Abstract: The present disclosure relates to tangential flow filters, membranes, and ultrafiltration membranes, for various applications, including bioprocessing and pharmaceutical applications, systems employing such filters, and methods of filtration using the same. In an aspect, an alternating tangential flow system for continuous processing may include a feed line containing a fluid. A retentate line may be in fluid communication with the feed line. A first diaphragm may be at an inlet of the retentate line configured to pump fluid toward an outlet of the retentate line. A second diaphragm may be at the outlet of the retentate line configured to pump fluid toward the inlet of the retentate line. A membrane may be in fluid communication with the retentate line between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm. A retentate pump may be at the retentate outlet configured to pump the fluid out of the retentate line.

Abstract: Water or wastewater filtration processes and systems have a plurality of membrane modules, each having filter media therein, the plurality of membrane modules arranged in parallel fluid flow, a main bottom feed conduit, a main top feed conduit, and separate feed conduits fluidly connecting the main bottom feed conduits and the main top feed conduits to respective membrane modules. A main filtrate conduit, and separate filtrate conduits fluidly connect respective membrane modules to the main filtrate conduit. A backwash conduit fluidly connects the main filtrate conduit to respective membrane modules through the main top and bottom feed conduits.

Abstract: A flow path spacer (13) of the present disclosure includes a plurality of first linear portions (21) and a plurality of second linear portions (22).

Abstract: Tangential flow filtration systems utilizing flexible bags for permeate collection are provided.

Abstract: An automated modular filtration system, particularly for low volume tangential flow filtration processes, comprises a plurality of filtration modules formed as separate assemblies and at least one control unit for jointly controlling filtration processes of individual filtration units. Each filtration module contains at least one individual filtration unit for executing a filtration process independent of the other filtration units, first input ports for receiving a first type of fluids, second input ports for receiving a second type of fluids, and exit ports for outputting unused system fluids. First type fluids are process fluids are specific to the filtration processes executed in individual filtration units. Second type fluids are system fluids not specific to filtration processes executed in the individual filtration units.

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: The disclosure relates to improved methods for inhibiting the formation and deposition of sulfide and silica scale in aqueous systems. In particular, the methods include injecting a composition into an aqueous system or wellbore. The composition includes a sulfide scale inhibitor and a silica scale inhibitor. The sulfide scale inhibitor may be a copolymer of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid and an anionic monomer. The silica scale inhibitor may be a copolymer of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid and an alkoxylated monomer.

Abstract: The invention relates to the design of an enclosure for a membrane aeration module, which incorporates a reversible, low-pressure, air-lift pump to encourage a vertical water flow through and between the membranes in the module. These enclosed membrane modules are suitable for use in membrane aerated biofilm reactors, which are used to treat water or wastewater.

Abstract: A connection mechanism for a suction device for vacuum membrane filtration applications, includes a support for receiving a membrane filter or a filtration base, a cavity formed below the membrane filter or the filtration base, a suction duct which opens centrally into the cavity, and a ventilation duct which opens laterally into the cavity. The connection mechanism further includes a closing element which can be moved into several switching positions and which can block or unblock both the suction duct and the ventilation duct depending on the switching positions.

Abstract: A membrane element includes a filtration membrane and a flowpath member joined thereto. The flowpath member is made of yarn arranged into a three-dimensional structure, and includes inner spaces through which a permeated liquid permeated through the filtration membrane flows, and an outer bonding surface joined to the filtration membrane. At least part of the yarn forming the outer bonding surface is a low-melting point yarn having a softening point lower than that of a material forming the filtration membrane, or the yarn forming the outer bonding surface is formed by twisting a plurality of constituent yarns, and at least one of the constituent yarns is a low-melting point yarn having a softening point lower than that of the material forming the filtration membrane.

Abstract: A system for monitoring water quality for dialysis, dialysis fluids, and body fluids treated by dialysis fluids, is disclosed. The system uses microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors for detecting impurities in input water or dialysis fluid, and in the prepared dialysate. These sensors may also be used to monitor and check the blood of the patient being treated. These sensors include ion-selective sensors, for ions such as ammonium or calcium, and also include amperometric array sensors, suitable for ions from chlorine or chloramines, e.g., chloride. These sensors assist in the monitoring of water supplies from a city water main or well. The sensors may be used in conjunction with systems for preparing dialysate solutions from water for use at home or elsewhere.

