Abstract: A portable device for filtering and purifying water comprised of an outer chamber and an inner chamber that is slidable within a section of the outer chamber, and a small pore size pre-filter, whereby water is drawn through the pre-filter into the first container section of the outer chamber where it is isolated and treated with a disinfectant agent, then is drawn out of the first container section and into the second container section, and then into the inner chamber, where it is passed across another filtering material such as an activated carbon bed, removing any remaining contaminants before the potable water exits through a mouthpiece.

Abstract: A chlorinator for a biosand filter includes a chlorinator adapted for treating water after it has been filtered by a biosand filter. The chlorinator has a housing having an inlet on a side and an outlet on a bottom. The inlet is adapted to be attached to the outlet of a biosand filter. A dividing partition divides the housing into an inlet section, an outlet section and a chlorinator section. The inlet section is in fluid communication with the inlet, the chlorinator section and the outlet section. The chlorinator section is in fluid communication with the inlet section and the outlet section. The outlet section is in communication with the outlet. A flow control mechanism in the inlet section is adapted to adjust the amount of water flowing through the chlorinator section.

Abstract: A compact point of use water purifier intended for both urban and rural areas of developing countries, consisting of a spigot with integrated UV radiation source adjacent to an outlet orifice to selectively on demand expose untreated water when the spigot valve mechanism is activated to dispense water for consumption. The water purifier is connectable to an electric power source, either 110V/220V AC or 12 VDC, by means of a transformer unit delivering the appropriate voltage to spigot unit.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a solid-liquid separator with self-priming pump with which wear of a self-priming liquid pump connected to a cyclone mechanism can be prevented and a solid-liquid mixture can be purified at a low cost without requiring a special arrangement (special material or special structure) for the pump.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus having a vessel defining a chamber adapted to contain a water treatment chemical over which a dosing liquid can flow from an inlet to form a dosing reservoir at the bottom of the vessel. A supply of dosing liquid is connected to the inlet. The interior of the vessel communicates with a conduit along which an entraining pressurized flow of water can be fed for treatment and via an opening in the conduit that is connected to a bottom outlet of the vessel. A venturi is located in the conduit adjacent the opening so that the velocity of the pressurized water is increased as it passes over the opening and entrains a dosing stream from the dosing reservoir into the pressurized flow. The venturi also applies suction to the interior of the vessel, which draws dosing liquid into the vessel from the supply.

Abstract: A water treatment system can be used to treat bodies of water as found in cooling towers and large commercial ponds to rid the potential of biological contaminants and mineral formations found in heat exchange equipment, on the sides of walls, basins and piping that create corrosive damage and loss of energy through deposits on heat transfer surfaces. The water treatment system may include a recirculating pump for moving water through the system, a filtration system for filtering solids, an ozonator and a UV light for creating an advanced oxidation process, permanent magnets for electrodynamically aligning dissolved minerals in the water, and a heating element for thermodynamically controlling calcium carbonate scaling potential.

Abstract: In an axial-flow cylindrical preparative chromatography column that utilizes a piston to close off the top of the resin space inside the column and thereby eliminate void spaces at the top of the resin, a sight glass is incorporated in the column wall to allow monitoring of the packing height and density as the packing material is being placed inside the column, as well as the position of the piston head relative to the packing while the piston is being lowered to consolidated and/or compress the packing. By observing the column interior through the sight glass, the operator can assure that the column receives a more uniform packing density and can minimize the risk of damage to the packing material by excessive force from the piston head.

Abstract: A sensor 40 that detects a chemical such as an organic vapor. The sensor 40 includes a film that has a film body 58 that includes a detection layer 48 and that is responsive to the presence of a chemical by providing a color change. The film also includes an occluding layer 54 that has a first major surface 59 and that is bound to the film body 58 but is inert to the detection layer 48 to preclude the occluding layer 54 and the chemical from causing a color change in the film body 58 in an area 42 normal to the first major surface 59 of the occluding layer 54. A sensor having this construction can provide a distinctly visible image on the sensor, which may be helpful in evaluating the remaining life of a filter cartridge.

