Abstract: Device (5) and method or removing suspended-material particles, more particularly fine and ultra-fine particles from a water flow containing suspended-material particles in a pressurised water line (3) of a hydroelectric power plant (2), whereby a tubular element (6) forming a flow channel (7) is provided in the pressurised water line (3), whereby the flow channel (7) essentially extends in the axial direction of the pressurised water line (3), and in the flow channel (7) a stationary swirl-generating device (11) is arranged for stimulating a flow component of the water flow which runs perpendicularly to the main flow direction (9), and in the flow direction after swirl-generating device (11) a separating device (13) is provided for removing the suspended-material particles carried radially outwards due to the effect of centrifugal force.

Abstract: One embodiment can be an apparatus for contacting a first liquid and a second liquid. The apparatus can include a vessel, which in turn, may include at least one wall, a first member, and a funnical frustum. The at least one wall can form a perimeter about an interior space. Also, the first member can be positioned within the interior space and form a plurality of passageways. Each passageway may be bordered by a first side and a second side from an outer region to an interior surface of the first member. Generally, the funnical frustum is positioned downstream of the first member to facilitate a swirling of at least one of the first and second liquids.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for removing metal cuttings from an oil well drilling mud stream provides a magnetic body or “ditch magnet” having end plates that extend radially and circumferentially from the magnetic body, the plates being positioned at end portions of the magnetic body. A third plate in the form of a wiper is used to dislodge metal cuttings and other metallic material from the magnetic body after the magnetic body has accumulated such metallic parts. One of the end plates can be removable to facilitate a complete scraping or wiping of the metallic parts from the metallic body by the wiper plate.

Abstract: The present teachings provide, in part, methods of separating two-dimensional nanomaterials by atomic layer thickness. In certain embodiments, the present teachings provide methods of generating graphene nanomaterials having a controlled number of atomic layer(s).

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for self-extracting a cell using a magnetic field. The apparatus for self-extracting the cell using the magnetic field according to the present invention includes a flow path casing including an upper substrate and a lower substrate having a magnetic property combined with each other, and a fluid path formed to fluidize a cell solution therein; a separation portion disposed on the fluid path and provided with a separation channel selectively passing only an effective cell that is a separation target in the cell included in the cell solution therethrough; and a magnetic field control portion forming the magnetic field in the flow path portion to separate the cell blocking the separation channel from the separation channel.

Abstract: Methods and systems for fractionating lignocellulosic biomass including hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin, including exploding the biomass cells to devolatilize the biomass, hydrolyzing the hemicellulose to produce a liquid component including hemicellulosic sugars and a solid component including less than 10% hemicellulose, separating the liquid and solid components, vaporizing the cellulose in the solid component, and condensing the cellulosic sugar vapors. The methods and systems may vaporize the cellulose in a continuous steam reactor at a temperature of about 400-550° C. and a pressure of about 1-3 bara. Electromagnetic and/or electroacoustic treatment such as ultrasound and/or microwave treatment may be applied to the biomass immediately before or during cellulose hydrolysis.

Abstract: A hydroclone including: a vortex chamber (24) in fluid communication with the inlet (14), a process fluid chamber (32) in fluid communication with the process fluid outlet (20), an effluent separation chamber (30) located between the vortex chamber (24) and process fluid chamber (32) and including an outer circumferential surface (23), a vortex flow barrier (34) located between the vortex chamber (24) and the effluent separation chamber (30), an effluent barrier (36) located between the effluent separation chamber (30) and the process fluid chamber (32) including at least one opening (42?) near the outer circumferential surface (23), and an effluent opening (38) centrally located within the effluent separation chamber (30) in fluid communication with the effluent outlet (18); wherein the effluent separation chamber (30) has a median distance (80) between the vortex flow barrier (34) and effluent barrier (36) which is adjustable.

