Abstract: A method for processing metalworking fluid disposed in a sump 12 is disclosed and includes the step of collecting metalworking fluid having a greater concentration of tramp oil than the concentration in the sump and flowing a portion of this oil, without passing the oil through a separator, to increase circulation in the sump. Various steps of the method are developed which increase the level of tramp oil removed from the sump and provide for the introduction of oxygen into the working medium of fluid. In one particular embodiment of the method, the step of flowing the return fluid under pressure to the sump, includes forming jets of fluid which extend vertically into the air to aerate the metalworking fluid and block the proliferation of anaerobic bacteria.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for purifying water used for forming a water curtain of a wet spray wall in paint spray and/or glue processing booths, wet dust removal plants and the like. The water to be purified is caught in a receptacle (1) and the water is sucked out under the surface of the water present in said receptacle (1), mixed with air and introduced into a basin (14) at the bottom side of said basin (14). The water mixed with air is introduced into a basin (14) which widens in upward direction, and contaminations floating on the surface of the water present in said basin (14) are pushed towards an outlet disposed near one side of said basin (14) by means of a pusher, whilst the water flows out on the opposite side of the basin via an overflow. A few perforated plates disposed one above the other are provided in the basin (14) whose sectional area gradually increases in upward direction.

Abstract: A system for separation of fluids and drill cuttings received from a borehole during an under-balanced drilling procedure. The system is designed to cope with significantly varied pressures and flow rates, particularly in relation to gas content of drill fluids returned to the surface during the drilling process in a production zone, and to provide effective separation and to reduce the detrimental effect due to the presence of the drill cuttings in the returned drill fluids. In the present invention there is utilized a first stage, high pressure vessel in which a major portion of the gases ad drill cuttings are separated, and a second stage, horizontal low pressure vessel, preferably of greater volume than the high pressure vessel, in which further separating is achieved, including the separate removal of the drilling liquid to be returned to the drill tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for centrifugal particle separation, particularly in the biological sector, wherein a sample (26) to be fractionated is introduced into a centrifuge vessel (1) via a cannula (5), the free end (51) of which extends to point (1') of a centrifuge vessel (1) which sharply tapers toward tip (1') to minimize the undesirable effects of the Coriolis force, with a gradient solution (7) having a density that increases continuously or step by step then being introduced via cannula (5), with particles from sample (26) migrating due to the action of equilibrium and/or sedimentation centrifugation into gradient solution (7), and with a pressure fluid being introduced into the interior of sealed centrifuge vessel (1) via an additional cannula (17) after a predetermined centrifugation period to expel gradient solution (7) containing the fractionated particles of sample (26) via cannula (5).

Abstract: Disclosed are preferred devices and methods which provide extracorporeal treatment of blood or other fluids for effective plasmafiltration or hemofiltration alone or in combination with dialysis. Preferred devices combine plasmafiltration and dialysis devices, and are designed to circulate separate sorbent suspensions through the respective devices and minimize clogging in sorbent circulation loops, including the provision of a shaker or vibrator device operable to vibrate the suspension used in the plasmafiltration device.

Abstract: An improved filtration system comprises a vessel divided into a concentrate chamber and a permeate chamber by a permeable septum. An ultrasonic wave generator is mounted to the vessel and positioned to direct ultrasonic waves through both the permeate contained in the permeate chamber and the permeable septum. A circulator such as a pump or agitator is operably associated with the concentrate chamber to provide a shearing force on the surface of the permeable septum. A vessel inlet port allows concentrate to flow into the concentrate chamber and a permeate outlet port allows permeate to be withdrawn.

