Abstract: A method for removing one or more fluorinated alkenes from a fluid comprises the step of contacting the fluid with an N-, S-, or P-containing nucleophile for a time sufficient to form an N-, S-, or P-containing nucleophile-fluoroalkene adduct. The nucleophile, and therefore the adduct, can be covalently bonded, coated or sorbed to a particulate support which can be enmeshed in a porous, fibrous web.

Abstract: Surfactants present in waste water to be treated are adsorbed and removed on a salt-form ion exchange resin by passing the water to be treated with the surfactants and other organic materials through an ion exchange apparatus using the salt-form ion exchange resin, with the waste water to be treated being generated from using high-purity water. The organic matter remaining in the treated water of the ion exchange apparatus is oxidized and decomposed by an organic matter oxidizing device. The obtained treated water is supplied to the high-purity water producing apparatus for recovery and reuse.

Abstract: A novel and useful hemodialysis apparatus which can protect dialysis patients from hyperphophataemia. A phosphorus adsorbent is interposed in an extracorporeal blood circuit for dialysis. The blood taken from the body of a dialysis patient is subjected to dialysis as it flows through the extracorporeal blood circuit. At the same time, phosphorus is adsorbed and removed from the blood by the phosphorus adsorbent, thereby preventing the dialysis patients from experiencing hyperphosphataemia. As the phosphorus adsorbent adsorbs the phosphorus from the blood flowing through the extracorporeal blood circuit, it never enters the body of the patient and therefore does not cause any adverse effects.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for selectively removing organic and inorganic contaminants from plating baths. More particularly, the invented method relates to the use of a source of energy in combination with chemical oxidants, alone or in conjunction with a catalyst to oxidize organic contaminants in the plating bath to a level such that the electroplating bath can be recovered and reused after appropriate chemical adjustment. The oxidative treatment method may be a continuous process or a batch process that is performed in a single pass and the endpoint of the oxidative process detected by a sensor. Residual organics, and chloride ions in the bath are removed from the solution by a chemisorption or physisorption treatment. Inorganic contaminants are removed from the electroplating bath by selective ion exchange resins or electrodialysis, while particulate and suspended colloidal particles are removed by filtration before the treated plating bath is recycled.

Abstract: A filter for removing undesired materials from a fluid, such as used cooking oil, for example, includes a filter envelope including first and second panels. The first panel has a permeability which is greater than that of the second panel. The first panel of the filter envelope may be formed from a filter pad and the second panel from a filter paper, and may enclose a metal spacer grid. When the filter is connected to a pump for drawing the oil through the filter, the flow of the oil is directed selectively through the filter pad, whereby undesired materials are removed from the oil. The filter provides for efficient flow of the oil to be filtered while removing undesired materials therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spraying device suitable for spraying cleaning compositions and rinse water onto hard surfaces. More particularly the spraying device may be attached to a hose, for example a conventional garden hose, so that the cleaning composition and rinse water can be applied to outside surfaces, such as vehicles or the outside surface of windows. The spraying device comprises a purifier located inside the cavity of a container and a spray head.

Abstract: A continuous adsorption facility is used to purify a liquid stream that contains impurities. A solid adsorbent is used having a special affinity for the impurities over the desired components in the liquid feed. An adsorber is constructed, employing gravity for the transfer of adsorbent between stages with a series of stages each having fluidized beds with limited bed expansion characteristics where the solid adsorbent countercurrent-contacts the upwardly flowing fresh feed introduced at the base. The adsorbent is regenerated with return of most of the desired components from the porous solids becoming part of the adsorber-treated product. Impurities are further removed during regeneration and disposed of separately. Using a novel regeneration arrangement, the reactivating gas may be reduced to below 4% of prior requirements. Capital investment and operating costs economically afford ultra-low sulfur clean gasoline meeting standards imposed by auto manufacturers worldwide.

