Abstract: A membrane plate, a filter plate, and a filter press. The membrane plate is outfitted with a filter element on top of the membrane on both side surfaces, and the membrane plate has retaining elements at a distance from the margin on which the filter elements are removably secured. The filter plate also has retaining elements at a distance from the margin on which the filter elements are removably secured.

Abstract: A microfilter comprising a polymer layer formed from photo-definable dry film, and a plurality of apertures each extending through the polymer layer. A microfilter comprising two or more polymer layers formed from photo-definable dry film, and a plurality of apertures or open areas each extending through the polymer layer. Methods of forming apertures in one or more layers of photo-definable dry film are also disclosed. Filter holder designs and methods appropriate to hold microfilters to collect the rare cells and to perform of assays in the filter holder are provided. Microfiltration chip designs and methods appropriate to collect the rare cells and to perform assays in the microfluidic chips are provided. The invention also describes the use of the microfilter, filter holder and microfilter chips to collect rare cells from body fluids and perform assays, and these rare cells can be used for medical and biological research applications.

Abstract: A reaction unit containing a bottom part and a top part for pipetting a liquid, wherein the bottom part contains a reaction cavity with a permeable filter grid insert and the top part contains a reaction cavity which can be fixed on said bottom part and contains a cavity or covering for receiving a magnet.

Abstract: A polymer includes at least one pendant dioxirane moiety represented by Formula III or IV: In Formulas III and IV, R1 is absent or is alkylene, perhaloalkylene, cycloalkylene, arylene, heteroarylene, heterocyclylene, amino, carbonyl, carboxyl, alkylcarboxy, carboxyalkyl or alkylcarboxyalkyl; R2 is an electron withdrawing group; R8 is —N+R4R5 or alkylene; R9 is —N+R4R5 or alkylene; each R4 is independently H, alkyl, or cycloalkyl; and each R5 is independently H, alkyl, or cycloalkyl.

Abstract: Treatment of waste water from a biomass-to-liquid process, said process comprising producing synthesis gas from biomass and conversion of said synthesis gas into liquid hydrocarbons by a Fisher-Tropsch process. The waste waters obtained are purified in common with waste waters from another industrial process to which said biomass-to-liquid process is integrated, such as in forestry, power and/or heat generation, waste incineration or a process in a metal-, petrochemical and/or oil refining industry. The biomass-to-liquid. process and said another industrial process may have a common feed water process unit, a common cooling water process unit and a common waste water treatment unit. The waste water treatment process may comprise a biological purification process and said Fischer-Tropsch process may utilize a cobalt catalyst. An integrated factory comprising a biomass-to-liquid plant and another industrial facility in which both plants are connected to a common waste water treatment facility is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to coated, absorbent, freestanding assemblies comprising inorganic nanowires, articles of manufacture comprising the same, processes of producing the same and methods of use thereof. The assemblies of this invention are useful in various applications, including removal of organics or hydrophobic materials, and waterproofing applications.

Abstract: A cartridge filter assembly includes a depth filter element and a downstream second filter element. The depth filter element has a mass of melt-blown polymer filaments. The depth filter removes 0.5 to 10 micron sized contaminants at an efficiency of 90% or more. The depth filter preferably comprises multiple zones occupying different depths, with one or more melt-blown polymer filaments traversing two or more of the zones. The second filter element comprises nano-fibers having a diameter of 1 micron or less, and removes a material percentage of contaminants that are less than 1 micron in size, preferably less than 0.5 microns in size. The depth filter element may be in the form of a tube and the second filter element may be in the form of a pleated sheet located inside of the depth filter. The cartridge filter assembly may be used to pre-treat a feed water upstream of an RO membrane. The SDI of the feed water may be reduced to 3 or less or 2 or less.