Abstract: A system for cleaning vessels that have been contaminated with oil field drilling and production waste materials such as oil well drilling fluid or hazardous waste using recycled wash water. As dirty wash water accumulates in a vessel during cleaning, it is transferred to a settlement section of the waste receiving barge. A cationic polymer is injected into the suction side of a waste water pump during transfer of dirty fluid from the vessel to the receiving barge. The polymers react with fluids to begin an initial settling process within the waste receiving barge. Decant water is subjected to secondary settlement and secondary chemical treatment after it leaves the primary settling section of the waste receiving barge. The laundered water is returned to the wash water storage facility for reusing and cleaning the same vessel or additional vessels. In this fashion, waste is continuously concentrated in the receiving vessel for ultimate disposal at a remote site and wash water is recycled for reuse.

Abstract: An apparatus for on-site engine oil reconditioning comprises an apparatus configured and arranged for changing oil by removing spent oil from, and introducing reconditioned oil into an internal combustion engine. A mechanism, in fluid communication with the oil changing apparatus, removes finite particles from the spent oil to produce particle-free oil. A mechanism, in fluid communication with the finite particle removing mechanism, refines the particle-free oil to remove water, fuel, and/or glycols to produce re-refined oil. A mechanism, in fluid communication with the refining mechanism, adjusts the composition of the re-refined oil to meet a predetermined specification to produce the reconditioned oil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for separating liquid from a slurry of solid particles and liquid contained in a vessel in the presence of a gas, which comprises degasifying the slurry and passing the degasified slurry through a cross-flow filter, and separating the degasified slurry into the liquid and a concentrated slurry. The present invention further relates to a process for the preparation of heavy hydrocarbons, which process comprises contacting a synthesis gas in a reactor vessel with a slurry of solid catalyst particles and a liquid, thereby producing heavy hydrocarbons, and separating the liquid containing heavy hydrocarbons from the slurry by the said method.

Abstract: Materials including suspended particles are brought together and then separated into two streams one of which only contains the particles, the output streams having different composition from inlet streams. Separation is effected in filtration modules which include a moving runner with wall conditioning elements which dislodge accumulated particles from porous walls of filters.

Abstract: A low cost efficient method and system for treating animal waste and in particular pig and swine solid and liquid manure to allow removable of undesirable odors and return of sludge and liquid safely to the environment to eliminate or reduce pollution. The method and system include collecting the manure into a central tank and using a continuous process to compress the manure to separate liquid from the solid sludge and transferring the separated liquid to a separate holding tank. The dried out sludge is collected as a residual and can be safely returned to the environment. Calcium carbonate may be added to the residual sludge to reduce odor. A polymer may be added to the pressing stage of the sludge to enhance liquid sludge separation. The separated liquid is then treated with a pressure filter membrane to remove undesirable elements from the liquid after which is filtered and is returned safely to the environment either to a natural stream to a sewage system or for agricultural uses.

Abstract: A closed loop process is shown for treating oil and saline contaminated particulate materials such as drilling cuttings such as are encountered in oil and gas well bore drilling operations. The process includes at least two washing stages and three solids separation stages. A process fluid tank utilizes an auger to remove deposited solids from the process fluid while hot gases being bubbled through the tank facilitate separation and skimming of oil and hydrocarbon components from the tank surface.