Abstract: An improved vertical filtration unit which includes an airlift and a washbox designed for more efficient washing of dirt particles from the filtration material. The washbox consists of a filter media shield, and a washbox skirt for washing of the filtration material. A throttling valve on the wash water discharge line regulates the overall cleaning rate of the unit. The filtered liquid is discharged via a riser pipe which feeds into a filtered liquid box before exiting the filtration unit.

Abstract: Proposed is a method for purifying and neutralizing polluted liquids, which method comprises the steps of: passing the liquid through a dispersed filtering material with particles of size 0.1-3.0 mm and additional electrode cells; before and after said passing of the liquid through the filtering material periodically regenerating a filter and applying electrical field to the filtering material in purification and/or regeneration stages wherein in the purification and neutralizing stages the filtering material and electrodes are distributed throughout the working volume in the ratio of 0.1-10.0 cm3/cm2 and compacting the same; discharging electrolysis gases in the direction not coinciding with the direction of purified liquid flow, and carrying out the regeneration stage by combined purification of both the filtering material and the electrodes in a flow of slurry formed while loosening the dispersed material in inter-electrode regions by a factor of 1.2 to 3.0.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering a specific ingredient in sea water, which comprises an adsorbing bed tank, a layer of an adsorbent charged on the bottom portion of the adsorbing bed tank, a sea water intake pipe provided in a bottom portion of the adsorbing bed tank, a sea water intake opening for taking in sea water and leading the sea water taken in to the sea water intake pipe, a communicating pipe communicating with an end of the sea water intake pipe, a precipitating section through which the communicating pipe communicates with the sea water intake opening, and an evacuator for discharging sea water inside the adsorbing bed tank, sea water inflow openings being provided between said sea water intake pipe and the tank and being provided with check valves, said check valve being adapted to only upwardly flow sea water into the adsorbent layer inside the adsorbing bed tank through the sea water inflow openings, wherein a sectional area of the precipitating section as taken perpendicularly to a flowing directio

Abstract: The invention herein provides a method of treating water in situ to both sterilize the water and remove unwanted odors and tastes produced during sterilization. The water is preferably intended for drinking. The water is sterilized by a sterilizing treatment such as ozonation and the odors are removed by incorporating zeolite into the container cap, a capliner, or both. The invention also provides a container for packaging sterilized water for human consumption.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a point-of-use water treatment system (WTS) unit (20) for filtering and treating contaminants in water. WTS unit (20) may include a first primary coil (74) located in a base unit (22) which inductively power a secondary treatment device such as a UV lamp assembly (24). A filter assembly (26) is used which has a filter block (90) and an inner sleeve (92) which extends inside filter block (90). Inner sleeve (92) defines a chamber in which the secondary treatment device (24) may be disposed. First and second valves and seals may be interposed between the filter assembly (26), secondary treatment device (24) and base unit (22) to allow the filter assembly (26) and secondary treatment device (24) to be independently replaceable. Secondary treatment device (24) may be a lamp assembly (24) which includes a condensing element (84) to condense mercury in a bulb in the arc path between filaments (444).

Abstract: A copolymer having excellent blood compatibility comprising an alkoxyalkyl (meth)acrylate and a comonomer having a basic functional group, a surface treating agent for blood filter using the same, and blood filter coated with the same on the surface thereof. The copolymer is useful as blood filter material for efficiently removing leucocytes and platelets while preventing damages of blood components at the time of blood filtration to a low level.

Abstract: A cross-linked water-insoluble ion exchange resin comprised of polymerized monomers having a phenyl ring is disclosed. A contemplated resin contains (i) polymerized phenyl ring-containing monomers having a phosphonic acid ligand linked to the phenyl ring, (ii) about 2 to about 5 millimoles per gram (mmol/g) of phosphorus as phosphonic acid ligands, and (iii) a sufficient amount of a sulfonic acid ligand such that the ratio of mmol/g of phosphonic acid to mmol/g sulfonic acid is up to 3:1. A process for removing polyvalent metal cations from aqueous solution, and a process for removing iron(III) cations from acidic copper(II) cation-containing solutions that utilize the contemplated resin or other resins are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus are provided for treating waste-containing water such as toilet waste. In one aspect, an apparatus for secondary treatment of effluent from a water treatment process, includes a medium-filled tank adapted for gravity flow of the effluent through a plurality of discrete zones formed in the medium, wherein effluent flow through zones is alternately upward or downward. Further, a waste treatment system includes a primary tank for receiving undiluted waste and a medium-filled secondary tank for receiving gravity feed of effluent from the primary tank, wherein the secondary tank is adapted for gravity flow of the effluent through a plurality of discrete zones formed in the medium, and wherein effluent flow through zones is alternately upward or downward.

