A perfusion bioreactor includes at least one ultrasonic transducer that can acoustically generate a multi-dimensional standing wave. The standing wave can be used to retain cells in the bioreactor, and can also be utilized to dewater or further harvest product from the waste materials produced in a bioreactor.

Acoustic perfusion devices for separating biological cells from other material in a fluid mixture are disclosed. The devices include an inlet port, an outlet port, and a collection port that are connected to an acoustic chamber. An ultrasonic transducer creates an acoustic standing wave in the acoustic chamber that permits a continuous flow of fluid to be recovered through the collection port while keeping the biological cells within the acoustic chamber to be returned to the bioreactor from which the fluid mixture is being drawn.

A method for preparing and processing a sample is provided. The method includes obtaining a sample including biofluid. The method further includes purifying at least part of the sample via an acoustic separator to separate target cells from the sample. The sample may accordingly be at least partially purified. The method further includes causing a portion of an output collected from the acoustic separator to flow through a filter. At least one reagent, such as a lysis reagent or assay reagent, is caused to flow over the cells.

A suspension flow-through separation apparatus includes a flow-through separator including a flow-through separation unit. The flow-through separation unit includes a cavity structure that functions as a channel through which a suspension flows, a side surface portion which extends in an x-direction of the cavity structure, a supply port which is provided at one side surface portion, an outlet port which is provided at the other side surface portion, two planar portions that extend in a y-direction in the cavity structure and face to each other, and an ultrasonic oscillator that is provided at least one of two planar portions, and emits ultrasonic waves to the channel. The suspended matter in the suspension is captured by the ultrasonic waves and separated in a z-direction that is a vertical direction while the suspension flows through the channel of the flow-through separator.

Method and apparatus to facilitate recycling of at least one fraction of bitumen-containing materials. This can be accomplished by dissolving the at least one fraction, for example, maltenes or asphaltenes in roofing shingles, into at least one solvent. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises a dissolution vessel, a tumbler positioned therein, and at least one solvent distributor. The tumbler is configured to facilitate wetting the bitumen-containing materials with solvent. In a second aspect, a system comprises the apparatus, a solid-liquid separator, for example, a vibratory screen, and at least one solvent-fraction separator, for example, a flash drum. The at least one solvent can comprise one or more solvents useful to extract the at least one fraction. In a third aspect, a first fraction is extracted from the bitumen-containing materials with a first solvent composition, then a second fraction is extracted from the remaining bitumen-containing materials with a second solvent composition.

An auto cleaning system for cleaning a drilling fluid in a drilling operation includes a first line, a second line, an auto clean pump operatively connected to the first line and the second line, and an electromagnetic device around at least a portion of the first line, wherein the electromagnetic device is energized when the drilling fluid is passing through the first line. The auto clean pump is configured to receive the drilling fluid from the first line or the second line and remove metal particles from the drilling fluid. The system also includes a controller configured to determine a pressure difference in a line, at least partially open a valve to divert drilling fluid intake from one line the other, and close the first entrance valve to stop the drilling fluid from entering the first line.

An auto cleaning system for cleaning a drilling fluid in a drilling operation, includes a controller configured to determine the difference between a pressure reading by a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor is above a predetermined threshold value, and at least partially open an entrance valve on a second line to divert drilling fluid intake from a first line to the second line, and close the entrance valve on the first line to stop the drilling fluid from entering the first line.

Apparatus and methods for pressurizing well operations fluids. An example apparatus may include a plurality of pressure exchangers each operable to receive a first fluid via a low-pressure inlet, receive a second fluid via a high-pressure inlet to thereby pressurize and then discharge the first fluid via a high-pressure outlet, and discharge the clean fluid via a low-pressure outlet. The apparatus may further include a fluid control device fluidly connected with the pressure exchangers downstream from the low-pressure outlets. The fluid control device may be a pump operable to draw the clean fluid discharged via the low-pressure outlets and thereby reduce the pressure at the low-pressure outlets and the low-pressure inlets.

A method for separating particles in a biofluid includes pretreating the biofluid by introducing an additive, flowing the pretreated biofluid through a microfluidic separation channel, and applying acoustic energy to the microfluidic separation channel. A system for microfluidic separation, capable of separating target particles from non-target particles in a biofluid includes at least one microfluidic separation channel, a source of biofluid, a source of additive, and at least one acoustic transducer coupled to the microfluidic separation channel. A kit for microfluidic particle separation includes a microfluidic separation channel connected to an acoustic transducer, a source of an additive, and instructions for use.

A method of separating heavy water from normal through application of acoustic pressure shock waves to a fluid including heavy water and normal water and recovering separated normal water.