Abstract: An extracorporeal therapy system includes: (i) a dialysis fluid circuit including dialysis fluid preparation structure to prepare a dialysis fluid for treatment, the dialysis fluid circuit including a fresh dialysis fluid pump, a used dialysis fluid pump, and at least one filter for purifying the dialysis fluid; (ii) a blood circuit including a blood filter for use during the treatment; (iii) a blood pump operable to pump blood through the blood circuit and blood filter; (iv) a source of disinfecting fluid; and (v) a control unit operable with the dialysis fluid preparation structure and the blood pump, the control unit programmed to cause the disinfecting fluid to be delivered to and located for a duration at an area of the dialysis fluid circuit having the at least one purifying filter, and wherein during the duration the disinfecting fluid is precluded from contacting at least the fresh dialysis fluid pump.

Abstract: A heatsink comprising a heat exchange device having a plurality of heat exchange elements each having a surface boundary with respect to a heat transfer fluid, having successive elements or regions having varying size scales. According to one embodiment, an accumulation of dust or particles on a surface of the heatsink is reduced by a removal mechanism. The mechanism can be thermal pyrolysis, vibration, blowing, etc. In the case of vibration, adverse effects on the system to be cooled may be minimized by an active or passive vibration suppression system.

Abstract: The hollow fiber membrane module contains a hollow fiber membrane bundle having bundled hollow fiber membranes, a housing with an internal space formed in which the hollow fiber membrane bundle is housed and a gas supply portion which disperses cleaning gas for the hollow fiber membrane in the internal space. The internal space has an upper space in which an upper-side part of the hollow fiber membrane is positioned and a lower space in which a lower-side part of the hollow fiber membrane is positioned. The gas supply portion is provided with pipe vent holes which disperse gas in the housing at a position in the upper space and diffusing vent holes which disperse gas in the housing at a position below the lower space.

Abstract: A method of separating material, such as foam, sludge, oil or grease, at a fluid's surface, by applying acoustic pressure shock waves to the material and the fluid's surface such that acoustic pressure shock waves are propagated in liquid medium of the fluid and in gas medium above the fluid surface.

Abstract: There is disclosed a leukocyte removal filter material comprising a nonwoven fabric having polybutylene terephthalate fiber. The average fiber diameter of the nonwoven fabric is 0.9 to 1.5 ?m, the formation index corresponding to a thickness of 0.3 mm of the nonwoven fabric is 15 to 70, and when the average fiber diameter of the nonwoven fabric is X and the specific surface area of the nonwoven fabric is Y, X and Y satisfy the following relational expression (1): Y??0.65×X+1.75??(1).

Abstract: The present application provides devices and methods of making and using these devices. The devices comprise a sintered porous polymeric material, a porous membrane attached to at least a portion of the sintered porous polymeric material, and optionally a housing which surrounds at least a portion of the sintered porous polymeric material. The devices can be used for sample collection, purification and transfer.

Abstract: Provided herein is a universally applicable biofouling mitigation technology using acoustically excited encapsulated microbubbles that disrupt biofilm or biofilm formation. For example, a method of reducing biofilm formation or removing biofilm in a membrane filtration system is provided in which a feed solution comprising encapsulated microbubbles is provided to the membrane under conditions that allow the encapsulated microbubbles to embed in a biofilm. Sonication of the embedded, encapsulated microbubbles disrupts the biofilm. Thus, provided herein is a membrane filtration system for performing the methods and encapsulated microbubbles specifically selected for binding to extracellular polymeric substances (EFS) in a biofilm.

Abstract: A device for mass transfer between blood and a transfer medium, in particular a gas/gas mixture, includes a chamber through which blood can flow and in which a plurality of mass-permeable hollow fibers of at least one hollow fiber mat, in which the hollow fibers are held at a spacing by way of warp threads, are disposed in the form of a wound or folded hollow fiber package, wherein a transfer medium is able to flow through, and blood is able to flow around, the hollow fibers, and wherein the density of hollow fibers varies locally in the hollow fiber package in the cross-section perpendicular to length of the hollow fibers. Hollow fiber packages and methods of manufacturing thereof are provided in which the hollow fibers are held at a spacing by warp threads, in which the spacing between adjoining hollow fibers is locally increased, in particular compared to a predominantly equidistant spacing between the hollow fibers.

