Patents Examined by Anthony Shumate
  • Patent number: 10086325
    Abstract: The present application relates to a membrane separation device. According to the separation device of the present application, components to be separated using a separation membrane having a small area size can be separated with high selectivity and consequently processing efficiency and economical efficiency can be superbly improved; and according to a method for producing an expanded polystyrene which includes the membrane separation device, components to be separated using a separation membrane having a small area size, in particular, a volatile organic compound (VOC), can be separated with high selectivity and consequently processing efficiency and economical efficiency can be superbly improved, and also, by separating and recovering VOC, an effect in preventing environmental pollution caused by global warming is exhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Beom Lee, Moon Kyoon Chun, Sung Ho Lee, Jong Ku Lee, Joon Ho Shin
  • Patent number: 10086326
    Abstract: A gas separation module and assembly for housing ceramic tubular membranes. The module includes a plurality of tubes containing the ceramic tubular membranes. The tubes are arranged parallel to one another and are supported by tube sheet plates at each end. Gas-tight seals surround each membrane, preventing a feed gas and a residue gas within the inner lumen of the membrane from mixing with a permeate gas in the tube interior. The module also contains a gas distribution pipe for withdrawing the permeate gas out of, or introducing a sweep gas into, the module. This configuration allows for ceramic tubular membranes to be modularized for use in an assembly that carries out many types of gas separations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Su, Moyeen Mohammed, Alicia Breen, Mamoon Rashid Khan, Nicholas P Wynn
  • Patent number: 10036135
    Abstract: A membrane system isolates environment volume, contains hazards, enables detoxification, hazard removal, infrastructure restoration, and substance recovery. The flexible membrane system adjusts to advantageously shape its isolated volume and integrate existing infrastructure. Pollution and hazardous energy, including crude oil, toxic-gas, radioactive fallout, fire, and other hazards are isolated, while concurrently enabling access within the isolated volume. Pod encapsulated and readily deployed, the membrane system operates semi-autonomously, uses selective-filtering, specific gravity and substance differences to channel matter, mitigate hazards, protect the biosphere, preserve infrastructure and capture substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Inventors: Philip S. Dunlap, Michael J. Muse-Fisher, Nicholas A. Trutanich, Nathan M. Dunlap
  • Patent number: 10029215
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a technology for manufacturing a nanocomposite membrane comprising a graphene oxide coating layer with a thickness of 1 nm to 50 nm, which is formed on various supports and has nanopores, and a reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite membrane, and applying the membranes to gas separation. The graphene oxide nanocomposite membrane for gas separation of the present invention has excellent gas permeability and selectivity at the same time, and especially, excellent hydrogen gas permeability and hydrogen gas selectivity compared with carbon dioxide, and the reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite membrane has remarkably enhanced hydrogen gas permeability and hydrogen gas selectivity compared with carbon dioxide, and thus the membranes are applicable as a gas separation membrane in an industrial field involving a hydrogen separation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: IUCF-HYU (INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION HANYANG UNIVERSITY)
    Inventors: Ho Bum Park, Hyo Won Kim, Myung Jin Yoo, Byung Min Yoo, Byungkook Ahn
  • Patent number: 10016720
    Abstract: An air separation system includes an air separation module configured to receive feed air and separate the feed air into nitrogen-enriched air and oxygen-enriched air. The air separation module includes an inlet header, an outlet header, and an oxygen sensor located in the outlet header and configured to sense a concentration of oxygen in the nitrogen-enriched air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Catherine Thibaud
  • Patent number: 10016728
    Abstract: A gas separation membrane module includes a seal between a higher pressure gas and a lower pressure gas. The seal includes a compressible sealing member in between sealing surfaces. At least one of the sealing surfaces has corrosion-resistant cladding provided over either low alloy steel or high alloy steel. The cladding reduce the possibility of a seal failure due to corrosion of low alloy or high alloy steel exposed to acid gases or condensed moisture containing acid gases dissolved therein while at the same not requiring that all surfaces of the membrane module exposed to acid gases be provided with cladding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignees: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude, Air Liquide Advanced Technolgies U.S. LLC, Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Sudhir S. Kulkarni, Karl S. Beers, Jean-Pierre R. Ballaguet, Milind M. Vaidya, Sebastien A. Duval
  • Patent number: 10010832
