Abstract: A hair treatment accessory for use with a hair styling apparatus includes a substrate base for mounting to a hair styling apparatus and a treatment agent disposed on the substrate base. The treatment agent is applied to one of the hair or skin of a subject during use of the hair styling apparatus. The treatment agent may include a conditioning, strengthening, repairing or revitalizing fluid. The treatment agent may include a conditioning oil. The conditioning oil may include ARGAN oil with or without silicon. The substrate base may include an irregular surface dimensioned to assist in retention of the treatment agent on the substrate base. The irregular surface may include open cells or channels. The irregular surface may be formed through a sintering process.

Abstract: In a transfer system for wafers, etc., a coupling chamber corresponding to a port is formed only when a transfer box comes in tight contact with an apparatus as a transfer target in the transfer box is transferred into the apparatus, so that the transfer target will be transferred into the apparatus together with the coupling chamber, thereby simplifying the structures of the transfer box and apparatus and also allowing the transfer target to be transferred into the apparatus without fail.

Abstract: Presented is a composition useful in the catalytic dewaxing of a waxy hydrocarbon feedstock. The composition includes a mixture of ZSM-12 zeolite and titania and may further include a noble metal. The ZSM-12 zeolite preferably has a high silica-to-alumina ratio within its framework. The mixture may be dealuminated either by acid leaching using a fluorosilicate salt or by steam treating.

Abstract: A process for removing a refractory nitrogen compound from a hydroprocessed vacuum gas oil feed includes contacting the hydroprocessed vacuum gas oil feed comprising the nitrogen compound with a VGO-immiscible phosphonium ionic liquid to produce a hydroprocessed vacuum gas oil and VGO-immiscible phosphonium ionic liquid mixture, and separating the mixture to produce a hydroprocessed vacuum gas oil effluent having a reduced refractory nitrogen compound content relative to the vacuum gas oil feed.

Abstract: Systems and methods that include providing, e.g., obtaining or preparing, a material that includes a hydrocarbon carried by an inorganic substrate, and exposing the material to a plurality of energetic particles, such as accelerated charged particles, such as electrons or ions.

Abstract: Coke drum assembly is provided with a vessel having a body portion defining an interior, a central axis, and having a lower portion including a sidewall, and at least one feed inlet coupled with the lower portion in fluid communication with the interior of the vessel. The at least one feed inlet is directed toward the central axis of the vessel, and angled upwardly at a feed inlet angle relative to the central axis. At a location opposite the feed inlet, the side wall of the lower portion is angled upwardly at an opposing wall angle relative to the central axis, wherein the feed inlet angle is less than or equal to the opposing wall angle. Method also is provided for delayed coking using the coke drum assembly disclosed herein.

Abstract: A hydrodesulfurization catalyst is produced by pre-sulfurizing a hydrodesulfurization catalyst Y including a support containing silica, alumina and titania and at least one metal component supported thereon and selected from VIA and VIII groups of the periodic table (comprising at least Mo), in which the total area of the diffraction peak area indicating the crystal structure of anatase titania (101) planes and the diffraction peak area indicating the crystal structure of rutile titania (110) planes in the support, measured by X-ray diffraction analysis being ¼ or less of the alumina diffraction peak area assigned to ?-alumina (400) planes. The molybdenum is formed into molybdenum disulfide crystal disposed in layers on the support by the pre-sulfurization, and having an average length of longer than 3.5 nm and 7 nm or shorter in the plane direction and an average number of laminated layers of more than 1.0 and 1.9 or fewer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a synthesis method for unsupported and supported ruthenium base (RuS2) catalysts from a ruthenium complex precursor, which is decomposed and activated by a simple activation process; these steps provide a catalyst with very high catalytic activity, in addition the incorporation of ruthenium complex precursor to a support by methods of incipient and wet impregnating is described; the obtained catalytic activities in this invention are in the order of 100 times the molybdenum sulfide catalyst without support and without promoter, 14 times the industrial supported catalyst, and 5 times the activity of the currently most active commercial unsupported catalyst.

