Abstract: This invention provides a fast and efficient method and process to remove lead from washwater streams that are part of the deleading process. By employing a two step process using epsom salts as a precipitating chemical to convert dilute lead concentrations into a very slightly soluble solid and then processing the small residue with a reverse osmosis unit the lead is totally removed from part of the water and the lead containing reject stream from the reverse osmosis unit is recucled through the process to again treat the lead. A reduction in total waste volume of over 90% is achieved.

Abstract: Semi-permeable microporous polymer bodies, such as porous plates or membranes for separation processes, are provided, these being made of durable high-temperature thermoplastics, eg., a liquid crystal polymer, by a process comprising melt-mixing the polymer with high loadings of leachable glass and then leaching the glass from the polymer to leave a continuous relict polymer network, the network typically demonstrating pore volumes of 50 percent or more and average pore diameters in the 0.1-10 micron range.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus for thermoplastic synthetic plastics material comprises a housing (1) in which a carrier body (4) formed by a piston, for two screen nests (8,9) is bearingly supported for displacement in direction of its axis. In the filtration position the melt streams from a supply channel (2) via inflow channels (10 to 13) into distribution spaces (14,15) located in front of the screen nests (8,9), then through the screens and via outflow channels (18,19) into a discharge channel (3). Each distribution space (14,15) is subdivided by at least one wall (21) and into each of the so formed compartments terminates an inflow channel (10 to 13).

Abstract: A process is set forth for the separation of one or more, more permeable components from one or more, less permeable components in a feed stream. The process suggests two membrane separation stages in series wherein the feed is introduced into the low pressure side of the first stage, the permeate stream from the first stage is compressed and introduced into the high pressure side of the second stage and wherein the non-permeate stream from the second stage is recycled to the high pressure side of the first stage.

Abstract: In a rotating filter a filter cloth (18) is arranged outside a filter skeleton (34, 36). The filter cloth is provided with at least one bending resistant element (37, 38) extending through a pocket (49) arranged in or on the filter cloth (18) to restrain bulging of the filter cloth due to forces perpendicular to the plane of the filter cloth. The filter sector skeleton (34, 35, 36, 45) is provided with radially outer support and guide means (43, 44) and radially inner support and guide means (45, 46). The bending resistant element (37, 38) is at its ends adapted for detachable engagement with said means such that the ends are undisplaceable perpendicularly to the support and guide means (43, 44, 45, 46). Preferably, at least one end of the bending resistant element is displaceable in the circumferential direction of the filter sector.

Abstract: A method and assembly for treating hazardous and/or unknown fluids either liquids or compressed gases contained in a gas cylinder (12) having a cylinder body (14) and a removable fixture (16). The assembly (10) includes a tubular housing (18) having an open end (20). An adjustable carriage assembly (34, 38, 40) is included for supporting the cylinder body (14) in the center of the housing (18). A clamping assembly (30) secures the cylinder body (14) to the carriage assembly (34, 38, 42). An end cap (70) seals the open end (20) of the housing (18). A shaft (72) is rotatably disposed through the end cap (70). The shaft (72) includes a fixture engagement assembly (78) on one end (76) thereof for engaging a portion of the fixture (16) and imparting a rotational force thereto. A motor driven gear box (86) imparts the rotational force to another end (74) of the shaft (72 ).

Abstract: The apparatus includes at least one membrane filter (32) for filtering a machining liquid which has been contaminated by its use in electroerosive or electrochemical machining of workpieces. The apparatus also includes a device for cyclical cleaning of the soiled membrane filter, which device irradiates the membrane filter (32) with ultrasonic waves (33) and loosens the contaminant particles in the filter pores as well as means (20, 23, 24, 25, 35, 36, 41) for the backwashing of the membrane filter and for removal of the contaminant particles. The contaminant particles are fed by means of throughflushing intervals from the concentrate chamber (30) into the sedementation vessel (12). As a result of this combination of ultrasound and backwashing, extremely small durations of the cleaning cycles and uniform cleaning of the complete filter area are insured without concern for the nonuniform contaminants topography of the filter surface resulting from the contaminants.

Abstract: An apparatus for supercritical fluid extraction incorporates a removable extraction cartridge which in operation has insignificant pressure difference between its inside and outside walls. In one embodiment, the extractor includes a fraction collector for extractants, an automatic sample changer and an automatic cartridge transfer mechanism which provide completely automated extractions. To automatically perform extraction, valves for the fluids are automatically opened and closed in synchronism with the insertion and removal of the cartridges. These valves force a hard valve element into a softer valve seat with a valve stem that does not rotate significantly under the control of a rotary motor.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating at least one selected medium from a liquid influent stream includes an assembly for dividing the influent stream into a plurality of smaller streams at an interface and means for filtering the smaller streams as they each flow along a discrete flow path substantially distinct from the flow paths of the other smaller streams. The apparatus is particularly suited for removing oils, greases, and suspended solids from a water oil mixture and is of a compact overall shape to permit mobile on-site use of the separator, for example, to remove contaminants from an aqueous mixture drawn out from a contaminated water table. The assembly for dividing the influent stream into smaller streams may include a diffuser plate having a plurality of apertures and the filtering assembly may include a head of oil disposed adjacent the diffuser plate for acting on the smaller streams created by the flow of the influent through the apertures of the diffuser plate.