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel membrane module for separating a fluid feed stream into a permeate stream and a retentate stream. The membrane module according to the invention is characterized in that all components are housed in a 20?, 40?, 45? HC, 45? PW or 53? HC container, whereby the membrane module can be transported and handled in a very simple and cost-effective manner despite its comparatively large volume and its high weight. The membrane module is furthermore characterized by its large membrane surface area compared with usually used membrane modules, whereby the number of individual membrane modules required in practical use can be reduced many times over. The present invention furthermore relates to a process for separating a fluid feed stream into a permeate stream and a retentate stream using the membrane module according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht Zentrum Fuer Material—und Kuestenforschung GmbH
    Inventors: Heiko Notzke, Torsten Brinkmann, Thorsten Wolff, Li Zhao, Sebastian Luhr
  • Patent number: 10005023
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method of treating a flow back fluid exiting a well site following stimulation of a subterranean formation. The invention utilizes a two-stage membrane process during the period that the gas contains high concentrations of CO2 by volume, and allows for separation of CO2 from the natural gas components, providing pipeline-quality natural gas (approximately 5% CO2 by volume) to the gas collection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Burgers, Richard A. Novak
  • Patent number: 10005041
    Abstract: A potting material for membrane modules which is formed of an epoxy resin composition, in which the mass change ratio of a cured product of the epoxy resin composition after being immersed in diethylene glycol methyl ethyl ether at 40° C. for one week is ±10% or less, and the mass change ratio thereof after being immersed in tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate at 40° C. for one week is ±5% or less, and a hollow fiber membrane module which uses the potting material for membrane modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshie Tanizaki, Ayumi Tanaka, Masakazu Minagawa, Kana Inoue
  • Patent number: 10005043
    Abstract: A composite membrane comprising: a) a porous support; b) a gutter layer; and c) a discriminating layer; wherein at least 10% of the discriminating layer is intermixed with the gutter layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Fujifilm Manufacturing Europe B.V.
    Inventors: Takeshi Umehara, Masatoshi Nakanishi, Yujiro Itami, Hiroyuki Noda, Akihiro Kurima, Kimiko Iwahashi
  • Patent number: 10000294
    Abstract: An aircraft fuel tank flammability reduction method includes feeding pressurized air into an air separation module containing a carbon membrane, the air feed exhibiting a normal pressure of no more than 55 psig. The method includes producing nitrogen-enriched air from the air separation module as a result of removing oxygen from the air feed. An aircraft fuel tank flammability reduction system includes a source for pressurized air, an air separation module configured to receive air feed from the pressurized air source, and a carbon membrane. The carbon membrane is configured to permeate oxygen from the air feed through the carbon membrane at a temperature of at least 120° C. (248° F.) and to produce nitrogen-enriched air from the air separation module as a result of removing oxygen from the air feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Barbara J. Evosevich, Ivana Jojic
  • Patent number: 9999860
    Abstract: An article with a body having spaced channels created at a surface of the body and extending into the body, wherein the channels are located at controlled spaced locations. The channeled or microchanneled articles may be in the form of channeled or microchanneled membranes or otherwise. Methods of manufacturing channeled articles and uses of the channeled articles are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: CURTIN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Chun-Zhu Li, Dehua Dong, Xin Shao, Gordon Parkinson
  • Patent number: 9993768
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for removing carbon dioxide from hydrocarbons, the method comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a feed stream comprising hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide with one or more gas-separation membranes to produce a hydrocarbon-rich retentate gas stream and a permeate gas stream rich in carbon dioxide, the retentate gas stream containing less carbon dioxide relative to the feed stream; and (b) passing at least one of the retentate gas stream or the permeate gas stream through an absorption unit to produce a hydrocarbon-rich gas phase and a liquid absorbent phase containing said carbon dioxide. The present disclosure also relates to a system for doing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS)
    Inventors: W Nurul Ffazida W Mustapa, M Hanif M Halim, Farahdila Kadirkhan, Azman Shafawi, Athirah M Tamidi
  • Patent number: 9987596
    Abstract: The present invention relates to units for separation of gas mixtures using hollow fiber membranes and may be used in chemical, oil, gas and other industries. More specifically, this invention relates to the structure of the membrane gas separation module which may be applied, for instance, in membrane separation units for helium concentrate. The membrane gas separation module comprises the horizontal body with end covers and membrane cartridges made of a bundle of hollow fibers and located in an inversed manner in relation to the center. The body comprises symmetrical end sections of large diameter which are mated by conical transition sections with the central section of minor diameter. In this case length of end sections corresponds with length restricted by the body end and input area of membrane cartridges, and central section inner diameter is configured to provide both free mounting/dismounting of membrane cartridges and tight fit thereof at the sealing point with ring gaskets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: PUBLICHNOE AKTSIONERNOE OBSCHESTVO “GAZPROM”
