Abstract: Systems and methods for hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis having integrated electrodialysis and electrodeionization capabilities are provided. In an embodiment, the dialysis system includes a carbon source, a urease source, an ED/EDI unit. The carbon source, urease source, and/or the ED/EDI unit can be in the form of removable cartridges.

Abstract: Process for extracting unwanted acidic compounds from a drinkable liquid which comprises: arranging, in a first tank (2), a liquid (L) comprising at least one unwanted acidic compound; conveying the liquid (L) to a membrane separation unit (3); separating, in the membrane unit (3), the liquid (L) into a retentate (R) and a permeate (P) mainly containing the unwanted acidic compound; adjusting the conductivity of the permeate (P) at a minimum threshold value greater than 200 ?S susceptible to dissociate at least a fraction of the unwanted acidic compound into corresponding ions; flowing the permeate (P) through an electrodialysis unit (6), extracting at least part of said ions, to obtain one concentrate (C), containing the aforesaid ions, and one deacidified permeate (Pd) substantially without such ions; mixing the deacidified permeate (Pd) with the retentate (R) to obtain the deacidified final drinkable liquid.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for purifying proteins and other target molecules based on pI are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis having integrated electrodialysis and electrodeionization capabilities are provided. In an embodiment, the dialysis system includes a carbon source, a urease source, an ED/EDI unit. The carbon source, urease source, and/or the ED/EDI unit can be in the form of removable cartridges.

Abstract: An electrical purification apparatus and methods of making same are disclosed. The electrical purification apparatus may provide for increases in operation efficiencies, for example, with respect to decreased residence times and higher purity water.

Abstract: A method and a system for process parameter control of a liquid composition in a reverse electro-enhanced dialysis (REED) system comprising at least two Reverse Electro-Enhanced Dialysis (REED) membrane stacks, wherein the direction of the electric field within any one membrane stack is reversed at asynchronical intervals of time relative to the current reversals for any other membrane stack.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for recovering gas produced during electrodialysis of a saline solution, from gas entrained in an electrolyte solution circulating through anode and cathode compartments of an electrodialysis (ED) unit. In one embodiment, the system provides separate catholyte and anolyte towers within a closed, re-circulating loop between the cathode and anode compartments. Each tower comprises an inlet at which the entrained gas separates from the electrolyte solution and flows into the headspace. One can recover residual gases from the electrolyte solution in one more additional apparatus. Preferably, hydrogen gas is separated from the catholyte solution and, more preferably, further purified for use as a fuel source in alternative power generating devices, such as a fuel cell or bio-fuel generator, useful in the unit operations of a water treatment system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis having integrated electrodeionization capabilities are provided. In an embodiment, the dialysis system includes a carbon source, a urease source and an electrodeionization unit. The carbon source and urease source can be in the form of removable cartridges.

Abstract: Injection bonded articles comprised of a rigid core and secured together with an elastomeric material network which also forms seals and encapsulates at least a portion of the rigid core. The elastomeric material is selected to be compatible with the material comprising the rigid core to create a chemical and mechanical bond therebetween. Injection bonding and over-molding techniques are used to fabricate an electrodeionization apparatus spacer comprised of mated rigid segments secured by a unitary elastomeric material network that also forms internal and external seals that fluidly isolate one or more of inlet ports, resin cavities, and outlet ports as well as throughports. Injection bonding and over-molding techniques can also be used to fabricate other articles comprised of multiple segments.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for purifying effluent wastewater utilizing electrophoretic cross-flow filtration and electrodeionization. The method first comprises filtering the water in a cross-flow direction with a filter membrane (120) in the presence of an electric field that is operative to drive suspended particles away from a surface of the filter membrane (120). The permeate (134) containing dissolved solids is next passed through a mixture (188) of at least one cation-exchange resin and at least one anion-exchange resin disposed between a cation-selective membrane (184) and an anion-selective membrane (181) in the presence of an electric field. The electric field drives cations in the permeate through the cation-selective membrane (184), and drives anions in the permeate through the anion-selective membrane (181), thereby to form deionized water (192). The apparatus includes cell modules adapted to be used in plate-and-frame or radial flow configurations.

