Abstract: Apparatus for desalinating water by reverse osmosis, having a series of pus discs each covered on both sides by a membrane, and compressed at their edges between respective pairs of a stack of module plates which are identical and which each consist of two mirror image halves, alternate module plates in the stack being rotated through 180.degree.. A zig-zag flow path through the stack is thereby provided with desalinated water passing by reverse osmosis into the porous discs and hence radially outward of the stack for collection.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are four embodiments of a system specifically applicable to the hemodialysis procedure. Two embodiments, configured as single pass and recirculating dialysate systems, control ultrafiltration rate to a preset value and measure ultrafiltration rate and the total quantity of ultrafiltrate removed. These embodiments are useful when the filtration characteristics of the dialyzer, i.e., semipermeable membrane, are constant and known. However, when the filtration characteristics of the dialyzer, i.e., semipermeable membrane, are not constant and known, two other embodiments, configured as single pass and recirculating dialysate systems, control transmembrane pressure to a preset value and measure ultrafiltration rate and total quantity of ultrafiltrate removed. All embodiments are closed systems requiring sealed dialyzers. Each of the foregoing systems include, inter alia, a unique flow measurement pressure control unit which controls fluid pressure and simultaneously meters fluid flow therein.

Abstract: In one aspect a process for breaking an oil/water/surfactant emulsion obtained from an oilfield after chemical flooding comprises ultrafiltering the emulsion. In another aspect the oil and water phases produced from the emulsion so broken are further treated to recover the surfactant therefrom. The water phase is subjected to ultrafiltration or reverse osmosis to concentrate the surfactant. The oil phase is washed with water and then separated from the wash water and surfactant, and the surfactant is finally separated from the wash water.

Abstract: The liquid which is delivered to cyclonic separators for final cleaning is precleaned twice, first in a drag tank and then by a magnetic separator. The dirty underflow from the cyclonic separators is subjected to two stages of aftercleaning, first in a second drag tank and then by a fabric filter.

Abstract: A portable water container for holding water treated by reverse osmosis water purification, which container rests on a base. The base has a recess in which a reverse osmosis unit is laid, with water connecting means for supplying water to the portable water container and for providing an overflow. The reverse osmosis unit can be quickly and easily removed from the base by merely lifting the osmosis unit from the recess and pulling stopper type end connectors from the ends thereof. The walls of the recessed portion of the base restrains movement of the stopper end connectors from the osmosis units during use. Also a unique reverse osmosis unit is used that has activated carbon impregnated paper therein through which the water passes providing further water treatment.

Abstract: A mass transfer device consists of a stack of alternating plates and membranes in which each plate includes on each surface two manifolds for distributing and collecting fluid transversely of the plate. Headers interconnect the stack with the plate manifold fluid inlets and outlets to distribute and collect fluid uniformly to and from each plate. Inlet and outlet manifold channels of each plate surface are connected by channels formed in the central portion of the plate. Mass transfer occurs across the membrane supported between adjacent plates with a first fluid on one side and a second fluid on the other side. Substantially uniform inter- and intra- plate fluid distribution and thin fluid films enhance mass transfer. The device, with slight alterations appropriate to the application, is useful for dialysis, hemodialysis, blood oxygenation, reverse osmosis, heat exchange, or gas scrubbing.

Abstract: Methanol is separated from formaldehyde aqueous mixtures by contacting the aqueous mixture feed with a first surface of a polymeric membrane selectively permeable to the methanol over the formaldehyde or formaldehyde and water; while maintaining a second and opposite membrane surface at a lower chemical potential than the first membrane surface for the methanol permeating a portion of the methanol into and through the membrane, and withdrawing from the second membrane surface a mixture having a higher total concentration of methanol in relationship to the formaldehyde or formaldehyde and water than in the methanol, formaldehyde aqueous feed mixtures.

Abstract: A one-piece molded fluid filter for a fluid dispenser dip tube includes two circular plate portions, at least one having radially extending ribs which define a plurality of fluid passages between the plates. A tubular portion, extending coaxially from the upper of the plates, is adapted for engaging the dip tube and providing communication between the dip tube and the passages. A member extending coaxially from the lower of the plates is provided for insertion into the tubular portion to pressurely engage the tubular portion to maintain the plates adjacent one another. The plates are connected along portions of their circumferences by an integral hinge and may be pivoted with respect to one another about the hinge to expose the ribs for cleaning.

Abstract: A filterable fluid flows under pressure through a filtering passage along one side of the filter, so that there is a substantial pressure drop along the filter area in the flow direction. A fluid flow in this same direction is provided in a filtrate passage extending generally parallel to the opposite side of the filter, so as to create a corresponding pressure drop in the flow direction in the filtrate passage, whereby the pressure difference between both sides of the filter is maintained substantially constant throughout the entire filter area.

