Abstract: An process for forming a product which may be in a liquid phase is disclosed wherein a first reactant, preferably a liquid reactant, is directly fed into a reaction zone containing mixing elements and which comprises a first compartment of a reactor. A second reactant, which is maintained at a higher pressure, is fed into a second compartment of the reactor separated from the first compartment by a porous wall. The second reactant passes through this porous wall into the reaction zone to react with the first reactant. The process thereby controls rates of the reactions and the exothermic heats generated by the reactions. Pulsatile flow in one or both reaction compartments improves mixing. An evaporator for a portion of the product improves product quality and permits higher reaction temperatures in the reactor.

Abstract: A hollow fiber contactor and process for fluid treatment having forced circulation with entry of fluid to be treated through the open ended lumen of a porous input hollow fiber having its opposite end closed and exit of treated fluid through the open ended lumen of an adjacent or nearby porous output hollow fiber having its opposite end closed. Fluid to be treated passes through the porous wall of an input hollow fiber, passes in contact with a treatment medium between the input and output hollow fibers forming treated fluid which passes through the porous wall of an output hollow fiber and exits the process. This invention provides high contact with treatment medium between the hollow fibers, especially suitable for selective sorption for gas purification or separation and for conduct of catalytic reactions.

Abstract: An exothermic process for forming a product which may be in a liquid phase is disclosed wherein a first reactant, preferably a liquid reactant, is directly fed into a reaction zone containing mixing elements and which comprises a first compartment of a reactor. A second reactant, which is maintained at a higher pressure, is fed into a second compartment of the reactor separated from the first compartment by a porous wall. The second reactant passes through this porous wall into the reaction zone to react with the first reactant. The process thereby controls rates of the reactions and the exothermic heats generated by the reactions. Pulsatile flow in one or both reaction compartments improves mixing. An evaporator for a portion of the product improves product quality and permits higher reaction temperatures in the reactor.

Abstract: A separation process is described for separating a known material from a mixture of materials (which may contain unknown materials) using displacement chromatography. The process comprises passing a mixture of materials, including a known material to be recovered, dissolved in a liquid carrier, if necessary, through a first packed column and into a second packed column until all of the known material has passed through the first column and has been loaded onto the stationary phase packing in the second column. A displacement agent, capable of being more strongly bound on the stationary phase packing in the second column than the known material, is then passed through the second column to displace from that column all of the materials in the mixture less strongly bound than the known material, and then to displace the known material from the second column.

Abstract: A cyclic adsorption process is provided in which two zones are employed--an adsorption zone and a heat storage zone. A fluid stream containing a solute to be removed therefrom is passed through the adsorption zone and the effluent is then passed through heat storage zone. The conditions under which the stream is passed through the adsorption zone are selected so that the rate of progression of the heat transfer front and mass transfer front are substantially equal. This results in an optimum temperature of the effluent stream for efficient heat recovery in the heat storage zone. During regeneration of the adsorbent, a fluid regenerating stream is passed through the heat storage zone where it is partially heated. At a point between the adsorption zone and the heat storage zone the regenerating fluid stream is further heated, via an additional heat source, and passed through the adsorbent zone. The amount of additional heat is sufficient to effectively desorb the adsorbent.

Abstract: Artificial red cells have been prepared which comprise microdroplets of stroma-free, aqueous hemoglobin solution encapsulated in polymerized hemoglobin membranes which ae permeable to oxygen and impermeable to hemoglobin. These artificial red cells can be made having diameters generally less than four microns are able to maintain their individual integrity under conditions of flow with shear rates of up to about 2.times.10.sup.5 sec.sup.-1.

