Abstract: A rotary disc filtration device having a fluid filtration gap between a filtration surface and a disc is disclosed. The disc and/or filter has one or more spiral grooves in fluid communication with fluid in the gap. The disc and/or filter is rotated and one or both may be axially oscillated and/or vibrated to create the shear at the filter surface that increases permeate flux through the filter. Several discs and filters may be interleaved to increase filtration device capacity and make more efficient use of equipment space. In such a device, the discs can be mounted on a common shaft for rotation in unison and can have spiral grooves on both major faces of each disc. The filters are held stationary in that device and are fluidly connected to facilitate collection of the permeate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hollow fiber filter module comprising a cylindrical casing having a liquid introducing nozzle at least at one end portion thereof and having a bundle of hollow fibers disposed in the casing, and wherein one end portion of the bundle is enclosed by a hollow, liquid flow control member, and the liquid introducing nozzle has a specific unique structure in which the inlet opening has a larger diameter than that of the hollow of the nozzle at any portion thereof. This hollow fiber filter module can advantageously be used in the so-called external pressure type filtration on a large scale. By the use of this filter module, the external pressure type filtration of a liquid can advantageously be stably performed for a prolonged period of time with a high filtration efficiency.

Abstract: Charge compositions containing aqueous mixtures of organic oxygenates may be separated by pervaporation through a membrane assembly containing a porous ceramic support bearing as separating layer, a membrane of cured polyvinyl alcohol which has been cross-linked as with glutaraldehyde.

Abstract: A filtrating apparatus is disclosed in which a filter unit and a washing unit for effecting a fluid washing are unified into one system. A plurality of filter elements of main filters provided in the filter unit are made of sintered material containing metallic fiber. A nominal filtration rating of the filter elements is greater than 0.3 .mu.m but smaller than 2 .mu.m. Accordingly, it is possible to ensure the smooth filtration of beer funguses without any necessity of interchanging filter elements. It is therefore possible to reduce a running cost and filtration cost and to save a space for the apparatus.

Abstract: Waste sludge that contains water, solids and oil, is mixed with a filter aid that has filter aid characteristics and a heating value of at least 1,000 Btu/lb. The admixture obtained is subjected to filtration yielding a high-Btu combustible material, useful as fuel. This combustible material, optionally after drying to remove water, is very suitable for use as fuel in a cement kiln.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for on-site treatment of a fluid, such as sewage, utilize a plurality of self-contained, separately housed, and separately transporable modules (2a, 2b,2c) for carrying out one or a sequence of treatment operations on the fluid. There is an inlet (3) whereby the apparatus is connectible with a source of the fluid to be treated and an outlet (4) from the apparatus for discharge of the treated fluid. The apparatus may be moved between different sites.

Abstract: A solution of isopropanol or ethanol is concentrated by pervaporation across a membrane of polyurea polymer or polyamide polymer prepared by interfacial polymerization of (i) an amine monomer containing at least two primary or secondary amine nitrogens and (ii) an isocyanate monomer containing at least two --NCO groups or a carbonyl chloride monomer containing at least two --COCl groups.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus with hollow fibres, comprising: an elongate enclosure (41) at both ends of which there is a partition (48) supporting the open ends of a bundle of hollow fibres (47), the enclosure (41) being closed at each of its ends by a cover (50).This apparatus is characterized in that it comprises a circular resin-based seal (55) arranged on the periphery of the partition (48) and in the proximity of the hollow fibres (47), this seal (55) forming to the inside of the enclosure a concave connecting surface (56) joining without substantial break of continuity the inner surface (52) of the cover (50) to the partition (48) or to the end surface (49) of the enclosure.This apparatus can be used in particular as an artificial kidney.

Abstract: A hollow-fiber membrane fluid-separation apparatus containing a plurality of hollow-fiber bundles is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a single-pressure container with a center chamber located in between facing ends of each bundle. The center chamber is in communication with an annular space around adjacent bundles and a discharge tube concentrically housed within a feed tube. The hollow-fiber membrane fluid separation apparatus is adapted for industrial performance with high volumetric efficiency and high solute rejection. A process for separation of fluids is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved reverse osmosis membrane that shows surprisingly improved solute rejection and permeation properties. The membrane includes a separating layer of a polyamideurethane formed in situ by reaction of a haloformyloxy-substituted acyl halide with a diamine-treated substrate.

Abstract: A process (50) is provided that operates to convey a contaminated oil/water emulsion metalworking fluid (2) under pressure through an ultrafilter membrane (12) to separate a substantial amount of oil (14) therefrom that is then emulsified with a predetermined amount of water having an electrical volume resistivity of at least about 3000 ohm-cm to provide a reconditioned oil/water emulsion for use as a metalworking fluid.