Abstract: The sample vessel 1 comprises plurality of vessels 1a. The vessel 1a comprises an opening for sample inlet 3, a liquid sample outlet 4, and a silicon oxide composite particles structural body 2 is arranged at the bottom of the vessel 1a, i.e. the liquid sample outlet 4. The silicon oxide composite particles structural body 2 is a structural body composed of a composite made of plural silicon oxide particles having smaller diameter combined with a resin particle having larger diameter. Accordingly, even if the diameter of the silicon oxide particles 7 is set small in order to maintain the nucleic acid combination ability high, the presence of the resin particles 6 having a large diameter makes it possible to ensure the liquid conduction path, and the nucleic acid separating vessel, which is capable of suppressing decrease of the B/F separating velocity with maintaining the nucleic acid combining ability high can be realized.

Abstract: The invention relates to filtration media having nanocrystals of metal oxides, such as zinc oxide or titanium oxide or mixtures thereof, encapsulated in or impregnated into a binder matrix.

Abstract: High purity water, particularly that intended for the pharmaceutical or electronics industry, is analyzed for the presence of pyrogen or other impurities by causing the water to come into contact with a direct affinity sensor, which may be a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) device or other sensor relying on an evanescent wave phenomenon. A property of the surface—refractive index in the case of SPR—changes on the binding of impurity, thereby enabling impurity to be detected. The invention overcomes the cumbersome nature and batch-to-batch variability of the conventional in vivo tests as well as the in vitro Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay and for the first time allows the continuous or real time monitoring of high purity water for pyrogen.

Abstract: A water filtering system includes a first filtering device connected between an inlet pipe and a fluid volume meter. A second filtering device is connected to the fluid volume meter and has a ceramic tube received therein. A third filtering device is connected to the second filtering device and has activated carbon particles received therein. The third filtering device is connected to a fourth filtering device which has a plurality of units received therein. Each unit has three partitions and two of which receive two magnetic members.

Abstract: To collect spilled hydrocarbons, bird feathers are scattered over a surface having hydrocarbons at it or in water containing hydrocarbons. The feathers remain until they are saturated with the hydrocarbons and the feathers are thereafter collected. The feathers may be located inside a mesh which is laid on the surface where the hydrocarbons are.

Abstract: A composite adsorbent element comprising a packed mixture of granules and fibers, which are desirably granular activated carbon (GAC) and activated carbon fiber (ACF). The element is employed as a filter for purifying tap water. In the composite adsorbent element the activated carbon fibers fill the spaces between the activated carbon granules. The size and relative amounts of the GAC and ACF are designed to enable water treatment to remove impurities from water more rapidly than conventional filters using granular activated carbon. Furthermore, when there are significant time intervals between filtration, a packed mixture of granular activated carbon and activated carbon fibers made in accordance with the invention shows an improved ability to rejuvenate its adsorption capabilities in the time intervals between filtrations.

Abstract: A method and equipment are disclosed for tertiary sewage treatment by naturally-occurring microorganisms after the sewage has passed from a septic tank or other primary treatment device. Tertiary treatment occurs within enclosed, controlled conditions in a recirculation tank housing a recirculating spray system and a filter bed. The recirculation process is controlled by a timer and a timer float responding to the wastewater level in the recirculation tank. A mixing zone is provided in a bottom portion of the recirculation tank.

