Abstract: An aeration diffuser (12) for a pressurized liquid treatment module includes a base having a gas passageway (32) and a liquid passageway (50) fluidically separated from the gas passageway. Liquid is injectable into the liquid passageway of the base of the diffuser. Liquid flows through the base of the diffuser and into the module to be filtered by filtration membrane(s) within the module. Gas is injectable into the gas passageway of the base of the diffuser. Gas flowes through the base of the diffuser separately from the liquid to aerate the filtration membrane(s) within the module. Further a module including one or more diffusers and a method of filtration is disclosed.

Abstract: An aeration diffuser (12) for a pressurized liquid treatment module includes a base having a gas passageway (32) and a liquid passageway (50) fluidically separated from the gas passageway. Liquid is injectable into the liquid passageway of the base of the diffuser. Liquid flows through the base of the diffuser and into the module to be filtered by filtration membrane(s) within the module. Gas is injectable into the gas passageway of the base of the diffuser. Gas flowes through the base of the diffuser separately from the liquid to aerate the filtration membrane(s) within the module. Further a mdule including one or more diffusers and a method of filtration is disclosed.

Abstract: A filtration device having a tubular pressure vessel and a tubular filter assembly is provided. The tubular filter assembly is housed within the tubular pressure vessel and includes a filter element and a split ring seal circumscribing the filter element. The split ring seal has an annular body that includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end and slidably engaged with the first end, and an opening extending through the annular body.

Abstract: A method for reducing a boron concentration in a boron-containing aqueous liquid involves administering micelle(s) for selective boron adsorption to the boron-containing aqueous liquid to produce boron-bonded micelle(s), wherein the micelle(s) comprise a reaction product of an N-substituted-glucamine and a glycidyl ether; passing the micelle-containing aqueous liquid through a membrane to separate the boron-bonded micelle(s) from the aqueous liquid; and recovering a permeate having a reduced boron concentration from the membrane. A material capable of selectively adsorbing boron from a boron-containing aqueous liquid contains at least one micelle having a hydrophobic tail and a head comprising a hydrophilic functional group having formula (I): R1—O-A??(I) R1 represents a hydrocarbon group selected from the group consisting of substituted and unsubstituted aromatic, linear aliphatic, and branched aliphatic hydrocarbon groups and mixtures thereof, and A contains hydroxyl and amine groups.

Abstract: A method for reducing a boron concentration in a boron-containing aqueous liquid involves administering micelle(s) for selective boron adsorption to the boron-containing aqueous liquid to produce boron-bonded micelle(s), wherein the micelle(s) comprise a reaction product of an N-substituted-glucamine and a glycidyl ether; passing the micelle-containing aqueous liquid through a membrane to separate the boron-bonded micelle(s) from the aqueous liquid; and recovering a permeate having a reduced boron concentration from the membrane. A material capable of selectively adsorbing boron from a boron-containing aqueous liquid contains at least one micelle having a hydrophobic tail and a head comprising a hydrophilic functional group having formula (I): R1—O-A??(I) R1 represents a hydrocarbon group selected from the group consisting of substituted and unsubstituted aromatic, linear aliphatic, and branched aliphatic hydrocarbon groups and mixtures thereof, and A contains hydroxyl and amine groups.

Abstract: A filtration device having a tubular pressure vessel and a tubular filter assembly is provided. The tubular filter assembly is housed within the tubular pressure vessel and includes a filter element and a split ring seal circumscribing the filter element. The split ring seal has an annular body that includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end and slidably engaged with the first end, and an opening extending through the annular body.

Abstract: Methods of treating a high salinity liquid, such as seawater, containing boron are provided, including adjusting the pH of the liquid to about 8 to about 9.5, optionally adding a scale inhibitor to the liquid, passing the liquid through a reverse osmosis device, and recovering a permeate having a boron concentration less than about 2 ppm. One embodiment includes removing colloidal matter from the liquid using a membrane filtration system, such as ultrafiltration or microfiltration, prior to passing the liquid through the reverse osmosis device, and preferably prior to adjusting the pH of the liquid.

