Abstract: An anaerobic digestion device includes a digester body configured to receive organic waste and a plurality of plates coupled to one another so as to divide an interior volume of the digester body into a plurality of compartmentalized chambers. The compartmentalized chambers are movable relative to the digester body to advance a slurry of said organic waste along a length of the digester body. A plurality of ports spaced along the digester body and arranged to vent biogas from the digester body. A storage vessel is configured to receive and store biogas received from the digester body via the ports, and a heating system configured to heat the digester body. The heating system is fuelled by the biogas vented from the digester body.

Abstract: A cell expansion system includes an air removal chamber to provide a bubble trap so that air and/or gas bubbles do not enter the bioreactor of the cell expansion system. The air removal chamber includes a pair of ports situated at the bottom of the air removal chamber. An entrance port allows fluid to enter the air removal chamber, and an exit port allows fluid to exit the air removal chamber. In one embodiment the air removal chamber forms an element of a premounted fluid conveyance assembly for use with a cell expansion machine.

Abstract: A portable dialysis cabinet for use in dialysis. The portable dialysis cabinet can have a size and weight that facilitates easy movement of the cabinet from one location to another with relative ease. The portable dialysis cabinet can have additional features necessary to facilitate portability, such as wheels and a handle. In general, the portable dialysis cabinet can contain all the necessary components for performing a dialysis session.

Abstract: A waste processing system includes: an input module for converting input organic waste into processed input waste; a digester module, coupled to the input module, for generating biogas and digester effluent from the processed input waste, including: a digester tank; baffles affixed within the digester tank; a digester process solution in the digester tank including, hydrolytic bacteria, acidogenic bacteria, acetogenic bacteria, methanogenic bacteria, or a combination thereof, for converting the processed input waste into the biogas and the digester effluent; and an output module, coupled to the digester module, for collecting the biogas and digester effluent after a residence period.

Abstract: A liquid recovery filter assembly for recovering filtered liquid trapped within a core or downstream side of a filter element. Multiple embodiments each include a recovery port and a recovery filter in fluid communication with the core or downstream side of the filter element. The recovery port is opened following filtration operations to permit and to facilitate filtered liquid to flow from a downstream or outlet port, thus allowing recovery of liquid remaining in the filter core or downstream side following filtering operations. The recovery filter permits the introduction of pressurized gas to force the filtered liquids from the filter assembly without compromising the sterility and/or non-contaminant condition of the liquid.

Abstract: The present invention concerns in one aspect a separator for separating the gas and liquid phases of a foam and, in another aspect, a foam reducing apparatus. The separator comprises a first side and a second side and having through-flow means provided therein for permitting a foam or a foam phase to pass from the first side to the second side, the separator further comprising at least one foam contacting surface having a low surface energy, and means for recovering at least one separated foam phase from the foam. The foam reducing apparatus comprises a low surface energy material and means for contacting foam, when said foam is input to the foam reduction apparatus, along a surface of said low surface energy material. The separator and the foam reducing apparatus may be used independently or in combination to good effect to more efficiently disrupt foam to provide separate gas and liquid phases.

Abstract: The invention includes a method for the optimization of the soluble CO2 concentration in the aeration basin of an activated sludge system, which significantly improves the specific growth rate of the nitrifying bacteria. The result is a reduction in capital and energy costs for municipalities. The rate of nitrification is a product of the nitrifying bacteria biomass concentration and the specific growth rate of the bacteria. In the activated sludge system, the biomass concentration is maintained at high concentrations by reducing the wasting rate. The specific growth rate is a function of the ammonium concentration and the environmental conditions. Here, the inventors show that growth of nitrifying bacteria is inhibited when the soluble CO2 concentration is elevated beyond certain parameters. Elevated soluble CO2 concentration also reduces the pH, which also impacts the rate of growth of nitrifying bacteria.

Abstract: A hybrid scavenger operates downstream of a separator such as a gunbarrel separator for petroleum production. The separator may be overdriven to maximize use of a permitted reinjection rate. The hybrid scavenger then extracts water from the oil and oil from the water without having to treat the entire stream of incoming production fluids.

