Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracorporeal circulation and treatment of blood. The apparatus comprises means for circulating and for treating blood, with a control system for controlling the circulating means. The circulating means includes tubing that directs blood to and from a microporous membrane. An arterial pump controls the flow rate of blood entering the filter; a venous pump controls the flow rate of blood exiting the filter. The filter includes a sealed, ported chamber surrounding the membrane. The rate of filtration of components removed from the blood through the membrane is directly proportional to a transmembrane pressure.Display and input devices transmit information between the central processor and an operator who operates the apparatus. The display and input devices include a keypad and an alphanumeric display. Sensors measure pressures within the tubing, at the inlet and outlet of the filter. Fluid flow rate can be calculated from the speeds of the pumps.

Abstract: Potable water from a municipal water supply is treated to remove suspended solids, organic and inorganic dissolved solids, dissolved carbon dioxide gas and metal contaminants so as to produce ultra-pure water in the 16 megohm-cm.sup.3 and greater range. The process involves prefilteration of the water; activated carbon filtration; secondary guard filtration; double reverse osmosis treatment of the water. The process further involves the use of either an anion exchange or electrodialysis unit to remove further impurities from the water. A method for recycling part of the discharged water is also provided.

Abstract: In order to produce a milk concentrate by membrane filtration of the milk produced at a milking plant the milk is during the milking continuously led to the concentrate space (2) of a member filter unit (1) possibly after heating to a temperature of 50.degree.-70.degree. C. The degree of concentration of the outgoing concentrate from the concentrate space is determined in that two positive pumps (13, 16) are arranged to work at a constant internal relation in capacity each arranged to control a flow chosen among arriving milk flow to the concentrate space (2), outgoing concentrate flow from the concentrate space (2) and outgoing permeate flow from the permeate space (3) of the membrane filter unit (1).

Abstract: A system is provided for collecting platelets. Whole blood is removed from a patient 10 and directed to a hemoconcentrator 22 having a blood inlet 24, a blood outlet 26, a blood passage communicating with the blood inlet and blood outlet, an ultrafiltrate outlet 28 and a membrane separating the blood passage from the ultrafiltrate outlet. The blood is passed through the blood passage of the hemoconcentrator while a negative pressure is adapted to the ultrafiltrate outlet. In this manner, the platelets concentrate on the membrane wall. After a selected period of time, the application of the negative pressure is terminated to the ultrafiltrate outlet, and the concentrated platelets from the hemoconcentrator are flushed and directed to a platelet collection container 44. In one embodiment, the flushing solution comprises the patient's blood that is directed via the blood inlet through the blood passage while in another embodiment, the patient's blood is diverted and a saline solution is used as the flush.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for upgrading heavy oils for use in subsequent hydrocarbon processing. The process is especially suitable for removing metals which are in the form of nickel or vanadium organic compounds and for lowering the Conradson Carbon Residue of the resulting oil. The process includes the steps of diluting the heavy oil with a solvent which completely solvates the oil and subjecting the resulting mixture to an ultrafiltration step using selected membranes.

Abstract: A concentrator for concentrating the fine solids of a liquid feed suspension has a shell within which there is a bundle of microporous fibers. Pressurized feed suspension is introduced through an inlet and passes over the external walls of the fibers with the clarified liquid being drawn from the lumens of the fibers and the concentrated feed being discharged through an outlet. The solids retained within the shell are removed by first applying a pressurized liquid and then applying a gas at a pressure sufficient to ensure that the gas will pass through the larger pores of the fibrs to remove the solids from the shell through the outlet to an external collection point. The fibers are enclosed within a variable volume diaphragm located within a diaphragm holder by spaced plugs. The volume of the diaphragm is altered by varying the pressure of a fluid introduced through the inlet to the space between the diaphragm and the diaphragm holder.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for extracting a component from a sample across a membrane into an extractant and then injecting the extracted sample component into a chromatographic eluent and onto a chromatographic column to chromatographically analyze the extracted sample component. In essence, the advance provided by this invention is that the extractant and the eluent are the same and only one pump is used for pumping the eluent and extractant. In prior apparatus and methods in this field, the extractant and the eluent were separate and each had its own pump.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaporation and liquid separation which (1) a liquid to be treated and a carrier for evaporating molecules are maintained in contact wiht opposite sides of a thin membrane which has capillaries extending between the opposite sides of the membrane of substantially uniform size; (2) the liquid is placed in contact with one side of the membrane and enters the capillaries to a level which is separated from a second side of the membrane by a distance which is preferably less than 30% of the capillary length; (3) the diameters of the capillaries are chosen so that the evaporating substance exerts a partial pressure in the proximity of a convex capillary meniscus which is significantly higher than the corresponding partial pressure in the evaporate's carrier. Preferably the method of the invention is carried out cyclically.

