Abstract: There is provided a filter medium comprising a microporous polyvinylidene fluoride membrane and a polymer containing a positively charged organic phosphonium compound grafted to the membrane in a concentration sufficient to provide a surface of said membrane with a positive charge such that there is minimal susceptibility to the extraction of said polymer. The polymer may also contain an acrylate or methacrylate. There is also provided a method for ultrapurifying a liquid and an ultrapurifying system for water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filling sluice for appliances for the treatment of infectious waste, with at least two chambers separable from on another via a rotary vane of stationary mounting and located in a sluice housing closable in a fluid-tight manner relative to the outside. For the rapid and reliable sluicing of infectious waste without a release of infectious germs, the rotary vane is arranged as a swingable partition wall between axially adjacent chambers and can be brought via an inflatable continuous sealing element to bear in a sealingly closing manner on the inner wall of the sluice housing.

Abstract: Apparatus for optimizing gas-liquid interfacial contact for molecular mass transfer between gas and liquid comprises a gas-liquid contactor assembly including a hollow porous tube surrounded by an outer jacket defining a gas plenum between the jacket and the porous tube; a liquid feed assembly including a nozzle for injecting liquid into the porous tube in a spiraling flow pattern around and along the porous tube; a gas-liquid separator assembly at the first end of the porous tube including a nonporous degassing tube coaxially aligned with and connected to the porous tube, a gas outlet port coaxially aligned with the degassing tube to receive a first portion of gas flowing from the degassing tube, a first gas duct coaxially aligned with and connected to the gas outlet duct to convey the first portion of gas therefrom; a liquid collection assembly; and a second gas discharge assembly to collect and convey gas from the first end of the porous tube.

Abstract: A method for the biological processing of organic substances and more particularly for anaerobic biological hydrolysis for subsequent biomethanization, with pH value control, in the case of which the dissolved and/or undissolved organic substances supplied to a first reactor are at least subjected to slight acidification in such reactor, the major part of the undissolved, at least partly acidified organic substances taken from the first reactor are supplied to a second reactor for the performance of at least one solids hydrolysis step and the main part of the dissolved, at least partly acidified organic substances from the first reactor and from the second reactor are supplied to a third reactor for the performance of at least one methanization step.

Abstract: An asymmetric or double-sided porous material, which comprises at least one porous layer of a polymer on a porous support or carrier, where the polymer is formed from a self-assembled microstructured liquid. A method of producing the same comprising positioning the support or carrier against or adjacent an inert surface, providing an excess of polymerisable liquid to completely wet the carrier and form a film through capillary action between the carrier and the inert surface and penetrating the carrier, then polymerising the liquid.

Abstract: The invention provides dual-skinned membranes useful as one way or rectifying membranes which reduce back filtration of solute molecules in dialysis and which improve nutrient supply and product recovery in membrane bioreactors. The membranes are dual-skinned polymeric materials preferably in the form of hollow fibers. The membranes have skins of polymer on the opposite sides with differing permeability to solutes and sieving coefficient characteristics. The skin on each side have pores that are invisible at 10,000 times magnification, the microporous structure between said skins contains pores capable of retaining solutes in a molecular weight range of about 5000 to 200000 in an increased concentration between the interior and the exterior skins. Improved dialysis devices are formed by using bundles of the hollow fiber membranes as a dialysis means having rectifying properties.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods utilizing cross-flow filtration under supercritical conditions for water to separate/filter a feed stream or reaction mixture, remove oxides or other solids from fluids, and/or separate ion species (e.g., ions, electrolytes, or salts). Cross-flow filtration may be utilized in combination with wet oxidation of waste and wastewaters to remove organic and inorganic materials.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for entrapment of a cation in a vesicle having a membrane and an acidic aqueous compartment comprising contacting the vesicle with a buffer solution comprising the cation and a lipophilic, carboxylic ionophoretic antibiotic capable of complexing with the cation and increasing the cation's permeability across the vesicle membrane, wherein there is a pH gradient between the acidic aqueous compartment and the buffer solution. The cation can be for example iron or calcium and the ionophore A23187. The pH gradient can be established across the bilayer by a relatively acidic or basic intravesicular aqueous compartment of the unilamellar vesicle and the buffer solution and the cation loads via the pH gradient. The invention also contemplates a unilamellar vesicle comprising an aqueous compartment including a cationic species in a concentration between 100 mM and 500 mM.

