Abstract: A system for separating liquids from solids comprising an immobilization unit comprising an immobilization vessel containing a bed of magnetizable material and a magnet configured to produce a magnetic field within the immobilization vessel, wherein the immobilization vessel further comprises an immobilization vessel outlet and an immobilization vessel inlet for a fluid comprising liquid and metal-containing particles.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to isolating nucleic acids. In particular, the technology relates to methods and kits for extracting nucleic acids from problematic samples such as stool.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to isolating nucleic acids. In particular, the technology relates to methods and kits for extracting nucleic acids from problematic samples such as stool.

Abstract: A seawater desalination system which can solve a problem of wear of a sliding member and can suppress mixing of concentrated seawater and seawater by making an energy exchange chamber no-piston configuration is provided. In a seawater desalination system for producing fresh water from seawater by passing the seawater pressurized by a pump through a reverse-osmosis membrane-separation apparatus (4) to separate the seawater into fresh water and concentrated seawater, an energy exchange chamber (20) for utilizing pressure energy of the concentrated seawater discharged from the reverse-osmosis membrane-separation apparatus (3) as energy for pressurizing part of the seawater is provided.

Abstract: The present invention refers to lightweight and settable photocatalytic compositions and solid composites; methods of preparing the compositions and solid composites; and their use in water purification. The compositions are comprised of photocatalysts such as titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO), lightweight glass bubbles, and a hydraulic cementing binder. The lightweight and settable photocatalytic compositions can be formed into lightweight photocatalytic solid composites and/or structures by mixing with water and moist curing. This invention also describes relatively simple, fast, and cost effective methodologies to photodope the TiO2—ZnO compositions and composites with silver (Ag), to enhance and extend the photocatalytic activity from the ultraviolet into the visible light spectrum. The lightweight and settable TiO2—ZnO and Ag—TiO2—ZnO compositions are used in making solids, structures, coatings, and continuous or semi-continuous water purification panels for purifying contaminated water.

Abstract: A caisson breakwater module having an upwave and a downwave side and incorporating an oscillating water column, the caisson breakwater comprising a base installed on the sea bed and a lid adapted to be positioned on top of said base, the base defining a water inlet on the upwave side and further defining a water oscillation chamber, and the lid defining a breakwater section on the upwave side, a turbine chamber, one or more air ducts connected with said turbine chamber and an additional substantially sealed chamber. The invention further relates to a breakwater comprising a plurality of such modules and a lid suitable for use in such modules.

Abstract: A fluid treatment system, a fluid processing apparatus and a method of treating a mixture are provided in which a separator has two outlets for different components of mixed fluid. A conduit connecting one of the outlets of the separator to the inlet of the separator is provided to recycle fluid from an outlet of the separator back to the inlet and a pump at the inlet of the separator regulates the fluid flow through the separator at a constant rate. As a result, the flow rate through the separator is increased, which increases the separation efficiency of the separation system. The conduit also functions as a bypass line should the flow of fluid be obstructed through the separator. The conduit may preferably be operated in conjunction with an energy harvester.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalytic material which is used as an optofluidic reactor, and also a method for production thereof. In this case, first a reticulated plastic foam can be fabricated which then is coated with at least one first metal or metal alloy layer. Subsequently, a photocatalytic substrate is then applied to the metal or metal alloy layer. The photocatalytic substrate eliminates bacteria, viruses and other harmful substances, as well as fine dust or fungal spores, when the optofluidic reactor is used.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser device including an outlet duct through which fluid can pass, a dispenser that can be actuated so as to cause fluid to be dispensed through said outlet duct, and an irradiation device that is adapted to irradiate the fluid while said fluid is passing through said outlet duct.

Abstract: A water disinfection system includes a water disinfection device, having a UV light generator for the UV treatment of water, and a water pipe, having a first pipe portion and a second pipe portion and a third pipe portion which branches off between the first and the second pipe portion. The water disinfection device includes a first water connection and a second water connection. The first water connection is connected to the first pipe portion. The second water connection is connectable to a water reservoir which is to be provided. The second pipe portion is connectable to a water source which is to be attached. The third pipe portion is connectable to a tap for water, so as to be able in this way to provide an improvement in the water quality.

