Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a continuous membrane separator bypass system and a continuous filtration separator system and methods of using the systems in the separation of liquid-liquid mixtures and filtration of process liquids. The methods and apparatus are useful for the production of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals, particularly using Integrated Continuous Manufacturing (ICM), but can also be integrated with other manufacturing processes, such as batch and semi-continuous processes.

Abstract: Systems and methods can support an autonomous pool skimming system. The pool skimming system may have a body with two or more hulls. Two or more paddlewheels may be coupled to the body. An independent motor may drive each paddlewheel. The motors may be independently controllable to support steering. The pool skimming system may have one or more processing units, two or more distance sensors, one or more solar cells, and a power supply operable to power the processing units and the motors from energy supplied by the solar cells. One or more processing modules may configure the processing units to plan and execute a traversal path across the surface of a body of water, such as a swimming pool, to collect debris into a removable basket. A portion of the traversal path may be established according to signals from distance sensors.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and devices for treating water, wastewater, and organic wastes. The methods and devices are mixed by using hydraulic surge mixers. This surge mixer is driven by gas and can provide occasional surges of water using large bubbles which are able to move great volume of liquid while minimizing dissolved oxygen transfer to the surrounding liquid. Use of the devices and processes herein provides a simple, eloquent approach to water and wastewater treatment with less operation and maintenance costs than conventional devices and/or processes. The same surge lifting device can also be installed in other reactors to mix the tank content and enhance reaction with reduced energy use and maintenance needs.

Abstract: A sanitary insert, which is arranged in a water line, is provided. The sanitary insert includes a mixing device with at least one throttling or closing element, which can be moved under the pressure of the inflowing water from a mixing or open position into a throttling or closed position against a restoring force. The mixing device offers a relatively large clear flow cross section when the at least one throttling or closing element in the mixing or open position, and, by contrast thereto, a reduced clear flow cross section when the at least one throttling or closing element is in the throttling or closed position. The installation element always offers an optimum flow cross section both in low and high pressure ranges.

Abstract: A water purifier comprising: a filter unit comprising at least one filter filtering water to generate purified water; a flow rate sensor measuring a flow rate of the water; a concentrated water channel discharging concentrated water, having been filtered by the filter unit; an extraction unit extracting the purified water; a flow rate control valve controlling a flow rate of purified water; an opening and closing degree measurement unit, measuring a degree of opening and closing of the flow rate control valve; a concentrated water ratio calculation unit, calculating a ratio between purified water and concentrated water, according to the degree of opening and closing of the flow rate control valve; and a controller, using the flow rate of water and the calculated ratio between purified water and concentrated water, to calculate amounts of water used, integrating the calculated amounts of water, and calculating a lifespan (remaining life) of the filter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drum filter for water filtration and method therefor. The drum filter comprises: a housing; a filter drum arranged in the housing and comprising a filter surface, wherein the filter drum is rotatable around a shaft; an inlet for supplying water for filtering to an outward facing side of the filter surface for the purpose of collecting fouling on the filter surface; an outlet for discharging filtered water; and a sprayer for spraying clean the filter surface, wherein the sprayer is configured to spray substantially transversely over the outward facing side of the filter surface.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a screen of a rotary screen separator for processing feed material comprising liquids and solids has a housing, an air source, and a conduit system. The housing defines at least one housing chamber, at least one inlet opening, and at least one outlet slot. The conduit system is operatively connected between the inlet opening of the housing and the air source. Air flows from the air source through conduit system, through the inlet opening, into the housing chamber, and out of the housing chamber through the at least one outlet slot in at least one air flow stream extending along a flow plane. The housing is arranged relative to the screen of the rotatory screen separator such that the air flow stream impinges on the screen to remove debris from the screen.

Abstract: A system to increase the water recovery ratio and efficiently save water in a water treatment and delivery system, particularly for a water treatment system that may be used for water softening, and more particularly for a water treatment system that employs capacitive deionization technology. Stored product water is delivered without the implementation of an additional pump, and the stored product water is used to recover water in a storage tank without having to send water to drain.

