Abstract: A filter for removing at least some impurities (e.g. foreign matter of any nature including a solid, a liquid or a gas) from water or wastewater. A vibrator operably associated with at least a portion of the filter for imparting a vibrational force to enhance any one or more of numerous aspects of the filtration process including: (i) installation of the filter and/or various components thereof; (ii) servicing of the filter and/or components thereof; and, (iii) operation of the filter during a filtration cycle and a cleaning cycle.

Abstract: A bioretention system and method are provided for removing phosphorus, nitrogen and other materials from effluent such as wastewater and stormwater. The system and method can include a filtration media comprising water treatment residuals and other fill such as soil. Plants can be growing in the soil. The system can also include a drainage system to regulate outflow, to function during both low and high throughputs of water.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, systems and methods for using coal from coal processing sources to remove coal fines from a mixture and form a coal-on-coal composite particle.

Abstract: A filter to provide potable water may generally comprise an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet, a halogen release system intermediate the inlet and the outlet, a filter material comprising chitosan or a derivative thereof intermediate the halogen release system and the outlet, and a scavenger barrier intermediate the filter material and the outlet. The filter material may comprise a chitosan-halogen complex. The filter material is capable of regeneration during periods of stagnation. The filter may have a Log reduction value for viruses of at least 4 and a Log reduction value for bacteria of at least 6.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of reducing the ionic metal content of aqueous effluents. The inventive method consists in bringing an aqueous effluent loaded with metal ions into contact with at least one hydrogen-covered metal.

Abstract: The present invention discloses integrated chemical delivery media that comprise a substrate and incorporated chemical additives. The invention also teaches methods of preparing such chemical delivery media as well as the use of such media for water treatment applications.

Abstract: An impurity removal system for purifying wine removable from a wine source. The system includes a filtered wine container defined by a collection portion and having an opening for introducing the wine to the collection portion filtration device which is in operable communication between the wine source and the container, such that at least a portion of the wine introduced from the wine source is in fluid communication with the filtration device prior to collection in the collection portion of the filtered wine container. In operation, the wine is removed from the wine source, introduced to the system, passed through the filtration device and filtered wine flows into the collection portion of the filtered wine container. Vacuum-based and pressure-based filtration systems are also disclosed, as well as a method of removing impurities from wine.

Abstract: Compositions, methods of making the compositions, systems, and processes for treating a fluid containing a contaminant are presented. The treatment reduces the concentration of contaminants, such as such as toxic metals, metalloids, oxyanions, and dissolved silica. The reduction in concentration of a contaminant may be sufficient so as to effect remediation of the fluid with respect to the contaminant. The treatment may reduce the concentration of a plurality of contaminants. The composition typically includes zero-valent iron, an iron oxide mineral, and ferrous iron. The ferrous iron promotes maintenance of the iron oxide mineral. The iron oxide mineral may, in turn, promote the activity of the zero-valent iron. The processes and systems may involve multiple stages. A stage may be optimized for treatment with respect to a particular contaminant. Examples of contaminated fluids include aqueous fluids, such as groundwater, subsurface water, and aqueous industrial waste streams.

Abstract: A novel water flow facilitator for granular filter devices that operate under gravity and contain granular particles, further consisting of plastic pellets that are 2 to 100 times, preferably 5 to 20 times larger than the granular particles; the plastic pellets having an aspect ratio of 0.5 to 10, preferably 1 to 4; that comprise about 1 to 50%, preferably 5 to 15% of the weight of the filter media; that have a specific gravity of 0.5 to 2, preferably 0.9 to 1.5. The plastic pellets should contain antimicrobial agents that protect the granular media from microbiological growth. The plastic pellets are made from any of the following plastics: polyolefins, various kinds of polyacrylates, polyvinyl polymers, nylon, polycarbonates etc. The plastic pellets may contain fillers such as calcium carbonate, titania, silica, or alumina.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for producing a coated activated carbon comprise the steps of providing activated carbon particles having a particle size up to about 100 ?m, and coating the activated carbon particles by spraying droplets of a cationic polymer solution onto the surface of the activated carbon particles, wherein the cationic polymer solution comprises about 1% to about 15% by weight cationic polymer and the droplet size is between about 5 ?m to about 100 ?m.

