A system, method and device are disclosed for bio-processing a feed stream and providing a constant output by operating a continuous single-pass tangential-flow process. The single-pass process provides high conversion concentration while operating at relatively low feed flow rates, and the process can also be used to provide constant output diafiltration.

The present technology provides micro fabricated filtration devices, methods of making such devices, and uses for microfabricated filtration devices. The devices may allow diffusion to occur between two fluids with improved transport resistance characteristics as compared to conventional filtration devices. The devices may include a compound structure that includes a porous membrane overlying a support structure. The support structure may define a cavity and a plurality of recesses formed in a way that can allow modified convective flow of a first fluid to provide improved diffusive transport between the first fluid and a second fluid through the membrane.

A multi-stage filtration apparatus (100) for heterogeneous food admixtures comprises supply means (I1) for introducing a input heterogeneous admixture (All) being introduced to the multi-stage filtration apparatus (100), a pre-filtration station (M1) which is intended to receive the input heterogeneous admixture (All) being introduced and to separate it into a first admixture portion (Filtr1) and a residual solid admixture portion (Sol1), a filtration station (M2) comprising at least one tangential filter (F1) which is provided to separate from the first admixture portion (Filtr1) a concentrated suspension portion (Concentrata) and a final filtered portion (Finale), at least one supply device (I2) which is provided to circulate the first admixture portion (Filtr1) in the filtration station (M2). The pre-filtration station (M1) comprises at least one vibrating sieve (V1) in order to separate the heterogeneous admixture (All).

A feed of at least one of (a) a source liquid including a solvent with a dissolved impurity and (b) a retentate of the source liquid is pumped in a substantially closed loop through a liquid-separation module. The liquid-separation module includes a membrane that passes at least partially purified solvent to a permeate side of the membrane while diverting the impurity in a retentate on the retentate side of the membrane. The purified solvent is extracted from the permeate side of the membrane; and the retentate from the liquid-separation module is pumped to or through a pressurized reservoir with a variable volume for the feed component and recirculated as a component of the feed. Over time, the volume for the feed is reduced and the pressure applied to the feed in the reservoir is increased to balance against an increasing difference in osmotic pressure across the membrane.

In a membrane filtration system and process, retentate exiting a filtration element is maintained inside a loop and redirected back to the inlet of a pump. The pump may produce a generally constant velocity in the loop. Water is concentrated inside the loop until discharged in batches. Feed water enters the loop automatically. The flux through the filtration element is maintained by a controlled valve or pump in communication with a permeate outlet. A filtration element has one or more rigid inserts in a housing. The inserts are covered with membranes. The element is configured to provide open feed channels beside the inserts. The membranes and inserts are potted at an edge, which may be their only attachment to the housing. Permeate flows between the membrane and the insert to the potted edge. The filtration element may be used in the system and process described herein or in others.

The present technology provides microfabricated filtration devices, methods of making such devices, and uses for microfabricated filtration devices. The devices may allow diffusion to occur between two fluids with improved transport resistance characteristics as compared to conventional filtration devices. The devices may include a compound structure that includes a porous membrane overlying a support structure. The support structure may define a cavity and a plurality of recesses formed in a way that can allow modified convective flow of a first fluid to provide improved diffusive transport between the first fluid and a second fluid through the membrane.

The invention provides a process for recovering a metallic component from a process stream, said process comprising passing said process stream over a ceramic membrane comprising a selective layer with a pore size in the range of from at least 0.5 nm to at most 10 nm; applying a pressure difference across said ceramic membrane such that the pressure outside the ceramic membrane is at least 50 kPa lower than the pressure inside the ceramic membrane; and, thus, providing a permeate stream which has passed through the ceramic membrane and which is depleted in the metallic component and a retentate stream enriched in the metallic component; wherein the process stream is derived from a process for the conversion of saccharide-containing feedstock into glycols.

[Object] To provide a method for isolating and purifying a minute useful substance. [Solution] Disclosed is a method for isolating and purifying a minute useful substance. The method includes filtering a liquid containing a minute useful substance through a hollow fiber membrane. The hollow fiber membrane has an inner diameter of 0.2 mm to 1.4 mm and a molecular weight cut-off of 100000 to 1000000. The filtering includes a first filtration process of press-fitting the liquid containing the minute useful substance from a first opening on one end side of the hollow fiber membrane and filtering the liquid to separate the liquid into a permeate and a first concentrate, and a second filtration process of press-fitting the first concentrate from a second opening on the other end side of the hollow fiber membrane and filtering the first concentrate to separate the first concentrate into a permeate and a second concentrate. A concentrate is produced in which a concentration of the minute useful substance is increased by filtration in which the first filtration process and the second filtration process are alternately performed a plurality of times at a membrane surface velocity of 0.3 m/sec to 2 m/sec.

The present invention relates to a method of forming a sulfonated aromatic polymer, to the sulfonated aromatic polymer thus formed and to the method of using the sulfonated aromatic polymer in the manufacture of membranes.

A feed of at least one of (a) a source liquid including a solvent with a dissolved impurity and (b) a retentate of the source liquid is pumped in a substantially closed loop through a liquid-separation module. The liquid-separation module includes a membrane that passes at least partially purified solvent to a permeate side of the membrane while diverting the impurity in a retentate on the retentate side of the membrane. The purified solvent is extracted from the permeate side of the membrane; and the retentate from the liquid-separation module is pumped to or through a pressurized reservoir with a variable volume for the feed component and recirculated as a component of the feed. Over time, the volume for the feed is reduced and the pressure applied to the feed in the reservoir is increased to balance against an increasing difference in osmotic pressure across the membrane.