Abstract: Provided is a fluid filtration assembly including a housing configured with one or more filter units extending in fluid flow between a raw fluid inlet port and a filtered fluid outlet port, a filter rinsing assembly being in fluid communication with a rinsing fluid inlet port, and propulsion fluid inlet port being in flow communication with a propulsion mechanism for propelling one or both of the filter rinsing assembly and the filter unit with respect to one another. Further provided is a thread tensioning mechanism for controlling tension of coiled threads of a thread-type filtering cartridge.

Abstract: The invention provides several improvements in feedwells, one of which being a feedwell comprising a mixing zone for dissipating the kinetic energy of a fluid comprising pulp, a settling zone for promoting flocculation of the pulp and at least one inclined deflecting element for at least partially separating the mixing zone from the settling zone. Other improvements include a shelf at least partially defining an inclined path for removing material from the shelf into a feedwell chamber; at least two outlets arranged in a substantially concentric relationship with respect to each other; a portion of a second conduit varies in its cross-sectional size and/or shape so as to connect a feed inlet to a first conduit; and a partition for partially separating an outer mixing zone and an inner settling zone.

Abstract: A fluid purification unit includes a case including a hollow and a plurality of openings communicating with the hollow to flow a fluid inside into the hollow and outside from the hollow, the case including combining protrusions formed on a first face and concave portions formed on a second face opposite to the first face, each of the combining protrusions having a first cross sectional area and being regularly arranged in a first direction and at a first interval and each of the concave portions having a second area corresponding to the first cross sectional area and being arranged at a second interval corresponding to the first interval.

Abstract: Provided is a separation membrane element used under a high-temperature environment, in which the stress acting on a portion for fixing between a fluid collecting tube and a separation membrane is reduced and a deformation caused by receiving a long time thermal history can be prevented, and also provided is a fluid collecting tube used for the separation membrane element. The separation membrane element has a fluid collecting tube (10), a separation membrane, and fixing portions (4) provided at at least two places and fixing between the fluid collecting tube (10) and the separation membrane. The separation membrane element has at least one elastic portion in the fluid collecting tube (10) between the fixing portions (4).

Abstract: A sub-assembly is disclosed. The sub-assembly includes an endcap connected to a seal member. The endcap includes a body, an outer circumferential lip connected to a first end of the body, and an inner circumferential lip body connected to a second end of the body. The inner circumferential lip body defines a groove. The inner circumferential lip body extends away from and beyond a top surface of the body and a lower portion extending away from and beyond a bottom surface of the body of the endcap. The seal member includes a body, and a circumferential lip connected to the body of the seal member. The body of the seal member includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface of the body of the seal member includes a recess. The inner circumferential lip body of the endcap is arranged within the recess of the seal member. A portion of a filter assembly is also disclosed. A method for manufacturing at least a sub-assembly of a filter assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A filter cartridge and filter for a water bottle is presented. The filter cartridge has a top member with an inwardly sloped exterior surface and at least one opening. The top member is removeably coupled with a bottom member to form an enclosure for housing a filter. The bottom member also has an opening or inlet to allow water to pass through the filter cartridge. The filter cartridge also has an outer rim with a seal (e.g., a sealing ring, etc.). The filter can comprise a frustoconical shaped portion.

Abstract: A feed channel spacer for a spiral wound membrane element has inlet and outlet edges that are thinner than the rest of the spacer material. The edges may be made thinner, for example, by passing the edges of a sheet of feed spacer material through a pair of hot rollers or by compressing the edges of the sheet in a heated press. The thinned edges of the feed spacer material are located in the element between glue lines applied to the permeate spacers of the element. The thin edges allow a greater membrane surface area to be provided in a given element diameter. A feed channel spacer may also have an area with obstructions to create micro-mixing effects. These obstructions may be provided on a feed spacer sheet of constant thickness, or one with thin edges.

Abstract: A feed channel spacer for use in a spiral wound membrane element provides a series of generally parallel interior channels. The interior channels extend from an inlet side of the spacer to an outlet side of the spacer, but follow an undulating or zigzagging path. Dean's vortices or other flow patterns that cause mixing reduce concentration polarization. The feed channel spacer is made by pressing a sheet of thermoplastic material in a die.

