Abstract: A water purifying device, wherein water purification tubes are combined with a bicycle or a motorcycle having a drive wheel assembled in a body thereof. The purification tubes are mounted on the body, a feed pump is connected to the water purification tubes and a water source is connected to the feed pump through a connector. The drive wheel is connected to the feed pump through the connector. The feed pump is driven by the drive wheel, water source water is fed to the water purification tubes, and water is purified by the water purification tubes for making drinking water.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of plasmids or other DNA from cells using a first filtration step to remove the cellular debris and other large cellular components and then an ultrafiltration step to capture the plasmids or other DNA on the surface of the ultrafiltration membrane where they may be recovered. An apparatus is also taught for enacting the process and comprises an upper microfiltration or coarse filtration membrane and a lower ultrafiltration membrane. The driving force may be the same for both filters or different and may be done sequentially or simultaneously.

Abstract: This invention refers to a waste disposal plant for wet garbage, especially for refuse from large-scale kitchens. The wet garbage is transported by compressed air or a partial vacuum from decentralized input stations (30) to a central discharge device (12). A sieve-like collecting funnel (14) is provided there, from which liquid exits to an external collection area (19) and is drained off at intervals. The remaining wet garbage has thus already been largely drained when is passed on for further processing, for instance to a grinder (80) and a water extraction press (90), before being fed for instance to a food refuse silo (94).

Abstract: An installation for recovering debris stopped by a filter at the inlet of a heat exchanger: a washing water manifold (36) at the outlet of the filter (11) feeds a separator (37) provided with an outlet pipe (39) for water free of debris to which is connected a hydro-ejector (50) which is connected to the outlet pipe (16) of the exchanger (19).

Abstract: A disposable extended sump line having a pump end and a mouth end for removing water from a barge or other container. The mouth end has a double layered strainer basket covering its entrance. The pump end preferably has a valve which may be opened to introduce water into the sump line from above. The pump end of the line is also configured to connect to a pump, so that suction may be applied. The double layered strainer basket will keep the cargo away from the mouth end of the sump line and prevent clogging. By adding water to the sump line through the valve, the sump line may be primed quickly. Finally, by making the sump line from disposable materials, the problems of damage to the sump line during unloading may be overcome by simply discarding the sump line and replacing it with another before reloading.

Abstract: A water conservation apparatus for recycling wasted water from spills on sidewalks or from water runoff found in street gutters. The water conservation apparatus has a shovel-like scoop component that is capable of scooping the water into the scoop and temporarily holding the water. A pump component fluidly connected to the trapped water held by the scoop is capable of removing the trapped water held by the scoop via a conduit network. The water may be discharged from the pump through a tube to any desired location that the operator chooses, such as, delivering the retrieved water to irrigate a garden or a residential lawn.

Abstract: A piston pump comprised of a cylinder (2), an automatically closing intake valve (3) to a pump chamber (4), a sealing reciprocating piston (5) and a sealing upstream filter piston (7), wherein the piston (5) together with the filter piston (7) are elastically spring-biased and axially limitedly moveable and form together with the filter piston (7) an automatically closing discharge valve (8).

Abstract: A submerged membrane bioreactor includes a tank containing a mixed liquor having microorganism; and a filtration module immersed in the mixed liquor and having a permeate side in fluid communication with the mixed liquor only through the filtration module. The filtration module includes a porous support having a first surface forming the permeate side and a second surface opposing to the first surface; and a non-woven fabric membrane covering the second surface and having a thickness of 0.1-2 mm and a pore size of 0.2-100 &mgr;m.

Abstract: The present invention provides a convenient way to filter water in a body of water. The invention combines an encloseable container with an internal pump producing cyclonic action, with two different types of filters. One type of filtering consists of layers of varied porosity, one layer filtering only very fine debris, while the other layers blocking progressively large debris. The other type of filtering involves stacked discs placed to aid in further filtering of the water in the chamber of the cylinder. Water flows around the bottom disc, through holes in the second disc, and around the third disc before approaching the stacked filters of varied porosity. An internal ultra-violet light helps control algae in the water.

