US20010004062A1 - Cap-based system for removing water from hydrocarbon fuels - Google Patents
Cap-based system for removing water from hydrocarbon fuels Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20010004062A1 US20010004062A1 US09/748,443 US74844300A US2001004062A1 US 20010004062 A1 US20010004062 A1 US 20010004062A1 US 74844300 A US74844300 A US 74844300A US 2001004062 A1 US2001004062 A1 US 2001004062A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- filter
- support body
- conduit
- tank
- screen
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 36
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 35
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 title claims abstract description 16
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 title claims abstract description 16
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 15
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 22
- 239000002250 absorbent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000839 emulsion Substances 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000002828 fuel tank Substances 0.000 description 9
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000013256 coordination polymer Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000006096 absorbing agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001154 acute effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006978 adaptation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003502 gasoline Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D36/00—Filter circuits or combinations of filters with other separating devices
- B01D36/003—Filters in combination with devices for the removal of liquids
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D15/00—Separating processes involving the treatment of liquids with solid sorbents; Apparatus therefor
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
- B01D17/02—Separation of non-miscible liquids
- B01D17/0202—Separation of non-miscible liquids by ab- or adsorption
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
- B01D17/02—Separation of non-miscible liquids
- B01D17/0208—Separation of non-miscible liquids by sedimentation
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
- B01D17/02—Separation of non-miscible liquids
- B01D17/04—Breaking emulsions
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
- B01D17/08—Thickening liquid suspensions by filtration
- B01D17/10—Thickening liquid suspensions by filtration with stationary filtering elements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D35/00—Filtering devices having features not specifically covered by groups B01D24/00 - B01D33/00, or for applications not specifically covered by groups B01D24/00 - B01D33/00; Auxiliary devices for filtration; Filter housing constructions
- B01D35/02—Filters adapted for location in special places, e.g. pipe-lines, pumps, stop-cocks
- B01D35/027—Filters adapted for location in special places, e.g. pipe-lines, pumps, stop-cocks rigidly mounted in or on tanks or reservoirs
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
- B01J20/22—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising organic material
- B01J20/26—Synthetic macromolecular compounds
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S210/00—Liquid purification or separation
- Y10S210/05—Coalescer
Definitions
- This invention relates to a system for removing water, including free and emulsified water and numerous contaminants, from hydrocarbon fuels and is particularly designed for use with personal, household, consumer and domestic devices.
- water collects in fuel storage tanks. Water collects in both the fuel tank of the device and separate storage tanks.
- One object of this invention is to provide simple, practical systems for use by consumers and home owners to significantly remove free water, emulsified water and numerous contaminants from fuel prior to its injection into the engines of personal, domestic, household and consumer devices.
- Super-absorbent, hydrophilic, oleophobic substances are known. These super absorbers are capable of removing free water as well as emulsified water and numerous contaminants from hydrocarbons. Generally, the super-absorbent substances themselves first subsist in a granular form. They may be further ground to a powder. Super-absorbent substances may be pressed, heated or combined, usually with other polymers, in some fashion into a substrate, as well as possibly laminated onto a substrate or media such as filter paper. Generally, the super-absorbent substances require binding with some medium or media in order to form practically useful filters. “Binding” could include simply being enclosed in a filter bag. Such enclosure means is intended to be regarded herein as an alternative way of binding to a medium.
- a support body or means is used to locate and hold the filter strategically in a fuel tank or a fuel conduit used for personal, household, consumer and domestic devices.
- a porous support body may hold a filter across a conduit such that flow of fluid through the conduit is funneled through the filter.
- a support body might carry a filter to a bottom of a hydrocarbon storage tank where it could absorb free water that had dropped out of emulsified fuel to the bottom of the tank during periods of storage of fuel. If free water in fuel is not removed, free water may become emulsified due to movements (even vibrations).
- a support body might adjustably hold the filter vertically in the storage tank, thereby providing filter portions that occupy several horizontal levels, including a lower free-water level and higher emulsified-water levels.
- a tank in which a filter is inserted could be either a storage tank or a tank of a device itself.
- the support body for the filter could be built, in whole or in part, into the conduit or into the tank. Alternatively, the support body could be partially or totally removable from a conduit or a tank. The support body could be partially or totally attachable to the filter. The support body and the filter could be designed to be reused or discarded, in whole or in part.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,618,388 to Ayers discloses a filter and filter media for use in a filter.
- the type of filter disclosed in the patent is an industrial-scale filter.
- PetroClear filters which are a technological product of Champion Laboratories, Inc., are one such type of industrial filters.
- Womack U.S. Pat. No. 2,266,350, also discloses a water filter and filter media for use with fuels. However, Womack does not teach super-absorbent, hydrophilic, oleophobic filters and Womack does not teach binding a filter securely to a medium.
- FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a hydrocarbon storage and transfer system that provides opportunities for the use of the instant invention.
- FIG. 2A illustrates one embodiment of the invention in a hydrocarbon storage tank.
- FIGS. 2B, 2C, 2 D and 2 E illustrate further variations of an embodiment of the invention for use with a hydrocarbon storage tank.
- FIGS. 3A and 3B represent variations of the invention for use with a funnel conduit.
- FIGS. 4A and 4B represent a variation of the invention for use with a cap on a storage tank.
- FIG. 5 represents an embodiment of the invention for deployment at a bottom of a storage tank.
- FIG. 6A and 6B represent variations of the invention for use with spouts.
- FIG. 1 schematically illustrates roles for the instant invention in solving the problem of dewatering and particulate removal from fuel in the personal, consumer, household and domestic context.
- FIG. 1 illustrates an industrial storage tank D for fuel.
- Industrial storage tank D could be a gas pool.
- Fuel could be delivered via conduit I from industrial storage tank D to a consumer storage tank A.
- Consumer storage tank A would likely be, without being limited to, a 1-gallon or a 5-gallon can.
- fuel could be delivered by conduit G from industrial storage tank D directly to a device fuel tank B.
- Fuel from consumer storage tank A is illustrated as delivered by conduit C to device fuel tank B.
- Fuel from device fuel tank B is used in an associated device engine E.
- the term “within a conduit” is used to indicate within a flow path of a conduit. Generally, “within a conduit” would be most likely inside a conduit. The phrase, however, is intended to include at ends of a conduit or on a conduit, or being between two sections of a conduit, or being attached to a conduit such that flow is diverted therethrough.
