of the housing that is substantially horizontal in
direction and
directed to one side of the central axis;
at least one ozone port leading into the housing;
an outlet provided proximate a bottom of the housing; and
a conduit extending vertically in the housing, the conduit having a bottom end
connected to the outlet and a top end having an opening.
25. The oxidation reactor of claim 24 wherein the orientation of the inlet
induces the
liquid introduced into the interior space of the housing to swirl around
inside the
interior space.
26. The oxidation reactor of claim 24 wherein the at least one ozone port
is provided
near the inlet.

- Page 27 -
27. A treatment
system for treating a liquid containing contaminants, the system
comprising:
a separation apparatus comprising: a housing capable of withstanding pressures
of
50 psi or greater and defining an interior space; a sealable lid operative to
maintain a pressure of 50 psi or greater in the interior space of the housing
when
the lid is sealed to the housing; a first electrical conductor; a second
electrical
conductor; an inlet operative to allow liquid to be introduced into the
housing; an
outlet operative to allow liquid to be discharged from the housing; and an
electrode assembly provided in the housing, the electrode assembly comprising:
a
plurality of parallel-spaced electrode plates, each electrode plate formed
from an
electrically conductive material; a first bus bar operatively connected by the
first
electrical conductor to a first set of the electrode plates; and a second bus
bar
operatively connected by the second electrical conductor to a second set of
the
electrode plates, wherein the first set of electrode plates alternate with the
second
set of electrode plates in the plurality of electrode plates so that adjacent
electrode
plates for an anode-cathode pair;
an oxidation reactor comprising: a housing extending vertically along a
central
axis and defining an interior space; an inlet provided proximate a bottom of
the
housing, the inlet passing into the interior space of the housing and oriented
to
create an incoming flow of liquid in the interior space of the housing that is

- Page 28 -
substantially horizontal in direction and directed to one side of the central
axis,
the inlet operatively connected to the outlet of the separation apparatus; at
least
one ozone port leading into the housing; an outlet provided proximate a bottom
of
the housing; and a conduit extending vertically in the housing, the conduit
having
a bottom end connected to the outlet and a top end having an opening; and
a power supply connected to the first electrical conductor and the second
electrical conductor, the power supply operative to supply a voltage to the
first
electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor of the separation
apparatus.

Description

Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.


