Freshwater scarcity in southern Xinjiang has intensified the need for effective utilization of saline–alkaline agricultural drainage. This study evaluates pre-treatment technologies for reverse osmosis (RO) systems to improve water quality and mitigate membrane fouling. Three processes were tested: coagulation–sedimentation–media filtration (G1), micro-flocculation–media filtration (G2), and micro-flocculation (G3) combined with ultrafiltration and varying polyaluminum chloride (PAC) dosages (0–15 mg·L−1). Results show that G1 and G2 significantly outperform G3 in removing turbidity, organic matter, and inorganic ions, achieving SDI15 < 5 and turbidity < 0.3 NTU, meeting RO feedwater standards. Optimal performance occurred at the 7.5–10 mg·L−1 coagulant dosage range, effectively controlling flux decline and fouling. The integrated pre-treatment–ultrafiltration system provides a robust technical framework for saline–alkaline water desalination, offering practical guidance for sustainable water resource utilization in arid agricultural regions.

Influence of operating state of a pilot-scale ultrafiltration system on virus removal for potable water reuse.

Biofouling behavior and control in metallic membrane treatment of algae-laden water: exploring the diverse impacts of oxidation.

Mechanistic investigation of NiAl-layered double hydroxide activated peroxymonosulfate for tetracycline degradation: Feasibility of an integrated ultrafiltration system.

