Abstract: A method and system for treating water or wastewater to remove both soluble BOD and suspended solids. The method entails directing first and second water or wastewater streams to a treatment system including an activated sludge system and a ballasted flocculation system. The first water or wastewater stream is directed to the activated sludge system which includes at least one reactor and a clarifier. The second water or wastewater stream is directed to a ballasted flocculation system. Mixed liquor or activated sludge is directed from the activated sludge system to a mixing chamber that is located upstream from the ballasted flocculation system. The water or wastewater of the second stream is mixed with the mixed liquor or activated sludge in the mixing chamber. The mixed liquor from the mixing chamber is directed to and through the ballasted flocculation system. In the end, the soluble BOD in the second water or wastewater stream is reduced and suspended solids in the water or wastewater are also reduced.

Abstract: The present invention generally includes a septage treatment system comprising: (a) a primary treatment process system comprising: (1) a receiving station to pump the septage from a vehicle; (2) equalization tank(s) to receive septage from the receiving station; and (3) two or more mixing and odor control tanks to generate waste activated sludge; (b) a primary settling tank to generate waste activated sludge; (c) a secondary treatment process system comprising: (1) aeration tank(s) to receive waste activated sludge from the primary treatment process system and to generate water effluent; and (d) a tertiary treatment process system comprising: (1) wetland ditch(es) to receive water effluent from the aeration tank and to generate filtered water effluent; (2) wetland pond(s) to receive filtered water effluent from the wetland ditch(es) and to generate filtered water effluent; and (3) an aquaculture hydroponics and sand bed greenhouse to generate filtered water effluent.

Abstract: A granular filter media dry cell (or filter or bed) for dewatering a liquid composition of water and particulate solids. The liquid composition is applied to the granular filter media to remove water from the liquid composition by passing through the granular filter media with the particular solids collecting on top surface of granular filter media. Water is first allowed to fill from below to just above the top layer of the filter media. A non-porous liner is located on the inner, bottom surface of the container. A drain pipe, having small openings, is located on top of the liner in the valley. A porous layer of large filter media, with the drain pipe therein, is located in the bottom of the container. A grid having open passageways, with fine filter media therein, is located on top thereof. A layer of fine filtrate sand is located on top of the grid.

Abstract: A filter assembly for filtering contaminants from a fluid stream. The housing of the filter assembly is preferably made of fiber reinforced plastic to prevent corrosion from the fluid stream, and can hold one or two filter elements or cartridges, each of which can hold a single filter, or multiple filters. Flow in filter housings having two elements can be unidirectional or opposed.

Abstract: A device for exchanging and/or docking functional modules (1, 2), and used for the extracorporeal circulation of bodily fluids, is provided. Each functional module (1, 2) includes at least one conduit (3; 4) comprising an inlet (5; 7) and an outlet (6; 8). The aim of the invention is to exchange the functional modules of an extracorporeal circuit as rapidly as possible, without detaching tubular connections and without having to establish a new connection. The invention is provided with elements (9, 10; 11, 12) for connecting the conduit (3) of a first functional module (1) to the inlet (5) and the outlet (6) of a second functional module (2). The connection is established in such a way that the first functional module (1) is bypassed by means of the second functional module (2) to maintain the flow and the bodily fluid is diverted through the second functional module (2).

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention relate to a reverse osmosis (RO) system that includes a housing and a pre-filter within the housing such that feed water flows into the housing and enters the pre-filter. The reverse osmosis (RO) system further includes a membrane element within the housing such that the pre-filtered water flows from the pre-filter and enters the membrane element and permeate exits the membrane element through the housing. In some embodiments, the housing includes a first end cap at one end and a second end cap at an opposing end such that feed water flows through the first end cap into the pre-filter and pre-filtered water flows from the pre-filter into the first end cap. In addition, the pre-filtered water may flow from the first end cap to the membrane element such that permeate exits the membrane element through the first end cap in order exit the housing.

Abstract: A method and system for treating water or wastewater to remove both soluble BOD and suspended solids. The method entails directing first and second water or wastewater streams to a treatment system including an activated sludge system and a ballasted flocculation system. The first water or wastewater stream is directed to the activated sludge system which includes at least one reactor and a clarifier. The second water or wastewater stream is directed to a ballasted flocculation system. Mixed liquor or activated sludge is directed from the activated sludge system to a mixing chamber that is located upstream from the ballasted flocculation system. The water or wastewater of the second stream is mixed with the mixed liquor or activated sludge in the mixing chamber. The mixed liquor from the mixing chamber is directed to and through the ballasted flocculation system. In the end, the soluble BOD in the second water or wastewater stream is reduced and suspended solids in the water or wastewater are also reduced.

