Abstract: The invention discloses a fast biofilm formation method for an organic filler during treatment of sewage with a low C/N ratio, and belongs to the field of biofilm process for sewage treatment. The invention improves the effect of biofilm culturing by changing the micro-interface acting force of the filler and accelerating the attachment and colonization of microorganisms on the filler through increase of bacterial quorum-sensing molecules. As compared with a conventional biofilm culturing method, in the invention the biofilm culturing is rapid and operated conveniently, has strong practicality, and is a fast biofilm formation method for an organic filler, which is adapted for treatment of sewage with a low C/N ratio under an aerobic, anoxic or anaerobic condition.

Abstract: A method for operating a water softening plant includes an automatic blending device, an incoming flow of untreated water being divided into a first partial flow which is softened and a second partial flow which is not softened and then combined into a flow of blended water. The proportions of the two partial flows are adjusted by the automatic blending device such that a desired hardness DV results in the flow of blended water. The conductivity of the softened water and blended water are measured by conductivity sensors in their respective flows. The conductivity of the untreated water is calculated from the measured conductivity of the soft water, from the measured conductivity of the blended water and from the determined proportions of the partial flows. It is possible for the hardness of the blended water to be adjusted very reliably and with improved accuracy.

Abstract: The invention relates to infusate containers and related systems and methods for housing infusates that can be added to a fluid flow path for use during dialysis. The infusate containers can include a filter partitioning the containers into a first and second compartment, a draw tube for drawing up fluid from a bottom portion, a cap, a fluid connector for delivery and withdrawal of fluid from the two compartments, and a fluid connector for connection to a dialysis system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a nanocomposite membrane, comprising: (a) providing a nanocomposite solution comprising a polymer solution and nanomaterials; (b) subjecting the nanocomposite solution to a cold water bath to produce the nanocomposite membrane in a gel-like form; and (c) subjecting the gel nanocomposite membrane to a heat treatment to solidify the nanocomposite membrane, wherein the nanomaterials are dispersed within the polymer matrix of the nanocomposite membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for degrading and inactivating at least one xenobiotic, the at least one xenobiotic being present in an aqueous medium. The method comprises the steps of (a) grafting at least one enzyme onto a solid support, (b) incubating the solid support with the at least one enzyme into the aqueous medium and (c) measuring the evolution of the concentration of the at least one xenobiotic. The method is remarkable in that the at least one enzyme is New-Dehli metallo-?-lactamase 1, a laccase extracted from Pleurotus ostreatus and/or a ?-lactamase extracted from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and in that the solid support is a moving bed carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to corn dry-milling, and more specifically, to methods for producing a high protein corn meal from a whole stillage byproduct produced in a corn dry-milling process for making ethanol and a system therefore. In one embodiment, a method for producing a high protein corn meal from a whole stillage byproduct includes, in a corn dry-milling process for making ethanol, separating the whole stillage byproduct into an insoluble solids portion and a thin stillage portion. The thin stillage portion is separated into a protein portion and a water soluble solids portion. Next, the protein portion is dewatered then dried to define a high protein corn meal that includes at least 40 wt % protein on a dry basis.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a device and method to clear solutes from a patient's blood while maintaining fluid balance. In some implementations, the device and method is used to assist the filtration functions of a patient's liver or kidney. The device includes a plurality of hollow fibers that pass through a sequence of alternating filtration chambers and infusion chambers. The filtration chambers filter the patient's blood while the infusion chambers rehydrate the filtered blood.

Abstract: A water purification system includes a high temperature water tank, a flameless heat source, a cylindrical vessel (hydrocyclone nest), a first pump, a steam production meter, and a steam condenser and heat exchanger. The contaminated water is heated within the high temperature water tank using the flameless heat source. The heated contaminated water heats the cylindrical vessel and one or more sets of hydrocyclones. The heated contaminated water is pumped into the cylindrical vessel such that the heated contaminated water enters a tangential inlet of the hydrocyclones, the hydrocyclones separate the heated contaminated water into steam and solids/concentrate, the steam exits through an overflow of the hydrocyclones and a first outlet of the cylindrical vessel, the solids/concentrate exit through an underflow of the hydrocyclones and a second outlet of the cylindrical vessel. The steam is condensed into purified water using the steam condenser and heat exchanger.

Abstract: An arrangement for separating chemicals comprises a first distillation column (100) and the first distillation column (100) receives a mixture that comprises water and at least two organic acids and extractant that comprises at least one of the following: hexanol, an ester of hexanol with said at least one organic acid and 2-methylpentanol. The first distillation column (100) forms a heterogeneous azeotrope of water and extractant at its top (104) on the basis of reactive heteroazeotropic extractive distillation not controlling chemical reactions between the extractant and said at least two organic acids, said first distillation column (100) removing the azeotrope through its top (104) for separating water from the organic acid.