Abstract: A method, and system, to induce remission in diseases characterized by excess production of sTNR and interleukin 2 has been developed. In the most preferred embodiment, the system consists of antibodies to sTNFR1, sTNFR2 and sIL2R immobilized in a column containing a material such as SEPHAROSE™. The patient is connected to a pheresis machine which separates the blood into the plasma and red cells, and the plasma is circulated through the column until the desired reduction in levels of sTNFR1, sTNFR2, and IL2 is achieved, preferably to less than normal levels. In the preferred method, patients are treated three times a week for four weeks. This process can be repeated after a period of time. Clinical studies showed reduction in tumor burden in patients having failed conventional chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filtration unit containing pellets or granules of fine-particle iron oxides and/or iron oxyhydroxides with a large specific surface area, processes for their production and processes for their use in the filtration units.

Abstract: Disclosed are water treatment systems and methods that are characterized by reduced leaching of color-bearing material (i.e., color-bearing leachates) into effluent water. The disclosed systems and methods may include or utilize filtering systems comprising selected mixed ion-exchange resin beds of a strong acid sulfonated cation exchange resin and an anion exchange resin.

Abstract: Water purification systems utilizing oxidation. By passing water through a chamber of air, the impurities within the water, such as iron, manganese, and/or hydrogen sulfide gas, may be oxidized. The oxidized constituents in the water may then precipitate out and be removed by filter media. Thus, by utilizing oxidation, the impurities most commonly found in a consumer's water are readily removed. Additionally, the water purification systems of the present invention may also elevate the pH, i.e., reduce the hydronium ion concentration, of the water when the water is acidic. By raising the pH of the water, the oxidation of impurities, such as iron and manganese, is more complete and also occurs at a faster rate. Additionally, the corrosivity of the water is also reduced when the pH is elevated.

Abstract: A method for purifying water, comprising separating a supply stream into a permeate stream and a reject stream, removing non-monovalent salt impurities from the reject stream to produce a treated stream; providing the treated stream to a concentrating compartment of an electrodeionization unit; and, producing an EDI product stream of purified water.

Abstract: Hydrogen generator coupled to or integrated with a fuel cell for portable power applications. Hydrogen is produced via thermocatalytic decomposition (cracking, pyrolysis) of hydrocarbon fuels in oxidant-free environment. The apparatus can utilize a variety of hydrocarbon fuels, including natural gas, propane, gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, crude oil (including sulfurous fuels). The hydrogen-rich gas produced is free of carbon oxides or other reactive impurities, so it could be directly fed to any type of a fuel cell. The catalysts for hydrogen production in the apparatus are carbon-based or metal-based materials and doped, if necessary, with a sulfur-capturing agent. Additionally disclosed are two novel processes for the production of two types of carbon filaments, and a novel filamentous carbon product.

Abstract: A denitrification system is disclosed, where a plurality of biological regenerated adsorptive cells or units. Each cell includes a counterflowing absorptive media and waste water to achieve a two or three zone biomass nitrate/nitrite degradation environment. The system includes a backwash water recirculation loop and a media recirculation loop, where the media recirculation loop subjects the media a sufficient shear to dislodge dead microbes and/or weakly bound microbial films from the media surface, but insufficient to substantially reduce the particle size of the friable media. Nutrient supply and distribution and gas controls are used regulate cell characteristics.

Abstract: Basic magnesium sulfate granules having a bulk density of 0.5-1.0 g/cm3, a mean crushing strength of 700-900 g and a water content of 3 wt. % or less which comprises agglomerated particles of fibrous basic magnesium sulfate particles and fibrous xonotolite particles in a weight ratio of 95:5 to 70:30, wherein the fibrous basic magnesium sulfate particles have a mean length of 5-200 ?m and a mean thickness of 0.2-1.0 ?m and the fibrous xonotolite particles have a mean length less than that of the fibrous magnesium sulfate particles. The basic magnesium sulfate granules can be produced by drying a water-containing granular composition comprising agglomerated particles of fibrous basic magnesium sulfate particles and fibrous xonotolite particles which have a water content of 40 to 60 wt. % for 36 hours or more, thereby obtaining a granular composition having a water content of 3 wt. % or less.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for concentration of analyte from biological sample, or various liquid samples and methods for identification of the analyte. The method includes providing silica beads conjugated with analyte recognition element for concentration of analyte from sample, packaging the beads into a cartridge, and attaching the cartridge to a sample holder. After the analyte concentration, additional steps can be implemented to identify the analyte to provide visual positive/negative, qualitative or quantitative results. Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a system for concentration of analyte from biological sample or other various liquid samples using silica beads. According to an exemplary implementation, the system includes a cartridge comprising silica beads conjugated with analyte recognition element to concentrate at least one analyte from the sample, and a sample holder having the cartridge attached thereto. A sample is passed through the cartridge.

