Abstract: Parallel plate devices for hemofiltration or hemodialysis are provided. A parallel plate device includes a parallel plate assembly having an aligned stack of stackable plate subunits, each stackable plate subunit having a through channel for blood, where the blood channels are opened up at opposite ends of the parallel plate assembly. The parallel plate assembly is configured to form filtrate/dialysate channels interleaved with the blood channels, adjacent channels being separated by a silicon nanoporous filtration membrane. A blood conduit adaptor is attached to the parallel plate assembly at each of the ends, and is configured to distribute blood to or collect blood from the blood channels. Also provided are systems and methods for using the parallel plate devices.

Abstract: A liquid cleaning system for living plants rests on a surface covered by a non-porous material. A plate layer covering the non-porous layer has two or more layers, each layer having runners arranged in a grid. The grid of each successive layer is offset at an angle with respect to the grid of a previous layer. An upper layer covers the plate layer and has a plurality of holes for the passage of liquids into the liquid cleaning system. As the living plants are watered or cleaned, excess liquids containing water and oils that were excreted by the living plants enter the liquid cleaning system through the holes, the liquid traverses the grid layers, flowing towards a drain. Contaminants within the liquid collect within the grid of the layers of the plate layer for later disposal.

Abstract: A forward secant swirl tube may be used to separate heavier particles such as oil and moisture from an air flow. The swirl tube includes a central hub having a centerline and a circular perimeter. An outer circular housing extends from an inlet edge to an outlet edge. A plurality of vanes extends from the central hub to the outer housing. The vanes are equally spaced around the central hub. Each vane has an inlet transition portion connected to a discharge portion. The top edge of the inlet transition portion of each vane is offset from the centerline of the central hub forming a forward secant line with respect to the centerline of the central hub and a direction of spin induced by the plurality of vanes.

Abstract: A non-powered drain pump screen device is disposed in a river, a stream, a waterway, or a place in which a significant amount soil is carried by a water flow. Upper and lower impellers are provided with upper and lower blades. The lower blades prevent reentry of impurities while rotating due to resistance to a flow of fluid in a non-powered manner. The upper impellers are rotated in a non-powered manner, so that the upper blades filter impurities. The non-powered drain pump screen device is disposed in a waterway to remove impurities at low maintenance costs.

Abstract: A microfilter having a hydrophilic surface and suited for size-based capture and analysis of cells, such as circulating cancer cells, from whole blood and other human fluids is disclosed. The filter material is photo-definable, allowing the formation of precision pores by UV lithography. Exemplary embodiments provide a device that combines a microfilter with 3D nanotopography in culture scaffolds that mimic the 3D in vivo environment to better facilitate growth of captured cells.

Abstract: An in situ system of filter rejuvenation has a fluid inlet on a first side of a reaction chamber, a fluid outlet disposed on a second side of the reaction chamber, a filtration chamber with a first wall comprising a ceramic glass material with a pass-band in the infrared spectrum. The filtration chamber is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet so that a fluid introduced into the inlet passes through the filtration chamber and exits through the fluid outlet. The system has at least one infrared heating element configured to transmit infrared energy within the pass-band of the ceramic glass material to heat the filter medium disposed within the filtration chamber to a temperature of at least 260° C., which can gasify contaminants without combustion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hollow fiber membrane module which makes it possible to concentrate incubated platelets by efficiently removing water from an incubated platelet suspension liquid containing incubated platelets while suppressing deterioration of the function of the incubated platelets. The present invention provides an incubated platelet concentration module in which a plurality of hollow fiber membranes each having pores with an average pore diameter of 2 ?m or less on a surface of the hollow fiber membrane are packed in a casing having at least one inlet for supplying an incubated platelet suspension liquid before concentration into the hollow fiber membranes, wherein a value (X/Y1) obtained by dividing a total cross-sectional area (X) of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes by a total cross-sectional area (Y1) of the least one inlet is 4.0 or less.

Abstract: A waste burning toilet may operate on power generated from burning waste deposited in the toilet without connection to external electricity, a sewer, or water supply. A dryer connected to the toiled dries the waste prior to burning. The waste may be burnt in a firebox that is connected to the dryer. Heat from the firebox may be used to generate electricity that can power the components of the toilet system. The waste may be reduced to sterile ash.

Abstract: A vertical separator for the treatment of slurry includes a screen device with a vertical axis provided with a screen, a feeding device provided with a pump to feed the slurry to a screen device, a discharge device for the liquid part of the slurry, and a discharge device for the solid particles of the slurry. The screen device houses a counter-pressing device which is designed to generate a force which partially counters the pushing action exerted by the pump upon the slurry.

Abstract: A layered porous film with a fluidic path through orthogonally oriented ribbed layers of varying size and spacing for the filtering or separation of particles or compounds. Any number of additional layers and materials may be added to modify the flow characteristics through the film.

