Including Cleaning Or Sterilizing Of Apparatus Patents (Class 210/636)
  • Patent number: 9034179
    Abstract: A method and device for the cleaning of spiral wound membranes. In the device two or more spiral wound membranes are included in series in pressure tubes. The membranes are cleaned by longitudinal rinsing with water, in which a well-dissolvable gas has been dissolved. In the device for the purification of an aqueous fluid with spiral wound membranes, the membranes can be longitudinal rinsed with water, in which a well-dissolvable gas has been dissolved. As gas that is well-dissolvable preferably CO2 gas or a mixture of gasses is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignees: WE CONSULT VIANEN B.V., VITENS N.V.
    Inventors: Leo Peter Wessels, Walterus Gijsbertus Joseph Van Der Meer
  • Publication number: 20150129495
    Abstract: We provide a system and method for reverse osmosis treatment of water, including seawater and brackish water. Methods and systems of embodiments of the invention may include, for example, ultrafiltration followed by biofoulant removal, both of which precede reverse osmosis. In preferred embodiments the system is run at a low flux. For example, a flux of 6-8 GFD may be used with seawater. Additional embodiments may provide the above process in conjunction with a reverse-osmosis membrane cleaning system. The membrane cleaning system is a “clean in place” system that includes use of the natural pressure differential in the reverse osmosis system to remove biofoulants and their precursors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Ravi Chidambaran
  • Patent number: 9028695
    Abstract: The process includes operation as follows: putting ozone generated by an ozone generator into raw water, in a normal mode, to subject the raw water to ozone treatment; injecting a flocculant into the raw water before or after the ozone treatment; filtering the raw water by a separation membrane after the ozone treatment and the injection of the flocculant; and intermittently setting cleaning mode to put a larger quantity of cleaning ozone than that in the normal mode into the raw water so as to intermittently increase the concentration of dissolved ozone, thereby cleaning the filtration membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Metawater Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoharu Noguchi, Hideki Kozono, Michiko Aoki
  • Publication number: 20150114905
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for monitoring, controlling and optimizing fouling of a two side membrane fouling process. The method for monitoring fouling of a two side membrane fouling process can include determining the process model for the two side membrane fouling process. The parameters of the process model can be grouped based on the interactions thereof between the parameters so as to form one or more groups of parameters. At least one key performance index is estimated in relation to one or more groups of parameters. The fouling of the two side membrane fouling process is monitored correspondingly in relation to at least one key performance index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Senthilmurugan Subbiah, Srinivas Mekapati
  • Publication number: 20150101983
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a water filter device comprised of a housing, a first cap, a membrane element, a permeate tube, a quartz sleeve and a UV lamp. The permeate tube may be designed with a plurality of uniformly-distributed permeate openings. The membrane element is disposed outside of the permeate tube. The membrane element, the permeate tube, the quartz sleeve and the UV lamp may be disposed in one housing. The quartz sleeve is disposed along the central axis of the permeate tube while the UV lamp is disposed inside or within the quartz sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Edward Yeh, Joseph Wang, Yongming Zhang
  • Patent number: 8999162
    Abstract: Water treatment systems and methods are provided to minimize membrane fouling and the required maintenance that results therefrom. A water treatment system includes a pressure vessel with a plurality of spaced-apart membranes disposed therein, and an impeller or other means for circulating feed water through the interior of the vessel and past the membranes. Antifouling particles (such as diatomaceous earth or activated carbon) and/or pellets can be added to the feed water inhibit membrane fouling and extend the useful life of the membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Econopure Water Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Diem Xuan Vuong, Michael Sean Motherway, Curtis Roth
  • Publication number: 20150090660
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to a filtration apparatus comprising a tubular inorganic porous membrane and a light source disposed within the lumen of the membrane for use in, for example, enhancing oxidation of organic molecules and enhancing foulant removal. In one aspect, the invention relates to a filtration apparatus comprising a tubular porous membrane and a displacement body disposed within the lumen of the membrane. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: Aaron Dotson
  • Publication number: 20150076063