Abstract: A spiral would membrane element has a feed channel spacer providing a tortuous feed flow path through an open spacer mesh material. The feed flow path may force the feed liquid to flow across substantially all of an adjacent membrane surface. The length of the flow path and average cross-flow velocity are increased relative to a straight flow path. A rise in pressure drop that might otherwise be produced by the increased average cross-flow velocity is reduced by the open spacer mesh. In a system having two or more upstream and downstream spiral wound membrane elements, a downstream element may have a feed channel spacer providing a tortuous flow path while an upstream element has a feed channel spacer providing a less tortuous flow path or a straight flow path.

Abstract: A filter turning mechanism is attached to an engine in proximity to a filter (such as an oil filter), and may be used to install or remove a filter by turning the filter. The filter turning mechanism contacts a filter, and rotates the filter when the filter turning mechanism is rotated with a tool. One implementation of the filter turning mechanism includes an inner drive gear and a filter drive mechanism. The inner drive gear normally spins freely within the filter drive mechanism, but when pushed into the filter drive mechanism with a suitable tool such as a ratchet extension, the inner drive gear engages the filter drive mechanism, thereby causing rotation of the inner drive gear to rotate the filter drive mechanism as well, which in turn rotates the filter.

Abstract: Housings for reverse osmosis filter cartridges and methods of making the same. The housings include: (1) a hollow cylindrical liner formed of a thermoplastic polymer that is adapted to surround a reverse osmosis filter cartridge; (2) a hollow head assembly that includes a transition collar portion formed of a thermoplastic polymer that is joined to said liner and a barrel portion formed of a chopped glass fiber-filled polymer that is overmolded onto said transition collar portion; (3) an end plug that is adapted to be received within an opening in the barrel portion; and (4) an overwrap layer comprising wound glass filaments and a polymeric resin that covers the outer surfaces of the liner and head assembly.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane is formed by embedding a braid having a spiral open weave of monofilaments only, to avoid a “whiskering” problem. The open weave is characterized by contiguous, circumferential, rhomboid-shaped areas of polymer film separated by monofilaments. When the braid is supported on a plasticized PVA cable having a scalloped periphery, the braid can be infiltrated with membrane polymer which, when coagulated, embeds the braid positioning it around the lumen. The embedded spiral weave, free of any circumferentially constricting monofilament, allows the membrane to be biaxially distensible. The membrane has “give” not only in the axial or longitudinal direction but also in the radial direction. “Give” in the radial direction permits soiled membranes to be backwashed under higher pressure than in a comparable braid which is not radially distensible.

Abstract: A spinning method for making a seamless filter housing 50 with an elliptical bottom 52 and a bottom opening 58 for a drain port. An inlet port 62 is added after fabrication along with any optional sensor ports 64. The seamless filter housing 50 made with this process.

Abstract: Membrane elements that use multiple membrane leaves may have a limited total active membrane area due to an increased diameter at the ends of the element. Membrane leaves may comprise a permeate carrier positioned between one or more membrane sheets. Adhesive may be used to seal one or more edges of the membrane leaf. The membrane sheets, permeate carrier and the adhesive contribute to the thickness of the edges of the membrane leaf and the diameter at the ends of the element. A reduced thickness of the edges of the permeate carrier may reduce the diameter at the ends of an element. Another permeate carrier sheet may also be used that is distanced from at least one edge of the membrane sheet so the permeate carrier sheet does not contribute towards the increased diameter at the ends of the element.

Abstract: The invention relates to the balancing of fluid streams in a dialysis system. In particular the invention relates to a cassette for conveying a first and a second fluid stream in a dialysis system, wherein the first and the second fluid streams can be medical fluid streams such as for example dialysate streams or blood streams, wherein the cassette has a sensor as a device for balancing the first and the second fluid stream, and wherein the sensor has a first channel for the first fluid stream and a second channel for the second fluid stream. The invention further relates to a dialysis system, which is configured to accommodate at least one cassette which is configured as described above. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an arrangement by which two channels for the first and the second fluid streams are formed. In addition, the invention relates to a method for construction of the two channels or the arrangement.

