Abstract: A chip conveyor includes: a cover body; a guide plate configured to guide chips, which are conveyed inside the cover body, so as to be directed from a chip receiving position toward a chip discharging position; a case attached to the cover body and having an internal space provided therein; and a float switch configured to detect, based on a coolant flowing from inside the cover body into the internal space, that a liquid level of the coolant inside the cover body is equal to or greater than a prescribed liquid level. The cover body includes a first space and a second space that are partitioned from each other by the guide plate. The cover body is provided with: a first opening allowing communication between the first space and the internal space; and a second opening allowing communication between the second space and the internal space.

Abstract: A microfluidic device with a filter includes a substrate; a flowpath including a well formed in the substrate in fluid communication with a channel formed in the substrate; and a filter disposed across the flowpath and associated with the channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of filtering a feed and waste water treatment system using the filtration method. The method utilizes a filtration cake for the filtration, which filtration cake is formed by elements contained in a liquid having a different composition than the feed to the filtered. The invention relates in particular to a method for filtering a liquid containing solid particles of different sizes which utilizes a filtration cake formed at least partly and preferably only from particles contained in said liquid containing solid particles of different sizes. The particles of the filtration cake are deposited on a filtration cake support and the method involves separation of the liquid containing solid particles of different sizes into two fractions: one fraction containing solid particles above a certain size and one containing smaller particles, and filtering the fraction containing smaller particles through the filtration cake.

Abstract: A method for producing biofuels is provided. A method of making biofuels includes dewatering substantially intact algal cells to make an algal biomass, sequentially adding solvent sets to the algal biomass, and sequentially separating solid biomass fractions from liquid fractions to arrive at a liquid fraction comprising neutral lipids. The method also includes esterifying the neutral lipids, separating a water miscible fraction comprising glycerin from a water immiscible fraction comprising fuel esters, carotenoids, and omega-3 fatty acids. The method also includes obtaining a C16 or shorter fuel esters fraction, a C16 or longer fuel ester fraction, and a residue comprising carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids. The method includes hydrogenating and deoxygenating at least one of (i) the C16 or shorter fuel esters to obtain a jet fuel blend stock and (ii) the C16 or longer fuel esters to obtain a diesel blend stock.

Abstract: A method and system for treating a fluid stream includes inputting a fluid stream to an input section of the fluid treatment system and receiving the fluid stream via spiral mixer-conditioner. The spiral mixer-conditioner mixes and conditions the input stream. Thereafter the mixed and conditioned fluid stream is input to a spiral separator where the mixed and conditioned fluid stream is separated into at least two fluid streams, a first fluid stream having particulates in the input stream removed, and the second fluid stream having the particulates in the input fluid stream concentrated.

Abstract: A method of operating a container filling plant for filling containers with filtered liquid, such as beer. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: A technique using a curved channel of a spiral device to introduce a centrifugal force upon neutrally buoyant particles flowing in a fluid, e.g. water, to facilitate improved separation of such particles from the fluid is provided. As these neutrally buoyant particles flow through the channel, a tubular pinch effect causes the particles to flow in a tubular band. The introduced centrifugal force perturbs the tubular band (e.g. forces the tubular band to flow in a manner offset from a center of the channel), resulting in an asymmetric inertial migration of the band toward the inner wall of the channel. This allows for focusing and compaction of suspended particulates into a narrow band for extraction. The separation principle contemplated herein implements a balance of the centrifugal and fluidic forces to achieve asymmetric inertial equilibrium near the inner sidewall.

Abstract: The disclosed method and apparatus involves the use of sequential filters for the purification of liquid. The sequential filters may each produce rejects that can be processed separately in their respective treatment apparatus, which can be fine-tuned to the specific reject that it treats. Alternatively, the first reject may be treated while the second reject may not be treated. The rejects (whether treated or not) may be combined into a combined flow and then be recycled in the sequential filters.

Abstract: A microfluidic device with a filter includes a substrate; a flowpath including a well formed in the substrate in fluid communication with a channel formed in the substrate; and a filter disposed across the flowpath.