Abstract: A cell strainer for separating particles from a cell suspension, having an upper portion with at least one filter area lying essentially perpendicular to the direction of flow of the suspension and a lower portion adapted to fit into the openings of at least two sample tubes with different sized openings. The lower portion has a first section with shoulders or flanges having the diameter of the opening of a first tube and a second section having an inner and outer wall serving as a receptacle for the neck of a second tube, where the diameter of the first section is larger than the diameter of the second section.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to solution electrospinning processes for fabricating fibers, to the fibers prepared thereby, and to non-woven webs, fabrics, porous composite filter media, and articles comprising the fibers.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus to allow high pressure pumping a fluid mixture of solid and/or abrasive particles with a liquid, and separating the fluid mixture into a solid and/or abrasive particle component and a cleaned liquid component. An embodiment includes surrounding the pump plunger/piston, and timely cycling the cleaned liquid to flush the pump check valves to displace erosive solid and/or abrasive material. Consequently, this invention allows for proper check valve sealing, extends the life of check valves, extends the life of the pump, and improves efficiency.

Abstract: A paint caddy includes a base having at least two walls and a pole coupled to and extending upwardly from the base. The base has at least one base support extending between the walls for capturing and supporting a paint tray therebetween. The pole has at least a substantially vertical portion and a substantially horizontal portion, with the substantially horizontal portion serving as a handle for carrying a paint tray. A hook extends from the pole and is positioned below and spaced from the handle.

Abstract: A hybrid chemical/mechanical water treatment plant and method employing rapid sulfur dioxide chemical disinfection and dewatering technology in conjunction with lime and oxidization/reduction agents to removal pharmaceuticals and personal care products from waters to meet operating constraints and environmental permitting restrictions and siting limitations for water treatment.

Abstract: A strainer assembly has a bowl-like strainer member and a removable container member. The container member can be attached to the base of the strainer member, so that grease or other liquids poured into the strainer assembly will drain into the container member. The grease or other drained liquids can be stored in the container member and allowed to cool prior to disposal or reuse. The strainer member can include an optional handle and spout extension.

Abstract: A greywater treatment and reuse system includes a collector for collecting greywater, a distributor for distributing treated greywater for reuse, and a treatment and storage device for treating collected greywater and for storing treated greywater before the greywater is sent to the distributor for reuse. The treatment and storage device is fluidly connected to the collector by a delivery line and is fluidly connected to the distributor by a distribution line. The treatment and storage device includes a first filter that is fluidly connected to a second filter by a connection line and a chlorinator fluidly connected to the delivery line, the chlorinator injecting a first dose of chlorine into the delivery line.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to ultrafiltration membranes comprising a membrane substrate layer (S) based on a sulfonated polyaryleneethersulfone polymer and to a method for their preparation. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to ultrafiltration processes making use of said membrane.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing an inorganic material in the form of an alveolar monolith of a silica matrix where the monolith includes interconnected macropores. The process includes at least one step of mineralizing an oil-in-water emulsion formed from droplets of an oily phase dispersed in a continuous aqueous phase and in which colloidal solid particles are present at the interface formed between the continuous aqueous phase and the dispersed droplets of oily phase. Such materials obtained according to this process may be used, especially for separative chemistry and filtration, for performing chemical reactions catalysed in heterogeneous phase, as thermal or phonic insulators, or as templates for manufacturing controlled-porosity carbon skeletons.

Abstract: A system, components of the system and methods for processing, combinations of hydrocarbons, water, solids and contaminants, to separate extract, recover, filter and treat the constituent elements to enable the recovery of valuable hydrocarbons, the treatment of solids for environmentally sustainable discharge, the filtration and treatment of water for reuse, or environmentally sustainable discharge, and the extraction of contaminants. The integrated method and system incorporates alternative processing modes, each of which is optimized for the intake and processing of a materials stream which is predominately solids, or predominately water or predominately hydrocarbons, respectively. The system can dynamically adjust to accommodate variations in the composition of the intake materials stream in any particular mode. The system can be implemented in a portable, modular configuration which is cost effective, energy efficient and scalable to enable processing of any volume of materials.