Abstract: A filtration device having a tubular pressure vessel and a tubular filter assembly is provided. The tubular filter assembly is housed within the tubular pressure vessel and includes a filter element and a split ring seal circumscribing the filter element. The split ring seal has an annular body that includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end and slidably engaged with the first end, and an opening extending through the annular body.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a filter vessel including a housing with an inlet and an outlet, a toroidal-shaped inlet manifold, and a plurality of inlet channels. The toroidal-shaped inlet manifold is in fluid communication with the inlet and is positioned along a circumference of the housing, and the plurality of inlet channels are in fluid communication with the toroidal-shaped inlet manifold.

Abstract: A cassette is described for holding circuit components used with a hemodialysis machine.

Abstract: A baffle system for use in a clarifier tank, having a tank bottom and a periphery and a substantially vertical peripheral wall bounding the interior of the tank, has a plurality of baffles mounted on the peripheral wall of the clarifier tank. each baffle has an upper baffle surface with a lower end and an upper end. The upper end of the upper baffle portion is coupled to the side wall of the clarifier tank wall. The lower end of the upper baffle portion is disposed. at a substantially 60° angle away from the side wall of the clarifier tank such that the upper baffle surface slopes downwardly and away from the side wall.

Abstract: An optimized system for conserving energy used in the process of reverse osmosis which creates, controls and measures a virtual septum within an energy recovery work exchanger, multiple-orifice distribution plates, vessels of varying sizes and tanks placed at optimum elevations.

Abstract: A filter holder is disclosed comprising a base for supporting the filter holder on a work surface, a tilting mechanism attached to the base, and a holder arm attached to the tilting mechanism at a tilt axis. The holder arm comprises a base end and a distal end and is tiltable about the tilt axis to a service position and an ergonomic loading position.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane is formed by embedding a braid having a spiral open weave of monofilaments only, to avoid a “whiskering” problem common in prior art multifilament braid-supported tubular membranes. The open weave is characterized by contiguous, circumferential, rhomboid-shaped areas of polymer film separated by monofilaments. When the braid is supported on a plasticized PVA cable it can be infiltrated with membrane polymer which, when coagulated embeds the braid positioning it around the lumen. The spiral weave, free of any circumferentially constricting monofilament, when embedded in film, allows the membrane to be biaxially distensible. In other words, the membrane has “give” not only in the axial or longitudinal direction but also in the radial direction. “Give” in the radial direction permits soiled membranes to be backwashed under higher pressure than in a comparable braid which is not radially distensible.

Abstract: A parallel flow filter-in-filter design for a filter system is provided. The filter-in-filter design provides two distinctly parallel or independent flow paths within a filter assembly in a single housing or shell. The filter assembly includes a first outer filter element radially spaced apart from a second inner filter element. A centertube and a funnel shaped passageway housed within the centertube are provided in a space between the first outer filter element and the second inner filter element. The centertube and funnel shaped passageway work in tandem to provide two distinct parallel or independent flow paths within the filter assembly. The funnel shaped passageway is provided generally below the second inner filter element within the centertube.

Abstract: Filter assemblies, components and systems are provided with a bypass mechanism that allows fuel or other fluids to bypass a filter media of a filter upon a fault condition thereby allowing, for example, a combustion engine receiving fuel to continue to operate without interruption or loss of power in the event of fuel contamination and/or obstruction of the filter media. This advantageously allows an operator to bring a vehicle, vessel or equipment utilizing the engine to a safe condition prior to servicing the filter and inspecting other components of the filter system.

Abstract: End-of-life apparatus for use in water purification cartridges are disclosed. The apparatus includes a water-disintegrable tablet configured to disintegrate a predetermined amount after contacting a predetermined volume of water flow. The tablet prevents the stoppage of water until the tablet has been contacted by the predetermined amount of water. The various end-of-life apparatus use different means to stop the water flow when the tablet has disintegrated a predetermined amount.

Abstract: To provide or maintain pump prime in a liquid chromatographic system when changing solvents or solvent reservoirs or starting up a chromatographic run, first and second solvents are supplied to a mixer through corresponding first and second lines and from the mixer to a chromatographic column. Air in one of the lines is removed by a pump and the line is filled with solvent.

