Abstract: Described is the application of layer-by-layer (LbL) electrostatic assembly techniques to electrospun nanofibers in order to fabricate novel, breathable electrospun fiber-based chemical and biological detoxifying protective fabrics and filters. The combination of layer-by-layer electrostatic assembly and electrospinning technique allows one to take advantage of high specific surface area, light weight and breathability of electrospun fiber mats while simultaneously providing the versatility to incorporate different functional polyelectrolytes to achieve multifunctional coatings for both chemical and biological protection together. The functionalized fiber mats can be incorporated into breathable chemical and biological protective fabrics, filters and masks. In addition, LbL electrostatic coating of porous non-woven materials provides the versatility to generate multifunctional polymer-based membrane materials for other applications.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 21, 2010
Publication date:
July 21, 2011
Applicant:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Inventors:
Liang Chen, Lev E. Bromberg, T. Alan Hatton, Gregory C. Rutledge
Abstract: A forward osmosis water transfer system is disclosed which recycles water from an incoming wastewater stream into an outgoing dilute process brine stream. The system includes a saturated brine stream, a first portion of which is diverted to form a saturated process brine stream and a second portion of which is diverted to at least one forward osmosis membrane. The at least one forward osmosis membrane moves water from the incoming wastewater stream into the incoming diverted saturated brine stream thereby creating an outgoing concentrated wastewater stream and the outgoing dilute process brine stream.
Abstract: Disclosed is multi-flow filter cartridge assembly that includes an elongated housing that has axially opposed proximal and distal ends and defines an interior cavity and first, second and third flow paths which extend from the proximal end of the housing to the distal end. The cartridge assembly also includes first, second and third filter elements. The first filter element is disposed within the interior cavity of the housing and conditions fluid that traverses the first flow path from a first inlet port to a first outlet port. The second filter element is disposed within the interior cavity of the housing and conditions fluid that traverses the second flow path from a second inlet port to a second outlet port. Lastly, the third filter element is also disposed within the interior cavity of the housing and conditions fluid that traverses the third flow path from a third inlet port to a third outlet port.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 11, 2009
Date of Patent:
July 12, 2011
Assignee:
SurgiQuest, Inc.
Inventors:
Paul A. Matula, Dominick Mastri, James R. Parys, Ralph Stearns, Johnnie H. Copley, Christopher Estkowski
Abstract: A vent assembly is described for use in an extracorporeal fluid unit. A vent structure adjacent to a micro-porous membrane forms the assembly. The vent structure is porous, but expands when the vent structure becomes wet, thereby closing off the pores and inhibiting (e.g., preventing) fluid from flowing through the vent structure. The vent structure also protects the membrane from becoming wet, such as from condensation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 18, 2008
Date of Patent:
May 10, 2011
Assignee:
Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
Inventors:
Thomas Irvin Folden, Martin Joseph Crnkovich, Colin Weaver, Michael Emmanuel Kotsos, Melvin D. Jensen
Abstract: An oil filter for use in an electric motor forming part of a downhole device such as an ESP, comprising a two-part filter including a first part formed from a porous material which acts to filter solid particulate material from the motor oil, and a second part comprising a sorbent for removing aqueous liquids from the motor oil.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 31, 2008
Publication date:
April 28, 2011
Applicant:
Schlumberger Technology Corporation
Inventors:
Stanislav Nikolaevich Verichev, Jacques Orban, Evgeny Mikhailovich Sviridov
Abstract: A mobile water treatment apparatus to on-load a dirty fluid into a storage container attached to a motor vehicle and transport the fluid in the storage container from a first location and to a second location where the fluid is filtered by a filtration system attached to the motor vehicle. The filtered fluid is discharged from the mobile water treatment apparatus at the second location.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 21, 2010
Publication date:
April 21, 2011
Applicant:
IBEX INCORPORATED
Inventors:
James Vance KENNEDY, Bron David Wescott, Stanley Lamar Sanford
Abstract: Filter modules for use in a water dispenser, carafe, or other gravity-flow water filtration and dispensing unit are self-supporting, rigid and porous, and are adapted in size and shape to substantially fill a generally-cylindrical housing. The filter modules are molded forms of high-porosity compositions, so that they are consistent in performance and “non-dusting” compared to the unpredictable arrangements, positions, and performance of loose activated carbon particles. Filter modules may include activated carbon, zeolitic, resins, metal-scavengers, and/or other water filtration/treatment media granules/powders, for example, bound into a solid profile form by thermoplastic and/or other polymeric binders. Low melt index, or very low melt index, binders are preferred to maximize exposure of the activated carbon surface area.
Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of wastewater, particularly wastewater originating from a process for the production of photovoltaic cells, comprising: a first line for the treatment of wastewater originating from the process, with a high level of acidity, a second line for the treatment of wastewater with a low level of acidity, a third line for the treatment of wastewater with a very low level of acidity, a fourth line for the treatment of alkaline wastewater, the wastewater that exits from the second line and the third line being adapted to be sent to a purification line designed for filtering, obtaining pure water and ultrapure water, ready to be reused in the same production process.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 14, 2009
Publication date:
March 17, 2011
Inventors:
Ferdinando Martini, Gianluca Castelli, Franco Traverso, Andrea Ragni
Abstract: Apparatus for filtering liquids, comprising flat membrane pockets arranged parallel and means for pressure-tight connection of the membrane pockets to one another and for coupling an extraction means. The membrane pocket includes a drainage element, which is joined surface-to-surface to two membranes and is enclosed in a pressure-tight manner at the edge. Adjacent membrane pockets are connected to one another and to the extraction means via one or more outflow bores and associated lines. The outflow bores are arranged in such a way that the transmembrane differential pressure drops only slightly over the surface of the membrane pocket.
Abstract: A method and a device to increase the efficiency of dialysis for the removal from blood of substances that are more or less tightly bound to carriers such as albumin. According to the invention this is accomplished by a simultaneous significant increase of the flow rate of the dialysis fluid and of the area of the membrane that separates the blood from the dialysis fluid, compared to conventional dialysis.
Abstract: A drain basin insert having a housing, with the housing having a sidewall having a top edge and a bottom edge, and with the housing having a perforated base member secured to the sidewall at the lower edge of the sidewall, and with the housing having an outwardly extending flange at the top edge of the sidewall. The insert also includes a secondary filter means having a permeable container having hydrophobic filter media therein. The insert also has a perforated, rigid structural member having a bottom wall and a raised portion, with the raised portion attached to the bottom wall and extending upwardly therefrom. The insert also has a primary filter means having an outer sidewall, a bottom surface, and a central portion, with the bottom surface contacting the bottom wall of the perforated structural member, and with the central portion contacting the raised portion of the perforated structural member.
Abstract: A pressure vessel having a cell with a locking pin, and a cap and associated methods and systems. The locking pin may be configured to engage the cap when the pressure vessel is pressurized to prevent rotation of the cap without depression of the cap.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 15, 2009
Publication date:
January 20, 2011
Inventors:
Richard S. Bradshaw, Robert Murphy, Dale Jamison
Abstract: There is provided herein a system for filtering oils and/or emulsions including one or more filtering devices comprising stacked filtering elements configured to filter oils and/or emulsions, one or more tanks configured to hold oils and/or emulsions, and one or more pumps configured to pump oils and/or emulsions.
Abstract: An apparatus for filtering liquids and the related filtering component, wherein the apparatus includes a head detachably associated to a container that accommodates a mechanically-acting filtering component; the head is provided with an inlet for the liquid to be filtered, which is connected to the portion of the container upstream of the filtering component, and with an outlet for the filtered liquid, which is connected to the portion of the container downstream of the filtering component. The apparatus has an antimicrobial structure.
Abstract: A membrane module (3) comprising a plurality of porous hollow membranes (8). The membranes (8) extend between and are fixed at each end in a header (5, 6). One header (6) has one or more of openings (12) formed therein. The openings (12) are in fluid communication with a source of gas and/or liquid (13, 14, 15). The other of the headers (5) is sealingly connected to and in fluid communication with a head-piece (9). The head-piece (9) is adapted to couple to an associated head-piece of a further module to form a rack of modules (17). A potting head (6) for use in mounting porous hollow membranes (8) is also disclosed comprising a preformed potting element (29). The potting element (29) includes one or more cavities (30) for receiving curate potting material which, in use, supports said membranes (8).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 19, 2005
Date of Patent:
January 4, 2011
Assignee:
Siemens Water Technologies Corp.