Abstract: A filter for exhaust gases produced by an internal combustion engine, and a method of using such a mat on a vehicle. The filter is a mat of fibers enclosed within a metal gauze. Preferably, the mats are corrugated and spaced apart within a housing such that exhaust gases will pass through the mats sequentially. The fibers are wettable, and in use are preferably located a sufficient distance from the engine such that the mat is wetted by condensing water or other liquid in the exhaust gas. Preferably also, the filter is adapted for coupling to an existing exhaust pipe opening.

Abstract: Continuous filtration systems comprising a venturi, flow control valves, filter and pump. In one specific embodiment the flow control valve and venturi are combined hereinafter referred to as a CHUF. The CHUF may also contain concentrate release, and temperature, flow and two pressure sensors into a single structure. A continuous filtration system for liquid or gas applications is constructed by plumbing a CHUF to a pump and filter. The CHUF is constructed of plastic, stainless steel or other materials. Different plumbing to the CHUF positions the filter in either series, parallel, or series and parallel with a venturi and flow control valve resulting in different pressures and flows at the filter. A single flow control valve simultaneously controls inflow and outflow of the filtration system. Additional flow control valves are used in a process to control pressure independent of flow at the filter.

Abstract: This invention is directed to filtration systems comprising a venturi, flow control valves, filter and pump. In one specific embodiment the flow control valve and venturi are combined hereinafter known as a CHUF. The CHUF may also contain concentrate release, and temperature, flow and two pressure sensors into a single structure. A continuous filtration system for liquid or gas applications is constructed by plumbing a CHUF to a pump and filter. The CHUF is constructed of plastic, stainless steel or other materials. Different plumbing to the CHUF positions the filter in either series, parallel, or series and parallel with a venturi and flow control valve resulting in different pressures and flows at the filter. A single flow control valve simultaneously controls inflow and outflow of the filtration system. Additional flow control valves are used in a process to control pressure independent of flow at the filter.

Abstract: An oil-water separation method to separate oil-contaminated water into clean, filtered water for use. The method comprises filtering prefiltered, coalesced oil-water in an oleophobic depth-type filter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering particulates from a turbid liquid is provided. The apparatus is preferably used to filter particulates from water used to flush a pipeline after a cleaning operation, after hydrostatic testing or during product displacement at a high flow rate. The apparatus includes an inlet valve for receiving the turbid liquid from a liquid source connected to a gas buster for discharging the turbid liquid and air into a break tank located beneath the gas buster. A self-cleaning portable liquid filter having an inlet is connected to an outlet of the break tank and includes a screen filter for receiving the turbid liquid from the break tank. Particulates from the turbid water are accumulated on an internal surface of the screen filter and clean water is discharged from the filter through a discharge port. A flush mechanism is provided to rinse the accumulated particulate cake from the surface of the screen filter upon actuation of an automatic rinse cycle.

Abstract: A method for decontaminating both soil and mixed waste water polluted by hydrocarbons in a single integrated process is disclosed. Contaminated mixed waste fluid is separated into water and hydrocarbons which are then used in the thermal decontamination of polluted soil through the volatilization of hydrocarbon contaminants. Flue gases containing the volatilized hydrocarbons from the thermal soil decontamination undergo oxidation. Thermal energy from the soil decontamination process and the thermal oxidization of the flue gases can be recovered and used to facilitate the separation of hydrocarbons and water. In this integrated system, every by-product of each step is either decontaminated or consumed in another operation of the system. Energy conservation within this system is also realized by the use of heat exchangers to transfer energy from where it is created by the process to where it is used elsewhere to enhance efficiency within the process.

