Abstract: Protein mixtures are separated by utilizing membrane filtration. Filtration rates of at least 60%, preferably at least 70%, can be achieved when the liquid protein mixture to be separated is diluted at least tenfold, preferably twentyfold.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hemodiafiltration cartridge and apparatus and methods utilizing said cartridge. Said cartridge comprises: a dialysate inlet; a dialysate outlet; a blood inlet; a blood outlet; a first semipermeable membrane means for sterilizing and depyrogenating dialysate prior to its contact with blood; and a second semipermeable membrane means for the removal of wastes from blood.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for removing at least a portion of salts contained in whey or a liquid based on whey by means of electrolysis while producing an acid mixture and a base mixture useful in food industries. In the process a four-compartment electrolytic cell is used in the electrolysis of the whey or the liquid based on whey. The four compartments between an anode and a cathode are separated from each other by means of ion exchange membranes and an independent liquid recirculation is connected with each one of the four compartments of the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: A filtration system for treating an emulsion containing water, an oil or a fat, an emulsifying agent and insoluble solid material (such as a maritime oil emulsion containing an anionic detergent and the solid, greasy calcium salt of the detergent) has a first hydrophobic microfilter (126) and a second hydrophobic microfilter (147).Both microfilters (126, 147) have a plurality of hollow porous fibers as the separating medium with the feed to the first filter (126) being applied to the outside of the fibers and the feed to the second filter (which is the permeate from the first filter) being applied down the lumens of the fibers. The first filter (126) removes the solid material and the second filter separates the oil or fat from the solid-free emulsion.

Abstract: A method for treating a blood which comprises:separating the blood withdrawn from a patient's body with a first membrane into a condensed blood fraction containing human blood plasma immunoglobulin M, and a plasma fraction; separating the plasma fraction with a second membrane into low molecular weight protein and high molecular weight protein containing human blood plasma immunoglobulin G; and mixing the condensed blood and the low molecular weight protein with a substitute liquid to return the combined liquid into the patient's body; said first and second membranes containing specific sizes of micropores uniformly distributed on at least one surface of the membrane, and having a specific permeability of albumin and specific permeability of human blood plasma immunoglobulin M or G. The method and apparatus specifically can remove only a harmful antibody from a positive patient in a crossmatch test after DST, whereby a transplantation surgery of a living-related kidney can be safely carried out.

Abstract: A continuous high flow rate process for the transport of metal ions from a first aqueous liquid to a nonaqueous, water-immiscible liquid and therefrom to a second aqueous liquid. The nonaqueous liquid contains one or more complexing agents and is kept separated from the metal-ion-transferring aqueous liquid by one or more microporous hydrophobic membranes. A portion of the nonaqueous liquid is found in the pores of these membranes. The bulk of the nonaqueous liquid, however, is circulated through two or more transport zones. The transport of the metal ions to the second aqueous liquid occurs by mechanically mixing the nonaqueous liquid with the second aqueous liquid to form a mixture having an aqueous phase. The aqueous phase is separated from the mixture by means of an isolation process using membranes. The present process is well suited for processes involving the coupled co-transport and counter-transport of metal ions and can be used advantageously in ore dressing and wastewater treatment.

Abstract: Low-ethanol wines and other alcoholic beverages are produced by treating ordinary alcoholic beverages with novel membrane extraction methods. Semipermeable membrances and extraction fluids comprising either of a non-toxic, water-immiscible organic solvent or an aqueous solution of a low-molecular-weight but membrane-impermeable solute are used under mild conditions to selectively extract ethanol from alcoholic beverages, while leaving substantially intact the complement of other organic constituents that contribute to the color, aroma, and taste of the beverage. The methods disclosed may be adapted to continuous processing of alcohol-containing beverages, in which an ethanol-rich product is continuously recovered from the organic or aqueous extraction fluid and the latter is continuously regenerated and subsequently recycled to the membrane extraction unit.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system (10) includes a fuel tank (12) for storing a supply of fuel (16) and conduits (18) for conducting the fuel (16) from the fuel tank (12) to an engine (20). A separator module (22) in fluid communication with the conduits (18) separates by cross-flow separation a substantially water and particle free fuel permeate flow from a fuel retentate flow. The conduit (18) includes a first passageway (24) conducting the fuel permeate flow to the engine (20) and a second passageway (30) conducting the fuel retentate flow back to the fuel tank (12).