Abstract: An improved bioreactor and process for continuously propagating microorganisms, such as yeast, wherein the culture medium is purified in contact with a spirally-wound ultrafiltration membrane and then passed through the outer surfaces of a tubular membrane material for further purification before contact with microorganisms flowing in the interior of the tubular membrane material.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for controlling the flow of a fluid past a membrane in a dialyzer. The apparatus disclosed includes a fluid conduit for conducting the fluid both towards and away from the dialyzer, a flow constrictor for creating a pressure drop in the fluid conduit either upstream or downstream of the dialyzer, a pump for pumping the fluid through that conduit, and a pressure detector for measuring a pressure corresponding to that pressure drop so as to control the flow therein. The method disclosed includes flowing the fluid through an upstream fluid conduit to the dialyzer and through a downstream fluid conduit away from the dialyzer, producing a relatively constant flow in both the upstream and downstream fluid conduits, creating a pressure drop in one of the fluid conduits, pumping the fluid through that conduit, and measuring the pressure corresponding to that pressure drop so that the flow of the fluid in that conduit can be controlled thereby.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis membrane process or hybrid membrane - complementary separator process for producing enriched product or waste streams from concentrated and dilute feed streams for both solvent/solvent and solute/solvent systems is described.

Abstract: Plasmapheresis by filtration can be carried out with high efficiency for long periods by conducting blood over a surface of a membrane and passing plasma at an accelerating rate until the threshold level is attained, maintaining the rate of passing plasma until the ceiling system transmembrane pressure difference is attained and then reducing the passing of plasma and the system transmembrane pressure difference and allowing the membrane to clear before repeating the cycle.

Abstract: A membrane plasmapheresis system introduces a flow of whole blood subject to a predetermined inlet pressure into a fluid path across a membrane which is suited for filtering the plasma from the whole blood and across which a predetermined pressure drop occurs. The plasma-poor blood is conducted from the membrane subject to a determinable plasma-poor blood pressure. Likewise, plasma filtrate is conducted from the membrane subject to a determinable plasma-filtrate pressure. The conduction of plasma filtrate is metered in response to the existent plasma-poor blood pressure to achieve and thereafter maintain substantial equilibrium between the plasma-poor blood pressure and the plasma filtrate pressure. A substantially constant transmembrane pressure can thereby be maintained at a level below which hemolysis occurs.

Abstract: A system and process for processing a predominantly aqueous phase solution separated from an emulsion coolant recovered from can bodies in a can manufacturing process to recover reclaimable oil. A recirculation line is provided between an ultrafiltration device and a processing tank which receives a predominantly aqueous phase solution produced by acid cracking processing of the emulsion coolant. A substantially constant waste concentration level is maintained in the processing tank and, consequently, through an ultrafiltration device by bleeding concentrated retente from the recirculation line. The substantially constant waste concentration level extends the cleaning cycle period of the ultrafiltration device by an amount consistent with the ability to process concentrated retente bled from the recirculation line. The ultrafiltration device produces a permeate effluent which is consistent and suitable for discharge.

Abstract: A process for continuous plasmapheresis, which process comprises conducting blood over a microporous membrane in reciprocatory pulsatile flow, and preferably further comprises reducing the transmembrane pressure difference to below zero during each forward and reverse flow. Apparatus for carrying out the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: Hemodialysis ultrafiltration apparatus comprises a dialyzer. A closed circuit is provided for supplying fresh dialysate to and for removing spent dialysate from the dialyzer. Blood is supplied to and removed from the dialyzer. The closed circuit for supplying fresh dialysate and removing spent dialysate is apportioned into below mean dialyzer blood pressure and above atmospheric pressure sections, with the dialyzer being positioned in the below mean dialyzer blood pressure section. A mechanism is provided for controlling the pressure of fresh dialysate introduced into the below mean dialyzer blood pressure section to substantially match the pressure on the dialysate side of the dialyzer. A mechanism is provided for controlling the above atmospheric pressure portion of the spent dialysate circuit.

Abstract: There is provided an improved system for controlling ultrafiltration in hemodialysis which is independent of the membrane used in the dialyzer. A load cell measures the instantaneous amounts of fluid in a reservoir which receives fluids from the dialyzer and feeds this information into an electronic controller which has been programmed for the desired ultrafiltration. The controller generates an error signal and controls a negative pressure control valve which, in turn, determines the rate and thus amount of ultrafiltration.