Abstract: A paraffin filter system (10) includes an in-line low-profile particulate filter (20) connected to a suction tube (14) which is used as an inlet to the paraffin filter system (10). A paraffin pump (54) pumps the melted paraffin from a paraffin spa (12) through the particulate filter (20) to a transfer container (11) via a discharge tube (22). A heater (78) is controlled by control logic (146) to operate in certain modes to melt any residual paraffin in the filter (20) and pump (54) before operation of the pump (54). The control logic (146) provides various modes of operation of the filter system (10) to assure that the system is ready to operate, irrespective of the operation of a control panel switch (6) by the user. When the paraffin is transferred back to the spa (12) from the transfer container (11), the melted paraffin is carried through a bacteria filter (21) in the filter system (10).

Abstract: An immersion type membrane filter apparatus 200 is intended for obtaining filtrate by filtrating a fluid to be processed stored within a storage bath 150 and primarily includes a filtration membrane module 300 and an air bubbles supply device 500 disposed therebelow. The filtration membrane module 300 has numerous tubular membranes 310 having on the inner surfaces thereof the function of filtrating a fluid to be processed packed within a cylindrical housing vessel 301 having a discharge port 303 for filtrate. The tubular membranes 310 are held in an opened state at both the ends of the housing vessel 301. The filtration membrane module 300 is soaked in a fluid to be processed in such a way that the tubular membranes 310 are opened in the vertical direction. When air bubbles are supplied to the filtration membrane module 300 from an air bubbles supply device 500, the fluid to be processed flows through the tubular membranes 310 from the down side upwards to naturally circulate within the storage bath 150.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment unit (10) including a recirculation chamber (32), a dosing chamber (34) having no direct fluid connection to the recirculation chamber (32), and at least two filter layers (28, 30) in a single tank (12). Each filter layer (28, 30) containing filter media (56) and being located above the recirculation (32) and dosing chambers (34). The wastewater treatment unit (10) also including an influent pipe (50), a recirculation pump (72) located in the recirculation chamber (32), and an effluent discharge pipe (88) connected to the dosing chamber (34).

Abstract: A self-cleaning, back-washable filter apparatus and method for use with a pumping apparatus which is lowered into a well casing. The filter apparatus includes a filter basket having a manifold with several tubes extending therefrom. A filter sock encases at least a portion of the filter basket to block sand or other solid particles from entry into the pump intake. Pressurized gas or fluid is directed to the manifold and then through perforations or jets distributed along the length of the tubes. Bursts of the pressurized gas are directed from the perforations or jets to the interior of the filter apparatus and then sprayed from the perforations or jets in an outwardly direction against interior surfaces of the filter sock. Air or fluid bursts from the perforations impinge upon the interior surfaces of the filter sock and dislodge or expel entrapped particulate material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for processing, especially for filtering and removing, fluids and fluid remnants in a low-pressure chamber (1). Said device comprises a vacuum pump (30) and a separator (16), whereby the low-pressure chamber is connected to the separator via a first line (10), and the low-pressure chamber is connected to the vacuum pump via a second line (20) so that the low-pressure chamber can be evacuated while bypassing the separator. The invention also relates to a low-pressure chamber for processing fluids which is equipped with a heating plate with holes for heating areas of the interior space of the low-pressure chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing fines from the bottom of a tank includes an extraction device having an internal chamber along with a vacuum arrangement which, when activated, lowers the pressure within the chamber. An inlet structure adjacent the bottom of the extraction device is adapted to be juxtaposed against fines accumulated on the bottom of the tank, the inlet device acting, when the vacuum is activated, to move fines toward the internal chamber by superimposing on the moving fines an inwardly convergent motion. A cable is provided for lowering the extraction device toward the bottom of the tank. The apparatus includes a distributor above the extraction device. The distributor defines a quiet zone above the device for separation of fines from the fluid.

Abstract: A filtration system has a plurality of filtration modules disposed within an outer casing, which produce both a low pressure filtrate and a high pressure waste fluid from a pressurized feed fluid. The subsystem used to pressurize the feed fluid is mechanically coupled to the subsystem used to recover energy from the waste fluid such that energy in the high pressure waste fluid is used to pressurize the feed fluid. The pressurization and energy recovery subsystems are preferably coupled using a common drive shaft and at least one of the pressurization and energy recovery subsystems may advantageously contain a turbine.

