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Category Archives: Water

Recent U.S. Patents Granting for Treatment of Hydraulic Fracturing Waters

Posted by J. Steven Rutt on Posted in Cleaning Up Hydraulic Fracturing; Cleantech; Patent; Water

We continue to monitor patent literature for water and liquid treatment technologies related to hydraulic fracturing. This technology is especially important for western Pennsylvania, the center of the Marcellus Shale region. Yesterday, for example, I listened to a speech by Carnegie Mellon University’s president, which stressed the importance of this technology.  CMU has a new energy center which will include work in this area. CMU has also published a research guide on hydraulic fracturing.

Recent patents in 2012 which relate directly or indirectly to this subject include 8,273,320 (FracPure Holdings); 8,226,832 (NCH Ecoservices); 8,211,296 (NCH Ecoservices); 8,171,993 (Heat On-the-Fly); 8,158,097 (FracPure Holdings); 8,119,007 (MIT); 8,110,115 (Ibex); 8,105,488 (Anticline Disposal); 8,105,492 (Baker Hughes); and 8,132,632 (ConocoPhillips).

Integrated Water Technologies has an interesting, lengthy video which summarizes the FracPure process. The process includes the water supply, water treatment, and extracting solids from the treated waters.

Carnegie Mellon University Breaks Ground for New Building to Include Nanotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, and Energy Innovations

Posted by J. Steven Rutt on Posted in Cleaning Up Hydraulic Fracturing; Cleantech; Water

Congratulations to Carnegie Mellon University for breaking ground on a new energy/nanotech-related building last weekend, as they report on their university webpage:

“Under sunny skies that were later punctuated with daytime pyrotechnics, the excitement was palpable as Carnegie Mellon University broke ground for Sherman and Joyce Bowie Scott Hall — future home to the university’s work in nanotechnology, biomedical engineering and the new Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation.”

Located in western Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon also addressed issues during the ground breaking events about how to handle shale gas and water:

Presenting the four top energy topics voted on by the audience were CMU’s:

  • Jeanne VanBriesen, Shale gas development: what’s the story with water?
  • Baruch Fischhoff, How will human behavior affect energy futures?
  • Ed Rubin, Clean coal: oxymoron, or path to sustainability?
  • Jay Whitacre, Can low cost batteries help us to use more renewables and build fewer transmission lines?

 

Hydraulic Fracturing Patent Literature on the Rise (With Nanotech Contributions)!

Posted by J. Steven Rutt on Posted in Cleaning Up Hydraulic Fracturing; Patent; Water

Patent filings which refer to hydraulic fracturing are on the rise. In fact, the number appears to have almost doubled in the past five years. This is based on a review of the published patent applications at the USPTO web site. In 2012, pro-rated as of today, there should be about 473 patent applications publishing. In 2007, that number was only 246. From 2008-2010, the number rose to about 355 each year, and then rose dramatically in 2011 to 421.

Nanotechnology continues to be a source of innovation in this and related technologies. See, for example, Abstract below US Patent Publication 2012/0190598 published July 26, 2012 to Pure Liquid Solutions, LLC, on “Metallic Nanoparticle Biocide in Industrial Applications.”

Abstract
A method includes providing and adding a measured dose amount of manufactured metallic nanoparticle material to a carrier material for pre-treatment of the carrier material prior to use of the carrier material and the manufactured metallic nanoparticle material in the sub-surface earth activity. Another method includes accessing a sub-surface earth opening used with a sub-surface earth activity, introducing an amount of manufactured metallic nanoparticle material into the sub-surface earth opening, and treating a sub-surface earth condition present at a sub-surface earth location accessible via the sub-surface earth opening. The sub-surface earth condition is treated with the manufactured metallic nanoparticle material. Another method includes accessing a product from a sub-surface earth location that is extracted in conjunction with the sub-surface earth activity, measuring and introducing a dose amount of manufactured metallic nanoparticle material with the product from the sub-surface earth location.

Recent Hydraulic Fracturing Patenting Shows Connections With Cleantech and Nanotech

Posted by J. Steven Rutt on Posted in Cleaning Up Hydraulic Fracturing; Cleantech; Patent; Water

Hydraulic fracturing (HF) has become a substantial economic force and the subject of strong policy debate. HF has several connections to cleantech, including issues of water treatment and disposal. Recent patents related to water and cleantech include, for example, USP 8,119,007 to MIT, 8,110,115 to Ibex, and 8,105,488 to Anticline Disposal. U.S. Patents that refer to HF now grant at almost twice the rate as 2009 and before. This year, already, 41 have granted, and the number in 2011 was 224 and in 2010 was 257.