Abstract: A process for treating impure water includes adding magnesium hydroxide and/or ammonium hydroxide to the water. This neutralizes the impure water and reacts with dissolved metals in the water. The metals are precipitated as metal hydroxides/oxides, which are removed from the water. Thereafter barium hydroxide is added to the water. The barium hydroxide reacts with dissolved sulphates to produce barium sulphate and, when magnesium hydroxide is used, with dissolved magnesium, to produce magnesium hydroxide. Barium sulphate and, when present, magnesium hydroxide are removed from the water. When ammonium hydroxide is used, ammonia is stripped from the water. Carbon dioxide is then added to the water. The carbon dioxide reacts with dissolved calcium in the water. The calcium is precipitated as calcium carbonate, which is removed from the water.

Abstract: A method for the degradation of polycyclic aromatic compounds is disclosed that involves dissolving ozone in a bipolar solvent comprising a non-polar solvent in which is of sufficiently non-polar character to solubilized the polycyclic aromatic compounds, and a polar-water-compatible solvent which is fully miscible with the non-polar solvent to form a single phase with the non-polar solvent. The bipolar solvent with dissolved ozone is contacted with the polycyclic aromatic compounds to solubilize the polycyclic aromatic compounds and react the dissolved polycyclic aromatic compounds with the ozone to degrade the dissolved polycyclic aromatic compounds to oxygenated intermediates. The bipolar solvent is then mixed with sufficient water to form separate non-polar and polar phases, the non-polar phase comprising the non-polar solvent and the polar phase comprising the non-polar solvent and the oxygenated intermediates.

Abstract: A target material capturing filter is described herein. The target material capturing filter may include an inlet through which a fluid enters; an outlet through which at least a portion of the fluid is discharged; a first flow path that is connected to the inlet; a second flow path that is connected to the outlet; and a filter unit that is disposed between the first flow path and the second flow path and captures the target material by letting drop at least a portion of the fluid that flows through the first flow path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining various components of a multi-component material. Generally, a component of a whole blood sample may be concentrated from a patient and re-introduced to the same patient. For example, a clotting component, such as thrombin, from a whole blood sample may be extracted and concentrated in an apparatus and collection to be reapplied or reintroduced into a patient.

Abstract: A method of removing organosilanes from a sample which involves contacting the sample with silica and allowing the organosilanes to couple to the surface of the silica. The silica can be provided as particles that are added to and mixed with the sample, or provided as a reactive filter media to which the sample is contacted.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is provided comprising a biological reactor having a separation subsystem, a suspension system and a membrane operating system. The separation subsystem is constructed and arranged to maintain adsorbent material in the biological reactor with a mixed liquor. The suspension system is positioned in the biological reactor and is constructed and arranged to maintain adsorbent material in suspension with mixed liquor. The membrane operating system is located downstream of the biological reactor and is constructed and arranged to receive treated mixed liquor from the biological reactor and discharge a membrane permeate. In addition, a wastewater treatment system is provided comprising a first biological reaction zone, a second biological reaction zone and a membrane operating system. The first biological reaction zone is constructed and arranged to receive and treat the wastewater.

Abstract: A barrier system is disclosed which is fitted to the filler opening (12) of a fuel tank (10). The system comprises an outer sleeve (34) in the form of a coil spring (36) and lining (38) which is of a material that permits fuel to flow through it but which retains water and solid contaminants A valve (52, 54) is provided at the lower of the sleeve (34) for enabling accumulated water and solid contaminents to be drained from the sleeve (34).

Abstract: A vertical apparatus,—for mixtures of solids & liquids,—used to exchange essence between them,—or used to separate solids from liquids or vice a versa,—placed on the inside floor of a container, has: (1) an outer & (2) an inner parts, both substantially, cylindrically shaped, open ended, loose yet close fitting, & concentrically nested, with the outer part having an integral seal ring at its bottom end, and (3) a horizontal filter element covering the inner part's bottom opening, it being held clamped between the close fitting substantially cylindrical parts. With fluids placed inside the apparatus, they remain there without leaking past the seal ring, until the apparatus is lifted off of the container floor to unseal & filter the fluids into the container.