Abstract: A process for improving the separation rate of water from a stream of aqueous caffeine and coffee bean extract by reverse osmosis by adding to the stream an effective amount of polyvinylpyrrolidone.

Abstract: A method of producing filled sandwich cookies to be fed by an auger into an ice cream stream to produce ice cream with filled cookies comprising baking dough in units of multiple cookie elements, of substantially round shape, applying filling to each cookie element of a portion of the units which have been produced, sandwiching other units onto the filling, and then separating the multiple sandwich cookie units into individual sandwich cookies; the units comprise multiple cookie elements of approximately round shape, and each of which is between one-half inch and seven eighths inch diameter, the units containing two rows with three cookies in each row, with juncture lines between adjacent cookies.

Abstract: A crude aqueous mixture of basic salts of an organic acid, free organic acid, and impurities is mixed with carbon dioxide under pressure and applied to a membrane such as a reverse osmosis or other membrane with small pores while holding the mixture under pressure with well mixed carbon dioxide, such that the free organic acid preferentially permeates the membrane while the impurities and salts of the organic,acid are preferentially but not necessarily completely retained. In The preferred form of the invention a back pressure is maintained on the permeate side of the membrane that is a significant pressure but less than the pressure applied to the feed side. This allows higher levels of acidification to be achieved. This is necessary as many membranes are permeable to CO.sub.2 choices of membrane permeate side pressure, retentate side pressure, and permeate counter flow rate can be used to effect different levels of either purification or concentration or both.

Abstract: Toxic cyanide and anionic metal species are removed from aqueous alkaline solutions by contacting the aqueous alkaline solutions with a compound which is capable of being protonated at a pH of 9 or above.

Abstract: A cellulosic ultrafiltration membrane is provided having a microporous base resistant substrate and an ultrafiltration layer form of a cellulose ester or cellulose.

Abstract: This invention relates to separation membranes composed of a mixture of two kinds or more of polymers containing at least one kind of polymer selected from polyesters, polyethers, polycarbonates, polyamides, and polyimides with a fluorene skeleton and possessing a spongy structure throughout and the membranes can be made by a known simple process, have not only excellent separatory ability but also good mechanical properties, and are particularly useful for ultrafiltration membranes and gas separation membranes.

Abstract: Filters for filtering molten light metals comprise a reticular foam formed from a composition comprising graphite, wollastonite, silica and a borosilicate glass and consist of a crystalline phase comprising graphite and wollastonite dispersed in a substantially amorphous matrix of borosilicate glass. The filters can readily be machined accurately from large pieces of the filter material, and they do not pick up moisture from the atmosphere when stored.

Abstract: The process for removal of contaminants from coolants involves using an inorganic hydrophilic membrane, such as a ceramic membrane with varying pore sizes, to remove lead particulates, including soluble lead that is converted to insoluble lead precipitates, and oil from machining coolant solutions. The treated coolant with the lead substantially removed is then recycled back to the coolant tank that is used for machining lead alloy parts.

Abstract: This invention is a continuous process combining water evaporation and solvent extraction of contaminated water-wet soil, sediment or sludge, including specifically, but not exclusively Petroleum Refinery "K" and "F" wastes as defined by the U.S.

Abstract: Hollow fiber fluid separation membranes having a first lumen-side permselective coating and a second lumen-side plasma-polymerized coating are disclosed, as well as methods of making the same.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for removing chemical contaminants from soil. Contaminated soil is loaded and hydraulically sealed in the treatment vessel. A vacuum is placed on the material, which is indirectly heated through the heat transfer plate from a natural gas of propane fired burner located under the plate. As the material is heated, contaminants are vaporized and flow through the vacuum discharge pipe toward the condenser unit. Vapors are cooled in the condenser through a series of refrigerated condensing coils where the vaporized material is converted back to a liquid and discharged to a liquid recovery vessel. After treatment, material is downloaded into a roll-off type container for post-treatment analysis and cool down prior to recycling or backfilling. Recovered liquids are recycled or sent to an appropriate facility. Process time is typically 45 minutes to an hour for a six cubic yard batch. The system is self-contained, mobile, and operable by a two-person crew.

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.