Inventors:
Robert James McMahon, David John Cox, Fufang Zha, Roger William Phelps, Warren Thomas Johnson, Sargon Barkho
Abstract: Fluid processing apparatuses and systems are disclosed. In some embodiments the fluid processing apparatuses include a movable enclosure, a plurality of filter housings disposed substantially within the movable enclosure, and a stand disposed within the enclosure. The filter housings are in fluid communication with one another. Each filter housing defines an elongate path and is configured to support a respective filter along the elongate flow path to filter a substantially continuous flow of fluid. The stand supports each filter housing such that the elongate flow path of each filter housing is substantially parallel to a vertical axis, wherein each filter housing is independently rotatable, relative to the stand.
Abstract: The present invention provides a module for reducing the activity of leukocytes which comprises a carrier and a ligand that is linked to the carrier and is suitable for interacting with a leukocyte receptor. Furthermore, the present invention provides a process for reducing the activity of leukocytes using said module. The advantage of the present invention is that after binding the activated leukocytes in the leukocyte inactivation module (LIM), the damaging effect of the cells is inhibited within minutes.
Abstract: The present invention provides a vacuum filter device (10) which includes a filter body (11) having two holders (12, 13) on opposite sides of a filter. Each holder contains a closed container (15, 16) in a fluid-tight, sealed relationship. The filter is retained by a compression sealing element that resiliently applies a sealing pressure to the upper surface of the filter. The sealing element is maintained in place by a compression element formed of a ring that applies a desired compressive force to the sealing element. The compression element is bonded to a portion of the body to hold it, the sealing element and filter in place and under a compression seal. Other aspects of the invention include provisions for forming a port in the compression element that can be aligned with the vent of the device. The invention also can provide for an alignment feature on the compression element that ensures the port is in alignment with the vent of the device.
Abstract: A method and apparatus for microfiltering milk before the milk is allowed to cool is disclosed that removes bacteria and other filtrates from the milk thus producing a microfiltered milk product.
Abstract: A filtration cartridge is provided comprising one or a stack of filtration units sealed to each other at their outer periphery and to end caps thereby eliminating the need for a housing surrounding the stack. Fluid pathways are provided so that filtration of all incoming feed is assured prior to passing from the cartridge as filtrate. Two permeate pathways are provided to direct permeate to an outlet from the filtration cartridge.
Abstract: Methods and systems for continuous multistage processing of particulate solids that can control the distribution of residence times of processed particles. One disclosed method includes admitting fluidizing gas into transfer tunnels between fluidized bed vessel stages, using gas inlets located in or outputting directly into the transfer tunnel to promote flow of the fluidized solids through the transfer tunnel. A common gas distributor plate can supply gas to the stage vessels and to any transfer tunnels having gas inlets. The distributor plate can be separable from the system or openable to provide access for removal of obstructions and for maintenance. A common base plate can incorporate lower portions of the stage vessels and the sides and roofs of the transfer tunnels, the bottoms of the vessels and tunnels optionally being provided by the gas distributor plate. Some multistage systems and processing methods have from 15 to 200 or more stages.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 16, 2007
Date of Patent:
November 9, 2010
Assignee:
Brunob II B.V.
Inventors:
Robert J. Archibald, H. Kenneth Staffin, Edward P. Traina, Edward A. Wales
Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a fluid supply assembly fluidly connectable to a source of fluid is provided. The fluid supply assembly includes a housing (702); a hydraulic assembly (710) supported within the housing (702), wherein the hydraulic assembly (710) is configured and adapted to pressurize the fluid which is supplied to a solenoid shut-off valve (724); a tank assembly (714) supported within the housing (702) for retaining a quantity of pre-conditioned fluid therein; and a filter assembly (720) supported within the housing (702) and in fluid communication with the hydraulic assembly (710).
