Abstract: A fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine may include a water separator configured to separate a polar phase, for example water, out of fuel. The water separator may be arranged at least one of on and in a fuel supply system component. The water separator may be configured as an electric coalescer. The electric coalescer may have at least two electrodes that are insulated from the fuel.

Abstract: An oil separator includes a case, electrode plates, filters, and a power supply unit. The electrode plates are arranged in the case with a space in between such that any two adjacent electrode plates face each other. The filters are made of an electrically insulating material and each arranged between any two adjacent electrode plates. The power supply unit is connected to the electrode plates and applies voltage between any two adjacent electrode plates, thereby creating a potential difference between the adjacent electrode plates. The filling factor of each filter is in a range from 0.005 to 0.03. The voltage applied between any two adjacent electrode plates by the power supply unit is in a range from 0.5 to 5 kV. The distance between any two adjacent electrode plates is in a range from 3 to 20 mm.

Abstract: Contaminants are filtered from a fluid flow stream and the filter is regenerated by a process including steps of: providing a filter material comprising both carbon and potassium iodide; passing a contaminated fluid stream in contact with the filter material; adsorbing contaminants from the fluid stream onto surfaces in the filter material; passing an electric current through the filter material with adsorbed contaminant thereon; disassociating contaminant from the surfaces of the filter material; and removing disassociated contaminant from the filter material by carrying away the disassociated contaminant in a fluid flow mass.

Abstract: A reducing agent tank for receiving and storing a reducing agent solution, with a filler pipe and a fill level sensor for determining the level of the aqueous reducing agent solution in the reducing agent tank. In order to create a reducing agent tank for receiving and storing an aqueous reducing agent solution that allows storage of the liquid pollutant-reducing medium and simultaneously enables reliable detection of incorrect filling of the tank, a first electrode and a second electrode are arranged in the filler pipe such that a liquid flowing into the reducing agent tank flows over the first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode coming into direct contact with the inflowing liquid.

Abstract: A system and method for cleaning sulfur and other pollutants from bunker oil to be used for fuel in large cargo ships is described. Preferably, the system includes two or more stages having a mixer to create an emulsion of oil and water. One or more treatment chemicals are added to the water before it is mixed with the oil in order to assist in separating the sulfur from the oil and freeing it up so that it can combine with various other molecules present in the water or be dissolved in the water. The emulsion may pass through a microcavitation chamber as well as an electrolysis reactor chamber in order to further clean the fuel oil by removing additional sulfur content. The clean fuel is sent to a fuel service tank for use in a diesel engine combustion cycle.

Abstract: Method for treating a fluid containing ionized particles, by means of an apparatus provided with a hydraulic circuit (100) intercepted by an immiscible storage tank and by a cyclically regenerating filtering unit (3, 3A, 3B), connected in parallel to the tank. The following are provided for: a supply pipe connected to the hydraulic circuit (100) upstream of the immiscible storage tank for introducing fluid to be purified and an extraction pipe (9) connected to the hydraulic circuit (100) downstream of the filtering unit (3, 3A, 3B) for conveying purified fluid to the user.

Abstract: This disclosure provides for an improved electrostatic filtration system for removing contaminants from a dielectric fluid that overcomes arcing concerns, resistance burns and fluid flow concerns. The system has three major elements: an electrostatic filtration cartridge; an electrostatic filtration cartridge housing; and an electrostatic filtration system housing. It is within the electrostatic filtration cartridge where the apparatus and method for addressing the arcing concerns and fluid flow concerns reside. The electrostatic filtration cartridge includes at least one set of m conductive plates (m set) and at least one set of n conductive plates (n set). Within the sets (m set and n set) of conductive plates, the conductive plates are directly coupled by a series of conductive connecting portions. Each individual conductive plate includes a cutaway portion to avoid electrical contact between one set of conductive plates and an adjacent conductive connecting portion within another set of conductive plates.

