Abstract: An organic waste collection apparatus includes a box, a conveying device, a separation device, a squeezing device, a heat shrink device and a recycling device arranged at an upper part of the box for separating a waste bag; a crushing device and a residue treatment device arranged at a lower part of the box for crushing and collecting organic waste; a central control device and a negative pressure purification device arranged in the middle of the box. In the resent disclosure, the waste bags are separated and collected separately, the waste is crushed and stored and transported in the form of residue, or the residue is further performed dry-wet separation, oil-water separation to collect oil, which can realize the safe and efficient treatment of organic waste.

Abstract: The invention relates to containers or bags for chromatographic media and methods of packing chromatography columns using such containers. The bags may be used for storing and/or transporting chromatographic media and can be inserted directly into the chamber of a chromatography column in readiness for use.

Abstract: A water filter system including a filter cartridge removably secured in a container. The filter cartridge includes a handle extending from the filter cartridge, where the handle includes at least one vent hole, so that air within the filter housing moves outwardly through the at least vent hole during filtration.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a process that includes obtaining a porous medium comprising a porous material having a first shape and an initial porosity profile. The porous medium is engaged with a cavity in a fluidic device, wherein the cavity is in fluid communication with a channel of the fluidic device. The first shape of the porous material can be adjusted to a second shape resulting in the initial porosity profile being adjusted to a target porosity profile. Such adjustment can be accomplished by the engaging of the porous medium with the cavity, by pre-adjusting a shape of the porous media before insertion into the cavity, or by some combination thereof. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A cell trapping device 1 includes: a housing 10, a filter, and a plurality of fastening members 60. The housing 10 includes: a lid member 100 having an introduction channel 101 configured to introduce a test liquid into an inside; and a storage member 200 having a discharge channel 201 configured to discharge the test liquid to an outside. The filter is provided on a channel in the housing 10 and supported between the lid member 100 and the storage member 200 by the lid member 100 and the storage member 200. The fastening members 60 configured to clamp the lid member 100 and the storage member 200 from both sides in an intersecting direction that is a direction intersecting with the filter to fasten the lid member 100 and the storage member 200 to each other.

Abstract: Provided is a filter apparatus, comprising two or more filter cartridges having a first end with an inlet and screen and a second end with an outlet and screen, and walls to contain a filter media held in a housing for holding the two or more filter cartridges in about the same orientation, and an attachment clamp connected to the housing. Also provided is a housing for holding two or more filter cartridges in about the same orientation and a method of using the filter apparatus and housing.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a process that includes obtaining a porous medium comprising a porous material having a first shape and an initial porosity profile. The porous medium is engaged with a cavity in a fluidic device, wherein the cavity is in fluid communication with a channel of the fluidic device. The first shape of the porous material can be adjusted to a second shape resulting in the initial porosity profile being adjusted to a target porosity profile. Such adjustment can be accomplished by the engaging of the porous medium with the cavity, by pre-adjusting a shape of the porous media before insertion into the cavity, or by some combination thereof. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The fluidized bed processor of the present invention includes an internal filter assembly with a rack and a cartridge-type filter supported at the lower end by a bracket. The rack includes an elongated rod extending through the filter. An end cap is provided on the lower end of the rod for normal sealing engagement with the filter bracket. During normal operation of the processor, the upper and lower ends of the filter are sealed. During or after cleaning of the filter, the rack is lowered, and a spring separates the filter and support bracket from the end cap so as to create a gap for drainage of cleaning fluid.

Abstract: Aspects and embodiments of the present invention are directed to apparatus and methods of filtering a fluid to reduce a level of at least one contaminant therein. The filtering of the fluid may be accomplished with a radial flow filtration column comprising a fluid chamber having an inlet, an outlet, and a side wall, an inner permeable retainer positioned in the fluid chamber, an outer permeable retainer positioned in the fluid chamber spaced apart from and surrounding the inner permeable retainer, a media bed compartment formed between the inner permeable retainer and the outer permeable retainer, and an adjustable element biased into the media bed compartment and configured to maintain a predetermined packing density of a media bed to be disposed within the media bed compartment.

