Abstract: The present invention provides sintered polymeric materials and methods of making the same which are useful in a variety of applications. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a sintered polymeric material comprising at least one plastic and at least one elastomer.

Abstract: A method and system for purifying production water obtained from oil and gas operations so that the purified water need not be disposed of by forced injection back into the geological formation but can be put to a beneficial use such as agriculture, irrigation, industrial or municipal or potable applications. The production water is treated in a ceramic microfilter after it has been pretreated (preferably by aeration and with a walnut shell filter) to remove volatile hydrocarbons and heavier oils, such as paraffins and asphaltenes, that could foul the ceramic filter. The permeate from the ceramic microfiltration can then be treated with activated charcoal or otherwise treated to meet the specific requirements for the intended beneficial use.

Abstract: A filter with high filtration capacity, comprising a filtering element, whose particularity is that the filtering element is made of a plant fiber selected among hemp, kenaf, jute and agave.

Abstract: A method of making a porous membrane is disclosed. One such method optionally includes: forming a plurality of pillars in an array form over a substrate; and forming a layer with a mixture of a porous material precursor and a surfactant over the substrate. The method optionally includes removing the pillars to leave cavities in the layer; filling the cavities in the layer with a cavity filler; and removing the surfactant from the layer. The porous membrane can be used as, for example, a sieve for separating molecules from a chemical reaction.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a material suitable for forming a honeycomb monolith for liquid filtration and, more particularly, to a mullite material for forming a cross-flow filtration device for separating a feed stock into filtrate and retentate, methods for forming the filtration device, and filtration devices formed from the material.

Abstract: A filtration appliance for wastewater purification, preferably for a sewage treatment plant, in particular for a small sewage treatment plant, including at least one ceramic-based membrane for separating off microorganisms, to a sewage treatment plant having such a filtration appliance, a method of purifying wastewater, in particular in a sewage treatment plant, wherein microorganisms present in the wastewater are separated off by means of at least one ceramic-based membrane, and also to the use of a ceramic-based membrane as filter for separating off microorganisms and, if appropriate, fine solids, from wastewaters.

Abstract: A method for filtering out foreign particles from a cooling lubricant used in a process of machining a workpiece includes providing an inherently stable, flow-porous filter element. The filter element comprises a porous main body made of joined plastics particles and having an afflux surface and a porous coating on the afflux surface for surface filtration. The porous coating first component particles and/or fibres, second component anti-adhesion particles to mitigate the adhesion of filtered out material to the porous coating and to facilitate cleaning of the filter element, with the first component particles and/or fibres and the second component particles being mixed in the porous coating, a solidified inorganic binder, and a set adhesive. The solidified inorganic binder and the set adhesive bind the first component particles and/or fibres and the second component particles to each other and to the porous main body.

Abstract: A screen device includes a foam body having a passageway that extends longitudinally through the foam body, the foam body has an open cell structure such that at least two surfaces of the foam body are in fluidic communication with one another through the foam body.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing elements is described herein.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a material suitable for forming a honeycomb monolith for liquid filtration and, more particularly, to a mullite material for forming a cross-flow filtration device for separating a feed stock into filtrate and retentate, methods for forming the filtration device, and filtration devices formed from the material.

Abstract: A filter candle 100 as subject of the present invention comprises: an elongated mesh pack 200 for filtering a fluid, comprising an end fitting 206 securely fixed to a filter medium 205. Further, a hollow core tube 300 is provided having a fluid permeable wall 310, the core tube being positioned within the axial opening of the mesh pack. The core tube 300 has an end flange 340 fixed to the outer end surface 312, which end flange is suitable for engaging the end fitting 206 on the mesh pack. A ring-shaped seal 500 is provided between and making contact with the outer end surface of the core tube, the end fitting and the end flange. The seal is a porous ring-shaped structure comprising a multitude of pores, which pores have an average pore size being equal or less than the filter rating of the filter medium.

Abstract: A separation membrane complex where a carbon membrane is formed directly on a porous body (surface layer) and an intermediate layer has a thickness of 10 to 100 ?m can be used as a filter having improved flux and selectivity in comparison with a conventional one.

