Abstract: Organic vapor species ranging from polar to non-polar are removed from the ambient atmosphere by means of a thin microporous membrane medium in conjunction with a non-volatile collecting fluid having an affinity for the species of interest. The collecting fluid may be regenerated if desired.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for transferring metal ions from an aqueous liquid to a non-aqueous liquid and then to another aqueous liquid. The non-aqueous liquid contains one or more complexing agents and is kept separate from the aqueous liquid releasing metal ions by one or more microporous hydrophobic membrane(s). The non-aqueous liquid is circulated through two or more transfer zones in which the metal ions are taken up and released. The metal ions are released from the non-aqueous liquid into the second aqueous liquid by mechanical mixing of the two phases, followed by a mechanical separation process. The flow of metal ions obtained by this low-cost process is higher than in other processes. The process facilitates coupled co- and counter transport and may be used with advantage, inter alia, in the dressing of ores and in effluent treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to the separation of indium from acidic solutions containing it, by means of the formation of complex compounds with complexing substances supported on either planar or tubular membranes, of ploymeric character, and of the de-complexing of the same, followed by a re-extraction or stripping with acidic solutions, which may be either of the same type of, or different from the starting solutions.

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

Abstract: Wearable, continuously internally operable, externally regenerable dialysis system in which body fluids are dialyzed against a first dialysis fluid within a chamber in the body without invasion of veins or arteries, the chamber being a body cavity or a semi-permeable wall within the body, the dialysis fluid being regenerated in a chamber outside the body against a second dialysis fluid which is continuously regenerated in a belt supported apparatus, the internal and external chambers being in fluid communication.

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 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: A method of continuous separation of dissolved materials employs two membranes, each disposed in its own fluid-tight chamber. An aqueous feed solution containing organic material is passed in contact with a recirculating flow of organic extractant which receives selected dissolved organic material. The extractant is then passed over a second membrane, the other side of which is supplied with a stripping solution for further selective recovery of the desired material. During recirculation the organic extractant is passed through an aqueous separator. However, extractant treatment for organics removal therefrom may also include methods other than the use of a second membrane and a stripping solution.

Abstract: A new and useful particulate magnesium phosphate product (MGP) and method of use therefor are disclosed for removing ammonia from aqueous solutions, e.g., recirculating dialysate solutions and intragastrointestinal fluids as may result from the hydrolysis of urea. This particulate magnesium phosphate product (MGP) acts as a remarkably effective scavenger wherein under equilibrium conditions only about six (6) grams of the novel product are required to bind the ammonia (more exactly, ammonium ions) liberated from one (1) gram of the urea, a result far superior to traditional zirconium phosphate (ZP) prior art materials which under ideal conditions require about 17-20 grams of ZP per gram of urea. The novel particulate magnesium phosphate product can be exploited in one embodiment as a replacement for the older ZP materials used to remove ammonia produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of urea in recirculating dialysis systems utilizing disposable cartridges.

Abstract: A membrane-based solvent extraction system is used to separate zinc from plating wastes and to recycle the concentrated zinc solution to the plating bath. Di-2 ethylhexylphosphoric acid (DEHPA) is used as an organic carrier, and an acid or salt solution is used as a stripping agent in this process.

Abstract: A process for separating Fe(III) from an aqueous solution of metallic salts containing at least Fe(III), comprising: (1) bringing said aqueous solution into contact with an organic extraction solvent containing, as an extractant, an organic phosphinic acid represented by the following general formula to thereby extract at least Fe(III) from the aqueous phase and transfer it into the organic phase; ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are alkyls, respectively, having carbon number in the range of 1 to 20; the sum of carbon numbers for R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is in the range of 12 to 36; and R.sub.1 is the same as or different from R.sub.2, and (2) separating the resulting Fe(III) loaded organic phase from said aqueous phase.A process for separating Fe(III) from an organic extraction solvent loaded with at least Fe(III), comprising: (1) bringing said extraction solvent into contact with an aqueous solution of a mineral acid having a low concentration at pH 1.