Abstract: A method is provided for maintaining a biomass disposed on a substrate in a bioreactor tank. The bioreactor tank has an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with a waste treatment system whereby an influent fluid may be selectively introduced through the inlet into the bioreactor tank for removal of waste material therefrom. This produces an effluent fluid which can be returned through the outlet to the waste treatment system. The method comprises processing a quantity of influent fluid through the bioreactor tank to produce a quantity of effluent fluid and removing the effluent fluid from the bioreactor tank through the outlet. The method further comprises isolating the bioreactor tank from the waste treatment system and establishing a set of dry cycle conditions in the bioreactor tank. The dry cycle conditions are selected to effect endogenous growth within at least a portion of the biomass whereby an average age of the at least a portion of the biomass may be tailored.

Abstract: A filtering device including (a) at least one surface filter element, each including: (i) first and second faces, the second face disposed substantially opposite to the first face, the faces having a first outer contour; (ii) a first opening through the faces, forming a first inner contour of the faces; (iii) a large plurality of grooves disposed on the faces, the grooves connecting between the outer and inner contour, the grooves adapted to trap solid particles; (b) at least one liquid-permeable filter element, each including: (i) third and fourth faces, the fourth face disposed substantially opposite to the third face, the third and fourth faces having a second outer contour; (ii) a second opening through the third and fourth faces, forming a second inner contour of the third and fourth faces, wherein the outer contour of the liquid-permeable element is larger than the outer contour of the surface element, and the third face of the liquid-permeable element is associated with the second face of the surface e

Abstract: A quick countercurrent-type water purifier configured with two filters, two motors, a control circuit, a purified water storage tank and a waste water tank, wherein a pipe extends from the waste water tank. Moreover, a raw water inlet pipe connects to the pipe through one of the motors that thereon forces water through branch pipes into water inlets at bottoms of the two filters. A pipe branches out from each of the two water inlets, and connects to the waste water tank. A flowmeter is configured at a water outlet at a top portion of each of the filters. An electromagnetic valve subject to control by control circuit is configured at each of the water inlets and the water outlets of the two filters, thereby achieving quick reverse washing of contaminants from filter cores of the filters and providing large quantities of purified water for industrial usage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a crossflow filter membrane comprising an active layer whose size is equal to or greater that 1 mm. Said crossflow filter membrane makes it possible to simultaneously carry out a crossflow filtration along a surface and a deep-bed filtration in the membrane depth. A connecting element for connecting module pads, a method for producing said connecting element and a crossflow filtering module are also disclosed. The connecting element supported by a filter pad surface on the side of unfiltered fluid closes an unfiltered fluid area for preventing a filtrate flowing and is provided with at least one closure element positively connectable to at least one other connecting element.

Abstract: This invention is directed to systems and methods for removing lipids from a fluid or from lipid-containing organisms from a fluid, such as plasma. These systems combine a fluid with at least one extraction solvent, which causes the lipids to separate from the fluid or from the lipid-containing organisms. The separated lipids are removed from the fluid. The at least one extraction solvent is removed from the fluid or at least reduced to a concentration enabling the fluid to be administered to a patient without undesirable consequences. Once the fluid has been processed, the fluid may be administered to a patient who donated the fluid or to a different patient for therapy.

Abstract: A denitrification reactor with a culture fixed to an organized plastic-type support is combined with an installation for the nitrification and elimination of the carbon-based pollution The reactor is supplied with a mixture of the raw effluent to be treated and of the effluent originating from the installation for the nitrification and elimination of the carbon-based pollution. The reactor includes two denitrification compartments (3, 4) arranged in parallel and operating altenatingly between a filling phase (denitrification and self cleaning-out of the excess biomass); and an emptying phase (denitrification and drainage of the excess biomass). A system for supplying the mixture of effluents consisting of a rotary arm (11) which alternately supplies the mixture to each of the compartments.