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: The invention concerns a product for adjusting the degree of alcohol of wines or alcoholic beverages. According to the invention, this process consists in resorting to two coupled reverse osmosis systems each comprising a tank for supplying the product to be processed upstream from a reverse osmosis cell, in equipping the two reverse osmosis cells P and I with membranes with a distinctly different permeability to ethanol, in withdrawing the permeate originating from said cell P, in sending it into said supply reservoir upstream from said cell I, in withdrawing the permeate originating from said cell I and in sending it into the supply tank upstream from cell P, whilst recovering the corresponding concentrates X and Y.

Abstract: An energy efficient dialysis system which requires a minimal amount of energy to operate and maintains critical operating temperatures for effective reverse osmosis and dialysis.

Abstract: Continuous flow membrane separation is accomplished by apparatus adaptable for osmosis, dialysis, and electrodialysis. For electrodialysis to separate from one another, in a single step, multiple differing molecular weight components of fluids, a series of adjoining flow chambers are all separated from one another by semipermeable membranes and at least one of the chambers is separated from each adjoining chamber by a membrane having a molecular weight cutoff different from that of the membrane separating it from the other chamber adjoining it. To insure that neither the crude to be processed nor the desired product comes into contact with an electrode which could be deleterious, there is provided a minimum of four flow chambers adjoining one another in sequence.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the recovery of a compound, for example, a peptide-containing compound, from a solution containing contaminants through combined affinity-chromatographic purification and ultrafiltration. The process comprises contacting the solution containing the compound and impurities with a first complex of ligand bound to a carrier so as to form a second complex of the compound, the ligand and the carrier, wherein the carrier is comprised of a macromolecular solid material; subsequently splitting off of the compound from the second complex to reform the compound and first complex; and separating of the compound from the first complex. An arrangement for the recovery of a compound from such a solution containing impurities is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydrophobic semi-permeable membrane process (e.g., using hydrophobic microporous hollow fibers) for the concentration of a dilute solution of low osmotic pressure by osmotic distillation (also known as membrane distillation or membrane evaporation), which is a separation process using as its driving force the difference in the osmotic pressure between two fluids (e.g., fruit juice and seawater) separated by a hydrophobic semi-permeable membrane to achieve a concentration of the fluid having the lower osmotic pressure (.e., fruit juice). When coupled with reverse osmosis means there is provided a method for recovery of solvent (e.g., potable water) from the process, e.g., desalination of seawater. A process is also provided to recover part of the energy available between the two fluids i.e., between two different potential energies, due to the difference in osmotic pressure between the two fluids.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of cranberry presscake is disclosed which involves the steps of grinding the presscake, preferably with a filter aid like rice hulls, subjecting this mixture to water extraction, microfiltering the extract to remove colloidal high molecular weight components and passing the microfiltered extract through reverse osmosis to recover a red-colored solution.

Abstract: A scrubbing process for high feed concentrations of different materials in liquid streams.

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: The present invention relates to a cyclic continuous process for the removal of boron ion from aqueous streams. An aqueous stream in contacted with an aqueous solution of a water-soluble organic polymeric chelant. The boron ion is absorbed and chelated. The separation of water and smaller molecules is accomplished by separation means such as ultrafiltration or dialysis. The concentrated aqueous solution is then treated with dilute aqueous mineral acid, followed by the released boron. The chelant is then recycled and reused. Preferred chelants are polymers having pendant N-alkylglucamine or derivative thereof or trihydroxyalkylamines or derivatives thereof. A preferred chelant is N-methylglucamine attached to a commercial FIBRABON 35 polymer using a -2-hydroxypropyl linkage. Additional preferred embodiments are those polymers having trihydroxymethyl amine in the pendant group attached to a FIBRABON 35 polymer backbone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the separation of biotechnologically produced valuable materials form a cell suspension by crossflow microfiltration to obtain an high specific permeate flux while retention stays near 0% for long periods. To enable crossflow microfiltration to be carried out on an industrial scale in biotechnology in the separation of biotechnologically produced extracellular valuable materials from a cell suspension, particularly in the separation of alkaline protease for recovering enzyme, under economically acceptacle conditions, alkaline protease of relatively high molecular weight, more especially enzyme >20,000 daltons, is separated from a fermenter solution using polysulfone tubes having micropore diameters of from 0.3 to 0.5 .mu.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cyclic continuous process and composition for the removal of metal ions, particularly transition metal ions, from aqueous solutions a fluid stream containing the metal ions is contacted with an aqueous solution of a water soluble organic polymeric chelant. The metal is chelated by the chelant: The separation of water and low molecular weight products (molecular weight less than 500) is accomplished usually by dialysis or ultrafiltration. The metal ion is then released using dilute mineral acid and collected. The water-soluble chelant is then recycled. The metal ions chelated removed included iron, cobalt, copper, vanadium, cadmium, nickel, zinc, lead, and aluminum. A preferred chelant is one having a pendant pyridine group in conjunction with alkyl amine groups, e.g., --N(R)--CH.sub.2 --C.sub.5 H.sub.4 N, where R is alkyl.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is provided for separating whole blood from a patient into a cellular component and a plasma component and for separating the plasma component into a high molecular weight plasma fraction and a low molecular weight plasma fraction and wherein anticoagulant is added to the whole blood and a physiologically acceptable liquid diluent is added to the plasma component. The rate of addition of the diluent is governed by the following equation: ##EQU1## called Equation 1.

