Patents

ECT2’s team of inventors have obtained the following patents for their work.

Click through below to learn more.

US Patent No. 10,695,709

Inventors: Woodard; Steven E. (Cumberland, ME), Bishop; Andrew G. (Cumberland, ME), Nickelsen; Michael G. (Bloomfield, NY), Berry; John C. (Mooresville, NC)

A system for enhancing adsorption of contaminated vapors to increase treatment capacity of a regenerable, synthetic adsorptive media. The system includes an inlet configured to receive a flow of contaminated vapors. One or more vessels are coupled to the inlet, the one or more vessels each including a regenerable, synthetic adsorptive media therein, are configured to remove contaminants from the vapors by adsorption. A vapor cooling subsystem is coupled to the inlet, and configured to cool the flow of contaminated vapors, thereby increasing the treatment capacity of the regenerable synthetic adsorptive media.

US Patent No. 10,287,185

Inventors: Nickelsen; Michael G. (Bloomfield, NY), Woodard; Steven E. (Cumberland, ME)

A sustainable system for removing and concentrating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water. The system includes an anion exchange vessel having a selected anion exchange resin therein configured to remove PFAS from the water. A line coupled to the vessel introduces a flow of water contaminated with PFAS such that the PFAS bind to the selected anion exchange resin and are thereby removed from the water. A regenerant solution line is coupled to the anion exchange vessel to introduce an optimized regenerant solution to the anion exchange vessel to remove the PFAS from the anion exchange resin, thereby regenerating the anion exchange resin and generating a spent regenerant solution comprised of the removed PFAS and the optimized regenerant solution. A separation and recovery subsystem recovers the optimized regenerant solution for reuse and separates and concentrates the removed PFAS.

US Patent No. 10,106,446

Inventors: Bishop; Andrew G. (Windham, ME), Woodard; Steven E (Cumberland, ME), Rodrigues; Paul M. (Scarborough, ME)

Systems and methods for treating a wastewater are provided. The wastewater treatment system and methods allows for effective treatment of wastewater during conditions that may cause increased wastewater flow to the system.

US Patent No. 10,023,486

Inventor: Woodard; Steven E. (Cumberland, ME)

A ballasted sequencing batch reactor system for treating wastewater including one or more sequencing batch reactors. A weighting agent impregnation subsystem is configured to mix biological flocs and weighting agent to form weighted biological flocs. A weighting agent recovery subsystem is configured to recover weighting agent from the weighted biological flocs and reintroduce the recovered weighting agent to the weighting agent impregnation subsystem.

US Patent No. 9,975,065

Inventors: Vareika; Matthew J. (Lakeville, MA), Woodard; Steven E. (Cumberland, ME), Gwarjanski; Joseph P. (Minot, ME)

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for removing waste materials from the surface of liquid in a liquid treatment system. In one example a surface wasting system comprises a chamber including a sump, an outer conduit coupled by a first seal to an upper wall of the chamber, an inner conduit axially disposed within the outer conduit, the inner conduit in contact with a surface of a liquid in a treatment vessel of the liquid treatment system, an expandable waterproof bellows having a lower end coupled to the outer conduit above the first seal and an upper end coupled to the inner conduit, the waterproof bellows forming a second seal between the outer conduit and the inner conduit, and a float coupled to the inner conduit and configured to vertically displace the inner conduit responsive to a change in a level of liquid in the sump.

US Patent No. 9,651,523

Inventors: Klyamkin; Simone (Brighton, MA), Woodard; Steven E. (Cumberland, ME), Federico; Frank (Winchester, MA), McKean; Colin’ M. (Wauwatosa, WI)

A system and method for measuring the concentration of magnetic ballast in a slurry to be analyzed is provided. A detection conduit is provided and configured to receive a slurry to be analyzed. The detection conduit may be surrounded by a set of detection coaxial coils. A reference set of two coaxial coils is also provided. A power source is provided for establishing an electrical current. A measurement subsystem for measuring the differential induced voltage between detection and reference coils is provided to determine the concentration of the magnetic ballast in the slurry.

US Patent No. 8,845,901

Inventor: Woodard; Steven E. (Cumberland, ME)

A ballasted anaerobic system for treating wastewater including at least one anaerobic treatment reactor. A weighting agent impregnation subsystem is configured to mix weighting agents with the biological flocs to form weighted biological flocs to create a weighted anaerobic sludge blanket in at least one anaerobic treatment reactor. A weighting agent recovery subsystem is configured to recover the weighting agent from excess sludge and reintroduce the weighting agent to the weighting agent impregnation subsystem.

