Abstract: Air filter cartridges are disclosed. Also described are air cleaners including the filter cartridges. Methods of assembly and use are also provided. Also, systems of use are described.

Abstract: Helical separation membranes, helical separation assemblies including one or more helical separation membranes, and separation technologies that include one or more helical membrane assemblies are described. In embodiments the helical membrane assemblies include one or more one or more helical membrane leaves. Methods of making helical separation membranes, helical membrane assemblies, helical membrane modules that include one or more helical membrane assemblies are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods that can treat feeds with elevated organic levels, e.g., feeds with ?300 Pascals (Pa) organic osmotic pressure, with one or more enhanced filter membrane modules, which may be referred to herein as membrane modules or simply modules. Preferably, a filter membrane module consistent with the present disclosure include one or more plate and frame modules, one or more spiral format modules, or a combination of plate a frame and spiral format modules. The systems and methods provided herein can provide reliable performance when used to treat feeds with elevated organic levels.

Abstract: Helical separation membranes, helical separation assemblies including one or more helical separation membranes, and separation technologies that include one or more helical membrane assemblies are described. In embodiments the helical membrane assemblies include one or more one or more helical membrane leaves. Methods of making helical separation membranes, helical membrane assemblies, helical membrane modules that include one or more helical membrane assemblies are also described.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a 3D LDS liner includes providing an LDS sheet, forming 3D contoured liners in the LDS sheet, laser structuring circuit patterns on the 3D contoured liners to provide a laser structured circuit pattern, selectively plating the laser structured circuit patterns to form circuits on the 3D contoured liners, and removing the 3D contoured liners from the LDS sheet. A formed LDS liner includes a thin LDS film having a 3D contoured surface vacuum formed from an LDS sheet. The LDS film includes an inner surface and an outer surface. A laser structured circuit pattern is etched into the LDS film, and a conductive layer is selectively plated on the laser structured circuit pattern forming a circuit on the LDS film. The circuit may have a non-planar region.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a 3D LDS liner includes providing an LDS sheet, forming 3D contoured liners in the LDS sheet, laser structuring circuit patterns on the 3D contoured liners to provide a laser structured circuit pattern, selectively plating the laser structured circuit patterns to form circuits on the 3D contoured liners, and removing the 3D contoured liners from the LDS sheet. A formed LDS liner includes a thin LDS film having a 3D contoured surface vacuum formed from an LDS sheet. The LDS film includes an inner surface and an outer surface. A laser structured circuit pattern is etched into the LDS film, and a conductive layer is selectively plated on the laser structured circuit pattern forming a circuit on the LDS film. The circuit may have a non-planar region.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a ceramic membrane used in an oil recovery process. The cleaning method includes online and offline modes. In the online mode, the method includes periodically backflushing the ceramic membrane with an aqueous media. In the offline mode, the method includes backpulsing or statically cleaning the ceramic membrane by utilizing an aqueous alkaline media, an aqueous acidic media, and a liquid hydrocarbon solution.

Abstract: A method of recovering oil from an oil well includes recovering an oil-water mixture from the oil well and separating produced water from the oil-water mixture. Thereafter, the produced water is directed through a ceramic membrane that removes free oil and emulsified oil from the produced water. The method or process further includes cleaning the ceramic membrane in online and offline modes. In the offline mode, cleaning is achieved by periodically backflushing the ceramic membrane with an aqueous media having a pH of 13 or greater and a temperature of 60° C. or greater. Further, the ceramic membrane is cleaned in the offline mode by applying the following operations. In one or more clean-in-place operations, an aqueous alkaline media at a pH of 13 or higher and a temperature of 60° C. or higher is directed through the ceramic membrane. In one or more clean-in-place operations, the ceramic membrane is also cleaned with an aqueous acidic media that contains dissolved citric acid.

Abstract: A crossflow membrane device that receives a feedstock at a feed end face and separates the feedstock into permeate and retentate. The device has a membrane support containing at least one monolith of porous material defining a plurality of passageways extending longitudinally from the feed end face of the monolith to a retentate end face of the monolith through which the feedstock flows to pass retentate from the device. A permselective membrane coating of finer pore size than that of the porous material is applied to the passageway wall surfaces of the monolith. At least one permeate conduit is formed within the monolith, the conduit containing a plurality of longitudinal permeate chambers communicating with a means of permeate introduction at or near the feed end face and permeate withdrawal at or near the retentate end face.

Abstract: A membrane filtering device includes a substrate, a support membrane supported by the substrate, and a separation membrane supported by the support membrane. The separation membrane includes material that is substantially embedded into pores of the underlying support membrane. Optionally, the support membrane includes particles that are also substantially embedded into pores of the substrate.

