Abstract: Filtration system including flow-reversing subsystems are provided, as are methods for separating feed streams into reject streams and permeate streams. In one embodiment, the filtration system includes a reversible flow loop having an inlet configured to receive a pressurized feed stream. At least one filter unit is positioned in the reversible flow loop and configured to separate the pressurized feed stream into a permeate stream and a reject stream. A flow-reversing subsystem is further positioned in the reversible flow loop and is operable in: (i) a forward flow mode wherein the flow-reversing subsystem pressurizes the feed stream to flow through the reversible flow loop in a forward flow direction, and (ii) a reverse flow mode wherein the flow-reversing subsystem pressurizes the feed stream to flow through the reversible flow loop in a reverse flow direction opposite the forward flow direction.

Abstract: Front flush subsystems and filtration systems including front flush subsystems are provided. In one embodiment, the filtration system includes a front flush subsystem and a filter unit, which separates a pressurized feed stream into a reject stream and a permeate stream. The front flush subsystem includes, in turn, a pressure vessel having a permeate inlet fluidly coupled to the filter unit and configured to receive the permeate stream therefrom, a permeate storage chamber fluidly coupled to the permeate inlet and configured to store permeate therein, and a permeate outlet fluidly coupled to the permeate storage chamber. A discharge mechanism is coupled to the pressure vessel. When actuated, the discharge mechanism blocks or otherwise interrupts permeate flow through the permeate outlet, while expelling the permeate stored in the permeate storage chamber through the permeate inlet such that permeate is temporarily flushed through the filter unit in a reverse direction.

Abstract: The present inventive concept relates to devices and methods for pressure filtration utilizing spiral wound membranes, in which the volume between the filter membrane and the filter housing is partially or essentially completely filled with an impermeable material. The resulting device permits rapid filtration rates with improved pressure resistance and reduced contamination and microbial growth within the filtration device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for flushing one or more filters using a pressurized permeate stream. The permeate stream can be pressurized within a front flush unit, which can also receive a feed water stream. Energy needed to increase the pressure of the permeate stream to a pressure sufficient to cause flushing of the filters can be generated through work exchange with the pressurized feed water stream.

Abstract: A filtration system include a vessel and a filter element, a first port through which a feed stream can enter the vessel, a second port through which a reject stream can exit the vessel, and a third port through which a permeate can exit the vessel, and a valve system that can be configured to alternately pass the feed stream into the vessel through the first and second ports.

Abstract: A filter canister is described that includes at least one filter element and a casing formed about the filter element and having sufficient strength to be used in place of a pressure vessel. The filter canister can have first and second ends. A collector tube can be disposed within the filter element to collect permeate from the filtered fluid. Two or more of the filter canisters can be fluidly coupled in a filtration system. The filter canister can be produced by spool winding a material about the filter element and an end piece to form a casing that can harden in place.

Abstract: Microbial growth in reverse osmosis devices is reduced by incorporating an electrode into an interconnector that fluidly couples an upstream membrane unit to a downstream membrane unit. Preferably, the electrode delivers an electric field or pulse to the feed fluid at a strength effective to reduce microbial growth in the downstream membrane unit.

Abstract: An improved filtration system monitors and controls inter-filter feed that flows from an upstream filter in a downstream filter.

Abstract: A closed reverse osmosis system comprises an end cap that has a pressure vessel portion adapted to inhibit flow of feed fluid, a permeate fluid conduit that extends from a permeate fluid flow path, and a waste fluid chamber that extends from a waste fluid flow path.

Abstract: A filtration system includes an outer casing (210) that houses a plurality of elongated inner casings (220A–220F), which in turn house a plurality of filtration membranes. The outer casing, inner casing, and filtration membranes are disposed relative to one another to provide a three-flow channel system that provides additional feed fluid at one or more membrane couplings between membranes of the same inner casing. Ths arrangement defines a feed fluid flow path in which a feed fluid exiting from an upstream filter into a downstream filter is diluted by additional feed fluid.

