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 filter material for filtering leucocytes from a fraction of or whole human blood, comprises a shape-sustaining laid textile web having a thickness of between about 2 millimeters to about 12 millimeters and a bulk density of about 0.05 to 0.4 g/cm.sup.3. The web has a plurality of interlocked, staple, textile fibers with average deniers between about 0.05 and 0.75 and average lengths between about 3 millimeters and 15 millimeters. The textile fibers are substantially uniformly distributed in the web so as to form a matrix of the textile fibers with spaces between adjacent interstices of interlocked fibers. A plurality of fibrillated particles of a polymeric material, e.g. a textile fiber material, having a surface area of between 5 and 60 square meters per gram are substantially disposed within the spaces of the matrix.

Abstract: A single-layer blood separation medium for separating erythrocytes from whole blood and made of a composite including glass microfibers, cellulose fibers, and synthetic textile fibers, having enhanced tensile strength and lower absorptive capacity compared to binderless glass microfiber sheet. The mean bulk density of the glass microfiber component is less than 0.1 g/cm.sup.3, and is typicaly about 0.05 g/cm.sup.3.

Abstract: An aerobic bacteria filtration apparatus for aquatic ponds. A generally cylindrical tube houses a plasticized media derived from horse hair or hog hair which is suitable for supporting the growth of colonies of aerobic bacteria. An intake port coupled to one end of the tube permits water from the aquatic pond to be drawn across the plasticized media by means of a submersible pump which is coupled to the other end of the tube. The aerobic bacteria digests and degrades waste products suspended in the water as it is drawn across the plasticized media, and the cleansed water is discharged into the aquatic pond. A plurality of tubes containing the plasticized media can be connected in a manifold configuration to increase the filtration capability for large bodies of water.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for treating blood comprising (a) centrifuging blood and (b) passing a supernatant layer of the centrifuged blood through a porous medium until red blood cells block the porous medium.

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: Composite filter cloths having a top layer of a heavily profiled, electro-statically charged polyimide fiber and a depth filtration type fabric substrate may be structured to have a higher particulate removal efficiency than that for the substrate layer and a lower pressure drop than that of the top layer.

Abstract: A filter aid material and a method for using same in a filtration system for reclaiming and maintaining coolant oil used in aluminum rolling or working processes are disclosed. The filter aid is a fibrous material which is permeated with an acid material and may be provided in either particulate form as a body feed or as a compressed filter pad. As contaminated oil flows through the filter aid, the acid acts chemically to remove aluminum fines and oxides as well as the aluminum portion of contaminating soap in the coolant oil. Use of the filter aid with acid greatly reduces the amount of conventional filter aid previously used and produces a relatively small amount of residual filter aid which can be disposed of by incineration.

Abstract: Thiosulfate in anhydrous form is added in minute amounts to beverages or food mixes, wherein tap water is added in quantities not greater than about one quart, to neutralize or destroy chlorines or chloramines in the water, such neutralization or destruction taking place almost instantaneously and, in any event, in a length of time not greater than about twenty seconds, depending upon the pH of the beverage or food. The thiosulfate may be added directly to the beverage or to the water or may be mixed with syrup or powder mix, and may be encapsulated with a food grade material which is readily dissolvable in water. Because of the rapid reaction of the thiosulfate with the chlorines and chloramines, the neutralization or destruction of same is essentially complete before a person commences to consume the food or beverage. The thiosulfate may be applied to articles which are inserted into the beverage or the food, or which receive same such as cups, stirrers, straws and the like.

Abstract: An air filter comprising a sheet of filter material folded in a zig-zag configuration. A hardenable material is dispensed in a flowable state onto the sheet. The hardenable material has a varying thickness such that upon hardening, it holds the folds of the sheet apart in a selected orientation. The hardenable material may comprise glue to also secure the folds together. An air penetrable sheet can be secured to the fold edges at one or both sides of the filter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously supplying and recycling machining liquid in an EDM device employ a filter between a liquid reservoir and a machining location at which the liquid is used. In one embodiment of the invention a buffer reservoir is provided between the filter and the machining location, while in another embodiment a second filter is connected in parallel with the first-mentioned filter. In either case, an assured alternative supply of filtered liquid is provided while the filter is repeatedly stopped and started in response to one or more operating parameters representing a degree of filter clogging. The stopping of the partially-clogged filter unexpectedly permits self-regeneration of the filter without the need for dismounting or backflushing for cleaning; even though cleaning is not performed, the repeated stopping by itself extends the useful life of the filter.