-Page 1 -
=
PRESSURIZED ELECTRO-SEPARATION SYSTEM
The present invention relates to an electro-separation system and more
particularly to a
pressurized electro-separation apparatus, a cyclonic reactor and system
incorporating
them.
SUMMARY
In one aspect, a separation apparatus is provided. The separation apparatus
can include: a
housing capable of withstanding pressures of 50 psi or greater and defining an
interior
space; a sealable lid operative to maintain a pressure of 50 psi or greater in
the housing
when the lid is sealed to the housing; a first electrical conductor; a second
electrical
conductor; an inlet operative to allow liquid to be introduced into the
housing; an outlet
operative to allow liquid to be discharged from the housing; and an electrode
assembly
provided in the housing. The electrode assembly can include: a plurality of
parallel-
spaced electrode plates, each electrode plate formed from an electrically
conductive
material; a first bus bar operatively connected by the first electrical
conductor to a first
set of the electrode plates; and a second bus bar operatively connected by the
second
electrical conductor to a second set of the electrode plates. The first set of
electrode
plates alternate with the second set of electrode plates in the plurality of
electrode plates
so that adjacent electrode plates for an anode cathode pair.
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In a further aspect, an autowash assembly is provided in the housing of the
separation
apparatus below the electrode assembly.
In a second aspect, method is provided. The method can include: providing a
separation
apparatus comprising: a housing capable of withstanding pressures of 50 psi or
greater
and defining an interior space; and an electrode assembly provided in the
interior space,
the electrode assembly having a plurality of electrode plates; routing liquid
containing
contaminants into the interior space of the housing of the separation
apparatus; increasing
the pressure in the interior space of the housing to 50 psi or greater and
supplying a
voltage across adjacent electrode plates; and supplying the voltage for a
period of time
while maintaining the pressure in the liquid above 50 psi to allow the
contaminants in the
liquid to destablize.
In a third aspect, an oxidation reactor is provided. The oxidation reactor can
include: a
housing extending vertically along a central axis and defining an interior
space; an inlet
provided proximate a bottom of the housing, the inlet passing into the
interior space of
the housing and oriented to create an incoming flow of liquid in the interior
space of the
housing that is substantially horizontal in direction and directed to one side
of the central
axis; at least one ozone port leading into the housing; an outlet provided
proximate a
bottom of the housing; and a conduit extending vertically in the housing, the
conduit
having a bottom end connected to the outlet and a top end having an opening.
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-Page 3 -
In a fourth aspect, a treatment system for treating a liquid containing
contaminants is
provided. The system can include a separation apparatus, an oxidation reactor
and a
power supply. The separation apparatus can include: a housing capable of
withstanding
pressures of 50 psi or greater and defining an interior space; a sealable lid
operative to
maintain a pressure of 50 psi or greater in the housing when the lid is sealed
to the
housing; a first electrical conductor; a second electrical conductor; an inlet
operative to
allow liquid to be introduced into the housing; an outlet operative to allow
liquid to be
discharged from the housing; and an electrode assembly provided in the
housing, the
electrode assembly comprising: a plurality of parallel-spaced electrode
plates, each
electrode plate formed from an electrically conductive material; a first bus
bar operatively
connected by the first electrical conductor to a first set of the electrode
plates; and a
second bus bar operatively connected by the second electrical conductor to a
second set
of the electrode plates, wherein the first set of electrode plates alternate
with the second
set of electrode plates in the plurality of electrode plates so that adjacent
electrode plates
for an anode/cathode pair. The oxidation reactor can include: a housing
extending
vertically along a central axis and defining an interior space; an inlet
provided proximate
a bottom of the housing, the inlet passing into the interior space of the
housing and
oriented to create an incoming flow of liquid in the interior space of the
housing that is
substantially horizontal in direction and directed to one side of the central
axis, the inlet
operatively connected to the outlet of the separation apparatus; at least one
ozone port
leading into the housing; an outlet provided proximate a bottom of the
housing; and a
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- Page 4 -
conduit extending vertically in the housing, the conduit having a bottom end
connected to
the outlet and a top end having an opening. The power supply connected to the
first
electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor and operative to
supply a voltage
to the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor of the
separation
apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with
reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electro-separation apparatus;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the electro-separation apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side view of the electro-separation apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a housing and insert of the electro-separation
apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the housing of FIG. 4 with the insert
installed in
the housing;
FIG. 6 is a exploded perspective view of an electrode assembly and the
housing;
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=
- Page 5 -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a series of electrode plates;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view a bus bar connectable to electrode plates;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an electro-separation apparatus having an
autowash assembly;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an autowash assembly;
FIG. 11 is side sectional view of the electro-separation assembly and the
autowash assembly of FIG. 9;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a treatment system incorporating the electro-
separation apparatus of FIG. 1 and a cyclonic reactor;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the cyclonic reactor;
FIG. 14 is a side view of the cyclonic reactor of FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is atop view of the cyclonic reactor of FIG. 13; and
FIG. 16 is a explode view of the cyclonic reactor of FIG. 13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
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- Page 6 -
FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a pressurized separation apparatus 10 for removing
contaminants
from wash fluid, slop fluid, water based drilling fluid or any other oilfield,
industrial type
liquid. The separation apparatus 10 can include a housing 20, a lid 50, a
first electric
conductor inlet 110, a second electric conductor inlet 120, an inlet 60 and an
outlet 70.
The sealable lid 50 can be sized to completely cover the housing 20 so that
the interior of
the housing 20 is hermetically sealed and the housing 20 can form a water and
pressure-
tight enclosure with the lid 50 so that the lid 50 can maintain a seal with
the housing 20
when the pressure in the housing 20 is increased significantly over
atmospheric pressure.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the housing 20 can define an interior space 22 and
an insert
25 can be provided that fits within the housing 20 to form a smaller
rectangular space 27
sized to fit an electrode assembly 150.
FIG. 6 illustrates the electrode assembly 150. The electrode assembly 150 can
have a
series of parallel-spaced electrode plates 152 connectable by a first and
second bus bars
160 to a first electric conductor 112 and a second electric conductor 122. In
one aspect,
each electric conductor 112, 122 can have a 6" diameter and be made of solid
copper. In
other aspects, the first electric conductor 112 and a second electric
conductor 122 can
have a diameter of 5" or greater. In one aspect, this diameter is adjusted
based on the
capacity of the system and required current density per volume the system..
The
electrodes plates 152 can be installed in the rectangular space 27 created by
the insert 25
inside the housing 20.
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The first electrical conductor inlet 110 can form a water tight and pressure
tight seal
around the first electrical conductor 112 where it enters the housing 20 to
maintain an
elevated pressure inside the interior space 22 of the housing 20. The second
electrical
conductor inlet 120 can form a water tight and pressure tight seal around the
second
electrical conductor 122 where it enters the housing 20 to maintain an
elevated pressure
inside the interior space 22 of the housing 20.
FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of a series of parallel spaced electrode
plates 152.
Each electrode plate 152 can be formed of an electrically conductive material
such as
carbon steel, aluminum, mixed metal oxide (such as titanium plate with iridium
coating)
or a combination thereof. In one aspect, the spacing between adjacent
electrode plates
152 can be approximately 1/2" apart. However, in one aspect, the gap size .can
be
alterable from between 1/2", 3/8", 1/4", etc. to allow some configurability of
the system
depending on what the liquid is to be treated.
FIG. 8 illustrates one of the bus bars 160 connectable between the series of
electrode
plates 152 and one of the electric conductors 112, 122. The bus bar 160 can
have a
connection plate 162, a plurality of connectors 164, a plurality of spacers
165 and a pair
of support rods 166. The connection plate 162 is connectable on a first side
161 to either
the first electric conductor 112 or the second electric conductor 122. The
