Abstract: A fluid filtration material made of a porous substrate, e.g. a membrane or a fabric, that is coated with a fluorinated copolymer that contains recurring vinyl alcohol units that have been reacted with a monoepoxide to aid in preventing loss of hydrophilicity in the coated material.

Abstract: A method and adsorbent for increasing the life of edible oils are disclosed. The present method comprises substantially continuous treatment of edible oil with activated carbon during processes carried out at elevated temperature. The treatment may be by filtration through a filter means containing activated carbon or by immersion within the oil of an oil porous enclosure containing activated carbon. An adsorbent for substantially continuous use at elevated temperature is also disclosed. The adsorbent includes antioxidant impregnated activated carbons.

Abstract: Chromatography processes employ doped sol gel glasses as chromatographic media. In one embodiment, a process for qualitative or quantitative determination of a reactive chemical contained in a sample comprises passing the sample through a column or planar chromatography apparatus wherein the apparatus includes packing or plates containing a porous doped sol gel glass. The doped sol gel glass is formed form a metal alkoxide and contains a compound encapsulated therein which is reactive with the reactive chemical in the pores of the doped sol gel glass. In another embodiment, a process for analyzing a gas sample containing a reactive chemical comprises passing the gas sample through glass capillaries or tubes containing porous doped sol gel glass pellets. The pellets are formed from a metal alkoxide and contain a colorimetric reagent encapsulated therein which is reactive with the reactive chemical in the pores of the pellets.

Abstract: Adsorption material, preferably substantially spherical, wherein support particles having cellulose capable of binding charged particles such as proteins, are distributed over the exterior surfaces thereof, and a method for generating substantially spherical adsorption material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flat separation membrane leaf, which is characterized by consisting of a flat membrane support comprising an inner layer having a coarse structure and surface layers comprising a nonwoven fabrics having a dense structure, wherein the surface layers are integrated with the inner layer interposed between them, and semipermeable membranes covering both sides of the support in such a manner that the semipermeable membranes penetrates into the openings of the nonwoven fabrics of the surfaces of the support to combine the semipermeable membranes with the surfaces of the support. The invention provides also a flat separation membrane element which comprises, as the essential component, the above-described flat separation membrane leaf.

Abstract: An expanded fiber composite structure and process for making an expanded fiber composite structure are provided. The expanded fiber composite structure is made up of a fiber mat held in partial compression by a monolithic plastic coating on the fibers, the structure having a plurality of interstitial voids which may optionally be filled with a polymeric interstitial material. The process includes impregnating a fiber mat with a plastic material, compressing the mat to impregnate the mat with the plastic, fully wetting each fiber and creating a substantially void-free fiber/plastic matrix, and reducing the compressive forces on the mat, allowing the fibers to rebound and expand the mat to a predetermined desired thickness, in the process creating the interstitial voids. The structure is then cooled such that the plastic material stiffens and itself retains the structure at the desired thickness.

Abstract: Mechanically strong and thermally/chemically-resistant composite nanofiltration membranes, well adapted for the separation of low molecular weight compounds, comprise a porous inorganic support substrate, the pore diameters of which ranging from 3 to 10 nm, this inorganic support substrate having a polymer membrane which comprises an elastomeric polyphosphazene densely deposited on at least one of the face surfaces thereof, the structural porosity of such polyphosphazene membrane ranging from 0.2 to 2 nm.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device and its use for separating plasma from whole blood by means of a fibre-containing layer which contains an erythrocyte-aggregating substance and is characterized in that the fibre-containing layer contains glass fibres which are coated with polyvinyl alcohol or with polyvinyl alcohol/polyvinyl acetate. The invention also concerns a test carrier for the determination of a blood component as well as a process for separation from whole blood in which the device according to the present invention is used.

Abstract: An additive for a blood collection tube has a wettable surface region and a nonwettable surface region. When a blood sample comes into contact with the wettable surface region, the clotting cascade is initiated. Clot material adheres to the nonwettable surface region. The additive thereby becomes part of the clot and, on centrifugation, becomes part of the pellet and is removed from the serum layer. The invention includes a blood collection tube having the additive therein. The tube may be evacuated and have an open end covered with a septum.

