Abstract: A filter having a device for countering the clogging of the filter for a fluid, in particular a liquid, includes a filtering element arranged in a filter cavity bounded by an outer casing, an ultrasound emitter coupled into the cavity, in the direction of the filtering element, in order to prevent the filtering element from becoming clogged during operation of the filter.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved separation device in which a plate unit containing the filter comprises a separate abutment ring and a cassette which can be easily connected thereto, said cassette comprising at least one filter together with, if required, a frame belonging thereto so as to support the filter. If the filter consists of a flexible membrane, this is fitted into a special frame. However, if the filter is a rigid self-supporting filter of a porous material, for example, a ceramic filter or the like, a separate frame is not needed to support the filter.

Abstract: A pool scoop for providing a rigid scoop for lifting items off of the bottom of a pool. The pool scoop includes a pole with tubular attachment sleeve at a distal end of the pole. A scoop member is provided having a bottom wall, a pair of spaced apart side walls upwardly extending from the bottom wall, and an end wall upwardly extending from the bottom wall between the side walls. The scoop member has a front edge extending along the bottom wall between the side walls opposite the end wall. The bottom wall also has a plurality of apertures of a predetermined size therethrough. An extent extends from the end wall of the scoop member and is inserted into a second end of the attachment sleeve.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis or filtration system uses one or more hydraulic intensifiers (integrated motor and pump) to provide all the high pressure fluid to a semi-permeable membrane or filter, the intensifier being powered by the high pressure flushing flow leaving the membrane or filter uses, and by a pressurized inlet flow of fluid to be purified or filtered.

Abstract: An in-line mixing system and method for mixing one or more paint fluid subcomponents. The system includes subcomponent input lines (20) connected to a reducing manifold (22). An on/off solenoid valve (28) in each line is arranged to allow or prohibit fluid from entering the reducing manifold. The reducing manifold includes multiple input passages that converge to form a single output passage. A flow meter (26) is in communication with the manifold output passage to measure the flow of subcomponent fluid through the manifold. Using the flow meter, a control system (30) causes the input line solenoid valves to open and close to create a slugwise line of subcomponent fluids passing from the manifold output passage. From the reducing manifold, the slugwise line enters an integrator (32) where the subcomponents are partially mixed. A static mixer (34) connects to the output of the integrator to thoroughly mix the fluids.

Abstract: A filter assembly is provided having an oversized generally cylindrical housing defining a housing edge. A filtering element is disposed in the housing for filtering the fluid. A generally circular unitary tapping plate is also provided having a fluid inlet port, a fluid outlet port, and mounting means for removably mounting the filter assembly to the fluid circulation system. The unitary tapping plate further having a generally U-shaped portion defining a seal retaining groove and a wing portion extending radially outwardly from said U-shaped portion. The edge of the housing surrounds the tapping plate and is folded inwardly over the wing portion of the tapping plate such that a free end of the housing edge generally terminates in the seal retaining groove. The filter assembly also includes an external seal having a generally rectangular cross-section that is retained in the seal retaining groove.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus includes an array of filters arranged in parallel about a rotatable assembly 24 for successively backwashing each of the filter elements 19 within the array. The rotatable assembly includes a connector bachwash shoe 26 and a cage having an annular circlip 33 supporting a valve element 31 therein. During normal filtration, water flows up the inlet tube 11, through a respective opening 17 into filtration chamber 13, and then through a respective filter element. The filtrate flows upwardly into plenum 16 and out through outlet 14. In a backwashing mode, the assembly 24 is rotated by a moving means that includes shaft 22 driven by a stepper motor 34 such that the valve element is radially unseated out of the backwash outlet 30. Each filter element is then backwashed in turn as an L-shaped passage 27 of the bachwash shoe is aligned with a respective opening 17 allowing backwash fluid to flow out opening 28a to the backwash outlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for mixing a pulp suspension with a fluid medium. The method and the apparatus according to the invention are particularly advantageous when used for mixing different chemicals, both liquid and gaseous, or steam into pulp suspension in the wood processing industry. In the method and the apparatus according to the invention, the pulp suspension and the fluid medium are fed into a mixer casing, mixed therein and removed from the casing, and a freely rotatable mixing rotor with mixing blades, is placed within the casing and turned by means of incoming flow of pulp suspension being in contact with the mixing blades of the rotor.

Abstract: A multi-modal system for modifying water structure in a solution to continuously affect the hydration forces acting on the constituents in the solution. The system includes a containment vessel defining a treatment environment and including a wall defining a fluid passage and a fluid inlet. The inlet is coupled to the passage to centrifugally direct the solution helically along the wall. At least one electromagnetic energy delivery unit is disposed within the containment vessel. The electromagnetic energy delivery unit is responsive to generate variable electromagnetic energy sufficient to stimulate the solution and affect the hydration forces. Also provided is a controlling unit coupled to the electromagnetic delivery unit to alter the variable electromagnetic energy in response to spectral information about the solution and in accordance with optimal treatment parameters.

Abstract: Described is a filter and a method for preparing the filter that includes a porous filter media that is bonded to an end cap using a two-part, isocyanate-based adhesive. The adhesive is free of inorganic pigments and fillers and is the reaction product of at least one polymeric polyol component and at least one polyisocyanate component. The polyol component includes a high MW triol having sufficiently different intrinsic reaction rates to generate phase separation during curing. The components react and cure to form a product having an L* white value greater than about 60.