Abstract: A baffle system for a clarifier tank where the tank has a tank bottom, a periphery and a substantially vertical peripheral wall bounding the interior of the tank, said tank having an effluent channel. The baffle system includes a plurality of baffles mounted on the clarifier tank, each baffle having a baffle surface with a lower end and an upper end. The upper end of the baffle surface is coupled to a wall of the clarifier tank, the lower end of the baffle surface is disposed at a substantially 60° angle away from the side wall of the clarifier tank such that the baffle surface slopes downwardly and away from the side wall.

Abstract: A dialysis supply system that includes a central dialysis liquid manufacturing unit, a dialysis treatment unit, a valve arrangement, and a hydraulic module.

Abstract: A novel positive traction permeate tube and fittings therefore are described for use in spirally wound membrane filtration elements for filtration and separation applications. Membrane filtration elements incorporate the novel permeate tube. Methods of making the novel positive traction permeate tube are also disclosed as are the preferred sanitary stainless steel materials used for the sanitary tube and fittings. The novel permeate tube involves a sanitary tubing having two open ends, each with an end fitting. The end fittings engage a positive traction drive for high tension spiral winding of a membrane element spirally around the novel permeate tube. Membrane filtration elements made with the novel permeate tube are less subject to slippage and breakage during manufacture and can withstand higher pressure drops and flow rates during use without failure of the spiral wound membrane element. The positive traction permeate tube facilitates membrane replacements.

Abstract: An underdrain flume plate for use in a filter including at least one central opening having an upstanding flange to interface with a cut-out in an underdrain lateral to form a passageway for connecting the lateral to the flume. The flume plate may also include at least one raised channel at each end of the plate with a solid or cut-away top surface, and/or holes and/or slots for connection of the flume plate to anchor rods and may be configured to overlap one another when placed side by side. The present invention also includes a method of installing underdrain laterals in a filter, including arranging a grid of anchor rods on a filter floor such that anchor rods are provided on both sides of the flume, and providing at least one underdrain flume plate adapted for attachment to the anchor rods such that the flume plate covers the flume.

Abstract: A filter apparatus capable of releasing air from a filter body, comprising a filter body held by a holder. The filter body includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The filter body is disposed in the holder so as to rotate around an axis of rotation that passes through the fluid inlet. The holder includes a front panel. The front panel comprises engaging portions, for temporarily engaging the fluid outlet at either an air releasing position or at a filtering position, and a fixing means for fixing the filter body at each position. The filter apparatus further includes means for rotating the filter body.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane module is disclosed, which is capable of preventing a bundle of hollow fiber membranes from being separated from a module case, the hollow fiber membrane module for accommodating a bundle of hollow fiber membranes closely held together through the use of potting agent, including a module case including: a first inner surface serving as a projection on which the bundle of hollow fiber membranes is stably placed; a second inner surface upwardly extending from one end of the first inner surface, the second inner surface including at least one separation-preventing groove to prevent the bundle of hollow fiber membranes from being separated from the module case; a third inner surface downwardly extending from the other end of the first inner surface; and a fourth inner surface connected to the third inner surface.

Abstract: An assembly with hydrocyclones comprising: multiple hydrocyclones having a inlet chamber with two side openings positioned on opposite sides of the inlet chamber and a overflow chamber having two side openings positioned on opposite sides of the overflow chamber. The hydrocyclones are arranged at a support structure, comprising a support bar for support of the hydrocyclones. The hydrocyclones being arranged side by side with their side openings adjacent each other thus forming an inlet pipe by means of the inlet chambers and an overflow pipe by means of the overflow chambers. The inlet chambers and the overflow chambers being adapted to be pressed against each other respectively. The hydrocyclones being arranged in pairs with one of the two hydrocyclones arranged on one side of the support bar and the other on the opposite sides thereof.

