A multi-stage process for recovering acid gas from natural gas having high acid gas contents utilizes two or more membrane absorption contactors arranged in series. The first membrane absorption contactor uses a physical solvent to remove a high volume of acid gas transferred across a membrane, and to reduce the acid gas content in the natural gas to a lower level that can be managed using chemical solvents. The second and, if needed, subsequent membrane absorption contactors can use a chemical solvent to remove acid gas transferred across the respective membranes and reduce the acid gas content in the natural gas to very low levels, if needed, depending on product specifications.

Combining the features of a glassy polymeric membrane and a rubbery polymeric membrane into a multiple membrane system provides a system having the advantages of both of the types of membranes. The membranes may be in any order in the system and multiple glassy polymeric membranes and multiple rubbery polymeric membranes may be used

A method for automated processing of a blood product, the method comprising providing a reusable separation apparatus controlled by a microprocessing unit, said apparatus configurable with settings and configured to associate with a disposable circuit comprising a separator and in communication with a source blood product having a first concentration and first volume. The apparatus and disposable circuit are configured to flow the source blood product into an inlet of the separator and separate supernatant of the source blood product from a first outlet of the separator into a filtrate container. The apparatus and disposable circuit are also configured to separate platelets and remaining supernatant from a second outlet of the separator into a retentate container, wherein the platelets and remaining supernatant in the retentate container have a second concentration greater than the first concentration and second volume less than the first volume.

A method for automated processing of a blood product, the method comprising providing a reusable separation apparatus controlled by a microprocessing unit, said apparatus configurable with settings and configured to associate with a disposable circuit comprising a separator and in communication with a source blood product having a first concentration and first volume. The apparatus and disposable circuit are configured to flow the source blood product into an inlet of the separator and separate supernatant of the source blood product from a first outlet of the separator into a filtrate container. The apparatus and disposable circuit are also configured to separate platelets and remaining supernatant from a second outlet of the separator into a retentate container, wherein the platelets and remaining supernatant in the retentate container have a second concentration greater than the first concentration and second volume less than the first volume.

The present invention relates to apparatuses for use in electrophoretic separation of macromolecules and/or cells.

The present invention relates to apparatuses for use in electrophoretic separation of macromolecules and/or cells.

A filtration cell (10) for a biological sample including an upper chamber for receiving the biological sample to be filtered, a lower chamber in fluid communication with the upper chamber, and a filtration membrane (14) positioned between the upper chamber and the lower chamber is disclosed. A surface of the filtration membrane has a contact angle >90. The flow of the biological sample through the upper chamber may be tangential to the filtration membrane and a filtrate passing through the filtration membrane may be collected in the lower chamber. Also, a method of filtering a biological sample including passing the biological sample through an upper chamber of a filtration cell as described above and collecting a filtrate in the lower chamber is disclosed.

A filtration cell (10) for a biological sample including an upper chamber for receiving the biological sample to be filtered, a lower chamber in fluid communication with the upper chamber, and a filtration membrane (14) positioned between the upper chamber and the lower chamber is disclosed. A surface of the filtration membrane has a contact angle >90. The flow of the biological sample through the upper chamber may be tangential to the filtration membrane and a filtrate passing through the filtration membrane may be collected in the lower chamber. Also, a method of filtering a biological sample including passing the biological sample through an upper chamber of a filtration cell as described above and collecting a filtrate in the lower chamber is disclosed.

A filtration cell (10) for a biological sample having an outer housing (12) defining a first chamber and an inner housing (14) defining a second chamber is disclosed. The inner housing is disposed within the first chamber and rotatable with respect to the outer housing and at least a portion of the inner housing includes a filtration membrane (52). Upon rotation of the inner housing, a first portion of the biological sample passes from the first chamber into the second chamber and a second portion of the biological sample is restrained in the first chamber. Alternatively, the filtration cell may also include a rotation element disposed in the inner housing. Upon rotation of the rotation element with respect to the inner housing, a first portion of the biological sample to passes from the second chamber into the first chamber and a second portion of the biological sample is restrained in the second chamber.

A fluid deionizer includes at least one graphene sheet perforated with apertures dimensioned to allow a flow of fluid and to disallow at least one particular type of ion contained in the flow of fluid. A purge valve is placed in an open position so as to collect the at least one particular type of ion disallowed by the graphene sheet so as to clean off the at least one graphene sheet. Another embodiment provides a deionizer with graphene sheets in cylindrical form. A separation apparatus is also provided in a cross-flow arrangement where a pressurized source directs a medium along a path substantially parallel to at least one sheet of graphene from an inlet to an outlet. The medium flows through the plural perforated apertures while a remaining portion of the medium and the disallowed components in the medium flow out the outlet.