    Abstract: A system and method for switching between flows of water solutions passed in groups of blocks of membrane pressure vessels arranged in parallel in a tapered flow system, wherein the system comprises a system inlet feed line, a system outlet flow line, high pressure booster pumps configured to provide a high pressure feed stream to the system; blocks of membrane pressure vessels arrayed in parallel, and a first and second bypass line each parallel to said blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Oren Ish-Am
  • Patent number: 8980094
    Abstract: A method for the filling and flushing of a blood tube set including a pump segment for a blood pump, an arterial line connected to an inlet of a dialyser, a venous line connected to an outlet of a dialyser, a substituate line connected to a substituate port and having a pump segment for a substituate pump, and a three-way connector connected to the arterial line, the venous line and a rinse port. The method includes the steps of opening the rinse port, filling and simultaneously flushing the arterial and venous lines with the substituate supplied from the substituate line via the substituate pump, while substituate is drained off via the rinse port, closing the rinse port, and circulating the substituate in the circuit of arterial line, dialyser and venous line by the blood pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Max Fischer
  • Publication number: 20150068978
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an intermediate filtering membrane comprising: a filtering membrane having a charged or polar surface; and a transiently coupled charged compound, wherein the charged compound has an opposite charge to the membrane charge. Likewise, provided herein are methods and kits utilizing the intermediate membrane for various filtering membranes operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Gilad Lando, Dikla Zadaka-Amir, Andrew Norman Shipway, Steve Daren
  • Publication number: 20150068977
    Abstract: Integrated membrane treatment systems for treatment of an aqueous solution. In embodiments, components, such as an MBR, are integrated with means to recover energy from the system, for example from an RO concentrate, to operate the other components. In embodiments including biological treatment, RO is integrated with other components, such as an MBR with the ROs ability to remove inorganic nitrogen enabling biological treatment to be performed with only partial nitrification and the MBR operated without active pH control. In embodiments, RO is integrated with a chlorine generator to convert chlorides present in the RO concentrate for an in-situ source of oxidizing biocides for disinfection purposes. Chloramines may be generated in-situ from residual ammonia and chlorides in the RO reject. In embodiments, carrier media is employed in a membrane tank to enhance removal of residual organics by the MBR and to also improve effectiveness of membrane scouring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Vyacheslav Libman, Boris ELIOSOV
  • Publication number: 20150060359
    Abstract: A spiral wound membrane element and a method for cleaning a spiral wound membrane sheet are provided. The spiral wound membrane element comprising a perforated central tube; one or more membrane sleeves, each sleeve comprising two membrane sheets enclosed at two edges around a feed spacer sheet and wrapped around the central tube; a permeate carrier sheet attached to the central tube at a first edge opposite a second edge; and a seal on third and fourth edges of the permeate carrier sheet. The method comprises introducing two solution with different solute concentration to two sides of the spiral wound membrane sheet; establishing a concentration gradient between the first and second sides; communicating a first solvent from the first side to the second side to remove a foulant located on the second side of the membrane sheet and collecting a waste stream that contains the foulant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Chang Wang, Chen Wang
  • Patent number: 8968568
    Abstract: A water or liquid substance filtration device is disclosed which removes microorganisms and organic contamination and sterilizes the containers and water lines after the unit. The unit is portable, or can be mounted stationary. The unit has a five-stage filtration and sterilization system controlled by an independent onboard computer system that can link to a central computer system to keep track of all independent units. The unit will physically filter out of the water contaminants that can be reused, destroyed, or flushed down a safe drain. It can also be modified to filter for a certain size of particulate, making recovery of certain substances possible. The unit has a self-diagnostic system that can determine if the unit is operating properly and can shut down a part thereof if one of the capillary units fails. The unit uses ozone to disinfect containers and water lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventor: John A. Armour
  • Patent number: 8961787
    Abstract: Method and systems, for processing biological material, that contain a biological material in a vessel; add an aggregating agent to the material in the vessel and allow the material to separate into two or more distinct submaterials; extract one or more of the submaterials from the vessel; automatically transport one or more of the submaterials remaining in the vessel to a filtration device; and collect a resulting target retentate into a target retentate receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nichole Lea Wood, Reginald Donovan Smith, Hongyi Zhou, Liming Yu, Brian Polizzotti, Peter Miller