Abstract: Corrosion of ferrous material such as steel or stainless steel is a problem in oil pipelines, oil storage tanks, and the piping and process equipment at oil refineries, and this corrosion may be reduced by reducing the TAN value of the oil feedstock that is used/transported within the ferrous material. This TAN value may be reduced by reacting the oil feedstock with an alkali metal, thereby forming a de-acidified alkali metal. The de-acidified alkali metal has a TAN value of less than or equal to 1 mgKOH/g.

Abstract: The present invention involves a process for removing one or more polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds from a vacuum gas oil comprising contacting the vacuum gas oil with a vacuum gas oil-immiscible phosphonium ionic liquid to produce a mixture comprising the vacuum gas oil and the vacuum gas oil-immiscible phosphonium ionic liquid; and separating the mixture to produce a vacuum gas oil effluent and a vacuum gas oil-immiscible phosphonium ionic liquid effluent, the vacuum gas oil-immiscible phosphonium ionic liquid effluent comprising the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compound.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating synthetic materials having different characteristics includes a rotating drum having a cylindrical shape with a tapered end and an opposite flat bottom wall; a device configured to introduce a mixture of at least two synthetic materials in particle form and a liquid having an intermediate specific weight relative to specific weights of the two products into the drum; a radial discharge opening in the tapered end of the drum; an axial slithering discharge opening located in the bottom surface of the drum, at a distance from the drum axis, a rotor located inside the drum having a first external helical blade with the same external shape as the drum, a device configured to set the rotor in rotation relative to the drum. The blade is located at a distance from the rotor axis greater than the distance between the drum axis and the axial discharge opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a process for efficient hydrophobic particles to gas bubble attachment in a slurry is provided. The process comprises: tangentially introducing a slurry stream into a cylindrical chamber having a cylindrical inner wall with sufficient volume and pressure to develop a vortex in the flowing slurry; introducing gas into the flowing slurry during at least a portion of its travel in the chamber, the gas being introduced orthogonally to the stream through means located at the chamber inner wall and for developing gas bubbles which move into the slurry.

Abstract: In one aspect the invention provides a system for treating a wastestream, particularly a radwaste, for safe disposal and, in final processing converting it into one or both forms including an aqueous form for safe discharge to the environment and a solidified form for safe disposal. In another aspect the invention provides the capacity to employ a step where a specific target element strategy can be set up synchronizing sorbent substance choices and multiple recycle options to remove target substances from wastestream as a part of its Sorption or Powder Sorbent Isotopic Reduction step (II). Other steps cooperate with Sorption step (II) including Oxidation (I), Solid-Liquid separation (III), and Selective Ion Exchange (IV) to deliver the wastestream to final processing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for extracorporeal blood treatment having a dialyzer which is divided into a first and a second chamber 29, 30 by means of a semipermeable membrane wherein the first chamber 29 is arranged in a dialysate path and the second chamber 30 can be connected to a patient's blood circulation by means of a blood supply line 32 and a blood discharge line 31, an inlet 20 for fresh dialysate, an outlet 36 for spent dialysate, a measuring device 37, wherein the measuring device 37 has at least one radiation source 1 for substantially monochromatic electromagnetic radiation. Thereby the measuring device 37 for determination of a luminescence of the spent dialysate flowing through the outlet 36 has at least one detector system (5) for detecting the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation generated by luminescence.

Abstract: An oil filter module (10) has a connection for a filter element (14) and an oil-coolant heat exchanger (12). Arranged in a housing (26, 42) is a bypass line (20) for bypassing the oil-coolant heat exchanger (12). The bypass line (20) has a valve chamber (22) with a thermostat unit (24). The thermostat unit (24) controls an oil flow through the bypass line (20) according to a temperature of the oil. The housing is made up at least of a valve housing part (26) and a heat exchanger housing part (42). The valve chamber (22) is arranged in the valve housing part (26). A base plate (40) of the heat exchanger housing part (42) closes the valve chamber (22) lengthwise.