Abstract: A liquid filter intended for use as a fuel filter is composed of a housing produced from aluminum by an extrusion process and of a cover (1) formed as an aluminum casting. The cover (1) is provided with connecting bores (4?, 5?) in which pipe elements (6, 9) which are intended for delivering and discharging fuel are held by means of an adhesive bond. This results in a cover which can be produced more cost-effectively than the prior art and which can further be used as a casting which can be employed in modular fashion, this casting allowing different variations for the connections of the pipe elements.

Abstract: A cassette is described for holding circuit components used with a hemodialysis machine.

Abstract: A filter element is removably positionable within a filter housing defining a filter chamber for said filter element. The filter housing comprises a standpipe extending within the filter chamber. The filter element includes a tubular filter media circumscribing the standpipe, a first end cap supporting the filter media at one end thereof, a second end cap longitudinally spaced from the first end cap and supporting the filter media at the opposite end thereof, and a center tube extending between the first and second end caps. The center tube has at least one inlet opening therethrough at a first end thereof adjacent to the first end cap and a standpipe opening therethrough at a second end thereof adjacent to the second end cap. The second end cap has at least one intake opening therethrough radially spaced from the standpipe opening in the center tube.

Abstract: A density current baffle for use in a clarifier tank has a first baffle portion having a lower end, an upper end and an intermediate central portion. The lower end of the baffle portion is coupled to a side wall of the clarifier tank, the upper end of the baffle portion is disposed, at a predefined angle, away from the side wall of the clarifier tank such that the first baffle portion slopes upwardly and away from the side wall. The upper end is configured to receive a mounting bracket having a first end coupled to the end flange and a second end coupled to the side wall of the tank wall. The mounting bracket is a downwardly sloping panel member which together with the first baffle portion form a substantially closed baffle, so that solid materials may be prevented from building up behind the upwardly sloping central baffle portion.

Abstract: A protective sleeve for use with metal intake racks used for screening debris from water intakes and other similar structures. The proactive sleeve may be made from a plastic material, such as HDPE, using an extrusion process. The sleeve is designed to snap into place over the metal blades of a bar rack, and to provide a positive and secure fit when in place. The protective sleeve thus provides the benefits of non-metallic intake racks to existing and future metal rack systems, without requiring replacement of existing metal racks.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide individual blades driven by drives configured to reduce a tendency of sludge to be moved in an undesired return direction. Drive configurations apply “pull” and “pull” forces that only pull on tensile structures, avoiding a need in actual commercial practice for use of extra structural drive members having high resistance to both tension and compressive forces exerted parallel to a sludge movement direction. Each of two separate tensile structures carries one blade, or a separate set of blades, with blade(s) of one structure adjacent to, and alternating with, blade(s) of the other structure. Embodiments move sludge from a corner of a basin and across a floor of the basin. The reduced tendency of sludge movement in the return direction results from moving one tensile structure and blade(s) in the sludge movement direction as the other tensile structure and adjacent opposed blade(s) move in the return direction.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods include an improved filter and cleaning processes for same. A rotating cleaning element is actuated by vacuum pressure, and relatively precise controls ensure that all portions of the filter's surface are vacuumed cleaned during cleaning cycles. Longitudinal pressure on the rotating cleaning element is balanced to reduce wear and improve performance.

Abstract: A filter apparatus capable of releasing air from a filter body, comprising a filter body held by a holder. The filter body includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The filter body is disposed in the holder so as to rotate around an axis of rotation that passes through the fluid inlet. The holder includes a front panel. The front panel comprises engaging portions, for temporarily engaging the fluid outlet at either an air releasing position or at a filtering position, and a fixing means for fixing the filter body at each position. The filter apparatus further includes means for rotating the filter body.

Abstract: A water purification apparatus comprising at least: (a) one or more water purification components in a housing; and (b) a handset integral with the housing, and moveable between a supported position on the housing and a suspended position beyond the housing, the handset including one or more water purification controls thereon. In this way, at least one control of the purification of the water in the housing is operative on the handset, which handset is useable either in its supported position on the housing or in its suspended position beyond the housing, whichever is most convenient to the user. More convenience is therefore provided to a user by the present invention compared with conventional purification apparatus.

