Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of producing algae derived oils comprising growing, stressing, and harvesting algae and then extracting total lipids from which specific oil fractions are purified.

Abstract: A system and method of filtering metalworking fluid is disclosed. A particle filter is provided in fluid communication with a sump of machining equipment to filter particles from a metalworking fluid. The metalworking fluid is filtered using the particle filter to remove metal filings and debris from the metalworking fluid. A tramp oil filter is provided in fluid communication with the particle filter to remove tramp oil, wherein the tramp oil filter includes hydrophobic material to absorb oil. The oil-free metalworking fluid may then be re-circulated back to the machining equipment.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for low-emission storage of biodegradable materials by means of aeration, without aerobic conditions materializing in the material, permits a more consistent feed of the downstream stages in the process. Aeration inhibits methanogenesis and the risk potential of an explosive gas mixture forming in the storage vessel or in the components of the system exhausting waste gas. Closed loop control of the aeration adapts the rate of aeration to the biological activity in the stored material and minimizes air input so as to minimize the loss of methanogenesis potential by aerobic conversion of the matter whilst minimizing the energy required for aeration. The process is characterized in that controlling the aeration in the storage vessel inhibits relevant methanogenesis.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for production of bio-gas, capable of improving quality of a raw material to be fed thereto. Among the raw material, a part free from inhibitory materials is directly introduced an anaerobic digestion reactor while the other part containing the inhibitory materials is introduced into a first solid-liquid separator and separated into a solid-phase material free from the inhibitory materials and a liquid-phase material containing the inhibitory materials. The solid-phase material in the first solid-liquid separator is fed to the anaerobic digestion reactor after hydrolysis. A liquid waste in the anaerobic digestion reactor and a liquid-phase material in the first solid-liquid separator are concentrated by a sludge concentrator.

Abstract: An ion exchange filter for a coolant may include a porous ion exchange filter exoskeleton and ion exchange resin beads. The exoskeleton may be adapted for receiving a coolant flow and may define a first set of channels. The ion exchange resin beads may be located within the first set of channels.

Abstract: A bio factory apparatus capable of Up-Stream production of biologic material products or biologics products in a liquid volume and processing of biologic or biologic material products Down-Stream, comprising at least one first Up-Stream producing capsule and at least one second Down-Stream processing capsule, said capsules capable of being stacked in any order and any number within a column.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the recovery of iodine are described. In particular, recovery systems and methods produce an iodine complex from an aqueous brine containing iodide. A head tank for maintains a supply of the brine, a pH controller acidifies brine received from the head tank and an oxidizer converts iodide in the acidified brine to elemental iodine. At least one activated carbon contactor module is removably inserted into a stream of the oxidized brine provided by the oxidizer and binds the molecular iodine to form the iodine complex. A container may enclose the head tank, the pH controller and the oxidizer in order to facilitate transportation of the system and performance of the methods and processes in proximity to a brine source. The brine may be employed or associated with oilfield operations.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and methods to consistently separate and concentrate selected blood components. The system includes, e.g., a computerized fluid handling system to transfer blood components between a centrifugal blood separation disc, containers and a concentrator.

Abstract: A water filtration device for the production of medical grade water for injection from a potable water source is provided including only the following two filter components: 1) a mixed ion bed resin filter and 2) a semi-permeable reverse osmosis membrane filter. This device provides a low cost, onsite method of purifying potable water into medical grade water for injection satisfying United States Pharmacopeia Water For Injection (USP WFI) standards.

Abstract: An automated water treatment system and methods for treating raw water to produce potable water are disclosed. The system is a self-contained portable water treatment system having several selectable treatment subsystems and a controller which automatically selects and controls the mode of operation from a transient, normal or backwashing mode, automatically controls the flow of water through a treatment path based upon the selected mode of operation and the measured water quality characteristics of the water at selected locations, automatically determines, based upon the selected mode of operation and the water quality parameter measurements, which of the plurality of the selectable subsystems is needed to produce potable water at the output; and automatically direct the flow of water through a treatment path through the system to bypass the water treatment subsystems and elements that are not needed to produce potable water.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and products for biomass digestion, which includes the production of biogas, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classified Class A Biosolids, and pathogen reduced organic liquid fertilizer. Through the digestion of waste materials using sequential phases in an efficient digestion process, enhanced biomass conversion efficiency and improved output of products (in quantity and/or quality) are obtained with a significant reduction in dwell time in each phase.

