Diffusing Or Passing Through Septum Selective As To Material Of A Component In Liquid/liquid Solvent Or Colloidal Extraction Patents (Class 210/644)
  • Patent number: 12030017
    Abstract: A method of concentrating a lithium-containing aqueous solution, the method comprising: (i) providing a water-permeable structure having an inner surface and outer surface, wherein at least said outer surface is coated with a water-permeable hydrophilic polymer having a thermal stability of at least 100° C.; and (ii) flowing a lithium-containing aqueous feed solution having an initial concentration of lithium over said inner surface while said outer surface is in contact with an aqueous draw solution containing a higher overall ion concentration than said lithium-containing aqueous feed solution, to result in forward osmosis of water from said lithium-containing aqueous feed solution to said aqueous draw solution, and wherein said forward osmosis results in a lithium-containing aqueous product solution having an increased concentration of lithium relative to the initial concentration of lithium in the lithium-containing aqueous feed solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignees: UT-Battelle, LLC, TERRALITHIUM LLC
    Inventors: Ramesh R. Bhave, Vishwanath Deshmane, Nicholas N. Linneen, Stephen Harrison, Mariappan Paranthaman, Bruce A. Moyer, Syed Z. Islam
  • Patent number: 11478757
    Abstract: A system for liver dialysis makes use of a high cut-off hemodialysis membrane for removing water-soluble and protein-bound toxins from the blood of a person in need. A high cut-off hollow fiber hemodialysis membrane has improved potential to remove albumin-bound toxins and inflammatory mediators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: GAMBRO LUNDIA AB
    Inventors: Markus Storr, Bernd Krause, Hermann Goehl, Thomas Ertl, Alexander Gekeler
  • Patent number: 11465100
    Abstract: There is provided a thin film composite (TFC) hollow fibre membrane comprising a porous hollow fibre support layer formed of a polymer and a selective layer, formed of a cross-linked polyamide, on an inner circumferential surface of the hollow fibre support layer, wherein the TFC hollow fibre membrane has a power density of 25-50 W/m2 at a pressure of 30 bar. There is also provided a method of forming the TFC hollow fibre membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE
    Inventors: Chunfeng Wan, Tianshi Yang, Wenxiao Gai, Tai-Shung Neal Chung
  • Patent number: 11344658
    Abstract: According to embodiments, priming systems, methods, and devices are disclosed which allow medical treatment devices which pump fluid to be primed with minimal operator intervention and a high level of convenience. A blood circuit with a filter fitted with one or more air vents on a non-blood compartment is attached to a treatment system and priming fluid pumped slowly through the blood circuit in a loop. The source of fluid may be elevated, or the pumping may generate pressure, such that priming fluid is forced through the membrane of the filter and out the air vent(s). In embodiments, the vents are hydrophobic which prevent fluid from being ejected, so the priming system can run without intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: NxStage Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Brugger, William J. Schnell
  • Patent number: 11261111
    Abstract: A method of treating an aqueous solution comprises forming a treatment stream comprising a condensable material. The treatment stream is introduced to an aqueous solution comprising water and a solute to fractionally precipitate the solute out of the aqueous solution and form a solids stream comprising the solute and an aqueous liquid stream comprising at least one solute-depleted solution of the water and the condensable material. The condensable material of at least a portion of the aqueous liquid stream is separated from the water of the at least a portion of the aqueous liquid stream to at least partially reform the treatment stream and form an aqueous liquid product stream depleted in the solute. Aqueous solution treatment systems and additional methods of treating an aqueous solution are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron D. Wilson, Daniel S. Wendt, Christopher J. Orme, Birendra Adhikari, Daniel M. Ginosar
  • Patent number: 11141741
    Abstract: Separators for separating a multi-phase composition include a separator casing defining a chamber and a permeate outlet, at least one hydrocyclone within the separator casing, and at least one ceramic membrane. Each hydrocyclone includes a hydrocyclone inlet, a tapered section downstream of the hydrocyclone inlet, an accepted outlet, and a reject outlet. The ceramic membrane may be disposed within the separator casing and downstream of the accepted outlet of the hydrocyclone or may be disposed within at least a portion of the tapered section of the hydrocyclone. The ceramic membrane includes a retentate side and a permeate side, where the permeate side is in fluid communication with the chamber. Systems and methods for separating a multi-phase composition into a lesser-density fluid, a greater-density fluid, and a medium-density fluid using the separators are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Regis Didier Alain Vilagines, Guillaume Robert Jean-Francois Raynel, Fahd Ibrahim Alghunaimi, Abdullah A. Alomier
  • Patent number: 10933383
    Abstract: A zeolite membrane structure includes a porous support, and a zeolite membrane. The zeolite membrane has a first zeolite layer located in a surface of the porous support, and a second zeolite layer located outside of the surface of the porous support and integrally formed with the first zeolite layer. The porous support has an outermost layer in which the first zeolite layer is located. An average thickness of the first zeolite layer is less than or equal to 5.4 micrometers. A porosity of the outermost layer is greater than or equal to 20% and less than or equal to 60%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryujiro Nagasaka, Hideyuki Suzuki, Akimasa Ichikawa, Shinji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10883978