Abstract: A filter for gravity-fed applications, having filter media with a hollow center, the filter being generally prone to a degradation or cessation in fluid flow due to air entrapment or air lock within the filter housing cavity, which develops during filtering. A diffuser element is introduced to pierce the entrapped air bubble, the diffuser element being an elongated structure connected to the filter housing top end cap and extending through the entrapped air bubble to the filter media.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for desolvating flowing liquid streams while retaining temporal resolution of dissolved substrates are disclosed. A novel small-scale self-regulating spray dryer preserves temporal resolution while desolvating a liquid chromatography eluent stream and depositing the solute onto an optical surface for infrared spectrographic analysis. The liquid eluent is pumped through a heated nebulizer to create a high-speed jet of solute containing liquid and solvent vapor. This jet is directed circumferentially inside a hot cylindrical cavity. Centrifugal force causes the larger liquid droplets to travel along the outer diameter of the cavity. The cavity surface is heated to cause the droplets to film boil. Film boiling reduces droplet contact with the cavity surface thereby retaining the solute in the droplets. The solute temperature is limited by controlling the pressure into which the solvent evaporates from the droplets.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to vial spiking assemblies and related methods. In certain aspects, the vial spiking assemblies include a vial adapter having a base, a spike extending from a central region of the base, and a sidewall extending from the base and surrounding the spike. The base and the sidewalls partially, define a cavity that is configured to receive at least a portion of the vial. The assemblies also include a spike cover that is removably attached to the spike and that includes a material configured to indicate when the material is contacted with liquid.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anaerobic water purification system, conversion kit and method for treating a liquid. The anaerobic water purification system according to the invention comprises: -a container for the liquid for treatment provided during use with a sludge bed; -a supply conduit operatively connected to the container for supplying the liquid for treatment; -a distribution system connected to the supply conduit for distributing the liquid over the sludge bed from above; -carrier material which is arranged during use in the container and to which anaerobic sludge material can attach; and -a gas roof arranged at or on the container and provided with a volume which can be adapted during use to the biogas production. The carrier material is preferably free-floating material. The discharge conduit for discharge of treated liquid is preferably connected to a riser pipe.

Abstract: A reduced air hydrocyclone unit includes a hydrocyclone having a cylindrical section, a conical base having an underflow outlet formed in its apex, and an overflow outlet on an upper end of the cylindrical section. An underflow basin collects underflow material. Overflow material flows through an overflow line. An exhaust fan of the reduced air hydrocyclone unit withdraws from the overflow material in the overflow line a portion of an amount of air introduced through the apex of the hydrocyclone. A reduced air fluid system includes the reduced air hydrocyclone unit, a fluid tank in fluid communication with the overflow line of the reduced air hydrocyclone unit, and a reduced air hopper for mixing a solid material with a fluid contained in the fluid tank to form a slurry. A liquid barrier inlet of the reduced air hopper creates a liquid barrier to prevent air introduction into the slurry.

Abstract: An integrated unit operations for the treatment of a waste stream, such as spent caustic, is provided in a single vertical vessel having at least three separate zones: a mixing, a settling, and a mass transfer zone.

Abstract: A system for separating components from a slurry of drilling fluid and drill cuttings on a shaker screen having an upper side and a lower side within a shaker. The system also has a pressure differential generator to pull an effective volume of air through a section of the shaker screen to enhance the flow of drilling fluid through the section of the shaker screen and the separation of drilling fluid from drill cuttings and further maintain an effective flow of drill cuttings off the shaker. A method of separating components of a slurry of drilling fluids and solids has the steps of delivering the slurry to a shaker, flowing the slurry over a first screen and applying an effective amount of vacuum to a first portion of the first screen to remove the drilling fluids from the slurry without stalling the solids on the first screen.

Abstract: A method and system for treatment of flow-back and produced water from a hydrocarbon well in which fracturing operations are carried out using a phase separation and creating of positive charge in the water.

Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.

Abstract: Electrocoagulation effluent treatment apparatus and methods are disclosed, the apparatus including a primary electrocoagulation reactor chamber having treatment electrodes maintained therein and an effluent inlet and treated effluent outlet. An integrated flotation chamber is located above the reaction chamber, a vacuum device connectable with a vacuum source being received in the flotation chamber and including a foam intake and an output. A sludge chamber is defined below and integrated with the primary reaction chamber and has a settled sludge output.

Abstract: Electrocoagulation and sludge control apparatus and feed controller assembly for effluent treatment are disclosed, the apparatus including a primary reaction chamber having electrodes mounted therein and a treated effluent output. A sludge chamber is defined below and integrated with the primary reaction chamber and has a selectively openable outlet. The feed controller assembly is intermediate the primary reaction chamber and the sludge chamber and has a length selected for distribution of all effluent feed water across substantially an entire length of the primary reaction chamber.

