Abstract: A mass transfer system including a housing and a three-dimensional ordered open-cellular micro-truss material within the housing for a mass transfer application. Here, the three-dimensional ordered open-cellular micro-truss material includes a plurality of first truss elements defined by a plurality of first self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a first direction, a plurality of second truss elements defined by a plurality of second self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a second direction, and a plurality of third truss elements defined by a plurality of third self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a third direction. The first, second, and third ordered truss elements interpenetrate each other at a plurality of nodes to form a continuous material. In one embodiment, the continuous material is a metal material.

Abstract: A syringe filter for containing a filter membrane is disclosed and includes first and second fluid distribution surfaces configured to be positioned on opposing sides of a membrane. An inlet port is in fluid communication with the first fluid distribution surface and a first plurality of distribution pathways formed on the first fluid distribution surface. An outlet port is in fluid communication with the second fluid distribution surface and a second plurality of distribution pathways formed on the second fluid distribution surface. The first plurality of distribution pathways is configured to distribute fluid flow from the inlet port to one side of the membrane while the second plurality of distribution pathways is configured to direct fluid flow from another side of the membrane to the outlet port.

Abstract: A filter module is formed of wound filter material having openings wherein the boundary surfaces of the openings constitute flow-through surfaces. The openings of the wound layers of the filter material form channels angled relative to the winding axis, wherein one group thereof opens at the outer peripheral surface of the roll and the other group opens at the inner peripheral surface of the roll and wherein the channels on the other end, respectively, are closed and wherein the channels, angled relative to the winding axis, are separated from one another by filter material, and wherein the inner area of the roll has a central channel arranged around a winding axis.

Abstract: A filter for reactor coolant may include a plurality of adjacent plates. Each of the plates may include a plurality of alternating peaks and valleys. The peaks of a first plate of the plurality of adjacent plates and the valleys of a second plate of the plurality of adjacent plates that is adjacent to the first plate may be aligned in parallel such that each peak of the first plate and an associated valley of the second plate define a closed channel. The closed channels may be at an angle to a flow path of the reactor coolant into the filter. The filter may be shaped such that the reactor coolant from the flow path enters the closed channels, flows at the angle, and does not flow between the closed channels.

Abstract: A filter module is formed of wound filter material having openings wherein the boundary surfaces of the openings constitute flow-through surfaces. The openings of the wound layers of the filter material form channels angled relative to the winding axis, wherein one group thereof opens at the outer peripheral surface of the roll and the other group opens at the inner peripheral surface of the roll and wherein the channels on the other end, respectively, are closed and wherein the channels, angled relative to the winding axis, are separated from one another by filter material, and wherein the inner area of the roll has a central channel arranged around a winding axis.

Abstract: A ceramic pervaporation membrane and a ceramic vapor-permeable membrane where the total aperture length of discharge channels parallel to the channel direction of water collection cells is at least 10% of the length of filtration cells and where the ratio m/n of the number m of rows of filtration cells to the number n of rows of water collection cells is between 1 and 4 have a high water permeation rate and a high separation coefficient.

Abstract: A strainer wall structure includes curved sections, a method of manufacturing the same, and a filtering method using the strainer wall structure to provide a substantially larger effective filtering area in the same length and width, substantially reducing foreign substances covering a suction surface and flow resistance of the foreign substances, and reducing pressure drop at a cooling water pass corresponding thereto. The strainer wall structure includes an inlet side through which cooling water is introduced and an outlet side through which the filtered cooling water is discharged, includes a body having openings in directions of the inlet side and the outlet side, and a first filter plate inserted into the body and including curved sections formed by alternately bending a first punched plate having filtering holes in opposite directions and at a predetermined interval.

Abstract: A system and method for integrating microfluidic components in a microfluidic system enables the microfluidic system to perform a selected microfluidic function. A capping module includes a microfluidic element for performing a microfluidic function. The capping module is stacked on a microfluidic substrate having microfluidic plumbing to incorporate the microfluidic function into the system. An infusion pump for delivering a fluid from a fluid source may be integrated in a microfluidic chip using a capping module having pumping components formed therein.

Abstract: The teachings presented herein provide a water distribution manifold assembly for distribution of water for mixed indoor and outdoor usage. The assembly finds direct application in water reclamation and conservation in that it allows for the use of runoff and gray water. The assembly integrates in-line filtration in a convenient, readily accessible way. In one or more embodiments, the assembly includes: a supply inlet and an associated check valve and pressure release valve; a filter unit connected to a second check valve; a pressure gauge; one or more outlets, each of which may be connected to a check valve; and a manifold or connecting pipe that interconnects the inlet, filter unit, and one or more outlets. The assembly also may include a controller, which in one or more embodiments provides control, monitoring, and communications for the assembly and/or associated water distribution systems.

Abstract: Filter module and filter unit with an inlet for medium that is to be filtered, and with an outlet for the permeate, with at least one filter sheet, a first spacer adjacent to the media side and a second spacer adjacent to the permeate side, the spacers being designed with a draining action, and the first spacer being connected to an inlet and the second spacer to an outlet, wherein the at least one filter sheet forms a first filter unit together with the two adjacent spacers, the filter sheet is designed as a single filter or a filter stack, the first spacer is designed to be impermeable to liquid on its outer face directed away from the filter sheet and is sealed off at its boundary to the outlet end, and the second spacer is designed to be impermeable to liquid on its outer face directed away from the filter sheet and is sealed off at its boundary to the inlet end.