Abstract: A cooling tower water treatment system removes contaminants include chlorine, calcium carbonate as calcite, and microorganisms from water in the system with redox media in a fluidized bed. The treatment system includes a treatment bed, in the form of a column, having a reaction chamber of a first diameter and a retention chamber of a second diameter, the second diameter being greater than the first diameter. Redox media, in the reaction chamber, is fluidized by water flowing in a direction countercurrent to gravity and is held in place, without the use of screens or filters, by a reduction in flow rate of the fluidizing media resulting from the larger diameter of the retention chamber. Preferably, the treatment system includes a physical filtration unit, such as an automatic backwashing sand filter, to prevent entry of particulates and scale into the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis water purification system in which the concentrate water which is normally produced by the process is not disposed of by routing it to a drain line or otherwise, but is redirected to the main water supply. The system includes the well-known components of a reverse osmosis membrane, pre-filters which are installed ahead of the reverse osmosis membrane, and an appropriate tank to store the purified water. In addition, the system includes a pump and associated pressure sensor for increasing the pressure of the incoming non-processed water to the reverse osmosis unit, means for directing the concentrate water from the reverse osmosis unit to the incoming main water supply (cold), or to a hot water line. Additionally included is a one-way check valve in the concentrate water line, and a sensor sensing the pressure of water in the storage tank and turn the pump off whenever the pressure exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for salvaging a patient's own blood during intraoperative surgical procedures and reinfusing the blood, washed and filtered, to the patient substantially continuously, on-line and in real-time. The apparatus comprises suction means, admixing means for admixing aspirated blood with a washing fluid, filtering means for filtering the admixture through an emboli filter, monitoring means for measuring the amount of cellular component volume in the aspirated, filtered blood, filtration means for removing excess fluid and impurities from the blood, and reinfusion means for introducing the washed and filtered blood to the patient free of emboli. The apparatus is structured to introduce washing fluid to the aspirated blood in proportion to the measured hematocrit level of the blood that is aspirated. Methods are disclosed for priming of the system, cleaning and flushing the apparatus of blood clots and debris by means of reverse filtration and filtration of blood for reinfusion.

Abstract: A sewage treatment apparatus including a treatment tank with a floor, walls and having an upper aperture. A hopper having a clarifier chamber is centrally disposed in the treatment tank, maintained at a predetermined height above the treatment tank floor by hopper supports. A deflector cone is centrally disposed on the floor of the treatment tank, its vertex being received in the lower aperture of the hopper. The exterior of the hopper, the deflector cone and the inner walls of the treatment tank define an annular aerator chamber, subdivided into a plurality of aerator zones. Diffusers disposed in each aerator zone introduce oxygenation of and induce flow of sewage in the treatment tank. A cover mounted over the treatment tank aperture maintains a pressurized pocket of air above the sewage for increased oxygenation of the sewage. Treated sewage passes from the aerator zones into the clarifier chamber, then into the environment.

Abstract: The wastewater treatment unit is operable under high intermittent flow rate variations. It comprises a first clarifier in which is carried out a gravitational settling of solids and a second clarifier comprising a network of parallel plates inclined with respect to the vertical and a portion defining a collecting pit. Each plate has an upper edge positioned at a height lower than the filling level of the first clarifier to define an overflow giving access to the collecting pit. The network of plates allows to carry out a further settling of solids to create a counterflow of settled matter toward the first clarifier and a flow of clarified wastewater falling in the collecting pit. A filtering chamber is positioned above the first clarifier and comprises a filtering media supporting a biomass for digesting the organic content of the wastewater coming from the second clarifier.

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 process and system recycles and reuses gray water generated by dishwashers, showers, carwashes, and clothes washers while maintaining the same cleaning performance as current systems. Hollow-fiber membrane ultrafiltration is used to reduce fresh water supply demands and gray water generation where voluminous quantities of the latter are generated. For a clothes washer, the gray water reuse or recycle system consists of a closed-loop water recycle which can be redirected to a storage tank for other applications, or directly used in situ with a clothes washer for subsequent rinse cycles. The process uses, at a minimum, 50% less water than conventional residential and commercial washers, and also decreases detergent requirements by 30% because a portion of the rinse water can be re-used for subsequent wash cycles.

Abstract: A saturated solution of an alkaline earth or alkali metal halide salt is electrolyzed in a flowing mercury cathode electrolysis cell. The amalgam is added dropwise to a solution of dichlorodifluoromethane in a solution of a polar, aprotic solvent, not reducible by such amalgams. The solvent contains inhibitors of polymerization, and may contain a promoting salt of lithium or the "onium" type. Tetrafluoroethylene and unreacted dichlorodifluoromethane gases are evolved, and separated by condensing the dichlorodifluoromethane. The polar, aprotic solvent is removed from the reaction and evaporated, crystallizing the chloride salt of the alkaline earth or alkali metal. This salt is combined with the anolyte of the mercury cell to form brine. The spent mercury from the dechlorination and dimerization is also recycled to the mercury cell. The polar, aprotic solvent is condensed, and mixed with the condensed unreacted dichlorodifluoromethane for further dechlorination and dimerization.