    Inventors: Anatoly Alekseevich Pigarev, Aleksei Valentinovich Bukin, Sergei Stanislavovich Tolstov
  • Patent number: 9987599
    Abstract: Asymmetric membranes in hollow fiber and flat sheet forms are disclosed herewith. The process of preparation of the membranes is further disclosed. The membranes are characterized and find application in the separation of gases and solutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC & INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH
    Inventors: Ulhas Kanhaiyalal Kharul, Deepti Gangaram Bhagat, Harshal Dilip Chaudhari
  • Patent number: 9981221
    Abstract: A gas separation system includes: first, second, and third gas separation membrane units. A first retentate gas line connects a retentate gas discharge port of the first unit and gas inlet port of the second unit. A first permeate gas line connects a permeate gas discharge port of the first unit and gas inlet port of the third unit. A feed gas mixture supply line is connected to a gas inlet port of the first unit, and provided with first compression elements. The first permeate gas line is provided with second compression elements. The permeate gas discharge port of the second unit is connected by a second permeate gas line to the suction side of the first compression elements in the feed gas mixture supply line. A retentate gas discharge port of the third unit is connected by a third retentate gas line to the first retentate gas line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: UBE INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuhiko Fukuda, Tomohide Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9975092
    Abstract: Provided is a gas separation membrane 10 including a separation layer 1 which comprises a block copolymer having at least a first segment and a second segment, in which the separation layer 1 has a phase separation structure that has at least a first structure 11 derived from the first segment and a spherical second structure 12 derived from the second segment. The gas separation membrane in which the spherical second structure satisfies Formula 1, the first structure and the spherical second structure satisfy the following Formula 2, and the first structure 11 has a structure that is continuous in the thickness direction over the entire thickness of the separation layer 1 has high gas permeability and high gas separation selectivity. Also provided is a gas separation membrane module. R/L<0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Kano, Kenichi Ishizuka, Satoshi Sano
  • Patent number: 9962646
    Abstract: Compositions of and methods for separating components of a natural gas stream are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving an inlet stream comprising natural gas, the inlet stream having an inlet pressure, and the inlet stream further comprising methane, helium, and an impurity. The method includes allowing the inlet stream to contact a block co-polyimide membrane, the block co-polyimide membrane exhibiting both higher permeability for and higher selectivity for the helium and the impurity than for the methane at the inlet pressure of the inlet stream and separating the methane from the helium and the impurity to create a retentate stream, the retentate stream comprising an increased concentration of methane relative to the inlet stream. The method also includes creating a permeate stream comprising the helium and the impurity at an increased concentration of helium and impurity relative to a concentration of helium and impurity in the inlet stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Garba Oloriegbe Yahaya, Ahmad A. Bahamdan, Mohammad S. Al-Qahtani, Feras Hamad, Ahmed Ameen, Abdulaziz Yousef Al-Ammar
  • Patent number: 9962659
    Abstract: A gas separation membrane module includes a seal between a higher pressure gas and a lower pressure gas. The seal includes a compressible sealing member in between sealing surfaces. At least one of the sealing surfaces has corrosion-resistant cladding provided over either low alloy steel or high alloy steel. The cladding reduce the possibility of a seal failure due to corrosion of low alloy or high alloy steel exposed to acid gases or condensed moisture containing acid gases dissolved therein while at the same not requiring that all surfaces of the membrane module exposed to acid gases be provided with cladding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignees: AIR LIQUIDE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES U.S. LLC, L'AIR LIQUIDE SOCIETE ANONYME POUR L'ETUDE ET L'EXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE, SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Sudhir S. Kulkarni, Karl S. Beers, Jean-Pierre R. Ballaguet, Milind M. Vaidya, Sebastien A. Duval
  • Patent number: 9957364
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed related to modified elastomer surfaces and methods of making and using the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of modifying the surface of an elastomer. The method can include contacting a polymerizable composition and at least part of a surface of an elastomer. The polymerizable composition can include a free-radical polymerizable monomers, an organoborane-organonitrogen free-radical initiator, and an amine-reactive compound. The method can include at least partially polymerizing the polymerizable composition, to provide a polymerization product of the polymerizable composition on the surface of the elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: DOW CORNING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dongchan Ahn, James S Hrabal, Christopher L Wong