Abstract: A method for removing debris from a free flowing water system (100) using an improved filter apparatus (10) is described. The apparatus includes a rail (12) which is mounted adjacent the water supply intake opening (102) and a continuous belt (36) made of chain links (38) and connectors (44) which mounts around an upper sprocket cylinder (26) and a lower sprocket cylinder (32) spaced between the ends of the rail. Openings (42) in the belt collect debris from the water flowing through the belt. The connectors have lifters (50) which move the debris collected on the front side (36A) of the belt and tilt to dump any debris of excess weight back into the water system. As the belt moves upward, the debris collected on the belt and by the lifters is moved out of the water system toward the top of the rail. As the belt moves over the upper sprocket cylinder, the upper sprocket teeth (28A) extend through the openings of the belt loosening the debris trapped on the front side of the belt.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of substantially completely oxidizing material in an aqueous phase at supercritical temperatures and sub- or supercritical pressures by initiating the oxidation in the presence of small amounts of strong oxidizing agents that function to increase the initial reaction rate for the oxidation. The strong oxidizing agents suitable for use in the present invention comprise at least one selected from the group consisting of ozone (O.sub.3), hydrogen peroxide (H.sub.2 O.sub.2), salts containing persulfate (S.sub.2 O.sub.8.sup.2-), salts containing permanganate (MnO.sub.4.sup.-), nitric acid (HNO.sub.3), salts containing nitrate (NO.sub.3.sup.-), oxyacids of chlorine and their corresponding salts, hypochlorous acid (HOCl), salts containing hypochlorite (OCl.sup.-), chlorous acid (HOClO), salts containing chlorite (ClO.sub.2.sup.-), chloric acid (HOClO.sub.2), salts containing chlorate (ClO.sub.3.sup.), perchloric acid (HOClO.sub.3), and salts containing perchlorate (ClO.sub.4.sup.-).

Abstract: Apparatus for the supply of decontaminated fuel to a diesel engine including two filtering stages, the first being a spiral wound, cross flow ultrafiltration unit and the second being a spiral wound deadheaded ultrafiltration unit with a pressure operated alarm connected to respond to the build-up of contaminants in said second stage.

Abstract: An oil control sock has an enlarged inlet end which is placed over the ruptured opening in the side of an oil vessel while the outer free open end is then raised to a position above the oil level in the tanker thereby allowing the oil to seek its own level. The oil sock can also be used with extensions as needed and may be used for unloading the tanker into an assisting vessel. The sock is held in place on the side of the vessel by electromagnets.

Abstract: A continuous process for the separation of small particles from larger particles in a biological preparation passes a liquid stream of the preparation through a first filter or screen, which retains larger particles, passing smaller particles in the liquid. The large particles have retained on their surfaces wetting water, in which are entrained some of the small particles. The large particles are directed to a liquid having a concentration of smaller particles lower than the concentration of smaller particles in the wetting water, and mixed therein. The smaller particles separate from the larger particles in the mixed suspension, which is then directed to a second filter or screen, for further separation. The smaller particle/liquid stream may be recycled to the biological preparation stage, the liquid suspension for the large particles, or to a separator means where the smaller particles are separated off from the liquid stream.

Abstract: The invention is a filter apparatus and method for separating suspended solids from fluids, particularly liquids. A filter chamber is defined inside a filter housing. Inside the chamber is a filter bundle, consisting of two or more filter screens, of a non-woven construction. Spaces between the filter screen strands provide channels for fluid to flow through the filter bundle along a tortuous path that is parallel to each screen. These spaces also define openings for directing a flushing fluid, such as air, in a crosswise direction through the filter screens. The crossflow path of the flushing fluid removes solid particles trapped in the channels of the filter screens.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for the processing or treatment of fluids containing suspended particles and more particularly usable for the processing or treatment of gases and liquids contaminated by radioactive particles.The fluid to be treated undergoes a treatment cycle in the circuit. This cycle comprises a filtering stage performed in the filtering apparatus in order to extract part of the fluid in the purified state and a separating stage performed in the separating device for extracting part of the particles present in suspended form in the fluid. It is possible to commence the processing cycle either by the filtering stage, or by the separating stage. The particle-depleted fluid from the separating stage or the particle-enriched fluid from the filtering stage undergoes a further processing cycle after adding thereto fluid to be treated by means of the pipe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for increasing the concentratin of suspended particles within a slurry by removal of the fluid. The slurry is passed along the surface of a porous material such as porous plastic pipe having pores of a diameter greater than that of the suspended particles. The slurry flows at a velocity parallel to the surface of the porous plastic pipe that is much greater than the lateral velocity of the fluid through the pores in the pipe. The suspended solids with diameters smaller than the diameter of the pore opening are retained and concentrated within the flowing slurry because of the high flow velocity tangential to the pores.