Abstract: A portable hemodialysis system wherein blood and dialysate are pumped in the extracorporeal flow circuit by peristaltic compression of the blood and dialysate flow lines to provide high frequency pulsatile flows in the respective fluid lines. The pulsatile flows of blood and dialysate are passed through the dialyzer to reduce fluid film mass transfer resistance therein and enhance the dialyzing efficiency of the hemodialysis system.

Abstract: A system is provided for separating waste water or solution into a permea solution and a concentrated solution by feeding the waste water or solution to a reverse osmosis apparatus using a membrane.A chemical pretreating apparatus is provided to prevent hard scales contained in the waste water or solution from precipitation during the concentration in the reverse osmosis apparatus using the membrane. An apparatus for charging sponge balls is further provided to mechanically remove suspended solids and other suspended matters, that is, soft scales when deposited on the surface of membrane. The sponge balls are desirably recyclically used.

Abstract: A single capacitance vessel is provided to receive the excess heavy phase discharges (normally water) from a bank of disc-nozzle centrifugal separators. The vessel has a reservoir chamber with a weir at one end. The heavy phase streams are delivered into the reservoir of fluid retained in this chamber. In the event there are any hydrocarbons in the heavy phase fluid, the former rise to the surface of the reservoir fluid and pass over the weir, together with some water. An inert gas blanket within the vessel pressurizes the reservoir so that a fluid backpressure is maintained at the discharge outlets of the separators. By use of this system, any fluid returned from the reservoir to the separators (which occurs when the feed to the separators is low in water) is substantially free of hydrocarbons which, if present, would deleteriously affect the operation of the separators.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis apparatus includes a pump for pressurizing feed water introduced into a pressure resistant container in which is slidably mounted a semipermeable membrane cartridge. A rod, attached to an end of the semipermeable membrane cartridge, passes slidably and sealingly through one end of the pressure resistant container and is connected to means for reciprocal actuation. Means, preferably common, are provided to actuate the pump and the rod which imparts longitudinal reciprocal motion to the rod and the membrane cartridge within the pressure resistant container, thereby providing improved turbulence and circulation of the feed water through the semipermeable membrane cartridge over the membrane surfaces. The common means may be in the form of a lever operated by a handle or pedal, or by a power source such as an electric motor.

Abstract: A tartarous beverage, such as wine, containing a tartrate to be removed therefrom is conveyed from a storage container through a conduit under pressure into a first module having a semipermeable membrane. The semipermeable membrane forms two streams, a tartrate-free permeate and a concentrate containing a solution of said tartarous beverage and tartrate. The permeate stream is directed from the module through a conduit to a delivery tank. The concentrate may then be conveyed from the first module to a plurality of modules that are serially connected to each other. Each of the modules has an outlet that is connected by an intermediate conduit to an inlet of the adjacent module for the passage of the solution therethrough. The permeate stream exits from each of the modules and is collectively conveyed to the delivery tank. The concentrate is directed through the modules to provide a stronger concentration of the tartrate in the solution.

Abstract: A solute-separating membrane consisting of a polyoxadiazole series resin containing at least one of the structural units of formulae: ##STR1## wherein Ar and Ar' are same or different multivalent aromatic residues, and R is an alkyl, cycloalkyl or aralkyl group having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, and swollen to a swelling degree of 1.7-15 with a swelling agent of water, a solvent miscible with water, or a mixture of water and the solvent has a high separating ability and further has high mechanical strength and chemical and thermal stabilities.

Abstract: A process for treating waste water containing polyvinyl alcohol (designated hereinafter as P.V.A.) comprising separation of the P.V.A. in the form of a compound with boric acid which is produced at pH 8 to 10 by a reaction with boric acid or borax added in the presence of an inorganic salt such as sodium sulfate, and using thus regenerated liquid repeatedly, and a process of utilizing waste containing P.V.A. for desizing textile.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an inside-to-outside flow filter tube and the filter tube so manufactured which comprises: providing a porous tube comprising a wet mat of randomly disposed glass fibers; positioning an external reinforcing sleeve material concentrically about the porous tube; applying an outward force to the porous tube to expand the external diameter of the porous tube into intimate contact with the sleeve material; and drying the tube and bonding the fibers of the tube into an integrally supported filter tube.

Abstract: A semipermeable composite membrane is prepared by glow discharge polymerization of a combination of an organic monomer and an inorganic monomer in the presence of a porous support, the polymerization resulting in deposition of a thin film of copolymer on the surface of the support.