Abstract: A charge containing dewaxed oil/dewaxing solvent may be treated to effect separation of components by a thermally cross-linked hydrocarbon-derived elastomer membrane, typified by polybutadiene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a particulate hydrated filter material containing clay for refining glyceride oil, including such oil containing contaminants resulting from the cooking of food. In addition, the present invention relates to methods of making such hydrated filter materials.

Abstract: A reversed permeation membrane assembly and method for collecting one or more compounds of interest from a sample solution. The membrane assembly includes a semi-permeable membrane of predetermined thickness and length, and having inner and outer surfaces. The membrane is attached adjacent its outer surface to a substantially rigid membrane support, and a non-porous barrier contacts the outer surface of the membrane to prevent permeation of compounds beyond the outer surface in use. In a preferred embodiment, the semi-permeable membrane assumes a substantially tubular conformation through which sample solution may be passed. The membrane support also preferably features a tubular conformation within which the semi-permeable membrane is mounted. Because of its unique structure and improved efficiency, the assembly of the present invention may be incorporated for in-line use with liquid and gas chromatography devices and GC/MS units.

Abstract: A catalytic filtration device for separating a particulate-containing feed stock into a filtrate and a particulate-containing filter cake, having a monolith of porous material containing a plurality of passageways extending longitudinally from an inlet end face to an outlet end face, having a plurality of plugs in the ends of the passageways at the inlet end face and at the outlet end face to prevent direct passage of the feed stock through the passageways from the inlet end face to the outlet end face; a microporous membrane selected to separate the feed stock into a filtrate and particulate-containing filter cake, the membrane applied to at least the wall surfaces of the passageways open at the inlet end face and of mean pore size smaller than the mean pore size of the porous material; the device regenerable by withdrawal of the filter cake from the inlet end face of the device; and a catalyst applied to the device for catalyzing a reaction in the filtrate as it passes through the device.

Abstract: A single filtration device containing coated filter membranes and absolute pore filters is provided in which the membranes and absolute pore filters are present in two sections of the filter device. The filter device will remove up to about 98% of the endotoxins in addition to removing viruses with an efficiency of at least 4.6.times.10.sup.5 and DNA to less than 10 picograms per 500 mg sample.

Abstract: In the method for preparing a porous membrane, a polymer having a low glass transition temperature is held on the surface of a porous membrane substrate and then drawing is conducted. Accordingly, the drawing at a high draw ratio can be conducted to which the substrate as such can not be subjected. As a result, not only an excellent porous membrane having an enlarged pore size and an increased void volume can be obtained but also it is possible to control the pore size and the void volume in wide ranges. Further, a hydrophilic polymer having a glass transition temperature of not more than 300 K is formed on the surface of pores of a porous membrane substrate by graft polymerization so as to bond the hydrophilic polymer on the substrate by a covalent bond. Therefore, it is possible to provide a porous membrane excellent in unbrittleness and inhibiting elution in an environmental liquid or the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite element incorporating a support of an organic, electricity conducting, polyaromatic structure product, such as graphite, covered with a polymer or copolymer of dibenzoethers of formula: ##STR1## in which m=0 or 1 to 10, n=0 or 1 to 10, m+n.ltoreq.10, p=0 or 1 to 6, R.sup.1 =alkyl or aryl, R.sup.2 =alkyl or aryl.These elements are usable for absorbing metal cations present in an aqueous or organic solution.

Abstract: A ceramic fiber-ceramic composite filter having a support composed of ceramic fibers, preferably texturized, a carbonaceous layer thereover, and a silicon carbide coating over the carbonaceous layer and coated on substantially all of the fibers. A strong, tough, light weight filter is achieved which is especially useful in high temperature gas environments.

