Stephen W Allen

US Patent:

6428705, Aug 6, 2002

Filed:

Oct 16, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/688898

Inventors:

Stephen D. Allen - Boise ID
Josh H. Golden - Santa Cruz CA

Assignee:

Microbar Incorporated - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

C02F 144

US Classification:

210638, 210639, 210651, 210652, 210728, 210734, 210735

Abstract:

A process for removing contaminants from large volumes of wastewater is disclosed. The process involves treating a wastewater stream containing the contaminant with a coagulant that reacts with the contaminant to form a particulate or aggregate of particulates having a size greater than 10 m. The treated wastewater is passed through a microfiltration membrane having a pore size in the range from 0. 5 m to 10 m at low pressure (less than 20 psig) to remove the contaminant. Under such conditions, the treated wastewater flux rate is greater than 200 gallons per square foot of membrane per day (âGFDâ), and typically from 200 to 1500 GFD.

US Patent:

6755973, Jun 29, 2004

Filed:

Apr 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/115821

Inventors:

Stephen Donald Allen - Garden City ID

Assignee:

Water Solutions Inc. - Sioux Falls SD

International Classification:

C02F 156

US Classification:

210636, 210638, 210639, 210651, 210666, 210667, 210668, 210670, 210694, 210710, 210721, 210725, 210727, 210734, 210793, 210905, 426657

Abstract:

A process and system for removing animal processing contaminants and fats, oils, and greases from large volume quantities of waste water. In the process, a waste water stream containing the contaminants is treated with a chemical oxidant, polymer compound and coagulant to create a particle having a diameter greater than 50 microns. Treated waste water is passed through a microfiltration membrane which physically separates the contaminant particle from the waste water. Commercially available microfiltration membranes having a pore size in the range of 0. 5 micron to 10 microns may be used. The treated waste water flow rate through the microfiltration membranes can range from at least 200 gallons per square foot of membrane per day (âGFDâ) to in excess of 750 GFD. Solids are removed from the membrane surface by periodically backflushing the microfiltration membranes and draining the filtration vessel within which the membranes are located. The dislodged solid material within the filtration vessel is flushed into a holding tank for further processing of the solids.

US Patent:

7138152, Nov 21, 2006

Filed:

Nov 12, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/706498

Inventors:

Stephen D. Allen - Eagle ID, US
Michael R. Rusnack - Star ID, US

Assignee:

Water Solutions, Inc. - Sioux Falls SD

International Classification:

A23L 1/28

US Classification:

426429, 426655, 426430, 426495

Abstract:

A process of extracting carotenoids from a source of fruit or vegetable processing waste including the steps of: admixing the source, a first organic solvent and a surfactant to form a slurry, whereby surface tension in tissue cell structure of the source is decreased, enhancing penetration of the surfactant into the tissue cell structure so that the carotenoids and the surfactant may form a combination; treating the slurry with a second organic solvent which solubilizes the combination; separating the treated slurry into a liquid fraction and a solid fraction; and separating a first portion from the liquid fraction, the first portion including a solution of the second organic solvent and the combination.

US Patent:

7527820, May 5, 2009

Filed:

Nov 20, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/561795

Inventors:

Stephen D. Allen - Eagle ID, US
Michael R. Rusnack - Star ID, US

Assignee:

Water Solutions, Inc. - Eagle ID

International Classification:

A23L 1/48

US Classification:

426655, 426429, 426481, 426430, 426495, 426648, 426650

Abstract:

A process of extracting carotenoids from a source of fruit or vegetable processing waste including the steps of: admixing the source, a first organic solvent and a surfactant to form a slurry, whereby surface tension in tissue cell structure of the source is decreased, enhancing penetration of the surfactant into the tissue cell structure so that the carotenoids and the surfactant may form a combination; treating the slurry with a second organic solvent which solubilizes the combination; separating the treated slurry into a liquid fraction and a solid fraction; and separating a first portion from the liquid fraction, the first portion including a solution of the second organic solvent and the combination.

