Abstract: The invention relates to a reverse-osmosis purification system that comprises at least one liquid supply (1) for supplying a liquid to be processed simultaneously into two chambers (A1B) of a separation member (3), said chambers being separated by a semi-pervious membrane, the liquid being fed into one chamber at a pressure higher than that of the liquid in the other chamber, said separation member (3) providing at the outlet a concentrated liquid (5) and a diluted liquid (6).

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood circuit, comprising an expansion chamber for air-blood separation, wherein a filter (38) retains the solid particles in the blood. The filter has a trunco-conical filtering wall with a vertical axis surmounted by a top head (43) provided with upper openings (44) conformed and arranged such as to define a fluid passage which is asymmetrical with respect to the vertical axis. The top head does not retain air bubbles internally thereof, thus preventing a situation in which the air bubbles are directed towards an outlet of the expansion chamber and thus towards the patient. The extracorporeal circuit is used in a dialysis apparatus.

Abstract: A filtering apparatus includes a microsieve with a membrane. The microsieve is coupled between a supply and drain channel. The membrane contains pores between the upstream surface and the downstream surface, as well as a spatial pattern of height variations in the upstream surface of the membrane, so that in a vicinity of a majority of the pores, within a distance of less than ten pore sizes from each of the pores in the majority, at least one of the height variations is provided. The height variations impede proper adhesion of larger particles from the liquid to the upstream surface and thereby reduce clogging problems.

Abstract: This invention discloses dialysis devices, related housings, related membranes, related kits, and related methods.

Abstract: A membrane module (100) has an upper header.(108) and multiple lower headers (110). A bundle of membranes (24) potted in the upper header is sub-bundled into the lower headers. The membranes (24) may be arranged in the upper header into a number of generally parallel sheets or planes and arranged into a lower header (110) into a lesser number of sheets or planes. Spaces between the multiple lower headers (110) help gas bubbles rise into the module (100) or water containing solids drain from the module (100). The module (100) may be used in batch or continuous filtration processes. In one specific process, water flows downwards through the module (100) and air bubbles are provided from near the bottom of the module (100).

Abstract: A nanopump for pumping small volumes of electrolyte solution under the control of a voltage source is described. The device includes a chamber and a nanopore membrane which partitions the chamber into upstream and downstream regions. When a voltage potential is applied across the membrane, electroosmotic flow through the membrane channels produces a precise-volume flow between the two chamber regions. A method for precise-volume pumping employing the nanopump and a nanopump device for determining the lengths of nucleic acid fragments in an electrolyte solution of different-length fragments are also described.

Abstract: Liquid-liquid extraction elements are described. A liquid-liquid extraction element includes a first layer pair and a second layer pair disposed adjacent the first layer pair forming a stack of layers. The first layer pair includes a first polymeric microporous membrane, and a first flow channel layer oriented in a first flow direction having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet disposed on first opposing sides of the extraction element. The second layer pair includes a second polymeric microporous membrane and a second flow channel layer oriented in a second flow direction different than the first flow direction and having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet disposed on second opposing sides of the extraction element. The first microporous membrane is disposed between the first flow channel and the second flow channel. Methods of extracting a dissolved solute from a first liquid to a second liquid are also described.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and system that prevent clotting of blood during blood-processing procedures such as hemofiltration, hemodialysis, and hemodiafiltration are described. A filter with a cap has a housing that is shaped to receive a blood filter. The housing has an inlet for blood and may have an outlet for waste and ultrafiltrate. The cap is attached to the housing. The cap has an outlet for blood and a port adjacent the outlet for receiving dilution fluid. Methods of use during blood-processing procedures to provide immediate hemodilution to blood exiting entering and/or exiting a filter are also described.

Abstract: An energy-efficient process for dewatering an aqueous organic solution includes using freely available solar energy to concentrate a draw solution within a reservoir. The draw solution is used in conjunction with a membrane to remove water from the organic solution in a forward osmosis process. The draw solution is diluted by the osmosis process, and returned to the reservoir to be re-concentrated and reused in the osmosis process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a submerged hollow fiber membrane module which is easy to expand, has a small installation area, and exhibits excellent contamination prevention and durability. The submerged hollow fiber membrane module comprises: (I) a module body divided into two portions which has a permeated water collection space (5) and a permeated water outlet (3); (II) module support tubes (17) which are vertically connected to the upper and lower ends of the module body; (III) a plate type module header insertion layer which is provided with hollow fiber membrane spaces (10), and is inserted into the module body; (IV) a plate type diffusion layer which is provided with a diffusion port (4) and diffusion tubes (11) and is inserted into the module body subsequent to the module header insertion layer; and (V) module headers which are inserted into the module header insertion layer.

