The invention relates to a membrane separation process for energy-efficient generation of oxygen from fresh air. In the process, mixed conducting membranes in vacuum operation are used, the fresh air is discharged as waste air after separation of the oxygen, at least 85% of the thermal energy required for heating the fresh air is acquired by utilizing the waste heat of the waste air and/or of the obtained oxygen, the rest of the heating of the fresh air being realized through external energy supply, and a ratio of fresh air to generated oxygen in normal operation is adjusted to a range of from 6:1 to 25:1.

An integrated forward osmosis-membrane distillation (FO-MD) module and systems and methods incorporating the module is disclosed providing higher efficiencies and using less energy. The FO-MD module is osmotically and thermally isolated. The isolation can prevent mixing of FO draw solution/FO permeate and MD feed, and minimize dilution of FO draw solution and cooling of MD feed. The module provides MD feed solution and FO draw solution streams that flow in the same module but are separated by an isolation barrier. The osmotically and thermally isolated FO-MD integrated module, systems and methods offer higher driving forces of both FO and MD processes, higher recovery, and wider application than previously proposed hybrid FO-MD systems.

There is described a method of use of a mass exchanger. In the method the mass exchanger comprises: a first channel for accommodating flow of a liquid to be treated; and a second channel for accommodating flow of a treatment agent, the first and second channels have a permeable membrane provided between them, so as to allow transfer of selected species between the first channel and the second channel. The steps of the mass transfer method comprise passing the liquid to be treated along the first channel and introducing a mixture of liquid and gas into the second channel to provide a two-phase treatment agent. It is desirable to provide a means of adjusting the concentration of gas species in a liquid such as blood, while simultaneously controlling the temperature of the liquid and optionally adjusting the concentration of ionic and/or dissolved species in that liquid. By this method and mass exchanger providing a two-phase treatment agent, it is possible to simultaneously deliver gaseous species (e.g. oxygen) into the treated liquid, while making use of the high heat capacity of the liquid phase of the treatment agent to transfer significant heat into or from the treated liquid.

An Oxygenator as a medical instrument includes at least one first hollow fiber membrane layer comprised of a plurality of integrated first hollow fiber membranes, and forms a shape of a cylindrical body as a whole, and at least one second hollow fiber membrane layer disposed at the outer circumferential side of the first hollow fiber membrane layer in a state of being concentric with the first hollow fiber membrane layer, has a plurality of integrated second hollow fiber membranes, and forms a shape of a cylindrical body as a whole. Moreover, each of the first hollow fiber membranes is wound around a central axis, and each of the second hollow fiber membranes is wound around a central axis. The number of times the second hollow fiber membranes are wound is smaller than the number of times the first hollow fiber membranes are wound.

A production method for a medical instrument includes a plurality of integrated hollow fiber membrane producing a base material forming a cylindrically-shaped body. Each of the hollow fiber membranes sequentially passes through a first point, a second point, a third point, a fourth point, and a fifth point that are set on a core member. In an outward path heading toward the third point from the second point, the hollow fiber membrane reaches the third point from the second point at the shortest distance while being wound in the circumferential direction of the core member. Moreover, in a homeward path heading toward the fifth point from the fourth point, the hollow fiber membrane reaches the fifth point from the fourth point at the shortest distance while being wound in the circumferential direction of the core member in the same direction as in the case of the outward path.

A reverse osmosis-based method and system for concentrating a saltwater. The system includes at least first and second reverse osmosis units fluidly connected in series. The membrane of the first reverse osmosis unit has at least a 95% rejection rate for sodium chloride, and the membrane of the second reverse osmosis unit has a 30% to 75% rejection rate for sodium chloride. Permeate from the second reverse osmosis unit is recycled to the first reverse osmosis unit for increased water recovery. Temperatures for the saltwater and/or the recycled permeate are controlled using heat exchangers to help ensure the reverse osmosis units' nominal performance.

A blood processing apparatus may include a heat exchanger and a gas exchanger. At least one of the heat exchanger and the gas exchanger may be configured to impart a radial component to blow flow through the heat exchanger and/or gas exchanger. The heat exchanger may be configured to cause blood flow to follow a spiral flow path.

Water purifier (1) for purifying water, comprising a compressor circuit (50) provided with a compressor (4), a first heat exchanger (2), a second heat exchanger (7) and an expansion valve (12) arranged between the first heat exchanger (2) and the second heat exchanger (7), where the compressor circuit (50) is arranged to heat a first water circuit (51) through the first heat exchanger (2), where the compressor circuit (50) is arranged to condensate water vapour in a second water circuit (52) through the second heat exchanger (7), that the water purifier (1) further comprises a membrane module (13) having an inlet chamber (31) connected to the first water circuit (51), a membrane (30) adapted to pass water vapour through the membrane (30), and an evaporation chamber (32) connected to the second water circuit (52), where the second water circuit (52) comprises an evacuation pump (17) arranged to create an underpressure in the second water circuit (52) and in the evaporation chamber (32).

A flow limiter system is provided for extracting compounds from raw materials with an extraction column. The flow limiter system may include a flow governor assembly which contains and buffers a flow of pressurized solvent entering the base of the extraction column to prevent the flow of pressurized solvent from drilling into the raw materials packed within the extraction column. The flow governor assembly may further include a first disc with a first set of perforations to direct the surge of solvent through the first disc to transform the turbulent surge of solvent into a column of non-turbulent solvent with a flat surface layer that rises up the extraction column evenly and collectively. Additionally, the flow limiter system may also include a limiter disc including a second set of perforations to allow the extracted effluent to flow through the set of perforations and exit the extraction column.

An energy-efficient liquid-gap distillation apparatus includes a source of a feed liquid; a distillation module comprising: (a) a feed-liquid chamber n fluid communication with the feed-liquid source to establish a flow of the feed liquid there through, wherein the feed-liquid chamber includes a selectively porous material that allows a component of the feed liquid to pass through the selectively porous material and exit the feed-liquid chamber in vapor form but not in liquid form; (b) a condensing surface maintained at a lower temperature than the feed liquid in the feed-liquid chamber, wherein the condensing surface is sufficiently hydrophobic to produce a contact angle with water of at least 150; and (c) a gap between the selectively porous material and the condensing surface. Vapor passing through the membrane can be condensed as jumping droplets at the condensing surface.