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.

Provided are a membrane separation method and a membrane separation device that enable membrane separation of a hydrocarbon mixture with high separation efficiency. The membrane separation method includes a step (A) of exposing a zeolite membrane to an atmosphere having a dew point of 20 C. or lower and a step (B) of using the zeolite membrane to perform membrane separation of a hydrocarbon mixture after step (A). The membrane separation device includes: a membrane separation module including a housing and a zeolite membrane that is housed in the housing and is configured to perform membrane separation of a hydrocarbon mixture; a feedstock supply mechanism configured to supply the hydrocarbon mixture into the membrane separation module; and a gas supply mechanism configured to supply a gas having a dew point of 20 C. or lower into a space in which the zeolite membrane is housed in the membrane separation module.

This filtration treatment system is provided with a membrane filtration device as a prefiltration treatment device for removing insoluble components from the water to be treated containing organic substance, a reverse osmosis membrane treatment device for subjecting the prefiltration-treated water to reverse osmosis membrane treatment, and a chemical agent supply pipe for supplying a chemical agent into the membrane filtration device, wherein the chemical agent contains a sulfamic acid compound, and a bromine-based oxidizing agent or the reaction product of a bromine compound with a chlorine-based oxidizing agent, or, contains the reaction product of a sulfamic acid compound with a bromine-based oxidizing agent or with the reaction product of a bromine compound with a chlorine-based oxidizing agent.

Algae harvesting and cultivating systems and methods for producing high concentrations of algae product with minimal energy. In an embodiment, a dead-end filtration system and method includes at least one tank and a plurality hollow fiber membranes positioned in the at least one tank. An algae medium is pulled through the hollow fiber membranes such that a retentate and a permeate are produced.

A membrane casing that watertightly houses a membrane element for filtering raw water includes a tubular casing main body, a lid body, and a pressing mechanism. The casing main body houses a membrane element. The lid body fits an opening end of the casing main body and is movable in the axial direction of the casing main body while maintaining the attitude and while securing watertightness with the casing main body. The pressing mechanism and presses the lid body to press and hold the membrane element housed in the casing main body. The membrane casing has a simple configuration capable of watertightly securing using a predetermined pressing force by accommodating variations in size of the membrane element, even if the membrane casing cannot be formed into a cylindrical shape.

The present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a clogging location determination program for a separation membrane module, in which, in order to determine a clogging location of a separation membrane module in a fresh water generation system for obtaining treated water by filtrating water to be treated by a separation membrane module having a separation membrane, a computer is caused to function as a clogging location determination means for determining a clogging location of the separation membrane module from a resistance in a lower part of the separation membrane module, a filtration resistance of a hollow-fiber membrane, and a resistance in an upper part of the separation membrane module.

Described herein are methods and compositions relating to tunable nanoporous coatings. In certain aspects, described herein are methods and compositions wherein a tunable nanoporous coating comprises a tunable nanoporous membrane which transitions from opaque to transparent upon the application of force, and from transparent to opaque after washing with a solvent.

Separation processes using engineered osmosis are disclosed generally involving the extraction of solvent from a first solution to concentrate solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources.

A method for introducing a gas into a liquid, the method including filling a gas volume enclosed below a free surface of the liquid and defined in a downward direction by an enclosed level of the liquid with the gas in sequential pulses wherein the gas simultaneously displaces the liquid top down from a gas lifting channel until the enclosed level of the liquid drops below an inlet cross section of a gas flow out channel; subsequently flowing the gas out of the gas volume downward through the gas lifting channel, a deflection portion adjoining at a bottom of the gas lifting channel, in upward direction through the inlet cross section and through the gas flow out channel adjoining the inlet cross section at a top to the free surface.

A method the filtering a liquid in a membrane filter immersed in the liquid and including membranes, the method including introducing a gas through a gas introduction device into a base of the membrane filter in successive pulses so that the membranes are cleaned wherein the gas introduction device includes a liquid flow channel which vertically penetrates a gas collection cavity and admits the liquid into a bottom of membrane filter; and initially filling a gas volume arranged below a free surface of the liquid and defined in a downward direction by an enclosed level of the liquid with the gas wherein the gas simultaneously displaces the liquid top down from a gas lifting channel until the enclosed level of the liquid drops below an inlet cross section of a gas flow out channel.