Abstract: A high performance filter element is provided, which filter element comprises a wound sheet of apertured material formed by hydroentangling webs of disparate fibrous materials. In a most preferred embodiment, the fibrous material disposed upstream of fluid flow should have a fiber diameter smaller than that disposed downstream.

Abstract: A filter element adapted to be sealingly clamped in a filter housing. The element comprises a porous hollow cylindrical integral self-supporting bonded fibrous structure. The structure has thermally melt bonded to at least one end thereof, a thermoplastic polymer closed cell foam sealing gasket. The gasket is adapted to provide a sealing surface between the end of the cartridge and the sealing edge of the filter housing. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing edges of the filter housing used in conjunction with the aforedescribed filter element comprises at least two circular sealing edges concentric to the axis of the cylindrical filter element. Such a combination provides a means for determining whether there is leakage past the sealing edges by the discoloration of the sealing gasket area between the concentric sealing edges by the liquid being filtered.

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: A method of enchancing the cleanability and facilitating the removal of algae and other microorganisms from surfaces prone to biofouling by immobilizing on said surfaces and bonding thereto a coating of organosilanes, forming on the coated surfaces a layer of dead cells of the algae and other microorganisms, utilizing the layer of dead cells and inherent release characteristics of silicone surface as a release medium to facilitate removal of succeeding layers of algae and other microorganisms that accumulate thereon, and cleaning the surfaces by dislodging the accumulated layers from the release medium layer.

Abstract: A water insoluble material useful for making biocidal barriers and biocidal filter for use in fluid systems, said material comprising a water insoluble thermoplastic copolymer consisting of an alpha olefin and an alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, said copolymer having at least one biocidal agent ionically bonded to said copolymer.

Abstract: Aqueous emulsions containing an ethylene-vinyl chloride (EVCl) copolymer and tetramethylol glycoluril are described for use as binder compositions suitable for application onto nonbonded filter paper. The emulsions are prepared by incorporating 4 to 10 wt % tetramethylol glycoluril, based on the total weight of the emulsion copolymer, into an aqueous dispersion of a copolymer consisting essentially of 65 to 90 wt % vinyl chloride, 5 to 35 wt % ethylene and optionally, up to 10 wt % of a hydroxyalkyl- or carboxylic acid-containing functional comonomer. The polymerization is conducted in the presence of a stabilizing system consisting essentially of 3 to 15 wt % polyvinyl alcohol. Filter paper impregnated with these emulsions maintain tensile strength and flexibility upon being subjected to hot oil.

Abstract: A coated cation exchanged fabric having as its base a fluorinated cation exchange resin, oriented at least 1x, in alkali metal salt form and as its coating an unoriented or oriented melt-fabricable precursor of the same salt-form fluorinated cation exchange resin. The invention also includes various processes for making the coated fabric.

Abstract: A fluorinated cation exchange membrane made using reinforcement of oriented, hydrolyzed fabric of a cation exchange copolymer, the fabric having a coating of a melt-processible precursor or derivative of a fluorinated cation exchange resin on at least one surface or throughout.

Abstract: A sheath/core yarn having as its core a fluorinated cation exchange resin, oriented at least 1x, in alkali metal salt form and as its sheath an unoriented or oriented melt-fabricable precursor or derivative of the same salt-form fluorinated cation exchange resin. The invention also includes various processes for making the sheath/core yarn.

Abstract: An improved filter comprising a porous sheet of substantially uniform thickness having the following composition: 15% to 35% activated carbon; 15% to 40% calcium silicate, magnesium silicate, or mixtures thereof; 25% to 40% cellulosic fiber; up to 2% resin binder; and, optionally, 0% to 30% diatomaceous earth.