Abstract: A process is described for producing organic acids such as lactic acid. The process includes the steps of producing lactic acid by fermentation, resulting in an aqueous fermentation broth containing lactic acid, and adding a calcium base, such as calcium carbonate, to the fermentation broth, thereby producing calcium lactate in the broth. Biomass is removed from the broth, thereby leaving an aqueous solution or dispersion of calcium lactate. The calcium lactate is reacted with a source of ammonium ions, such as ammonium carbonate, or a mixture of ammonia and carbon dioxide, thereby producing an ammonium lactate. Contaminating cations can be removed by ion exchange. The free lactic acid or a derivative thereof can be separated from the ammonium ions, preferably by salt-splitting electrodialysis.

Abstract: In a process for an electrochemical treatment of cellulose waste lye, mass transport takes place through a diaphragm or membrane between a cathode chamber and an anode chamber, and optionally through a middle chamber. Cationogenic components are removed from cellulose waste lye containing lignin sulfonates and being located in at least one of the chambers. Lignin sulfonic acids are produced from the waste lye. In an installation for an electrochemical treatment of cellulose waste lye, at least one diaphragm divides at least one reaction vessel into at least one cathode chamber and at least one anode chamber. At least one cathode electrode is disposed in the at least one cathode chamber, and at least one anode electrode is disposed in the at least one anode chamber. The at least one cathode electrode is formed of iron or aluminum and the at least one anode electrode is formed of special steel, in particular V4A steel.

Abstract: The invention provides fittings for the ends of electrochromatography cols. Each fitting includes an annular electrode surrounding one end of the passage electrical fields to be applied. The fitting also contains a passageway for eluant flowing into or out of the column, an annular chamber for the electrode and a membrane separating the passageway from the annular electrode chamber. The membrane prevents gases and electrolytic products from entering the column eluent going through the chromatographic column. The membrane also isolate the electrodes from the compounds such as proteins and macromolecules being separated. A buffer solution was pumped through the electrode chamber to remove the gases and electrode products. The buffer flow through the electrode chamber maintains a constant pH and conductivity so that the electrical field applied by each electrode is constant. The buffer flow also serves to remove the heat generated in the electrode chamber.

Abstract: Electrodeionization apparatus having a novel polarity reversal protocol designed to provide continuous, high-quality product fluid is described. The protocol involves substitution of a recirculating fluid stream established in an ion-concentrating compartment by a fluid stream having a lower ionic concentration, while maintaining fluid flow through an adjacent ion-depleting compartment. A method and protocol for modifying the ionic makeup of compartment ion exchange material and fluids are also provided. A flow reversal protocol is also provided, during which high-quality fluid product is recovered from the inventive apparatus. The polarity reversal protocol and flow reversal protocol may each be effected separately, or the flow reversal may be introduced into the sequence of the polarity reversal protocol.

Abstract: Electrodialysis ("ED") stacks are disclosed having components selected from the group:a) cation exchange ("CX") membranes and/or CX granules having in at least a surface a predominant amount of sulfonate exchange groups and a minor amount of weakly ionized exchange groups;b) anion exchange ("AX") membranes and/or AX granules having in at least a surface substantially only quaternary ammonium and/or phosphonium exchange groups which upon decomposition leave almost no amine or phosphine groups bound to the membranes or granules;c) AX and/or CX granules which are selective to monovalent ions at currents which are fractions of the limiting current of such granules;d) AX and/or CX membranes and granules, such membranes and granules selective to monovalent ions at currents which are fractions of the limiting current of such membranes and granules;e) ion exchange ("IX") granules in which the concentration of IX groups in the inner regions is a fraction (including zero) of the concentration in the outer regions;f) AX