Abstract: A cellulose dialysis membrane in the form of a hollow fiber is formed from cellulose-cuoxam solutions. An internal cavity is formed by a liquid or a gas. The membrane has a UFR of at least 4 ml/m.sup.2 . h . mm Hg. The hydrogel components of the cellulose are distributed in cells with a mean free path length of 3-10 nm in the membrane wall in a log-normal distribution. The mean free path length is the distance between the cells and is determined by the freeze-etching replica method after swelling of the membrane with water. More than 65% of all the hydrogel cell interfaces of the membrane have a form factor between 1.0 and 5.0. In addition, the UFR of the membrane after storage for more than ten days in a humid atmosphere at 20.degree. C. and 100% relative humidity is more than 50% of the value determined immediately after drying or after storage in a dry environment.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a feed liquid into a concentrate and a permeate fraction by membrane filtration comprises an array of cassette frames (1-5) separated by intermediate plates (10). The array is adapted to be clamped together in its longitudinal direction and loosened, as required, to remove any selected cassette frame. Each cassette frame (1-5) contains a filtration unit (6) comprising a stack of membranes, in which a first flow passage system is provided which connects two free zones (7,8) within the cassette frame, said free zones being so connected as to establish a series or parallel or combined series and parallel flow from a feed liquid inlet (25) to a concentrate outlet (25). In each stack of membranes a second system of flow passages is also provided, which is isolated from said first system and serves to conduct permeate penetrated through the membranes to at least one separate outlet (9) from each filtration unit (6).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively removing species of ions from an area of soil. Permeable membranes 14 and 18 impregnated with an ion exchange resin that is specific to one or more species of chemical ions are inserted into ground 12 in close proximity to, and on opposing sides of, a soil area of interest 22. An electric potential is applied across electrodes 26 and 28 to cause the migration of ions out of soil area 22 toward the membranes 14 and 18. Preferably, the resin exchanges ions of sodium or hydrogen for ions of mercury that it captures from soil area 22. Once membranes 14 and 18 become substantially saturated with mercury ions, the potential applied across electrodes 26 and 28 is discontinued and membranes 14 and 18 are preferably removed from soil 12 for storage or recovery of the ions. The membranes are also preferably impregnated with a buffer to inhibit the effect of the hydrolysis of water by current from the electrodes.

Abstract: A product for sorbing oil is disclosed. The product comprises an absorbent fiber core encapsulated in an adsorbent sheet, the adsorbent sheet being oleophilic, substantially hydrophobic, and capable of passing oil therethrough to the absorbent core. An apparatus and a method for forming the sorbent product are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel, porous, composite membrane comprising a metallic support having large pores and a microporous ceramic membrane deposited on the support and integral therewith. Preferably, the support is steel having pores in the range of from about 0.25 .mu.m to about 50 .mu.m and the ceramic membrane is alumina having pores ranging from about 5 .ANG.to about 2500 .ANG..

Abstract: This invention provides spiral-wound hollow fiber membrane fabric-containing cartridges and modules for separations and other phase contact applications, in which the cartridges contain a turbulence-promoting fibrous web which is substantially-co-extensive to the fabric-like array, that induces turbulent fluid flow in the shell side of the hollow fiber membrane bundle; and methods for fabricating such cartridges.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the evaluation of the virus-removing capability of a porous polymeric membrane module for removing viruses by filtration, which comprises testing I in which a transmembrane pressure lowering from predetermined value Ph a predetermined period of time after the termination of the supply of a gas is measured with respect to the porous polymeric membrane module, wherein the value Ph satisfies the formula: d<Ph<c, wherein d and c are respectively the transmembrane pressures at points (d) and (c) in FIG. 1 hereof. By the method of the present invention, it has become possible for the first time to effectively and efficiency select a module which can be suitably used for removing viruses from a virus-containing fluid and to obtain to fluid substantially free of the virus.