Abstract: A system and method for treating high-strength organic liquid waste. Generally, the method includes feeding influent high-strength organic liquid waste including organic molecules to an anaerobic digester, converting at least a portion of the organic molecules in the liquid waste to acids using acid forming bacteria, converting at least a portion of the acids in the liquid waste to methane using methanogenic bacteria, separating the liquid waste after treatment with the methanogenic bacteria into alkaline sludge and effluent, and using the alkaline sludge to adjust the pH of the liquid waste in the anaerobic digester. In the case of acidic high-strength organic liquid wastes, a portion of the acids produced by the acid forming bacteria may be recirculated to the front of the anaerobic digester and combined with influent high-strength organic liquid waste.

Abstract: A renewable energy microgeneration system is disclosed. The system comprises one or more portable containers that include a plurality of small holding tanks that are configured to perform at least one of pasteurization and thermophilic anaerobic digestion on waste, a large holding tank that is configured to perform mesophilic anaerobic digestion on the waste after at least one of pasteurization and thermophilic anaerobic digestion is performed, and a de-watering unit that is configured to dry what remains of the waste after mesophilic anaerobic digestion is performed. The system further comprises a controller for automatically moving the waste between the plurality of small holding tanks, the large holding tank, and the de-watering unit as required to facilitate mesophilic anaerobic digestion in the large holding tank. Further, the portable containers are configured to be transported to a site and placed in fluid communication with each other at the site.

Abstract: To provide an apparatus for treating a nitrate waste liquid that includes a denitrification tank (12A) which accommodates active sludge that adsorbs or takes in the radioactive substance in a nitrate waste liquid (11) and in which an anaerobic microorganism that reduces the nitric acid to nitrogen gas grows, and a reaeration tank (14) in which a denitrification-treated liquid (24) treated in the denitrification tank (12A) is aerated and mixed with active sludge.

Abstract: Stabilized surfactant-based membranes and methods of manufacture thereof. Membranes comprising a stabilized surfactant mesostructure on a porous support may be used for various separations, including reverse osmosis and forward osmosis. The membranes are stabilized after evaporation of solvents; in some embodiments no removal of the surfactant is required. The surfactant solution may or may not comprise a hydrophilic compound such as an acid or base. The surface of the porous support is preferably modified prior to formation of the stabilized surfactant mesostructure. The membrane is sufficiently stable to be utilized in commercial separations devices such as spiral wound modules. Also a stabilized surfactant mesostructure coating for a porous material and filters made therefrom. The coating can simultaneously improve both the permeability and the filtration characteristics of the porous material.

Abstract: This invention reveals to the public the centralized sump oil and acid oil treatment process and system. The process consist of (1) the filter; (2) entry to reaction kettle, the sodium carbonate solution added at the time of air floatation till PH value keeps about 6.0-8.0; and emulsion splitter and flocculating agent added for further reaction; (3) suspension of air floatation and static settlement; (4) the international crude oil is collected after the detergent oil at the upper level of the reaction kettle is dehydrated under normal and reduced pressure; the wastewater is drained after filtering by the natural oil removal tank and the oil-water filter; the sludge is solidified by the cement and the quick lime and aluminium oxide are used as the coagulant aid for solidifying the sludge.

Abstract: Selective retaining a relatively hydrophilic molecule from a mixture of a relatively hydrophobic molecule and the relatively hydrophilic molecule can be achieved using a hydrophobic, microporous hybrid membrane based on silica, wherein at least 25% of the silicon atoms is bound to a bridging C1-C12-hyrdocarbylene group. The average number of carbon atoms of the bridging groups and any additional monovalent organic groups, taken together, is at least 3.5. The membrane can be part of a production facility for separating alcohol/water mixtures.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oil/water separating device (20) comprising a main filter (30) for removing oil-containing components from an oil/water mixture. The device is characterized by an additional mechanical separating device for removing slimy substances from the oil/water mixture.

