Abstract: A filtering unit including an upper container for receiving fluid to be filtered, a lower container for receiving the fluid from the upper container and an intermediate filter cassette. The filter cassette includes a support member connected with a flat filter member, such as a membrane filter, and can be removed with respect to each of the upper and lower containers. The filter cassette may be inserted within the upper container with sealing engagement between the support member and the internal wall of the upper container. The various disclosed embodiments include the ability to serially connect multiple filter cassettes generally between the liquid contained in the upper container and the lower container.

Abstract: This invention relates to an equilibrium dialysis system in a multi-well format for the simultaneous preparation of multiple samples. Such an equilibrium dialysis system can be used for protein binding assays, molecule-molecule interaction studies, tissue cultures and many other biological and chemical applications. The equilibrium dialysis system described herein has at least 96 wells for the simultaneous preparation of 96 samples and can also be made in 96-well, 384-well, 1536-well or other multi-well formats.

Abstract: Disclosed is a membrane filter system comprising an integral plastic holder (1, 23) having a filter receiving section (2, 24) for receiving a membrane filter (3, 30) that collects target microorganism contained in sample solution, a funnel mount (9, 25) positioned at a level higher than the filter receiving section for carrying thereon a cup-shaped paper funnel (12, 33) adapted to receive the sample solution, and a drainage (7, 28) communicated with the filter receiving section. The funnel has a bottom sheet or a paper filter (14, 35) and a bottom peripheral flange (15, 36) surrounding the bottom sheet. Resin seal means (11, 22) is fitted to the funnel mount to provide liquid-tight engagement between the funnel and the holder. The bottom sheet of the funnel is positioned above the membrane filter and serves as a primary filter for collecting particles in the sample solution larger than the target microorganism before the sample solution reaches the membrane filter.

Abstract: A microtiter reaction system (15), comprising, a support rack (16) having an array of reaction wells (18) disposed therein, each reaction well (18) having an open top end (30) and a closed bottom end (32); a plurality of generally funnel shaped reactor caps (20) with each of reactor cap (20) being received into open top end (30) of each reaction well (18); a porous gas-permeable layer (22) positioned over support rack (16), gas-permeable layer(22) having an array of holes (23) therein with each hole (23) being positioned over open top end (30) of each of the plurality of reaction wells (18); gasket (24) positioned over porous gas-permeable layer (22); and a top cover (26) positioned over gasket (22).

Abstract: A preferred transmission filter (10) includes a first flange (18) transparent to a laser beam (58) and includes a second flange (20) opaque to the laser beam (58) and meltable upon exposure thereto. The flanges (18, 20) are in registered, abutting relationship with a laser weld bead (62) at the juncture (44) between the flanges (18, 20) to provide a fluid seal circumscribing the filter (10). The preferred filter manufacturing apparatus (12) includes a laser (54) coupled to a robot arm (50) controlled by a programmable logic controller (52). The controller (52) operates the robot arm (50) in order to direct the laser beam (58) through the first flange (18) onto the second flange (20) and along the juncture (44) to form the laser weld bead (62).

Abstract: An improvement in the fabrication and bonding of dead-end and cross-flow thermoplastic filtration modules is disclosed whereby two housing parts are bonded to each other and to a filtration membrane by an L-shaped plastic melt.

Abstract: The invention includes a filtration apparatus for processing a plurality of fluid samples into sample wells is provided. In one embodiment, the filtration apparatus includes a purification tray and a sample well tray with a plurality of sample wells. The purification tray includes a filter plate having a plurality of columns with discharge openings at the bottom thereof, at least one filter positioned in the columns of the filter plate for filtering the fluid samples as they pass therethrough, a heat plate positioned adjacent the columns of the filter plate, and a vent plate positioned below the heat plate. The heat plate is configured for transferring heat to the columns of the filter plate. The vent plate includes vents for permitting aerosols from the sample wells of the sample well tray to escape. A sample well tray with a plurality of the sample wells is positioned so that the sample wells align with the discharge openings of the filter plate columns to receive the liquid sample therein.

