Abstract: The separation of platelets from whole blood or any of its components Through electricity-based and/or mixed-phase effects.

Abstract: A device for purification of contaminated liquid includes (a) a prepurification tank in which raw water to be purified and foaming reagent are introduced and mixed and the pH value is adjusted, whereby prepurified water is obtained; (b) at least one tower-shaped main purification block, wherein each of the at least one tower-shaped main purification blocks, includes, arranged vertically one under another; (i) a drum station for combined gas and water scrubbing by foaming; (ii) a defoaming station; (iii) an ionization station; and (iv) a collecting tank for collecting resultant purified water; (c) a separating device in which sludge from the purification tanks is introduced; and (d) at least one afterpurification filtering device connected to the collecting tank of the main purification block by a supply line and wherein a pure water outlet line extends from the at least one afterpurification filtering device.

Abstract: An underwater filtration system or operator which can be floated on and suspended in a river, lake, pond or other water body to filter water from the water body. The underwater filtration operator may be electrically charged with simultaneous introduction of continuous forced air to remove impurities from the water body and increase filtering efficiency and the system includes a split housing having a selected configuration and divided into one or more filtration units, each of which includes a filter medium or mediums for filtering water from the water body. A pump is provided in the interior of the system housing for receiving the filtered water from the filtration units and pumping the filtered water to a collection tank or dispenser, directly to an end user or to a reverse-osmosis water filtration unit for further filtration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for desalinating saltwater using concentration difference energy is disclosed. In order to desalinate saltwater that is contained within a product chamber, a drive cell is used to generate a drive voltage. The product chamber has a desalination voltage such that when a sufficient voltage is applied to the product chamber, anions and cations migrate out of the product chamber, thereby desalinating the water. The sufficient voltage, which includes the drive voltage and which is equal to or greater than the desalination voltage, is applied to the product chamber, consequently effecting desalination. Beneficially, concentration difference energy can be generated using a concentrated solution, which can be generated using, for example, solar energy.

Abstract: A water separating fuel filter is provided with a sensor at its bottom portion which is not removable in a direction away from the housing structure of the filter mechanism. In other words, if the sensor is removable at all, it must be removed in a direction which requires the sensor to move through the cavity of the housing structure of the filter while preventing an internal end of the sensor from passing in a direction away from the cavity and through a portion of the wall of the housing structure through which the sensor extends during operation. This eliminates the likelihood of a sensor being inadvertently removed from the housing structure and not properly replaced prior to subsequent operation of a fuel system of an internal combustion engine. This, in turn, prevents the condition wherein an opening at the bottom portion of the fuel filter housing structure can allow liquid fuel to flow from the fuel system into the bilge of a watercraft.

Abstract: A filtration media that incorporates a static dissipative media layer for dissipating the static charge that builds up as a fluid, such a fuel, passes through the filtration media. The filtration media includes a filter media suitable for filtering fluid, and a static dissipative media layer. The static dissipative media layer has a surface resistivity level that is sufficient to classify the media layer as static dissipative rather than conductive.

Abstract: In a liquid treatment apparatus, a discharge electrode (31) and an ejector (32) are arranged face to face with each other. An electric power supply (33) establishes an electric potential difference between the discharge electrode (31) and the ejector (32). As a result, a streamer discharge occurs from the discharge electrode (31) towards liquid droplets (32a) emitted from the ejector (32). Active species produced in association with the generation of the streamer discharge are absorbed in the liquid droplets (32a), whereby the treatment target water (32a) is sterilized and purified.

