Abstract: This invention provides lateral flow filters with pore size gradients and with features to prevent peripheral flows around the filter. The filters can be laminated composites of two or more planar filter layers. Cartridges employing the filters can include a filtration chamber configured to retain the lateral flow filters including a port for sample application and a capillary channel for filtrate egress. The fluid egress port can be positioned to receive filtrate from one filter layer but not another.

Abstract: A self-cleaning assembly comprising an enclosed casing 1 with a movable piston 31 and filters 32,33 therein. The preferred assembly has a casing 1 with a dirty water inlet 5, a first outlet 6 for clean filtered water and a second outlet 7 for the removal of sludge from the casing. The filter assembly is constructed and arranged to provide, in its normal operating mode, a liquid flow path through the filter 32,33 in a first direction between the dirty water inlet 5 and the clean water outlet 6 and, in a cleaning mode, to provide a liquid flow path in a second direction between the dirty water inlet 5 and the sludge outlet 7. In the cleaning mode, the movable member 31 compresses the filters 32,33 during the liquid flow in the second direction and contaminant is released therefrom for removal from the filter assembly via the second outlet 7. In an alternative embodiment, the sludge outlet 7 is omitted and sludge is removed from the casing via the outlet 6.

Abstract: A water filter assembly includes an upper cover body, a lower base, and a plurality of filter cores. The upper cover body is formed with a connector extending downwards. The connector is to be connected to a filter core set, which includes the filter cores connected together and has output and input hoses. The lower base has a chamber for accommodating the filter core set and has a cover portion connected to the upper cover body. Positioning members are formed on the output and input hoses at suitable positions. Notches are formed on two sides of the cover portion of the lower base so that the positioning members may engage with the notches.

Abstract: A flexible blood filter allowing smooth flow of a liquid and being excellent in separation resistance, pressure resistance and centrifugation resistance. The blood processing filter, includes a first filter element for removing aggregates from blood, a second filter element for removing leukocytes provided in the downstream of the first filter element, and a third filter element having gas permeability of 3 to 40 cc/cm2/sec per thickness of 1 cm provided between the second filter element and the outlet port. The filter contains a seal zone at a peripheral section which contains five layers including a layer of molten material and layers of molten material mixed with filter element material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a separation media, comprising an upstream layer, comprising fibers, wherein the upstream layer has a mean flow pore size of 8 microns or less; and a downstream layer, comprising fibers. The separation media is designed to separate red blood cells from liquid specimens such as blood and allow a filtrate, such as blood plasma, to flow from said downstream layer. Also provided is a diagnostic test device incorporating the separation media. Further disclosed is a method for separating red blood cells from a liquid specimen.

Abstract: The present invention is a portable water filtration/purification system that may be used for educational purposes. It includes a plurality of stackable filtration/purification housings, each of which accommodates a different type of water filtration/purification subsystem. A pressurization cap connectable to each housing provides for pressurizing one, several or all housings stacked in a particular combination or sub-combination. The housings may be color-coded for easy identification of each the type of filter within a particular housing. The water filters or purifiers in the various housing may include, but are not limited to, a sediment filter, a carbon filter, a reverse osmosis filter, a forward osmosis filter, a chemical purifier (or purification sub-system), and/or an ultraviolet light water purifier (or purification sub-system).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating immiscible liquids in a dispersion containing an aqueous liquid and at least one dispersed non-aqueous liquid by passing the dispersion through a series of absorbents, preferably polymeric. The direction of the flow through the absorbent is periodically changed. The period required before a change of the flow direction is established by the differential pressure. There is a gradual increase in the differential pressure across the absorbents which indicates a blockage due to viscous oil and/or solids. The product produced by the method and the apparatus of the invention is a polished non-aqueous phase and a polished aqueous phase both having low contaminant levels. In a preferred embodiment when solids are also present in the dispersion, a solids stream is also recovered.

