Abstract: This invention is directed to an integrated process and system for water treatment, in particular, an integrated process and system for water treatment in the beverage manufacture cycle. The water treatment process is directed to treating an influent water solution, a low sugar concentration solution, and a high sugar concentration solution. The water treatment system is directed to a system for treating an influent water solution, a system for treating a low sugar concentration solution, and system for treating a high sugar concentration solution.

Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for treating the waste water contaminated with methanol and boron in addition to other contaminants. The systems and methods allow specifically for the removal of the methanol and boron without the addition of significant chemicals to raise the pH. The water is treated by removing the methanol via biological digestion in a bioreactor, separating a majority of the contaminants from the water by reverse osmosis and removing the boron that passes through the reverse osmosis system with a boron-removing ion exchange resin.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for micro-scale simulated moving bed chromatography (SMB) for continuous preparation of analytic quantities of highly pure fractions of target molecules. The present apparatus and method of the invention is adapted in a preferred embodiment to separations by affinity chromatography involving three discontinuous liquid flow loops. An alternative embodiment of affinity chromatography utilizes standard SMB operating under isocratic conditions.

Abstract: Methods are provided for separation of substances using non-crystalline, amorphous inorganic oxides having mesoporosity or combined meso- and microporosity. The amorphous inorganic oxide may have a separating agent, such as a chemical functional group, bonded or attached to the surfaces within the pores. The amorphous inorganic material is exposed to a fluid containing two or more materials to be separated. At least one material contained in the fluid is preferentially retained by the amorphous inorganic oxide either on the surface of the inorganic oxide within the pores or by interaction with a separating agent group attached to the pore surfaces.

Abstract: A process for extracting oil substances such as bitumen from materials such as tar sands and shales. The process may include placing the material and water in an enclosed conduit and applying heat to the water and material. The pressure inside the conduit may be increased such that temperatures above the boiling point of water may be achieved. The water and material may then be transported to a second portion of the conduit for cooling such that emissions of volatile substances into the atmosphere may be reduced. The oil substances in the material may be washed out of the material with the water and float to the top of the water where they may be separated from the water and removed from the process for further refinement. The water and remaining material may be withdrawn from the conduit for treatment or recycling.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for preparing microparticles using in-line solvent extraction. An emulsion is formed by combining two phases in a static mixer. The emulsion is combined with an extraction liquid in a blending static mixer. The outflow of the blending static mixer is combined with additional extraction liquid. The additional extraction liquid and the outflow of the blending static mixer can be combined in a vessel, or through the use of a static mixer manifold that includes a plurality of static mixers.

Abstract: A method and device for blood treatments that use fluids such as dialysate and replacement fluid for renal replacement therapy. In an embodiment, fluid is passed either by pump or passively by gravity feed, through a microporous sterilization filter from a fluid source to a replacement fluid container. The latter forms a batch that may be used during treatment. The advantage of forming the batch before treatment is that the rate of filtering needn't match the rate of consumption during treatment. As a result, the sterilization filter can have a small capacity. In another embodiment, a filter is placed immediately prior to the point at which the sterile fluid is consumed by the treatment process. The latter may be used in combination with the former embodiment as a last-chance guarantee of sterility and/or that the fluid is free of air bubbles. It may also be used as the primary means of sterile-filtration.

Abstract: There is provided a protective filter 1 for an extracorporeal circulation circuit pressure monitor, having a dialysis device side housing 2, an extracorporeal circulation circuit side housing 3, and a hydrophobic filter 4 held between both the housings, which allows passage of a gas but does not allow passage of a liquid, characterized in that a plurality of ribs 27 and 38 capable of supporting the hydrophobic filter 4 are respectively provided in both housings, and a protective member 5 for preventing direct contact between the ribs 38 and the hydrophobic filter 4 is interposed between the ribs 38 provided in the extracorporeal circulation circuit side housing 3 and the hydrophobic filter 4.