US Patent:

7824554, Nov 2, 2010

Filed:

Dec 14, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/956746

Inventors:

Michael R. Rusnack - Star ID, US
Stephen D. Allen - Eagle ID, US

Assignee:

Water Solutions, Inc. - Eagle ID

International Classification:

C02F 1/00

US Classification:

210744, 210739, 210805

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for cleaning and shutting down a part-time wastewater treatment system is disclosed. The wastewater treatment system has a water input to receive an influent flow of wastewater to be treated, a water output to discharge treated clean water effluent, and a water treatment capacity volume. An effluent external tank receives the clean water effluent and has a size greater than or equal to the capacity volume. Influent flow of wastewater is terminated. Clean water effluent is pumped through a fluid pathway from the effluent external tank to the water input. A sufficient volume of clean water effluent is passed through the wastewater treatment system to complete treatment of the wastewater within the wastewater treatment system, purge wastewater from the wastewater treatment system, and fill the wastewater treatment system with clean water effluent. The wastewater treatment system is thus prepared to be shut down.

US Patent:

8110106, Feb 7, 2012

Filed:

Aug 11, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/539293

Inventors:

Stephen D. Allen - Eagle ID, US
Dallas K. Isom - Middleton ID, US

Assignee:

Water Solutions, Inc. - Sioux Falls SD

International Classification:

C02F 11/02
C02F 3/30

US Classification:

210603, 210613, 210630, 210631, 210610, 210259

Abstract:

An apparatus for the anaerobic digestion of solid waste is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pre-digestion treatment chamber and an anaerobic digester chamber coupled to the pre-digestion treatment chamber. A liquid suspension of solid waste is pretreated under aerobic conditions by heating to a desired pre-digestion temperature. One or more chemical or biological additives are added to the suspension of solid waste to improve the anaerobic digestibility of the solid waste. This may include enzymes to destruct poorly digestible solids and/or materials to provide a desired C:N ratio in the solid waste. The apparatus may include mixers, heaters, chemical or biological additives as needed, various sensors and probes, and a control system to monitor and control the anaerobic digestion process and maintain microbial health of the digester.

US Patent:

20040129639, Jul 8, 2004

Filed:

Nov 12, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/706168

Inventors:

Stephen Allen - Boise ID, US
Michael Rusnack - Star ID, US

Assignee:

Water Solutions, Inc. - Sioux Falls SD

International Classification:

B01D061/00
B01D021/01

US Classification:

210/650000, 210/723000, 210/732000

Abstract:

A process is used to remove suspended and dissolved material from fruit and vegetable wastewater. The steps of the process include adding a coagulant polymer to the wastewater. The steps also include the adding of a synthetic organic polymer to the wastewater. During the process, solid particles are produced having a specific definable and controllable size and weight. Another step includes the filtering of the solid particles having a specific definable and controllable size and weight from the wastewater. Additionally, a product for consumption by animals is rendered from the solid particles.

US Patent:

20080193991, Aug 14, 2008

Filed:

Feb 13, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/030578

Inventors:

Stephen D. Allen - Eagle ID, US
Michael R. Rusnack - Star ID, US

Assignee:

WATER SOLUTIONS, INC. - Sioux Falls SD

International Classification:

C12P 7/08

US Classification:

435163

Abstract:

A process for improving the yield and efficiency of an ethanol fermentation plant that receives organic fermentable feedstock material, prepares the feedstock for fermentation, ferments the feedstock with yeast to produce ethanol, and produces stillage as a byproduct of ethanol fermentation. The process steps which can be operated independently or in combination, may include, but are not limited to, degrading fatty acids in the fermentable feedstock material prior to fermentation; degrading cellulose and hemicellulose present in the feedstock prior to fermentation; adding a surfactant to the fermentable feedstock; separating a liquid fraction from the stillage; recycling the liquid fraction to be combined with the fermentable feedstock; recovering a solid fraction from the stillage; and introducing at least a portion of the solid fraction to an anaerobic digester to produce methane.

Address:

105 White St APT D, Charleston, WV 25302

Phone:

2083622918

VIN:

5TBBV54187S449923

Make:

TOYOTA

Model:

TUNDRA

Year:

2007