Abstract: A water purification apparatus utilizing a reverse osmosis cartridge which supplies a measured amount of potable water to substantially fill an open top pitcher of known desired size. This free-standing apparatus includes an electric pump which withdraws water from an overhead reservoir and pumps it through prefilters and the reverse osmosis cartridge, from which a brine stream returns to the reservoir and a product water stream discharges from an overhead outlet above the pitcher. Control means monitors the level and quality of water in the reservoir and halts the operation of the pump as soon as the water level falls below a lower predetermined level which is set so that the desired measured quantity will have been delivered to the pitcher from a full reservoir. The control means also halts operation when the total dissolved solids content in the reservoir reaches a preset upper limit.

Abstract: A membrane module assembly adapted to provide a flow path for the incoming feed stream that forces it into prolonged heat-exchanging contact with a heating or cooling mechanism. Membrane separation processes employing the module assembly are also disclosed. The assembly is particularly useful for gas separation or pervaporation.

Abstract: The composite membrane is disclosed having a microporous support which is coated with a polymer composition and a contact adhesive layer applied to said polymer. A process for making and a process for using the membrane is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a porous polyethylene hollow fiber membrane of large pore diameter which have (a) rectangular pores formed by microfibrils that are oriented in the lengthwise direction of the fibers and joint portions that are composed of stacked lamellae, the pores being contiguous with each other from the inner wall surface to the outer wall surface of the hollow fiber membrane to form a stacked, multicellular structure, (b) an average pore diameter ranging from greater than 2 .mu.m up to 10 .mu.m as measured with a mercury porosimeter, (c) a porosity of 75 to 95%, and (d) an air permeability of not less than 8.times.10.sup.5 l/m.sup.2 .multidot.hr.multidot.0.5 atm. This hollow fiber membrane can be produced by melt-spinning polyethylene, annealing the resulting unstretched hollow fiber under specific conditions, and then cold-stretching and hot-stretching the annealed hollow fiber under specific conditions.

Abstract: Ultrafiltration separator with a membrane made of a stainless steel or titanium wire weave with a wire diameter of less than 0.02 mm, exhibiting more than 2000 picks, i.e. more than 2000 pores per inch, with mesh openings less than 0.004 mm in size, whereby the direction of flow for the medium to be filtered is parallel to the membrane and elevations generating turbulence are positioned at the surface of the membrane, transverse to the direction of flow.

Abstract: An asymmetric semipermeable membrane for dialysis and/or ultrafiltration is composed of a copolymer of acrylonitrile and acrylic ester and an ionic or ionizable monomer in the form of a hollow fiber. The copolymer is composed of 90.50 to 95.00 wt. % acrylonitrile, 4.99 to 8.60 wt. % acrylic ester, and 0.01 to 0.90 wt. % of the ionic or ionizable monomer. Also provided is a process for its manufacture.

Abstract: The selectivity of a membrane pervaporation aromatics/non-aromatics separation process is unexpectedly improved by the recycle of permeate to the separation process for co-processing with fresh feed. The selectivity obtained is greater than that achieved by processing either the feed or a recycle permeate stream by itself.

Abstract: A fluid mixture separation membrane element (10) includes elongated hollow pressure-resistant nonpermeable transport arteries (12) and a plurality of flexible hollow fibers (14) of semipermeable material having internal flow channels (20). The hollow tubular transport arteries (12) have exteriors (18) and interior flow passages (16). Each hollow fiber (14) has spaced opposite end portions (22, 24) and an elongated tubular portion (26) extending between and interconnecting the opposite end portions (22, 24). The opposite end portions (22, 24) of each hollow fiber (14) are attached by either an adhesive (28) or another suitable mechanism to the tubular transport artery or arteries (12) so as to provide flow communication between the internal flow channels (20) of the hollow fibers (14) and one of the interior flow passages (16) or the exteriors (18) of the hollow transport arteries (12).

Abstract: A filter medium comprising a microporous polyvinylidene fluoride membrane and a polymer containing positively charged quaternary ammonium groups covalently bonded to the membrane, and a method of using the filter medium to treat a composition, particularly a biological or pharmaceutical composition such as an ophthalmic composition.

Abstract: The present invention is a bore-fed hollow fiber membrane device which possesses improved shellside countercurrent flow distribution. More specifically, the hollow fiber membrane bundle has a radial Peclet number of about 30 or lower which results in improved fluid recovery and productivity.

Abstract: Objects of the present invention are to provide a membrane filter for liquids which is used in microfiltration or ultrafiltration of liquids such as chemicals, water, and the like and to provide a filtering device using the membrane. The membrane is a membrane filter for liquids which has been rendered hydrophilic, in which the decrease of the pure water permeation flux of the membrane filter after being subjected to wetting treatment with a liquid having a low surface tension, subjected to replacement with pure water, and then exposed to an atmosphere of 25.degree. C. and 60% for 8 hours, to the pure water permeation flux of the membrane filter before the exposure is 20% or less. Such a membrane filter which has been rendered hydrophilic can be obtained by, for example, rendering the surface of a PTFE porous membrane hydrophilic by treating the surface with a low temperature plasma under conditions that a product of high frequency output density and treatment time is from 0.5 to 50 W.multidot.sec/cm.sup.