Abstract: A spiral wound membrane module for use in separating at least part of one component from a feedstream, the module comprising: a generally-hollow rotatable shaft having a means for supplying a feedstream; a means capable of rotating the shaft about its axis of rotation; two permselective membranes affixed to the shaft and spaced from each other by a permeate spacer to provide a first membrane channel therebetween; a feed spacer disposed about the exterior surfaces of the permselective membranes such that a second membrane channel is formed when the permselective membranes are spirally wrapped around the shaft in overlapping relationship one upon the other to form a compact membrane roll; a means for removal of a permeate stream from the first membrane channel to the exterior of the membrane module; and a means for removal of a retentate stream from the second membrane channel to the exterior of the membrane module.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a diffuser comprising a rectangular frame with a tope edge and a bottom edge; a base plate attached to said bottom edge at a base plate perimeter and having a gas inlet through which gas can flow; a top plate with an upper surface and an inner surface said top plate attached to said top edge at a top plate perimeter and having an aperture through which gas can flow; a flexible, generally gas-impermeable membrane lying above said top plate and attached to said top edge at a membrane perimeter, said membrane including a central porous portion with a boundary defined by an ellipse.

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. Because of the low pressure difference, the extraction cartridge need not have the strength to withstand significant pressure and can be made out of molded plastic for disposable use as well as stainless steel and machined plastic for reusability. The extraction cartridge can be removed and opened for sample access without the use of tools. The outside of the cartridge can be purged after it is installed in a heated high pressure vessel to remove contamination from its exterior.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis method includes a sediment filter which cleans feed water from a source and from which that feed water is fed to a reverse osmosis membrane filter. Permeate from the latter is fed to a bladder within a storage tank. Concentrate from the membrane filter is fed to and used within the storage tank as squeeze water for the bladder. When a faucet that delivers permeate to the user is open, squeeze water is used to cause permeate to flow out of the storage tank through an impurity filter to supply the faucet. A valve unit is included to control the amount of squeeze water fed to the storage tank and to regulate permeate flow so that the water outletted from the faucet remains at a constant pressure and provides relief as against overpressure in the system. A proportioning valve within the valve unit serves to maintain at all times a constant ratio of concentrate to permeate flow through the membrane filter for adequate cleansing of the membrane.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system includes a sediment filter which cleans feed water from a source and from which that feed water is fed to a reverse osmosis membrane filter. Permeate from the latter is fed to a bladder within a storage tank. Concentrate from the membrane filter is fed to and used within the storage tank as squeeze water for the bladder. When a faucet that delivers permeate to the user is open, squeeze water is used to cause permeate to flow out of the storage tank through an impurity filter to supply the faucet. A valve unit is included to control the amount of squeeze water fed to the storage tank and to regulate permeate flow so that the water outletted from the faucet remains at a constant pressure and provides relief as against overpressure in the system. A proportioning valve within the valve unit serves to maintain at all times a constant ratio of concentrate to permeate flow through the membrane filter for adequate cleansing of the membrane.

Abstract: An ultrafiltration system with a recirculating closed loop design and a feed control valve outside the loop which admits feed to the loop under permeate level control was shown to be operable with a constant recirculation flow thus minimizing membrane fouling. A fast flush was also possible without closing the permeate valve.

Abstract: The present invention provides porous hydrophilic fluoropolymer membranes whose pores are coated with a hydrophilic fluorine-containing copolymer that provides durable hydrophilic properties to the membrane.

Abstract: New and improved filtration purification or water treatment systems for providing improved purified drinking water at a point of use are provided in a substantially leak-free fluid flow control device to which the other filtration purification system elements may be matedly engaged. Other system elements may include various filters or filter modules, as well as, system leads for conveying incoming tap water in, outgoing waste water out to drain and purified water from the filter section to a storage tank until desired for use. The fluid flow control device is preferably a unitary thermoplastic body having a number of discrete fluid flow passages extending therein. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid flow control device includes integrally formed input/output connector features, filter-receiving socket portions and an automatic shut off valve disposed in fluid flow communication with certain ones of the passages.

Abstract: Non-brackish water can be produced from the brackish water or brine containing at least 500 ppm total dissolved solids coproduced in many active hydrocarbon product wells and found in many inactive gas wells. The brackish water or brine is desalinated producing non-brackish water, preferably, potable water. A preferred method of desalination is by reverse osmosis.