Abstract: A fluid separation assembly having a fluid permeable membrane and a wire mesh membrane adjacent the fluid permeable membrane, wherein the wire mesh membrane supports the fluid permeable membrane and is coated with an intermetallic diffusion barrier. The barrier may be a thin film containing at least one of a nitride, oxide, boride, silicide, carbide and aluminide. Several fluid separation assemblies can be used in a module to separate hydrogen from a gas mixture containing hydrogen.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus includes a container (24) that surrounds at least one rapidly rotating membrane pack (32, FIG. 2) and stationary turbulators (36A, 36B ) slightly spaced from the membrane pack surfaces to leave thin gaps (40A, 40B ) between them, which obtains the advantages of both series-connected and parallel-connected systems. A feed conduit (82) connects the radially outer ends (110) of the gaps, to carry feed fluid into and out of each gap, with radially outward flow (94) near the pack surfaces, causing radially inward flow (102) near the surfaces of the turbulators. The turbulators have recesses that leave projections to promote fluid shear at the membrane surfaces. A motor shaft (314) supported on motor bearings, has a motor housing fixed to the container. The motor shaft extends into the container and holds the membrane pack to spin it, so only the motor bearings (316, 318) support all rotating parts.

Abstract: Filtration cells capable of direct sampling of a fluid from a container and which may be used for microfiltration of both small and large microvolumes of a fluid to be filtered are provided. Also a process for directly transferring a fluid to be filtered from a container to a filtration cell is described. The filtration cells have one or more reservoirs and are in communication with fluid in a container to be filtered through a piercing instrument connected to a base and support for a reservoir that receives the fluid to be filtered after it passed across a filter membrane. The filtration cell may then be pressurized and vented to allow fluid to be filtered to reciprocally and tangentially pass across a filter membrane between either a container having a fluid to be filtered and a single reservoir for small volume filtrations or between two reservoirs after pressurizing a fluid to be filtered into the reservoirs from a container using a piercing instrument.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for transferring a selected solute species from a fluid mixture to a fluid media. The system of the present invention includes a convergent channel for passing a fluid mixture containing a selected species tangentially across the first surface of a porous membrane. A fluid media is directed to flow tangentially over the second surface of the membrane. As the fluid mixture and the fluid media flow on opposite sides of the membrane, the selected species traverses the membrane leaving the fluid mixture and entering the fluid media. The volumetric loss to the fluid mixture associated with the loss of the selected species is compensated for by the convergency of the channel. As a result a constant velocity is maintained over the membrane, maximizing the selectivity of the filtration process.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for purifying one or more target substances from a source liquid, employing one or more cross-flow filter elements, and one or more types of chromatography resins, in combination, to provide purification with advantageous yield, product purity, and cost-and time-efficiency.

Abstract: Apparatus for obtaining pure water from crude water includes an evaporator arrangement (10) that has a first circuit (101) for cirulating crude water, a second circuit (102) for circulating liquid coolant, and membrane elements for separating the circulating crude water form the circulating liquid coolant and for obtaining pure water from the crude water by a membrane distillation process. Connected to the first circuit (101) is one side (111) of a heat exchanger (11) for raising the evaporator arrangement (10). The apparatus also includes a heat pump (12) for lowering the temperature of the liquid collant prior to said coolant entering the evaporator arrangement (10). The high-temperature side (121) of the heat pump is connected to the input side (1021) of the second circuit (102) via the remaining side (112) of heat exchanger (11) and a cooling device (13). The low temperature side (122) of the heat pump is connected to the output side (1022) of the second circuit (102).

Abstract: The present invention provides multi-well plates and column arrays in which samples (e.g., cell lysates containing nucleic acids of interest, such as RNA) can be analyzed and/or processed. In one embodiment, the microfiltration arrangement is a multilayer structure, including (i) a column plate having an array of minicolumns into which samples can be placed, (ii) a discrete filter element disposed in each minicolumn, (iii) a drip-director plate having a corresponding array of drip directors through which filtrate may egress, and (iv) a receiving-well plate having a corresponding array of receiving wells into which filtrate can flow. The invention provides multi-well microfiltration arrangements that are relatively simple to manufacture and that overcome many of the problems associated with the prior arrangements relating to (i) cross-contamination due to wicking across a common filter sheet or (ii) individual filter elements entrapping sample constituents within substantial dead volumes.

Abstract: A bipolar electrolytic cell can include, as a manifold, a spiral manifold assembly. This spiral manifold assembly will comprise a first outer assembly member, a second outer assembly member and a center assembly member. The overall structure can provide reduced loss of metal or gas and minimal loss of electrical current during an electrolytic process.