Abstract: In an effluent treatment system, a distribution grid comprises a distribution member for passing effluent initially horizontally through an internal chamber and out of laterally-extending distribution arms communicating with the chamber. Prefabricated filter media units are placed under the distribution member and the arms so that effluent may then trickle generally vertically through the filter media.

Abstract: A fluid filter is preferably constructed from a relatively thick batting of high loft, non-woven, fluid permeable fibrous material. The filter batting is then passed through a manufacturing device, which slices the batting in the vertical as to create two continuous filter batts from the parent filter batt. The slicing also creates a relatively deep V-shaped zig zag or waveform pattern in the anterior filter surfaces of the top and bottom of the batt. The top half deep V-shaped zigzag patterns peaks and valleys correspond or line up with the bottom half's valleys and peaks since the waveform landscape of the first child batt is essentially a negative impression of the second child batt. Accordingly, the patterns nest within one another. When separated, the two children batts each comprise a waveform landscape for dynamically directing fluid streams from the anterior filter surface to the posterior filter surface.

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 method for in-line preparation of liquid for an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus that makes provision for placing a filter in correspondence with each of two successive filtration stations, for carrying out a liquid preparation cycle, for removing the filter, which operates in correspondence with a first filtration station, for placing in correspondence with the first filtration station the filter that operated in correspondence with the second filtration station, for placing a new filter in correspondence with a second filtration station and for launching a new sterile liquid preparation cycle. The invention also provides a device for implementing the described method and an apparatus for extracorporeal blood treatment, which incorporates this device.

Abstract: A filter for an inkjet printer that has a chamber divided into an upstream section and a downstream section by a filter membrane. An inlet conduit establishes fluid communication between an ink supply and the upstream section. An outlet conduit establishes fluid communication between the downstream section and a printhead. During use at least part of the inlet conduit is elevated relative to the filter membrane. By elevating the inlet conduit relative to the filter membrane, it acts as a bubble trap to retain bubbles that would otherwise obstruct the filter. This allows the filter size to be reduced for a more compact overall design.

Abstract: A filter element for filtering fluids has at least one filter unit (12, 14, 16) that is disposed concentrically around the axis of the element. The unit is supported on at least one supporting element (24, 26, 30) in the direction of the flow of the fluid. At least part of the supporting elements (24, 26) is provided, at least on the side facing the filter unit (12, 14, 16), with channels (28) for guiding the fluid. Longitudinal ribs (50) delimit the channels (28), and extend along the supporting element (24, 26) in the form of spiral tracks. The two free ends of each channel (28) emerge at opposite ends of the corresponding supporting element (24, 26). The channels (28) extend continuously along the supporting element, are devoid of multiple deviations in the fluid flow and only partially surround the corresponding supporting element (24, 28) to form a torsional guide for the fluid flow.

Abstract: In a chemical reactor, a gas and a liquid which are in trace volumes are used to produce air bubbles and thus increase the interface area between the gas and liquid, substantially enhancing the efficiency of reaction between the gas and liquid. The chemical reactor comprises the following: a sheath flow forming block which forms a plurality of alternating sheath flows with two mutually unmixable fluids; a plurality of inlet ports through which said two fluids flow into the sheath flow forming block; a contraction zone which simultaneously contracts a plurality of sheath flows formed in the sheath flow forming block; and reaction flow channels each of which is connected with said contraction zone and is smaller in width than the sheath flow forming block.

Abstract: A filter wrap for a cylindrical filter has a sheet with an interior side facing the filter when the sheet is wrapped on the filter, and an exterior side. It also has an edge defining a main opening to the interior for receiving the filter. At least one strap is provided for the wrap with one end attached to the sheet. The strap has another accessible distal end. Pulling on the strap(s) everts the sheet as it is pulled off of the filter. This results in trapping debris residing on the exterior of the sheet within the sheet once it is everted during removal of the wrap from the filter. Installation and removal can be performed while the protected equipment remains in operation.

Abstract: In a chemical reactor, a gas and a liquid which are in trace volumes are used to produce air bubbles and thus increase the interface area between the gas and liquid, substantially enhancing the efficiency of reaction between the gas and liquid. The chemical reactor comprises the following: a sheath flow forming block which forms a plurality of alternating sheath flows with two mutually unmixable fluids; a plurality of inlet ports through which said two fluids flow into the sheath flow forming block; a contraction zone which simultaneously contracts a plurality of sheath flows formed in the sheath flow forming block; and reaction flow channels each of which is connected with said contraction zone and is smaller in width than the sheath flow forming block.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for separating particles having different sedimentation velocities. The system includes a container containing a binding substance including first particles and ligands attached to the first particles. When the binding substance is mixed with a liquid carrying at least second and third particles, the ligands bind the first and second particles together to form groups of bound particles. The groups of bound particles are separated from the third particles in a fluid chamber configured to be mounted on a centrifuge rotor. One of the disclosed methods includes forming a saturated fluidized bed of particles to retain the particles groups in the fluid chamber. Another of the disclosed methods includes removing at least some of the first particles after the binding substance is mixed with the liquid carrying second and third particles.