Abstract: A contaminant adsorption is provided that includes a self-assembled monolayers on mesoporous supports (SAMMS) on a lattice support structure such as sintered metal wire mesh. Individual wire fibers of the sintered wire mesh may have a film coating of mesoporous material that is functionalized for a target metal. The mesh material is formed into filtration elements with or without particulate filtration media. Systems employing such filtration elements in one or multiple stages are also disclosed with an optional acid was stripping system for regenerating SAMMS and to facilitate reclamation of contaminants that can be refined into usable commercial materials.

Abstract: A removable manifold for a medical/surgical waste collection system. The manifold is dimensioned to be mounted to a receiver integral with the system. The manifold includes a driver for engaging a complementary valve internal to the receiver. The valve regulates flow between the receiver and the down line components of the waste collection system. The valve is normally closed. When the manifold is fitted to the receiver the driver engages the valve so as move the valve to the open position. This allows fluid flow from the manifold and receiver to the downstream components of the system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a filter unit for depleting or enriching a liquid or gas with substance(s) comprising i) providing a filter unit comprising at least one convective layer and at least one receiving layer adjacent one another, ii) passing the liquid or gas through the filter so that the main direction of flow is along the layers and the main flow of liquid gas is in the convective layer, allowing the substance(s) to: a) be transferred from a convective layer to a receiving layer, and b) be retained or otherwise modified or transferred within a receiving layer, or c) be provided by the receiving layer, and d) be transferred from the receiving layer to the fluid in the convective layer.

Abstract: A fluid filtration unit having two or more filter medium layers and/or zones, at least one of the layers/zones having a different particle retention capability disposed on each side of a non-filtering separator element. The filter medium are presently preferably positioned such that each succeedingly distal filter layer or zone from the separator has a decreased particle retention capability than each proceeding filter layer or zone. The filter medium layer most proximal to the separator element may be separated from the separator by a support material for supporting such filter medium element and preventing collapsing of the medium into any separator conduit. At least one of the medium elements is formed from a material which swells in size due to fluid absorption with the various zones and the separator being operatively connected by a new and innovative edge seal.

Abstract: A filtration device is provided that includes a filter component and an additive component. The filter component includes concentrically arranged filtering elements disposed in a filter-in-filter configuration. The additive component includes at least one additive material that is introduced into a working fluid to be filtered. The filter component and additive component provide an assembly for a filtration system that would filter a variety of working fluids. The filter component and additive component provides an assembly that can filter fluids more efficiently. As a result, fluids may enjoy, for example, extended drainage intervals and thereby reduce component wear.

Abstract: A method for grafting a porous element for leucodepletion by adsorption and/or filtration of a biological fluid, such as blood or a blood component, which method comprises the steps of impregnating the porous element with a solution containing a poly(ethylene oxide) having identical or different functional end groups; and applying an ionizing treatment to the impregnated porous element so as to ensure covalent cross-linking between the poly(ethylene oxide) and the porous element.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a cylindrical settler having a longitudinal axis, a conical base centered on the longitudinal axis, a outer wall centered on the longitudinal axis, a mix tank centered on the longitudinal axis and within the outer wall, and a coalescence fence extending from the outer surface of the mix tank.

Abstract: This invention provides a fiber filter and a sewage purifier capable of realizing effective use of the capacity of a treatment tank and being easily manufactured. A fiber filter is formed in a manner that ends of a plurality of fibrous materials made of carbon fibers bundled into a fiber bundle are connected to each other at a fixation part. The fiber filter is used as a filter of an anaerobic filter-bed tank of a sewage purifier. A part, which is not fixed at the fixation part, of the fibrous materials of the fiber filter spreads and develops in a tuft shape in sewage. Thus, the surface area of the fiber filter can be increased. Capacity necessary for treatment of the sewage W can be reduced and effectively used. The fiber filter can be easily manufactured due to its simple constitution.