Abstract: A method and a device for cleaning a fluid is provided, the device including a housing having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, and a slide mechanism which is movable in the housing and has at least one passage having at least two filters lying substantially symmetrically opposite each other, wherein starting from the housing inlet the fluid flows symmetrically onto the filters in the passage and downstream of the filters is directed to the outlet of the housing, wherein a part of the fluid that does not flow through the passage forms a hydrodynamic buffer in a gap between the slide mechanism and the housing, wherein the passage opens out into at least two symmetrically opposite sub-channels of the outlet and at least four flushing flows are generated in the gap between at least two inlet mouths and at least two outlet mouths of the passage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tubular filter element 3 configured to filter fluid by allowing the fluid to pass therethrough from the inside to the outside, and to be backwashed by allowing the fluid to pass therethrough from the outside to the inside. The filter element 3 includes: a tubular filter member 31; first and second end members 32 and 33 having openings and respectively provided at first and second ends of the filter member 31; and a trapped object remover 34 provided in the interior of the filter member 31, and movable by the fluid flow while its outer periphery slides in contact with the inner periphery of the filter member 31 to remove trapped objects. A flow rate restricting means for restricting the fluid flow rate through the second end member 33 is provided on the second end side of the filter member 31.

Abstract: Granular polysilicon is fed into a screening plant, divided into two or more fractions by means of one or more screen surfaces, and thereby classified and dedusted wherein a throwing motion of the granular polysilicon in the screening plant removes adhering dust particles from the granular polysilicon, the removed dust particles are taken off from the screening plant by means of a gas flow supplied to the screening plant, and the screening plant is of gas-tight design and supply and takeoff of the gas flow are effected such that the screening plant is at a positive pressure compared to the surroundings.

Abstract: A non-chemical sanitation system for a body of water comprises a floating base, an internal hydro-electric power generator, and one or more sanitizing mechanisms electrically powered by the hydro-electric power generator, where the hydro-electric power generator derives its energy from water pressure produced by a pool pump. In some embodiments, the one or more non-chemical sanitizing mechanisms comprise one or more ultraviolet LED lights. In some embodiments, the one or more non-chemical sanitizing mechanisms comprise one or more ionizers. In some embodiments, the system is connected to a filter pipe and filter of a pool and the hydro-electric power generator is placed within the path of water flowing to the pool filter in order to generate power and power the one or more sanitizing mechanisms.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis membrane filtering device includes: a water-collecting member including at least one water collecting pipe, and having a plurality of sections each of which has a plurality of water collecting apertures; at least one filter assembly disposed around the plurality of sections, the at least one filter assembly including a filter member including a reverse osmosis membrane; at least one insertion tube disposed inside the water-collecting member and defining a plurality of permeate-water channels corresponding to the plurality of sections inside the water-collecting member in cooperation with at least one seal member; and a pressure adjusting device configured to increase a pressure of at least one of the plurality of permeate-water channels to a pressure higher than that of another one of the plurality of permeate-water channels.

Abstract: Contaminants present inside an ultrapure water production system are prevented from being fed into a feed pipe connected to a water use point and, after sterilization cleaning, the system is prevented from being contaminated by contaminants captured on a microparticle removal membrane during sterilization cleaning. Ultrapure water having high quality is thereby fed to a water use point within a short period of time. An ultrapure water production system is provided with a tank, a pump, a heat exchanger, an ultraviolet device, an ion-exchange device, a first microparticle removal membrane device, and a second microparticle removal membrane device. Parts of sterilization water and flush water are fed into the first microparticle removal membrane device and discharged from a feedwater-side potion to a concentrated-water-side portion without permeating through a microparticle removal membrane thereof, and the remaining part of the water is passed through the second microparticle removal membrane device.

