Method and apparatuses for forming gel droplets including biological tissue (e.g., cells), and in particular, methods and apparatuses for removing oil from the gel droplets comprising dissociated cells (including micro-organospheres) are described herein. Although it is beneficial to use oil in the formation of these gel droplets, and particularly micro-organospheres, oil may inhibit growth and survival of the cells within the gel droplets. The methods and apparatuses described herein may permit the removal of oil and may enhance survival and quality of the resulting gel droplets.

A nanocarbon immobilized membrane (NCIM) is disclosed. The nanocarbon immobilized membrane is sized to purify different organic-water mixtures. The nanocarbon immobilized membrane can be used to purify solvents, fuels, and other organic compounds. Data using heptane-water, octane-water, fuel-water, and paint thinner-water show 99.9% separation efficiency. High organic flux is also seen at relatively low pressure. This approach has numerous applications, including fuel purification, oil spills clean-up, separation of commercial emulsions, and solvent purification.

An electrochemical separation device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a cell stack including alternating depleting compartments and concentrating compartments disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, an inlet manifold configured to introduce a fluid to one of the depleting compartments or the concentrating compartments an outlet manifold, and one or more of a fluid flow director disposed within the inlet manifold and having a surface configured to alter a flow path of the fluid introduced into the inlet manifold and direct the fluid into the one of the depleting compartments or the concentrating compartments, and a second fluid flow director disposed within the outlet manifold and having a surface configured to alter a flow path of the fluid introduced into the outlet manifold via one of the depleting compartments or the concentrating compartments.

A separating device for separating an undesired fluid from a multi-component liquid has a region flowed through by the multi-component liquid and at least one membrane disposed in the region to separate a first fluid region from a second fluid region. The membrane has a first permeability to the undesired fluid and a second permeability to the multi-component liquid. The first permeability is different from the second permeability. The membrane is equally permeable to all components of the multi-component liquid. The membrane is permeable to the multi-component liquid and impermeable to the undesired fluid, or the membrane is impermeable to the multi-component liquid and is permeable to the undesired fluid, wherein the multi-component liquid is a liquid multi-component operating medium. A filter with such a separating device and a filter element, in particular for diesel fuel, as well as a liquid system with such a separating device are described.

Devices and methods for electric field driven on-demand separation of liquid-liquid mixtures are provided. For example, methods for separating liquid-liquid mixtures, such as free oil and water, oil-in-water emulsions and water-in-oil emulsions, are provided that have separation efficiencies up to about 99.9%. The liquid-liquid mixture is contacted with a separator membrane assembly comprising a separator membrane formed of a porous oleophobic (or superoleophobic) material and an electrically conductive member. An electrical potential is applied across the porous oleophobic (or superoleophobic) material of the separator membrane to facilitate passage and separation of at least a portion of the first component through the separator membrane. Separation devices and such separator membrane assemblies are also provided.

Provided are an extraction structure, an extraction module, and a liquid pretreatment device relating to the liquid component testing technical field. The extraction structure comprises a cavity and a first pore passage. The extraction module comprises an extraction module body, successively bottom up, including a first cavity provided therein with a second filter layer, a first pore passage provided therein with a first filter layer, and a second cavity provided therein with an extractant layer and a porous filter disc; the first and second filter layers contain therein an expansive agent; and the diameter of the first filter layer is smaller than that of the second filter disc. The liquid pretreatment device comprises a storage tank, a transfer device and the extraction module. Between the transfer device and the extraction module is provided a filter membrane for filtering and supporting.

Described herein are systems and methods for liquid phase separation for fuel tanks and other vessels. Particularly, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a backpressure regulator configured to open when pressure of a mixture upstream of the backpressure regulator exceeds a predetermined setpoint and a hydrophobic membrane upstream of the backpressure regulator and downstream of a first conduit. The predetermined setpoint may be determined by at least a bubble point pressure of the hydrophobic membrane. Additionally, the backpressure regulator may be fluidically connected to and downstream of the first conduit, and to at least one pump operably connected to and upstream of the first conduit and the hydrophobic membrane may be fluidically connected to and upstream of a second conduit. The backpressure regulator may be fluidically connected to and upstream of a third conduit and the third conduit may be downstream the first conduit.

A nanofiber membrane includes a polymer nanofiber; and an amphiphilic triblock copolymer bonded to the surface of the polymer nanofiber, the amphiphilic triblock copolymer includes a hydrophobic portion; hydrophilic portions positioned at both ends of the hydrophobic portion; and a low surface energy portion positioned at one end of each of the hydrophilic portions positioned at both ends of the hydrophobic portion, and the hydrophobic portion of the amphiphilic triblock copolymer is bonded to the surface of the polymer nanofiber and the hydrophilic portion and the low surface energy portion are exposed to the outside of the surface of the polymer nanofiber. The membrane simultaneously exhibits hydrophilicity, underwater oleophobicity, and low oil adhesion force, thus has surface segregation properties, and as a result, has an excellent oil permeate flux, exhibits antifouling properties, and can excellently separate oil in water.

A natural gas processing system is mounted on a mobile platform that is transported to a natural gas source, such as a well. The system supplies retentate gas to operate multi-fuel engines for wellfield equipment such as pumps, compressors, and drills. A liquid drain discharges contaminants. A separator, first and second coalescing filters, and a particulate filter remove particulate matter and fluid contaminant matter from the natural gas. A dryer removes water vapor from the natural gas. Dual membranes separate the natural gas into a retentate gas and a permeate gas. A first heat exchanger adjusts temperature of the natural gas entering the membranes. A second heat exchanger adjusts temperature of the retentate gas output. A thermoelectric generator powered by the natural gas supplies process electricity. A process control monitors and controls the natural gas processing system, including pressure control valves, temperature control valves, and emergency shutdown systems. An instrument gas supply with an accumulator supplies gas pressure to operate pneumatic valves and instruments.

Method and apparatuses for forming gel droplets including biological tissue (e.g., cells), and in particular, methods and apparatuses for removing oil from the gel droplets comprising dissociated cells (including micro-organospheres) are described herein. Although it is beneficial to use oil in the formation of these gel droplets, and particularly micro-organospheres, oil may inhibit growth and survival of the cells within the gel droplets. The methods and apparatuses described herein may permit the removal of oil and may enhance survival and quality of the resulting gel droplets.