Abstract: A method is provided for filtering a fluid. The method includes the step of selecting a first surface filtration medium to include layers of a first mesh material (FMM). The method also includes the step of selecting a second surface filtration medium to include layers of a second mesh material (SMM). The layers of FMM are selected to include a first number of layers (FNL) for collectively providing a first absolute micron filter rating (FAMFR) and a first capacity for collecting a first type of particles. The layers of SMM are selected to include a second number of layers (SNL) different from the FNL. The SNL is selected for collectively providing a second absolute micron filter rating (SAMFR). The SAMFR is different from the FAMFR. The SNL is also selected for providing a second capacity for collecting a second type of particles. The second capacity is different from the first capacity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filter for drinking water, including six filtering bottles. The fifth filtering bottle is formed with ion exchange resins, and the sixth filtering bottle is formed with a ceramic filtering core. The arrangement of the original third and fourth filtering bottles of the prior art is transposed, and a device for preventing a magnet of the filter from rusting is provided. The filtering bottles are orderly in turns and connected by tubes, and the fourth filtering bottle is connected with the fifth and sixth filtering bottles by a three-way pipe. Water is poured into a first filtering bottle and discharged from the fifth or sixth filtering bottle.

Abstract: A serial-flow filtration device includes a pressure-activated gate for by-passing at least one of its constituent layer (or layers) of filtration material. The filtration device includes a housing, a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and at least an upper and a rearmost filter layer. The upper filter layer divides the interior of the housing into an upstream zone and a downstream zone, with the rearmost filter layer residing in the downstream zone. The fluid inlet enables the introduction of fluid into the upstream zone. The fluid outlet enables releases of the fluid from the downstream zone. The upper filter layer, but not the rearmost filter layer, has integrated thereinto a pressure-activated gate capable of allowing substantially non-selective passage of fluid from the upstream zone into the downstream zone upon the attainment of a predetermined pressure differential across upper filter layer.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing plating film impurities in an electrochemical plating bath solution is disclosed. The method includes providing an electrochemical plating machine in which an electrochemical plating process is carried out. A by-product bath solution is formed by continually removing a pre-filtered bath solution from the machine and removing an additive from the pre-filtered bath solution. A clean bath solution is formed by removing an additive by-product from the by-product bath solution. An additive bath solution is formed by adding a fresh additive to the clean bath solution. The additive bath solution is added to the electrochemical plating machine. An apparatus for stabilizing film impurities in an electrochemical plating bath solution is also disclosed.

Abstract: A waste cement collection apparatus utilizing a porous disposable bulk bag for collecting waste cement removed as a result of wash-out of the discharge chute of a cement mixer truck after a cement delivery, the apparatus further having a method for filtering, collecting, and holding cement contaminated waste fluids for recovery and disposal. A service process is also described for the provision and recovery of the collection apparatus and the transport and disposition of the waste materials.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus and method for sampling is provided that achieves automatic, aseptic, extractive sampling of fluid samples from fluid sources containing high solids and/or high viscosity fluid without failing due to adverse interactions between the fluid and the sampling device such as clogging or fouling due to mechanical means or to physicochemical reactions between the fluid and the materials of construction of the sample device.

Abstract: A filtering device for the removal of arsenic from the ground water/surface water. The filtering device of the present invention uses steel wool and sand as the raw material for the removal of arsenic from water and the entire outer body of the device can be made from cheaper material like plastic material or stainless steel. The filtering device works on the simple principle of co-precipitation of arsenic with metals, followed by adsorption and filtration through treated sand. The metal, steel wool, used in the device is a processed waste generated from a steel plant thereby making the device extremely cheaper and versatile. In the filtering device of the present invention, iron arsenate and iron arsenite are co-precipitated by the reaction of steel wool with arsenic in water. The device uses treated river sand simultaneously for the removal of iron leached out during reaction.