Abstract: Hot water pipes, in areas with hard water, tend to fill with scale until they no longer pass enough water. De-scaling water pipes with acid is dangerous, expensive and damages the pipes. Ion exchange and reverse osmosis water softeners eliminate scale buildup in pipes, but are expensive. This invention is a means of keeping the scale precipitate, created when water is heated, inside the water heater by passing the hot water through a removal medium where the scale sticks to the surface. The removal medium can be placed inside the water heater or in a separate tank connected to the water heater; both configurations remove the precipitate from hot water; both save hot water pipes from scale accumulation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for removing lipids from a fluid, such as plasma, or from lipid-containing organisms. A fluid is combined with at least one extraction solvent, which causes the lipids to separate from the fluid or from lipid-containing organisms. The separated lipids are removed from the fluid. The extraction solvent is removed from the fluid or at least reduced to an acceptable concentration enabling the delipidated fluid to be administered to a patient without the patient experiencing undesirable consequences. Once the fluid has been processed, the fluid may be administered to a patient who donated the fluid, to a different patient, or stored for later use.

Abstract: This invention is directed to systems and methods for removing lipids from a fluid, such as plasma, or from lipid-containing organisms. These systems contact a fluid with an extraction solvent, which causes the lipids in the fluid to separate from the fluid or causes lipids in the lipid-containing organisms to separate from the lipid-containing organism, using at least one hollow fiber contactor. The separated lipids are removed from the fluid. The extraction solvent is removed from the fluid or at least reduced to a level below a particular threshold enabling the fluid to be administered to a patient without the patient experiencing undesirable consequences. Once the fluid has been processed, the fluid may be administered to a patient who donated the fluid, to a different patient, or be stored.

Abstract: Presented is a liquid filtering apparatus and method that overcomes the disadvantages encountered with prior bed filtration systems by providing a filtering apparatus that incorporates a super-buoyant filter medium having a specific gravity very substantially lower than that of the process liquid being filtered. This feature enables a majority of the medium to float on top of the process liquid. Due to the significant differences in specific gravity between the media and the process liquid, super-buoyant media produce a highly advantageous means of naturally, gravimetrically separating both clean and contaminated filter media and process liquid into separate “phases”. Under normal filtering operation, the filter media is contained within a filter housing by a bed support near the top of the filter housing, and particulate material is filtered from a process liquid that passes through the housing.

Abstract: A membrane filtration manifold for connecting a filter submodule including one or more elongate bundles of semipermeable polymeric fibers is provided. The manifold includes a housing and connecting collar connected with said housing. The collar is adapted to receive and locate the submodule, where the submodule has a connecting sleeve with a locking formation. The submodule can be secured at one end to the collar by a clip adapted to engage both the collar and the locking formation to prevent axial withdrawal of the submodule from the collar. Also disclosed is a membrane filtration apparatus including a filter submodule including one or more elongate bundles of semipermeable polymeric fibers. The apparatus further includes a membrane filtration manifold removably connected at one end of said filter submodule and a basepiece removably connected to the other end of said filter submodule.

Abstract: A new and improved wastewater treatment system suitable for the treatment of wastewater from a CMP process. A holding tank receives wastewater from a CMP wastewater collection tank. The holding tank may further receive wastewater from a backside grinding (BG) wastewater collection tank. A reaction tank receives wastewater from the holding tank. A coagulant polymer binds to the slurry particles in the reaction tank to precipitate the slurry particles out of solution. One or a pair of clarifiers receives the wastewater from the reaction tank, and the polymer-bound slurry particles are separated from the wastewater in the clarifier or clarifiers. An effluent collection tank receives the purified wastewater from the clarifier or clarifiers. The purified wastewater may be pumped to a storage tank such as a reused city water (RCW) tank for use in scrubber cleaning processes, for example.

Abstract: A sterilized fluid management kit for use in renal replacement therapy isolates a replacement fluid container from touch contamination and provides for sterilization of replacement fluid by filtering using an installed filter that is hermetically connected to the replacement fluid container. A method is described where replacement fluid is automatically generated before treatment.

Abstract: Installation for the removal and the deactivation of organisms in the ballast water, with the following characteristic features: a first feed pump for conveying the ballast water, an equipment for gravity precipitation of coarser solids and bigger organisms, connected to the first feed pump, and/or a backwashable filtration equipment, a downstream side connected equipment for the deactivation of micro-germs.