Abstract: The invention proposes a device for decaffeinating a liquid. The device includes at least one cathode electrode and at least one anode electrode which are spaced apart and which are immersed in the liquid; a power supply coupled to the at least one cathode electrode and the at least one anode electrode and configured to apply power thereto, wherein the at least one cathode electrode and the at least one anode electrode are configured to generate an electric field in the liquid upon application of the power to attract caffeine molecules in the liquid to the at least one cathode electrode; wherein the at least one cathode electrode is made of or coated with an absorbing material configured to absorb at least part of the caffeine molecules that are attracted to the at least one cathode electrode.

Abstract: Apparatus for purifying a fluid, which comprises an ion absorption cell (2) traversed by a fluid to be treated (F1) containing cationic particles and/or anionic particles, provided with a containment structure (3) defining at its interior two operating chambers (4, 5) traversed by the fluid to be treated (F1), and each delimited by a respective electrode (10, 11) that can be power supplied to opposite polarities. Between the two operating chambers (4, 5), a third evacuation chamber (13) is interposed, containing a porous electrical conductor (18) traversed by a washing fluid (F2) and delimited by two opposite walls (16, 17) which together with the electrodes (10, 11) define the aforesaid operating chambers (4, 5). The aforesaid walls (16, 17) have at least one ion-selective area associated, which is susceptible to being traversed by charged particles with corresponding polarity contained in the two contiguous operating chambers (4, 5) subjected to the action of the electric field generated by the electrodes.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for producing water for preparation of a dialysis solution, including an electrolytic water generation device that performs electrolysis using a solid polymer membrane, and a reverse osmosis membrane treatment device, the electrolytic water generation device being capable of reducing drained water as much as possible, and performing intense electrolysis to increase the amount of dissolved hydrogen without raising pH.

Abstract: A curable composition comprising: (i) 2.5 to 50 wt % crosslinker comprising at least two acrylamide groups; (ii) 12 to 65 wt % curable ionic compound comprising an ethylenically unsaturated group and a cationic group; (iii) 10 to 70 wt % solvent; (iv) 0 to 10 wt % of free radical initiator; and (v) lithium and/or calcium salt. The compositions are useful for preparing ion exchange membranes.

Abstract: A curable composition comprising: (i) 2.5 to 50 wt % crosslinker comprising at least two acrylamide groups; (ii) 20 to 65 wt % curable ionic compound comprising an ethylenically unsaturated group and an anionic group; (iii) 15 to 45 wt % solvent; and (iv) 0 to 10 wt % of free radical initiator; wherein the molar ratio of (i):(ii) is 0.1 to 1.5. The compositions are useful for preparing ion exchange membranes.

Abstract: A curable composition comprising: (i) 2.5 to 50 wt % crosslinker comprising at least two acrylamide groups; (ii) 12 to 65 wt % curable ionic compound comprising an ethylenically unsaturated group and a cationic group; (iii) 15 to 70 wt % solvent; and (iv) 0 to 10 wt % of free radical initiator; and (v) 2 to 50 wt % of non-curable salt; wherein the composition has a pH of 1 to 12. The compositions are useful for preparing ion exchange membranes.

Abstract: A curable composition comprising: (i) 2.5 to 50 wt % crosslinker comprising at least two acrylamide groups; (ii) 20 to 65 wt % curable ionic compound comprising an ethylenically unsaturated group and an anionic group; (iii) 15 to 45 wt % solvent; and (iv) 0 to 10 wt % of free radical initiator; wherein the composition has a pH of 0.8 to 12. The compositions are useful for preparing ion exchange membranes.

Abstract: To remove a contaminant from a liquid, a pulsed electrical arc discharge is effected between two electrodes immersed in the liquid, thereby creating a plurality of particles within the liquid. One or both of the electrodes is metallic, for example iron or titanium. Before the pulsed electrical arc discharge is terminated, another step that promotes destruction of the contaminant by particles, such as removing the particles from the liquid or adding an oxidizer to the liquid, is performed. In the case of the extra step being adding an oxidizer to the liquid, preferably the termination of the pulsed electrical arc discharge is followed by allowing the liquid and the particles therein to age.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a spacer structure that is configured to be disposed between a pair of electrodes in a capacitive deionization apparatus so as to provide a space for flowing a fluid therethrough. The spacer structure includes a copolymer prepared by copolymerizing a mixture of a polyurethane backbone including a carboxyl group or a sulfonic acid group, an ion conductive monomer including a carboxyl group and a cation exchange group, and a second polymer including a functional group that reacts with the carboxyl group or sulfonic acid group and forms a cross-linking bond with the polyurethane backbone.

