Abstract: A flow cell having at least one reservoir region containing a liquid reagent. The reservoir region is delimited by a carrier element introduced into an opening in the flow cell together with the reagent, wherein the carrier element seals off the reservoir region from the outside in a fluid-tight manner, and has a vessel and/or capillary structure holding the liquid reagent on the carrier element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid flow device. The device includes an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a length therebetween, at least one source fluid inflow port, at least one waste fluid outflow port, at least one well inlet port positioned at the distal end of the elongate body, at least one well outlet port positioned at the distal end of the elongate body, at least one conduit connecting the at least one source fluid inflow port to the at least one well inlet port, and at least one conduit connecting the at least one waste fluid outflow port to the at least one well outlet port.

Abstract: A device for stirring at least one liquid includes a fluidics module rotatable about an axis of rotation, a liquid chamber for the liquid within the fluidics module, an introducer for introducing mutually separate phase volumes of a phase different from the liquid, said phase volumes having a different density than the liquid, into the liquid within the liquid chamber, and a driving device for subjecting the fluidics module to such a rotation that the phase volumes are moved radially inward or outward in relation to the axis of rotation through the liquid due to the different density of the phase volumes and of the liquid and due to the centrifugal forces caused by the rotation.

Abstract: A device for separating immiscible fluids of different densities from a liquid-containing emulsion, includes a longitudinal rotary drum having a longitudinal axis of rotation.

Abstract: One or more brevetoxins or other toxins produced by red tides or other harmful algal blooms (HABs) are removed from a body of water by contacting an aqueous phase containing water, algae and one or more HAB-produced toxins with an organic phase, extracting the one or more toxins into the organic phase, and separating the organic phase enriched in the one or more toxins from the aqueous phase depleted in the one or more toxins. In some embodiments, the organic phase is comprised of vegetable oil, mineral oil, or other suitable oil. In some embodiments, an annular centrifugal contactor is used to accomplish the contacting, extracting, and separating. In some embodiments, the toxin-depleted aqueous phase is pumped back into the source of the aqueous phase, and the toxin-enriched organic phase is recirculated until a predetermined threshold concentration of the one or more toxins is met.

Abstract: A microchip including a separation portion for separating a first component and a second component from a sample containing the first component and the second component, respectively, a first collection portion for collecting the first component, a second collection portion for collecting the second component, a first flow path for guiding the first component from the separation portion to the first collection portion, and a second flow path for guiding the second component from the separation portion to the second collection portion is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for placing immiscible fluid phases in contact with each other by means of centrifugal force, in particular in order to extract compounds from one of said phases by another phase. Said device comprises at least one contacting unit (3*) which is capable of being rotated about an axis (X?X) and which includes a plurality of cells (210, A, D) intended to be passed through consecutively by said phases, in a given flow direction, each cell being provided with two inlet/outlet channels (214 and 215) which fluidly connect the cells together in pairs and which lead into each cell, respectively, via two inlet/outlet openings, which are proximal (214a) and distal (215a) relative to the said axis, respectively.

Abstract: Simultaneous source-sink flow, or radial counterflow, is driven by a centrifugal pump disposed within a casing. Radially outward source flow of brine goes into a shrouding tank and concentrates while a radially inward sink flow of fresh water flows back over the pump to axial extraction. An axial pump drives sink flow and axial extraction. Convergent sink flow passes under an inductor to an axial exhaust port. Induced viscosity and inductive repulsion hinder the passage of brine in sink flow, so only fresh water can reach the axial exhaust port. Crystallization of scale-forming salts is aided by Joule heating from the inductor. Solvent and gases are continuously axially extracted in sink flow, favoring crystallization. Sodium chloride is cooled and crystallized in the shrouding tank. Brine comprising other salts flows out of the tank to treatment by suitable means. Thus brine is separated into fresh water, crystallized salt, and concentrated brine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for obtaining viruses from a liquid viral suspension, according to which: the viral suspension is subjected to density gradient ultracentrifugation, the ultracentrifugation is carried out continuously, and the density gradient is a discontinuous gradient comprising at least 2 steps.

Abstract: A rotor is provided for the centrifugal separation of a composite fluid, such as animal or human blood, into components. An inner surface of the rotor includes at least one hydrophobic area having a first surface energy sufficiently low to provide a flow path for a lower density fluid component to flow to the bottom of a central collection chamber after centrifugal separation. A method of separating a composite fluid into components using such a rotor is also provided. Additionally, a method of manufacturing such a rotor is provided.

Abstract: A centrifuge may include a main drive system having a first axis of rotation and a bobbin carrier having a bobbin axis of rotation that is parallel to and offset from the first axis of rotation. A transmission system may be connected to the main drive system via a differential in order to transmit power from the main drive system to rotate the carrier bobbin around the first axis of rotation and to rotate the carrier around the bobbin axis of rotation such that the bobbin can rotate around the first axis of rotation at a different speed than the bobbin rotates around the bobbin axis of rotation.