Abstract: Wastewater is treated on at least one apparatus positioned at a location on the surface of a body of seawater wherein a wastewater intake system takes in wastewater into the apparatus, the wastewater is treated on the apparatus to yield treated wastewater and sludge, and the treated wastewater and/or sludge is diluted with seawater prior to being discharged into the body of seawater. The wastewater treatment systems and methods can also be combined with desalination and/or power generation. In combination with desalination, the concentrate produced from the desalination process is mixed with treated wastewater or sludge prior to discharge to bring the resulting mixture to a salt concentration closer to the body of seawater than the unmixed concentrate, treated wastewater, or sludge.

Abstract: A method for separating a sample using high pressure flash chromatography is provided. The method comprises the steps of: i) providing a pressurized vessel containing an adsorption material; ii) pressurizing a compressible fluid, optionally containing a cosolvent, to create a mobile phase; iii) premixing the sample with the mobile phase or optionally placing the sample in the pressurized vessel; iv) eluting the mobile phase through the pressurized vessel, to obtain a separated sample; v) heating the mobile phase containing the separated sample after the mobile phase exits the pressurized vessel to remove the compressible fluid; and iv) collecting the separated sample. The pressurized vessel contains an adsorption material having a particle size of 10-100 microns, and the pressure of the adsorption vessel is held at 50-350 bar during elution. Also provided is an apparatus for carrying out the above method.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method and apparatus for cost-effective and efficient ammonia recovery from a waste stream. In some embodiments, ammonia is recovered after bicarbonate buffer removal from the waste stream via addition of an acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of water-softening using a water-softening product and products useful in such methods. The invention describes such products and processes wherein a change to the product occurs during the water-softening process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for separation of a mixture comprising an organic and an aqueous phase making use of a solid phase system. Still further the invention refers to a specific solid phase system, namely a spin column which can be used in order to carry out said method in an easy way. According to preferred embodiments the organic phase is phenol or phenol/chloroform.

Abstract: We propose unipolar magnetic particles as medicine carriers. The whole surface of each particle is monopolar, being either north or south. The particles repel each other and are repelled by same polar external magnet. Four or more magnets that are stereo located to apply the forces to a swamp of particles from all directions may, therefore, relocate the swamp, squeeze it, reshape it, and allow it to expand.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method and apparatus for cost-effective and efficient nutrient recovery from a waste stream. The nutrients recovered may include ammonia, phosphorous, and/or potassium. The ammonia and phosphorous recovery may be simultaneously accomplished. In some embodiments, ammonia is recovered along with other nutrients using lime or lime-based products.

Abstract: A new method of improving the process of dewatering fine particulate materials is disclosed. In this method, an aqueous slurry of fine particles is treated with appropriate hydrophobizing reagents so that the particulate material becomes moderately hydrophobic with its water contact angle considerably below 90°. A low hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) number surfactant is then added to the slurry, so that the surfactant molecules adsorb on the moderately hydrophobic surface primarily by hydrophobic attraction and, thereby, increase its contact angle close to or above 90°. By virtue of the greatly enhanced hydrophobicity, the water molecules adhering to the surface are destabilized and removed more readily by a mechanical dewatering process. Any nonionic surfactant with its HLB number below about 15 may be used for the hydrophobicity enhancement. The surfactants may be used in conjunction with appropriate solvents such as light hydrocarbon oils and short-chain alcohols.

Abstract: A method of processing liquid organic waste, whereas sludge liquid is separated from sludge solid. The sludge solid is pasteurized and pumped into the formation unit. The heat gases (heart, emission, air pressure, ash, dust, and etcetera) force sludge solid to move more than one direction creating ocean waves look alike and the liquid substance in sludge solid is steamed out of the unit to designate location and the dried substance becomes an energy fuel product equivalent to coal.

