Abstract: Tandem electrodialysis (ED) cell systems and methods for using the tandem ED cell systems to extract and recover ions from ion-containing solutions are provided. The tandem ED cell systems are composed of ion-extraction and ion-recovery ED cells. A redox couple contained in the anolyte of the ion-extraction ED cell is different from a redox couple contained in the catholyte of the ion-extraction ED cell. The electrode reactions in the ion-extraction ED cell are reversed in the ion-recovery ED cell, with the anolyte and catholyte of the two ED cells swapped and continuously circulated. As a result, the redox species in the anolyte and catholyte of the two cells are never depleted, which allows for achieving ion extraction and ion recovery with the use of a minimal amount of the redox couples.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrophilic/oleophobic sponge, a preparation method and use thereof, and belongs to the technical field of functional material preparation. In the present invention, a modified solution is obtained by mixing a nanoparticle suspension with a modifier solution; the nanoparticle suspension includes silica-encapsulated Fe3O4 nanoparticle suspension and/or nano-silica ethanol suspension; the modifier solution includes chitosan-acetic acid aqueous solution and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) aqueous solution. The sponge is soaked in the modified solution, mixed and crosslinked with glutaraldehyde aqueous solution to obtain the hydrophilic/oleophobic sponge, conferring good oil-water separation ability on the sponge. The sponge effectively separates a heavy water layer from oil-water mixtures with such light oils as lubricating oil, engine oil, pump oil, crude oil, gasoline, and sunflower seed oil in a simple gravity-driven manner.

Abstract: Blood is conveyed from a source into a separator, which separates at least one target blood component from the blood. The target blood component is then conveyed out of the separator, with the procedure continuing until an initial target amount of blood to be processed has been conveyed from the source into the separator and the target blood component separated from the initial target amount of blood to be processed has been conveyed out of the separator as an actual yield of the target blood component. An adjusted target amount of blood to be processed is then determined based at least in part on the difference between a target yield of the target blood component and the actual yield. The initial target amount of blood to be processed is then replaced with the adjusted target amount of blood to be processed when next executing the procedure.

Abstract: The disclosure provides tangential flow depth filtration (TFDF) systems which exhibit improved filter fluxes and process capacities and reduced fouling characteristics. The TFDF systems of the disclosure optionally utilize tubular depth filters (TDF). Methods are provided which include the passage of a non-laminar flow through at least a portion of a length of a TDF in a TFDF system.

Abstract: A water treatment system is disclosed. The water treatment system comprises a filtration module comprising one or more ultrafiltration membrane configured to remove one or more non-PFAS contaminant from a PFAS contaminated water stream to provide a partially purified water stream containing soluble PFAS contaminants. The water treatment system also comprises a sorption module comprising one or more sorption units comprising a sorbent material, the sorption module being in fluid communication with the filtration module and downstream therefrom and configured to remove substantially all PFAS contaminants from the partially purified water stream to provide purified water that is substantially free from PFAS contamination.

Abstract: A coolant processing apparatus removes sludge from a coolant discharged from a machine tool. The coolant processing apparatus includes a first reservoir and a second reservoir provided in a tank for retaining the coolant. The first reservoir includes a flow path in which the discharged coolant flows, and a portion downstream of the flow path to retain the coolant such that the sludge remains in the first reservoir. The flow path has at least one bend to bend a flow of the coolant at least once in a horizontal direction. The second reservoir retains the coolant flowing out from the first reservoir. A boundary wall is provided between the first and second reservoirs, at a location downstream of the at least one bend of the flow path, and has such a height that allows a supernatant of the coolant in the first reservoir to flow into the second reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and methods for filtering fluid using filter papers, stationary paper, cloth sheets or any other porous material. In one embodiment, the present invention uses the lateral flow direction along the porous sheets, instead of conventional vertical flow direction, for the removal of bacteria and particle contamination in the range from nanometers to millimeters. The pore sizes in the filter media along the lateral direction are modulated by controlling the compression of the porous sheets, instead of conventionally designing filters with different pore sizes. The lateral flow fluid filter system is scalable simply by increasing the feed area, feed length, and the number of porous sheets. The invention presents a universal fluid filtration system for wide range of applications such as water purification, food processing, chemical industry, oil and gas industry, and biological applications.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a separator vessel that is adapted to separate solids particles from a flow of a multi-phase fluid, a differential pressure sensing system that is adapted to measure a differential pressure of a column of the multi-phase fluid in the separator vessel and a control system that is adapted to determine at least one of a level, volume or weight of the separated solids particles within the separator vessel based upon at least the measured differential pressure of the column of the multi-phase fluid in the separator vessel.

Abstract: A novel reverse osmosis or nanofiltration system (RO/NF) capable of detecting and responding to onset of fouling within the system utilizing uniquely configured membrane permeate flow path within the system which generates a time-sensitive data. Membrane performance data in real-time operating conditions is then utilized for rapid detection of membrane fouling, fouling rate, and cause of fouling, followed by controller-based system generated actions to stop, and recover from fouling or slow-down fouling, and, if required, to predict, plan, and schedule operator intervention steps to recover optimum system operating conditions. The end-result is a novel energy-efficient and fouling-managed advanced (machine learning) reverse osmosis system for brackish water desalination.