Abstract: The present invention relates to filtering a collected sample for water analysis, and a device where filtered water is collected so that filtered water can be contained in a sample container and where the collecting rate of the sample can be controlled. The collecting device comprises at least one filter funnel part, an upper plate on which the funnel part placed, mounting device comprising a supporting rod wherein one side of the supporting rod is combined with the edge of the upper plate and a waste box fixing the supporting rod, several base container parts wherein the sample container is inserted and a outlet port is formed, and a vacuum pump connected to the vacuum connecting port by a pump tube. Accordingly, the step of transferring filtered water into the sample container can be omitted, and the collection time can be reduced by controlling the collecting rate of the sample.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 18, 2002
Date of Patent:
October 26, 2010
Assignees:
Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute
Abstract: A separation system including a pressure vessel containing a plurality of membrane cartridge assemblies is provided for the separation of a fluid feed. The separation system typically includes an elongated pressure vessel having a feed stream inlet, a residual stream and at least one permeate stream outlet. Disposed within the pressure vessel are a first tube sheet assembly defining a first permeate reservoir, a first fluid reservoir, and a plurality of membrane cartridge assemblies. The first tube sheet assembly includes a first pair of tube sheets, which define the first permeate reservoir therebetween, and a plurality of first sleeves disposed between the first pair of tube sheets. The first permeate reservoir is in fluid communication with the at least one permeate stream outlet. The at least one membrane cartridge assembly includes a membrane cartridge and a first permeate adapter joined to a first end of the membrane cartridge.
Abstract: An apparatus for separating crystals from their suspension in contaminated crystal melt with purification, in which a hydraulic wash column has distributor aids in a distributor space.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 8, 2002
Date of Patent:
July 27, 2010
Assignee:
BASF Aktiengesellschaft
Inventors:
Joerg Heilek, Dieter Baumann, Bernd Eck, Ulrich Hammon, Klaus Joachim Mueller-Engel
Abstract: The invention concerns a filter for liquids loaded with solid particles, comprising a vessel (52) provided with an inlet for the liquid to be filtered, an outlet for the filtrate emerging into a manifold and a discharge orifice for the sludge of solid particles and wherein is enclosed a plurality of filtering elements (10), each filtering element shaped like an elongated pocket (16) of fabric (12) of filtering media having an upper opening (10) in communication with the outlet and mounted around frames (18) provided with longitudinal drainage channels (30) and suspended to support elements housed in said vessel and comprising a radial pipe (20) forming a manifold wherein emerges the opening of the filtering elements. The invention is characterized in that the upper edge of said pockets is provided with a hem (17) receiving a stiffening element (19) and urged to be tightly fixed in a peripheral catching element (21) integral with said support elements.
Abstract: A polyurethane resin forming composition comprising: a main agent (A) containing an isocyanate group-terminated prepolymer obtained by reacting an isocyanate group-containing compound (a1) with a polyfunctional polyether polyol (b1) having a specific molecular weight distribution obtained by the use of a compound having a functional group number of 8 as an initiator; and a curing agent (B) containing a castor oil-modified polyol (b2) obtained from castor oil and/or a castor oil fatty acid and a trimethylolalkane. This polyurethane resin forming composition is applicable to the production of large-sized hollow-fiber membrane modules and can form cured resins excellent in adhesion property and heat resistance, low in the temperature dependence of hardness and extremely small in the amount of substance eluted into water when immersed in the water.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 22, 2006
Publication date:
July 8, 2010
Applicant:
NIPPON POLYURETHANE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
Inventors:
Kouji Yamato, Shyogo Itoh, Keiko Yoshida
Abstract: A filter unit for use in a casing disposed in a septic tank comprising a plurality of stacked filter plates. The individual filter plate is preferably substantially “D” shaped in circumference and has a substantially cone-shaped floor, tapering upward. The filter plates are preferably stacked in a superposed, spaced-apart manner with a particular diameter in relationship to the inner diameter of the case. The filter plates are preferably inserted into the filter case to define a seal horizontally around the bottom opening in the case, thereby allowing wastewater to enter into the filter plates to begin the filtering process. Solids preferably flow upward into the filter plates, where they are separated by size with a predetermined gap in the stacked filter plates.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 4, 2006
Date of Patent:
June 22, 2010
Inventors:
Michael J. Hornback, Theophilus B. Terry, III, Jerome A. Mehling
Abstract: A filter device and a method for the filtration of beer, where, for an improved and simplified filtration, the filter includes a nonfiltrate chamber having a nonfiltrate inlet and a nonfiltrate outlet, wherein the nonfiltrate flows into the nonfiltrate chamber substantially tangentially to the walls thereof, and the bottom of the nonfiltrate chamber is constructed at least partially as a filter. The filter also includes a filtrate chamber underneath the bottom, and a filtrate outlet.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 31, 2008
Publication date:
June 17, 2010
Inventors:
Klaus-Karl Wasmuht, Cornelia Stumpe, Kurt Stippler, Thomas Albrecht, Heinz Humele, Michael Thomas Stein
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.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 4, 2008
Publication date:
June 3, 2010
Inventors:
Douglas Arnoldus Theron, Anthony John McMonagle, Mark Albert McNulty, Scott Alexander Barrie
Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for treatment of contaminated liquid are provided including an integrated ultra-filtration and clarification apparatus, and an optional integrated electrocoagulation capability. The integrated apparatus comprises an outer tank, an inner casing, and a plurality of ultra-filtration filters contained within the inner casing. Clarification of liquid occurs in the gap between the casing and tank. Solid matter settles, and aggregates in the bottom portion of the tank. The accumulated solid material acts as a secondary filter by pre-filtering the liquid prior to contact with the ultra-filtration filters. Clarified liquid is retained in a chamber of the casing, and the clarified liquid is drawn through the ultra-filtration filters as initiated by a source of vacuum communicating with the ultra-filtration filters.
Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an apparatus and method for continuous fluidization which comprises at least two cells connected by an aperture permitting the solid material to be introduced into the next downstream cell by fluidized horizontal flow, an isolated freeboard within each cell, at least two filter sticks contained within the isolated freeboard of each cell, and at least one blow back valve contained within each filter stick. The apparatus allows processing of materials that are typically difficult to fluidize by maintaining a substantially constant pressure difference between each isolated freeboard.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 16, 2007
Date of Patent:
May 25, 2010
Assignee:
Brunob II B.V.
Inventors:
Thomas Joseph English, Athanassios Souvaliotis, Manish B. Shah
Abstract: Hydrocarbon processing devices and systems are constructed to modify the combustion characteristics of hydrocarbon fuels and emissions for the purpose of emissions reduction and to increase the overall performance characteristics of the engine. According to one exemplary embodiment, a catalytic device for processing a fluid containing hydrocarbons includes a reactive body formed of a plurality of metallic materials arranged in a layered structure. The plurality of metallic materials is formed of at least two different materials. The body has an inner core member having a first density and another region, that is formed along a longitudinal length of the rolled layered structure, has a second density which is less than the first density.
Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for separating blood into components, may be expanded to include other types of cellular components, and can be combined with holographic optical manipulation or other forms of optical tweezing. One of the exemplary methods includes providing a first flow having a plurality of blood components; providing a second flow; contacting the first flow with the second flow to provide a first separation region; and differentially sedimenting a first blood cellular component of the plurality of blood components into the second flow while concurrently maintaining a second blood cellular component of the plurality of blood components in the first flow. The second flow having the first blood cellular component is then differentially removed from the first flow having the second blood cellular component.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 8, 2006
Date of Patent:
April 27, 2010
Assignee:
Arryx, Inc.
Inventors:
Daniel Mueth, Amy Anderson, Jessica Shireman
Abstract: The present invention relates to a slurry reactor system suitable for continuous multiphase reaction/separation, as well as a method for continuous reaction/separation of a multiphase reaction in a slurry reactor system. The system includes a reaction vessel, a separation device that includes a separation chamber and a filter element, and an agitation device. The filter element includes a filter, which is in contact with a slurry in the reaction vessel and on the surface of which a solid material from the slurry forms a filter cake in the reaction vessel. The agitation device generates a flow of the slurry in the reaction vessel. A flux of a liquid product from the slurry in the reaction vessel across the filter and into the separation chamber is maintained at a substantially constant level for long term continuous reaction/separation without interruption.
Abstract: Fabric comprising a plurality of fibers (F) comprising at least one polymer material (P) selected from the group consisting of: (1) a blend (B12) composed of at least one poly(aryl ether ketone) and at least one poly(aryl ether sulfone); (2) a polymer (P3) comprising sulfone groups, ketone groups and arylene groups, and (3) a blend (B123) thereof. Filter assemblies and filtration systems incorporating such fabric.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 20, 2008
Publication date:
February 4, 2010
Applicant:
SOLVAY ADVANCED POLYMERS, L.L.C.
