Abstract: The invention relates to a separating device, more particularly for hemodialysis, comprising a housing accommodating at least one bundle of a large number of tubular, selectively permeable membranes connected in parallel whose transverse dimensions are very small relative to their longitudinal dimensions. The ends of the membranes rest on supporting members in the housing. The membranes may be the walls of hollow fibers which divide the internal part of the separating device into a first medium space provided by the inside of the membranes and a second medium space inside the housing but outside the membranes. The medium spaces are each provided with an inlet and an outlet for respectively the supply and the discharge of a first and a second medium, which media can enter into exchange through the walls of the membranes.

Abstract: Organics selected from alkanols, alkyl benzenes and organic nitriles are separated from aqueous solutions by contacting the aqueous solution feed with a first surface of a polymeric membrane comprised of an aliphatic nylon selectively permeable to organic components; while maintaining a second and opposite membrane surface at a lower chemical potential than the first membrane surface for said organic components, permeating a portion of the organic components into and through the membrane; and withdrawing from the second membrane surface a mixture having a higher total concentration of organic components than the organic components concentration of the aqueous solution feed stream.

Abstract: Phase separation in a solvent (liquid-liquid) extraction process is effected in a settling tank by passage through one or more coalescer units. The mixed liquid phases to be separated are introduced at a main supply position from which flow is radially outwardly into the settling tank. A polygonal settling tank is described having removable segments arranged around a mixer tank.

Abstract: Dialysis apparatus is arranged to enable convenient measuring of ultrafiltration rate from liquid, such as blood, that is to be dialyzed. Dialyzer can have, downstream of a dialysis chamber, a dialyzate passageway through which the ultrafiltration flow rate can be readily measured as by introducing a gas bubble into the dialyzate and timing its movement through the passageway. An air-injection attachment can be fitted to the dialyzer or to a dialyzate supply system, to inject the gas bubble for such measurement. Bubble injection can also be effected in a flow rate measuring passageway downstream of the dialyzer. Flow rates of dialyzate into and out of dialyzer can be compared to show ultrafiltration while dialyzing.

Abstract: A hollow-fiber permeability apparatus includes:a housing; a bundle of permeable-wall hollow fibers disposed in the housing; inlet means for supplying a first fluid into the spaces between the fibers; outlet means for withdrawing the first fluid from the housing, the first fluid being led through at least one of the inlet and outlet means in a lamelliform flow toward the bundle, whereby the first fluid can uniformly flow through the whole bundle; and means for flowing a second fluid inside the fibers such that materials selectively permeate through the walls of the fibers.

Abstract: A filtration device for effecting separation of a blood cell-free liquid filtrate from a blood cell-containing liquid suspension in continuous laminar flow therethrough, employing a microporous filtration membrane. The filtration flow channels along the surface of the upstream side of the membrane wall are provided with a width across the membrane wall surface which gradually and uniformly increases from the inlet end to the outlet end of the flow channel, whereby the membrane wall shear rate of the suspension in laminar flow through the flow channel will gradually and uniformly vary along the length of the flow channel from a maximum value at its inlet end to a minimum value at its outlet end. Such variation in shear rate corresponds with the variation in the transmembrane pressure conditions along the length of the flow channel so as to enable better control of the filtration operating conditions to insure optimal filtration rates per area of membrane without damage to the blood cells.

Abstract: A flexible artificial kidney, capable of being worn directly on the body of the patient, and characterized by a flexible hollow retentate chamber of about 3 to 50 cm.sup.3 in volume surrounded by a jacketed flexible dialysate chamber of about 300 to 5,000 cm.sup.3 in volume, preferably such that the dialysate chamber is at least about 100 times larger than the retentate chamber. Blood inlet and outlet lines to and from the retentate chamber are passed in fluid tight relationship through the jacketed wall of the dialysate chamber which in turn has a closable opening for filling and discharging the dialysate liquid. This artificial kidney is especially effective when adsorbent materials are added to the liquid in the dialysate chamber.

Abstract: An improved semi-continuous method for making one-piece, integral hollow fiber artificial kidneys and other apparatus of the hollow fiber separatory type.

Abstract: Fluoroacylation of ethyl cellulose has been found to result in good gas permeability and blood compatibility for polymeric layers made from the resulting fluorinated esters. The fluoroacylated ethyl cellulose has good hydrolytic stability at blood pH and under sterilization conditions (e.g. 100.degree. C.). For use in blood oxygenation devices, implantable biomedical devices, blood sampling of analysis or purification devices, etc., it is preferred that the fluoroacylated ethyl cellulose be substantially free of residual OH and have a fluorine content above 10% by weight (e.g. at least about 12% by weight).

