Abstract: A device for compressing a pair of plates composed of a slotted post extending upright from one of the plates, arranged to pass through a port in the second of the plates, and a circular ramp member rotatably attached to the second of said plates, which ramp is positioned to engage the post slot. Upon rotation of the ramp, the post is drawn through the port resulting in a closing of the distance between or compression of the plates.

Abstract: The invention comprises the manufacture of cation exchangers by the copolymerization of a sulfonic acid with two other monomers such as acrylamide and n-methylolacrylamide which react simultaneously with the polymerization to form a cross-linking unit. The non-polymerizing (NP) solvent employed is water.

Abstract: A non-flowing batch electrodialysis pocket cell apparatus for rapidly treating milliliter or microliter volume samples of high value biological materials. Said pocket cells being easily removeable from a holding vessel and containing a sample holding cavity which is preferably narrower at the bottom than at the top and with means for adding or removing samples into or out of the top of said cavity as by the use of a pipette or syringe.

Abstract: Apparatuses and processes are described for transferring electrolytes from one electrolytically conducting solution to another, said apparatus comprising a pair of spaced electrodes; at least one pair of spaced electrolytically conducting barriers between said electrodes, one of said barriers having a transport number for ions of one sign substantially greater than that of said solutions and of the other barrier, means for applying a substantially direct current electrical potential between said electrodes in a direction to cause electrolyte to the transferred out of the space between said barriers; a plurality of fluid permeable tubules between said barriers; means for introducing fluid into at least one end of such tubules; and means for withdrawing fluid from the space between said barriers.

Abstract: Process and apparatus are described for recovering components sorbed on a body of wet granules that are highly selective for the sorption of said components. The process comprises passing a direct electric current through said body of granules and an ion-permeable substantially hydraulically impermeable barrier juxtaposed with said body of granules in a direction substantially parallel to the smallest dimension of said barrier, thereby facilitating the desorption of at least one of said selected components from said granules. The desorbed components are then separated from said body of granules.

Abstract: This invention relates to the manufacture of anion selective membranes in a "one-step" process by co-polymerization of a crosslinking methacrylate ester and a methacrylic ester containing a quaternary ammonium group. The anion selective membranes are obtained directly with no further processing needed.

Abstract: Processes and apparatuses are described for recovering components dispersed in an aqueous solution comprising contacting said solution as a first solution with an electrically conducting barrier, diaphragm or membrane which has a high affinity for at least one of said components whereby a substantial fraction of said component is sorbed by said barrier. The barrier is subsequently contacted with a second aqueous solution and a direct electric current is passed through said barrier and second solution in a direction substantially parallel to the smallest dimension of the barrier thereby facilitating desorption of at least one of the sorbed components from the barrier into the second solution which solution is thereafter removed.

Abstract: An electrolytic process for desulphurization and seed reprocessing and recovery in open cycle coal fired MHD electrical power generation systems is disclosed. Alkali metal sulfate is removed from the gaseous effluent of the generator and electrolyzed in solution in an electrolytic cell to alkali metal hydroxide and sulphuric acid. The alkali metal hydroxide may be recycled directly into the system combustor or may undergo further conversion to alkali metal carbonate or bicarbonate or both by carbonation reaction with the carbon dioxide contained in the substantially desulfurized MHD generator effluent gas. An alternative electrolytic cell conversion of alkali metal bicarbonate to alkali metal carbonate is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is directed to electrodialysis, electrochemical membrane cells and particularly to components comprising the ion-exchange membranes. These membranes are fabricated containing a reinforcing structure comprised of non-woven carbon fibers derived for example from carbonized polyacrylonitrile. The membranes so produced have a low D.C. electrical resistance (increased conductivity) which enables electrodialysis to be performed more economically.

