Abstract: The present invention relates to a flat gasket with filter elements. In order to fulfill the increased requirements with respect to cleanliness, there is an increased demand for the integration of filter elements in flat gaskets. The corresponding filter elements mainly serve for picking of impurities accrued during production as well as other residues circulate via the operational fluids, especially during the initial period of operation of an internal combustion engine or a vehicle.

Abstract: A water reclamation system includes a drainage lane overlaying a downward graded area of land and configured to receive water run-off from the land. At least one collection ditch coupled to the at least one drainage lane is configured to receive water from the drainage lane. At least one collection pipe housed is within and extends outwardly from the at least one collection ditch. A first container is coupled to the at least one collection pipe and configured to receive water from the at least one collection pipe. Housed within the first container is at least one water purifying filter and a pump configured to evacuate at least a portion of water within the container to a destination. A second container is in communication with the first container and is configured to: subject water received from the first container to a purification process; and store the purified water.

Abstract: A membrane is provided including a coating layer having cellulose nanofibers produced from oxidized cellulose microfibers and an electrospun substrate upon which the coating layer is applied. The nanofibers of the electrospun substrate have a diameter greater than that of the cellulose nanofibers. The membrane also has non-woven support upon which the electrospun substrate is disposed. Microfibers of the non-woven support have a diameter greater than that of the nanofibers of the electrospun substrate. Application of electrospun membrane is in microfiltration area, while the cellulose nanofiber membrane serves in ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis after chemical modification.

Abstract: An oil sludge mixing assembly replaces a screw driven oil sludge separator with a hydraulic mixing assembly. The assembly includes a chamber configured to hold a mixture comprising oil, water, and sludge in the interior space. An inlet is coupled to and extends into the chamber wherein the inlet is configured for passing the mixture into the interior space of the chamber. An outlet is coupled to and extends through the chamber wherein the outlet is configured for passing the mixture out of the interior space of the chamber. A housing is coupled to the chamber and an arm is extendably coupled to the housing. A paddle is coupled to the extendable arm such that the paddle is moved within the interior space by the arm for agitating the mixture in the interior space of the chamber and directing settled sludge to the outlet.

Abstract: A water collection structure comprises within it first and second sub-chambers and at least one water collection chamber. The first sub-chamber is at least partially bounded by a wall and has extending from it a water input guide configured and arranged to direct water toward a portion of the wall of the first sub-chamber. The second sub-chamber is open to the first sub-chamber and configured to accept a filter. The second sub-chamber is open to a conduit configured for the carriage of water from the second sub-chamber to an output port of the water collection tank. In use a filter disposed in the second sub-chamber preferentially filters water from the first sub-chamber such filtered water being deflected by the wall of the second sub-chamber to fall into the water collection chamber while the debris laden waste water falls out the lower part of the filter into the conduit.

Abstract: A heat exchanger that is constructed with a heat exchanger shell having inlet and outlet plenums and fluid inlet and outlet ports, and a tube sheet construction disposed in the heat exchanger shell. The tube sheet construction includes at least two separate tube sheets and a plurality of tubes that extend between the separate tube sheets. Each tube sheet includes at least two planar tube sheet segments and an interstitial layer disposed between the at least two tube sheet segments, and at least one sensor element supported by each of the interstitial layers. A control monitor controls flow through the shell by a feedback control from the sensor to an inlet control valve and/or a stimulus device excites the media layer.

Abstract: Water is supplied from a mains water supply station to a main supply conduit which feeds a plurality of regional supply networks, via respective pressure reducing valves, at respective regional pressures. Each regional supply network has a boundary value for a parameter related to a property of the water, which may be water pressure or concentration of a water treatment agent. Each network has a critical point at which the value of the parameter is deemed least acceptable. Water supply characteristics in respect of each regional supply network are monitored and the water supplied into the main supply conduit is processed to ensure acceptable values of the parameter are maintained at each critical point.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for removing particulate matter from a fluid, comprising a particle functionalized by attachment of at least one activating group or amine functional group, wherein the modified particle complexes with the particulate matter within the fluid to form a removable complex therein. The particulate matter has preferably been contacted, complexed or reacted with a tethering agent. The system is particularly advantageous to removing particulate matter from a fluid waste stream following mining or ore processing operations.

Abstract: Provided herein are controlled methods for producing biofuel and lipids from algae. In certain embodiments, the controlled methods comprise: (i) providing upwelled water in a body of water; (ii) culturing algae in the upwelled water; (iii) feeding the algae to planktivorious organisms; (iv) extracting lipids from the planktivorious organisms; and (v) polishing the lipids to make biofuel or other useful products. In certain embodiments, the upwelled water is provided in the body of water by using an open-cycle OTEC system. Also provided herein are controlled systems for producing biofuel and lipids from algae.

Abstract: A fluid delivery assembly for a shower includes a waterway assembly, a spray head, and a water treatment assembly. The spray head is configured to receive fluid from the waterway assembly and deliver fluid from an outlet. The water treatment assembly is configured to provide a treatment to the fluid of the waterway assembly.

Abstract: Shape memory actuators are utilized to controllably modify the permeability of fabric and fabric based articles. The SMA actuator operates by changing the geometric permeability or by modifying the weave permeability of the fabric based article, or one or more portions thereof. The invention further provides for applications of the controllable permeability fabric, which include by way of example, various parachute, sail, and filter embodiments.