Abstract: A porous ceramic support for a gas separation membrane formed by sintering a green body containing grains of a refractory ceramic oxide with a high coefficient of thermal expansion and grains of a reactive binder precursor. Upon sintering, the reactive binder precursor reacts with at least one gaseous, liquid or solid reactant to create a reaction bond that binds the refractory ceramic oxide grains. The support configuration can be a tubular, flat plate, hollow fiber, or multiple-passageway monolith structure.

Abstract: A porous ceramic support for a gas separation membrane formed by sintering a green body containing grains of a refractory ceramic oxide with a high coefficient of thermal expansion and grains of a reactive binder precursor. Upon sintering, the reactive binder precursor reacts with at least one gaseous, liquid or solid reactant to create a reaction bond that binds the refractory ceramic oxide grains. The support configuration can be a tubular, flat plate, hollow fiber, or multiple-passageway monolith structure.

Abstract: A crossflow membrane device that receives a feedstock at a feed end face and separates the feedstock into permeate and retentate. The device has a membrane support containing at least one monolith of porous material defining a plurality of passageways extending longitudinally from the feed end face of the monolith to a retentate end face of the monolith through which the feedstock flows to pass retentate from the device. A permselective membrane coating of finer pore size than that of the porous material is applied to the passageway wall surfaces of the monolith. At least one permeate conduit is formed within the monolith, the conduit containing a plurality of longitudinal permeate chambers communicating with a means of permeate introduction at or near the feed end face and permeate withdrawal at or near the retentate end face.

Abstract: A crossflow membrane device that receives a feedstock at a feed end face and separates the feedstock into permeate and retentate. The device has a membrane support containing at least one monolith of porous material defining a plurality of passageways extending longitudinally from the feed end face of the monolith to a retentate end face of the monolith through which the feedstock flows to pass retentate from the device. A permselective membrane coating of finer pore size than that of the porous material is applied to the passageway wall surfaces of the monolith. At least one permeate conduit is formed within the monolith, the conduit containing a plurality of longitudinal permeate chambers communicating with a means of permeate introduction at or near the feed end face and permeate withdrawal at or near the retentate end face.

Abstract: A porous ceramic support for a gas separation membrane formed by sintering a green body containing grains of a refractory ceramic oxide with a high coefficient of thermal expansion and grains of a reactive binder precursor. Upon sintering, the reactive binder precursor reacts with at least one gaseous, liquid or solid reactant to create a reaction bond that binds the refractory ceramic oxide grains. The support configuration can be a tubular, flat plate, hollow fiber, or multiple-passageway monolith structure.

Abstract: A porous reaction-bonded magnesia body with small or negligible shrinkage between the green state and the fired state. The body made by forming a green (i.e., unfired) body of mixed powders containing coarse grains of magnesia in combination with at least one reactive element, and optionally other ceramic oxides and/or compounds, followed by sintering in an oxidizing atmosphere. During sintering, oxidation and/or reaction of the element grain results in an overall volume change that is negligibly small or zero. The resulting body is highly porous, and may be used as a support for a semi-permeable membrane, especially relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion, high-temperature gas separation membranes.

Abstract: A membrane device comprised of a porous monolith support formed from a reaction-bonded ceramic powder, fired in an oxygen-free atmosphere, the monolith defining a plurality of passageways extending longitudinally from one end face of the monolith to an opposing end face. A semipermeable membrane suitable for separating a feedstock into permeate and retentate is applied to the passageway walls of said monolith. The semipermeable membrane can be selected from the group of membranes suitable for microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, pervaporation, reverse osmosis, and gas separations.

Abstract: A crossflow membrane device that receives a feedstock at a feed end face and separates the feedstock into permeate and retentate. The device has a membrane support containing at least one monolith of porous material defining a plurality of passageways extending longitudinally from the feed end face of the monolith to a retentate end face of the monolith through which the feedstock flows to pass retentate from the device. A permselective membrane coating of finer pore size than that of the porous material is applied to the passageway wall surfaces of the monolith. At least one permeate conduit is formed within the monolith, the conduit containing a plurality of longitudinal permeate chambers communicating with a means of permeate introduction at or near the feed end face and permeate withdrawal at or near the retentate end face.

Abstract: An improved strap button and attachment wherein a carrying strap may be securely attached to musical instrument. The improved strap attachment features a two-piece design that includes a lug having a shaft upon which a hole in the strap slips around and button-type face cap that retains the strap in place. The face cap also features an ornamental design that makes the strap button more appealing. Damage to the musical instrument and transfer of musical vibrations from the instrument to the strap button is limited by the placement of rubber o-rings between the face cap and the lug of the strap button and/or between the bottom surface of the lug and instrument body.

Abstract: A reaction-bonded &agr;-alumina filter element is provided. The filter element includes a monolith of porous material having multiple passageways extending from one end face to an opposing end face. The monolith is extruded from a mixture containing at least aluminum metal and alumina powders in a proportion such that on sintering the volume change of the monolith is minimized. The filter body can be used as a filter or as a membrane support for crossflow or dead end flow filter elements. A method for making the filter element is also provided.