Abstract: Systems and methods used to control tangential flow filtration are provided, including control systems and methods for use with connected systems with upstream processing units, such as chromatography processing units, in fluid communication with a tangential flow filtration processing unit. Also included are control systems and methods for performing continuous concentration using single-pass tangential flow filtration with permeate flow control.

Abstract: A ceramic filter membrane module enables a fluid to be filtered, such as raw water, with higher efficiency using multiple ceramic filters in a housing. As the diameter of a through-hole located at the center is considerably larger than the diameter of the surrounding flow path, water pressure pushing the raw water is applied from the through-hole at the center toward the outside of a filter body, such that the raw water passes through the filter body smoothly, thereby improving the purification efficiency and uniformly setting the overall flow direction of the raw water. As packing members are installed and fixed between the housing and the ceramic filters, sealing of the incoming raw water and the filtered water becomes more effective, such that the risk of leakage is reduced. As a plurality of ceramic filters are housed in a single housing, economic benefit can be achieved.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for separating blood, more particularly an apparatus (1) for absorbing blood (19) and separating blood components, e.g. blood plasma, as a sample liquid (2). Said apparatus (1) comprises a feeding device (13) for absorbing the blood (2), a device (15) for separating blood components as a sample liquid (2), a duct which preferably absorbs the sample liquid (2) exclusively by means of capillary forces, and a device for filling the duct (3) with sample liquid (2) in an inlet or feeding zone (18) of the duct (3). The separating device (15), in particular a membrane, is curved, especially convexly shaped, and the apex of said curved, especially convex shape projects into the filling device.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a dual stage filtration apparatus includes a cartridge having a first end and an opposing second end and a first filtration stage including a first bundle of first semi-permeable filtering elements and a second filtration stage including a second bundle of second semi-permeable filtering elements. The cartridge has a fluid inlet port for receiving raw unfiltered fluid into the first filtration stage and a fluid outlet port for discharging purified fluid after it has passed through the first and second filtration stages. The apparatus has an intrastage space that receives fluid that has been filtered in the first filtration stage prior to being filtered again in the second filtration stage, and the fluid inlet port is in fluid communication only with the first filtration stage, while the fluid outlet port is in fluid communication only with the second filtration stage.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming zeolite membranes in internal surfaces of a plurality of conduits in a cylindrical porous ceramic monolith, the conduits extending from one end of the monolith to the other and being disposed in a single annulus, said method including a step of: flowing a pre-treatment liquid (50) including a zeolite initiating agent into the conduits; causing at least part of a carrier liquid component of the treatment liquid to flow from the FIG. 4 conduits into and through the body of the monolith to the exterior; and causing zeolite crystals to be deposited in the porous internal surfaces of the conduits as the carrier liquid component flows into the monolith.

Abstract: A membrane separation module (10) has a shell (11) having inlet port (20), outlet port (21) and a plurality of membrane units (12) disposed therebetween. Each membrane unit (12) has a plurality of elongated membrane elements (13), with at least a portion of each membrane element (13) having a semipermeable surface to permit selective permeation of one or more components of a multi-component feed fluid. The plurality of elongated membrane elements (13) are attached to collecting manifolds (16) (17), with one of those manifolds (16) (17) being unrestrained, permitting axial movement of each membrane element (13) in response to temperature changes. At least one manifold (16) (17) from each membrane unit (12) is in fluid communication with a manifold (16) (17) from one other membrane unit (12).

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus (1) for filtering fluids comprising channelling means (2), a main body (3) connected to the channelling means (2) and defining internally a housing cavity (4) provided with an access mouth (5), and at least one filter element or device (6) housed in the housing cavity (4), the apparatus (1) comprising a base (7) suitable to support the main body (3) and coupling means (8) suitable to position the main body (3) above the base (7), the coupling means (8) also including a main hinge (10) suitable to allow rotation and overturning of the main body (3) with respect to the base (7).

Abstract: A filtering method including the steps of preparing a water purifying apparatus 1 with a cell structure 2 having units for constituting cell structure 4, and a cap portion 3, and making raw water flow into cells 10 from one end, and filtered by a partition walls 9 to take out filtrate water from the side of an outer peripheral surface 8. The cell structure 2 is so constructed that the ratio of maximum value to minimum value in water permeability among the partition walls 9 provided therein is within a range from of 110 to 300% in terms of percentage, and the cells 10 located on the side of an outer periphery 7 of the cell structure 2 have a greater water permeability.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a membrane module, comprising a plurality of bar-shaped ceramic filter elements disposed parallel to each other and stretched on the ends of the bay by covers, which extend perpendicular to said bars. Said modules also comprise sealing elements provided in-between the ends of the bars in addition to holes in the covers. The invention is characterized by the following features: initially, the individual sealing element is partially produced by finishing the inner hole thereof intended for surrounding the end of the bar to its final size while the outer surface of the sealing element remains unprocessed so that a sealing blank is formed; the sealing blank is then inserted into a support having outer dimensions in the insertion area corresponding to the mean outer dimensions of all filter elements or a plurality of filter elements.

Abstract: The filtering membranes of the present invention are made from a pair of polymer films stretched in a liquid surface-active medium for the formation of crazes filled with the aforementioned medium. The crazed films are perforated and then stack together in a stretched or released state and are welded together into a sealed structure with a plurality of parallel welding seams arranged, e.g., in mutually perpendicular directions, so that a plurality of sealed cells is formed. The cells have on one side of the membrane input openings and on the other side output openings. If an input opening is in one cell, then an output opening is in the adjacent cell. Adjacent cells are interconnected only through the welding seams. Welding can be carried out by contact heating or with the use of a laser beam, or the like. The material of the welding seam has an amorphous structure.

Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus for filtration of water from hydrocarbons comprised of a fresh-feed inlet, a first dead end filter, having a filter medium that is hydrophobic, a second cross-flow filter, having a membrane that is hydrophobic, a common housing to contain both the first and second filters, a system for the recirculation of the retentate, a chamber for water settling, and an outlet for clean fuel permeate. This invention takes advantage of the properties of the functional groups of a surfactant, by using the surfactant to allow a hydrophobic medium to attract water, attach the water molecules to the hydrophobic medium, and then allow for agglomeration of the water molecules, which finally become large enough to detach and be swept away by the cross-flow. The hydrocarbon may then pass through the second membrane filter uncontaminated by water and be used as clean fuel.