Abstract: A method of obtaining a compound may include adding a substrate to a medium in a reactor, and reacting the substrate in the reactor to form the compound. A first stream is separated from the reaction liquid through a first membrane. A second stream is separated from the reaction liquid through a second membrane. The first membrane is a filtration membrane and the second membrane is configured for liquid-gas or liquid-liquid extraction The first membrane and the second membrane are at least partially immersed in the medium and are moved relative to the reactor during the separation steps.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for a separation device. A separation device includes a separation module having a separation membrane separating an interior of the separation module into a retentate compartment and a permeate compartment. The retentate compartment includes at least one retentate channel, a feed port fluidly coupled to the at least one retentate channel and a retentate port. The permeate compartment includes at least one permeate channel disposed within the permeate compartment and a permeate port fluidly coupled to the at least one permeate channel. a retentate collector fluidly connected to the retentate port. The device further includes a feed reservoir, a permeate reservoir, a fluidic gate located between the feed reservoir and the separation module, a vent located between the retentate channel and the permeate channel end adjacent the retentate port and a pressure differential source applied across the separation module.

Abstract: An example water purification system for purifying high concentration feed solutions includes a high rejection forward osmosis module, one or more low rejection modules, and a high rejection reverse osmosis module. The low rejection modules may have different rejection levels. The system may be pressurized by one or more pumps. One or more of the low rejection modules may include one or more nanofiltration (NF) membranes. The draw solution may comprise a monovalent salt, a multivalent salt, or a combination of both.

Abstract: A membrane for water collection may include a sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a plurality of conical structures disposed on the top surface of the sheet, the conical structures comprising a hydrogel material. Each conical structure of the plurality of conical structures may have a height of 1 mm to 50 mm, wherein height is measured from the top surface of the sheet to an apex of a conical structure. Each conical structure of the plurality of conical structures may have an apex angle of 10 to 60 degrees.

Abstract: A fluid cleaning system for cleaning contaminated water sources via at least one cleaning process. The system includes at least one solids dissociation apparatus that includes a housing, at least one insert operably engaged with the housing and is adapted to receive a continuous fluid stream, and a transducer operably engaged with the housing and is disposed about the at least one insert at a distance away from said at least one insert inside of the housing. The transducer is configured to create cavitation, via sonic waves, to eviscerate contaminants in the continuous fluid stream. The system also includes at least one solids separation apparatus operably connected with the at least one fluid treatment apparatus for receiving the eviscerated contaminants provided in the fluid stream. The at least one solids separation apparatus is adapted to separate the eviscerate contaminants from the fluid stream for at least one separation process.

Abstract: Filter elements for perfusion systems and methods are provided. A filter element sheet includes a microporous membrane having a mean pore size of at least about 0.65 ?m and a feed spacer comprising woven fibers and having an open area of at least about 35%. The filter element sheet can be arranged within a filter element, for example, in a spiral-wound format or in a cassette format. A perfusion system includes at least one filter element and a pump configured to control flow of a liquid feed through the at least one filter element.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a sludge anaerobic fermentation treatment method with simultaneously enhanced acid production and phosphorus removal. The method includes steps of: (1) adding waste activated sludge into an anaerobic reaction system, with a concentration of a total suspended solid (TSS) of 10000-15000 mg/L; (2) maintaining a pH value of the waste activated sludge at 10±0.1; adding powdery magnetite of 0.3-0.9 g/gVS S. Compared with simple alkaline conditions, in the method of the present invention, an accumulation amount of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in a fermentation broth is increased by 20%, and a content of orthophosphoric acid is reduced by 10%. The method can further improve the enhancing effect by using sulfuric acid to modify the magnetite, the accumulation amount of SCFAs can be increased by 36.7% at most, and the content of phosphorus and refractory organic substances can be reduced by 32.4% and 40.4% at most, respectively.

Abstract: An artificial kidney and its supportive device comprising a catheter having an internal semipermeable membrane tube to act as an artificial kidney. Said catheter comprising a proximal portion having a semipermeable membrane tube, a blood/infusion lumen, a dialysate lumen and side holes, while a distal portion having a dual septa port assembly. Said supportive device comprising a device house with its cover that covers its internal cavity that includes sorbent bags with different sizes and arrangement, a screen, buttons, set knobs, two contactless conductivity cells, bidirectional rotary pumps, rotary valves, pressure sensors, a slot for memory card, a temperature sensor, scales, an IV pole and a blood leak detector.

Abstract: Algae harvesting and cultivating systems and methods for producing high concentrations of algae product with minimal energy. In an embodiment, a dead-end filtration system and method includes at least one tank and a plurality hollow fiber membranes positioned in the at least one tank. An algae medium is pulled through the hollow fiber membranes such that a retentate and a permeate are produced.

Abstract: A movable seal for interfacing between a first surface and a second surface includes a floating portion attached to a non-floating portion by a flexible coupling portion, wherein the non-floating portion is coupled to the first surface by nesting in a groove on the first surface, and wherein the non-floating portion forms a seal between the first and second surfaces when the first surface moves relative to the second surface in a first direction, and wherein the non-floating portion does not form a seal between the first and second surfaces when the first surface moves relative to the second surface in a second opposite direction.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and methods for controlling the sodium and bicarbonate concentrations in a dialysate. The systems and methods can use conductivity sensors to control the addition of water and bicarbonate to accurately control the final concentrations of both sodium and bicarbonate.