support rods
166 can be connected to and extend from a second side 163 of the connection
plate 162.
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-Page 8 -
In one aspect, the bus bars 160 can be made of tin-plated copper. The tin
plating can be
for corrosion protection.
Each connector 164 can be provided on the support rods 166 and connectable to
one of
the electrode plates 152. The spacers 165 can be provided on the support rods
166 in
between the connectors 164 so that the bus bar 160 alternates between a
connector 164
and a spacer 165 along the length of the support rods 166. By placing the
spacers 165
between adjacent connector 164 on the support rods 166, the spacing of the
connectors
164 can be set so that each connector 164 in the bus bar 160 can align with
every other
electrode plate 152 in the series of electrode plates 152 and then each
connector 165 can
be connected to the electrode plate 152 it aligns with. In this manner, the
bus bar 160 can
have every other electrode plate 152 in the series of electrode plates 152
connected to a
connector 164 of the bus bar 160 and therefore operably and electrically
connected to
every other electrode plate 152 to the connection plate 162 on the bus bar
160. By
connecting the connection plate 162 to either the first electrical conductor
112 or the
second electrical conductor 122, the bus bar 160 can operatively and
electrically eonnect
either the first electrical conductor 112 or the second electrical conductor
122 to every
other electrode plate 152 in the series of electrode plates 152.
In this manner, a first bus bar 160 can be connected to a first set of
electrode plates 152 in
the electrode assembly 150 and a second bus bar 160 can be connected to a
secon0 set of
.. electrode plates 152 in the electrode assembly 150. If the electrode plates
152 in the first
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=
- Page 9 -
set of electrode plates 152 are alternated with electrode plates 152 in the
second set of
electrode plate 152, adjacent electrode plates will be connected to different
bus bars 160
and therefore a different electrode conductor 112, 122 causing adjacent
electrode plates
152 to form anode-cathode pairs.
The second bus bar 160 can be assembled so that the connectors 164 are
positioned
where the spacers 165 are positioned on the first bus bar 160 and the spacers
165 are
positioned where the connectors 164 are positioned on the first bus bar 160.
When the
connectors 165 of the second bus bar 160 are connected with the electrode
plates 152 in
the series of electrode plates 152, the electrode plates 152 in the electrode
assembly 150
will be alternatively connected to the connection plate 162 of the bus bar 160
to the first
electrical conductor 112 or the second electrical conductor 122. In this
manner, each
adjacent electrode plate 152 in the series of electrode plates 152 will be
connected to
different bus bars 160.
Spacings between the electrode plates 152 can be altered by changing the
thickness of the
spacers 165 on the bus bars 160. Using spacers 165 with a greater thickness
will increase
the size of the gaps between adjacent electrode plates 152 and thinner spacers
165 will
decrease the size of the gaps between adjacent electrode plates 152. The size
of the gaps
between adjacent electrode plates 152 will affect the current density in the
separation
apparatus 10. The spacers 165 are used to fill the gap between similar
electrodes plates
152 (anodes vs. cathodes and if the electrode itself was 1/4" plate, 165 would
be 1/4"
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-Page 10 -
copper) and the connectors 164 are used to ensure that the power is adequately
distributed
from similar electrode plates 152.
The electrode plates 152 can be of varying thickness and length.
This results in a monopolar design with parallel connections, but could be
reconfigured to
be a bipolar design.
Referring again to FIG. 6, with the bus bars 160 connected to the electrodes
plates 152 to
form the electrode assembly 150, the electrode assembly 150 can be lowered
into the
rectangular space 27 created by the insert 25 inside the housing 20 so that
the connection
plate 162 on the bus bars 160 align with the first electric conductor 112 and
the second
electric conductor 122.
By putting a voltage across the first electric conductor 112 and the second
electric
conductor 122, the voltage is passed to the electrode plates 152 with the
electrode plates
152 alternatingly and electrically connected to the first electric conductor
112 and the
second electric conductor 122 forming a first set of electrode plates 152
operatively
connected to the first electrical conductor 112 and a second set of electrode
plates 152
operatively connected to the second electrical conductor 122. This causes
adjacent
electrode plates 152 to act as anode-cathode pairs and create an electric
field between
adjacent electrode plates 152 in the electrode assembly 150. This can cause a
number of
things to happen with the liquid being treated. The electrical field created
between
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=
