Membrane & Separation Technology News articles from July 2003

Membrane & Separation Technology News archives from July 2003

MICROFILTRATION: PVP Improves Wicking Speed, Hydrophilicity.
July 1, 2003... Pall Corp. inventors have patented (U.S. Patent 6,565,782) a highly asymmetric, hydrophilic MF membrane with high surface porosity. The membrane has application in rapid diagnostic devices that detect properties or components contained in...

POU Filter Halts Spread of Pathogens.
July 1, 2003... Pall Corp.'s new AquaSafe modules are disposable, sterilizing grade filters that act as a barrier against common contaminants, Legionella, Pseudomonas, Aspergillus and Cryptosporidium, found in hospital water supplies. The point-of-use filters,...

ULTRAFILTRATION: Flow Channel Design Enhances Performance.
July 1, 2003... PTI Advanced Filtration has introduced the OptiSep-BP product line of crossflow membrane modules and systems custom-engineered for stringent biopharmaceutical separations. The plate and frame devices, suitable for flat sheet UF, as well as MF,...

Isoflavones Without Off Taste or Color.
July 1, 2003... Archer Daniels Midland has patented a multi-step closed-loop method to separate isoflavone fractions from soybeans. UF, and/or RO can be used at two stages in the process, which provides a more concentrated isoflavone product with a neutral...

Smaller Cartridge, Greater Output.
July 1, 2003... Koch Membrane Systems' new 10-inch diameter UF cartridge promises greater output, lower costs and a smaller footprint for potable water producers. The polysulfone hollow fiber cartridge, introduced at the 2003 AWWA Exposition in Anaheim, CA,...

NANOFILTRATION: ZLB Moving Exclusively to Nanofiltered Plasma.
July 1, 2003... In an effort to provide added safety assurance in its human immune globulin intravenous (IVIG) product, ZLB Bioplasma Inc. has decided to manufacture only nanofiltered IGIV products effective June 2. In March 2003, the company introduced...

MEMBRANE BIOREACTOR: UK Navy Evaluates Self-Contained System.
July 1, 2003... A waste treatment system based in part on a membrane bioreactor could help the British Royal Navy meet stringent new anti- pollution standards controlling discharges to the sea. Because the Integrated Waste Management System (IWMS), designed by...

Retained Microbes Remove MTBE.
July 1, 2003... Two researchers from Cincinnati have developed a biomass concentrator reactor that uses MF membranes to scrub methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) from contaminated groundwater supplies. The pair has achieved extremely good results, regardless of...

Zeolite Wins Funding for Recycling System.
July 1, 2003... Zeolite Australia, Ltd. has been granted funding through the Victorian Government's Smart Water Initiative to demonstrate the commercial operation of its membrane-based Multiple Water Reuse (MWR) technology at Flemington Race Course. The...

ELECTROCHEMICAL: Toray Triples Power Density, Operating Time.
July 1, 2003... Toray Industries, Inc. has developed a polymer electrolyte membrane for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) capable of reducing methanol permeability to 20% that of conventional membranes. It also can achieve high power density and large energy...

GAS SEPARATION: Metal/Ceramic Composite Separates Hydrogen.
July 1, 2003... A team of Argonne National Laboratory researchers has patented a high flow rate sintered composite ceramic/metal membrane and an improved method for separating hydrogen from fluids without using electrical power or circuitry. In U.S....

BIOMEDICAL & BIOMEMBRANES Resolut LT Remains Intact Longer.
July 1, 2003... W. L. Gore & Associates has added the Resolut Adapt LT (Long-Term) Regenerative Membrane to its line of medical products. Designed for the improved healing of periodontal and bone defects, the new generation bioabsorbable synthetic membrane...

Microporous Coating Provides Superior Stent.
July 1, 2003... CardioTech International and Implant Sciences recently concluded a successful in vivo animal study using a coronary artery stent covered in a microporous polycarbonate-based polyurethane membrane. The encapsulated device, the I-Plant Drug...

MATERIALS: Fluoropolymer Resists Wide Range of Chemicals.
July 1, 2003... Solvay Advanced Polymers, L.L.C. has added HALAR ECTFE to its portfolio of polymers for the membrane industry. Introduced at the American Water Works Association conference in June, the new high- purity fluoropolymer features exceptional heat...

INDUSTRY NEWS: Pentair Tripling Housing Manufacture.
July 1, 2003... Pentair Inc. is preparing to serve as the sole supplier for all global demand for membrane housings used in RO and other membrane applications in the industrial segment. To meet this goal, the company is investing $1.8 million in its subsidiary...

Filter Plate for Human Genome.
July 1, 2003... The Human Genome Sequencing Center at the Baylor College of Medicine (BCM HGSC) has signed an agreement with Pall Corp. to develop a customized sample preparation tool to speed work on the Human Genome Project. The multi-year agreement is worth...

Briefly Noted:.
July 1, 2003... * CH2M Hill (Greenwood Village, CO), through subsidiary CH2M-IDC Hong Kong, will design, oversee operations, and monitor the performance of two seawater desalination pilot plants for Hong Kong's Water Supplies Department. The 30-month pilot...

CALENDAR.
July 1, 2003... August 4-5, American Membrane Technology Association Annual Symposium-"Membrane Technology Comes of Age," Westin Resort, Westminster, CO. Contact: American Membrane Technology Association, P.O. Box 769, Bonsall, CA 92003-0769; Tel: 760/643-...

INDUSTRY INSIGHT: The Latest Technologies for Wastewater and Chemical Processing.
July 1, 2003... By Peter Cartwright, 8324 16th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55425-1742; Tel: 952/854-4911, Fax: 952/854-6964 Arguably, the greatest potential for membrane separation technologies is in wastewater treatment and chemical processing...

Fouling Issues.
July 1, 2003... The bane of all membrane systems operations is fouling. Fouling is basically defined as the accumulation of insoluble materials on the surface and/or into the pores of the membrane. Fouling manifests itself by the reduction of permeate flow in...

Membrane Configurations.
July 1, 2003... Since about 1955, and the creation of the first practical RO membrane, membrane devices have evolved into many configurations. In an attempt to categorize them, the following types are generally accepted: spiral wound, plate and frame,...

Historical.
July 1, 2003... A discussion regarding the pros and cons of the three approaches to address membrane fouling requires both historical and geographical comment. When the spiral wound configuration was invented in the 60s in the U.S., it provided a means of...