Abstract: A filter system for filtering solids includes a filtration tank for receiving a slurry containing the solids to be filtered. A filter assembly including a plurality of filter cells each having a filter medium at an exterior and a cavity at an interior is lowered into the filtration tank using a transport device carrying the filter assembly. A vacuum transfer system is connected to the filter assembly so as to transfer a vacuum to an interior of the filter cells. The vacuum transfer system is operable to perform the filtering and to retain the filtered solids while the transport device moves the filter assembly relative to the filtration tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter device for filtering a hydraulic fluid comprising a housing having fluid through-openings for hydraulic fluid to be filtered to flow into the housing and for filtered hydraulic fluid to flow out of the housing, and having an assembly opening for inserting a filter element into the housing, the assembly opening being closable by a cover. In order to further develop the filter device such that it can be selectively configured in a cost-effective manner as a suction filter, return filter or return-suction filter, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that different filter elements be insertable into the housing, and that different functional modules be insertable into the housing or connectable to the housing.

Abstract: A top load liquid filter assembly includes a filter lockout mechanism to ensure that the filter base and cover are not connectable unless there is a proper filter cartridge installed therein. The filter system can also include an automatic drain mechanism and a cartridge retention mechanism. One example embodiment further includes an air bleed vent. A filter cartridge usable in the topload liquid filter assembly includes first and second protrusions and cover-gripper members. Methods of use, installing, servicing, and retaining can be practiced.

Abstract: A membrane separation device includes a separation membrane immersed in water to be treated and an air diffusion device positioned below the separation membrane, and provides treated water that has permeated through the separation membrane while diffusing air from the air diffusion device towards the separation membrane. A target value setting step sets a target value of an amount of diffusion air diffused from the air diffusion device based on a transmembrane pressure difference, and the air diffusion device is controlled such that the amount of the diffusion air becomes the target value. In the target value setting step, an absolute value of a change or a rate of change in the target value for increasing the amount of the air diffusion is set greater than an absolute value of a change or a rate of change in the target value for decreasing the amount of the air diffusion.

Abstract: A service port for a tank that receives a fluid, the service port including a body having a first end and a second end, the body defining a bore that opens at the first end and second end of the body; a strainer attached to the second end of the body, the strainer including a strainer element that has a first end and a second end, and a pair of sides; wherein the strainer element is closed at the first end and open at the second end defining a strainer volume therebetween; the strainer element being permeable to liquid; wherein the second end of the strainer element is attached about the bore and wherein a wall of the strainer element extending from the second end of the strainer element toward the first end of the strainer element is oriented generally parallel to a flow direction of fluid.

Abstract: A device for the treatment of waste material in a waste water collection system includes an inner core and an outer portion partially surrounding the inner core such that at least one surface of the inner core is exposed. The inner core has a greater water solubility than the outer portion. In another aspect, a device for the treatment of waste material in a waste water collection system includes an outer portion defining a hollow core portion, the hollow core portion defining an interior and having at least one end plug sealing said interior against ambient atmosphere, the outer portion partially surrounding the hollow core portion such that only the end plug is exposed. The end plug has a greater water solubility than the outer portion. Methods of treating waste material in a waste water collection system are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a sweep tail for a pool cleaner including a hose, a connector coupled to a first end of the hose and connecting the hose to the pool cleaner, and a scrubber coupled to the hose near a second end of the hose. The scrubber can include a first bearing coupled to and positioned around the hose, a second bearing positioned around the first bearing, and a scrubbing element positioned around the second bearing. The second bearing is capable of rotating around the first bearing and the scrubbing element is capable of rotating with the second bearing around the first bearing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chamber for a blood treatment system with at least one space defined by a chamber wall and with at least one blood inlet and with at least one inlet for a further fluid, which are connected with the space, wherein both the at least one blood inlet and the at least one inlet for the further fluid are formed on tube sections which protrude into the space of the chamber, wherein in the operating condition of the chamber the space of the chamber is at least partly filled with blood or with a mixture of blood and the further fluid or some other fluid and wherein at least one, preferably both or a plurality of the tube sections have a length such that the blood inlet and/or the inlet for the further fluid are located below the blood or fluid level in the chamber.

Abstract: A filter assembly for a fluid filter includes a plurality of filter units assembled in series, and each filter unit includes: a connecting member, an input member and an output member. The input member of each of the filter units has an extending pipe connected to a connecting pipe of another filter unit, so that the filter units can be easily assembled by directly screwing the connecting pipe of the connecting member of one filter unit into the extending pipe of the input member of another filter unit, without using tools or fasteners. Hence, the assembling cost is relatively reduced.

Abstract: A waste water treatment system including primary settling tanks. The waste water treatment system includes a trough which causes waste water to flow in a direction parallel to a bar screen placed in the trough with the base of the bar screen being at a lower elevation than the trough weir. Each primary settling tank has a fine screen box for screening waste water. Each primary settling tank has a scum and floatables trough for collecting scum and floatables which pass through or over a top edge of the bar screen. The scum and floatables troughs are in fluid communication with one another. When a scum valve is open, scum, floatables and waste water in the scum and floatables trough flow from the scum and floatables trough of the first primary setting tank to the scum and floatables trough of the second primary settling tank and into a collection container.

Abstract: A filter apparatus has a filter housing (1) accommodating at least one filter element (17) having an inner filter cavity (23) enclosed by a filter medium (27). The housing (1) contains an element holder (19) that interacts with the filter element (17) located in its functional position. The element holder (19) has a projecting accommodating part (43) with an outer configuration adapted to the shape of an opening (37) located at the end of the filter element (17) to be secured to the element holder (19). The accommodating part (43) fits through the opening (37) of the filter element (17) located in the functional position.