Abstract: A monitoring system and a method for monitoring a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane in an RO unit is capable of detecting the formation of mineral salt crystals on the surface of the RO membrane. The monitoring system includes a reverse osmosis monitoring cell coupled to the RO unit so as to receive a sample stream taken from either the feed stream to, or the concentrate stream from, the RO unit. The cell has a visually observable RO membrane that is visible to an imaging system that creates and collects images of the visually-observable RO membrane, and that conveys an image data signal to a data processing system that is operable to translate the image data signal into visual images for display, and to correlate the data in the image data signal with a scaling condition on the RO membrane in the RO unit.

Abstract: A flexible, disposable centrifuge bag for receiving and holding a fluid sample, comprising one or more tubes and upper and lower flexible sheets having doughnut shaped configurations. The upper and lower sheets are superimposed and completely sealed together at their outer perimeters to define an outer perimeter of the centrifuge bag. The inner perimeter of the bag defines a central core. The tubes are sandwiched between the upper and lower sheets and extend from the central core of the centrifuge bag. The upper and lower sheets are sealed together at their inner perimeters such that the tubes are sealed between said upper and lower sheets at the inner perimeter. The bag may be used to harvest platelet rich plasma from whole blood in either a batch method or while simultaneously infusing additional aliquots of whole blood into the bag during centrifugation.

Abstract: A concentrator is used for concentrating a fluid, particularly a plasma component out of blood, for treatment of a patient. The concentrator apparatus includes a main housing defining a centrifuge chamber, that also holds the filter. The concentrator allows viewing of the fluid after centrifuging, with an outlet port positionable at a height corresponding to the level of the fraction of the fluid to be further concentrated. Once the fluid is centrifuged, a portion of the fluid is drawn through the outlet, and then pressured past the filter to further concentrate the fluid using the same vessel as used for centrifuging. The same plunger is preferably used to draw centrifuged fluid from the centrifuge chamber as to pressure the centrifuged fluid past the filter.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided solar water pasteurizers that are portable, efficient, inexpensive and easy to use. In its simplest form, the solar pasteurizer includes a transparent container such as a bag or envelope that contains at least one energy converting structure and has sufficient insulation to enable heating water to a temperature of at least 60° C. for a time sufficient to achieve pasteurization (typically a period of about one hour at this temperature), and preferably to a temperature of at least 70° C. (at which temperature, a period of only about 6 minutes is required for pasteurization). Invention solar pasteurizers are particularly useful for pasteurizing water. In additional embodiments, invention solar pasteurizers include additional features, such as, for example, a water pasteurization indicator.

Abstract: A bottle attachment designed to facilitate the separation of immiscible solvents following the liquid-liquid extraction of organic compounds from water in original sampling bottles.

Abstract: In forming magnetic blocks, a first permanent magnet may be lowered to the bottom of an upwardly open vessel, the vessel may be already filled or may be then filled with liquid and, while forcefully maintaining the first permanent magnet in that position, further permanent magnets are gradually inserted into the vessel in a direction perpendicular to their resulting joint contact surfaces, where the adjacent surfaces of the superimposed permanent magnets have an opposite polarity, while during insertion of a further permanent magnet, the liquid is drained from the space in the vessel under that inserted magnet, whereby the motion speed of the inserted magnet is controlled as it bears down on the permanent magnet lying beneath it.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a dirt inlet, a handle, a cyclonic cleaning unit comprising a plurality of cyclones and at least one dirt collection chamber, each of the plurality of cyclones having an outer wall, an interior, a fluid inlet downstream from the dirt inlet and a fluid outlet, the at least one dirt collection chamber having an outer wall and an interior, wherein the surface cleaning apparatus is constructed such that the interior of the at least one dirt collection chamber is visible from a position exterior to the surface cleaning apparatus and a fluid flow motor. The surface cleaning apparatus may have a filter with a housing that is at least partially transparent.

Abstract: A portable water disinfecting and purification apparatus comprising a first chamber into which water to be purified may be drawn by suction or negative pressure, a second chamber into which the water from the first chamber can be forced by a pumping action or positive pressure, whereby the water is initially passed across a pre-filter secured over the inlet to the first chamber and having a very small pore size and an inner cavity in which a disinfecting agent is place to filters most contaminants before the water is drawn into said filtering device, and once in the first holding chamber the water is isolated and may be further treated with a disinfectant agent, and then is passed though at least additional filtering substance including an activated carbon or nano-filter.

