Curtis D Mcdowell

US Patent:

6869534, Mar 22, 2005

Filed:

May 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/430171

Inventors:

Curtis S. McDowell - Allentown PA, US
Chris Hannum - Oley PA, US
Robert Maurer - Shillington PA, US

Assignee:

Brentwood Industries, Inc. - Reading PA

International Classification:

C02F003/00

US Classification:

210620, 210220, 210739, 210745, 2101951, 210 97

Abstract:

The invention relates to an aerobic wastewater digestion unit useful for degrading organic material dissolved or suspended in a wastewater stream. The wastewater is fed to a vessel, wherein it is circulated by a liquid conveyor between the vessel and a downwardly-directed tube. Expulsion of fluid from the tube into the lower portion of the vessel agitates the liquid in the vessel and disperses into the liquid air that has been entrained in the liquid in the tube. The digester can be operated using varying liquid levels, and is amenable to batch, semi-batch, and continuous operation. The digester is suitable for use in combination with other components of wastewater treatment systems, and can be included as a module in modular wastewater treatment systems.

US Patent:

6878280, Apr 12, 2005

Filed:

Apr 16, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/414974

Inventors:

Curtis S. McDowell - Allentown PA, US
Chris Hannum - Oley PA, US
Robert Maurer - Shillington PA, US

Assignee:

Brentwood Industries, Inc. - Reading PA

International Classification:

C02F003/00

US Classification:

210614, 210800, 210803, 210197, 210 97, 210513, 210103, 210740, 210745, 210143, 210528

Abstract:

The invention relates to a liquid clarifier useful for removing solids suspended in a wastewater stream. Settled biological solids are taken from the clarifier and combined in a mixing chamber with a wastewater stream. The combined liquid is provided to a settling region of the clarifier, and suspended solids settle in a biological solids collection region, from which the solids are taken. Clarified liquid can be withdrawn or permitted to overflow from an outlet region in the settling region of the clarifier. The clarifier can enhance the degree of solids removal from wastewater streams having relatively low total suspended solids values, such as outlet streams from fixed film-type digesters. The clarifier is suitable for use in combination with other components of wastewater treatment systems, and can be included as a module in many kinds of wastewater treatment systems.

US Patent:

7491325, Feb 17, 2009

Filed:

Oct 20, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/551538

Inventors:

Timothy E. Krell - Mohrsville PA, US
Robert W. Hartung - Abington PA, US
Curtis S. McDowell - Allentown PA, US

Assignee:

Brentwood Industries, Inc. - Reading PA

International Classification:

C02F 3/06

US Classification:

210150, 210541, 210615, 261DIG 72

Abstract:

An assembly for supporting biomass for treating sludge or wastewater includes a first corrugated sheet having crests and valleys, a second corrugated sheet having crests and valleys and an intermediate member mounted between the first and second corrugated sheets. The crests have peak surfaces and the valleys have trough surfaces. The first corrugated sheet has a first longitudinal axis and the second corrugated sheet has a second longitudinal axis. The corrugations of the first corrugated sheet define a first corrugation angle of about zero degrees (0) to about forty-five degrees (45) relative to the first longitudinal axis and the corrugations of the second corrugated sheet define a second corrugation angle of about zero degrees (0) to about forty-five degrees (45) relative to the second longitudinal axis. The second corrugated sheet is mounted to the first corrugated sheet and the intermediate member has openings therein.

US Patent:

7731842, Jun 8, 2010

Filed:

Sep 19, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/857566

Inventors:

Curtis S McDowell - Allentown PA, US

Assignee:

Brentwood Industries, Inc. - Reading PA

International Classification:

C02F 3/06

US Classification:

210151, 210220, 210259, 210903

Abstract:

A constant velocity serpentine anoxic reactor incorporates a multiple cell vertical serpentine path, as well as a horizontal serpentine path, through the anoxic chamber. A fixed film media is mounted within each cell of the anoxic chamber to provide a structure on which the bacteria can grow to sustain the biological reaction, which convert nitrates into nitrogen gas. The fixed film media can be a cross-flow media and can optionally include a web of textile material integrated within the fixed film media to enhance bacterial growth within the fixed film media or optionally the anoxic vertical serpentine configuration could be applied to an activated sludge operation. A nitrate recycle pump recycles about 75% of the effluent from the aerobic chamber back into the anoxic chamber to provide a nitrate source for the digestion of the BOD within the influent wastewater.

