Abstract: A method is provided for producing intensified whole-cereal flour by means of pulsed electric fields in collaboration with ultrafine pulverization, which includes: (1) preparing bran, middling and flour by cleaning, modulating and milling cereal grains; (2) performing superfine pulverization on the bran and the middling and performing sieving; (3) preparing a suspension by using water and the sieved bran and middling, and stirring constantly; (4) adding polysaccharide colloids into the suspension, and adjusting the pH to 4.0; (5) performing high-voltage pulse treatment on the suspension to ensure stable flow of the suspension; (6) centrifuging the suspension to separate the supernatant, and drying the obtained precipitate and performing sieving to obtain the treated bran and middling; and (7) mixing the treated bran and middling with flour uniformly to obtain whole-cereal flour.

Abstract: [Problems] An object of the present invention is to provide an electret with an initial increased electrostatic charge quantity and suppressed attenuation of electrostatic charge to liquid particles. [Means for solving] The electret is obtained by depositing polytetrafluoroethylene having a melting point of 35° C. or higher and 320° C. or lower on a carrier and imparting an electrostatic charge to at least one of the carrier and the polytetrafluoroethylene.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing dielectrophoresis are described. The devices contain sample channel which is separated by physical barriers from electrode channels which receive electrodes. The devices and methods may be used for the separation and analysis of particles in solution, including the separation and isolation of cells of a specific type. As the electrodes do not make contact with the sample, electrode fouling is avoided and sample integrity is better maintained.

Abstract: Devices and methods to remove ferromagnetic particles from a liquid. The device generally includes a container that may include an inlet for the introduction of the liquid and ferromagnetic materials and an outlet from which the cleaned liquid flows from the container. A magnet may be positioned in the container and is configured to attract the ferromagnetic materials. The magnet may be further configured to move and to release the materials into a collection basin. The ferromagnetic material may be removed from the collection basin with the cleaned liquid being moved through the outlet.

Abstract: A system for converting contaminated water, such as produced water, frack flow back water, and other contaminated water from industrial sources into fresh, non-contaminated, or potable water includes a registration and verification unit for registering intake water loads and verifying their content; a receiving system for temporarily isolating each load; an equalization basin for creating an homogenized water source; an electro-coagulation unit in which one or more of the voltage, current, pulse frequency and application time are variable and controlled by one or more of a conductivity sensor; a pH sensor; a level sensor; an ultrafiltration unit for removing organics; a nanofiltration unit; a reverse osmosis unit, and an electrodyalisis unit. The processed concentrate remaining after the water is converted is dewatered via a forward osmosis unit.

Abstract: An electrostatic coalescer for coalescing of a dispersed phase from a continuous phase in an emulsion is presented. The electrostatic coalescer includes at least one inlet for receiving the emulsion; at least one outlet for discharging the emulsion after coalescing the dispersed phase; and at least one electrode disposed between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the electrode is configured to receive an AC voltage/current from a power source. The electrostatic coalescer further includes at least one article disposed between the inlet and the outlet, the article includes a plurality of regions disposed on a surface in a predefined pattern, wherein a portion of the plurality of regions is substantially wetting with respect to the dispersed phase, and a portion of the plurality of regions is substantially non-wetting with respect to the dispersed phase.

Abstract: System and methods are disclosed for filtering wastewater. In one embodiment, a water filtering system comprises a first filtering stage and a second filtering stage. The first filtering stage receives a flow of wastewater, and uses electrocoagulation to separate suspended particles from the wastewater and produce filtered wastewater. The second filtering stage receives the filtered wastewater from the first filtering stage, and uses mechanical filtering to remove suspended particles from the filtered wastewater and produce filtered water that is substantially free from suspended particles.

Abstract: A device and a method are provided for isolating a fraction in a biological sample. The fraction is bound to solid phase substrate to define a fraction-bound solid phase substrate. The device includes an input zone for receiving the biological sample therein and a second zone for receiving an isolation fluid therein. A force is provided that is generally perpendicular to gravity. The force is movable between a first position adjacent the input zone and a second position adjacent the isolation zone. The force captures the fraction-bound solid phase substrate and the fraction-bound solid phase substrate moves from the input zone to the isolation zone in response to the force moving from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A device for determining the conductance of laundry in a drier. The device comprises at least two electrodes and means for dissipating heat from at least one part of at least one of said electrodes. The invention further relates to a drier comprising at least one area for receiving laundry and at least two electrodes for measuring the conductance of the laundry, at least one of the electrodes at least partly bordering said receiving area. Means for cooling at least one part of at least one of the electrodes are also provided inside the drier. Also disclosed is a method for preventing the formation of layers on electrodes used for measuring conductance in a drier.

Abstract: A device for determining the conductance of laundry in a drier. The device comprises at least two electrodes (2) and means for dissipating heat from at least one part of at least one of said electrodes (2). The invention further relates to a drier comprising at least one area (5) for receiving laundry and at least two electrodes (2) for measuring the conductance of the laundry, at least one of the electrodes (2) at least partly bordering said receiving area (5). Means for cooling at least one part of at least one of the electrodes (2) are also provided inside the drier. Also disclosed is a method for preventing the formation of layers on electrodes (2) used for measuring conductance in a drier.

Abstract: A compact desalting system for use in a process of desalting crude oil comprises a plurality of separation stages. Each separation stage includes a compact electrostatic coalescer (42, 62) for coalescing water droplets carried with the crude oil and settling means (91, 92; 95, 96) for settling separated oil and coalesced water droplets. The system includes a vessel (46) comprising a plurality of compartments containing the settling means and the compact electrostatic coalescers are each mounted in a housing on top of the vessel.

