| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 210637000 | Including regulating pressure to control constituent gradient at membrane or to prevent rupture of membrane | 72 |
| 20080203020 | Processes Employing Movable Particles - The invention is directed to an industrial process, for instance a process for the separation of compounds from a fluid mixture or a process for cleaning parts of equipment, using movable particles, as well as to said particles per se, which may be used in such processes. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080217245 | ENHANCED CLEARANCE IN AN ARTIFICIAL KIDNEY INCORPORATING A PULSATILE PUMP - A continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) device is provided that weighs between 2 and 10 pounds. The CRRT device can be portable, mobile or completely worn on the person of the patient. Blood and dialysate are each pumped in a pulsed or pulsatile manner through a dialyzer such that a significant portion of the peak pulse of the blood flow coincides with a significant portion of a low pulse portion of the dialysate flow. An differential pressure between a dialysate inlet of the dialyzer and the blood inlet of the dialyzer periodically changes from a high differential pressure of between 70 and 120 mmHg for a first time period and a low differential pressure of between −10 and 10 mmHg for a second time period. The frequency of the high and low differential pressure cycle is between about 0.5 and 4 Hz. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080237126 | MICRO-AND NANOCOMPOSITE SUPPORT STRUCTURES FOR REVERSE OSMOSIS THIN FILM MEMBRANES - Disclosed are compaction resistant thin film composite membranes having a porous polymeric support; a semi-permeable polymer film polymerized on the porous polymeric support; and particles, of a size in the range of microparticles and nanoparticles, dispersed in the porous polymeric support. Also disclosed are methods of making compaction resistant membranes by polymerizing a polymer film on a porous polymeric support with particles of a size in the range of microparticles and nanoparticles dispersed therein, the particles having been selected to improve flux flow characteristics over time of the semi-permeable membrane. Also disclosed are methods of purifying water using the disclosed membranes. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080245733 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE FILTRATION OF BIOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS - A system, method and device are disclosed for bio-processing a feed stream and providing a constant output by operating a continuous single-pass tangential-flow process. The single-pass process provides high conversion concentration while operating at relatively low feed flow rates, and the process can also be used to provide constant output diafiltration. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080251456 | Method for Separating Organic Transition Metal Complex Catalysts - Process for separating a dissolved complex catalyst of a metal of group 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements and/or any free organophosphorus ligand present from a nonaqueous hydroformylation reaction mixture which contains an aldehyde product and an organic solvent at least one membrane which is more permeable to the hydroformylation product than to the organophosphorus ligand, the separation being carried out under a carbon monoxide partial vapor pressure of more than 200 kPa. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080272052 | Method for Producing and Dewatering Cyclic Formals - Processes are described which comprise: (a) providing a mixture comprising a cyclic formal and water, wherein the mixture has a cyclic formal concentration and a water concentration; (b) bringing the mixture into contact with an organically selective membrane; (c) creating a pressure differential across the membrane; and (d) obtaining a permeate having a lower water concentration and a higher cyclic formal concentration than the mixture, and a retentate having a higher water concentration and a lower cyclic formal concentration than the mixture. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080277341 | Method for Making Reverse Osmosis Permeate Water and Mineral Water From Deep Seawater - A method for making reverse osmosis permeate water and mineral water from deep seawater includes the steps of: a) sand-filtering or ultra-filtering the deep seawater; b) conducting a first nano-filtering step to nano-filter the deep seawater after the step a) to obtain first nano-filtration permeate water and first nano-filtration concentrated water; c) filtering the first nano-filtration permeate water using a reverse osmosis apparatus to obtain reverse osmosis permeate water and reverse osmosis concentrated water; and d) treating the first nano-filtration concentrated water by electrodialysis to obtain anion-rich water, cation-rich water, and mineral water. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080296224 | REVERSE OSMOSIS PUMP SYSTEM - Reverse osmosis (RO) systems having efficiency enhancing features are disclosed. Included are RO systems having a RO module and a pumping system. A feed fluid line can introduce feed fluid into the pumping system, and the pumping system can increase the pressure of the feed and pass the pressurized feed to the RO module. Such RO systems can also have a recycle stream leading from a concentrate side of the RO module to the pumping system and a purified stream leading from a purified side of the RO module. In some cases, the pumping system can boost the pressure of both the feed fluid and the recycle stream, and the boosted fluids can be fed into the RO module. The pumping system can have first and second pumping chambers for the feed fluid and the recycled concentrate. These pumping chambers can be separate pumps, or they can be referred to as a single pumping system, for example a double-acting simplex plunger pump. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080314834 | EXTRACORPOREAL BLOOD FILTER SYSTEM - A blood filter system used for the sequential filtering of blood while actively removing air bubbles and debris comprising a filter housing with unique conical, or cylindrical shape, a flared inlet port, a unique up and down blood flow path, a multi-stage sequential filter assembly, an active air purge assembly and a unique downspout assembly with outlet port. The filter housing is adapted so that blood passes from the inlet port through the multi-stage sequential filter assembly to the outlet port following an up and down flow path, while its unique shape and angled filters effectively direct any air bubbles and debris up and out of the blood stream toward the active air purge assembly where they are removed. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090001019 | Fluid Treating Apparatus - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an apparatus that can be used to treat fluids. The apparatus can include a housing with an inlet for receiving a process fluid to be treated, a surface within the housing for treating the process fluid that can be wet by the process fluid, and an outlet for removing treated process fluid. The housing includes a vent that aids in the removal of fluid components that separate from the process fluid. Removal of these separated fluids improves the efficiency and contact of the process fluid with the surfaces in the housing for treating the process fluid. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090014386 | Separation Process - The invention relates to a nanofiltration process for enriching and concentrating a neutral organic compound into the permeated liquid with negative retention. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090026137 | Liquid filtration media - A liquid filter with a composite medium that has a nanoweb adjacent to and optionally bonded to a microporous membrane. The membrane is characterized by an LRV value of 3.7 at a rated particle size, and the nanoweb has a fractional filtration efficiency of greater than 0.1 at the rated particle size of the membrane. The nanoweb also has a thickness efficiency ratio of greater than 0.0002 at that efficiency. The nanoweb acts to provide depth filtration to the membrane, prefilters particles and extends the lifetime of the membrane. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090032464 | Treatment equipment of organic waste and treatment method - In treatment equipment of organic waste provided with a high temperature and pressure treatment apparatus to produce a slurried material by conducting the high temperature and high pressure treatment of the organic waste, a dehydration treatment apparatus to recover the dehydrated solid matter by conducting the dehydration treatment of the slurried material and a water treatment apparatus to conduct the purification treatment of a separated liquid separated by the dehydration treatment apparatus, the treatment equipment of organic waste is characterized by having a crusher to crush said organic waste before conducting the high pressure and temperature treatment and providing to said high temperature and pressure treatment apparatus a steam blowing means to blow steam into the organic waste in said high temperature and pressure treatment apparatus, wherein said high temperature and pressure treatment apparatus is formed as a continuous reaction tank to which the organic waste is continuously supplied and to which the steam is blown from the said steam blowing means to cause the reaction while heating, pressurizing and agitating, and wherein said water treatment apparatus is provided with a membrane separation treatment apparatus to conduct the separation treatment via the separation membrane as a condensed liquid of the residual solid matter in the separated liquid. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090032465 | METHOD FOR THE ELIMINATION OF METAL COMPLEX CATALYSTS FROM TELOMERIZATION MIXTURES - Process for separating a metal complex catalyst from a reaction mixture obtained from a telomerization reaction, wherein the metal complex catalyst is separated off at least one membrane which is more permeable to the telomerization product than to the metal complex catalyst. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090071902 | HYBRID RO/PRO SYSTEM - A system which includes a separation element ( | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090173690 | BATCH-OPERATED REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEM - A reverse osmosis system in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir and a method of operating the same includes a pressure vessel having a membrane therein, a high pressure fluid input, a low pressure fluid input, a permeate output and a brine output. The system further includes a high pressure valve, a low pressure valve and a high pressure pump in fluid communication with the high pressure input through the high pressure valve. The system also includes a low pressure pump in fluid communication with the low pressure input through the low pressure valve. The high pressure pump and the low pressure pump are in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. The low pressure pump initially fills the pressure vessel and the high pressure pump operates during permeate production. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090173691 | BATCH-OPERATED REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEM WITH MULTIPLE MEMBRANES IN A PRESSURE VESSEL - A reverse osmosis system and method for operating the same includes a fluid reservoir, a valve and a brine feed tank in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir through an input. The brine feed tank has brine feed fluid therein. The system also includes a high pressure pump and a pressure vessel in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir through the high pressure pump. The pressure vessel comprises a permeate outlet. The brine feed tank is in fluid communication with the pressure vessel. During a permeate production cycle, the high pressure pump pumps additional fluid under high pressure from the fluid reservoir into the pressure vessel using a high pressure pump. The pressure vessel communicates brine fluid into the brine feed tank. The high pressure pump raises a pressure in the pressure vessel until an amount of permeate is produced from a permeate output of the pressure vessel. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090188862 | COUNTER-PRESSURE FILTRATION OF PROTEINS - A method is disclosed for filtering a protein in a liquid mixture in a manner that does not substantially damage or otherwise limit the recovery of the protein in the filtration filtrate. The method generally includes passing a liquid mixture containing a protein (e.g., an aqueous vWF mixture) through a filter while applying a counter pressure to the liquid mixture filtrate to accurately reduce and control the pressure differential across the filter. The disclosed method has the advantage that relatively high filtration flow rates can be achieved at relatively low pressure differentials, in contrast to high pressure differentials, which actually reduce the filtration flow rate of protein liquid mixtures. Further, the method can recover substantially all of the protein that is initially present in the liquid mixture. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090230058 | CONTROL OF BUBBLE FORMATION IN EXTRACORPOREAL CIRCULATION - The invention relates to control of bubble formation in a fluid during extracorporeal circulation. A fluid supply means ( | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090277833 | TANGENTIAL FLOW FILTRATION SYSTEM - A system, method and device are disclosed for bio-processing a feed stream providing a constant output by operating a continuous single-pass tangential-flow process. Embodiments are operated without large circulation pumps. Other embodiments use components which can be disposed after a single use. The system, method and device can also be used to provide constant output diafiltration. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090289008 | LIQUID TREATMENT APPARATUS - The invention provides a liquid treatment apparatus such as a reverse osmosis apparatus wherein a portion of an inlet liquid permeates through a filter or a membrane e.g. to provide freshwater from saltwater. The apparatus comprises a pump which provides the necessary pressure of the liquid to drive the permeation process, and a recovery unit which transfers pressure of a residue quid to the inlet liquid. The pump and the recovery unit are driven at synchronous and variable speed to control the output and thereby e.g. to adjust for fouling of the filter or membrane. The invention further provides methods of controlling the synchronous speed, e.g. based on a pressure or based on the consumption of the produced liquid. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20100012586 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR MINIMIZING MEMBRANE FOULING FOR MICROFLUIDIC SEPARATORS - A fluid separation method for performing fluid analysis of an unfiltered fluid. The fluid separation method includes providing a structure with a fluid analyzer and a power supply. Using a substrate for receiving a fluid flow stream of a multiphase mixture through a fluid sample inlet, wherein the substrate interconnects with the structure. Providing a membrane disposed across the fluid sample inlet for separating a fluid of interest from the multiphase mixture, wherein the fluid flow stream of the multiphase mixture has a shear rate that prevents a fouling of the membrane. Finally, the fluid separation method includes the substrate having fabricated channels, such that the fabricated channels are arranged substantially tangent to the fluid stream downstream of the porous membrane. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100018922 | Method and apparatus for processing vegetable oil miscella, method for conditioning a polymeric microfiltration membrane, membrane, and lecithin product - A method for processing vegetable oil miscella is provided. The method includes steps of feeding vegetable oil miscella to a conditioned polymeric microfiltration membrane, and recovering a permeate stream having a decreased weight percent of phospholipids compared with the weight percent of phospholipids provided in the miscella. The retentate stream can be further processed for the recovery of lecithin. The polymeric microfiltration membrane can be conditioned for the selective separation of phospholipids in the miscella. A method for conditioning a membrane for selective separation of phospholipids from vegetable oil miscella, and the resulting membrane, are provided. The membrane which can be conditioned can be characterized as having an average pore size of between about 0.1μ and about 2μ. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100032373 | METHOD FOR THE OPTIMISED MANAGEMENT OF A MEMBRANE FILTRATION UNIT AND EQUIPMENT FOR REALISING THE SAME - The invention relates to a method for the optimised management of a membrane filtration unit based on membrane micro-coagulation, that comprises at least one measurement of the effluent temperature ( | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100044310 | METHOD, EQUIPMENT AND SPECIFIC DRAWER FOR MEMBRANE SEPARATION UTILIZING CONCENTRATION POLARIZATION - The present invention relates to a membrane separation method and a relevant equipment, in particular to a method and an equipment for membrane separation utilizing concentration polarization during membrane filtration process, especially, to a concentration process and equipment and a drawer special for drawing a concentration polarization layer. The direct removal of the concentration polarization layer from membrane surface not only decreases the adverse influence of concentration polarization on membrane separation but also obtains concentrated retention components, thereby significantly improving the ability to maintain membrane flux, solving the twinborn problems concerning concentration polarization and membrane fouling during the membrane separation process, and achieving a high-efficiency concentration for retention components. The method and equipment of the present invention can be widely applied in various membrane techniques, in particular in a membrane separation process for concentrating biomacromolecule and organic micromolecule products such as sugars, organic acids and polypeptides etc. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100051546 | WATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A water treatment and conveyance system includes a plurality of substantially planar membrane elements arranged in a stack. Adjacent membrane elements in the stack are spaced apart from one another by element spacers. The element spacers have one or more openings that are in fluid communication with the permeate sides of adjacent membrane elements. The openings are sealed off from the source water sides of the membrane elements by one or more sealing members. The openings in the element spacers cooperate to define a conduit for the filtered permeate. Methods for treating water and conveying treated water are also provided. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100065496 | Membrane distillation pressure control system and method - A membrane distillation system includes a membrane distillation module, a brine loop and a distillate loop. The brine loop and the distillate loop each include means for regulating flow of brine solution and distillate, respectively, to the membrane distillation module. The flow of brine solution and distillate is regulated to prevent brine solution and distillate from penetrating membranes of the membrane distillation module. A method of membrane distillation includes delivering brine solution and distillate to the membrane distillation module at low pressures in a first mode. The method also includes heating the brine solution and cooling the distillate and delivering portions of each to the membrane distillation module in a second mode. The portions of heated brine solution and cooled distillate are adjusted to facilitate membrane distillation while preventing liquid from penetrating membranes of the membrane distillation module. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100072132 | METHODS FOR RECOVERING A POLAR SOLVENT FROM A FLUID STREAM CONTAMINATED WITH AT LEAST ONE POLAR IMPURITY - A method of removing a polar solvent from a fluid volume contaminated with at least one polar impurity, such as a free fatty acid, is provided. The method comprises providing a fluid volume that includes at least one polar impurity dissolved in at least one solvent. The fluid volume is contacted with an expanding gas to remove the at least one solvent. The expanding gas may be dissolved into the at least one solvent in the fluid volume to form a gas-expanded solvent. The immiscibility of the polar impurities in the gas-expanded solvent enables separation of the polar impurities from the gas-expanded solvent. After separation of the polar impurities, at least one of the temperature and pressure may be reduced to separate the solvent from the expanding gas such that the clean solvent may be reused. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100072133 | DEHYDRATING APPARATUS, DEHYDRATION SYSTEM, AND DEHYDRATION METHOD - A dehydrating apparatus, a dehydration system, and a dehydration method have improved membrane performance. The dehydrating apparatus | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100096327 | POLYMER COATINGS THAT RESIST ADSORPTION OF PROTEINS - The invention provides membranes useful for filtration of water and other liquids. The membrane may be a composite membrane having a polymer layer incorporating quaternary phosphonium or ammonium groups. The polymer layer may be resistant to protein adsorption in an aqueous environment. The membrane may also be a surface-modified membrane in which a polymer having quaternary phosphonium or ammonium groups is covalently attached to the membrane surface. Methods for making and using the membranes of the invention are also provided. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100116737 | OSCILLATORY CROSSFLOW MEMBRANE SEPARATION - Oscillatory crossflow membrane separation apparatus and methods are disclosed for effluent treatment. The apparatus include a membrane module with a housing containing a membrane element, said module having an input for receiving effluent for treatment and a treated effluent output. A crossflow pump is connected for moving oscillating fluid through the membrane module and a feed pressure pump is connected with the membrane module for applying membrane operating pressure. A fluid oscillator is active with either pump for pulsating fluid received thereat. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100122955 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF FILTERING OIL - A method and system for filtering oil and the like having a feed tank connected to a cell having a sintered or ceramic module that restricts particles greater than 0.1 microns to seep through. The pressure, temperature, and flow rate of the fluid are selected to create optimum viscosity of the fluid. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100133185 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE FILTRATION OF BIOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS - A system, method and device are disclosed for bio-processing a feed stream and providing a constant output by operating a continuous single-pass tangential-flow process. The single-pass process provides high conversion concentration while operating at relatively low feed flow rates, and the process can also be used to provide constant output diafiltration. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100140171 | SELF-POWERED MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS - A power source for actuation of a microfluidic device and related devices, methods and systems. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100170848 | System and Method for Removing a Cryporotectant from a Liquid - A system for removing cryoprotectant from a cryoprotectant-containing liquid stored a container comprises a cryoprotectant removal device that receives the cryoprotectant-containing liquid and a cryoprotectant-free dialysate liquid and that is operable to transfer cryoprotectant to the dialysate liquid. A differential conductivity device is arranged to continuously measure the difference in conductivity between dialysate liquid entering the device and dialysate liquid that has received cryoprotectant transferred by the dialyzer discharged from the device. A controller is operable to control the flow of the liquids through the device in response to the measured difference in conductivity, and particularly to stop the flow of the cryoprotectant-containing liquid when the measured differential conductivity indicates that the cryoprotectant has been substantially removed from the liquid. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100181251 | Bidirectional Transfer of an Aliquot of Fluid Between Compartments - This invention concerns a method, devices, instrument and program for extraction an ingredient from a liquid sample by bidirectional transfer of an aliquot of fluid between compartments, the method can be applied to a wide variety of laboratory techniques such as; solid phase extraction by filter disc, column chromatography, magnetic separation, diagnostic tests and others, the system is suitable for single or multi sample handling, manual operation or integrated into an automated system, can be used in a lab or in field. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100219128 | DEHYDRATION SYSTEM AND DEHYDRATION METHOD - A dehydration system has improved membrane performance. The dehydration system includes a dehydrating apparatus 1 comprising, in a dehydrating apparatus body, a water separation membrane module in which a water separation membrane having at least one flow path extending in the up and down direction to cause a liquid | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100237013 | AUTONOMOUS FILTER ELEMENT - An autonomous filter device and a method for improving the filter life and performance is disclosed. The filter element is equipped with one or more sensors, adapted to measure one or more characteristics or parameters of the fluid, such as temperature, pressure, or flow rate. In response to the measured characteristic or parameter, the control logic within the filter element is able to determine an appropriate response. For example, the control logic may determine that a sudden, but temporary, blockage has occurred in the filter membrane. In response to this, the control logic may initiate a specific response designed to alleviate the blockage. This response may be a temperature change, a vibration, a change in fluid flow path, or some other action. The control logic will then determine the success of the response, based monitoring any change in the fluid characteristics. Based thereon, the control logic may alert the operator that the filter element must be replaced. Alternatively, if the response was successful in correcting the blockage, the control logic need not notify the operator, as the filter element is back to normal operating operation. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100270237 | CONTINUOUS CLOSED-CIRCUIT DESALINATION APPARATUS WITHOUT CONTAINERS - An apparatus for continuous closed-circuit consecutive sequential desalination of a salt water solution by reverse osmosis that comprises a closed circuit system comprising one or more desalination modules having their respective inlets and outlets connected in parallel by conducing lines, each of desalination modules comprising of one or more membrane elements, a pressurizing device for creating counter pressure to enable reverse osmosis desalination and replacement of released permeate by fresh, a circulation system for recycling the desalinated solution through the desalination modules, a conducting line systems for permeate collection from the desalination modules, a conducting line system for removing brine effluent a valve system to enable periodic discharge of brine from the closed circuit without stopping desalination, and monitoring and control systems to enable continuous closed circuit desalination of desired recovery proceed in consecutive sequential steps under variable or constant pressure conditions. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100314317 | Counter-Pressure Filtration of Proteins - A method is disclosed for filtering a protein in a liquid mixture in a manner that does not substantially damage or otherwise limit the recovery of the protein in the filtration filtrate. The method generally includes passing a liquid mixture containing a protein (e.g., an aqueous vWF mixture) through a filter while applying a counter pressure to the liquid mixture filtrate to accurately reduce and control the pressure differential across the filter. The disclosed method has the advantage that relatively high filtration flow rates can be achieved at relatively low pressure differentials, in contrast to high pressure differentials, which actually reduce the filtration flow rate of protein liquid mixtures. Further, the method can recover substantially all of the protein that is initially present in the liquid mixture. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100326910 | SPIRAL WOUND FILTER ASSEMBLY - The invention relates to a filter assembly for membrane filtration—of liquids, and more in particular a spiral wound filter assembly with improved filtration performance. Provided is a spiral wound filter assembly comprising a permeate channel ( | 12-30-2010 |
| 20110024353 | BLOOD TREATMENT APPARATUS - A proposed blood treatment apparatus includes: a blood treatment unit, a pair of fluid pumps and a pair blood pumps. The blood treatment unit is configured to receive untreated blood and fresh blood treatment fluid, and emit treated blood and used blood treatment fluid. The fluid pumps are configured to pass blood treatment fluid through the blood treatment unit. The blood pumps are configured to extract untreated blood from a blood source, pass extracted blood through the blood treatment unit and deliver treated blood to a target vessel. Additionally, the fluid pumps are configured to control the operation of the blood pumps via the blood treatment fluid. Moreover, a flow control device is configured to control a trans-membrane flow between the blood side and the a fluid side of the blood treatment unit. Hence, for instance ultrafiltration can be adjusted to a desired level in a very straightforward manner. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110049050 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING A SEPARATION UNIT HAVING A REVERSE OSMOSIS ELEMENT AND REVERSE OSMOSIS UNIT - A method of controlling a separation unit, having a reverse osmosis element, a raw water pump, a concentrate and permeate outlet conduit, where a predetermined yield is substantially kept constant, and where the raw water pump is controlled in response to a flow rate measurement of the raw water between the raw water pump and the reverse osmosis element. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110084023 | PORTABLE WATER PURIFIER AND METHOD OF PURIFYING WATER OF USING THE SAME - A portable water purifier having a shell, a solar cell, a power storage system, a micro booster pump, and a membrane module. The solar cell is disposed on the shell. The power storage system, the micro booster pump, and the membrane module are disposed integratedly in the shell. The solar cell is connected to the power storage system and the combination thereof provides power for the micro booster pump. The micro booster pump is connected to the membrane module. A method of purifying water with the portable water purifier is also taught. The portable water purifier can produce instant safe, and healthy drinking water even when power supply is lacking. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110084024 | FILTER WITH MEMORY, COMMUNICATION AND CONCENTRATION SENSOR - The present invention describes a system and method for accurately measuring the concentration of a substance within a filter housing. A concentration sensor and a communications device are coupled so as to be able to measure and transmit the concentration of a particular substance within the filter housing while in use. This system can comprise a single component, integrating both the communication device and the concentration sensor. Alternatively, the system can comprise separate sensor and transmitter components, in communication with one another. In yet another embodiment, a storage element can be added to the system, thereby allowing the device to store a set of concentration values. The use of this device is beneficial to many applications. For example, the ability to read concentration values in situ allows integrity tests to be performed without additional equipment. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110100911 | Wastewater treatment system with ozonation for microconstituent removal - In a sewage treatment system, microconstituents, including personal care products and pharmaceutical materials, often difficult to degrade biologically, are removed by supersaturating the untreated wastewater feed with ozone. This breaks down refractory microconstituents into more readily biodegradable materials, subsequently treated preferably in an activated sludge membrane bioreactor process. The oxygen biproduct of ozonation is utilized by feeding the oxygen into an aerobic part of the plant to meet a portion of the biological demand, thereby increasing efficiency of ozone use in the process. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110120946 | METHOD FOR REMOVING GASES FROM A CONTAINER HAVING A POWDERED CONCENTRATE FOR USE IN HEMODIALYSIS - An apparatus and a method for filling a container containing a dry powdered salt concentrate for use in dialysis with purified fluid and removing the trapped air or gases generated during the filling of the container, while maintaining the required fluid level in the container and without the need for evacuating gases from the container prior to filling. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110132838 | DIALYSIS SYSTEM WITH ULTRAFILTRATION CONTROL - Systems and methods are disclosed for performing hemodialysis that include fluid handling systems that provide accurate control over the type and level of hemodialysis being performed. The system includes a first pump for pumping dialysate into a dialyzer and a second pump for pumping dialysate out of the dialyzer. The system also includes a third pump that provides improved control of a level of ultrafiltration, hemodiafiltration, or both. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110163030 | Dialysis Systems and Methods - This invention relates to dialysis systems and methods. In some implementations, a method includes applying vacuum pressure to a device of a dialysis system, and then determining, based on a detected fluid level or measured pressure, whether the device is functioning properly. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110240555 | APPARATUS FOR EXTRACORPOREAL BLOOD TREATMENT AND METHOD FOR MANAGING SUCH AN APPARATUS - A method for controlling an apparatus for treating blood outside the human body, with a view to improving the operation of the apparatus, the apparatus including a semi-permeable membrane carrying out an exchange of solutes, referred to as dialysis, and of liquid, referred to as ultrafiltration, with the blood, the method including at least one iteration of the following steps: determination of a so-called instantaneous value, of an ultrafiltration coefficient corresponding to the ratio of an ultrafiltration flow rate to a difference in pressure, the so-called transmembrane pressure, on either side of the semi-permeable membrane, comparison of the instantaneous value with at least one previously determined characteristic value; and control of the treatment apparatus to reach a maximum value of the ultrafiltration coefficient, the control including a variation of the ultrafiltration flow rate up to a value corresponding to the maximum value of the ultrafiltration coefficient. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110290724 | Compartmentalized field flow fractionation - A field flow fractionator to separate particles contained within an injected sample aliquot is described. As required, said fractionator may be used to capture, for subsequent removal, specific predefined classes of such particles. Based upon the cross flow or asymmetric flow field flow fractionators, the fractionator disclosed contains means to vary the applied transverse flows at a plurality of locations along the length of its separating channel. A plurality of separated compartments, each lying below a distinct and corresponding membrane supporting permeable frit segment, are provided individual means to control the localized flow through the membrane section thereabove. A corresponding concentric compartment implementation achieves the same type of compartmentalized cross flow when integrated with a hollow fiber fractionator. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20120031839 | FILTER WITH MEMORY, COMMUNICATION AND CONCENTRATION SENSOR - The present invention describes a system and method for accurately measuring the concentration of a substance within a filter housing. A concentration sensor and a communications device are coupled so as to be able to measure and transmit the concentration of a particular substance within the filter housing while in use. This system can comprise a single component, integrating both the communication device and the concentration sensor. Alternatively, the system can comprise separate sensor and transmitter components, in communication with one another. In yet another embodiment, a storage element can be added to the system, thereby allowing the device to store a set of concentration values. The use of this device is beneficial to many applications. For example, the ability to read concentration values in situ allows integrity tests to be performed without additional equipment. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120125846 | FILTERING METHOD, AND MEMBRANE-FILTERING APPARATUS - A filtration method for filtering raw water to obtain permeate by performing a filtration operation using pressure as a driving force for membrane modules, wherein the filtration operation is performed in three modes: raw water side pressure filtration, permeate side negative pressure filtration, and composite filtration combining the raw water side pressure filtration and the permeate side negative pressure filtration, any one of raw water side water quality, membrane filtration flux and transmembrane pressure is measured, and any one of the three filtration modes is switched to another in response to a measured value thereof. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120228222 | Forward Osmosis Separation Processes - Separation processes using forward osmosis are disclosed generally involving the extraction of a solvent from a first solution to concentrate a solute therein by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. One or both of the solute and solvent may be a desired product. By manipulating the equilibrium of the soluble and insoluble species of solute within the second solution, a saturated second solution can be used to generate osmotic pressure on the first solution. The various species of solute within the second solution can be recovered and recycled through the process to affect the changes in equilibrium and eliminate waste products. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120267306 | OSMOTIC SEPARATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Separation processes using engineered osmosis are disclosed generally involving the extraction of solvent from a first solution to concentrate solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources. | 10-25-2012 |
| 20120273416 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF CONTROLLING FOULING DURING A FILTRATION PROCEDURE - Systems and methods of controlling fouling during a filtration procedure are described. A plasmapheresis method includes accepting a selection of a plasma flow rate and predicting an estimated procedure end time based at least partially on a plasma collection target volume. The method also includes flowing blood past a membrane and changing a plasma flow rate until the selected plasma flow rate through the membrane is achieved. The method also includes determining an acceptable rate of pressure change with time for respective times to the estimated procedure end time, the acceptable fouling rate limit being associated with a system pressure and adjusting the plasma flow rate based on the determined acceptable rate of pressure change with time. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120273417 | FORWARD OSMOSIS SEPARATION PROCESSES - Separation processes using engineered osmosis are disclosed generally involving the extraction of solvent from a first solution to concentrate solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20130001163 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING FRESH WATER - A method is provided for producing fresh water, the method including feeding raw water to a semipermeable membrane to obtain fresh water, in which water having a solute concentration different from that of the raw water is fed and mixed with the raw water according to changes of a flow rate of fresh water of the semipermeable membrane unit and/or operating pressure of the semipermeable membrane unit. | 01-03-2013 |
| 20130048561 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TREATING LIQUIDS USING SWITCHABLE SOLVENTS - A method of treating a liquid. The method comprises providing a feed liquid comprising at least one solvent and at least one solute to a first side of a membrane. A single-phase draw solution comprising at least one of an aminium salt, an amidinium salt, and a guanidinium salt is provided to a second side of the membrane. The at least one solvent is osmosed across the membrane and into the single-phase draw solution to form a diluted single-phase draw solution. At least one of CO | 02-28-2013 |
| 20130140233 | FRESH WATER PRODUCING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OPERATING SAME - A fresh water producing apparatus for producing fresh water from raw water containing solutes is disclosed. The fresh water producing apparatus comprises a first semipermeable membrane unit and a second semipermeable membrane unit. A first raw water supply line for supplying the raw water is connected to the first semipermeable membrane unit. A second raw water supply line for supplying the raw water is connected to the second semipermeable membrane unit. The first semipermeable membrane unit and the second semipermeable membrane unit are connected by a concentrated water line for supplying concentrated water of the first semipermeable membrane unit to the second semipermeable membrane unit. | 06-06-2013 |
| 20130193073 | BALANCED FLOW DIALYSIS MACHINE - A system and method for balancing flows of renal replacement fluid is disclosed. The method uses pressure controls and pressure sensing devices to more precisely meter and balance the flow of fresh dialysate and spent dialysate. The balancing system may use one or two balancing devices, such as a balance tube, a tortuous path, or a balance chamber. | 08-01-2013 |
| 20140183133 | GRAPHENE NANOTUBE ARRAY FOR GAS FILTRATION - Technologies are generally described for a gas filtration device including an array of parallel carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes may extend between first and second substrates, and the ends of the carbon nanotubes may be embedded in the substrates and cut to expose openings at each end of the carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes may be composed from a graphene membrane which may be perforated with a plurality of discrete pores of a selected size for enabling one or more molecules to pass through the pores. A fluid mixture including two or more molecules for filtering may be directed through the first openings of the array of nanotubes, and the fluid mixture may be filtered by enabling smaller molecules to pass through the discrete pores of the graphene membrane walls of the carbon nanotubes to produce in a filtrate fraction including the smaller molecules and a retentate fraction including larger molecules. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140197101 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INCREASING CONVECTIVE CLEARANCE OF UNDESIRED PARTICLES IN A MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE - A microfluidic device for increasing convective clearance of particles from a liquid is provided. A network of first channels can be separated from a network of second channels by a membrane. The network of second channels can include a pressurizing feature to create a high pressure at an upstream portion of the second channels and a low pressure at a downstream portion of the second channels. Liquid containing an analyte can be introduced in the network of first channels. Filtrate can be flowed through the pressurizing feature in the second channels, such that the pressure difference in between the first and second channels causes at least some of the analyte in the first liquid is transported into the second channels through the membrane. | 07-17-2014 |