Abstract: A water filter will sterilize and detoxify water by taking advantage of two technologies in the field of water disinfection and detoxification—ultraviolet “C” (UVC) and photocatalytic oxidation (PCO). The water filter includes a filter body that contains a water inlet, a flow header and granular activated carbon. A UVC lamp sleeve extends into the filter body into which a UVC lamp is disposed. The filter body, the UVC sleeve and the granulated activated carbon are coated with titanium dioxide, turning all these surfaces into a semi-conductor that triggers a powerful PCO process when UVC photons comes in contact therewith. The carbon media adsorbs organic compounds present in the incoming water, allowing the PCO and UVC ample time to complete the oxidation process. Continuous break down of organic compounds by PCO and UVC allows the carbon media to self-regenerate itself indefinitely. The technology is scalable to any size and application.

Abstract: A solid/fluid separation module and pretreatment apparatus and method enables pretreatment of biomass at high temperature and pressure with the ability to vary residence and processing times.

Abstract: The rapid deployable packaged wastewater treatment system is a low-energy demanding, portable, rapidly deployable and operational wastewater treatment system utilizing a plastic vessel including an aerobic pretreatment and screening chamber that feeds wastewater to a moving bed biological reactor (MBBR) chamber. Immediately downstream from the MBBR bioreactor is a secondary clarifier, which feeds a media polishing filtration system. The media polishing filtration system then passes the treated water to a UV disinfection system. The entire fully functional system, including the plastic vessel and control room, is self-contained in a military-approved TRICON container. A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) provides automated control of the system and monitors water levels, wastewater characteristics and system components. The container has access doors to the wastewater treatment control room.

Abstract: A method and a modular system for performing a sterilising treatment of ballast waters (12) onboard of a ship (10), for reducing and/or removing the contents of invasive living micro-organisms. A water loading pump (13) and a water preliminary filtering stage (14) are operatively connected to a plurality of ballast water storing tanks (11); a UV sterilising apparatus (18) for the ballast water is submerged into the ballast water in each water storing tank (11), and is operatively connected to a local control unit (QE). Each UV sterilising apparatus (18) comprises a UV radiation source (28). The ballast water (12) inside each storing tank (11) is recirculated although the UV radiation source (28), for a required time and mixed with the ballast water inside the water storage tank (11) to enable the living micro-organisms to be substantially reduced or eliminated, during the navigation.

Abstract: A solar powered water purification canteen includes a container, UV LED lights and a solar power panel. The container is adapted to hold a fluid and has a reservoir, an inlet and an outlet. The UV LED lights are around the reservoir and are adapted to kill any bacteria from fluid in the reservoir. The solar power panel is positioned on the outside of the container adapted to power the UV LED lights.

Abstract: A modular assembly for a portable hemodialysis system may include a dialysis unit, e.g., that contains suitable components for performing hemodialysis, such as a dialyzer, one or more pumps to circulate blood through the dialyzer, a source of dialysate, and one or more pumps to circulate the dialysate through the dialyzer, and a power unit having a housing that contains suitable components for providing operating power to the pumps of the dialysis unit. The power unit may be selectively connected to the dialysis unit and provide power (e.g., pneumatic power in the form of pressure and/or vacuum) to the dialysis unit for the pumps when connected to the dialysis unit, but may be incapable of providing power to the dialysis unit when disconnected from the dialysis unit. The dialysis unit and the power unit are sized and weighted to each be carried by hand by a human.

Abstract: Endocrine disrupting compounds are routinely detected in the treated water leaving our municipal drinking water plants; however, until relatively recent advances in laboratory analysis capabilities, the trace amounts of these chemicals was not measurable. At an enormous cost we can remove these compounds using centralized municipal water treatment, but does it make sense to do so when less than 1% of our municipal water supply is ingested? Furthermore, ? of waterborne disease outbreaks can be traced to contamination entering our water distribution systems after centralized treatment. The regulatory community and municipal water industry are truly at a crossroads, even if a staggering investment is made to remove endocrine disrupting compounds using centralized treatment, our treated water distribution systems will always be subject to contamination.