Abstract: An underwater filtration system or operator which can be floated on and suspended in a river, lake, pond or other water body to filter water from the water body. The underwater filtration operator may be electrically charged with simultaneous introduction of continuous forced air to remove impurities from the water body and increase filtering efficiency and the system includes a split housing having a selected configuration and divided into one or more filtration units, each of which includes a filter medium or mediums for filtering water from the water body. A pump is provided in the interior of the system housing for receiving the filtered water from the filtration units and pumping the filtered water to a collection tank or dispenser, directly to an end user or to a reverse-osmosis water filtration unit for further filtration.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for treating liquids flowing in a thin film around a source of wave energy to directly expose the liquid to the wave energy, preferably generated in whole or part by an electrical arc between carbon electrodes. In addition to the wave energy generated by the electrical arc, energy generated by cavitation of the flowing liquid may be used in treating the liquid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separating particles and/or toxins from a sample fluid. A method according to one embodiment comprises simultaneously passing a sample fluid and a buffer fluid through a chamber such that a fluidic interface is formed between the sample fluid and the buffer fluid as the fluids pass through the chambers the sample fluid having particles of interest therein; applying a force to the fluids for urging the particles of interest to pass through the interface into the buffer fluid; and substantially separating the buffer fluid from the sample fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating dirty water or other liquids containing particles of varying size includes a magnetic treatment unit and a centrifugal separator through which the liquid flows as a stream in sequence. The magnetic treatment unit causes very small sized particles to agglomerate, nucleate or otherwise to be amassed into larger particles which are then more easily separated by the centrifugal separator.

Abstract: A blood treatment filter which comprises a housing including an inlet and an outlet, and a filter unit for filtering blood containing erythrocytes, platelets and leukocytes as blood cell components is provided. The filter unit comprises a main filter unit which virtually removes predetermined cell components from blood and passes the remaining blood cell components, and a pre-filter unit which is arranged at the up-stream side of the main filter and virtually does not remove blood cell components. The pre-filter unit has a permeability rate of 70 to 90% for micro particles having an average particle size of 6 ?m which are contained in a suspension and passed by gravity.

Abstract: An electrostatic coalescing device including at least one pair of sheet-shaped electrodes arranged at a distance from each other side-by-side so as to form a flow passage between them. Each one of the electrodes includes a sheet-shaped conductive member of electrically conductive material. The conductive member of at least one of the electrodes is at least partially enclosed by insulation of electrically non-conductive material. A layer of semiconducting material is arranged between the insulation and the associated conductive member on at least one side of the conductive member surface-to-surface with the conductive member, and/or the insulation is at least partially covered by a layer of semiconducting material arranged surface-to-surface with the insulation in order to smooth the electric fields on the outwardly facing surface of the insulation.

Abstract: This invention relates a wastewater purifying system in hospitals, comprising interconnected grilles, a regulating disinfection pool, a coagulation pool, a preliminary settling tank, a hydrolysis-acidification pool, an aerobic bio-filter, a secondary settling tank, an advanced oxidation device, a sludge pool and a recycling impounding reservoir. The regulating disinfection pool is used to accumulate original wastewater released from every source and the advanced oxidation device is used to oxidize remained organic matters into inorganic molecules via chemical and biochemical methods or via physical methods and could be an electric biological oxidation treatment device. This system possesses high purifying degree and purified water from this system can be used as reclaimed water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water circulation treatment system in housing estate comprising an oxidative biologic filter chamber, a sloping plate sedimentation chamber, an electric biology organic sewage processor and a carbon absorption chamber, said oxidative biologic filter chamber, said sloping plate sedimentation chamber, said electric biology organic sewage processor and said carbon absorption chamber are connected in sequence, wherein the electric biology organic sewage processor includes a shell and a plurality pairs of electrodes, the plurality pairs of electrodes placed in the shell of the electric biology organic sewage processor and surrounded by filter materials, the extending directions of the electrodes are perpendicular to that of water flow in the shell of the electric biology organic sewage processor. This system can purify discharged water which meet sewage discharged standards to a high degree of purification to be used as drinking water.

Abstract: A process for modifying a liquid, comprising introducing a liquid into a cavitation device and cavitating the liquid in the cavitation device. During cavitation the liquid makes contact with an electron emitting material to inject electrons into the liquid. In some embodiments, the electron emitting material is a quartz crystal and the cavitation process produces micro-clustered water.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for extracorporeal blood cleaning includes a separation unit (110), at least two processing branches (120; 130) and a mixing unit (140). The separation unit (110) receives 5 incoming blood (B A) and divides off a first fraction (fC) from this blood. The first fraction (fC) contains predominantly blood cells. The separation unit (110) also divides off at least one second fraction (fP), which contains predominantly blood plasma. A first processing branch (120) processes the first fraction (fC) according to a first cleaning process, in which cell-bound substances are removed from the blood cells. As a result, a first cleaned fraction (fC c) containing washed blood cells is produced. A second processing branch (130) processes the second fraction (fP) according to a second cleaning process in which toxins bound on proteins within the plasma and/or toxins dissolved in 15 the plasma are removed, and a second cleaned fraction (fP c) is produced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ultrafiltration. In particular, the present invention provides a compact ultrafiltration device and methods for generating an ultrafiltrate, both of which can be used for a variety of applications, including, but not limited to filtering blood, diagnostic applications, and as a bioreactor.

