Abstract: An apparatus is provided for delivering precise volumes of a sample liquid. A piston is moved linearly into a first chamber containing an incompressible hydraulic liquid. The chamber includes one wall formed of a flexible diaphragm. The diaphragm separates the first chamber from a second chamber containing a sample liquid. The degree of expansion of the diaphragm and dispensing of the sample liquid from the second chamber are dependent upon the position of the piston within the first chamber.

Abstract: A filter element for filtering a particle-containing paint composition or a particle loading slurry composition which is a precursor to a particle-containing paint composition is provided. The filtration element comprises at least one filtration layer formed from woven polymer fibers and having substantially uniform pores and two spacer layers. The spacer layers have raised projections to create a space between adjacent spacer layers having contacting projections. The filtration element has a pleated or spirally wound configuration.

Abstract: A device for isolating and containing gas reactive materials includes a novel valve arrangement that is actuatable in conjunction with the movement of a pre-loaded metal diaphragm. The pre-loaded diaphragm force is sufficient to form a fluid tight seal when the device is disconnected from a gas supply line thereby sealing the interior of the device from the surrounding environment.

Abstract: Ultrapure water containing less than 10 ppt total ions, other than hydrogen ion and hydroxide ion is produced by passing deionized water through a system comprising an ultrafiltration step, an oxidizing step where water is exposed to ultraviolet light and ion exchange step. The treated water is recirculated through the oxidizing step and the ion exchange step. Product water from the system can be recovered on a continuous basis so long as the ratio of volume of water circulated within the system to volume of water drawn from the system is at least 10 and preferably at least 20.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing a porous membrane product comprising a porous membrane having its surface completely modified with a perfluorocarbon copolymer composition. The porous membrane substrate is contacted with a solution containing a perfluorocarbon copolymer composition to bind the composition onto the substrate surface. The substrate is subjected to a mechanical force to remove excess perfluorocarbon copolymer composition and then is heat treated.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus for deadend filtration is provided which is formed from multilayer presealed elements and monolayer elements that are insert molded together. The device is provided with a feed port, and a filtrate port. The sealing configuration of the presealed elements and the seal provided by the insert molding step effect a seal configuration that causes a feed liquid to be filtered to form a filtrate such that the filtrate is not mixed with the feed.

Abstract: A porous membrane, such as a microporous or ultrafiltration membrane, is formed from a solution of a polysulfone and a free radical polymerizable monomer exposed to ultraviolet light to form a blend of the polysulfone and copolymers of polysulfone activation products and polymerized monomer having polymer segments covalently bonded to each other. The solution is separated into two phases including a porous solid phase comprising the membrane.

Abstract: A polysulfone composition is formed from a solution of a polysulfone and a free radical polymerizable monomer exposed to ultraviolet light to form a blend of the polysulfone and copolymers of activated polysulfone and polymerized monomer having polymer segments covalently bonded to each other. The blend is separated from solvent of the solution to form a solid comprising the blend throughout its bulk matrix.

Abstract: A vacuum filter device is disclosed which includes a filter body which is adapted to receive in fluid-tight, sealed relationship a pair of closed containers for solutions to be filtered by a membrane filter positioned within the filter body. A vacuum port in the filter body communicates with the downstream side of the membrane and a venting passageway also located in the filter body communicates with the closed sample container to serve as a vent to atmospheric pressure. The venting passageway is made of an air permeable hydrophobic filter or preferably a small enough opening to prevent the sample solutions from leaking out of the device during normal use.

Abstract: A heat exchange apparatus is provided which is formed from at least one multilayer presealed element and at least one monolayer element that are insert molded together. The heat exchange apparatus is provided with an inlet and an outlet for a process fluid and at least one inlet and at least one outlet for a heat exchange fluid. The sealing configuration of the presealed elements and the seal provided by the insert molding effect a seal configuration that causes heat to be transferred between the process fluid and the heat exchange fluid while preventing mass transfer between the two fluids.

Abstract: A filtration unit containing a filtering membrane, a cover upstream of the membrane, and a base downstream of the membrane, and joined together, characterized in that the filtering membrane has an elliptical shape. This elliptical shape facilitates the use for filtration and allows the unit to be reused without the formation of an air lock when the filtering membrane is partially hydrophobic.