Abstract: An ash management trench system is provided for harvesting byproducts from sluice water, such as a discharge from a power plant. The system comprises a first section comprising at least one flow control structure. The at least one flow structure is typically configured to capture a predetermined byproduct. The system further comprises a second section comprising a stilling basin. The second section is coupled to the first section by a connection structure.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments utilize an ice separator vessel to trap ice particles in a non-homogeneous ice/fuel mixture flowing in a fuel system. A source of heat, such as heated fuel provided to the ice separator vessel, is used to melt at least a portion of the ice particles so that they do not enter the fuel system downstream of the ice separator vessel.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for molecular separation including a molecular separation device comprising at least a polycrystalline metal-organic framework (MOF) and a nanocrystalline, zeolite MFI, wherein the MOF forms a polycrystalline membrane with zeolite MFI nanoparticles dispersed therein, and the MOF membrane matrix contacting and surrounding the zeolite MFI nanoparticles form a permselective nanoporous structure.

Abstract: A new and improved hydrocyclone roping and wear management system and method for its use are provided. The system includes one or more wireless electronic roping sensors and/or one or more wireless electronic wear sensors disposed in communication with one or more hydrocyclones, along with a wireless electronic controller. The system is capable of wirelessly detecting roping and/or wear conditions within one or more hydrocyclone separators during their operation, communicating electronic data corresponding to the roping and/or wear conditions to an associated hydrocyclone control system, and causing adjustments in controlling operational parameters for the hydrocyclones. The associated method includes steps for wirelessly acquiring roping and/or wear condition data using the wireless electronic controller and delivering the data to the hydrocyclone control system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hollow fiber membrane module provided with: a tubular casing having a first end and a second end in the axial direction; a plurality of hollow fiber membranes; a first potting part; and a second potting part, the hollow fiber membrane module further having a flow regulation structure in which a fluid flowing outside the hollow fiber membranes from the second end side toward the first end side forms a flow directed to the radial center on the second end side of the first potting part, and further forms a radial flow directed from the radial center to the radially outer peripheral side on the second end side of the first potting part.

Abstract: Systems for use in one or more sludge or waste collection devices (e.g., containers, vessels or basins). One such system is a sludge removal system for removing sludge from one or more sludge collection devices. The sludge removal system includes one or more sludge removal grids disposed in one or more sludge collection devices. Each sludge removal grid preferably includes at least one header and a plurality of sludge collection laterals. Another such system includes a fluid distribution system for distributing one or more fluids in one or more sludge or waste collection devices. A movement restricting or prevention member is provided in both the fluid distribution and sludge removal systems to prevent or restrict movement of the sludge collection laterals and the fluid distribution laterals away from or towards a floor of a corresponding collection device without anchoring or fixing the laterals to the floor.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a filtration process and apparatus for separating valuable or harmful process liquids from mixtures or slurries that contain such liquids and solid particles. In particular, the invention relates to a filtration process for separating Process Liquid from a feed slurry that comprises a mixture of the Process Liquid and solid particles, the process employing a Sweep Liquid that is less dense than the Process Liquid.

Abstract: A magnetic filtration device for installing into an opening of a reservoir, including, but not limited to acting as a replacement to a standard drain plug commonly positioned at the bottom of the reservoir. The magnetic filtration device may attract and capture magnetic (ferromagnetic) particulate circulating throughout a mechanical system. Applications for the device include engines, motors, pumps, compressors, gear boxes, transmissions, hydraulic systems, fuel systems and generators. The magnetic filtration device may comprise a magnet core enclosed within a magnet casing, with additional rods affixed to and/or arranged around the magnet casing to alter the radius of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A membrane separation device is disclosed along with systems and methods employing the device in blood processing procedures. In one embodiment, a spinning membrane separator is provided in which at least two zones or regions are created in the gap between the spinning membrane and the shell, such that mixing of the fluid between the two regions is inhibited by a radial rib or ridge associated with the spinning membrane that decreases the gap between the spinning membrane and the shell to define two fluid regions, the ridge isolating the fluid in the two regions to minimize mixing between the two. Automated systems and methods are disclosed for separating a unit of previously-collected whole blood into selected blood components, such as concentrated red cells and plasma, for collecting red cells and plasma directly from a donor in a single pass, and for cell washing. Data management systems and methods and priming methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to rigid filtration apparatus comprising a filter support and filter membrane. Such filter support is comprised of a central core. Radiating from the central core are a plurality of pleats composed of two angled walls terminating at a contact point. Such longitudinal walls circumscribe a longitudinal channel situated between the walls wherein the longitudinal channel is in communication with the central core. The longitudinal walls are comprised of a plurality of openings along the walls. A filter membrane having biocidal components may be utilized with the filter support to effectively treat contaminated fluid, gas or air. Alternatively, the composition of the rigid central core and the rigid pleats may be composed of different materials to selectively remove chemicals, biological components or pharmaceuticals in a multi-stage treatment process.