    Abstract: An apparatus for calibrating a flux analyzer comprises a first frame; a second frame; and a permeable membrane. The first frame and the second frame are connected or integrally formed. A method for calibrating a flux analyzer is provided which uses an artificial standard rather than a biological standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Andrew C. Neilson
  • Patent number: 10703652
    Abstract: A forward osmosis apparatus includes a diluting component for bringing a feed solution and a draw solution containing a cation source and an anion source in an ionized state into contact through a semi-permeable membrane and diluting the draw solution with water separated from the feed solution by means of the semi-permeable membrane; a separator for separating the draw solution that has been diluted by the diluting component into the cation source and anion source and into water; and a dissolving apparatus, returning the cation source and the anion source that have been separated by the separator to, and dissolving the cation source and anion source in, the draw solution that has been diluted, wherein the molecular weight of the cation source in an uncharged state is 31 or greater and the Henry's law constant of each of the anion source and cation source is 1.0×104 (Pa/mol·fraction) or greater in a standard state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Morihito Ikeda, Kimiaki Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 10571373
    Abstract: A method and system for enabling the determination of kinetic rates of reaction within a fluid of interest including directing fluid flow exiting a test bed to a multi-port switching valve. The multi-port switching valve switches the fluid to a number of channels connected to a number of interchangeable in-flow extraction cartridges. Analytes of interest from the fluid flow are captured on an extraction medium to accumulate over time. Rates are determined by (i) sequentially channeling the fluid through each of the plurality of flow paths for a preselected time duration, (ii) analyzing the extraction cartridges, and computing the kinetic rate of reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Rolf U. Halden, Isaac B. Roll
  • Patent number: 10549237
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a use of an inorganic salt to form and regenerate a draw solute for forward osmosis, wherein the inorganic salt is selected from one or more of the group selected from sodium sulfate, calcium lactate, disodium phosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, and hydrates thereof. Also disclosed herein is a method of forward osmosis using said inorganic salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Xiao Hu, Yufeng Cai
  • Patent number: 10386285
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the functionality and integrity of depth filter sheets and depth filter sheet systems comprising inorganic layered double hydroxide for contaminant removal in biotechnological processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GMBH
    Inventors: Rebecca Petersen, Axel Thiefes, Katrin Köhler, Wolfgang Demmer, Sven Dankenbrink
  • Patent number: 10258926
    Abstract: A carrier gas and a combined feed liquid are directed through a humidifier, where water vaporizes from the combined feed liquid into the carrier gas, and through a dehumidifier, where the combined feed liquid cools the carrier gas to condense water from the carrier gas. At least a portion of the concentrated brine stream from the humidifier is directed through a pressure-retarded osmosis unit, while an initial feed solution is directed, in counter-flow, through the osmosis unit. Water from the initial feed solution flows through a membrane in the osmosis chamber into the concentrated brine stream to dilute and increase the volumetric flow rate of the brine stream. The diluted brine stream is extracted from the osmosis chamber and depressurized to produce power, while the concentrated initial feed solution is combined with the depressurized, diluted brine stream to form the combined feed liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Gregory Parker Thiel, Leonardo David Banchik, John H. Lienhard
  • Patent number: 10155199
    Abstract: Provided is a controller for an energy generation system, the controller exerting optimum control so that, while a waste of energy is eliminated, any operation trouble is not caused. The controller for the energy generation system of the present invention is a controller for an energy generation system that uses a forward osmosis membrane, the controller including: a first regulation unit for regulating the discharge of non-permeating water from the forward osmosis membrane; a second regulation unit for regulating the supply of fresh water to the forward osmosis membrane; a third regulation unit for regulating the supply of salt water to the forward osmosis membrane; a fourth regulation unit for regulating the discharge of mixed water from the forward osmosis membrane; and a control unit for controlling the first regulation unit, the second regulation unit, the third regulation unit, and the fourth regulation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: KYOWAKIDEN INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Sakai, Morihiro Irie, Shintaro Zaitsu
  • Patent number: 9839879