Abstract: Disclosed are porous-shell particles, methods of making the particles, and uses thereof. In one aspect, the porous-shell particles are superficially porous particles.

Abstract: Calcium carbonate (CaCO3; calcite) and CaCO3-containing materials are known to have high adsorption capacities for polar organic compounds. This invention includes the use of CaCO3 and CaC O3-containing materials (e.g., synthetic calcite, calcite coated sorbents) and their mixture with other materials (e.g., activated carbon, resins) for removing bioagents (viruses, bacteria, hormones, pharmaceutical intermediates, and other hazardous biological agents) from waters.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a membrane module including a first plurality of fibers capable of filtering fluids that are helically wound in layers creating a mono helix. Fluids to be treated can flow radially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the mono helix or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mono helix. The membrane module can further include a second plurality of fibers that are helically wound with the first plurality of fibers to create a dual helix. The second plurality of fibers can have different properties than the first plurality of fibers in order to achieve different filtering functionalities.

Abstract: A technique for inhibiting biofouling caused by biofilms grown on a material surface of a water system where microorganisms exist such as the membrane surface of a membrane bioreactor (MBR) for advanced wastewater treatment is disclosed. Specifically, a magnetic carrier comprising an enzyme for quenching quorum sensing that inhibits biofilm formation, a membrane bioreactor system that can be stably operated without inactivation and loss of enzymes and a method for inhibiting biofilm formation are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a water filter for water-conveying equipment, in particular domestic appliances or appliances for preparing food and/or drinks such as automatic drinks machines, in particular automatic coffee machines, drinking water dispensers, cooking and baking appliances, steam appliances, in particular steam irons, steam cleaners, high pressure cleaners, air purifiers and air conditioners or the like, with a housing filled with filter material. The water filter is distinguished according to the invention in that a combination of a softener and a residual hardness stabilizer is provided as the filter material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a medical sewage treater, which consists of an article storing bag and water absorbing material, wherein the water absorbing material is a super absorbent polymer and is adhered to the inner wall of the article storing bag or set in the article storing bag. After medical sewage has flowed into the article storing bag, the water absorbing material absorbs water and expands so as to make the treated medical sewage become a colloid or solid of poor flowability such that it is convenient and safe in transportation and can effectively overcome the disadvantages in the prior art, such as uneasily stacking, leakage and thereby pollution during the transportation of the medical sewage. The invention is also applicable to collection and treatment of other deleterious sewage in daily life.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polyaniline, comprising aniline units and organosulphur units, characterized in that the polyaniline is doped and has a number average degree of polymerization of approximately 5 to approximately 50. The scope of the invention also includes a process for the preparation of polyaniline, wherein aniline and at least one organosulphur unit are converted to a polyaniline derivative in an oxidative, acid-catalyzed polymerization reaction. A subject of the invention is also a coated substrate which is coated with the polyaniline according to the invention and also a process for the coating of the substrate. The scope of the invention furthermore also includes a coating composition which is suitable for the coating of the substrate. The invention thus also relates to a process for the preparation of the coating composition.

Abstract: A porous media, a housing containing a porous media and methods for fabricating the housing containing a porous media are provided. The porous media is composed of varying amounts of sorptive binding particles in combination with polymer particles, for example silica particles mixed with polyethylene beads. The porous media is sintered into target housings, for example pipette tips, for use in desalting, purifying and separating biomolecules in target samples. The porous media is also formed into porous media discs via pressure and heating for insertion into housing devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to porous materials for use in solid phase extractions and chromatography. The materials feature at least one hydrophobic component, at least one hydrophilic component and at least one ion-exchange functional group. The materials exhibit superior wetting and ion-exchange performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating water, especially waste water and drinking water, containing both pathogenic germs and a substance which is difficult to decompose and is from the group comprising persistent substances, endocrine substances, odorous substances, and dyestuffs, by means of ozone supply and UV radiation. The inventive method comprises the following steps: a) ozone is supplied in a concentration of between 0.1 g/m3 and 15 g/m3; and b) UV rays are radiated in a wavelength range of between 200 nm and 300 nm and in a dose of between 50 J/m2 and 2,000 J/m2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for production of separation media using a so called Spinning Disc technology wherein the porosities of the beads are optimized in such a way that a desired biomolecule may be separated from a complex sample. The method comprises the following steps: a) feeding a 4-8% polysaccharide solution, which has a viscosity within 350-450 mPas, at 65-75° C. to one or more spinning discs at 3001-3010 rpm to form polysaccharide beads; b) capturing said formed polysaccharide beads in a capturing bath; wherein the porosity of the polysaccharide beads is controlled by varying the temperature of the capturing between 15 and 27° C., preferably between 17.5 and 24.6° C. The method yields porosities that prevent molecules larger than 150 000 g/mol to diffuse into the beads. The invention also relates to separation media produced by the method and use thereof for purification of biomolecules, in particular monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: An ultrapure water production system that can stably produce ultrapure water having a boron concentration of 1 ng/L or less or a metal concentration of 0.1 ng/L or less, a method for producing ultrapure water using the ultrapure water production system, and a method and a system for washing electronic component members. In an ultrapure water production system that includes a mixed-bed deionization apparatus 16, which includes an anion-exchange resin and a cation-exchange resin, as a final deionization apparatus, the anion-exchange resin is an anion-exchange resin that has been verified to have a boron content of 50 ?g/L-anion-exchange resin (wet condition) or less or an anion-exchange resin in which the amount of leached cation is 100 ?g/L-anion-exchange resin (wet condition) or less.