- the phrase “bound with the medium to prevent separation” is intended to indicate being bound in a manner wherein the super-absorbent material is not easily or inadvertently separated from the binding medium during use, including during removal or replacement, and even during inadvertent misuse such as the placement of a filter backwards in or onto a support body or the flowing of fluid reversely through a conduit.
- a conduit used from time to time for delivering fuel indicates that a conduit is not an industrial or commercial conduit used relatively continuously for delivering fuel, such as a commercial gas dispensing pump.
- tank is intended to include any container for holding fuel or any other fluid.
- the present invention is predominately concerned with removing water and particulate contaminants from fuel while in consumer storage tank A, upon transfer from consumer storage tank A to device fuel tank B in conduit C and while in device fuel tank B.
- the need for use of the invention with conduits I or G is less acute since industrial storage tank D may have its own filtering system.
- Locations W 1 , W 2 and W 3 indicate prime locations within schematically illustrated conduit C where system 10 may advantageously be placed to remove emulsified and free water and particulate contaminants during a transfer of fuel from tank A to tank B. (Please refer to FIG. 1.)
- Prime location(s) in regard to transfers via conduit G from tank D to tank B are locations W 2 and W 3 , and via conduit I from tank D to tank A is location W 1 .
- Filters F could be positioned variously at locations W 1 , W 2 and/or W 3 , and/or anywhere between the general orifice area of location W 1 of tank A and the general orifice area of location W 3 of tank B.
- the locations W 1 , W 2 and W 3 include the length of whatever conduit mechanisms SF that are used to transfer fuel from tank A to tank B.
- Conduit mechanism SF can include a funnel or a spout or both a spout and a funnel (with either version indicated as “SF”).
- Conduit C for example, is regarded as including, without being limited to, the outlet of tank A, the inlet of tank B and conduit mechanism SF, for convenience's sake.
- Water can exist in two forms in tank A and tank B. It can exist as free water, which has dropped out of emulsified fuel to a bottom of tanks A and B, and/or as emulsified water, which is distributed throughout the fuel in tanks A and B. Numerous embodiments of a system 10 , that are used for removing free water and/or emulsified water in tanks A and B, are presented here. A method of operation of some embodiments of the system 10 is also provided. In one preferred embodiment, system 10 is designed to be inside and to reside on the bottom of tanks A and B when used for absorption of free water. (Please refer to FIG.
- Sinking system 10 seeks the bottom of tanks A and B in order to access the heaviest concentration of free water.
- Sinking system 10 comprises a support body SB structured to hold filter F and a weighted unit W.
- Weighted united W may be a separate entity that is connected to or contained within support body SB or support body SB may serve as weighted unit W.
- filter F is contained with, in or within support body SB.
- Support body SB is suitably weighted by weighted unit (shown in FIG. 5) which carries itself and filter F to the bottom of tanks A and B.
- Sinking system 10 is particularly designed for use in device fuel tank B where fuel may sit for long periods of time, such as in yachts or boats.
- Sinking system 10 is designed to be inserted through orifice O of tank T and to descend down to the lowermost level of tank T (as shown in FIG. 2A).
- support body SB is a porous ball comprised of two hemispherical portions that open and shut, as at seam 14 .
- Filter F that may be optionally bound with a medium, is placed inside of support body SB.
- the structure of support body SB should be porous in some fashion to permit fluid to enter into and exit out of support body SB via the structure.
- the structure of support body SB could be no more than a means for attaching, enclosing or serving as weighted unit W.
- support body SB would be spherical and include walls that can be opened and closed such that filter F may be removed and replaced without having to replace the structure of support body SB. Alternatively, however, part or all of the structure of support body SB and filter F can be discarded and replaced when filter F becomes filled with water.
- support body SB or weighted unit W is preferably attached to a line L and a handling means H for retaining a portion of line L accessible.
- Said handling means H is preferably, but not limited to, a handle for retrieval purposes.
- Line L connects handling means H to support body SB and/or to weighted unit W.
- Handling means H is sized large enough to prevent passing of handling means H through tank orifice O and into tank T.
- support body SB is spherical to facilitate descending of support body SB to lowest level of tank T.
- support body SB can be dropped into tank T and allowed to sink to the lowermost level of tank T. At such level, filter F inside of support body SB will absorb free water that has dropped out of emulsified fuel to the bottom of tank T during long periods of non-use.
- filter F it should be understood that in many cases when the removal and replacement of filter F is discussed, it may be possible to dry out and reuse the same filter F. Drying out and reusing filter F may be one way to replace filter F. In any embodiment that includes binding of a super-absorbent, hydrophilic, oleophobic substance with a medium, preferably a bag medium, in a removing and replacing step, the bag medium for the super-absorbent substance could actually be retained while its contents are discarded and replaced.
- FIGS. 2 A- 2 E illustrate an embodiment of the present invention that utilizes system 10 inserted into tank T.
- Tank T may be either a device fuel tank B itself, as in FIG. 2A, or a consumer storage tank A as illustrated in FIG. 2C.
- System 10 may either be a special purpose device, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 A- 2 C, or an adaptation of existing spouts sold with gasoline tanks as illustrated in FIG. 2D and FIG. 2E.
- support body SB is porous and is designed to hold filter F, as illustrated.
- System 10 is adapted at its top to be held by various means at tank orifice O, perhaps with the help of tank cap CP. (Please refer to FIGS.
- System 10 may incorporate a screw fit to screw inside of orifice O against a matching set of screw channels of tank T.
- System 10 might include a flange that fits over orifice O and under cap CP.
- Support body SB of system 10 of the embodiment of FIG. 2A includes an element Y and an element Z.
- Support body SB is preferably structured to be long enough, and preferably with its length adjustable, so as to enable filter F to reach to the bottom of tank T.
- Element Y is designed to reside on the bottom of tanks A and B for the removal of free water.
- Element Y may be potentially attachable to, or form a continuous part of, element Z which can further remove emulsified water at higher levels in tanks A and B.
- FIG. 2C system 10 is much the same as system 10 in FIG. 2A.
- FIG. 2B illustrates another embodiment of system 10 .
- support body SB comprises a screen S.
- Filter F of FIG. 2B is designed to fit inside of support body SB.
- Support body SB and filter F are further designed to be cut off by the consumer, as at level 12 , in order that support body SB will reach to the bottom of and yet still fit inside of whatever tank T is desired.