Abstract: Described are methods of membrane distillation for processing organic liquids, hydrophobic distillation membranes useful for membrane distillation methods, and methods of preparing the hydrophobic distillation membranes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for removal of ions from aqueous fluids are provided. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of removing one or more oxyanions from an aqueous fluid, including the steps of contacting an aqueous fluid containing oxyanions with an aluminum metal whereby aluminum ions are released from the aluminum metal into the aqueous fluid, wherein the one or more oxyanions in the aqueous fluid react with the aluminum ions to form one or more ettringites; controlling a rate of release of the aluminum ions from the aluminum metal; and removing at least a portion of precipitated ettringites from the aqueous fluid.

Abstract: A flotation device having a flotation tank for receiving liquid to be purified, a saturator for receiving a pressurized liquid-gas mixture and at least one feeder. A line leads from the saturator to the feeder through which the pressurized liquid-gas mixture may be introduced into the flotation tank. The feeder includes a flow channel that has different flow cross sectional areas along the extension thereof. The flow channel may be a Venturi nozzle.

Abstract: A preparation method of a crop straw-based seawater desalinator and a product thereof, and the preparation process is as follows: (1) crushing crop straws, and screening the crushed crop straws through a mesh sieve to obtain straw powder; (2) calcining the straw powder at a high temperature under nitrogen protection to obtain biochar, and then putting the biochar into a ball mill for ball milling to obtain ball-milled biochar; (3) adding the straw powder into a sodium hydroxide solution for reaction, and centrifuging a reactant to obtain a viscous product; and (4) stirring the viscous product uniformly with the ball-milled biochar to obtain a mixture, pouring the mixture into a mold, and freezing and drying the mixture to obtain a seawater desalinator. The evaporator features high evaporation rate and the photothermal conversion efficiency, and the ion concentration of the water body after evaporation is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A method of removing chemical contaminants from a composition comprising an active, a solvent, and a contaminant can include providing an initial feed supply, wherein the initial feed supply comprises the active, the solvent, and the contaminant, wherein the contaminant can include 1,4 dioxane, dimethyl dioxane, or a combination thereof; including filtering the initial feed stock through a nanofilter and using reverse osmosis.

Abstract: The present disclosure discusses a method of separating a sample including oligonucleotides including coating a flow path of a chromatographic system; injecting the sample comprising oligonucleotides into the chromatographic system; flowing the sample through the chromatographic system; and separating the oligonucleotides. In some examples, the coating of the flow path is non-binding with respect to the analyte, such as oligonucleotides. Consequently, the analyte does not bind to the coating of the flow path. The non-binding coating eliminates the need for passivation, which can eliminate the formerly needed time to passivate as well. In addition, analyte can be recovered with a first injection in a system, such as chromatographic system.

Abstract: Provided are spacers, ion-exchange devices comprising spacers, and methods of preparing spacers for improved fluid distribution and sealing throughout an ion-exchange device. These spacers can include an internal cavity surrounded by a perimeter of the spacer. The perimeter can have a first opening and a second opening within the perimeter, and the first opening and the second opening can be located on opposite sides of the internal cavity. The spacers can also have a first and second plurality of channels located within the perimeter, wherein each channel of the first and second plurality of channels extends from the internal cavity towards the first opening or the second opening.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing one or more waste fluids by measuring one or more properties of a waste fluid and adjusting the flow and/or flowability of the waste fluid based on the measurement are disclosed. The one or more properties of the waste fluid can include a viscosity of the waste fluid, a pressure of the waste fluid, and/or or a difference in pressure of the waste fluid. Adjusting the flow and/or flowability of the waste fluid can include adjusting the one or more properties of the waste fluid and/or affecting the direction of flow of the waste fluid in a manner which changes the destination of the waste fluid.

Abstract: A system for processing a feed includes a membrane system configured to receive the feed and produce a concentrate and a permeate, wherein the membrane system includes an active cooling system, a passive cooling system, or a combination thereof. Further, the system includes a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the membrane system and disposed upstream of the membrane system, such that the feed enters the heat exchanger prior to entering the membrane system, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to cool the feed and heat the concentrate by transferring heat from the feed to the concentrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for preparing ready-to-use solutions for peritoneal dialysis that has a sterilization compartment; a filling line leading to the sterilization compartment and having a connector arranged at its end at the compartment side for connecting a disposable; a water treatment system arranged in the filling line; and a sealing system. The invention further relates to a disposable for preparing ready-to-use solutions for peritoneal dialysis in such an apparatus and to a method of preparing ready-to-use solutions for peritoneal dialysis using such an apparatus and such a disposable.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed ion-exchange systems and devices that include composite ion-exchange membranes having 3D printed spacers on them. These 3D printed spacers can drastically reduce the total intermembrane spacing within the system/device while maintaining a reliable sealing surface around the exterior border of the membrane. By adding the spacers directly to the membrane using additive manufacturing, the amount of material used can be reduced without adversely impacting the manufacturability of the composite membrane as well as allow for complex spacer geometries that can reduce the restrictions to flow resulting in less pressure drop associated with the flow in the active area of the membranes.