A fluid is processed between processing surfaces capable of approaching to and separating from each other, at least one of which rotates relative to the other. A first fluid is introduced between processing surfaces, by using a micropump effect acting with a depression arranged on the processing surfaces from the center of the rotating processing surfaces. A second fluid, independent of this introduced fluid, is introduced from another fluid path that is provided with an opening leading to the processing surfaces, whereby the processing is done by mixing and stirring between the processing members.

A microfluidic fluid delivery device and method. The device includes a reservoir and a transport member. The device includes a microfluidic delivery member including a microfluidic die configured to release a fluid composition from the device. The microfluidic delivery member includes an adapter configured to receive an end portion of the transport member, wherein a capillary passage is formed between the adapter and the transport member. The capillary passage has a largest effective pore size that is smaller than the average effective pore size of the transport member.

A mechanical seal support system for a sealing device for sealing a piece of industrial equipment, includes a mechanical seal for sealing the piece of industrial equipment and a system vessel for containing barrier fluid for the mechanical seal and being circumferentially split into a plurality of sections detachably attached for retaining pressure. The system vessel includes a clean-in-place (CIP) assembly, a cooling element and device for sterilizing the system vessel. The device for sterilizing the a heating element is formed as a coiled tubular element for the barrier fluid to pass therethrough, with closed-loop pipe work included for connecting the system vessel to the mechanical seal and a drain and filling device for removing and adding the barrier fluid to the system vessel.

An air conditioning apparatus and an air conditioning method for cooling a passenger space of a vehicle that accommodates a user include a tank that is capable of storing compressed air, and a control unit to release the compressed air stored in the tank into the passenger space. Energy that is generated without putting a workload on the power source or electric power of the vehicle is used for at least one process of compressing air in the tank, cooling the compressed air stored in the tank, and heating the compressed air stored in the tank.

A reservoir for one or more chemical reactants has means for heating the reactants and optional means for stirring the reactants. A pumped reactant feed line and a return line provide fluid communication between the reservoir and a 4-way valve system. The 4-way valve system is also in fluid communication with a reactor vessel and a source of inert gas for purging the system. In a first state, the 4-way valve provides fluid communication between the reservoir and the reactor. In a second state, the 4-way valve provides a continuous circulation path for the heated reactants from the reservoir, to the valve system, and back to the reservoir via the return line. In a third state, the 4-way valve provides a fluid pathway for purging the reactor with inert gas. In a fourth state, the 4-way valve provides a fluid pathway for purging the reservoir with inert gas.

A medical treatment system, such as peritoneal dialysis system, may include control and other features to enhance patient comfort and ease of use. For example, a peritoneal dialysis system may include a control system that can adjust the volume of fluid infused into the peritoneal cavity to prevent the intraperitoneal fluid volume from exceeding a pre-determined amount. The control system can adjust by adding one or more therapy cycles, allowing for fill volumes during each cycle to be reduced. The control system may continue to allow the fluid to drain from the peritoneal cavity as completely as possible before starting the next therapy cycle. The control system may also adjust the dwell time of fluid within the peritoneal cavity during therapy cycles in order to complete a therapy within a scheduled time period. The cycler may also be configured to have a heater control system that monitors both the temperature of a heating tray and the temperature of a bag of dialysis fluid in order to bring the temperature of the dialysis fluid rapidly to a specified temperature, with minimal temperature overshoot.

A method for controlling the operation of an auxiliary power unit supplying an aircraft air conditioning system with compressed process air includes determining a heating or cooling requirement of an aircraft region to be air-conditioned, determining a desired value of at least one process air flow parameter in dependence on the determined heating or cooling requirement of the aircraft region to be air-conditioned, controlling the operation of the auxiliary power unit in dependence on the determined process air flow parameter desired value, acquiring an actual value of the at least one process air flow parameter, comparing the process air flow parameter actual value with the process air flow parameter desired value and controlling the operation of the auxiliary power unit in dependence on the result of the comparison of the process air flow parameter actual value with the process air flow parameter desired value.

The invention provides an apparatus for increasing the size of gas-entrained particles in order to render the gas-entrained particles detectable by a particle detector, the apparatus comprising an evaporation chamber (2) and a condenser (7); the evaporation chamber (2) having an inlet (1) for admitting gas into the evaporation chamber and an outlet through which vapour-laden gas may leave the evaporation chamber; the evaporation chamber (2) having disposed therein a heating element (3) and a porous support (6), the heating element being in direct contact with the porous support, wherein the porous support (6) carries thereon a vaporisable substance and the heating element (3) is heatable to vaporise the vaporisable substance to form vapour within the evaporation chamber (2); the condenser (2) being in fluid communication with the outlet of the evaporation chamber, and the condenser (7) having an outlet for connection to the particle detector. the apparatus being configured so that vapour-laden gas from the evaporation chamber can flow into the condenser and condensation of the vaporisable substance onto gas-entrained particles in the condenser takes place to increase the size of the particles so that they are capable of being detected by a particle detector.

A bypass valve (130) that regulates a flow of a fluid in a waste heat recovery system (100) is provided. The bypass valve (130) comprises a valve housing (220), an expander poppet (250) coupled to the valve housing (220) and adapted to prevent the flow of the fluid to an expander (140), and a valve stem (230) with at least a portion disposed in the valve housing (220) wherein the valve stem (230) is adapted to displace the expander poppet (250) to allow the fluid to flow to the expander (140), and regulate the flow of the fluid.

Methods of, and apparatus for, storing and transporting a hazardous fluid, such as a combustible fuel, include methods and means, respectively, for: (a) treating the fluid to reduce its hazardous condition; (b) storing and/or transporting the treated fluid in such a manner that the risk of its hazardous condition remains reduced; (c) thereafter retreating the fluid to restore it to its original hazardous condition so that the fluid may be used in its restored condition. The hazardous fluid may be treated by adding a substance to, or removing a substance from, the fluid, or by changing the state of the fluid. For example, if the fluid is a fuel, it may be treated by cooling it to near or below its freezing temperature to reduce its combustibility, volatility, explosivity and/or ease of ignition.