  • Publication number: 20150050694
    Abstract: A method of sterilizing a separation membrane module using water vapor includes: a liquid supplying step of supplying a liquid having a boiling point of 80° C. or higher at atmospheric pressure to a secondary side of the separation membrane module such that a filling ratio of the liquid in a space surrounded by a filtration portion of a separation membrane is 70% or more, the filtration portion being used for filtration; a liquid sealing step of isolating the secondary side of the separation membrane module such that the filling ratio of the liquid supplied to the secondary side in the liquid supplying step is 70% or more; and a sterilization step of sterilizing the separation membrane module by supplying water vapor to a primary side of the separation membrane module while the secondary side of the separation membrane module is isolated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Norihiro Takeuchi, Atsushi Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20150050598
    Abstract: A method includes performing a first cleaning step to clean a membrane, wherein during the first cleaning step, a first solvent passes through the membrane. After the first cleaning step, a second cleaning step is performed to clean the membrane. During the second cleaning step, a second solvent passes through the membrane. The first solvent and the second solvent are in different groups among three solvent groups, wherein the three solvent groups include a non-polar solvent group, a polar aprotic solvent group, and a polar protic solvent group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ya-Ling Cheng, Ching-Yu Chang
  • Publication number: 20150027948
    Abstract: A planar filtration element includes a planar support structure (11) and at least one filtration layer (12, 13) made of a membrane material. The planar support structure has first and second opposite outer surfaces (111, 112) spaced apart and secured by spacing members (113) to define a drainage compartment (114) between the first and second outer surfaces. At least one of the first and second outer surfaces includes through-openings (115) for fluid connection with the drainage compartment (114), and wherein the outer surfaces (111, 112), when one disregards the through-openings, are formed of a material extending continuously throughout the outer surfaces. The filtration layer (12, 13) coats the outer surface such that the membrane material penetrates the through-openings (115) to anchor the filtration layer (12, 13) to the support structure (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Willy Doyen, Bart Molenberghs
  • Publication number: 20150021266
    Abstract: A membrane separation device includes a separation membrane immersed in water to be treated and an air diffusion device positioned below the separation membrane, and provides treated water that has permeated through the separation membrane while diffusing air from the air diffusion device towards the separation membrane. A target value setting step sets a target value of an amount of diffusion air diffused from the air diffusion device based on a transmembrane pressure difference, and the air diffusion device is controlled such that the amount of the diffusion air becomes the target value. In the target value setting step, an absolute value of a change or a rate of change in the target value for increasing the amount of the air diffusion is set greater than an absolute value of a change or a rate of change in the target value for decreasing the amount of the air diffusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Yasuyuki YOSHIDA, Yuji OHTSUKA
  • Publication number: 20150014250
    Abstract: The water treatment system, particularly reverse-osmosis system, comprising a water line with a plurality of filter stages, is characterized in that before and after at least one filter stage a respective line branches off from the water line, which is provided with a valve adapted to be switched by a control device and leads to a pressure sensor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Manfred Volker
  • Patent number: 8931647
    Abstract: The present invention provides a PVDF porous film and method for producing it, which has high water permeability and high chemical resistance to washing chemicals and the like that has been difficult to realize with conventional polymer porous films, and which can be used over a prolonged period of time, and a method of producing the same and the like. Namely, the present invention provides a porous film in which the degree of crystallization of the PVDF resin is 50% or more but not more than 90%, and the product of the degree of crystallization of the PVDF resin and the specific surface area of the film is 300 (%·m2/g) or more but not more than 2000 (%·m2/g).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Shiki, Hiroyoshi Ohya, Noboru Kubota, Makiko Hattori
  • Patent number: 8932469
    Abstract: A dialysis machine includes a blood circuit, a dialysate circuit, and a dialyzer placed in communication with the blood circuit and the dialysate circuit. The dialysis machine includes a priming sequence in which dialysate is used to prime a first portion of the dialysate circuit and a physiologically compatible solution, other than dialysate, is used to prime a second portion of the dialysate circuit, the dialyzer and the blood circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Robert W. Childers, Thomas D. Kelly, Rodolfo Roger