Abstract: Blood processing systems and methods rotate a processing chamber on a rotating element. The processing chamber includes a first compartment and a second compartment. Blood is conveyed into the first compartment for centrifugal separation into components. A liquid free of blood occupies the second compartment to counter-balance the first compartment during rotation on the rotating element. In one embodiment, the second compartment is served by a single fluid flow access. Prior to use, the single access is coupled to tubing, through which a vacuum is drawn to remove air from the second compartment. While the vacuum exists, communication is opened between the tubing and a source of liquid. The vacuum draws the liquid into the second compartment through the single access, thereby priming the second compartment for use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering particulate matter from internal combustion engine coolant where a replaceable filter is connected between the heater core supply and return lines. A portion of the normal engine coolant flow is directed from a heater hose through a paper or media filter in order to remove particulate matter such as rust and scale. A filter assembly comprised of a housing with inlet and outlet ports may installed in a new engine or may be retrofitted to an existing engine by cutting the heater hoses, installing tees, and connecting the filter housing to the tees with short sections of hose. An alternate embodiment includes a housing that clamps directly to the heater hoses so that a portion of the flow is directed through the filter.

Abstract: A filter is composed of a filter member forming at least two opposed faces, an inner space surrounded by the filter member for accumulation of a liquid, and a coupling member establishing communication between the inner space and the outside to discharge the liquid in the inner space to the outside. The liquid flows through the filter member, is thereby removed of foreign matters, and is discharged via the coupling member. Convexo-concaves are provided on at least one face of the filter member.

Abstract: An apparatus for the separation of fluid mixtures into a permeate and a retentate comprises separation modules each having fluid containment chambers stacked therein. Each fluid containment chamber is defined by a pair of selectively permeable membranes having their active surfaces facing inwardly toward one another, with a gasket sandwiched therebetween in sealing engagement with each membrane. A channelled support plate is positioned adjacent to the outside surface of each membrane. The channels in the support plates fluidly communicate with a housing, thereby allowing negative pressure from the housing to be brought into direct contact with the outside surface of each selectively permeable membrane. The fluid mixture is pumped into each fluid containment chamber at one end and moves across the active surfaces of the membranes toward a retentate receiver positioned at the opposite end. In doing so, permeate is drawn out through both membranes into the channels and the housing.

Abstract: A self-cleaning water filter assembly including a body having inlet and outlet portions and a filter housing portion defining a cavity disposed therebetween so that water entering the inlet must flow through an inner surface to an outer surface of a filter then to the outlet. A piston disposed concentrically within the filter is biased in an upward resting position by a spring in the absence of water pressure. A scraper extends radially from a piston sidewall and into contact with the inner surface of the filter. Apertures extend through the sidewall and into a central bore extending through a bottom end of the piston. In the presence of water pressure, the piston is forced downwardly into the cavity, and the scraper and apertures cooperatively dislodge and flush filtered particulate matter from the housing. As water pressure is reduced, the piston is biased into its upward resting position, dislodging and flushing filtered particulate matter again.

Abstract: A discharge water system for the bilge of a boat includes a primary bilge discharge system and a supplemental bilge filtration system. The primary discharge system includes a pump operable when the fluid in the bilge collects above a predetermined level in the boat to discharge bilge water overboard. The supplemental system includes a filter assembly with filter media for removing hydrocarbons in bilge water passing through the media; and a pump operable when the water in the bilge collects to a selected level below the operating level “L” of the primary pump to pump bilge water to the filter assembly and then to discharge the essentially hydrocarbon-free bilge water overboard. The filter assembly includes primary secondary filter cartridge, both of which include hydrocarbon-absorbing media, and are connected in series. A pressure sensor and remote indicating device provide an indication of the primary filter cartridge becoming spent.