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: Compositions for removing uremic substances during hemodialysis comprising an aqueous slurry containing charcoal, a highly calcium-loaded zeolite cation exchanger, purified urease (which may be bound to a portion of the zeolite, a suspending agent, and optionally an aliphatic carboxylic acid resin in the H.sup.+ form, and a hemodialysis method employing such compositions.

Abstract: A therapeutic composition suitable for extracorporeal treatment of whole blood comprises a dialyzable chemotherapeutic agent and a dialyzable fluorescable tracer means. The removal rate of the fluorescable tracer compound from treated blood during hemodialysis is a function of the removal rate of unreacted chemotherapeutic agent present. The residual chemotherapeutic agent concentration after hemodialysis is ascertained by measuring the concentration of the fluorescable tracer compound in a dialysate using fluorometric techniques.

Abstract: An improved method and electrolytic cell for the oxidation of nitrogen-containing waste materials in a dialysate stream used for hemodialysis, hemofiltration or peritoneal dialysis comprises a cylinder having a porous anode and a porous cathode spaced apart in the direction of flow. By flowing the spent dialysate in the direction from the anode to the cathode, and applying sufficient voltage to oxidize chloride ion present to activated chlorine, the waste materials are oxidized to chlorinated intermediates. In the vicinity of the cathode, the chlorinated intermediates react further to yield to nitrogen and carbon dioxide, with the chlorine being reduced back to chloride ion. In this way, the dialysate is regenerated without the net evolution of undesirable chlorine species.

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: Immunoassays of psychoactive drugs including psychotomimetic drugs, narcotic drugs, and tetrahydrocannabinols and treatment methods based on the antigenic properties of protein conjugates of these drugs. These methods are based upon treating the psychoactive substances as haptens and utilizing their protein conjugates to produce antibodies to the psychoactive materials themselves. The immunoassay methods include both agglutination and agglutination-inhibition reactions. The treatment methods include treatment of both exogenous, administered drugs (such as cannabinols, LSD, heroin and morphine) and endogenous substances (such as N,N-Dimethyltryptamine and 5-Methoxy-N,N-Dimethyltryptamine, by active immunization and also passive immunization including immunodialysis and immunoadsorption treatment methods. Devices are disclosed for carrying out the immunodialysis and immunoadsorption methods.

Abstract: A therapeutic composition suitable for extracorporeal treatment of whole blood comprises a dialyzable chemotherapeutic agent and a dialyzable fluorescable tracer means. The removal rate of the fluorescable tracer compound from treated blood during hemodialysis is a function of the removal rate of unreacted chemotherapeutic agent present. The residual chemotherapeutic agent concentration after hemodialysis is ascertained by measuring the concentration of the fluorescable tracer compound in a dialysate using fluorometric techniques.

Abstract: A process is described for the fractionation of solutions of protein mixtures which includes the steps of subjecting such solutions to "salting-out", separation of the resulting turbidity, subsequent removal of the "salting-out" agent from the supernatant by dialysis and finally making up the original salt level of the liquid if required. Such a process may be used in therapeutic plasma exchange where removal of immunoglobulins or their complexes therefrom is desired so that the remaining albumin void of immunoglobulins can be administered back to the patient.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for the removal of waste metabolites from metabolite-containing solutions are disclosed. The disclosed processes include alternatively adsorbing and desorbing the metabolites on a pair of adsorbent-containing columns, each column being maintained at a reduced temperature during adsorption and at an elevated temperature during desorption, with the columns being flushed subsequent to desorption and prior to their re-use for adsorption thereon.

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.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to liquid membrane capsule system (LMCS) which are made resistant to coalescence by means of an irreversible coating material present in the suspension phase. LMCS having this irreversible coating material are stable (i.e. resist coalescence) over relatively long periods of time with little or no applied agitation. These irreversibly coated LMCS can be pumped for long periods, are resistant to bile, pancreatin and solid matter and maintain their initial size distribution.The instant invention relates to methods of preparing the irreversibly coated LMCS.The LMCS of the instant invention exhibit resistance to rupture during pumping and passage over packing materials, such as glass beads or charcoal, thus making them of use in medical treatment processes such as renal dialysis and in the equipment used for such processes.