Abstract: Stabilized surfactant-based membranes and methods of manufacture thereof. Membranes comprising a stabilized surfactant mesostructure on a porous support may be used for various separations, including reverse osmosis and forward osmosis. The membranes are stabilized after evaporation of solvents; in some embodiments no removal of the surfactant is required. The surfactant solution may or may not comprise a hydrophilic compound such as an acid or base. The surface of the porous support is preferably modified prior to formation of the stabilized surfactant mesostructure. The membrane is sufficiently stable to be utilized in commercial separations devices such as spiral wound modules. Also a stabilized surfactant mesostructure coating for a porous material and filters made therefrom. The coating can simultaneously improve both the permeability and the filtration characteristics of the porous material.

Abstract: The present specification discloses plasma processing systems that include a number of different fluid flow circuits that are defined by sources of fluid, fluid lines, fluid flow paths, waste containers, a mixer, a separator, valves, and a pump. The systems also include a connector tube and a solvent extraction device, wherein the connector tube and solvent extraction device are configured to be alternatively inserted in a same position along a fluid flow line. In addition, the systems include a controller that is configured to execute a plurality of programmatic instructions to open and close each of a first fluid flow line valve, a second fluid flow line valve, a third fluid flow line valve, and a fourth fluid flow line valve in a predetermined sequence to either enable or prevent a flow of fluid through various fluid flow lines.

Abstract: Asymmetric composite membranes and methods for their preparation are disclosed. The membranes comprise a cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer coated on a film of cross-linked sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) adhered to a sheet of hydrophilicitized microporous polyolefin. The microporous polyolefin is typically microporous poly(ethylene). The membranes have improved selectivity with the regard to the rejection of solutes in reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration applications.

Abstract: Fluid treatment system comprising a row of vertically arranged cylindrical filtration modules having a cylindrical shell, an upper end, a lower end and a shell interior and an upper and a lower header coupled to upper and lower end of the shell. In the shell interior, hollow fiber membranes are embedded with their ends in an upper and a lower tube sheet and are open at the ends. An exterior filtrate space is formed around the membranes extending between upper and lower tube sheets and an inner surface of the shell. Upper and lower head spaces are formed between upper and lower tube sheets and the respective headers. The lumina of the hollow fiber membranes are in fluid communication with the head spaces. The cylindrical shells comprise outlet ports being in fluid communication with the exterior filtrate spaces and being connected to a filtrate branch pipe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane separation system including a plurality of separation membrane elements connected to one another, each of the separation membrane elements including a plurality of separation membrane pairs, each separation membrane pair including separation membranes each having a feed-side surface and a permeate-side surface and disposed such that the feed-side surfaces face each other, in which the plurality of separation membrane elements include a first separation membrane element and a second separation membrane element, and at least one first separation membrane element serves as a stage preceding the second separation membrane element.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for increasing convective clearance of particles from a fluid is provided. A network of first channels can be separated from a network of second channels by a first membrane. The network of first channels can also be separated from a network of third channels by a second membrane. Fluid containing an analyte can be introduced in the network of first channels. Infusate can be introduced into the network of second channels, and waste-collecting fluid can be introduced into the network of third channels. A pressure gradient can be applied in a direction perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow in the network of first channels, such that the analyte is transported from the network of first channels into the network of third channels through the second membrane.

Abstract: A biological fluid separation device adapted to receive a biological fluid sample having a first portion and a second portion is disclosed. The device includes a housing having a first chamber having a first chamber inlet for receiving the biological fluid sample therein and a first chamber outlet. The housing has a second chamber having a second chamber inlet and a second chamber outlet, and a separation member separating at least a portion of the first chamber outlet and the second chamber. The separation member is adapted to restrain the first portion of the biological fluid sample within the first chamber and to allow at least a portion of the second portion of the biological fluid sample to pass into the second chamber. An actuator, such as a vacuum source, draws the biological fluid sample into the first chamber and the second portion into the second chamber.

Abstract: Dialysis machines and methods for operating dialysis machines (e.g., peritoneal dialysis machines) may include delivering dialysate to a patient and detecting a temperature of a volume of the dialysate, an air content of the dialysate volume, or another condition, or combinations thereof, wherein the detected temperature of the dialysate volume is compared to a predetermined maximum temperature, the detected air content of the dialysate volume is compared to a predetermined maximum air content and the detected other condition generates a signal. The volume of dialysate may be diverted in response to the detected temperature exceeding the predetermined maximum temperature, the air content exceeding the predetermined maximum air content, or the other condition generated signal, or combinations thereof.

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.