Abstract: A device for measuring moisture concentration in a gas is provided which includes a sensing device capable of producing physical response to an energy input and having at least one surface coated with a metal hydroxide capable of adsorbing moisture. The metal hydroxide is derived from a metal coating on the sensing device.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus is provided which is formed from multilayer presealed elements and monolayer elements that are insert molded together. The device is provided with a feed port, a filtrate port and, optionally, a retentate port. The sealing configuration of the presealed elements and the seal provided by the insert molding step effect a seal configuration that causes a feed liquid to be filtered to form a filtrate such that the filtrate is not mixed with either the feed or a retentate.

Abstract: A composite porous membrane is provided which comprises a porous membrane substrate having an average pore size between 0.01 and 10 microns formed of a first polymer which is coated over its entire surface with a crosslinked second polymer. The second polymer is dissolved in a solvent with a free radical polymerization initiator in the absence of a crosslinking agent. The second polymer is crosslinked in situ and rendered insoluble by mild heating and/or exposure to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A filter element for filtering a particle-containing paint composition or a particle loading slurry composition which is a precursor to a particle-containing paint composition is provided. The filtration element comprises at least one filtration layer formed from woven polymer fibers and having substantially uniform pores and two spacer layers. The spacer layers have raised projections to create a space between adjacent spacer layers having contacting projections. The filtration element has a pleated or spirally wound configuration.

Abstract: An improved water flow test for determining the integrity and/or pore size distribution of a porous filter is disclosed. The improvement involves the ability to determine and take into account the changes in filter structure due to filter compaction or creep resulting from compressive forces when pressure is applied to the surfaces of the filter. By proper characterization of the filter under test, the initial system volume and the volume change associated with pressurizing the filter can be accurately determined at all points in time during a test cycle. As a result, composite flowrate changes (i.e. the flow due to filter compaction/creep plus the flow due to liquid intrusion) can be evaluated to distinguish between various flow components to accurately determine the pore size of the filter being tested or a filter defect.

Abstract: An improved method of determining a viable microbial cell count in a sample solution with an enhanced detection sensitivity is provided, comprising filtering the sample solution through a filtration membrane having hydrophobic properties to entrap microbes within hydrophobic barriers; applying thereto a fine spray of ATP releasing reagent to extract a luminescent ingredient from the microbes; applying thereto another fine spray of liquid luminescence-inducing reagent to allow the released luminescent ingredient to emit luminescence; and measuring the level of the luminescence, using a competent means for measuring the luminescence level. The microbes and the two types of reagents are locally concentrated due to the hydrophobic properties of the membrane and thus the sensitivity is greatly enhanced, permitting instant counting in the case of large microbes, and decreased culture time for smaller bacterial microbes.

Abstract: A membrane filtration module is disclosed for use in fluid processing systems in which all active connections between the module and the fluid processing system are located only on one end of the module. A central flow conduit within the module directs all of the flow of liquid from one of the connections to the opposite end. In this manner, dead volume is essentially eliminated as the flow pattern causes the liquid to sweep all the volume within the module while still providing for easy installation and replacement by virtue of having all of the active connections on only one end.

Abstract: A device for isolating and containing gas reactive materials includes a novel valve arrangement that is actuatable in conjunction with the movement of a pre-loaded metal diaphragm. The valve is situated in a housing having an inlet and an outlet fitting, a seat for the diaphragm and a metal tube in contact with the diaphragm to provide fluid communication between the housing and the gas supply to that the pre-loaded diaphragm is opened upon the connection of the gas supply to allow gas flow to the gas reactive material disposed within the housing. The pre-loaded diaphragm force is sufficient to form a fluid tight seal when the device is disconnected from a gas supply line therby sealing the interior of the device from the surrounding enviroment.

Abstract: A filter element for filtering a particle-containing paint composition or a particle loading slurry composition which is a precursor to a particle-containing paint composition is provided. The filtration element comprises at least one filtration layer formed from woven polymer fibers and having substantially uniform pores and two spacer layers. The spacer layers have raised projections to create a space between adjacent spacer layers having contacting projections. The filtration element has a pleated or spirally wound configuration.