An automated modular filtration system, particularly for low volume tangential flow filtration processes, comprises a plurality of filtration modules formed as separate assemblies and at least one control unit for jointly controlling filtration processes of individual filtration units. Each filtration module contains at least one individual filtration unit for executing a filtration process independent of the other filtration units, first input ports for receiving a first type of fluids, second input ports for receiving a second type of fluids, and exit ports for outputting unused system fluids. First type fluids are process fluids are specific to the filtration processes executed in individual filtration units. Second type fluids are system fluids not specific to filtration processes executed in the individual filtration units. The second input and exit ports establish inter-module connections so system fluids can be forwarded from one filtration module to an adjacent filtration module of the filtration system.

A medical monitoring device for monitoring electrical signals from the body of a subject is described. The medical monitoring device monitors electrical signals originating from a cardiac cycle of the subject and associates each cardiac cycle with a time index. The medical monitoring device applies a forward computational procedure to generate a risk score indicative of hyperkalemia, hypokalemia or arrhythmia of the subject. The medical monitoring device can adjust the forward computational procedure based upon clinical data obtained from the subject.

The method for controlling a water treatment unit in operation comprising at least the following steps of determining (1000) a normalized flow-rate value (D48) per unit of surface area and per unit of pressure of an ultrafiltration membrane (48); water treatment (1004) if a difference (1) between the normalized flow value and a first reference value (D48.sub.1) is less than or equal to a first threshold value (D1); regeneration (1010) of the ultrafiltration membrane (48) if the difference (1) between the normalized flow-rate value and the first reference value (D48.sub.1) is greater than the first threshold value (D1). The regeneration step (1010) comprises at least sub-steps consisting of backwashing (1011) the ultrafiltration membrane (48); interrupting (1012) and maintaining interrupted the circulation of water in the treatment unit (2); heating (1014) the water in contact with the ultrafiltration membrane (48) in an filtration system with ultrafiltration membrane (44, 58) during the interruption sub-step; and after the heating step, backwashing (1016) the ultrafiltration membrane (48).

Methods of detecting, quantifying and/or characterizing the fouling of a device from a combination of pressure and spectroscopic data are provided. The device can be any device containing components susceptible to fouling. Components can include membranes, pipes, or reactors. Suitable devices include membrane devices, heat exchangers, and chemical or bio-reactors. Membrane devices can include, for example, microfiltration devices, ultrafiltration devices, nanofiltration devices, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, osmosis, reverse electrodialysis, electro-deionisation or membrane distillation devices. The methods can be applied to any type of membrane, including tubular, spiral, hollow fiber, flat sheet, and capillary membranes. The spectroscopic characterization can include measuring one or more of the absorption, fluorescence, or raman spectroscopic data of one or more foulants. The methods can allow for the early detection and/or characterization of fouling. The characterization can include determining the specific foulant(s) or type of foulant(s) present. The characterization of fouling can allow for the selection of an appropriate de-fouling method and timing.

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 invention discloses an automatic off-line gas-water combined-washing membrane bioreactor, comprising a PLC automation control cabinet, a MBR reactor, a MBR membrane assembly, a rotating hood, an annular guide rail, a lifting device, a washing pipe network, an external interface, a gas washing pipe, a water washing pipe, a gas pump and a water pump, wherein the gas pump, the water pump and the three-way change valve are all connected with the PLC automation control cabinet, the washing pipe network is provided with several nozzles. The present invention adopts a full PLC automation control system, the PLC automation control cabinet controls a pressure washing pump (gas pump and water pump), and gas or water is injected into the washing pipe network by flexibly adjusting the three-way change valve, so that the operation is simple, the cleaning is complete, and the manual operation load is reduced.

This disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for analyzing an influence variable on membrane fouling of a seawater desalination system, wherein influence variables other than variables having a low degree of influence, among variables affecting the membrane, are selected, and the influence thereof on membrane fouling is used to derive an equation. The apparatus includes a variable storage unit configured to store variables affecting membrane fouling of a seawater desalination system, a dominant variable selection unit configured to select at least one dominant variable among the variables through at least one algorithm, and an equation derivation unit configured to derive a specific equation based on a correlation between the selected dominant variable and the membrane fouling.

There is provided a method for controlling an RO system, the method being capable of reducing power consumption (that is, CO2) and the amount of waste by reducing the amount of use of chemicals and the number of times of exchanging a membrane and capable of enabling stable operation and contributing to energy saving. A method for controlling an RO system, the RO system including a plurality of RO apparatuses 41 to 44 arranged in parallel and a control unit controlling a start/stop process, the start/stop process including an operation process and a stop process for the RO apparatuses 41 to 44, wherein control is performed so that the number of times of start/stop is larger for an RO apparatus that easily recovers treatability by start/stop.

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 renal therapy apparatus includes a blood filter, a blood pump, a treatment fluid pump, and a control unit configured to control at least one of the blood pump or the treatment fluid pump during a filter cleaning sequence. In a first phase of the filter cleaning sequence, a first fluid including a blood-compatible and physiologically safe fluid is transferred back and forth across the insides and/or outsides of the blood filter. After the first phase, a second fluid is formed by mixing the first fluid with air. In a second phase of the filter cleaning sequence, the second fluid is transferred across the insides and/or outsides of the blood filter at least one time.