Abstract: A functional polymer membrane having a pore volume fraction of 0.6% or more and 3.0% or less by allowing a reaction of curing a composition containing a polymerizable compound (A) and a copolymerizable monomer (B).

Abstract: A separation material includes a matrix that is bound to a saccharide, enabling the separation from a liquid of substances that selectively bind the saccharide. A method for preparing the separation material and a method for separating substances from a liquid that selectively bind a saccharide of the separation material are also described. A device employs the separation material for separating from a liquid substances that selectively bind to the saccharide of the separation material.

Abstract: Provided herein are filtration membranes, method of manufacturing said membranes and use of such membranes for the removal of substances from fluids or substances.

Abstract: A forward osmosis membrane for seawater desalination and a method for preparing the same. The forward osmosis membrane has a composite membrane structure including a nonwoven fabric layer; a hydrophilic polymer layer; and a polyamide layer. The hydrophilic polymer layer formed on the nonwoven fabric layer facilitates an inflow of water from the feed water to the draw solution to enhance flux and realize high water permeability in the direction of osmosis. The polyamide layer not only secures contamination resistance and chemical resistance but also minimizes the back diffusion of salts of the draw solution in the direction of reverse osmosis. Hence, the forward osmosis membrane of the present invention is greatly useful for desalination of high-concentration seawater.

Abstract: A water treatment device using a hollow fiber membrane module is provided, including: a water container filled with raw water; a hollow fiber membrane module installed in the water container and provided with hollow fiber membranes therein to perform water treatment by a water pressure difference; and a raw water supplying part positioned on the water container, and configured to supply the raw water into the water container through the hollow fiber membrane module, in which the hollow fiber membrane module causes the raw water supplied from the raw water supplying part collide with the hollow fiber membrane to move the hollow fiber membrane, so that it is possible to minimize contamination of the hollow fiber membrane, minimize use of energy using electricity, and wash the hollow fiber membrane by a physical method.

Abstract: A fluid deionizer includes at least one graphene sheet perforated with apertures dimensioned to allow a flow of fluid and to disallow at least one particular type of ion contained in the flow of fluid. A purge valve is placed in an open position so as to collect the at least one particular type of ion disallowed by the graphene sheet so as to clean off the at least one graphene sheet. Another embodiment provides a deionizer with graphene sheets in cylindrical form. A separation apparatus is also provided in a cross-flow arrangement where a pressurized source directs a medium along a path substantially parallel to at least one sheet of graphene from an inlet to an outlet. The medium flows through the plural perforated apertures while a remaining portion of the medium and the disallowed components in the medium flow out the outlet.

Abstract: Provided is a reciprocating submerged membrane filtration apparatus including: a membrane tank comprising a submerged membrane and configured to intake influent wastewater to be treated, the influent wastewater being filtered through the submerged membrane to produce treated water; and a reciprocation apparatus configured to move the membrane to create an inertia force which shakes foulants off from the submerged membrane under oxygen-deficient conditions, wherein the submerged membrane comprises a microfiltration (MF) membrane or an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane.

Abstract: Provided are processes of removing particulate fouling from a filtration membrane or for preventing membrane fouling by particulate matter. A process capitalizes on reversal of a naturally occurring diisophoretic particle deposition to actively move particulate material away from a membrane. A process includes placing a microparticle including a salt in proximity to a membrane such that the microparticle creates a gradient generated spontaneous electric field or a gradient generated spontaneous chemiphoretic field in the solvent proximal to the membrane that actively draws charged particles away from the membrane thereby removing charged particulate matter away from the membrane or preventing its deposition.

Abstract: A liquid treatment unit includes: a treatment tank provided with an inlet and an outlet, the treatment tank having a shape that allows a portion of liquid to be retained; a controller that controls supply of liquid into the treatment tank and ejection of liquid from the treatment tank; and a plasma generator generates plasma in the liquid inside the treatment tank. The plasma generator generates plasma while the controller stops supply of liquid and ejection of liquid. After the liquid has been treated, the controller resumes the supply of liquid, and causes the liquid to be ejected from the treatment tank while allowing a portion of the treated liquid to be retained inside the treatment tank.

Abstract: A system for intercepting, treating and venting vapors from contaminated groundwater includes a borehole that extends into the groundwater and has an open top end, a porous liner against the outer wall of the borehole and porous fill material inside the liner. The fill material can include materials to retard and degrade contaminants in the vapors. The system can include a slotted aeration tube in the borehole, vegetation planted in the open end of the borehole, impermeable sections in the liner, and impermeable ground cover around the top end of the borehole. A method for intercepting, treating and venting of vapors from contaminated groundwater includes the system and pulling vapors out the top end of the borehole with variations in atmospheric barometric pressure.

Abstract: A pervaporation membrane may be an acid-resistant polybenzidimazole (PBI) membrane. The acid-resistant PBI membrane may be a PBI membrane chemically modified by a process selected from the group consisting of sulfonation, phosphonation, cross-linking, N-substitution, and/or combinations thereof. The membrane may be thermally stabilized. A method for the dehydration of an acid material may include the steps of: contacting an acidic aqueous solution with a membrane of an acid-resistant polybenzidimazole; taking away a permeate stream rich in water; and taking away a concentrate steam rich in the acid material. The acidic aqueous solution may be acetic acid.