Abstract: An oil boom skimmer member for oil spill recovery, in particular for collecting oil from a water surface, comprising a skimmer arrangement integrated into an oil boom member, is described. Also described is an oil recovery system, in particular for collecting oil from a water surface, comprising a plurality of such oil boom skimmer members connected in series to form an oil spill recovery boom apparatus. A guiding boom is connected to each of the outermost oil boom members, and the guiding booms are also connected to a vessel for operating the system. Through the use of trawl technology the skimmer oil boom apparatus can be operated by only one vessel when needed.

Abstract: An inner tube is provided with a protruding portion protruding from an outer peripheral surface of the tube, in a position extending throughout the entire area of the outer peripheral surface of the tube, in a region located outside an outer tube, of the entire area in a longitudinal direction of the inner tube inserted into a through-hole of a discharge side wall of the outer tube, and the protruding portion of the inner tube is pressed by an outlet joint toward the discharge side wall along an axial direction of the outer tube, and thereby, the inner tube is cantilevered by the discharge side wall.

Abstract: A hemodialysis system includes: a peristaltic blood pump; a first peristaltic dialysate pump; a second peristaltic dialysate pump; and a fluid cassette including an upper portion and a lower portion, a blood pumping tube extending linearly from the upper portion to the lower portion, the blood pumping tube actuated by the peristaltic blood pump, a first dialysate pumping tube extending linearly from the upper portion to the lower portion, the first dialysate pumping tube actuated by the first dialysate pump, and a second dialysate pumping tube extending linearly from the upper portion to the lower portion, the second dialysate pumping tube actuated by the second dialysate pump.

Abstract: Described is an affinity microcolumn comprising a high surface area material, which has high flow properties and a low dead volume, contained within a housing and having affinity reagents bound to the surface of the high surface area material that are either activated or activatable. The affinity reagents bound to the surface of the affinity microcolumn further comprise affinity receptors for the integration into high throughput analysis of biomolecules.

Abstract: A filter cartridge and filter for a water bottle is presented. The filter cartridge has a top member with an inwardly sloped exterior surface and at least one opening. The top member is removeably coupled with a bottom member to form an enclosure for housing a filter. The bottom member also has an opening or inlet to allow water to pass through the filter cartridge. The filter cartridge also has an outer rim with a seal (e.g., a sealing ring, etc.). The filter can comprise a frustoconical shaped portion.

Abstract: A filter support member includes a plurality of core members and a hinge positioned between at least two of the plurality of core members. The hinge allows pivotal movement of the at least two core members relative to one another about a hinge axis associated with the hinge. The plurality of core members are positionable in an operational position to form a substantially cylindrical body and are further positionable in a stored position to form a substantially flat sheet. The substantially flat sheet occupies a volumetric envelope less than a volumetric envelope of the substantially cylindrical body.

Abstract: Described are embodiments of a filter that may include an outer housing, an inlet tube, an outlet tube, filter media and an attachment element attaching the filter media to one of the inlet and outlet tubes. Other embodiments describe methods of manufacturing a filter.

Abstract: Photocatalytic composite materials, namely materials capable of promoting photo-initiated chemical reactions and processes for producing such materials, are provided. The invention further provides processes for producing photocatalytic composite materials which includes a macroporous matrix, the macroporous matrix having a surface grafting of preformed titanium dioxide nanocrystals, wherein the macroporous matrix may be produced by a sol-gel technique from a precursor of the macroporous matrix in the presence of a template-forming polymer and of hydrophobically-functionalized nano-crystalline titanium-dioxide particles.

