Abstract: Methods of treating a high salinity liquid, such as seawater, containing boron are provided, including adjusting the pH of the liquid to about 8 to about 9.5, optionally adding a scale inhibitor to the liquid, passing the liquid through a reverse osmosis device, and recovering a permeate having a boron concentration less than about 2 ppm. One embodiment includes removing colloidal matter from the liquid using a membrane filtration system, such as ultrafiltration or microfiltration, prior to passing the liquid through the reverse osmosis device, and preferably prior to adjusting the pH of the liquid.

Abstract: A method of treating a high salinity liquid, such as seawater, containing boron is provided. The method includes adjusting the pH of the liquid to about 8.5 to about 9.5, optionally adding a scale inhibitor to the liquid, passing the liquid through a reverse osmosis device, and recovering a permeate having a boron concentration less than about 1 ppm.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods for improving performance of hollow fiber filtration membrane modules. Invention methods comprise a unique backwashing technique wherein the hollow fiber membranes within the module are pressurized with a gas on the feed side at specified times during the backwash. Periodic use of invention methods effectively removes fouling components from the hollow-fiber membranes, thereby providing stable permeability and low trans-membrane pressures, which results in an efficient and economic filtration process. In addition, there are provided methods for cleaning hollow fiber membranes and increasing filtrate flow rate through membranes.

Abstract: Thick section, thermoset, solid castings are formed by a two component reactive resin system, including a resin component A and a hardener component B, wherein a minor portion of the total stoichiometric charge of the resin A is mixed with substantially the entire charge of hardener B to form a modified hardener component C. After allowing the modified hardener C to cool, it is mixed with the remainder of the charge of resin A to form a viscous fluid casting mixture which can be cast into the desired thick section shape. The casting to final shape proceeds at a slower rate with reduced exotherm and more controlled shrinkage, thereby avoiding cracks and other defects in the thick section shape. After cooling and allowing the cast thick section shape to cure and harden to a final solid casting, the casting has the same hardness as a casting produced by a conventional mixing of the total charge of resin A with hardener B.

Abstract: Selective, water-permeable membranes for reverse osmosis and nanofiltration are prepared by interfacially polymerizing on a microporous support an essentially monomeric bipiperidine reactant, and an essentially monomeric amine-reactive polyfunctional aromatic or cycloaliphatic acyl halide having on the average at least about 2 acyl halide groups per reactant molecule. The polymerization is optionally carried out in the presence of a monomeric amine salt, which can increase the flux rate of the resulting membrane.

Abstract: A new sanitary filter element is described which provides a structure which cannot harbor contaminants and is readily and thoroughly cleaned as needed. The new device utilizes a uniquely configured adhesive component and membrane and tricot channel sheets which are significantly trimmed in size following adhesive curing. Such configuration eliminates structures within the filter where bacterial and other contamination, or materials which support such contaminants, can accumulate. In addition, a novel cage structure provides turbulent fluid flow while having improved strength and furnishes a site for permanent identification indicia. Finally, an improved step in the manufacturing process, in which a temporary separation sheet is positioned between the membrane and the feed spacer, prevents the occurrence of random unwanted contact adhesions between the two before and during the curing of the adhesive bonding membranes and their adjacent tricot channeling sheets.

Abstract: A filter module for filtering raw liquid that includes an outer housing having a longitudinal axis and raw liquid inlet and outlet ends. A non-porous member is attached to each end of the outer housing to form a seal between a hollow tube and the outer housing. A plurality of fins are disposed among hollow fiber filter elements to separate the elements into a plurality of bundles. Each of the fins has a plurality of spacers abutting the hollow tube to form liquid pathways between each of the respective fins in the hollow tube.

Abstract: Water permeable reverse osmosis membranes are prepared by interfacially polymerizing on a microporous support an essentially monomeric polyamine reactant having at least two amine functional groups per reactant molecule, and an essentially monomeric amine-reactive polyfunctional aromatic or cycloaliphatic acyl halide having on the average at least about 2 acyl halide groups per reactant molecule. The polymerization is optionally carried out in the presence of a monomeric amine salt, which increases the flux rate of the resulting membrane. Preferred polyamine compounds of the generic formula, which are novel per se, include 3,5-diaminobenzoyl piperazine, 4-aminobenzoyl piperazine, 3-aminobenzoyl piperazine, isophthaloyl piperazine, and terephthaloyl piperazine.

Abstract: A membrane sampling device for use in a membrane filtration system having one or more pressure vessels for determining whether a filter membrane elements are performing properly or need replacement. The membrane sampling device is adapted to test operating conditions and to provide performance indicia in RO/UF systems without removal of filter membrane elements from the pressure vessel. A testing system is also provided that provides an improved means for testing multiple membrane sampling devices.