Abstract: A filter for blood or the like provides for concentric filtration tubes of flexible permeable filtration material held concentrically for flow in parallel through the filtration material of the filtration tubes. Manufacture of the filter may in-mold support rings and pillars to flexible filtration media, the lowermost support rings which may then be assembled together and fit into a filter housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtration of fluids includes a filtration tank having an unfiltered-fluid chamber, an inlet for unfiltered fluid, a filtered-fluid chamber, an outlet for filtered fluid, and a gas barrier. The gas barrier includes either the filtered-fluid chamber or the gas outlet.

Abstract: A separator for drilling waste including a tank comprising an inlet and an outlet; a screening device disposed within the tank; a conduit coupled to the outlet; and a rotary valve coupled to the conduit. A separator including a tank having an inlet and an outlet; a trough in fluid communication with the tank; and a screening device having a plurality of members disposed within the tank, wherein the screening device is configured to direct an effluent phase through the members into the trough and a solids phase to the outlet. A method of separating drilling waste including flowing a return fluid to an inlet of a tank; and directing the return fluid against a screening device disposed within the tank, wherein an effluent phase of the return fluid passes through the screening device and wherein a solids phase of the return fluid falls to an outlet of the tank.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a micro- or nanofibrous filter is described. The method comprises obtaining at least a first carrier substrate, providing adhesive on at least a first carrier substrate, heating the adhesive above its melting temperature for inducing an interaction of at least part of the adhesive with the at least a first carrier substrate and then cooling below the melting temperature of the adhesive thus creating at least one adhesive carrier substrate. Thereafter, a layer of micro- or nanofibres is provided on the adhesive-side of the at least one adhesive carrier substrate to form a further structure. The further structure is then brought above the melting temperature of the adhesive for inducing an interaction between the adhesive and the micro- or nanofibres. Finally the temperature is again reduced below the melting temperature of the adhesive thus obtaining the micro- or nanofibrous filter.

Abstract: An apparatus and a system for filtering a liquid sample in a sample well (310) by transferring the liquid out of the sample well (310) through a filter member (320) situated at a bottom part of the sample well (310). The apparatus and the system include a syringe (100), and a seal member (200) arranged around a nozzle (140) of the syringe (100) in such a way that the syringe (100) is adjustable in connection with an upper part of the sample well (310) in a substantially airtight manner. A method for filtering a liquid sample and use of the system for filtering eluted blood are also disclosed.

Abstract: An endcap includes a first plate member having a radial inner portion, a radial outer portion, and defining a longitudinal axis. The endcap also includes a flange disposed between the radial inner and outer portions, and projecting axially along the longitudinal axis in a first direction. The endcap also includes a first seal member disposed adjacent the flange. The first seal member includes a first portion engaged with an axial facing surface of the first plate member and a second portion engaged with a radially facing surface of the flange. The endcap further includes a second plate member disposed radially outward of the radial outer portion and a second seal member disposed adjacent the second plate member including at least a portion axially spaced from the axially facing surface of the first plate member in a second direction along the longitudinal axis opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A rotary filter is provided with greatly expanded filter media area within the flow stream of material to be filtered due to use of a series of cylindrical filter cartridges consisting of a core and cylindrical filter media that are attached to and within a rotary disc, thus providing much greater filter area within the size constraints of the rotary disc and the flow channel. This allows removal of contaminating material in the flow stream. The retaining methods used for these cartridges restrains their movement within the flow stream thus allowing backflushing by reversing flow direction and venting the backflush material. The attachment and construction further allows easy removal and replacement of filter media and cartridges.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a geogrid, a non-woven or woven fabric and a strapping band, methods for their preparation and their use.

Abstract: A fluid filter device (1) includes an opening (14) for draining the fluid (33), a first counter thread (13), a closure element (12) for a fluid-tight closure of the opening screwed in with a thread (11) thereof into the first counter thread (13), a second counter thread (17) into which a connecting element (21) with a thread (22) thereof is screwable for simultaneously unscrewing the closure element (12) from the first counter thread (13) and thereby releasing the opening (14) for draining the fluid (33).