Abstract: Wastewater and sewage filtering and adsorbing unit includes sewage reservoir, clean water reservoir, active coke powder storage, filtering and adsorbing tank, control cabinet, saturated active coke sludge settling tank, filtering and adsorbing material. The sewage reservoir and the clean water reservoir are on one side, and the filtering and adsorbing tank and the active coke powder storage are on other side. Active coke powder storage is above and connected to filtering and adsorbing tank by conduits; inlet pipes in rows and an outlet branch pipe are mounted into the filtering and adsorbing tank. Filtering and adsorbing material is active coke powder. The sewage reservoir is connected with the filtering and adsorbing tank. An active coke sludge discharge port and an active coke sludge conveyor, which are connected to the saturated active coke sludge settling tank by transporting pipelines, are at the bottom of the filtering and adsorbing tank.

Abstract: An indicator for the status of the filter is provided. The indicator comprises at least one erodable member in contact with the source fluid and a visual indication arrangement that permits a viewer to gauge the appearance of the erodable member to thereby gauge the filter status. The erodable member is eroded by interaction with the fluid or with an element within the fluid. The indicator may be incorporated as an integral component of a filter or may be a stand-alone device to be incorporated into a filter or filtration system.

Abstract: The invention described herein contains two aspects, usable together or separately, that address the needs in the art described above, namely a first aspect that relates to the provision of a transportable water purification system that can be contained on a passenger transport vehicle, and that can use, but does not require, continuous, real-time monitoring, and a second aspect that relates to the use of UV purification of the water as it is uploaded to the passenger transport vehicle after a single pass through the UV chamber.

Abstract: Protein skimmers having an upright housing including an open topped body with a manually removable foam collection cup for sealing mounting on the body. The foam collection cups encircle a foam collection duct except for a recessed inspection window for exposing an area of the foam collection duct's exterior surface for enabling an aquarist a generally horizontal line of sight to continuously inspect the foam collection duct's interior. The protein skimmers have a canister-like configuration with a front control panel including a main inlet, a main outlet and at least one aspirating pump for circulating an air/water mixture. The protein skimmers include a disperser for dispersing an incoming flow of organic loaded water peripherally downward into a reaction chamber in a substantially uniform manner. The protein skimmers include a washing mechanism for periodically washing their foam collection ducts without having to remove their foam collection cups.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an alternative compact portable filtration device that can be used in remote locations and includes a single filtration cartridge that provides redundant filtration of the fluid (water). In particular, the device is a dual stage ultrafilter cartridge (apparatus) that is constructed and designed to provide a portable device that can be used in the field, such as during camping or military assignment, and offers two filtration stages (redundant filtration) within a single housing.

Abstract: A filter system for use in an automobile engine includes a filter unit fluidically interposed between a fluid pump of the engine and a heater core of the engine. The filter unit includes an inner core removably mounted in an outer case. The inner core includes a fluid permeable wall which filters fluid as the fluid passes through the filter unit.

Abstract: A liquid filter, particularly for the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine, having at least one replaceable filter and a carrier module, in which the replaceable filter has a housing with an inlet and an outlet for the liquid to be filtered; a housing vessel with an opening pointing essentially downward is provided, and a filter medium is arranged in the housing between the inlet and outlet in a sealed manner. The replaceable filter with the opening pointing downward is attached in a sealed manner to the carrier module, and the carrier module has semiautomatic emptying device for the replaceable filter such that emptying of the replaceable filter is initiated by an external operation which opens a drain passage, and the drain passage is automatically closed again after the emptying process is completed.

Abstract: A mobile water treatment unit is provided with separation and filtration components secured to a trailer.

Abstract: A cleaning system container includes a base, a side wall, a viewing portion in communication with the side wall, and a cleaning system. The viewing portion is a porthole of the side wall, which provides a window-like mechanism permitting one to see into the cleaning system container through the side wall. The cleaning system container defines a hollow cavity and is capable of holding a fluid, which can receive the cleaning system. The cleaning system container can include a filter assembly and/or a skimmer assembly. By positioning the portholes in desired locations, the amount of waste captured by the filter assembly can be ascertained without the need of opening the cleaning system container, prompting swimming pool owners to change the filter cartridges more frequently, which can improve its overall performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifugal device comprising improved process analysis technology (PAT), to a method for measuring the moisture content of a suspension in a centrifugal drum and to a method for sampling from a centrifugal device. The centrifugal device is equipped with: a drive shaft; a drum that is connected to the drive shaft; a filter that is located inside the drum and that surrounds a working chamber; a baffle plate that forms a front face of the working chamber and that is mounted on a baffle plate shaft, the baffle plate and the drum being axially displaceable; a filler element for filling a working chamber with a suspension; and a centrifugal housing that surrounds the drum and the filter. In addition, various process analysis devices are provided, in particular tubes comprising monitoring and measuring units that are inserted into the working chamber and windows comprising associated channels that are configured n the baffle plate.

