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Kurth, MN

Christopher J. Kurth, Chaska, MN US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090000999RESIDENTIAL REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEM - A reverse osmosis system that includes a housing which receives feed water and a membrane element within the housing to filter the feed water. The membrane element includes a permeate outlet and a concentrate outlet. The reverse osmosis system further includes a sensor that monitors the condition of the water that exits from the membrane element. The reverse osmosis system further includes a first set of indicators that are located remotely from the housing. The first set of indicators showing a condition of the system based on data obtained from the sensor. The reverse osmosis system further includes a second set of indicators that are located near the housing to show a condition of the system based on data obtained from the sensor.01-01-2009
20090001003RESIDENTIAL REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEM - Some embodiments of the present invention relate to a reverse osmosis (RO) system that includes a housing and a pre-filter within the housing such that feed water flows into the housing and enters the pre-filter. The reverse osmosis (RO) system further includes a membrane element within the housing such that the pre-filtered water flows from the pre-filter and enters the membrane element and permeate exits the membrane element through the housing. In some embodiments, the housing includes a first end cap at one end and a second end cap at an opposing end such that feed water flows through the first end cap into the pre-filter and pre-filtered water flows from the pre-filter into the first end cap. In addition, the pre-filtered water may flow from the first end cap to the membrane element such that permeate exits the membrane element through the first end cap in order exit the housing.01-01-2009
20090001013RESIDENTIAL REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEM - A reverse osmosis system that includes a housing having an inlet port, a permeate port and a concentrate port. The reverse osmosis system further includes a membrane element within the housing and (i) a first connector that has an end which is connected to the inlet port; (ii) a second connector that has an end which is connected to the permeate port; and (iii) a third connector that has an end which is connected to the concentrate port. The end of the first connector fits the inlet port but does not fit the permeate port or the concentrate port. The end of the second connector fits the permeate port but does not fit the inlet port or the concentrate port. The end of the third connector fits the concentrate port but does not fit the inlet port or the permeate port.01-01-2009
20090008931RESIDENTIAL REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEM - A reverse osmosis system that includes a housing having an inlet port, a permeate port and a concentrate port. A membrane element is within the housing. The reverse osmosis system further includes (i) a first connector that is connected to the inlet port; (ii) a second connector that is connected to the permeate port; and (iii) a third connector that is connected to the concentrate port. A key is inserted between each of the first, second and third connectors. The key is configured such that the key cannot be inserted between the first, second and third connectors unless each of the first, second and third connectors is properly connected to the respective inlet, permeate and concentrate ports. In some embodiments, the key is configured such that the key cannot be removed from between each of the first, second and third connectors when there is pressure at the inlet port.01-08-2009
20110073535RESIDENTIAL REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEM - Some embodiments of the present invention relate to a reverse osmosis (RO) system that includes a housing and a pre-filter within the housing such that feed water flows into the housing and enters the pre-filter. The reverse osmosis (RO) system further includes a membrane element within the housing such that the pre-filtered water flows from the pre-filter and enters the membrane element and permeate exits the membrane element through the housing. In some embodiments, the housing includes a first end cap at one end and a second end cap at an opposing end such that feed water flows through the first end cap into the pre-filter and pre-filtered water flows from the pre-filter into the first end cap. In addition, the pre-filtered water may flow from the first end cap to the membrane element such that permeate exits the membrane element through the first end cap in order exit the housing.03-31-2011

Patent applications by Christopher J. Kurth, Chaska, MN US

Christopher James Kurth, Eden Prairie, MN US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090272692THIN FILM MEMBRANES WITH ADDITIVES FOR FORWARD AND PRESSURE RETARDED OSMOSIS - A thin film composite or TFC membrane formed by interfacial polymerization of an organic and aqueous phase on a support membrane with nanoparticles in the discrimination layer and/or the support membrane, optimized by the selection of nanoparticles for membrane flux, hydrophilicity and to minimize thickness of the support membrane while maintaining the strength and ruggedness characteristics required for forward osmosis (FO) and/or pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) so that the flux flow paths are less tortuous than conventional support membranes and thereby provide increased flux flow.11-05-2009
20100062156Reverse Osmosis Membranes - Reverse osmosis membranes made by interfacial polymerization of a monomer in a nonpolar (e.g. organic) phase together with a monomer in a polar (e.g. aqueous) phase on a porous support membrane. Interfacial polymerization process is disclosed for preparing a highly permeable RO membrane, comprising: contacting on a porous support membrane, a) a first solution containing 1,3-diaminobenzene, and b) a second solution containing trimesoyl chloride, wherein at least one of solutions a) and b) contains nanoparticles when said solutions are first contacted, and recovering a highly permeable RO membrane.03-11-2010
20110005997HYBRID TFC RO MEMBRANES WITH NITROGEN ADDITIVES - RO membranes using chlorinated water as a feed stream maybe protected from damage by the chlorine with a protective layer including reactive nitrogen which forms chloromines on the surface of the membrane that reduce chlorine penetration. This protective layer also provides substantial anti-fouling capabilities, whether used with a chlorinated or unchlorinated feed stream because the chloramines are anti-bacterial. Although chlorine is lost in use, the anti-fouling layer or coating can be recharged with additional chlorine without damaging the discrimination layer. The anti-fouling layer or coating may be advantageously used with Thin film composite, TFC, membranes for use in forward and reverse osmosis may include nanoparticles, monohydrolyzed and/or di-hydrolyzed TMC, and/or alkaline earth alkaline metal complexes or other additives.01-13-2011

Patent applications by Christopher James Kurth, Eden Prairie, MN US