Abstract: A fryer filtration arrangement includes an oil drain pan and associated filter assembly. The filter assembly may be removably connected to the pan by a friction fit coupling arrangement. The pan may be positioned in latch-free movable drawer. The fryer vat may be shaped such that particulate matter settles therein along a substantially linear region and oil circulated during a filtration operation may flow along the substantially linear region to push the settled particulate matter to the pan and filter assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is a screening/washing/dewatering system which utilizes a solids handling pump to vacuum solids captured from a contaminated fluid stream from the system's screening mechanism and to convey them, in a concentrated form and through a closed conduit, to the washing/dewatering mechanism. The use of a solids handling pump enables a screening, washing and dewatering system to contain the captured solids in a completely closed system from their point of capture, through a conveyance system of unlimited length and configuration, to the point that the washed, dewatered screenings are finally discharged. Secondarily, the present invention offers the advantages of being able to capture as small of a solids particle size as is desirable and of providing effective washing and dewatering of the captured particles while minimizing the number of moving parts and maximizing the overall system reliability.

Abstract: A system for dispensing, collecting, and processing wash fluid includes a first movable support frame including a first tank that stores clean wash fluid, a first pump that pressurizes the clean wash fluid and delivers the pressurized wash fluid to a dispenser, a second tank that stores used wash fluid, and at least one of a separator unit and a reverse osmosis unit that process used wash fluid delivered from the second tank. A second movable support frame includes a used washed fluid collection area and a second pump at one end that transfers the collected wash fluid back to the second tank of the first movable support frame through a conduit. The second movable support frame also includes an inclination adjustment mechanism that adjusts the inclination of the second movable support frame so that the collected fluid is supplied to the second pump.

Abstract: A filtration device is provided in which wastewater, in the form of a colloidal solution containing microparticles, is guided to tank, circulated, and filtrated using a second filter. The device includes a gel film that is formed by suction on the surface of a first filter. The suction pressure in this process is made extremely weak to maintain the filtration capacity while extending intervals prior to clogging of second filter 2. Furthermore, a filtration device is realized with which the gel film of second filter that becomes adsorbed onto the surface of first filter can be separated readily by stopping the suction and filtration can be continued again thereafter.

Abstract: A filter canister including a frame; a sheet of flexible fabric material that allows the flow of water therethrough, the sheet of flexible fabric material being connected to the frame in a manner defining an internal zone whereby substantially all fluid entering the internal zone from an opposite side of the sheet of flexible fabric material passes therethrough; and a conduit having a first end located externally of the frame and a second end located within the internal zone defined by the sheet of flexible fabric material; wherein, upon connection of the first end of the conduit to a fluid intake system, fluid is drawn through the sheet of flexible fabric material into the internal zone, thereby filtering the fluid, and filtered fluid is drawn through the second end of the conduit for delivery into the fluid intake system. A system and method for filtering fluid intake water are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for limiting the size of particulate matter entering a septic tank pump contains a strainer that has a straining screen through which the pump draws liquid from the septic tank. A nozzle receives some of the effluent being pumped by the pump and is aimed toward the screen for directing effluent toward the screen to dislodge particulate matter from an area of the screen while the pump draws liquid through the screen. The screen and nozzle are arranged for relative movement so that the area of the screen being acted on by the effluent from the nozzle changes as the pump operates. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A portable hydration system comprising water disinfection, filtration and pump features. The system comprises an electrolytic oxidant generating cell which utilizes a salt to create oxidants for disinfecting liquids such as water.

Abstract: A filtration funnel with integral prefilter usable for filtering fluids. The integral prefilter is disposed above the final filter which is sealed to the funnel. The prefilter may contain one or more layers of prefilter material, and is sealed to the funnel with one or more seal rings. The funnel may be used with either vacuum or pressure.

Abstract: In a fluid pump device, a filter is secured to a housing. A meshed portion of the filter substantially covers an inlet opening of the housing. Each engaging projection of the filter is engaged with a corresponding engaging recess of the housing in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of an impeller. Arm portions of the filter substantially perpendicularly extend with respect to a meshed portion of the filter and are resiliently flexible in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the impeller. Each coupling projection of the filter is provided between adjacent two arm portions of the filter and is engaged with a corresponding coupling recess of the housing in the axial direction of the impeller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid removal apparatus comprising a body for disposal in a mixture of particulate material and a liquid, comprising an inlet adapted to allow entry of substantially only a liquid, and conduit means in liquid communication with the inlet for entrainment of liquid away from the inlet. The inlet comprises a releasable end cap at an end thereof remote from the conduit means that is releasable by means of the conduit means.