Abstract: Thin, porous metal sheets and methods for forming them are presented to enable a variety of applications and devices. The thin, porous metal sheets are less than or equal to approximately 200 ?m thick, have a porosity between 25% and 75% by volume, and have pores with an average diameter less than or equal to approximately 2 ?m. The thin, porous metal sheets can be fabricated by preparing a slurry having between 10 and 50 wt % solvent and between 20 and 80 wt % powder of a metal precursor. The average particle size in the metal precursor powder should be between 100 nm and 5 ?m.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ceramic filter device for molten metal filtration comprising a major ceramic phase and a minor carbon phase bonded by phosphate bond, a method for producing such filter devices, and the use of such filter devices for the filtration of molten steel.

Abstract: A porous fibrous honeycomb substrate having an aluminum titanate composition and methods of producing the same are provided herein. Precursors of aluminum titanate are provided in an extrudable mixture that includes fiber materials to form a green honeycomb substrate. When cured, the precursors of aluminum titanate form an aluminum titanate composition, with the fiber materials defining the porous microstructure. Various composite structures including aluminum titanate are provided to form a porous honeycomb substrate that can be configured to be filtration media and/or a catalytic host.

Abstract: An inorganic membrane suitable for ultrafiltration or nanofiltration, and methods for making and using the membrane. The membrane has a organic polymer deposited on the feed surface, but is not able to perform separations by solution-diffusion.

Abstract: A magnetic filtering film is used to remove grains from liquid that goes through the magnetic filtering film. The magnetic filtering film includes a rubber film and micro-magnets. The rubber film is made of organic polymer. The rubber film is formed with apertures through which liquid can go. The micro-magnets are distributed in the rubber film for attracting ferromagnetic grains from the liquid.

Abstract: A filter block may comprise activated carbon filter particles without metallic biocides. The activated carbon filter particles may have a median particle size of less than or equal to about 90 microns and having a particle span of less than or equal to about 1.7. The filter block may have a permeability of greater than about 3.0×10?9 cm2 and a Filter Viruses Log Removal of greater than about 2 logs. A portion of the activated carbon filter particles may be coated with a cationic polymer. Another filter block may comprise mesoporous activated carbon filter particles without metallic biocides, wherein the mesoporous activated carbon filter particles may have a median particle size of less than or equal to about 104 ?m and a particle span of less than or equal to about 2.05, and wherein at least a portion of the filter particles may be coated with a cationic polymer. The filter block may have a permeability of greater than about 2.0×10?9 cm2 and a Filter Viruses Log Removal of greater than about 2 logs.

Abstract: Simple, low cost methods of manufacturing highly porous structures are provided. The methods involve building up porous structures with elements shaped to provide the desired strength, porosity and pore structure of the porous structure and then sintering the elements together to form the structure. Also provided are novel sintered porous structures made up of sintered non-spherical elements. In certain embodiments, the shaped green elements and the porous structure are simultaneously sintered. Also provided are novel sintered porous structures made up of sintered non-spherical elements.

Abstract: A mold for use in forming form a porous molded product via an injection molding process is provided. The method comprises injecting a material into the mold comprising multiple layers of shaping elements extending through a cavity, each layer of shaping elements including multiple shaping elements; and removing the molded product from the mold, the molded product having a porous structure formed by at least some of the shaping elements of the layers of shaping elements. The porous structure includes a multiplicity of ordered structural members defining the porous structure, the multiplicity of structural members intersecting to form structural member intersections, and a multiplicity of the pores defined by the multiplicity of structural members.

Abstract: A highly porous substrate is provided using an extrusion system. More particularly, the present invention enables the production of a highly porous substrate. Depending on the particular mixture, the present invention enables substrate porosities of about 60% to about 90%, and enables advantages at other porosities, as well. The extrusion system enables the use of a wide variety of fibers and additives, and is adaptable to a wide variety of operating environments and applications. Fibers, which have an aspect ratio greater than 1, are selected according to substrate requirements, and are typically mixed with binders, pore-formers, extrusion aids, and fluid to form a homogeneous extrudable mass. The homogeneous mass is extruded into a green substrate. The more volatile material is preferentially removed from the green substrate, which allows the fibers to form interconnected networks.

Abstract: A crossflow membrane device that receives a feedstock at a feed end face and separates the feedstock into permeate and retentate. The device has a membrane support containing at least one monolith of porous material defining a plurality of passageways extending longitudinally from the feed end face of the monolith to a retentate end face of the monolith through which the feedstock flows to pass retentate from the device. A permselective membrane coating of finer pore size than that of the porous material is applied to the passageway wall surfaces of the monolith. At least one permeate conduit is formed within the monolith, the conduit containing a plurality of longitudinal permeate chambers communicating with a means of permeate introduction at or near the feed end face and permeate withdrawal at or near the retentate end face.