Abstract: A compact dissolved-air-flotation (DAF) clarifier and clarification process utilize three zones for clarification which operate in sequence in a single clarifier. Raw water with suspended solids enters a flocculator at the center of an annular tank where microscopic air bubbles introduced to the inflow float flocked contaminants to form a floating sludge layer. A first clarification, calming and degassing occur here. The water then flows radially outwardly into the tank where further quiet clarification occurs. A third level of clarification occurs in a lower portion of the tank, specifically, in a set of plate-like lamellae, radial and conical, which form inclined channels where a final clarification occurs. The bottom wall of the tank has a set of apertures which allow a gravity flow of clarified water through a layer of pressurized gas to an underlying collection compartment.

Abstract: Nanofiltration processes using one or more conventional nanofiltration membrane modules under a positive applied pressure is used to selectively change the concentration of one solute, such as sodium chloride or sodium chlorate providing monovalent ions, from another solute such as sodium sulfate or sodium dichromate to provide multivalent ions in high salt aqueous concentrations. The process is particularly useful in favourably lowering the concentration of undesirable ions, particularly, of silica and dichromate ions in chloralkali and chlorate brine containing solutions and favourably raising the sodium sulphate level relative to sodium chloride in chloralkali liquor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for salvaging blood from a patient are disclosed. A blood salvaging and/or blood processing circuit coupled to a cardiopulmonary bypass circuit, cardiotomy circuit, or directly to the patient comprises a hemocentrator for removing water, fluids, and low molecular weight solutes by ultrafiltration and a sorbent-containing plasma separator for removing a selected solute, such as heparin. A combination device for salvaging blood comprises a closed plasma chamber containing a plasma chamber solution, a hollow fiber plasma-separating membrane for receiving blood and permitting plasma to be transported therethrough into the plasma chamber solution and for refiltering the treated plasma back into the blood circuit, a selective sorbent for contacting the selected solute in the plasma and binding the selected solute, and an ultrafiltration membrane for removing water, fluids, and low molecular weight components from the plasma.

Abstract: A process for producing a fresh wiping solution, comprising at least 90% of water and additives, and for treating said solution once used by the inks of one or more intaglio printing machines, wherein said process comprises the following steps: (a) production of fresh wiping solution, (b) introduction of the fresh wiping solution in one or several wiping tanks and contamination of the fresh wiping solution by the inks, (c) ultrafiltration of the used solution producing a clear solution and a concentrated residual solution, (d) recycling of the clear solution, (e) flocculation of the concentrated residual solution, (f) filtration of the flocculated solution giving solid waste and a filtered solution, (g) neutralization of the filtered solution, (h) evaporation of the neutralized solution producing a concentrated salty solution and distilled water, (i) use of the distilled water for producing fresh wiping solution and (j) filtration of the concentrated salty solution.

Abstract: A process and device for the filtration of solid-liquid mixtures, in particular, solid-liquid suspensions with readily sedimenting substances, uses a filtration device such as a rotary filter optionally operating at an overpressure and in a pressure vessel. The process primarily comprises producing a movement in addition to the natural or usual filtration movement of the or in the mixture. Conveniently, a filtration device and, in particular, with rotary filters in a pressure vessel, includes a partly open feeding device, in particular, a feeding pipe for the supply of mixture or suspension, and a device for additionally influencing the natural or usual filtration movement of or in the mixture or suspension for generating an additional flow of the mixture.

Abstract: A paper mill and method of producing paper from waste paper in which no liquid effluent is produced, and wherein the spent treatment liquors are subjected to an oxidative treatment, microfiltration, and reverse osmosis.

