Abstract: An improved method and electrolytic cell for the oxidation of nitrogen-containing waste materials in a dialysate stream used for hemodialysis, hemofiltration or peritoneal dialysis comprises a cylinder having a porous anode and a porous cathode spaced apart in the direction of flow. By flowing the spent dialysate in the direction from the anode to the cathode, and applying sufficient voltage to oxidize chloride ion present to activated chlorine, the waste materials are oxidized to chlorinated intermediates. In the vicinity of the cathode, the chlorinated intermediates react further to yield to nitrogen and carbon dioxide, with the chlorine being reduced back to chloride ion. In this way, the dialysate is regenerated without the net evolution of undesirable chlorine species.

Abstract: A cationic charge modified microporous membrane, process for producing said membrane and use thereof are provided. The membrane comprises a hydrophilic organic polymeric microporous membrane and a charge modifying amount of a primary cationic charge modifying agent bonded to substantially all of the wetted surfaces of the membrane. The primary charge modifying agent if a water soluble organic polymer having a molecular weight greater than about 1000 wherein each monomer thereof has at least one epoxide group capable of bonding to the surface of the membrane and at least one tertiary amine or quaternary ammonium group. Preferably, a portion of the epoxy groups on the organic polymer are bonded to a secondary charge modifying agent selected from the group consisting of:(i) aliphatic amines having at least one primary amine or at least two secondary amines; and(ii) aliphatic amines having at least one secondary amine and a carboxyl or hydroxyl substituent.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises an enclosure divided into two compartments (13 and 14) by a partition wall (15) which has a circular row of apertures (16). Filtering elements (26) of hollow tubular shape are fixed in one (13) of the compartments by an open end on each one of the apertures (16). A rotary tubular arm (20) is mounted in the other compartment (14) and has an end which sweeps along the circle of apertures and coincides with each one of the apertures in turn. The arm has a device (21) at the rotatable end of the arm (20) for closing an aperture (16) of the partition wall (15) and the orifice (51) of the end of the arm and a suction pump (P) for applying a sudden counter-current hydraulic shock through the wall of each filtering element (26) in turn is provided.

Abstract: An ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis module comprising a tubular casing having a plurality of tubular membrane assemblies spaced therein by spacing plates, in stepped end portions of the casing bore, and held therein by sealing plates clamped to flanges on the ends of the casing. The tubular membrane assemblies are sealed around bores in the spacing plates and boxes in the sealing plates by "O"-rings and are held against collapse by sleeves in the ends of the tubular membrane assemblies.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating and displacing the plates of a filter press, one by one, is provided with a rail mounted above and extending along the length of the press on which a trolley is supported. The trolley is movable reciprocably along the rail by an endless envelope change drive, entrained with a sprocket wheel fixed on a shaft, journalled in the trolley. A separating device is supported in the trolley for movement reciprocably perpendicular to the direction of movement of the trolley toward and away from the filter plates. The separating device is connected to the sprocket shaft so that rotation of the shaft lifts or lowers a separating wedge relative to the filter plates separating the first of the filter plates and enabling the trolley to displace it alone.

Abstract: Potting the spaced-apart fold edges of a pleated membrane and spacer stack to the interior of a housing without blocking the fluid passages between the spaced-apart pleats by applying a layer of thixotropic adhesive to the fold edges of the pleated membrane and spacer stack and thereafter injecting the potting material between the layer of thixotropic adhesive and the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for aerating a body of stagnant water to neutralize the pollutants therein. The apparatus draws fresh ambient air above the surface of the water and forcibly disburses the air under the surface into the body of water for oxidation purposes. The apparatus comprises a hollow rotatable cylindrical casing provided with a helical vane mounted on one end of the casing. A series of holes in the casing wall adjacent the vane creates regions of sub-atmospheric pressure in the vicinity of the holes when the cylinder is rotating; thus drawing air from the interior of the casing and, by a scooping action, forcing the air generally radially outwardly and below the surface of and into the body of water. The cylinder is driven by a motor. The helical vanes may be formed of torroidal disc or washer that is cut and spread apart axially and secured to cylindrical casing.

Abstract: An oil filter assembly is disclosed, characterized by a sectional housing and a removable filter member arranged therein. The housing includes base and cover members having adjacent planar faces which contain a plurality of corresponding, circular, concentrically spaced grooves which define a plurality of ribs. A radial groove in the face of each member extends through each of the associated ribs to afford communication between the associated grooves. The radial grooves of the housing members extend diametrically radially outwardly in opposite directions and the housing contains inlet and outlet openings communicating with the radial grooves, respectively. The filter member has a planar configuration, is removably mounted between the base and cover members, and extends between the circular grooves contained in the base and cover members on opposite sides of the filter.

Abstract: The treatment of raw water, particularly the desalination of waste or other water with a high salt content, is accomplished by means of a process which includes two membrane separation steps performed in concentrate sequence. The concentrate from the second membrane separation step is further treated by means of a thermal concentrating procedure. The water to be processed is first treated to minimize the formation of scale during the first membrane separation step and the concentrate from the first membrane separation step is similarly treated. The overall process also includes the production of materials necessary for reconditioning ion exchange apparatus employed for raw water conditioning and concentrate treatment.