US Patent No. 8,702,987

Inventors: Woodard; Steven E. (Cumberland, ME), Marston; Peter G. (Ipswich, MA), Wechsler; Ionel (Framingham, MA)

Methods for enhancing an activated sludge process including at least one biological reactor. A weighting agent impregnation subsystem is coupled to the biological reactor for mixing biological flocs and weighting agent to impregnate the weighting agent into the biological flocs to form weighted biological flocs. A weighting agent recovery subsystem is configured to recover the weighting agent from the weighted biological flocs and reintroducing the recovered weighting agent to the weighting agent impregnation subsystem.

US Patent No. 8,673,142

Inventors: Woodard; Steven E. (Cumberland, ME), Marston; Peter G. (Ipswich, MA), Wechsler; Ionel (Framingham, MA)

A system for enhancing an activated sludge process including at least one biological reactor. A weighting agent impregnation subsystem is coupled to the biological reactor for mixing biological flocs and weighting agent to impregnate the weighting agent into the biological flocs to form weighted biological flocs. A weighting agent recovery subsystem is configured to recover the weighting agent from the weighted biological flocs and reintroducing the recovered weighting agent to the weighting agent impregnation subsystem.

US Patent No. 8,623,205

Inventor: Woodard; Steven E. (Cumberland, ME)

A ballasted anaerobic system for treating wastewater including at least one anaerobic treatment reactor. A weighting agent impregnation subsystem is configured to mix weighting agents with the biological flocs to form weighted biological flocs to create a weighted anaerobic sludge blanket in at least one anaerobic treatment reactor. A weighting agent recovery subsystem is configured to recover the weighting agent from excess sludge and reintroduce the weighting agent to the weighting agent impregnation subsystem.

US Patent No. 8,540,877

Inventor: Woodard; Steven E. (Cumberland, ME)

A ballasted sequencing batch reactor system for treating wastewater including one or more sequencing batch reactors. A weighting agent impregnation subsystem is configured to mix biological flocs and weighting agent to form weighted biological flocs. A weighting agent recovery subsystem is configured to recover weighting agent from the weighted biological flocs and reintroduce the recovered weighting agent to the weighting agent impregnation subsystem.

US Patent No. 6,096,219

Inventors: Green, Lawrence M, (Miami, FL), Nickelsen, Michgal G. (Pembroke Pines, FL)

The present invention provides a method for the pre-treatment of hazardous biological and chemical contaminants from a waste fluid stream prior to discharge to a waste water treatment facility such as a publicly owned water treatment works or a similar privately operated facility. The method includes breaking apart tissue samples with a macerator, contacting a waste fluid stream with ozone, preferably in a vibrational mixer, which thereby acts as a promoter of hydroxyl radicals, passing the mixture through strong and weak unpolarized magnetic fields, static discharge and neutralization units, and finally, exposing the mixture to ultraviolet radiation. If found necessary, a subsequent static discharge and neutralization unit may be employed.

US Patent No. 6,503,403

Inventors: Green, Lawrence M, (Miami, FL), Nickelsen, Michgal G. (Pembroke Pines, FL)

An apparatus and method for enhancing dissolution of gases in liquids by ejecting the gas-liquid mixture through nozzles in a reaction vessel. The nozzles are pressurized, sized and directed to produce micro-fine gas bubbles in the liquid and to initiate rotational flow of the gas-liquid mixture in the reaction vessel. The small bubble size and rotational flow maximizes the time the gas is in contact with the liquid. The apparatus and method are used to increase the dissolution of ozone gas into aqueous solutions to increase the decomposition of aqueous-based organic compounds, precipitation of heavy metals, and destruct and/or deactivate enteric viruses, enteric bacteria, and protozoans. An alternative embodiment mixes the gas with the liquid prior to ejection through the nozzles.

US Patent No. 10,913,668

Inventors: Michael G. Nickelsen, Steven E. Woodard, John Berry

A system for creating an ultra-concentrated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) waste product, the system comprising:a super-loading subsystem receiving a treated concentrated PFAS solution configured to separate concentrated PFAS from the solution by adsorbing concentrated PFAS onto adsorptive media to create the ultra-concentrated PFAS waste product.

Patent Number: 2017249070

Inventors: Michael G. Nickelsen, Steven E. Woodard, John Berry

A sustainable system for removing and concentrating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water. The system includes an anion exchange vessel having a selected anion exchange resin therein configured to remove PFAS from the water. A line coupled to the vessel introduces a flow of water contaminated with PFAS such that the PFAS bind to the selected anion exchange resin and are thereby removed from the water. A regenerant solution line is coupled to the anion exchange vessel to introduce an optimized regenerant solution to the anion exchange vessel to remove the PFAS from the anion exchange resin, thereby regenerating the anion exchange resin and generating a spent regenerant solution comprised of the removed PFAS and the optimized regenerant solution. A separation and recovery subsystem recovers the optimized regenerant solution for reuse and separates and concentrates the removed PFAS.