Abstract: This invention is directed to systems and methods for removing lipids from a fluid or from lipid-containing organisms from a fluid, such as plasma. These systems combine a fluid with at least one extraction solvent, which causes the lipids to separate from the fluid or from the lipid-containing organisms. The separated lipids are removed from the fluid. The at least one extraction solvent is removed from the fluid or at least reduced to a concentration enabling the fluid to be administered to a patient without undesirable consequences. Once the fluid has been processed, the fluid may be administered to a patient who donated the fluid or to a different patient for therapy.

Abstract: The invention features a system for treating liquid including a liquid treatment device comprising adsorbent media for removing a substance from liquid and a pH adjuster device located upstream of the liquid treatment device relative to a direction of flow of the liquid. The pH adjuster device contains particulate or solid state pH adjuster material capable of releasing H or OH groups into the liquid or consuming H or OH groups from the liquid effective to raise or lower the pH of the liquid while it passes through the media. The pH adjuster may include acidifier or basifier material. Also featured is a method of using the device to remove a substance from liquid by adsorption and/or ion exchange.

Abstract: A method and a system for separating the phases of a multiphase fluid from one or more wells. The system includes at least one first gravity separator and at least one second gravity separator, and elements for conducting the fluid from the well or wells to the first and second gravity separator(s). The system includes elements for selectively conducting the fluid to the first and second gravity separators either in parallel or in subsequent steps depending on the properties of the well fluid and process conditions.

Abstract: Filtration-function-equipped cooling water equipment that includes: filtration equipment connected to water-purifying, oxygen-supply-capable cooling water equipment, wherein the filtration equipment includes a filtration space for a filter, wherein the water-purifying, oxygen-supply-capable cooling water equipment comprises a cooling oxidation unit disposed inside of a tank body and comprising a honeycombed or latticed porous material, wherein the filtration-function-equipped cooling water equipment operates to enlarge a contact area between water and air when untreated water drips onto the cooling oxidation unit and flows through the cooling oxidation unit while forced air flows in a counter current against the flow of water in the cooling oxidation unit, thereby facilitating solubility of oxygen in the untreated water and augmenting a cooling capability due to evaporation provided by the water-purifying, oxygen-supply-capable cooling water equipment.

Abstract: A hybrid oil filter assembly includes a housing and a first (e.g., conventional) oil filter element disposed in proximity to a bottom portion of the housing. The first oil filter element contains an open inner volume. A second oil filter element having a generally circular cylindrical shape is disposed circumferentially about a length of the first oil filter element. The second oil filter element may be made of rolled paper and filters particles of a smaller size than the first oil filter element (e.g., down to about one microns, thereby providing micro-filtering of the engine oil).

Abstract: This invention is directed to systems and methods for removing lipids from a fluid or from lipid-containing organisms from a fluid, such as plasma. These systems combine a fluid with at least one extraction solvent, which causes the lipids to separate from the fluid or from the lipid-containing organisms. The separated lipids are removed from the fluid. The at least one extraction solvent is removed from the fluid or at least reduced to a concentration enabling the fluid to be administered to a patient without undesirable consequences. Once the fluid has been processed, the fluid may be administered to a patient who donated the fluid or to a different patient for therapy.

Abstract: A separation tank having an inlet and an outlet and forming a low flow path and a high flow path, both conveying water from the inlet to the outlet. At normal, low flows, the water enters the inlet and passes through the low flow path having treatment chambers to remove, respectively, heavy materials and floatable materials. At high flows such as with heavy storm runoff, water exceeding a predetermined flow rate is conveyed from the low flow path into the high flow path where there are baffles to treat the water to remove both heavy materials and floatable materials. In optional embodiments, there is a filter/recharge chamber that may contain a filter and/or a groundwater conveyance system such that filtered or unfiltered water can be discharged from the low flow path through a groundwater conveyance system to groundwater, to the normal outlet, or both.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing deionized water is provided. Water is supplied to a first conduit. A plurality of reverse osmotic pressure vessels are connected to the first conduit. A filtering experimental vessel is connected to the first conduit, the filtering experimental vessel is separated from the plurality of reverse osmotic pressure vessels. A second conduit is connected to the plurality of reverse osmotic pressure vessels and the filtering experimental vessel for outputting the deionized water. A third conduit is connected to the plurality of reverse osmotic pressure vessels and the filtering experimental vessel for outputting concentrated ion water. The plurality of reverse osmotic pressure vessels and the filtering experimental vessel concurrently or independently separates the supplying water into the deionized water and the concentrated ion water.

