Abstract: Particulates which are less than and greater than a predetermined size and are entrained in a fluid are separated according to their respective sizes by passing the fluid and entrained particulates through a porous, crossflow separator element while continuously vibrating the separator element to prevent buildup of particulates on the upstream side of the separator element.

Abstract: A fluid feed mixture, either liquid or gaseous in nature, may be subjected to a gas enrichment separation process. The process is effected by contacting the mixture with the upstream face of a mixed matrix membrane which comprises an organic polymer having a solid particulate adsorbent incorporated therein, the permeability coefficient of the organic polymer being compatible with the permeability coefficient of the adsorbent. The permeate which emanates from the downstream face of the membrane comprises a fluid product mixture in which the proportion of the first fluid component of the feed mixture, which possesses a greater steady state permeability in relation to the second fluid component, is greater than the proportion present in the original fluid feed mixture.

Abstract: A process for separating a monosaccharide from an aqueous solution comprising monosaccharides and a second component comprising a polysaccharide. The mixture is contacted with a mixed matrix membrane comprising a adsorbent or molecular sieve material dispersed in an organic polymer in which the monosaccharide has a greater steady state permeability than the polysaccharide. The monosaccharide passes through the membrane, and is recovered. Particular mixed matrix membranes found to be useful in separating mono from polysaccharides are silicalite, gamma-alumina, activated carbon or a calcium exchanged Y-zeolite dispersed in cellulose acetate or polyelectrolyte complex polymers.

Abstract: A multilayer membrane separator which permits serial and tangential contact of a retentate with a plurality of membranes within the separator. The separator is formed from a plurality of contiguous separator units each consisting of two membrane layers, two retentate layers, a filtrate spacer layer and two adhesive layers. The adhesive layers, in cooperation with a liquid inlet to the separator and a liquid outlet from the separator effect the desired retentate flow and prevent mixing of retentate and filtrate.

Abstract: A process for continuous plasmapheresis, which process comprises conducting blood over a microporous membrane in reciprocatory pulsatile flow, and preferably further comprises reducing the transmembrane pressure difference to below zero during each forward and reverse flow. Apparatus for carrying out the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multiwell filtration apparatus for the assay of microliter quantities is provided which prevents fluid loss by capillary action and gravity flow through a microporous membrane or ultrafilter. The filtration apparatus is particularly advantageous in assays requiring maintenance of fluid within the reaction wells for substantial time periods and in small sample volume assays in the range of 100 microliter volumes.

Abstract: A liquid filter device has a housing and a multiple of closely spaced discs provided in the housing, the discs having holes which are adapted to be in alignment so as to define at least one elongated passage. The discs have separating means separating the discs from each other so as to provide a flow gap between adjacent discs. A filter tube is provided in each elongated passage. A fluid inlet leads into the housing to provide fluid into the interior of at least one filter tube, and a fluid outlet leads from the housing to withdraw fluid, which has passed through the filter tubes and into the flow gap between the discs. Interconnection means interconnect the ends of the filter tubes, and a resin casting surrounds the interconnection means.

Abstract: A dewatering method and apparatus is disclosed which uses a ramp at one end of a perforate conveyor in which the incline of the ramp may be adjusted while the dewatering operation is taking place. The ramp receives material to be further dewatered after the material has moved along the length of the perforate conveyor. The ramp causes the material to roll back upon itself as the material tends to move up the ramp, which rolling back action enhances dewatering. An actuator is coupled with said ramp for effecting movement of said ramp with respect to the conveyor to adjust the incline of the ramp with respect to the upper surface of the conveyor. In this way, the operator may readily optimize the rolling back action of the material to be dewatered to, in turn, thereby provide optimum dewatering. The ramp is also capable of being completely lifted out of the flow of material to be dewatered while the apparatus is in operation and while the dewatering process is being carried out.

Abstract: Hollow fiber plasmapheresis module and process, said module comprising hollow fibers having cell-retaining pores and an effective length (L) to lumen diameter (D) ratio L/D not greater than 16,400 cm.sup.-1 D (L and D being in centimeters) within a housing having a blood inlet for conducting blood to the fibers, an outlet for conducting exit (plasma-depleted) blood from the fibers, and a plasma outlet for conducting plasma out of the module.

Abstract: Aquarium with a multiple conduit fixture through one wall, the fixture including an air inlet connected to a plurality of air outlets and a water conduit, each of the air outlets and the water conduit having a throttle valve means at the outside end of the fixture to regulate the flow of air and water respectively, and a perforated support sheet to cover the inside bottom of the aquarium and any conduits for air or water, and to support thereon a gravel bed and any decorative items on the bed, the aquarium featuring several air bubbling locations.

