Abstract: An apparatus for the ultra or hyperfiltration of liquids to form a permeate fraction and a concentrate fraction includes a stack of membranes and membrane support plates. The stack includes two longitudinally extending main flow passages connected with a plurality of flow passages extending along the surfaces of the membranes. There is provided a device for blocking the flow of liquid from one main flow passage to the other in a zone around the center line between the two main flow passages. Ribs may be provided having a height which increases when viewed in a direction from the central part towards the periphery of a membrane support plate with the object of obtaining an improved distribution of liquid over the membrane surfaces.

Abstract: A method of continuous separation of dissolved materials employs two membranes, each disposed in its own fluid-tight chamber. An aqueous feed solution containing organic material is passed in contact with a recirculating flow of organic extractant which receives selected dissolved organic material. The extractant is then passed over a second membrane, the other side of which is supplied with a stripping solution for further selective recovery of the desired material. During recirculation the organic extractant is passed through an aqueous separator. However, extractant treatment for organics removal therefrom may also include methods other than the use of a second membrane and a stripping solution.

Abstract: Semipermeable membranes useful for separating mixtures of ethanol and water into enriched fractions of each are prepared by cross-linking 50-90 weight percent of at least one polymer containing pendent, adjacent carboxy groups with 10-50 weight percent of at least one diamine. Membranes prepared from copolymers of maleic anhydride and styrene cross-linked with a polyoxyalkylene diamine are exemplary. These membranes are also useful in gas separation processes, such as separating oxygen from nitrogen.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing alumina precipitates in industrial waters has been discovered. The method involves the addition to industrial water of effective amounts of low molecular weight multi-functional carboxylic acids, particularly citric acid and its water soluble salts.

Abstract: A process for maintaining a charging medium in a microporous molded article for carrying out material transfer processes is described. A charging medium is supplied or presented to the molded article while the material transfer processes are being carried out. This supply takes place on a part of the surface of the molded article which does not participate in the material transfer process. The molded articles are preferably membranes. The process compensates for a loss of medium in the pores of the molded article without requiring the material transfer process to be interrupted.An apparatus suitable for carrying out the process is also described.The process may advantageously be used inter alia for controlled release or slow release processes and processes for facilitated or coupled transport of metal ions.

Abstract: A single valve and associated conduits for so operating a reverse osmosis assembly that includes a reverse osmosis cartridge, a reservoir that has a movable barrier therein that sub-divides the interior into first and second confined spaces of variable volume, and a manually operated purified water dispensing valve, so that as the first confined space approaches a filled condition with purified water, the single valve throttles the flow of pressurized feed water to the cartridge to minimize the use of feed water in the operation thereof, with the maximum back pressure to which purified water is subjected in discharging from the cartridge is that due to the weight of reject water in the second confined space, and the membrane in the reverse osmosis cartridge being fast flushed with feed water to remove foreign material therefrom when the purified water dispensing valve is discharging purified water.

Abstract: A device using intentionally introduced centrifugal force to direct particles suspended in a liquid to peripherally arranged contact members and to detain them there through the static pressure caused by the peripherally moving liquid.The device separates the ferrous, magnetizable, from the nonferrous, not magnetizable, particles by providing a magnetic capturing unit having a diameter smaller than that of the aforementioned contact member arrangement, so that ferrous particles will be retained by magnetism and so indicated, while nonferrous ones will be detained by the radially more outwardly located contact members and indicated accordingly. Individual indications of, especially nonferrous particle accumulations, are provided for at least two particle magnitude ranges.

Abstract: This invention is related to a process for filtering gases or liquids for removing liquid or solid impurities and is characterized in that one uses for filtering a fibre material which partly exhibits a layer structure, said fibres along the main part of the total fibre length exhibiting a direction which deviates less than 45.degree. from the direction of a main direction plane of said fibres, said filtering being performed so that the filtered medium is brought to flow away from the filter material through an outflow area in the filter material in which the flow direction is essentially parallel with the direction of the main direction plane of the fibres.

Abstract: A filter candle element which is mounted in depending manner in a pressure container has a support body and a filter tissue which covers the support body and has at least one impermeable portion so as to prevent the depositing of a continuous filter cake. Through provision of a plurality of impermeable portions, the filter cake is divided into several pieces which do not obstruct their removal. The impermeable portions are obtained by spraying of synthetic material onto the filter tissue. These filter candle elements are especially suitable for alluvial filters of large dimensions.

Abstract: A multilayer membrane for performing reverse osmosis is disclosed. The membrane comprises a porous support and a layer formed of poly meta-phenylene cyclohexane-1,3,5-tricarboxamide. The preferred material for forming the support is a polysulfone.

Abstract: A plasmapheresis filtration module having stacked grooved plates interleaved with membranes, enclosed in a unitary, flexible, impermeable envelope, sealing being effected by pressing the membranes between blood flow channels and a sealing surface on a plasma side support.

