Methods of combined sterilization and integrity testing of dialyzers such as hollow fiber dialyzers are disclosed. Sterilization and integrity testing may be performed by treating the dialyzer with a sterilization fluid for sterilizing at least the blood-side compartment of the dialyzer and for wetting the dialysis membrane of the dialyzer with the sterilization fluid, and carrying out an integrity testing of the dialysis membrane wetted with the sterilization fluid, wherein the sterilization fluid is selected from aqueous solutions containing peroxide and/or ozone, the peroxide being selected from peroxides which disintegrate into water, oxygen and/or volatile organic compounds, and from aqueous solutions containing chlorine, bromine and/or iodine.

A method for controlling scale and/or fouling on a separation membrane. The method comprises forming a thermally, physically, electrically or chemically degradable coating layer on the membrane; using the membrane under conditions that result in the formation of scale and/or fouling species on the membrane; and removing at least some of the scale and/or fouling species from the membrane by thermally, physically, electrically or chemically degrading the coating layer.

Described are methods and systems useful in the processing of food samples to detect pathogenic cells in the samples. Embodiments include homogenizing a food sample, digesting solids of the homogenized food sample, and removing lipids from the homogenized food sample. Cells in the sample can then be concentrated using hollow fiber membrane filtration. Regeneration cycles can enable multiple reuses of the hollow fiber membrane filter. Systems and processes herein can be automated, under the control of a computer.

An object of the present invention is to provide a dispersant for treatment of water. The dispersant is used in a membrane separation process of water containing an organic compound having a phenolic hydroxy group and prevents a reduction in amount of the water permeating a separation membrane, which is caused by deposition of the organic compound onto the surface of the separation membrane. Provided are a dispersant for treatment of water containing an organic compound having a phenolic hydroxy group wherein the dispersant contains a polymer compound having a carbonyl group and a structure including a nitrogen atom bonded to a carbonyl carbon atom; and a method for treatment of water containing an organic compound having a phenolic hydroxy group, wherein the method includes adding the dispersant to the water.

A zwitterionic monomer and corresponding cyclopolymerized polyzwitterion () (PZ) (i.e. poly(Z-alt-SO.sub.2). Phosophonate ester hydroloysis in PZ gave a pH-responsive polyzwitterionic acid () (PZA). The PZA under pH-induced transformation was converted into polyzwitterion/anion () (PZAN) and polyzwitterion/dianion (=) (PZDAN).

A silica fouling inhibition method for a reverse osmosis membrane system is provided, in which an acrylic acid-based polymer and/or a maleic acid-based polymer; and a combined chlorine-based oxidizing agent and/or a combined bromine-based oxidizing agent are allowed to be present in water to be treated. A silica fouling inhibitor for a reverse osmosis membrane system is provided, the silica fouling inhibitor includes: a copolymer of acrylic acid and 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid and/or a terpolymer of acrylic acid, acrylamide methylpropanesulfonic acid, and N-substituted acrylamide; and a combined chlorine-based oxidizing agent and/or a combined bromine-based oxidizing agent.

Disclosed are devices, methods and/or systems for use in protecting items and/or structures that are exposed to, submerged and/or partially submerged in aquatic environments from contamination and/or fouling due to the incursion and/or colonization by specific types and/or kinds of biologic organisms and/or plants, including the protection from micro- and/or macro-fouling for extended periods of time of exposure to aquatic environments.

Disclosed are devices, methods and/or systems for use in protecting items and/or structures that are exposed to, submerged and/or partially submerged in aquatic environments from contamination and/or fouling due to the incursion and/or colonization by specific types and/or kinds of biologic organisms and/or plants, including the protection from micro- and/or macro-fouling for extended periods of time of exposure to aquatic environments.

A filter device includes one or more filter membranes, and a filter housing enclosing the one or more filter membranes. Each of the filter membranes includes a base membrane made of a ceramic material, and a plurality of through holes. The base membrane is coated with a coating material.

A zwitterionic monomer and corresponding cyclopolymerized polyzwitterion () (PZ) (i.e. poly(Z-alt-SO.sub.2). Phosophonate ester hydroloysis in PZ gave a pH-responsive polyzwitterionic acid () (PZA). The PZA under pH-induced transformation was converted into polyzwitterion/anion () (PZAN) and polyzwitterion/dianion (=) (PZDAN).