    Abstract: A forward osmosis membrane for seawater desalination and a method for preparing the same. The forward osmosis membrane has a composite membrane structure including a nonwoven fabric layer; a hydrophilic polymer layer; and a polyamide layer. The hydrophilic polymer layer formed on the nonwoven fabric layer facilitates an inflow of water from the feed water to the draw solution to enhance flux and realize high water permeability in the direction of osmosis. The polyamide layer not only secures contamination resistance and chemical resistance but also minimizes the back diffusion of salts of the draw solution in the direction of reverse osmosis. Hence, the forward osmosis membrane of the present invention is greatly useful for desalination of high-concentration seawater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Woongjin Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Dae Chi, Bong Jun Cha, Jong Hwa Lee, Doo Ri Kim, Su Jeong Lim
  • Patent number: 9617174
    Abstract: A hydrophobic porous silica aerogel composite membrane for a vacuum membrane distillation device and a vacuum distillation method are disclosed. The vacuum membrane distillation device has a case and the hydrophobic porous silica aerogel composite membrane accommodated in the case to divide a chamber defined by the case into a feed part configured to feed a first fluid containing water molecules and a permeate part configured to collect a second fluid containing the water molecules. The hydrophobic porous silica aerogel composite membrane includes a porous aluminum oxide membrane that has a plurality of first pores with average pore diameter larger than 50 nm and a porous silica aerogel membrane that has a plurality of second pores of 2 to 50 nm and is formed on at least one side of the porous aluminum oxide membrane facing the feed part by methylmethoxysilane as a precursor and a sol-gel synthetic process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kuo-Lun Tung, Chung-Chin Yang, Chia-Chieh Ko, Chien-Hua Chen, Yi-Feng Lin
  • Patent number: 9598537
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the purification of poly(arylene ethers) of formula (I) in which m=0 to 1.0, n=1.0-m, and Ar1, Ar2, Ar3 and Ar4 independently represent divalent arylene groups. The compound of formula (I) is produced in a first step 1, with a raw product being obtained by bringing a metal or ammonium salt of divalent dihydroxy derivatives of Ar1 or Ar3 into contact with one or more dihalogenated derivatives of Ar2 and/or Ar4, in the presence of a solvent LM1. A precipitate that is present, if appropriate, is separated (step B) so as to obtain a solution L which then undergoes a membrane filtration (step C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Roos, Jürgen Herwig, Kévin Micoine, Frank Weinelt
  • Patent number: 9487716
    Abstract: Provided herein are controlled methods for producing biofuel and lipids from algae. In certain embodiments, the controlled methods comprise: (i) providing upwelled water in a body of water; (ii) culturing algae in the upwelled water; (iii) feeding the algae to planktivorious organisms; (iv) extracting lipids from the planktivorious organisms; and (v) polishing the lipids to make biofuel or other useful products. In certain embodiments, the upwelled water is provided in the body of water by using an open-cycle OTEC system. Also provided herein are controlled systems for producing biofuel and lipids from algae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: LiveFuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Gaye Elizabeth Morgenthaler, David Vancott Jones
  • Patent number: 9433901
    Abstract: An energy efficient desalination process that does not produce waste products involves the extraction of water from a first solution, such as seawater, by using a second concentrated solution to draw the water from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. By manipulating the equilibrium of the soluble and insoluble species of solute within the second solution in favor of the soluble species of the solute, a saturated second solution can be used to generate osmotic pressure on the first solution. Also, by adjusting the equilibrium in favor of the less soluble species after the water has been drawn from the first solution, a portion of the solute can easily be precipitated out. Heating the second solution decomposes the solute into its constituent gases. The constituent gases and precipitated solute may be recycled through the process to affect the changes in equilibrium and eliminate waste products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Yale University
    Inventor: Robert L. McGinnis
  • Patent number: 9375524
    Abstract: An arrangement and a method for venting gases from a container containing mixture of salt concentrate and fluid for use in dialysis, including venting the gases to a hydrochamber disposed upstream of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignees: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc., Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Levin, Christian Schlaeper, Martin Crnkovich, Harald Peter
  • Patent number: 9352281
    Abstract: Separation processes using forward osmosis are disclosed generally involving the extraction of a solvent from a first solution to concentrate a solute therein by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. One or both of the solute and solvent may be a desired product. By manipulating the equilibrium of the soluble and insoluble species of solute within the second solution, a saturated second solution can be used to generate osmotic pressure on the first solution. The various species of solute within the second solution can be recovered and recycled through the process to affect the changes in equilibrium and eliminate waste products. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Yale University