  • Patent number: 8920573
    Abstract: The present invention increases a number of target reaction containers from one into many. Coordinated with increased reaction times, total reaction volume is increased. By modifying an affinitive column of an automatic synthesis system, a production in a single batch is increased. The products obtained can be conformed to quality check specifications with cost saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, Atomic Energy Council
    Inventors: Chia-Jung Chang, Mei-Hsiu Liao, Lie-Hang Shen
  • Publication number: 20140367334
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preventing microbial growth on a filtration membrane during desalination process. The method comprises that the membrane is exposed to a low concentration of performic acid by continuously or intermittently introducing performic acid to the membrane surface. When performic acid is added according to the present invention to the water flow, there is no significant reduction in the water flux through the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Jussi Salonen, Marko Kolari, Mehrdad Hesampour, Kaj Jansson
  • Publication number: 20140360937
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis treatment device includes: a first pressure vessel for treating an untreated water to produce a primarily treated water and a first permeated water; a second pressure vessel for treating the primarily treated water to produce a secondarily treated water and a second permeated water; a first cleaning solution tank for storing a first cleaning solution for cleaning the first pressure vessel; and a second cleaning solution tank for storing a second cleaning solution for cleaning the second pressure vessel. Each of the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel has therein a reverse osmosis membrane element having a reverse osmosis membrane. The first cleaning solution tank is connected to the first concentrate outlet pipe of the first pressure vessel, and the second cleaning solution tank is connected to the inlet pipe for the primarily treated water of the second pressure vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Kotaro Kitamura, Shinichi Yoshikawa, Hiroki Miyakawa
  • Publication number: 20140360936
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a method and apparatus for reducing a salt concentration in a liquid composition using a solvent. The method includes combining the liquid composition and the solvent, where the solvent has lower carrying capacity for at least one salt in solution with the liquid composition. The liquid composition may be miscible with the solvent. The solvent may also have a lower boiling point than the liquid composition. The method further includes precipitating some of the salt out of the liquid and removing the precipitate. The solvent may then be separated, leaving the liquid composition with a reduced salt concentration. The solvent may be reused if recovered after separation. The apparatus includes elements for implementing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Christopher Taylor
  • Patent number: 8906972
    Abstract: An aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) containing a poly(oxyethylene) (POE) and a poly[sodium (diallylamino)alkylphosphonate-alt-sulfur dioxide] form a pH-responsive dianionic polyelectrolyte (DAPE). The two polymers form ATPS's at low concentrations, where the addition of HCl changes the charge types and their densities on the polymer chains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignees: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, King Abdulaziz City of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Othman Charles Sadeq Al-Hamouz, Shaikh Asrof Ali
  • Patent number: 8900458
    Abstract: A separation apparatus using a membrane for diafiltration, which provides precise fractionation of a target substance by monitoring and regulating permeability of the target substance based on measurement values and analytical values indicating separation status, such as physical values and concentration of a permeate liquid, a circulating liquid and an internal circulating liquid in a membrane device. A diafiltration process including adding a cleaning liquid to an treating liquid which contains multiple target substances and extracting a target substance into the permeate liquid supplied from a membrane separation apparatus to fractionate the target substance from other target substances remaining in a residual liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Tsukishima Kankyo Engineering Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Tateishi
  • Publication number: 20140346110
    Abstract: The filtration membrane (102) includes an ozone producing circuit (120) having a plurality of electrically conductive lines (122, 124) disposed directly upon an active surface (102a) of the filtration membrane (102). The electrically conductive lines (122, 124) form spaced-apart and interleaved anodes (122) and cathodes (124). Ozone and other mixed oxidants coming from the ozone producing circuit (120) will prevent and/or remove biofilm formations on the active surface (102a) without the need of an outside source of gas. They can also remove at least some undesirable dissolved gases from the liquid being purified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Ozomax Inc.