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: The present invention relates to ultrafiltration. In particular, the present invention provides nanoporous membranes having pores for generating in vitro and in vivo ultrafiltrate, devices and bioartificial organs utilizing such nanoporous membranes, and related methods (e.g., diagnostic methods, research methods, drug screening). The present invention further provides nanoporous membranes configured to avoid protein fouling with, for example, a polyethylene glycol surface coating.

Abstract: A hemodialysis apparatus comprises dialyzer means, dialyzing solution supply means, blood circulation means, and blood irradiation means. Employing electromagnetic radiation in the red visible and near infrared spectrum as part of a hemodialysis apparatus prevents long-term side effects associated with the use of dialysis, including cardiovascular diseases and anemia, and protects and restores the remaining kidney function.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a fluid to destroy, remove, or reduce undesirable agents, such as microorganisms, particles or ions, contained in the fluid and/or to inhibit the formation of scale are disclosed. The invention includes an apparatus for treating a fluid to destroy, remove, or reduce undesirable agents, such as microorganisms, particles, or ions, contained in the fluid and/or to inhibit the formation of scale. The apparatus can include an open fluid directional means or conduit. The preferred open fluid directional means is a conduit manufactured of resilient, corrosion-resistant material. The apparatus is attached to a power source and has a controller means. The controller means is desirably a microprocessor and can include a switching means for regulating the current to the apparatus. However, simpler circuits and components can be used for the controller means. The apparatus includes a field generating means. The field generating means forms a treatment field.

Abstract: A fluid is treated by coil assembly close to the fluid. An AC power is provided to the coil assembly. Current is conducted from the AC source in a first loop including a first switch during at least a portion of a first half-cycle of the AC power source. The first switch is opened during a second half-cycle and a subroutine of producing a first ringing pulse in the coil assembly and a second and subsequent ringing pulse is performed. The second pulse may be produced after or before the preceding pulse substantially decays. An apparatus for the method includes a controller configured to close the first switch and open the second switch during the first half-cycle and to perform the subroutine of closing and then opening the second switch during the second half-cycle to produce at least one ringing pulse of current in the coil assembly.

Abstract: A method and system of generating a ringing magnetic pulse for the treatment of flowing liquids include's a coil and an SCR coupled in series with the coil to form a first loop. An electronic switch is coupled in series with the coil to form a second loop. An AC voltage signal is applied to the coil having first and second half-cycles. Current is conducted through the first loop during the first half-cycle when the SCR is forward biased while preventing current from conducting through the second loop. Current is conducted through the second loop during a portion of the second half-cycle while current is prevented from conducting through the first loop. Current is interrupted through the second loop during another portion of the second half-cycle upon the coil current reaching a predetermined value to interrupt current flowing through the coil, thereby generating a ringing magnetic pulse.

Abstract: To provide a water activation piece for use in a flow passage for forming a more efficient water flow stirring state for activating water though the piece which is formed in a simple structure with limited flow passage length, and a structural arrangement of the water activation piece, and a water activation device using the water activation piece and a structural arrangement thereof. The water activation piece 4 is formed as a cylindrical body with a through hole 42 that includes an axis 41. Spiral grooves 43 are formed non-continuously or continuously on an inner surface and outer surface thereof so that when the axis of the water activation piece is established in the flow passage, the water activation piece axially rotates by the flow pressure. The spiral grooves 43 are formed in a rightward rotation (clock-wise) manner in plan view.