Abstract: A porous media, a housing containing a porous media and methods for fabricating the housing containing a porous media are provided. The porous media is composed of varying amounts of sorptive binding particles in combination with polymer particles, for example silica particles mixed with polyethylene beads. The porous media is sintered into target housings, for example pipette tips, for use in desalting, purifying and separating biomolecules in target samples. The porous media is also formed into porous media discs via pressure and heating for insertion into housing devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are ceramic bodies comprised of composite cordierite aluminum magnesium titanate ceramic compositions and methods for the manufacture of the same.

Abstract: A non-planar, tortuous path chemical preconcentrator has a high internal surface area having a heatable sorptive coating that can be used to selectively collect and concentrate one or more chemical species of interest from a fluid stream that can be rapidly released as a concentrated plug into an analytical or microanalytical chain for separation and detection. The non-planar chemical preconcentrator comprises a sorptive support structure having a tortuous flow path. The tortuosity provides repeated twists, turns, and bends to the flow, thereby increasing the interfacial contact between sample fluid stream and the sorptive material. The tortuous path also provides more opportunities for desorption and readsorption of volatile species. Further, the thermal efficiency of the tortuous path chemical preconcentrator is comparable or superior to the prior non-planar chemical preconcentrator.

Abstract: Liquid-liquid extraction elements are described. A liquid-liquid extraction element includes a first layer pair and a second layer pair disposed adjacent the first layer pair forming a stack of layers. The first layer pair includes a first polymeric microporous membrane, and a first flow channel layer oriented in a first flow direction having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet disposed on first opposing sides of the extraction element. The second layer pair includes a second polymeric microporous membrane and a second flow channel layer oriented in a second flow direction different than the first flow direction and having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet disposed on second opposing sides of the extraction element. The first microporous membrane is disposed between the first flow channel and the second flow channel. Methods of extracting a dissolved solute from a first liquid to a second liquid are also described.

Abstract: An inorganic membrane suitable for ultrafiltration or nanofiltration, and methods for making and using the membrane. The membrane has a organic polymer deposited on the feed surface, but is not able to perform separations by solution-diffusion.

Abstract: Provided is an agglomeration for neutralizing acid mine drainage which includes a neutralizer and binder component consisting of steel slag in an amount of 75% to 95% by weight of the agglomeration, a sodium carbonate selected from the group consisting of soda ash and pulp liquor in an amount of 0.5% to 25% of the agglomeration, and, optionally, a lime component selected from the group consisting of limestone sand and slag. Further included is a dissolution control and filtration component consisting of an organic material in an amount of 0.24% to 15% by weight of the agglomeration selected from the group consisting of recycled newsprint, sphagnum peat moss, and sawdust. Next is a dispersant and neutralizer component consisting of a surfactant in an amount of 0.01% to 0.075% by weight of the agglomeration. The agglomeration may further comprise an oxidation component such as calcium peroxide, potassium permanganate, and hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to solution electrospinning processes for fabricating fibers, to the fibers prepared thereby, and to non-woven webs, fabrics, porous composite filter media, and articles comprising the fibers.

Abstract: Solid phase extraction devices including a plurality of packed nominally aligned capillary-channeled polymeric fibers for use as stationary phase materials are disclosed. A plurality of fibers are packed together in a casing so as to provide good flow characteristics through the fibers and high surface area contact between a sample and the fibers. Different polymer compositions of the fibers permit the “chemical tuning” of the extraction process. The fibers can be physically or chemically derivatized to target specific analytes for separation from a test sample. Use of the fibers allows a wide range of liquid flow rates with very low backpressures. The fibers are easily packed into a micropipette tip or a conduit for use with a fluid flow device such as an aspirator or a pump. The devices can be used for isolation and pre-concentration of analytes from samples, for instance for proteins from buffer solutions or extraction of pollutants from remote locations.