Patent Number: 3,020,691

Inventors: Michael G. Nickelsen, Steven E. Woodard

A sustainable system for removing and concentrating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water. The system includes an anion exchange vessel having a selected anion exchange resin therein configured to remove PFAS from the water. A line coupled to the vessel introduces a flow of water contaminated with PFAS such that the PFAS bind to the selected anion exchange resin and are thereby removed from the water. A regenerant solution line is coupled to the anion exchange vessel to introduce an optimized regenerant solution to the anion exchange vessel to remove the PFAS from the anion exchange resin, thereby regenerating the anion exchange resin and generating a spent regenerant solution comprised of the removed PFAS and the optimized regenerant solution. A separation and recovery subsystem recovers the optimized regenerant solution for reuse and separates and concentrates the removed PFAS.

Patent Number: ZL201780031606.3


Inventors:
Michael G. Nickelsen, Steven E. Woodard, John Berry

A sustainable system for removing and concentrating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water. The system includes an anion exchange vessel having a selected anion exchange resin therein configured to remove PFAS from the water. A line coupled to the vessel introduces a flow of water contaminated with PFAS such that the PFAS bind to the selected anion exchange resin and are thereby removed from the water. A regenerant solution line is coupled to the anion exchange vessel to introduce an optimized regenerant solution to the anion exchange vessel to remove the PFAS from the anion exchange resin, thereby regenerating the anion exchange resin and generating a spent regenerant solution comprised of the removed PFAS and the optimized regenerant solution. A separation and recovery subsystem recovers the optimized regenerant solution for reuse and separates and concentrates the removed PFAS.

Patent Number: 17782842.3

Inventors: Michael G. Nickelsen, Steven E. Woodard, John Berry

A sustainable system for removing and concentrating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water.  The system includes an anion exchange vessel having a selected anion exchange resin therein configured to remove PFAS from the water.  A line coupled to the vessel introduces a flow of water contaminated with PFAS such that the PFAS bind to the selected anion exchange resin and are thereby removed from the water.  A regenerant solution line is coupled to the anion exchange vessel to introduce an optimized regenerant solution to the anion exchange vessel to remove the PFAS from the anion exchange resin, thereby regenerating the anion exchange resin and generating a spent regenerant solution comprised of the removed PFAS and the optimized regenerant solution. A separation and recovery subsystem recovers the optimized regenerant solution for reuse and separates and concentrates the removed PFAS.

Patent Number: 6,775,667

Inventors: Michael G. Nickelsen, Steven E. Woodard, John Berry

A sustainable system for removing and concentrating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water. The system includes an anion exchange vessel having a selected anion exchange resin therein configured to remove PFAS from the water. A line coupled to the vessel introduces a flow of water contaminated with PFAS such that the PFAS bind to the selected anion exchange resin and are thereby removed from the water. A regenerant solution line is coupled to the anion exchange vessel to introduce an optimized regenerant solution to the anion exchange vessel to remove the PFAS from the anion exchange resin, thereby regenerating the anion exchange resin and generating a spent regenerant solution comprised of the removed PFAS and the optimized regenerant solution. A separation and recovery subsystem recovers the optimized regenerant solution for reuse and separates and concentrates the removed PFAS.

Patent Number: 747014

Inventors: Michael Nickelsen, Steven Woodard, John Berry

A sustainable system for removing and concentrating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water. The system includes an anion exchange vessel having a selected anion exchange resin therein configured to remove PFAS from the water. A line coupled to the vessel introduces a flow of water contaminated with PFAS such that the PFAS bind to the selected anion exchange resin and are thereby removed from the water. A regenerant solution line is coupled to the anion exchange vessel to introduce an optimized regenerant solution to the anion exchange vessel to remove the PFAS from the anion exchange resin, thereby regenerating the anion exchange resin and generating a spent regenerant solution comprised of the removed PFAS and the optimized regenerant solution. A separation and recovery subsystem recovers the optimized regenerant solution for reuse and separates and concentrates the removed PFAS.

Patent Number: 10202106474X

Inventors: Michael G. Nickelsen, Steven E. Woodard, John Berry

A sustainable system for removing and concentrating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water.  The system includes an anion exchange vessel having a selected anion exchange resin therein configured to remove PFAS from the water.  A line coupled to the vessel introduces a flow of water contaminated with PFAS such that the PFAS bind to the selected anion exchange resin and are thereby removed from the water.  A regenerant solution line is coupled to the anion exchange vessel to introduce an optimized regenerant solution to the anion exchange vessel to remove the PFAS from the anion exchange resin, thereby regenerating the anion exchange resin and generating a spent regenerant solution comprised of the removed PFAS and the optimized regenerant solution. A separation and recovery subsystem recovers the optimized regenerant solution for reuse and separates and concentrates the removed PFAS.