    Inventors: Robert L. McGinnis, Menachem Elimelech
  • Patent number: 9328294
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for extracting sulfur compounds in a hydrocarbon stream. The process can include feeding a hydrocarbon stream containing sulfur compounds to a prewash zone containing an alkali, withdrawing a prewashed hydrocarbon stream from the prewash zone, and feeding the prewashed hydrocarbon stream to a mass transfer zone for extracting one or more thiol compounds from the prewashed hydrocarbon stream. Often, the mass transfer zone includes a hollow fiber membrane contactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Andrew Tertel, Aziz Sattar, Travis C. Bowen, George K. Xomeritakis
  • Patent number: 9278872
    Abstract: A process for operating a cooling tower (10) comprising: introducing a feed solution into a cooling tower, evaporating solvent from the feed solution to produce a concentrated solution, removing a portion of the concentrated solution as blow-down, passing a portion of the blow-down through a first membrane, such that some of the solute in the blow-down are retained as a concentrated blow-down solution on the retentate-side of the first membrane, contacting a portion of the concentrated blow-down solution (42) with one side of a second membrane (12) and contacting a solution having a lower solute concentration than the combined concentrated blow-down solution and the return from the cooling tower with the opposite side of the second membrane, such that solvent flows across the second membrane to dilute the concentrated blow-down solution by direct osmosis, and re-introducing the diluted blow-down solution to the cooling tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Surrey Aquatechnology Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter Nicoll
  • Patent number: 9266065
    Abstract: Separation processes using engineered osmosis are disclosed generally involving the extraction of solvent from a first solution to concentrate solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Oasys Water, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. McGinnis, Joseph Edward Zuback
  • Patent number: 9248407
    Abstract: A dialysis device, and a method of dialyzing a sample, are provided. The dialysis device includes a body having a first and a second major side, a first and a second retaining ring disposed on the first and second major sides, and a first and second dialysis membrane disposed, and held between the first and second major sides and the first and second retaining rings. The dialysis device is configured to receive a sample to enable dialysis of the sample across the membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Pierce Biotechnology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Jeffrey Haney, Jeffery James Frank Gordon, Brendan George Metz, Navid R. Haghdoost
  • Patent number: 9156712
    Abstract: A thermal desalination process comprising: introducing a feed solution into a thermal separation unit, distilling the feed solution in the thermal separation unit to produce a distillate stream and a residual stream having a higher solute concentration than the feed solution, contacting a portion of the residual stream from the thermal separation unit with one side of a selectively permeable membrane, contacting the opposite side of the selectively permeable membrane with a portion of the feed solution, such that water flows across the membrane to dilute the residual stream by direct osmosis, and introducing at least a portion of the diluted residual stream into the thermal separation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Surrey Aquatechnology Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter Nicoll
  • Patent number: 9095837
    Abstract: Metal nanocomposites and methods of producing the same are disclosed. The nanocomposites have metal nanoparticles dispersed in a matrix carrier and can be produced by: treating a matrix material having a functional group with a quaternary amine compound to form a function site; treating the matrix material with a metal salt such that a metal ion of the metal salt is chelated with the functional site; treating the matrix material with an alkali; and microwaving the matrix material to form the metal nanocomposites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: BROAD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
    Inventor: Tito Viswanathan
  • Patent number: 9044691
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for dehydration of glycol uses two galvanic electrodes submerged in a water-glycol mixture. Semiconductor switches are used to supply pulses from a direct current source and to control the polarization and current flow time in such a way as to produce an average current of zero and a switching frequency commensurate with electro-hydrodynamic frequency of the electrode and liquid system. By applying sufficiently low frequency of switching, stirring of glycol and removal of gas products from the electrodes is achieved. The glycol container has at least one submerged electrode module equipped with at least two galvanic electrodes. Each electrode is connected through pairs of high power electronic switches which cycle alternatively between the positive and negative terminals of a direct current power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Inventors: Piotr Medon, Edward Reszke
  • Patent number: 9039899
    Abstract: Separation processes using osmotically driven membrane systems are disclosed generally involving the extraction of solvent from a first solution to concentrate solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources. Pre-treatment and post-treatment may also enhance the osmotically driven membrane processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: OASYS WATER, INC.