Nanotechnology also should become part of the search for HF technical solutions. USP 8,105,492 to Baker Hughes (“Methods for Recharging Nanoparticle-Treated Beds”) relates heavily to nanotechnology. The patent was not classified as a 977 nanotechnology patent, however. The Abstract shows:

Abstract

Nanoparticle-treated particle packs, such as sand beds, may effectively filter and purify liquids such as waste water. Proppant beds treated with nanoparticles may fixate or reduce fines migration therethrough. When tiny contaminant particles or fines in these fluids flow through the nanoparticle-treated bed or pack, the nanoparticles will capture and hold the tiny contaminant or fines particles within the pack due to the nanoparticles’ surface forces, including, but not necessarily limited to van der Waals and electrostatic forces. Nanoparticle-treated beds or packs may be recharged by contacting the bed with an inorganic acid (but not hydrofluoric acid) or an organic acid, and optionally followed by subsequent treatment with hydrofluoric acid. This treating substantially removes the nanoparticles and the fine particulates that have been removed from a fluid (e.g. wastewater being treated, produced fluids in a formation, etc.). The particle pack may then be re-treated or recharged with nanoparticles.

Domestic Inventing in Hydraulic Fracturing Arts

Posted by J. Steven Rutt on Posted in Cleaning Up Hydraulic Fracturing; Cleantech; Patent; Water

President Obama’s recent State of the Union address spoke of domestic oil and gas industry including shale gas (“American-made energy”). A leading but controversial technology for this industry is, of course, hydraulic fracturing. A brief review of the patent literature for 2012 confirms that inventors in this area for US patent filings are largely from the US. In a global economy, such domestic concentration for inventorship is somewhat unusual. The concentration of this innovation in the U.S. should be monitored.

As of today, in 2012, 38 patent publications refer to “hydraulic fracturing.” Of these, 27 (71%) list all U.S. inventors, and 32 (84%) list all U.S. inventors or list a majority of inventors as residing in the U.S.  Only 5 of the 38 (13%) list all non-U.S. inventors. The leading state for inventors is Texas.

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Nanoparticles in the Environment – EHS Now Part of Undergraduate Research

Posted by J. Steven Rutt on Posted in Cleantech; EPA; Nanotech Regulation; Water

Interesting example yesterday for how nanotechnology is presented to the public and forming part of our educational systems, including EHS aspects. We visited Virginia Tech for the day as part of my daughter’s evaluation of prospective colleges. Our interests included their engineering departments. In their visitor building, where the tours start, Virginia Tech includes presentation material for several nanotechnology-related issues the university is working on. One was for how nanoparticles can be transported in the environment over long distances. The lead professor is in Geosciences, and collaboration is present with civil and environmental engineering professors. Virginia Tech promotes a “hands-on, minds-on” approach to training its undergrads in engineering, and they indicate that undergraduate research will be part of the project.

Below has more information about the NSF grant on the subject:

Researchers from geosciences and civil and environmental engineering at Virginia Tech are part of a consortium of four principal universities and five other schools awarded a multimillion dollar grant to study nanotechnology and the environment. This is one of only two such consortiums funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to form a national Center for the Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology (CEIN). Total funding for the project is $14 million over five years with an opportunity to renew for another five years. Virginia Tech’s portion of the grant is $1.75 million.

Diamond, One Important Arrow in the 2012 Advanced Materials Arsenal, Patent Efforts Increasing

Posted by J. Steven Rutt on Posted in Cleantech; Nano Biotechnology; Patent; Water

One subject to watch in 2012 is diamond. Synthetic diamond is one important arrow in the arsenal of advanced materials and is an essential part of the carbon based nanomaterials scene including familiar materials in the press such as fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, and graphene. Synthetic diamond films and powders, however, are also an important part of nanotechnology 2012, as it can have grain sizes at the nanoscale. Indeed, class 977 nanotech patent efforts on diamond seems to be increasing. In 2011, a record number of class 977 patent applications – 28 – included diamond in the title or abstract. In 2010, that number was only 18 and the year before was only 11. Some important diamond applications lead to energy savings and better electrodes, so it is also an important material for energy and cleantech. Biosensor applications also exist.

An excellent historical treatment of the development of synthetic diamond technology is Robert M. Hazen’s book, The Diamond Makers, 1999. A major player in the field was General Electric, which continues to this day to be a leading force in advanced materials, nanotech, and cleantech.

In the conception of manufacturing at an atomic, molecular, or nanoscale, inventors and futurists have always thought of building the perfect material: diamond.