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: The media comprises cellulosic fiber and silica based particulate or fiber filter elements and a charge modifying amount of a cationic charge modifying system bonded to the surfaces thereof.A component of the charge modifying system is a primary charge modifying agent characterized as a water soluble organic polymer capable of being adsorbed into the filter elements and having a molecular weight greater than about 1000. Each monomer of the polymer can have at least one epoxide group capable of bonding to the surface of the filter elements and at least one quaternary ammonium group. Preferably, the primary charge modifying agent is a polyamido-polyamine epichlorohydrin resin, a polyamine epichlorohydrin resin, or a resin based upon diallylnitrogen-containing materials reacted with epichlorohydrin. A portion of the epoxy groups on the organic polymer are bonded to the secondary charge modifying agent.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for determining the wetting characteristic of a porous medium comprising applying at least one or more drops of each of at least two different liquids having different but closely spaced surface tensions to different locations on the porous medium and if necessary repeating the process until, of two liquids with neighboring surface tension, one is absorbed into the medium, and the other is not.

Abstract: A filter medium comprises nonwoven fabric of a lower fiber density and filter paper of a higher fiber density, the nonwoven fabric and the filter paper being superposed in a laminated structure. The nonwoven fabric and the filter paper are disposed upstream and downstream, respectively, in a direction in which a fluid to be filtered flows. Since the nonwoven fabric of a lower density is disposed upstream and the filter paper of a higher density is disposed downstream, relatively large particles are trapped by the upstream nonwoven fabric to promote the formation of a dust cake layer on the surface of the filter paper. Such surface trapping may prevent the particles from being embedded within the filter medium, thus preventing the filter medium from being clogged therein.

Abstract: A recirculating fiber filter (1) and method is provided for removing particulates from moving fluid streams. High aspect ratio fibers (2) are used which readily nest with each other to form the high voidage fiber filter bed. In the method, fibers are continuously removed from the bottom of the bed regenerated to remove particulates and recycled back to the top of the bed and distributed thereon. Dirty fluid is passed from the top to the bottom of the filter. Dendrites of the particulate impurity appear to buildup in a thin section (A) at the top of the filter and provide the primary mechanism for further particulate entrapment. Recirculation of fibers offers a continuously fresh volume of fibers at the top for capture of particulates.

Abstract: A nonwoven filtration fabric is composed of a plurality of fiber components of dissimilar denier and length which are evenly intermingled and bonded together in a sheet, including a first fiber component of staple polyester fibers of high denier and a textile length, a second fiber component of staple polyester fibers of low denier and shorter length than the first fiber component, a third fiber component of wood pulp fibers of shorter length than the first fiber components, and a suitable binder. The fabric is formed by a wet laid process in which the dissimilar fiber components are evenly mixed and distributed in a homogeneous slurry. A filter media made of the fabric has a high tensile strength, even pore size and distribution, low pressure drop, and is suitable for macrofiltration applications, such as filtering milk.

Abstract: A heat fumigation apparatus for transpiring a solution of a chemical agent dissolved in a solvent by heating which comprises a container having the solution therein, a wick a part of which is immersed in the solution and a heater for heating the upper portion of the wick thereby transpiring the solution drawn up the wick. The wick is composed of an inorganic powder and/or an organic powder, a binding agent and at least one antioxidant which is substantially non-evaporative at a heating temperature.

Abstract: There is disclosed a filter medium for selectively removing leucocytes, which is composed of fibers, each containing nonionic hydrophilic groups and nitrogen-containing basic functional groups at least in its peripheral surface portion. The present filter medium is useful for efficiently removing leucocytes while holding down the loss of platelets to a minimum and, therefore, the present filter medium can be effectively utilized in platelet transfusions and extracorporeal circulation leucocyte removal therapies and the like.

Abstract: Devices for the depletion of leukocytes in blood products, preferably comprising an upstream porous element including means for removal of gels, at least one intermediate porous element including means for removal of microaggregates, and a downstream element including means for removal of leukocytes by both adsorption and filtration, preferably with at least one of the elements having been modified to a CWST in excess of 53 dynes/cm.

Abstract: A filtering device for blood platelets comprises polyester fibers having an average cross-sectional diameter of 0.1 to 5 .mu.m, wherein there is formed electro-microscopic roughness on the surface of the polyester fibers. According to the present invention, there can be realized a filtering device for blood platelets having simple construction, wherein blood platelets are caught efficiently and the removal of blood platelets is carried out in a short time.

Abstract: A backwashable filter element consists essentially of a fabric of polyacrylonitrile fibres wherein the diameter of the fibres is in the range 10 to 50 microns and the density of the element is in the range 0.05 to 0.50 g/cc. The element is suitable for use in filtering sea water, particularly for sea water injected into petroleum reservoirs to assist in the recovery of crude oil.

