Systems and methods for containing and manipulating liquids, including vessels and unit operations or components of cell culture, cell containment, bioreactor, and/or pharmaceutical manufacturing systems, are provided. In certain embodiments, such vessels and unit operations are directed to continuous perfusion reactor or bioreactor systems and may include one or more disposable components. For instance, in one aspect, a system includes an apparatus in the form of a bioreactor for harvesting cells which produce one or more products. The apparatus may include a disposable, collapsible bag adapted for containing a liquid, the collapsible bag in fluid communication with a liquid-solids (e.g., cell) separation device. For example, an outlet of the collapsible bag may be connected to an inlet of the separation device, and an outlet of the separation device may be connected to an inlet of the collapsible bag for recycle. Accordingly, after separating the cells from the liquid in the separation device, the cells can be flowed back into the collapsible bag where they can be re-harvested. Meanwhile, product contained in the liquid can be collected in a separate container. The efficiency of product formation in such a system may be enhanced by using mixing systems described herein.

A filter cartridge includes a threaded sleeve having a seal holder recess and seal member. The filter cartridge is for removably threading onto a filter head that includes threads for connection to the filter cartridge by way of the threaded sleeve. The filter head includes a ramp that engages the seal member to form a seal. The force needed to make the seal is a torque of less than 10 N-m.

A filter cartridge includes a threaded sleeve having a seal holder recess and seal member. The filter cartridge is for removably threading onto a filter head that includes threads for connection to the filter cartridge by way of the threaded sleeve. The filter head includes a ramp that engages the seal member to form a seal. The force needed to make the seal is a torque of less than 10 N-m.

A hollow filter element of a fluid filter has a coupling device for connecting with a first housing part of the filter housing when removing the hollow filter element from the second housing part. The coupling device is arranged at an axial end face opening of the hollow filter element. The hollow filter element can be joined by a rotation/insertion movement with the first or second housing part. The coupling device has guiding and entraining elements arranged circumferentially. A holding element extends circumferentially at the side of the guiding and entraining elements facing axially the outer side of the hollow filter element. Coupling elements for transmitting an axial pulling force can hook behind the holding element. The guiding and entraining elements are covered by the holding element radially inwardly and are connected force-transmittingly to the holding element so that the latter can be elastically stretched radially by them.

A hollow filter element of a fluid filter has a coupling device for connecting with a first housing part of the filter housing when removing the hollow filter element from the second housing part. The coupling device is arranged at an axial end face opening of the hollow filter element. The hollow filter element can be joined by a rotation/insertion movement with the first or second housing part. The coupling device has guiding and entraining elements arranged circumferentially. A holding element extends circumferentially at the side of the guiding and entraining elements facing axially the outer side of the hollow filter element. Coupling elements for transmitting an axial pulling force can hook behind the holding element. The guiding and entraining elements are covered by the holding element radially inwardly and are connected force-transmittingly to the holding element so that the latter can be elastically stretched radially by them.

A method for filtering solids from a slurry includes placing a filter assembly into a filtration tank containing the slurry. The filter assembly includes a plurality of filter cells each having a filter medium at an exterior and a cavity at an interior. The solids are filtered by moving the slurry through the filter mediums into the interiors of the filter cells to form a filter cake at the exteriors of the filter cells. The filter assembly is moved while applying a vacuum to the interiors of the filter cells through a vacuum transfer system including a mobile part and a stationary part. The mobile part moves along with the filter assembly and is sealed with respect to the stationary part.

A method for filtering solids from a slurry includes placing a filter assembly into a filtration tank containing the slurry. The filter assembly includes a plurality of filter cells each having a filter medium at an exterior and a cavity at an interior. The solids are filtered by moving the slurry through the filter mediums into the interiors of the filter cells to form a filter cake at the exteriors of the filter cells. The filter assembly is moved while applying a vacuum to the interiors of the filter cells through a vacuum transfer system including a mobile part and a stationary part. The mobile part moves along with the filter assembly and is sealed with respect to the stationary part.

A multi-stage filter for filtering and removing fluids includes (1) a filtering base, and (2) a fluid transfer cap. The filter base includes: (i) a cover; (ii) a second stage filter positioned inside the housing of the cover; and (iii) a first stage filter positioned inside the housing of the second stage filter. The fluid transfer cap attaches to the first end of the cover and includes: (i) a first closed end; (ii) a second end having an opening that is positioned opposite the first end; (iii) an annular skirt that extends between the first and second ends; (iv) an annular shaped barrier member positioned inside and spaced apart from the annular skirt; (v) a fluid inlet comprising an extension member that extends through a side of the annular skirt to the annular shaped barrier member; and (vi) a fluid outlet.

A filter pipe fitting is provided for use in connecting a supply pipe to drip line tubing used within heap leach mining. The filter pipe fitting includes first and second ends. The pipe fitting's first end includes male threads for threadably affixing to female threads formed in the sidewall of a supply pipe. The pipe fitting's first end further includes a filter element preferably including longitudinally extending slats forming longitudinally extending slots. The filter element preferably has a closed end, which may or may not be disengageable from the slats. The pipe fitting's second end includes male threads for affixing to a ring nut. The second end further includes a male clamping surface for engaging a female clamping surface circumferentially found on the interior of the ring nut. The male and female clamping surfaces are utilized to clamp onto the tubular end of drip line tubing.

A filter pipe fitting is provided for use in connecting a supply pipe to drip line tubing used within heap leach mining. The filter pipe fitting includes first and second ends. The pipe fitting's first end includes male threads for threadably affixing to female threads formed in the sidewall of a supply pipe. The pipe fitting's first end further includes a filter element preferably including longitudinally extending slats forming longitudinally extending slots. The filter element preferably has a closed end, which may or may not be disengageable from the slats. The pipe fitting's second end includes male threads for affixing to a ring nut. The second end further includes a male clamping surface for engaging a female clamping surface circumferentially found on the interior of the ring nut. The male and female clamping surfaces are utilized to clamp onto the tubular end of drip line tubing.