Abstract: Filters are disclosed in the form of a helical or spiral element operable to be contained in a pipe fitting, or device to be protected, such as a valve, sprinkler or the like. Filters including devices for adjusting the pitch of the filter and devices for clearing clogs in the filter are disclosed. Plumbing fixtures including a filter element are disclosed as well as devices for adjusting the pitch of the filter and devices for clearing clogs in the filter.

Abstract: An apparatus suitable for generating gaseous hydrocarbon fuel from a carbon based synthesis gas including a reaction chamber having a rotating shaft including a plurality of radial blades mixing and circulating carbon based synthesis gas and particulate catalyst upwardly generating gaseous hydrocarbon fuel, a stripping chamber located above the reaction chamber having a second axial rotating shaft including a plurality of radial blades driving hydrocarbon fuel radially outwardly, a source of hot stripping gas, an annular filter surrounding the stripping chamber and an annular gas collection chamber surrounding the filter. The blades in the stripping chamber are rotated independently at a greater velocity than the blades in the reaction chamber and the reaction is controlled by the temperature of the synthesis gas and the rotational velocity of the mixing blades in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A lift type pore-controllable fiber filter includes a filter tank, a strainer coaxially formed as a porous tub in the filter tank, extending to an outside of the filter tank at a bottom thereof to communicate with a treated water drain pipe, and having a piston guide recessed in an axial direction at an upper portion thereof, a lifting driver including a cylinder and a piston, an upper filter material fixing plate having fixing means, fixed to the piston above the strainer, and working in collaboration with reciprocation of the piston, a lower filter material fixing plate having fixing means and fixed below the strainer, and at least one fiber filter material fixed to the fixing means of the upper and lower filter material fixing plates at upper and lower ends thereof respectively, and forming filtering pore layers on an outer circumference of the strainer.

Abstract: To provide a reliable solid-liquid separating method and apparatus for a slurry, even though the solid component of the slurry is finely divided particles and/or of a shape difficult to entangle, without exudation through gaps in processed portions and, also, with no need to exercise a maintenance work such as replacement of filters, a solid-liquid separating apparatus includes a mold having a cylindrical inner peripheral surface, a gate for opening and closing a second open end of the mold, and a pressing rod slidable into the mold to compress the slurry. Sheet-like fibrous filters are placed on a leading end face of the pressing rod and an inner surface of the gate to seal gaps between the mold and the pressing rod and between the gate and mold. With the filters so placed, the slurry within the mold unit is compressed to provide a solidified product, thereby accomplishing solid-liquid separation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for the continuous treatment of the flow of a mixture containing liquids and solids. A pump provides the mixture to tube that includes a woven material. The liquid is filtered from the mixture, leaving a solids-enriched mixture in the tube. The tube may be flexed during the process, freeing solids trapped in the tube to flow through the center of the tube. A valve may be provided to the tube to generate a back-pressure in the system.

Abstract: A filter apparatus, including a dual-chambered, centrifugal and compressive filtration apparatus having a central annular filter element, rotating external radial fins extending from adjacent the filter element to adjacent an outer cannister wall and internal fins within the annular filter element. The disclosed filter element is a continuous resilient, cylindrical, helical filter coil including a regular sinusoidal shape defining loop-shaped filter pores between adjacent coils.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for the continuous treatment of the flow of a mixture containing liquids and solids. A pump provides the mixture to tube that includes a woven material. The liquid is filtered from the mixture, leaving a solids-enriched mixture in the tube. The tube may be flexed during the process, freeing solids trapped in the tube to flow through the center of the tube. A valve may be provided to the tube to generate a back-pressure in the system.

Abstract: A water treatment and recycling system for filtering grey waste water to clear water for stone fabrication equipment includes a waste water storage tank connected to receive grey water from stone fabrication equipment and a clear water supply loop. The clear water supply loop includes a high capacity filter assembly receiving waste water from the waste water storage tank and filtering the waste water into clear water that is provided to the fabrication equipment through a clear water storage tank. The high capacity filter assembly includes at least one high pressure filter unit wherein each high pressure filter unit includes a duplex air diaphragm pump assembly, forfiltering the waste water into the clear water.