Abstract: The disclosed method and apparatus involves the use of sequential filters for the purification of liquid. The sequential filters may each produce rejects that can be processed separately in their respective treatment apparatus, which can be fine-tuned to the specific reject that it treats. Alternatively, the first reject may be treated while the second reject may not be treated. The rejects (whether treated or not) may be combined into a combined flow and then be recycled in the sequential filters.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oil filter apparatus comprising an oil inlet and an oil outlet, with a suction oil pump being connectable to the oil outlet with which a negative pressure can be produced between the oil inlet (and the oil outlet, a coarse filter medium and a fine filter medium which is arranged between the oil inlet and the oil outlet, with the oil filter apparatus being capable of allowing a volume share of the oil to pass permanently through the coarse filter medium irrespective of the viscosity of an oil passing through the oil inlet and of allowing at the same time the remaining volume share of the oil to pass through the fine filter medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly with a filter housing and at least one filter cartridge. The at least one filter cartridge is tubular, has a tube wall provided with a filter and comprises a central discharge channel with a discharge connection for discharge of filtered medium. The tube wall has a filter through which the medium to be filtered is able to flow transversely to the tube wall. The filter housing has a filter chamber, surrounded by a side wall, in which the at least one filter cartridge is accommodated with the longitudinal direction parallel to the side wall. The invention furthermore is directed to a filter cartridge intended for such an assembly.

Abstract: A water purification apparatus includes a main body having an accommodation chamber inside and a plate on a top side thereof, a lid pivotally mounted on the main body and closable on the main body, a holder mounted with the plate of main body and defining with the plate of the main body a distance, a top cover pivotally mounted with the holder and having a retaining portion, an inlet and an outlet opposite to the inlet, and a housing having a jamming portion detachably engageable with the retaining portion of the top cover, a first water filler hole in communication with the inlet of the top cover and a second water filler hole in communication with the outlet of the top cover. The water purification apparatus has the advantages of being convenient to exchange a filter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a decontamination process comprising the step of contacting a aqueous solution containing a pollutant or contaminant with a decontaminating agent, wherein the decontaminating agent is sapropel. The present invention also provides a decontamination system (110).

Abstract: An exfiltration apparatus for removing contaminants from a fluid, the exfiltration apparatus including a housing defining a fluid flow path and having a first filter/sorptive layer positioned within a first portion of the housing and a second filter/sorptive layer positioned within a second portion of the housing. The first portion of the housing and the first filter/sorptive layer are removable as a unit from the second portion of the housing. The exfiltration apparatus may also include a container positioned within the second filter/sorptive layer and a third filter/sorptive layer disposed within the container. The exfiltration apparatus may also include a container defining a fluid retaining chamber. The chamber may be generally positioned between the first filter/sorptive layer and the second filter/sorptive layer.

Abstract: A filter system for filtering water and/or wastewater that includes a roughing filter followed by a polishing filter where the roughing filter is an upflow filter and the polishing filter is a membrane filter. The upflow filter includes a filter bed formed from one or more layers of media. The media may be naturally occurring or plastic. Further, the media may be buoyant or non-buoyant. Preferably, the filter system is formed as a package unit. The upflow filter and membrane filter may share a common base allowing the filter system to be readily transported as a single unit. Alternatively, the membrane filter may be connected to and supported by a vertical wall of the upflow filter. The membrane filter may include membrane filter modules that are housed as a group in a section of the membrane filter or the membrane filter modules may be individually housed.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed for treating a biological fluid with light. A container of biological fluid is introduced into a fluid treatment chamber where it is contacted with light provided by one or more light sources in proximity to the fluid treatment chamber. A drawer for holding containers of biological fluid introduces the containers into the chamber. Containers for holding the biological fluid are marked by the apparatus to indicate the status of the treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge type oil filter including a case having a container section and a cover section that are integrated with each other; a filter element housed in the case; and ceramics bodies disposed at a position separated from an oil filtration surface of the filter element in the case.