Abstract: Embodiments of a key system for filters and their connecting heads/holders are shown. The filter cartridge and its holder each have a keyed surface, one being a protruding “key” and one being a recessed “lock”. Cooperation of these keyed surfaces is required in order for the filter cartridge to be installed in the holder, so that mismatched cartridges cannot be installed into the holder, for example, to prevent a particular type of cartridge from being placed in a filtration or other process where it would be inappropriate, or undesired. The keyed surfaces are selectively locate-able preferably at different circumferential locations on a perimeter of the filter and a corresponding location on a perimeter of the head/holder. The perimeter may be, for example, on an outer shoulder surface of a filter and an inner surface of a valve head, or on outer and inner surfaces of connectors that provide a liquid seal between the filter and the head/holder.

Abstract: An enhanced activated sludge wastewater treatment method increases volumetric pollutant loading, hydraulic loading capacity and nutrient removal efficiency at a conventional activated sludge wastewater treatment plant. The method describes the control of return activated sludge rates, and the operation of partitioned aeration and reaeration zones according to measured properties of the mixed liquor to achieve the claimed benefits. Operating an existing treatment plant according to the enhanced treatment method provides a more consistent treatment process that is resistant to shock loading and increases plant capacity without the need for costly construction and operation of additional reactors and clarifiers.

Abstract: A water softening device and a method for regeneration control thereof, in which the hardness of feedwater to be softened is detected with the lapse of time and regeneration timing is controlled based on the detected value. The invention includes an inlet hardness measurement device for measuring the hardness of feedwater to a water softener, treated water quantity measurement device for measuring a flow rate of treated water after passing through the water softener, brine concentration detection device for detecting the concentration of brine in regeneration operation, and brine consumption detection device for detecting tile consumption of brine in regenerating operation. Further, there are included hardness leakage detecting device for measuring the hardness of treated water after passing through the water softener and detecting hardness leakage.

Abstract: In this waste-water treatment system, solids suspended in waste water are attached to a radial ring-shaped thread structure 6 filled in an attachment filter tank 2. Then, particle sizes are increased and the attached solids are further made to be anaerobic, digested and reduced. Then, sludge generated from the suspended solids is sedimented, separated and removed in a sedimentation section 3 in the same attachment filter tank 2. In this waste-water treatment system, solids suspended in waste water can be filtered without consuming a large amount of electrical energy. Thus, energy can be saved and waste can be reduced.

Abstract: A filter for filtering a fluid, such as lubricating oil for an engine, has a first element for trapping small particles and a second filter element for trapping sludge, the second filter element being stacked on the first filter element. A flow-deflecting element is disposed between the first filter element and second filter element to provide a spinning motion to oil flowing from the second filter element as that oil joins oil which is passed through the first filter element. The spinning motion of the oil from the bypass filter element encourages mixing of the oil from the second filter element with the oil filtered by the first element. A centrifugal separator is disposed in an annular space between the filter elements and filter housing for imparting a rotary motion to the fluid prior to the fluid passing through the filter elements. This removes large particles from the fluid by centrifugal force so that large particles do not add to the contaminant load in the filter elements.

Abstract: A system and method for processing waste material. A system according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a grid system for separating waste material into a solid component, and a liquid and tissue component, and a centrifuge for separating the liquid and tissue component into a liquid component and a tissue component. The system further includes a mixer for mixing the solid component and the tissue component to form a solid and tissue mixture, and a hydrolizer for combining the solid and tissue mixture and superheated steam to form a cellulose material. The system further includes an extruder for extruding the cellulose material to form a construction material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for separating liquid products and catalyst fines from a slurry used in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor. A settling system continuously or intermittently removes catalyst fines from the slurry and is coupled with catalyst-liquid separation system that separates liquid products from the slurry. The preferred separation system produces a sub-particle rich stream and a catalyst-lean stream that are removed from the system. The systems of the present invention act to reduce the concentration of catalyst fines in the reactor, thereby increasing the effectiveness of a catalyst-liquid separation system.