Abstract: A method of treating a dilute aqueous suspension of solid particulate material comprising waste material from a process for recovering petroleum from oil sand includes diluting the suspension with at least 75% of its own volume of water thereby to increase the settling rate of the particulate material and allowing the particulate material to settle to form a concentrated solid sediment. The treated suspension may have been obtained from a process in which an alkaline solution is used to treat the oil sand. The water from which the concentrated solid sediment is separated may be returned to the process for recovering petroleum from oil sand. The solid sediment may be transferred to a separation vessel in which it is fractionated into a coarse particle fraction and a fine particle fraction. The fine particle fraction may comprise essentially particles having an equivalent spherical diameter not greater than 3 .mu.m. The concentrated solid material recovered may be calcined to form a pozzolanic material.

Abstract: A system is provided for recycling a water ladened solvent used for purging a paint supply line of a paint sprayer. The purged material including a mixture of water ladened solvent and paint is filtered for separating the water ladened solvent from the paint. The water ladened solvent is collected and then reused for purging the paint supply lines of the paint sprayer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating sanitary wastewater using membrane filtration are disclosed. Designed principally for complete on-site sewage treatment and disposal, the system separates wastewater into liquid and concentrated solid components by membrane separation; then dries, disinfects, and deodorizes the solid component by a variety of methods to render it reusable or more easily stored and disposed. The liquid component is discharged or reused as is, or is further treated to render it disposable or reusable for particular applications. Alternatives for treating the solids component include mixing with alkaline admixtures and composting with other cellulose-based wastes. Alternatives for treating the liquid component include deodorization and biological stabilization by ultraviolet radiation and ozonation. Preferred and particularly advantageous embodiments of a membrane filtration system, a liquid treatment subsystem, a solids treatment subsystem, and a flushing subsystem are described.

Abstract: A portable water recycler for cleaning and recycling water used in a produce washing system or another similar system. The portable water recycler is most particularly advantageous in the recycling of water used in a potato washing system. The portable water recycler includes a conveyor filter which removes and conveys debris generally laterally while allowing water to pass generally vertically through a funnel and into a reclaiming tank. The reclaiming tank has a sloped floor and a bottom outlet. Dirty water is discharged from the bottom outlet and pumped through at least one centrifugal separator for further separation of particulate material from the water.

Abstract: Recycling apparatus for use in a closed-loop waste-treatment system includes components for removal of inert materials. Typically, the system includes a treatment vessel used in conjunction with a clarifier in an internal recycle configuration; clear water from the top of the clarifier is conducted away from the system as treated effluent, while a portion of the biomass settling at the bottom of the clarifier is returned to the head of the treatment vessel through a hydrocyclone and screen arrangement to remove inert content, thereby substantially increasing the efficiency of biological waste-digestion processes.

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 recycling contaminated flush water from a wet electrostatic precipitator emission control system in a wood panel fabrication process. The recycled flush water containing solid byproducts from the emission control system is combined with wood products in a wood panel fabrication mix in a predetermined ratio of flush water to wood products, resulting in a finished wood panel having improved internal bond strengths and formaldehyde scavenging capacity without the need for excess binding resins and formaldehyde scavengers.

Abstract: There are described a method of and an apparatus for removing sand from waste water loaded with sand and organic substances which is set forth in circulation in a vertical container (1) in which the organic substance moves upward to an overflow (13), while the sand sinks downward toward a discharge conveyor (3) connected to the container (1) from beneath, and is discharged after a certain settling period. To achieve a substantial separation of the sand and the organic substances, the settled sand is stirred by an agitator, with simultaneous rinsing with fresh water delivered to the container bottom region, and is discharged in an amount, which insures a predetermined minimal height of the settled sand.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system has been created in which water to be treated is moved into a treatment vessel without pumping action of a pump. Such movement is facilitated by creating and, in some aspects, maintaining a vacuum in the treatment vessel to effect siphoning action to move water to and through the vessel. In one embodiment the treatment vessel is contained within a wastewater collection container, e.g. a below-grade concrete pit of an existing wastewater collection system. In another aspect the system is sealed so undesirable vapors are not vented to the atmosphere.