- system 10 has an attachment means 16 at its top for attaching to an orifice O of tank T, much as described in regard to FIG. 2A.
- FIGS. 2D and 2E illustrate two conduit-type or funnel-type systems 10 that are currently incorporated into fuel storage tanks.
- a lower tube 28 telescopes inside of a larger diameter tube 30 .
- element Y of lower tube 28 would be adapted to receive filter F.
- lower tube 28 could be telescoped down to the bottom of tank T to carry filter F to the bottom.
- Filter F is then positioned to absorb free water in tank T while tank T is standing.
- System 10 of FIG. 2D is stored inside of tank T until it is time to pour fuel from tank T. At such time, system 10 is pulled out of tank T and attached onto orifice O of tank T to serve as a spout SF.
- a screen S might be provided, fixedly or removably, near the attachment points of system 10 to orifice O of tank T.
- Filter F could be provided to fit on top of screen S such that as fluid is poured from tank T through orifice O, the fuel would flow through filter F and then through screen S and thence through system 10 .
- system 10 consists of a flexible, accordion-pleated conduit in order to have its length adjusted.
- element Y of system 10 can be located adjacent to the bottom of tank T.
- Filter F can be designed to fit into element Y of system 10 during storage. Filter F could then be situated to absorb free water sinking to bottom of tank T during storage.
- system 10 of FIG. 2E is removed from tank T and attached to or to the outside of orifice O of tank T.
- screen S may be provided, likely near the attachment of system 10 with orifice O of tank T, and filter F may be provided to fit snugly on top of screen S, such that fluid poured from tank T would be funneled through filter F before exiting system 10 .
- FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate funnel SF containing filter F.
- Screen S may be either permanently or removably attached to or may be a part of funnel SF.
- Filter F illustrated in FIG. 3A is designed to fit inside, whether within or against or apart from screen S in each case.
- filter F may be shaped into a cone configuration by the user and the tip may be folded up, in order to allow filter F to fit securely and snugly within funnel SF and, if screen S is used, above screen S.
- FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate tank T having a cap CP at orifice O and a cap insert 26 .
- Cap insert 26 (serving as system 10 ) contains filter F, screen S, and, possibly, a tubular element 18 below screen S.
- a lower cavity 22 extends below screen S if tubular element 18 is included and an upper cavity 20 is above screen S.
- filter F may be positioned in lower cavity 22 or in upper cavity 20 (as shown in FIG. 4B) or both.
- cap insert 26 (whose tubular length may be shorter than illustrated and/or may be porous) fits inside of tank T and is attached to tank orifice O. When it is time to pour fuel from tank T, filter F is inserted, either in upper cavity 20 or lower cavity 22 .
- tubular element 18 of cap insert 26 should be porous. However, if filter F is positioned above screen S, either no tubular element 18 or a non-porous tubular element 18 may be used. If filter F is inserted in upper cavity 20 , then element 18 would be removed from orifice O and inverted prior to pouring from tank T. Filter F could be secured by being trapped between screen S and the rim of orifice O of tank T.
- System 10 referred to as cap insert 26 in FIGS. 4A and 4B, is not limited to being placed in cap CP and can be positioned anywhere in spout SF presented in FIG. 1.
- cap insert 26 When positioned inside spout SF, use of tubular element 18 is optional as well. If no tubular element 18 is used, a balancing axial element (not shown in figures) that extends above and below screen S may be used in order to maximize stability and balance of system 10 .
- FIGS. 6A and 6B Another embodiment of system 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B wherein system 10 is one-size-fits-all.
- One-size-fits-all system 10 can be connected to spouts SF of various sizes and shapes.
- spout SF has an extendable accordion-like body (said version being manufactured by Wedco, Inc.).
- One-size-fits-all system 10 comprises a larger diameter tube 30 , an upper tube 34 and a lower tube 32 .
- Larger diameter tube 30 contains water-removing filter F.
- Upper tube 34 extends from or is connected to top of larger diameter tube 30 and is preferably elastic.
- Upper tube 34 is surrounded by a hose clamp 36 that tightens and expands, automatically or adjustably, for secure fit around the surrounded portion of upper tube 34 .
- Upper tube 34 preferably consists of soft plastic material that can be slipped over spouts SF of various sizes. Thereby, a portion of spout SF from tank T (not shown) can be easily inserted into upper tube 34 and hose clamp 36 is then tightened to prevent movement of spout SF within upper tube 34 .
- Hose clamp 36 preferably consists of metal in order to minimize any changes in size and form of upper tube 34 after the surrounded portion of spout SF is inserted into upper tube 34 and hose clamp 36 is tightened.
- Lower tube 32 is positioned below filter F and serves as a conduit for discharge of filtered fuel.
- Lower tube 32 extends from or is connected to bottom of larger diameter tube 30 . If lower tube 32 is removable, after removing and before repositioning lower tube 32 , filter F can be removed and then either be cleaned and reused or be discarded and replaced by another filter F. In another embodiment, filter F is attached to lower tube 32 but can be removed, along with lower tube 32 , from larger diameter tube 30 in order to be cleaned and reused or to be discarded and replaced by another filter F and lower tube 32 .
- lower tube 32 is an inseparable extension of larger diameter tube 30 which is separable from upper tube 34 , then, upon separating larger diameter tube 30 from lower tube 32 , filter F can be removed to either be cleaned and reinserted or be discarded and replaced by another filter F. However, if lower tube 32 , larger diameter tube 30 and upper tube 34 are inseparable from one another, system 10 has to be removed and discarded and replaced by another system 10 when filter F has to be changed.
- the invention also includes a method for removing water and numerous particulate contaminants from a hydrocarbon fluid using a conduit that forms a part of a passageway for a hydrocarbon fuel used in consumer, domestic, household or personal devices, or any combinations thereof.
- the method of removing water from the fluids is basically the same.
- Super-absorbent, hydrophilic, oleophobic filter F bound with a medium to prevent separation, is located upon or within porous support body SB within the conduit such that forward flow through the conduit is funneled through filter F. Then, the hydrocarbon fluid is sent through filter F within the conduit. When fluid flow becomes restricted, filter F is removed and, then, is cleaned and reused or is discarded and replaced by another filter F. Screen S may also be located in the conduit such that flow is funneled through screen S subsequent to or prior to flow through filter F. In addition, screen S may be located upon a portion of support body SB.