Abstract: A system for producing energy includes a solvent chamber, a pressure chamber and a semi-permeable barrier separating the solvent chamber from the pressure chamber. The solvent chamber for holds a solvent, and the pressure chamber hold a solute solution comprising a solute dissolved in a solvent. The semi-permeable barrier is permeable to solvent molecules and impermeable to solute molecules. Solvent molecules effuse across the semi-permeable barrier into the solute solution of the closed pressure chamber to increase the pressure of the pressure chamber, thereby generating energy in the form of hydrostatic pressure. A conversion device may convert the increased pressure in the pressure chamber to energy. The solute solution may be expelled and recycled after use.

Abstract: A filter system and method of filtering a feed liquid utilizing a combined plurality of filter assemblies. Each filter assembly includes a filter housing, a filter cartridge and a spiral passageway for imparting secondary flow currents, particularly Dean-Flow currents, to fluid flowing within the spiral passageways to prevent particulate build-up on filter surfaces so as to extend filter life and duration between replacement. The filter system can be operated within positive or negative pressure filtration processes. A dual-stage filtration process utilizing a cap filter and a cylindrical depth filter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A modification in the configuration of the blood microtubular filter/dializer used in many kinds of renal replacement therapy systems can provide highly a effective mechanism for removing air from the blood circuit of such systems. In embodiments, for example, the invention takes advantage of the slow flow rate that usually occurs where blood exits the microtubules into a header area of the filter to provide a settling area and, preferably, a air relief mechanism.

Abstract: A separation device comprises a cylindrical separation pack including a spirally wound porous medium, a feed channel including a shear region, a plurality of permeate passages extending along the permeate side of the porous medium opposite the shear region and perpendicular to the feed channel, a feed inlet, a retentate outlet, and a plurality of permeate outlets.

Abstract: A membrane separation module (10) has a shell (11) having inlet port (20), outlet port (21) and a plurality of membrane units (12) disposed therebetween. Each membrane unit (12) has a plurality of elongated membrane elements (13), with at least a portion of each membrane element (13) having a semipermeable surface to permit selective permeation of one or more components of a multi-component feed fluid. The plurality of elongated membrane elements (13) are attached to collecting manifolds (16) (17), with one of those manifolds (16) (17) being unrestrained, permitting axial movement of each membrane element (13) in response to temperature changes. At least one manifold (16) (17) from each membrane unit (12) is in fluid communication with a manifold (16) (17) from one other membrane unit (12).

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the purification of a liquid by membrane distillation comprising: passing a heated vapourising stream of a liquid (retentate stream) through a retentate channel along a porous hydrophobic membrane (10), whereby vapour of the liquid flows via the pores of the membrane to the other side of said membrane, and condensing said vapour on the other side of said membrane to give a distillate stream in a distillate channel (5) which distillate is created by passing the heat of condensation (latent heat) towards a condenser surface (3), said condenser surface forming a non-porous separation between a feed stream of the liquid to be purified and said distillate stream, which feed stream is passed through a feed channel (2) in counter-current with the retentate stream, in which feed channel a space material (4) is arranged whereby at least part of the latent heat is transferred via the condenser surface to the feed stream, and whereby a positive liquid pressure difference is applied be

Abstract: A system, method and device are disclosed for bio-processing a feed stream and providing a constant output by operating a continuous single-pass tangential-flow process. The single-pass process provides high conversion concentration while operating at relatively low feed flow rates, and the process can also be used to provide constant output diafiltration.

Abstract: Equipment, systems, processes and techniques for conducting reverse osmosis processing of solutions are described. The techniques can be applied to provide diluted solution (i.e. purified solvent), concentrate solution or each. A variety of specific equipment, example systems and processes are depicted and described.

Abstract: A header for filtering membrane module and a filtering membrane module using the same is disclosed, which is capable of maximizing efficiency in power consumption by securing a constant flow of permeate through the use of a relatively-low negative pressure, the header for filtering membrane module comprising a body with a permeate collecting space therein; and a conduit at one end of the body, the conduit being in fluid communication with the permeate collecting space, wherein at least a portion of the permeate collecting space has an inclined shape.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hollow fiber membrane submodule comprising a hollow fiber membrane element, permeated fluid collectors, and snaps for securing the permeated fluid collectors to the hollow fiber membrane element, wherein the permeated fluid collectors are closely attached to the hollow fiber membrane element with the snaps in engagement therebetween and being arranged non-continuously around the outer periphery of each permeated fluid collector, and the permeated fluid collectors can be removed from and installed in the hollow fiber membrane element. With the hollow fiber membrane submodule of the present invention, when replacing the membranes, the hollow fiber membrane element is replaced with a new hollow fiber membrane element, and then the permeated fluid collectors can be reattached to the replaced element and reused.