    Inventor: Robert L. McGinnis
  • Patent number: 9028697
    Abstract: The moisture absorption capacity of biofuels can be more or less 10 times that of fossil diesel oil, causing biofuels to form acids that induce metal corrosion and form deposits in the fuel tank and pipe lines. Methods for removing moisture from stored biofuels and plant oils are described wherein glycerol is used as a solvent to extract the moisture from the bioliquid or oil, comprising the steps of placing the biofuel or oil in fluid contact with glycerol, incubating for a time, and then removing the glycerol. A cellulous ester dialysis or other semi-permeable membrane may be used to prevent the glycerol from contaminating the biofuel while allowing moisture to pass. Crude glycerol produced as a byproduct of biodiesel production may be used in the method of the disclosed invention with good result. Preferred embodiments of apparatus that employ the method of the subject invention are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventor: Masatoshi Matsumura
  • Patent number: 9023210
    Abstract: An osmotic power generation system and method for generating osmotic power includes a membrane chamber having a semi-permeable membrane therein defining a first portion and a second portion therein. The system also includes a first pump communicating a first fluid to the first portion and a second pump communicating a second fluid to the second portion. The second fluid has higher total dissolved solids than the first fluid. A second portion energy recovery device is in fluid communication with the second portion. A power generator is in communication with the second portion energy recovery device generating electrical power in response to the second portion energy recovery device and the pressure in the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Fluid Equipment Development Company, LLC
    Inventor: Eli Oklejas, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150090661
    Abstract: The present technology provides microfabricated filtration devices, methods of making such devices, and uses for microfabricated filtration devices. The devices may allow diffusion to occur between two fluids with improved transport resistance characteristics as compared to conventional filtration devices. The devices may include a compound structure that includes a porous membrane overlying a support structure. The support structure may define a cavity and a plurality of recesses formed in a way that can allow modified convective flow of a first fluid to provide improved diffusive transport between the first fluid and a second fluid through the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Rishi Kant, Shuvo Roy, Benjamin Chui, Kenneth G. Goldman
  • 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: 20150004675
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recovering an aqueous phase comprising biomolecules dissolved therein from a multiphasic mixture, comprising at least said aqueous phase and a further liquid phase which is immiscible with said aqueous phase wherein said further liquid phase comprises at least one hydrocarbon compound. The invention further relates to the use of a hydrophilic filtering material, a device comprising such a filtering material or a kit comprising said device for recovering an aqueous phase comprising biomolecules dissolved therein from a mixture of said aqueous phase and at least one hydrocarbon compound comprising further liquid phase which is immiscible with said aqueous phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Jörg Hucklenbroich, Frank Narz
  • Patent number: 8920654
    Abstract: Forward osmosis membranes having a hydrophilic support layer and a polyamide rejection layer in a thin film composite membrane are considered. Preferred support layer materials include aramid polymers and PVDF. A woven or non-woven mesh can be incorporated into the support layer to improve handling properties of the membrane. Flat sheet and hollow fiber configurations are possible. Antifouling techniques are provided. The polyamide layer can be formed on the hydrophilic support layer by interfacial polymerization. Applications include forward osmosis and pressure retarded osmosis applications, such as industrial product and/or waste concentration, hydration bags, energy/pressure generation, and controlled delivery of chemicals (e.g., for pharmaceutical applications).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Porifera, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravindra Revanur, Iljuhn Roh, Jennifer E. Klare, Aleksandr Noy, Olgica Bakajin
  • Publication number: 20140367337
    Abstract: A process for operating a cooling tower (10), said process comprising: introducing a feed solution into a cooling tower, evaporating solvent from the feed solution to produce a concentrated solution, removing a portion of the concentrated solution as blow-down, passing at least a portion of the blow-down through a first membrane in a nanofiltration unit (14), such that at least some of the solute in the blow-down are retained as a concentrated blow-down solution on the retentate-side of the first membrane, contacting at least a portion of the concentrated blow-down solution (42) with one side of the second membrane (12) and contacting a solution having a lower solute concentration than the combined concentrated blow-down solution and the return from the cooling tower with the opposite side of the second membrane, such that solvent flows across the second membrane to dilute the concentrated blow down solution by direct osmosis, and re-introducing the diluted blow-down solution to the cooling tower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Peter Nicoll
