Abstract: Disclosed is generally spherical aluminum hydroxide particles comprised of solid crystals of aluminum hydroxide, the crystals extending radially outwardly from a central core region and having a shape selected from lamellar and acicular, the particle density ranging from 0.3 to 2.5 gms/cc.

Abstract: Porous inorganic particles, such as silica gel particles, modified with amino-containing groups and carboxyl-containing groups are disclosed. The modified porous particles, useful as packing materials for column chromatography, are obtained by a method including the steps of providing porous, amino group-carrying, inorganic particles, and converting a portion of the amino groups into carboxyl-containing groups.

Abstract: A system for purifying dye comprising a means for producing a dye solution and a means for treating the dye solution which captures metal ions in said dye solution by carrying out ion-exchange separation.

Abstract: Heparin in an extracorporeal blood flow circuit is removed from the blood flow with the use of a filter which contains immobilized protamine on a blood-compatible support. In medical procedures where blood is processed in an extracorporeal device, such as an artificial kidney, or a heart-lung machine, the blood is heparinized to prevent clotting thereof in the channels of the extracorporeal device, and the formation of thrombi. In accordance with the invention, the processed, heparinized blood is conducted to a filter arrangement wherein protamine is held immobilized on a support formed of a blood-compatible material. Such an arrangement actually removes heparin from the blood rather than merely negates the anticoagulation effects of the heparin, as is the case in conventional protamine infusion therapy. In the present invention, the extracorporeal blood which is returned to the patient is substantially free of both heparin and protamine.

Abstract: A cyclodextrin adsorbing material composed of a water-insoluble resin substrate to which a ligand having such a size as to be included by cyclodextrin is chemically bonded via a spacer radical; a method of separating and purifying cyclodextrin from an aqueous solution containing it, which comprises bringing said aqueous solution into contact with the above adsorbing material to adsorb cyclodextrin on the adsorbing material, and subjecting the adsorbing material to a desorption treatment to recover cyclodextrin; and a method of increasing the amount of cyclodextrin yielded, which comprises carrying out a cyclodextrin-forming reaction by an enzymatic method in the presence of the above adsorbent material.

Abstract: A process for steam-sterilizing an adsorbent for use in extracorporeal circulation treatment comprising a water-insoluble support and a sulfated polysaccharide immobilized on the support, characterized by sterilizing the adsorbent in an aqueous medium maintainted at pH 5 to 9, whereby the sulfated polysaccharide is prevented from releasing from the support and being deactivated. When the water-insoluble support/sulfated polysaccharide adsorbent is packed in a column with an aqueous buffer solution having a pH 5 to 9 to provide an adsorption column for use in extracorporeal circulation treatment, release and deactivation of the sulfated polysaccharide are prevented and the column can be stored for a long term.

Abstract: A deionized water supplying system is connected to a deionized water supply tank, a deionized water supply pipe and a deionized water circulating pipe. The system includes a three-ported valve having a first port connected to the deionized water supply pipe via a first branch pipe, a second port connected to the first port when the three-ported valve is in a first state, and a third port connected to the deionized water circulating pipe via a second branch pipe and communicating with the first port when the three-ported valve is in a second state.

Abstract: The modification of a diffusion barrier by the deposition of one or more inorganic species within the pores and on to the surfaces of said diffusion barrier to form an immobilized crystalline lattice barrier or molecular grid having substantially uniform permeability and to select and separate different ionic species, giving a high efficiency of separation with a low energy input. The diffusion barrier is characterized by one or more units, each incorporating a tubular housing with a bundle of porous hollow fibres therein, arranged in the axial direction of the housing. The inorganic crystalline lattice is exemplified by barium sulphate (BaSO.sub.4) formed by the interdiffusion of barium hydroxide (Ba(OH).sub.2) and sulphuric acid (H.sub.2 SO.sub.4) solutions, or, alternatively, co-precipitated aluminium hydroxide (Al(OH).sub.2) and barium sulphate (BaSO.sub.4) formed by the interdiffusion of barium hydroxide (Ba(OH).sub.2) and aluminum sulphate (Al.sub.2 (SO.sub.4).sub.3) solutions.