Abstract: Using a continuous dissolving and feeding device equipped with two or more storage tanks for storing two or more kinds of powdery polymer coagulants individually feeders which are able to control feed rate, connected to the storage tanks, a mixing tank equipped with a feed water pump, and a filtering member, the powdery polymer coagulants stored in the storage tanks are fed to the mixing tank via the feeders; a dispersing solution is prepared by mixing the powdery polymer coagulants with water in the mixing tank; the dispersing solution is passed through the filtering member to prepare an aqueous coagulant solution; and the aqueous coagulant solution is added to sludge or waste water.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for micro-scale simulated moving bed chromatography (SMB) for continuous preparation of analytic quantities of highly pure fractions of target molecules. The present apparatus and method of the invention is adapted in a preferred embodiment to separations by affinity chromatography involving three discontinuous liquid flow loops. An alternative embodiment of affinity chromatography utilizes standard SMB operating under isocratic conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling resistivity and pH levels in a coolant delivery system are provided. The coolant delivery system can employ a first ion introduction element that introduces hydrogen ions into a coolant of the coolant delivery system, and a second ion introduction element that introduces hydroxide ions into the coolant. An amount of hydrogen ions and an amount of hydroxide ions introduced into the coolant can be selected to substantially maintain an acceptable resistivity and pH level of the coolant.

Abstract: A filter assembly is provided that includes an immobilized base material in combination with a slow release mechanism for introducing an additive base material into a lubrication fluid flowing through the filter assembly. The introduced base material is a weaker base material than the base material of the immobilized base material. The combination of the immobilized base material and the additive base material provides a system that would work to neutralize acids for all lube formulations commonly used in the field. As a result, oil drain intervals can be extended.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans may be removed from a fluid or gaseous stream by reacting the hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans in the stream with a scavenger selected from a: (i.) 1,3,5-trisalkanylamino hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine derivative; (ii.) morpholine or piperazine derivative; (iii.) amine oxide; (iv.) alkanolamine; or (v.) aliphatic or aromatic polyamine.

Abstract: Apparatus for aerating waste water, provided with a container for waste water and a rotor which is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis (1) and the downward directed part of which can reach into the waste water, which rotor comprises blades (4) having surfaces which are orientated substantially radially and axially, wherein a surface (12) curved in the direction of rotation of the rotor is present close to the upper edge (8) of a blade (4), and wherein the curved surface close to the upper edge forms an angle of between 10° and 60° with the vertical plan of the blade.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are fibers comprising an active material that assists in removing contaminants from fluid. The active material, which forms a coating on the fiber, typically comprises a non-fibrous: nanostructured, metal-containing compound, such as a metal-oxygen compound. A filter media made of such fibers, as well as methods of making the fiber and the filter media are also disclosed. Methods of purifying fluids, such as air, water, and fuels, are further disclosed.

Abstract: A method of operating a membrane filtration module (5), the module (5) including one or more membranes (7) extending longitudinally between vertically spaced upper and lower headers (8, 9) into which the ends of the membranes (7) are potted. The membranes (7) have a permeable wall which is subjected to a filtration operation wherein feed containing contaminant matter is applied to one side of the membrane wall and filtrate is withdrawn from the other side of the membrane wall. At least one of the upper and/or lower headers (8, 9) has one or more openings (10) therein and the method including flowing the feed, at least in part, through the one or more openings (10) for application to the membrane wall. Apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Arranging or displaying feminine hygiene products in a retail store such that they are disposed in a location typically associated with products such as traditional beauty care products. This may help change the consumer's view of feminine hygiene products as simply hygiene devices. The arrangement and/or display may also provide a more discreet means to purchase feminine hygiene products that can result in a reduction of the embarrassment or emotional discomfort that may be experienced by a consumer when purchasing feminine hygiene products.