Patent Number: 10,795,708

Inventors: Steven E. Woodard, Andrew Bishop, Michael Nickelsen, John Berry

Description: A system for enhancing adsorption of contaminated vapors to increase treatment capacity of a regenerable, synthetic adsorptive media, the system comprising:

  • an inlet configured to receive a flow of contaminated vapors;
  • one or more vessels coupled to the inlet, the one or more vessels each including a regenerable, synthetic, hydrophobic, adsorptive media therein configured to remove contaminants from the contaminated vapors by adsorption; and
  • a vapor cooling subsystem coupled to the inlet configured to cool the flow of contaminated vapors to increase the treatment capacity of the regenerable, synthetic, hydrophobic, adsorptive media.

Patent Number: 3,049,886

Inventors: Steven E. Woodard, Andrew G. BISHOP, Michael G. Nickelsen, John C. Berry

A system for enhancing adsorption of contaminated vapors to increase treatment capacity of a regenerable, synthetic adsorptive media. The system includes an inlet configured to receive a flow of contaminated vapors. One or more vessels are coupled to the inlet, the one or more vessels each including a regenerable, synthetic adsorptive media therein, are configured to remove contaminants from the vapors by adsorption. A vapor cooling subsystem is coupled to the inlet, and configured to cool the flow of contaminated vapors, thereby increasing the treatment capacity of the regenerable synthetic adsorptive media.

Patent Number: 7,100,223

Inventors: Michael G. Nickelsen, Steven E. Woodard, John C. Berry

A system for enhancing adsorption of contaminated vapors to increase treatment capacity of a regenerable, synthetic adsorptive media. The system includes an inlet configured to receive a flow of contaminated vapors. One or more vessels are coupled to the inlet, the one or more vessels each including a regenerable, synthetic adsorptive media therein, are configured to remove contaminants from the vapors by adsorption. A vapor cooling subsystem is coupled to the inlet, and configured to cool the flow of contaminated vapors, thereby increasing the treatment capacity of the regenerable synthetic adsorptive media.

Patent Number: 11,027,988

Inventors: Michael G. Nickelsen, Steven E. Woodard, John C. Berry

A system for concentrating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the system comprising:a regenerant solution line coupled to a vessel configured to introduce a regenerant solution to the vessel to remove PFAS from anion exchange resin within the vessel thereby regenerating the anion exchange resin and generating a spent regenerant solution comprising the removed PFAS and the regenerant solution; and a separation and recovery subsystem coupled to the vessel and configured to recover the regenerant solution and separate and concentrate the removed PFAS and create a PFAS waste product.

Patent Number: 11,174,115

Inventors: Michael G. Nickelsen, Steven E. Woodard, John C. Berry

A system for removing and concentrating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from contaminated water, the system comprising:

  • a regenerant solution makeup tank containing a regenerant solution comprising a mixture of a salt, an alcohol solvent, and water;
  • an anion exchange vessel coupled to the regenerant solution makeup tank including an anion exchange resin therein configured to receive a flow of the contaminated water such that the PFAS bind to the anion exchange resin to remove PFAS from the contaminated water and configured to receive the regenerant solution comprising the mixture of the salt, the alcohol solvent and the water to regenerate the anion exchange resin and produce a spent regenerant solution;
  • a separation and recovery subsystem configured to receive the spent regenerant solution including a distillation subsystem or an evaporation subsystem, one of the distillation subsystem or the evaporation subsystem configured to separate a reclaimed alcohol solvent for reuse and a solution comprising concentrated PFAS, salt, and water further removing PFAS, and water and salt from the concentrated PFAS; and
  • an alcohol solvent purification subsystem coupled to one of the distillation subsystem or the evaporation subsystem configured to receive reclaimed alcohol solvent for reuse having carryover PFAS therein, the alcohol solvent purification subsystem including an additional anion exchange resin housed in a vessel configured to remove the carryover PFAS to provide a purified, reclaimed alcohol solvent for reuse.

Patent Number: 11,364,464

Inventors: Steven E. Woodard, Andrew G. Bishop, Michael G. Nickelsen, John C. Berry

A system for enhancing adsorption of contaminated vapors to increase treatment capacity of a regenerable, synthetic adsorptive media, the system comprising:an inlet configured to receive a flow of contaminated vapors; one or more vessels coupled to the inlet, the one or more vessels each including a regenerable, synthetic, hydrophobic, adsorptive media therein configured to remove contaminants from the contaminated vapors by adsorption; and a vapor cooling subsystem coupled to the inlet configured to cool the flow of contaminated vapors to increase the treatment capacity of the regenerable, synthetic, hydrophobic, adsorptive media.