Abstract Background and Aims Achieving adequate ultrafiltration (UF) as well as adequate sodium removal is a challenge in patients treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD), especially during automated PD (APD) as a result of sodium sieving. Carry Life UF is a novel PD system, using the concept of steady concentration peritoneal dialysis (SCPD), where glucose is added continuously during the PD dwell to maintain a stable intraperitoneal glucose concentration, thereby enabling effective UF throughout the whole duration of the dwell. During the entire treatment with the Carry Life UF system a small portion of the intraperitoneal fluid is repeatedly transferred to the device, where it is mixed with a small volume of a 50% glucose solution, and then returned to the patient. The aim of this study was to investigate ultrafiltration, sodium removal and glucose efficiency using the Carry Life UF system. Method Eight stable adult patients (2 females) treated with continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD) were included in the study. The participants underwent three 5-hour Carry Life UF treatments using different glucose doses (11, 14, 20 g/h). An initial fill with 1500 ml, 1.36% glucose PD solution was used. A standard 4-hour 2.27% glucose CAPD dwell was used as the control. UF volume, sodium removal, and glucose absorption was calculated as well as glucose efficiency for UF (mL UF volume/g glucose absorbed), and for sodium removal (mmol sodium removed/g glucose absorbed). Data are expressed as mean ± SD, statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001. Results The results from control and Carry Life UF treatments are shown in the Table 1 and Fig. 1. Compared to the control treatment, there was an increase in UF volume (4–5 times) for the Carry Life treatments, as well as a proportional increase (4–5 times) in sodium removal. Glucose absorption increased during the Carry Life UF treatments compared to the control, however, the glucose UF efficiency was increased (2–3 times) with the Carry Life UF treatments. Further, increased sodium removal per absorbed gram of glucose (2–3 times) was noted, which was statistically significant for the Carry Life UF 11 g/h and the 14 g/h glucose doses. There was a strong positive correlation (r = 0.98) between UF volume and sodium removal for the Carry Life UF treatments. Conclusion The simultaneous increase in UF volume and sodium removal with SCPD performed with the Carry Life UF system compared to the control is a clinical benefit. The increased UF volume with the Carry Life UF treatments compared to control, was associated with an increase in glucose absorption, which, however, was not proportional to the increase in UF. Hence, glucose UF efficiency was significantly higher with the Carry Life UF treatments compared to control. Furthermore, also glucose sodium removal efficiency was increased with the Carry Life UF treatments. The strong correlation between UF volume and sodium removal with SCPD is in contrast to the situation with APD, where an increased UF volume does not result in a proportional increase in sodium removal. In summary, SCPD performed with the Carry Life UF system resulted in higher UF, greater and predictable sodium removal and more efficient use of glucose, both with respect to UF and sodium removal, and is potentially a suitable therapy to improve volume management in PD patients. Trial registration number: NCT03724682 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Abstract Background and Aims Carry Life UF is a novel peritoneal dialysis (PD) technology for improved fluid management using steady concentration PD (SCPD). The Carry Life UF treatment starts with a manual peritoneal fill of a 1.36% glucose PD fluid, followed by a 5-hour treatment where small amounts of glucose are continuously added to maintain a stable intraperitoneal glucose concentration, thereby enabling effective ultrafiltration (UF) throughout the duration of the dwell. A recent in-center clinical study using the Carry Life UF system demonstrated increased UF volumes, more efficient use of glucose (increased UF/gram of glucose absorbed), and greater sodium removal with the Carry Life UF treatments compared with a 2.27% glucose continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD) dwell (CJASN 2024; 19: 224–32). The aim of this study is to compare efficacy and safety of the Carry Life UF system with a standard CAPD prescription in the home setting. Method A prospective, multicenter (Italy, Sweden, the UK), randomized, crossover study where 19 adult participants will complete the investigation. End-stage kidney disease patients with a CAPD prescription of 2–4 exchanges per day, unchanged for a minimum of two weeks, including at least one 2.27% glucose dwell daily, will be eligible for the study. After inclusion, an in-clinic dose determination phase will be performed. A 2.27% glucose peritoneal equilibration test will be performed for determination of peritoneal solute transfer rate, followed by two Carry Life UF treatments (11 g/h and 15 g/h glucose dose). The in-clinic phase is followed by the home treatment phase, where participants will be randomized to start with the control arm or the Carry Life UF arm, each of four weeks. During the control arm, participants will receive their standard CAPD treatment, including at least one 2.27% glucose dwell daily. During the Carry Life UF arm, one 2.27% glucose dwell will be replaced by a Carry Life UF treatment (11 g/h or 15 g/h glucose dose) three days per week. The remaining four days of the week, one 2.27% glucose dwell per day will be replaced by a 1.36% glucose dwell to avoid excessive UF (Fig. 1). Results The primary endpoint is UF volume, comparing the control CAPD 2.27% glucose dwell with the Carry Life UF treatment, measured at two specific treatments during each arm of the home treatment phase. An increase in UF volume with the Carry Life UF treatment vs. the control CAPD dwell of ≥ 250 mL is considered clinically relevant. The mean difference per patient will be determined and a t-test will be used to show superiority. Secondary endpoints are adverse event rates, peritoneal sodium removal, glucose UF efficiency, and peak dialysate glucose concentration. Conclusion This study sets out to evaluate a novel PD technology based on SCPD in the home setting. The execution of the study in the home environment entails challenges both in ensuring accurate endpoint data and in providing necessary support to the participants in the use of the technology. The protocol has been carefully designed to consider important parameters for precise UF volume measurements, and provides detailed weighing and sampling instructions to the study team to ensure accurate data quality and consistency between study centers. Research nursing support will be provided for training of participants and to support endpoint data collection in the participants’ home. Device trials in the home environment typically cause a considerable burden for participants with respect to time and effort. In this study participants are restricted to their homes during the 5-hour intervention treatments (12 times during four weeks) and are requested to complete a daily PD diary over eight weeks. Due to the significant burden associated with the study and to enable a smooth recruitment process, participants will be offered a fair compensation, in accordance with local regulations. Trial registration number NCT05874804 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Characterisation and optimisation of an automated ultrafiltration system used for the concentration of waterborne viruses, bacteria and protozoa.

