Thomas Michael Stephens

US Patent:

7112283, Sep 26, 2006

Filed:

Aug 26, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/649479

Inventors:

Thomas C. Stephens - Lawrenceville GA, US

Assignee:

Nicolon Corporation - Pendergrass GA

International Classification:

B01D 29/11

US Classification:

210728, 210747, 210767, 210170, 210461, 2102571

Abstract:

A method and system of processing animal waste, whereby liquid is removed from the waste and recycled for use in other applications. Moreover, use of the method and system facilitates capture of the solid waste, which may then be used as fertilizer. In the present method and system, waste sludge is fed into a geotextile container, which functions as a filter. The liquid from the sludge permeates the geotextile container, while the geotextile container retains the solid waste. Multiple geotextile containers may be used to further filter and clean the liquid. The liquid exiting the geotextile container flows into a liquid reservoir, from which the liquid may be drawn for use in other applications. During this process, the solid waste is trapped in the geotextile container, where it will digest and compost and may be easily accessed for use as fertilizer or other nutrients.

US Patent:

56516410, Jul 29, 1997

Filed:

May 31, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/455147

Inventors:

Thomas C. Stephens - Lawrenceville GA
Teri L. Frauenfelder Krock - Lawrenceville GA

Assignee:

Nicolon Corporation - Norcross GA

International Classification:

B32B 502
E02D 1720
D05C 1700

US Classification:

405258

Abstract:

Tufted mats for a broad variety of erosion control, turf reinforcement, and earth reinforcement applications. The mats are formed of scrim which is tufted, preferably on conventional carpet machinery, with a number of tufted ends in order to provide high tensile strength, greatly porous and flexible mats which may be easily installed, but which contain a number of interstices for capturing root systems, retaining soil, and controlling the flow of water. The properties of the mats may be easily controlled and optimized by controlling the properties and arrangements of the cross machine ends and machine ends forming the scrim if woven (or corresponding ends, filaments or fibers if knitted or nonwoven), as well as the tufted ends which are tufted into the scrim. Therefore, process technology such as settings on conventional weaving and tufting equipment, may be employed to provide cost-effective, customized, lightweight but strong and durable mats for a broad variety of erosion control, turf reinforcement, and earth reinforcement applications.