Abstract: A method comprising passing a culture solution including Bacillus subtilis or gene-recombinated Bacillus thereof through a pipe-like ceramic filter at a flow rate of 2 m/sec or less, the ceramic filter having a filter layer at an inner cylindrical surface thereof, the filter layer being made of spherical particles, and a surface roughness (Rmax) of the inner surface of the ceramic filter being 10 microns or less.

Abstract: The brine purifying system employs a multistage filtering apparatus comprising a plurality of the same filter units piled up one over another to form a plurality of cascaded filtering stages. When the filter layers of the filter units are clogged with unsoluble matters, the operation of the multistage filtering apparatus is interrupted, then a solvent for the unsoluble matters is circulated through the multistage filtering apparatus to remove the unsoluble matters arrested by the filter layers by dissolving the same therein. Then, a washing liquid is circulated through the multistage filtering apparatus to wash the multistage filtering apparatus completely. The solvent and the washing liquid used for regenerating and washing the multistage filtering apparatus are recovered and are used for dissolving salt to prepare saturated brine. The unsoluble matters thus removed from the filter layers are removed by being precipitated in a precipitating tank.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of TiCl.sub.4 comprising(a) chlorinating a raw material containing titanium and vanadium impurities to produce a crude TiCl.sub.4 reaction product,(b) separating the crude reaction product into solid by-products and TiCl.sub.4 -containing liquid,(c) reacting the TiCl.sub.4 -containing liquid with a reducing agent whereby vanadium impurities are converted into solid compounds, and(d) separating TiCl.sub.4 from the solid vanadium compounds, is improved by adding solid products of the vanadium reduction reactions to the crude TiCl.sub.4 reaction product prior to the separating step (b).

Abstract: Process and apparatus for ultrafiltration of the cooling water of a pressurized water nuclear reactor, during operation of the reactor. A fraction of the flow of pressurized water is withdrawn continuously in at least one cold branch (8) of the primary circuit (2). This withdrawn water is circulated, while it is still at the temperature and pressure of the primary circuit (2), in contact with the entry face of an ultrafiltration wall (40). The filtrate is withdrawn at a pressure which is less than 15 bars lower than the primary water pressure. The concentrate is kept in circulation with the entry face of the wall (40). The wall (40) can consist of an assembly of tubes maintained between two tube plates. The invention applies to pressurized water nuclear reactors whatever the number of primary circuit loops.

Abstract: A process for regenerating media filters used to filter geothermal brine, especially flashed and clarified, silica-rich brine, comprises flowing steam through the filter in a backflush direction at a rate and for a time duration agitating the filter media and filtered-out material. The process includes, preferably after the steam flow is stopped, flowing brine, for example, filtered brine, through the filter in the backwash direction to flush out the material loosened and broken up by the steam scour and restratify the media bed components, and may include partially draining the filters prior to the steam scour. Preferably, the steam used for the steam scour is low pressure steam obtained from low pressure flashing of the brine being filtered. Steam flow rates are preferably between about 2 and about 10 SCFM per square foot of filter cross-sectional area in the region of the filter media; steam flow rate is preferably about 5 minutes after any steam quenching has ceased.