  • Publication number: 20140367336
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a molecular exchange device. In particular, the molecular exchange device comprises at least one fluid passageway and an actuator, the actuator positioned to provide a secondary fluid pathway within at least one of the fluid passageways.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: PROBE SCIENTIFIC LIMITED
    Inventors: Mark Thomas O'Connell, Stewart Jeffrey Block, Rodney Ruston
  • Publication number: 20140353253
    Abstract: A polymeric membrane includes an active layer on a support. The active layer includes at least two chemically distinct crosslinked, polyamide films, and the films are crosslinked with each other at an interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Robert David Allen, Young-Hye Na, Ratnam Sooriyakumaran
  • Patent number: 8889008
    Abstract: A method of conditioning a membrane biological reactor mixed liquor containing one or more nonionic polysaccharides and/or one or more organic molecules is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Deepak A. Musale, John H. Collins
  • Patent number: 8889009
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for purifying low molecular weight hydridosilane solutions, in which a solution to be purified comprising a) at least one low molecular weight hydridosilane, b) at least one solvent and c) at least one impurity selected from the group of the compounds having at least 20 silicon atoms and/or the group of the homogeneous catalyst systems is subjected to a crossflow membrane process with at least one membrane separation step using a permeation membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Nicole Brausch, Goetz Baumgarten, Guido Stochniol, Yuecel Oenal, Martin Trocha
  • Patent number: 8852135
    Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring the introduction of substitution fluids for an extra-corporeal blood processing device with an extra-corporeal blood circuit, comprising an arterial blood line, running from an arterial patient connection to a first chamber of a dialyzer or filter divided into said first chamber and a second chamber by a membrane and a venous blood line, running from the first chamber of the dialyzer or filter to a venous patient connection. A device is provided for monitoring the introduction of substitution fluids for an extra-corporeal blood processing unit with an extra-corporeal blood circuit and an extra-corporeal blood processing device with a device for monitoring the introduction of substitution fluids. The method and the device for monitoring the introduction of substitution fluids are based on monitoring the fluid level in the bubble trap, arranged in the venous blood line of the extra-corporeal blood circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Beden, Itka Bado, Georg Verch
  • Patent number: 8852523
    Abstract: A mass transfer system including a housing and a three-dimensional ordered open-cellular micro-truss material within the housing for a mass transfer application. Here, the three-dimensional ordered open-cellular micro-truss material includes a plurality of first truss elements defined by a plurality of first self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a first direction, a plurality of second truss elements defined by a plurality of second self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a second direction, and a plurality of third truss elements defined by a plurality of third self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a third direction. The first, second, and third ordered truss elements interpenetrate each other at a plurality of nodes to form a continuous material. In one embodiment, the continuous material is a metal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher S. Roper
  • Publication number: 20140283683
    Abstract: A fluid separation apparatus is described, including a casing and a separation module. The casing includes a mixed fluid inlet, a separated fluid outlet through which a selectively separated fluid is discharged, and a residual fluid outlet. The separation module has a set of serially arranged separation elements disposed therein and is insertable into the casing from an end of the casing. The separation module includes a first connection jig disposed between adjacent separation elements second connection jigs disposed at two ends of the set of serially arranged separation elements, and a coupling jig coupling the first and the second connection jigs to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: JGC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Syuichi Oguro, Nobuhiro Yamada, Yasushi Fujimura
  • Publication number: 20140262788
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conditioning water is disclosed. Water is flowed past a probe, wherein the water may include impurities. The probe is energized to excite the water and a presence of electrons in the excited water is reduced to produce positively charged water downstream of the probe that causes the impurities to dissociate from the water. The excited water may be deposited on a soil for crop production. The excited water may be further deposited on the soil to flush impurities in the soil to a depth away from a root of a crop planted in the soil to reclaim the soil for crop production. The excited water may further be used to descale pipes, such as used in irrigation, heat exchangers, cooling systems, etc. In yet another embodiment, the probe may be energized at a frequency selected to destroy organism, thereby protecting ecosystems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: TRANSGLOBAL H2O, LLC.
