Abstract: Integrated, sequential stages of nanofiltration, forward osmosis, and reverse osmosis and related membranes provide an Integrated Osmosis structure, systems and methods. By optimally placing and using the desired characteristics of each membrane, performance and cost effectiveness not attainable individually is obtained. Integrated Osmosis systems provide high diffusive and osmotic permeability, high rejection, low power consumption, high mass transfer, and favorable Peclet number, by manipulating convection, advection and diffusion, low concentration polarization gradients, low reverse salt flux and effective restoration of performance after cleaning fouled membranes. Benefits include increased permeate recovery and decreased waste concentrate volume from reverse osmosis processes or other elevated osmotic pressure solutions. Integrated Osmosis first employs nanofiltration for selective harvesting of solutes, proffering a reduced osmotic pressure permeate.

Abstract: An apparatus provides to a surface a laser beam and gas stream that impinge and rotate in coincidence. The apparatus comprises an optical system (11) to direct the laser beam to a spot in a plane and a stationary gas plenum (16) through which gas passes en route to an outlet nozzle (18) that directs the gas stream to the same spot. The optical system and nozzle rotate in synchronism to cause the spot to trace a circle. The apparatus finds application in materials processing, such as welding and cutting (trepanning).