Abstract: A hydroclone (10) including a tank (12) having a fluid inlet (14), a filtered fluid outlet (16), an effluent outlet (18), a process fluid outlet (20) and an inner peripheral wall (22) positioned about an axis (X) and enclosing a plurality of aligned chambers including: i) a vortex chamber (24) in fluid communication with the fluid inlet (14), a filter assembly (26) located within the vortex chamber (24) and enclosing a filtrate chamber (46), a fluid pathway (28) extending from the fluid inlet (14) and about the filter assembly (26) which is adapted to generate a vortex fluid flow about the filter assembly (26), wherein the filtrate chamber (46) is in fluid communication with the filtered fluid outlet (16) such that fluid passing through the filter assembly (26) enters the filtrate chamber (46) and may exit the tank (12) by way of the filtered fluid outlet (16), and ii) an effluent separation chamber (30) in fluid communication with the vortex chamber (24) and which is adapted for receiving unfiltered fluid th

Abstract: A flash flocculation tank system having a plurality of tanks and a plurality of settling spheres that are magnetic and treat wastewater and/or landfill leachate and a process for decreasing the amount of time for settling solids in biologically and/or chemically treated wastewater and/or landfill leachate. The plurality of settling spheres each have a rare earth magnet and are calibrated by weight to float, sink, and to be suspending in the treated water or leachate. Insoluble waste solids gain a ferromagnetic quality after attaching to the settling spheres. The flash flocculation tank system with the settling spheres and process improve the settleability rate of the insoluble solids of the treated leachate and also allow for a smaller settling tank.

Abstract: A method of separating a liquid hydrocarbon material from a body of water, includes: (a) mixing magnetic carbon-metal nanocomposites with a liquid hydrocarbon material dispersed in a body of water to allow the magnetic carbon-metal nanocomposites each to be adhered by the liquid hydrocarbon material to form a mixture; (b) applying a magnetic force to the mixture to attract the magnetic carbon-metal nanocomposites each adhered by the liquid hydrocarbon material; and (c) removing the body of water from the magnetic carbon-metal nanocomposites each adhered by the liquid hydrocarbon material while maintaining the applied magnetic force. The magnetic carbon-metal nanocomposites is formed by subjecting one or more metal lignosulfonates or metal salts to microwave radiation, in presence of lignin/derivatives either in presence of alkali or a microwave absorbing material, for a period of time effective to allow the carbon-metal nanocomposites to be formed.

Abstract: A floating separating element for use in centrifugal separation of components of a physiological fluid comprises a positioning part and a separating part, where the positioning part is designed to automatically assume a position in a supernatant and a separating part is positioned at a desired location with respect to the interface between the supernatant and heavier components. In preferred embodiments the physiological fluids are blood or bone marrow aspirate, and the heavier components comprise red blood cells. The positioning part comprises the majority of the mass of the separating element and is thin so that differences in the position of the separating element with respect to the interface are small compared to differences in the densities of the separated components, particularly the component comprising red blood cells. A method allows red blood cells to move the separating element during decanting to ensure complete decant of the supernatant.

Abstract: A method and a system comprising pressurizing the vapor generated by evaporation, and circulating the pressurized vapor through the maple water above boiling temperature, so as to evaporate water from the maple water. As a result, once the steady state is reached, the main source of energy for water maple evaporation is the pressurized vapor, produced by a compressor. The compressor may be powered by an electrical or an internal combustion engine for example. The initial heating stage, needed to first get vapor from the maple water, is performed by an auxiliary heating unit, such as direct acting electrical heating elements, or a indirect heat source such as wood, oil, etc. for example.

Abstract: Cellulosic materials are treated with Supercritical Carbon Dioxide in an extruder. Machine configuration and operating parameters are strictly controlled in a manner to enhance the ability of Supercritical CO2 to enter into the cells. This results in a controlled deterioration of the cell walls, increasing the reactivity of cellulose and also enhancing the rate and the extent of cellulose hydrolysis. This precisely controlled combination of pressure, shear & temperature accelerates the penetration of carbon dioxide molecules into the crystalline structures, thus more glucose is produced from cellulosic materials after the cell is destructurized as compared to those without the pretreatment increasing glucose yield by as much as 50%. Concurrent saccharification and fermentation tests also show the increase in the available carbon source from the cellulosic materials for fermentation to produce ethanol.