Abstract: A method and a device to increase the efficiency of dialysis for the removal from blood of substances that are more or less tightly bound to carriers such as albumin. According to the invention this is accomplished by a simultaneous significant increase of the flow rate of the dialysis fluid and of the area of the membrane that separates the blood from the dialysis fluid, compared to conventional dialysis.

Abstract: A method and system for treating an aqueous stream in the production of hydrocarbon are provided. An osmotic operation is performed between the stream of produced water and a stream of draw fluid to transfer water from the produced water to the draw fluid, thereby diluting the draw fluid to form a stream of diluted draw fluid and concentrating the produced water to form a stream of concentrated produced water. The concentration of the produced water can facilitate the subsequent removal of contaminants therefrom, and, in some cases, the diluted draw fluid can be re-used, e.g., for injection into the well of the hydrocarbon production operation or as a fertilizing fluid.

Abstract: High flow, low-pressure ultrafiltration or microfiltration spiral wound membrane cartridges are used in filtration of liquid feedstocks having high suspended solids. Applications may utilize either vacuum or pumping for transmembrane drive pressure (TMP), and gas may optionally be bubbled up through the cartridges with certain feedstocks. Water permeate flux rates as high as 90 gallons per square foot per day (gfd) can be obtained at TMPs below 5 pounds per square inch. By locating each spiral wound cartridge in its own casing and supplying liquid feedstock to an open lower end of the casing, as opposed to submerging such cartridges in a tank filled with feedstock, overall low pressure performance is greatly improved. High permeate flow can be maintained for long periods of time between shutdowns for intensive cleaning.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns embodiments of a microfluidic transfer device. The device mitigates risk of cross contamination between working fluids and is amenable to high-volume, low-cost manufacturing techniques. The device may be configured for mass transfer, heat transfer, or both. For instance, certain disclosed embodiments incorporate semi-permeable membranes to transfer target substances from one fluid to another. Moreover, the device may incorporate both heat and mass transfer components.

Abstract: A Reactor (1) for solid phase synthesis comprises a vessel (2), a plurality of filters (3) arranged in the vessel (2) and a plurality of filtrate outlets (4) for evacuating the filtrate out of the filters (3). Each filter (3) is connected to one filtrate outlet (4). The reactor (1) comprises means (3, 4) for delivering a gas into the vessel (2) in a region of the vessel (2) near to the bottom (24) of the vessel (2) and beside the filters (3).

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system and method for operating the same includes a fluid reservoir, a valve and a brine feed tank in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir through an input. The brine feed tank has brine feed fluid therein. The system also includes a high pressure pump and a pressure vessel in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir through the high pressure pump. The pressure vessel comprises a permeate outlet. The brine feed tank is in fluid communication with the pressure vessel. During a permeate production cycle, the high pressure pump pumps additional fluid under high pressure from the fluid reservoir into the pressure vessel using a high pressure pump. The pressure vessel communicates brine fluid into the brine feed tank. The high pressure pump raises a pressure in the pressure vessel until an amount of permeate is produced from a permeate output of the pressure vessel.

Abstract: In a small-volume reverse osmosis system with a reverse osmosis module, a concentrate line leading from the reverse osmosis module to an outlet line, a permeate line leading from the reverse osmosis module to a storage tank, as well as a permeate pump connected to the concentrate line and to the permeate line with a displacement unit and two control channels, the invention proposes that two valves that are alternately switched by the displacement unit (12) depending on the position be integrated into a joint control slide and control channel opening combination.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir and a method of operating the same includes a pressure vessel having a membrane therein, a high pressure fluid input, a low pressure fluid input, a permeate output and a brine output. The system further includes a high pressure valve, a low pressure valve and a high pressure pump in fluid communication with the high pressure input through the high pressure valve. The system also includes a low pressure pump in fluid communication with the low pressure input through the low pressure valve. The high pressure pump and the low pressure pump are in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. The low pressure pump initially fills the pressure vessel and the high pressure pump operates during permeate production.

