Abstract: A remote control valve which regulates a reverse osmosis water purifier with only fluid connections between the control valve and the water purifier, no mechanical, electrical, or other such connections, being necessary.

Abstract: Portable hepatic-assist closed loop method and apparatus utilizing hemofiltration membrane and sterilizable disposable sorbents cartridge for adsorption of hepatic toxins.

Abstract: A process for removing nitrate ions from a contaminated aqueous feed solution containing the same, and also chloride ion, by forcing the solution through a reverse osmosis membrane which permits passage of nitrate ions through the membrane and into the product water while rejecting chloride ion and other anions such as sulfate and bicarbonate, and concentrating such anions in the brine waste water. An anion exchange resin bed charged in the chloride form is placed in the product water during the reverse osmosis operation. Reverse osmosis product water containing nitrate is treated by the anion exchange resin bed to remove the nitrate ions and replace them with chloride ions. The resulting product water is essentially free of the nitrate impurity and a concentrated waste brine stream is obtained containing essentially chloride salts.

Abstract: Improvements are provided in the sealing arrangment and in an inflatable shim for a membrane diffusion device which comprises a stack of membrane sections and means for defining interleaving flow paths for two different fluids, separated by the membranes.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for make up of a hemodialysis solution and supply of same to an artificial kidney; the solution optionally contains bicarbonate in any desired amount. The apparatus comprises a recirculation loop which mixes a hemodialysis dialysate concentrate with deaerated water and may include another interconnected recirculation loop adopted to form an aqueous bicarbonate solution. Both recirculation loops mix the concentrates in the recirculation fluid in venturi means operated by continuously controlling the velocity of fluid flowing therethrough to create suction to inject the requisite quantity of concentrate to form the final desired composition in the product hemodialysis solution.

Abstract: A dialyzer comprises a housing, a plurality of hollow fibers extending in the housing parallel to one another, solution inlet and outlet ports provided at the ends of the housing through respective seal members, respectively and communicating with liquid passages inside the hollow fibers, and dialysate inlet and outlet ports provided near the ends of the housing, respectively, and communicating with a liquid passage outside the hollow fibers. The dialysate inlet port has a diameter of 1.5 to 3.5 mm, and the dialysate outlet port has a diameter of 6 to 10 mm.

Abstract: A portion of the oil-in-water emulsion used as a lubricant/coolant in the shaping of metal articles such as containers is subjected to a reverse osmosis or ultrafiltration process to concentrate the oil portion and separate a water permeate. The oil concentrate is reincorporated in the remaining portion of the coolant and the permeate is used as rinse water to remove oil residues retained on the article from the metal shaping operation. The coolant is then reconstituted with the oil residue rinsed from the article.

Abstract: Activated sludge waste water treatment systems utilizing influent and/or sludge return flow as pressurized gas-liquid contactor motive stream source and having improved energy efficiency. Staged flow control systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A membrane diffusion device, such as a membrane oxygenator, is disclosed which comprises a stack of flat membrane wall pairs and flat membrane supports in alternating, interleaving relation. The casing includes a pair of opposed sidewalls that are substantially parallel to flat sides of the stack, and a pair of substantially vertical crimps are formed on each of the sidewalls to provide external compression on the end portions of the stack.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a transfer device, preferably in the form of an artificial kidney, which is formed of a continuous membrane film reversely folded or pleated so as to define sets of films with each set including two film layers and there being disposed between adjacent sets of film layers first spacers extending in the central area of the device and for a major portion of the length thereof, and second spacers between the films of adjacent sets of films at the ends thereof, the second spacers being spaced from the first spacers, and there being third spacers aligned with the second spacers, but each third spacer being between the two films of a set with the second and third spacers combining to define flow passages into and out of between the two films of the sets of films for a first fluid, and there being means for introducing a second fluid, at a lesser pressure than the first fluid, into the first spacers at the ends thereof with the films of each pair of films ballooning into the first spacer t

Abstract: A tubular membrane separation apparatus and process, for reverse osmosis or ultrafiltration, with an arrangement for removing undesirable deposit from semipermeable membrane surfaces. The apparatus is of the multiple-stage type wherein the number of tubular modules per stage gradually decreases in a pattern like a Christmas tree laid on its side. Elastic elements are forced through the tubular modules lined with the semipermeable membrane, the number of the elements being gradually decreased stage by stage, so that the deposit is mechanically rubbed off from the membrane surfaces with an optimum number of elastic elements for each stage.