Abstract: A fluid-storing, filtering, and gas-discharging apparatus (2) comprising a fluid holder (21), a gas detector (23), and a filter (22). The fluid holder (21) has a protruding apex structure and comprises a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A gas-discharging pipe in communication with the outside is arranged on the protruding apex of the fluid holder (21). The gas detector (23) is arranged on the gas-discharging pipe. The filter (22) is fixed within the fluid holder (21) and is connected to the fluid outlet. The fluid-storing, filtering, and gas-discharging apparatus (2) uses the fluid holder (21) and the filter (22) to implement the storage and filtration of a working fluid, while at the same time, the fluid holder (21) having the protruding apex structure ensures complete discharging of gases mixed in the working fluid, thus achieves the goals of fluid storage, filtration, and gas discharge, and provides great reliability.

Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane module for pervaporation, in particular organophilic pervaporation, having a liquid-tight housing with at least one feed inlet, at least one retentate outlet and at least one permeate outlet that is or can be subjected to a negative pressure or vacuum, wherein a membrane pocket stack is arranged in a housing interior and has a plurality of membrane pockets and seals laid on one another, wherein mechanical pressure is or can be applied to the membrane pockets in the stacking direction by means of a pressure application device for the mutual sealing of the membrane pockets, so that the housing interior is divided up by the membrane pockets into a feed chamber on the outside of the membrane pockets and a permeate chamber in the interior of the membrane pockets. The invention further relates to a use of a membrane module according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solution for enriching a liquid with oxygen. For this purpose, oxygen from the ambient air is introduced into the liquid by means of an injector and is partially dissolved in it. The liquid which leaves the injector, and which is laden with dissolved and undissolved gas components of the air, is then introduced into at least one degassing unit (2), which is connected downstream to the injector, for the removal of undissolved gas components that form bubbles in the liquid. According to the invention, the injector involves a multiple injector having at least two injector chambers (11, 12, 13, 14).

Abstract: The disclosure provides apparatuses and methods for the reduction of the concentration of contaminants in residential drinking water. The apparatuses and methods described herein are capable of lowering the concentration of 1,4 dioxane found in well water to well below the state mandated maximum concentrations.

Abstract: A liquid concentrator having an evaporator assembly and a cyclonic separator includes features designed to improve the performance of the liquid concentrator. A settling chamber is separated from a sump of the cyclonic separator. A liquid inlet opening into a mixing chamber of the evaporator injects wastewater at low pressures. Features to aid in the cleaning of the liquid concentrator include easy open doors and clean water injection ports for cleaning interior portions of the liquid concentrator. In one feature a settling tank is disposed below the cyclonic separator and has a width that is larger than the width of the cyclonic separator. In another variation, the cyclonic separator has a tubular body with an interior that is substantially unobstructed between an inlet from the evaporator assembly and an exhaust outlet. In yet another variation, the cyclonic separator has an upper chamber that is separated from a lower chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating wastewater containing hydrocarbons, in particular hydrocarbons from the group of compounds referred to as BTEX, comprising benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene aromatic compounds, said wastewater being in particular from the production or conditioning of natural gas, wherein, according to the method, the wastewater is subjected to stripping by the natural gas such that the hydrocarbon pollution is not only removed from the water by means of being transferred to the gas, but also eliminated during the subsequent combustion of the gas. The wastewater to be treated has a soluble BTEX content that is no higher than 1,200 ppm, preferably no higher than 900 ppm, and the weight ratio of the stripping gas to the treated water is less than 10%, the water being discharged from the stripper having a soluble BTEX content that is no higher than 30 ppm.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating potable water in municipal and similar tanks to reduce and remove undesirable disinfectant byproducts such as trihalomethanes from the water by providing a water circulation system to create circulation patterns in the tank water and an air flow system for creating an air flow pattern in the headspace region of the enclosed tank above the water surface. In operation, a portion of the tank water is drawn-up a draft tube from the tank floor to above the water surface and sprayed through a nozzle outwardly about a vertical axis and slightly downwardly toward the surface of remaining tank water. The air flow system creates and directs a high volume of air through the tank above the water surface to volatize undesirable trihalomethanes in the drawn-up water portion to gaseous state to enter the air flow pattern and exit the tank into ambient air.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement (10, 100) for removing carbon dioxide from an extracorporeal flow of blood and/or for oxygenating the extracorporeal flow of blood. The arrangement (10, 100) comprises an oxygenator (12), a first gas storage tank (24) in which a first gas is contained and at least a second gas storage tank (24) in which a second gas is contained. Further the device (10, 100) has a gas mixing unit for mixing a purge gas from the first and the second gas and an electronic control unit (30) for controlling the gas mixing unit (50). The control unit (30) comprises an input unit (40) by means of which the content of the first gas in the purge gas is adjustable by an operator, wherein the control unit (30) controls the gas mixing unit (50) such that the purge gas has the adjusted content of the first gas.