Abstract: A fluid separation device is provided with an outer housing and a rotor rotatably received within the outer housing. The rotor housing has a first end and a second end. The outer surface of the rotor and/or the inner surface of the outer housing is adapted to allow passage of a fluid component through the surface. The device further includes a flexible seal associated with one of the ends of the rotor and adapted to allow for rotational, non-axial, and axial movement of the rotor with respect to the outer housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a membrane module, comprising a plurality of elongated filter elements disposed in parallel adjacent to one another, each element comprising a longitudinal channel, a housing enclosing the filter elements, and a collector chamber between the housing and the filter elements.

Abstract: A rotary disc filter device includes a rotary drum and one or more disc-shaped filter members secured about the drum. Each disc-shaped filter member includes a filter and a filter support comprising a series of modules. The modules each include a base that is secured to the rotary drum and a support arm projecting outwardly from the base. The modules are interconnected and disposed around the rotary drum.

Abstract: A fuel water separator (FWS) filter that is configured to permit water to be drained from the water sump of the FWS filter without shutting off fuel flow to the FWS filter. A check valve is positioned between the water sump and the filter element. When the FWS filter is under vacuum (e.g. as in operation), the check valve can be closed to allow water to drain from the sump. The check valve can close automatically by floating on accumulated water in the sump until the water rises to a level where the check valve is closed. The check valve can also close by opening the drain valve of the FWS filter, which causes a differential pressure between the sump and the vacuum created in the filter element chamber, which forces the check valve to close.

Abstract: An oil filter interposed in an oil passage and configured to perform filtering of oil by causing the oil to pass through a passage hole of a filter body formed by etching, wherein an oil passing section is etched to a half of plate thickness of the filter body on one surface of the filter body, and a plurality of the passage holes are formed by etching in a region where the oil passing section is formed on the other surface of the filter body.

Abstract: Example embodiments herein relate to a semi-permeable film including a nanoporous material and a polymer matrix. The nanoporous material includes a nanoporous core and a coating layer that is disposed on a surface of the nanoporous core. The coating layer may include a particle selected from a metal hydroxide particle, a metal oxide particle, and a combination thereof. A separation membrane may include the semi-permeable film. Example embodiments also relate to a method of manufacturing the semi-permeable film and the separation membrane.

Abstract: A process of making a reinforced hollow fiber membrane comprises flowing a membrane dope through a casting head while drawing one or more yarns or tows of filaments through the casting head. The filaments are spread apart in the casting head, for example by forcing the yarns or tows around a bend or through a narrow gap in the casting head. The filaments are adapted to bond to the membrane dope or the membrane wall. A reinforced hollow fiber membrane comprises a plurality of filaments individually surrounded by, and bonded to, the membrane wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sludge scraping apparatus which includes a piston attached to a traction core member, a body formed of a driving cylinder provided with front and rear sealing connection parts, a sludge scraper attached to the body, position switching means that switches the sludge scraper to a scraping position at advancement of the body and switches the sludge scraper to a non-scraping position at retreat of the body, and a treatment part attached in front of the driving cylinder and has a treatment chamber therein, the extending part of the traction core member passing through the treatment chamber, and the body can be moved along the traction core member in an advancing and retreating direction by injection/discharge of water into/from the driving cylinder by fluid control means, and at movement of the body, injection/discharge of water into/from the treatment chamber is performed.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for treatment of wastewater. A pumping system pumps wastewater from a source basin to a recipient basin, while a conduit allows gravitational flow of water from a source basin to a recipient basin when the pumping system is inactive. A controller activates the pumping system to pump wastewater from the source basin to a recipient basin when a wastewater level in the source basin is at a first predetermined height or when a rate of gravitational flow wastewater from the source basin to the recipient basin is below a first predetermined flow rate. The controller also turns off the pumping system when the water level in the source basin is at a source basin minimal level and the water level in the recipient basin is at a recipient basin maximal level. The invention also provides a method for operating a wastewater treatment of the invention, and a pumping system for use in the system of the invention.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a moving bed membrane bioreactor. The moving bed membrane bioreactor package plant comprises a pre-treatment system, a moving bed membrane bioreactor, and a post-treatment system. This disclosure further relates to mechanical devices and operational processes for a moving bed membrane bioreactor package plant for greywater and wastewater reclamation and reuse. This disclosure further relates to a bioreactor for greywater reclamation that integrates biofilm carriers with a hollow fibre membrane module and dual aeration system.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and devices for biologically treating water and/or wastewater. The methods and devices for treating waste water may be enhanced using an air-lift device which moves water and/or solids using volumes of air. This device can provide occasional surges of water using large bubbles which are able to move great volume of liquid while minimizing dissolved oxygen transfer to the surrounding liquid. Use of the devices and processes herein provides a simple, eloquent approach to waste water treatment with less operation and maintenance costs than conventional devices and/or processes.