Abstract: A micro alternating tangential flow (microATF) perfusion filter includes a hollow cylinder having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is connected in series to a permeate chamber, followed by a retentate chamber. The proximal end either (i) terminates in or at the permeate chamber, or (ii) terminates in or at the retentate chamber. The portion of the proximal end within the permeate chamber, in a case of (ii), possesses at least one opening allowing fluid communication between an inside of the hollow cylinder and the permeate chamber. The microATF perfusion filter further includes an inlet, positioned over the retentate chamber, for communication with a source of positive or negative pressure, and an outlet, positioned in a wall of the permeate chamber, which can be connected to a check valve, which, in turn, can be connected to a hydrophobic fluid vent filter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a single pass cross flow diafiltration system comprising: a filtration module having; two or more filtration segments fluidly connected in series, each having an upstream side and a downstream side; wherein each filtration segment comprises hollow fiber filter membranes, and wherein each filtration segment has a selected length; wherein the hollow fiber filter membranes of each filtration segment have a selected inner diameter; wherein the selected inner diameter of each filtration segment may be the same or different, provided that at least one selected inner diameter differs from another selected inner diameter, and provided that the two or more filtration segments are arranged such that no selected inner diameter in a given filtration segment is larger on the upstream side; one or more pumps, mounted to urge fluid flow; and one or more points of introduction of a diadiluent, each of said points of introduction being fluidly connected to an upstream filtration segment.

Abstract: A water treatment system for a poultry chiller including a chiller tank is described herein. The system includes a float holding tank at a downstream section of the chiller tank; a fan at the downstream section of the chiller tank that is configured to blow float formed on a surface of the water in the chiller tank into the float holding tank; and a float removal mechanism at the float holding tank that is configured to remove the float from the float holding tank. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are membrane separator modules. The membrane separator module includes a plurality of hollow fibers arranged as an annular shaped bundle defining a bore, wherein each of the plurality of hollow fibers includes a lumen; a first manifold attached to a first end of the plurality of hollow fibers and a second manifold attached to a second end of the plurality of hollow fibers; a fluid inlet port disposed on the first manifold and in fluid communication with a first interior volume thereof, and a fluid outlet port disposed on the second manifold and in fluid communication with a second interior volume thereof, wherein a fluid path is defined through the inlet port, the first interior volume, the lumens of the plurality of hollow fibers, the second interior volume, and the outlet port; and an impeller operable to drive fluid flow over exterior surfaces of the plurality of hollow fibers.

Abstract: A funnel-less filtration device that attaches directly to a storage container such as a cell culture media bottle. The device includes a filter collar containing one or more membranes, an inlet with a coupling device for attaching the filter device to a supply of liquid to be filtered, an outlet at a lower portion of the collar, a vacuum port in the collar below the membrane(s) and a filtered vent in the collar above the membrane(s). Optionally, the device may include a filtrate reservoir attached to the outlet, preferably by a threaded connection. Optionally, the upper opening to the filter collar is selectively and removably sealed with a lid until used. The lid is then removed the filter device inverted over a storage container such as cell culture media bottle and the two are attached via the upper opening of the filter collar. The assembly is then inverted so the supply container is above the filter device.

Abstract: A system for separating a solvent includes a first mixing tank comprising a waste solvent feed and a reactant feed; a first filter comprising a nanofiltration membrane; a distillation column or an evaporator; a condenser or cooler; and a pervaporation membrane. A method for separating a solvent includes mixing a waste solvent with a reactant to cause precipitation or complexing and forming a mixture; filtering the mixture using a nanofiltration membrane and forming a permeate; distilling or evaporating the permeate to form a concentrated solvent; condensing or cooling the concentrated solvent to below a boiling point of solvents in the concentrated solvent; and filtering the concentrated solvent using pervaporation to form a purified solvent. The system and method may be used to separate and purify a solvent without creating thermal degradation products.

Abstract: A thermally reflective membrane apparatus comprises a housing structure, and a thermally reflective membrane contained within the housing structure. The thermally reflective membrane comprises a semipermeable structure, and a porous, thermally reflective structure physically contacting the semipermeable structure. The porous, thermally reflective structure comprises discrete thermally reflective particles, and a binder material coupling the discrete thermally reflective particles to one another and the semipermeable structure. A fluid treatment system and method of treating a fluid are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a groundwater circulation well system with pressure-adjustable hydrodynamic cavitation, including a circulation well body, a sucked and injected water circulation assembly and a hydrodynamic cavitator. The sucked and injected water circulation assembly is based on a water suction and injection pump. The hydrodynamic cavitator is provided, inside a vortex chamber, with a vortex water inlet column capable of changing a water passing aperture. The hydrodynamic cavitator is capable of changing a bubbling pressure and a breaking pressure of hydrodynamic cavitation bubbles in the vortex water inlet column. The hydrodynamic cavitator generates vortices in the circulation well body to accelerate uniform mixing of a remediation agent and the groundwater. Energy from collapsing and bursting of the hydrodynamic cavitation bubbles activates the remediation agent such that contaminants in the groundwater are efficiently degraded.

Abstract: The invention relates to filtration system (20), comprising a tank (40) filled at least partly with water to be filtered, and at least one filtration module (30), the at least one filtration module (30) comprising at least one filter membrane (10) for filtering the water comprising a substrate (12) which is penetrated by at least one capillary (16), and at least one filtrate pipe (32) for drawing filtered water out of the tank (40), whereat the at least one filtration module (30) is arranged in the tank (40) such that the at least one filter membrane (10) is submerged at least partly in the water to be filtered. The at least one filtration module (30) is designed and arranged such that water to be filtered flows into the at least one capillary (16) and from the at least one capillary (16) through the substrate (12) into the filtrate pipe (32).