Abstract: A process and apparatus treat brackish or non-brackish waters containing an oxidant such as perchlorate. The feed water is converted into a treated water stream and a concentrate stream in an ED, EDR, NF or RO unit. The concentrate passes through an IX resin. The IX resin removes oxidant from the concentrate stream to produce a second treated water stream. The IX resin is periodically regenerated, for example biologically in a fluidised bed reactor in regeneration system. Concentrate that has passed through the IX resin has a reduced concentration of oxidant, preferably a concentration safe for discharge or use. In the case of a brackish feed water, the second treated water stream may be desalted.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide methods and apparatus for releasing treated wastewater into the environment by combining the treated wastewater with a concentrated salty water before discharging the combined water into the environment. The treated wastewater and concentrated salty water may be combined in a ratio that will be less toxic to at least some resident marine life than the treated wastewater alone.

Abstract: A standardised, modular mobile water purification unit for the production of safe potable water and for treatment of wastewater is disclosed to fulfill the water need for humans, animals and households. In one embodiment, the unit can be based on a standardized climate-controlled container that is robust both physically and functionally, can be easily transported and quickly set up in remote regions and disaster areas. The unit may work for purification of water of brackish, sea or polluted surface water, and of wastewater, and can be customised to the given water type based on easy changeable treatment modules. The unit includes a rigid frame that can be removed from the container, and also includes a control system for remote monitoring and control of the unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reactor for the photocatalytic treatment of liquid or gaseous streams, which reactor comprises a tube through which the stream to be treated flows, wherein, in the tube, there are arranged at least one light source, at least one flat means M1 provided with at least one photocatalytically active material and at least one flat means M2 reflecting the light radiation radiated by the at least one light source, wherein the reflecting surface of the at least one means M2 and the inner wall of the tube are at an angle greater than or equal to 0°, in such a manner that the light exiting from the light source is reflected by the at least one means M2 onto the photocatalytically active material, and to a method for the photocatalytic treatment of liquid or gaseous streams by irradiation with light in the reactor according to the invention.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to treating fluid to at least reduce selenium content within the fluid. The treating includes conditioning stages to alter a composition of the fluid prior to removal of the selenium content from the fluid. The composition of the fluid after the conditioning stages facilitates the removal of the selenium content or at least limits detrimental impact to selenium removal efficiency.

Abstract: There is described a fluid treatment system that is particularly well suited for treating ballast water on a shipping vessel. The present fluid treatment system is characterized by having two general modes of operation. A so-called ballasting mode and a so-called deballasting mode. In the ballasting mode, water is pumped from the sea or other body of water in which the shipping vessel is located to a ballast fluid inlet in the present fluid treatment system. Thereafter, it passes through the filter separation and radiation treatment sections in the fluid treatment zone of the fluid treatment system. Next, the fluid exits the fluid outlet of the fluid treatment system and it is pumped to one or more ballast tanks that are located on the shipping vessel. In the deballasting mode, water contained in the ballast tank(s) is pumped to a deballasting fluid inlet of the fluid treatment system after which it is treated in the radiation section only—i.e.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering and/or purifying and/or conditioning a fluid comprises a pressure vessel having an inlet for introducing fluid into the pressure vessel and an outlet for removing fluid from the pressure vessel, filtering medium positioned inside the pressure vessel for filtering and/or purifying and/or conditioning fluid, and a shell surrounding the pressure vessel, the shell having sufficient anti-flammability properties to be resistant against fire to protect the pressure vessel from fire.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile water purification system employing crossflow filtration, such as reverse osmosis filtration. One embodiment of the invention discloses a mobile water purification system comprising a housing, a pump unit and a piping system for providing fluid communication between a water inlet, a pre-filtration unit, a crossflow filtration unit, a disinfection unit and an outlet for supply of purified water, wherein the pre-filtration unit comprises sediment/cartridge filtrations means and dechlorination means, the cross-flow filtration unit comprises a plurality of parallel and/or sequentially arranged membrane filters, and the piping system is reconfigurable such that the crossflow filtration unit can be bypassed. The present water purification system is adapted to be deployed in remote areas substantially anywhere in the world.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filtration chamber comprising a microfabricated filter enclosed in a housing, wherein the surface of said filter and/or the inner surface of said housing are modified by vapor deposition, sublimation, vapor-phase surface reaction, or particle sputtering to produce a uniform coating; and a method for separating cells of a fluid sample, comprising: a) dispensing a fluid sample into the filtration chamber disclosed herein; and b) providing fluid flow of the fluid sample through the filtration chamber, wherein components of the fluid sample flow through or are retained by the filter based on the size, shape, or deformability of the components.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a fluid and/or aqueous additive delivery system is provided. According to the present invention, a modular fluid container is described for consumption of liquids. Fluid containers according to the present invention include any combination of four distinct modular components; (1) an end-point filter purification module for removal of impurities from water, (2) a UV purification module for emitting ultraviolet (UV) light in a germicidal spectrum for disinfection, (3) a tablet storage and dispensing module to emit ultraviolet (UV) light in a germicidal spectrum for disinfection of a volume of drink liquid held in the container, (4) a flow meter module for quantitatively monitoring hydration in real time. The user can personalize the bottle with any or all modules that are required.