Abstract: An immunoadsorbent material for removing IgG and IgG-complexes from biological fluids is prepared by covalently binding protein A to a solid-phase silica matrix. It has been found that particularly stable, high-capacity immunoadsorbents are obtained by derivatizing the silica with amino and/or carboxyl groups, and reacting the protein A with a carbodiimide at a pH in the range from 3.5 to 4.5. Binding through free hydroxyl groups may be achieved with cyanogen halides at a pH in the range from 11.0 to 11.5. After acid washing (pH 2.0-2.5) to remove non-covalently bound protein A, the immunoadsorbent may be employed in a column for therapeutic treatment of various cancers and autoimmune disorders where IgG-complexes are implicated as suppressing factors in inhibiting a normal immune response.

Abstract: The plasma proteins contained in a plasma solution thereof are chromatographically fractioned, e.g., to obtain a high purity therapeutic grade albumin product, by successively contacting said plasma solution with at least one anion exchanger and at least one cation exchanger in fixed bed chromatography columns, the contact and exchange medium of chromatography therein also comprising a plurality of at least partially hydrophobic support particulates and a plurality of hydrophilic ion exchanger support particulates.

Abstract: A water purifier consisting essentially of manganese dioxide particles having a 20 to 48 mesh size and macroscopic pores which are so large in size as to permit passage of water therethrough. The particles may have active sites of needle-like or columnar crystals of manganese dioxide on the surfaces thereof. A method for making such water purifier is also described.

Abstract: The sodium content of a food is reduced and the potassium content simultaneously increased by a process wherein an aqueous solution of a sodium-containing food and an aqueous solution containing potassium ions are circulated on opposite sides of a cation exchange membrane for a time and at a rate sufficient to exchange at least a portion of the sodium and potassium ions.

Abstract: A chlorine generating apparatus is disclosed herein by which chlorine gas or sodium hyperchlorite is generated in small quantities from a brine solution economically enough to be practical for use in the backyard swimming pool. The apparatus includes a free standing unit and cell utilizing only salt as its raw material to generate the chlorine required. The chlorine generating cell incorporates a chemical pump for forciably urging the resulting product to the pool without the use of mechanical pumps or membranes. A device is included whereby hardness minerals are prevented from being deposited within the cell.

Abstract: A method of producing carrier-free .sup.67 Cu by proton spallation combined with subsequent chemical separation and purification is disclosed. A target consisting essentially of pressed zinc oxide is irradiated with a high energy, high current proton beam to produce a variety of spallogenic nuclides, including .sup.67 Cu and other copper isotopes. The irradiated target is dissolved in a concentrated acid solution to which a palladium salt is added. In accordance with the preferred method, the spallogenic copper is twice coprecipitated with palladium, once with metallic zinc as the precipitating agent and once with hydrogen sulfide as the precipitating agent. The palladium/copper precipitate is then dissolved in an acid solution and the copper is separated from the palladium by liquid chromatography on an anion exchange resin.

Abstract: An immune adsorbent for autoantibodies and/or immune complexes is provided which is comprised of a water-insoluble carrier and at least one low-molecular-weight substance containing a purine base or pyrimidine base as a constituent element, which is fixed to said carrier. The immune adsorbent is usually used in an adsorption apparatus comprising a vessel having fluid inlet and outlet openings and having packed therein said immune adsorbent.

Abstract: Treatment of the blood by means of a blood purification device comprising packed, substantially spherical, smooth-surfaced, porous granules having at least 0.1 .mu.mole/m.sup.2 of the silanol group on the surface thereof, a blood inlet and a blood outlet scarcely causes decrease in leukocyte or platelet count or blood cell damage and can remove proteins from the blood by adsorption without high pressure loss.

Abstract: This invention concerns new ion selective compositions comprising insoluble alumino silicates deposited in a porous substrate and to methods for preparing such compositions. These materials are found to be useful for the detection, extraction and concentration of certain ions, particularly lithium, cesium, beryllium, strontium, lanthanum, manganese and nickel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of improving the brightness and color of a polyester resin and reducing the acetaldehyde content by passing the resin through molecular sieves at a temperature of from 230.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention provides an internal frame rucksack in which the frame comprises at least two longitudinal frame members of substantially rigid material located in spaced-apart relationship within the rear wall of the sack, the frame members extending substantially from the bottom to the top of the sack wall, and each being provided adjacent their upper ends with at least one aperture, and wherein the apertures in the frame members correspond with spaced-apart apertures in a plate located externally of the wall of the sack and to which plate the frame members are secured by means of bolts or the like which pass through the wall of the sack, and wherein the plate includes a plurality of slots to selected ones of which the straps of a carrying harness may be attached. The location of the slots are so arranged on the plate that different width spacings and length spacings of the carrying straps can be selected.

