In a method for operating a clarification membrane module the invention, either following steps is conducted after the position of the closed ends in the clarification membrane module is made above the position of the open ends therein: (a) closed-end high-position cleaning step A in which the outer side of the clarification membranes within the clarification membrane module is filled with liquid and air scrubbing is then performed by supplying a gas; (b) closed-end high-position cleaning step B in which air scrubbing is conducted by supplying a gas, while supplying liquid to the outer side of the clarification membranes within the clarification membrane module.

Hydrogen-producing fuel processing systems and related methods. The systems include a hydrogen-producing region configured to produce a mixed gas stream from a feedstock stream, a hydrogen-separation membrane module having at least one hydrogen-selective membrane and configured to separate the mixed gas stream into a product hydrogen stream and a byproduct stream, and an oxidant delivery system configured to deliver an oxidant-containing stream to the hydrogen-separation membrane module in situ to increase hydrogen permeance of the hydrogen-selective membrane. The methods include operating a hydrogen-producing fuel processing system in a hydrogen-producing regime, and subsequently operating the hydrogen-producing fuel processing system in a restoration regime, in which an oxidant-containing stream is delivered to the hydrogen-separation membrane module in situ to expose the at least one hydrogen-selective membrane to the oxidant-containing stream to increase the hydrogen permeance of the at least one hydrogen-selective membrane.

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.

A system and method for treatment of wastewater produced in pulp and papermaking processes, for TSS removal and COD decreasing to a de-colored, near neutral pH, liquid effluent, is disclosed. The system and method utilizes a series of tanks which can hold the wastewater and mix the wastewater or bring it in contact with various agents and membranes with an in-line continuous process.

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.

The present invention relates to a method of operating a membrane filtration unit including plural hollow fiber membrane modules connected to each other in parallel, the method including: a filtration step; a collection step; and a recovery step, in which a relation of n.sub.1n.sub.2>n.sub.3 is satisfied, where n.sub.1 is the number of the hollow fiber membrane modules simultaneously used in executing the filtration step, n.sub.2 is the number of the hollow fiber membrane modules simultaneously used in executing the collection step, and n.sub.3 is the number of the hollow fiber membrane modules simultaneously used in executing the recovery step.

An air channel membrane distiller (1) comprises a hot surface (12), a cooling section (20) and a hydrophobic membrane (30). The hot surface and the hydrophobic membrane define a sealed evaporation channel (40). A surface (22) of the cooling section and the hydrophobic membrane define a sealed condensation channel (50). A water supply tubing (42) is connected to the evaporation channel. A water discharge tubing (46) is connected to the evaporation channel. A purified-water discharge tubing (56) is connected to the condensation channel. The surface of the cooling section is given a temperature lower than a temperature of water in the evaporation channel. A gas supply arrangement (60) for inert gas comprises a heater (62). A gas pipe system (64) is arranged to a gas inlet (55) of the condensation channel for enabling flushing of at least the condensation channel with the inert gas.

The present invention relates to a method of operating a membrane filtration unit including plural hollow fiber membrane modules connected to each other in parallel, the method including: a filtration step; a collection step; and a recovery step, in which a relation of n.sub.1n.sub.2>n.sub.3 is satisfied, where n.sub.1 is the number of the hollow fiber membrane modules simultaneously used in executing the filtration step, n.sub.2 is the number of the hollow fiber membrane modules simultaneously used in executing the collection step, and n.sub.3 is the number of the hollow fiber membrane modules simultaneously used in executing the recovery step.

Disclosure relates to an electrochemical membrane degassing apparatus including a liquid channel in which raw water flows, a gaseous channel in which gas degassed from the raw water flows, a gas separation membrane allowing gas in the raw water to be moved to the gaseous channel, a surface modification layer formed at the gas separation membrane, and a power supply unit applying power to the surface modification layer, and selectively operated in either of a first process mode applying a low voltage power and a second process mode applying a high voltage power, wherein in the first process mode, an electrostatic repulsive force is generated between the surface modification layer and organic particles, and in the second process mode, a radical is generated, and the organic particles is oxidized by the radical. Accordingly, the efficiency of membrane degassing can be improved and membrane contamination can be prevented.

Provided is a biochar-anaerobic membrane biological treatment system and process. The system mainly includes a reaction tank, a membrane module, a macroporous gas distribution device, low-temperature pyrolysis biochar. The application of the process to sewage treatment shows that: under the conditions that the hydraulic retention time is 3.2-7.2 h, the membrane flux is 12.0-17.8 L/m.sup.2/h, and the sludge concentration of 7.2-15.6 g/L, multiple objectives of promoting organic micropollutants (OMPs) biotransformation, accelerating methane production and strengthening membrane fouling control were achieved. The system improved OMPs removal efficiency by more than 20%, decreased membrane fouling rate by 50%, and reaching an organic matter removal efficiency of more than 86% at low temperature. The system and process solve the problems of poor OMPs removal efficiency, serious membrane fouling, and low methane yield at low temperature in the anaerobic membrane biological treatment system.