Abstract: Described is an aerator (10) that includes a venturi chamber (18), a pump for drawing liquid into the venturi chamber from a liquid inlet, an air inlet connected to the venturi chamber for aerating the liquid drawn through the venturi chamber, and an outlet for discharging the aerated liquid. A float chamber (26) is provided for supporting the aerator in a liquid medium, e.g. a fishing lake. Preferably, the liquid inlet and the outlet are on substantially parallel axes, wherein the liquid inlet is turnable between two positions: one position where the liquid inlet takes in liquid in an opposite direction to the outlet flow and the other position where the liquid is drawn in and discharged in the same direction. A control means responsive to sensors for determining biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand is also provided for controlling the speed of the pump.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing potable water from an aqueous feed such as seawater utilizing a pressure vessel designed for operation in the range of about 250 psig to about 350 psig having reverse osmosis (RO) separation elements disposed upstream of at least one nanofiltrate separation element. The supply of seawater at such pressure creates no permeate flow through the RO membranes, so the seawater flushes the feed side of the RO elements on its way to the NF element where very substantial permeate flux occurs, producing a NF permeate substantially depleted in divalent ions and optionally moderately depleted in monovalent ions. The NF permeate is collected in a holding tank having liquid level switches, and when a desired level is reached, a control system causes the pump to draw suction from the holding tank while shutting off feed from the seawater source.

Abstract: A spiral wound type membrane element is formed by winding independent or continuous envelope-like membranes around the peripheral surface of a water collection pipe and interposing raw water spacers between the envelope-like membranes. When running, raw water is supplied from at least the periphery side of the spiral wound type membrane element and permeate is taken out from an opening end of the water collection pipe. In back wash reverse filtration, permeate is introduced from the opening end of the water collection pipe and permeate guided out from the peripheral surface of the water collection pipe is discharged from at least the periphery side of the spiral wound type membrane element.

Abstract: A blood processing system (e.g. a dialysis system) having a blood processing unit (e.g. a hemodialyzer) and tubular arterial and venous blood flow sets (10, 14) may be primed by temporarily connecting together the ends of the sets and then passing priming solution in a first flow direction (44) that is retrograde to the normal flow of blood. This causes the priming solution to enter an in-line chamber (64) carried by one of the sets. At the same time, air is removed through a port (62). Preferably, the chamber includes a filter (65). In another step, priming solution is passed through the sets in a second flow direction (42), opposite the first flow direction, while continuing to remove air through the port. Preferably, the solution is passed in the first flow direction by gravity and in the second flow direction with a pump (26a). The solution can also be passed in both directions simultaneously.

Abstract: A separator includes a barrier 53 for retaining solid material thereon and an automatic mechanism for alternately preventing and allowing the flow of liquid to the separator outlet. When the flow is prevented, the liquid backs up through the barrier and washes the solids to a solids collection region 55. In one embodiment, the automatic mechanism includes a pivoted flap 101 and, in another embodiment, a siphon.

Abstract: Described is a device for introducing substances into water. The device includes a housing (1) forming first and second chambers (7, 9) separated by a partition (8). Throughgoing housing openings (11, 12) are provided on either side of the partition to allow each chamber to communicate with the container (21) supplying the substance. A connecting flange (15) having throughgoing flange openings (19, 20) is provided for connecting the housing to the container. The flange is arranged turnably relative with the housing such that in an operative condition each throughgoing housing opening coincides with a respective throughgoing flange opening. The turnable arrangement also includes at least one pin (17) located on the flange and which engages at least one groove (88) formed in the housing. A controlling means (24) is also provided in an opening (25) of the partition.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing a fluid feed stock, such as a heavy oil, and particles of a catalyst for gasifying the heavy oil in a reactor, comprises the reactor having in the upper portion a circular port through which the particles are fed, a moving bed-forming section disposed on and in communication with the reactor for forming the particles into an annular or cylindrical high-velocity moving bed by dropping the particles downwardly into the reactor, while dispersing the particles radially, an external fluid feed section located so as to spray the feed stock over the entire upper outer periphery of the annular or cylindrical moving bed passing through the reactor, and an internal fluid-feed section located so as to spray the fluid over the entire upper inner periphery corresponding to the outer periphery of the annular moving bed.

Abstract: Described is a semipermeable capillary having a tubular semipermeable wall composed of a membrane-forming material (2) and a tubular strengthening layer (1). The tubular strengthening layer includes an elongated tape having mutually overlapped longitudinal edges. The tubular strengthening layer has an open cohesive structure that is embedded in the membrane-forming material whereby the mutually overlapping longitudinal edges are joined together by the membrane-forming material and a continuous phase is formed between the semipermeable wall and the strengthening layer.

Abstract: The filter cartridge assembly has a valve body having an interior flow passage, a filter across the interior flow passage, and a check valve assembly in the valve body. The filter removes particulates as small as 0.003 microns. A check valve element adjacent to a valve seat in the interior flow passage has a check valve poppet and a stem. The check valve poppet has a relatively narrow neck, and the check valve poppet is tapered inwardly from the outlet end toward the neck at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the valve body that is substantially equal to the oblique angle of the annular valve seat.

Abstract: The hydrophilicity of porous separation membranes is maintained by bonding the membranes to thermoplastic fiber substrates at least on their peripheries before the membrane peripheries are sealed in a thermoplastic resin. The membranes are capable of being integrity tested.