Abstract: A filter unit includes: a space portion, through which a liquid passes, whose outer cross-sectional shape when cut along the direction orthogonal to the axial direction is circular or polygonal; a filter provided at the surface on one end side of the space portion in the axial direction thereof; a protruding member, provided at the surface on the other end side of the space portion in the axial direction thereof, that protrudes toward a center area of the surface on the one end side of the space portion; an inflow channel that allows the liquid to flow into the space portion from a direction tangential to the side circumferential surface of the space portion; and an outflow channel that allows the liquid to pass through the filter and flow out from the space portion.

Abstract: A system includes a hydrocyclone liner. The hydrocyclone liner includes a head section having a fluid inlet and an overflow outlet. The hydrocyclone liner also includes a separation section having an underflow outlet and a first sidewall. A diameter of the separation section of an outer surface of the first sidewall is constant along a length of the outer surface of the first sidewall. The head section and the separation section are joined together via a bond at an interface between the head section and the separation section. The hydrocyclone liner includes a sleeve disposed about at least a portion of the head section, the separation section, and the interface. The sleeve is configured to hold the head section and the separation section together if the bond fails.

Abstract: A separator device for removing particles from suspension in a fluid comprising: a housing, having a central axis extending between first and second opposing ends; an inlet and an outlet provided in an end of the housing; a separation chamber for separating solid particles from the fluid, including obstruction means to slow the flow of fluid within the chamber.

Abstract: The method and nanocomposite for treating wastewater provides a method of treating aniline-containing wastewater with a magnetic nanocomposite. Nickel nitrate, iron nitrate and citric acid are dissolved in deionized water to form a metal nitrate and citric acid solution, which is then pH balanced. The pH balanced solution is then heated to form a gel, which is then ignited to form powdered NiFe2O4. Nanoparticles of the powdered NiFe2O4 combustion product are then mixed with multi-walled carbon nanotubes to form a magnetic nanocomposite, such that the magnetic nanocomposite includes approximately 75 wt % of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes and approximately 25 wt % of the NiFe2O4. The magnetic nanocomposite may then be mixed into a volume of aniline-containing wastewater for adsorption of the aniline by the nanocomposite. A magnetic field is then applied to the mixture to magnetically separate the magnetic nanocomposite and the adsorbed aniline from the wastewater.

Abstract: Fluid filtration devices, systems and methods are disclosed. The device comprises a pump-filter hybrid system that uses rotational motion to produce pressure to drive liquid through filter elements, capturing filtrate in an isolated chamber of the device and rejecting separated solids into a second isolated chamber. The fluid filtration device, which can be configured to filter a wide variety of fluids, comprises: an influent input manifold; an impeller bowl and filter assembly configured to rotate about an axis; a barrier and routing configuration to catch and distribute filtrate; a barrier and routing configuration to catch and distribute rejected solids.

Abstract: A separator (10) comprises a housing (12) and a separator chamber (14) contained within the housing (12), an inlet (16) and outlet (18) to the separator chamber and a dividing member (20) for substantially dividing the separator chamber (14) into a first chamber (22) and a second chamber (24). A flow path is provided between the first and second chambers (22), (24) for allowing flow to circulate between the first and second chambers, and obstruction means (74) is provided in the second chamber (24) for slowing flow through the second chamber (24).

Abstract: A sweeper assembly can include a plurality of holes drilled in one or more sweeper headers that can be angled downwards towards the basin floor to produce a gentle flow of fluid to keep particulate matter rolling along the basin floor. A centrifugal separator can include a curved velocity plate for smoothly directing flow from an inlet pipe to an inner wall of the separator and creating a downward vortex of particulate-laden fluid within the centrifugal separator. The centrifugal separator can include one or more reversal mechanisms for transferring particulate matter to a collection chamber and reversing the direction of particle-free fluid, which may upwardly exit through a discharge pipe. The centrifugal separator can include a bleed valve in the discharge pipe for automatically bleeding accumulated air in the “dead zone” between the inlet pipe and the top of the centrifugal separator.