US Patent:

20140053926, Feb 27, 2014

Filed:

Feb 17, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/707665

Inventors:

Curtis S. McDowell - Allentown PA, US

International Classification:

F15D 1/00

US Classification:

137561 R

Abstract:

A structured sheet cross flow media is formed with a first corrugated sheet having corrugations defining flutes angled in a first direction, a second corrugated sheet defining flutes angled in a second direction, and an interstitial planar sheet disposed between the first and second corrugated sheets. The interstitial planar sheet traps the flow of fluid or gas, such as air, entering one end of the media block within opposing flutes until the end of the interstitial sheet is reached, whereupon the fluid or gas can disperse between the intersecting flutes of the first and second sheets to provide a controlled dispersal of the fluid or gas. In one embodiment, the interstitial sheet terminates at an intermediate height in the media block to define the width of dispersion of air bubbles entering at a single source point.

US Patent:

61702161, Jan 9, 2001

Filed:

Mar 12, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/268517

Inventors:

Palle Rye - Reading PA
Timothy Krell - Fleetwood PA
Curtis McDowell - Allentown PA
Richard Aull - Reading PA

Assignee:

Brentwood Industries, Inc. - Reading PA

International Classification:

E04C 242

US Classification:

52660

Abstract:

A grid structure capable of withstanding a compressive force comprises a peripheral frame, a plurality of first grid members connected to and extending within the peripheral frame and a plurality of second grid members connected to and extending within the peripheral frame. The second grid members intersect the first grid members. The first and second grid members form a grid of small frames disposed within the peripheral frame. The grid has an upper surface and a lower surface wherein a first group of at least a portion of at least one of the first and second grid members have flanges on the upper surface, the flanges being generally perpendicular to the first and second grid members and a second group of at least a portion of at least one of the first and second grid members have flanges on the lower surface, the flanges being generally perpendicular to the first and second grid members. A process of making the grid structure is also disclosed, as is an assembly of such grid structures.

US Patent:

45991740, Jul 8, 1986

Filed:

Feb 27, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/583778

Inventors:

Curtis S. McDowell - Allentown PA

Assignee:

Polybac Corporation - Allentown PA

International Classification:

C02F 306

US Classification:

210614

Abstract:

This invention pertains to a submerged fixed-film biological distribution system. It includes a plurality of vertical chambers adjacent each other having corrugated packings therein. Air or oxygenating gas is introduced at the bottom of select alternating chambers so that an upflowing liquor is generated in those chambers and a downflowing liquor generated in the adjacent chambers. Contaminated waste is biologically digested by microorganism retained on the corrugated packings, such digesting occurring in all chambers.

US Patent:

48184047, Apr 4, 1989

Filed:

Jul 8, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/070899

Inventors:

Curtis S. McDowell - Allentown PA

Assignee:

Tri-Bio, Inc. - Allentown PA

International Classification:

C02F 306
C02F 330

US Classification:

210603

Abstract:

This invention relates to a process and reactor system suitable for biological treatment of wastewaters or for other applications wherein effective and intimate contact between biological populations attached to a fixed surface and liquid born chemicals and gaseous atmospheres is required. The reactor includes a sealed housing generally having a plurality of independent-vertical chambers, each open at the top and bottom and each filled with high surface-area packing and disposed annularly around a central-vertical chamber. The central vertical chamber is also open at the top and bottom, but free of packing. The bottom of the central chamber is in communication with the bottom of each of the independent-annular columns by means of a bottom-freeboard chamber. The top of the central-vertical chamber is also in communication with the top of each independent-vertical chamber by means of a top-freeboard chamber created by setting the liquid level in the reactor at a position above the top of all vertical chambers. In an application of a process for biological treatment of wastewater, wherein a dissolved oxygen free environment is required during contact of biological populations with liquid born chemicals and gaseous atmospheres; such as for anaerobic treatment of wastewaters or anoxic dentrification of wastewater, the gaseous phase of the reactor is isolated from the atmosphere and starved of gaseous oxygen.