Abstract: Membranes are made from polymers and heat treated so that they have at least two zones with pores of different sizes. Pores with a smaller size have a lower molecular weight cut off than pores with a larger size. Zones with pores of different sizes may also be made by coating portions of membranes with polymer coatings. Membranes with pores of different sizes may be used in dialyzers for hemofiltration, hemodiafiltration, and other hemodialysis procedures. The membranes may also be used in other separation processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ultrafiltration. In particular, the present invention provides a compact ultrafiltration device and methods for generating an ultrafiltrate, both of which can be used for a variety of applications, including, but not limited to filtering blood, diagnostic applications, and as a bioreactor.

Abstract: An improved cross-flow filtration unit utilizing at least one two-ply membrane is disclosed that has a particular pore size relationship in the two membrane layers.

Abstract: The transducer-protector device for medical apparatus comprises a housing formed by two half-shells, a membrane defining a gas-permeable anti-contamination barrier, a female Luer first connection port, a second connection port for connection to a flexible tube, a helical bellows-conformed deformable member. The device, which operates in a service line of an extracorporeal blood circuit associated to a dialysis machine, is for protecting the machine from contaminating agents originating from the circuit. The device is simple and economical to manufacture.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved membrane pervaporation and vapor permeation system in which the vacuum is produced by a fluid passing through a Venturi-type nozzle. The fluid is chosen from solvents that have little or no affinity for the permeate molecules. It is applicable over process feed rates, and can be used for the separation of aromatic species from hydrocarbon.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a system, which can comprise a cage. The cage can define a chamber that can at least partially surround a tank. The system can comprise a plurality of water treatment components adapted to receive a non-potable water input and to provide a potable water output.

Abstract: The present invention provides a demineralizer capable of leveling out product water quantity and product water quality through the year regardless of raw water temperature, cutting down running costs, and improving the rate of operation. The demineralizer includes: a second reverse osmosis membrane module for separating primary concentrated water into secondary product water and secondary concentrated water; a product water supply pipe for guiding primary product water to a product water tank located downstream thereof; a secondary product water supply pipe for guiding the secondary product water downstream; a return pipe whose one end is connected to one end of the secondary product water supply pipe, and whose other end is connected to a raw water supply pipe; a by-pass pipe whose one end is connected to said one end of the secondary product water supply pipe, and whose other end is connected to the product water supply pipe; and a valve connected at some point in the return pipe and/or the by-pass pipe.

Abstract: An antimicrobial filter cartridge having a microporous core member about which is applied a yam which may be impregnated with a antimicrobial agent. The filter cartridge is sized so as to fit tightly into a cartridge housing of a fluid filtration system. Fluid passing through the cartridge housing will be filtered by the filter cartridge to remove bacteria and other contaminants from the water and which prevents the growth of bacterial and other microorganisms on the filter media.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane type blood purification device packed with hollow fiber membranes comprising a polysulfone resin and polyvinylpyrrolidone. Even when sterilized by irradiation with a radiation, the hollow fiber membrane type blood purification device is less apt to suffer polyvinylpyrrolidone elution and can be inhibited from decreasing in blood compatibility. The purification device is of the type called semi-dry, and is lightweight and has excellent handleability. The hollow fiber membrane type blood purification device comprises a bundle of hollow fiber membranes comprising a polysulfone resin and polyvinylpyrrolidone, a container packed therewith, and a potting agent disposed between each bundle end and the container to hold the bundle and thereby form a hollow-fiber-membrane inside chamber and a hollow-fiber-membrane outside chamber.

Abstract: A system, method and device are disclosed for bio-processing a feed stream and providing a constant output by operating a continuous single-pass tangential-flow process. The single-pass process provides high conversion concentration while operating at relatively low feed flow rates, and the process can also be used to provide constant output diafiltration.

Abstract: A description is given of a method of monitoring the operationality of a flow cut-off member for an extracorporeal fluid circuit. Also described is a system for arresting the flow of blood that implements this monitoring method. The system has a flow cut-off member active on a radially deformable length of tube forming part of the circuit, and a unit capable of causing a movement of a movable portion of the cut-off member towards a closed condition. The system detects when the movable portion passes through a first predetermined position and determines the value assumed by a dynamic parameter associated with the motion of the movable portion at the first predetermined position. The system further checks that this value is within a predetermined criterion of acceptability. Lastly, a blood treatment appliance is described that implements the described method and system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dialysis apparatus, comprising: a body with two planar sides, wells contained in the body, the wells being accessible from one planar side, a plurality of membranes for separating the wells into compartments, wherein each of said membranes is isolated one from another.

Abstract: A dry change water filter assembly is provided. The filter assembly includes a filter head including a water by-pass valve, and a filter body configured to removably attach to the filter head. The water by-pass valve is actuated by at least one of attaching the filter body to the filter head and removing the filter body from the filter head.