Abstract
A system for removal of water from a hydrocarbon fluid, such as a fuel emulsion in a tank or flowing through a conduit that is used from time to time for delivering fuel to a household or consumer device, including a filter with a super-absorbent, hydrophilic, oleophobic substance bound with a medium to prevent separation and a support body structured to hold the filter, the filter being removable in order to be cleaned and reused or to be discarded and replaced by another filter.
Description
- This invention relates to a system for removing water, including free and emulsified water and numerous contaminants, from hydrocarbon fuels and is particularly designed for use with personal, household, consumer and domestic devices.
- This invention relates to the invention described in patent application Ser. No. 897,305, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 5,888,399. For convenience, U.S. Pat. No. 5,888,399 is herein incorporated by reference.
- Repair shop surveys indicate that one source of the most significant repair and maintenance problems for personal, domestic, household and consumer device engines, ranging from yachts to lawn mowers, is the contamination of the device's fuel system by water. One aspect of this invention involves appreciating the significance of the scale of repair and maintenance problems caused by water in the fuel system in personal, domestic, consumer and household devices.
- By a variety of means, water collects in fuel storage tanks. Water collects in both the fuel tank of the device and separate storage tanks.
- One object of this invention is to provide simple, practical systems for use by consumers and home owners to significantly remove free water, emulsified water and numerous contaminants from fuel prior to its injection into the engines of personal, domestic, household and consumer devices.
- Super-absorbent, hydrophilic, oleophobic substances are known. These super absorbers are capable of removing free water as well as emulsified water and numerous contaminants from hydrocarbons. Generally, the super-absorbent substances themselves first subsist in a granular form. They may be further ground to a powder. Super-absorbent substances may be pressed, heated or combined, usually with other polymers, in some fashion into a substrate, as well as possibly laminated onto a substrate or media such as filter paper. Generally, the super-absorbent substances require binding with some medium or media in order to form practically useful filters. “Binding” could include simply being enclosed in a filter bag. Such enclosure means is intended to be regarded herein as an alternative way of binding to a medium.
- Given a suitably bound, super-absorbent, hydrophilic, oleophobic substance into a filter, a support body or means is used to locate and hold the filter strategically in a fuel tank or a fuel conduit used for personal, household, consumer and domestic devices. For instance, a porous support body may hold a filter across a conduit such that flow of fluid through the conduit is funneled through the filter. Alternatively, a support body might carry a filter to a bottom of a hydrocarbon storage tank where it could absorb free water that had dropped out of emulsified fuel to the bottom of the tank during periods of storage of fuel. If free water in fuel is not removed, free water may become emulsified due to movements (even vibrations). For another instance, a support body might adjustably hold the filter vertically in the storage tank, thereby providing filter portions that occupy several horizontal levels, including a lower free-water level and higher emulsified-water levels. A tank in which a filter is inserted could be either a storage tank or a tank of a device itself.
- The support body for the filter could be built, in whole or in part, into the conduit or into the tank. Alternatively, the support body could be partially or totally removable from a conduit or a tank. The support body could be partially or totally attachable to the filter. The support body and the filter could be designed to be reused or discarded, in whole or in part.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,618,388 to Ayers discloses a filter and filter media for use in a filter. The type of filter disclosed in the patent is an industrial-scale filter. PetroClear filters, which are a technological product of Champion Laboratories, Inc., are one such type of industrial filters.
- Womack, U.S. Pat. No. 2,266,350, also discloses a water filter and filter media for use with fuels. However, Womack does not teach super-absorbent, hydrophilic, oleophobic filters and Womack does not teach binding a filter securely to a medium.
- A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
- FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a hydrocarbon storage and transfer system that provides opportunities for the use of the instant invention.
- FIG. 2A illustrates one embodiment of the invention in a hydrocarbon storage tank.
- FIGS. 2B, 2C,2D and 2E illustrate further variations of an embodiment of the invention for use with a hydrocarbon storage tank.
- FIGS. 3A and 3B represent variations of the invention for use with a funnel conduit.
- FIGS. 4A and 4B represent a variation of the invention for use with a cap on a storage tank.
- FIG. 5 represents an embodiment of the invention for deployment at a bottom of a storage tank.
- FIG. 6A and 6B represent variations of the invention for use with spouts.
- FIG. 1 schematically illustrates roles for the instant invention in solving the problem of dewatering and particulate removal from fuel in the personal, consumer, household and domestic context. FIG. 1 illustrates an industrial storage tank D for fuel. Industrial storage tank D could be a gas pool. Fuel could be delivered via conduit I from industrial storage tank D to a consumer storage tank A. Consumer storage tank A would likely be, without being limited to, a 1-gallon or a 5-gallon can. Alternatively, fuel could be delivered by conduit G from industrial storage tank D directly to a device fuel tank B. Fuel from consumer storage tank A is illustrated as delivered by conduit C to device fuel tank B. Fuel from device fuel tank B is used in an associated device engine E.
- The term “within a conduit” is used to indicate within a flow path of a conduit. Generally, “within a conduit” would be most likely inside a conduit. The phrase, however, is intended to include at ends of a conduit or on a conduit, or being between two sections of a conduit, or being attached to a conduit such that flow is diverted therethrough.
- The phrase “bound with the medium to prevent separation” is intended to indicate being bound in a manner wherein the super-absorbent material is not easily or inadvertently separated from the binding medium during use, including during removal or replacement, and even during inadvertent misuse such as the placement of a filter backwards in or onto a support body or the flowing of fluid reversely through a conduit.
- The phrase “a conduit used from time to time for delivering fuel” indicates that a conduit is not an industrial or commercial conduit used relatively continuously for delivering fuel, such as a commercial gas dispensing pump.
- The term “tank” is intended to include any container for holding fuel or any other fluid.
- The present invention is predominately concerned with removing water and particulate contaminants from fuel while in consumer storage tank A, upon transfer from consumer storage tank A to device fuel tank B in conduit C and while in device fuel tank B. The need for use of the invention with conduits I or G is less acute since industrial storage tank D may have its own filtering system. Locations W1, W2 and W3 indicate prime locations within schematically illustrated conduit C where
system 10 may advantageously be placed to remove emulsified and free water and particulate contaminants during a transfer of fuel from tank A to tank B. (Please refer to FIG. 1.) Prime location(s) in regard to transfers via conduit G from tank D to tank B are locations W2 and W3, and via conduit I from tank D to tank A is location W1. - Filters F could be positioned variously at locations W1, W2 and/or W3, and/or anywhere between the general orifice area of location W1 of tank A and the general orifice area of location W3 of tank B. The locations W1, W2 and W3 include the length of whatever conduit mechanisms SF that are used to transfer fuel from tank A to tank B. Conduit mechanism SF can include a funnel or a spout or both a spout and a funnel (with either version indicated as “SF”). Conduit C, for example, is regarded as including, without being limited to, the outlet of tank A, the inlet of tank B and conduit mechanism SF, for convenience's sake.