Abstract: Methods of treating a high salinity liquid, such as seawater, containing boron are provided, including adjusting the pH of the liquid to about 8 to about 9.5, optionally adding a scale inhibitor to the liquid, passing the liquid through a reverse osmosis device, and recovering a permeate having a boron concentration less than about 2 ppm. One embodiment includes removing colloidal matter from the liquid using a membrane filtration system, such as ultrafiltration or microfiltration, prior to passing the liquid through the reverse osmosis device, and preferably prior to adjusting the pH of the liquid.

Abstract: A modular membrane filtration device is provided with replaceable membrane elements. The device is designed for ease of cleaning or replacing the membrane elements during filtration of a feed liquid to remove suspended solids. The cleaning may be effected by continuous aeration or by application of air as intermittent pressurized pulses. The device preferably has two headers, at least one of which is a permeate collection header having receptacles for a plurality of membrane elements, each of which is a potted hollow fiber membrane bundle. The potted hollow fiber membrane bundles are distinct entities which may be inserted into the receptacles, preferably in rows of circular slots, on the permeate collection header(s), and may be easily removed for maintenance, such as for replacement of the hollow fiber membrane elements.

Abstract: Methods of treating a high salinity liquid, such as seawater, containing boron are provided, including adjusting the pH of the liquid to about 8 to about 9.5, optionally adding a scale inhibitor to the liquid, passing the liquid through a reverse osmosis device, and recovering a permeate having a boron concentration less than about 2 ppm. One embodiment includes removing colloidal matter from the liquid using a membrane filtration system, such as ultrafiltration or microfiltration, prior to passing the liquid through the reverse osmosis device, and preferably prior to adjusting the pH of the liquid.

Abstract: A method of treating a high salinity liquid, such as seawater, containing boron is provided. The method includes adjusting the pH of the liquid to about 8.5 to about 9.5, optionally adding a scale inhibitor to the liquid, passing the liquid through a reverse osmosis device, and recovering a permeate having a boron concentration less than about 1 ppm.

Abstract: Apparatus for breaking or separating a liquid mixture or emulsion having two or more components. The apparatus includes a closed vessel having one or more sequentially connected filtering compartments holding a filtering element such as a membrane assembly capable of achieving a multi-stage pervaporation to separate out a vaporous component of the solution. The apparatus further includes a bypass facility which interconnects adjacent filtering compartments. To compensate for the loss of heat energy during the vaporization segments, the residual liquid solution is bypassed into a second vaporization phase, the bypass facility including heating means for maintaining the residual solution of a predetermined liquid temperature prior to its entering the second or subsequent filtering phase.

Abstract: Concentration of aqueous solutions of isopropanol may be effected by a composite membrane including a dibromobutane cross-linked poly(4-vinyl pyridine) bonded to a porous layer of polyacrylonitrile on a polyester backing.

Abstract: Concentration of solutions containing methanol and either dimethyl carbonate or methyl t-butyl ether may be effected by a composite membrane including a dibromobutane cross-linked poly(4-vinyl pyridine) bonded to a porous layer of polyacrylonitrile on a polyester backing.

Abstract: Water is separated from an MEK toluene dewaxing solvent by pervaporation through a poly(vinyl pyridine) membrane which has been cross-linked with 1,4-dibromobutane mounted on a polyacrylonitrile support layer.

Abstract: Water-soluble organic electrolytes, such as anions of lower carboxylic acids in aqueous solution at low pH, are removed by raising the pH and subjecting the resultant charge liquid to nanofiltration.

Abstract: Water is separated from aqueous mixtures of organic oxygenates such as isopropanol by pervaporation through a non-porous separating membrane of a blend of polyvinyl alcohol and a polyacrylic acid mounted on a polysulfone porous support layer.

Abstract: Water is separated from an MEK toluene dewaxing solvent by pervaporation through a polyvinyl alcohol membrane (optionally containing polyacrylic acid) mounted on a polyacrylonitrile support layer.

Abstract: Concentration of aqueous solutions of isopropanol may be effected by a composite membrane including a dibromobutane cross-linked poly(4-vinyl pyridine) bonded to a porous layer of polyacrylonitrile on a polyester backing.

Abstract: Water is separated from aqueous mixtures of organic oxygenates such as isopropanol by pervaporation through a non-porous separating membrane of a blend of polyvinyl alcohol and a polyacrylic acid mounted on a polysulfone porous support layer.