Abstract: Continuously operating inside flow filter for placement within a pressure tank, comprising one or several filter cartridges filled with a filtering mass and an alkalizing mass placed around a sludge cylinder fitted upon a bottom grating, and the pipe system associated with the equipment, with valve control. Both the water filtering and the flushing have been arranged to take place by operating one single three-way valve known in itself, in such manner that during filtration this valve and the drain valve in the bottom of the tank is closed and the water flows from the water mains through the three-way valve and a check valve and through a pipe into the lower part of the tank in among the mass, whereby the iron will be precipitated.

Abstract: In a system for leaching septic effluent from a source thereof, a first leach field has an input, a porous bed and means for distributing effluent from the input throughout the bed. A second leach field similarly has an inlet, a pervious bed and means for distributing effluent from that inlet throughout the pervious bed. Distribution means, having an intake coupled to the source, selectively feeds the effluent only to the input until the effluent level in the first field reaches a predetermined depth. Thereafter, the effluent is automatically fed to the inlet of the second leach field. The principle of operation is extended to the use of a third or more leach fields, the distribution means selectively feeding the effluent to the entrance to the third field only after the effluent in the second field reaches a preselected depth and so on.

Abstract: A bed of particulate ion-exchange material is confined in the cavity of a container bounded by a wall portion of the container which is movable inward of the cavity. Supply and discharge conduits communicate with respective portions of the cavity for supplying the liquid to be purified, and for discharging from the cavity the liquid purified by contact with the particulate material. A biasing device engages the container outside the cavity and biases the movable wall portion inward of the cavity, whereby the particulate material is kept under compressive stress, and channeling due to shrinkage of the bed is avoided.

Abstract: In an oil-filled electric power cable installation, the oil is pressurized using oil tanks connected to stop joints in the usual way, and an oil-purifying unit is connected between stop joint and tank. The oil-purifying unit comprises a column or bed of a molecular sieve or other active purifying agent with particle sizes, and interstice sizes, big enough to limit the pressure drop across the unit to 20 kN/m.sup.2 at the most. This eliminates the need to provide bypass passages controlled by valves as the oil can flow both ways through the column.

Abstract: Sintered glass pellets which generally decrease in particle size as they increase in specific gravity provide a unique filter medium which varies from larger pellets at its inlet (upstream) upper portion to smaller pellets at its outlet (downstream) lower portion. In view of the variation in specific gravity, particles forming the filter medium generally resume substantially their initial respective positions after the medium is back-flushed for cleaning. Although pellets throughout the medium differ in specific gravity, they are made of the same ingredients. The individual pellets are formed by granulating finely-ground glass with a suitable binder and sintering the resulting granules.

Abstract: Novel, macroreticular cross-linked anion exchange and adsorbent copolymers of at least one monovinylidene ring-containing nitrogen heterocyclic monomer are prepared. Preferred monovinylidene ring-containing heterocyclic monomers are the various vinylpyridines.

Abstract: The apparatus and technique service the cage in the sense of removing the waste material generated in the cage by the bird's occupancy of the same. The apparatus and technique employ a bed of particle matter to filter elements of the waste material from a liquid in which the waste material was previously collected and entrained to remove it from the cage. The filtered effluent is then returned to the cage to collect and entrain new waste material before it is refiltered in turn in a closed cycle. In one embodiment, the container for the bed of particle matter is adapted to display aquatic life, and the volume of liquid which is cycled through the foregoing steps is adjusted to form a pool of liquid above the bed so that the aquatic life can live in the pool. Meanwhile, the pool liquid is also cycled through the foregoing steps as part of the waste removal liquid used in the cage.

