A device for separating a gas, such as air, into components, includes a plurality of modules, each module having one or more polymeric membranes capable of gas separation. A set of valves, pipes, and manifolds together arrange the modules in one of two possible configurations. In a first configuration, the modules are arranged in parallel. In a second configuration, the modules are divided into two groups which are arranged in series. The device can be switched from parallel to series, or from series to parallel, simply by changing the positions of a small number of valves, typically three valves. The device can therefore produce gas either of higher purity, or moderate purity, depending on the settings of the valves.

The present application discloses novel systems for conducting the filtration of blood using manifolds. The manifolds integrate various sensors and have fluid pathways formed therein to direct fluids from various sources through the requisite blood filtration or ultrafiltration system steps.

The specification discloses a portable dialysis machine having a detachable controller unit and base unit. The controller unit includes a door having an interior face, a housing with a panel, where the housing and panel define a recessed region configured to receive the interior face of the door, and a manifold receiver fixedly attached to the panel. The manifold includes diaphragms adapted to minimize the dead space between the dialysis machine pins and improve responsivity. The base unit has a planar surface for receiving a container of fluid, a scale integrated with the planar surface and a heater in thermal communication with the container. Embodiments of the disclosed portable dialysis system have improved structural and functional features, including improved modularity, ease of use, and safety features.

The present invention relates generally to a pulmonary assist device comprising a housing having tapered inlets and outlets to distribute blood evenly over a fiber bundle. The fiber bundle has a relatively low packing density to prevent the formation of clots. The invention is adapted to be used with a pump or without a pump, in which the heart supplies the necessary blood flow. Moreover, the device can be used as a single module or as multiple modules arranged in parallel.

A method of filtering a liquid feed is described, comprising passing a liquid feed through a single pass tangential flow filtration (SPTFF) system and recovering the retentate and permeate from the system in separate containers. A method of filtering a liquid feed is also described comprising passing a liquid feed through a tangential flow filtration (TFF) system, recovering permeate and a portion of the retentate from the system in separate containers without recirculation through the TFF system, and recirculating the remainder of the retentate through the TFF system at least once. The methods of the invention can be performed using an SPTFF or a TFF system that comprises manifold segments to serialize the flow path of the feed and retentate without requiring diverter plates.

The present invention provides for a method for separating starch from processing solutions containing starch containing plants or roots such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, wheat, corn, tapioca, yams, cassaya, sago, rice, pea, broad bean, horse bean, sorghum, konjac, rye, buckwheat and barley to provide commercially acceptable starch while reducing disposal of solid or liquid waste matter into landfills or water treatment facilities.

Membrane cell stack arrangement comprising a housing, a stack of membranes defining flow compartments and a fluid manifold system, wherein the direction of flow through the flow compartments is different to the direction of flow through entry and exit openings and the width of the entry and exit openings are each larger than 45% of the width of the flow compartment.

A method of filtering a liquid feed is described, comprising passing a liquid feed through a single pass tangential flow filtration (SPTFF) system and recovering the retentate and permeate from the system in separate containers. A method of filtering a liquid feed is also described comprising passing a liquid feed through a tangential flow filtration (TFF) system, recovering permeate and a portion of the retentate from the system in separate containers without recirculation through the TFF system, and recirculating the remainder of the retentate through the TFF system at least once. The methods of the invention can be performed using an SPTFF or a TFF system that comprises manifold segments to serialize the flow path of the feed and retentate without requiring diverter plates.

A clamping device (1) is provided for cartridge filtration modules (2) that have a distribution plate (3) with a feed channel (18), a retentate channel (21), a filtrate channel, and a first contact surface (8). At least one filter cartridge can be clamped between a contact surface (8) of the distribution plate (3) and a clamping surface (29) of a clamping plate (4) that can be moved orthogonally to the contact surface (8). The cartridge filtration modules (2) can be stacked on one another in an area of their distribution plates (3). A common distribution plate (3) for adjacent filter cartridge arrangements can clamped against the contact surface (8). Adjacent filter cartridge arrangements can be connected in a parallel circuit via the distribution plate (3), and the cartridge filtration modules (2) that can be stacked on top of one another can be connected in series via the distribution plates (3).

Apparatus and methods for use in water processing include housing sections that house in their interiors water treating membranes, the respective interiors being separate from one another. A distributor chamber for containing a flow of water to be treated conveys water to be treated from a feed inlet and distributes the water to be treated into the interiors of the housing sections. A collector chamber for collecting treated water from the interiors of the housing sections is provided to communicate a merged flow of the treated water to an extraction outlet. The device may be employed in subsea systems or in a topside water processing system.