Abstract: A polarity reversing electrodialysis membrane stack containing a composite electrode at each end of the stack with each electrode having anode and cathode portions electrically insulated from each other. Current is supplied to the anode portion of one electrode and to the cathode portion of the other electrode with means for maintaining a trickle of current from the active anode of one electrode to the inactive anode of the other electrode. Upon reversal of stack polarity the electrodes change their polarities and the trickle currents runs to the other electrode. The invention also is directed to the use of noble metal coated electrodes wherein the coating covers substantially less than the total electrode surface which is in contact with electrolytic solution during use.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating a liquid protein mixture is disclosed in which the protein mixture is first demineralized by electrodialysis (ED) and then subjected to isoelectric focusing (IEF) to effect the separation of proteins based on differences in their isoelectric points (pI). This combination of ED-IEF results in an improved separation of the protein components of a mixture than without the ED step.

Abstract: A process is described for the preparation of a novel protein product of a highly purified antihemophlic factor (AHF) concentrate. The product is prepared by use of a semi-permeable membrane apparatus that desalts the plasma to between 45 to 80% of its salt content while constantly maintaining the plasma at substantially its original starting pH level. Under these conditions the AHF portion of the plasma will precipitate.

Abstract: A process is described for the selective recovery and/or concentration of a protein or a class of proteins from fermentation broth employing a combination of desalting and pH adjustment thereby causing the initial precipitation of unwanted proteins, again subjecting the resulting supernatant to another set of pH adjustment and desalting to cause the protein of interest to precipitate thereby obtaining a highly enriched fraction of the selected protein. Such a process will find use in the specific recovery of genetically engineered proteins from fermentation broths, e.g. interferon, insulin, growth hormone, etc.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating a liquid protein mixture is disclosed in which the protein mixture is first determined by electrodialysis (ED) and then subjected to isoelectric focusing (IEF) to effect the separation of proteins based on differences in their isoelectric points (pI). This combination of ED-IEF results in an improved separation of the protein components of a mixture than without the ED step.

Abstract: An improved electrodialysis stack electrode reversal system and method of operation is disclosed in which each of the electrode pairs forming an electrical stage in such stack are reversed on a sequential stage by stage basis. The sequential reversal is timed to occur in each of the series connected stages as the desired dilute product stream clears the stage substantially decreasing the amount of loss of partially treated product.

Abstract: The reaction of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) with an ionogenic methacrylate ester containing amine groups of the tertiary type such as dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) in the presence of an acidic water solution produces a new and novel water soluble, ionic, cross-linking, methacrylate bifunctional monomer which is useful in the manufacture of anion exchange polymers while employing an aqueous solvent system.

Abstract: Base stable aliphatic anion exchangers are produced by reacting a water soluble methacrylate ester quaternary amine monomer with a non-water soluble glycol dimethacrylate ester cross-linking monomer.

Abstract: The reaction of vinylbenzyl chloride and N, N, N', N', 2-pentamethyl-1,2-propanediamine (PMPDA) produces a high capacity, base stable, crosslinked, anion exchange polymer useful especially when manufactured in sheet or membrane form for use in electrodialysis apparatus.

Abstract: This invention relates to the separation of complex protein mixtures by lowering (desalting) or by raising (salting-out) their electrolytic (ionic) concentration by electrodialysis followed by chilling, pH adjustment, filtration, and/or centrifugation and optionally thereafter restoration of the lost electrolyte or removal of the gained electrolyte and water. This technique is especially adaptable for therapeutic plasma exchange performed in situ for immunepheresis i.e. removal of globulin or immunecomplexes implicated in autoimmune diseases. The techniques are also applicable for antihemophilic factor separation and purification, and separation of proteins from whey.

Abstract: This invention relates to the separation of complex protein mixtures by lowering (desalting) or by raising (salting-out) their electrolytic (ionic) concentration by electrodialysis followed by chilling, pH adjustment, filtration, and/or centrifugation and optionally thereafter restoration of the lost electrolyte or removal of the gained electrolyte and water. This technique is especially adaptable for therapeutic plasma exchange performed in situ for immunepheresis i.e. removal of globulin or immunecomplexes implicated in autoimmune diseases. The techniques are also applicable for antihemophilic factor separation and purification, and separation of proteins from whey.