Abstract: A membrane separation apparatus comprising: a cylindrical case provided with an outlet for a membrane permeated fluid; a plurality of tubular or capillary membranes which are inserted into the cylindrical case in a substantially parallel state with each other and in a closely bundled state, the membranes each other and also the bundled membranes and the cylindrical case being bonded and fixed with a casting resin at both end portions thereof; a cap having a nozzle for a feed inlet and a nozzle for a membrane permeated fluid outlet, provided at one end of the cylindrical case; and a cap having a nozzle for a concentrated fluid provided at another end of the cylindrical case, wherein at least one open end of the tubular or capillary membranes is arranged with a slope with respect to the axis of the cylindrical case, and the nozzle for the feed inlet and the nozzle for the membrane permeated fluid are provided on the substantially same axis.

Abstract: A device in the form of a sealed transparent tube comprised of glass, for example, is provided for separating the fraction containing cells and cell free fraction of a liquid, such as blood, automatically upon introduction into the device, and without the need for any separate driving force. The device separates whole non-anticoagulated blood, for example, very rapidly upon introduction into the device. The device utilizes a cross-flow filtration area together with a vacuum force applied to the device during manufacture to cause immediate and rapid separation.

Abstract: A plasmapheresis filtration module having stacked grooved plates interleaved with membranes, enclosed in a unitary, flexible, impermeable envelope, sealing being effected by pressing the membranes between blood flow channels and a sealing surface on a plasma side support.

Abstract: In vertical vessels, particularly continuous pulp digesters, fibrous material suspended in liquid passes downwardly past screens through which treatment liquid is withdrawn. The screens are reciprocated vertically up and down utilizing a piston and cylinder assembly, operatively connected by a two-way valve to a source of fluid under pressure or a vent. The piston and screen are connected by a universal joint, and the screen is positively guided during movement. The piston is vertically above the screen and the screen moves downwardly under pressure from the pump, and returns upwardly, under the influence of interior digester pressure, during normal digester operation.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and process is provided for removing with a treating fluid surface films that are hydrophilic in nature and comprises a less dense liquid component. The hydrophilic film is removed from non absorbing surfaces such as metal glass and plastics and may contain dissolved solids. The hydrophilic film is substantially immiscible in the more dense cleansing liquid. In a particular embodiment the more dense liquid is a cleansing fluid and the less dense hydrophilic component being present as a contaminant. The apparatus includes a tank (12), a separator chamber (14) and a holding chamber (16). The less dense liquid is removed from the upper part of the separator chamber 14. The configuration of separator chamber (14) effects rapid separation of overflow liquid into an upper layer of the less dense liquid and a lower layer of the more dense liquid. In another embodiment of the apparatus, a second separator chamber (89) and a second holding chamber (90) are included.

Abstract: A plasmapheresis filtration module having stacked grooved plates interleaved with membrane filters, enclosed in a unitary, flexible, impermeable envelope, sealing being effected by pressing the membranes between blood flow channels and a sealing surface on a plasma side support, one of the plates being an end plate having reciprocatory pulse cavities therein.

Abstract: A filter has circularly arranged filter elements open on both ends mounted between two separation plates in a filter housing. The plates separate the raw liquid inlet end from a clean liquid discharge section and separate both of these from an outlet end for the dirty liquid. Both ends of each filter element are connected through passages in the separation plates with the inlet and outlet ends. Rotary valves are connected nonrotatably with each other to open and close the connections between the filter elements and the inlet and outlet spaces. Only one rotary slide valve is provided on each side of the separation plates facing away from each other. The rotary slide valve on the admission side covers fewer passages than the rotary slide valve on the opposite side. The total number of passages covered by the rotary slide valves is the same as the total number of filter elements.

Abstract: A method for dewatering suspensions, in particular communal sewage sludges, in an apparatus comprising a cylindrical filter drum which can be rotated about an axis, a discharge outlet at the opposite end from a feeding inlet and, if desired, in its interior baffles, for example, ring-shaped wier-like obstructions. A conical filter drum which tapers towards the outlet end is fitted to the cylindrical filter drum forming an outlet part. The axis of the drum assembly can be inclined such that the lower contour of the conical outlet part is horizontal or at an acute angle of up to 15.degree. above and/or below the horizontal.

Abstract: A system for rapidly dewatering sludge in large quantities makes use of a filter plate that is capable of supporting heavy mechanized removal equipment without damage to the filter plate. The filter plate is monolithic and includes granular filter material that is rigidified and bonded together. In the disclosed process, sludge is pretreated with a polymer coagulant that breaks up solids and flocculates the sludge particles. The flocculated sludge is then spread on a bed of filter plates. As the bed is being filled, the large coagulated sludge particles settle and water is drawn off by gravity. A vacuum is then applied to the bed and the sludge is rapidly dewatered. Upon completion of dewatering, front end loading equipment may be used to remove the dried sludge cake from the bed.