Abstract: A feedwell dilution system for diluting an influent feed stream, which include at least one eductor assembly, and a feedwell assembly. The at least one eductor assembly includes a feed pipe which converges to a narrow throat portion or nozzle; a mix tube positioned downstream from the narrow throat portion that is sized and configured to provide mixing of the influent feed stream and a clarified liquid drawn from a settling tank; and an enclosure, which is installed around the narrow throat portion and an inlet portion of the mix tube and includes an open-ended portion on a bottom thereof, which is sized and configured to allow a clarified liquid to be pulled into the mix tube from below the inlet portion of the mix tube. The feedwell assembly is sized and configured to receive the mixture of the influent feed stream and the clarified liquid from the mix tube.

Abstract: A filtration device having a tubular pressure vessel and a tubular filter assembly is provided. The tubular filter assembly is housed within the tubular pressure vessel and includes a filter element and a split ring seal circumscribing the filter element. The split ring seal has an annular body that includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end and slidably engaged with the first end, and an opening extending through the annular body.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide individual blades driven by drives configured to reduce a tendency of sludge to be moved in an undesired return direction. Drive configurations apply “pull” and “pull” forces that only pull on tensile structures, avoiding a need in actual commercial practice for use of extra structural drive members having high resistance to both tension and compressive forces exerted parallel to a sludge movement direction. Each of two separate tensile structures carries one blade, or a separate set of blades, with blade(s) of one structure adjacent to, and alternating with, blade(s) of the other structure. Embodiments move sludge from a corner of a basin and across a floor of the basin. The reduced tendency of sludge movement in the return direction results from moving one tensile structure and blade(s) in the sludge movement direction as the other tensile structure and adjacent opposed blade(s) move in the return direction.

Abstract: The wastewater treatment system provides multiple techniques for decontaminating wastewater contained within a single system, thus optimizing the decontamination of the wastewater. In one embodiment, the wastewater treatment system includes a steel-reinforced plastic tank having first and second partition walls dividing the tank into first, second and third chambers. The first chamber includes at least one first effluent filter and further contains anaerobic bacteria for removal of organic waste material from the wastewater received therein. The first chamber is configured for at least partial removal of particulate and organic matter from the wastewater. The second chamber includes an air diffuser and further contains aerobic bacteria for further removal of organic waste material from the wastewater received therein. The third chamber includes a sludge pump assembly and at least one second effluent filter. Resultant purified water is selectively discharged from the third chamber through an outlet port.

Abstract: Device for removing clarified liquid effluent from process and wastewater equipment vessels. The device includes a horizontal square pipe with a perpendicular adjustable height riser. The device is to be used singularly or in a multiple unit parallel arrangement with process or wastewater equipment as a means of optimizing the fluid level within the vessel while evacuating clarified fluid without attendant particulate within the fluid solution being carried out or fouling the device from said particles.

Abstract: A baffle system in a clarifier tank having a tank bottom, a periphery, a substantially vertical peripheral wall bounding the interior of the tank and an effluent channel includes a plurality of baffles mounted on the clarifier tank. Each baffle has a baffle surface with a lower end and an upper end. The upper end is coupled to a wall of the clarifier tank and the lower end is disposed at a substantially 60° angle away from the side wall of the clarifier tank such that the baffle surface slopes downwardly and away from the side wall.

Abstract: A rotary disc filter device includes a rotary drum and one or more disc-shaped filter members secured about the drum. Each disc-shaped filter member includes a filter disposed on opposite sides thereof and each disc-shaped filter member includes a modular frame made up, in part at least, by a series of interconnected modules. One module of the modular filter frame includes a base that is secured to the rotary drum and a support projecting outwardly from the base. A series of these modules are interconnected to form a modular filter frame.

Abstract: A baffle system for use in a clarifier tank, having a tank bottom and a periphery and a substantially vertical peripheral wall bounding the interior of the tank, has a plurality of baffles mounted on the peripheral wall of the clarifier tank, each baffle has an upper baffle surface with a lower end and an upper end. The upper end of the upper baffle portion is coupled to the side wall of the clarifier tank wall. The lower end of the upper baffle portion is disposed at a substantially 60° angle away from the side wall of the clarifier tank such that the upper baffle surface slopes downwardly and away from the side wall.