The present disclosure relates to semipermeable membranes which are suitable for blood purification, e.g. by hemodialysis, which have an increased ability to remove larger molecules while at the same time effectively retaining albumin. The membranes are characterized by a molecular retention onset (MWRO) of between 9.0 kD and 14.5 kD and a molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) of between 55 kD and 130 kD as determined by dextran sieving curves and can be prepared by industrially feasible processes excluding a treatment with salt before drying. The invention therefore also relates to a process for the production of the membranes and to their use in medical applications.

The present invention provides a method of treating a commercial or industrial laundry wastewater stream. The method and apparatus treats a commercial laundry waste stream from a commercial washing machine or machines wherein the waste includes total suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand, turbidity, and bacteria. The waste stream is transmitted to a first treatment unit that has a membrane filter that filters particles of between about 6 and 40 nanometers. At the first treatment unit, the waste stream is separated into a permeate stream and a retentate component. The retentate component is transmitted to a second treatment unit that filters particles of between about 3 and 10 nanometers. The permeate stream is then transmitted to a permeate holding vessel after treatment in the second treatment unit. The retentate component is placed in a mixing vessel where it is mixed with a polymer to form a solid waste.

A fluid separation apparatus comprising a fluid separation membrane is provided. The fluid separation apparatus comprises a fluid separation membrane extending in one direction and having a cross-section with a closed curve shape, wherein the fluid separation membrane has a thickness of 0.1 mm to 2 mm, and an outer diameter of 60 mm to 360 mm when the cross-section is adjusted to be circular.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a separation film mainly comprising a cellulose-based resin having high permeability. The present invention pertains to a separation film containing a cellulose ester, wherein the separation film is provided with a bicontinuous structure comprising voids and phases containing the cellulose ester, and the width of the voids is 1 to 200 nm inclusive.

A homogeneous fiber reinforced PVDF hollow fiber membrane and a preparation method thereof are provided. The membrane includes a hollow tubular reinforcement made of PVDF fibers and a polymer separation layer made of PVDF casting solution; wherein the polymer separation layer casting solution comprises 4-25% PVDF resin, 5-20% pore-forming agent, 0-3% inorganic particles and 52-91% solvent according to mass fraction. The preparation method includes steps of: (1) preparing a hollow tubular reinforcement made of PVDF fibers; (2) preparing a PVDF polymer separation layer casting solution; and (3) obtaining the homogeneous fiber reinforced PVDF hollow fiber membrane.

In some embodiments thereof, the present invention describes TFF (Tangential Flow Filtration) filtration devices that utilize tubular membranes for the separation of cells and particles. These devices encompass several innovative features, including the use of membrane tubes with either circular or non-circular cross-sections. These tubes are closely surrounded by both tube housing and filter housing to regulate the pressure of the liquid exiting the filter housing. Additionally, the membrane tubes may feature internal cores within their lumens and/or structures along their inner walls. These internal features serve to regulate flow patterns and pressures within the tubes. One notable aspect of this invention is the inclusion of features on the tube housing or tube core that effectively regulate pressure resistance and feed flow patterns. These features lead to a reduction in the required recirculation rate and contribute to improved transmembrane pressure profiles, making these membrane filters highly effective for cell retention in cell culture and other applications. The patent also introduces various filter designs that incorporate tubular membranes into TFF filtration devices to achieve multiple goals, including a more consistent TMP (Transmembrane Pressure) profile for efficient separation, reduced recirculation rates to generate adequate shear rates, higher packing densities of membrane surface areas within the same filter design, and enhanced manufacturability and recyclability of the filters. Overall, this invention represents a significant advancement in the field of TFF filtration, offering innovative solutions for a wide range of applications in the separation of cells and particles.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for catalytic removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water and wastewater. The system and methods utilize a catalyst film and a biofilm to synergystically remove PFAS from water. In some aspects, the catalyst film reduces and defluorinates PFAS into less fluorinated counterparts of PFAS, and the biofilm metabolizes the less fluroinated counterparts of PFAS into CO.sub.2 or shorter chain PFAS.

The invention relates to a hollow fiber membrane filter for purifying liquids with improved separation properties, comprising a cylindrical housing, first inflow or outflow spaces and second inflow or outflow spaces, each of which surrounds a first and a second end region of the cylindrical housing, the hollow fiber membrane filter having an aspect ratio of the actual effective length of the hollow fiber membrane and inner diameter of the cylindrical housing which is such that improved flow of a liquid against the hollow fiber membranes in the interior of the cylindrical housing can take place.

In accordance with at least selected embodiments, there are provided a diffusion membrane, a contactor, and/or a method for the removal and/or addition of a gas or a liquid to a second fluid, and the membrane may be a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hollow fiber membrane, where the diffusion occurs across the membrane.

An environmental control system includes an air conditioning subsystem and a contaminant removal subsystem downstream of the environment to be conditioned. The contaminant removal subsystem includes: a first gas-liquid contactor-separator; a second gas-liquid contactor-separator; and a dehumidifier disposed either upstream of the first gas-liquid contactor-separator or downstream of the second gas-liquid contactor-separator.