Abstract: An electrically energized device for coalescing a first conductive fluid emulsified in a second fluid. A tube member has at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet. The tube member defines a flow channel for an emulsion of the first and second fluid from its inlet side to its outlet side and includes at least one electrically insulating wall portion. An interacting pair of a first and a second electrode is separated from the first and second fluid by at least one insulating wall portion of the tube member. The electrodes are supplied with a voltage for the purpose of subjecting the first and second fluid flowing through the flow channel to an electrostatic field. At least one passive center electrode is made of a conducting material and is arranged in the channel and electrically insulated from the first and second electrode.

Abstract: A cooling water recycling filter comprises a supersonic and electromagnetic wave limescale processor installed inside a main water recycling system of water storage tank and a sub water recycling system installed outside a main water recycling system. The sub water recycling system comprises a water quality control unit, a limescale processor unit, a limescale separation and filter unit and a high level oxidization and processing unit. An electric conductivity sensor, a PH value sensor, and an ORP oxidization and reduction potential meter of water quality control unit are used to measure the values of water quality. A limescale processor and impurities separator is used to filter impurities of the cooling water. After the cooling water is filtered precisely by the limescale separation and filter unit, the cooling water is sterilized by a copper and silver sterilizing and algae-killing unit of a sterilization unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of providing a bacterium binding component suitable for use in the preparation of a product for use in combating a target bacterium (including the inactivation of said bacterium and/or the treatment or diagnosis of an infection by said bacterium). The method comprises the steps of: contacting bacterium binding components of an eukaryotic micro-organism with the target bacterium for binding of the target bacterium with a bacterium binding component, and lysing the eukaryotic micro-organism; separating out the bacterium; treating the separated out bacterium so as to release the bacterium binding component from said bacterium; and recovering the bacterium binding components. The invention also provides therapeutic and diagnostic products incorporating bacterial binding components.

Abstract: The utilization of electrical potential and currents, as well as magnetic fields and mixed-phase reactions to effect efficient separation of platelets from blood without initiating platelet activation.

Abstract: An Ultraviolet-C (UVC) based portable water purification system employing a novel array of baffles increases the efficiency per unit energy of irradiating UVC light in the eradication of pathogens in the water. Closed loop feedback allows monitoring the application of UVC light power to ensure high levels of pathogen eradication. This system is capable of eradicating a wide range of waterborne bacteria, viruses, protozoa, helminthes, yeast, and mold found in natural freshwater sources worldwide. By adding pre- or post-filters, the system can remove harmful organic compounds, pesticides, inorganic compounds and heavy metals from the water. The system can also be used to eradicate pathogens in fluids other than water. As a feature of this invention, a communications systems that can reach geographically dispersed populations at low cost without the need to install costly wired communications infrastructure is combined with and powered by the water purification system.

Abstract: A filter media that inhibits the formation of static charge in a liquid flowing through the filter media comprises a filtration layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and comprising a non-conductive fibrous material having a plurality of fibers, the fibrous material comprising a metal layer deposited on at least a portion of the fibers through at least a portion of the thickness of the filtration layer. The filter media or a filter apparatus incorporating the filter media does not require means for dissipating static charge from the fluid and, therefore, does not require grounding.

Abstract: A device for separating ions from a fluid stream is disclosed. The device includes a conduit eccentric and parallel to an axis of rotation. An inductor coil surrounds the conduit and forms a magnetic field parallel to the axis. The conduit has an inlet and three outlets. The outlets are arranged at different radial distances from the axis. The coil and the conduit are rotatable relative to one another about the axis. Fluid flows through the conduit to the outlets and the ions therein experience a force as they move perpendicular to the magnetic field. Ions of one polarity move toward the axis and exit the conduit from the innermost outlet. Ions of an opposite polarity move away from the axis and exit the conduit from the outermost outlet. Fluid substantially devoid of ions exits from the middle outlet. A method of generating gas from ion streams is disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid feed stream is flowed, subject to electromagnetic pulses, to a filter element via an input feed conduit for the filter element. A coil assembly is disposed about the input feed conduit and an AC power source is connected with the coil assembly. The AC power source has a period including first and second half-cycles of opposing polarities. A switch in series with the coil assembly forms a series connected circuit. A second switch connected with the coil assembly forms a second circuit. A control means closes the first switch and opens the second switch during a first half-cycle of the AC power source. During a second half-cycle, the control means closes and then opens the second switch to produce a first large ringing pulse in the coil assembly. A subsequent pulse may be produced either before or after the first pulse substantially decays.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for breaking the electrical continuity of the stream of caustic soda produced in mercury-cathode chlor-alkali plants.