Abstract: An apparatus for hemodiafiltration that maintains the blood concentration of the patient relatively constant. A pump is connected to a branch off the external flow path of the dialysator which pumps fluid to the circulation system of the patient to compensate for the patient's fluid loss through the hemodiafilter membrane. A suction pump which affects the transmembrane pressure across the hemodiafilter membrane is controlled to achieve the desired filtrate flow necessary to balance the return flow to the patient.

Abstract: A method of removing penicillin G and/or pharmaceutical antibiotics which contaminated milk by:(a) Subjecting the contaminated milk to an ultrafiltration process which produces a permeate containing the contamining antibiotic and a retentate comprising milk proteins and fats.(b) Adding a non-antibiotic containing retentate diluting (washing) aqueous fluid including uncontaminated ultrafiltered milk permeate, uncontaminated whole milk, uncontaminated skimmilk, or uncontaminated acid or sweet whey, or a mixture thereof to the retentate to dilute the retentate.(c) Subjecting the diluted (washed) retentate to the ultrafiltration process from additional antibiotic containing permeate thereby forming a milk product comprising retentate having a reduced level of or substantially free of antibiotics.

Abstract: A process for the separation of a two component liquid mixture is described in which the liquid mixture is passed along one side of a membrane and an extracting agent is passed on the other side of the membrane, the process being characterized by the use of a membrane impermeable to at least one component of the liquid mixture and permeable to the extracting agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method for treating blood to remove foreign substances such as immune complexes and free antigen. This is advantageously accomplished by separating a portion of a patient's blood as plasma, and acidifying the plasma to a pH below about 3.1 in order to cause the immune complexes to dissociate into antigen and antibody. After removing the antigen, the plasma is returned to the patient. Preferably, the patient's blood is substantially diluted prior to plasma separation, thereby substantially increasing the clearance rate of the plasma separator device and also washing off antigens bound to cellular blood components. Also, it is preferred that the plasma fraction is further diluted during the acidification step. Subsequent removal of excess fluid will cause substantial removal of free antigen. In a presently preferred process, the excess fluid volume is reduced by use of an ultrafiltration device capable of passing antigen, but not larger protein constituents of plasma.

Abstract: Water substantially free of pyrogens and microorganisms that meets the requirements of United States Pharmacopoeia Standard USP XX Water for Injection is produced by processing drinking quality water through a filtration step adapted to remove organic contaminants and impurities that degrade downstream seperation membranes, a reverse osmosis step to remove dissolved solids, pyrogens, microorganisms and chemical contamination, a deionization step to further remove dissolved solids, and an ultrafiltration step to remove pyrogens. A sterile filter to remove microorganisms increases the water quality to USP XX Sterile Water for Injection. Means are provided to periodically remove accumulated chemical contaminants, pyrogens and microorganisms from the reverse osmosis apparatus, the deionization apparatus and the ultrafiltration apparatus. The sterile water can be admixed with a sterile concentrate composition to produce a sterile dilute solution that can be packaged under sterile conditions.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for obtaining cell respiratory stimulating active agents having a molecular weight in the range of about 300 to 8000 Dalton, by defibrination of calves blood, hemolyzing the solution obtained thereby, separating the proteins and substances having a molecular weight of over about 8000 Dalton comprised in the hemolyzed solution by a membrane separation procedure, concentrating the resulting protein- and high molecular weight-freed solution under reduced pressure at a temperature not exceeding 40.degree. C. to a density in the range of 1.10 to 1.15 g/ml at 20.degree. C.