This study comprehensively evaluated polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-based ultrafiltration membrane systems, specifically OWUF-8 modules, for seawater pretreatment applications to address the critical need for effective reverse osmosis (RO) membrane protection in desalination processes. The research investigated three OWUF-8 module configurations (51-80 m² membrane area) under diverse seawater conditions over 365 days, employing systematic performance evaluation methodologies including flux measurements, fouling analysis, and economic assessments. The ultrafiltration system demonstrated exceptional water quality improvement, achieving turbidity reduction from inlet concentrations of 25-120 NTU to consistently below 0.08 NTU (>99.9% removal efficiency) and maintaining silt density index (SDI15) values between 2.3-3.1, well below the RO requirement of 3.0. Optimal operational parameters were established at <40 L/(m²˙h) flux, 100 kPa trans-membrane pressure, and 36 backwash cycles per day. The air-water combined backwash strategy achieved 94% flux recovery compared to 82% for water-only cleaning, while chemical cleaning optimization using 300-500 ppm NaClO for maintenance cleaning extended operational cycles. Implementation of OWUF-8 pretreatment extended RO membrane cleaning intervals from 15 to 45 days, reduced fouling rates from 2.5% to 0.8% per month, and increased membrane life expectancy from 3 to 5 years. System reliability assessment revealed 96% availability and 92% performance efficiency, exceeding industry standards. Economic analysis demonstrated a payback period of 1.1 years with cumulative savings of $550k over 10 years, despite 15.6% higher initial capital investment. The research establishes OWUF-8 ultrafiltration as a technologically superior and economically viable pretreatment solution for seawater desalination, providing critical operational guidelines for full-scale implementation in addressing global water security challenges.

Abstract This review explores the potential of gravity-driven ultrafiltration (GDU) systems as a sustainable solution to global drinking water challenges. Leveraging hydrostatic pressure instead of external energy inputs, GDU systems offer a low-maintenance, cost-effective approach well-suited for decentralized and resource-constrained settings. The paper provides a detailed analysis of the fluid dynamics and transport mechanisms that underpin GDU operation, emphasizing the influence of biofilm formation, membrane morphology, and material selectivity on system performance. Recent advancements in membrane materials have demonstrated significant improvements in antifouling performance, flux stability, and contaminant removal. Innovative membrane designs are also reviewed for their potential to enhance adaptability and multifunctionality. Real-world case studies highlight the operational feasibility and economic advantages of GDU systems, while identifying key barriers such as long-term reliability, feedwater variability, and limited community-based monitoring capacity. Socio-economic considerations, including modular design strategies and institutional engagement, are examined to support scalable implementation. This comprehensive review offers interdisciplinary insights to inform future research, technology development, and policy planning aimed at advancing sustainable water purification solutions worldwide.

Membrane technologies are used in the production of potable water and the treatment of wastewater in the military forces, providing the highest level of contaminant removal at an energy-efficient cost. This review examines the integration and application of membrane technologies, including reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration, electrodialysis and advanced hybrid systems, in the treatment of wastewater generated at military bases, naval vessels and submarines. Special emphasis is placed on purification technologies for chemically, biologically and radiologically contaminated wastewater, as well as on the recycling and treatment of wastewater streams by mobile systems used in military applications. Given the specific requirements of complex military infrastructures, particularly in terms of energy efficiency, unit self-sufficiency and reduced dependence on logistical supply chains, this work analyses the latest advances in membrane technologies. Innovations such as nanographene membranes, biomimetic membranes, antifouling membrane systems and hybrid configurations of forward osmosis/reverse osmosis and electrodialysis/reverse electrodialysis offer unique potential for implementation in modular and mobile water treatment systems. In addition, the integration and operational use of these advanced technologies serve as a foundation for the development of autonomous military water supply strategies tailored to extreme operational conditions. The continued advancement and optimization of membrane technologies in military contexts is expected to significantly impact operational sustainability while minimizing environmental impact.

Salt pan brine water sulphated polysaccharides retrieved at pilot scale: ability to stimulate in vitro human macrophages and salmon head kidney cells.

This study explores the application and robustness of an adaptive optimal control (AOC) strategy to optimize the operation of membrane filtration systems. The proposed control is based on a constant flux model where fouling is primarily due to cake layer formation. The algorithm dynamically finds the optimal ratio between the filtration (F) and backwash (BW) time ratio in response to system disturbances, thereby adapting the operational state of the membrane in order to optimize its performance in terms of energy consumption. The strategy was successfully applied to both microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF) systems and quantitatively demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing energy consumption and controlling fouling. It proved robust against model uncertainties and demonstrated real-time adaptability even under varying and realistic disturbance conditions. The implementation of this control strategy facilitated real-time adaptation of the filtration/backwash (F/BW) ratio in response to dynamic system disturbances. The result underlines that the control behavior is predominantly driven by fluctuations in mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSSs). Compared to conventional fixed-time modes, the AOC led to significant energy savings, ranging from 7% to 30%, and membrane lifespan extension, mainly through more efficient permeate pump usage.