Abstract: A self-supporting composite filter for ultra filtration that can be backwashed has a central porous body which supports a thin diaphragm of fine porosity applied to the outer surface of the body. The body is porous, being formed by coarse grains and a binder. The diaphragm is thin in comparison to the filter body and is formed from a mix of fine grains, fibers and binder whose percentage composition, by volume, is in the ratio 60 to 40:40 to 20:30 to 10. The fibers are thin, 0.3 to 30 microns, and long, with a length at least 10 times their width to provide a microelasticity in the diaphragm. The absolute thickness of the diaphragm is 0.2 to 2 millimeters which is 5 to 75 times smaller than that of the support body. The ratio of the specific permeabilities of the support body to that of the diaphragm, for fluids in the laminar flow range, is between 2:1 and 100:1.

Abstract: A device for the depletion of the leucocyte content in a platelet concentrate, preferably comprising a modified porous, fibrous medium with a critical wetting surface tension of at least about 90 dynes/cm and a method for the depletion of the leucocyte content and platelet concentrate comprising passing the platelet concentrate through the porous medium.

Abstract: A filter media sheet comprising fine particulate and a self-bonding matrix of cellulose fiber, the surfaces of at least one of which are modified with a polyamido-polyamine epichlorhydrin cationic resin, the matrix incorporating beaten cellulose fiber to provide a Canadian Standard Freeness of less than 600 ml.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of making porous, vacuum formed filter tube having randomly oriented glass fibers and having at least one layer of a suitable sheet material wrapped around said porous filter tube and being in intimate contact therewith, said disclosed combination having an outer support structure of a predetermined inside diameter sufficient to compress the assembly of said porous filter tube and said sheet material when it is slipped thereover, thus providing compression from the outside to the inside and forcing the layer of sheet material into intimate contact at vertually all points with said porous filter tube.

Abstract: Closed filtering system for relatively fast and efficient removal of white blood cells from a red blood cell mixture. System comprises at least two blood bags in closed communication with each other via an intermediate filter assembly comprising a housing containing continuous filtering fiber. A preferred housing is tapered and the fiber preferably has a generally Y-shaped cross sectional area and it is adapted to permit substantial removal of white blood cells from a red blood cell mixture with minimal red blood cell hemolysis when the mixture is diluted with preservative solution and passed from one bag to the other at a relatively high flow rate. Filtration is completed within 24 hours, preferably within 6 hours, of whole blood donation.

Abstract: A flat annular disc filter paper has a plurality of randomly oriented fibers at its surface. The paper is impregnated with a phenolic resin so as to resist compression of the disc and swelling of the paper. The filter paper is made by soaking the paper in the resin, heating the paper and resin so as to burn and melt the resin into close contact with the paper and rolling the filter paper at a temperature above ambient temperature.

Abstract: A filter for molten metal having a high melting point is in the form of a net woven of glass yarns formed by twisting a multiplicity of glass fibers together. The glass fibers contain at least 75 wt. % of SiO.sub.2 and are thermally cured at a thermal shrinkage of 2.5 to 15%. The thermal shrinkage is expressed by (l-l')/.times.100 % wherein l is the length of the fiber before the thermal cure, and l' is the length of the fiber as thermally cured.

Abstract: A packing for chromatography, comprising a granular adsorbent and a fibrous material which are substantially homogeneously mixed with each other.

Abstract: Hydrophilic glass fibers which have bonded to their surfaces a layer of silane molecules of the formula ##STR1## are useful for the separation of plasma from blood for haemostasiological testing. In the formula: the molecule is bonded at its end oxygen to a surface of a glass fibre; R.sub.1 is C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkylene; X is OH, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy, having n carbon atoms and up to (n-1) OH groups in which n is 1-6, or an amino acid or peptide residue; and each of R'.sub.3 and R".sub.3 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, an oxygen bridge to the silicon atom of another silane molecule or an oxygen bridge to the glass surface. The fibres have an average diameter of from 0.2 to 5 microns and a density of 0.1 to 0.5 g/cm.sup.3.