Abstract: A system and process for treating water are described. Water may be purified by passing feed water through an electrochemical deionization device. The water may be suitable for cooking, washing, and beverage production.

Abstract: Fluid treatment elements substantially inhibit electrical charge imbalances and/or build-ups of electrical charges. A fluid treatment element may comprise a multilayer composite including an electrically conductive fibrous matrix, having an upstream side and a downstream side, disposed on a porous substrate, also having an upstream side and a downstream side, which supports the fibrous matrix. The fibrous matrix may include a combination of conductive and nonconductive fibers. The multilayer composite may also include a drainage layer positioned along one of the upstream side of the fibrous matrix and the downstream side of the porous substrate.

Abstract: A liquid treatment chamber having an elongate housing through which liquid flows longitudinally from an inlet port to an outlet port thereof is disclosed. An elongate ultrasonic waveguide assembly extends within the housing and is operable at a predetermined ultrasonic frequency and a predetermined electrode potential to ultrasonically energize and electrolyze liquid within the housing. An elongate ultrasonic horn of the waveguide assembly is disposed at least in part intermediate the inlet and outlet ports, and has a plurality of discrete agitating members in contact with and extending transversely outward from the horn intermediate the inlet and outlet ports in longitudinally spaced relationship with each other.

Abstract: There is provided a composite membrane, which may include an electronically conductive asymmetric porous support and an electro-polymerized selective layer. There is also provided a composite membrane for water application(s), which may include an electronically conductive porous support and an electro-polymerized selective layer. Moreover, there is provided a composite membrane for gas application(s), which may include an electronically conductive asymmetric porous support and an electro-polymerized selective layer. There is also provided a membrane system which may include at least one composite membrane which may include an electronically conductive asymmetric porous support and an electro-polymerized selective layer. In addition there is provided a method for the preparation of a composite membrane.

Abstract: Waste water purification plant by means of plants and waste water purification process. The waste water purification plant (10) has at least one plant container (32), a feed unit (16), an evacuation unit (36) and plants. Waste water to be purified can be supplied to the purification plant (10) by the feed unit (16). Purified waste water can be discharged from the purification plant (10) by the evacuation unit (36). The plants are arranged in the plant container (32) without a substrate. A plant container (32) preferably has at least two plant basins (82-98). At least one other container (20, 24, 26, 146, 162, 172, 186, 188, 197) can be provided. At least part of the plant container (32) is arranged on the roof (147) of a building. Plants of at least two different plant species are provided in the plant container (32).

Abstract: An electric deionized water production apparatus in which a direct current field is applied to a deionizing chamber packed with an ion-exchange material such that ions to be discharged are allowed to migrate in the direction identical or opposite to the direction of the water flow in the ion-exchange material, whereby ionic impurities adsorbed in the ion-exchange material are discharged from the system, the ion-exchange material being a mixture of a monolith-shaped organic porous ion-exchange material and ion-exchange resin particles. The electric deionized water production apparatus has a simple structure that can reduce material cost, process cost, and assembly cost, capable of accelerating migration of the adsorbed ionic impurities to facilitate discharge of the adsorbed ions and free from a deflected flow due to swelling or shrinkage accompanying an ion-exchanging reaction, and from poor contact with an ion-exchange membrane.

Abstract: Fluid treatment elements substantially inhibit electrical charge imbalances and/or build-ups of electrical charges. A fluid treatment element may comprise a multilayer composite including an electrically conductive fibrous matrix, having an upstream side and a downstream side, disposed on a porous substrate, also having an upstream side and a downstream side, which supports the fibrous matrix. The fibrous matrix may include a combination of conductive and nonconductive fibers. The multilayer composite may also include a drainage layer positioned along one of the upstream side of the fibrous matrix and the downstream side of the porous substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for handling particles (1, 2) that are suspended in a carrier liquid (3). The method includes the following steps: the carrier liquid (3) is received with the particles (1, 2) in a liquid siphoning device (10) including at least one siphoning opening (11), electrical and/or magnetic separating fields are generated in the liquid siphoning device (10), a sedimentation movement of the particles (1, 2) is created in the liquid, each particle having a sedimentation speed that depends on the action of the separating fields on the particle (1, 2) and the particles (1, 2) forming a plurality of particle fractions (5, 6) according to the sedimentation speeds thereof, and the particle fractions (5, 6) are separately extracted from the liquid siphoning device (10). The invention also relates to a handling device (100) for handling suspended particles (1, 2).