Abstract: Embodiments of a key system for filters and their connecting heads/holders are shown. The filter cartridge and its holder each have a keyed surface, one being a protruding “key” and one being a recessed “lock”. Cooperation of these keyed surfaces is required in order for the filter cartridge to be installed in the holder, so that mismatched cartridges cannot be installed into the holder, for example, to prevent a particular type of cartridge from being placed in a filtration or other process where it would be inappropriate, or undesired. The keyed surfaces are selectively locate-able preferably at different circumferential locations on a perimeter of the filter and a corresponding location on a perimeter of the head/holder. The perimeter may be, for example, on an outer shoulder surface of a filter and an inner surface of a valve head, or on outer and inner surfaces of connectors that provide a liquid seal between the filter and the head/holder.

Abstract: A hybrid oil filter assembly includes a housing and a first (e.g., conventional) oil filter element disposed in proximity to a bottom portion of the housing. The first oil filter element contains an open inner volume. A second oil filter element having a generally circular cylindrical shape is disposed circumferentially about a length of the first oil filter element. The second oil filter element may be made of rolled paper and filters particles of a smaller size than the first oil filter element (e.g., down to about one microns, thereby providing micro-filtering of the engine oil).

Abstract: A liquid filtering apparatus which incorporates a filter bed medium having a specific gravity lower than that of the process liquid being filtered. Process liquid is pumped through one or more filter chambers containing the filter bed medium. A discharge line at the top of the housing directs the filtered liquid either back into a process liquid tank or stream, or into a clean liquid storage tank. A small storage tank provides a volume of filtered liquid for use in backwashing the filter bed medium. The particle size and nature of the filter bed medium are determined by the identity and specific gravity of the process liquid to be filtered so that the filter bed is buoyant on the process liquid. As the process liquid is pumped into the filter chamber, the composite filter bed floats to the top of the chamber where it stops rising. The process liquid then passes through the filter bed and the particulates are strained from the liquid by surface filtration and depth filtration.

Abstract: A unit 1 for producing pyrogen controlled water on a small to medium factory scale comprises a number of charged ultrafiltration units 10 arranged in parallel. Orifice plates 15 are used to restrict and control the flow of deionized water to each filter 10. The filter units 10 are mounted on a frame 2 with a wheeled chassis 3 which may be pushed or moved by a forklift truck to a site where pyrogen controlled water is required. The unit 1 has an inlet line 4 for connection to a supply of deionized water and an outlet line 6 for connection to a user of pyrogen controlled water. The unit 1 may be purged with nitrogen from a supply 18. Sampling ports 17 in a common supply inlet 4 and a common outlet 6 ensure that the filtration efficiency can be closely monitored. The flow of water is monitored by a flowmeter 19 and pressure sensors 16 upstream of each filter facilitate a high level of control.