Abstract: The invention is directed to systems and methods of biological and chemical treatment of wastewater comprising organic nitrogen compounds. Systems may include: an aerobic reactor, a first separation module for separating liquid and solid components of the wastewater; an oxidation module for removing organic materials from the wastewater; and a post-anoxic reactor for denitrifying at least a portion of the wastewater. Systems may include a second separation module and various feedback recycle lines between the components. Methods may include: degrading by the aerobic reactor more than 95% of organic compounds to ammonia, oxidizing by the oxidation module at least a portion of the ammonia to nitrates, and degrading by the post-anoxic reactor at least a portion of the nitrates to nitrogen gas and water. Systems and methods may reduce total organic carbon of the wastewater by more than 90%, and total nitrogen of the wastewater by more than 90%.

Abstract: A blood treatment method is described that is adapted to at least partially eliminate the carbon dioxide content of the type comprising a step of drawing a blood flow. Advantageously according to the invention, the method further comprises the steps of: acidifying the blood flow with transformation of the related blood bicarbonate content into gaseous carbon dioxide; and eliminating the gaseous carbon dioxide content by means of a pressure gradient.

Abstract: This disclosure includes a device for producing sodium hypochlorite or hypochlorous acid for water treatment, the device including: a cylinder for storing salt in solid form, adapted for being fed directly via a pressurized water pipe, and including one or more tubes that form one or more electrolytic chambers; one or more electrolytic cells received in the electrolytic chambers; the tubes of the cylinders being perforated to allow the contacting of the electrolytic cells with the salt-saturated water while preventing the electrolytic cells from being short-circuited by the solid salt. This produces sodium hypochlorite or hypochlorous acid from salt-saturated water in a cylinder, connected directly to the pipe of the water to be treated without the latter being loaded with salt.

Abstract: Wastewater treatment methods and systems for removal of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) from wastewater and for recovery of them as usable materials. Sufficient amount of dolomite lime and slaked dolomite lime is added into the wastewater to increase the pH of the wastewater to above 8.5 and to form P precipitates and to convert ammonium to ammonia in a precipitation-ammonia stripping reactor or a continuous flow precipitation reactor. The P precipitates are separated from the wastewater and recovered as usable solid material. The ammonia gas is absorbed and concentrated with acid solution in an ammonia absorption tower as usable liquid material.

Abstract: An equipment assembly for preparing, harvesting and collecting particles is disclosed. The assembly comprises a tandem filter system with one or more high pressure filters, one or more low pressure filters and one or more collection vessel. Particles can be prepared, harvested and collected continuously, semi-continuously or in a batch-type operation. A tandem filter system and its method of use are also disclosed. Particles made with the assembly and according the instant methods are also disclosed. The assembly provides improved particle harvesting and collection over other systems and permits continuous particle formation, in particular by dispersion of a solute-containing process fluid within a supercritical anti-solvent.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for integrated waste foam/gas evacuation from an electrocoagulation unit. The electrocoagulation unit has a primary electrocoagulation reaction chamber with processing electrodes maintained therein. A flotation chamber is integrated above the reaction chamber and a vacuum hood is affixed over the flotation chamber. A vacuum nozzle device is connectable with a vacuum source and received through the hood and in the flotation chamber, a height adjustable foam intake provided at one end of the nozzle.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for filtering and treating water, such as tap water, well water, spring water, etc., and producing drinking, bathing, and swimming water. More specifically, such systems, methods, and apparatus can produce purified water by removing substantially all suspended as well as dissolved solids, undesirable acids, gasses and all and any contaminates from the water. Additionally, the systems, methods, and apparatus can produce reprogrammed high biophoton mineralized drinking water by chilling vortexing over proprietary lodestones, ingenious, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks and creating bicarbonate ions in the water introducing minerals and/or salts into the water.