Abstract: A device for the diffusion of substances between fluids through semi-permeable membranes is disclosed. The device includes a stack of alternating spacer plates and semi-permeable membranes including transverse passages for each of the fluids so that one of the fluids is conducted on one side of the membranes while the other fluid is conducted across the opposite side of the membranes, and including inlets and outlets for each of the fluids, and in which at least one of the inlets or outlets includes a fluid duct to divert that fluid from its respective transverse passage to a location between the ends of the stack so that it can be fed into or withdrawn from the device in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transverse passages at that location between the ends of the stack.

Abstract: This invention affords a filtration method and apparatus for extracting cell produced antiviral substances (CPAS) from a production broth using cross-flow membrane filtration. The broth is perfused into a first filtration cell and caused to cross-flow across an ultrafiltration membrane in the cell, permitting a first filtrate to pass through the membrane consisting essentially of CPAS and some molecular species and retaining in a first ex-filtrate all remaining portions of the broth.

Abstract: The efficiency of clarifiers is improved by providing a contraction adjacent the outlet which accelerates the liquid to a densimetric Froude number at the contraction of at least 0.1/.pi.. The contraction dampens internal waves in the fluid and improves the uniformity of flow of fluid through the tank.

Abstract: Separatory, e.g., ultrafiltration apparatus including a plurality of semi-permeable membranes and a plurality of ridge ribbed support members therefor, is provided with means for anchoring said membranes to and between successive supports.

Abstract: A self-flushing, magnetic separator technique including feeding the medium to be separated to one end of a matrix in a container; collecting separated fluid from the other end of the matrix; accumulating at least one matrix volume of the separated fluid in a chamber in the container adjacent one of the ends of the matrix; stopping flow to and from the matrix, trapping the accumulated fluid in the chamber; and in one embodiment introducing a pressurized drive fluid to the chamber and venting the other end of the matrix to urge the accumulated fluid to move through and flush the matrix.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing dissolved solids from a liquid which utilizes the technique of reverse osmosis (RO). The liquid to be treated is directed into a pressure vessel which contains a plurality of filter elements positioned therein. The filter elements have hollow RO fibers wound around foraminous center cores such that the liquid flows in a direction from the outside of the filter elements towards the center cores. The pure permeate liquid passes into the center bores of the fibers and the concentrate liquid passes into the center cores of the elements.The method and apparatus provide for the backwashing of the filter elements when they become fouled. Further, an outer filter septum may be applied around the hollow RO fibers of the elements to remove particulate matter which would otherwise foul the hollow RO fibers.

Abstract: A hollow fiber medical separatory device of the type including a shell containing a plurality of hollow semipermeable fibers extending through a central dialysate chamber and terminating in spaced apart blood chambers; the device is improved by tubesheets at each end of the fibers having the shape of a frustum of a cone and sized such that the fibers fill the cone to the peripheral edge at the outer end planar surface of the frustum; and a multi-functional blood chamber means forming a blood chamber by pressure sealing engagement with the outer tapered surface of the cone and also pressure sealed to the outer end surface of the shell to prevent air ingress into the dialysate chamber during testing or use.The invention also includes a method for potting the frusto-conical tubesheets on the end portions of the fibers while the fibers are positioned in the shell which is improved by the use of steps and means to insure centering of the fibers in the cone during centrifugal casting of the resin.

Abstract: An apparatus for peritoneal dialysis including a first vessel to contain dialysis fluid and a second vessel to contain spent dialysis fluid. The first and second vessels are connected through a conduit means with the abdominal cavity of a patient, and a pump is located in the conduit means between the first vessel and the abdominal cavity to pump dialysis fluid into the cavity, while a flow control means, such as a valve, is located in the conduit means between the abdominal cavity and the second vessel to control the flow of dialysis fluid being removed from the patient. A branch conduit interconnects the conduit means at a location between the first vessel and the abdominal cavity and the branch conduit is provided with a third overflow vessel located at a higher level than the abdominal cavity.

Abstract: The invention provides an artificial kidney extracorporeal circuit assembly including an artificial kidney having detachably attached multifunctional subassembly means for automatically venting gas bubbles from liquid flowing therethrough, for continuously sensing the liquid pressure of and for filtering said liquid, together with blood tubes for connecting a patient's artery to the kidney and the subassembly outlet port to a patient's vein.The subassembly includes means associated with a hydrophobic gas bubble vent which prevent clogging, minimize blood clotting and insure against ambient gas entry through the vent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing dissolved solids from a liquid which utilizes the technique of reverse osmosis (RO). The liquid to be treated is directed into a pressure vessel which contains a plurality of filter elements positioned therein. The filter elements have a layer of hollow RO fibers around a center core area such that the liquid flows in a direction from the outside of the filter elements towards the center core areas. Pure permeate liquid permeates into the center bores of the fibers and concentrate liquid passes into the center core areas. The permeate liquid from the center bores passes into longitudinally extending permeate collection channels which communicate with the center bores over substantially the entire length of the layers of hollow RO fibers. Various structural embodiments of the filter elements are disclosed.The method and apparatus provide for the backwashing of the filter elements when they become fouled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the treatment of a hydrocarbon charge by high temperature ultrafiltration, said process comprising the steps of circulating said charge in a module comprising at least one mineral ultrafiltration barrier coated with a sensitive mineral layer of at least one metal oxide and of operating at a temperature higher than 100.degree. C. The barrier, which preferably has a ceramic or metallic support, is coated with a sensitive layer selected from the group comprising titanium dioxide, magnesium oxide, aluminium oxide, spinel MgAl.sub.2 O.sub.4, silica. The invention is applicable to the regeneration of a waste oil and to the reduction of the rate of asphaltenes in a hydrocarbon charge.