Abstract: A method for priming a hemodialysis treatment includes: providing a sorbent cartridge for cleaning spent dialysate fluid returning from a dialyzer; preparing a batch of dialysate in a quantity commensurate with being recycled through the sorbent cartridge multiple times; priming a dialysate circuit in fluid communication with the dialyzer using the batch of dialysate; and priming a blood circuit in fluid communication with the dialyzer using the batch of dialysate.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a membrane surface immersed in a liquid medium with a fluid flow, including the steps of providing a randomly generated intermittent or pulsed fluid flow along the membrane surface to dislodge fouling materials therefrom. A membrane module is also disclosed comprising a plurality of porous membranes (6) or a set of membrane modules (5) and a device (11) for providing a generally randomly generated, pulsed fluid flow such that, in use, said fluid flow moves past the surfaces of said membranes (6) to dislodge fouling materials therefrom.

Abstract: A VMD system and method uses an aspirator to generate a vacuum pressure for drawing permeate from a membrane module. The aspirator generates the vacuum pressure by receiving and passing a circulating liquid and combines the permeate with the circulating liquid such that the permeate condensates in the circulating liquid. Using an aspirator (e.g., instead of a vacuum pump) allows a more efficient and cost-effective operation of the VMD system and method, particularly in a desalination application. A VMD system and method using an aspirator may be used in desalination and other applications including, without limitation, environmental cleanup (e.g., removal of volatile organic chemicals from water) and food and medical applications.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a membrane separation apparatus and a membrane separation method capable of reducing energy consumption, [Solution] A membrane separation apparatus (10) includes: a membrane separator (20) supplied with a fluid (X) containing a component (A) and a component (R) and separating the fluid (X) into a fluid (Y) having a higher concentration of the component (A) than the fluid (X) and a fluid (Z) having a lower concentration, of the component (A) than the fluid (X) by using a separation membrane; a first compressor (21) adiabatically compressing the fluid (Y); a first heat exchanger (11) to which the fluid (Y) adiabatically compressed by the first compressor (21) is introduced as a heat source; and a second heat exchanger (12) to which the fluid (Z) is introduced as a heat source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a separation medium, comprising an inner core of a porous material provided with charged ligands, and an outer lid comprising a porous material provided with charged ligands, wherein the charge of the ligands in the inner core is opposite that of the charge of the ligands in the lid. The present invention also relates to a method for biomolecule separation comprising applying a sample to the above separation medium, wherein large molecules are prevented from entering the medium by charge repulsion from the medium and small molecules are captured in the inner core.

Abstract: A process according to various approach includes flushing residual fluid within an intermediate transfer line of a purification zone defined as a region of the adsorptive separation chamber between the feed stream transfer line and the extract stream transfer line away from the adsorptive separation chamber to remove at least a portion of the residual fluid from the intermediate transfer line. The process may include directing the residual fluid flushed from the intermediate transfer line to another transfer line that is not a transfer line of the purification zone to restrict the residual fluid from being introduced into the purification zone.