Abstract: A two-tube centrifuge separates light material and heavy material from an input mixture. A hollow drive shaft rotates a central body member about an axis of rotation. Two hollow arm assemblies, each having circular cross-section, are mounted on diametrically opposite sides of the central body. Each arm assembly includes an outer housing tube, an intermediate tube, and an inner tube that is longer than the intermediate tube. An end cap having a removable plug is mounted on the outer end of the housing-tube of each arm assembly. The inner ends of all three tubes are mechanically interlocked in a manner to cantilever mount the inner and intermediate tubes to the central-body with their outer ends spaced from the internal surface of the end cap. An input-mixture path extends through the hollow drive shaft, through the central-body, and into a cylindrical space between the inner and intermediate tubes of each arm assembly.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes devices for light matter extraction and for heavy matter extraction. Each embodiment provides for a plurality, e.g., two or more stacked or layered chambers, and connected to a central compartment of the chambers is a rotating drive shaft. In the light matter extraction, a central conduit feeds fluid input into the lower chamber. An upper portion of the lower chamber communicates with the lower portion of a mid chamber via a port formed in a plate dividing the chambers. The upper portion of the mid chamber communicates with the lower portion of an upper chamber via a port formed in a plate dividing the chambers. The chambers can be fixably connected to one another. In the heavy matter extraction an initial feed conduit feeds fluid into the upper chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are integrated microfluidic devices and methods of using the devices for large panel detection and multi-step procedures within a single, enclosed structure. The methods and devices provided herein are capable of two-dimensional and three-dimensional fluid pumping along a disc surface and among multiple discs. In an embodiment, one or more pumps are used to propel sample in a direction opposite the direction of centrifugal force such that sample flows both radially outward and radially inward relative to the disc's axis of rotation. This effectively provides an increase in usable disc space for the flow of sample. The disclosed devices and methods reduce, minimize, or eliminate the surface area limitation of known integrated microfluidic devices. Thus, the disclosed devices provide increased usable surface area of a rotating disc structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in separating, at least in part, a mixture, including at least one chamber and at least one microwave generation device configured for communicating microwave energy into the at least one chamber is disclosed. The rotor assembly may comprise an electric generator for generating electricity for operating the microwave generation device. At least one microwave generation device may be positioned within a tubular interior shaft extending within the rotor assembly. At least a portion of the tubular interior shaft may be substantially transparent to microwave energy. Microwave energy may be emitted in an outward radial direction or toward an anticipated boundary surface defined between a mixture and a separated constituent thereof. A method including flowing a mixture through at least one chamber and communicating microwave energy into the at least one chamber while rotating same is disclosed. Methods of operating a centrifugal separator and design thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: An annular centrifugal extractor with an immersed agitation rotor. The liquid-liquid centrifugal extractor including an emulsion chamber and a settling chamber, aligned because of the addition of a section of axis to the rotor, which allows flow and operation to be regularized, especially by allowing the dimensions of the chambers to be selected more freely.

Abstract: A centrifugal extractor of non-contact journaled construction is provided in which, even under the environments of corrosive gase and mist-like liquid such as nitric acid mist generated in the reprocessing of a spent nuclear fuel, no problem in corrosion or deterioration of parts occurs and high reliability is obtained, and operation is enabled for a long period of time free from maintenance. A rotor 12 housed in a rotor housing 10 is journaled by a main shaft 14 and rotated and driven by a motor 16. The main shaft is surrounded by a drive-portion housing 30, and has a thrust magnetic disk 36 on the upper end and radial magnetic disks 46, 48 and a motor-rotor portion 54 in the circumference thereof.

Abstract: A centrifugal extractor has a rotor supported rotatably in a housing 10, and an aqueous phase liquid and an organic phase liquid are supplied to the outer circumference of the rotor and mixed between the housing and the rotor. A mixed phrase liquid is sucked into the rotor and is separated into two phases in a centrifugal force field generated in the inside of the rotor, and the separated aqueous phase liquid and organic phase liquid are discharged to an aqueous phase collector 50 and an organic phase collector 44, respectively. A cavity portion is provided in the center of the rotor, and a neutron absorption body 60 is disposed in the cavity portion. Preferably, the rotor has a lower rotating and supporting mechanism (such as a sliding bearing 66), and a neutron absorption material is sealed into the lower rotating and supporting mechanism. By such a centrifugal extractor, criticality safety and durability can be enhanced, even when the extractor is designed to be larger-size and larger-capacity.

