Abstract: A cyclone separator for separating a crude oil feed containing gas and water into (i) gas, (ii) liquid oil and (iii) water comprises a vessel having an inlet disposed so that feed introduced under a pressure gradient is caused to form a downwardly flowing liquid vortex from which gas separates, an upper outlet for the gas, a hollow cylinder or small angle cone whose internal surface provides a surface for the liquid vortex, the walls of the vessel being spaced from the cone to define therebetween a disengaging chamber, an outlet for gas from the disengaging chamber, a first lower outlet for the liquid oil and a second lower outlet for the water.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are disclosed for separation of isotopes by gaseous diffusion. The apparatus comprises at least one assembly of microporous capillary tubes having a hydraulic diameter below 0.5 cm, an average pore radius below 200 .ANG., a thickness between 20 and 500 microns, a length of at least 25 cm, a porosity between 10 and 60% and a permeability to air between 10.10.sup.-7 and 100.10.sup.-7 mole/cm/.sup.2 /min/cm of mercury. The tubes are made from an inorganic material and have a circular, square or rectangualr cross-section.

Abstract: According to the present method a local overspeed is produced in the vicinity of the interface between the two liquids by means of a special apparatus, either actively by a moving component or passively by the relative incident flow. As a result of this overspeed the lighter liquid is conveyed in the desired direction and is optionally dammed back in front of a retaining wall.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the separation of a nitrated substance from a spent nitrating acid wherein said nitrated substance contains polar groups selected from the group consisting of --SO.sub.3 H, --OH, --SH --CO.sub.2 H, --OSO.sub.3 H, and --OP(OH).sub.2 and their salts. This is achieved by:(1) diluting the nitrated substance-spent acid solution with water,(2) adding a monohydric alcohol or ketone extraction agent which is immiscible with the spent acid,(3) permitting the mixture to separate into layers of different densities one of said layers comprising said nitrated substance dissolved in said extracting agent,(4) removing said nitrated substance-extracting agent layer,(5) separating the nitrated substance from the extracting agent layer, and(6) reducing the nitrated substance to an amine.

Abstract: The invention concerns a hollow fibre separatory device. The opened ends of the hollow fibres are situated in a plane which is at an acute angle relative to the axes of end sections of the fibres. A reservoir is provided which defines a fluid flow passage leading across the open ends of the fibres from a region adjacent the acute angle at the periphery of the plane to the opposing peripheral region. Fibre end openings are signficantly larger than the normal open cross-sectional area.Also disclosed are processes for producing the hollow fibre separatory devices. Including in particular a novel procedure for introducing solidifiable sealing material at an acute angle relative to the ends of hollow fibres.

Abstract: A liquid-liquid extraction method and apparatus, which method comprises sequentially pulsing the light and heavy phases and controlling the operation of the valves which introduce into and withdraw from the column the liquid phases, based on the percent of phase-volume changes occurring in the liquid-liquid extraction in the column.

Abstract: A blood and perfusate filter apparatus having a pair of molded housing members that are substantially identical in their configuration. The upper housing member having a pyramidal-shaped reservoir formed in the upper surface thereof which acts as a secondary distribution reservoir, and the lower housing member having a pyramidal-shaped reservoir formed in the lower surface thereof which acts as a secondary collection reservoir. Interchangeable tubing couplings are press-fit bonded to inlet/outlet ports located in the secondary reservoirs. A filter element, mounted in a resinous band, is bonded between the housing members so as to filter blood or perfusate as it passes through the filter. The filter element also forms primary distribution and collection reservoirs with respect to the upper and lower housing members. Different types of filter configurations, such as flat or pleated, can be mounted in a resinous band and used as the filter media.

Abstract: This invention provides efficient and cost effective water wave-powered piston pumps. Utility of such pumps is demonstrated in the reverse osmosis desalination of seawater.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for enriching compounds almost insoluble in water, particularly chlorinated hydrocarbons, and thereby removing them from aqueous suspensions of solid particles contaminated by such compounds. The aqueous suspension is brought in contact with an organic hydrocarbon containing solvent, and the suspension is extracted with the organic solvent in one or more mixing stages with subsequent phase separation. Each stage comprises one or more mixing sequences in series arranged upstream of a phase separation and from where a substantial part of the organic solvent is recirculated to the first mixing sequence within that stage. The invention secures nearly complete leaching of compounds present in even less than 10% of other solid particles in an aqueous suspension.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for holding a membrane filter with use of a porous metal disk support for a membrane. In the method of assembly the metal disk and membrane are sealed to a fusible enclosure by heat formed in the metal disk by induction heating. Such heat seals the metal disk and also seals the surface of the membrane to the fusible surrounding enclosure. The device is particularly useful in filtering particulate matter from intravenous solutions administered into the circulatory system of a human.

Abstract: Gases which accumulate in a pressure vessel for the desalination of seawater are discharged into a second vessel and pressurized therein by means of the produced, high-pressure freshwater, for discharging gas into the surrounding sea, after which the freshwater used for pressurization is returned to the desalination vessel. An active system and a passive system are described.

