Distributed liquid-flow systems—in which flow spreads out from a system inlet and traverses the system through multiple discrete, smaller flow channels—are constructed to minimize variations in flow-resistance-induced pressure drop from the system inlet to entrances to the flow channels. Because flow-driving pressure will be more uniform at the entrances to the flow channels, flow along the channels will be more uniform. Disclosed embodiments may be particularly suitable or advantageous for use in gas-exchange/artificial lung devices.

The present invention relates to a external-perfusion hollow-fiber membrane module containing a hollow-fiber membrane bundle including a plurality of hollow-fiber membranes; and a casing that houses the hollow-fiber membrane bundle, wherein the hollow-fiber membrane bundle has one end that is fixed to an inside of the casing by a potting portion in an open state, and the external-perfusion hollow-fiber membrane module is configured to perform degassing on a gas contained in a liquid inside the casing, the gas being introduced into an inside from an outer surface of the hollow-fiber membrane.

A method for in-situ measuring of a liquidus temperature of a supply of the molten salt, includes withdrawing a sample of the molten salt from the supply, placing it into a sample container, and cooling the sample of the molten salt from a first temperature above the liquidus temperature of the molten salt to a second temperature at which at least a portion of the sample of the molten salt solidifies. The method includes taking a plurality of temperature measurements of the sample of the molten salt during cooling of the sample and determining the liquidus temperature of the molten salt from the measurements. The sample of the molten salt is heated from the second temperature to the first temperature and returned to the supply of the molten salt.

This invention is an air block for industrial, medical, and non-medical uses. For example, the air block is connected to the proximal end of a vascular access catheter. The air block is either removably connected to the proximal end of the catheter or it is integral to the proximal end of the catheter. The air block permits introduction of other catheters or instrumentation through its central lumen and on into a lumen of the catheter while minimizing fluid loss or gain into the catheter. The air block further prevents air from entering the catheter and provides for removal of the air or other gas from the central lumen before it can enter the catheter where it could cause harm to the patient. The air block can be attached to various standard proximal catheter terminations including Luer fittings and hemostasis valve outer barrels.

Apparatus, and components for use in apparatus, for changing the concentration of a selected gas in a liquid, for example for degassing liquids. In one apparatus, the apparatus has a flow channel (a) through which the liquid is passed, and (b) which comprises a wall comprising a planar separation membrane, and (c) has a height of 0.00025-0.01 and an aspect ratio (width to height) of at least 25:1. One component, which can be used to support a separation membrane, comprises (a) an inner selection plate surface which comprises (i) a selection plate base and (ii) selection plate elements which (a) extend from the base, (b) are separated by intercommunicating selection areas, and (c) have outer surfaces remote from the selection plate base. Another component is a planar separation membrane which comprises (a) a membrane transmission section, and (b) a membrane peripheral member which surrounds the membrane transmission section and which includes location features which facilitate the location of the membrane at a desired position relative to another component.

Degassing device for systems for treatment of food products such as leaf vegetables, tuberous, fruit of meet, cheeses or sausages, and like, characterized in that it includes—a degassing conduct for a food product treatment fluid, the degassing conduct having, in sequence along its development trajectory, an inclined inlet tract, within which the flow fluid rises, a degassing tract, and an outlet tract, within which the flow is directed downward; and—a degassing chamber, in correspondence of the degassing tract; the degassing tract having, at least on its upper wall, a plurality of holes suitable to communicate said degassing tract with the degassing tract to permit exit of air bubbles trapped within the flow from said degassing chamber, preventing exit of food products.

A method and chemical delivery system and device are provided. One method useful in the present invention includes contacting a non-aqueous hydrazine solution with a carrier gas and/or vacuum and delivering a gas stream comprising hydrazine to a critical process or application. One chemical delivery system and device useful in the present invention includes a non-aqueous hydrazine solution having a vapor phase that is in contact with a process carrier gas and/or vacuum. One device useful in the present invention includes a chamber for containing a liquid comprising at least one volatile process chemical, such as a non-aqueous hydrazine solution, a hydrogen peroxide solution, or another suitable process chemical, in fluid communication with a permeable or semi-permeable membrane from which the volatile process chemical can be drawn using a carrier gas and/or vacuum. Another method useful in the present invention involves drawing a process chemical from a device as a disclosed herein using a process carrier gas or vacuum and delivering the process chemical to a critical process or application. The system further includes a carrier gas and/or vacuum in fluid contact with the vapor phase and an apparatus for delivering a gas stream comprising at least one component of the solution comprising at least one process chemical to a critical process or application

A system comprises: a filter for removing at least one of a contaminant or gas bubbles from a liquid photoresist to provide a filtered photoresist at an outlet of the filter. The filter has a filter vent. A trap has an inlet coupled to receive the filtered photoresist from the filter, for removing a remaining contaminant or gas bubbles from the filtered photoresist. One or more valves and one or more conduits are connected to the filter and the trap. The one or more valves are operable to reverse a direction of flow of the filtered photoresist, so that the photoresist flows from the inlet of the trap, through the outlet of the filter, to the filter vent.

An apparatus with a self-contained, tunable, microfluidic pumping system that utilizes the high air permeability of the matrix material to actuate fluid flow in a network of fluidic microchannels and microstructures is provided. The pumping relies upon partial evacuation of degas/vacuum channels that are located next to the fluid channels to degas air from the fluid channels or structures producing a reduction of pressure in the fluidic channel leading to the flow of fluid from an inlet at atmospheric pressure through the device. The solution is isolated from the pumping apparatus since the liquid does not pass through the diffusion barriers. The apparatus and method can also provide bubble-free microfluidic pumping, without any auxiliary equipment or device pre-treatment, and can fill dead-end channels and chambers, providing a powerful liquid handling tool for a broad range of applications.

A filtration system and method is disclosed. The filtration system includes a separation system with a primary process vessel with a main body enclosing an internal volume, and a removable end cap coupled to one of the ends of the main body. The primary process vessel includes fluid apertures enabling a fluid stream to enter or exit the inner volume. The separation system includes a filter support positioned in the inner volume, and a filter assembly coupled to the filter support. In some embodiments, the separation system is fluidly coupled to another separation system.