Abstract: A method for softening a fluid containing hardness constituents, comprising the steps of: (a) mixing the fluid with sufficient amounts of a softening agent, and previously precipitated hardness constituents in a reactor to establish a softening reaction in the reactor for precipitating a substantial portion of the hardness constituents contained in the fluid; (b) removing a portion of the fluid and precipitated hardness constituents from the reactor as a slurry and filtering the slurry through a cross-flow microfiltration module containing at least one elongated filtration tube, whereby substantially all of the precipitated hardness constituents are removed from the portion of the fluid exiting from the module as filtrate; and (c) returning at least a portion of the filtered out precipitated hardness constiuents exiting from the module to the reactor as the previously precipitated hardness constituents.

Abstract: Hollow fiber plasmapheresis module and process, said module comprising hollow fibers having cell-retaining pores and an effective length (L) to lumen diameter (D) ratio L/D not greater than 16,400 cm.sup.-1 D (L and D being in centimeters) within a housing having a blood inlet for conducting blood to the fibers, an outlet for conducting exit (plasma-depleted) blood from the fibers, and a plasma outlet for conducting plasma out of the module.

Abstract: An actuator/sensor responsive to concentration of a substance in a liquid comprising a case containing in a rigid chamber a liquid of lesser concentration of that substance, and an exit opening at least in part occluded by a membrane possessing osmotic properties, whereby when a sufficiently concentrated solution contacts the membrane outside the chamber, liquid in the chamber leaves in an attempt to dilute the more concentrated solution, creating a lesser pressure which can be utilized as a signal or actuating power. Actuating means such as a retention pin can be moved from a ready to an actuated position as a function of the lowering of pressure in the compartment.

Abstract: A dialysis apparatus utilizes an expansion chamber in parallel with a pump from which the chamber receives blood via a valve. During the return flow phase the pump rotates in the same direction; but, the valve is closed and a valve at the chamber outlet is opened. The pump draws blood from the chamber and transports it to a dialyzer. A control device regulates the pump and valves depending on the time integral of the pump delivery. In each phase, blood is transported until the chamber has received or discharged a predetermined volume. The pump speed is variable during operation.

Abstract: In a method for filtering a suspension or colloidal solution the filtering takes place periodically and rinsing fluid is supplied in short intermissions between the filtering periods.

Abstract: Phosphatic wastes produced during the mining and beneficiation of phosphate ore are concentrated by treatment in a crossflow filter under conditions which prevent the formation of a filter cake on the filtering surface. Slimes having an initial concentration of suspended solids, usually less than about 5% suspended solids, can be treated in series of crossflow filters to concentrate the solids to 24% or higher. In one embodiment a series of three spiral-wound crossflow filters followed by a fourth stage tubular crossflow filter is used to concentrate a slime having about 3% suspended solids to a concentrate having 30% or more suspended solids. By maintaining the linear velocity over the surface of the filter medium at 5 ft/sec. or higher a relatively high permeation rate can be achieved while producing a permeate having an extremely low suspended solids concentration. Proper selection of filter medium and flow rates can produce permeates having a turbidity less than about 5 Jackson Turbidity Units.

Abstract: A filtering device is disclosed which includes a pressure sensitive control valve to allow for overflow. The filtering device is particularly suitable for use in the medical treatment of blood, e.g., hemofiltration and plasmapheresis.

Abstract: Collagen, available from domestic animals, is freed of noncollagen proteins, glycosaminoglycans and lipids by enzymatic treatment with a proteolytic enzyme to yield a product which is soluble in dilute acidic aqueous solutions (collagen in solution--CIS). The naturally occurring collagen is modified by removal of certain terminal peptide chains, which are described as telopeptides. The modified collagen, so derived, is described as atelopeptide collagen. Native collagen is immunogenic, while atelopeptide collagen is nonimmunogenic or possessed of a negligibly low level of immunogenicity.The collagen in solution is then treated according to a specific regimen under conditions whereby the collagen slowly separates from solution while exposed to mild shear forces. This procedure results in the formation of a fibrous precipitate composed of regularly ordered fibers of collagen possessed of a rope-like structure. These resulting aggregates are referred to as native fibrous micropolymers (NFM).

Abstract: Process and apparatus for providing separation of solutes, colloidal particles or suspended matter by ultrafiltration wherein increased cost efficiency and reduced energy requirements are realized by series flow configuration, utilizing increased operating pressures, and back pressurization of permeate.