Abstract: A water treatment method includes: calculating a total amount of ions contained in a total amount of an aqueous solution introduced into a first tank; when the calculated total amount of ions is greater than a first threshold value, introducing part of slurry in the first tank into a second tank; introducing, with an introducing unit, one of a marker molecule and a stain into the second tank; irradiating, from a second light source, the second tank with visible light; detecting, with a detector, first intensity of the visible light having transmitted through the second tank; and outputting, when the activity of photocatalytic particles calculated based on the first intensity is equal to or smaller than a second threshold value, information prompting replacement of the photocatalytic particles, an instruction of recovering the activity of the photocatalytic particles, or information indicative of deterioration of the photocatalytic particles.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a material for blood purification having the capability to remove cytokines and activated leukocyte-activated platelet complexes. The present invention provides a material for blood purification, the material containing a water-insoluble material in which a ligand having an amide group(s) and an amino group(s) is bound to a substrate, wherein the content of the amide group(s) is 3.0 to 7.0 mmol per 1 g dry weight of the water-insoluble material; and wherein the content of the amino group(s) is 1.0 to 7.0 mmol per 1 g dry weight of the water-insoluble material.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a liquid treatment method and apparatus according to which poorly treated liquid is prevented from being discharged to the outside thereof. The liquid treatment apparatus of the present disclosure comprises a channel switch, a return channel that establishes communication between the channel switch and an internal space of a first tank, and a discharge channel that establishes communication between the channel switch and the outside of the liquid treatment apparatus. In the circulation state, the liquid mixture is circulated in the liquid treatment apparatus so as to return a liquid to the first tank through the return channel. If a concentration of the photocatalyst particles contained in the first tank falls within a predetermined range, the channel switch is switched from the circulation state to the discharge state to discharge the liquid to the outside of the liquid treatment apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for enhanced anti-fouling of a submerged surface includes a bath of a feed liquid that includes water; a fouling structure in contact with the feed liquid; and a gas feed configured to introduce a gas into contact with the fouling structure and the feed liquid to separate the fouling structure from the feed liquid with a gas layer.

Abstract: A water treatment method includes: introducing an aqueous solution containing impurities into a first tank; irradiating, from a light source, photocatalytic particles with ultraviolet light, to turn the aqueous solution introduced into the first tank into primary post-treatment water with which the impurities have been treated; reducing pressure in a first chamber by a filtering pump to filter the primary post-treatment water with a filtering membrane, the filtering separating the primary post-treatment water into the photocatalytic particles stopped at the filtering membrane and secondary post-treatment water that passes through the filtering membrane and does not contain the photocatalytic particles; measuring concentration of photocatalytic particles in the first tank; measuring the difference in pressure between the first chamber and the second chamber; and when the concentration of the photocatalytic particles is equal to or smaller than the first threshold value and the difference in pressure between th

Abstract: A filtration unit to selectively remove leukocytes from fluids containing platelets and systems including a filtration unit are provided. In one embodiment, a filtration unit is provided including an outer casing enclosing a porous element which includes a leukocyte-removal medium with a coating. The coating includes a polymer containing a main hydrophobic chain and a hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) side chain and having a mass average molar mass in the range of from about 1,000 g/mol to about 20,000 g/mol. The hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) side chain includes from 9 to 50 ethylene oxide units, and the mass percentage of the poly(ethylene oxide) side chain is less than about 50% of the mass average molar mass of the polymer.

Abstract: An efficient method is provided for cleaning hollow fiber membrane modules, the method being capable of efficiently removing substances accumulated inside hollow fiber membrane modules. The internal liquid on the raw liquid side of the hollow fiber membrane module (3) is discharged from a lower end face nozzle (19) of the hollow fiber membrane module (3) while air-cleaning is performed. The method for cleaning hollow fiber membrane modules is characterized in that the rate of liquid discharge from the lower end face nozzle of the hollow fiber membrane module (3) when discharging the internal liquid from the lower end face nozzle is adjusted so that the air supplied from the lower end face nozzle of the hollow fiber membrane module (3) through the aeration holes is supplied to the hollow fiber membrane module (3).

Abstract: Disclosed are system and method for filtration capable of minimizing the energy consumption. The filtration system of the invention comprises a processing tank, a first pump for supplying a feed water to be treated to the processing tank, a filtering apparatus in the processing tank, and a second pump for providing the filtering apparatus with a negative pressure so that the filtering apparatus can treat the feed water to produce a permeate, wherein the processing tank is sealable so that the feed water in the processing tank can be pressurized by the first pump after the processing tank is filled with the feed water.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to apparatus, systems, and methods for reduction and/or removal of one or more contaminants (e.g., heavy metals, chromium, phosphorous, phosphorous compounds, nitrogen, nitrogen compounds) from a feed composition (e.g., a fluid). Apparatus, systems, and methods, in some embodiments, may be operable to decontaminate a fluid with comparatively little or no contaminant containing waste fluid.