Abstract: A memorabilia organizer having an open-face holder composed of sturdy side rails, top hooks, handle, tab guides with internal crease, sliding rings and winged finger grips, transparent pocket with enclosure and external label display and insert. The holder is easily modified by attachments in customize colors, shapes and sizes joined to top hooks and handle. The preferred holder has parallel, a closed oval or elliptical shaped, rounded rails composed of sturdy but flexible material embodiments that includes top hooks, handle, base bars, tab glides that are threaded through holder and attachable transparent pocket, label display and label insert. At least one tab integrates a base, joining sliding rings top-sided, winged finger grips ends, and top-sided internal crease. The pocket is composed of transparent, flexible but sturdy, protective material having expandable top-sided seams, top fold, dual label pocket, label insert, and sturdy base attaching to tab in holder.

Abstract: A bicycle carrier, including a rack and a fork mount. The rack includes cross bars for mounting on a vehicle. The fork mount includes a head portion adapted to selectively clamp the fork mount to one of the cross bars, and a skewer assembly adapted to selectively secure forks of a bicycle to the head portion. The skewer assembly includes a skewer bolt, an actuator handle that is moveable between a first position and a second position, and an adjustment member threaded onto an end of the skewer bolt that permits longitudinal adjustment of the skewer assembly to accommodate different fork dimensions. The adjustment member is accessible when the actuator handle is in the first position, but is covered by the actuator handle when the actuator handle is in the second position.

Abstract: Glass disc turnover racks for simplifying the insertion of glass discs into a Laser Beam Recorder cartridge are described. The discs are first inserted into the turnover rack and subsequently transferred into the cartridge. The construction of the turnover rack makes it easier to insert the discs in the cartridge. Turnover racks according to the invention comprise a plurality of slots wherein one of the slots has a length that is less than the diameter of the glass disc. Methods of inserting glass discs into the cartridge and use of a glass disc turnover rack to insert glass discs into the cartridge are described.

Abstract: Several devices are used in safely moving lumber and restocking lumber storage/display racks, and a method for restocking lumber in the storage/display rack is used to safely removed and replace partial lumber bundles over new bundles or lumber. As lumber is sold and taken from the rack, it has to be replaced. The remaining pieces of a stack bundle, a partial bundle, is removed by a fork lift using pull arms attached at each end of the forklift carriage/backrest. The pull arms assure that all of the remaining pieces of the stacked bundle can be safely picked up by the forklift to be set aside. A bundle of lumber is then placed on the rack. The partial bundle is then picked up and placed on the new bundle.

Abstract: A bag and system for dispensing thermoplastic bags or the like from a stack of bags. The present system is configured for point of use dispensing to a customer, such as in the produce section of a grocery store or market. Each bag pack is dispensed from a station which includes an underlying, medially situated, angled bag pack support, configured to provide optimal support for the user in opening and removing the bag to be dispensed from the bag pack. Further contemplated is a unique cover which partially envelopes the bag pack to be dispensed, the cover defining an opening formed therethrough for the dispensing of bags therethrough, the opening configured to define the area for optimal dispensing of the bags while maintaining the remaining bags in a uniform bag pack. The cover not only facilitates uniform dispensing of bags from the pack, but also holds the pack down when the system is used in windy conditions.

Abstract: A chain saw mounting device for mounting a chain saw on an object, such as a motor vehicle tail gate. The device includes a base, mechanism for detachably coupling the base to an object, and mechanism for detachably coupling the chain saw to the frame including a laterally opening pocket for receiving rear portion of the chain saw, and a forwardly opening pocket portion for receiving a forward portion of the chain saw.

Abstract: A horizontally mounted shelf assembly includes an elongated support rail, at least one accessory slidaby connected with the support rail, and at least one stretch releasing adhesive strip arranged between the support rail and the wall for securing the shelf assembly to the wall. Each accessory may also be separately mounted on the wall using stretch releasing adhesive strips.

