Abstract: An apparatus may include a separator and/or a discharger. A separator may include a separator channel, an influent portion configured to allow the passage of a first fluid into a separator channel, an effluent portion disposed above an influent portion and/or a fluid-lift portion between an influent portion and an effluent portion. A discharger may be disposed below a fluid-lift portion and/or may include a portion external to a separator channel, which may include a downward angle relative to an effluent portion and/or may be configured to minimize the passage of a second fluid into a discharger as the second fluid buoyantly travels in a separator channel from an influent portion to an effluent portion. A second fluid may have a density that is less than the density of a first and/or may be configured to lift a first fluid to a fluid-lift portion.

Abstract: A multifunctional device for chromatographic separation, in particular for affinity chromatographic separation of a substance mixture, provides for a uniform fluid distribution on a separation medium and a uniform flow through a stationary phase. The fluid to be separated is passed through a radial inlet line in an upper partial region of the device, to the center of the upper partial region. The radial inlet line is enlarged in the form of a cupola at the center of the upper partial region.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating useful energy includes a first chamber containing a draw solution which includes an osmotic agent and a second chamber containing a feed solution. A semi-permeable membrane allows the feed solution to move thereacross by osmosis, from the second chamber to the first chamber, to form a diluted draw solution. Pressurizing means apply a pressure to the diluted draw solution in the first chamber. Energy conversion means convert mechanical energy in the diluted draw solution, which is generated by osmotic movement of the feed solution across the semi-permeable membrane, into useful, electrical energy. The osmotic agent includes particles in the range of 0.5 nm-5 mm and the semi-permeable membrane has pores with diameters that are no larger than the diameter of the particles, thereby improving the amount of power or useful energy generated by the apparatus. There is further provided a corresponding method of generating power or useful energy.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for extracting compounds from mixtures based on their relative solubilities in different solvents. The mixture can be introduced into a cylindrical container in which the mixture is agitated as it flows past a plurality of plates mounted along a shaft. At least one plate is arranged at a nonzero angle with respect to a plane normal to the shaft and features a plurality of perforations. Agitation by the plates breaks the mixture into small, evenly dispersed droplets and a solvent is introduced into the container to extract the desirable compound and thus separate it from the undesirable compounds.

Abstract: Proteins are purified by a mixed-mode chromatography system formed by attaching a ligand with cation exchange and hydrophobic functionalities to a large-pore support matrix, the only linkage between the ligand and the support matrix being a chain having a backbone of no more than three atoms between the hydrophobic group and the support matrix.

Abstract: Zirconium phosphate particles are synthesized by providing a solution of zirconium oxychloride in an aqueous solvent, adding at least one low molecular weight, oxygen containing, monofunctional, organic additive to the solution, and combining this solution with heated phosphoric acid or a phosphoric acid salt to obtain zirconium phosphate particles by sol gel precipitation.

Abstract: Method of contacting a first and a second immiscible liquids without mixing them, including: (a) the first liquid is placed in at least one container comprising a wall made of a solid material that is non reactive with the first and second liquids, said wall having one or more through-holes and the first liquid being non wetting vis à vis said solid material of the wall; (b) said first container is immersed in a volume of the second liquid so that the first liquid is in contact with the second liquid at the level of said through-holes; (c) the first liquid is left in contact with the second liquid for a time sufficient for mass exchange, transfer, to take place between the first and second liquids; and (d) said first container is withdrawn from the volume of the second liquid.

Abstract: Water filtration media having a charged material affixed directly to binder material used in the fabrication of the filter media. A microbiological interception enhancing agent is added to the binder directly. The media having a charged material and a microbiological interception enhancing agent both affixed directly on or in a binder material is then combined with core filter media and prepared as a filtration media. A filter is prepared from the treated filter media.

Abstract: A method and device for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid comprising using a concentrator system to produce a retentate and analyzing the retentate for the presence of at least one harmful substance. The concentrator system performs a method comprising pumping at least 10 liters of fluid from a sample source through a filter. While pumping, the concentrator system diverts retentate from the filter into a container. The concentrator system also recirculates at least part of the retentate in the container again through the filter. The concentrator system controls the speed of the pump with a control system thereby maintaining a fluid pressure less than 25 psi during the pumping of the fluid; monitors the quantity of retentate within the container with a control system, and maintains a reduced volume level of retentate and a target volume of retentate.

