University of Oklahoma

Shell Oil Comapny

Surface Tensiometry, Inc.

Edwin E Tucker

John F Scamehorn

Sherril D Christian

Kirk Herbert Raney

Leonard Michael Haberman

Delores Christian, Legal Representative

Katsuhiko Fujio

Stephen Franklin Capps

Andrew R Slagle

An economically viable process and system for centrally processing multiple loads of laundry with minimum environmental impact. A system and method of laundering whereby successive loads of laundry may be washed while continuously providing effective soil removal comprising at least partially recycled wash water from at least one previous wash cycle. The system and the method of using the same comprises filtering wash water with at least one filter to form wash retentate and wash permeate. The use of wash permeate in successive washes provides for reuse of chemicals and water recovery. A similar arrangement may be used with regard to the rinse water. Advantageously, one embodiment of the invention provides for the use of rinse retentate as make up water in the wash loop which increases water recovery and chemical recovery. Ultimately, the invention can reduce the production of gray water and recover chemicals used in the laundering process.

System and method for economically viable and environmentally friendly central processing of home laundry

A method and apparatus is presented for determining surface tension of a liquid or interfacial tension between two dissimilar liquids by using a rigidly suspended probe with small sample sizes and by measuring probe force using a top-loading balance used for supporting the container of liquids under test. When a small sample size in a small container is used, capillary action between a probe and the container walls enhances the measured force, and an adjustment factor for the capillary action must be applied. A probe rigidly suspended to overcome capillary action between the probe and walls permits such measurements. For any sized sample, in accordance with Isaac Newton's third law of equal and opposite forces acting between objects, the force required for lifting a probe vertically from a liquid is equivalent to the reduction in weight of the liquid and container. Force magnitude is thus determined using a top-loading balance for observing weight change, either in the liquid while a suitably configured probe is withdrawn from the liquid or in a probe suspended by a direction converter resting on a top-loading balance while the container and liquid are lowered.

Method and apparatus to measure surface tension by inverted vertical pull

A method for removing anions from water is provided. A complexing agent, such as a cationic polyelectrolyte, is added to untreated water. The cationic polyelectrolyte complexes with anions, such as chromate, and the complex if filtered out of the water. The complex is then treated with a regeneration agent, such as barium chloride or lead chloride to precipitate ions and to regenerate the complexing agent. The regenerated complexing agent can be reused for water treatment.

Method for removing anions from water

A method for removing toxic anions from water is provided. A complexing agent, such as a cationic polyelectrolyte, is added to untreated water. The cationic polyelectrolyte complexes with anions, such as chromate, and the complex is filtered out of the water. The complex is then treated with barium chloride, lead chloride, aluminum, iron, or zinc to precipitate chromium ions and to regenerate the complexing agent. The regenerated complexing agent can be reused for water treatment.

Method for removing toxic anions from water

A method for reducing the concentration of target co-ions in a liquid feed mixture comprising target co-ions and counter-ions by adding a colloid such as a polyelectrolyte or surfactant comprising a colloidal ion and colloidal counter-ions to the feed mixture wherein the colloidal ion has the same type of charge as the target co-ion. The feed mixture containing the colloid is filtered through an ultrafiltration membrane having pores small enough to block the passage of the colloidal ion.

Growing community of inventors

Norman, OK, United States of America

Edwin E Tucker