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, e.g., 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: An apparatus for filtering and separating flowing medium by reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, and microfiltration. Disposed in a closed housing is an element stack comprised of disk-shaped spacers and filter elements, with a respective filter element being disposed between each two spacers, about which the flowing medium flows. The housing has a spherical configuration.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon solvents used or the dewaxing and/or deasphalting of oils can be recovered by the selective permeation of said solvents through an interfacially polymerized membrane under reverse osmosis conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of purifying fluid having organic material. The method comprises two operational steps. The first step includes passing the fluid through an adsorbent such that the organic material is substantially adsorbed by the adsorbent and the fluid is substantially purified. The second step includes destroying the adsorbed organic material on the adsorbent and regenerating the adsorbent in a form substantially free of adsorbed organic material.

Abstract: A module is disclosed for use as a membrane device, comprising, a shell with fluid couplings removably affixed to each of its ends containing at least one cartridge having an axial conduit. The cartridge is formed with plural frameless arrays of hollow fibers of selectively permeable material. Each array is free of any means to support the fibers intermediate split-clip headers in which the fibers are held near their opposite ends, except for tension cords which may be substituted for fibers. The split-clip headers are mirror-images of each other. Each has a peripheral potting channel and longitudinal, laterally spaced apart grooves in the split-clip headers. The upper and lower sections, placed one upon the other, together form through-passages ("grooves") in which terminal portions of the fibers are snugly embraced. The fibers lie in parallel spaced-apart relationship in a plane substantially orthogonal to the axial conduit, and their ends are cut before a stack of arrays is potted.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing the solids and oil/grease components of a water mixture includes a tank for holding a water mixture for a period during which heavier-than-water components of the water mixture settle to the bottom of the held water mixture and lighter-than-water components rise to the top of the held water mixture. It includes devices for separating solids from liquids in a flow of solids and liquids and for separating oil/grease from water in a flow of oil/grease and water. A first discharge line from the tank adjacent the location of the heavier-than-water components communicates with the device for separating solids from liquids, and a second discharge line from the tank adjacent the location of the lighter-than-water components communicates with the device for separating oil/grease from water. A third discharge line from the tank intermediate the first and second discharge line is provided for the removal of water with reduced solids and oil/grease components.

Abstract: A high efficiency filter medium is placed in series with a water treatment clarification system for receiving the treated effluent discharged from the clarifier. The treated water is passed through the high-efficiency filter media for reducing the suspended solid constituent of the water to less than 10 ppm. The filter is supported in a open mesh carrier tray and is made of a polyester material adapted for collecting and entrapping the solid suspended particles in the clarified water discharge.

Abstract: A water purification system includes a settling tank to allow small particulate material to settle on the bottom of a conical section. The liquid from the bottom of the tank is pulled to the top of a drum bagger which is a depressurized filtration apparatus. The drum bagger includes a filter bag separated from the outer walls of a drum and a vacuum source at the bottom of the drum adapted to suck liquid from the bottom of the drum. The vacuum source is an eductor which creates a vacuum by pumping liquid through the eductor either to a holding tank or back to the settling tank. This drum bagger separates the liquid from solid material and can even dry the solid material reducing disposal costs.

Abstract: An improved sand pan and flushing jet apparatus is provided along with a process to separate solids from a fluid stream. The sand pan has openings along the side which increase in flow area with increasing distance from a slurry blowdown. Flushing jets are provided within the sand pan to remove slurry drawn into the sand pan by blowdown flow.

Abstract: A ceramic plate having three dimensional reticulated pores is secured to a metal frame comprising drain holes at the bottom, so that the mechanical strength of the filter is improved, handling thereof is easier, and drainage and drip thereof are easily performed.

Abstract: In a system for purifying liquid, a method is provided wherein the liquid is pretreated by passing it through a sand filter water softener and carbon filter for removal of hardness and particulate matter. The liquid is then pumped through a reverse osmosis membrane for removal of organic compounds and ionized and biological impurities. The liquid passes from the reverse osmosis membrane through a strong acid cation exchange resin for removal of the cations present in the reverse osmosis effluent. The acidified liquid is neutralized hy passing it through calcium carbonate, thus adding calcium salt and carbonic acid to the liquid for a better tasting, calcium-enriched product.

Abstract: The construct containing in hydraulic order a sediment basin, level-lip spreader, grassy filter, wetland, and deep pond can be used to remove pollutants from nonpoint source runoff. Wetlands are planted with vegetation that encourages growth of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria which are helpful in removing and detoxifying 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.