Abstract: A modularized filtration system includes multiple production modules mechanically coupled in series to form a production chain, and fluidly coupled by parallel feed fluid, waste fluid, and product fluid flowpaths. The system also includes a turbine, work exchange unit, or other energy recovery device to extract energy from the waste fluid. The system may also advantageously include a pressurization device for pressurizing a feed fluid, and provide a common drive shaft for the energy recovery and pressurization devices.

Abstract: Apparatus producing a vacuum in several cavities configured in a microtitration filter plate, each cavity comprising an upper sample liquid input aperture and a lower aperture fitted with a filter covering the aperture cross-section, said apparatus including a device which produces a vacuum and which can be connected to the lower apertures in such manner that upon connection a vacuum can be applied to the apertures and that during the vacuum stage the sample liquid in the cavities shall be aspirated through the filters, said apparatus being characterized in that a flexible plate can be mounted to make planar contact at the side of the upper cavity apertures on the microtitration filter plate, and in that said plate, when mounted on the microtitration plate and when the vacuum is applied, shall hermetically seal the upper apertures of unfilled cavities.

Abstract: In an apparatus for filtering and separating fluids by reverse osmosis or by micro-, ultra-, and nano filtration, including a plurality of spaced planar filter elements arranged in stacks in spaced relationship so that their surfaces can be contacted by the fluids for the collection of permeate from the fluids within the filter elements, at least one draining rod having a central draining passage extends through the stack of filter elements and has openings disposed in each filter element for collecting the permeate from the respective filter elements, and a vacuum generating means is connected to a permeate discharge which is in communication with the draining rod passages for generating a vacuum in each filter element.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for dividing a fluid into desired proportions by means of a filtering device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for removing solid material, particularly for removing finely divided solid material created in a filtering process from a pressurized space, the apparatus being provided with members for feeding the treated material to a process taking place in a pressurized space, as well as for removing the products created in said process from the pressurized space. According to the invention, in a discharge station (4,25) connected to the pressurized space (2,22), there are provided discharge apertures (8,28) for the solid material (5,24) to be removed from the pressurized space (2,22). The discharge apertures (8,28) are provided with at least one adjusting member (9,29) in order to adjust (11,31) the quantity of the material located in the discharge station (4,25) and to be removed from the discharge station (4,25).

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for the production of a continuous differential permeable membrane and for devices that use such a membrane. One form of the present invention is a filtration apparatus having fluid permeable and fluid impermeable regions. The apparatus may be used allows for high throughout processes such as chemical synthesis and biological separations.

Abstract: An active fluid separation device for removing a constituent of a fluid mixture. The separation device formed from a first polymeric structured layer having a plurality of flow channels defined in one surface, and a selectively permeable fluid separation media covering at least some of the flow channels. An external source is also included to provide a potential over the flow channels to promote movement of the fluid through the separation media, thereby removing a constituent component of the fluid mixture. A manifold in fluid contact with the flow channels of the structured layer may also be used to operatively permit the source to provide the potential over the flow channels.

Abstract: A strainer for immersion in liquid, especially shallow water, to prevent debris from entering a pump connected by a suction pipe to the interior of the strainer. The strainer has a cylindrical housing that is closed at the bottom and covered by a circular screen at the top. As the pump sucks water, the screen prevents debris from being sucked into the strainer interior along with the water. Debris drawn against the screen's exterior is dislodged by a rotating spray arm that contains nozzles and is disposed within the strainer interior to spray water against the screen. The water is fed under pressure to the spray arm through a separate supply line tapped into the pump's outlet. The spray arm nozzles are aimed to direct water generally upward through the screen to dislodge the debris and to cause the spray arm to rotate. Hence, as the spray arm spins, the water washes substantially the full face of the screen.