Abstract: A diagnostic instrument is disclosed. The diagnostic instrument may have a highly efficient probe washer station and/or may be able to sense whether there is a tube septum on a specimen tube to be sampled. The instrument may also be able to determine where the bottom of the tube is located. The probe washer station may have a flow of saline that is used to wash both the internal cavity and the external circumference of the probe.

Abstract: A biological fluid filtration device, system, and method, for filtering a biological fluid, the device comprising a housing having an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet, with a first fluid flow path defined between the inlet and the first outlet, with a second fluid flow path defined between the inlet and the second outlet, with a first biological fluid filtration media interposed between the inlet and the first outlet and across the first fluid flow path, with a second biological fluid filtration media interposed between the inlet and the second outlet and across the second fluid flow path, the housing essentially lacking a solid partition wall between the first biological fluid filtration media and the second biological fluid filtration media, a first flow restriction may be added downstream of the first biological fluid filtration media, and a second flow restriction may be added downstream of the second biological fluid filtration media, in another embodiment, the device comprises a housing having

Abstract: The present invention is directed to microfiltration membranes comprising a microporous material, said microporous material comprising: (a) a polyolefin matrix present in an amount of at least 2 percent by weight, (b) finely divided, particulate, substantially water-insoluble silica filler distributed throughout said matrix, said filler constituting from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of said microporous material substrate, wherein the weight ratio of filler to polyolefin is greater than 4:1; and (c) at least 35 percent by volume of a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material. The present invention is also directed to methods of separating suspended or dissolved materials from a fluid stream such as a liquid or gaseous stream, comprising passing the fluid stream through the microfiltration membrane described above.

Abstract: A method of exchanging fluids with suspended particles includes providing a microfluidic device with a first inlet channel operatively coupled to a source of particles and a second inlet channel operatively coupled to an exchange fluid. A transfer channel is connected at a proximal end to the first inlet channel and the second inlet channel. First and second outlet channels are connected to a distal end of the transfer channel. The source of particles is flowed at a first flow rate into the first inlet channel while the exchange fluid is flowed at a second flow rate into the second inlet channel wherein the ratio of the second flow rate to the first flow rate is at least 1.5. Particles are collected in one of the first and second outlet channels while fluid substantially free of particles is collected in the other of the first and second outlet channels.

Abstract: A flexible blood filter allowing smooth flow of a liquid and being excellent in separation resistance, pressure resistance and centrifugation resistance. The blood processing filter, comprising a first filter element for removing aggregates from blood, a second filter element for removing leukocytes provided in the downstream of the first filter element, and the third filter element having gas permeability of 3 to 40 cc/cm2/sec per thickness of 1 cm provided between the second filter element and the outlet port side container.

Abstract: The invention provides a filter for a pipe, the filter comprising an attachment portion for attaching to the pipe, and a filter surface for presentation to and filtering of an oncoming flow of the pipe, wherein the filter surface has at least one pointed apex for protruding into the oncoming flow. The invention also provides a pipe for transporting an oncoming flow, wherein the pipe is provided with a filter surface across the cross-sectional area of the pipe and wherein the filter surface has at least one pointed apex protruding along the longitudinal axis of the pipe. The invention also provides an aircraft with such a filter or pipe and a method of filtering an oncoming flow of a pipe.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a fluid distribution apparatus. The fluid distribution apparatus has a housing including an inlet configured to receive a drilling material, a first outlet configured to direct a first portion of the drilling material onto a first separatory surface, and a second outlet configured to direct a second portion of the drilling material onto a second separatory surface. The fluid distribution apparatus further includes a screen disposed within the housing and configured to separate solids from the second portion of the drilling material directed through the second outlet onto the second separatory surface.

Abstract: The invention consists of a mechanism the parts of which specified in the invention result in a low energy process for the removal of many and various contaminants from an aqueous solution. The principal parts of the mechanism are to drive the contaminated aqueous solution by means of gravity or low pressure through graphene oxide membrane layers stacked closely at atomic scale.