adjacent electrode plates 152 can cause electrocoagulation to occur in the
liquid being
treated. Contaminated ions and colloids are held in solution by electrical
charges. The
electrical field passing through the liquid being treated destabilizes the
contaminants in
the liquid and can cause chemical reactions and precipitation or coalescence
of colloids
within the liquid. Electrocoagulation can cause a coagulant to be added to the
water
being treated, through the dissolution of a sacrificial metal anode. The metal
ions that are
released form reactive metal hydroxides that act as destabilizing agents and
leads to
charge neutralization, causing pollutants to coagulate and be removed.
Electrocoagulation water treatment however is a much more complex process
involving
several chemical and physical mechanisms in the aqueous medium. When
wastewater
are subjected to varying low and high current densities, subsequent variations
in size of
the coagulated particles are generated, which in turn influences the removal
pathway.
Electrochemical hydrolysis reactions also create hydrogen and oxygen bubbles
at the
cathode and anode respectively. These bubbles can float pollutants in a
process called
electroflotation. Electroflotation can enhance the dissolved air flotation
process. Because
the interior of the pressurized separation apparatus 10 is kept under
pressure, the size of
the bubbles formed remain quite small as a result of the elevated pressure
maintained in
the interior space 22 of the housing 20 of the separation apparatus 10 and
only release in
treatment processes downstream form the separation apparatus 10. This can
further
enhance the dissolved air flotation process. Periodically alternating the
polarity of the
electrode plates 152 can cause any particles that have adhered to the surface
of an
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electrode plate 152 (magnetically attached) to be released from the electrode
plate 152
when the polarity is reversed and back into the liquid being treated.
With the electrode assembly 150 installed in the interior space 27 formed by
the insert 25
and the bus bars 160 connected to the first electric conductor 112 and the
second electric
conductor 122, the lid 50 can be closed and sealed to seal the interior 22 of
the housing
20.
The first electrical conductor 112 and the second electrical conductor 122 can
pass
through the first electric conductor inlet 110 and the second electric
conductor inlet 120,
respectively, in the side of the housing 20 where the first electric conductor
inlet 110 can
seal around the first electric conductor 112 and the second electric conductor
inlet 120 the
second electric conductor 122 allowing the interior 22 of the housing 20 to be
pressurized
without liquid and gases escaping out around the first electrical conductor
112 .and the
second electrical conductor 122 where they pass through the housing 20 into
the interior
22.
In operation, the pressurized separation apparatus 10 can be used to treat
municipal,
industrial, oil and gas wastewater streams or other liquid similar in nature
under pressure.
Liquid can be processed through the separation apparatus 10 by pumping the
liquid into
the housing 20 through the inlet 60 so that the liquid fills the interior
space 22 of the
housing 22 and fills the spaces in between the electrode plates 152. When the
separating
apparatus 10 is filled with liquid, the interior 22 of the housing 20 can be
pressurized.
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The interior 22 of the housing 20 can be pressurized to a pressure of 50 psi
or above to a
maximum pressure rating of the housing 20. However, in one aspect, this would
be less
than 150 psi. In another aspect, this pressure would be less than 100 psi at
80 C but
above 50 psi. A voltage can be supplied between the first electric conductor
112 and the
second electric conductor 122. This will in turn create electrical fields
between adjacent
electrode plates 152 and through the liquid between the electrode plates 152.
= In One
aspect, this voltage range could be between 0.001 and 16 volts.
The power input can be set so that a desired current density can be applied to
the liquid
between the electrode plates 152. In one aspect, this current density can
range between
0.01 AJsq. in. to 1A/sq.in. The contaminants in the waste stream and the
associated
conductivity dictates how much power and gap between electrode plates 152 will
be
required to treat the liquid.
This electric voltage can be supplied for a period of time to allow the
electro-coagulation
to work and the contaminants to separate out of the liquid. The elevated
pressure can be
maintained while the electrical voltages is being supplied.
When the liquid has been treated to destabilize the contaminants, it can be
evacuated
from the separation apparatus 10 through the outlet 70 and is routed
downstream for
further treatment.
=
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FIG. 9 illustrates the separation apparatus 10 having an autowash assembly 170
installed
in the separation apparatus 10 to wash out sediment and other contaminants
that have
