Abstract: A filtration module is provided using metallic interconnect tubes that are sealed to carbon or ceramic based tubular filtration elements and that are also sealed to metallic tubesheets which are sealed to a filter housing. A sealed joint is formed between the interconnect tubes and the filtration elements using a metal alloy and an optional metallic plating on the filtration elements. In order to reduce or prevent undesired wicking of the alloy into the filtration element, refractory small solid particles may be added to or formed in the alloy to block the pores and channels in the filtration element at the site of the joint. Wicking can also be reduced by induction, torch or other type of heating where only those portions of the filtration element at the site of the joint is heated so that temperatures adjacent the site are below the solidus temperature of the alloy.

Abstract: A bioreactor, motionless mixing element with attached cells, and method for the enhanced cultivation and propagation of cells in a bioreactor method, and which bioreactor comprises a housing and contains within the housing a motionless mixing element, the attachment of cells to the mixing element and a nutrient composition permitting the cell growth and division of the attached cells, and which motionless mixing element and the method and bioreactor comprise a porous, fibrous sheet material; for example, of a corrugated or knitted, woven wire material, such as stainless steel or titanium, and of selected dimensions as to the fiber diameter and height, to provide a maximum surface area for the attachment of the cells to be cultivated, with the ratio of the fibrous, geometric surface area of the porous, fibrous sheet material to that of a sheet material of the same shape being greater than about 1.0; for example, 1.5, and typically, for example, having a surface area for cell growth of about 2000 to 3000 M.sup.

Abstract: An improved laminar flow elbow system and method wherein the elbow system comprises a straight pre-pipe section to define the flow path of a fluid; the pipe section included directly prior to the inlet of a curved pipe section and having and comprising a plurality of vanes to impart a rotation to the fluid before passing through a curved pipe section to provide a generally flat velocity profile at the exit of the curved pipe section and to minimize turbulence of the fluid as it passes through the curved pipe section, and a substantially straight post-pipe section to define a flow path exit pipe section included directly at the exit of the curved pipe section, and containing a plurality of vanes to impart a backward rotation movement to the fluid flow from the exit of the curved pipe section, to substantially terminate rotation of the fluid upon exiting from the straight pipe section without substantial deterioration of the flatness of the fluid velocity profile and without generating substantial amounts of tu

Abstract: A bioreactor, motionless mixing element with attached cells, and method for the enhanced cultivation and propagation of cells in a bioreactor method, and which bioreactor comprises a housing and contains within the housing a motionless mixing element, the attachment of cells to the mixing element and a nutrient composition permitting the cell growth and division of the attached cells, and which motionless mixing element and the method and bioreactor comprise a porous, fibrous sheet material; for example, of a corrugated or knitted, woven wire material, such as stainless steel or titanium, and of selected dimensions as to the fiber diameter and height, to provide a maximum surface area for the attachment of the cells to be cultivated, with the ratio of the fibrous, geometric surface area of the porous, fibrous sheet material to that of a sheet material of the same shape being greater than about 1.0; for example, 1.5, and typically, for example, having a surface area for cell growth of about 2000 to 3000 M.sup.

Abstract: A gas-liquid mass transfer apparatus and method, such as for the rapid heating of a liquid stream by a heated gas stream, such as steam, or the rapid dissolving of a gas stream into a liquid stream, which apparatus comprises: a housing having an axial flow path; static or motionless mixing elements disposed in the axial flow path; and passages in the housing to provide for the direct introduction of the gas stream into and about the liquid stream in the axial flow path and substantially along the length of the static mixing elements to provide a mixed product stream.