Abstract: Multi-cylinder reverse osmosis pump having at least three cylinders, each feed cylinder having a displacer rod carrying a displacer to divide the cylinder into respective pumping and expansion chambers. Each displacer rod has an expansion chamber valve portion directly associated therewith to control flow of concentrate fluid relative to an expansion chamber of a cylinder other than that directly associated with the respective cylinder rod. Dwell is provided for each cylinder to permit initial travel of the displacer rod at the beginning of each rod stroke while the corresponding valve controlling that cylinder is closed. The displacer rods are phased apart so that when a particular rod of a particular cylinder reaches an end of each stroke, another rod associated directly with the valve controlling that particular cylinder is approaching the mid-stroke position thereof so that the valve directly associated with the other rod is closing.

Abstract: A fluid flow control device comprises first, second, and third fluid conduits. The first and second conduits are adapted to communicate with separate sources of pressurized fluid. The third conduit includes an inlet portion in direct flow communication with the first conduit and an outlet portion communicating with the atmosphere. A flexible wall forms an interface between portions of the second and third conduits. In response to fluid pressure fluctuations in the second conduit, the flexible wall simultaneously meters the flow communication through both the inlet and outlet portions of the third conduit. The fluid pressure in the first conduit is thereby elevated until substantial equilibrium with the fluid pressure in the second conduit occurs.

Abstract: A fluid flow control device comprises first second, and third fluid pathways. The first and second pathways are adapted for communication with separate sources of pressurized fluid. The third pathway is coupled in flow communication with the first pathway and includes a flexible wall which forms an interface with a portion of the second pathway. The flexible wall meters the flow communication between the first and third pathways in response to fluid pressure fluctuations in the second pathway. The fluid pressure in the first pathway is thereby elevated until substantial equilibrium with the fluid pressure in the second pathway occurs, and is thereafter continuously adjusted in response to subsequent fluctuations of fluid pressure in the second pathway to maintain this condition of substantial equilibrium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the treatment of a hydrocarbon charge by high temperature ultrafiltration, said process comprising the steps of circulating said charge in a module comprising at least one mineral ultrafiltration barrier coated with a sensitive mineral layer of at least one metal oxide and of operating at a temperature higher than 100.degree. C. The barrier, which preferably has a ceramic or metallic support, is coated with a sensitive layer selected from the group comprising titanium dioxide, magnesium oxide, aluminium oxide, spinel MgAl.sub.2 O.sub.4, silica. The invention is applicable to the regeneration of a waste oil and to the reduction of the rate of asphaltenes in a hydrocarbon charge.

Abstract: A system for supplying fluid for a fluid flow transfer device and achieving target ultrafiltration fluid losses by automatically, periodically monitoring the ultrafiltration rate and transmembrane pressure, computing the transmembrane pressure necessary to achieve the target fluid loss by the end of a session, and adjusting the transmembrane pressure to the computed value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for obtaining a desired rate of plasma collection from a membrane plasmapheresis filter having a blood inlet, a blood outlet, a plasma outlet, outer members and a pair of spaced microporous filter membranes defining a blood flow path. A holder is provided for the filter having means for applying pressure against the outer members. The blood pressure at the blood inlet is sensed during plasmapheresis and variable amounts of pressure are applied against the outer members at an angular direction with respect to the membranes. In this manner, the blood flow path gap between the membranes is controlled in accordance with a desired blood pressure adjacent the blood inlet.

Abstract: A process for the treating of and/or removal of substances from a liquid, especially whole blood, via a semipermeable microporous membrane (13, 14, 15) through adsorption and/or biological reaction by means of a biologically active material. Said whole blood is exposed to pressure variations at the membrane surface in a way such that a penetrating fraction of said whole blood is flowing in an alternating flow path through the membrane walls for contacting said biologically active material.Said biologically active material is asymmetrically immobilized in and on the surface of the side of said membrane that faces away from said whole blood. Alternatively, said biologically active material may be bound to an unsoluble matrix behind said membrane.Said membrane is for example provided within a casing (7, 8, 9) comprising inlet (10) and outlet (11) for said whole blood.

Abstract: Disclosed is a viscose membrane suitable for hemodialysis, comprising a viscose membrane substantially equally oriented in the longitudinal and in the transverse directions, having in the dry state a birefringence in each direction of not more than about 6.times.10.sup.-3 and a phase difference of not more than about 150 nm, and wherein during transition from a dry into a wet state, the membrane undergoes a shrinkage of between about 0.5 and 10 percent both in the longitudinal and in the transverse directions. The membrane is produced by a process which is characterized in that the membrane is transversely stretched by 40 to 120% prior to drying.

