Abstract: A membrane having a preselected pore type which is suited for separating processes comprising a shaped body formed by heating a mixture of finely ground carbonaceous material with a binder composed of about 5 to 20% by weight natural or synthetic elastomer or a mixture of both and of about 1 to 20% by weight of thermoplastic material to about 400.degree. to 1400.degree. C. in an inert atmosphere at a rate of temperature increase between 0.1.degree. and 10.degree. C./min. The membranes are useful for a wide range of selective chemical and physical separation operations of different materials.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, e.g. oil and water, comprising a vessel containing a settling chamber, an upper chamber and a movable partition between said chambers for controlling the process, conduits for the supply of mixture and the separate discharges of the component liquids and a second vessel containing a collecting chamber and a final liquids separating device and associated therewith conduits for the component liquids.

Abstract: The present blood exchange apparatus comprises a plurality of main layers acked to form a package. Each main layer includes a membrane envelope enclosing an intermediate netting layer. Spacers space the main layers so that blood may flow between adjacent main layers and an exchange liquid may flow within the intermediate netting layers. The facing ends of a package are embedded in a pourable sealing compound in such a manner that the spaces between adjacent membrane envelopes are open. After securing the spacers to each facing end of the main layers, the spacers and thus the layers are connected and then dipped into a curable sealing compound. The spacers have corner extensions which extend out of the sealing compound. Holes in the corner extensions expose the intermediate netting layers.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making separations from aqueous solutions, particularly for removing water from aqueous solutions of electrolytes or other substantially non-volatile solutes, such as saline water. According to the invention, a solvent extraction process is employed which produces streams of lower and higher solute concentration in composition from an aqueous solution by contacting the aqueous solution with a solvent to produce an extract stream and a residual raffinate stream, the solvent having the property of dissolving water at a first lower temperature and substantially releasing it at a second higher temperature without substantially extracting the solute from the aqueous solution. The extract stream is contacted with a hotter aqueous reflux and thereby simultaneously heated and caused to have its content of undesired solute diminished.

Abstract: Pyrogens can be effectively removed from an aqueous solution by passing a stream of the solution through a device comprising at least two anisotropic ultrafiltration membranes positioned in series, said membranes having nominal molecular weight limits less than the molecular weight of the pyrogens, including aggregates or micelles thereof, to be removed, wherein at least one membrane is juxtaposed with at least one other membrane so that substantially all of the skin surface of one membrane is in intimate contact with substantially all of the skin surface of the other membrane and wherein the edges of one membrane are sealed to the corresponding edges of the other membrane.

Abstract: This invention relates to emulsions containing a polyamine derivative as the sole surfactant and strengthening agent. The emulsions comprise an aqueous interior phase surrounded by an oily exterior phase which contains a polyamine derivative having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein n for the polyisobutylene portion varies from 10 to 60, x varies from 3 to 10, and y is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrogen-containing nitrogen radicals, hydrogen and oxygen-containing nitrogen radicals, and alkyl radicals having up to 10 carbons, alkyl radicals having up to 10 carbons which contain nitrogen, oxygen or both, and mixtures of said polyamine derivatives.

Abstract: A sealed container especially adapted for medical usage to receive and dispense fluids without contamination has a two orifice closure system whereby contaminants are kept out by a microfilter when an inlet orifice is opened for additions, and by a valve when an outlet orifice is opened for withdrawals. The closure has an upper removable seal and a lower fixed seal spaced from the upper removable seal and cooperating therewith in defining an operative space compartment sealed from both the interior of the container and the outside. In some embodiments, the lower seal has inlet and outlet passageways joining the interior of the container with the operative space compartment. An independent seal accessible from the operative space compartment is provided for the inlet passageway which is associated with the microfilter for stopping ingress of contaminants into the container. The valve provided at the outlet passageway is accessible from the operative space compartment to control outflow.

Abstract: An apparatus for the preparation of granulate from hot-melting mixes comprises a pourer connected by a filter-containing conduit to at least one mixing and melting device. The strip pourer is disposed above a cooling conveyor which feeds to a crushing device. The pourer comprises a heated tubular body provided on its under side with discharge nozzles arranged in at least one row. A filter is disposed within the tubular body across the discharge nozzles to prevent unwanted particles from reaching the nozzles.

Abstract: A filter for liquids has a housing, a filtering element accommodated in the housing and having a central tube, and a vibration damper located in the housing and having a membrane, a spring biasing the membrane and a casing arranged to accommodate the membrane and the spring and including a cup-shaped portion which extends into the central tube and receives the spring therein.