Abstract: Kidney dialysis filters, or artificial kidneys, which contain a dialysis membrane mounted inside a housing and separating the housing into a blood side compartment and dialysate side compartment are washed for reuse by a process in which washing water is supplied to the blood side through an inlet hose, and exits through a remote, resiliently expandable and contractable outlet hose to a drain. After flushing of the blood side by water flow in this manner, the outlet is closed while continuing washing fluid feed, to build up fluid pressure inside the blood compartment, and then the fluid feed is interrupted. A drain in the inlet conduit is then opened to cause brief reversal of flow of fluid within the blood side, due to relaxation of the membrane and the outlet hose to relieve the fluid pressure. Then steady flow of fluid is resumed. This brief reversal of flow causes a fluid action to dislodge contaminating blood particles from the membrane and elsewhere.

Abstract: Covers a method of separating a nonionic surfactant from an anionic surfactant by use of cyclohexanone.

Abstract: A rotary vacuum disc filter having a rotatable center shaft assembly mounting a plurality of filter discs each comprised of a like number of removable filter sectors aligned in horizontal rows, with each row connected to one of a plurality of longitudinally extending filtrate channels in the center shaft assembly wherein the outlet port of a selected channel at one end of the center shaft assembly may be selectively closed by a removable sealing plate to cut off flow from such channel.

Abstract: A mixture of at least one non-sulphonated polysulphone and at least one sulphonated polysulphone, this mixture consisting of 10 to 30% by weight of a sulphonated polysulphone which has a theoretical exchange capacity of from 500 to 1,200 meq/kg is provided. Such mixtures enable one to obtain semi-permeable membranes using relatively concentrated solutions of the mixtures. The resulting membranes are particularly suitable for use in ultrafiltration.

Abstract: An artificial kidney comprising a filter which is disposed between an artery connection and a vein connection, a collecting means for the filtrate to be discharged from the filter, a means for providing a metered supply of substituate to the purified blood, and a measuring means including two weighing devices; a first of the weighing devices measures the weight of filtrate to be discharged, and a second of the weighing device measures the weight of the substituate; the measuring means controls the providing means whereby the metered supply of substituate is in a fixed weight proportionality to the filtrate weight.

Abstract: Rotationally symmetric fluid distribution cell modules combinable to form stacks for the processing of solutions are disclosed. Each module comprises at least one membrane and/or diaphragm and/or electrode and a plate, the latter having a central aperture and a plurality of fluid distribution ports symmetrically spaced in a configuration about the aperture. Connecting fluid passages lead from at least one of the ports in the plate to the central aperture such that part or all of the fluid introduced into one of those ports will flow into the aperture. In some applications of the modules there will be a second connecting fluid passage leading from the aperture to a second port such that at least part of the fluid introduced into the aperture will flow out the second port.Stacking the plates in combination with different types of electrodes, membranes and/or diaphragms provides a cell stack in which a large variety of fluid treatment processes may be carried out.

Abstract: A hollow-fiber permeability apparatus includes: a housing; a bundle of permeable-wall hollow fibers disposed in the housing; inlet means for supplying a first fluid into the spaces between the fibers; outlet means for withdrawing the first fluid from the housing, the first fluid being led through at least one of the inlet and outlet means in a lamelliform flow toward the bundle, whereby the first fluid can uniformly flow through the whole bundle; and means for flowing a second fluid inside the fibers such that materials selectively permeate through the walls of the fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tubular membrane separation apparatus used for purification of turbid water, concentration of liquid material, sea-water desalting and so on, which is characterized by a feedwater line, a tubular membrane member adapted to concentrate a feedwater, a concentrated-water line which is disposed in such a manner that the direction of flow therein is opposite to the direction of flow in the feedwater line and a cleaning ball delivery member, said cleaning ball delivery member including a stationary member disposed to cross the feedwater line and concentrated-water line and divide each of the two lines into an upstream and downstream segment, the stationary member being provided with passageways extending in parallel with each other and respectively adapted to communicate the upstream segment of the feedwater line with the downstream segment thereof and the upstream segment of concentrated-water line with the downstream segment thereof, a movable member which comprises at least one

Abstract: A cation-exchange membrane is prepared by swelling a fluorinated polymer membrane having cation-exchangeable groups with an organic solvent and then removing the solvent from the swollen membrane and immersing a monomer with or without a crosslinking agent and a polymerization initiator into it and polymerizing the monomer. The membrane is preferably swollen with a water miscible organic solvent and then, the solvent is removed from the membrane.

Abstract: A membrane separation apparatus utilizing hyperfiltration for permitting passage of a filtrate therethrough while rejecting a concentrated liquid medium is provided utilizing porous stainless steel membrane supports, wherein these supports are fabricated into a single pass configuration adapted for use at high pressures and substantial lengths, and wherein membrane is deposited in situ upon said supports after fabrication.

Abstract: Gas separation membranes are made from aromatic polyimides, polyesters and polyamides in which the repeating unit of the main polymer chain(a) has at least one rigid divalent subunit, the two main chain single bonds extending from which are not colinear,(b) is sterically unable to rotate 360.degree. around at least one of these bonds, and(c) has 50% or more of its main chain atoms as members of aromatic rings.