Abstract: A centrifugal extractor wherein a rotor is supported rotatably in a housing 10, an aqueous phase and an organic phase are supplied to the outer circumference of the rotor and mixed between the housing and the rotor, a mixed phase is sucked into the rotor and is separated into two phases in a centrifugal force field generated in the inside of the rotor, and the separated aqueous phase and organic pahse are discharged to an aqueous phase collector 50 and an organic phase collector 44, respectively. A cavity portion is provided in the center of the rotor, and a neutron absorption body 60 is disposed making use of the cavity portion. Preferably, a lower rotating and supporting mechanism (such as a sliding bearing 66) of the rotor is disposed, and a neutron absorption material is sealed into the lower rotating and supporting mechanism. By such a centrifugal extractor, criticality safety and durability can be enhanced, even when it is designed to be larger-size and larger-capacity.

Abstract: Liquid—liquid extraction apparatus includes a separator tank rotatable about an axis extending through the tank, a tank inlet for a mixture of two liquids of different densities and which are substantially insoluble in each other, a tank outlet on the axis of rotation for the light liquid, and a tank outlet spaced from the axis of rotation for the heavy liquid. In terms of method, a mixture of the two liquids is rotated about an axis extending through the mixture to cause the light liquid to concentrate at the axis of rotation, and to cause the heavy liquid to concentrate at the periphery of the rotating liquid. The light liquid is removed from the body of liquid along a flow path co-linear with the axis, and the heavy liquid is removed from the periphery of the rotating body of liquid.

Abstract: A machine for separation two liquids of different densities from a mixture has a separation chamber with radially disposed fins that rotates about a central axis. The separation chamber has an outside wall with a first weir extending toward the central axis and spaced from the central axis a distance or radius that is less than the distance of the boundary between the two fluids in the separation chamber. The mixture separates into a first volume of the first fluid and a second volume of the second fluid. The first fluid exits past the first weir. The second fluid passes into a channel or volume and then past a second weir. The channel or volume is sized so that the angular momentum of the second fluid is conserved and develops a force to retain the first fluid and the second fluid in the separation chamber. The separation chamber is in a housing which contains a first collecting chamber to collect the first fluid and a second collecting chamber to collect the second fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a modified centrifugal contactor for separating solutions of near equal density. The modified contactor has a pressure differential establishing means that allows the application of a pressure differential across fluid in the rotor of the contactor. The pressure differential is such that it causes the boundary between solutions of near-equal density to shift, thereby facilitating separation of the phases. Also disclosed is a method of separating solutions of near-equal density.

Abstract: A process for extracting a component from liquids using dense phase gases or supercritical fluids (dense phase solvent). The process contacts a liquid and the dense phase solvent in a rotating mixer to dissolve a desired fraction into the dense phase solvent to form a loaded solvent. Furthermore, the mixer separates the loaded solvent from the remaining raffinate. Then the rotating mixer discharges the loaded solvent and raffinate. Decreasing pressure on the loaded solvent converts the loaded solvent into a gas and the desired fraction to liberate the desired fraction from the gas.

Abstract: A process for extracting a component from liquids using dense phase gases or supercritical fluids (dense phase solvent). The process contacts a liquid and the dense phase solvent in a rotating mixer to dissolve a desired fraction into the dense phase solvent to form a loaded solvent. Furthermore, the mixer separates the loaded solvent from the remaining raffinate. Then the rotating mixer discharges the loaded solvent and raffinate. Decreasing pressure on the loaded solvent converts the loaded solvent into a gas and the desired fraction to liberate the desired fraction from the gas.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator comprises a drum (1) rotatable about its axis within which annular walls (10, 20) define discharge chambers (11, 21) at the ends of the drum, from which separated fluids of different specific gravities are discharged by respective scoops (14, 24). Alternatively, annular walls (44, 45 and 47, 49) define both such chambers at one end only of the drum. The dimensions of the annular walls are chosen so that the separator is self-regulating, in that the separated fluids are discharged independently of the proportions of the fluids in the incoming mixture, so that operation of the separator does not have to be controlled in response to sensing of the separation process within the drum.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes a rotor sleeve which reduces the fine scale mixing of liquid components. The rotor sleeve in the annular mixing zone minimizes liquid-liquid shear, but does not adversely affect the pumping action of the rotor. The separator comprises a housing having a generally cylindrical inner surface defining an interior chamber. A hollow rotor is disposed within the chamber for rotation therein, the rotor having upper and lower openings and a generally cylindrical rotor wall with an inner and outer surface. The outer surface of the rotor wall is spaced apart from the inner surface of the housing and thereby defines the annular mixing zone. The rotor sleeve comprises a cylinder only slightly larger than the rotor. The sleeve is fixed relative to the housing, thereby preventing liquid within the annular mixing zone from contacting the rotating outer surface of the rotor. The reduction in mixing action dramatically increases the separation efficiency for shear-sensitive liquid mixtures.