Abstract: A fluid treatment system that includes at least one treatment module (“pod”) with rigid and impermeable inner and outer surfaces, and an annular center passage which is designed to provide an alternative flow path during the pod backwashing process. At least one chemical treatment media disposed in the interior portion of the pod. A riser extends upwardly through the pod so that the outer surface of the riser and the inner surface of the pod define the annular passage. At least one valve assembly controls the movement of a fluid within the annular passage. The pod is serviced by directing the fluid into the riser and then directing the fluid through the pod, a portion of the fluid flowing through the annular passage.

Abstract: A method and system for treating a fluid containing entrained cementitious particles involves drawing the fluid from a storage location, pre-filtering the fluid, dividing the pre-filtered fluid into a flow of permeate and a flow of bypass by passing said pre-filtered fluid through a tangential flow filter. The permeate flow is fluid that has passed through a polymeric membrane filter media disposed in the tangential flow filter, while the bypass flow is flow exiting said tangential flow filter without passing through said membrane filter media. The system and method also includes a pH probe for testing the pH of the filtrate, and a metering pump operated by a controller which injects a neutralizing agent into the filtrate to reduce the alkalinity of the filtrate before discharge.

Abstract: A water purification apparatus, comprising a water pump, wherein the water pump inlet port receives water from an external source, a nonreturn valve in fluid communication with the water pump outlet port, and an ionizer chamber in fluid communication with the nonreturn valve output end, wherein the ionizer chamber doses a bacteriacide into water contained in the ionizer chamber. The apparatus also includes a filter, wherein the input end of the filter is in fluid communication with the output end of the ionizer chamber.

Abstract: A filtration device is provided that includes a filter component and an additive component. The filter component includes concentrically arranged filtering elements disposed in a filter-in-filter configuration. The additive component includes at least one additive material that is introduced into a working fluid to be filtered. The filter component and additive component provide an assembly for a filtration system that would filter a variety of working fluids. The filter component and additive component provides an assembly that can filter fluids more efficiently. As a result, fluids may enjoy, for example, extended drainage intervals and thereby reduce component wear.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a trapezoid settler having a longitudinal axis, a base, a first side wall oriented at an angle to the longitudinal axis, a second side wall opposing the first side wall and oriented at an angle to the longitudinal axis, and a coalescence fence connected to the first side wall and the second side wall. The coalescence fence has a first screen, a second screen oriented generally parallel to the first screen, and a media disposed between the first screen and the second screen.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatus and methods for mitigating column bed compression over time. This invention provides for an improved column design and method of controlling bed density in a chromatographic column using a protruding portion of a filter assembly. The invention results in a higher sorbent bed density than can normally be achieved using a fixed length column of conventional design. The invention may be implemented as a unique filter assembly or as a column tailored for the application and a matching filter assembly.

Abstract: A filtration medium is sealed within a housing. The filtration medium is sized and configured to define multiple filtration regions within the housing, through which independent, though concurrent, blood filtration can occur. Each filtration region is served by its own inlet path, which conveys blood into the filtration region. The filtration medium in each filtration region passes the blood to remove at least one undesired component, such as, e.g., leukocytes. After filtration, the multiple filter regions convey the blood into a single, centrally located manifold. A single outlet path communicates with the manifold.

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: The filtration device mainly contains a hollow body member having a water inlet and a water outlet at two ends; a number of open-top container members vertically stacked and reliably positioned, inside the body member; and a number of agent members placed inside the container members respectively. Each of the container members has a number of through holes arranged spirally at the bottom so that the water is forced into a swirl as it flows through the container members to make full utilization of the agent members. The body member is sealed by a cover that can be easily twisted close or open. As such, the standardized container members can be easily accessed and the agent members can be easily replaced.

Abstract: A portable filter and filter system. The filter has a filter housing defining a liquid channel from an inlet to an outlet. The portable filter includes a liquid filter located in the filter housing, a mouthpiece mechanically associated with the dispensing end of the filter housing, and a liquid receiving means connected to the receiving end of the filter housing. The device can include a pre-filter assembly of which the liquid receiving means is a part. The liquid receiving means can include multiple connection members to receive liquid from a variety of liquid sources. The filter can be combined with a liquid container to form a portable filter system. The container can be a flexible bladder having a strap to connect the filtration device to the bladder.