Abstract: To thicken remaining residues in ultrafiltration or microfiltration for clarifying fruit juices, systems having membrane module groups (1, 2, 3) connected in series are used in the cross flow process with a residue circuit. The groups (1, 2, 3) can be individually switched on or off in succession, depending upon the present thickening gradient of the residue in the residue feed stream. By operating a suitable number of groups (1, 2, 3), an operationally favorable working pressure is kept constant at the membrane modules until as great as possible a desired value of the thickening gradient of the residue is reached. In this way, an improvement of the overall capacity of filtration systems is achieved.

Abstract: Water recovered from the polymerization of vinyl monomers can be treated to remove or deactivate chain transfer agents present in the water allowing resuse in polymerization processes. The water recovered from a vinyl polymerization reaction is contacted with a cation exchange resin in the hydrogen form prior to recycle, or may be acidified and then contacted with an anion exchange resin in the hydroxide form.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for removal of impurities from, and recirculation of, cleaning agent in a printing machine. Contaminated cleaning agent is purified by passing it through a series of sedimentation devices. In these sedimentation devices, gravity is used to separate the cleaning agent into its constituent parts. Once the impurities have been removed from the cleaning agent, the constituent parts that can be reused are recirculated to the washing devices of the printing machine while the impurities are disposed appropriately.

Abstract: A method for separating an oil or anhydrous fat in hydrophobic liquid phase into a high melting point fraction and a low melting point fraction. The method comprises a step of tangential flow filtration of oil or the anhydrous fat in hydrophilic liquid phase on a hydrophobic membrane to cause separation of the oil or anhydrous fat into a retentate constituting a high melting point fraction and an ultrafiltrate constituting a low melting point fraction. The method is useful for producing butter with hard or soft texture characteristics.

Abstract: A process for removing and recovering ammonia from the organic extraction phase in a metal liquid-liquid extraction process in which at least one ammoniacal aqueous solution (either a leach feed solution containing the metal to be extracted or an aqueous stripping solution employed to strip the metal values from the organic phase) is contacted with the organic phase which comprises a water insoluble, water immiscible hydrocarbon solvent solution of a water insoluble organic extractant for the metal.

Abstract: A large pore (500.degree.-2000.degree. A) ceramic membrane is used to separate asphaltenes from heavy crude oil. Permeate is recycled to the feed for an initial period, during which the pores are deliberately fouled to reduce pore size. This reduction eventually levels off, at which point recycling is terminated and ultrafiltration is continued thereafter at good flux rates with effective asphaltenes removal.

Abstract: A mobile process to reclaim spent aqueous glycol solutions used as heat transfer fluids and which contains deleterious contaminants, oil/grease, corrosion products, and additives such as buffers and corrosion inhibitors. Particulate contaminates and oil/grease are removed by passing the solution through an ultrafiltration membrane. The dissolved contaminants are removed by passing through a series of ion exchange resin (IER) vessels. The reclaimed glycol solution is reused after replacing the required additives. One embodiment provides for central processing of the filtration and absorption media housed in a mobile enclosure, such as a trailer. The mobile trailer may be used at various collection sites for cleaning and reprocessing spent glycols. After the media are spent, the mobile trailer is returned to a central processing facility for regeneration of the filtration and absorption media. The waste produced by the regeneration is concentrated at a single treatment and disposal facility.

Abstract: A part still wet with water or an aqueous type detergent adhering to the surface thereof is drain washed in a washing tank using a hydrophobic dewatering cleaning agent. In this operation of dewatering cleaning, the hydrophobic dewatering cleaning agent stored in the washing tank is circulated between the washing tank and a reserve tank to deprive the hydrophobic dewatering cleaning agent of water entrained thereby by means of a concentration type filter inserted in a path laid for the circulation. A hydrophobic filter is mainly used as the concentration type filter. The dewatering cleaning is continued and meanwhile the consequently isolated hydrophobic dewatering cleaning agent is exclusively returned to the washing tank. As a result, the water concentration in the hydrophobic dewatering cleaning agent stored in the washing tank can be constantly kept below a prescribed level.