Abstract: A process according to various approaches includes flushing an intermediate transfer line between the extract stream transfer line and the desorbent stream transfer line away from the adsorptive separation chamber to remove residual fluid from the intermediate transfer line. The process may include directing the residual fluid flushed from the intermediate transfer line to a downstream separation apparatus to separate components of the residual fluid.

Abstract: In a process for separating components in a feed stream by simulated countercurrent adsorptive separation, the process according to various aspects includes withdrawing an extract stream through one transfer line that contains residual fluid away from the adsorptive separation chamber. The process also includes directing an initial portion of the extract stream, including at least a portion of the residual fluid withdrawn through the one transfer line toward a first destination. The process further includes directing a subsequent portion of the extract stream withdrawn through the one transfer line toward a second destination.

Abstract: A process according to various approaches includes withdrawing the raffinate stream through one transfer line that contains residual fluid away from the adsorptive separation chamber. The process includes directing an initial portion of the raffinate stream, including at least a portion of the residual fluid, toward a first destination and directing a subsequent portion of the raffinate stream withdrawn through the one transfer line toward a second destination.

Abstract: A process according to various approach includes flushing an intermediate transfer line between the first intermediate transfer line and the extract stream transfer line away from the adsorptive separation chamber to remove residual fluid from intermediate transfer line. The process may include directing the residual fluid flushed from the intermediate transfer line to a recycle stream to introduce the residual fluid into the adsorptive separation chamber.

Abstract: A process according to various approaches includes flushing an intermediate transfer line at first flow rate during a first portion of the step-time interval. The process also includes flushing the intermediate transfer line at as second different flow rate during a second portion of the step-time interval so that a greater volume of fluid is flushed from the intermediate transfer line during one of the first portion and the second portion of the step-time interval than during the other of the first portion and the second portion of the step-time interval.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cost effective method of clarifying wastewater. The method comprises the steps of providing wastewater and adding a substance to the wastewater. The substance comprises a porous particulate material. The porous particulate material may be perlite, and the substance may additionally comprise a coagulant.

Abstract: A method for operating a water softening device, includes: producing soft water by passing raw water downward through a cation exchange resin bed which has a depth of 300 to 1500 mm and a ratio of the depth to a diameter being 1.8 to 3; and regenerating all the bed by generating an opposite flow of a regenerant by collecting the regenerant at an intermediate portion of the bed while supplying the regenerant from top and bottom sides of thereof, wherein the regenerating includes supplying the regenerant in a volume which gives a regeneration level of at least 1 to 6 eq/L-R, to a hardness leak prevention bed having a depth of 100 mm, and the producing after the regenerating includes supplying raw water having an electric conductivity of equal to or lower than 150 mS/m and having a total hardness of equal to or lower than 500 mgCaCO3/L.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process which comprises mixing an alkylated aromatic acid with a mixture comprising a first liquid and a second liquid, thereby causing formation of an organogel comprising the alkylated aromatic acid and the first liquid.

Abstract: The present invention claims a process to reduce COD, TOC, and total solids from a contaminated liquid medium, which comprises of the following stages: feed an electrolytic cell provided with electrodes with the contaminated liquid medium; apply a constant direct current through said electrodes; flocculate the solids present in said contaminated liquid medium by adding coadjuvant agents, remove sludge and supernatant obtained; and oxidize the supernatant through oxidizing agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for treating an aqueous stream having a first flow rate and containing solid matter exhibiting first settling properties, the method comprising adding a modifying agent to the aqueous stream at an addition rate sufficient to change the first settling properties of the aqueous stream to obtain a modified aqueous stream having solid matter exhibiting second settling properties different from the first settling properties; taking batchwise samples of the modified aqueous stream to a settling vessel having a volume; determining a settling property of the solid matter of the samples in the settling vessel; and conducting the modified aqueous stream to a separation unit in which solid matter is separated from the modified aqueous stream. The invention provides a convenient way of monitoring and/or controlling aqueous streams conducted for example to purification processes.