Nanotechnology in Hydraulic Fracturing Innovation – 2011 Developments

Posted by J. Steven Rutt on Posted in Cleaning Up Hydraulic Fracturing; Patent; Water

An important development to watch is how nanotechnology can be used as an innovation tool for hydraulic fracturing. See, for example, our prior blog posts of July 20, June 24, and June 5, 2011. The problem starts with nano: valuable carbonaceous materials are trapped in dense pore rock with pores scaling down to the nanoscale. How to get it out?

The problem continues with how to handle the waste water – nano is also important for this issue. The EPA provides an overview of these important commercial, environmental, and technical issues.

A number of hydraulic fracturing patent publications in 2011 were accorded the 977 nanotech classification. For example, on December 1, 2011, a patent application published related to nanodispersion well serving fluids including nanoparticles. PTO assignment recordation records show the application is now owned by Baker Hughes. In addition, on September 29, 2011, Chevron USA had published an application related to nanoparticle completion fluids.

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Water Technology U.S. Patent Landscape Report

Posted by Barry L. Grossman on Posted in Water

Foley’s 2010 Water Technology U.S. Patent Landscape Report Executive Summary highlights key water technology trends from our full review of 584 patents issued in 2009 in the United States among seven different water technology categories:

  • Purification
  • Desalination
  • Metering
  • Irrigation
  • Treatment
  • Groundwater
  • Conservation

Building upon our 2009 analysis, the 2010 Report provides further perspective on primary areas of investment and development as well as possible opportunities for future investment and innovation.

For more information or a copy of the full 2010 Water Technology U.S. Patent Landscape Report, please contact me at bgrossman@foley.com.

Half Dozen New Hydraulic Fracturing Patents

Posted by J. Steven Rutt on Posted in Cleantech; Patent; Water

Hydraulic fracturing-related patenting efforts continue to grow.  For example, six new patent applications published this past Thursday (June 9, 2011) which refer to hydraulic fracturing (see below).  Not surprisingly, many of the inventors are from Texas.  Water treatment is a theme for two of the patent applications.  The Obama administration continues to study hydraulic fracturing as it has become a core element in energy policy (see  (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/07/science/earth/07frack.html).  The administration should urgently fund innovation to supplement private sector efforts in this arena.

1 20110137465 Portable Water Treatment Method
2 20110136703 Compositions for Stimulating Liquid-Sensitive Subterranean Formations
3 20110132815 Portable Water Treatment System and Apparatus
4 20110132607 Apparatus and Technique to Communicate With a Tubing-Conveyed Perforating Gun
5 20110132604 METHOD OF USING LIGHTWEIGHT POLYAMIDES IN HYDRAULIC FRACTURING AND SAND CONTROL OPERATIONS
6 20110132600 Optimized Well Spacing For In Situ Shale Oil Development

U.S. Patent Explosion for Hydraulic Fracturing Technology: Impact on Marcellus Shale

Posted by J. Steven Rutt on Posted in Cleantech; Patent; Water

Hydraulic fracturing (HF) continues to be a critical and controversial technology for U.S. energy policy and the larger implications of cleantech. This method can be used to recover natural gas from deep shale such as the Barnett or Marcellus Shale centered in Texas and Pennsylvania, respectively. In particular, the developments in Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale in the past several years have attracted much political and media attention, including environmental debate. In this post, some important patent trends are reported which illustrate how critical HF has become to the U.S. economy and innovation.

First, 2010 was a record breaking year for hydraulic fracturing at the USPTO. Patent search results showed 257 patent were issued in 2010 which referred to HF. Moreover, already in 2011, as of today, 47 more HF patents have issued which projects to over 220 in 2011 if that trend continues.
In stark contrast, from 1981 to 2003, the USPTO only issued about 50 HF patents a year. The trend was remarkably steady over these 23 years with a high of 73 in 1993 and a low of 25 in 1982.
 

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Water Innovation and Hazards: Looking Ahead; Looking Back

Posted by J. Steven Rutt on Posted in Cleantech; Water

Water innovation is a hot subject these days. It is one strand of the so-called "cleantech" movement. A driving force for water innovation, unfortunately, is environmental hazard (real or potential). For me, several water-related strands from recent days are pulled together below.

Strand 1) the recent Water Innovation Alliance meeting in Chicago;

Strand 2) visiting the Johnstown Flood Museums (in Western Pennsylvania);

Strand 3) updates on Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling, including more and more ads on the subject for the Pennsylvania fall gubernatorial election.