Abstract: A process for operating a cooling tower (10) comprising: introducing a feed solution into a cooling tower, evaporating solvent from the feed solution to produce a concentrated solution, removing a portion of the concentrated solution as blow-down, passing a portion of the blow-down through a first membrane, such that some of the solute in the blow-down are retained as a concentrated blow-down solution on the retentate-side of the first membrane, contacting a portion of the concentrated blow-down solution (42) with one side of a second membrane (12) and contacting a solution having a lower solute concentration than the combined concentrated blow-down solution and the return from the cooling tower with the opposite side of the second membrane, such that solvent flows across the second membrane to dilute the concentrated blow-down solution by direct osmosis, and re-introducing the diluted blow-down solution to the cooling tower.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for a gas filtration device including an array of parallel carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes may extend between first and second substrates, and the ends of the carbon nanotubes may be embedded in the substrates and cut to expose openings at each end of the carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes may be composed from a graphene membrane which may be perforated with a plurality of discrete pores of a selected size for enabling one or more molecules to pass through the pores. A fluid mixture including two or more molecules for filtering may be directed through the first openings of the array of nanotubes, and the fluid mixture may be filtered by enabling smaller molecules to pass through the discrete pores of the graphene membrane walls of the carbon nanotubes to produce in a filtrate fraction including the smaller molecules and a retentate fraction including larger molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for securing a distributor plate to a backing plate of a chromatography column without the need for releasable fixing means as screws or bolts. The invention also relates to chromatographic columns utilizing such methods. The method employs a negative pressure or vacuum that is generated internally within the column to affix the distributor to the backing plate.

Abstract: Separation processes using engineered osmosis are disclosed generally involving the extraction of solvent from a first solution to concentrate solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources.

Abstract: A membrane filtration process includes pretreating an influent solution to remove suspended solids, to produce a pretreated solution. pH of the pretreated solution is adjusted to at least 8.3 or lower by injecting CO2 into the pretreated solution, to produce a conditioned solution. Injecting CO2 also serves to supplement bicarbonate in the conditioned solution. The conditioned solution is flowed through a membrane filtration unit, to produce a permeate solution and a retentate solution. The membrane filtration unit comprises reverse osmosis membranes or nanofiltration membranes, or both. The retentate solution is then treated to cause precipitation, to produce a supernatant solution and a reject solution. At least a portion of the supernatant solution is recirculated by combining it with the influent solution prior to the step of pretreating.

Abstract: The invention provides a polymer separation membrane that is excellent in separating characteristics, a permeating ability, a chemical strength (particularly chemical resistance) and a physical strength, and also excellent in a stain resistance, and a producing method therefor. The fluorinated resin-type polymer separation membrane includes a layer having a three-dimensional network structure, and a layer having a spherical structure, wherein the layer of three-dimensional network structure is formed by a fluorinated resin-type polymer composition containing a hydrophilic polymer, and the hydrophilic polymer is a substantially water-insoluble hydrophilic polymer containing at least one of a cellulose ester, an aliphatic vinyl ester, vinylpyrrolidone, ethylene oxide and propylene oxide as a polymerization component. The polymer separation membrane is applicable as a filtration membrane for water treatment, a battery separator, a charged membrane, a fuel cell membrane or a blood cleaning filtration membrane.

Abstract: A circulation pump and an electrochemical ozone generator are integrated into the permeate return line of an RO system, and the permeate return line is connected in flow direction behind the circulation pump and the ozone generator by a recirculation line to the permeate supply line, which can form a closed circuit where the ozonized permeate circulates until all organic contaminants have been killed or decomposed by the ozone in that part of the line system. Valves are integrated, respectively, into the recirculation line and the permeate return line downstream of the branch of the recirculation line. During normal operation of the RO system, the recirculation line valve is connected for feeding connected dialysis devices while the permeate return line valve is open, so excessive permeate that was not taken by the dialysis devices can flow into the supply tank. Alternatively, the permeate can be discharged into an outlet.

Abstract: Separation processes using engineered osmosis are disclosed generally involving the extraction of solvent from a first solution to concentrate solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources.

Abstract: Method for on-line prediction of performance of an RO based desalination plant is disclosed. The method includes: (i) a mathematical model of the RO unit; (ii) on-line estimation of membrane physical parameters of the nonlinear mathematical model representing the RO unit; and (iii) analysis of the estimated membrane transport parameter with respect to time. Based on the analysis of these estimated parameters, plant operators can clean the membranes to restore the performance of the RO desalination plant. The method can be implemented in a computer based control system used for data acquisition and control of an RO based desalination plant. The method can help in maintaining the performance of the RO based desalination plants at a desired level and increase membrane life without affecting quality of permeate water produced.

Abstract: Continuous extraction units are constructed having a plurality of extraction chambers containing extractable material. Without disruption of total fluid flow in the unit: an extraction chamber completely depleted of extract can be evacuated of solvent and replaced with an extraction chamber containing fresh extractable material. The extract is continuously separated from the solvent in an expansion chamber where it is continuously or periodically removed from the unit. All solvent can be retained within the unit. One or more compressors can be used to circulate the fluid through the extraction chambers, the expansion chamber, and a condenser, where the expansion chamber and the condenser can be coupled as a heat exchanger.

Abstract: An equipment assembly for preparing, harvesting and collecting particles is disclosed. The assembly comprises a tandem filter system with one or more high pressure filters, one or more low pressure filters and one or more collection vessel. Particles can be prepared, harvested and collected continuously, semi-continuously or in a batch-type operation. A tandem filter system and its method of use are also disclosed. Particles made with the assembly and according the instant methods are also disclosed. The assembly provides improved particle harvesting and collection over other systems and permits continuous particle formation, in particular by dispersion of a solute-containing process fluid within a supercritical anti-solvent.