Abstract: Silver recovery from a silver-bearing spent photographic solution is achieved by reducing the silver ions to silver metal with an organic reducing agent, especially a photographic developer reagent; in particular a spent photographic developer solution provides a convenient source of reducing agent for the silver recovery; in this case the developer reagents which typically are phenol-type compounds are oxidized leading to a less toxic discharge effluent having a lower COD and BOD.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods in which ion exchange resins are used to reduce the amount of substances which interfere with nucleic acid hybridization in samples. The methods also stabilize the samples. Kits containing the ion exchange resins render the methods convenient to use.

Abstract: A system for removal of water from a hydrocarbon fluid, such as a fuel emulsion in a tank or flowing through a conduit that is used from time to time for delivering fuel to a household or consumer device, including a filter with a super-absorbent, hydrophilic, oleophobic substance bound with a medium to prevent separation and a support body structured to hold the filter, the filter being removable in order to be cleaned and reused or to be discarded and replaced by another filter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a kit for the measurement of anion, cation or zwitterion availability in a medium or for the measurement of free inorganic ions in disrupted cells from plant or animal tissue. The kit comprises ion-exchange material having a measurable ion uptake potential for immobilizing available ions from the medium on the material following contact on the material with the medium or suspension. It also comprises means to remove particulate solids from the material after having contacted the medium with the material. Preferably, the ion-exchange material is cation and/or anion-exchange material in the form of rigid or flexible films, sheets, membranes or the like. The invention also relates to a method for the on-site in situ measurement of anion and/or cation availability in a solid medium and to a method for measuring free organic ions in cells from plant or animal tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for acoustically enhanced particle separation uses a chamber through which flows a fluid containing particles to be separated. A porous medium is disposed within the chamber. A transducer mounted on one wall of the chamber is powered to impose on the porous medium an acoustic field that is resonant to the chamber when filled with the fluid. Under the influence of the resonant acoustic field, the porous medium is able to trap particles substantially smaller than the average pore size of the medium. When the acoustic field is deactivated, the flowing fluid flushes the trapped particles from the porous medium and regenerates the medium. A collection circuit for harvesting the particles flushed from the porous medium is disclosed. Aluminum mesh, polyester foam, and unconsolidated glass beads are disclosed as porous media.

Abstract: A filter is provided within a transparent drinking straw. The filter has a dense core region and a less dense outer peripherial region. The filter is retained in place within the straw by frictional forces under static conditions. The frictional forces which maintain the filter in place under static conditions may be overcome by fluid flowing through the straw causing the filter to move within the conduit. The filter may support particulate matter which may be a medication or drug. Accordingly, the device may be used as delivery device for drugs administered by oral ingestion. Movement of the filter from a first to a second position provides a visual indication that a predetemined volume of fluid has passed through the conduit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assay apparatus for detecting a product in a sample. The assay apparatus comprises a fluid pathway with an input for the sample and an input for a reagent with a detectable moiety which transports the sample to a detecting means via a barrier arranged to prevent a product-reagent complex passage but allow passage to the reagent and the sample. The complex is formed through interaction of the reagent and any of the product in the sample. The apparatus also including supply means for supplying a substance adapted to breakdown the complex into a detectable moiety which can flow through the barrier to the detecting means.

Abstract: Improved fluidized bed filters are described and claimed. The filters are exemplified for use in aquarium systems. A preferred embodiment of the filter of the subject invention comprises a cylinder having an inlet port. Water is pumped into the inlet port. The force of the water fluidizes the filter medium within the cylinder. Filtered water escapes the system over the open end of the cylinder or through an outlet channel.

Abstract: Gas purification resins are encapsulated in deformable, permeable polymer sheaths to form purification rings, gaskets or seals. A primary source of contaminants in advanced vacuum processors equipped with vacuum load-lock systems and process gas purifiers is from the leakage of outside ambient contaminants around O-ring seals. Using gas purification rings, gaskets or seals properly placed inside or outside of the outer O-ring seal, the level of contaminants (particularly hydrocarbons, oxygen and moisture) may be significantly reduced or eliminated. The gas purification ring is preferably a hydrocarbon and/or oxygen and/or moisture absorbing and/or adsorbing material encased within a contaminant permeable casing. The gas purification ring can be round or flattened and is preferably more resilient than the O-rings adjacent thereto which form the seal. An adhesive can be placed around the casing holding the purification resin to prevent movement from its purifying location.