Abstract: A wall mountable wire grid organizer rack assembly includes a support grid structure including a perimeter frame and a plurality of transverse support members connected with the perimeter frame. A plurality of accessories are removably connected with the support members, and at least one stretch removable adhesive strip is arranged between the support grid and the wall for securing the rack to the wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a rack-mount module having mounting brackets for mounting a horizontal support member between vertical support columns of an equipment rack. The mounting bracket comprises a base member and a latch. The base member comprises integrated side and end plates, with the side plate being securable to the horizontal support member and the end plate constructed to vertically support the mounting bracket thereon. The latch detachably adjoins the mounting bracket to the vertical support column, and is constructed to be hand-operated to detach the mounting bracket from the vertical support column in response to a tool-less manual manipulation of the latch.

Abstract: A wall mountable shelf for storing items in a shower or bath enclosure includes a frame, a base member connected with the frame, a back plate connected with the frame and arranged to support the frame on the wall, and adhesive arranged between the back plate and the wall for securing the shelf to the wall surface. The frame includes a top rail portion, a front rail portion, and a pair of side rail portions connecting the top rail portion and the front rail portion. Each side rail portion includes a back portion extending downwardly from the top rail portion and a bottom portion extending from the back portion to the front rail portion arranged at an angle of less than 90°.

Abstract: A wall mountable shelf assembly includes an elongated support rail, at least one accessory slidably connected with the support rail, and at least one stretch releasing adhesive strip arranged between the support rail and the wall for securing the shelf assembly to the wall.

Abstract: Provided herein is a collapsible rack unit that includes a housing, a hanging bar, and a pair of hinged arms that extend between the housing and the hanging bar. The hinged arms extend generally parallel to the housing in a closed position and extend generally perpendicular to the housing in an open position. In preferred embodiments, the hinged arms include a base portion that is associated with the housing and an arm portion that is hingedly connected to the base portion.

Abstract: A curtain rod assembly includes an inner tube retractably inserted in an outer tube, and a first light source is connected with a first cap on an end of the inner tube. The outer tube has a second cap connected to an end thereof and a second light source is connected to the second cap. A locking sleeve is located between the inner and outer tubes so as to secure the inner tube relative to the outer tube. A first wire extends through the inner tube and connected between the first and second light sources. The second cap is electrically connected with a plug via a second wire so as to provide electric power to activate the first and second light sources.

Abstract: A telescoping rod which can be telescoped between a minimum length and a maximum length is formed from three members two of which are shorter than and slidably mountable on a longer member. A telescoping rod can also be formed from five of the shorter members and two of the longer members with a minimum length equal to the maximum length of the rod formed from three members and a maximum length equal to 2½ times the minimum length of the rod formed from three members.

Abstract: A joint device for providing hinged movement between a first and second arm member and for providing independent delivery of electrical power to the arm members, wherein said device includes a central portion for receiving at least two sets of electrical conductors and for delivering said at least one set of electrical conductors to each of said arm members, characterised in that upon hinged movement of the arm members about the central portion, the central portion maintains the conductors in a spaced apart relationship in a manner such that the structural integrity of said conductors is maintained for a predetermined minimum number of hinged movement cycles of said arm members.

Abstract: A shelf panel for support of items made of an array of honeycomb-shaped cells, alternatively closed at opposite ends to create an array. The thickness of the honeycomb cells may be varied along an arch distribution with the shape of contemplated deformations. The array of honeycomb cells may be surrounded by a ring of alternatively configured cells to create regularly shaped shelf panels. The surrounding cells of a second thickness allow for possible stacking between two shelf panels including a cylindrical corner cell with a top cylinder able to accommodate a bottom cylinder from a second shelf panel. The surrounding cells may also include a wedge of the same geometry as the selected cell where part of the wedge is inserted in the cell and the other part of the wedge is a mechanical fixation means. Some circumferential cells may be adapted to be either a male or female interlocks allowing for two or more shelf panels to be interlocked if they are disposed adjacent each other on a same plane.