Abstract: A visual bilgewater quality indicator for use in a bilgewater filtration system which includes a filtration stage for removing oily contaminants. The quality indicator utilizes one or more filtration status chambers which are provided with a fluorescent or phosphorescent dye or pigment treated filtration media. The status chamber has a transparent outer wall. Flow through the status chamber is from the outer lateral wall toward its central axis, whereby oily contaminants in the flow collect selectively at the outer portions of the filtration media which are highly visible to an observer. Oil droplets as small as one micron, are captured and immobilized by the primary filter and are instantly visible against the background of the exemplary dye. If two status chambers are used in series, due to the ability of the infused media to permanently capture oil without re-entrainment, the second chamber is always kept transparent until complete loading and supersaturating breakthrough at the primary chamber.

Abstract: A lid for a pool return skimmer is provided, although the lid may be suitable for any environment where dangerous reptiles, insects or the like may be housed. The invention includes a generally circular lid having a top and a bottom and a central region. A rim is provided on the lid for engagement with an opening, such as a pool return skimmer. At least a substantial portion of the lid is made of a substantially clear material, to enable someone about to remove the lid to see whether any undesirable reptiles or any other undesirable or dangerous things are beneath the lid, for example in a pool skimmer.

Abstract: A monitoring system and a method for monitoring a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane in an RO unit is capable of detecting the formation of mineral salt crystals on the surface of the RO membrane. The monitoring system includes a reverse osmosis monitoring cell coupled to the RO unit so as to receive a sample stream taken from either the feed stream to, or the concentrate stream from, the RO unit. The cell has a visually observable RO membrane that is visible to an imaging system that creates and collects images of the visually-observable RO membrane, and that conveys an image data signal to a data processing system that is operable to translate the image data signal into visual images for display, and to correlate the data in the image data signal with a scaling condition on the RO membrane in the RO unit.

Abstract: A filter assembly comprising a filter head having inlet and outlet ports; a filter bowl attached to the filter head, wherein the filter bowl has a drain hole located at the bottom of the filter bowl for draining fluids; a filter element housed within the filter bowl, the filter element including a barrier of filtration media, a drain layer and at least one support tube; wherein a pressure differential exists across the filter element; a bottom cap that seals fluid within the filter element; a top cap having a non-planar flange portion, wherein the flange portion has a substantially curving, generally s-shaped cross-sectional profile, the non-planar flange sealingly received within the filter head such that the filter head is divided into inlet and outlet partitions; wherein the top cap directs fluid from the inlet port into the filter element, where the fluid flows through the barrier of filtration media and then out of the assembly through the outlet port; and, a float drain component attached to the base of

Abstract: A system is described for collecting, filtering and removing dirt, debris, detritus, active organic materials, chemicals and toxins from water in fish ponds and general aqua-culture applications. This system includes a filter tank with supporting base containing biological filtration media, a multi-port valve, a strainer, a diffuser head, and a quick drain assembly. The filter tank is fabricated using transparent material allowing for visual inspection of the mechanical and biological activities inside the filter tank. The strainer and diffuser head are slotted so as to capture debris, retain filter media, and maintain unrestricted water flow. The quick drain is a vertical tube covered by drainage slots. The top end of the tube is capped. The bottom end of the tube extends through the filter tank wall to the exterior where a drain valve is attached.

Abstract: An oil water coalescing separator has a coalescing chamber containing oil coalescing media. The separator is preferably substantially transparent so that the thickness of the band of coalesced tramp oil can be visually discerned at a glance. The separator preferably has a magnet base so the separator can be hung on a machine off the floor. The separator is also removable from the magnet base.

