US 7,604,988 B2Granted

Closed loop work station bioremediation using mini-reactor cartridges

OwnerLewis J. Dalyinventor

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A system for capturing and neutralizing HAP's (hazardous air pollutants) and VOC's (volatile organic compounds) at the source point by providing a closed loop remediation system which utilizes an air collection, treatment and control module containing a predetermined size bay of multiple interchangeable mini-biofilter cartridges that function to consume the pollutant and recirculate remediated air back to the source point of the pollutant. The system includes establishing a closed loop air system at a work station which generates and emits VOC's, capturing the VOC's in the air stream flow and transporting them directly into an adjacent biofilter module which contains selected microorganisms in mini-cartridges which biodegrade said VOC's and recirculates remediated air back to the source point of the pollutant. The cartridges may be contained in modules in single and/or multiple widths and heights and in conjunction with various work stations, cabinets, receptacles, and tables.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A system which remediates pollutants and toxins on site which comprises:

(a) a source which generates HAP's and/or VOC's;
(b) an air ducting system adjacent said source which captures said HAP/VOC's;
(c) at least one self-contained removable biofilter cartridge positioned adjacent said source, wherein said cartridge contains selected microorganisms which function to degrade said HAP/VOC's;
and wherein said cartridge comprises an outer housing having a pair of oppositely disposed open ends, said cartridge being further positioned by insertion between a closure member which contains an exhaust port positioned at one end of said housing, and a second closure member in the form of a water reservoir positioned at said opposite end of said housing with said reservoir further containing an inlet for a source of air to be treated, with said inlet and said exhaust port being connected to said ducting system, with said closure members including means to hold and seal said cartridges in place, and circulation means positioned to promote the flow of air through said system;
and
(d) where in operation, captured HAP/VOC's are transported to and through said air ducting system and cartridge which recirculates remediated air back to said source point of the pollutants, and where when a given cartridge is spent or damaged from use, it may be readily removed from the system and a new cartridge inserted in its place.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/181,431Filed 14 Jul 2005 · continuation in part
Priority: 14 Jun 2002
Published: US 2005/0250201 A110 Nov 2005
Granted: 20 Oct 2009
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

B01D 53/85
Biological processes: with gas-solid contact
B01D 2257/708
Organic compounds not provided for in groups B01D2257/00 - B01D2257/602: volatile organic compounds V.O.C.'s
Y02A 50/20
In human health protection, e.g. against extreme weather: air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission…
B01D
Separation

Family

Application10/172,181Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 14 Jun 2002
US 2005/0250201 A1Pre-grant publication · published 10 Nov 2005
US 6,924,140 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 2003/0232428 A1Published application
US 7,604,988 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.