Abstract: A process for making a composite membrane comprising the steps: (i) providing a moving poriferous support (1) impregnated with a curable composition, wherein the composition is present in the pores of the support and on a surface of the support; (ii) scraping or squeezing the poriferous support and thereby removing at least some of the curable composition (2) from the surface of the support; and (iii) after performing step (ii), irradiating the support, thereby curing the composition present therein. Composite membranes are also claimed having a surface layer thickness of below 0.5 microns.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for desalinating water, such as seawater. The system, method, and/or apparatus includes an electrodialysis cell that can separate monovalent ionic species from multivalent ionic species, so they may be separately treated. Each separate treatment may include precipitation of salt via the use of an organic solvent, followed by processing of precipitated salts and membrane treatment of water to remove solvent and remaining salts.

Abstract: A modularized fluid purification device and a method for fluid purification are provided that utilizes electrical power to create a high voltage electrostatic field through which the fluid is passed in combination with filtration to remove or neutralize both organic and inorganic contaminants. The electrostatic field may be focused using an electromagnetic field, and one or more filters downstream of the electrostatic field may be charged to attract correspondingly charged contaminants. The electrical power for creating the electrostatic field and/or charging the filters may be generated via a power generation module of the device or from an external source of power. Fluid, such as water, that is passed through the device and purified may, as a result, be suitable for human consumption, as well as agricultural and industrial applications.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for devices, systems and methods for fractionation and concentration of particles from a fluid sample. This includes a cartridge containing staged filters having porous surface in series of decreasing pore size for capture of particles from a fluid sample; and a permeate pressure source in fluid communication with the cartridge; wherein the particles are eluted from the porous surfaces and dispensed in a reduced fluid volume.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for separating minerals in drilling fluid based primarily on density. The separator creates and maintains a slurry with a controllable density for separating minerals from drill cuttings. The density is controlled through the use of an electrode array. The separator comprises a housing have a fluid inlet for the fluid mixture, at least one rotating disk having an electrode array positioned inside the housing to suspend a first material of the fluid mixture, and a mechanism configured to rotate the disk. A second and third material is separated from the fluid via use of the suspended first material.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electric double layer capacitor electrochemical cylinder (11) made up of concentric layers of capacitors (16), current collectors (14a, 14b, 14c), ion specific membranes (18, 18a, 18b) and dielectric spacer (20) wrapped around an inner support tube (12) that can be used as a high capacitance capacitor and to remove dissolved solids from a liquid stream such as water, acid, aqueous or non-aqueous.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filter medium, a method for the manufacture thereof and the use of the filter medium according to the invention. The filter medium according to the invention comprises at least two textile nonwoven layers which are joined to one another by needling. The needled composite is then subjected to an aftertreatment so that the holes present from he needling are reduced by at least 50%.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a water softening apparatus including an electrosorption unit to adsorb foreign matter contained in water with electrical attraction, a preprocessing unit having a preprocessing chamber which is connected with an external water supply source and is provided with a filter to filter out foreign matter contained in water transferred from the external water supply source, and a cleaning solution supply unit having a cleaning solution storage chamber which stores a cleaning solution to be supplied to the electrosorption unit. Since any one of the water transferred from the preprocessing unit and the cleaning solution transferred from the cleaning solution supply unit is selectively transferred to the electrosorption unit by a valve, a pump to inject the cleaning solution and the like are unnecessary.