Abstract: The disclosed technology regards a wet dust extractor system with a water/solids separator for filtering slurry from the extractor into residue cakes and filtrate water, and related methods of removing dust from an industrial environment and dewatering resulting sludge. The wet dust extractor system has an air inlet, an impeller fan, and an extraction panel. Water is injected at the inlet of the fan impeller, where it is spun with the incoming dust laden air; the resulting slurry then passes to the extraction panel, which removes the slurry from the system by means of a discharge sump. The slurry then is pumped or otherwise delivered to the separator for filtering slurry into residue cakes and filtrate water. The separator includes a frame supporting a plurality of rollers supporting a filter media belt, a plurality of blades and wipers for cleaning the rollers and removing excess filtrate water and cake material, and an inlet water manifold to distribute slurry water uniformly on the filter media belt.

Abstract: The present disclosure proposes a charging circuit and a mobile terminal. The charging circuit includes: a first circuit, coupled to a charging port, to draw DC power signal, and convert the DC power signal into AC power signal; a second circuit, coupled to the battery, configured to receive the AC power signal from the first circuit, and convert the AC power signal into DC power signal for charging the battery; a capacitance coupling component, coupled between the first circuit and the second circuit. The capacitance coupling component is configured to block DC power signal from the first circuit. That is, the DC power signal fails to pass through the first circuit. Thus, the DC power signal flowing through the charging port does not flow to the second circuit and the battery directly when the first circuit malfunctions. Accordingly, the stability of the charging circuit is enhanced.

Abstract: A wash fluid and debris containment system includes a wash pad, a collecting trough, and a conveyor. The wash pad includes a support base and a top surface that rests on the support base. The top surface is configured to direct flow of wash fluid and debris to an edge of the top surface. The collecting trough extends along the edge to receive the wash fluid and debris from the top surface. The conveyor is positioned in at least a portion of the collecting trough and operable to remove the debris from an opposite end of the collecting trough from where the wash fluid is removed.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for using multiple acoustic resonators to sample fluids (gas or liquids), capture particulate (or aerosols) entrained in the fluid, and deliver a concentrated sample of particulate. The acoustic concentrator demonstrates many improvements over prior art that includes improved concentration of particulate below 3 micron, adjustability of the level of concentration, ability to function over a wide range of humidity and temperature, and reduced overall power consumption. For example, when installed on the inlet of an aerosol detection system, the acoustic concentrator has been shown to increase sensitivity that may lead to earlier detection of bioaerosol agents.

Abstract: A filter device has filter elements (23) received in a filter housing (1) with a filter inlet (19) and a filter outlet (21). Flow passes through the filter elements (23) for a filtration or backwash in both directions. At least one filter element (23) performs the filtration. At least one other filter element (23), for cleaning off its active filter surface, can be backwashed by a backwash appliance. For supporting the backwashing, the appliance contains a pressure control (43) having a pressure control element (45). During a backwash operation, the fluid flow is controllable in a fluid connection between filter inlet (19) and the filter element (23) that is to be cleaned off. The fluid connection has a connection space (29) having element openings (27), each of which can be connected to an open end of the filter cavity forming the unfiltered side of each filter element (23). A fluid pathway (27) is provided via which, during the filtration, unfiltrate flows into the connection space (29).

Abstract: A system for filtering produced fluid from a wellbore comprises a filter system, a solids collection vessel in fluid communication with a drain in the filter system, and a fluid line coupled to the solids collection vessel. The filter system comprises a housing defining a chamber, a filtration device disposed within the chamber, a fluid inlet disposed in the housing and configured to receive a fluid comprising suspended solids into an inlet portion, a fluid outlet disposed in the housing and configured to pass the fluid out of the housing from an outlet portion, and a drain in fluid communication with a lower portion of the housing and configured to pass at least a portion of the suspended solids out of the inlet portion of the housing.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cleaning apparatus for a radiation source assembly in a fluid treatment system. The clean apparatus comprises a cleaning sleeve moveable to remove fouling materials from an exterior portion of the radiation source assembly, the cleaning sleeve comprising at least one chamber for receiving a cleaning fluid and a cleaning sleeve inlet in fluid communication with the at least one chamber and a first conduit element for conveying the cleaning fluid to the cleaning sleeve inlet, the first conduit element being configured such that a distal portion of the first conduit element is in fluid communication with the cleaning sleeve inlet and a proximal portion of the first conduit element is disposed outside of fluid being treated in the fluid treatment system.