Abstract: Non-woven material useful for example for disposable wipers and the like which comprises a layer of meltblown polymeric microfibers inter-mixed with fibres of absorbent material and/or absorbent or super-absorbent particles, the absorbent fibres and/or particles being inter-connected by and held captive within the polymeric microfibres matrix of fibres by mechanical entanglement and interconnection of the microfibres/absorbent fibres, (when present), and at least one layer of meltblown polymeric microfibres, the layers being bonded together ultrasonically or by the application of heat or heat and pressure to cause the microfibres in one layer to bond to the microfibres in an adjacent layer so as to produce fuse bonds extending through the material.Such material can readily absorb fluids including oil, and can subsequently be squeezed out readily. The material also has an integral strength and a substantially lint free wiping surface.

Abstract: A filter for separating substances having lipophilic and/or oleophilic and/or apolar properties, such as fats, oils, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbons, from different liquids, gases and vapors, such as water, (moist) air and water vapor, employing polyolefin fibers and/or filaments which have a diameter of 0.1 to 10 82 m, and preferably 0.5 to 2 .mu.m, as filter material. The filter material is present in the form of bands or strands which are of finite or infinite length, and which are formed from webs, waddings or other sheet-like structures made of such fine fibers and/or filaments and which are arranged with respect to each other in such a way that free openings and passages are in between them. The filter material perferably consists of polyethylene and/or polypropylene fibers and/or filaments.

Abstract: A fluid filter is disclosed which consists of a stack of discs which are formed form an air laid, nonwoven batt of randomly arrayed fibers. The batt includes a thermoplastic component to give the disc a self-supporting stiffness when molded. Each of the discs have radially extending contaminant collecting surfaces on the opposite sides thereof, and each have axially offset portions circumscribing the inner and outer diameters of the disc. Alternate disc in the stack are inverted, so that the axially offset portions on the inner and outer circumferences of the disc are brought into registration with one another. Accordingly, radially extending flow paths are defined between the disc to communicate fluid toward and away from the contaminant collecting surfaces. Ribs are provided on the contaminant collecting surfaces to maintain separation of the disc under dynamic flow conditions.

Abstract: A filter element adapted to be sealingly clamped in a filter housing. The element comprises a porous hollow cylindrical integral self-supporting bonded fibrous structure. The structure has thermally melt bonded to at least one end thereof, a thermoplastic polymer closed cell foam sealing gasket. The gasket is adapted to provide a sealing surface between the end of the cartridge and the sealing edge of the filter housing. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing edges of the filter housing used in conjunction with the aforedescribed filter element comprises at least two circular sealing edges concentric to the axis of the cylindrical filter element. Such a combination provides a means for determinging whether there is leakage past the sealing edges by the discoloration of the sealing gasket area between the concentric sealing edges by the liquid being filtered.

Abstract: A filter material comprising hydrophobic filter media treated with a wetting agent which consists essentially of a material selected from the group consisting of polysobate 20, polysorbate 40, polysorbate 60 and polysorbate 80. The wetting agent is applied by dissolving it in a solvent and spraying the resulting solution onto the filter media.

Abstract: A material is, herein disclosed for collecting radionuclides and heavy metals that comprises an acrylic fiber element having MnO.sub.2 and/or ferrocyanide compound of the formula K.sub.2 M.sup.II [Fe(CN).sub.6 ] (wherein M.sup.II is a divalent metal such as cobalt, zirconium, zinc or nickel) supported thereon. The material of the present invention is used in collecting and concentrating radionuclides present in liquid radioactive wastes discharged from nuclear power plants and other facilities using radioisotopes such as hospitals and non-destructive testing laboratories. The material is also used in collecting and concentrating radionuclides and heavy metals present in the seawater, rivers and industrial waste-water.

Abstract: A flat annular disc filter paper has a plurality of randomly oriented fibers at its surface. The paper is impregnated with a phenolic resin so as to resist compression of the disc and swelling of the paper. The filter paper is made by soaking the paper in the resin, heating the paper and resin so as to burn and melt the resin into close contact with the paper and rolling the filter paper at a temperature above ambient temperature.

Abstract: A filter medium comprising first and second filter mediums joined together. The first filter medium provides relatively large voids and has high porosity, while the second filter medium provides relatively small voids and has low porosity. Raw water is mainly introduced into the first filter medium, and water branching therefrom flows through the second filter medium, at which biological filtering is conducted by aerobic microorganisms breeding therein.