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: A vibratory separation system having a drive mechanism for imparting a vibratory motion to a membrane module to enhance filtration. The membrane module comprises one or more filter elements secured to one another, each having a permeable membrane. The vibratory motion imparted to the membrane module generates a dynamic flow boundary layer at the permeable membranes. This fluid shear boundary layer, in turn, generates lift, thereby inhibiting fouling of the membranes.

Abstract: The water purification device includes at least a purification unit and a pipe unit. The water purification device is intended for purification of water being particularly in a storage, such as a container, a reservoir, a vessel or the like, by immersing the same at least partly into the water existing in the storage and by leading water away from the storage preferably from above into a collecting container placed essentially underneath the purification unit. A pipe connected to the purification unit is arranged to lead water by means of syphon principle, by influence of syphon pressure caused by the difference between the height of the purification unit and the collecting container. The filtering means include at least one thin filtering film, preferably made of plastic-based material, such as PTM (Particle Trade Membrane), TeM (track-etch Membrane) or the like, the thickness of which is preferably 7-25 micrometers and the size of pores is 0.05-10 micrometers.

Abstract: A filtration cell for carrying out a tangential flow filtration of a sample liquid contains at least two blocks and at least two filtration elements arranged between each pair of two adjacent blocks. The filtration elements each include an outlet for filtrate, a sheet of support material and two generally flat ultrafiltration or microfiltration membranes, arranged on either side of the support material in a sandwich construction. Each of the blocks, at a side adjacent the membranes, is provided with a respective channel for feeding a flow of sample liquid tangentially over the membranes such that each channel is connected in parallel with the inlet for the flow of sample liquid to be filtered and with an outlet for a concentrated solution. Each channel includes in its longitudinal direction a number of subsequent channel sections separated by transitional zones and is constructed and arranged such that the main flow direction in subsequent sections changes abruptly in the transitional zones.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the semi-automated synthesis of libraries of organic compounds are disclosed. More specifically, the present invention comprises multi-vessel reaction blocks, accessory components, and complementary workstations designed to facilitate the semi-automated production of libraries of chemical compounds by combinatorial and parallel synthesis techniques. The invention is particularly well suited to the conduct of solid-phase or solution-phase parallel syntheses of single compounds and compound mixtures in a high-throughput manner.

Abstract: A seal, a vent for a filter housing and a system for using them. The seal is designed a first outer seal having a closed outer periphery that divides and isolates a first inner area from the outside environment and a second inner seal formed along a portion of the inner surface of the first outer seal and forming a second inner area within the first inner area and which is isolated from both the first inner area and the outside environment. The seal is incorporated into a vent for a filter housing having opening is contained within a vent area and the opening is offset from the center of the vent area. The opening establishes a fluid pathway from the interior to the exterior of the filter device. The inner seal surrounds the vent opening. The outer seal also surrounds the vent opening at one of its ends and surrounds the entire periphery of the vent area so as to isolate the vent area from the area outside of the vent area.

Abstract: Pervaporation or vapor permeation apparatus and method having a separator module located in an unpressurized tank. The module has a plurality of stacked, disk-like separator elements mounted on a central, axial permeate removal tube. The separator elements have a central permeate transport plate, a pervaporation membrane enveloping the permeate transport plate and annular sealing rings located between adjacent membranes, so that fluid has to pass through the membranes to enter the permeate removal tube. A vacuum applied to the permeate removal tube draws permeate through the pervaporation membranes and permeate transport plates into the permeate removal tube. The permeate can be condensed right in the permeate removal tube by direct contact condensation using chilled liquid permeate, however an external condenser can be used. Jets of solution or bubbles of permeate vapor passing between the separator elements reduce or prevent concentration polarization.

Abstract: In a device for filtering and separating fluids, a plurality of disc-like spaced flow guide elements are disposed in a stack in spaced relationship with filter elements disposed in the spaces between the flow guide elements to which fluid can be supplied through inlet openings to flow over the surfaces of the filter elements. Each flow guide element defines at one end a flow opening for the passage of fluid and at least one channel formed in the flow guide element so as to extend adjacent the opening in a direction transverse to the flow of the fluid from the opening into the space between the flow guide elements to promote fluid flow distribution over the width of the flow path through the device.

Abstract: An apparatus for purifying, by membrane separation, a fluid in a membrane module 1 of pressurized aid purifiers. The fluid is brought to flow through a filtering unit 11 of the membrane module 1. The flow is circulated for efficiency. This recirculation of the fluid takes place within the filtering unit 11. The direction of flow of the fluid through a first flow segment 12 of the filtering unit 11 is opposite the direction of flow of the fluid through a second flow segment 13 of the filtering unit 11.