Abstract: An oil filter including a housing, a first oil filter element, a second oil filter element disposed circumferentially about a length of the first oil filter capable of filtering particles of a smaller size than the first oil filter element. A first oil filter inlet is disposed at a bottom portion of the housing for providing oil to be filtered to an outside surface of the first oil filter element, and a second oil filter inlet is disposed at the bottom portion of the housing and surrounding the first oil inlet for providing oil to be filtered to a bottom surface of the second oil filter element. A fluid communication path extends from a top surface of the second oil filter element into the first oil filter element such that oil filtered through the second oil filter element is mixed with oil filtered by the first oil filter element.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating solid particles from the suction effluent of, for example, a dental office, preferably driven by a dental office vacuum pump, includes a surge tank for accommodating effluent overfill connected to a sedimentary deposit tank for sedimentation of effluent particles. A bypass conduit is connected to the surge tank inlet which is equipped with a vacuum break valve for allowing air into the system when the suction openings are closed. The sedimentary deposit tank has a series of baffle chambers through which effluent flows in sequence, and in each of which chambers sediment is deposited for later removal. The surge tank preferably has a liquid level sensor and warning device. Modular filters or adsorbants may be installed in the sedimentary deposit tank, or a modular auxiliary filter may be connected downstream of the tank. Chemical injection may be used to improve sedimentation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for purifying the cooling circuit of an alternator stator, characterized in that part of the water of the closed cooling circuit is derived upstream of the alternator towards the deionization circuit supplying the recovery tank, said deionization circuit comprising a mixed bed demineralization circuit and a treament circuit placed parallel to the demineralization circuit, and when the inflow rate into the deionization circuit is fixed at a value less than 10%, preferably less than about 20% of the nominal flow passing through the stator, the treatment circute consists in a cation-exchanging resin; when the inflow rate into the deionization circuit is fixed at a value higher than 10%, preferably higher than about 20% of the nominal flow passing through the stator, either the treatment circuit is interrupted, or the treatment circuit consists of a cation-exchanging resin or a mixed bed resin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for disinfecting and purifying liquids and gasses comprising; a) passing said liquids or gasses through a reactor or a combination of reactors, having a truncated compounded concentrator geometry; and b) simultaneously delivering and concentrating diversified electromagnetic and acoustic energies into a specific predetermined inner space of said compounded concentrator reactor, forming a high energy density zone in said reactor or reactors over a predetermined period of time. The reactor according to the present invention is preferably a compounded parabolic concentrator or a compounded ellipsoidal concentrator. The electromagnetic energy delivered and concentrated into and inside the reactor can be of any range of the electromagnetic spectrum, such as ultra-violet, visible, infra-red, microwave etc., or combination thereof. The acoustic energy is of any suitable frequency.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for qualitatively or quantitatively determining one or more analytes in matrices such as foods, biological fluids, etc. An embodiment for determination of a single analyte comprises a sample receiving vessel, a first membrane and a reagent-containing well. The prepared sample passes through the first membrane whereby extraneous matter is removed, and a filtrate enters the reagent-containing well to provide a filtrate-reagent admixture from which the analyte may be determined. An embodiment for determination for multiple analytes includes one or more additional membranes in series with the first membrane, each such additional membrane being operative to capture one or more analytes. Each of the additional analytes may then be eluted from the membrane upon which it has been captured, into a separate reagent-containing well to provide eluant-reagent admixture from which each desired analyte may be determined. Formulations for preparation additives are also included.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the physico-chemical treatment of water characterized in that it comprises at least a step consisting in causing the water to be treated in at least one settler providing non-thickened sludge and in at least one settler-thickener treating the sludge from the two settlers and part of the water to be treated. The invention also concerns a plant for implementing said method comprising means for supplying the water to be treated (6), at least a settler providing non-thickened sludge (2), at least a settler-thickener (5, 5a), means for conveying (7) at least part of the non-thickened sludge coming from the settler providing non-thickened sludge (2) to the settler-thickener (5, 5a), means for evacuating (9, 9a) treated water coming from said settler providing non-thickened sludge (2) and from said settler-thickener (5, 5a) and means for evacuating (8) the thickened sludge coming from said settler-thickener.

Abstract: A water purification plant for a swimming pool is provided with a filtering apparatus having a filtering circuit in which a filter and a pump are incorporated and via which water from the swimming pool can be circulated. In a further circuit arranged parallel to at least a part of the filtering circuit, a UV reactor is incorporated. Further, supply members for an oxidizing and disinfecting agent are present. The oxidant in the UV reactor is introduced into the water flowing through said reactor.

Abstract: The invention concerns a water treatment method and installation, which consist in subjecting the water to be treated to membrane filtration (1) to satisfy the requirement for a relatively high flowrate of water for ordinary use (UF), subjecting the water that has been subjected to membrane filtering to reverse osmosis filtering (2) to satisfy the requirement for a smaller flowrate of water of improved quality (OS) and, outside periods of production of water filtered by reverse osmosis, sweeping the upstream face of the osmosis membrane (9) with the flow of membrane-filtered water drawn off to be consumed.

Abstract: A filter for filtering a fluid, such as lubricating oil for an engine, has a full flow filter element and a bypass filter element stacked on the full flow filter element. A flow-deflecting element is disposed between the full flow filter element and bypass filter element to provide a spinning motion to oil flowing from the bypass element as that oil joins oil which is passed through the full flow filter element. The spinning motion of the oil from the bypass filter element encourages mixing of the oil from the bypass filter element with the oil filtered by the full filter element. During operation of the engine this arrangement tends to provide cleaner lubricating oil and therefore reduces engine wear while increasing the time interval between scheduled maintenance.

Abstract: A duplex strainer for straining material includes a housing, housing inlet port through which material enters the housing under pressure for straining and an outlet port through which strained material exits the housing. The housing includes a first strainer chamber having the first and second ports in separate fluid communication with the housing. A second strainer chamber includes third and fourth ports in separate fluid communication with the housing. The first port opposes the third port and the second port opposes the fourth port. A valve control structure includes a first three-way ball valve disposed within the housing for controlling fluid flow between the first port, third port and the housing. A second three-way ball valve is disposed within the housing to control fluid flow between the housing, second port and fourth port.