Processes and systems for filtering a liquid sample are provided. Batches of a liquid sample can be routed to two or more cycling tanks (e.g., first and second cycling tanks). Upon filling a first cycling tank, a first batch of the liquid sample can be routed to a filtration assembly by a continuous diafiltration process that includes routing produced retentate back to the first cycling tank or to a collection vessel. Upon filling a second cycling tank, a second batch of the liquid sample is routed to the filtration assembly by a continuous diafiltration process that includes routing produced retentate back to the second cycling tank or to the collection vessel. The filling and continuous diafiltration of batches of the liquid sample continues to alternate between the two or more cycling tanks until a total product volume is processed.

Method and apparatus for batch and semi-batch operation of membrane system using a sweep stream with essentially repeating process flows is disclosed. The method and apparatus are used for separating a source liquid into its constituent solvents and solutes. The method includes circulating a feed stream and sweep stream in a feed side circulation loop and a sweep side circulation loop, respectively, in a counter-current, or co-current or cross-flow configuration. The pressure in the feed loop is gradually increased to initiate flow of solvent from the feed loop to the sweep loop. The concentrate and diluate streams obtained may be continuously removed. The applied feed loop pressure is continually increased until maximum desired operating pressure is reached or maximum concentration of a solute is reached in the feed solution. The method extends the maximum achievable salt concentration of RO process to at least about 300 g/L NaCl.

Liquid solution concentration systems, and related methods, are generally described. In some embodiments, the system is an osmotic system comprising a plurality of osmotic modules. For example, the osmotic system can comprise a feed osmotic module configured to produce an osmotic module retentate outlet stream having a higher concentration of solute than the retentate inlet stream transported to the feed osmotic module. The osmotic system can also comprise an isolation osmotic module fluidically connected to the feed osmotic module. The osmotic system can also optionally comprise a purification osmotic module fluidically connected to the feed osmotic module and/or the isolation osmotic module. Certain embodiments are related to altering the degree to which the feed osmotic module retentate outlet stream is recycled back to the retentate-side inlet of the feed osmotic module during operation. Additional embodiments are related to the manner in which the retentate-side effluent from the isolation osmotic module is distributed among the system modules during operation.

A method for reducing beverage loss during loading of beverage into an ethanol concentration system having a set of reverse osmosis pressure vessels, each pressure vessel having a feed inlet, a retentate outlet, and a permeate outlet. The method includes feeding deaerated water into the feed inlet of a first pressure vessel, feeding the beverage into the feed inlet of the first pressure vessel, monitoring an alcohol percentage at the retentate outlet of a second pressure vessel, the second pressure vessel coupled directly or indirectly to the first pressure vessel, and coupling a retentate from the retentate outlet of the second pressure vessel to a feed tank coupled to the feed inlet of the first pressure vessel when the alcohol percentage is within a first target range of 0.5 to 18% alcohol-by-volume (ABV).

A method and system is provided for treating waste generated from manufacturing operations including at least one of Printed Circuit Boards Fabrication (PCB FAB), General Metal Finishing (GMF), semiconductors manufacturing, chemical milling, and Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD). The method and system are used to create zero liquid discharge recycling.

A method of treatment of liquid in a liquid treatment system comprising: at least one liquid treatment module including at least one membrane and having a feed liquid inlet at a feed side of said at least one membrane, a permeate outlet at a permeate side of said at least one membrane, and a concentrate outlet at a brine side of said at least one membrane; a high pressure pump operative for pressurizing feed liquid to be received at said feed liquid inlet; and a system controller for controlling operation of the system including providing instructions to operate said high pressure pump in one of at least two operation modes including: a first mode in which the high pressure pump maintains a fixed flow rate of the feed liquid at said feed liquid inlet or of a permeate liquid at said permeate outlet, while energy consumption of said high pressure pump being a function of variations of a first operational parameter measured in the system and indicative of salinity of liquid within said at least one liquid treatment module, and a second mode in which the high pressure pump maintains a flow rate of the feed liquid at said feed liquid inlet or of a permeate liquid at said permeate outlet, while energy consumption of said high pressure pump being a function of a second operational parameter determined so as to reduce energy consumption of the high pressure pump; said method being performed under control of said system controller and comprising steps of: pressurizing feed liquid by said high pressure pump in said first mode; circulating a concentrate from said concentrate outlet to said feed liquid inlet; providing to said system controller a third operational parameter measured in the system and indicative of salinity of liquid within said liquid treatment module; and upon detecting that a predetermined first threshold of said third operational parameter is reached, operating said high pressure pump in said second mode.

A system for producing steam includes a source of superheated water with superheated water output; a membrane filtration system in fluid communication with the superheated water output and including a membrane filter with a permeate side and an opposing retentate side. The membrane filter includes a separation membrane constructed to reject organic molecules. The system may be used for removing organic compounds, such as anti-corrosion agents or contaminants, from superheated water to produce steam. A method for producing steam includes directing a cross-flow of heated pressurized water including a first concentration of an organic compound across a membrane filter. The membrane filter includes a separation membrane constructed to reject the organic compound; and one or more support layers adjacent the separation membrane. A steam permeate including a second concentration of the organic compound is collected, where the second concentration is lower than the first.

The present disclosure provides cassettes for use in automated cell engineering systems that include cell concentration filters for reducing fluid volume of a cell sample during or following automated processing. The disclosure also provides methods of concentrating a cell population, as well as automated cell engineering systems that can utilize the cassettes and carry out the methods.

Systems and methods for configuring compact desalination RO systems operable for point-of-use applications are disclosed herein. The compact RO system can include a single RO element disposed in a vessel and connected to one or more pumps in a circulation loop that recirculates fluid through the vessel. The compact RO system can reconfigure, combine and/or eliminate one or more components to reduce a footprint of the system. For example, the RO system can utilize pumps having flow valves integrated therein instead of separate pump and valve components. High recovery ratios can be maintained by allowing brine produced by the RO element to exit the system before passing through the pump. In some embodiments, the system can utilize pulse width modulation (PWM) to change a flow rate of the pump within the system to ensure operation at peak pressure and flow rate.

A filtration device includes a continuous first unit including a first membrane that separates a liquid into first permeated and non-permeated liquids, a first adjuster that adjusts a flow rate of the first permeated liquid to be substantially constant, and a first liquid scale that detects a liquid amount, a second unit including a second membrane that separates another liquid into second permeated and non-permeated liquids, a second adjuster that adjusts a flow rate of the second permeated liquid to be substantially constant, and a second liquid scale that detects another liquid amount, a first controller that controls the liquid amount in the first storage tank based on measurement values from continuous two first units or from the continuous first and second units, and a second controller that controls the another liquid amount based on a measurement value from the second unit.