collected in the gaps between adjacent electrode plates 152. As the separation
apparatus
is used to treat water, sediment and other contaminants can migrate towards
the
5 electrode plates 152. Even if the polarity of these electrode plates 152
is periodically
reversed, the sediment and contaminants may still stay attached to the
electrode plates.
Additionally, the sediment and other contaminants passing downwards through
the gaps
in the electrode plates 152 as the liquid is being treated can "bridge". This
occurs when
the sediment and contaminants packs together and forms a mass that stretches
between
10 the adjacent electrode plates 152 forming a "bridge". This buildup of
sediment can slow
or even prevent the liquid being treated from flowing upwards through the gaps
between
adjacent electrode plates 152 and exiting the separation apparatus 10 thereby
negatively
affecting the operation of the separation apparatus 10. If liquid being
treated cannot flow
through the separation apparatus 10, the separation apparatus 10 will
underperform. The
autwowash assembly 170 can spray water or some other cleaning liquid into the
gaps
between the adjacent electrode plates 152 to wash out and remove any sediment
or other
contaminants built up in these gaps without having to disassemble or partially
disassemble the separation apparatus 10.
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Referring to FIG. 10 the autowash assembly 170 can include: a motor 172; a jaw
coupler
174; a torque bar 176; a vessel drive flange 178; a wash bar 180 having a
plurality of
spray nozzles 182; and a vessel inlet flange 184.
The motor 172 can be connected to the torque bar 176 by the jaw coupler 174.
In turn,
the torque bar 176 can be connected to the wash bar 180 through the vessel
drive flange
178. The jaw coupler 174 can operatively connect the motor 172 and the torque
bar 176
to transmit rotational motion from the motor 172 to the torque bar 176 and
thereby to the
wash bar 180; rotating the wash bar 180.
The jaw coupler 174 can be used to transmit torque from the motor 172 while
damping
.. vibrations and protecting the components such as the motor 172 if the wash
bar 180 gets
stuck or jammed while the motor 172 is trying to rotate the wash bar 180.
The spray nozzles 182 can be positioned on the wash bar 180 so that the spray
nozzles
182 are aimed into the gaps formed between adjacent electrode plates 152, as
shown in
FIG. 11. In one aspect, the spray nozzles 182 could be apertures leading into
a hollow
interior of the wash bar 180 so that pressurized liquid introduced into the
hollow interior
of the wash bar 180 will be injected as a stream of liquid out of the wash bar
180 through
the spray nozzles 182. In this manner, pressurized liquid that is introduced
into the vessel
inlet flange 184 will be introduced into the interior of the wash bar 180 and
through the
wash bar 180 out through the spray nozzles 182. This liquid spraying out of
the spray
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nozzles 182 will be sprayed into the gaps between the electrode plates 152
washing out
sediment that has collected in the gaps between adjacent electrode plates 152.
The motor 172 can be used to rotate the jaw coupler 174 which will in turn
rotate the
torque bar 176, the wash bar 180 and the spray nozzles 182 attached to the
wash bar 180.
The spray nozzles 182 can be positioned relative to the wash bar 180 so that
each spray
nozzle 182 will rotate in a plane when the wash bar 180 is rotated by the
motor 172 and
each plane will be parallel to the electrode plates 152 and pass through the
gap between a
pair of adjacent electrode plates 152. In this manner, when the motor 172 is
used to
rotate the wash bar 180 each spray nozzle 182 will rotate through a plane
passing through
a gap between a pair of adjacent electrode plates 152 and spray water or other
liquid into
the gap to wash out any sediment or other contaminants that have collected in
the gap.
A cleaning liquid such as clean water can be introduced into the autowash
assembly 170
through the vessel inlet flange 180 to be sprayed between the electrode plates
152. This
can be done when the separation apparatus 10 has been drained of liquid being
treated or
it may be done while liquid to be treated is still inside the separation
apparatus 10.
Referring to FIG. 12, the pressurized separation apparatus 10 can be part of a
treatment
system 200 that also includes a cyclonic advanced oxidation reactor 300, to
further
separate sediment and other contaminants from the liquid after it has passed
through the
pressurized separation apparatus 10, and a power supply 220 to supply a
voltage across
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the first electrical conductor 112 and the second electrical conductor 122
used in the
pressurized separation apparatus 10.
The power supply 220 can be sized based on the size of the separation
apparatus 10 and
the current densities desired. For example, in one aspect, the separation
apparatus 10
may be as large as 96" in diameter and may require a 40,000A power supply to
achieve
the desired current density range.