- Water can exist in two forms in tank A and tank B. It can exist as free water, which has dropped out of emulsified fuel to a bottom of tanks A and B, and/or as emulsified water, which is distributed throughout the fuel in tanks A and B. Numerous embodiments of a
system 10, that are used for removing free water and/or emulsified water in tanks A and B, are presented here. A method of operation of some embodiments of thesystem 10 is also provided. In one preferred embodiment,system 10 is designed to be inside and to reside on the bottom of tanks A and B when used for absorption of free water. (Please refer to FIG. 1.) Sinkingsystem 10, by design, seeks the bottom of tanks A and B in order to access the heaviest concentration of free water. Sinkingsystem 10 comprises a support body SB structured to hold filter F and a weighted unit W. (“Weighted united W” may be a separate entity that is connected to or contained within support body SB or support body SB may serve as weighted unit W.) In this embodiment, filter F is contained with, in or within support body SB. Support body SB is suitably weighted by weighted unit (shown in FIG. 5) which carries itself and filter F to the bottom of tanks A andB. Sinking system 10 is particularly designed for use in device fuel tank B where fuel may sit for long periods of time, such as in yachts or boats. Sinkingsystem 10 is designed to be inserted through orifice O of tank T and to descend down to the lowermost level of tank T (as shown in FIG. 2A). In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 5, support body SB is a porous ball comprised of two hemispherical portions that open and shut, as atseam 14. Filter F, that may be optionally bound with a medium, is placed inside of support body SB. The structure of support body SB should be porous in some fashion to permit fluid to enter into and exit out of support body SB via the structure. Arguably, the structure of support body SB could be no more than a means for attaching, enclosing or serving as weighted unit W. Preferably, support body SB would be spherical and include walls that can be opened and closed such that filter F may be removed and replaced without having to replace the structure of support body SB. Alternatively, however, part or all of the structure of support body SB and filter F can be discarded and replaced when filter F becomes filled with water. As shown in FIG. 5, support body SB or weighted unit W is preferably attached to a line L and a handling means H for retaining a portion of line L accessible. Said handling means H is preferably, but not limited to, a handle for retrieval purposes. Line L connects handling means H to support body SB and/or to weighted unit W. Handling means H is sized large enough to prevent passing of handling means H through tank orifice O and into tank T. Preferably, support body SB is spherical to facilitate descending of support body SB to lowest level of tank T. - During storage periods, support body SB can be dropped into tank T and allowed to sink to the lowermost level of tank T. At such level, filter F inside of support body SB will absorb free water that has dropped out of emulsified fuel to the bottom of tank T during long periods of non-use.
- It should be understood that in many cases when the removal and replacement of filter F is discussed, it may be possible to dry out and reuse the same filter F. Drying out and reusing filter F may be one way to replace filter F. In any embodiment that includes binding of a super-absorbent, hydrophilic, oleophobic substance with a medium, preferably a bag medium, in a removing and replacing step, the bag medium for the super-absorbent substance could actually be retained while its contents are discarded and replaced.
- FIGS.2A-2E illustrate an embodiment of the present invention that utilizes
system 10 inserted into tank T. Tank T may be either a device fuel tank B itself, as in FIG. 2A, or a consumer storage tank A as illustrated in FIG. 2C.System 10 may either be a special purpose device, as illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C, or an adaptation of existing spouts sold with gasoline tanks as illustrated in FIG. 2D and FIG. 2E. In FIG. 2A, support body SB is porous and is designed to hold filter F, as illustrated.System 10 is adapted at its top to be held by various means at tank orifice O, perhaps with the help of tank cap CP. (Please refer to FIGS. 2A and 2C.)System 10 may incorporate a screw fit to screw inside of orifice O against a matching set of screw channels oftank T. System 10 might include a flange that fits over orifice O and under cap CP. Support body SB ofsystem 10 of the embodiment of FIG. 2A includes an element Y and an element Z. Support body SB is preferably structured to be long enough, and preferably with its length adjustable, so as to enable filter F to reach to the bottom of tank T. Element Y is designed to reside on the bottom of tanks A and B for the removal of free water. Element Y, however, may be potentially attachable to, or form a continuous part of, element Z which can further remove emulsified water at higher levels in tanks A and B. To the extent that filter F has sufficient height within support body SB, the lower portions of filter F will absorb free water on the bottom of tank T. Upper portions of filter F will absorb emulsified water in higher levels of the fuel in tank T. In FIG. 2C,system 10 is much the same assystem 10 in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2B illustrates another embodiment ofsystem 10. In FIG. 2B, support body SB comprises a screen S. Filter F of FIG. 2B is designed to fit inside of support body SB. Support body SB and filter F are further designed to be cut off by the consumer, as atlevel 12, in order that support body SB will reach to the bottom of and yet still fit inside of whatever tank T is desired. In FIG. 2B,system 10 has an attachment means 16 at its top for attaching to an orifice O of tank T, much as described in regard to FIG. 2A. - FIGS. 2D and 2E illustrate two conduit-type or funnel-
type systems 10 that are currently incorporated into fuel storage tanks. In FIG. 2D, alower tube 28 telescopes inside of alarger diameter tube 30. In an embodiment of the present invention, element Y oflower tube 28 would be adapted to receive filter F. While stored inside of tank T,lower tube 28 could be telescoped down to the bottom of tank T to carry filter F to the bottom. Filter F is then positioned to absorb free water in tank T while tank T is standing.System 10 of FIG. 2D is stored inside of tank T until it is time to pour fuel from tank T. At such time,system 10 is pulled out of tank T and attached onto orifice O of tank T to serve as a spout SF. At such location, a screen S might be provided, fixedly or removably, near the attachment points ofsystem 10 to orifice O of tank T. Filter F could be provided to fit on top of screen S such that as fluid is poured from tank T through orifice O, the fuel would flow through filter F and then through screen S and thence throughsystem 10. - Similarly, in FIG. 2E,
system 10 consists of a flexible, accordion-pleated conduit in order to have its length adjusted. When stored inside of tank T, element Y ofsystem 10 can be located adjacent to the bottom of tank T. Filter F can be designed to fit into element Y ofsystem 10 during storage. Filter F could then be situated to absorb free water sinking to bottom of tank T during storage. When it is time to usesystem 10 of FIG. 2E as a conduit for pouring from tank T,system 10 is removed from tank T and attached to or to the outside of orifice O of tank T. At such point, screen S may be provided, likely near the attachment ofsystem 10 with orifice O of tank T, and filter F may be provided to fit snugly on top of screen S, such that fluid poured from tank T would be funneled through filter F before exitingsystem 10. - FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate funnel SF containing filter F. Screen S may be either permanently or removably attached to or may be a part of funnel SF. Filter F illustrated in FIG. 3A, is designed to fit inside, whether within or against or apart from screen S in each case. In FIG. 3B, filter F may be shaped into a cone configuration by the user and the tip may be folded up, in order to allow filter F to fit securely and snugly within funnel SF and, if screen S is used, above screen S.
- FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate tank T having a cap CP at orifice O and a
cap insert 26. Cap insert 26 (serving as system 10) contains filter F, screen S, and, possibly, atubular element 18 below screen S. A lower cavity 22 extends below screen S iftubular element 18 is included and anupper cavity 20 is above screen S. Optionally, filter F may be positioned in lower cavity 22 or in upper cavity 20 (as shown in FIG. 4B) or both. During storage, cap insert 26 (whose tubular length may be shorter than illustrated and/or may be porous) fits inside of tank T and is attached to tank orifice O. When it is time to pour fuel from tank T, filter F is inserted, either inupper cavity 20 or lower cavity 22. If filter F is inserted in lower cavity 22,tubular element 18 ofcap insert 26 should be porous. However, if filter F is positioned above screen S, either notubular element 18 or a non-poroustubular element 18 may be used. If filter F is inserted inupper cavity 20, thenelement 18 would be removed from orifice O and inverted prior to pouring from tank T. Filter F could be secured by being trapped between screen S and the rim of orifice O of tank T. -
System 10, referred to as cap insert 26 in FIGS. 4A and 4B, is not limited to being placed in cap CP and can be positioned anywhere in spout SF presented in FIG. 1. When positioned inside spout SF, use oftubular element 18 is optional as well. If notubular element 18 is used, a balancing axial element (not shown in figures) that extends above and below screen S may be used in order to maximize stability and balance ofsystem 10. - Another embodiment of
system 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B whereinsystem 10 is one-size-fits-all. One-size-fits-allsystem 10 can be connected to spouts SF of various sizes and shapes. In one embodiment, spout SF has an extendable accordion-like body (said version being manufactured by Wedco, Inc.). One-size-fits-allsystem 10 comprises alarger diameter tube 30, anupper tube 34 and alower tube 32.Larger diameter tube 30 contains water-removing filterF. Upper tube 34 extends from or is connected to top oflarger diameter tube 30 and is preferably elastic. At least a portion ofupper tube 34 is surrounded by ahose clamp 36 that tightens and expands, automatically or adjustably, for secure fit around the surrounded portion ofupper tube 34.Upper tube 34 preferably consists of soft plastic material that can be slipped over spouts SF of various sizes. Thereby, a portion of spout SF from tank T (not shown) can be easily inserted intoupper tube 34 andhose clamp 36 is then tightened to prevent movement of spout SF withinupper tube 34.Hose clamp 36 preferably consists of metal in order to minimize any changes in size and form ofupper tube 34 after the surrounded portion of spout SF is inserted intoupper tube 34 andhose clamp 36 is tightened.Lower tube 32 is positioned below filter F and serves as a conduit for discharge of filtered fuel.Lower tube 32 extends from or is connected to bottom oflarger diameter tube 30. Iflower tube 32 is removable, after removing and before repositioninglower tube 32, filter F can be removed and then either be cleaned and reused or be discarded and replaced by another filter F. In another embodiment, filter F is attached tolower tube 32 but can be removed, along withlower tube 32, fromlarger diameter tube 30 in order to be cleaned and reused or to be discarded and replaced by another filter F andlower tube 32. Iflower tube 32 is an inseparable extension oflarger diameter tube 30 which is separable fromupper tube 34, then, upon separatinglarger diameter tube 30 fromlower tube 32, filter F can be removed to either be cleaned and reinserted or be discarded and replaced by another filter F. However, iflower tube 32,larger diameter tube 30 andupper tube 34 are inseparable from one another,system 10 has to be removed and discarded and replaced by anothersystem 10 when filter F has to be changed. - The invention also includes a method for removing water and numerous particulate contaminants from a hydrocarbon fluid using a conduit that forms a part of a passageway for a hydrocarbon fuel used in consumer, domestic, household or personal devices, or any combinations thereof. In the numerous versions of the
system 10 described above, the method of removing water from the fluids is basically the same. - Super-absorbent, hydrophilic, oleophobic filter F, bound with a medium to prevent separation, is located upon or within porous support body SB within the conduit such that forward flow through the conduit is funneled through filter F. Then, the hydrocarbon fluid is sent through filter F within the conduit. When fluid flow becomes restricted, filter F is removed and, then, is cleaned and reused or is discarded and replaced by another filter F. Screen S may also be located in the conduit such that flow is funneled through screen S subsequent to or prior to flow through filter F. In addition, screen S may be located upon a portion of support body SB.
- The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape, and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated system may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The invention is claimed using terminology that depends upon a historic presumption that recitation of a single element covers one or more, and recitation of two elements covers two or more, and the like.
Claims (22)
1. A system for removal of water from a hydrocarbon fluid flowing through a conduit, used from time to time for delivering fuel to a device for domestic, household, personal or consumer uses, said system comprising:
(a) a filter including a super-absorbent, hydrophilic, oleophobic substance bound with a medium;
(b) a support body structured to hold the filter within the conduit at least during forward flow of the fluid and such that forward flow of the fluid through the conduit is funneled through the filter; and
(c) wherein at least the filter is replaceable.
