The present invention is generally related to a high capacity, high efficiency nonwoven filtration media comprising a gradient pore structure. In particular, the filtration media can comprise thermoplastic synthetic microfibers, fibrillated fibers, staple fibers, and a binder. Furthermore, the filtration media may be produced without the use of glass fibers or microglass fibers. Consequently, the filtration media of the present invention does not cause the same issues as conventional filtration media that comprises glass fibers and/or microglass fibers. Moreover, the filtration media can be used to treat fuel, lubrication fluids, hydraulic fluids, and various other industrial gases.

The present invention is generally related to a high capacity, high efficiency nonwoven filtration media comprising a gradient pore structure. In particular, the filtration media can comprise thermoplastic synthetic microfibers, fibrillated fibers, staple fibers, and a binder. Furthermore, the filtration media may be produced without the use of glass fibers or microglass fibers. Consequently, the filtration media of the present invention does not cause the same issues as conventional filtration media that comprises glass fibers and/or microglass fibers. Moreover, the filtration media can be used to treat fuel, lubrication fluids, hydraulic fluids, and various other industrial gases.

A method of making a porous structure configured for use in a particulate filter includes bonding a plurality of glass bubbles to one another, and breaching the plurality of glass bubbles. Voids within individual breached glass bubbles open into one another to form cavities that extend through the porous structure.

An object of the present invention is to provide a blood test kit and a blood analysis method, which are for performing quantitative analysis of components by precisely obtaining a dilution factor. According to the present invention, provided is a blood test kit for analyzing a concentration of a target component in a blood sample using a normal component which is homeostatically present in blood, the kit including a diluent solution for diluting the blood sample, a first storing instrument for storing the diluent solution, a separation instrument for separating and recovering blood plasma from the blood sample diluted with the diluent solution, a holding instrument for holding the separation instrument, a second storing instrument for storing the recovered blood plasma, and a sealing instrument for keeping the stored blood plasma within the second storing instrument, in which the separation instrument is composed of glass fiber coated with a resin.

Systems and methods are provided for continuously manufacturing fibrous materials and products, such as filters. A system comprises a conveyor for advancing a substrate comprising fibrous materials from an upstream end to a downstream end, and a feeder for feeding groups of nanofibers into a fluid medium. A fiberization device is coupled to the feeder and configured to convert the groups of nanofibers into individual nanoparticles. A dispersion device coupled to the fiberization device disperses the nanoparticles into the substrate to form a fibrous material. This distributes the nanoparticles more uniformly throughout the fibrous material. In addition, the system continuously manufactures the material to form a product with improved quality, yield and reduced cost and time.

Systems, devices and methods are provided for producing a product comprising fibrous material, such as a filter. A system for manufacturing a product comprises a first device for isolating individual nanoparticles within a gaseous medium and a second device for combining the individual nanoparticles with fibers to form a product containing the fibers and the nanoparticles. This distributes the nanoparticles more uniformly throughout the product and in depth into the internal structure of the product. The nanoparticles increase the overall surface area within the filter media, which increases its filtration efficiency and allows for the capture of submicron contaminants without significantly compromising other factors, such as pressure drop through the filter. In addition, the filters produced with the systems and methods described herein are capable of withstanding rigorous conditioning, which allows a filter to achieve the same level of filtration performance throughout the lifetime of the filter.

Systems, devices and methods are provided for separating and/or isolating individual nanoparticles from groups or clusters of nanofibers within a gaseous medium. The system comprises a housing configured to contain the groups of nanofibers, and a pump coupled to the housing. The system further includes one or more passages coupled to the pump and a gaseous medium within the passages. The pump is configured to propel the nanofibers through, or with, the gaseous medium against one or more surface(s) within the passages at a sufficient velocity and/or momentum to open up or separate, the groups of nanofibers into individual nanoparticles. Isolating individual nanoparticles in a gaseous medium and then dispersing them into a substrate or a fluid stream to form a product allows the nanoparticles to be distributed more uniformly and “in depth” throughout the product.

Filter media and filters, such as air filters, face masks, gas turbine and compressor air intake filters, panel filters and the like, are provided that include high linear density fibers and nanoparticles dispersed throughout at least a portion of the filter media. A filter includes a filter media comprising a substrate of fibers having a linear density of greater than about 3 denier, and nanoparticles disposed within the substrate. The larger linear density fibers provide more open space or pores within the filter media, allowing for a greater density of nanoparticles to be dispersed therein. This improves the overall efficiency of the filter. The three-dimensional distribution of nanoparticles within the filter also provides resistance against complete blockage of a particular portion of the filter, thereby reducing the overall pressure drop across the filter.

There are provided an air filter medium, a filter pack, and an air filter unit in which the decrease in collection efficiency can be suppressed. The air filter medium includes a fluororesin. The PAO permeability ratio (final permeability/initial permeability) is less than 3.0. The initial permeability is a permeability of polyalphaolefin particles when air containing the polyalphaolefin particles having a number median diameter of 0.25 μm is passed through the air filter medium at a flow velocity of 5.3 cm/s. The final permeability is a permeability of polyalphaolefin particles when air containing the polyalphaolefin particles having a number median diameter of 0.25 μm is continuously passed through the air filter medium at a flow velocity of 5.3 cm/s and the pressure loss is increased by 250 Pa.

A filter system is provided that comprises a first filter element in fluid communication with a source of a fluid, wherein the fluid flows through the first filter element and a second filter element in fluid communication with the first filter element, wherein the fluid, flowing through the first filter element flows through the second filter element and is discharged. The first filter element comprises a material adapted to stop the passage of materials greater than a selected size. The second filter element is adapted to remove an organic substance from the liquid.