Abstract: A system for cleaning a membrane of the present invention includes: a first membrane filtration tank which includes a membrane and an aerator, filters inflow raw water by membrane filtration, and discharges treated water and water to be treated, respectively; a pressure gauge for measuring a transmembrane pressure and a flow meter for measuring a permeation flux which are provided at a treated water discharge line of the first membrane filtration tank; and a controller which calculates a water permeability recovery rate by calculating the water permeability from the differential pressure measured at the pressure gauge and the permeation flux measured at the flow meter, predicts a membrane contamination degree from the calculated water permeability recovery rate, and controls a back-pulsing interval and an intermittent aeration interval.

Abstract: A planar filtration element includes a planar support structure (11) and at least one filtration layer (12, 13) made of a membrane material. The planar support structure has first and second opposite outer surfaces (111, 112) spaced apart and secured by spacing members (113) to define a drainage compartment (114) between the first and second outer surfaces. At least one of the first and second outer surfaces includes through-openings (115) for fluid connection with the drainage compartment (114), and wherein the outer surfaces (111, 112), when one disregards the through-openings, are formed of a material extending continuously throughout the outer surfaces. The filtration layer (12, 13) coats the outer surface such that the membrane material penetrates the through-openings (115) to anchor the filtration layer (12, 13) to the support structure (11).

Abstract: An apparatus includes a filtration skid configured to generate a filtrate through at least one of microfiltration and ultrafiltration. The apparatus further includes a desalination skid fluidly connected to the filtration skid. The desalination skid is configured to perform reverse osmosis desalination on the filtrate to generate a permeate, where the filtrate travels from the filtration skid to the desalination skid without traversing a storage tank. In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a controller, where the filtration skid and the desalination skid are integrated to provide self-adaptive operation of the filtration skid and the desalination skid in response to control by at least one of a supervisory controller and a local controller. In one embodiment, the control responds to at least one of temporal variability of feed water quality, a permeate production capacity target, and a permeate quality target.

Abstract: Disclosed aspects may include collecting a set of globalization data. The set of globalization data may relate to a set of globalization parameters. Based on the set of globalization data, it may be determined to execute a set of globalization testing operations. Accordingly, the set of globalization data may be processed by executing the set of globalization testing operations. In response to the processing, a set of globalization test output data can be established.

Abstract: A system and method for a point of use filtration system with backwash is provided. The system includes a first filtration element, a tank, and a second filtration element positioned downstream from the tank. A first and second valve are each positioned downstream from the first filtration element. A first control line is coupled to a first control switch or a first permeate line and the first valve, and a second control line is coupled to the second control switch or a second permeate line and the second valve. When the point of use demands permeate water, the first and second pressure drops cause the first and second valves to open so water from the tank flows in a reverse direction to backwash the first filtration element and exit through the first and second valves to the drain, while water from the tank simultaneously flows through the second filtration element to the point of use.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an amine modifying material which is a copolymer polymerized from an amine functional acrylate, a poly(ethylene glycol) functional acrylate and a cross-linker. The application of the amine modifying material in the bio-molecules separation area is also provided in the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a water filter device comprised of a housing, a first cap, a membrane element, a permeate tube, a quartz sleeve and a UV lamp. The permeate tube may be designed with a plurality of uniformly-distributed permeate openings. The membrane element is disposed outside of the permeate tube. The membrane element, the permeate tube, the quartz sleeve and the UV lamp may be disposed in one housing. The quartz sleeve is disposed along the central axis of the permeate tube while the UV lamp is disposed inside or within the quartz sleeve.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane element may be used in a pressure vessel similar to those used with spiral wound elements, optionally as a replacement for a spiral wound element. A connecting sleeve is used to connect the insides of adjacent elements to each other or to one or more fittings in communication with the outside of the pressure vessel. The element has hollow fiber membranes suspended between two potting heads spaced apart by a cross flow tube that is open at the outside faces of both potting heads. The potting heads are each adapted to slide into an end of a connecting sleeve. A module has one or more hollow fiber elements located inside of a pressure vessel. At least one port is provided in communication between the outsides of the one or more elements and the outside of the vessel. An aerator may be provided on the bottom of the vessel.