Abstract: A filter apparatus, including a dual-chambered, centrifugal and compressive filtration apparatus having a central annular filter element, rotating external radial fins extending from adjacent the filter element to adjacent an outer cannister wall and internal fins within the annular filter element. The disclosed filter element is a continuous resilient, cylindrical, helical filter coil including a regular sinusoidal shape defining loop-shaped filter pores between adjacent coils.

Abstract: A filter assembly including a continuous resilient cylindrical helical filter coil having flat top and bottom surfaces with each coil including a regular sinusoidal shape having multiple peaks and troughs with the flat top and bottom surfaces of adjacent coils in contact and a drive engaging the helical coil moving adjacent coils relative to each other to modify the volume of the loop-shaped filter pores and control the pore size. In one embodiment, the drive rotates a coil relative to the remaining coils to bring the sinusoidal waves of adjacent coils into and out of registry to decrease or increase the size of the filter pores. In another embodiment, the drive compresses the filter coil to change the size of the filter pores.

Abstract: A filter apparatus, including a dual-chambered, centrifugal and compressive filtration apparatus having a central annular filter element, rotating external radial fins extending from adjacent the filter element to adjacent an outer cannister wall and internal fins within the annular filter element. The disclosed filter element is a continuous resilient, cylindrical, helical filter coil including a regular sinusoidal shape defining loop-shaped filter pores between adjacent coils.

Abstract: A device for filtering a fluid includes a fiber housing having an inlet end with at least one inlet and an outlet end with at least one outlet. The fiber housing surrounds and defines an outer bound for a plurality of fibers extending longitudinally in the fiber housing between the inlet end and the outlet end, whereby longitudinally extending interspaces is provided between the fibers, with the interspaces defining a plurality of flow passages for the fluid. At least part of the fiber housing is formed of a flexible membrane surrounding the fibers, and a compression tool is provided for creating a pressure on an outer surface of the flexible membrane thereby compressing the fibers in a radial direction at least one location along the length of the fibers.

Abstract: A filtered grey water recycling system includes a waste water storage tank for receiving waste water from a stone processing system and a filtered grey water supply loop providing filtered grey water to the stone processing system. The filtered grey water loop includes a separation filter for removing large particulate waste from the grey water and a particle filter for filtering smaller particulate matter. The separation filter discharges the large particulate waste into the waste water storage tank and a clear water filter loop filters waste water from the waste water storage tank through a high pressure filter and discharges the resulting clear water into the waste water storage tank.

Abstract: A fluid treatment method includes the steps of forming a ring lamination by laminating a plurality of filtering rings with contact surfaces facing each other in a laminating direction; providing at least portions of the filtering rings with a contact surface roughness (Ra) in a range of about 0.01 ?m to 20 ?m; pressing the ring lamination under a contact surface pressure (p) within a range from 0 to 177 kg/cm2 in the laminating direction of the filtering rings to cause the contact surfaces to closely adhere to each other; directing an object fluid into gaps formed by contact surfaces of neighboring filtering rings of the ring lamination; and dividing the object fluid into a first separated fraction and a second separated fraction for separation. An apparatus for carrying out the method includes a ring lamination, a housing therefor, a ring press for acting on the ring lamination under a prescribed pressure, an object fluid source, and a pressure source for impressing a prescribed pressure on the object fluid.

Abstract: A self-cleaning filter system is disclosed that includes an inlet fitting that is adapted to be inserted into an existing filter body. A spray tube having a plurality of outlets that slideably engages the inlet fitting, is positioned in the ring discs of the existing filter and a compression member proximate to one end of the ring discs applies a compressive force to the ring discs. When fluid enters the spray tube from the inlet fitting compression on the ring discs is reduced to allow the ring discs to separate while fluid pressure is simultaneously imposed on the ring discs through a plurality of outlets to clean the filter component. The parts included with the system may be used to convert a manual filter into a self-cleaning filter system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering particles from a fluid comprises a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a variable size passage between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, and means for adjusting the size of the variable size passage for filtering the particles from the fluid. An inlet fluid flow stream is introduced to a fixture with a variable size passage. The size of the variable size passage is set so that the fluid passes through the variable size passage but the particles do not pass through the variable size passage.