Abstract: The described system and method for blood treatment are configured to detect at least two hemodynamic parameters, for example the blood pressure and the relative blood volume, during the blood treatment. At least two fuzzy modules receive measuring values of the hemodynamic parameters as input variables, wherein the output signals transmitted by the fuzzy modules are weighted by at least one weighting module. A setting means effectuates setting of at least one variable, for example an ultrafiltration rate, a dialysis fluid conductivity or a dialysis fluid temperature, in response to the output signal transmitted by the weighting module. In this way, e.g. threatening intradialytic hypotensive episodes can be detected and avoided. The system can be designed as a dialyzer for hemodialysis, hemofiltration or hemodiafiltration.

Abstract: The problem addressed by the present invention is to provide; solid solution pigment nanoparticles having a homogeneous solid solution ratio; a method for producing solid solution pigment nanoparticles having a homogeneous solid solution ratio in each primary particle; and a method for controlling the solid solution ratio of solid solution pigment nanoparticles. The solid solution pigment nanoparticles are prepared by precipitating at least two types of pigment by mixing a pigment precipitation solvent and; at least one type of pigment solution wherein at least two types of pigment are dissolved in a solvent: or at least two types of pigment solution wherein at least one type of pigment is dissolved in a solvent.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, compositions, and apparatuses for preventing the formation of scale in heap leach process solution distribution systems comprised of piping, spray nozzles, or emitter tubes. Solution distribution system components often become fouled by scale because of local hot spots more prone to form scale than other locations along the systems length. Positioning sensors that detect periods of high temperature stress and adjusting scale control reagent dosage to send the right amount to inhibit hot spot deposition allows for the control of scale without using wasteful excessive amounts of scale control reagents. This can vastly improve scale control performance under high temperature stress conditions while minimizing scale control reagent waste under less severe stress conditions to reduce the total operating cost of running heap leach mining operations which depend upon well-functioning solution distribution systems.

Abstract: A ballast water treatment device includes a ballast water treatment line, a pump for drawing and pressure feeding treatment target water, a filter, an ultraviolet reactor for irradiating filtrated treatment target water with ultraviolet, a ballast tank for storing treated water having been treated with ultraviolet, and an outboard discharger, and the pump, the filter, the ultraviolet reactor, the ballast tank, and the outboard discharger are provided on the ballast water treatment line. Treatment target water drawn for a predetermined period from start of drawing treatment target water is not caused to pass through the filter and the ultraviolet reactor but is discharged outboard by the outboard discharger, and discharging outboard by the outboard discharger is stopped at elapse of the predetermined period and treated water having been filtrated by the filter and having been treated with ultraviolet by the ultraviolet reactor is poured into the ballast tank.

Abstract: Processes for recovering an organic solvent extractant phase from a solid-stabilized emulsion formed in a hydrometallurgical solvent extraction circuit are disclosed. One such process includes mixing a de-emulsifier comprising an effective amount of a polymeric aggregating agent with the solid-stabilized emulsion, thereby separating the emulsion into its aqueous, organic, and solid phase components; and removing the organic solvent extractant phase from the other components, thereby recovering the organic solvent extractant phase from the solid-stabilized emulsion.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for characterizing metabolic profiles, phenotypic profiles and trait profiles in plants or groups of plants. Additionally, methods for establishing an unbiased model between a phenotypic profile and a metabolic profile, or between a trait profile and metabolic profile, are also provided by the invention. Further, methods for using such unbiased models to accurately predict the development of a phenotype of interest or a trait of interest in an independent, immature plant are also provided. In one embodiment, immature plants are selected for use based on their predicted development of a phenotype or trait of interest.

Abstract: Operation of an oil-water separator or other liquid mixture separator is monitored. The separator uses a vessel through which a mixture of different liquid components flows horizontally. A plurality of ultrasound transducers is provided on a wall of the vessel at different heights at a common stage along the direction of the horizontal flow. Ultrasound at a plurality of different ultrasound wavelengths is transmitted through the vessel between transducers and ultrasound arriving transducers is detected. Parameter values of a model are fitted to the detection. A model is used that relates height dependent properties of liquid in the vessel to properties of the detected ultrasound transmission between transceivers, the model comprising at least a fittable parameter of a height dependent droplet size distribution in a least a sub-range of a height of liquid in the vessel. The model relating the droplet size distribution to ultrasound wavelength dependence of the properties of ultrasound transmission.

Abstract: A canister assembly for use with a medical suction or aspiration device having a ball float assembly defined in the lid. The lid accepts a replaceable filter cartridge containing a filter element. The ball float engages the replaceable filter cartridge when the canister is near full.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for inhibiting scale formation or precipitate formation in oil field flow lines and processing equipment exposed to fluid containing components that form scale or precipitates on surfaces of oil field flow lines and processing equipment, especially in highly paraffinic crude oils, where the method and system include applying an electric field across the fluid flowing through a flow line, where the fluid includes a scale or precipitate inhibitor and where the fluid strength and the inhibitor concentration is sufficient to reduce or prevent scale or precipitant formation.