Abstract: A purifying device and a process for deeply treating printing and dyeing wastewater are provided. The device includes a nanometer catalytic microelectrolysis system, a membrane filtration and separation system and a a membrane washing regeneration system. The method includes the following steps of: drawing the printing and dyeing wastewater by a first water pump (12), pumping a first part of the wastewater into a nanometer catalytic microelectrolysis tank (13) to perform catalysis microelectrolysis, and a second part of the wastewater into a neutralization tank (16) to mix with the water from the nanometer catalytic microelectrolysis tank (13) to precipitate, filtering the wastewater by a sand filtration tank (17), and then pumping the wastewater into an adsorption and filteration device of granular active carbon (18) for adsorption and filtration. The process has lower cost and higher energy efficiency, and can realize recycled water to be reused.

Abstract: A filtering film structure includes a film, a conductive layer and a dielectric layer. The film includes a plurality of holes. The conductive layer is disposed on the inner surface of the holes, and the dielectric layer is disposed on the conductive layer. When applying a voltage to the conductive layer, an electrical charge layer forms on the surface of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid treatment module, which comprises power distribution panels, electrode plates and a framework with side plates. The two power distribution panels are fixed on the two side plates. The power distribution panels have electrode plates located on inner side of the panels. There are two or more double-sided electrode plates placed in stacks between the two distribution panels which are connected to the DC power supply through the electric wires. There are separators placed between the adjacent electrode plates to provide the flow channels. Each flow channel is connected with the inlet and outlet holes on the side plates. The exposed surface of the power distribution panels, double-sided electrode plates and the separators are bonded and sealed by the insulating package.

Abstract: Electrostatic filters, systems and methods having separate positively and negatively charged filter elements within electrically isolated filter tanks for electrostatically filtering particles from a fluid flow. Both positive charged connections biased to earth ground and negative charged connections biased to earth ground are made to the respective positive and negative charged filter elements, along with triboelectric induced charge accumulations from the fluid flow, for separating charged particles within the fluid flowing parallel through these oppositely charged filter elements. Variable resistors of a power supply connected to such filters, systems and methods provide for controlling and adjusting for any undesired voltage excesses and/or shortfalls within these filter tanks so that the fluid flowing exiting these filter tanks is unbiased to generate a filtered fluid having balanced electrostatic charges.

Abstract: An integrated electrode-current collector sheet includes a current collector including uneven portions disposed on at least one side of the current collector; and an active material layer disposed on the current collector, the active material layer at least partially covering the uneven portions. In addition, disclosed are a capacitive deionization device and an electric double layer capacitor including the integrated electrode-current collector sheet.

Abstract: The present invention uses the principles of electrochemical ion absorption (charging) and ion desorption (discharge), and relates to a continuous flow-electrode system, a high-capacity energy storage system, and a water treatment method using the same, in which high-capacity electric energy is stored as electrode materials of a slurry phase and electrolytes simultaneously flow in a successive manner within a fine flow channel structure formed on an electrode. More specifically, the present invention relates to a continuous flow-electrode system, an energy storage system, and a water treatment method, wherein electrode active materials consecutively flow in a slurry state whereby a high capacity is easily obtained without enlarging or stacking electrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus to remove ions, the apparatus including a housing, an inlet to let water into the housing, an outlet to let water out of the housing, a first electrode, a second electrode, a spacer between the first and second electrodes to allow water to flow between the first and second electrodes, and an ion exchange membrane between the first and/or second electrode and the spacer, wherein the membrane has a crosslinked hyperbranched polymer with ion exchange groups.

Abstract: A flowcell 2 is constituted of insulating substrates 2a and 2b. The two substrates 2a and 2b have been directly bonded to each other by a bonding method for attaining tenacious bonding, for example, anodic bonding or hydrofluoric acid bonding. A channel 6 has been formed at the interface between the substrates 2a and 2b. Part of the substrate 2a which faces the channel 6 has a carbon electrode 4a formed thereon by sintering a pasty carbon material, the electrode 4a extending along the channel 6. On the other hand, the substrate 2b has a groove 6a serving as the channel 6, and has an electrode 4b made of a metal film formed on a bottom surface of the groove 6a.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid filter system which can be used to separate the different substances forming said fluid. The invention is characterized in that it comprises the application of a uniform magnetic or electric field in order to produce a Stark effect and the subsequent application of an electric field oscillating in resonance with the energy separation caused by the Stark effect or by a magnetic field oscillating in resonance with the energy separation caused by the Zeeman effect. The molecules involved in the resonation are captured in the filter and subsequently removed using a suction system.