Abstract: A stacked annular ring filtration device and process are disclosed that provide high quality filtration without the burdens of differing ring types, filter size, flushing, or plugging impediments inherent in the prior art. The device comprises a stacked series of identical annular rings encircling a vacant circular center. Each ring has a textured filtration surface side and a dual channeled conduit surface side. The rings are stacked in a common orientation wherein the textured filtration sides always press on the channel conduit surface side of the adjacent ring. Filtration ensues by pressured dirty fluid entering the channels communicating external to the ring stack, traversing across the textured filtration surface of the adjacent ring, and issuing filtrate into the channels communicating with the vacant center of the ring stack. The solids imbued textured filtration surfaces are flushed clean by opening the stack and flushing, after which the stack is reassembled.

Abstract: An apparatus (25) for use in screening a liquid and solids mixture feed (2) comprises a conduit (18), including a screening portion (22) that is formed and arranged to divide a liquid and solids mixture feed flowing through the conduit. The feed (2) is divided into a first, cleaned stream (C1) comprising liquid and solid particles of below a selected size limit, and a second, concentrated, stream (24) comprising liquid, and particles above the selected size limit. The apparatus (25) may be a stand alone module, part of a system with other solids and liquids separating equipment or an integral part of a solids and liquid separator such as a shale shaker. Methods of using the apparatus (25) are also described.

Abstract: Provided is a radon reduction apparatus for groundwater disinfection. The radon reduction apparatus includes an agitation space forming body that groundwater fed through a groundwater feed pipe passes through before inflow into the groundwater storage tank and that forms a water turbine installation space whose top portion is not filled with groundwater; a water turbine located in the water turbine installation space to be rotated by groundwater when the fed groundwater falls, is run against the bottom and scattered; an oxygen supply unit supplying oxygen to groundwater before inflow of the groundwater to the agitation space forming body; a ventilating fan rotated by receiving rotary power of the water turbine and connected to the water turbine installation space to discharge air of the water turbine installation space; and an antiseptic solution supply unit supplying antiseptic solution to be mixed with the groundwater.

Abstract: An approach to providing folded flute ends in z-filter media is provided. The approach generally involves providing an initial deformation in a flute or corrugation to form at least one foldable tip and then folding the at least one foldable tip over. Techniques for both supported deformation and unsupported deformation are provided. Preferred corrugated media having fold arrangements, filter constructions having such fold arrangements, and filter system using such filter constructions are provided.

Abstract: The spray gun filter according to the invention for filtering liquid comprises a filter fabric and a filter support, which has outlet openings for the liquid and which surrounds the filter fabric from the outside.

Abstract: Fluid distribution filters having spiral filter media and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, for example, a filter assembly can include a canister having a body portion positioned between a first opening and a second opening. The filter assembly can further include a filter media positioned in the body portion of the canister. The filter media can include at least one channel in fluid communication with the first and second openings. The channel can have a spiral-like shape and be configured to distribute incoming fluid across the filter media and move the fluid at a substantially equal velocity across the filter media.

Abstract: Disclosed is an economical process for the purification of water containing soluble and sparingly soluble inorganic compounds using single-stage or two-stage membrane processes that integrate membrane water purification with chemical precipitation softening and residual hardness and silica removal from the membrane concentrates using ion exchange resins and silica sequestering media, respectively.

Abstract: A method for inlet temperature monitoring for centralized heat disinfection of dialysis machine inlet lines is described. The method can be used, for example, for a dialysis system which has a central water processing system used at a multiple patient dialysis treatment clinic or center. A central water processing system and a plurality of dialysis machines having fluid inlets are fluidly connected to a water supply loop which circulates heated water from the central water processing system to the dialysis machines and back to the central water processing system. A dialysis system for centralized heat disinfection of dialysis machine inlet lines of dialysis machines supplied with water by a central water processing system also is provided.