Abstract: A filter for removing soluble and insoluble lead from water supplied by a water source includes a first filter medium configured to adsorb soluble lead to facilitate removing soluble lead from the water. A second filter medium is operatively coupled in series with the first filter medium and configured to facilitate physically removing insoluble colloidal lead from the water.

Abstract: The present invention is an integral multilayered composite membrane having at least one ultrafiltration layer made by cocasting or sequentially casting a plurality of polymer solutions onto a support to form a multilayered liquid sheet and immersing the sheet into a liquid coagulation bath to effect phase separation and form a multilayered composite membrane having at least one ultrafiltration layer.

Abstract: A filtering device for a gravity-flow liquid treatment system includes a first filter component that can be either exposed or adjacent to a substantially transparent region in at least a portion of a filter housing. The first filter component is capable of providing a visual indication of exposure to at least one contaminant. The contaminants for which the first filter component can indicate exposure include particles, inorganic, and organic contamination. Particle contamination is indicated by a change in color of the first filter component through particle collection. Inorganic and organic contaminants are indicated by reaction with at least one agent capable of undergoing a color-change reaction in response to at least one contaminant.

Abstract: Provided is a process and apparatus for separating a multi-component feed stream wherein a porous separator is used to effectively create, via permeation and phase change, at least three fractions of differing compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of removing contaminants from water which includes the steps of first providing a water feed exposed to at least one hydrocarbon or chemical process. This water feed is set in-line with a reverse osmosis system which includes an inlet, at least one reverse osmosis membrane, a permeate outlet, and a reject outlet. Then, pressure is applied to the water feed, or where the pressure of the water feed is higher than desired, the pressure is controlled or reduced. The pressure of the water feed serves to force the water feed through the reverse osmosis system. The reverse osmosis system then separates the water feed into a permeate and reject which includes at least one of the contaminants. The permeate is then directed to the permeate outlet and the reject is directed to the reject outlet.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an apparatus for producing a metal hydroxide, in particular magnesium hydroxide, from a salt solution, wherein the metal is firstly precipitated from the salt solution and the suspension produced in that way is then filtered. The object of the invention is to provide a method and an apparatus which permit simple inexpensive and rapid production of metal hydroxide, in particular magnesium hydroxide, in a high state of purity. According to the invention that is achieved in that the suspension is filtered through at least one filter (13-17) of a cross-flow filtration installation (13-17), and that a permeate produced by filtration of the suspension is fed to the cross-flow filtration installation (14-17) again.

Abstract: Process for treating lipophilic fluids employing filters, more particularly, multifunctional filters that are capable of removing as well as adding components to lipophilic fluids being filtered are provided by the present invention.

Abstract: A depth filter design is disclosed which has little if any open void area upstream of the media. Preferably, it also has little if any open void area downstream of the media as well. A preferred embodiment uses layers of stacked, fibrous media with several of the layers being separated from the others by spacers which serve to compress the media and to prevent the bypass of fluid around the media adjacent the inner wall of the housing. Several designs for attaching the end caps which allow for the compression of the media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A filter apparatus is provided which includes a first filter membrane element (40a), and a second bacterial filter membrane element. The first viral filter element (40a) is capable of treating water at a first second flow rate and is adapted to remove contaminants which are larger than a first size, while the second bacterial filter element (40b) is capable of treating water at a second higher flow rate and is adapted to remove contaminants which are larger than a second contaminant size. The first and second filter elements (40a), (40b) may be commonly housed within a sealed housing. An accumulating vessel (60) is placed in fluid communication with an outlet of the first filter element (40a) and an outlet of the second filter element (40b). The filter apparatus includes a duck bill type check valve (75) made of an antimicrobial material intermediate the second filter element (40b) and a dispensing faucet (70).