Abstract: A dialysis machine includes a blood circuit, a dialysate circuit, and a dialyzer placed in communication with the blood circuit and the dialysate circuit. The dialysis machine includes a priming sequence in which dialysate is used to prime a first portion of the dialysate circuit and a physiologically compatible solution, other than dialysate, is used to prime a second portion of the dialysate circuit, the dialyzer and the blood circuit.

Abstract: A transverse-mounted membrane filtration apparatus includes an air diffuser device including a shelf-shaped member and a gas-feeding unit, the shelf-shaped member including a plurality of shelf boards being arranged in a flow path segment at an immediate upstream of an end surface of a membrane element with a predetermined distance from the end surface of the membrane element and covering an entire flow path of the membrane element along a vertical direction, the gas-feeding unit feeding a gas to the raw water for washing the membrane element through a gas-feeding port provided at a bottom portion of a flow path of the shelf-shaped member. Herein a shelf board at a lowermost position of the shelf-shaped member is inclined toward a side of the end surface of the membrane element in a vertically upper direction.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a cross-flow filter (20), comprising the steps of: A) providing a cross-flow filter (20), wherein the cross-flow filter (20) comprises a filter membrane (21) and is configured to remove a liquid permeate stream and the filter membrane (21) comprises a first side facing the permeate stream and a second side opposite the first side, the second side facing the feed stream, and wherein at least some of the deposits (1010) to be removed are located on the second side of the filter membrane (21); B) applying a back-flushing liquid stream through the filter membrane (21). Prior to applying the back-flushing liquid stream in Step B), permeate located on the first side of the filter membrane (21) is at least partially displaced from the first side of the filter membrane (21) by a gas, wherein the gas that is in contact with the back-flushing liquid stream has a pressure of >1 bar at least during Step B).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for separating particles and dissolved matter from a produced water fluid stream. Specifically, the present invention includes a first pressure source which transports untreated produced water or contaminated aqueous fluid into a separator annulus with a filter element disposed therein. The untreated fluid is placed under appropriate pressure sufficient to produce turbulent flow, increased particle kinetics and/or cavitation allowing the desired fluid to penetrate and pass into and through the, filter media. The treated fluid is then transported to a collection tank. The contaminant matter retained by the filter media may be removed by the nearly instantaneous reverse pressurization of the separator annulus by a second pressure source thereby removing the contaminant particles away from contact with the filter media, and which may then be transported to a waste collection tank or a separator for further treatment.

Abstract: The invention resides in an apparatus for treatment of a substance. The apparatus has a substance tube for enabling a substance to be treated to pass in to the substance tube via the substance-inlet and out of the substance tube through the substance-outlet. The apparatus also has a cleaning chamber, wherein the substance tube is configured in fluid communication with the cleaning chamber to enable a substance to diffuse the permeable membrane between the substance tube and the cleaning chamber such that a substance can be substantially cleaned by a cleaner, the substance comprising blood or plasma and the cleaner comprising a cell culture. The substance tube is removably connectable with the cleaning chamber for inter-changeability or serviceability. The apparatus can further comprise a support compartment configured to connect to, or enclosing, the cleaning chamber, which functions to carry a fluid to substantially maintain the functionality of the cleaner.

Abstract: Dialysis systems comprising actuators that cooperate to perform dialysis functions and sensors that cooperate to monitor dialysis functions are disclosed. According to one aspect, such a hemodialysis system comprises a user interface model layer, a therapy layer, below the user interface model layer, and a machine layer below the therapy layer. The user interface model layer is configured to manage the state of a graphical user interface and receive inputs from a graphical user interface. The therapy layer is configured to run state machines that generate therapy commands based at least in part on the inputs from the graphical user interface. The machine layer is configured to provide commands for the actuators based on the therapy commands.

Abstract: A membrane filtration assembly (10) including having a filtrate carrier (9) for minimizing backwash. The membrane filtration assembly includes a membrane module (5) having one or more permeable hollow membranes (6) supported therein by an upper header (7) and a lower header (8). The filtrate carrier (9) extends between the upper (7) and lower (8) headers to allow filtrate to be collected from either or both ends of membranes (6). A filtrate collection chamber (18) is associated with the upper (7) and lower headers (9) and in fluid communication with lumens of the membranes (6) for collecting filtrate withdrawn through said membrane lumens. A filtration chamber (11) is provided for receiving feed liquid to be applied to the surface of membranes (6) within the module (5). The filtration chamber (11) includes an open end for receiving the feed liquid. The open end is located beyond the height of the module (5) to enable gravity feed.