Abstract: A polyester resin comprising a polyester resin chip (A) and a polyester resin fine particle (B) which has the same composition as the (A) and which passes through a 10.5 mesh screen in a proportion of 0.1-300 ppm, wherein a cyclic trimer increases in a proportion of not more than 0.30 wt % upon melting at a temperature of 290.degree. C. for 60 minutes; a polyester resin characterized in that a cyclic trimer increases in a proportion of not more than 0.30 wt % upon melting at a temperature of 290.degree. C. for 60 minutes, and the contents of Na, Ca, Mg and/or Si in the polyeser resin is 0.001-5 ppm and the total of these contents is not more than 10 ppm; and production methods thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an oxidized liquid effluent stream substantially free of volatile compounds is provided. The system includes a stripper positioned downstream of a separator, or disposed within a separator. The method involves volatilizing volatile compounds by performing a separation followed by stripping, or in the same chamber as the separation. In another aspect, the invention involves adjusting the pH of the oxidized waste stream prior to stripping in order to convert ionic species to volatile species that can be removed by stripping.

Abstract: Membranes and methods for making membranes are disclosed. The membranes include a polymeric matrix and a particulate material immobilized within the matrix. The membranes may find particular application in methods and apparatus for removing organic compounds from a biological fluid as part of a pathogen inactivation treatment.

Abstract: A clarifying device for use in an aquarium that includes a casing having at least one transparent portion. A plurality of clarifying pieces are confined in the casing. Each piece has a bulk density of from 0.7 to 1.3. When aquarium water flows through the casing, the clarify pieces flow in the casing and clarify the aquarium water.

Abstract: In an ac generator having a claw-pole type rotor, a stator winding has a plurality of front and rear coil ends. Each of the rear coil ends has an inside bent portion extending radially outward from the inner periphery of the rear end of the stator core and an inside main portion extending axially from the bent portion to form a backwardly expanding space around the rotor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the separation of non-polar organic molecules from fluids which utilize certain hydrocarbon block copolymers having soft and hard segments as absorbents. By employing hydrocarbon block copolymer having a particular concentration of soft and hard segments, optimum absortion is achieved while maintaining the mechanical structure of the absorbent so that it can withstand high fluid flow rates.

Abstract: A filtering material for filtering hot water in a shower utilizes ceramic-type calcium sulfite beads, made from a ceramic binder and calcium sulfite, and a copper-zinc media, with the ceramic-type calcium sulfite beads and the copper-zinc media being present in substantially equal volumetric portions.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating high purity acid or base in an aqueous stream for use as an eluent for chromatography and, particularly, ion chromatography. For generating a base for anion chromatography, the aqueous stream is directed through a cation exchange bed. An electrical potential is applied to the bed. Cations on the bed electromigrate into the aqueous stream while hydroxide ions are electrolytically generated to form a base-containing eluent. Anions to be detected and the generated eluent flow through a chromatographic separator and a detector. In one embodiment, between separation and detection, the separated anion stream flows through a second cation exchange bed with no electrical potential applied. The second bed serves as a suppressor. After completion of the desired number of cycles, flow through the first and second cation exchange beds may be reversed by appropriate valving for the next sample stream.