Abstract: A ceramic foam filter, particularly for filtering molten iron, is formed from a composition comprising silicon carbide, alumina, silica derived from colloidal silica sol and alumino-silicate fibres, which has been fired at such a temperature that the filter has a ceramic matrix in which the alumino-silicate fibres are substantially dissolved. The filter is fired at a minimum of 1150.degree. C. and preferably within the range from 1200.degree. to 1300.degree. C. Preferably the filter is formed from an aqueous slurry having a solids content comprising by weight 20-50% silicon alumina, 20-50% alumina, 1.5-5.0% silica derived from colloidal silica sol and 1-3% alumino-silicate fibres.

Abstract: A multilayer membrane is composed of a carrier layer, a porous supporting layer and a separating layer. The carrier layer consists of fibers of polyamide, polyvinylidene difluoride, polyester or glass; the porous supporting layer consists of a polysulfone, polyvinylidene difluoride, polyethersulfone, polyimide, polyvinyl alcohol, polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile or polyether imide; the separating layer consists of polyvinyl alcohol. The separating layer is nonporous and has a structure having a high microcrystalline content. A process of manufacturing that membrane is also described.

Abstract: A composite semipermeable membrane which has a high electrolytes rejection even when the concentration of the electrolytes in feed water is very low and even if the pH of feed water is not less than 8 is disclosed. The composite semipermeable membrane of the present invention comprises a microporous substrate and a cross-linked polyamide-based ultra-thin membrane laminated on the microporous substrate, the ultra-thin membrane having a covalently bonded quaternary nitrogen atom.

Abstract: A filter cartridge for water purification consisting of several layers of filter material with successively smaller pore size. The outer layer is a prefiltration material with a pore size of approximately 10 microns, the central layer is an extruded carbon filter with a pore size of approximately 5 microns, and the inner layer is a ceramic filter with a pore size of approximately 0.9 microns. The extruded carbon layer of the filter is impregnated with a chemical agent to effect the removal of lead and other heavy metals, while the ceramic layer has been impregnated with silver to prevent bacterial buildup. The filter cartridge provides almost complete removal of chlorine, organic compounds, lead, heavy metals, particulate matter and microorganisms.

Abstract: Oil and water repellency is conferred upon porous substrates (10) by treatment with a solution of a monomer (16) of the formula: (C.sub.n E.sub.2n+1)(CH.sub.2).sub.x (CHR)OCOCH.dbd.CH.sub.2 where n is an integer; X is 0,1,2 or 3 and R is H or CH.sub.2 --OCOCH.dbd.CH.sub.2. The monomer is polymerized in situ upon the substrate to provide a conformal coating (16') which preserves the porous structure.

Abstract: A molecular sieve material is combined with a porous carrier material. The pores of the molecular sieve material are impermeable to molecules or organisms having a size equal to or greater than that of the water molecule either because the molecular sieve material is selected so as to have pores which are smaller than such molecule or because the pores of the molecular sieve material are closed by a film. The pores of the molecular sieve material thus remain unoccupied and are able to exert an attractive force on molecules or organisms which are to be captured. The pores of the carrier material are designed to accept molecules or organisms having a size equal to or greater than that of the water molecule so that, when such molecules or organisms are attracted by the molecular sieve material, they can be trapped in the carrier material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ceramic foam filters having a gasket material chemically and mechanically bonded thereto. The filters have particular utility in the filtration of molten metal, especially aluminum. The filters are formed by immersing the porous filter body, preferably in a fired condition, in a gasketing medium consisting of a concentration of ceramic fibers, one or more binders, and the balance a vehicle such as water and applying a vacuum through the porous filter to draw the gasketing medium into contact with the portions of the filter body to be gasketed.

Abstract: In a filter bed (11) for the solid/fluid separation of media which contain substances that attack or dissolve cellulose, for example cellulase-containing enzymes, a matrix comprising a fibrous material structure of polyolefin fibrid particles (12) which are matted and anchored in one another and which can additionally contain up to 20% by weight of narrower fibrid polyolefin fibres and/or polyolefin fibres that have a fibre length of up to 5 mm. and have just started to fibrillate, in order to strengthen the sheet formation of the matrix. The actual filter-active particles, in particular kieselguhr particles and/or perlite particles having grain sizes of 5 to 100 um., are embedded in the cellulose-free fiber matrix.