Abstract: A separation system including a pressure vessel containing a plurality of membrane cartridge assemblies is provided for the separation of a fluid feed. The separation system typically includes an elongated pressure vessel having a feed stream inlet, a residual stream and at least one permeate stream outlet. Disposed within the pressure vessel are a first tube sheet assembly defining a first permeate reservoir, a first fluid reservoir, and a plurality of membrane cartridge assemblies. The first tube sheet assembly includes a first pair of tube sheets, which define the first permeate reservoir therebetween, and a plurality of first sleeves disposed between the first pair of tube sheets. The first permeate reservoir is in fluid communication with the at least one permeate stream outlet. The at least one membrane cartridge assembly includes at membrane cartridge and a first permeate adapter joined to a first end of the membrane cartridge.

Abstract: Membrane filter system having at least one vessel and plurality of individually removable aerated filter modules arranged in the at least one vessel and structured and arranged for a suspension to be filtered to flow through in parallel. At least one filter module has a plurality of membrane units. A plurality of spaces are formed in the at least one vessel by plates arranged cross-wise with respect to a direction of flow through the filter modules. At least one feed space for a common supply of the suspension to be filtered to the plurality of filter modules and at least one permeate space for common discharging of permeate are provided. A feed pump supplies the suspension to be filtered into the at least one feed space. At least one feed distribution space is positioned laterally at least partially around the at least one feed space. Additionally, the at least one feed space has a feed distribution opening and an aeration device around which the suspension to be filtered flows.

Abstract: This invention relates to filtration manifolds, filtration assemblies, methods of channeling permeate, and filtration units. Filtration assemblies may include filtration units and filtration manifolds having isolated permeate collection passages. Permeate may be channeled through the isolated permeate collection passages of the filtration manifold during filtration and then output from the manifold.

Abstract: A system, method and device are disclosed for bio-processing a feed stream and providing a constant output by operating a continuous single-pass tangential-flow process. The single-pass process provides high conversion concentration while operating at relatively low feed flow rates, and the process can also be used to provide constant output diafiltration.

Abstract: A MEMS flow module (340) includes a plurality of filtering sections (344). Each filtering section (344) is defined by a stack (342) of a plurality of layers (346, 348, 350, 352). Each filtering section (344) includes at least one filter trap (364, 368) at each of at least two different levels or elevations within the stack (342). This provides for an increased flow rate through the MEMS flow module (340).

Abstract: A rotatable water treatment device including a hollow shaft and multiple filtering units is provided. The hollow shaft has an axis hole, an external wall and a plurality of through holes defined through the external wall and communicating with the axis hole. The multiple filtering units watertightly mounted on the external wall of the hollow shaft, and each of the filtering units includes a center hole, two clipping nets, a supporting net and two filtering membranes. The supporting net is mounted between the clipping nets and two filtering membranes sandwiches the clipping nets such that the filtering membranes can be prevented from sinking into the meshes of the supporting net with the pump effect to accelerate the conducting of the water-filtering.

Abstract: A water purifier includes a base, an outer casing mounted on the base, a fresh water conduit demountably mounted in the outer casing, a plurality of filtering units demountably mounted on the fresh water conduit and a cover demountably mounted on the outer casing. Each filtering unit includes a membrane bag and multiple supporting members. The membrane bags are sandwiched by the supporting members and are arranged in a cascading manner. Gaps are formed between each pair of adjacent membrane bags so that the filtering bags can be cleaned directly.

Abstract: A system and method for removing minerals from a water source and concentrating these minerals for ease of reuse or disposal includes passing the water from a suitable source through cascaded membrane filters, the reject outputs of each of which are connected to the inputs of the next membrane filter in the cascade. At the input of each of the membrane filters, a pre-filter in the form of a micro-filtration filter, an ultra filtration filter, or a slow sand filter, is used to remove sediment and impurities from the water stream prior to the application of the water to the input of the next membrane filter in the cascade.

Abstract: A membrane contactor includes a housing, a stack of membrane mats, and a cap. The housing has a closed end and an open end. The closed end includes an outlet port. The cap is united to the open end and includes an inlet port. A stack of membrane mats is within the housing stacked substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing. Each membrane mat has a plurality of hollow fiber members. A potting material bonds the membrane mats to each other and simultaneously bonds one end of the stack to the closed end and bonds the other end of the stack to the cap. The potting material forms an internal chamber and at least one external chamber within the housing. The hollow fiber members extend through the potting material from the internal chamber into the external chambers. The inlet port and the outlet port are in communication with the internal chamber. At least one side port is in communication with the external chambers.