Abstract: Fermented beverages of a reduced alcohol contents are made by causing the fermented beverage having a normal alcohol contents as produced in the fermentation to flow along one face of a dialysis membrane at a pressure differential below 5.0 bar while simultaneously a dialysate liquid which is substantially alcohol-free is passed along the other face of the dialysate membrane. An apparatus for carrying out the process comprises a housing in which two separate chambers are provided. Each chamber has separate inlet and outlet ducts. The inlet ducts are connected to separate feeding devices for liquids. Separate regulating devices are arranged for regulating the flow through each of said two chambers and means are provided for regulating the pressure differential between the two chambers.

Abstract: A chemically enhanced reverse osmosis water purification system and process is provided in which the inlet of a second reverse osmosis unit is coupled in series to the product water outlet of a first reverse osmosis unit. Water to be purified is conditioned by an ion exchange resin type water softener and pumped to the inlet of the first reverse osmosis unit. The product from the first reverse osmosis unit is treated with a chemical treatment agent, such as a sodium hydroxide solution, upstream of the inlet to the second reverse osmosis unit. The brine from the brine outlet of the second reverse osmosis unit is recirculated to the water flow line upstream of the first reverse osmosis unit.

Abstract: A process is described for converting sparingly soluble salts of anionic dyes and fluorescent brighteners into more soluble salts by means of cation exchange without intermediate isolation of the free dye acid, which comprises carrying out the cation exchange by using Donnan dialysis.The concentrated dye and brightener solutions obtained in this way are stable and can be directly used for dyeing or printing textile material.

Abstract: A process is described for converting sparingly soluble inorganic salts of cationic dyes and brighteners into more soluble salts of organic acids without intermediate isolation of the free base, wherein the counter-ion of the dye or brightener cation is replaced by the anion of a cyclic or acyclic organic acid by means of Donnan dialysis.Dye or brightener solutions obtained in this way are stable and can be directly used for dyeing or printing textile materials.

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: The separation of different components of a fluid, e.g. of He, H.sub.2, O.sub.2, or the like from gaseous mixtures, separation of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbon, water separation from organic mixtures, waste water purification etc., is effected by passing the treated fluid over a row of permeation cells each formed by a container subdivided, by a wall more readily permeable by one component of the fluid, into an inlet chamber and a permeate chamber. The respective chambers are arranged in series directed opposite to each other and the respective products are withdrawn at the respective ends of the series. A part of the product of the permeate chamber series is fed back into the inlet chamber series. Preferably, the delivery of untreated fluid into the inlet chamber series is effected at a point selected such as to obtain the smallest possible difference in the concentration of a respective component in the incoming untreated fluid and in the fluid being circulated through the system.

Abstract: A microporous filter system comprises two types of hydrophilic, microporous filter media operating in series. The two filter media have opposite zeta potentials with the upstream or first filter medium preferably having the positive zeta potential and the downstream or second filter having the negative zeta potential. The first filter medium typically has an absolute pore rating of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 micrometer and the second or downstream filter medium typically has an absolute pore rating of from about 0.02 to about 0.1 micrometer. The downstream or second filter has a finer absolute pore rating than the upstream or first filter. Fluids contaminated with ultrafine particles can be purified with an essentially absolute efficiency to remove 99.99 percent or more of the particulate matter in the contaminated fluid. The filter system finds particular use in the preparation of ultrapure effluent water of near theoretical resistivity and in the removal of bacteria and endotoxins to form sterile fluids.

Abstract: This invention affords a filtration method and apparatus for extracting cell produced antiviral substances (CPAS) from a production broth using cross-flow membrane filtration. The broth is perfused into a first filtration cell and caused to cross-flow across an ultrafiltration membrane in the cell, permitting a first filtrate to pass through the membrane consisting essentially of CPAS and some molecular species and retaining in a first ex-filtrate all remaining portions of the broth.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for plasma separation/exchange by 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), and addition of a substitute fluid. 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: 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 regeneratable peritoneal dialysis bag having a hollow fiber filtration bundle affixed to flexible plastic sidewalls so as to regenerate peritoneal fluid within the bag. An orifice in the bag allows for fluid connection with a peritoneal cavity. A method for use of such bag to regenerate peritoneal dialysate is also disclosed.