IP Library Granted Patent US 8,764,277
Granted Patent B2
US 8,764,277 · App. 13/685,043 · Granted Jul 1, 2014

Method and device for agitation of tank-stored material

Inventors: John P. Whitney (El Dorado, AR); Carl V. Wikstrom (Benton, AR)
B01F5/10B01F13/0205B01F13/0227B01F13/004B01F2003/0028B01F2005/0014
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,764,277
App. No.
13/685,043
Granted
Jul 1, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device and method for use with the transportation of materials including a tank that is configured to hold the material and an inlet/outlet configured on the tank to allow the flow of the material therethrough. At least one inlet is arranged on the tank to allow the flow of the material into the tank to agitate the material in the tank.

Claims (23)

1. A method for maintaining a suspension of materials in a tank, the method comprising:

connecting an inlet/outlet associated with the tank to a pump, wherein the tank contains a solid phase and a liquid phase;

connecting an inlet of a plurality of inlets associated with the tank to the pump, the plurality of inlets independently operable by opening and closing a separate valve associated with each of the plurality of inlets;

pumping at least the liquid phase from the inlet/outlet to the inlet, the pumping producing a circulation within the tank of at least the liquid phase; and

connecting a high pressure gas source to the inlet/outlet;

clearing a blockage of the inlet/outlet; and

maintaining the solid phase in a suspension with the liquid phase,

wherein the tank is configured to hold materials, the tank comprising a bottom and sides separate and distinct from the bottom;

the inlet/outlet configured with the tank to allow a flow of the materials from the tank therethrough;

the plurality of inlets configured to direct a flow of the materials along the bottom of the tank, each of the plurality of inlets oriented substantially toward the inlet/outlet;

at least one conduit configured to direct the materials from the inlet/outlet to the plurality of inlets to agitate the materials in the tank to enhance removal of the materials from the tank; and

the pump arranged to receive the materials from the inlet/outlet and transport the materials in the tank through the plurality of inlets, wherein the pump is configured to receive the materials from an outlet associated with the tank and transport the materials to the inlet/outlet through the at least one conduit.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising re-suspending the solid phase in the liquid phase.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising directing the suspension to a facility.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

connecting the high pressure gas source to the pump; and

forcing a flow from the pump to the inlet.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

connecting the high pressure gas source to the inlet; and

forcing a flow to the inlet.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bottom is further configured to be sloped, and the plurality of inlets are configured on the sides.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the step of pumping pumps at least the liquid phase from the inlet/outlet to at least one of the plurality of inlets so that a flow is directed parallel to the sloped bottom.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising connecting the high pressure source to separate connectors positioned between the pump and each of the plurality of inlets respectively.

Assignments (7)
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 16, 2026
From: ARCWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 076027/0929 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (REEL/FRAME 66307/0866) Recorded Apr 3, 2026
From: KKR LOAN ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES LLC
To: ARCWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC (F/K/A HERITAGE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, LLC) FOR ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-BY-MERGER TO ARCWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL - BENTON, LLC (F/K/A RINECO CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LLC)
Reel/Frame 075435/0475 →
MERGER Recorded Mar 25, 2026
From: ARCWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL - BENTON, LLC
To: ARCWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 074176/0726 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 9, 2025
From: RINECO CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LLC
To: ARCWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL - BENTON, LLC
Reel/Frame 071248/0913 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 31, 2024
From: RINECO CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LLC (F/K/A RINECO CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, INC.)
To: KKR LOAN ADMINISTRATION SERVICES LLC, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 066307/0866 →
CONVERSION Recorded Jan 25, 2024
From: RINECO CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: RINECO CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 066370/0755 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 22, 2014
From: WHITNEY, JOHN P.; WIKSTROM, CARL V.
To: RINECO CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 032952/0237 →
Continuity (3)
Division 11747565 · May 11, 2007
Provisional Application 60799326 · May 11, 2006
Related Publication 20130077431A1 · Mar 28, 2013