Abstract: A fluid treatment system having in one version an irradiation chamber with UV lamps with a swirl vane pack in the inlet for effecting clockwise and counterclockwise swirl in fluid entering the chamber. Other versions employ a central filter media element with an irradiation chamber with UV lamps disposed annularly thereabout. In other versions, mechanical wiper discs are provided for wiping debris from the filter media and the lamp tubes. In other versions, the UV lamps are in a central irradiation chamber with plural filter media tubes arrayed annularly there around. In other versions, mechanical wipers are provided for the UV tubes and a rotating drain arm is provided for backwashing individual filter tubes. In other versions, the central filter and annularly arrayed UV tubes are mounted in a pressure vessel lid.

Abstract: Purification of water is obtained by pumping water through a multi-stage filtration unit or a series of filters having increasingly smaller dimensional passages and then irradiating the water using UV light delivered at over 16,000 microwatts/cm2/sec. The system is advantageously portable for use in diverse environments and operable using a variety of power sources from solar to conventional fuels or electricity.

Abstract: A collection valve for use in a water reclamation system is provided. The collection valve comprises (i) a drain pipe connectable to a drain line in which gray water flows, the drain pipe comprising an inlet pipe, a medial pipe, and an outlet pipe; the medial pipe having a first opening rotatable from a first position to a second position; (ii) a valve plug pipe, surrounding the medial pipe, having an second opening; and (iii) an actuator assembly for rotating the medial pipe between the first and second positions. Rotating the medial pipe to the first position causes the first opening to be in alignment with the second opening causing gray water to drain into a tank. Rotating the medial pipe to the second position misaligns the first and second opening causing fluid passing through the medial pipe or drain to a sewer or septic tank.

Abstract: A filter assembly has a qualified filter element that filters fuel, o filter housing for the qualified filter element and a water-in-fuel sensor that senses presence of water in the filter housing. An electrical resistance of the water-in-fuel sensor changes based upon whether the qualified filter element is installed in the housing. A filter assembly can also have a plurality of magnetic elements disposed on at least one of the filter housing and the qualified filter element. A plurality of wires are disposed on at least the other of the filter housing and the qualified filter element. The control circuit determines that the qualified filter element is installed in the filter housing based on a change in the electrical current in the plurality of wires.

Abstract: A system for removing lipids from blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery is disclosed. The system uses an acoustophoretic separator having improved trapping force. The transducer of the acoustophoretic seperator includes a ceramic crystal. Blood flows through the separator, and lipids are trapped and removed.