Abstract: Provided are filter elements and methods of making and using the same where the filter elements are suitable for liquid filtration and contain particle-loaded meltblown fiber webs. A filter element comprises: a porous article comprising a web of self-supporting nonwoven polymeric fibers and a plurality of sorbent particles enmeshed in the web, the article comprising a first surface and a second surface; a liquid-impermeable housing surrounding the porous article; an inlet in fluid communication with the first surface; and an outlet in fluid communication with the second surface. Spiral-wound webs, web-covered blocks, and stacked disks of webs are also provided.

Abstract: A syphon filtration system is a low head, small foot print, long operating cycle, gravity filtration system for treatment of water and wastewater. The filtration system is an apparatus and process with one-stage or two-stage filtration process in one vessel. The filtration system can use different filtration media of sand, anthracite and activated carbon or other proprietary filtration media. The one-stage filtration system is applicable to removal of suspended solids or dissolved impurities. The two-stage filtration system can provide a combination of two different filtration processes for removal of suspended solids and dissolved impurities. The one-stage filtration system has low head room requirements, and the two-stage filtration system has small foot print requirements. In the two-stage filtration system, each filtration stage can be backwashed independently or both stages can be backwashed simultaneously.

Abstract: One object of the present invention is to produce a weakly acidic cation exchanger under mild conditions. Another object of the present invention is to produce a more firm weakly acidic cation exchange film. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a weakly acidic cation exchanger capable of realizing high-level separation of monovalent cation and simultaneously analyzing monovalent cation and divalent cation and also provide a chromatography column using the ion exchanger. In the production method of a weakly acidic cation exchanger of the invention, a solvent incapable of dissolving a polymer having a double bond within the molecule is used and the weakly acidic cation exchanger is produced by polymerization at temperature of 100? ° C. or less. When an ?,?-unsaturated dibasic acid derivative is dissolved in the solvent, the ?,?-unsaturated dibasic acid derivative reacts with the polymer and a more firm film can be formed.

Abstract: Methods, particles, and devices are disclosed for filtration of oil for use of the oil in the preparation of biodiesel. Disclosed particles may comprise a substantially inert porous particle with a coating comprising a polymer having amine, amino, and/or imine group(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for extracorporeal removal of harmful agents from blood or blood components, comprising full length heparin immobilized on a solid substrate by covalent end point attachment. The present invention also relates to a method for extracorporeal removal of a harmful agent from mammalian blood or blood components. The present invention further relates to a process for covalent end point attachment of full length heparin to a solid substrate.

Abstract: A first treatment tank (1) to a fourth treatment tank are installed prior to ultrapure water production apparatus (5), dilute wastewater recovering apparatus (34), general service water recovering apparatus and wastewater treatment apparatus. The treatment tanks (1, 2, . . . ) each have a micro-nano bubble generation tank (6, 23, . . . ) and an anaerobic measuring tank (7, 24, . . . ). Accordingly, microbes within the respective anaerobic measuring tanks (7, 24, . . . ) are activated by micro-nano bubbles generated in each micro-nano bubble generation tank (6, 23, . . . ) to thereby enhance the treatment efficiency of low-concentration organic matter. Further, when the value measured by dissolved oxygen meter (13, 30, . . . ) or oxidation-reduction potentiometer (14, 31, . . . ) of each anaerobic measuring tank (7, 24, . . . ) exceeds an individually determined given range, the rotational speed of a circulating pump (9, 26, . . . ) is controlled to thereby decrease the generation of micro-nano bubbles.