Abstract: A membrane separation device includes a washing apparatus and a membrane module. The washing apparatus is formed of a vessel for accommodating the membrane module therein, a first tank and a second tank for accommodating washing liquid for washing the membrane module in the vessel and connected to the vessel, a compressed gas feeding device connected to the first and second tanks for selectively feeding compressed gas into the first and second tanks to flow out the liquid therefrom, and conduits connected among the vessel, first and second tanks, and compressed gas feeding device. A conduit selecting device is attached to the conduits for feeding the washing liquid in one of first and second paths. In the first path, the compressed gas in the compressed gas feeding device is fed into the first tank, and the liquid in the first tank is fed into the vessel through the liquid inlet to wash the membrane module accommodated therein and is led to the second tank.

Abstract: Methods for the central preparation and distribution of a concentrate to a plurality of medical treatment devices are disclosed comprising supplying a stream of substantially only water to a central container which includes a single salt composition at least partially in solid form, producing a substantially saturated solution of the salt composition in the central container, and distributing the salt solution to a distribution conduit which includes a plurality of concentrate connectors whereby the salt solution can be distributed to the plurality of medical treatment devices. Methods for disinfecting this apparatus, the apparatus itself, and containers for use in the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a rotatable filter, such as a disk filter, for separating solid particles from a liquid mixture, in which a filter material (3) is partially immersed, a cake-removal member (11) is designed to take off a layer of the formed cake of solid particles from the filter material, so that a liquid-permeable coating, which itself acts as a filter medium, is left on the filter material which is moved down into the liquid mixture which is to be separated. According to the invention, for renewing the coating a spraying apparatus (13-17) is designed to spray jets of liquid in at least one spray zone (18), through which only a part of the filter material passes upwards during the rotating movement of the filter material, so that the whole cake of coarse particles, including the coating, is removed from the part of the filter material by the jets of liquid.

Abstract: A hydraulic distribution and control unit has a chamber with an inlet (1a) and at least two subchambers. A partition wall (5) separates the subchambers one from another. One edge of the partition wall crosses the inlet to the main chamber, dividing the inlet into layers at different levels. The uppermost subchamber has an overfall edge (4a) and the lowermost subchamber includes an underflow (8).

Abstract: A water distributor for distributing a flow of water to at least one of a plurality of output ports. The particular output port(s) chosen varies as a function of time and depends on the position of a motor driven rotor within the distributor. In another embodiment of the invention the distributor distributes water to at least one of a plurality of nozzles and draws water through at least one of the same plurality of nozzles. Other ones of the plurality of nozzles are neither outputting nor drawing in water. The function of a particular nozzle is dependent on the position of a rotor within the distributor. The rotor is motor driven whereby the function of a particular nozzle changes as a function of time as the rotor rotates. Each distributor of the invention is particularly adaptable for coupling to a fluid filled tank to provide time varying currents and eddies. The distributors thus provide a varying flow of water to a tank to disperse pollutants and contaminants and provide oxygen to the water.

Abstract: A water distributor for distributing a flow of water to at least one of a plurality of output ports. The particular output port(s) chosen varies as a function of time and depends on the position of a motor driven rotor within the distributor. In another embodiment of the invention the distributor distributes water to at least one of a plurality of nozzles and draws water through at least one of the same plurality of nozzles. Other ones of the plurality of nozzles are neither outputting nor drawing in water. The function of a particular nozzle is dependent on the position of a rotor within the distributor. The rotor is motor driven whereby the function of a particular nozzle changes as a function of time as the rotor rotates. Each distributor of the invention is particularly adaptable for coupling to a fresh or salt-water aquarium to provide the aquarium with time varying currents and eddies.

Abstract: A hemodialysis system has a blood circuit and a hemofiltrate circuit interconnected at a hemofilter and an air collection chamber. If an infusion of sterile fluid to the returning blood is needed during the dialysis treatment, filtrate in the filtrate circuit is pumped back into the blood circuit. This is also done to purge the blood circuit of blood and return it to the patient at the conclusiion of a dialysis treatment. A blood pump in the blood circuit incorporates a flexible vessel in conjunction with pinch valves which self expand in a controlled manner from a compressed condition to fill with blood from the patient in a suction stroke controlled by the patient's blood delivery rate. Compression of the vessel by an external member then forces the blood through the rest of the blood circuit.

Abstract: A filter device for a screw extruder for the handling of molten plastic comprising a filter housing having inlet and outlet bores and a slide displaceable in the housing transverse to the direction of the flow of the melt. At least one recess in the slide forms a portion of a melt channel and receives a screen member. In order to obtain uniform distribution of the flow of melt in the filter device and of the pressure forces acting on the filter surface, the recess is formed by an annular milling which is surrounded by a replaceable cylindrical screen member. A flow passage in the slide extends from the melt channel to the outlet bore.