    Inventors: Amir Salama, Marianne Salama
  • Patent number: 8894858
    Abstract: A method of filtering a feed liquid in a membrane filtration assembly is provided comprising introducing feed liquid to be treated into a filtration chamber of a membrane filtration system including a membrane module having one or more permeable hollow membranes, the module being located in the filtration chamber, and the filtration chamber having an open upper end located above an upper header of the membrane module and a closed lower end, and feed tank surrounding the filtration chamber. The feed tank may be configured to provide the feed liquid through the open upper end of the filtration chamber, and the feed liquid may be applied to the surface of the membranes within the membrane module and withdrawn from the lumens of the membranes as filtrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
    Inventors: David John Cox, Warren Thomas Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140342041
    Abstract: A combination micro-filtration halogen apparatus safely delivers drinking water by metering doses of concentrated aqueous iodine into a filtered water supply contained within a chamber. Untreated water is poured into the water filter column that allows for gravity to force the water through filters and the filtered or purified water depending on the filters is stored within a lower chamber of the column for disinfection. An aqueous iodine roller metering system controls the amount of iodine dispensed from an aqueous iodine container to the filter column. Turning the roller mechanism accurately meters a selected dose of concentrated aqueous iodine from the iodine container into the lower chamber of the water column. The active residual iodine disinfectant kills microbes in the filtered or purified water making it safe to consume and prevents recontamination. The iodinated drinking water also provides for essential daily human micronutrient requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: NEET Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Terence F. MULLINS
  • Publication number: 20140332467
    Abstract: A method for cleaning a cross-flow filter (20), comprising the steps of: A) providing a cross-flow filter (20), wherein the cross-flow filter (20) comprises a filter membrane (21) and is configured to remove a liquid permeate stream and the filter membrane (21) comprises a first side facing the permeate stream and a second side opposite the first side, the second side facing the feed stream, and wherein at least some of the deposits (1010) to be removed are located on the second side of the filter membrane (21); B) applying a back-flushing liquid stream through the filter membrane (21). Prior to applying the back-flushing liquid stream in Step B), permeate located on the first side of the filter membrane (21) is at least partially displaced from the first side of the filter membrane (21) by a gas, wherein the gas that is in contact with the back-flushing liquid stream has a pressure of >1 bar at least during Step B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: HIGHQ-FACTORY GMBH
    Inventor: Franz Brummer
  • Patent number: 8871822
    Abstract: The cross-linked polyphosphonate-sulfone composition for removal of metal ions from wastewater relates to a cross-linked anionic polyelectrolyte polymer for the removal of metal ions, such as lead (Pb2+) and copper (Cu2+) ions, from wastewater and the like. The cross-linked anionic polyelectrolyte polymer has the formula: The cross-linked anionic polyelectrolyte polymer is made by cyclopolymerization of diallylaminomethylphosphonic acid, 1,1,4,4-tetraallylpiperazinium dichloride (a cross-linker), and sulfur dioxide in the presence of AIBN (an initiator) in DMSO at 65° C. to form a cross-linked polyzwitterionic acid (CPZA). The CPZA is then treated with base (such as sodium hydroxide) to form the cross-linked anionic polyelectrolyte polymer having the formula shown above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Shaikh Asrof Ali, Othman Charles Sadeq Othman Al Hamouz
  • Publication number: 20140311978
    Abstract: The invention relates to a recess plate for a membrane filter device, the filter device having a stack of essentially identical recess plates, the recess plates having recesses, and the recesses forming filter chambers between adjacent recess plates of the stack, into which filter chambers a suspension can be supplied on a cake side of the filter cloth, and the suspension can permeate the filter cloth to a filtrate side thereof, such that a solid content of the suspension deposits on the filter cloth as a filter cake, each filter chamber having a moveable membrane, the membrane and the recess plate enclosing a squeezing chamber, the recess plate having an inlet duct for inserting a pressurizing medium into the squeezing chamber, for mechanical pressing out the respective filter cake. The invention further relates to a method for detecting membrane leakage in such membrane filter device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Kilgus
  • Patent number: 8857279
    Abstract: Methods of concentrating an analyte that is in liquid and method of detecting an analyte in a liquid are disclosed. Methods of screening a liquid for the presence of an analyte are also disclosed. Processes comprising continuously collecting a sample of fluid throughout the process and analyzing the sample are disclosed as are processes comprising treating ultrafilter membranes. Devices and systems for concentrating an analyte that is in liquid and for screening a liquid for an analyte are disclosed as well as devices and systems for concentrating an analyte from a continuous sample are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventors: William P. Hanson, Maureen A. Dyer, Robert E. Hetrick, Jennifer A. Oberholtzer