Abstract: Blood separation filter assemblies and methods are provided to quickly and completely separate plasma or serum from whole blood without the need of centrifugation. The filter assemblies and methods have filter materials of a predetermined thickness which are maintained under positive pressure during use. The filter materials have at least one layer of glass fibers having an average fiber diameter ranging from 0.2 .mu.m to 7.0 .mu.m and which are compressed at least 25% in thickness.

Abstract: A back-flushable filtration device is provided. The device includes a monolith of porous material having an inlet end and an outlet end. The passageways of the monolith are plugged at the inlet and outlet ends of the monolith, thereby preventing direct passage of feed stock through the passageways from the inlet end to the outlet end. A microporous membrane of mean pore size smaller than the mean pore size of the monolith material covers the surface of the passageways. Methods for making the back-flushable filter as well as methods for using the back-flushable filter also are provided.

Abstract: Hydroperoxides can be removed from a lubricating oil by contacting the oil passing through an oil filter with a heterogenous hydroperoxide decomposer. This extends the useful life of the oil and the equipment being lubricated. In a preferred embodiment, the hydroperoxide decomposer is incorporated on a substrate immobilized within the lubrication system of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A ceramic filter having good permeability and a superior durability, and a process for manufacturing the same. This filter comprises a porous support made of a ceramic, a fine intermediate layer formed on one surface of said support and comprised of at least one kind of particles selected from particles of SnO.sub.2, TiO.sub.2, ZrO.sub.2 or CeO.sub.2 and having a particle diameter of not more than 500 .ANG., and a thin film formed on the surface of said fine intermediate layer and comprised of at least one particles selected from particles of SnO.sub.2, TiO.sub.2, ZrO.sub.2 or CeO.sub.2 and having a particle diameter of not more than 300 .ANG. and smaller than the particle diameter of the particles that constitute said fine intermediate layer.

Abstract: Active or functional materials such as adsorbents, catalysts, defoamers and the like are combined with inert low density particles, preferably hollow microspheres, to provide a functional material of controlled density. This product is introduced into a liquid with a somewhat higher density under agitation for a time sufficient to accomplish the desired function. Then agitation is stopped and the spent product floats to provide easy separation.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a ceramic filter having a given pore size required as a filter membrane and also having superior alkali resistance and acid resistance. The filter of the present invention is produced by preparing an aggregate comprising alumina coarse particles and a sintering aid comprising alumina-zirconia mixed particles containing not more than 90 wt. % of alumina, blending said alumina coarse particles and alumina-zirconia mixed particles so as for alumina to be in an amount of from 80 to 99 wt. % based on the total weight of the starting materials, forming the blended starting materials to have a desired shape, and firing the formed product.

Abstract: Thin film composite ultrafiltration membrane which possesses desirable properties or characteristics may be prepared by casting a solution of a polyelectrolyte complex on a microporous support to form a thin film of the polyelectrolyte complex on the surface of the supports. The thickness of the polyelectrolyte complex membrane will range from about 600 to about 3,000 .ANG.. This membrane may then be used for the separation of low molecular weight solutes such as, for example, the separation of glucose from sucrose and higher molecular weight sugars.

Abstract: Magnetically stabilized fluidized bed technology is utilized in conjunction with ion-exchange adsorption/desorption processes in a method and system for isolating proteins from cell lysate. The invention also includes a magnetizable, porous, ion-exchange particle, and a method for producing the same, for use with the stationary magnetically stabilized fluidized bed protein isolation process.