Abstract: A pressure actuation enabling method includes plugging a passage that fluidically connects an inside with an outside of a tubular with a plug, building differential pressure across the plug, actuating an actuator with the differential pressure and removing the plug.

Abstract: An electronic arrangement for analyzing fluid flow, includes a measuring entity for obtaining indications of power or energy consumption associated with fluid flow relative to a predetermined element, at multiple time instants, during measurement periods, each measurement period occurring between similar subsequent maintenance operations affecting the energy consumption of the element, wherein the measurement indications for the period are utilized for modeling, with reference to the true operating time of the element and excluding non-operating time potentially between active periods, a modeling entity for maintaining a regression model constructed based on indications for measurement periods, the model including a response variable for providing an indication of power or energy consumption during a measurement period and an explanatory variable for representing time, and wherein the model regarding the previous measurement period between the second-last maintenance and the last maintenance is taken as a sta

Abstract: The process includes operation as follows: putting ozone generated by an ozone generator into raw water, in a normal mode, to subject the raw water to ozone treatment; injecting a flocculant into the raw water before or after the ozone treatment; filtering the raw water by a separation membrane after the ozone treatment and the injection of the flocculant; and intermittently setting cleaning mode to put a larger quantity of cleaning ozone than that in the normal mode into the raw water so as to intermittently increase the concentration of dissolved ozone, thereby cleaning the filtration membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for purifying liquid. The apparatus comprises an air-tight container (301) and a heater (305). The air-tight container is configured to store the liquid, wherein at least a portion of the container consists of a filter membrane (303). The heater is configured to heat the liquid such that the liquid is driven out of the container through the filter membrane. The heater can actively increase the pressure in the container by heating the liquid and/or gas in the container. Sometimes, a portion of the liquid stored in the air-tight container may be vaporized, which increases the pressure in the container as well. Under the increased pressure, the liquid can be easily driven out of the container while being purified via the filter membrane. Since the filtration is actively driven by heating, the filtration efficiency of the apparatus can be controlled and improved according to various applications.

Abstract: A filter device purifies fluids, especially fuels contaminated with organic substances. Hydroxyl radicals are formed from water molecules contained in the fluids by a separating device (10, 14, 22). The hydroxyl radicals oxidize the impurities, especially organic substances, as much as possible and convert them into compounds such as CO2.

Abstract: A purification apparatus comprising a filtration unit comprising filtration screens, a disinfection unit comprising a source of disinfecting light and a passage for filtrate from the filtration unit to the disinfection unit. The filtration unit may be selected from at least one static drum, at least one rotating drum, and at least one filter pack. Louver vanes or baffles may be used in the passage to create turbulence and direct flow. A process for removing particulate matter and disinfecting a process flow comprises the steps of filtering the process flow to remove particulate matter, directing the filtrate to a source of disinfection light while creating turbulence in the filtrate and disinfecting the filtrate.

Abstract: A membrane separation device includes a separation membrane immersed in water to be treated and an air diffusion device positioned below the separation membrane, and provides treated water that has permeated through the separation membrane while diffusing air from the air diffusion device towards the separation membrane. A target value setting step sets a target value of an amount of diffusion air diffused from the air diffusion device based on a transmembrane pressure difference, and the air diffusion device is controlled such that the amount of the diffusion air becomes the target value. In the target value setting step, an absolute value of a change or a rate of change in the target value for increasing the amount of the air diffusion is set greater than an absolute value of a change or a rate of change in the target value for decreasing the amount of the air diffusion.

