Systems and methods for aeration and mixing processes are disclosed.

Systems and methods for aeration and mixing processes are disclosed.

A diffuser assembly includes a flexible diffuser membrane and a diffuser body. The flexible diffuser membrane defines a perimeter edge bead along four edges. The diffuser body defines an underlying body portion underlying the flexible diffuser membrane, and a perimeter edge frame covering a covered portion of the perimeter edge bead. The edge frame defines an inside surface that conforms to an outside shape of the covered portion of the perimeter edge bead. The perimeter edge frame is integral to the underlying body portion.

A diffuser membrane and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. In the method for manufacturing, a first material is heated and extruded to form a base layer and a second material is heated and extruded to form a coating layer. The base layer and coating layer may be extruded substantially simultaneously in a coextrusion process. Accordingly, the coating may be applied to the base layer in a manner that optimizes the bonding between the two layers and provides the ability to control the thickness of the coating layer. Alternatively, the base layer is formed initially and the coating layer is subsequently formed thereover. The first and second materials have differing properties. The first material may comprise polyurethane and the second material may comprise polyurethane and PTFE.

An aeration element for gasification or aeration of liquids includes an essentially flattened, rigid support element having a substantially oval cross-section and corrugated outer surfaces, the corrugated outer surfaces including ridges defining grooves therebetween; a threaded opening for receiving a cooperating fitting for connection to an air supply; and a flexible membrane of elastomeric material disposed around the support element. An assembly bracket includes upper and portions that can be cooperatingly attached to one another about the aeration element for securing the aeration element to a floor of a tank or pool. The assembly bracket includes through-going passages for enabling water to circulate around the bracket and reduce buoyancy of the assembly. Two aeration elements of shorter lengths can be positioned adjacent two one another, secured within assembly brackets, and connected at adjacent ends, so that one of the aeration elements functions as a conduit to the other aeration element when air is supplied into one of the aeration elements.

A macrosparger (300) for a benchtop bioreactor (370) comprises a tubing (310) and a base (330). The base comprises a plurality of sparging elements (320) in gaseous communication with the tubing and an interior of a benchtop bioreactor. Each sparging element comprises a cylindrical body having an internal compartment formed by a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface and bottom surface connected by a sidewall, wherein the top surface and bottom surface are substantially oval-shaped. The benchtop bioreactor may be a perfusion bioreactor. A related system comprising the macrosparger and benchtop bioreactor may be used for performing a continuous cell culture.

A cavitation plate and system comprises a plurality of flow elements through the thickness of the cavitation plate. Each of the plurality of flow elements comprises an inlet channel a converging nozzle coupled to the inlet channel, a throat in fluid communicating with the converging nozzle, a diverging diffuser in fluid communication with the throat and an outlet channel in fluid communication with the diverging diffuser.

The present invention is directed to a process for producing precipitated calcium carbonate with improved resistance to structural breakdown, wherein the milk of lime is carbonated in the presence of at least one gas other than carbon dioxide, or the carbonation is carried out in the presence of a static gas bubble comminution unit as well as to precipitated calcium carbonate obtained by such a process.

An NO-accumulation apparatus, method and use, comprising: a container (120) defining a cavity for accommodating a liquid (105), an inlet (150) for feeding the liquid into the container (120) and an outlet (151) for delivering the liquid from the container (120) to a bath unit; an NO-gas dissolving unit (140) for dissolving gaseous NO in the liquid (105) to produce an NO-containing liquid, wherein the NO-gas dissolving unit (140) is arranged in the container (120) and/or forms a part of the container (120); and an NO-gas port (110) in fluid communication with the NO-gas dissolving unit (140), wherein the NO-gas port (110) is adapted for coupling, particularly for releasably coupling, with an NO-gas supply, whereby the apparatus further comprises means for decoupling the inflow of NO to the liquid (105) within the container from the removal of the NO-containing liquid (NO-decoupling means), so that the removal of the NO-containing liquid is inhibited, when the NO is flowing into the liquid, and also the NO inflow is inhibited when the NO-containing liquid is removed from the container (105).

An apparatus has a plurality of gas transfer membranes. The apparatus floats in water with the membranes submerged in the water. To treat the water, a gas is supplied to the membranes and is transferred to a biofilm supported on the membranes or to the water. Gas is also used to supply mixing or membrane scouring bubbles to the water. The mixing or scouring bubbles can be provided by a cyclic aeration or other gas supply system, which optionally provides gas at a variable pressure to the membranes in parallel or series with an aerator. Condensates can be removed from the membranes, and exhaust gasses from the membranes can be monitored, optionally through one or more dedicated pipes.