Abstract: Porous Zirconia particles of specific gravity of 2.5-3.5 g/cm.sup.3 and mean particle sizes of 30-400 .mu.m can be synthesized using oil emulsion methods from colloids and used for protein adsorption in stable expanded beds. Expanded beds of less than 1.0 settled bed height to diameter (approximately 10 ml bed volume) are stable at linear fluid velocities of at least about 100 cm/hour.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for purifying semiconductor silicon wafer processing chemicals in line, the apparatus comprising a non-reactive chemical support, and a crown ether polymer covalently bonded to said non-reactive support, is disclosed. In operation, the crown ether polymer contained within the housing is positioned in-line with a wet chemical recirculation line, transfill system or distribution system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for regulation of aeration in a biological filter of the type comprising conveyance means (3) bringing water to be filtered into the lower part of the filter, a filter bed (2) acting as a support to the biomass, means of distributing an oxygenated gas (5, 5a) in the filter bed (2), a layer of filtered water (7) above the said filter bed, a nozzle for (4) of discharging the filtered water in the upper part of the filter, characterized in that it consists of taking account of the efficiency Ct with which the biomass uses the distributed oxygen to regulate the said distributed oxygenated gas flow and/or its concentration in molecular oxygen, in order to optimize the quantity of molecular oxygen distributed by the said distribution means.

Abstract: Low conductivity cooling water for a fuel cell body is obtained by a water treatment apparatus which removes dissolved carbon dioxide gas in the exhaust gas condensate by a decarbonation column. Iron oxide is eliminated from the condensate as well as blowdown water by a MF membrane separator device. Iron ions are removed by a chelate resin column. Deionization occurs with an electrodeionizer which has an internal ion exchange resin.

Abstract: A water filtration system for residential homes having at least one U-shaped filter device, in the form of a tube, containing a three-layered particulate bed of a sand layer between anthracite layers held by end screens, for removing iron and manganese contaminants. Pressure gauges, an alarm element and a clarity analyzer containing a photocell are included in the system, for monitoring and controlling the filtration system.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method for scouring wool. The method comprises differential heating of grease contaminants in the unscoured wool to at least partially liquefy the grease, absorbing the grease by the addition of a grease-absorbing material, and separating the grease-absorbing material from the wool. The method of the invention involves substantially less water consumption than current methods and is a more efficient means of producing wool.

Abstract: Impurities are removed from aqueous hydrogen peroxide by treating the aqueous hydrogen peroxide by reverse osmosis, cation-exchanging the aqueous hydrogen peroxide and anion-exchanging the aqueous hydrogen peroxide, and the treated ultra-pure hydrogen peroxide can be used in the electronics industries.

Abstract: A ceramic composite comprising ceramic fibers and glass microparticles bound together as a porous matrix with a ceramic binder provides baffles for cryogenic fluids in a storage container.

Abstract: The metal oxide media includes oxides and hydroxides of iron, and other metals. The material is derived from basic-oxygen steel-making process, and includes a high calcium content. The oxide surfaces facilitate the adsorption of phosphorus, and the increased pH facilitates the precipitation of calcium and other phosphates. The oxides are a catalyst for converting organic phosphorus to inorganic form. Limestone may be added to the oxides, to ensure a long-term source of calcium, and to maintain high pH for long periods.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to carry out the extraction and purification of DNA in a short period of time. This object is accomplished by DNA extraction and purification apparatus illustrated in the drawing. This apparatus includes a pipetting unit which can be horizontally moved along a rail by means of a transfer device. This apparatus also includes tube racks which can be moved horizontally and vertically. In these tube racks are disposed filter tubes (not shown) for the extraction and purification of DNA. Moreover, a waste liquid vat and a recovery vat are disposed below these tube racks. The waste liquid vat and the recovery vat are each provided with a suction port (not shown) to be connected to a vacuum pump.

Abstract: The general area of this invention relates to porous materials made from nanofiber packed beds. More particularly, the invention relates to altering the porosity or packing structure of a nanofiber packed bed structure by blending nanofibers with scaffold particulates having larger dimensions. For example, adding large diameter fibers to a nanotube packed bed to serve as a scaffolding to hold the smaller nanofibers apart and prevent the nanofiber bed structure from collapsing. This increases the average pore size of the mass by changing the pore size distribution and alters the packing structure of the packed bed. The increase in average pore size is caused by the creation of larger channels which improves the flow of liquids or gasses through these materials.