Abstract: A single filtration device containing coated filter membranes and absolute pore filters is provided in which the membranes and absolute pore filters are present in two sections of the filter device. The filter device will remove viruses, as modeled by type-C Xenotropic retrovirus, with an efficiency of at least 4.6.times.10.sup.5 ; remove DNA from levels of 10 .mu.g/sample to levels below 10 picograms per 500 mg sample of monoclonal antibody; and will remove at least 97% of some bacterial endotoxins.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a blood cleaning hollow fiber membrane characterized by comprising a hydrophobic porous hollow fiber membrane and having a hydrophilic thin layer formed at least on the inner surface of said hollow fiber membrane by the grafting of a hydrophilic compound through the agency of a gamma ray, a method for the cleaning blood and an apparatus therefor using the same.

Abstract: Decontaminating article comprising a preagglomerated, powdered polymer of bicyclo[2.2.1]-2-heptene or its methyl derivative in at least one fine-mesh textile bag. The bag is at least partially filled with the polymer. The decontaminating article can be used to absorb a liquid contaminating product, in particular petroleum hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A dry cleaning solvent recovery and filtering system includes a dry cleaning solvent tank containing solvent for use in a dry cleaning machine. A filtration path from the tank includes a centrifugal separator for removing coarse debris and a filter element for removing fine debris from the solvent fluid. The filter element includes a perforated metal cylinder, having an open mouth, with a Teflon.RTM. coated screen forming the interior debris collection surface. A rinsing spray nozzle situated at the mouth of the filter element directs a fluid spray under pressure against the collection surface in the same direction that debris contaminated solvent fluid flows therethrough. The pressure of the fluid spray is sufficient to dislodge fine debris adhered to the collection surface without forcing the debris into the perforations of the filter element.

Abstract: A method of assembling a rigid element in a module, the rigid element having a membrane for separation, filtration, or catalytic transformation purposes. The outside shape of the element is substantially cylindrical or prismatic. The element is made from a support of sintered substance, the ends thereof are sealed, and an active layer is deposited thereon. The module is intended to contain at least one rigid element within a shell which is substantially cylindrical about an axis parallel to said rigid element and closed by two end plates having openings to which the ends of the elements are fixed, together with intervening seals. Each of the ends is provided with an extra thickness which is bonded to the support. The extra thickness mass is machined in such a manner as to obtain a shoulder whose outside surface has a predetermined circularly-symmetrical shape about an axis close to that of the element.

Abstract: Alcoholic beverages are filtered after being stabilized, e.g. with silica hydrogel. Silica hydrogel is usable as a filter aid when blended with 25% to 75% by weight of cellulose. The hydrogel cellulose and blend satisfy requirements for permeability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ceramic foam material, preferably a ceramic foam filter, prepared by providing an open cell flexible foam having a plurality of interconnected voids surrounded by a web of the flexible foam, applying an adhesion promoting material to at least one surface of the flexible foam, impregnating the flexible foam after applying the adhesion promoting material with a ceramic slurry, drying and heating the impregnated material to remove the organic component therefrom, and firing at an elevated temperature to form the filter. In a preferred embodiment, a flocked coating is formed on at least on surface of the flexible foam prior to impregnation. The flocked coating may be formed either by first applying a solution containing an adhesive to the surface(s) and thereafter applying fibers to the surface or by applying a solution containing the adhesive and the fibers.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for removing oil from water surfaces. The composition comprises a fine grained particulate material, such as expanded perlite or vermiculite, or sand, coated with an oleophilic/hydrophobic layer comprising sulfur, a metallic sulfate, an alkali metal nitrate, and burned hydrocarbon oil. The invention is particularly applicable to the treatment of oil spills on the surfaces of open bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers and oceans. The invention also relates to methods for preparing the oil removal composition, and for stripping and recycling the compositions after use.

Abstract: Preparation of binary membrane ultrafiltration (UF) toplayers (Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 -CeO.sub.2 and Alhd 2O.sub.3 -TiO.sub.2) to make chemically stable UF membranes and/or or catalytically active membranes. Two stable sols are prepared and mixed under controlled conditions and a top layer is prepared on a support under controlled conditions.

