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Separating a liquefied gas mixture
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Liquid treatment apparatus
In GB 2286344 the UK Atomic Energy Authority describes an apparatus in which a liquid such as an effluent, or output liquid from a bioreactor, can be treated to remove and concentrate heavy metals or to separate an enzyme. The apparatus incorporates a filtration module and a bed of adsorbent material in an integral unit. The liquid is subjected to crossflow filtration, and the filtrate is collected in a chamber before being distributed to the adsorbent bed. Fouling of the filter membrane and of the adsorbent material is suppressed, and channelling through the adsorbent bed is prevented. (1 figure, 2000 words) Treating waste gas In GB 2286542 the BOC Group Pic describes an apparatus and method of treating exhaust gas containing one or more undesi rable components. The apparatus includes a recirculating fluidised bed of heated chemical reagents, through which the exhaust gas is passed for treatment prior to it being vented to atmosphere. A fan blows in fluid ising air or waste gas, with gas also being added through the inlet above it. Other matter can be added via ports, and reagent through a chute. Material leaving the bed is separated in a cyclone, and treated gas is removed through a duct, with solid
matter being returned to the bed. (1 figure, 3000 words) Filtration system
In GB 2286780 Y. Nagano describes a filtration system which comprises a housing, the overall surface of which, except for the bottom and upper surfaces, is tightly closed. A filter medium is fitted within the housing, with an air jetting portion fitted at a higher location within the housing than the filter medium. A propeller fan is fitted in the upper part of the housing and rotated by air jetted from the head of the system. (13 figures, 14,750 words) Improved screening panels
In GB 2287200 A. Hanson describes improved screening panels. This relates to the provision of a panel for use in screening solid material from a slurry. The panel includes a number of slots which are arranged in sets. Each of the sets is angularly displaced and/or offset from adjacent sets, to allow the liquid to be screened more efficiently and to encourage the liquid to be screened substantially in one direction. (3 figures, 2750 words)
Separating a liquefied gas mixture
In GB 2287528 the BOC Group Pic describes a method for separating a liquefied gas mixture. The mixture comprises at least two components, one of which is more volatile than the other(s). It is boiled in an apparatus i ncl ud i ng stripping passages which have at least one heated surface, so that the liquid flows in countercurrent mass exchange with the evolved vapour. The more volatile component is thereby progressively stripped from the liquefied gas mixture, so that the vapour flow is enriched in its direction of flow towards the vapour outlet header, and the liquid is depleted in its direction of flow from the liquid inlet header to the liquid outlet header. The stripping passages are arranged alternately with condensing passages, where vapour to be condensed is passed from the vapour inlet to the condensate outlet. The boiling passages preferably have an irregular porous surface, to provide nucleation sites for vapour bubbles. (3 figures, 2500 words) Filtering apparatus
Sedimentation apparatus
In GB 2287417 Thames Water Utilities Ltd describes a sedimentation apparatus for treating liquids containing solids, such as sewage. The solid constituents of the liquid are substantially removed for handling and treatment, and the liquid now clean of solids is taken off separately for subsequent treatment. The apparatus comprises two lamella separators, the flow channels of which are at an angle to the direction of flow of the solids-containing liquid towards the inlet to the separators. (1 figure, 2000 words)
In GB 2287660 Scapa Group Pic describes a filtering apparatus which comprises a bag or sleeve connected to a profiled resilient band. The band is operative to engage and seal an aperture in a further body, and has a one-piece construction. (2 figures, 1250 words) Affinity separation method
In GB 2287662 Pall Corporation describes an affinity separation method, which comprises the introduction of affinity particles into a fluid containing a target compound to be isolated. It is capable of adsorbing onto
the affinity particles in a dynamic filtration apparatus. This latter comprises some motive means, a fi Itration medium with up- and downstream sides, an inlet connected to the upstream side of the filtration medium, and a filtrate outlet connected to the downstream side of the filtration medium. The fluid can pass through the filtration medium, while the affinity particles are SUbstantially incapable of passing through. The method also operates a motive means in the dynamic filtration apparatus. The filtrate outlet is closed, so that the fluid cannot pass through the filtration medium under conditions sufficient to allow the target compound to adsorb onto the affinity particles. The affinity particles are separated from the fluid by opening the fil1rate outlet, to allow the fluid to pass through the filtration medium in the dynamic filtration apparatus. The affinity particles can then be washed, and the target compound eluted from the affinity particles. Also disclosed is a method of sizing affinity particles comprising: (a) introducing substrate particles into a dynamic filtration apparatus comprising some motive means, a filtration medium with up- and downstream sides, an inlet connected to the upstream side of the filtration medium, and a filtrate outlet connected to the downstream side of the filtration medium; (b) operating the motive means of the dynamic filtration apparatus with the fi Itrate outlet in an open position, so that any of the substrate particles with a diameter significantly smaller than the pore size of the filtration medium pass through the medium; and (c) recovering substrate particles which do not pass through the filtration medium from the dynamic filtration apparatus. (2 figures, 9250 words)