Abstract: A mobile water conversion system including an electro-coagulation stage, a microfiltration stage, a cooling stage, a nanofiltration stage, and a reverse osmosis stage. The electro-coagulation stage receives heated input water, such as geothermal brackish water, and reduces total suspended solids. The microfiltration stage removes suspended solids and dissolved solids. The cooling stage provides cooled brine water. The nanofiltration stage removes hardness from the cooled brine water to provide sodium brine water. A portion of sodium brine water is provided to circulating water in the cooling stage. The reverse osmosis stage reduces sodium content and provides fresh water suitable for a specified purpose, such as fracking.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of organic liquid and solid waste, comprising a first stage of treatment of the liquid content fraction of the waste by methanization, a second stage of treatment in a thermophilic or mesophilic aerobic phase of the semi-solid content fraction of the waste and a third stage in which said treated liquid and solid content portions are mixed in order to form a substrate, which is further treated by mesophilic or thermophilic aerobic phase treatment, resulting into compost.

Abstract: A deposition of bubbles or foams to an inner wall of a liquid supplying member is prevented, thereby improving ejecting performance of the bubbles or foams. In the liquid supplying member which forms a flow path for supplying a liquid to a liquid discharging apparatus, the inner wall surface has a concave/convex shape in which a mountain portion and a valley portion are repeated at a predetermined spatial frequency. Assuming that an opening diameter of a filter provided for the liquid discharging apparatus is equal to R (?m), one period f (?m)of the spatial frequency lies within a range from R or more to ?{square root over (2)}·R or less and a maximum height Ry (?m) of the mountain portion is equal to ?{square root over (2)}·R/2 or more.

Abstract: A fuel supply device (1), particularly for an internal combustion engine (6), is equipped with a particulate filter and a water trap. In order to improve the separation effect, while simultaneously reducing the separation material that is required, it is proposed to configure the water trap (5, 8, 30) as a separate component connected downstream of the fuel filer (4) and to provide it with a first separation stage made of coalescent material and a second separation stage made of hydrophobic material, and to dispose the separation stages such that between them the fuel is diverted.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to dialysis venting devices and related methods. In some aspects, a dialysis system includes a fluid inlet line, a venting device in fluid communication with the fluid inlet line, and a fluid outlet line in fluid communication with the venting device. The venting device can include a housing defining a fluid chamber, a valve member disposed above the fluid chamber between a lower seat and an upper seat, and a pump that is operable to draw fluid into the fluid chamber from the fluid inlet line and to force fluid out of the fluid chamber into the fluid outlet line.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for separating particles and dissolved matter from an untreated fluid stream. Specifically, the present invention includes a first pressure source which transports untreated fluid or contaminated aqueous fluid into a separator annulus with a filter element disposed therein. The untreated fluid is placed under appropriate pressure sufficient to produce turbulent flow, increased particle kinetics and/or cavitation allowing the desired fluid to penetrate and pass into and through the filter media. The treated fluid is then transported to a collection tank. The contaminant matter retained by the filter media may be removed by the nearly instantaneous reverse pressurization of the separator annulus by a second pressure source thereby removing the contaminant particles away from contact with the filter media, and which may then be transported to a waste collection tank or a separator for further treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for separating fossil and native organic matter from mixtures of organic substances. The invention is characterized by subjecting the mixture of organic substances to a dewatering step (30, 31), to thermomechanical cell lysis (32), to a subsequent dewatering step (33) and to a final sieving step.

Abstract: In a desalination system, water is treated, for example by reverse osmosis, to produce desalinated product water and a reject stream. Salt from the reject stream is transferred to a flow of low salinity wastewater, such as effluent from a municipal wastewater treatment plant. For example, the reject stream may be fed to the high salinity cell in an electrodialysis (ED) unit. The adjacent low salinity cell receives the low salinity wastewater. The high salinity and low salinity cells are separated by ion exchange membranes. The salty wastewater is discharged, for example to the ocean. The salt-reduced reject stream is treated to extract more product water from it, for example by recycling it to the feed water. Less feed water is needed to produce a given volume of product water. If a thermal desalination unit is combined with divalent ion selective ion exchange membranes, then scaling is reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing reducing water that maintains a neutral range of pH and exhibits superior reducing force. The apparatus for producing reducing water includes an electrolytic bath including a cathode chamber provided with a cathode, an anode chamber provided with an anode, and an intermediate chamber interposed between the cathode chamber and the anode chamber, wherein the cathode chamber and the intermediate chamber are provided with an inlet through which water is supplied, and an outlet through which water is discharged, a cation exchange membrane is provided between the cathode chamber and the intermediate chamber, and the intermediate chamber includes a cation exchange resin that dissociates hydrogen ions when the cation exchange resin reacts with water.