Abstract: An article storage facility includes a controller for controlling operation of a plurality of mobile bodies. The controller is constructed switchable between a total operation mode for causing all of the mobile bodies to engage in an article transporting operation for transporting articles between storage units and an article support, and a partial operation mode for causing part of the mobile bodies to engage in the article transporting operation. In the partial operation mode, a mobile body not selected as mobile body for the article transport operation is caused to travel to a retreating position clear of a traveling range of a mobile body selected as the mobile body for the article transport operation.

Abstract: A display device comprising a plurality of parallelepipeds (4) arranged in a stack, each parallelepiped having a resilient means (11) for urging it from a closed position, in which it lies generally flat, to a fully opened position, the structure being foldable from a first position as which the stack of parallelepipeds are fully open to a second position at which they are fully loaded.

Abstract: A product display unit (10) has a product support surface of selectively adjustable area. The unit comprises an attachment (13, 14) for securing to a support structure (15) and a cantilevered support member (11) extending from the attachment in a first length direction. A plurality of elongate support arms (23) extend lengthwise in a direction substantially perpendicular to said first length direction. Each support arm (23) is pivotably attached to the cantilevered support member for movement between a first position and a second position to vary the area of the product display unit available to support product. Each support arm may also be telescopically movable from the second position to a third position to further vary the product support area.

Abstract: An adjustable counterweight for use on construction vehicles that includes a body having a first section, a central section adjacent to the first section and a second section adjacent to the central section, wherein the first section and the second section each define a cavity therein. At least one weight plate, preferably a plurality of weight plates, is mounted in a predetermined position within each of the cavities and secured to the body of the counterweight. Each weight plate is shaped to fit the contour of each cavity, such that the amount of weight contained within each cavity is maximized.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a safety method for the lifting and/or transporting of a common load using a plurality of cranes, comprising the steps: determining of possible damage incidents for movement vectors of the cranes; activation of an alarm function if predetermined movement vectors result in damage incidents and/or limitation of the movement vectors used for the control of the cranes to those movement vectors which do not result in damage incidents in any of the cranes. Furthermore, a corresponding control method as well as a safety system and a control system are provided.

Abstract: A confined space entry device and/or fall arrester for use in securing a person working at elevation, the device including modularized components which allow it to be readily reconfigured. In particular, the extension arm of the device is removably secured to one end of an elbow, the other end of which is removably secured to a post or mast which is securely anchored, for example, to a base. The device can include arms and elbows of different configurations and lengths for various applications in the field.

Abstract: This invention can be used in the food industry. The invention relates in general to multi-purpose closures used for bottling and storing expensive high-quality drinks. The technical result of the proposed invention is a more reliable closing of bottles, providing the necessary tightness, and making refilling the bottle with low-quality drinks less possible. The closure comprises a discharge sleeve with outer and inner pipes at its inlet end, a collar with an external thread at its outlet end, an inner hood with splines on its side exterior surface and a pouring tube at its outlet end, a removable check valve installed on the exterior side surface of the inner pipe, said check valve having sealing lips on its exterior surface and a flange on its outlet end, said flange being located between the inner and the outer pipes. The outer pipe has longitudinal ribs on its interior surface.

Abstract: A dispensing assembly has a ferrule and collar for maintaining a coupling of a dispensing module to a receptacle neck. The ferrule has an annular plastic skirt open on one end, and plastic nibs extending radially inwardly from the skirt inner surface. The skirt outer surface is a regular polygon with flat surfaces between corners. The collar has a Nomar edge defining an annular recess adjacent the open end with an annular face facing the collar other end. At least the corners of the skirt open end extend radially outwardly into the annular recess of the collar inner surface when the dispensing assembly is secured to the receptacle to retain the collar on the ferrule while the dispensing assembly is secured to the receptacle by the ferrule nibs beneath the flange of the receptacle neck. Installation involves pushing the collar and ferrule onto the receptacle neck with the collar in a raised position on the ferrule, and then pushing the collar down relative to the ferrule.