After the liquid exits the pressurized separation apparatus 10 from the outlet
70, the
treated liquid while remaining under pressure can be routed into the cyclonic
reactor 300
for further treatment.
FIGS. 13-16 shows a cyclonic reactor 300 that can be used to further treat the
liquid that
has already been treated in the pressurized separation apparatus 10. Ozone is
introduced
into the liquid in the cyclonic reactor 300. Ozone has the ability to oxidize
contaminants.
Ozone molecules can react with a substrate (direct pathway) or with hydroxide
ions or
radicals (indirect pathway). The pathway to oxidation depends on the reaction
rate of the
ozone and substrate, and the reaction products that may promote or inhibit
ozone
decomposition. This oxidation efficiency is also dependent on the properties
of the waste
stream, such as pH, alkalinity, temperature, and organic matter. Oxidation by
way of
ozone happens almost immediately at the point where ozone is injected into the
liquid in
the cyclonic reactor 300 and continues as the commingled ozone-liquid stream
moves
through the cyclonic reactor 300. The cyclonic reactor 300 can have a housing
320, an
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=
-Page 18 -
inlet 330, an outlet 340 and a conduit 350. The housing 320 can extend
vertically and be
cylindrical in shape. The inlet 330 can be provided near the bottom of the
housing 320
with the inlet 330 directing the incoming stream of liquid generally
horizontally and to
one side of a vertical central axis, C, of the cyclonic reactor 300. This
offsetting of the
inlet 330 to one side of the central axis, C, will cause a flow of liquid into
the housing
320 of the cyclonic reactor 300 to swirl around inside the housing 320
following the
shape of the housing 320 and increasing the contact of the ozone and the
contaminants in
the liquid.
The outlet 340 can be provided in a bottom of the housing 320.
Ozone ports 360 can be provided to allow ozone to be injected into the
interior space of
the housing 320 through these ozone ports 360. In one aspect, the ozone ports
360 are
provided close to the inlet 330 so that ozone can be introduced into the
liquid shortly after
it is introduced into the housing 320 to get the liquid and the ozone to
intermingle as soon
as possible and achieve the longest time period in which the ozone is reacting
with the
contaminants in the liquid as the liquid moves through the housing 320 of the
cyclonic
reactor 300.
Referring to FIG. 16, a conduit 350 can be provided extending vertically in
the interior
322 of the housing 320 and connected at a bottom end 352 of the conduit 350 to
the outlet
340 of the cyclonic reactor 300. The conduit 350 can have an opening 356 at a
top end
354 of the conduit 350. In this manner, liquid that is introduced into the
cyclonic reactor
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300 through the inlet 330 will swirl around the interior 322 of the housing
320 from the
inlet 330 provided near the bottom of the housing 320 upwards inside the
interior 322 of
the housing 320 and into the opening 356 provided in the top end 354 of the
conduit 350
where it can enter the conduit 350. Once the liquid is inside the conduit 350,
it will travel
down the conduit 350 and out of the cyclonic reactor 300 through the outlet
340.
Because the bottom end 352 of the conduit 350 is connected to the outlet 340
of the
cyclonic reactor 300, the liquid must pass through the conduit 350 before it
can exit the
cyclonic reactor 300 and therefore it must rise inside the interior 322 of the
housing 320
until it can enter the conduit 350 through the opening 356.
In operation, a flow of liquid that has been treated in the pressurized
separation apparatus
10 can be directed into the inlet 330 of the cyclonic reactor 300. Ozone can
be injected
into this liquid through the ozone ports 360 at or near where the inlet 330
introduces it to
the interior 322 of the cyclonic reactor 300. This flow of liquid and ozone
inside the
cyclonic reactor 300 will be induced to swirl inside the interior 322 of the
housing 320 of
the cyclonic reactor 300 because of the positioning of the inlet 330. This
liquid and
ozone mixture will swirl around the interior 322 of the housing 320 as it
moves upwards
inside the housing 320 to the top end 354 of the conduit 350. At the top end
of the
housing 320, it will enter the opening 354 there before traveling downwards
inside the
conduit 350 to the outlet 340 of the cyclonic reactor 300 where it will be
removed from
the cyclonic reactor 300.
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- Page 20 -
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the
invention.
Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those
skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction
and operation
shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or
modifications in
structure or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within
the scope of
the claimed invention.
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Dessin représentatif
Une figure unique qui représente un dessin illustrant l'invention.
États administratifs