Abstract: A system for enhancing the separation of particles or fluids from water is disclosed. A settling tank or skim tank is provided with an open submersible acoustophoretic separator. In a skim tank, the separator captures and holds oil droplets or particles, permitting them to coalesce until they are large enough and have sufficient buoyant force to float to the top of the tank. In a settling or sediment tank, separator captures and holds particles until they are large enough that the force of gravity causes them to settle out of the water. The acoustophoretic device thus speeds up separation of the particles or droplets from the water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a means of dialysis for removing protein-bound substances from a biological fluid, especially blood or blood plasma, which contains at least one means for solubilizing protein-binding substances to be removed into the biological fluid and/or dialysis fluid, and to a process for removing protein-bound substances from a biological fluid.

Abstract: The invention is a water submersible device that dislodges filament algae or detritus from infected objects such as rocks and disposes the matters into a removable compartment for removal from the aquarium or pond. It has a water pump (1) that not only sucks in water from its water inlet (2) opening but also has a drill bit (3) extending out from the center of the same inlet opening. When it makes contact with the filament algae or detritus on objects, it breaks and swirls them up quickly and disposes them to the water outlet side of the pump. There, contains a collection cup (5) with filter materials (4) for easy matters disposal. The pump is secured onto a rod (7) by a hinge joint (6) for easy angle adjustment by the user holding the handle (8) above water. It is powered by a battery (9) inside the handle.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating plasma from blood in a separation vessel, separating the separated plasma into desired plasma proteins in a plasma separator fluidly connected to the separation vessel to receive the separated plasma, and adding photosensitizer to the desired plasma proteins for viral inactivation treatment of such proteins.

Abstract: A device for purifying water includes: a reactor housing having an inlet opening for supplying polluted water and an outlet opening for draining the purified water from the reactor housing; hydrodynamic cavitation means arranged in the reactor housing for causing cavitation in the polluted water; main light means for irradiating the polluted water with ultraviolet light, wherein the main light means provide a polychromatic and/or monochromatic pulsed ultraviolet light, which is synchronized selectively with the specific cavitation event(s) in the polluted water.

Abstract: A microreactor for separating heterogeneous liquids including a series or baffles and passageways is disclosed herein along with a methods for using such microreactors, and methods for manufacturing such microreactors.

Abstract: An energy recovery apparatus exchanges pressure energy between concentrated seawater discharged from a reverse-osmosis membrane-separation apparatus and a part of seawater to be treated by the reverse-osmosis membrane-separation apparatus in a seawater desalination system for producing fresh water from the seawater. The energy recovery apparatus includes two perforated plates provided at a concentrated seawater port side in a chamber, and two perforated plates provided at a seawater port side in the chamber. The two perforated plates comprises a first perforated plate and a second perforated plate. The first perforated plate and the second perforated plate at the concentrated seawater port side and the seawater port side are arranged to meet certain requirements including one of an open area ratio of the first perforated plate, an open area ratio of the second perforated plate, and a distance between the first perforated plate and the second perforated plate.

Abstract: A system has been developed to treat ballast water by selectively dissociating target molecules into component products compositionally distinct from the target molecule, wherein the bonds of the target molecule do not reform because the components are no longer reactive with each other. Dissociation is affected by treating the target molecule with light at a frequency and intensity, alone or in combination with a catalyst in an amount effective to selectively break bonds within the target molecule. Dissociation does not result in re-association into the target molecule by the reverse process, and does not produce component products which have a change in oxidation number or state incorporated oxygen or other additives because the process does not proceed via a typical reduction-oxidation mechanism.

Abstract: It is disclosed a controller for a blood treatment equipment comprising at least a treatment unit including a semipermeable membrane separating the treatment unit in a first compartment for the circulation of blood and in a second compartment for the circulation a of a treatment liquid; the controller is adapted to receive one or more entries of measured information measured during the course of a treatment procedure, calculate from said measured information a value of at least a significant parameter indicative of the progress of an extracorporeal blood treatment carried out by the equipment, wherein the controller is also adapted to compare said calculated significant parameter to at least a prescribed reference value for the same parameter, and to generate at least one output control signal responsive to said comparison for automatically controlling one or more operations performed by the equipment.

