A device for measuring the membrane fouling index which can measure the modified fouling index (MFI) and the silt density index (SDI) at the same time and quantify the degree of membrane fouling caused by various kinds of membrane fouling materials, such as particulate materials, colloids, organic matters, and so on, in a short period of time.

A device for measuring the membrane fouling index which can measure the modified fouling index (MFI) and the silt density index (SDI) at the same time and quantify the degree of membrane fouling caused by various kinds of membrane fouling materials, such as particulate materials, colloids, organic matters, and so on, in a short period of time.

A filtration device, in particular a disposable filtration device, has a flow path in which a filter element and an integrated flow reducer are arranged one behind the other. The flow reducer is adapted to be brought to a first operating position, which permits a defined first volume flow rate, and at least to a second operating position, which permits a defined second volume flow rate which is smaller than the first volume flow rate.

A fluorometric monitoring technique can be used to rapidly evaluate the efficiency of an osmosis membrane. In some examples, the technique includes injecting a bolus of fluorescent tracer into a feed stream. The tracer may be introduced for a period of time less than what is required for the tracer to reach an equilibrium concentration in the permeate stream. The feed stream and the permeate stream may be fluorometrically analyzed to determine a flow rate-independent cumulative-time concentration of the fluorescent tracer in the both streams. The efficiency of the osmosis membrane can then be determined based on these flow rate-independent cumulative-time concentrations.

A fluorometric monitoring technique can be used to rapidly evaluate the efficiency of an osmosis membrane. In some examples, the technique includes injecting a bolus of fluorescent tracer into a feed stream. The tracer may be introduced for a period of time less than what is required for the tracer to reach an equilibrium concentration in the permeate stream. The feed stream and the permeate stream may be fluorometrically analyzed to determine a flow rate-independent cumulative-time concentration of the fluorescent tracer in the both streams. The efficiency of the osmosis membrane can then be determined based on these flow rate-independent cumulative-time concentrations.

A membrane defect inspection method that can detect damage in a filtrate membrane and can detect presence or absence of damage or a seal defect in a membrane module; and the method is for a membrane module set including multiple membrane modules connected under gas detection piping communicating with primary spaces of the multiple membrane modules where raw water is supplied or secondary spaces in multiple membrane modules where treated water is extracted after the raw water is filtrated by membranes. The method includes a gas injection process where gas is injected into spaces opposite the primary or secondary spaces communicating with gas detection piping in the multiple membrane modules while the gas detection piping is filled with water, and a vibration detection process where a vibration sensor is brought into contact with a protrusion protruding outward from the gas detection piping to detect vibration of the gas detection piping.

A method for repairing a membrane filtration module in fluid communication with a plurality of additional membrane filtration modules includes fluidly connecting a fluid transfer assembly to the membrane filtration module, fluidly isolating the membrane filtration module from the plurality of additional membrane filtration modules, forcing liquid within the membrane filtration module into the fluid transfer assembly by introducing a pressurized gas into the membrane filtration module, releasing the pressurized gas from the membrane filtration module, fluidly disconnecting the fluid transfer assembly from the membrane filtration module, repairing one or more damaged membranes in the membrane filtration module, and fluidly reconnecting the membrane filtration module to the plurality of additional membrane filtration modules.

A system can include a filter assembly with a filter and a substance in the filter assembly, and at least one optical computing device having an integrated computational element which receives electromagnetic radiation from the substance. A method can include receiving electromagnetic radiation from a substance in a filter assembly, the electromagnetic radiation from the substance being received by at least one optical computing device having an integrated computational element, and the receiving being performed while a filter is positioned in the filter assembly. A detector may receive electromagnetic radiation from the integrated computational element and produce an output correlated to a characteristic of the substance. A mitigation technique may be selected, based on the detector output.

A system can include a filter assembly with a filter and a substance in the filter assembly, and at least one optical computing device having an integrated computational element which receives electromagnetic radiation from the substance. A method can include receiving electromagnetic radiation from a substance in a filter assembly, the electromagnetic radiation from the substance being received by at least one optical computing device having an integrated computational element, and the receiving being performed while a filter is positioned in the filter assembly. A detector may receive electromagnetic radiation from the integrated computational element and produce an output correlated to a characteristic of the substance. A mitigation technique may be selected, based on the detector output.

Reverse osmosis filter apparatus having a reverse osmosis filter system, a pan connected to the reverse osmosis filter system and located at the bottom thereof to collect water that leaks from the reverse osmosis filter system and a water sensing shut-off valve connected to the pan, the water sensing shut-off valve being coupled between a raw water input and the reverse osmosis filter system, the water sensing shut-off valve being connected to the pan at a location to sense the presence of water collecting in the pan and to disconnect the reverse osmosis filter system from the raw water input when the presence of water is sensed. Various features and embodiments are disclosed.