Abstract: A separation apparatus using a membrane for diafiltration, which provides precise fractionation of a target substance by monitoring and regulating permeability of the target substance based on measurement values and analytical values indicating separation status, such as physical values and concentration of a permeate liquid, a circulating liquid and an internal circulating liquid in a membrane device. A diafiltration process including adding a cleaning liquid to an treating liquid which contains multiple target substances and extracting a target substance into the permeate liquid supplied from a membrane separation apparatus to fractionate the target substance from other target substances remaining in a residual liquid.

Abstract: A method and system for treating oilfield produced water is disclosed. The method includes passing oilfield produced water through a chain of filters, first filter configured to filter particles of a size larger than 10 ?m from the water, a second filter configured to filter remaining particles of a size larger than 2 ?m from the water and a third filter configured to filter remaining particles of a size larger than 0.5 ?m from the water and automatically cleaning at least one of the filters.

Abstract: A method for removing residual filter cakes that remain adhered to a filter after typical particulate removal methodologies have been employed, such as pulse-jet filter element cleaning, for all cleanable filters used for air pollution control, dust control, or powder control.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recess plate for a membrane filter device, the filter device having a stack of essentially identical recess plates, the recess plates having recesses, and the recesses forming filter chambers between adjacent recess plates of the stack, into which filter chambers a suspension can be supplied on a cake side of the filter cloth, and the suspension can permeate the filter cloth to a filtrate side thereof, such that a solid content of the suspension deposits on the filter cloth as a filter cake, each filter chamber having a moveable membrane, the membrane and the recess plate enclosing a squeezing chamber, the recess plate having an inlet duct for inserting a pressurizing medium into the squeezing chamber, for mechanical pressing out the respective filter cake. The invention further relates to a method for detecting membrane leakage in such membrane filter device.

Abstract: A rotating screen has one or more panels arranged into a cylinder, or drum. The panels have openings in a micro-screening range, for example 100 microns or less. Wastewater to be screened is fed to the interior of the drum. The drum rotates constantly but the rotation may be discontinuous and the speed of rotation may be variable. The drum may be cleaned by an air knife. If the wastewater contains oil and grease, a short hot water spray may be provided before cleaning with the air knife. Optionally, an internal auger conveys solids down the length of the drum to an outlet. The rotating screen may be used for primary treatment of wastewater. The rotating screen may be used produce screenings with a dried solids concentration of 5% or more, for example 6-7%. The primary sludge may be treated in an anaerobic digester.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering dry film solvent includes a hollow vessel having a side wall, an open top end and a second end that includes a main outlet that allows fluid to flow out of a hollow interior of the vessel. A removable cover closes off the open top end of the vessel. The apparatus also includes at least one fluid inlet port formed along the side wall of the vessel and defining an entrance into the hollow interior of the vessel and at least one fluid outlet port formed along the side wall of the vessel and defining an exit from the hollow interior of the vessel. A removable filter member is disposed within the hollow interior and is defined by a frame and filter media that extends across the frame such fluid flowing into the hollow interior through the main inlet must flow through the filter media to reach the main outlet. The filter media is disposed at an angle other than 90 degrees relative to the frame of the filter member.

Abstract: A deep fat fryer with continuous oil filtering and purging of sediments therefrom during uninterrupted fryer operation is provided. The filter includes a cylindrical hollow housing with a first end and a second end and a hollow cylindrical screen with a longitudinal axis and first and second ends. The screen is disposed coaxially within the hollow housing to define an annulus therebetween. A piston mounted within the screen and reciprocatingly movable along the longitudinal axis between the first and second ends of the screen. A pump, seal, and associate motor are provided to provide continuous oil flow through the filter and the remainder of the fryer. A heat exchanger is provided downstream of the pump to transfer heat from the fryer to the oil flowing through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A vertically oriented vessel has a swirl plate spiraling around its inner wall surface. A nozzle injects unclean liquid onto the lower surface of the swirl plate for deflection of liquid down towards the bottom of the vessel to generate a liquid vortex flowing causing particulates to precipitate. Above the swirl plate, a preferably cylindrical filter element that filters out particulates is cleaned periodically The filter rotates on a shaft so a high pressure sprays of clean process liquid from an array of nozzles juxtaposed with the filter cleans the filter surface as particulates are flushed from the vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering a material from a medium includes a first housing having a wall with a plurality of openings formed therein, a conveyor disposed in the housing for moving the material therealong, and a conduit line communicating with the interior of the housing for supplying the medium to the apparatus. At least one of the first housing and the conveyor rotate relative to a central axis to direct the medium toward the wall so as to separate the material from the medium. A method for filtering a material from a medium includes supplying the medium to a first housing, spinning the medium within the housing, passing the medium through a wall of the housing to separate the material from the medium, moving the material along the housing, introducing a fluid into the material within the housing, and washing the material using the fluid.