Abstract: A process for preparing artificial red cells comprising microdroplets of aqueous, stroma-free hemoglobin solution encapsulated in membranes of polymerized hemoglobin, said process comprising forming microdroplets of hemoglobin solution in a continuous oil phase, cross-linking the hemoglobin at the surface of the microdroplets with a suitable cross-linking agent to form the artificial red cells and recovering the cells. In one embodiment, a liquid membrane encapsulation technique employing a water-soluble cross-linking agent is used to form the cells. In another embodiment an oil-soluble cross-linking agent is present in the oil phase containing the hemoglobin microdroplets.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to liquid membrane capsule system (LMCS) which are made resistant to coalescence by means of an irreversible coating material present in the suspension phase. LMCS having this irreversible coating material are stable (i.e. resist coalescence) over relatively long periods of time with little or no applied agitation. These irreversibly coated LMCS can be pumped for long periods, are resistant to bile, pancreatin and solid matter and maintain their initial size distribution.The instant invention relates to methods of preparing the irreversibly coated LMCS.The LMCS of the instant invention exhibit resistance to rupture during pumping and passage over packing materials, such as glass beads or charcoal, thus making them of use in medical treatment processes such as renal dialysis and in the equipment used for such processes.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for generating a multiple phase dispersion and distributing said multiple phase dispersion as globules in a suspension phase. The apparatus comprises a conduit for introducing a first fluid under pressure into a first zone including a porous fluid dispersing layer. This first zone is in fluid communication with a second zone through the porous fluid dispersing layer. The second zone has introduced into it a second fluid under pressure through inlets. The first fluid is dispersed as bubble-like micro droplets in the second fluid by passage from the first zone through the fluid dispersing layer into the fluid in the second zone. An outlet zone is in contact with the second zone and comprises a perforated nonporous layer having an outer and inner surface and includes a porous flow distribution layer substantially in contact with the inner second zone facing surface of the nonporous layer.

Abstract: Substantial dewatering of a secondary sewage sludge stream is obtained by admixing same with various hydrocarbon oils, the initial sludge/oil weight ratio being maintained in an amount less than 0.6, at shear rates of at least 130 seconds.sup.-1, and allowing the mixture thus formed to settle at temperatures of at least 72.degree. F. Substantially complete disposal of the solids thus removed from the secondary sludge stream can be achieved by subjecting same to evaporation and incineration processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to liquid membrane capsules which rupture when contacted with biliary or pancreatic secretions in the intestine thereby releasing their contents in the intestine so the contents become fully available for the treatment of disease at that location in the animal or patient. Particularly, the rupturable liquid membrane capsules containing urease are used for the treatment of chronic uremia. The liquid membrane capsules comprise an internal aqueous phase which contains an oil insoluble medicinal of choice, some complexing agent, dietary supplement or enzyme particularly suited for the intended treatment. This internal aqueous and oil insoluble phase is encapsulated in a nonaqueous external phase comprising a biologically inert oil component, and a material which will complex with the biliary and/or pancreatic secretions in the intestine thereby causing the rupture of the external phase resulting in the release of the internal phase in the intestine.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to an improved process for oxygenating blood comprising: contacting said blood with oxygen-containing bubbles, said bubbles being coated with a liquid membrane, said liquid membrane phase permitting the permeation of oxygen into the blood whereby at least a portion of said oxygen passes through said membrane and into said blood; removing said liquid membrane coated bubbles as a three phase foam comprising gas bubbles coated with said liquid membrane suspended in blood; and coalescing said foam comprising gas bubbbles to form three separate bulk phases comprising the liquid membrane phase, a gaseous phase and a blood phase, wherein the improvement comprises a liquid membrane phase comprising a biologically non-retainable liquid halocarbon compound. These liquid membrane formulations having a membrane phase comprising a biologically non-retainable liquid halocarbon compound exhibit improved coalescing characteristics.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of liquid membrane technology in preparing medicinals. The medicinals prepared by this invention may be ingested and may be utilized as traps for toxins present in the GI (gastrointestinal) tract, or as slow-release compositions of drugs, or as reactors. In the trap embodiment, the liquid membrane encapsulated medicinal is an emulsion comprising an exterior phase which is immiscible with the liquids present in the GI tract and permeable to the toxins therein, and an interior phase which is immiscible with the exterior phase and comprises a reagent capable of converting said toxin into a nonpermeable form. In addition, hydrophilic adsorbents, such as a hydrophilic carbon or a silica gel, may be encapsulated in the emulsions of the instant invention.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus is provided for controlling heat and mass inventory in a fuel cell. Heat and mass, e.g. water, generated in the cell are removed by heat transfer and capillary action.