Abstract: A co-sintered porous polymer includes at least one molecule specific powder for adsorbing at least one target molecule from a complex liquid mixture when the liquid is passed through the porous co-sintered polymer. The co-sintered polymer can include a sintered porous polyethylene substrate. The or each molecule specific powder can be an immobilising adsorbent powder, for example a molecularly imprinted polymer or a rationally designed polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for production of a porous ceramic body and a corresponding porous ceramic body which can find application, in particular, as filter, or filter membrane in cross-flow filtration. According to the method of the invention, a bimodal ceramic powder mixture is moulded to give a moulded body, which is subsequently recrystallised by conditioning at high temperature, such that the fine particles melt and link the large particles firmly together by deposition thereon, such that, in defined regions (2,3), a porous ceramic body with a homogeneous structure of almost uniform particle size and pore size is formed, whereby the pores provide an interconnected, open, three-dimensional network.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a separation membrane with excellent productivity, which can uniformly dry and imidize a separation membrane precursor solution formed on an inner surface of through-holes of a monolith substrate and which does not require complicated operations such as placement of a monolith substrate in a dryer, and the separation membrane manufactured by the process are provided. The separation membrane is manufactured comprising: causing a separation membrane precursor solution to pass through through-holes in a porous monolith substrate, to form a membrane of the precursor solution on the surface of the through-holes, and drying the membrane by causing hot wind to pass through the through-holes.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a material suitable for forming a honeycomb monolith for liquid filtration and, more particularly, to a mullite material for forming a cross-flow filtration device for separating a feed stock into filtrate and retentate, methods for forming the filtration device, and filtration devices formed from the material.

Abstract: The instant invention generally provides a porous filter medium, a porous composite filter medium, a filter assembly, processes of making the same, and processes suitable for filtering contaminants from liquids.

Abstract: A filtering medium for molten metal which is excellent in inclusion removal performance and durability and further may provide sufficient throughput and a method for producing the same. A filtering medium for molten metal in the present invention includes a two-layered structure of a macropore ceramic layer at the inflow side and a micropore ceramic layer at the outflow side. The average pore diameter of the micropore ceramic layer is from 100 to 500 ?m and the average pore diameter of the macropore ceramic layer is 1.1 to 3.0 times as large as that of the micropore ceramic layer. When respective layers are formed of aggregates bonded with an inorganic binder and the inorganic binder has a needle crystal structure with an aspect ratio of 2 to 50, the inside of filtering medium may be contributed to the filtration and the compatibility between inclusion-trapping performance and lifetime may be ensured.

Abstract: The invention provides a substantially flat sieve material of metal with sieve apertures, in particular sieve apertures with microdimensions. The sieve apertures comprise at least one passage in the plane of the sieve material parallel to a main surface, while the inlet and outlet can open onto the same main surface or a different main surface. The invention furthermore provides a method for the production of such sieve material by means of electroforming techniques in which a sacrificial material is used.

Abstract: A fluid control device has very fine pores with an average diameter not greater than 10 nm and provides a large flux. The fluid control device comprises an anodized alumina film having fine pores and a silicon based micro-porous film having very fine pores and made from an AlSi mixed film and the fine pores and the very fine pores are at least partly linked with each other. The fluid control device is prepared from a film including at least an aluminum layer and an AlSi mixed film by forming an anodized alumina film having fine pores by way of an anodization process for the aluminum layer part and also forming a silicon based micro-porous film having very fine pores containing silicon as principal ingredient by way of an anodization process or etching process for the AlSi mixed film. The fluid control device can be used as filter or ultrafilter film that allows fluid and gas to pass through it.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a filtration system may include one or more of the following features: (a) a housing having a bottom portion, a middle portion coupled to the bottom portion and an upper portion, and a cap coupled to the upper portion, (b) a sediment storage area within the bottom portion, (c) a separator area within the middle portion, (d) a porous filter within the upper portion, (e) an access hatch within the cap, (f) an inlet pipe for allowing storm water within a middle chamber, (g) an outlet pipe for allowing filtered water to be discharged from the filtration system, and (h) a central pipe being a passageway through the porous filter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fiber reinforced ceramic filter for molten metal filtration that comprises a bonded network of graphitized carbon and a method for producing such filters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a porous material comprising a substrate based on at least one organic polymer A and a coating, where vii) the uncoated substrate based on the organic polymer A is macroporous, viii) the surface of the macroporous substrate is coated with a polymer B based on reactive resins, and ix) this coating with a polymer B is nanoporous and the mean diameter of the nanopores is not more than 1000 nm, and recording materials being excepted. The invention also relates to a process for producing the porous material and to the use of the porous material as a filter for gases or liquids. Finally, the invention relates to filters comprising the porous material, and to a process for filtering gases or liquids.