Lets start with an ounce of history. For readers who are not aware, the hazards of water became real on May 31, 1889 in Johnstown Pennsylvania (about 70 miles east of Pittsburgh). On that fateful day, a large, aging, and poorly maintained dam holding back waters to a large lake burst under heavy rain. The lake furiously drained in less than an hour on anyone below. A wall of water flowed down a valley, turning corners, blowing out bridges, for about 15 miles; leveling anything in its path, until finally crashing into Johnstown, killing several thousand people. The horrific events were addressed in David McCullough’s book, The Johnstown Flood. Amazing fact: not a single dollar of liability money was paid due to court action. Today, one can tour both a museum in Johnstown and also a museum located at the broken dam, 15 miles away, which has been preserved. For anybody interested in cleantech and water, it is a compelling story. Clearly, we would say today there were legal problems, ranging from a lack of regulation to a lack of liability.

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9th Annual NanoBusiness Alliance Conference: September 27 – 28, 2010

Posted by J. Steven Rutt on Posted in Cleantech; Water

Join nanotech and cleantech industry leaders for the 9th Annual NanoBusiness Alliance Conference taking place September 27 – 28, 2010 at the McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. This program will be held concurrently with the annual Water Innovations Alliance conference. Keynote speakers include William Moffitt, President & CEO of Nanosphere, Fabien Cousteau, Explorer and Aquatic Environmentalist, Kelly Carnes, President and CEO of TechVision21, and George Thompson, Government Programs Manager of Intel.

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The Blue Footprint™: Measuring the Critical Impact of Your Water Consumption

Posted by Barry L. Grossman on Posted in Water

A new model for assessing a combined carbon – water – economic footprint was unveiled at the Milwaukee Water Summit held on July 19, 2010 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Laurent Auguste, President & CEO of Veolia Water North America presented a fascinating study on “The Blue Footprint”, using a Water Impact Index and a Carbon-Water-Economic Analysis which considers the quality, environmental stress, and volume of water used.

So what is a Blue Footprint™? …

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Summer Reading on Water Technology, A Few Knowledge Thirst Quenchers

Posted by Barry L. Grossman on Posted in Cleantech; Water

The warm summer months have officially arrived, which means many people are compiling their summer reading lists for the beach, pool, or just sitting at home and enjoying a good book. Quench your thirst for knowledge about water with some of these books, magazines, and articles.

Robert Glennon’s new book Unquenchable: America’s Water Crisis and What To Do About It is an excellent read. He not only discusses the water problems facing us, but he also offers some potential solutions. Why is it that Las Vegas, Nevada, a city built in the dessert, has lush golf courses, fountains, canals, and a seemingly endless ability to find water where none exists? Read the book and find the answer.

No one interested in the topic of water (and no one should not be interested in this critical topic) should miss the April 2010 National Geographic special edition on water. Interesting and informative stories and analysis; useful facts; great pictures; and helpful graphics. Did you know that 100 gallons of water costs $3.43 in Copenhagen; $1.65 in San Diego; and $0.05 in Buenos Aires?

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Invent a Solution to the Water Crisis

Posted by Barry L. Grossman on Posted in Cleantech; Water

“Water promises to be to the 21st century what oil was to the 20th century: the precious commodity that determines the wealth of nations.” (Fortune Magazine, May 15, 2000)

  For most people in the world, turning on a faucet in the kitchen to obtain unlimited clean drinking water is an unavailable luxury. As noted by FreeDrinkingWater.com, the World Health Organization states an alarming fact that 3.4 million people die each year from waterborne diseases. With oil-tainted bays and rivers and ever depleting fresh water supplies, the world is starting to truly appreciate that water is, indeed, a precious commodity. The demand for water continues to grow because of population growth and industrial expansion. Meanwhile, the world’s fresh water supply is shrinking due to pollution, draining of underground aquifers, and climate change. With increasing demand and decreasing supply, water is quickly becoming one of the largest economic growth sectors in the world.

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2009 Water Technology U.S. Patent Landscape Report

Posted by Barry L. Grossman on Posted in Cleantech; Water

Foley’s 2009 Water Technology U.S. Patent Landscape Report Executive Summary highlights key water technology trends upon a review of 384 patents issued in 2008 in the U.S. among seven different water technology categories: purification, desalinization, metering, irrigation, treatment, conservation, and hydro power. This analysis identifies the innovation that has taken place in water technology and, perhaps just as important, identifies areas where the patent/technology map shows opportunities for future innovation. 

Foley’s Executive Summary can by found here. For more information or a copy of the full Water Technology U.S. Patent Landscape Report, please contact John Lazarus at jlazarus@foley.com or Barry Grossman at bgrossman@foley.com.

The next annual Water Technology U.S. Patent Landscape Report is scheduled for release in September of 2010.