    Inventors: Roger E. Fearon, Jeffrey M. Carlitz, Seenappa Poola, Michael A. Champ, James Smallwood, Jessica Bobenrieth
  • Publication number: 20140263061
    Abstract: New, improved, or modified membrane contactors, modules, systems, and/or methods for membrane distillation and/or ammonia removal, and/or methods of manufacture, use, and/or the like. In accordance with at least selected embodiments, particular possibly preferred membrane contactors, modules, systems, and/or methods for membrane distillation and/or ammonia removal, and/or to particular possibly preferred membrane contactors, modules, systems, and/or methods for membrane distillation and/or ammonia removal, involving membrane contactors adapted for membrane distillation, for ammonia removal, or for both membrane distillation and for ammonia removal, as well as for other membrane contactor systems, methods or processes such as degassing, gasifying, separation, filtration, and/or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Celgard, LLC
    Inventors: Gareth P. Taylor, Amitava Sengupta
  • Patent number: 8801934
    Abstract: Systems and methods for osmotically assisted desalination include using a pressurized concentrate from a pressure desalination process to pressurize a feed to the desalination process. The depressurized concentrate thereby produced is used as a draw solution for a pressure-retarded osmosis process. The pressure-retarded osmosis unit produces a pressurized draw solution stream that is used to pressurize another feed to the desalination process. In one example, the feed to the pressure-retarded osmosis process is impaired water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignees: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the Univeristy of Nevada, Reno, Colorado School of Mines
    Inventors: Andrea Achilli, Amy E. Childress, Tzahi Y. Cath
  • Publication number: 20140217026
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing polymer hydrogel for an osmosis solute may include cross-linking polymerizing a zwitterionic monomer (including an anionic group and a cationic group) and a temperature-sensitive monomer. Example embodiments also relate to a draw solute for forward osmosis including polymer hydrogel manufactured according to the method, and a forward osmosis water treatment device and method using the forward osmosis draw solute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Im HAN, Bo Kyung JUNG, Sung Soo HAN, Jae Eun KIM
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140183134
    Abstract: Described herein is a structure for a permeate spacer for use in spiral wound osmosis membrane elements, having at least two sets of parallel ribs, wherein the ribs in the first set are oriented at about a 90 degree angle to the ribs in the second set. The permeate spacer is used by sandwiching it inside a membrane envelope or leaf, and is particularly useful for non-pressure-driven processes, such as forward osmosis (FO) and pressure-reduced osmosis (PRO).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventor: John R. Herron
  • Publication number: 20140175011
    Abstract: An example separation system includes a stack of membrane plate assemblies. An example membrane plate assembly may include membranes bonded to opposite sides of a spacer plate. The spacer plate may include a first opening in fluid communication with a region between the membranes, and a second opening in fluid communication with a region between membrane plate assemblies. Adjacent membrane plate assemblies in the stack may have alternating orientations such that bonding areas for adjacent membranes in the stack may be staggered. Accordingly, two isolated flows may be provided which may be orthogonal from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: PORIFERA, INC.
    Inventors: Charles Benton, Olgica Bakajin