Abstract: A product for water treatment includes a plurality of bioceramic materials, in which at least one bioceramic material is chosen from among the following: Alkali Energy Ceramic Ball, Antibacterial Pellet, Far Infrared Ceramic Ball, and may also include Mineral Ceramic Ball.

Abstract: A ceramic water purifying device is provided. The device includes a silver treated packed particle bed in one embodiment. The device may also include feldspar or bottled glass.

Abstract: A system and a method for solvent purification is provided. The system includes a solvent storage tank and a filter coupled to the tank for filtering out moisture from the solvent. The method includes providing a tank to hold the solvent being purified, providing a filter coupled to the tank, and repeatedly providing solvent from the tank to the filter, and filtering the solvent to remove moisture and returning the filtered solvent to the tank.

Abstract: A composition of matter for rehabilitating a fluidic substance, comprising: a) at least one decolorizing ingredient constituting at least 58% by volume of the whole composition; and, b) at least one acidity reducing ingredient constituting at least 5% by volume of the whole composition.

Abstract: A waterline treatment system for treating and preventing biofilms in a dental unit includes a plurality of noncontiguous silver and copper pieces in a ratio between about 8:3 to 10:1, in order to maintain less than 200 colony forming units per milliliter in the water. The waterline treatment device may include a housing, optionally equipped with a flotation mechanism. The water treatment device may be packaged in a kit along with a pre-treatment liquid component that includes colloidal silver.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an evaporation apparatus capable of supplying active ingredients sufficiently and stably. One embodiment of the invention includes a retention vessel keeping a liquid formulation which contains active ingredients, a liquid absorbing mechanism which absorbs the liquid formulation from said retention vessel, an evaporation mechanism which evaporates active ingredients of said liquid formulation absorbed into said liquid absorbing mechanism and adjusting means which adjusts the evaporation of active ingredients.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for reducing the corrosion rate of iron-containing vessels within an ethylene glycol distillation system. The inventive process includes the addition of an additive component of sodium nitrite and sodium hypophosphite into such iron-containing vessels, to thereby react with iron of the inside walls and form a protective coating thereon. This process reduces the corrosion rate in iron-containing vessels of the apparatus, and reduces the catalytic effects of iron corrosion products within the system. Thus, not only is the on-stream time of the vessels extended, but also product quality is improved by reducing the aldehyde content of the final ethylene glycol product.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for reducing organic content of brine comprising subjecting a brine solution to at least two purification treatments selected from electrochemical treatment, chlorinolysis, or other chemical oxidation treatment, carbon adsorption, extraction, biological treatment and chrystallizing treatment; wherein the organic content of purified brine is sufficiently low to enable sense of the purified brine in an industrial process.

Abstract: Disclosed are porous-shell particles, methods of making the particles, and uses thereof. In one aspect, the porous-shell particles are superficially porous particles.

Abstract: A bioretention system and method are provided for removing phosphorus, nitrogen and other materials from effluent such as wastewater and stormwater. The system and method can include a filtration media comprising water treatment residuals and other fill such as soil. Plants can be growing in the soil. The system can also include a drainage system to regulate outflow, to function during both low and high throughputs of water.

Abstract: A downflow sand filter used for treating wastewater which has degraded in function from its original design is at least in part rejuvenated by flowing air downwardly through the bed during time when flow of wastewater is ceased. The low velocity air flow helps dewater the bed and leads to the removal of accumulated organic material which has clogged the pores of the bed. In accord with different embodiments, air flow is alternated with water flow in particular ways, for instance, so the water flow is sufficient to create ponding or is sufficient to maintain moisture content within the bed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adsorption device for removal and/or reduction of undesirable components from blood, such as whole blood, comprising, porous cross-linked polysaccharide particles or beads, wherein the particles or beads have an average size from about 210±50 ?m, at least 30% of the particles have a size from about 180 to about 240 ?m, at least 70% of the particles have a size from about 150 to about 300 ?m and said particles have at least one immobilised ligand, wherein said immobilised ligand have a size of about 150 kD or less. The invention also relates to kits comprising said adsorption device as well as the use of said adsorption device in different applications such as cleaning of blood.

Abstract: A particulate reusable sorbing coalescing agent facilitating the separation of a non-aqueous phase from an aqueous phase. The agent has a desired shape and properties, sheared from a block of matrix material and presents a higher coalescing rate relative to existing sorbing coalescing agents. Also, a method of manufacturing the particulate reusable sorbing coalescing agent and a method of use the particulate reusable sorbing coalescing agent are disclosed.