Abstract: A waste water filtration system filters polluted waste water from various waste water sources including fire sprinkler systems and fire hydrants. The system includes a sight tube which connects to a female swivel connection on, for example, a Fire Department Connection (FDC). A flexible hose connects the sight tube to a mobile filtering system. The sight tube allows the observation of a waste water flow from the waste water source to ensure that a complete flushing has been accomplished. The filtering system includes a stainer to capture large particles, a filter to capture small particles, and a chemically selective sponge to capture, for example, oil, and destroy bacteria. The filtering system allows compliance with NFPA Standards, California State Fire Marshal's “Title 19 Regulations for maintaining fire sprinkler systems, and Federal Clean Water laws, Federal Coastal Zone laws, and local city ordinances for releasing liquids into storm drains.

Abstract: Hot water pipes, in areas with hard water, tend to fill with scale until they no longer pass enough water. De-scaling water pipes with acid is dangerous, expensive and damages the pipes. Ion exchange and reverse osmosis water softeners eliminate scale buildup in pipes, but are expensive. Embodiments of this invention provide a means of keeping an amount of the scale precipitate, created when water is heated, inside a housing by passing the hot water through a removal medium where the scale sticks to the surface. The removal medium can be placed inside the water heater or in a separate housing connected to the water heater; both configurations remove the precipitate from hot water; both save hot water pipes from scale accumulation.

Abstract: Nozzle device and nozzle for atomization and/or filtration as well as methods for using the same. The nozzle and nozzle device for atomization, in particular a micro-machined reinforced nozzle plate, may produce small liquid droplets in air (spray) or into a liquid (emulsion) with a narrow droplet size distribution and make small air bubbles into a liquid (foam). A nozzle part for filtration as well as elements and methods to facilitate atomization and filtration are also disclosed.

Abstract: An oil water coalescing separator has a coalescing chamber containing oil coalescing media. The separator is preferably substantially transparent so that the thickness of the band of coalesced tramp oil can be visually discerned at a glance. The separator preferably has a magnet base so the separator can be hung on a machine off the floor. The separator is also removable from the magnet base.

Abstract: A removable disposable air dryer cartridge is provided for a small enterprise water ozonation system. The cartridge includes an air inlet to receive atmospheric air, a desiccant material to remove moisture, and a dry air outlet for interfacing with the ozonation system to provide dry air to an ozone generator. This facilitates better ozonation of water in the system, since dry air reacts better in an ozone generator, achieving higher concentrations of ozone gas, thus resulting in a better “kill rate” when ozonated water is applied to bacteria. The air dryer can be provided as a chamber of a combined air dryer and water filter cartridge, the other chamber being a water filter chamber having a water filter for extracting large particles of material from the water stream in order to prevent damage to the system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering pressurized fluids, wherein a fluid level provides a visual indicator as to the general condition of the filter element. The present invention provides a vertical housing having a fluid inlet for communicating the fluid into said housing and a fluid outlet for communicating the fluid downstream of the housing. A filter element is disposed within the housing between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet for filtering the fluid. The volume of air within the vertical housing is specifically determined in order to maintain a level of fluid which will indicate the general condition of the filter element.

Abstract: Hot water pipes, in areas with hard water, tend to fill with scale until they no longer pass enough water. De-scaling water pipes with acid is dangerous, expensive and damages the pipes. Ion exchange and reverse osmosis water softeners eliminate scale buildup in pipes, but are expensive. This invention is a means of keeping the scale precipitate, created when water is heated, inside the water heater by passing the hot water through a removal medium where the scale sticks to the surface. The removal medium can be placed inside the water heater or in a separate tank connected to the water heater; both configurations remove the precipitate from hot water; both save hot water pipes from scale accumulation.

Abstract: A fuel cell power generation system, equipped with a fuel reforming device and a fuel cell body, includes valves, pipelines, a condenser, and a pump for feeding a burner exhaust gas (raw gas) discharged from a heating burner of the fuel reforming device into the fuel reforming device, and an inert gas formation device including an oxidizable and reducible oxygen adsorbent, which is disposed in the pipelines, and adsorbs oxygen in the burner exhaust gas to remove oxygen from the burner exhaust gas and form an inert gas. The fuel cell power generation system can reliably remove residual matter, without leaving it within the fuel reforming device, in a simple manner at a low cost and with a compact configuration.