Abstract: A hydrophilic material having excellent hydrophilicity and fitness to living bodies and used for porous membranes or the like and also a method of manufacturing the same. The hydrophilic material is formed by subjecting at least part of the surfaces of a substrate of a polymer material to a plasma treatment to thereby produce a polymer radical and graft polymerizing therewith a block copolymer containing a hydrophilic monomer supplied in the gasious phase and a subsequently supplied hydrophobic monomer.

Abstract: Thermite coatings are applied to molten metal filters and the environs, to produce longer lived filters that can be utilized in harsher environments. The coatings employ exothermic, redox, and combination reactions to produce the beneficial effects.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite material by providing a quantity of first particles of a binder material and a quantity of second particles of a primary material having softening temperature substantially in excess of the softening temperature of the binder material. The first and second quantities of particles are combined into a substantially uniform mixture. The uniform mixture is heated in the absence of pressure or shear sufficient to convert the binder particles, to a temperature substantially above the softening point of the binder material but less than the softening temperature of the primary material. Thereafter, pressure and shear are applied to the heated mixture sufficient substantially immediately to convert at least a portion of the binder material particles into a substantially continuous webbing structure or force the formation of point-bonds.

Abstract: The modification of a diffusion barrier by the deposition of one or more inorganic species within the pores and on to the surfaces of said diffusion barrier to form an immobilized crystalline lattice barrier or molecular grid having substantially uniform permeability and to select and separate different ionic species, giving a high efficiency of separation with a low energy input. The diffusion barrier is characterized by one or more units, each incorporating a tubular housing with a bundle of porous hollow fibres therein, arranged in the axial direction of the housing. The inorganic crystalline lattice is exemplified by barium sulphate (BaSO.sub.4) formed by the interdiffusion of barium hydroxide (Ba(OH).sub.2) and sulphuric acid (H.sub.2 SO.sub.4) solutions, or, alternatively, co-precipitated aluminium hydroxide (Al(OH).sub.2) and barium sulphate (BaSO.sub.4) formed by the interdiffusion of barium hydroxide (Ba(OH).sub.2) and aluminium sulphate (Al.sub.2 (SO.sub.4).sub.3) solutions.

Abstract: A filter is made from a special form of carbon, selected from the group of diamond-like carbon, pyrolitic carbon, glassy carbon and turbostratic carbon. The special carbon may be on a substrate, for example of polymeric material or a ceramic.

Abstract: Filter pads, which are made inherently stable by binders and by removal of the binders can be converted in packings to be maintained under substantially constant surface pressure between rigid filter brackets, are produced first as molded bodies from a suspension of filter aids in liquid by depositing granular, fibrous, or fiber-containing filter aids or mixtures of those filter aids in a casting mold, there being used high rates of flow while avoiding turbulences, and adding binders to the suspension so that the molded body can be stabilized by activation of the binder while drying. It is possible in this process also to manufacture multi-layered filter pads, it having been surprisingly found in those multi-layered filter pads that the layer assembly is kept intact during the filtration even in the filter packing that no longer contains binders.

Abstract: A porous inorganic membrane for use with a membrane device having a porous support, the membrane including refractory particles bound to each other and to the support by a thermally reactive inorganic binder which reacts at a temperature below that at which the refractory particles react. Further, a method of forming a porous inorganic membrane on a support by applying a coating of a mixture of refractory particles and a thermally reactive inorganic binder to the support. The inorganic binder reacts at a first temperature lower than a second temperature at which the refractory particles sinter. The method further includes firing the support to a firing temperature at least as high as the first temperature and less than the second temperature to react the inorganic binder, and cooling the support to form the porous membrane.

Abstract: The invention concerns a filter construction in particular for suction driers. The filter construction comprises a first filter material layer (1) of a ceramic material, which is the first layer in relation to the flowing liquid, and a second filter material layer (2) of a ceramic material, connected with said first layer. The first filter material layer (1) acts as the filtering layer proper, and the second filter material layer (2) acts as a layer that supports the construction. The invention also concerns a method for the formation of the filter construction.