Abstract: A spiral wound element and a seal assembly comprising: a ring-shaped seal disposed about a portion of an outer periphery of the element, a secondary pathway and a valve that selectively permits fluid flow through the secondary pathway.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a membrane (6) in a membrane filtration system by flowing gas bubbles past the surfaces of the membrane (6) to scour accumulated solids therefrom. The method includes flowing a liquid past a supply of gas; creating a reduced pressure within the liquid flow to cause a flow of gas from the supply of gas (9) into the liquid flow and form gas bubbles therein and then flowing the liquid containing the gas bubbles past the surfaces of the membrane (6) to scour the surfaces thereof. Apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of purifying impure water contaminated with a filterable impurity and a dissolved impurity, such as seawater, comprising the steps of: providing impure water to a primary microfiltration or ultrafiltration unit to remove the filterable impurity and produce impure filtered water contaminated with a dissolved impurity; providing the impure filtered water contaminated with a dissolved impurity to a reverse osmosis unit to produce a potable water stream and a residual reverse osmosis stream; and treating the residual reverse osmosis stream prior to reuse. The treatment may be in the form of passing through a secondary filter (such as another microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane or a cartridge filter, and the subsequently treated reverse osmosis reject may be used to backwash the microfiltration or ultrafiltration unit.

Abstract: An apparatus according to the present invention includes a pump for pressurizing tap water, a reverse osmosis membrane for separating the pressurized tap water into waste water containing contaminant and filtered water and a tank for storing filtered water. Waste water is disposed through a first flow channel and a second flow channel mounted in parallel. The apparatus according to the present invention further includes a flow rate control unit having a flow rate control valve provided in the first flow channel to control flow rate of waste water flowing through the flow channel, a flow channel open/close valve provided in the second flow channel for opening/closing thereof, and a control device for controlling opening/closing the flow channel open/close valve.

Abstract: A water treatment system including a reverse osmosis module and a control valve controlling communication between a water source and the module. A feedwater biased storage tank stores permeate and its pressurization by feedwater is controlled by a feedwater control valve. Flow of signal pressure to a signal pressure chamber of the feedwater control valve is restricted to reduce the rate at which a fluid generated force is applied. A check valve in parallel with the restriction allows relatively unrestricted flow out of the signal chamber when signal pressure is terminated. A tank pressurization control valve controls the operation of the feedwater control valve and controls the pressurization of a feedwater biasing chamber in the storage tank. Per-meate is stored in an accumulator for flushing the reverse osmosis module when the storage tank reaches a predetermined limit. Cleaning substances or additives can be introduced into the system.

Abstract: Plant for desalinating water of a water supply system, which comprises one or more tanks for accumulating water (2) in an immiscible manner, in order to store a softened supply thereof, provided with a first inlet connection (3) and with a first outlet connection (4) respectively connected to a feeding pipe (5) connected to the water supply system (50) and to an extraction pipe (6) for supplying users. The plant (1) also comprises a filtering unit (10) for water softening, for example obtained with a flow-through condenser (10?) or with a reverse osmosis membrane filter (10?), connected in parallel to the tank (2) with second inlet connection (1 1) and second outlet connection (12) respectively hydraulically connected to the first inlet connection (3) and to the first outlet connection (4) of the tank (2).

