Use Of Microfiltration Research Articles

Novel poly-glutamic acid functionalized microfiltration membranes for sorption of heavy metals at high capacity

Various sorbent/ion exchange materials have been reported in the literature for metal ion entrapment. We have developed a highly innovative and new approach to obtain high metal pick-up utilizing poly-amino acids (poly- l-glutamic acid, 14,000 MW) covalently attached to membrane pore surfaces. The use of microfiltration (0.2–0.6 μm) membrane-based sorbents containing multiple functional groups is a novel technique to achieve high metal sorption under convective flow conditions. For our studies, both commercial membranes and laboratory prepared cellulose membranes containing aldehyde groups were used for the attachment of poly-amino acids. Cellulose membranes were prepared by converting cellulose acetate microfiltration membranes to cellulose (using alkali treatment), subsequent oxidation of hydroxyl groups to aldehyde using sodium periodate, and attachment of poly- l-glutamic acid via Schiff base chemistry. Extensive experiments (pH 3–6) were conducted (under convective flow mode) with the derivatized membranes involving the heavy metals: lead, cadmium, nickel, copper, and selected mixtures with calcium in aqueous solutions. Metal sorption results were found to be a function of derivatization (aldehydes) density of membranes and degree of attachment of the polyfunctional groups, number of functional groups per chain, membrane surface area, and the type of metals to be sorbed. We have obtained metal sorption capacities as high as 1.5 g metal/g membrane. Of course, depending on the desired goals the membrane containing metal could be regenerated or stabilized for appropriate disposal.

Central venous catheter-related infections

Central venous catheter-related infections

MICROFILTRATION of CHICKEN PROCESS WATERS FOR REUSE: PLANT STUDIES and PROJECTED OPERATING COSTS1

ABSTRACTCommercial scale ceramic microfilters were used in plant tests to determine flux rate and operating parameters for waters from a poultry scalder, a poultry chiller, and brine from a delicatessen products chiller, under commercial conditions. Filtration produced clear permeate from all waters. Microorganism counts were essentially reduced to zero in scalder and chiller water permeates, with BOD reduced by about 70% in scalder water permeate and about 60% in chiller water permeate. Flux rates were in the range of 224‐204 L/m2h for scalder water at 54°C and 114‐81 L/m2h for chiller water at ambient temperature. Test results were used to project nonlabor operating savings and/or costs resulting from the use of microfiltration to recondition and reuse bath overflow. For a processing rate of 140 birds/min and bath size of 37,850 L (10,000 gal), an annual savings of $21,000‐$26,000 were estimated for scalder water filtration, while annual costs of $65,000‐$84,000 were estimated for chiller water filtration. For a deli brine bath size of 1,170 L (300 gal), annual costs of about $700 were estimated. Retentate heating and electrical usage associated with centrifugal filter pumps were projected as predominant cost factors. Besides costs, other factors such as nonchemical control of microbial growth, water savings, and reduced discharge levels may also be important reasons for considering microfiltration.

The application of SSNTDs and nuclear emulsions in the life sciences

The basic application of SSNTDs in life science is radioautography. Also, neutron radiography and neutron induced autoradiography have wide application. Alpha and neutron dosimetry are of special importance for radiation protection. The use of microfilters and membranes made from SSNTDs are of special application in medicine and biotechnology. Recently nuclear emulsions have found new application in cell research and biophysics.

A Simple Purification of Indole-3-Acetic Acid and Abscisic Acid for GC-SIM-MS Analysis by Microfiltration of Aqueous Samples through Nylon

A simple procedure was developed for the partial purification of plant tissue samples to be analyzed simultaneously for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA). The procedure relies on removal of contaminants by filtration through nylon and partitioning into dichloromethane. This procedure successfully purified both IAA and ABA from muskmelon, cotton, and broccoli tissue. Twenty individual samples can be purified and methylated in 8 h for analysis of free IAA and ABA with gas chromatography-selected ion monitoring-mass spectrometry. The use of microfiltration of aqueous samples through nylon offers new opportunities for improving the efficiency of existing sample purification procedures.

The present status of blood filtration.

The history of the development of blood transfusion and blood filtration is outlined. Clinical and experimental evidence for the efficacy of microfiltration in both small and large volume transfusions is evaluated. Though microfilters do remove the micro-aggregates from stored blood, the results of clinical studies suggest that both the debris from septic processes in the body and the formation of micro-aggregates in the blood stream triggered by processes such as complement activation play a far more important role in the pathogenesis of adult respiratory distress syndrome. If this is so the enhancement of the reticulo-endothelial system by fibronectin therapy may be indicated. It also follows that the use of microfilters is probably an unnecessary expense and, where exsanguination is a risk, may be positively dangerous. Microfilters have been found useful in the preparation of granulocyte-free transfusions after centrifugation of the blood, but their routine use for transfusions, small or large, remains to be justified.

The use of microfilters as an alternative to centrifugation in radioimmunoassay

A microfilter was designed, together with a mechanical filtration apparatus for the separation of “antibody-bound” and “free” antigen in radioimmunoassay. A comparison of the results obtained using both filtration and centrifugation was carried out and the optimum incubation times, reaction conditions and washing volume for use with the microfilter were studied. The use of microfilters in radioimmunoassay gave reproducible results and offered a convenient means of automating the separation procedure.