Abstract: Process is provided for the creation of crystal aggregates in one part of a tank by heat transfer from a fluid disposed in another part of the tank and maintained by heating or by cooling at a different temperature than the part containing the crystal aggregates. Both of these parts are separated from each other by a flexible membrane which is pulsated by dynamic local pressure differentials caused by foaming or by fluidizing the heat transfer fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for tubular membrane separation, such as reverse osmosis or ultrafiltration, with an arrangement for removing undesirable deposits from the semipermeable membrane surfaces. For the removal of the deposits, elastic elements are passed, together with the feed solution being treated, through the tubular modules lined with semipermeable membranes, separated from the solution, and are recycled with a fresh supply of the solution from a tank, so that the semipermeable membranes are continuously cleaned while separating a part of the solution by permeation therethrough.

Abstract: Non-destructive vibratory cleaning of reverse osmosis and ultra filtration membranes is accomplished by strategically positioning a plurality of ultrasonic transducers and using a frequency modulating sweep system to vibrate various and different transducers for vibrating liquid adjacent the membrane to be cleaned while preventing long period standing waves from being produced and/or continuously move a transducer along a filter module during cleaning to provide intense ultrasonic energy while preventing formation of membrane destructive standing waves.

Abstract: A ceramic filamentary structure particularly useful in ultrafiltration applications composed of cordierite ceramic and a quantity of .alpha.-alumina substantially in excess of that required to form the cordierite.

Abstract: A plumbing fixture with an integral strainer is provided for separating solids and other foreign bodies from a liquid flowing through a pipe. A generally T-shaped conduit section is provided having at least three portals including an input and an output portal for being operably interposed along the pipe for passing the fluid therethrough. The conduit also includes an access portal and a removable closure coupled thereto for allowing external access to within the conduit. A strainer is provided within the conduit and generally adjacent to the access portal for separating solids from the liquid flowing therethrough. The strainer is typically positioned above the access portal for allowing gravitational displacement of the solids toward the access portal after the liquid flow pressure has subsided.

Abstract: Novel membranes having two or more coatings of polyelectrolytes with at least one oppositely charged adjacent pair of coatings separated by a neutral layer to reduce charge neutralization, their method of preparation, and use for rejecting ionically charged solutes.

Abstract: Filtering devices wherein solid particulate matter is separated by filter media from a liquid flow often contain conveying means for moving the separated solid particulate to an external point for disposition. One such conveying means usable in filtering devices includes spaced endless chain loops wherein each chain comprises alternate center links pivotally joined by pins to alternate sets of spaced side bars. In each center link is an elongated aperture which in a controlled manner holds an extension bar attached to each end of a traversely positioned flight. The spaced chain may be operatively connected to a source of rotary power to periodically advance the conveying means so that the flights may be moved over a section of the filter media to effectively remove separated particulate matter collected thereon.

Abstract: An emulsion, formed at the interface of an acidic solution and a solvent, is removed by passing at least one continuous belt through the emulsion by floating action, where portions of the emulsion attach to the surface of the belt material.

Abstract: A process for preparing a microporous polymeric membrane, which process comprises preparing a polymer-casting solution, casting a thin film of the casting solution on a support base, allowing partial evaporation of the solvent from the cast film for a predetermined period of time and contacting the partially evaporated cast film with the microporous leaching liquid to provide a membrane, the improvement which comprises: providing a casting solution which comprises a vinylidene fluoride polymer and from about 35 to about 85% by weight of a vinyl acetate polymer; and hydrolyzing the acetate polymer after the leaching step to convert the acetate groups to hydroxyl groups, to provide an improved membrane having good mechanical strength and hydrophilic properties.

Abstract: A method for the separation of organic or metallo-organic substances from salts by reverse osmosis is provided. The membranes used are asymmetric acetyl cellulose membranes modified by covalently bonded residues of reactive dyestuffs containing ionizable groups. The diameter of the pores on the surface of the membrane is 5 to 100 A.

Abstract: A hemodialysis assist device including a normally nonflowing aqueous sorbents slurry medium chamber and at least one blood flowthrough passage separated therefrom by a semipermeable membrane of the flat plate, pleated flat plate, hollow fiber or hemicapillary type. The sorbents medium is in the form of a thixotropic network slurry of fine charcoal powder, fine phosphate ion-binding particles, or both. The sorbent particles are substantially retained in place even during ultrafiltration of excess body fluids across the membrane. This retention is assisted by the addition of a small quantity of fine cellulose-based polymer binder capable of forming an interlocking thixotropic network with the sorbents. The assist device may be used in conjunction with a conventional hemodialyzer to reduce dialysis treatment time, as well as to effectively remove urea. In addition, this blood detoxification device can be used also to treat the problems of hyperphosphatemia and hyperlipidemia.