Abstract: A system for producing high purity water, and particularly for the production of water that is suitable for injection, as well as method of using the same, are disclosed. The system includes a unique combination of known water purification methods that is particularly well-suited to the production USP purified water and USP water that is suitable for injection. The system minimizes potential for organism growth within the system by providing multiple means of organism destruction and removal and by not utilizing any standard water treatment media.

Abstract: Disclosed are hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems including fluid flow circuits. Hemodialysis systems may include a blood flow path, and a dialysate flow path including balancing, mixing, and/or a directing circuits. Preparation of dialysate may be decoupled from patient dialysis. Circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuit and/or the various fluid flow paths may be isolated from electrical components. A gas supply may be provided that, when activated, is able to urge dialysate through the dialyzer and blood back to the patient. Such a system may be useful during a power failure. The hemodialysis system may also include fluid handling devices, such as pumps, valves, mixers, etc., actuated using a control fluid. The control fluid may be delivered to the fluid handling devices using a detachable external pump. The fluid handling devices may have a spheroid shape with a diaphragm dividing it into two compartments.

Abstract: An automatic filtering system for filtering a cooking medium in a fryer, includes a frypot; a filter manifold having removable filter; a pump, that supplies cooking medium from the filter manifold to the frypot; a pressure sensor that senses a pressure of the cooking medium supplied by the pump; and a controlling mechanism that controls an operation of the pump in response to the sensed pressure data. The control mechanism halts the operation of the pump after sensing a drop in the pressure of the cooking medium pressure that is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure drop threshold. The systems and methods of the invention provide automatic filtering that may reduce or eliminate an incorrect refilling operation after the filtering of cooking medium, so that the filtering process may be performed correctly each time.

Abstract: An autonomous filter device and a method for improving the filter life and performance is disclosed. The filter element is equipped with one or more sensors, adapted to measure one or more characteristics. In response to the measured characteristic, the control logic within the filter element is able to determine an appropriate response. For example, the control logic may determine that a sudden, but temporary, blockage has occurred in the filter membrane. In response, the control logic may initiate a specific response designed to alleviate the blockage. The control logic will then determine the success of the response, based monitoring any change in the fluid characteristics. Based thereon, the control logic may alert the operator that the filter element must be replaced. Alternatively, if the response was successful in correcting the blockage, the control logic need not notify the operator, as the filter element is back to normal operating operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a screen changer in a system that processes flowable plastic. The screen changer includes an element, such as a portafilter, that is movable between two positions; two hydraulic pumps that effect position change of the screen changer; and a motor that operates both pumps. One pump provides greater flow volume and the other provides a lower flow volume, but with greater pressure. A non-return valve in the supply line to the hydraulic cylinder controls flow to the cylinder that moves the movable element between positions. The volume pump is used to move the movable element when resistance to movement of the screen is low and the high-pressure pump to move the element when resistance is high. The non-return valve selectively enables or interrupts flow from the pumps to the hydraulic cylinder. The screen changer allows use of a non-pressurized hydraulic fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a membrane surface immersed in a liquid medium with a fluid flow, including the steps of providing a randomly generated intermittent or pulsed fluid flow along the membrane surface to dislodge fouling materials therefrom. A membrane module is also disclosed comprising a plurality of porous membranes (6) or a set of membrane modules (5) and a device (11) for providing a generally randomly generated, pulsed fluid flow such that, in use, said fluid flow moves past the surfaces of said membranes (6) to dislodge fouling materials therefrom.

Abstract: In accordance with aspects and embodiments, a filtration system is provided comprising a membrane module comprising an upper header and a lower header, a plurality of hollow fiber membranes having an upper end potted in the upper header and a lower end potted in the lower head, a cage at least partially surrounding the plurality of hollow fiber membranes, and a screen in contact with and surrounding the cage, the filtration system further comprising an aeration cap coupled to the lower header of the membrane module. The screen may protect the hollow fiber membranes from damage from coarse contaminants contained in the feed liquid, may improve module integrity, and may improve the efficiency of the filtration system.