Abstract: A filter device for filtering flowing liquids comprises a compressible filter medium in a vessel and a device by which the filter medium can be compressed by means of an actuation handle, so that impurities can be pressed out of the filter medium. In addition, the filter device contains a multipath regulator which can be adjusted for filtering, back-rinsing and clear-rinsing by means of three flow paths. It is also possible for the filter device to be outfitted exclusively with a multipath regulator or a compressing device.

Abstract: A water treatment and recycling system to provide grey water and crystal clear water to a stone processing system including crystal clear water stone fabrication equipment requiring crystal clear water and grey water stone fabrication equipment capable of using grey water. The system includes a waste water storage tank connected from the waste water discharge ports of the crystal clear water and grey water stone fabrication equipment, a grey water supply loop for pumping waste water from the waste water storage tank as grey water to the grey water stone fabrication equipment and a crystal clear water supply loop for pumping waste water through a high pressure filter to convert the waste water into the crystal clear water, and a crystal clear water supply pump for pumping crystal clear water to crystal clear water stone fabrication equipment. The high pressure filter includes a frame holding a filter stack.

Abstract: A compact, rapid upflow deep media filter for removing suspended solids from a liquid flow, which includes: a filter casing having a liquid inlet port, a liquid outlet port, and a filter bed composed of a volume of granular filter media and located between the inlet port and the outlet port; and a screen, selectably movable between a first operative position and a second operative position within the filter casing, whereat in the first operative position the screen maintains the filter bed in a packed state so as to permit filtration therethrough of a liquid flow from the inlet port to the outlet port, and whereat in the second operative position the screen does not maintain the filter bed in a packed state such that in the presence of a liquid flow from the inlet port to the outlet port the volume of filter media expands so as to enable separation therefrom of suspended solids accumulated during filtration of the liquid flow therethrough.

Abstract: A method of separating cells from blood by using a filter apparatus having first and second ports and a filter member therebetween having a changeable porosity. The filter member includes a stack of porous polymer sheets that preferably has a gradient of a physical or chemical characteristic in the direction of stacking. This can include a gradient in porosity, hydrophilicity or zeta potential. In a first step, blood is filtered through the apparatus when the filter member is set to a compressive state having a first porosity capable of capturing the objective cells. In a later step, the filter member is then set to a non-compressive state having a second porosity, higher than the first, for recovering the objective cells. The change in porosity results from the enlargement or reduction of the diameter of the pores of the filter member. The method can also include washing the filter member when the member is set to a porosity that is higher than the first porosity but lower than the second porosity.

Abstract: A water/sludge filter press used with a filter bag for filtering water and collecting sludge in the bag. When the filter press is actuated, the filter bag is compressed therein for dewatering the sludge in the bag for ease in removing the sludge and reusing the bag or replacing the bag. The filter press includes a horizontal stand with an upright vertical press frame. A hydraulic cylinder with piston is mounted on the vertical press frame. Attached to the vertical press frame is an open-top housing adapted for receiving the filter bag therein. The sides and bottom of the housing are lined with screens for passing filtered water therethrough. The housing includes a first vertical side, a second vertical side, a stationary vertical press plate, a vertical movable press plate and a foldable bottom. The foldable bottom includes a pair of pivot arms attached to the piston of the hydraulic cylinder. The foldable bottom is also attached to a lower end of a pair of coil springs.

Abstract: An adjustable elastic support is provided for a filtering sleeve. A tilting body 1 has one extremity with an inlet 2. A filter unit 3 is lodged inside the body 1. The lower portion of the body 1 is provided with an outlet 5 for the filtrate. An outlet 6 for solids of the filtration process is also provided. The tilting body 1 is assembled on a frame 7 through a pivot 8 and an inclination regulation device 9. The filtering unit 3 includes a filtering sleeve 10 operated conjunction with a rotor 11. Sleeve 10 is assembled on the filtering unit 3 through supports 12, 19 and 22. The supports 12 and 19 are movable and are associated with a tension adjusting device 21.