Abstract: A fluid purifying module including a monolithic container, a pretreatment filter, and a selectively permeable membrane treatment cartridge, respectively housed in an external cylindrical space and an internal cylindrical space of the container, communicating with each other via one or more passages in the vicinity of one axial end of the container. The external space communicates at the same end as the opposite axial end with a first connector orifice for feeding fluid to be purified to the pretreatment filter, and the internal space communicates separately, at the same end as the aforementioned axial end, with a second connector orifice for evacuating from the module a flow of permeate (purified fluid) and with a third connector orifice for evacuating from the module a flow of retentate (residual fluid).

Abstract: The separation membrane for seawater desalination pretreatment is a separation membrane for seawater desalination pretreatment used in pretreatment for seawater desalination with a reverse osmosis membrane, wherein a standard flux A is 2 m/d or more, which is defined as a maximum value of a flux that can satisfy P2?1.5×P1 where P1 and P2 represent an average intermembrane differential pressure, and a saccharide removal rate B or a granular carbon removal rate C expressed by a prescribed equation is 0.3 or more, and desirably 0.5 or more.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a fresh water generating apparatus that is capable of efficiently producing fresh water according to an intended use, while utilizing wastewater. Provided is a fresh water generating apparatus equipped with a seawater-treating reverse osmosis membrane device that produces fresh water from seawater by a reverse osmosis membrane, which includes: a mixing section that mixes wastewater as dilution water with a portion of seawater to be subjected to membrane treatment to produce mixed water; a first seawater-treating reverse osmosis membrane device that acts as the seawater-treating reverse osmosis membrane device to filter the mixed water; and a second seawater-treating reverse osmosis membrane device that acts as the seawater-treating reverse osmosis membrane device to filter the remaining portion of the seawater to be subjected to membrane treatment, in an unmixed state with the dilution water.

Abstract: A system for treating fractionated water from an oil and gas well. The system comprising a filter system, a diffusive membrane system, a plurality of membrane sensors, and at least one membrane controller. The filter system is fluidly connected to the diffusive membrane system, wherein the filter system comprises a plurality of straining filter banks. The diffusive membrane system comprises a plurality of membrane banks each having an inlet and an outlet. The plurality of membrane sensors are positioned at the outlet of each of the plurality of membrane banks, and the plurality of membrane sensors are configured to detect the total dissolved solids level at the outlet of each of the plurality of membrane banks.

Abstract: To provide an apparatus for treating a radioactive nitrate waste liquid that includes a denitrification tank (12A) which accommodates active sludge that adsorbs or takes in the radioactive substance in a nitrate waste liquid (11) and in which an anaerobic microorganism that reduces the nitrate to nitrogen gas grows, and a reaeration tank (14) in which a denitrification-treated liquid (24) treated in the denitrification tank (12A) is aerated and mixed with active sludge. A pH adjuster (21), a carbon source (22), and nitrogen gas are supplied to the denitrification tank (12A) so as to separate a denitrified liquid into a solid content and the denitrification-treated liquid (24) by using a first solid-liquid separating film (25), and the denitrification-treated liquid (24) treated with the active sludge in the reaeration tank (14) is reaerated and separated into a solid content and a reaeration-treated liquid (27) by using a second solid-liquid separating film (28).

Abstract: A waste treatment process comprised of an ammonification system to convert soluble organic nitrogen into ammonia nitrogen, followed by a physico-chemical process to remove a substantial amount of the ammonia as a recovered ammonium sulfate fertilizer or ammonium hydroxide (“aqua ammonia”), and followed by an ammonia oxidation process to oxidize the remaining ammonia from the physico-chemical process. The process reduces ammonia and carbonaceous organic matter to less than 10 mg/l and recovers ammonia in the form of either ammonium sulfate or ammonium hydroxide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the anaerobic digestion of high-solids waste material. The apparatus includes a closed container having a relatively circular outer wall. The closed container has a first passage having an inlet in which the waste material flows in a first direction, a second passage in which the waste material flows in a second direction, and a divider having an end. The divider separates the first passage from the second passage, such that the waste material flows around the end of the divider when flowing from the first passage to the second passage.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes independent wastewater treatment facilities. Each of the facilities has a number of wastewater treatment subsystems. A wastewater collection subsystem holds wastewater to be treated. A pump subsystem moves wastewater from a wastewater collector to a filtration subsystem having a bioreacting filter. The filter has a sump and a fluidized-bed filter therein and supports the filter upright. The filter has an upwardly expanding, hollow, conical filter body with filter media. A monitoring subsystem measures wastewater process parameters. Control devices receive control commands and, dependent upon the command received, alter parameters of the wastewater treatment subsystems.