Abstract: An oil tank has return oil from a hydraulic circuit diffused onto a surface of oil stored in a tank body, and thereby the return oil is prevented from going deep in the oil, so that a hydraulic pump is prevented from sucking oil containing air bubbles. The oil tank includes: an intake port provided in the vicinity of a bottom of the tank body and connected to the hydraulic pump of a hydraulic circuit; and an return oil inlet connected to a return pipe of the hydraulic circuit through which the return oil enters the tank body. In the tank body, a container adapted to hold the return oil is provided. The container is configured so that the return oil inlet opens in the vicinity of the bottom of the container.

Abstract: A system for producing high purity water, and particularly for the production of water that is suitable for injection, as well as method of using the same, are disclosed. The system includes a unique combination of known water purification methods that is particularly well-suited to the production USP purified water and USP water that is suitable for injection. The system minimizes potential for organism growth within the system by providing multiple means of organism destruction and removal and by not utilizing any standard water treatment media.

Abstract: A three phase separator or settling device (2) or a digester (1) including the settling device. The settling device can receive a fluid containing liquid, gas and particulate material. The settling device includes a settling chamber to be filled with this fluid. The device can also include a liquid-discharge (5) for discharging liquid from the settling chamber and fitted close to the liquid level (30), a fluid inlet (6) for supplying the fluid into the settling chamber (3), a particulate material separation device (7) and a sludge outlet (8). A flow of fluid is provided into and out of the settling device and settling chamber. The inlet includes a gas separation device (4) for separating gas from the fluid including channels, the inlet positioned close to the fluid level. The inlet and transition (75) into the settling chamber is arranged to create a pre-separated flow pattern including a generally laminar liquid flow.

Abstract: A barrier of open pore mesh provided with a superhydrophobic coating to prevent wetting when exposed to an aqueous liquid. The disclosed barrier could be a mesh screen or a liquid pervious membrane. The barrier is useful in a filter media containment to permit egress of gas, usually air, from the containment even when subjected to an aqueous liquid containing environment.

Abstract: An upflow reactor is provided that includes a reactor tank, conduits, a waste water distributor, at least one first flotation separator and an optional second flotation separator for separating reactor water, biomass, and biogas, a collection device, and a gas separator for separating biomass and biogas. The first flotation separator includes one or more gas domes that are connected to the collection device and have outlets, the cross-sectional area or geometry of which can be controlled using movable covers.

Abstract: A system for performing a flash separation of a reservoir fluid includes a sample chamber configured to hold the reservoir fluid and a flash apparatus in fluid communication with the sample chamber. The flash apparatus includes a microfluidic device configured to flash the reservoir fluid in fluid communication with the sample chamber, and a separation chamber configured to separate the flashed reservoir fluid into a liquid phase and a gaseous phase in fluid communication with the microfluidic device. The system further includes a gas receptacle configured to store the gaseous phase. A method for performing a flash separation of a reservoir fluid includes providing a reservoir fluid to a microfluidic device, urging the reservoir fluid through the microfluidic device such that the reservoir fluid is lashed within the microfluidic device, and separating a liquid phase and a gaseous phase from the flashed reservoir fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to an element (12) for a bubble trap (4, 10) of an extracorporeal hemodialysis circuit (1). The element comprises: a body defining a space inside the element (12); an inner wall (14) separating the inner space of the element (12) into first (15) and second (16) compartments; a pressure port (62) which can be connected to a pressure sensor, in order to measure the pressure inside the bubble trap (4, 10); and a discharge opening (63) for discharging clots (C) located in the bubble trap (4, 10). According to the invention, the pressure port (62) opens into the first compartment (15) of the element (12), while the discharge opening (63) opens into the second compartment (16) of the element (12). In addition, the element (12) includes an air intake (66) which is provided in the partition (22) and which opens into the second compartment (16) of the element (12).