Inventors:
Celene Difrancia, William W. Looney, Pascale Nagels, Atul Bhatnagar, Gregory Warkoski
Abstract: A device is disclosed for receiving and separating chips and coolant collecting on machine tools in which unfiltered coolant is prevented from penetrating tanks for filtered coolant in the event a receiving tank overflows. This is achieved in that holders, whose projecting ends, which are directed downward, extend into an overflow channel, are tightly attached externally to the wall of the receiving tank. The overflow channel is guided around the device at a level below the top edge of the receiving tank and is removably held on the holders. The overflow channel tightly covers tanks located beneath it having filtered coolant. The inner edge of the overflow channel neighboring the receiving tank lies at a higher level than the outer edge of the overflow channel, which is further away from the receiving tank, and at least one outlet device is provided in the bottom region of the overflow channel.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 17, 2006
Date of Patent:
January 19, 2010
Assignee:
Mayfran International B.V.
Inventors:
Leo J. P. Ackermanns, Wiel E. H. Kroonen, Joseph H. van Loo
Abstract: Coolant fluid cleaning method, system, and apparatus use a rotating magnet to remove particulate matter from a fluid used to cool or lubricate a machining or other operation. Such system includes a rotating magnet in fluid communication with apparatus circulating fluid past the rotating magnet. A scraper blade removes particulate matter which is picked up by the rotating magnet. The system or apparatus can include a dirty fluid reservoir, one or more conveyor which removes chips and particulate matter from the dirty fluid reservoir, and a clean fluid reservoir. The rotating magnet collects particulate matter in the dirty fluid reservoir and discharges the collected particulate matter to a discharge conveyance. When the rotating magnet is used in combination with a disc filter, the magnet relieves some cleaning load from the disc filter.
Abstract: The invention provides a device for use in a cartridge for on-line preparation of a solution for a medical procedure. The device comprises a hollow body, the body having a first end and a second end and is provided with through holes in its wall. The second end is closed, while the first end is open and adapted for receiving fluid introduced into the cartridge. The fluid leaves the device through said holes. Furthermore, the invention relates to a cartridge provided with such a device, a method of manufacturing such a cartridge and the use of a charge of concentrate in such a cartridge.
Abstract: A method and a device to increase the efficiency of dialysis for the removal from blood of substances that are more or less tightly bound to carriers such as albumin. According to the invention this is accomplished by a simultaneous significant increase of the flow rate of the dialysis fluid and of the area of the membrane that separates the blood from the dialysis fluid, compared to conventional dialysis.
Abstract: An agent for increasing the rejection of a nanofiltration membrane or a reverse osmosis membrane which comprises a compound having a polyalkylene glycol chain having a weight-average molecular weight of 2,000 to 6,000; a process for increasing the rejection of a nanofiltration membrane or a reverse osmosis membrane which comprises bringing the nanofiltration membrane or the reverse osmosis membrane into contact with an aqueous solution of a compound having a polyalkylene glycol chain which is obtained by diluting the agent for increasing the rejection of a nanofiltration membrane or a reverse osmosis membrane described above with water; a nanofiltration membrane or a reverse osmosis membrane exhibiting a rejection increased in accordance with the process; and a process and an apparatus for water treatment using the nanofiltration membrane or the reverse osmosis membrane.
Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved method for refining cellulose that produces a highly refined cellulosic material. The method comprises soaking raw material in a mild NaOH using reduced temperatures and pressures, and refining the material with a plate refiner so that a waste water stream is reduced in volume and has a pH within a range of 8 to 9. The present invention also comprises a HRC gel having a lignin concentration of at least about one (1)% by weight, and a water retention capacity of about 25 to at least about 56 g H2O/g dry HRC.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 16, 2006
Date of Patent:
September 1, 2009
Assignees:
Regents of the University of Minnesota, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute
Inventors:
Brock Lundberg, Lin Gu, Rongsheng Roger Ruan, Ling Chen, Paul Bradley Addis, Jack Edgar Johnson
Abstract: A filter system having individual compartments, a removable filter rack in each compartment, and an array of filter elements positioned in candle housing that are moveable into and out of the filter racks. Each compartment has an independent set of dirty oil inlets, clean oil outlets, overflow outlets, and air purge inlets, and is fluidly separated from adjacent compartments by the interior walls of the frame. Each rack may be disengaged from the various pipes and removed from the frame without disengaging the racks in adjoining compartments. As a result, the filter elements may be serviced without having to take the entire system off-line.
Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a capsule configured to direct fuel flow within a fuel filter assembly housing. The capsule has a tubular element configured to define a flow path between the capsule and a fuel filter assembly housing. The tubular element defines an interior chamber, a proximal end, and a distal end defining a manifold. The tubular element is configured to be removably received by the fuel filter assembly housing. The interior chamber is configured to receive a fuel filter element. The capsule is configured to direct fuel flow from the proximal end of the capsule, around the tubular element, to a point beyond the distal end of the capsule, and to receive fuel flow from the point beyond the distal end of the capsule and direct the fuel flow via the manifold to the filter element, thereby providing at least two passes of the fuel flow through filter elements within the fuel filter assembly housing.
Abstract: A device, system and method for exchanging components between first and second fluids by direct contact in a microfluidic channel. The fluids flow as thin layers in the channel. One of the fluids is passed through a filter upon exiting the channel and is recycled through a secondary processor which changes the fluid's properties. The recycled fluid is reused for further exchange. The filter excludes blood cells from the recycled fluid and prevents or limits clogging of the filter. The secondary processor removes metabolic waste and water by diafiltration.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 22, 2007
Publication date:
June 4, 2009
Applicant:
THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
Inventors:
Edward F. Leonard, Alan C. West, Christian P. Aucoin, Edgar E. Nanne
Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane module using a sheet-form hollow fiber membrane having excellent cleaning properties in which the pressure resistance of a hollow fiber membrane anchor section does not deteriorate, even when the membrane area increases; a hollow fiber membrane module unit using the module; a membrane filtration device using the unit; and an operation method therefor are provided. The hollow fiber membrane module comprises sheet-form hollow fiber membranes and an anchoring member which anchors the sheet-form hollow fiber membranes in a roughly parallel manner while maintaining in an open state at least one end portion of the sheet-form hollow fiber membranes. The shape of an end face of a side of the anchoring member from which the hollow fiber membranes are exposed is roughly rectangular, and the shape of an end face of a side of the anchoring member toward which the hollow fiber membranes open is roughly circular.
Abstract: The present invention includes a microfluidic filter and concentrator that can separate a filtrate from a fluid containing components, e.g. a suspension of particles, to be removed from the fluid at least to some extent. The filter may employ principals of tangential flow filtration, also known as cross-flow filtration. In one aspect, a microfluidic filter described herein includes at least a first, main channel and one or more secondary, filtering channels that connect to the main channel. Filtration occurs when a fluid portion of a sample that is flowed through the main channel enters one or more of the filtering channels and at least some of the components in the sample do not enter or do not flow through the secondary, filtering channels. The secondary channels may be dimensioned to inhibit flow of components through them, and/or a porous material such as a layer may be positioned to inhibit flow of components through the secondary channels.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 20, 2006
Publication date:
April 23, 2009
Inventors:
Anand Bala Subramaniam, Manouk Abkarian, Adrien Fabre, Marc Durand, Howard A. Stone
Abstract: A filter element that has at least two, planar, non-curved filtration panels. In a preferred embodiment, the filter element has three panels, providing a generally triangular filter element. The outlet aperture, from the filter element, generally follows the configuration of the filter. That is, a filter element having three filtration panels will have a generally three-sided outlet aperture. The outlet aperture preferably is not a true polygon, but rather, includes rounded or curved sides and/or corners. The filter element includes an outlet sealing configuration that may provide both axial and radial sealing to outlet ductwork.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 2, 2006
Date of Patent:
April 21, 2009
Assignee:
Donaldson Company, Inc.
Inventors:
Jarren B. Mills, Daniel E. Adamek, Richard Dejong
Abstract: The present invention provides a filter for drinking water, including six filtering bottles. The fifth filtering bottle is formed with ion exchange resins, and the sixth filtering bottle is formed with a ceramic filtering core. The arrangement of the original third and fourth filtering bottles of the prior art is transposed, and a device for preventing a magnet of the filter from rusting is provided. The filtering bottles are orderly in turns and connected by tubes, and the fourth filtering bottle is connected with the fifth and sixth filtering bottles by a three-way pipe. Water is poured into a first filtering bottle and discharged from the fifth or sixth filtering bottle.
Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering a large volume fluid intake system using a modular immersed-filtration array that can be easily scaled for use in a wide variety of immersion filtering applications. The immersed-filtration array is composed of a plurality of individual filtration modules. Each filtration module has a mating end that allows the module to be coupled with a base unit or plenum via a common interface port located on the base unit. The array can be scaled in a plurality of ways.