Abstract: A waste separator apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a first screen assembly for screening fluids from a waste stream where the first screen assembly defining an enclosure. A second screen assembly is provided for screening fluids from the waste stream and is disposed closely spaced-apart within the enclosure of the first screen assembly. A waste stream pathway is defined between the first screen assembly and the second screen assembly. A first separated fluids stream pathway is defined outwardly of the first screen assembly. A second separated fluids stream pathway is defined inwardly of the second screen assembly. One or more blades extends inwardly from the first screen assembly or outwardly from the second screen assembly for advancing the waste stream through the waste stream pathway. A related system is also provided.

Abstract: A method of treating a liquid. The method comprises providing a feed liquid comprising at least one solvent and at least one solute to a first side of a membrane. A single-phase draw solution comprising at least one of an aminium salt, an amidinium salt, and a guanidinium salt is provided to a second side of the membrane. The at least one solvent is osmosed across the membrane and into the single-phase draw solution to form a diluted single-phase draw solution. At least one of CO2, CS2, and COS is removed from the diluted single-phase draw solution to form a first multiple-phase solution comprising a first liquid phase comprising the at least one solvent, and a second liquid phase comprising at least one of an amine compound, an amidine compound, and a guanidine compound. A liquid purification system is also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are a wastewater treatment plant and a wastewater treatment method. The wastewater treatment plant includes: a reactor including a gas outlet, a treated water outlet, and an inlet through which wastewater and gas are supplied, through which the wastewater is introduced, to perform aeration and denitrification; a sludge separation means including plural reaction unit bodies stacked inside the reactor to divide the interior of the reactor into upper and lower sides and separating sludge in a aeration process by forming a gas hold-up space for collecting the gas rising from a lower portion of the reactor; and a aeration unit introducing gas into the reactor.

Abstract: Exemplary decontamination systems of the present disclosure may allow for removing contaminants from a fluid. In an embodiment, a decontamination system may include a filtration unit operable to receive an adsorbent and contaminated fluid. The filtration unit may include a filter operable to separate the fluid from the adsorbent and contaminants adsorbed onto the adsorbent. In an embodiment, the decontamination system may further include a recovery unit operable to separate the adsorbent and the contaminants adsorbed onto the adsorbent.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes wastewater having nitrogen-containing compounds, an anoxic zone having denitrifying bacteria, and an aerobic zone having nitrifying bacteria. The anoxic zone is coupled to the aerobic zone, and wastewater flows from the anoxic to the aerobic zone or vice versa. A fluidized bed heat exchanger configured to accept heat from a heat engine and to transfer the heat from the heat engine to the wastewater is positioned in the aerobic zone or the anoxic zone. The fluidized bed heat exchanger includes particulate media, and fluidization of the particulate media scrubs bacterial growth from portions of the fluidized bed heat exchanger. Treating wastewater can include flowing wastewater having nitrogen-containing compounds into a biological reactor having an anoxic zone and an aerobic zone, and heating the wastewater with heat from a heat engine to facilitate denitrification reactions in the anoxic zone and nitrification reactions in the aerobic zone.

Abstract: By sequentially aligning various filtration media and delivery systems, enhanced synergistic reduction of water contaminants is obtained compared to the prior art or separate use of the individual media/filters. Specific filtration media are formulated with proper proportioning and sequencing to enhance the ability to reduce metals that cause staining, odors and bad taste such as iron, copper and manganese. Also disclosed is the reduction of potentially hazardous metal radionuclides metals such as uranium, iodine, cesium, plutonium and radium. Also disclosed is improved removal of heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, chromium, and mercury as well as organic compounds such as halogenated carcinogenic compounds. The present devices and methods remove specific bacteria and their toxins from water to reduce the risk of dermatitis. Thus, the present invention enhances our ability to achieving cleaner and safer water for drinking, swimming, washing, bathing and cooking.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems related to water containers for household pets that have a mechanism for circulating water. For example, one embodiment disclosed herein is a water container for pets comprising: a bowl region on an upper surface of the water container, the bowl region comprising one or more apertures in fluid communication with an interior region of the water container; a pump outlet region on the upper surface of the water container, the pump outlet region comprising a pump outlet aperture, the pump outlet region being located adjacent to the bowl region and joined to the bowl region by a channel configured to transport fluid from the pump output aperture into the bowl region; and a water circulating system, the water circulating system comprising a pump configured to pump water from the interior region of the water container to the pump outlet aperture.

