Abstract: The invention relates to a composite membrane (1) consisting of a flat support body (2) comprising relative big through flow holes (3) and on which at least one separating layer is applied as a membrane layer (4) having a given number of pores and pore sizes. In order to regulate the temperature of the support body, said support body (2) is connected to a device (5) that can be regulated by a regulating device (S) with the purpose of supplying a predetermined energy to the support body (2) and/or diverting energy from the support body (2). The membrane layer (4) is applied on the support body (2) in a heat-conductive manner so that any change in the temperature of the support body provokes a change in the temperature of the membrane layer.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device for the simultaneous separation of particles and target substances from liquid feeds by adsorption membranes having particle-passing apertures therein.

Abstract: A module for ultrafiltration or microfiltration of water includes hollow fibers, of the type of filtration from outside inwards of the fibers, the water to be treated being introduced at the top of the module and the treated water being collected at the bottom of the module. The fibers are arranged inside a housing in multiple U-shaped bundles, the module being vertically arranged in use with the U-shape in the top part of the module. At the bottom of the module, each bundle is arranged in a sheath and individually potted. The sheaths are then urged to be housed in a distribution plate, and all the sheaths are interconnected by pouring (in reverse vertical position relative to that of the filtering mode) a potting resin.

Abstract: A barrier filter useful for aseptically discharging both gaseous and liquid fluids from a chemical process system is disclosed The barrier filter comprises, within a common enclosure, one or several filter membranes having singularly or collectively a mixture or hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions. The common enclosure of the barrier filter is provided with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. All filter membranes are located within the fluid path between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. A variety of membrane-based systems, into which such barrier filter is installed, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus having a plurality of sample wells comprises an upper plate comprising a plurality of upper wells, a lower plate comprising a plurality of lower wells disposed in flexible communication with each other, and a ratcheting mechanism disposed at interfaces of the upper wells and the lower wells. A method for assembling the filtration apparatus comprises supporting the lower plate, disposing a filter medium in the lower well, disposing the upper plate at the lower plate such that the lower wells substantially register with the upper wells, and compressing the upper plate onto the lower plate to form an interference fit between the lower well and the upper well.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for the automatic handling of bag systems in an installation. The method includes the steps of loading at least one bag system having a primary bag containing a body fluid such as blood and a secondary bag into a handling device, wherein the bag system is placed in a position such that no filtering of the body fluid takes place; automatically actuating the handling device so that the bag system is moved to a position wherein filtering occurs; and unloading the bag system from in the handling device when all the filtrate is received in the secondary bag.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photocatalytic filter which can fully secure a space of gaps to constitute a flow path for flowing a fluid to be disposed of and which has gaps structured for easily trapping an organic substance in the fluid when the fluid is brought into contact with a photocatalyst layer.

Abstract: A method for stretching a hollow fibre while making a stretched filtering membrane from a precursor involves wrapping the hollow fibre around a structure and modifying the structure such that at least portions of the hollow fibre are forced to elongated. For example, the hollow fibre may be wrapped around around two or more supports and the distance between adjacent supports increased. This produces first portions of the hollow fibre stretched to a first elongation and porous to a first porosity and second portions of the hollow fibre that are not stretched or are stretched to a second elongation less than the first elongation and that remain non-porous or become porous to a second porosity which is less than the first porosity. The membrane may be made into a module with second portions of the membranes located at points where the membranes exit the potting material or at turns in loops of the fibres, if any. In various embodiments, the fibre is potted into modules before or after it is stretched.

Abstract: A system and method for integrating microfluidic components in a microfluidic system enables the microfluidic system to perform a selected microfluidic function. A capping module includes a microfluidic element for performing a microfluidic function. The capping module is stacked on a microfluidic substrate having microfluidic plumbing to incorporate the microfluidic function into the system.

Abstract: A multifunctional pure water maker includes a main body and a reverse osmosis module. The main body includes a base portion and a column extending from the base portion. A water container is removably placed on the base portion. A control cap is pivotally attached to the column and includes a compartment in an underside thereof. An outlet pipe is mounted in the control cap and has an end communicated with the reverse osmosis module. Water purified by the reverse osmosis module flows through the other end of the outlet pipe into the water container when the control cap is in a closed position covering an opening of the water container. A limit switch is mounted in the control cap such that the reverse osmosis module is activated to proceed with production of pure water when the control cap is moved to the closed position and that the reverse osmosis module is deactivated when the control cap is moved to an open position.