Abstract: A method for removing soot, sludge, varnish and other insoluble particulates from engine oil, the method including the steps of: disposing an oil containing the particulates between a pair of electrodes, wherein one of the electrodes is a collecting electrode; wrapping a surface of the collecting electrode with a media, wherein the media is configured to collect a portion of the particulates drawn towards the collecting electrode; applying a direct current to the electrodes for a period of time to generate an electric field, wherein the electric field causes a portion of the particulates to agglomerate in the media; and removing the media and the portion of particulates agglomerated in the media to reduce the amount of soot particles in the oil.

Abstract: The invention relates to textiles, reservoirs, or films which may be switchably rendered hydrophilic or hydrophobic for liquid wicking, repelling, moving, holding, absorbing, drying, wetting, dispensing, and other means of electrically manipulation of liquids.

Abstract: A bottle, a system and a method sterilize a liquid. The bottle has an interior to hold the liquid and an ultraviolet light emitting lamp that extends into the interior. A cord may be attached to the bottle so that pulling the cord may power the ultraviolet light emitting lamp and/or charge a battery used to power the ultraviolet light emitting lamp. The bottle may have a status light that indicates that the ultraviolet light emitting lamp may have an amount of power equal to or greater than a threshold value, such as, for example, an amount of power necessary for the ultraviolet light emitting lamp to operate for ninety seconds. The bottle may have a removable lid located opposite to the ultraviolet light emitting lamp.

Abstract: A desalination apparatus is disclosed which uses a salt sponge unit to remove a majority of salt from water. A parallel plate capacitor can be connected after the salt sponge to remove remaining salt ions. The salt sponge is a nanoporous, high surface area carbon scaffold to which crown ethers are attached. A power supply is connected to the salt sponges for applying a bias voltage to regenerate the salt sponges. A chlorine treatment unit can be connected after the parallel plate capacitor. A method of purifying sea water using the apparatus also is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for removing soot, sludge, varnish and other insoluble particulates from engine oil, the method including the steps of: disposing an oil containing the particulates between a pair of electrodes, wherein one of the electrodes is a collecting electrode; wrapping a surface of the collecting electrode with a media, wherein the media is configured to collect a portion of the particulates drawn towards the collecting electrode; applying a direct current to the electrodes for a period of time to generate an electric field, wherein the electric field causes a portion of the particulates to agglomerate in the media; and removing the media and the portion of particulates agglomerated in the media to reduce the amount of soot particles in the oil.

Abstract: A filter includes a membrane having a plurality of nanochannels formed therein. A first surface charge material is deposited on an end portion of the nanochannels. The first surface charge material includes a surface charge to electrostatically influence ions in an electrolytic solution such that the nanochannels reflect ions back into the electrolytic solution while passing a fluid of the electrolytic solution. Methods for making and using the filter are also provided.

Abstract: Electrostatic filters, systems and methods having separate positively and negatively charged filter elements within electrically isolated filter tanks for electrostatically filtering particles from a fluid flow. Both positive charged connections biased to earth ground and negative charged connections biased to earth ground are made to the respective positive and negative charged filter elements, along with triboelectric induced charge accumulations from the fluid flow, for separating charged particles within the fluid flowing parallel through these oppositely charged filter elements. Variable resistors of a power supply connected to such filters, systems and methods provide for controlling and adjusting for any undesired voltage excesses and/or shortfalls within these filter tanks so that the fluid flowing exiting these filter tanks is unbiased to generate a filtered fluid having balanced electrostatic charges.

Abstract: A bottle, a system and a method sterilize a liquid. The bottle has an interior to hold the liquid and an ultraviolet light emitting lamp that extends into the interior. A cord may be attached to the bottle so that pulling the cord may power the ultraviolet light emitting lamp and/or charge a battery used to power the ultraviolet light emitting lamp. The bottle may have a status light that indicates that the ultraviolet light emitting lamp may have an amount of power equal to or greater than a threshold value, such as, for example, an amount of power necessary for the ultraviolet light emitting lamp to operate for ninety seconds. The bottle may have a removable lid located opposite to the ultraviolet light emitting lamp.