Abstract: A method for preparing a fouling-resistant polymer membrane for use in the separation of aqueous, cathodic, electrode-position-paint compositions, which method comprises treating a negative-charged polymer membrane material, having fixed negative-charged groups in the polymer, with a polyelectrolyte polymer having fixed positive-charged nitrogen groups in an amount sufficient to provide for an excess of positive-charged groups in the treated membrane polymer.

Abstract: A coating is applied to a microporous support in the presence of a volatile liquid capable of drawing the coating into the support and of desolvating the coating. The liquid is thereafter volatilized with the resulting dry ultrafiltration membrane being essentially crack-free and having desirable mechanical and chemical stability. The support may be pretreated with a volatile liquid, such as acetone, prior to the applying of the coating to the support. Alternately, the coating material can be dispersed in a volatile liquid, such as methanol, to form a coating suspension that is applied to the support. The coating material, preferably zirconia, will have a particle size within the range of from about 5 m.mu. to about 10.mu., with the coating having a thickness of up to about 20.mu.. The support, such as a porous carbon tube, will have a pore volume of about 5-60% and a pore size of about 5 m.mu.-40.mu.. Stability is enhanced by firing the membrane at 25.degree. C.-1500.degree. C. preferably at about 400.

Abstract: This invention is a method and apparatus for separating blood from other fluids added to the blood in connection with operative procedures. It is particularly exemplified by bypassing a portion of the blood during surgery through an artificial kidney apparatus or the like in conjunction with the oxygenation, simultaniously, of all blood, including that bypassed through the artificial kidney, wherein the excess fluids other than blood are removed for all practical purposes by completion of the operative procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus for a high pressure ultra-filtration of a permeate or filtrate from a crude solution characterized by a module having an inlet for the crude solution, an outlet for the crude solution, a pressure stable capillary diaphragm as the main filtration element, means holding the diaphragm in said module, the filtration element being of a structure most favorable to the flow techniques in which the capillary diaphragms are permeated from the outside toward the inside as the crude solution flows in the axial direction therealong under a flow pressure gradient, an outlet for the permeate passing into the capillary diaphragms and means for creating a flow pressure gradient on crude material being supplied to the module. Preferably, capillary diaphragms are porous glass capillaries which are secured at one end with the other end being closed and free to adjust its position in the module.

Abstract: A degasser system having a central container and degasser tubes extending to the central container. A vacuum is maintained within the tubes and the container by means of a vacuum pump while liquid is extracted from the central container by a pump. A gas cut liquid is drawn into the tubes by vacuum and conditioned to assume a helical path through the tubes. The liquid is then dispersed into the tank where it is allowed to collect. The degasser intake is throttled as a function of the level of liquid within the container. The accumulated gas within the degasser is extracted from a central location in one of the tubes. The pump includes a housing for total emersion of the pump body, dual inlets, straight, radial impeller vanes, multiple volutes and an extended drive shaft to accommodate gas cut mud.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis module in which the semipermeable membrane comprising a microporous support reinforced on one side thereof with a backing material and the other side thereof having deposited thereon an ultra-thin film formed by cross-linking polyethyleneimine with a cross-linking agent such as isophthaloyl chloride and the backing for the membrane sandwich comprising a film of a polyethylene-terephthalate positioned between two layers of an epoxy-impregnated polyester may be utilized to concentrate or dewater aqueous solutions at elevated temperatures and pressures. The module may be used at temperatures ranging from about 50.degree. to about 95.degree. C. and pressures ranging from 400 to about 1200 psi to dewater aqueous sugar solutions, salt solutions, starch solutions, etc.

Abstract: A lymphapheresis or lymph filtration system is disclosed for removing lymph from a patient, separating the lymph into a liquid fraction and a cellular component fraction and returning the liquid fraction to the patient. The system includes an input pump to pump lymph from the patient into a filtration cell having a membrane which filters the lymph into fractions. The liquid fraction is removed from the cell by a reversible pump and is returned to the patient. As the membrane becomes plugged the reversible pump is reversed to backflush the membrane to return it to a high filtration rate. The cellular component fraction which includes lymphocytes is disposed of.

Abstract: A filtration system utilizing a plurality coaxial, vertically disposed, filter elements for clarifying a liquid passed therethrough. Upon the accumulation of a predetermined amount of materials on or in the filter cake, the filter chamber is sealed and the contents drained creating a pressure differential across the filter elements to maintain the integrity of the filter cake on the filter septum. After the contents of the filter chamber have been drained the chamber is positively pressurized to remove any filtrate remaining in the filter cake and to dry the filter cake on the filter septum prior to removal. The expended filter cake and accumulants are removed from the filter septum and conveyed from the filter chamber by a discharge system. The filter chamber is filled with liquid and the filter septum mechanically scrubbed to remove any residual materials therefrom.

Abstract: An hydraulic energy recovery system for sea water desalinization reverse osmosis processes wherein a tube receives salt water at low pressure and a conveyor in the tube transports the low pressure liquid to a first station where the salt water is pressurized and fed to the desalinization process. The brine from the process is conveyed under pressure to a second station along the tube from which it is conveyed to a discharge. The first and second stations are maintained at high pressure, and the salt water at the inlet end and the brine at the outlet end cooperate with the conveyor to form labyrinth seals at each end of the tube so as to maintain the pressure at the first and second stations.