Abstract: Membrane module for substance-specific treatment of fluids, such that the module has first and second membrane elements arranged with one end pointing toward a distribution space and the other end pointing toward a collection space. Each of the membrane elements have a cavity formed by a membrane wall. The first membrane elements have their ends embedded in sealing compounds such that their cavities open into the distribution space and collection space. The second membrane elements are also embedded in the sealing compound at the end pointing toward the collection space. The cavities of the second membrane elements open into the collection space, but are closed at the end pointing toward the distribution space. The fluid to be treated flows through the first membrane elements in cross-flow mode. In the process, part of the fluid passes through the membrane wall as a permeate, which then passes through the second membrane elements in dead-end mode.

Abstract: A membrane module for a device used to separate substance mixtures in a cross current method includes a number of tubular membranes which encircle, at least in sections, a common axis in an essentially helical manner and which are provided for forming an essentially disk shaped module. At least two of the tubular membranes encircle a common spiral axis in a helical manner, the membranes being preferably twisted like a cable, at least along the progression of a part of their essentially helical encircling in order to form a tubular membrane strand.

Abstract: A tidal-powered desalinization system is mounted on a barge that oscillates about fixed pier structures, generating a two-way pumping action. The two-way pumping action is changed to a single direction flow of seawater. The sea water is directed into an on-board desalinization system. Fresh water is produced and collected in reservoirs, without an intervening generation of electricity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an asymmetric porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane comprising a dense skin layer and a continuously foamed porous layer, (1) the dense skin layer having a surface roughness Ra of 20 to 165 nm; (2) the dense skin layer having a contact angle for water of 120 to 135°; (3) the porous layer having a maximum pore diameter of 0.03 to 1.0 ?m; and (4) the membrane having a total porosity of 20 to 70%. The asymmetric porous PTFE membrane has an ability to separate each liquid component from a liquid-liquid homogeneous mixture in addition to known properties such as water permeability resistance, gas permeability, sealing property and electric property, wherein change of these properties over time is small.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a multiple well filter plate and method of producing same, the multiple well filter plate comprising a molded plate and a filter sealed via an adhesive, the method particularly adapted for producing multiple well filter plate having substantial well densities and small volume sample wells.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process and device for Forward Osmosis (FO) Pressurized Device (FOPD) in general and one hydraulically coupled to a reverse osmosis (RO device for a FOPRO (Forward Osmosis Pressurized Reverse Osmosis). Specifically, there is disclosed a passive device (that is, not needed energy input) for using forward osmosis to generate significant hydraulic pressure that can be used to drive a reverse osmosis process, wherein the reverse osmosis process (not needed external energy to run pumps) can separate salt from salt water to generate potable water from water with high salt content (such as sea water, urine, sweat, brackish water and the like).

Abstract: A method for carrying out therapeutic apheresis comprises separating plasma from whole blood in-vivo and removing selected disease-related components from the separated plasma. Apparatus for carrying out therapeutic apheresis includes a filter device for being implanted in a blood vessel for carrying out in-vivo plasma separation having one or more elongated hollow tubes and a plurality of elongated hollow microporous fibers capable of separating plasma from whole blood at pressure and blood flow within a patient's vein, a multiple lumen catheter secured to the proximal end of the filter device having one or more lumens in fluid communication with the interior of said one or more hollow tubes and a plasma return lumen, and therapeutic apheresis apparatus for removing and/or separating selected disease-related components from the separated plasma and means for directing plasma between said catheter and the selective component removal apparatus.

Abstract: The side walls of a mold have recesses in each of which is mounted a mold core for forming depressions on the outer side of a concrete block which is to be produced in this mold. The mold cores are pivotally supported around a horizontal axis which is parallel to the mold walls on the outer side of the mold. A sloping cam slot on each mold core is used to pivot the mold cores into the mold cavity defined by the mold walls and then back into the recess. The inner edges of a recess closely fit the mold core and function as strippers which self-clean all surfaces of the mold core which have come into contact with the concrete when the mold core is pivoted back into its recess. As a result, time intervals for cleaning the mold cores are greatly lengthened and a clean and smooth surface of the finished concrete block is insured.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for desalting water by reverse osmosis, in particular for desalting sea water, whereby salt water at a first pressure level is introduced into a pressure compensating device, and is conveyed from the pressure-compensating device at a second, higher pressure level into a membrane module, whereby desalted water and concentrated salt water are discharged from the membrane module. In order to increase the efficiency and consequently the energy balance of such a method, the invention proposes to continuously introduce the concentrated salt water, which has been discharged from the membrane module, at a second pressure level into the pressure-compensating device, wherein it is used to subject the salt water introduced into the pressure compensating device to the second pressure level, and to discharge the salt water and convey it to the membrane module. The invention also concerns a device for implementing this method.

Abstract: A device for concentrating and/or purifying macromolecules in liquids is disclosed wherein the concentration/purification is accomplished by a membrane separating concentration and filtration chambers, the membrane and chambers being compressively held in fluid-tight relationship by sliding engagement with a sleeve-like housing. A method for assembling such a device is also disclosed.