Abstract: A control system to prevent the accumulation of excessive cellular material in a fluidized-bed reactor wherein waste water or other liquid to be processed is conducted upwardly at a velocity conducive to fluidization through a bed of particles which function as a carrier for the growth of the material. Included in the system is a separator column whose low end extends toward the fluidized bed and whose high end extends toward a head of liquid effluent which lies on the bed. In the course of reactor operation, the cellular material on the particles continues to grow, causing the bed to expand until its level reaches an alarm point indicative of excessive growth. This point is sensed to activate an agitator arrangement which effects shearing of the excess cellular material from the particles to produce in the separator column a mixture of sheared material and partially stripped carrier particles.

Abstract: Heavy metal ions are recovered from a dilute aqueous solution by flowing the solution through either a single bed of ion-absorbing material in successive forward and reverse directions, or through a first bed of ion-absorbing material and thereafter through a second bed of ion-absorbing material in the reverse direction of flow. The reversal of flow is to periodically mechanically agitate a bed of ion-absorbing material to dislodge contaminants, such as gelatin.The method is accomplished by using one enclosed vessel, or a pair of enclosed vessels, that have valves to control the direction of flow. A timing device preferably automatically reverses the direction of flow about each hour.After a relatively large number of reversals of flow the heavy metal ions are recovered from the ion-absorbing material and the same is regenerated in the process to again absorb ions from the dilute aqueous solution.

Abstract: Anthracite packed oil water coalescers are treated with certain polymers, e.g. polybutene polyamines to improve their performance when dealing with sea water - oil emulsions.

Abstract: Decantation tanks receive an oil-water mixture from a holding tank. These decantation tanks are set at varying elevations and are arranged to operate in series to drain off oil that has separated out. These tanks may have heat producing elements associated therewith to increase the efficiency of oil separation, and chemicals may be employed in these tanks also to increase such efficiency if necessary. Separator tanks are also provided in the system and receive oil-water mixture from the bottom of the decantation tanks for further separation of oil from the water. These separator tanks have a skimming apparatus therein and also have a pair of baffles under which the water must travel to accomplish further separation of the oil. The separator tanks have a cross partition, and water in a main portion of the tank flows over such partition to a rear compartment from where it is directed to an open top inspection tank and filtered. The pH of the effluent may be altered at this point if necessary.

Abstract: In order to control the sodium oxalate level in the liquor employed in the Bayer process for the production of alumina, a part of the spent liquor recovered from alumina trihydrate precipitation stage is concentrated by evaporation to render it supersaturated with respect to sodium oxalate. The thus concentrated liquor is then sprayed onto a packing in an enclosed space under conditions such that the supersaturation of the droplets at impact on the packing exceeds a critical supersaturation. The sprayed liquor deposits sodium oxalate on the packing and is recovered for recirculation to the process circuit.

Abstract: A system for the casting of metal comprising a filter through which the metal passes during pouring into a mold cavity. The filter is formed by providing a multiplicity of substantially spherical refractory particles. A ceramic binder is employed for securing the particles in a bonded assembly, the binder substantially completely coating the particles. Openings are defined between the adjoining coated particles to permit the flow of molten metal through the filter. The binder is of a type having an affinity for dross and slag constituents in the molten metal whereby the constituents are removed during passage of the metal through the filter. The refractory particles are preferably bonded into an assembly by processing which includes coating the particles with the binder material, introducing the coated particles into a mold and drying and firing the coated particles in the mold to achieve the desired bonded relationship.

Abstract: A polyion complex derived from a polyanion and a polycation of the general formula ##SPC1##And a process for preparing the polyion complex. A film having superior water permeability and high strength can be prepared from the polyion complex. The film is usable as an ultra-filtering membrane or dialyzing membrane.

Abstract: A method for draining water or moisture from a substratum for a waterproofing layer in buildings comprising applying to the substratum such as concrete or mortar a sintered product of a thermoplastic resin, having a capillary structure comprising numeral, fine and interconnecting pores and voids of 20 to 70 percent, selected from the group consisting of a sintered plate and a sintered hollow product in a form of a belt or tube, wherein at least a part of the sintered product is protruded into the atmosphere and applying thereto a waterproofing layer, and thereby making the water or moisture contained in the substratum evaporate through the sintered product.