Abstract: An ion selective semipermeable membrane such as is used in electrodialysis cell assemblies is fabricated with an unreacted border region of a polymer film which is heat sealable to itself and to other materials of similar composition. Within the border region are sealed two flow port connections to pass ionic process liquid across the face of the membrane. The border regions of one membrane are heat seal bonded at the edge to the border regions of a subsequent membrane in a sequence to form an electrodialysis cell assembly accordion bellows like in configuration. The flow ports communicate with the compartments so formed. Membranes produced by chlorosulfonation of polyethylene are especially suitable for heat sealing.

Abstract: Substantial dewatering of a secondary sewage sludge stream is obtained by admixing same with various hydrocarbon oils, the initial sludge/oil weight ratio being maintained in an amount less than 0.6, at shear rates of at least 130 seconds.sup.-1, and allowing the mixture thus formed to settle at temperatures of at least 72.degree. F. Substantially complete disposal of the solids thus removed from the secondary sludge stream can be achieved by subjecting same to evaporation and incineration processes.

Abstract: A filter centrifuge for the separation of solid and liquid components in a suspension in which a filter cloth is used. The filter cloth is inserted in the drum of the centrifuge and is removably fastened at one side about the periphery of an aperture in the drum. The filter cloth is flexible and may be turned inside out to discharge solid materials after the centrifuging operation. To prevent the flexible filter cloth from becoming pressed into the openings of the centrifuge drum by the force of the centrifuging process and the weight of the solid material, a supporting screen is inserted between the inner wall and the drum of the filter cloth. The screen is in the form of longitudinal rods from which the filter cloth is easily removed even if the gaps between the rods are penetrated to a slight extent.

Abstract: Fluid conducting apparatus is disclosed for a dialysis system having a dialyzer, a source of dialysis fluid for the dialyzer, a heating chamber for heating dialysis fluid before introduction into the dialyzer, and pump means for pumping heated dialysis fluid from the heating chamber to and through the dialyzer. The fluid conducting apparatus includes first and second fluid conducting means. The first fluid conducting means is adapted to be connected to the source of dialysis fluid and to the heating chamber for introducing dialysis fluid into the heating chamber, and the second fluid conducting means is adapted to be connected to the heating chamber, the dialyzer and the pump means for conducting the fluid from the heating chamber to and through the dialyzer. The apparatus also includes shut-off means adapted to terminate the flow of heated dialysis fluid from the heating chamber to the dialyzer when the rate of flow of fluid out of the chamber exceeds the rate of flow of fluid into the chamber.

Abstract: Nutrient-rich ocean water from the aphotic zone of the ocean, which normally begins at about 100 to 200 meters below the ocean surface, is desalinated or partially desalinated in situ using electro-dialysis to leave the nutrients in the water. The nutrient-rich desalinated water thus obtained, being of lesser density than the surrounding seawater, naturally rises through conduits into the relatively nutrient-poor photic zone of the ocean and is dispersed therein, thus increasing the concentration of nutrients in the photic zone near the surface of the ocean. This increases the fertility of the near-surface photic zone, and thus increases the supply of harvestable food fish from the near-surface photic zone.

Abstract: Steam carrying fatty acids is contacted in a barometric condenser with a cooling medium comprising a fatty acid having between six and eighteen carbon atoms to produce a liquid organic phase containing the fatty acids which were entrained in the steam, and an aqueous phase, such phases being readily separated by decantation. After separation of the phases, a portion of the organic phase is used for the cooling medium.

Abstract: Certain fluoropolymers, when chemically modified by reacting them with sulfur or phosphorus containing compounds, become hydrophilic materials useful for making ion-exchange membranes, especially diaphragms for electrolytic cells, particularly chlor-alkali cells used in the production of chlorine, hydrogen and sodium hydroxide from brine.

Abstract: Covers an immersible molecular filter unit having a body that is formed from a porous polymeric material of generally cylindrical shape, preferably rounded at least at one of its ends. A tubular connector is mounted at one end of this body, with a bore that communicates with the porous network of the body. An anisotropic membrane encapsulates the body and is formed with an integral collar portion that engages about a portion of the connector, where it projects from the body, in substantially fluid-tight fashion. Preferably the membrane, which is formed in situ, is shrunk about the tube and the body, and is solvent welded to the connector.This unit is formed by dipping the body and the juxtaposed connector in a polymer casting solution, to encapsulate the porous body and a part of the connector. The dip-coating unit is then converted to an anisotropic membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filter apparatus having a filter press charged by a diaphragm pump, a hydraulic closure and an automatic conveying device including a hydraulic plate conveyor device for the filter plates which are displaceable in suspended or upright state. The apparatus employs, instead of a plurality of electromotively driven drive mechanisms including chain drives, a central hydraulic liquid supply for the simultaneous or alternate impacting of the filter press closure, for the hydraulically driven diaphragm pump and the hydraulic plate conveyor device.