Provided herein is technology relating to isolating nucleic acids. In particular, the technology relates to methods and kits for extracting nucleic acids from problematic samples such as stool.

Systems for removing debris from a water reservoir include a moveable floating skimmer device positioned within the water reservoir and configured to receive floating debris, the skimmer device comprising an adjustable weir for capturing the debris and a receptacle for containing the debris; a discharge pipe connected to the skimmer device, the discharge pipe configured to receive the debris and a first portion of water from the receptacle in the skimmer device; a debris separator fluidly connected to the discharge pipe and configured to receive the debris and the first portion of water from the discharge pipe, the debris separator further configured to separate the debris from the first portion of water; a pump positioned between the discharge pipe and the debris separator and configured to transport the debris and the first portion of water in the discharge pipe to the debris separator via a pump outlet; and a recycle line connected to the debris separator and configured to return a second portion of water that exits the debris separator back to the water reservoir.

Systems for removing debris from a water reservoir include a moveable floating skimmer device positioned within the water reservoir and configured to receive floating debris, the skimmer device comprising an adjustable weir for capturing the debris and a receptacle for containing the debris; a discharge pipe connected to the skimmer device, the discharge pipe configured to receive the debris and a first portion of water from the receptacle in the skimmer device; a debris separator fluidly connected to the discharge pipe and configured to receive the debris and the first portion of water from the discharge pipe, the debris separator further configured to separate the debris from the first portion of water; a pump positioned between the discharge pipe and the debris separator and configured to transport the debris and the first portion of water in the discharge pipe to the debris separator via a pump outlet; and a recycle line connected to the debris separator and configured to return a second portion of water that exits the debris separator back to the water reservoir.

Device (V) for obtaining a wort (WO) from a mash (MA) in the beer brewing or beverage industry, at least comprising a receiving unit (AG) for receiving the mash (MA); at least one separating device (T; T1, T2) each having a surface (FA; FA1, FA2); wherein the surface (FA) has a multiplicity of openings (OP); wherein the device (V) is preferably suitable for separating the mash (MA) into the wort (WO) and a residual mash (RM) by means of the surface (FA) of the separating device (T); wherein the surface (FA; FA1, FA2) or a part thereof can be brought into contact with the mash (MA), if the mash (MA) is present in the receiving unit (AG) for separation into the wort (WO) and the residual mash (RM); and wherein, during the operation of the device (V), the surface (FA) is arranged such that it is moved or can be moved or can be rotated relative to the mash (MA), the residual mash (RM) and/or the receiving unit (AG).

Device (V) for obtaining a wort (WO) from a mash (MA) in the beer brewing or beverage industry, at least comprising a receiving unit (AG) for receiving the mash (MA); at least one separating device (T; T1, T2) each having a surface (FA; FA1, FA2); wherein the surface (FA) has a multiplicity of openings (OP); wherein the device (V) is preferably suitable for separating the mash (MA) into the wort (WO) and a residual mash (RM) by means of the surface (FA) of the separating device (T); wherein the surface (FA; FA1, FA2) or a part thereof can be brought into contact with the mash (MA), if the mash (MA) is present in the receiving unit (AG) for separation into the wort (WO) and the residual mash (RM); and wherein, during the operation of the device (V), the surface (FA) is arranged such that it is moved or can be moved or can be rotated relative to the mash (MA), the residual mash (RM) and/or the receiving unit (AG).

A multi stage process for separating oil, protein, fiber and clean water from a stream containing whole stillage byproduct from ethanol production is disclosed. In a first step, fibers are separated in a two-step process that includes a plate separator and a press. In a subsequent step, the liquid stream separated from the fibers and contains oil, protein and water is treated with a composition that causes the protein to gel. The liquid stream is then processed in a phase separator that drains the oil by gravity, removes the water by an impeller under pressure and removes the solidified protein using a scroll.

A multi stage process for separating oil, protein, fiber and clean water from a stream containing whole stillage byproduct from ethanol production is disclosed. In a first step, fibers are separated in a two-step process that includes a plate separator and a press. In a subsequent step, the liquid stream separated from the fibers and contains oil, protein and water is treated with a composition that causes the protein to gel. The liquid stream is then processed in a phase separator that drains the oil by gravity, removes the water by an impeller under pressure and removes the solidified protein using a scroll.

A filtration filter comprises a porous film including a central film portion having a plurality of through holes and an outer edge portion adjacent to the central film portion. The porous film portion lies in a flat plane in the absence of a force being applied to the central portion of the central film portion. A frame holds the outer edge portion of the porous film in such a manner that when a force is applied to the central film portion in a first direction, the central film portion moves in the first direction relative to the flat plane and the outer edge portion moves in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, relative to the flat plane. In this way stresses applied to the porous film during a filtering operation are reduced.

A continuous microfiltration machine for removing suspended solid particles from process and waste water comprises a container (2) with an inlet conduit (4) defining a flow direction (F), and having therein an influent chamber (7) for feeding the liquid to be filtered, a treatment chamber (8) with a bottom wall (9), at least one pair of filter disks (10) keyed to a shaft (12) perpendicular to the flow direction (F) and having inner filter surfaces (10′) outer surfaces (10″) and outer peripheral edges (15) in sliding contact with the bottom wall (9), an effluent chamber (17) for receiving the filtered liquid, with a discharge conduit (18), drive means (13, 14) for imparting rotation to the disks, first jet washing means (20) directed against the outer surfaces (10″) of the disks (10) for removing the particles retained thereby, a first collecting duct (24) for collecting the removed particles, which is interposed between the disks (10) and has substantially parallel side edges (25) located at a predetermined minimum distance (D) from the inner surfaces (10′) of the disks (10). The inner surfaces (10′) of the disks are substantially flat and continuous surfaces, with a flatness error (ε) smaller than said predetermined minimum distance (D).

A continuous microfiltration machine for removing suspended solid particles from process and waste water comprises a container (2) with an inlet conduit (4) defining a flow direction (F), and having therein an influent chamber (7) for feeding the liquid to be filtered, a treatment chamber (8) with a bottom wall (9), at least one pair of filter disks (10) keyed to a shaft (12) perpendicular to the flow direction (F) and having inner filter surfaces (10′) outer surfaces (10″) and outer peripheral edges (15) in sliding contact with the bottom wall (9), an effluent chamber (17) for receiving the filtered liquid, with a discharge conduit (18), drive means (13, 14) for imparting rotation to the disks, first jet washing means (20) directed against the outer surfaces (10″) of the disks (10) for removing the particles retained thereby, a first collecting duct (24) for collecting the removed particles, which is interposed between the disks (10) and has substantially parallel side edges (25) located at a predetermined minimum distance (D) from the inner surfaces (10′) of the disks (10). The inner surfaces (10′) of the disks are substantially flat and continuous surfaces, with a flatness error (ε) smaller than said predetermined minimum distance (D).