  • Patent number: 8852438
    Abstract: A membrane filtration device has a multiplicity of hollow fiber membranes, or fibers, unconfined in a shell of a module; a first header and a second header disposed in vertically spaced-apart relationship; said first header and said second header having opposed ends of each fiber sealingly secured therein, all open ends of said fibers open to a permeate-discharging face of at least one header; permeate collection means to collect said permeate, sealingly connected in open fluid communication with a permeate-discharging face of at least one of said headers; means to withdraw said permeate; said fibers, said headers and said permeate collection means together forming an integrated combination wherein said fibers are essentially vertically disposed and ends of individual fibers are potted in closely spaced-apart relationship in cured resin; with opposed faces at a fixed distance; each of said fibers having a length from 0.1% to less than 5% greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Zenon Technology Partnership
    Inventors: Mailvaganam Mahendran, Henry Behmann, Steven Kristian Pedersen, Carlos Fernando F. Rodrigues
  • Publication number: 20140263054
    Abstract: Technology is described for a water purification system. The water purification may include a carbon block. The water purification system may include an ion-exchange resin layer to reduce a pH level in water before neutral water passes into a fiber membrane filter. The water purification system may include the fiber membrane filter to receive the water from the carbon block and into a plurality of pores to remove suspended solids from the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Water Safety Corporation
    Inventor: Water Safety Corporation
  • Publication number: 20140263053
    Abstract: A system and method for treating a filter is provided. In an embodiment the filter is treated by pre-rinsing the filter membrane with a buffer solvent. The buffer solvent can be used to reduce or eliminate energy differences between the surface of the filter membrane and the process liquid which is being filtered. The pre-rinse may be performed prior to shipment or, alternatively, may be performed after shipment of the filter to a customer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20140251905
    Abstract: A system and method for a point of use filtration system with backwash is provided. The system includes a first filtration element, a tank, and a second filtration element positioned downstream from the tank. A first and second valve are each positioned downstream from the first filtration element. A first control line is coupled to a first control switch or a first permeate line and the first valve, and a second control line is coupled to the second control switch or a second permeate line and the second valve. When the point of use demands permeate water, the first and second pressure drops cause the first and second valves to open so water from the tank flows in a reverse direction to backwash the first filtration element and exit through the first and second valves to the drain, while water from the tank simultaneously flows through the second filtration element to the point of use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventor: Tedd Michael Schneidewend
  • Patent number: 8821726
    Abstract: A submerged membrane separator 31 includes: a casing 33 opened at the top; a plurality of flat membrane cartridges 34 arrayed at intervals in the casing 33; and an air diffuser 36 provided below the membrane cartridges 34. The membrane cartridges 34 are movably held in the up-down direction in the casing 33 while having a space ? in the up-down direction. Lifting suppressing members 63a and 63b for restricting a lifting amount of the membrane cartridges 34 during filtration operation to be smaller than the space ? in the up-down direction are provided in the casing 33.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Matsuzaki, Tatsuya Uejima, Tomohiko Sasaki, Kimihiro Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20140238937
    Abstract: The invention relates to improving flux in osmotically driven membrane systems by promoting and controlling the growth of biofilms on a surface of the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: OASYS WATER, INC.
    Inventor: Robert L. McGinnis
  • Publication number: 20140238936
    Abstract: A method of cleaning a reverse osmosis or nanofiltration membrane includes supplying pulses of bubbles to the membrane. A venturi device for supplying bubbles to improve the cleaning of reverse osmosis or nanofiltration membranes includes a venturi having a liquid inlet and an air inlet provided at a choke point of the venturi, as well as an outlet. The air inlet is provided with a plurality of tubes. A reverse osmosis plant includes a membrane pressure vessel having a fluid inlet, a permeate outlet, a concentrate outlet and an in place cleaning tank connected in line with the fluid inlet. A venturi valve is connected in-line between the cleaning tank and the fluid inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Genesys International Limited
    Inventors: Maqsood Fazel, Stephen Chesters
  • Patent number: 8801867
    Abstract: A method for cleaning process apparatus used for production of liquids, especially for cleaning filters, for example membrane filters. The apparatus is contacted with a solution of periodate. It is especially preferred that the cleaning process is carried out at a temperature between 15 and 95° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: X-Flow B.V.
