Ronald N Drake

US Patent:

7368059, May 6, 2008

Filed:

Feb 9, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/774819

Inventors:

Ronald Neil Drake - Helena MT, US

Assignee:

Drake Engineering Incorporated - Helena MT

International Classification:

C02F 1/42

US Classification:

210676, 210681

Abstract:

A process and apparatus for continuously removing ions from solution in proportion to their prevalence in solution using an ion exchange media. The process comprises: (a) mixing fresh or regenerated ion exchange media and a feed solution containing diverse ions; (b) reacting the resulting slurry to produce a product slurry comprised of loaded ion exchange media and stripped product solution; (c) separating the loaded ion exchange media from the product slurry; (d) regenerating the loaded ion exchange media by counter current contact with a regenerant; and (e) conducting the process steps continuously and concurrently, whereby a continuous circuit is produced for dosing, loading, separating, and regenerating the ion exchange media, and whereby more concentrated ions are preferentially depleted in the product solution. An apparatus particularly adapted to practice the process and to treat sodic water is also provided.

US Patent:

7862715, Jan 4, 2011

Filed:

Feb 7, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/052409

Inventors:

Ronald N. Drake - Helena MT, US

Assignee:

Drake Engineering Incorporated - Helena MT

International Classification:

C02F 1/42
B01J 49/00
B01J 47/10

US Classification:

210189, 210268, 210269

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for separating purifying media from a treated fluid. The method includes transporting the purifying media and the treated fluid along a substantially horizontal direction while a substantial quantity of purifying media fall along a substantially vertical direction relative to the treated fluid to generate a concentration of purifying media below the treated fluid. The falling purifying media are collected while releasing the treated fluid so as to separate the purifying media from the treated fluid.

US Patent:

8414691, Apr 9, 2013

Filed:

Sep 10, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/879393

Inventors:

Lowell Howard - Redmond WA, US
Jeffrey Wetzel - Lake Stevens WA, US
Ronald Drake - Helena MT, US

Assignee:

ESC Enviroenergy, LLC - Redmond WA

International Classification:

B01D 53/04

US Classification:

95115, 95141, 95148, 96146

Abstract:

The system and method for recycling and using the heat from compressed gas produced by a biogas treatment plant. The system includes a biogas cleaning stage and a plurality of compression and heat exchanger stages that allows the heat generated by compressed gases to be harvested. After the heat is harvested, it is delivered to a jacketed vessel containing media used to remove contaminants from the biogas. The media inside the jacketed vessel requires regeneration or stripping of harmful VOCs and other contaminants picked up from the biogas. The system also includes an inert gas generator that creates hot inert gas that is delivered to the jacketed vessel that heats the media located therein to remove contaminants. Because the jacket vessel and the media are simultaneously heated, the system's heat-up time is reduced The system also includes a heat exchanger that partially recovers the heat from the inert gas.

US Patent:

20050173314, Aug 11, 2005

Filed:

Feb 7, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/052580

Inventors:

Ronald Drake - Helena MT, US

International Classification:

C02F001/28

US Classification:

210096100, 210101000, 210143000, 210205000, 210270000, 210739000

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for controlling purification of contaminated liquid. The apparatus includes an input line for receiving the contaminated water and a purifying material adapted to combine with undesirable components in the contaminated liquid so as to generate purified liquid and at least partially loaded purifying material. A separator is configured to separate the at least partially loaded purifying material from the purified liquid and provide an output for the purified liquid. A purifying portion is coupled between the input line and the separator, and the purifying material combines with the undesirable components within the purifying portion. A control system is configured to receive an indication of the quantity of undesirable components in the purified water and vary the amount of purifying material exposed to the contaminated water so as to generate additional purified water with a desired quantity of undesirable components.

US Patent:

20110163038, Jul 7, 2011

Filed:

Jan 1, 2011

Appl. No.:

12/983296

Inventors:

Ronald N. Drake - Helena MT, US

International Classification:

C02F 1/42
B01J 49/00

US Classification:

210676, 210189

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for removing contaminants from liquid using a continuously circulating stream of purifying media are disclosed. In one embodiment the method includes mixing a regenerated purifying media with a contaminated liquid containing diverse contaminants; co-currently transporting the purifying media and the contaminated liquid in a mixed state; removing, using the purifying media, while co-currently transporting the purifying media and the contaminated liquid, contaminants from the contaminated liquid so as to produce a mixture of a decontaminated liquid and a contaminated purifying media; and separating contaminated purifying media from the decontaminated liquid. In addition, the contaminated purifying media is contacted in counter current fashion with a regenerant solution so as to produce a regenerated purifying media and the regenerated purifying media is returned to the mixing step, whereby the continuously circulating purifying media selectively removes contaminants from the liquid.

US Patent:

20130140234, Jun 6, 2013

Filed:

Dec 6, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/706943

Inventors:

Ronald N. Drake - Helena MT, US

International Classification:

C02F 1/52
C02F 1/02

US Classification:

210639, 210710, 210177

Abstract:

The present invention provides a low energy alternative to conventional thermal/evaporation processes for “zero liquid discharge” treatment of strong saline brines. The products of the process include a salt-free liquid and solid salt. In particular, an antisolvent can be mixed with liquids containing high total dissolved solids. The mixture can be chilled, whereby solid salt is precipitated and separated from the mixture at near ambient temperature leaving a mixed liquor. The antisolvent can be selected from a class of organic compounds that form solutions with salt brines that exhibit a critical solution temperature lower than a critical solution temperature of the salt brines alone. The mixed liquor can be heated to a temperature above its lower critical solution temperature to produce an antisolvent liquid phase for recycle to the process. Finally, a reduced salinity aqueous phase can be polished by reverse osmosis or other conventional technology to produce clean water for discharge or beneficial use.

US Patent:

20130243684, Sep 19, 2013

Filed:

Mar 6, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/786653

Inventors:

Ronald N. Drake - Helena MT, US

Assignee:

DRAKE WATER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. - Helena MT

International Classification:

C01B 7/14

US Classification:

423503, 422187

Abstract:

This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for recovery and purification of iodine from strong brine solutions having low concentrations of iodine. This can involve acidifying and oxidizing the strong brine solution to produce a solution of processed brine and elemental iodine. This solution can then be passed through a countercurrent sorber causing the elemental iodine to adsorb onto a solid sorbent such as GAC. The iodine-loaded sorbent is separated and regenerated, for instance via heating, producing regenerated sorbent and iodine vapor. The vapor can be condensed thus leaving solid elemental iodine.

US Patent:

20130331632, Dec 12, 2013

Filed:

May 29, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/904750

Inventors:

Ronald N. Drake - Helena MT, US

International Classification:

C10G 70/00
B01D 3/00

US Classification:

585802, 2021851

Abstract:

This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for separating and purifying components from mixtures and emulsions containing hydrocarbons, water, salt, and mineral solids. Key unit operations are thermal desorbing, hot filtering, direct contact condensing, solids leaching, evaporating, and salt precipitating. Preferred embodiments of the process and system use process-generated fuel, leach water, and hot combustion gas to conduct thermal desorption, solids leaching, and salt precipitating. Use of process generated streams for key unit operations greatly reduces the need for purchased utilities and contributes both to process efficiency and economy.