United States Patent     [19]

Chang et al.

[11]        Patent Number:                              5,948,279

[45]       Date of Patent:                            Sep. 7, 1999

[54]      Method And Apparatus For
           Controlling Macrofoulers In
           On Demand Water Conduits

[75]      Inventors: Tiao J. Chang; Timothy A. Bartrand,
                             both of Athens, Ohio

[73]      Assignee: Ohio University, Athens, Ohio

[21]      Appl. No.: 08/937,541

[22]      Filed: Sep. 25, 1997

[51]      Int. Cl.6 ........................... B01D 19/00; C02F 1/20
[52]        U.S. Cl. ...................... 210/808; 210/750; 210/764;
                                                       95/260; 95/266; 96/194
[58]      Field of Search .......................... 210/98, 188, 750,
                     210/808; 134/21, 22.11, 22.12, 169 C; 422/6,
                                                      33; 95/260, 266; 96/194

[56]                                References Cited

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Clum et al. .......................................... 210/774
Riffe et al. ........................................... 204/147
Chang ................................................. 210/750
Vosper .................................................. 440/49
Christensen et al. ................................ 422/14
Bryden ................................................ 367/139
Goudy, Jr. et al. .................................. 210/602
Murcott et al. ..................................... 210/705
Chang ................................................... 96/194
Babirad et al. .......................................... 528/9
Riffe et al. ............................................ 204/196

                         OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Mortin B., "The Aquatic Nuisance Species Problem: A
Global Perspective and Review", Zebra Mussels and
Aquatic Nuisance Species, Ann Arbor Press, 1997.

Primary Examiner--Jay H. Woo
Assistant Examiner--Frank Lawrence
Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Standley & Gilcrest LLP

[57]                                       ABSTRACT

In general terms, the present invention includes an apparatus
for controlling macrofoulers and larvae thereof in an
on-demand water conduit, and a method for controlling
macrofoulers and larvae thereof in a water conduit having an
intake opening. The apparatus comprises generally: a water
conduit having an intake opening, the water conduit adapted
to conduct a flow of water on demand; and a vacuum device
adapted to receive water, the vacuum device adapted to
produce oxygen-depleted water from the received water, the
vacuum device also adapted to provide a flow of the oxygen-
depleted water to the water conduit when no demand exists
for a flow of water through the water conduit. The invention
also includes a method for controlling macrofoulers and
larvae thereof in a water conduit having an intake opening,
such as through use of the apparatus of the present invention.

                      21 Claims, 14 Drawing Sheets