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Liquid treatment apparatus
In GB 2286344 the UK Atomic Energy Authority describes an apparatus in which a liquid such as an effluent, or output liquid from a bioreactor, can be treated to remove and concentrate heavy metals or to separate an enzyme. The apparatus incorporates a filtration module and a bed of adsorbent material in an integral unit. The liquid is subjected to crossflow filtration, and the filtrate is collected in a chamber before being distributed to the adsorbent bed. Fouling of the filter membrane and of the adsorbent material is suppressed, and channelling through the adsorbent bed is prevented. (1 figure, 2000 words) Treating waste gas In GB 2286542 the BOC Group Pic describes an apparatus and method of treating exhaust gas containing one or more undesi rable components. The apparatus includes a recirculating fluidised bed of heated chemical reagents, through which the exhaust gas is passed for treatment prior to it being vented to atmosphere. A fan blows in fluid ising air or waste gas, with gas also being added through the inlet above it. Other matter can be added via ports, and reagent through a chute. Material leaving the bed is separated in a cyclone, and treated gas is removed through a duct, with solid
matter being returned to the bed. (1 figure, 3000 words) Filtration system
In GB 2286780 Y. Nagano describes a filtration system which comprises a housing, the overall surface of which, except for the bottom and upper surfaces, is tightly closed. A filter medium is fitted within the housing, with an air jetting portion fitted at a higher location within the housing than the filter medium. A propeller fan is fitted in the upper part of the housing and rotated by air jetted from the head of the system. (13 figures, 14,750 words) Improved screening panels
In GB 2287200 A. Hanson describes improved screening panels. This relates to the provision of a panel for use in screening solid material from a slurry. The panel includes a number of slots which are arranged in sets. Each of the sets is angularly displaced and/or offset from adjacent sets, to allow the liquid to be screened more efficiently and to encourage the liquid to be screened substantially in one direction. (3 figures, 2750 words)
Separating a liquefied gas mixture
In GB 2287528 the BOC Group Pic describes a method for separating a liquefied gas mixture. The mixture comprises at least two components, one of which is more volatile than the other(s). It is boiled in an apparatus i ncl ud i ng stripping passages which have at least one heated surface, so that the liquid flows in countercurrent mass exchange with the evolved vapour. The more volatile component is thereby progressively stripped from the liquefied gas mixture, so that the vapour flow is enriched in its direction of flow towards the vapour outlet header, and the liquid is depleted in its direction of flow from the liquid inlet header to the liquid outlet header. The stripping passages are arranged alternately with condensing passages, where vapour to be condensed is passed from the vapour inlet to the condensate outlet. The boiling passages preferably have an irregular porous surface, to provide nucleation sites for vapour bubbles. (3 figures, 2500 words) Filtering apparatus
Sedimentation apparatus
In GB 2287417 Thames Water Utilities Ltd describes a sedimentation apparatus for treating liquids containing solids, such as sewage. The solid constituents of the liquid are substantially removed for handling and treatment, and the liquid now clean of solids is taken off separately for subsequent treatment. The apparatus comprises two lamella separators, the flow channels of which are at an angle to the direction of flow of the solids-containing liquid towards the inlet to the separators. (1 figure, 2000 words)
In GB 2287660 Scapa Group Pic describes a filtering apparatus which comprises a bag or sleeve connected to a profiled resilient band. The band is operative to engage and seal an aperture in a further body, and has a one-piece construction. (2 figures, 1250 words) Affinity separation method
In GB 2287662 Pall Corporation describes an affinity separation method, which comprises the introduction of affinity particles into a fluid containing a target compound to be isolated. It is capable of adsorbing onto
the affinity particles in a dynamic filtration apparatus. This latter comprises some motive means, a fi Itration medium with up- and downstream sides, an inlet connected to the upstream side of the filtration medium, and a filtrate outlet connected to the downstream side of the filtration medium. The fluid can pass through the filtration medium, while the affinity particles are SUbstantially incapable of passing through. The method also operates a motive means in the dynamic filtration apparatus. The filtrate outlet is closed, so that the fluid cannot pass through the filtration medium under conditions sufficient to allow the target compound to adsorb onto the affinity particles. The affinity particles are separated from the fluid by opening the fil1rate outlet, to allow the fluid to pass through the filtration medium in the dynamic filtration apparatus. The affinity particles can then be washed, and the target compound eluted from the affinity particles. Also disclosed is a method of sizing affinity particles comprising: (a) introducing substrate particles into a dynamic filtration apparatus comprising some motive means, a filtration medium with up- and downstream sides, an inlet connected to the upstream side of the filtration medium, and a filtrate outlet connected to the downstream side of the filtration medium; (b) operating the motive means of the dynamic filtration apparatus with the fi Itrate outlet in an open position, so that any of the substrate particles with a diameter significantly smaller than the pore size of the filtration medium pass through the medium; and (c) recovering substrate particles which do not pass through the filtration medium from the dynamic filtration apparatus. (2 figures, 9250 words)
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