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for preparing a body fluid for a bacteriological analysis thereof comprising a container provided with a chamber (4) wherein a piston (5) is mobile between an opening position and a closing position, the chamber (4) including a separation zone (7) and means for introducing (15, 16) a fluid into said chamber and the piston (5) including a closure means (8) co-operating with the separation zone (7) so as to define an upper volume (9) and a lower volume (10) on either side of said zone, the upper volume (9) and the lower volume (10) mutually communicating when the piston (5) is in opening position and being tightly isolated from each other when the piston (5) is in closing position. The invention also concerns a preparation method using such a device (1).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in a solids control system to separate drilling fluid from drill cuttings. The apparatus comprises at least one shaker screen for supporting drilling fluid contaminated drill cuttings within a shaker; a vacuum system operatively connected to at least a portion of the at least one shaker screen, effective to draw air and/or drilling fluid through the at least one shaker screen; and at least one inertial gas-liquid separation device operatively connected to the vacuum system, effective to remove liquid particles from a gas-liquid stream within the vacuum system. A method for operating the apparatus within a shaker system is also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing an ozone destructor are disclosed herein. Generally, these systems and methods include an ozone destructor that has a housing defining an air passage duct. In some cases, this air passage duct includes a first chamber and a second chamber that are arranged so that air is able to flow into the first chamber, through the second chamber, and out of the destructor. In some cases, an air drying mechanism is disposed in the first and/or the second chamber. Additionally, in some cases, the ozone destructor further includes multiple mechanisms that reduce ozone to oxygen. In light of these features, the ozone destructor is capable of incrementally drying and reducing air and ozone, respectively, as they pass through the first chamber and the second chamber.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for desolvating flowing liquid streams while retaining temporal resolution of dissolved substrates are disclosed. A novel small-scale self-regulating spray dryer preserves temporal resolution while desolvating a liquid chromatography eluent stream and depositing the solute onto an optical surface for infrared spectrographic analysis. The liquid eluent is pumped through a heated nebulizer to create a high-speed jet of solute containing liquid and solvent vapor. This jet is directed circumferentially inside a hot cylindrical cavity. Centrifugal force causes the larger liquid droplets to travel along the outer diameter of the cavity. The cavity surface is heated to cause the droplets to film boil. Film boiling reduces droplet contact with the cavity surface thereby retaining the solute in the droplets. The solute temperature is limited by controlling the pressure into which the solvent evaporates from the droplets.

Abstract: Hydraulic fracturing produces backflow water that is high in total dissolved solids, hardness and silica. A system to treat backflow water has an electrical separation unit and a reverse osmosis (RO) unit. The electrical separation unit may comprise an electrodialysis device (ED), an electrodialysis reversal (EDR) device or a supercapacitive desalination (SCD) device, or a combination thereof. The electrical separation unit may be combined with a precipitation unit and reduces the TDS and hardness of the backflow water. The RO unit reduces the silica concentration of the backflow water. A pre-treatment unit may further condition backflow water treated in the electrical separation unit to inhibit fouling in the RO unit. The treated backflow water may be suitable for reuse in hydraulic fracturing or discharge.

Abstract: A filter member used in an oxygenator is constructed to provide improved contact with a hollow fiber membrane bundle and to capture bubbles contained in blood. The filter member possesses elasticity at least in the circumferential direction to allow the inner circumference of the filter member to be increased from a natural non-expanded state prior to placement on the hollow fiber membrane bundle to an expanded state in which the inner circumference of the filter member is increased when placed on the hollow fiber membrane bundle. The filter member is constructed to satisfy the condition 0.5?L2/L1<1, wherein L1 represents the outer circumference of the hollow fiber membrane bundle and L2 represents the inner circumference of the filter member in the natural non-expanded state.

Abstract: A method of removing contaminates from sour water is provided. The method includes producing raw sour water within a syngas production system, and removing the contaminates from the raw sour water using a chemical reaction within a treatment unit to produce treated sour water. The treatment unit is in flow communication with the syngas production system.

Abstract: A new approach is proposed that contemplates systems and methods to support an environmentally-friendly, “green” thermophilic anaerobic digestion system. The system includes a thermophilic anaerobic digester as well as various independent modular anaerobic units to generate bio-methane from certain organic energy sources, including but not limited to, among other things, green municipal waste, restaurant and organic waste and effluents from industries such as breweries, grocery stores, food processing plants, granaries, wineries, pulp and paper mills, ethanol and biodiesel plants, fat and animal rendering, agricultural field crops, organic sludge accumulation within lagoons and waterways, marine organic matter and animal manure.

Abstract: A reactor for anaerobically purifying waste water, such as waste water from the paper industry, includes a reactor vessel that has at least one inlet for supplying waste water to be purified into the reactor, at least one outlet for discharging purified water, at least one sediment filter and at least two multi-phase separator devices arranged on top of one another.