Abstract: A filtration device is provided whose body member has a transparent or translucent part (i.e., window) so that a user can directly see the colors of the filtering agents inside. If the colors of the filtering agents are changed due to the loss or degradation of functionality, the filtering agents can be replaced so that the performance of the filtration device is consistently maintained.

Abstract: A shower filter apparatus to neutralize chlorine and chloramines from water using water soluble vitamin c in the forms of ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbate, vitamin e in the form of tocopheryl acetate to prevent the oxidation of vitamin c, a cylindrical threaded replaceable sealed cartridge system with carefully sized media feed apertures to control delivery of said vitamin solution, a gasketed flow control device that creates a positive water tight seal over the media feed apertures when the device is not in use, a transparent observation window within the media cartridge.

Abstract: A filtering device for a gravity-flow liquid treatment system includes a first filter component that can be either exposed or adjacent to a substantially transparent region in at least a portion of a filter housing. The first filter component is capable of providing a visual indication of exposure to at least one contaminant. The contaminants for which the first filter component can indicate exposure include particles, inorganic, and organic contamination. Particle contamination is indicated by a change in color of the first filter component through particle collection. Inorganic and organic contaminants are indicated by reaction with at least one agent capable of undergoing a color-change reaction in response to at least one contaminant.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus for monitoring and eliminating gas build-up in an anion exchange column comprised of an anion exchange material placed within a vessel and a liquid layer comprising water contaminated by at least antimony passing through said vessel, which method comprises maintaining said anion exchange material within said liquid layer by allowing gases produced by a reaction of said liquid layer with said anion exchange material to be released from said anion exchange vessel though a valve or other gas release mechanism.

Abstract: A fluid filter assembly having a relief valve for visually indicating when a filter element may be replaced. The fluid filter assembly of the present invention provides a vertical, transparent housing having a fluid inlet for communicating a fluid into the housing and a fluid outlet for communicating fluid downstream of the housing. A filter element is disposed within the housing between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet for filtering the fluid.

Abstract: A filter-testing fixture holds a single fuel filter and is adjustable to accommodate a range of filter sizes and shapes. The fixture has a base section that defines a water collection reservoir, and the base opens upward toward a housing. Water separated from fuel in the housing thus drains into the reservoir. A fuel inlet conduit passes through the reservoir, one end of the conduit being disposed above the base section. The first, or filter-supporting, adapter is removably attached to this end of the conduit, and both the first adapter and this end are disposed within, the housing. The housing removably and sealingly mates to the base, and a cap assembly likewise removably and sealingly mates to the housing. A second, repositionable, filter-holding adapter is connected to the inner surface of the cap.

Abstract: Fluid decontamination device includes a base having a fluid passage in it. An observation window is provided in the base for allowing a user to observe a fluid in the fluid passage. A differential pressure indicator, such as a vacuum indicator, is operatively connected to the fluid passage for indicating the relative pressure in the fluid. An indicator light which turns on when the differential pressure in the fluid passage is less than a predetermined differential pressure may be provided on the differential pressure indicator. A filter may be fluidly connected with the fluid passage for filtering out one or more contaminants present in the fluid.

Abstract: A filter having a thin metal flanged embedded within an open wall portion of a transparent plastic housing. The metal flange is permanently and non-detachably embedded within the wall and connected to a filter cover plate to create a fluid-tight seal. The resulting transparent spin-on filter allows a user to visually inspect the condition of the circulating fluid and filter without removing the filter from an operating system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing super-oxygenated water for human consumption including forcing atmospheric air through a filter to remove impurities, exposing the filtered air to ultra violet light to cleanse the air, and to form ozone and oxygen in the air, forcing the filtered air, ozone, and oxygen into a stream of flowing water to dissolve said air, ozone, and oxygen in said water, and spraying the stream of water having air, ozone, and oxygen dissolved therein into a vessel under superatmospheric pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and a method for separating particles from fluids using ultrasound, laminar flow, and stationary wave effects comprising a micro-technology channel system with an integrated branching point or branching fork, and a single ultrasound source. One of the characteristics of the invention is that the single ultrasound source, which generates the standing waves, excites the complete structure including the channel system. No special reflectors or the like are needed. Extremely thin dividers can separate the flow, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the device. The device could be manufactured in silicon and the ultrasound energy could preferably be delivered by a piezoelectric element.