| 20140326665 | Pressure Monitoring and Pump Speed Control for a Reverse Osmosis System - An apparatus, for use with a reverse osmosis system comprising a feed input, a concentrate output, and a permeate output, includes (i) at least one pressure sensor operative to measure a pressure of at least the permeate output of the reverse osmosis system and to generate a signal indicative of the pressure of at least the permeate output of the reverse osmosis system and (ii) at least one controller operative to adjust a speed of at least a first pumping mechanism based at least in part on the signal indicative of the pressure of at least the permeate output of the reverse osmosis system. The first pumping mechanism comprises at least one of: (i) a fluid input coupled to at least the permeate output of the reverse osmosis system; and (ii) a fluid output coupled to at least the feed input of the reverse osmosis system. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20140326666 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR REMOVING CONTAMINANTS FROM WASTEWATER - Apparatus and methods are provided for removing solids from wastewater. The apparatus may include a dissolved solids removal system including a first membrane stack for removing a first portion of dissolved solids from wastewater, the first membrane stack having a first rejection rate and including at least one first membrane having a first operating pressure rating. A first solution unit may be included downstream of the at least one first membrane, the first solution unit being configured to maintain a differential pressure over the at least one first membrane below the first operating pressure rating. The dissolved solids removal system may also include a final membrane stack for removing a final portion of dissolved solids from the wastewater, the final membrane stack being located downstream of the first membrane stack and having a final rejection rate higher than the first rejection rate. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20140339161 | FLUID COMPONENT SEPARATION DEVICES, METHODS, AND SYSTEMS - A system for ultrafiltration employs a crossflow filtration module for extracting a fraction from a sample fluid (e.g., blood) and a recirculating permeate loop to produce a concurrent permeate flow through the filtration module to maintain a positive transmembrane pressure at all points of the crossflow filter. Permeate in the recirculating loop is enriched by a processing module and stabilized by removing an enriched fraction thereof. In an embodiment, the enriched fraction is concentrated plasma that is returned to a patient. | 11-20-2014 |
| 20150298062 | MEMBRANE SEAWATER DESALINATION PRESSURIZATION AND ENERGY RECOVERY INTEGRATED METHOD AND DEVICE - A membrane seawater desalination pressurization and energy recovery integrated method. Piston rods of single-rod piston-type seawater cylinders are connected with single-rod piston-type hydraulic cylinders to form two or more than two working combined bodies which operate alternately. In a process that the hydraulic cylinders drive the seawater cylinders to move back and forth, one piston cavity of a seawater cylinder sucks high pressure condensed brine in the process of moving forward and drains the high pressure condensed brine in the returning process; and the other piston cavity of the seawater cylinder sucks raw seawater in the returning process, pressurizes the raw seawater in the process of moving forward and continuously and stably outputs the pressurized high pressure raw seawater to a reverse osmosis membrane module. Meanwhile, a membrane seawater desalination pressurization and energy recovery integrated device is further disclosed. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20160045657 | METHOD OF ADJUSTING BLOOD FLOW IN A DIALYSIS MACHINE AND DIALYSIS MACHINE - Methods for the adjustment of a blood flow in a blood treatment machine/dialysis machine are disclosed. Steps for achieving a blood flow having an optimum value include determining a blood flow target value, altering the blood flow at a predetermined blood flow alteration rate, comparing a venous pressure with a venous pressure threshold, an arterial pressure with an arterial pressure threshold, and the blood flow with the blood flow target value, determining if a dialysis fluid parameter extreme is reached, storing an optimum blood flow value, in dependence on a blood flow (according to a value which is stored in a data table and which takes into account the blood flow target value as well as the measurement lag) in an optimum blood flow value memory, for which the dialysis fluid parameter threshold, the venous pressure threshold or the arterial pressure threshold, or the blood flow target value has been reached. | 02-18-2016 |
| 20160158428 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INCREASING CONVECTIVE CLEARANCE OF UNDESIRED PARTICLES IN A MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE - A microfluidic device for increasing convective clearance of particles from a fluid is provided. In some implementations, described herein the microfluidic device includes multiple layers that each define infusate, blood, and filtrate channels. Each of the channels have a pressure profile. The device can also include one or more pressure control features. The pressure control feature controls a difference between the pressure profiles along a length of the device. For example, the pressure control feature can control the difference between the pressure profile of the filtrate channel and the pressure profile of the blood channel. In some implementations, the pressure control feature controls the pressure difference between two channels such that the difference varies along the length of the channels by less than 50% of the pressure difference between the channels at the channels' inlets. | 06-09-2016 |
| 20180021729 | Method and Apparatus for Purifying the Dispersing Liquid in a Colloidal Dispersion | 01-25-2018 |
| 20180022619 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING MEMBRANE CREEP IN WATER FILTRATION SYSTEMS | 01-25-2018 |
| 20190144302 | WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD | 05-16-2019 |