Abstract: A filtration system includes an outer casing that houses a plurality of elongated inner casings, which in turn house a plurality of filters (membranes). The outer casing, inner casings, and filters are disposed relative to one another to provide a three-flow channel system that provides additional feed fluid at one or more of the membrane couplings between membranes of the same inner casing. In preferred systems and methods the feed fluid flow path comprises an annular space between the inner casings and the filters contained in such casings, and in more preferred embodiments the annular space is substantially continuous past multiple filters of the same inner casing. The inner casings may advantageously have openings that fluidly communicate with the lumen of the outer casing, thereby reducing the ratio of couplings relative to the number of filters (the coupling/filter ratio).

Abstract: An electrolysis system (10) has a head portion (18) to a well casing (30). The head portion (18) has a hydrogen discharge (12), an oxygen discharge (12) and a water feed path (20) which is in fluid communication with an electrolyte reservoir (36) which is defined by the well casing (30). The oxygen discharge (14) is fluidly coupled to the oxygen conduit (38) and the hydrogen discharge (12) is fluidly coupled to the hydrogen conduit (40). An electrolyzer with the oxygen conduit 38) and hydrogen conduit (40). The electrolyzer is electronically coupled to an AC/DC converter (52) and may be fluidly coupled to an atomizer (50) and chemical collector (48).

Abstract: A filtration system has a plurality of filtration modules disposed within an outer casing, which produce both a low pressure filtrate and a high pressure waste fluid from a pressurized feed fluid. The subsystem used to pressurize the feed fluid is mechanically coupled to the subsystem used to recover energy from the waste fluid such that energy in the high pressure waste fluid is used to pressurize the feed fluid. The pressurization and energy recovery subsystems are preferably coupled using a common drive shaft and at least one of the pressurization and energy recovery subsystems may advantageously contain a turbine.

Abstract: A modularized filtration system includes multiple production modules mechanically coupled in series to form a production chain, and fluidly coupled by parallel feed fluid, waste fluid, and product fluid flowpaths. The system also includes a turbine, work exchange unit, or other energy recovery device to extract energy from the waste fluid. The system may also advantageously include a pressurization device for pressurizing a feed fluid, and provide a common drive shaft for the energy recovery and pressurization devices.

Abstract: A filtration system includes production modules (305) which are mechanically coupled in series, and which contain filters that are fluidly coupled in parallel. Among the many different possibilities contemplated, each production module may advantageously contain not only a filter (314), but also flowpaths for feed fluid (334a), waste fluid (334b), and product fluid (334c) so that a series of coupled modules can be installed, accessed, and removed as single unit. It is further contemplated that coupled modules may be deployed in space efficient manner, such as by insertion into a deep or shall well, a tower, along the ground, into the side of a hill or mountain, or even under a road or parking lot. It is still further contemplated that adjacent production modules may be designed to mate with one another using a slip fit joint, and that the production modules may be maintained in mating relationship through connections to supporting cables or rods.

Abstract: A combination of an air lift pump and a mechanical pump is used to lift a fluid from a lower level to a higher level. In preferred embodiments compressed air is released below the level of a submerged mechanical pump having an impeller, such that the compressed air impinges upon the low pressure side of the impeller. The combination may be used advantageously in conjunction with a semipermeable membrane disposed within a deep channel to lift a purified fluid.

Abstract: An improved pipe for positioning on the bottom of a body of water comprises a non-cylindrical shape and a widened, bottom contacting, base portion. Various embodiments of the improved pipe have a decreased tendency to float, to migrate upwards through a covering material, and/or to clog.The improved pipe may advantageously comprise a `D` shape wherein the widened, bottom contacting, base portion of the pipe is the flat portion of the `D`. The pipe may also have wings which extend the width of the base portion beyond the point at which the curved wall of the pipe contacts the base portion. The pipe may also have filter plugs removeably engaged in fluid inlet/outlet orifices. In some embodiments, the orifices will be positioned on the bottom of the pipe as part of the widened bottom contacting base portion.