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.

The invention provides a filtering and centrifugation device, comprising a barrel, a volume in the barrel for receiving a fluid sample to be processed, a filter medium, at least one piston movable in the barrel to force fluid in the volume through the filter medium to produce a filtrate, and a space for pelleting particulate material. The device is centrifugeable, and said space is located in or communicates with the volume and is located preferably away from the filter medium such that the particulate material does not or at least not completely clog the filter medium during such centrifugation of the device. The invention also provides a method for the sterile filtration of a sample, comprising the steps of introducing the sample into the volume of such a device, subjecting the device to centrifugation to pellet particulate material contained in the sample at the space away from the filter medium, and applying force to the piston(s) to force fluid of the sample in the volume through the filter medium to produce a filtrate. By providing the space for pelleting the particulate material under the influence of the centrifugation force, the clogging of the filter medium can be avoided or considerably delayed. Further, the entire process can be performed in the same device without having to remove the sample for any intermediate clarification steps.

The present invention is directed to methods of separating a fluid emulsion stream into a hydrocarbon stream and an aqueous stream, by contacting the stream with a microporous membrane to yield a hydrocarbon product stream and an aqueous product stream. The membrane comprises a substantially hydrophobic, polymeric matrix, and substantially hydrophilic, finely divided, particulate, substantially water-insoluble filler distributed throughout the matrix. The polymeric matrix has a mean pore size less than 1.0 micron, and the purities of the product streams are independent of the flux rate of the aqueous product stream and the pore size of the membrane.

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.

An organic solvent collection apparatus includes a collection pipe, a first dewaterer, and a second dewaterer. A mixed liquid of an organic solvent and water discharged from a processing unit flows through the collection pipe. The first dewaterer includes a first membrane separator that includes a first separation membrane having an application range of a solvent concentration and separates water from the mixed liquid having a solvent concentration greater than or equal to a concentration lower limit value of the application range. The second dewaterer is provided at a preceding stage of the first dewaterer, separates water from the mixed liquid discharged through the collection pipe to increase the solvent concentration of the mixed liquid to greater than or equal to the concentration lower limit value, and supplies the mixed liquid having the solvent concentration greater than or equal to the concentration lower limit value to the first dewaterer.

A system for separating an oil and water mixture including an oil and water mixture tank, a first membrane, a second membrane, a separated oil tank, and a separated water tank. The first membrane includes polystyrene, which is functionalized with tannic acid. Water passes through, and oil does not pass through the first membrane. The second membrane includes polyurethane, which is functionalized with an alkyl group. Oil passes through, and water does not pass through the second membrane.

A substrate processing apparatus includes a chamber, a collection pipe, and a collection unit. In the chamber, a mixed solution of a chemical solution and an organic solvent acts on a main surface of a substrate. The collection pipe includes an upstream end portion connected to the chamber. The mixed solution from the chamber flows in the collection pipe. The collection unit includes a separation membrane separating the chemical solution from the mixed solution supplied through the collection pipe to increase a concentration of the organic solvent in the mixed solution.