Abstract: A liquid filter includes a barrel defining a cylindrical water chamber having a neck at the middle, a raw water inlet at the bottom side, and a clean water outlet at the top side, a suspension board suspended in the water chamber, a pneumatic cylinder operated to reciprocate pressure means through the suspension board in and out of the neck of in cylindrical water chamber, bundles of fibers respectively suspended from the suspension board for removing solid matter from upward flow of water passing through, a weight board connected to the bundles of fibers and suspended in the water chamber below the neck, and a fabric filter suspended in the water chamber below the weight board, wherein the sizes of the filtering open spaces in the bundles of fibers are reduced when the pressure means is lowered into the neck; the sizes of the filtering open spaces in the bundles of fibers are expanded when the pressure means is lifted away from the neck.

Abstract: Filter press apparatus comprises a plurality of substantially parallel filter plates assembled as a unit and located within a substantially rigid outer shell to provide a closed vessel to which can be supplied medium under pressure to be filtered via the plates, a substantially impermeable primary membrane lining the shell for forming a substantially incompressible boundary wall to the unit on supply of pressure medium to the space between the primary membrane and the shell, and a secondary membrane having an intermediate extent between the primary membrane and the unit which, with the primary membrane urged towards the unit, moves axially with the unit and slides relative to the primary membrane to eliminate stress in the primary membrane during the compression stage.

Abstract: A permanent fluid filtering system includes a cylindrical body having an upper end, to which an inlet tube is connected, and a lower end, to which an outlet tube is connected, and a latitude thread filter assembly disposed within the cylindrical body. The latitude thread assembly is compressible and expandable in accordance with a fluid flowing direction, thereby varying a porous structure of the filter assembly. The permanent fluid filtering system further includes a fluid flow stabilizing plate for stabilizing the flow of dirty fluid fed inside the body through the inlet tube.

Abstract: The sludge dewatering treatment apparatus of the present invention is provided with a cylinder that has a large number of pipe members arranged in the axial direction and secured around its inner surface, that is divided axially into two halves so as to allow opening and closing, and that is vertically installed in a frame. A rotating pipe shaft that is capable of both rotating and moving up and down is provided in an axial direction at the center of this cylinder. The rotating pipe shaft can receive sludge at an opening in its upper end from the outlet of a sludge holding hopper installed on the frame, and discharges the received sludge into a filter from sludge outflow ports. A cylindrical filter is provided that surrounds the rotating pipe shaft, the upper end of the filter being attached to the rotating pipe shaft and the lower end of the filter being attached to an opening in the base plate of the frame. The cylindrical filter takes in the sludge from the outflow ports.

Abstract: A low-cost portable water treatment device having a low-cost replaceable filter. The device includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a water filtration chamber. The replaceable filter is disposed in the water filtration chamber and comprises a disk having a compressible peripheral portion. The device includes a mechanism for compressing the peripheral portion to seal the filter and a mechanism for forcing contaminated water through the filter and out the outlet. The device also includes a storage compartment for a spare filter. Methods for manufacturing the low-cost filter and for sealing the filter in the device are disclosed.

Abstract: An extraction cell of the centrifugal type for a hot beverage preparation machine, including a grounds collection drum on which is mounted, in a sealed manner by a sealing structure, a cover provided with a liquid delivery orifice, and a filtration structure, wherein the filtration structure and the sealing structure are constituted by at least one deformable joint, or seal, interposed in a groove between the drum and cover, the joint having deformation properties, and being mounted to be compressed by an amount which is in a pre-established compression range with the aid of a compression controlling means, to insure that below a pre-established operating pressure existing in the cell, fluid tightness of the cell is maintained, and beyond that pressure, filtration of the grounds-liquid mixture occurs by deformation of the joint.