    Inventors: Arie Cornelis Besemer, Elmar Van Mastrigt, André Mepschen
  • Publication number: 20140217021
    Abstract: A maple sap reverse osmosis device has a support rack configured and sized to rest atop a tank. The support rack supporting a reverse osmosis device. The reverse osmosis device has a pump line and a dump line both located within the tub. The pump line being located at an upper region of the tank. A pumping means to pump the maple sap from the pump line. The pumping means pushing maple sap through an osmosis membrane. The dump pipe purging concentrate resulting from sap not passing through the osmosis membrane into the deepest region of the tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Denis Côtè
  • Publication number: 20140217023
    Abstract: Disclosed is a filtering system and method which facilitates to maximize cleaning efficiency, minimize heat energy consumption for cleaning, and shorten cleaning time by a concentrated heating only in a filtering membrane for a maintenance cleaning or recovery cleaning, wherein the filtering system comprises a membrane module including a filtering membrane; an air supplying means for cleaning the filtering membrane; and a heater for heating air supplied from the air supplying means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: KOLON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Kwang-Jin LEE
  • Publication number: 20140217022
    Abstract: A membrane is provided herein having the ability to remove/prevent membrane fouling. This novel membrane consists of a thin electrically conductive layer deposited on the membrane surface. This unique membrane can be used as an electrode in an electrochemical system that consists of the membrane, the salty water as an electrolyte and a counter electrode that can be inserted in the saline feed solution. A periodic electrolysis can be performed. Electrolysis will generate gases (e.g., Cl2 and O2) and the periodic gases evolution at the membrane surface acts to clean and prevent both fouling and scaling of the membrane surface. The new system enables on-line self-cleaning mechanism of the membrane, which is useful for, inter alia, use of such a membrane in a system for the desalination of saline water or wastewater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Masdar Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Raed Hashaikeh, Boor Lalia, Nidal Hilal
  • Publication number: 20140217020
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning and disinfecting a medical therapy device that delivers any one of hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration. The system has a base module that has at least one segment of a controlled compliant flow path and at least one pair of jumpered ports configured on the base module. One or more components have connections connectable to the jumpered ports of the base module to provide for fluid communication between the segment of the controlled compliant flow path in the base module and a flow path defined by the one or more components. The base module is connected to the one or more components that define a flow path configurable for carrying out in part at least one function performed during any one of hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration or hemofiltration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Meyer, David B. Lura, Bryant J. Pudil, Martin T. Gerber, Mark F. Daniels
  • Patent number: 8790515
    Abstract: A method of filtering solids from a liquid suspension comprising providing a pressure differential across the walls of permeable, hollow membranes (5) immersed in the liquid suspension contained in a vessel (8), the liquid suspension being applied to the outer surface of the porous hollow membrane (5) to induce and sustain filtration through the membrane walls. Some of the liquid suspension passes through the walls of the membranes (5) to be drawn off as permeate from the hollow membrane lumens, and at least some of the solids are retained on or in the hollow membranes or otherwise as suspended solids within the liquid surrounding the membranes (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Fufang Zha, Zhiyi Cao
  • Patent number: 8784662
    Abstract: Filtration processes and systems are provided for the separation of a filterable fluid stream by a filtration membrane module with uniform transmembrane pressure and flux along the membrane and internal control of membrane fouling via intermittent periodic reduction of the pressure differential between the permeate and retentate sides of the membrane and/or backwashing cycles during separation, recovery, and/or purification of proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, biologically produced polymers and other compounds or materials from aqueous fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Danisco US Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel T. Becker, Ryszard Braun, Robert I. Christensen, Jr., Stefan Ekbom, Robin Fong, Alexandra Schuler
  • Patent number: 8778189
    Abstract: A method for removing liquid, gaseous and/or dissolved constituents from an aqueous stream includes contacting the aqueous stream with a porous material and then contacting the aqueous stream with an adsorbent material. The porous material includes pores having an average diameter of approximately 0.01 ?m to approximately 50 ?m and an extraction liquid immobilized within at least a portion of the pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Support
    Inventors: Dirk Thomas Meijer, Cornelis Johannes Govardus Van Strien
  • Publication number: 20140190887
    Abstract: A method for cleaning a blood filter includes: (i) pumping a physiologically safe fluid back and fourth through the insides and/or the outsides of a plurality of hollow fiber membranes of the blood filter to remove or loosen blood residuals, such as blood clots, proteins and/or biological fluid; (ii) injecting air into the physiologically safe fluid to form an air/fluid mixture; (iii) pumping the air fluid mixture through the insides and/or outsides of the plurality of the hollow fiber membranes of the blood filter to further or remove or loosen blood residuals therefrom; and (iv) removing the air/physiologically safe fluid mixture along with the removed or loosened blood residuals to drain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicants: BAXTER HEALTHCARE S.A., BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Justin Rohde, Derek Wiebenson