Abstract: Filtration processes and systems are provided for the separation of a filterable fluid stream by a filtration membrane module with uniform transmembrane pressure and flux along the membrane and internal control of membrane fouling via intermittent periodic reduction of the pressure differential between the permeate and retentate sides of the membrane and/or backwashing cycles during separation, recovery, and/or purification of proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, biologically produced polymers and other compounds or materials from aqueous fluids.

Abstract: A system and method for a point of use filtration system with backwash is provided. The system includes a first filtration element, a tank, and a second filtration element positioned downstream from the tank. A first and second valve are each positioned downstream from the first filtration element. A first control line is coupled to a first control switch or a first permeate line and the first valve, and a second control line is coupled to the second control switch or a second permeate line and the second valve. When the point of use demands permeate water, the first and second pressure drops cause the first and second valves to open so water from the tank flows in a reverse direction to backwash the first filtration element and exit through the first and second valves to the drain, while water from the tank simultaneously flows through the second filtration element to the point of use.

Abstract: A submerged membrane separator 31 includes: a casing 33 opened at the top; a plurality of flat membrane cartridges 34 arrayed at intervals in the casing 33; and an air diffuser 36 provided below the membrane cartridges 34. The membrane cartridges 34 are movably held in the up-down direction in the casing 33 while having a space ? in the up-down direction. Lifting suppressing members 63a and 63b for restricting a lifting amount of the membrane cartridges 34 during filtration operation to be smaller than the space ? in the up-down direction are provided in the casing 33.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a reverse osmosis or nanofiltration membrane includes supplying pulses of bubbles to the membrane. A venturi device for supplying bubbles to improve the cleaning of reverse osmosis or nanofiltration membranes includes a venturi having a liquid inlet and an air inlet provided at a choke point of the venturi, as well as an outlet. The air inlet is provided with a plurality of tubes. A reverse osmosis plant includes a membrane pressure vessel having a fluid inlet, a permeate outlet, a concentrate outlet and an in place cleaning tank connected in line with the fluid inlet. A venturi valve is connected in-line between the cleaning tank and the fluid inlet.

Abstract: An aeration/backwash device (16) for use with a porous membrane filtration module (5) including one or more membranes (6) extending longitudinally between vertically spaced upper (7) and lower headers (8) into which the ends of the membranes are potted. The membranes (6) having a permeable wall which, in use, is subjected to a filtration operation wherein feed containing contaminant matter is applied to one side of the membrane wall and filtrate is withdrawn from the other side of the membrane wall. The aeration/backwash device (16) adapted to at least partially surround a portion of said membrane module (5) and including a communication chamber (17) having spaced through-openings (18, 19) in fluid communication with the chamber (17) and the membrane module (5).

Abstract: A method for cleaning process apparatus used for production of liquids, especially for cleaning filters, for example membrane filters. The apparatus is contacted with a solution of periodate. It is especially preferred that the cleaning process is carried out at a temperature between 15 and 95° C.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning and disinfecting a medical therapy device that delivers any one of hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration. The system has a base module that has at least one segment of a controlled compliant flow path and at least one pair of jumpered ports configured on the base module. One or more components have connections connectable to the jumpered ports of the base module to provide for fluid communication between the segment of the controlled compliant flow path in the base module and a flow path defined by the one or more components. The base module is connected to the one or more components that define a flow path configurable for carrying out in part at least one function performed during any one of hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration or hemofiltration.

Abstract: A membrane filtration apparatus is provided in which a hollow fiber membrane element 1 including a water collecting cap 20 having a water collecting port and a groove and being engaged liquid-tightly with a bundle of a hollow fiber membrane is engaged with a frame 60 having supporting beams 65 to be fitted in the grooves. The engagement and the rotation of the hollow fiber membrane element 1 is possible merely by inserting the supporting beams 65 into the grooves formed in the water collecting cap 20.