Abstract: A method and system for dewatering coal fines from the centrate of a pipeline slurry centrifuge, to recover the coal and purify the water, includes blending the centrate from the centrifuge with slurry from the pipeline in the proportion of about 4:1. The blend is chemically conditioned agglomerating polymer, and then dewatered on a belt press. The cake from the belt press is dry enough to burn in the boiler, and the filtrate is clarified in a gravity clarifier. The clarifier effluent is clean enough for plant purposes or to return to the environment, and the clarifier underflow is returned to the blend for dewatering in the belt press. In a second embodiment, the blend is dewatered directly in a disphragm filter press without chemical conditioning, and the filtrate is clean enough to use directly without clarifying.

Abstract: A pressure filter for separating a liquor from mud liquor slurry and for concentrating a filter cake as a heavy slurry discharge comprising a tank having a ring of filter elements supported by a plate which separates the filter tank from a filtrate chamber. The feed enters the tank under pressure through an enlarged feed cylinder tube located in the center of the ring of filter elements. In the backwashing mode of operation the feed rate is maintained or increased to assist in displacing filter cake from the filter elements.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for clarifying liquids wherein a flight conveyor in the settling tank has a forwarding run for removing sludge from the bottom of the tank and a return run which is selectively moved into and out of wiping cooperation with a filter between the settling tank and a clean-liquid tank, and a filter backwasher in the clean tank is selectively operable to progressively backwash the filter, and both the wiping and backwashing being accomplished in accordance with the clogged condition of the filter.

Abstract: The invention relates to an open dissolving chamber for rock salt and to a process for the production, free from vapors, of concentrated, aqueous sodium chloride crude brine by continuously dissolving rock salt in this dissolving chamber. The dissolving chamber contains a heap of rock salt with which the brine which is unsaturated in respect of salt comes into contact. The brine thereby becomes saturated with sodium chloride and then passes out of the dissolving chamber. In the present process, the unsaturated brine enters at the base of the dissolving chamber. The saturated crude brine is removed from the rock salt through at least one vertical or inclined screen which largely holds back suspended rock salt particles. The liquid level of the saturated crude brine in the dissolving chamber should not reach the surface of the heap of rock salt, and the side of the screen facing the interior of the dissolving chamber should be completely covered with a mixture of saturated crude brine and rock salt.

Abstract: A method of filtering a coal-derived liquid comprising; mixing the coal liquid with a filter aid material comprising metallic particles; filtering the thus-obtained mixture; subjecting the resulting filter cake material to partial combustion; and separating the metallic particles from the filter cake for reuse as filter aid.

Abstract: The invention relates to process and apparatus for reducing the viscosity and gel strength of drilling fluids, or muds, without any necessity of introducing additives, or chemicals, into the mud.

Abstract: Improved clarity in treated wastewater is achieved by adding a flocculating agent following screening by fine mesh screening means, preferably a centrifugal screen separator. The effectiveness of the separator is improved, in turn, by preceding it in the direction of liquid flow by a corrugated plate interceptor to remove greases and oils. Preferably, fine mesh screening is carried out by two separate screening devices, one being a high liquid volume centrifugal screen strainer, and the other being a mechanically self-cleaned low liquid volume device. Wastewater is delivered to a thickener, preferably a corrugated plate separator, the thickened product being delivered to the low liquid volume device, and the supernatant being delivered to the centrifugal screen strainer. The corrugated plate interceptor not only acts as a thickener, but also eliminates grease and oil, which would interfere with the operation of the centrifugal screen strainer.

Abstract: In the ultrafiltration of liquids such as vinegar, wine, etc., the liquid to be filtered is fed from and back to a circulating tank through at least one filtration circuit including at least two serially connected, vertically spaced, non-horizontal filter modules through each of which the liquid flows from top to bottom. Each filter module consists of a pipe enclosing a bundle of capillary tubes of semi-permeable membrane material and having a lateral outlet for filtered liquid. Each two successive filter modules are separated from one another by a fall interval zone through which unfiltered liquid can flow with a negligibly low pressure drop from the outlet of the upper filter module to the inlet of the lower one, and each fall interval zone is so arranged that the pressure drop occurring in the upper one of each two successive filter modules is equalized, to the extent of about 0.5 to 1.