Abstract: Electromechanical filtering unit having a conduit capable of conducting electricity, at least one first electrode connectable to a high voltage power supply (EHT) and at least one second electrode having a plurality of discrete openings which is earthed. The electrodes are positioned within the conduit and connected to the conduit such that electricity can pass between the electrodes via the conduit.

Abstract: A method of removing particulate solids from an oil based drilling or completion fluid (1) is disclosed. The method involves exposing the fluid to an electric field to electrically migrate particulate solids suspended therein, and collecting the migrated particulate solids to remove them from the fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for contaminant separation utilizes an interleaved array of oppositely charged electrode plates for fluid treatment. Spacing between the parallel electrode plates is graduated so that the volume of the cavities between the opposing electrodes provides varying levels of treatment of a broad range of contaminants from a variety of fluid columns. A fluid flow path extending substantially orthogonal to the direction of the electrical field established between opposing electrode plates provides a feed stream with exposure to the varying levels of electrical charges between the electrode plates. The method and apparatus provide an effective means of contaminant separation by a device having a small footprint and requiring low amounts of electrical energy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for contaminant separation utilizes an interleaved array of oppositely charged electrode plates for fluid treatment. Spacing between the parallel electrode plates is graduated so that the volume of the cavities between the opposing electrodes provides varying levels of treatment of a broad range of contaminants from a variety of fluid columns. A fluid flow path extending substantially orthogonal to the direction of the electrical field established between opposing electrode plates provides a feed stream with exposure to the varying levels of electrical charges between the electrode plates. The method and apparatus provide an effective means of contaminant separation by a device having a small footprint and requiring low amounts of electrical energy.

Abstract: A system and method for treating and removing hydrocarbon and other contaminants in bilge and ballast water, utilizing a multiple progressive process that chemically and electrically treats-and removes contaminants. Wastewater, received by a sump, is transmitted to a holding tank and treated, over a period of time while-influent wastewater continues off loading. The wastewater is pumped to an oil/water separator tank that decants free-floating oil from the wastewater to an oil retention tank. The wastewater then undergoes an electrocoagulation process where emulsions are broken and compounds that further aid treatment are created. The treated water flows to a retention/separation tank where contaminant particles coalesce and separate. Water is decanted and transferred to a clean water holding tank through an ozone injection system and an activated carbon filter. Treated water is recirculated until it exits the system meeting discharge limits for organics and metals allowing release into the environment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for contaminant separation utilizes an interleaved array of oppositely charged electrode plates for fluid treatment. Spacing between the parallel electrode plates is graduated so that the volume of the cavities between the opposing electrodes provides varying levels of treatment of a broad range of contaminants from a variety of fluid columns. A fluid flow path extending substantially orthogonal to the direction of the electrical field established between opposing electrode plates provides a feed stream with exposure to the varying levels of electrical charges between the electrode plates. The method and apparatus provides an effective means of contaminant separation by a device having a small footprint and requiring low amounts of electrical energy.

Abstract: A method and a reactor for electrochemical conversion of a material (21) being insoluble in a fluid into a material being soluble in the fluid, which method comprises that a flow of the fluid is passed to a reaction zone which comprises an internal circuit consisting of: one or more working electrodes (12), one or more counter-electrodes (13), and one or more ion-selective electrolytes (11), and which internal circuit is applied with an electrical voltage difference sufficient for the electrochemical processes; and use thereof for removal of soot particles from flue gasses and removal of oil in waste water.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus for removing particles from a nonconductive liquid, including: first sensing apparatus to sense a first net electrostatic charge on the particles in the liquid and to provide a first output signal indicative of the first net electrostatic charge; control and power apparatus to receive the first output signal; charging apparatus connected to the control and power apparatus to provide positive and negative electrostatic charging potentials to the particles; mixing apparatus connected to the charging apparatus to receive the liquid therefrom and to permit oppositely charged and noncharged ones of the particles to flocculate; and separating apparatus to remove flocculated particles from the liquid.

Abstract: An electrostatic filter utilizes two separate filter cartridges in a parallel flow configuration with respect to incoming dielectric fluid containing particulates. Each cartridge is connected to opposite sides of a high voltage power supply, resulting in the electrodes contained in one of the cartridges having an opposite polarity than the electrodes contained in the other cartridge. This, in turn, results in having the fluid borne particulates exiting one cartridge being charged oppositely to those exiting the other. The fluid streams exiting the two cartridges are joined together, allowing the particulates to flocculate. These larger groupings of particulates may then be mechanically filtered in a third cartridge. The parallel flow configuration results in an electrostatic filter that is relatively insensitive to water contained in the dielectric fluid.

Abstract: A method is provided to remove metals from a residual oil containing an initial amount of a selected metal, the method comprising the steps of:providing a vessel for exposing the residual oil to a DC electric field having a strength of about one kV/inch or greater,passing the residual oils through the vessel whereby at least ten percent by weight of the initial amount of the selected metal is removed by attraction to an electrode; andpassing the residual oil that has been passed through the vessel over a hydrodemetalization catalyst in the presence of hydrogen. Metal containing particles and other toluene insoluble organic and inorganic solids are effectively removed from residual oil streams by treatment with a DC electrical field prior to hydrodemetalization resulting in significant increases in useful lives for downstream hydrodemetalization catalyst.