2. The system of wherein the support body includes a screen structured such that forward flow of the fluid flows through the filter and then through the screen.
claim 1
3. The system of wherein the conduit includes a storage tank spout.
claim 1
4. The system of wherein the support body has means for attachment to a tank and includes a longitudinal part with an adjustable length such that the longitudinal part can be adjusted to extend to bottom of the tank.
claim 1
5. The system of wherein the longitudinal part has a telescopic section, a flexible, accordion-pleated section or any combination of sections that enable the longitudinal part to have the adjustable length.
claim 4
6. The system of wherein the support body holds the filter vertically in a tank, such that portions of the filter occupy several horizontal levels in tank.
claim 1
7. The system of wherein:
claim 1
(a) the support body is built in whole into and is not removable from, is built in part into and is partially removable from, or is attached to and is totally removable from the conduit; and
(b) the support body is partially or totally attachable to the filter; such that the support body and the filter are designed to be, in whole or in part, revised or discarded.
8. The system of wherein the system comprises a larger diameter tube containing the filter and connected to a lower tube and an elastic upper tube that is surrounded by a hose clamp, such that the hose clamp tightens and expands automatically or adjustably for secure fit around the elastic upper tube.
claim 7
9. The system of wherein the medium comprises a bag.
claim 1
10. The system of wherein at least a portion of the support body is removed from the conduit.
claim 1
11. The system of wherein the support body is a funnel.
claim 1
12. The system of wherein the support body contains a screen that is either permanently or removably attached to or is a part of the support body, such that the filter fits either inside, including within or against, the screen or apart from the screen.
claim 11
13. The system of wherein the filter is shaped into a cone having a tip, such that the tip is folded up to enable the filter to fit securely within the funnel.
claim 11
14. The system of wherein the system includes an insert containing a screen, with the filter being inserted either above or below the screen, such that
claim 1
(a) the support body of the insert contains a porous tubular element in which the filter is positioned if the filter is positioned below the screen, or
(b) the support body contains either no tubular element or a non-porous tubular element if the filter is positioned above the screen, with the system including a balancing axial element that extends above and below the screen if the support body does not contain any tubular element and maximal balance of the system is required.
15. A system for removal of water from a hydrocarbon fluid in a tank from which the fluid is delivered from time to time to a household, domestic, personal or consumer engine, said system comprising:
(a) a filter including a super-absorbent, hydrophilic, oleophobic substance bound with a medium; and
(b) a weighted support body structured to hold the filter.
16. The system of wherein the system further comprises:
claim 15
(a) a line attached to the support body; and
(b) a means for retaining a portion of the line accessible.
17. The system of wherein the weighted support body includes a weighted unit or serves as the weighted unit.
claim 15
18. The system of wherein the support body includes a porous ball.
claim 15
19. The system of wherein the means includes a handle attached to the line.
claim 16
20. A method for removing water from a hydrocarbon fluid using a conduit that forms part of a passageway, for hydrocarbon fuel used in consumer, domestic, household or personal devices, or any combinations thereof, said method comprising:
(a) locating a super-absorbent, hydrophilic, oleophobic filter, bound with a medium to prevent separation including from reverse flow, upon or within a porous support body within the conduit such that forward flow through the conduit is funneled through the filter;
(b) flowing the hydrocarbon fluid through the filter within the conduit; and
(c) when fluid flow becomes restricted, removing and, then, cleaning and reusing the filter or discarding the filter and replacing the filter by another filter.
21. The method of that includes locating a screen in the conduit such that the fluid is funneled through the screen subsequent to or prior to flow of the fluid through the filter.
claim 20
22. The method of that includes locating the screen upon a portion of the support body.
claim 20
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/748,443 US6357602B2 (en) | 1999-05-19 | 2000-12-27 | Cap-based system removing water from hydrocarbon fuels |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US31465199A | 1999-05-19 | 1999-05-19 | |
US09/748,443 US6357602B2 (en) | 1999-05-19 | 2000-12-27 | Cap-based system removing water from hydrocarbon fuels |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US31465199A Division | 1999-05-19 | 1999-05-19 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20010004062A1 true US20010004062A1 (en) | 2001-06-21 |
US6357602B2 US6357602B2 (en) | 2002-03-19 |
Family
ID=23220855
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/748,445 Expired - Fee Related US6439396B2 (en) | 1999-05-19 | 2000-12-27 | Sinking system for removing water from hydrocarbon fuels |
US09/748,443 Expired - Fee Related US6357602B2 (en) | 1999-05-19 | 2000-12-27 | Cap-based system removing water from hydrocarbon fuels |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/748,445 Expired - Fee Related US6439396B2 (en) | 1999-05-19 | 2000-12-27 | Sinking system for removing water from hydrocarbon fuels |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US6439396B2 (en) |
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20030047512A1 (en) * | 2001-09-10 | 2003-03-13 | France Paul Amaat Raymond Gerald | Multifunctional filter |
US20030047513A1 (en) * | 2001-09-10 | 2003-03-13 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Removal of contaminants from a lipophilic fluid |
US20030047511A1 (en) * | 2001-09-10 | 2003-03-13 | Burton Dewey Edward | Filter for removing water and/or surfactants from a lipophilic fluid |
US20030070238A1 (en) * | 2001-09-10 | 2003-04-17 | The Procter & Gamble Company | System for processing a lipophilic fluid |
US20040052704A1 (en) * | 2002-09-16 | 2004-03-18 | Devos John A. | Gas generation system |
US20050000029A1 (en) * | 2003-06-27 | 2005-01-06 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Process for purifying a lipophilic fluid by modifying the contaminants |
US20050000897A1 (en) * | 2003-06-27 | 2005-01-06 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Method for purifying a dry cleaning solvent |
US20050011543A1 (en) * | 2003-06-27 | 2005-01-20 | Haught John Christian | Process for recovering a dry cleaning solvent from a mixture by modifying the mixture |
US6855173B2 (en) | 2000-06-05 | 2005-02-15 | Procter & Gamble Company | Use of absorbent materials to separate water from lipophilic fluid |