Abstract: A gravity sedimentation process for the treatment of a slurry in a thickener to separate a solid from a liquid, the thickener having, at steady-state, a hindered settling zone and a compression zone, the process including the application of an effective amount of ultrasonic energy to the slurry in a transition zone within the hindered settling zone.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a ballast water treatment device. The device includes a filtering unit filtering ballast water introduced into a ship using a filter, a vortex generating unit generating an artificial vortex in the ballast water filtered by the filtering unit, and an ultraviolet treatment unit having an ultraviolet lamp which sterilizes the ballast water discharged from the vortex generating unit using ultraviolet rays, thus preventing secondary contamination resulting from by-products, preventing a ballast tank from becoming contaminated, affording effective maintenance, and making it convenient to control. Further, an artificial vortex is formed in the ballast water when it is mixed, thus allowing a large quantity of ultraviolet rays to be radiated onto the ballast water passing through the ultraviolet treatment unit, therefore improving a sterilization effect.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the recovery of iodine are described. In particular, recovery systems and methods produce an iodine complex from an aqueous brine containing iodide. A head tank for maintains a supply of the brine, a pH controller acidifies brine received from the head tank and an oxidizer converts iodide in the acidified brine to elemental iodine. At least one activated carbon contactor module is removably inserted into a stream of the oxidized brine provided by the oxidizer and binds the molecular iodine to form the iodine complex. A container may enclose the head tank, the pH controller and the oxidizer in order to facilitate transportation of the system and performance of the methods and processes in proximity to a brine source. The brine may be employed or associated with oilfield operations.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods in which a feed fluid entering a filtration system is mixed with a portion of a reject fluid. The re-introduced reject fluid is preferably pressurized using a positive displacement pump, and more preferably using a work exchange pump having a translatable piston. The re-introduced reject fluid is preferably pressurized to within 10 psi, or more preferably to within 5 psi, of the uncombined feed fluid. The filtration system can have one or more filters.

Abstract: An internal bypass filtration circuit including a microfine depth filtration cartridge, which operates in combination with the sump filter of an automatic transmission is disclosed. The present depth filtration cartridge functions to remove particulate matter as small as five microns to improve fluid cleanliness level without restricting fluid flow to the pump ensuring its volumetric efficiency. In one embodiment transmission fluid passes through a calibrated orifice in the bypass circuit to regulate flow to the depth filtration cartridge. In an alternate embodiment the depth filter media itself regulates filtration below a predetermined fluid pressure. The internal bypass circuit is installed by accessing a pressurized fluid circuit in the transmission valve body. A hydraulic bypass line interconnects such pressurized fluid circuit with the depth filtration cartridge, which is mounted internally of the transmission housing.

Abstract: The device described in the present invention allows pre-distribution of the gas and liquid feed supplying a reactor functioning in gas and liquid co-current downflow mode to be carried out by means of a pre-distribution plate comprising a filtration medium and an overflow tube in order to regulate the flow of liquid arriving on the distributor plate located downstream of said device. More particularly, the present invention is applicable to the selective hydrogenation treatment of feeds containing acetylenic and dienic compounds.

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: A heat exchanger system through which a liquid can flow, including a heat exchanger including a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, a bypass valve including a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, and a self-cleaning filter including a liquid inlet and two liquid outlets, one being an outlet for filtered liquid and one being an outlet for non-filtered liquid. The outlet for filtered liquid is connected to the inlet of the exchanger and the outlet for non-filtered liquid is connected to the inlet of the valve. The outlet of the heat exchanger is connected downstream of the outlet of the valve. A fuel circuit of an airplane jet engine can include such a system.

Abstract: A filtration dehydration apparatus, which comprises: a filter, composed of a filtration layer and an absorption layer while allowing the filtration layer that is orientated facing toward the absorption layer to be a first side, and allowing a surface of the absorption layer that is orientated facing toward the filtration layer to be a second side; a supporting structure, for supporting and fixedly securing the filter; a solid waste collector, for collecting solid object left on the first side; and an extrusion unit, for pressing the absorption layer to squeeze out water in the absorption layer; wherein the first side is provided for a solid-liquid mixture to be placed thereon so as to allow the liquid containing in the solid-liquid mixture to flow into the absorption layer through the filtration layer while enabling solid object in the solid-liquid mixture to be filtered out and thus left on the first side.