Abstract: A curable composition comprising: (i) 2.5 to 50 wt % crosslinker comprising at least two acrylamide groups; (ii)12 to 65 wt % curable ionic compound comprising an ethylenically unsaturated group and a cationic group; (iii) 10 to 70 wt % solvent; (iv) 0 to 10 wt % of free radical initiator; and (v) lithium and/or calcium salt. The compositions are useful for preparing ion exchange membranes.

Abstract: A curable composition comprising: (i) 2.5 to 50 wt % crosslinker comprising at least two acrylamide groups; (ii) 20 to 65 wt % curable ionic compound comprising an ethylenically unsaturated group and an anionic group; (iii) 15 to 45 wt % solvent; and (iv) 0 to 10 wt % of free radical initiator; wherein the composition has a pH of 0.8 to 12. The compositions are useful for preparing ion exchange membranes.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus and filtration method can be used to reduce at least one contaminant (e.g., organic molecules, ions and/or biological microorganisms) in an aqueous fluid. The filtration apparatuses and methods of the invention can separate at least one contaminant from an aqueous fluid and/or oxidize at least one contaminant. In operation, an aqueous fluid is flowed through a filtration apparatus comprising a porous carbon nanotube filter material at an applied voltage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a fluid by passing fluid through a treatment structure, the fluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structure containing electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver, flowing an electric current in the fluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure, and killing undesirable things in the treatment structure.

Abstract: A separating system for separating a fluid mixture incorporates a smart surface having reversibly switchable properties. A voltage is selectively applied to the smart surface to attract or repel constituents of a fluid mixture, such as oil and water produced from a hydrocarbon well. The smart surface can be used in a conditioner to increase droplet size prior to entering a conventional separator, or the smart surface and other elements of the invention can be incorporated into an otherwise conventional separator to enhance separation. In a related aspect, a concentration sensor incorporating smart surfaces senses concentration of the fluid mixture's constituents.

Abstract: A process for preparing a composite membrane comprising acidic and/or basic groups comprising the following steps: (i) applying a curable composition to a support; and (ii) curing the composition to form a membrane; wherein the curable composition comprises: (a) 18 to 78 wt % crosslinking agent(s) having at least two acrylic groups; (b) 20 to 80 wt % curable compound(s) having one or more acidic or basic groups or groups which are convertible to acidic or basic groups; (c) 2 to 30 wt % solvent(s); and (d) 0 to 10 wt % photoinitiator(s). The membranes are particularly useful for water purification or for the generation of electricity from two streams differing in salt concentration.

Abstract: Device designed to desalinate brackish water which performs said function by the combined action of magnetic fields generated inside the device and ion-selective membranes, thus obtaining two separate water currents, one with a low salt concentration and the other reject current with a high salt concentration. It comprises an external cylindrical body of magnetized iron (1), an inner body also cylindrical and made of the same material (2) and an intermediate chamber (3) in which are placed a series of ion-selective membranes (6 and 7) arranged radially around the axle common to all of the bodies, and placed alternately such that each negative-ion selective membrane has a positive-ion selective membrane on either side.

Abstract: An apparatus to remove ions, the apparatus having a housing comprising a water inlet to let water in the housing, a water outlet to let water out of the housing, a first electrode comprising a first current collector, a second electrode, a spacer to separate the first and second electrodes and allow water to flow in between the first and second electrodes, and a metal connector connected to the first current collector, wherein multiple first current collectors are fed through the housing to connect to the metal connector outside the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electro-penetrative type sludge weight reducing apparatus, which can uniformly dehydrate sludge by gradually applying the same pressure over an entire surface of the sludge and applying the same voltage to the sludge and includes a sludge supplier, which can minutely and precisely control a compression height for the sludge according to characteristics and a thickness of the sludge and maximize a moisture reducing efficiency of the sludge by uniformly supplying the sludge having a desired thickness to an entire width of a conveyor belt and an electrode plate with improved insulation safety.