In the fruit juice industry, ultrafiltration (UF) technology has gained great importance in the production of clear fruit juice in recent years. In this study, by determining the clogging period of the membrane with turbid product inlet and clear product outlet pressure in the UF membrane, the limit impurity value was determined and turbid product was fed accordingly. In this process, the dark product coming out of the membrane was stored in one of the tandem tanks and fed to an external decanter from this tank after a certain period of time. The clear product from the decanter was sent to the clear product tank feeding UF, which was still in production. Thus, the CIP process, which is mandatory in case of clogging of the membranes, was postponed and the diafiltration process was carried out externally, ensuring internal uninterrupted production. In addition, it was aimed to prevent fouling by surface modification with various polyelectrolytes for the membranes used in these processes. Clarity, iodine, alcohol, pH tests, brix measurement, SEM and contact angle analyses were performed on coated and uncoated membranes under 3 and 5 bar pressure. By delaying fouling, CIP process time was reduced and production time was increased. Thus, production efficiency was increased and CIP chemical costs and water consumption were reduced by shortening the CIP time and number. In addition, water consumption during the diafiltration process is prevented. The high efficiency and low cost of the developed system makes UF systems preferable and accessible.

Dual-enzyme inhibitor screening against α-glucosidase and PTP1B by hollow fibers in tandem with ultrafiltration.

BackgroundCarry Life UF is a novel peritoneal dialysis (PD) technology for improved fluid management using steady concentration PD (SCPD). The Carry Life UF treatment starts with a manual peritoneal fill of 1.36% glucose PD fluid, followed by a 5-hour treatment where small amounts of glucose are continuously added to maintain a stable intraperitoneal glucose concentration. A recent in-center clinical study using the Carry Life UF system demonstrated higher ultrafiltration (UF) rates, more efficient use of glucose (increased UF volume/gram of glucose absorbed), and greater sodium removal with the Carry Life UF treatments compared with a 2.27% glucose continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD) dwell. The aim of this study is to compare efficacy and safety of the Carry Life UF system with a standard CAPD prescription in the home setting.MethodsA prospective, multicenter, randomized, crossover study of 19 adult subjects at up to 12 sites in Italy, Sweden and the UK will complete the investigation. End-stage kidney disease patients with a CAPD prescription of 2–4 exchanges per day, including at least one 2.27% glucose dwell, will be included. After a Carry Life UF glucose dose determination phase performed in-clinic, subjects will be randomized to start the home treatment part of the study with either the control arm (2.27% glucose CAPD dwell) or the Carry Life UF arm (11 or 15 g/h glucose dose), each for four weeks. The primary endpoint is UF volume comparing the control CAPD 2.27% glucose dwell with the Carry Life UF treatment. Secondary endpoints include adverse event rates, peritoneal sodium removal, glucose UF efficiency, and peak dialysate glucose concentration.DiscussionThis study will evaluate a novel PD technology in the home environment. Challenging aspects include the need to accurately measure UF volumes at home and to support subjects in using a novel technology. The study design considers important parameters for precise UF volume measurements and provides detailed weighing instructions to the study team to ensure consistency between study centers. Research nursing support will be provided for training of subjects and to support endpoint data collection in the subjects’ home. Due to the significant burden associated with the study, subjects will be offered a fair compensation, in accordance with local regulations.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05874804 Registration date: 18th of April 2023.

Break through the trade-off between membrane fouling and pathogen removal in ultrafiltration process by poly(amino acid)s modified biochar

Role of Carboxymethyl Cellulose on Rejection and Recovery of Heavy Metals Using Polyvinylidene Fluoride Membrane Ultrafiltration System: Response Surface Methodology Optimization, Modeling, and Regeneration

The intense consumption of polymeric materials combined with poor waste management results in the dissemination of their fragments in the environment as micro- and nanoplastics. They are easily dispersed in stormwater, wastewater, and landfill leachate and carried towards rivers, lakes, and oceans, causing their contamination. In aqueous matrices, the use of membrane separation processes has stood out for the efficiency of removing these particulate contaminants, achieving removals of up to 100%. For this review article, we researched the removal of microplastics and nanoplastics by membrane processes whose driving force is the pressure gradient. The analysis focuses on the challenges found in the operation of microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse-osmosis systems, as well as on the innovations applied to the membranes, with comparisons of treatment systems and the peculiarities of each system and each aqueous matrix. We also point out weaknesses and opportunities for future studies so that these techniques, known to be capable of removing many other contaminants of emerging concern, can subsequently be widely applied in the removal of micro- and nanoplastics.