Abstract: The device comprises a first wide-mesh cloth or screen which bears against the calender of a basket, at least one tight supple tube connected to a source of gas under pressure which is against the first cloth or screen, a second cloth or screen identical to the first covering the tube such that the tube is sandwiched between the cloths or screens, and a fine-mesh filtering cloth covering the second cloth or screen.

Abstract: A system for mechanically stabilizing a bed of particulate media which undergoes changes in volume during operation. A tubular column is provided which is closed and ported at a first end and open at a second end. A piston assembly is supported in the column for containing a bed of particulate media. The piston assembly comprises a piston having at least one opening for conveying a fluid through the piston. A fluid connection is attached to the piston in fluid communication with the opening. The fluid connection may move relative to the tubular column. A resilient seal is arranged about the piston to provide sealing engagement of the piston and the tubular column and to provide proper alignment therebetween. Porous barrier elements are positioned in the column so as to prevent the undesired escape of particulate media through the tubular column port and through the piston opening.

Abstract: A plurality of substantially parallel filter plates are assembled as a unit and are locatable within a substantially rigid outer shell to provide a closed vessel. Either or both of the unit and the shell are movable relative to the other between a position wherein the unit is sealed within the shell to enable pressurised supply to the shell of medium to be filtered via the plates and a position wherein the unit is at least partially removed from the shell to enable discharge of resultant filter cake from the plates. To improve filter efficiency, reducing the number of plates required and the pressure required, and to allow the removal of the filter plate unit when encrusted with filter cake, substantially impermeable, flexible membrane is provided as a lining to the shell and an additional shell inlet/outlet port is provided and is connected to pressure medium supply means so that a space between the lining and the shell is inflatable by pressure medium for the duration of the filtration operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for retaining a sorbent bed without permitting voids to be created and that can be readily handled by automated systems is disclosed. A solid phase extraction apparatus is disclosed that is most preferably comprised of a body that contains a sorbent bed and a cap that forms an axial sliding seal with the body. A sleeve is provided to retain the body and create an outside geometry similar to that of a standard glass vial. The sliding seal permits voids in the sorbent bed to be eliminated by axial compressive sealing forces. In a most preferred embodiment, conical sealing surfaces are provided at each end of the disclosed cartridge to facilitate removal of the cartridge after the axial sealing forces are released. The cap and the body are also provided with surfaces compatible with luer fittings, that provide flexibility and permit the use of the invention with existing fluid flow systems.

Abstract: In a high speed upward flow filtration apparatus, an upper perforated panel for receiving a fibrous lump is secured to a circumferential side plate for receiving the fibrous lump. A lower movable perforated panel for receiving the fibrous lump is vertically moved by a vertical motion cylinder, and fitted into the circumferential side plate for receiving the fibrous lump under the upper perforated panel for receiving the fibrous lump. A filter layer is formed by filling the fibrous lump between the upper perforated panel for receiving the fibrous lump and the lower movable perforated panel for receiving the fibrous lump. An unfiltered water supply diffuser is provided under the lower movable perforated panel for receiving the fibrous lump. The lower movable perforated panel is raised by the vertical moving cylinder to form a dense and uniform filter layer and to implement a high performance filtration.

Abstract: An apparatus for separation of ferromagnetic materials has a working chamber occupied by a ferromagnetic attachment in the form of plates with openings edged by shaped projections, a magnetizing system and means for consolidation of the plates made in the form of an additional magnetic field source, and inlet and outlet connections, respectively, for fluid medium. The spacing of the openings on the plate, their sizes and configuration, the sizes of the projections and the distance between the plates are selected to be variable throughout the volume of the working chamber depending on the magnetic properties and sizes (dispersity) of foreign particles in the fluid medium being purified, and viscosity of the fluid medium.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and apparatus for removing liquid from a permeable material, such as slurries, sludges, porous solids and permeable foams. The method and apparatus involve constraining the material to be deliquified such that the material interfaces with at least one surface which is permeable to the liquid to be removed and then heating the material at one or more locations remote from the permeable surface or surfaces. Such constraining and heating of the material causes the in situ vaporization of the liquid in the vicinity of the remote location or locations. The vaporized liquid expands and forces at least some of the remaining unvaporized liquid through the permeable surface or surfaces.