2024-08-01 : Dans le cadre de la transition vers les Brevets de nouvelle génération (BNG), la base de données sur les brevets canadiens (BDBC) contient désormais un Historique d'événement plus détaillé, qui reproduit le Journal des événements de notre nouvelle solution interne.

Veuillez noter que les événements débutant par « Inactive : » se réfèrent à des événements qui ne sont plus utilisés dans notre nouvelle solution interne.

Pour une meilleure compréhension de l'état de la demande ou brevet qui figure sur cette page, la rubrique Mise en garde , et les descriptions de Brevet , Historique d'événement , Taxes périodiques et Historique des paiements devraient être consultées.

Historique d'événement

Description Date
Rapport d'examen 2024-05-02
Inactive : Rapport - CQ réussi 2024-05-02
Inactive : Lettre officielle 2024-03-28
Requête visant le maintien en état reçue 2023-12-11
Lettre envoyée 2023-01-04
Requête visant le maintien en état reçue 2022-12-13
Toutes les exigences pour l'examen - jugée conforme 2022-12-09
Exigences pour une requête d'examen - jugée conforme 2022-12-09
Requête d'examen reçue 2022-12-09
Inactive : CIB expirée 2022-01-01
Requête visant le maintien en état reçue 2021-12-21
Inactive : Lettre officielle 2021-12-13
Inactive : Demandeur supprimé 2021-12-13
Requête visant le maintien en état reçue 2020-12-11
Représentant commun nommé 2020-11-07
Requête visant le maintien en état reçue 2019-12-30
Représentant commun nommé 2019-10-30
Représentant commun nommé 2019-10-30
Lettre envoyée 2019-07-02
Demande publiée (accessible au public) 2019-06-28
Inactive : Page couverture publiée 2019-06-27
Inactive : Réponse à l'art.37 Règles - Non-PCT 2019-06-25
Inactive : Transfert individuel 2019-06-25
Inactive : CIB en 1re position 2018-07-31
Inactive : CIB attribuée 2018-07-23
Inactive : CIB en 1re position 2018-07-23
Inactive : CIB attribuée 2018-07-23
Inactive : CIB attribuée 2018-07-23
Inactive : CIB attribuée 2018-07-23
Exigences de dépôt - jugé conforme 2018-01-16
Inactive : Certificat dépôt - Aucune RE (bilingue) 2018-01-16
Demande reçue - nationale ordinaire 2018-01-09
Déclaration du statut de petite entité jugée conforme 2017-12-28

Historique d'abandonnement

Il n'y a pas d'historique d'abandonnement

Taxes périodiques

Le dernier paiement a été reçu le 2023-12-11

Avis : Si le paiement en totalité n'a pas été reçu au plus tard à la date indiquée, une taxe supplémentaire peut être imposée, soit une des taxes suivantes :

  • taxe de rétablissement ;
  • taxe pour paiement en souffrance ; ou
  • taxe additionnelle pour le renversement d'une péremption réputée.

Veuillez vous référer à la page web des taxes sur les brevets de l'OPIC pour voir tous les montants actuels des taxes.

Historique des taxes

Type de taxes Anniversaire Échéance Date payée
Taxe pour le dépôt - petite 2017-12-28
Enregistrement d'un document 2019-06-25
TM (demande, 2e anniv.) - petite 02 2019-12-30 2019-12-30
TM (demande, 3e anniv.) - petite 03 2020-12-29 2020-12-11
TM (demande, 4e anniv.) - petite 04 2021-12-29 2021-12-21
Rev. excédentaires (à la RE) - petite 2021-12-29 2022-12-09
Requête d'examen - petite 2022-12-28 2022-12-09
TM (demande, 5e anniv.) - petite 05 2022-12-28 2022-12-13
TM (demande, 6e anniv.) - petite 06 2023-12-28 2023-12-11
Titulaires au dossier

Les titulaires actuels et antérieures au dossier sont affichés en ordre alphabétique.

Titulaires actuels au dossier
GROUND EFFECTS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES INC.
Titulaires antérieures au dossier
JASON BEAUDIN
JUSTIN LEE
SEAN FRISKY
Les propriétaires antérieurs qui ne figurent pas dans la liste des « Propriétaires au dossier » apparaîtront dans d'autres documents au dossier.
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Description du
Document 
Date
(aaaa-mm-jj) 
Nombre de pages   Taille de l'image (Ko) 
Description 2017-12-28 20 640
Abrégé 2017-12-28 1 20
Revendications 2017-12-28 8 197
Dessins 2017-12-28 16 275
Dessin représentatif 2019-05-22 1 6
Page couverture 2019-05-22 2 42
Courtoisie - Lettre du bureau 2024-03-28 2 189
Demande de l'examinateur 2024-05-02 3 161
Certificat de dépôt 2018-01-16 1 205
Courtoisie - Certificat d'enregistrement (document(s) connexe(s)) 2019-07-02 1 128
Courtoisie - Réception de la requête d'examen 2023-01-04 1 423
Paiement de taxe périodique 2023-12-11 3 92
Réponse à l'article 37 2019-06-25 3 83
Paiement de taxe périodique 2019-12-30 3 104
Paiement de taxe périodique 2020-12-11 3 87
Paiement de taxe périodique 2021-12-21 2 50
Requête d'examen 2022-12-09 3 65
Paiement de taxe périodique 2022-12-13 3 94