Background: Small vessel cerebral vascular disease (sCVD) is common to older individuals, often asymptomatic, but associated with incident stroke and future mortality. Multiple mechanisms for sCVD have been postulated, all of which include injury to the neurovascular unit. Analysis of extracellular vesicles (EVs), important constituents of the intercellular communication pathway, may offer new ways to evaluate pathological processes of sCVD as well as serve as novel biomarkers or identify new avenues for therapy. This abstract summarizes work by our group to subtype EVs and measure cargo proteins from the various cell types of the neurovascular unit from a group of cognitively normal individuals with a spectrum of sCVD. Method: Study participants consisted of 14 individuals, 50 % female, 76 + 7 years of age, having 17.6 + 1.9 years of education. White matter hyperintensities varied from 0.73 – 38.8 cc. EV isolation used an Exodus ultrafiltration system on platelet depleted plasma. EVs were further fractionated into EV subtypes with resin-conjugated antibodies against cell type-specific markers. Five EV subtypes were isolated by two rounds of immunoprecipitation with the following markers: NCAM1/ATP1A3 (excitatory neuron EV), CD49f/LRP1 (astrocyte EV), CD11b/LCP1 (activated microglia EV), LAMP2/FTH1 (oligodendrocyte EV), CD31/CD146 (activated endothelial EV). Following isolation of EV subtypes, samples were characterized for purity and yield by nanoparticle tracking analysis, imaged for protein expression by super resolution microscopy, and sequenced for biomarker identification by quantitative proteomics. Results: Nanoparticle tracking analysis confirmed high yields of all 5 EV subtypes, > 2E9 EVs/mL, along with identical size and surface charge profiles. Super resolution microscopy showed consistent canonical EV marker distributions on all EVs while EV subtypes expressed unique markers based off their cell type of origin. Quantitative proteomics identified 400 unique and differentially expressed proteins present amongst the various EV subtypes as compared to mean plasma EVs concentrations. Protein abundance varied widely across EV subpopulations, indicating distinct protein profiles. Conclusion: Preliminary results confirm the potential for biomarker discovery from novel EV subpopulations through identification of differentially expressed cargo proteins from the neurovascular unit. Future work will associate these findings with sCVD phenotypes.

Biodegradable and biocompatible polymeric materials and stimulus-responsive hydrogels are widely used in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, biomedical, and consumer sectors. The effectiveness of these formulations depends significantly on the appropriate selection of polymer support. Through chemical or enzymatic hydrolysis, these materials can gradually release bioactive agents, enabling controlled drug release. The objective of this work is to synthesize, characterize, and apply two controlled-release polymeric systems, focusing on the release of a phyto-pharmaceutical agent (herbicide) at varying pH levels. The copolymers were synthesized via free radical polymerization in solution, utilizing tetrahydrofuran (THF) as the organic solvent and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as the initiator, without the use of a cross-linking agent. Initially, the herbicide was grafted onto the polymeric chains, and its release was subsequently tested across different pH environments in a heterogeneous phase using an ultrafiltration (UF) system. The development of these two controlled-release polymer systems aimed to measure the herbicide's release across different pH levels. The goal is to adapt these materials for agricultural use, enhancing soil quality and promoting efficient water usage in farming practices. The results indicate that the release of the herbicide from the conjugate systems exceeded 90% of the bioactive compound after 8 days at pH 10 for both systems. Furthermore, the two polymeric systems demonstrated first-order kinetics for herbicide release in aqueous solutions at different pH levels. The kinetic constant was found to be higher at pH 7 and 10 compared to pH 3. These synthetic hydrogels are recognized as functional polymers suitable for the sustained release of herbicides in agricultural applications.