Abstract: Multi-Stage centrifugal extractors for separating two liquids of differing densities wherein each stage includes a decantation chamber which surrounds and receives liquids from a mixing chamber and wherein a portion of at least one of the separated liquids is recycled from the decantation chamber to the mixing chamber at each stage.

Abstract: A water-conducting lance, fitted with a spray nozzle at an end thereof, is fixed to the top of a massecuite-separating centrifuge which has a rotating basket, to dispose the nozzle in adjacency to the top of the basket. The nozzle addresses the top of the basket, perpendicularly, and sprays pre-wetting water onto sugar crystals thereat, to insure a good mix of the crystals with subsequent mixing liquid (also water) in a mixing liquid zone, in order that a lump-free high brix magma will be produced.

Abstract: This invention is drawn to a high-speed centrifugal extractor having improved weirs for selectively separating a heavy liquid and a light liquid. Each of the selection weirs has a double tube structure consisting of an outer cylinder extending from a rotor peripheral wall towards a rotor rotary shaft and an inner cylinder which is inserted into the outer cylinder through the rotor peripheral wall in such a manner that the insertion length of the inner cylinder can be varied. The heavy liquid selection weir has a heavy liquid withdraw port at the wall of the outer cylinder positioned inside the heavy liquid phase, while the light liquid selection weir has a light liquid withdraw port at the wall of the outer cylinder positioned inside the light liquid phase. By varying the insertion length of the inner cylinder into the outer cylinder, the position of an interface at which the heavy and light liquid phases are separated inside a rotor can be changed.

Abstract: A disk shaped cassette for centrifugal fluid separation, particularly blood separation, and a drive system for high speed rotation of the cassette. The cassette is driven at speeds which permit very rapid separation of the blood in times on the order of seven (7) to twenty (20) seconds by an automated control. The cassette is supported by a flexible support coupling and mounting system that permits the entire rotating mass to spin about the center of mass unique to the particular cassette as filled. The cassette typically includes a peripheral collection chamber which may be either annular, lobed or channel shaped. A cassette enabled to hold plural separation tubes is also shown. A gel can be placed in the cassette with a density between the fluid components to separated and after centrifuging maintains the component separation that centrifuging creates.

Abstract: In a high-speed centrifugal extractor of the type wherein an inlet for a mixture of heavy liquid and light liquid is disposed at the bottom of a cylindrical rotor rotating at a high speed, a heavy liquid outlet and a light liquid outlet are disposed at the upper part of the rotor and a weir for facilitating selective extraction of the heavy liquid and a weir for facilitating selective extraction of the light liquid are disposed at the upper part of the rotor in order to guide the heavy liquid phase and the light liquid phase separated inside the rotor by centrifugal force to the heavy and light liquid outlets, respectively, an improvement resides in a spiral liquid path formed inside the cylindrical rotor and extends from the mixed liquid inlet to the selection weirs so that the mixture of the heavy and light liquids introduced from the mixed liquid inlet rises along the spiral liquid path while rotating therein.

Abstract: A method and device for separating two liquid phases by means of a centrifuge. The position of the zone that separates them is varied by supplying additional heavy phase as a function of that position. Once the zone arrives at a certain location, traces of light phase will appear in the heavy-phase outlet. A shutoff is opened and additional heavy phase is supplied for a prescribed length of time through a separate intake, displacing the zone toward another location. The process is repeated, with more heavy phase being diverted through the heavy-phase outlet than is supplied through the product intake.

Abstract: A jacketed centrifuge for exchanging material between liquids, usually a heavier liquid containing suspended solids and a lighter liquid, including a housing in which there is a drum mounted for rotation, and a conveyor worm mounted for rotation coaxially therewith. Inlet and outlet means are provided for introducing a relatively light liquid into the drum, as well as introducing the heavier liquid containing the solids suspended therein. Many of the elements of novelty are centered around the discharge means which are used for discharging solids from the drum. Basically, the drum is enlarged radially in the vicinity of the discharge means and is provided with various types of devices for discharging the solids into the discharge zone in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A centrifugal counter-flow liquid container contactor in which a light liquid and a heavy liquid are introduced into a rotary body fixed to a rotary shaft from the outer peripheral portion and the inner peripheral portion of the rotary body, respectively, so that the light liquid and heavy liquid make counter-flow contact with each other and, after the contact, the light liquid and heavy liquid are discharged from the inner peripheral portion and outer peripheral portion of the rotary body. Disc-shaped partition plates are disposed at both sides of radially extending pipes within the rotary body such as a light liquid introduction pipe, heavy liquid discharging pipe and so forth inserted into the rotary body, so as to separate these radial pipes from the region where the light and heavy liquids are mixed with each other.