A device for extracting and concentrating a target analyte including a sample channel that receives the sample, a separation channel, a waste channel, a first junction between the sample channel and the separation channel, and, a second junction between the separation channel and the waste channel. The first junction selectively transports a first group of analytes, including target analytes, from the sample channel to the separation channel in accordance with a size of a first free transport region of the first junction. The second junction selectively transports a second group of analytes from the separation channel to the waste channel in accordance with a size of a second free transport region of the second junction, the second group being a subset of the first group, so as to concentrate a number of the target analytes in the separation channel.

The invention resides in an apparatus for treatment of a substance. The apparatus has a substance tube for enabling a substance to be treated to pass in to the substance tube via the substance-inlet and out of the substance tube through the substance-outlet. The apparatus also has a cleaning chamber, wherein the substance tube is configured in fluid communication with the cleaning chamber to enable a substance to diffuse the permeable membrane between the substance tube and the cleaning chamber such that a substance can be substantially cleaned by a cleaner, the substance comprising blood or plasma and the cleaner comprising a cell culture. The substance tube is removably connectable with the cleaning chamber for inter-changeability or serviceability. The apparatus can further comprise a support compartment configured to connect to, or enclosing, the cleaning chamber, which functions to carry a fluid to substantially maintain the functionality of the cleaner.

The invention resides in an apparatus for treatment of a substance. The apparatus has a substance tube for enabling a substance to be treated to pass in to the substance tube via the substance-inlet and out of the substance tube through the substance-outlet. The apparatus also has a cleaning chamber, wherein the substance tube is configured in fluid communication with the cleaning chamber to enable a substance to diffuse the permeable membrane between the substance tube and the cleaning chamber such that a substance can be substantially cleaned by a cleaner, the substance comprising blood or plasma and the cleaner comprising a cell culture. The substance tube is removably connectable with the cleaning chamber for inter-changeability or serviceability. The apparatus can further comprise a support compartment configured to connect to, or enclosing, the cleaning chamber, which functions to carry a fluid to substantially maintain the functionality of the cleaner.

A separation-membrane module 1 includes an element block 2 that is formed by arranging, in parallel, a plurality of separation-membrane elements 4 that are formed by arranging a pair of separation-membranes with their respective permeate surfaces in opposition to each other and sealing the edges of the pair of the membranes; and an aeration block 3 that includes an aeration pipe 31 and that is disposed under the element block 2. In the element block 2, at least one upper spacer 8 is disposed in the upper portion of each space between the adjacent separation-membrane elements 4, and a lower spacer 9 is disposed under the upper spacer 8 in each space between the adjacent separation-membrane elements 4. And the leftmost and the rightmost separation-membrane elements 4 of the plurality of the separation-membrane elements 4 are secured to a frame 12 at the lower spacers 9.

A separation-membrane module 1 includes an element block 2 that is formed by arranging, in parallel, a plurality of separation-membrane elements 4 that are formed by arranging a pair of separation-membranes with their respective permeate surfaces in opposition to each other and sealing the edges of the pair of the membranes; and an aeration block 3 that includes an aeration pipe 31 and that is disposed under the element block 2. In the element block 2, at least one upper spacer 8 is disposed in the upper portion of each space between the adjacent separation-membrane elements 4, and a lower spacer 9 is disposed under the upper spacer 8 in each space between the adjacent separation-membrane elements 4. And the leftmost and the rightmost separation-membrane elements 4 of the plurality of the separation-membrane elements 4 are secured to a frame 12 at the lower spacers 9.

The present invention relates to a method of controlling a gas separation plant, to a plant thus controlled and also to its use for separation of gas mixtures, especially in the processing of biogas or natural gas, or syngas.

The present invention relates to a method of controlling a gas separation plant, to a plant thus controlled and also to its use for separation of gas mixtures, especially in the processing of biogas or natural gas, or syngas.

A method for removal of at least a portion of carbon dioxide from an aqueous fluid such as a blood fluid includes placing a first surface of at least one membrane through which carbon dioxide and at least one acid gas other than carbon dioxide can pass in fluid in contact with the fluid. The membrane limits or prevent passage of the fluid therethrough. A carrier or sweep gas including the acid gas other than carbon dioxide is passed over a second surface (which is typically opposite the first surface) of the membrane so that the acid gas other than carbon dioxide can pass through the membrane into the fluid, and carbon dioxide from the fluid can pass from the liquid, through the membrane, and into the sweep gas.

A method for producing ultrapure water includes supplying raw water (industrial water, tap water, well water, or used ultrapure water discharged from semiconductor plants) to a pretreatment system for treating the raw water to produce water, supplying the water to a primary water purification system having a reverse osmosis membrane separation unit to produce a primarily purified water, and supplying the primarily purified water to a secondary purification system to produce ultrapure water.

A device which includes a pulse dampener and a degasser or de-bubbler. The device includes a fluid flow path and a fluid chamber located within the device. In addition, the device includes a pulse dampening membrane for dampening pulses in the fluid as it flows through the device. The device also includes a degassing membrane for degassing the fluid as it flows through the device, and/or a de-bubbling membrane for removing gas bubbles from the fluid as it flows through the device. The degassing or de-bubbling membrane can be separate and distinct from the dampening membrane. The de-bubbling membrane can be in addition to or in place of the degassing membrane in some embodiments.