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: The present invention provides a convenient way to filter water in a body of water. The invention combines an encloseable container with an internal pump producing cyclonic action, with two different types of filters. One type of filtering consists of layers of varied porosity, one layer filtering only very fine debris, while the other layers blocking progressively large debris. The other type of filtering involves stacked discs placed to aid in further filtering of the water in the chamber of the cylinder. Water flows around the bottom disc, through holes in the second disc, and around the third disc before approaching the stacked filters of varied porosity. An internal ultra-violet light helps control algae in the water.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating water to be supplied to a ballast tank uses a water pathway having a main inlet for connection to a body of navigable open raw water containing sediment and marine organisms, and a main outlet for connection to the vessel's ballast tank(s). A centrifugal separator is provided in the pathway and has a separator inlet for receiving the raw water. The centrifugal separator separates sediment with some water from the raw water to produce initially processed water which contains at least some marine organisms. The separator has a first outlet for returning the sediment with some water to the body of raw water and a second outlet for supplying the initially processed water to the pathway.

Abstract: A suction strainer includes a hollow internal core tube and an external filtering surface built around the internal core tube. A plurality of openings are defined through the side wall of the internal core tube core. In some cases the openings through the side wall are constructed and arranged such that there is somewhat less open area near the downstream end than the upstream end of the internal core tube, and the amount of open area tapers between the upstream end and the downstream end. As a result, when liquid is drawn into the internal core tube through the plurality of openings, a substantially uniform inflow distribution may be defined along substantially the entire length of the internal core tube. The internal core tube functions as a rigid structural support for the external filtering surface, enabling the apparatus to withstand post-LOCA hydrodynamic forces.

Abstract: The equipment for desalination of water by reverse osmosis comprises: a pump 1 for drawing the water to be salinated, a high pressure pump 25, a cylindrical block 8 housing two pistons 3, 4 connected to one another by a shaft 5 and disposed, freely slidable and liquid-tight, within respective cylinders 6, 7 being part of the same block (8) and separated from one another by a central plate 9, the latter being liquid-tight; the equipment further comprises an exchange valve 14 controlled by the position of said pistons 3, 4, as well as a cylinder or, in general, one or more containers, possibly arranged in series, in parallel or in series/parallel 15, containing one or more reverse osmosis membranes (16).

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 paint sprayer filter system includes an intake tube having a rigid paint flow control and filter support frame connected to the open end thereof. A reusable filter is connected to the frame and surrounds the frame, the reusable filter being releasably connected to the frame to provide easy removal or attachment of the reusable filter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for fractionating mixtures comprising separation elements which are series mounted and mounted in a closed loop. Said device is characterized in that the solvent used is a supercritical pressurized fluid, each of the separation elements is made of a membrane separation, it comprises means for injecting the solvent at a pressure which is greater than the critical pressure thereof and for maintaining the pressure in said loop at a value which is above critical pressure, and it further comprises means for injecting the diluent and for maintaining the pressure thereof at a value which is similar to the value of the pressure of the solvent (S) in each of the areas (I, II, III, IV).

Abstract: Input water is preheated in a heat exchanger (2), pumped (4) through another heat exchanger (5) into a heating unit (6). The heating unit heats the water to a temperature of above 100° C., preferably 140-150° C., while maintaining the water in a liquid state without vaporization. A pump (8) feeds the heated water under sufficient pressure to prevent vaporization to at least one crossflow filtration unit (9). A portion of the heated water passes through a thermally stable filtration material having a pore size of 1-20 nanometers for filtering endotoxins and pyrogens, 4-10 nanometers for filtering viruses, or 100 nanometers−30 &mgr;m for filtering bacteria. Heated water which has passed through the filtration material is fed through a pure water product outlet of the filtration unit to a pure water outlet (16). A retenate portion of the heated water flows past the filtration material to carry filtered impurities through a retenate output line (10).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for magnetically separating target particles of a selected type from a sample in order to produce a concentration of the target particles in the sample, or a depletion of the sample with respect to the target particles, by producing a sample mixture of the sample with magnetic particles having a selective affinity to magnetically stain the target particles; producing a flow of a buffer liquid through a tube which includes an inlet connectable to a source of buffer liquid, and an outlet for the buffer liquid; after a flow of the buffer liquid has been produced through the tube, introducing the sample mixture into the buffer liquid flowing through the tube such that the buffer liquid forms a continuous liquid carrier for the sample mixture as both are fed through the tube; and applying a magnetic field across the tube at a magnetizing station therein to cause the magnetically-stained target particles to be separated and retained in the buffer liquid within the tube at the magnetizing stat