Abstract: A filtration system includes a vessel for housing at least two filtration elements. One or more of the filtration elements is a reverse osmosis membrane or a nanofiltration membrane and one of the other filtration elements is a microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane. The vessel has an inlet port for providing a liquid feed to the filtration elements, an outlet port for directing a permeate produced by the elements from the vessel and an outlet port for directing a concentrate produced by the elements from the vessel. A number of vessels can be provided in a parallel arrangement and/or a series arrangement and the vessels can be arranged so as to allow regeneration of the microfiltration or ultrationfiltration membranes from another vessel in the arrangement.

Abstract: A method of filtering solids from a liquid suspension comprising providing a pressure differential across the walls of permeable, hollow membranes (5) immersed in the liquid suspension contained in a vessel (8), the liquid suspension being applied to the outer surface of the porous hollow membrane (5) to induce and sustain filtration through the membrane walls. Some of the liquid suspension passes through the walls of the membranes (5) to be drawn off as permeate from the hollow membrane lumens, and at least some of the solids are retained on or in the hollow membranes or otherwise as suspended solids within the liquid surrounding the membranes (5).

Abstract: Filtration processes and systems are provided for the separation of a filterable fluid stream by a filtration membrane module with uniform transmembrane pressure and flux along the membrane and internal control of membrane fouling via intermittent periodic reduction of the pressure differential between the permeate and retentate sides of the membrane and/or backwashing cycles during separation, recovery, and/or purification of proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, biologically produced polymers and other compounds or materials from aqueous fluids.

Abstract: A spiral wound element and a seal assembly comprising: a ring-shaped seal disposed about a portion of an outer periphery of the element, a secondary pathway and a valve that selectively permits fluid flow through the secondary pathway.

Abstract: A separation membrane cleaning system and a separation membrane cleaning method. A separation membrane cleaning system includes: a membrane filtration bath; a treated water storage bath configured to store treated water produced by the membrane filtration bath and discharge the treated water during reverse cleaning or chemical cleaning; a chemical storage bath configured to supply a chemical; a first pipe fluidically communicated between the membrane filtration bath and the treated water storage bath to transport the treated water produced by the membrane filtration bath to the treated water storage bath, and a fourth pipe fluidically communicated with the first pipe to transport the chemical to the membrane filtration bath; a second pipe to transport the treated water from the treated water storage bath; and a third pipe fluidically communicated with the fourth pipe to transport the chemical from the chemical storage bath.

Abstract: A method of purifying impure water contaminated with a filterable impurity and a dissolved impurity, such as seawater, comprising the steps of: providing impure water to a primary microfiltration or ultrafiltration unit to remove the filterable impurity and produce impure filtered water contaminated with a dissolved impurity; providing the impure filtered water contaminated with a dissolved impurity to a reverse osmosis unit to produce a potable water stream and a residual reverse osmosis stream; and treating the residual reverse osmosis stream prior to reuse. The treatment may be in the form of passing through a secondary filter (such as another microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane or a cartridge filter, and the subsequently treated reverse osmosis reject may be used to backwash the microfiltration or ultrafiltration unit.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a membrane (6) in a membrane filtration system by flowing gas bubbles past the surfaces of the membrane (6) to scour accumulated solids therefrom. The method includes flowing a liquid past a supply of gas; creating a reduced pressure within the liquid flow to cause a flow of gas from the supply of gas (9) into the liquid flow and form gas bubbles therein and then flowing the liquid containing the gas bubbles past the surfaces of the membrane (6) to scour the surfaces thereof. Apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filter arrangement comprising a plurality of elongate hollow filtration elements, each containing a back-washing mechanism. The back-washing mechanisms comprise at least one debris receiving portion having a cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of the hollow filtration element.

Abstract: A membrane filtration apparatus located in a filtration chamber has a number of membranes and an associated support structure having a plurality of input passages and output passages. Wastewater is delivered to the input passages at one side of the membranes and the output passages receive cleaned water at the other side of the membranes after it has passed through a membrane. Each of the input passages is open at top and bottom to the filtration chamber interior, but substantially closed laterally. In a method and apparatus for cleaning the filtration apparatus, gas bubbles are discharged into the wastewater below a first subset of the input passages to cause airlift induced circulation of the wastewater up through the first subset, the flow being directed across and down through a second subset of the input passages.

Abstract: A system for producing high purity water, and particularly for the production of water that is suitable for injection, as well as method of using the same, are disclosed. The system includes a unique combination of known water purification methods that is particularly well-suited to the production USP purified water and USP water that is suitable for injection. The system minimizes potential for organism growth within the system by providing multiple means of organism destruction and removal and by not utilizing any standard water treatment media.