Abstract: Water permeable reverse osmosis membranes are prepared by interfacially polymerizing on a microporous support an essentially monomeric polyamine reactant having at least two amine functional groups per reactant molecule, and an essentially monomeric amine-reactive polyfunctional single ring cycloaliphatic acyl halide having fewer than six carbon atoms per ring and having on the average at least about 2.2 acyl halide groups per reactant molecule. The polymerization is preferably carried out in the presence of a monomeric amine salt, which increases the flux rate of the resulting membrane. In addition, an aromatic polyfunctional acyl halide may be used in conjunction with the cycloaliphatic acyl halide in order to increase salt rejection rates. Preferred cycloaliphatic acyl halides are 1-cis, 2-trans, 3-cis, 4-trans-cyclopentane tetracarboxylic acid chloride, 1-cis, 2-trans, 3-cis, 4-trans-cyclobutane tetracarboxylic acid chloride and 1-cis, 2-trans, 4-cis-cyclopentane tricarboxylic acid chloride.

Abstract: Water permeable reverse osmosis membranes are prepared by interfacially polymerizing on a microporous support an essentially monomeric polyamine reactant having at least two amine functional groups per reactant molecule, and an essentially monomeric, at least trifunctional cyclic chloroformate amine-reactive reactant, wherein at least one of the functional groups is a chloroformyl group and the remaining functional groups of the amine-reactive reactant, if any, are acyl halides. The polymerization is preferably carried out in the presence of a monomeric amine salt, which increases the flux rate of the resulting membrane. In addition, an aromatic polyfunctional acyl halide and/or a polyfunctional cycloaliphatic acyl halide may be used in conjunction with the cyclic chloroformate in order to increase flux rates and possibly other desired properties. A preferred cyclic chloroformate is 5-chloroformyl isophthaloylchloride.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interfacially synthesized reverse osmosis membrane useful for the separation of fluid mixtures and solutions. In particular, the present invention relates to a polyamide water permeable membrane containing a monomeric amine salt therein, which is useful for desalination of an aqueous solution. The present invention also relates to processes for preparing the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interfacially synthesized reverse osmosis membrane useful for the separation of fluid mixtures and solutions. In particular, the present invention relates to an aromatic polyamide water permeable membrane containing an amine salt therein, which is useful for desalination of an aqueous solution. The present invention also relates to processes for preparing the membrane.

Abstract: This invention is a spiral wound membrane filtration element for reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration and filtration of gas mixtures and having a novel radial feed-concentrate flow path and axial permeate discharge allowing conversion of a feed mixture to be varied to any practical desired degree without regard to the membrane elements length while maitaining turbulent or chopped laminar hydrodynamic flow conditions where desired, and a method of using said membrane elements in a filtration process.

Abstract: This invention relates to a reverse osmosis membrane module for separating a selected fluid component from a feed stock. The module comprises a mandrel having an axial passageway forming a flow path for the selected fluid component through the mandrel. A flow guide means is attached to the mandrel and forms a channel for the selected fluid component as it flows through the membrane module. A plurality of generally rectangular membrane envelopes are joined to the flow guide mandrel and are formed from a plurality of elongated permeate collector sheets each forming a flow path for the selected fluid component from the outer periphery of the envelope to the flow guide. A plurality of folded sheets of support material with each sheet having predetermined membrane areas where reverse osmosis occurs are joined to the collector sheets so as to form the membrane envelope. Each sheet of support material is formed such that there are no fold lines on the membrane areas where reverse osmosis occurs.

Abstract: A jacking apparatus comprises a rail having a plurality of pairs of vertical slots longitudinally spaced apart. A sled slides along this rail and has cross members to which are pivotably attached ends of hydraulic cylinders, the other ends of the hydraulic cylinders being pivotably attached to cross heads which also slide along the rail. The cross heads have bevelled latches, slidable vertically, and longitudinally reversible for engagement with the slots in the rail; so that repetitive, reciprocal movement of the hydrauic cylinder pistons will cause successive, incremental movements of the sled and a load selectively pushed or pulled by the sled along the rail.

Abstract: A jacking apparatus comprises a rail with an attached vertical rack having teeth with a steep front face and a sloping back. A notch is arranged in the back of each of the rack teeth. A pair of cars are slidably mounted on the rail with each car carrying a pair of latches, one of which is engageable with the front face of a rack tooth and the other with the notch in the back of that tooth. Reciprocal motion, away from and toward each other, is imparted to the cars while the latches selectively engage teeth in the rack to cause progressive incremental travel of the cars along the rail, to move a load attached to one of them.

Abstract: A ship lifting apparatus, or drydock, is formed by a pair of parallel, spaced apart piers which define a slip in which is located a platform on to which a ship can be floated. The platform is raised or lowered by a plurality of chain jacks mounted in aligned rows on each of the piers. One of the chain jacks is a master jack and has chain link-engaging latches controlled by a cam and follower while the other chain jacks are slave jacks being actuated by connection to each other and the master jack by tensioned cables attached to their latch actuating mechanisms.