Abstract: A method of desalinating solutions by reverse osmosis into a salt-poor permeate and a salt-rich concentrate is disclosed. The method includes the steps of supplying solution to a reverse osmosis unit, supplying concentrate leaving the reverse osmosis unit to a treatment container or containers while simultaneously withdrawing a predetermined amount of solution. Some of the solution is also supplied to another space of one of the containers so that practically pressure-less concentrate is conveyed to the environment. The sequence of steps can be reversed in which the containers are supplied so that concentrate collected in the space of the container not being supplied with solution is available for being conveyed to the environment.

Abstract: The invention provides a blood treatment apparatus realizing double-step-membrane filtration, namely separation of blood into plasma and a corpuscular fraction and separation of high-molecular-weight substances (e.g. gamma-globulin) in the plasma from low-molecular-weight substances (e.g. albumin). A method of treating blood is also provided.The apparatus and method are effective e.g. in the treatment of blood of patients with peripheral circulatory insufficiency due to arteriosclerosis and of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease.

Abstract: A fractionation system for providing a clarified fraction or a fraction for analysis of biological fluids and the like includes a disposable filtration vessel with a first reservoir chamber adapted to receive the fluid to be fractionated, a second reservoir chamber and a flow channel that extends between the reservoir chambers. The lower surface of the flow channel is defined by a microporous sheet membrane, and collection structure is disposed on the side of the membrane opposite the flow channel. Low gas pressure (less than ten psi) applied alternately to liquid surfaces in the reservoir chambers produced reciprocating flow of the fluid between the reservoir chambers in a wide thin stream through the flow channel with resulting collection of a fraction of the liquid material that passes through the membrane. A one-half milliliter volume of plasma from a two milliliter volume sample of blood is obtained with the system in less than one minute without any discernible hemolysis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of hemodialysis and a modification for existing hemodialyzers to facilitate use of the method. A highly porous membrane is utilized in a single pass hemodialysis system. The membrane is freely supported, such that it distends in use to maintain a constant transmembrane pressure over its entire surface. The modification to existing dialyzers includes the use of a highly porous membrane, in combination with a transmembrane pressure sensor, which controls the dialysate output flow to maintain a precise transmembrane pressure.

Abstract: A membrane apparatus, which apparatus comprises a housing and a spiral membrane module positioned in the housing to define an annular clearance space between the outside wall of the spiral membrane module and the interior wall surface of the housing, and an open-mesh type or netting material peripherally surrounding the spiral membrane module and positioned in the annular clearance space in a partial sealing relationship, to provide a controlled by-pass of the feed stream through the open-mesh-type material in the annular clearance space, to prevent accumulation of feed material in the annular space.

Abstract: Reverse osmosis, particularly for water desalination, uses semipermeable membranes which selectively permeate purified water from a feed solution pressurized by a reciprocating feed pump driven by rotating crankshaft. Pump action is assisted by depressurizing concentrate fluid within the pump cylinder, which has an internal displacer separating feed and concentrate fluids. Directional valves controlling concentrate fluid flow to and from pump cylinder are actuated mechanically by crankshaft. A dwell interval is provided in displacer motion to permit completion of directional valve actuation while displacer is stationary and displacer rod is providing compression or decompression action to approximately equalize pressure differences across valve ports prior to valve actuation.

Abstract: A low pressure, high flux water purification system. In a continuous loop recirculation system metal hydroxides are employed to bind impurities in wastewater into particles of a size greater than ten angstroms which are then separated from the water by means of an ultrafiltration membrane. A large metal hydroxide/impurity ratio is maintained thereby permitting a purified water flux of over 30 gfd using filter tubes of diameter greater than 100 mils and length greater than 6 inches under a wastewater pressure as low as 9 psig. The filter tubes are grouped in bundles, each bundle within its own water collecting box, so that system down time is minimized and purification standards may be maintained in the event of a partial failure of the system.

Abstract: Reverse osmosis, particularly for water desalination, is achieved using semipermeable membranes which selectively permeate purified water from a feed solution pressurized by reciprocating piston or diaphragm pump. Pump action is assisted by returning pressurized concentrate fluid acting on reverse side of the pump piston or diaphragm. Directional valves controlling alternating admission and venting of concentrate fluid to and from pump cylinder are actuated mechanically by reversal of force applied to the piston rod. Mechanical dwell is provided in the piston or diaphragm motion during directional valve actuation. Pump may be operated by a manual lever or by a crank mechanism on a low speed rotary shaft. An optional differential surge absorber provides continuity of feed solution circulation past membrane surfaces during the return pump stroke, thus minimizing detrimental salt concentration build-up on the membranes.