Abstract: Water treatment systems including electrically-driven and pressure-driven separation apparatus configured to produce a first treated water suitable for use as irrigation water and a second treated water suitable for use as potable water from one of brackish water and seawater and methods of operation of same.

Abstract: A method of treatment of water in an aquatic environment. Water is first pumped from a reservoir to a first mixing station. An inert gas is introduced into the pumped water at the first mixing station to provide inert gas saturated water, which inert gas saturated water will displace undesired gasses in the water in the reservoir. The inert gas saturated water is then pumped to a sparging column such that the inert gas and undesired gasses will be released from the inert gas saturated water to provide depleted water.

Abstract: A separation apparatus for separating mud from water has an input tank device, a pipe device and a first separating assembly. The input tank device has an input tank. The pipe device has a first pipe having a first end and a second end. The first end of the first pipe is connected securely to the input tank. The first separating assembly has a main structure having a hydrocyclone. The hydrocyclone is connected to the second end of the first pipe. Accordingly, the hydrocyclone can efficiently and quickly separate mud from liquid of the raw water in the input tank.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device and a method for the manipulation of a liquid sample material in which magnetic microparticles are suspended whereby the microparticles have a functionalized surface and an analyte is bound to the surface. The sample material is introduced into a device with a liquid system through an injection device (50) and in a first mobile phase the sample material is carried to an extractor (90). In a first section (97a) of the extractor (90) the microparticles are immobilized by means of a magnetic field of a controllable device (96) and separated from the remaining sample material. By switching over of a switching unit (110) a second mobile phase (75) is carried to the extractor (90) and the second mobile phase (75) detaches the adsorbed analyte from the surface of the microparticles.

Abstract: Described are a device and a method for the manipulation of a liquid sample material in which magnetic microparticles are suspended whereby the microparticles have a functionalized surface and an analyte is bound to the surface. The sample material is introduced into a device with a liquid system through an injection device (50) and in a first mobile phase the sample material is carried to an extractor (90). In a section (97) of the extractor (90) the microparticles are immobilized by means of a magnetic field of a controllable means (96) and separated from the remaining sample material. By switching over of a switching unit (110) a second mobile phase (75) is carried to the extractor (90) and the second mobile phase (75) detaches the adsorbed analyte from the surface of the microparticles. The second mobile phase (75) with the dissolved analyte(s) can be analyzed by way of chromatographic separation (130) and subsequent detection (140).

Abstract: Systems and methods for the bioremediation of soluble sulfates from an environmental effluent, include a first chamber including lactic acid bacteria immobilized on a first matrix and a second chamber including sulfate-reducing bacteria immobilized on a second matrix. The methods include providing the lactic acid bacteria a suitable medium for the production of lactic acid, which is directed to the culture of sulfate-reducing bacteria for use as a substrate/electron donor for the reduction of sulfates present in the environmental effluent.

Abstract: A fuel supply device (1), particularly for an internal combustion engine (6), is equipped with a particulate filter and a water trap. In order to improve the separation effect, while simultaneously reducing the separation material that is required, it is proposed to configure the water trap (5, 8, 30) as a separate component connected downstream of the fuel filer (4) and to provide it with a first separation stage made of coalescent material and a second separation stage made of hydrophobic material, and to dispose the separation stages such that between them the fuel is diverted.

Abstract: A structure for filtering water comprises a housing, an inlet pipe, a dirty-water pipe, an outlet pipe, and a membrane assembly. The inlet pipe is connected to a first end of the housing. The dirty-water pipe is connected to a second end of the housing. The outlet pipe is connected to a side of the housing. The membrane assembly is composed of multiple tubular membranes fitted within the housing, each tubular membrane defining a central passage therein, each tubular membrane defining multiple pores through a cylindrical wall surrounding the central passage, such that water fed from the inlet pipe can be filtered out of the membrane assembly to flow into the outlet pipe for a further treatment or a use point, or can be used to wash away impurities left in the membrane assembly and then be directed to the dirty-water pipe for a utilization.