Abstract: Blood from a patient is treated extracorporeally by any selected one of a plurality of predetermined treatments. Each of the treatments involves the flow of blood from the patient into a primary chamber of a filtration unit, past a semipermeable membrane located in the filtration unit which separates the primary chamber from a secondary chamber of the filtration unit, out the filtration unit and back to the patient. A replacement fluid is selectively and controllably added to the blood, as required for the selected treatment. A secondary fluid is controllably and selectively introduced into the secondary chamber of the filtration unit for controllably collecting material passing across the semipermeable membrane from the blood or for supplying material to pass across the semipermeable membrane into the blood as required for the selected treatment. Materials are removed from the secondary chamber and collected in accordance with the selected treatment.

Abstract: A working fluid containing dispersed abrasive grains is used in abrasive machining, and a used working fluid contaminated with cutting chips or swarf produced during the abrasive machining is processed by first filter device, so that the abrasive grains in the used working fluid is recovered in the form of a suspension to provide a reclaimed working fluid in which the amount of the cutting chips is reduced. The used working fluid is reclaimed by the device, and the useful abrasive grains included in the used working fluid can be efficiently utilized without being discarded, whereby the abrasive grains in the working fluid is effectively utilized and the working cost is reduced. The device employs a so-called cross flow filtration system, wherein filtration films have mesh openings which are sufficiently smaller than an average grain size of the abrasive grains.

Abstract: A swimming pool main drain assembly comprises a cup-shaped fitting recessed in a pool bottom and having an open mouth substantially coplaner with the pool bottom. A port is provided in the fitting which communicates with the suction inlet of a circulation pump. A return port assembly is provided in the fitting which communicates with an outlet of the circulation pump. The return port assembly includes an outlet conduit which directs water in a substantially vertical direction out of the main drain and educts a portion of the pool water.

Abstract: A portable wastewater treatment system for recycling an aqueous surfactant solution utilized in a parts washer assembly for cleaning parts. The system including a contaminated solution storage tank, a treated solution storage tank, and a portable wastewater treatment apparatus wherein contaminated aqueous surfactant solution is collected in the contaminated solution storage tank, withdrawn from the contaminated solution storage tank, injected with air and passed into a mixing zone where the mixture is sprayed with water. The treated solution in the mixing zone is passed into a quiescent zone where light sludge is passed to the top of the quiescent zone and heavy sludge is passed to the bottom of the quiescent zone, the treated wastewater being disposed between the light sludge and the heavy sludge and the treated wastewater being passed from the quiescent zone into a discharge zone where the treated wastewater is discharged therefrom. The heavy sludge is selectively discharged from the quiescent zone.

Abstract: The Corona Inception Voltage of insulating oils is increased by repetitive cycles of prestressing the oil with a voltage greater than the corona inception voltage, and either simultaneously or serially removing byproducts of corona by evacuation and heating the oil.

Abstract: Leucocyte depletion filter assemblies decrease the leucocyte content of a leucocyte-containing liquid at a flow rate of greater than about 25 milliliters per minute. These filter assemblies are suitable for use in an extracorporeal circuit. Methods for removing leucocytes and other deleterious matter are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for reclaiming water which has been previously used for such purposes as washing vehicles includes both a diatomaceous earth filter for removing particulates and a carbon filter for removing organic contaminants. Reclaimed water which is in the system and not immediately required for use is continuously recycled by a pump so as to increase the removal of contaminants. A second pump moves the cleaned water into a pressure tank for use in washing. A substantial portion of the system is disposed below ground level with a lockable cover above.