Abstract: Fluid treatment elements substantially inhibit electrical charge imbalances and/or build-ups of electrical charges. A fluid treatment element may comprise a multilayer composite including an electrically conductive fibrous matrix, having an upstream side and a downstream side, disposed on a porous substrate, also having an upstream side and a downstream side, which supports the fibrous matrix. The fibrous matrix may include a combination of conductive and nonconductive fibers, wherein the conductive fibers include metal, carbon, or conductive polymer fibers and substantially inhibit an electrical charge and/or build-up of electrical charge. The conductive fibers of the electrically conductive fibrous matrix may comprise less than about 50% by weight of the conductive and nonconductive fibers and may have diameters in the range from about 1 ?m or less to about 10 ?m.

Abstract: Ballast water treatment apparatus and methods for preventing foreign aquatic invasive species form entering marine ecological zones by translocation in ship's ballast water. The apparatus includes a housing, a filter member, and UV water treatment chambers. Methods include use of a ship's fire hydrant system or ballast water discharge port for moving ballast water from the ship's ballast tanks into the apparatus for filtration and treatment. In-port service vessels and barges as well as dock-side service vehicles are equipped with the various treatment and filtration apparatus to provided in-port or dock-side ballast water treatment services. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a method for cleaning circulation water, which reduces the cost of operation and maintenance as much as possible, without a cumbersome cleaning operation such as by detaching electrode plates from an electrolysis cleaning tank and removing scale from inside the tank, and to provide a device used in this method.

Abstract: A treatment method of organic compounds included in waste water, comprising the steps of: supplying waste water to an adsorber 2 filled with an adsorbent 3 therein for adsorbing the organic compounds in the waste water by the adsorbent 3 in the adsorber 2, supplying a current between an anode 9 and a cathode 8 in water including an electrolyte in an electrolyzer 6 for electrolyzing the water including an electrolyte, and supplying an electrolyte resulting from electrolysis in the electrolyzer 6 to the adsorbent 3 in the adsorber 2 for contacting the electrolyte with the adsorbent 3, so that the organic compounds adsorbed by the adsorbent 3 are desorbed or decomposed.

Abstract: A conductive filtration media having a textile substrate (with a defined first side and a second side and a machine and cross-machine direction), where the conductive pattern on the first side is in registration with the conductive pattern on the second side of the textile substrate. The conductive pattern has a plurality of continuous conductive pathways across the textile substrate, the resistivity of the conductive pattern is less than 100 mega ohms when measured on a 2? by 12? sample taken in the machine and cross-machine direction of the textile substrate in accordance with test DIN 54 345, and the air permeability of the conductive filtration media is between 1 and 100 cc/cm2/sec as measured by ASTM D737. A conductive air filter made from the conductive filtration media and the method of making the conductive filtration media is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for identifying new markers, diagnosing patients with a biological state of interest, and marketing/commercializing such diagnostics. The present invention relates to systems and methods of greater sensitivity, specificity, and/or cost effectiveness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel filter component containing a heating device for heating a fluid; a detection device for detecting a level of a further fluid, located in a reservoir; and an outlet conduit for the further fluid. The component is a one-piece component, in particular the heating device, detection device, and outlet conduit are embodied. The present invention further relates to a fluid filter, in particular a fuel filter, having such a component.

Abstract: A fluid filter comprises a filter housing, having an inlet end (202) and an outlet end (204), and a plurality of bundles of fibres (211) extending longitudinally of the housing and being secured at the inlet end. The fibres are charged with an electric or magnetic field to selectively block or allow the passage of particles of a known charge present in the fluid through to the outlet end. To flush the filtered particles out of the filter, the charge imparted to the fibres is reversible to allow the charged particles to flow freely through the filter. The filter can also be used to control the settling characteristics of particles in a fluid.