US7300593B2 (en) | 2003-06-27 | 2007-11-27 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Process for purifying a lipophilic fluid |
US20120298579A1 (en) * | 2011-05-24 | 2012-11-29 | Bucknell University | Apparatus and method for separating hydrophilic and hydrophobic components |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB0025315D0 (en) * | 2000-10-16 | 2000-11-29 | Capsule Technology Ltd | Filtration container |
US20050087231A1 (en) * | 2003-10-14 | 2005-04-28 | Sanders Larry C. | Non-electronic, automatically controlled valving system utilizing expanding/contracting material |
WO2006039287A2 (en) * | 2004-09-28 | 2006-04-13 | Paul Scharf | Filter system for containers and container openings |
US7491328B2 (en) * | 2007-01-30 | 2009-02-17 | Brodbeck Robert M | Fuel sampler/strainer assembly |
DE202008016281U1 (en) * | 2008-12-10 | 2010-04-22 | Mann+Hummel Gmbh | Device for receiving water |
CN102758262B (en) * | 2011-04-29 | 2014-08-13 | 中国科学院化学研究所 | Underwater self-cleaning superoleophobic mineralized fibrous film and preparation method thereof |
CN105582693B (en) * | 2015-12-22 | 2018-09-11 | 北京航空航天大学 | A kind of T-type oily water separating equipment integrating two kinds of special wellability materials |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2266350A (en) * | 1940-04-13 | 1941-12-16 | Womack Isabelle Jones | Absorber |
US4618388A (en) * | 1982-09-02 | 1986-10-21 | Central Illinois Manufacturing Co. | Water removing filter media and method of making the same |
US5888399A (en) * | 1997-07-21 | 1999-03-30 | Rutledge; Dwight Dean | Water-removing funnel insert and method of application thereof |
-
2000
- 2000-12-27 US US09/748,445 patent/US6439396B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-12-27 US US09/748,443 patent/US6357602B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (24)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6855173B2 (en) | 2000-06-05 | 2005-02-15 | Procter & Gamble Company | Use of absorbent materials to separate water from lipophilic fluid |
US7258797B2 (en) * | 2001-09-10 | 2007-08-21 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Filter for removing water and/or surfactants from a lipophilic fluid |
US20060027493A1 (en) * | 2001-09-10 | 2006-02-09 | France Paul Amaat Raymond G | Process for treating lipophilic fluid |
US6955761B2 (en) | 2001-09-10 | 2005-10-18 | Procter & Gamble Company | Multifunctional filter |
US20030070238A1 (en) * | 2001-09-10 | 2003-04-17 | The Procter & Gamble Company | System for processing a lipophilic fluid |
WO2003022400A3 (en) * | 2001-09-10 | 2003-08-14 | Procter & Gamble | Filter for removing water and/or surfactants from a lipophilic fluid |
US20060234892A1 (en) * | 2001-09-10 | 2006-10-19 | Radomyselski Arseni V | System for processing a lipophilic fluid |
US20030047511A1 (en) * | 2001-09-10 | 2003-03-13 | Burton Dewey Edward | Filter for removing water and/or surfactants from a lipophilic fluid |
US7241728B2 (en) | 2001-09-10 | 2007-07-10 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Process for purifying a contaminant-containing lipophilic fluid |
US20030047512A1 (en) * | 2001-09-10 | 2003-03-13 | France Paul Amaat Raymond Gerald | Multifunctional filter |
US7084099B2 (en) | 2001-09-10 | 2006-08-01 | Procter & Gamble Company | Method for processing a contaminant-containing lipophilic fluid |
WO2003022400A2 (en) * | 2001-09-10 | 2003-03-20 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Filter for removing water and/or surfactants from a lipophilic fluid |
US7247241B2 (en) | 2001-09-10 | 2007-07-24 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Process for treating lipophilic fluid |
US20030047513A1 (en) * | 2001-09-10 | 2003-03-13 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Removal of contaminants from a lipophilic fluid |
US20040052704A1 (en) * | 2002-09-16 | 2004-03-18 | Devos John A. | Gas generation system |
US7201782B2 (en) * | 2002-09-16 | 2007-04-10 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Gas generation system |
US20050000029A1 (en) * | 2003-06-27 | 2005-01-06 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Process for purifying a lipophilic fluid by modifying the contaminants |
US20050011543A1 (en) * | 2003-06-27 | 2005-01-20 | Haught John Christian | Process for recovering a dry cleaning solvent from a mixture by modifying the mixture |
US7297277B2 (en) | 2003-06-27 | 2007-11-20 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Method for purifying a dry cleaning solvent |
US7300593B2 (en) | 2003-06-27 | 2007-11-27 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Process for purifying a lipophilic fluid |
US7300594B2 (en) | 2003-06-27 | 2007-11-27 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Process for purifying a lipophilic fluid by modifying the contaminants |
US20050000897A1 (en) * | 2003-06-27 | 2005-01-06 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Method for purifying a dry cleaning solvent |
US9126127B2 (en) * | 2011-05-24 | 2015-09-08 | Bucknell University | Apparatus and method for separating hydrophilic and hydrophobic components |
US20120298579A1 (en) * | 2011-05-24 | 2012-11-29 | Bucknell University | Apparatus and method for separating hydrophilic and hydrophobic components |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20010004978A1 (en) | 2001-06-28 |
US6357602B2 (en) | 2002-03-19 |
US6439396B2 (en) | 2002-08-27 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6357602B2 (en) | Cap-based system removing water from hydrocarbon fuels | |
US6733669B1 (en) | Water filter bottle | |
US5167819A (en) | Canteen having a removably mounted filter device | |
US5322625A (en) | Filter element for a gravity-flow water filter | |
US5897787A (en) | Strainer and method for separating solid particles from a liquid | |
US7014759B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for water purification | |
US8758605B2 (en) | Filter block having a hollow center | |
US4759474A (en) | Beverage dispensing system and filter cartridge therefor | |
US5653878A (en) | Single orifice bottle water filter | |
US5122272A (en) | Drinking water supply container having a removably mounted filter device | |
US5652008A (en) | Universal water filtration device and method of filtering water | |
US7955501B2 (en) | Floating filter holder | |
US5128036A (en) | Water container assembly for use on a water stand | |
US20060249442A1 (en) | Water filtration system with improved performance | |
US5229015A (en) | Liquid separator | |
CA2506454A1 (en) | Drop-in filter for spray gun reservoir | |
US7275568B2 (en) | Liquid reclamation apparatus | |
US20040124127A1 (en) | Filter | |
US5804082A (en) | Container for separating and dispensing fluids | |
US6485644B2 (en) | Liquid dispenser with closed gravity filter and air breathing system | |
US11339358B2 (en) | Pouring spout for bottled liquids | |
WO2015128372A1 (en) | Apparatus and method for treating a liquid | |
US4877155A (en) | Spill protecting apparatus | |
EP0404573A2 (en) | Water dispenser | |
US5833850A (en) | Water filter |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees | ||
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |
|
FP | Expired due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 20100319 |