Abstract: Separation processes using forward osmosis are disclosed generally involving the extraction of a solvent from a first solution to concentrate a solute therein by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. One or both of the solute and solvent may be a desired product. By manipulating the equilibrium of the soluble and insoluble species of solute within the second solution, a saturated second solution can be used to generate osmotic pressure on the first solution. The various species of solute within the second solution can be recovered and recycled through the process to affect the changes in equilibrium and eliminate waste products. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources.

Abstract: A method for removal of at least a portion of carbon dioxide from an aqueous fluid such as a blood fluid includes placing a first surface of at least one membrane through which carbon dioxide and at least one acid gas other than carbon dioxide can pass in fluid in contact with the fluid. The membrane limits or prevent passage of the fluid therethrough. A carrier or sweep gas including the acid gas other than carbon dioxide is passed over a second surface (which is typically opposite the first surface) of the membrane so that the acid gas other than carbon dioxide can pass through the membrane into the fluid, and carbon dioxide from the fluid can pass from the liquid, through the membrane, and into the sweep gas.

Abstract: A system and method for treating wastewater in a reactor of the system at or below a predetermined flow rate and at or above a predetermined temperature is provided. Incoming wastewater in excess of the predetermined flow rate is directed to an equalization basin for storage. Wastewater stored in the equalization basin is directed to the reactor when (a) the temperature of such stored wastewater is equal to or greater than the predetermined temperature and (b) wastewater is received by the system at a rate less than the predetermined flow rate. The method also involves the step of repurposing a lagoon basin of an existing lagoon system to function as the equalization basin. The system may further include an integrated control system for directing wastewater stored in the equalization basin to the reactor when predetermined conditions are met.

Abstract: A flow cap may include an outer ring, an inner ring, an inlet portion, and an outlet portion. The inlet portion may include first portions of the outer and inner rings, and a plurality of arms extending between the first portions of the outer and inner rings, wherein the arms at least partially define an inlet aperture configured to provide flow communication between an inlet port of a filter base and an interior portion of a filter element. The outlet portion may include second portions of the outer and inner rings, and a plate including an outlet aperture providing flow communication between an outlet port of the filter base and an exterior portion of the filter element. The outlet portion may also include a wall, wherein the plate and the wall prevent flow communication between fluid entering the inlet portion and fluid entering the outlet portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing metal ions to a fluid waste stream includes a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port through which the fluid waste stream enters and exits the housing. Within the housing and between the inlet and outlet ports is an electrode assembly that includes first electrode ring assemblies and second electrode ring assemblies. Each first electrode ring assembly includes a first tubular section formed of electrically insulative material and has an interior through which the fluid waste stream flows. One or more first electrode plates span the interior of the first tubular section and contact the fluid waste stream. Each second electrode ring assembly includes a second tubular section formed of electrically insulative material and has an interior through which the fluid waste stream flows. One or more second electrode plates span the interior of the second tubular section and contact the fluid waste stream.

Abstract: A method of recovering one or more insoluble oils from a liquid source using one or more membrane or membrane contactors, comprising the steps of: pumping the liquid source comprising the one or more oils to the membranes or membrane contactors, contacting the liquid source with a first surface of the membrane or membrane contactors, coalescing the one or more oils within the liquid source onto the first surface of the membrane contactors, pumping one or more recovery fluids through the membrane or membrane contactors in contact with the second surface of the membrane or membrane contactors, and removing a first stream of oil coalesced from the second surface of the membranes or membrane contactors.

Abstract: A ceramic separation membrane structure in which a zeolite separation membrane formed on a ceramic porous body is repaired, and a repair method thereof. In the ceramic separation membrane structure, a zeolite separation membrane is disposed on a ceramic porous body, and defects of the zeolite separation membrane are repaired by zeolite repaired portions containing zeolite of structure different from the structure of zeolite of the zeolite separation membrane. The zeolite separation membrane and the zeolite repaired portions are made of a hydrophobic zeolite having a ratio of SiO2/Al2O3=100 or more.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a housing and a first filter, a second filter, and a heat exchanger all positioned in the housing. The filter assembly also includes a first inlet and a first outlet and defines a first liquid flow path. The first liquid flow path may extend within the housing between the first inlet and the first outlet through the first filter and along a first side of the heat exchanger. The filter assembly further includes a second inlet and a second outlet and defines a second liquid flow path. The second liquid flow path may extend within the housing between the second inlet and the second outlet through the second filter and along a second side of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for in situ ground water remediation. The compositions comprise a colloidal biomatrix comprised of sorbent particles, such as zeolites, organoclays and activated carbon, dispersed in aqueous solution that are injectable into the permeable zones of an aquifer to be treated. Once deposited into the permeable zones of the aquifer, the groundwater concentrations of contaminants in those zones are depleted, thus increasing the rate of diffusion of contaminants of the less permeable zones. The compositions and methods of the present invention can be used to treat any organic contaminants and provide rapid remediation of contaminated ground water by adsorption and biodegradation of such contaminants.