Abstract: The filter assembly includes a filter unit disposed in a vertical tank and includes a first end plate or drain head having an opening in fluid communication with a filtrate port in the tank, a longitudinally movable second end plate or compression head spaced in generally parallel relationship to the drain head and an elongated sleeve of flexible filter material, such as a woven fabric, connected to and extending between the drain and compression heads to define a filtrate chamber. When the filter tube is in an expanded or extended condition (filtering position), a portion of the fluid, such as a wash water from a vehicle washing facility, entering the tank passes through the filter tube into the filter chamber and the thus-filtered water exits therefrom through the filtrate port. Excess wash water in the tank overflows through an overflow outlet.

Abstract: A fluid recovery and transfer system utilizes hydraulic pressure on a plurality of collapsible containers to effect the alternate intake and output of a fluid from the collapsible containers. The hydraulic pressure is generated through the pumping of a plump fluid to and from a plurality of rigid containers within which the collapsible containers are disposed. The pumping of the pump fluid alternately creates positive and negative pressures within the collapsible containers to draw in the body fluid and to subsequently eject the body fluid. The fluids recovered in such a manner may either be stored, processed, or retransfused back to the body.

Abstract: A filter unit using a bump-type filter is disclosed. Briefly stated, a chamber has a fluid inlet conduit so that contaminated fluid, upon entering the chamber, is directed upwardly towards filter tubes and downwardly towards the bottom of the chamber. The fluid flow is diverted during startup so as to be directed only downward. A bump handle is disposed between two fluid outlet conduits such that one is opened and the other is closed and the reverse when the bump handle is in a first or second corresponding position. A plurality of microswitches are utilized so that the pump is not enabled during bumping or when a dump valve is open, but is enabled during system operation or startup.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for uniformly distributing fluid across the entire cross section of a reaction medium and for compensating for volumetric changes in the reaction medium utilized a resilient membrane which cooperates with an adjacent fluid manifold distribution chamber. The combined operation of the manifold distribution chamber with the resilient membrane provides a low resistance to fluid flow in a direction transverse to fluid flow through the reaction medium and a higher resistance to fluid flow across the membrane in the direction of fluid flow through the reaction medium. In this way, fluid is evenly distributed across the cross section of the reaction medium prior to entering the reaction medium and after leaving the reaction medium. The resilient membranes have reserve expansion capabilities, when hydrated, to accommodate expansion in the reaction medium. The resilient membranes are also sufficiently resilient to accommodate expansion of the reaction medium when necessary.

Abstract: A membrane batch-processor system and method for the fluid treatment of a plurality of specimen containing membranes, such as membranes having specimens of DNA, RNA, and protein molecules deposited thereon, includes a receptacle having an interior cavity and a plug-like closure slidably received in the cavity. A membrane stack is assembled from a plurality of membranes to be treated and flow definers interleaved between the membranes to defined a membrane stack of alternate flow definers and membranes. The flow definers are preferable fabricated from an open-weave fabric-like material to define multiple fluid pathways across the opposite surfaces of each membrane. Fluid distribution plenums are defined between to the receptacle and closure so that treatment fluid introduced into an entry plenum will flow through the multiple fluid pathways across the opposite surfaces of each membrane to expose each membrane to the treatment fluid and effect time and fluid efficient treatment of the membranes.

Abstract: A concentrator for concentrating the fine solids of a liquid feed suspension has a shell within which there is a bundle of microporous fibers. Pressurized feed suspension is introduced through an inlet and passes over the external walls of the fibers with the clarified liquid being drawn from the lumens of the fibers and the concentrated feed being discharged through an outlet. The solids retained within the shell are removed by first applying a pressurized liquid and then applying a gas at a pressure sufficient to ensure that the gas will pass through the larger pores of the fibrs to remove the solids from the shell through the outlet to an external collection point. The fibers are enclosed within a variable volume diaphragm located within a diaphragm holder by spaced plugs. The volume of the diaphragm is altered by varying the pressure of a fluid introduced through the inlet to the space between the diaphragm and the diaphragm holder.