Abstract: In a membrane treatment method, raw liquid is supplied to a circulation tank, and circulation liquid is supplied into an inter-membrane passage between filtration membranes disposed within a membrane apparatus, which is disposed separately from the circulation tank. Filtrate is obtained from the circulation liquid within the inter-membrane passages via the filtration membranes, and the circulation liquid is circulated by a circulation pump disposed between the circulation tank and the membrane apparatus, while returning the remaining circulation liquid to the circulation tank. A portion of the circulation liquid overflows from the circulation tank. A membrane treatment apparatus comprises a membrane apparatus, a circulation tank, and a circulation pump. The membrane apparatus includes filtration membranes disposed to form an inter-membrane passage between the filtration membranes. The membrane apparatus takes out filtrate from circulation liquid in the inter-membrane passage.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for transferring a selected solute species from a fluid mixture of a fluid media. The system of the present invention includes a convergent channel for passing a fluid mixture containing a selected species tangentially across the first surface of a porous membrane. A fluid media is directed to flow tangentially over the second surface of the membrane. As the fluid mixture and the fluid media flow on opposite sides of the membrane, the selected species traverses the membrane leaving the fluid mixture and entering the fluid media. The volumetric loss to the fluid mixture associated with the loss of the selected species is compensated for by the convergency of the channel. As a result a constant velocity is maintained over the membrane, maximizing the selectivity of the filtration process.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for purifying one or more target substances from a source liquid, employing one or more cross-flow filter elements, and one or more types of chromatography resins, in combination, to provide purification with advantageous yield, product purity, and cost- and time-efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for substance-specific treatment of fluids, whereby the apparatus comprises a housing with a distribution space and a collection space, between which is arranged a structure of adjacent flat first and second layers containing first and second hollow-fiber membranes, respectively, and a matrix on which groups acting in a substance-specific manner for fluid treatment are immobilized, whereby the filling ratio &egr; of the housing determined by the hollow-fiber membranes and the matrix is greater than 0.55. The first hollow-fiber membranes are open in the direction of the distribution space and closed in the direction of the collection space, and the second hollow-fiber membranes are open in the direction of the collection space and closed in the direction of the distribution space, and the hollow fiber membranes are embedded at least at their open end in the sealing compounds.

Abstract: Currently microfiltration devices use hydrophillic membranes to sterilize liquids. Air locks may develop on the upstream side of the filter membrane within these apparatus. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing an air lock from the upstream side of a microfilter in a device for dispensing a sterile liquid from a storage container by forcing the liquid through a microfilter.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus for separating and/or enriching dissolved substances from a suspension or suspensions having at least one filter means through which flow takes place, there being arranged on the retentate side of the filter means a means for producing a shear field which produces a virtually homogeneous shear field and pressure gradient across the inflow cross-section of the filter means. The means for producing the shear field may be formed by a rotationally symmetrical rotor. There may be used as filter means matrices that are suitable for the adsorption of the dissolved substances to be separated off. There come into consideration for that purpose surface-modified membranes, for example affinity membranes. The filter apparatus may be one-tier, two-tier or multi-tier.

Abstract: An improved plate-and-frame assembly selectively transfers a fluid component from one fluid stream to another fluid stream. In a preferred embodiment, a plate-and-frame humidity exchanger with unitary plates and seals transfers water vapor and heat between two fluid streams.

Abstract: A module that can be practically used at a pressure of about 3 kgf/cm2 is obtained by treating a polyamide based reverse osmosis membrane with an oxidizing agent. A composite reverse osmosis membrane comprises a thin film which is a polyamide based skin layer obtained by polycondensation of a compound having two or more reactive amino groups and a polyfunctional acid halide compound having two or more reactive acid halide groups, and a microporous support for supporting the thin film. The polyamide based skin layer formed on the surface of the membrane has a mean roughness of 50 nm or more. The composite reverse osmosis membrane is treated with an oxidizing agent. A salt rejection of 99% or more and a flux of 1.5 m3/m2·day or more are obtained when evaluated by using a solution having pH 6.5 containing 500 ppm of sodium chloride at an operating pressure of 7.5 kgf/cm2 and a temperature of 25° C.