Abstract: Described is a composition capable of stripping protective and/or decorative coatings from a substrate comprising:a major amount of a chlorinated hydrocarbon having from one to four carbon atoms;a minor amount of a carboxylic acid accelerator useful for accelerating removal of the coating; andan effective amount of a penetrating nitrogen containing amine oxide surfactant.The compositions are effective for stripping protective coatings as acrylic resins, epoxy resins, vinyl resins, polyester resins and polyurethane resins at ambient temperature.

Abstract: Described herein is a process for the removal of particulates from a fluid undergoing laminar flow. The invention is especially useful in that it enables the removal of soft, gelatinous particulates from a viscous liquid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the separation and recovery of particulate matter having an average diameter of about 1 micron or less through the use of aqueous hi-phase systems and the modification of the surface properties of the particulate matter through use of a surfactant to modify its tendency to selectively migrate to one phase of the bi-phase system.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a hemodialysis technique employing a dialyzer having a blood flow compartment separated from a dialysate flow compartment by a semi-permeable membrane. According to the invention, this technique is improved by providing for the osmolarity of the dialysate to be increased as a function of time during at least a portion of the total treatment time, whereby dialysis disequilibrium syndrome problems can be alleviated.

Abstract: A filtration membrane is disclosed which has an ultrafiltration rate of between 200.times.10.sup.-4 and 500.times.10.sup.-4 ml/sec..times.cm.sup.2 .times.bar at 20.degree. C. and which is substantially impermeable to albumin of a molecular weight of about 44,000 or greater. A process for producing a filtration membrane is also disclosed in which a polymer solution is extruded with a center liquid under conditions such that the ratio of the volume of polymer solution to the volume of center liquid is within the range of from about 2:1 to about 4:1 to form a membrane extrudate.

Abstract: An extraction unit of the type having successively in the flow direction of the liquid, a mixer, a pre-settler and a settler, the pre-settler and the settler being separated from each other by several successive perforated partition walls, the perforations of each partition wall being laterally unaligned with the perforations of the following partition wall, the lower section of the mixer having inlets for the heavy phase and the light phase and a mechanical stirrer for mixing the heavy phase and the light phase to form a dispersion, and the upper section having at least one opening for directing the dispersion from the mixer to the pre-settler, the upper section of the settler having members for removing the separated light phase as an overflow from the settler, the lower section of which has an opening for the removal of the separated heavy phase from the settler as a controlled flow, and between the settler and the mixer there are pipes for returning part of the separated heavy and light phase from the set

Abstract: Semipermeable membranes of modified styrene polymers are obtained by modifying styrene polymers containing reactive groups(A) through chemical reaction with(a) a monomeric compound containing at least two functional groups,(b) a polyfunctional oligomer of polymer, and(c) a compound containing at least one, preferably two groups capable of reaction with (b), provided that the reactive groups are amino, hydroxyl or mercapto groups,(B) through chemical reaction with components (b) and (c), provided that the reactive groups are halogen atoms, aldehyde, cyanate or thiocyanate groups, or(C) through chemical reaction with hydroxylamine and components (a), (b) and (c), provided that the reactive group is a nitrile group.The new membranes can be used in reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration processes. They show good permeability (flux) and rejection characteristics as well as good solvent, compaction and temperature resistance. Their range of molecular cut-offs lies preferably between about 200 and 2000.

Abstract: Disclosed are asymmetrical macroporous membranes based on a synthetic polymer comprising a polymeric mixture of 5 to 70% by weight polyvinylpyrrolidone having a molecular weight .gtoreq.100,000 Dalton and 95 to 30% by weight of a polymer selected from a group consisting of a polysulfone, a polyether sulfone and an aromatic or araliphatic polyamide, each of the percentages by weight being relative to the total weight of the polymeric mixture. The membrane has a water absorbency of at least 11% by weight of water, relative to its total weight, at 100% relative humidity and 25.degree. C. Also disclosed is a process for preparation of the membranes.

Abstract: A multi stage oil filter assembly is disclosed characterized by a housing including base and cover members and at least one intermediate member arranged between the base and cover members. A first planar filter member is arranged between the cover and intermediate members and a second planar filter member is arranged between the intermediate and base members. The planar faces of the base and cover members adjacent the intermediate member each contain a plurality of concentrically spaced circular grooves and a radial conduit affording communication between the grooves, whereby fluid is distributed across the planar faces of the base and cover members adjacent the planar filter members. The intermediate member contains a plurality of segmented circular concentrically spaced slots corresponding with the grooves of the base and cover member planar faces.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis element consists of a long tubular plastic base having a plurality of elongate parallel channels in its exterior surface. A monofilament strand is wrapped or extruded helically around the surface of the base, and a semipermeable membrane is formed, e.g. by casting or extrusion, around the wrapped tube. The tubes are mounted in a hollow cylindrical housing on a manifold; a passageway for purified water extends through the membrane, along the channels to the interior of each element, from the interior of each element through the manifold to a collection chamber, and to a purified water outlet.