Abstract: A ceramic filter includes a porous base member formed of a ceramic porous body, a carbonaceous membrane formed on the porous base member, and an inorganic separation membrane formed on the carbonaceous membrane. According to a method for the ceramic filter for reuse, the deteriorated ceramic filter is thermally treated to remove the carbonaceous membrane and the inorganic membrane from the porous base member, then the carbonaceous membrane is formed on the porous base member, and the inorganic membrane is formed on the carbonaceous membrane.

Abstract: A filter element (1) with a tubular folded bag (2) of folded filter material, which has a plurality of fold blades (3) adjacent each other in the longitudinal direction (10) of the folded bag (2) a closure cover (4) is attached at at least one axial end (7) of the folded bag (2). In order to provide a filter element which can be bent to any desired curved form while maintaining a high degree of filtration performance, and can be produced in a cost effective manner, the fold blades (3) of a folded bag (2) are provided with a combination of diagonal folds extending at an angle relative to each other such that the fold blades (3) in the longitudinal direction (10) of the folded bag extend back and forth and thereby form a three-dimensional crown structure (18). At least the outer margin of the closure cover (4) has a form corresponding to the crown structure (18) of the fold blades (3).

Abstract: A nonwoven web of fibers that have a number average diameter of less than 1 micron. The web can have a Poisson Ratio of less than about 0.8, a solidity of at least about 20%, a basis weight of at least about 1 gsm, and a thickness of at least 1 micrometer.

Abstract: A gas filtration media comprises a microporous membrane. The microporous membrane includes an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), an inorganic material, wherein the ratio of inorganic material to polymer is in the range of 4:1 to 1:4, and less than 30% by weight of the membrane being a processing oil.

Abstract: A membrane microstructure device is disclosed. The membrane microstructure device includes a first glass, ceramic or glass-ceramic plate defining a first recess, a second glass, ceramic or glass-ceramic plate defining a second recess, and a non-metallic porous membrane sandwiched between the first and second plates. The first plate, second plate and porous membrane are joined together and the porous membrane is arranged to cover the first and second recesses to define a first microchannel between the first plate and the porous membrane and a second microchannel in fluid communication with the first microchannel between the second plate and the porous membrane. A method of manufacturing a membrane microstructure device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A ceramic filter comprising: (a) from about 75% to about 95% by weight of diatomaceous earth; (b) from about 10% to about 20% by weight of a flux; and (c) from about 0.03% to about 0.4% by weight of a metallic compound; the percentages by weight being percentages by weight of the ceramic filter.

Abstract: An internal filter includes a lower substrate and an upper substrate. Fluid passages are formed by etching grooves into the surface(s) of the upper and/or lower substrates and/or in one or more intermediate layers. The filter pores extending between the fluid passages are formed by etching second grooves that fluidly connect the fluid passages. Two or more sets of the one or two intermediate layers can be implemented to provide additional filter passages and/or pores. Each set can be connected to a separate fluid source and/or a separate microfluidic device. In another internal filter, the inlet and outlet passages and the filter pores are formed on the same upper or lower substrate. The inlet and outlet passages are partially formed in a first step. In a second step, the inlet and outlet passages are completed at the same time that the filter pores are formed.

Abstract: A crystalline polymer microporous film including: a plurality of pores penetrating through from a first surface to a second surface, wherein the average pore size of pores at the first surface is larger than the average pore size of pores at the second surface, the average pore size of pores in the crystalline microporous film continuously changes from the first surface toward the second surface, and an exposed surface of the crystalline polymer microporous film has hydrophilicity represented by a wettability index of 30 dyne/cm or more.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to porous composite materials comprised of a porous base material and a powdered nanoparticle material. The porous base material has the powdered nanoparticle material penetrating a portion of the porous base material; the powdered nanoparticle material within the porous base material may be sintered or interbonded by interfusion to form a porous sintered nanoparticle material within the pores and or on the surfaces of the porous base material. Preferably this porous composite material comprises nanometer sized pores throughout the sintered nanoparticle material. The present invention is also directed to methods of making such composite materials and using them for high surface area catalysts, sensors, in packed bed contaminant removal devices, and as contamination removal membranes for fluids.