Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhancing the heat and water recovery from a transport membrane condenser (TMC) includes a non-moving mechanical device inserted into the TMC tubes to increase the heat transfer efficiency via the enhancement of the fluid turbulence and/or surface area. The apparatus and methods may be applied to porous tubes arranged in a spaced array, similar to a conventional shell and tube heat exchanger device. Other configurations of the TMC may be conceived and adapted for use with the described apparatus and method.

Abstract: A hybrid adsorbent-membrane reactor in which the chemical reaction, membrane separation, and product adsorption are coupled. Also disclosed are a dual-reactor apparatus and a process using the reactor or the apparatus.

Abstract: A method suitable for treating used oil to remove ash and metal contaminants therefrom with minimum oxidation of the oil, the metal including at least one of the components of iron, lead, copper, zinc, sodium, magnesium, and calcium, to provide a highly purified oil product having less than 10 ppm of at least one of the contaminants and less than 0.15 wt. % of ash content. The method comprises providing a body of oil to be purified and chemically treating the oil to condition ash and metals contained therein to facilitate removal of ash and metal during membrane purification of the oil.

Abstract: A filter for removing particles from a feed liquid. The filter includes a filtration material having a metal oxide composition selected to provide the material with an affinity for the particles of the feed liquid. The affinity of the material is dependent upon a pH of the feed liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method suitable for treating used oil to remove contaminants including ash and color contaminants therefrom to provide a purified oil product. The method comprises the steps of providing a porous inorganic membrane module having a high pressure side and a low pressure side, and a body of oil to be treated. The oil is introduced to the high pressure side of the membrane module to provide an oil permeate on the low pressure side and an ash rich concentrate on the high pressure side thereby separating ash in the oil from the oil permeate. Thereafter the oil permeate is contacted with an adsorbent to remove one of color and odor from the oil permeate to provide a purified oil product. The spent adsorbent can be regenerated and reused.

Abstract: A ceramic fired composite filter media having a uniform pore size, the media consisting essentially of a porous cordierite substrate having a surface having pores of non-uniform diameter, the diameter ranging from <1 to 200 .mu.m; and a layer of porous ceramic oxide having pores having a uniform diameter bonded to the surface of the cordierite substrate, the layer of ceramic oxide comprised of ceramic oxide particles having a particle size sufficiently large to avoid substantial penetration of the pores in the surface of the cordierite.

Abstract: A high temperature ceramic membrane device for separation of fluids at high temperature, the device comprises: (a) a housing having: (i) an entrance for introducing fluids to the housing to be separated, (ii) an exit for removing fluids after being subjected to separation; (b) a plate mounted in one end of the housing, the plate having openings therein; (c) ceramic membrane comprised of porous ceramic tubes having a closed end and an open end, the tubes permeable by a fraction of the fluid to be removed from the fluid as filtrate and impermeable to a second fraction, the open end designed to remove the filtrate from the tube, the tubes mounted in the openings in the plate so that the closed end is projected into the housing and the open end is extended outside the housing for removing the filtrate; (d) a seal for sealing the plate in the housing; (e) insulation provided in the housing, the insulation means located adjacent the plate and surrounding the tubes projecting therethrough, the insulation adapted to

Abstract: A novel membrane preparation process via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) deposits a film on a microporous ceramic support at a low temperature (300.degree. to 550.degree. C.) with organic metallic compounds as precursors and then converts the film into porous oxide at a higher temperature (350.degree. C. to 800.degree. C., preferably 450.degree. C. to 600.degree. C.) to increase its permeability and stability at a given process application temperature. The novel membrane is used for gas separations at an elevated temperature (300.degree. C. to 800.degree. C.). The novel membrane can be used as a catalytic membrane reactor which selectively removes one of the reaction products, thereby enhancing the conversion of the reaction. The ultrafiltration membrane provides gaseous mixtures separation media having high permeance and superior hydrogen selectivity.

Abstract: A method of producing a carbon coated ceramic membrane including passing a selected hydrocarbon vapor through a ceramic membrane and controlling ceramic membrane exposure temperature and ceramic membrane exposure time. The method produces a carbon coated ceramic membrane of reduced pore size and modified surface properties having increased chemical, thermal and hydrothermal stability over an uncoated ceramic membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel activated carbon/alumina composite and a method of preparing the same. The method includes providing a blend containing alumina powder, peptizing agent, water and activated carbon powder and mixing the blend to peptize the alumina and form an aqueous mixture. A green body is then formed from the mixture, dried and heated to form the activated carbon/alumina composite.

Abstract: An adsorption process is disclosed for removal of carbonyl sulfide (COS) from a liquid hydrocarbon which comprises providing an activated alumina adsorbent which has preferably impregnated with a compound selected from the class consisting of one or more alkali metal compounds, one or more alkaline earth metal compounds, or a mixture of such compounds; passing a liquid hydrocarbon containing COS through the activated alumina adsorbent at a flow rate sufficient to adsorb enough COS in the liquid hydrocarbon to lower the COS content of the liquid hydrocarbon to less than 1 ppm; monitoring the effluent liquid hydrocarbon to determine when the capacity of the adsorbent to adsorb the COS has been reached; and then regenerating the activated alumina adsorbent by passing a gas, heated to a temperature of from about 150.degree. to about 300.degree. C., through the adsorbent for a period of time sufficient to remove a substantial amount of the sulfur adsorbed thereon.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing an activated carbon/alumina composite. The method includes providing a blend containing activated alumina powder and activated carbon powder. Added to the blend is an aqueous solution to form a mixture. A green body is then formed from the mixture and heated to form the activated carbon/alumina composite.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to an activated carbon impregnated with 0.1 to 10 percent, by weight, of an amine compound, which is solid and sublimes at 40.degree. C. or above, and having a moisture content after impregnation of 5.0 percent or less, by weight.The instant invention is also directed to a process for impregnating carbon comprising allowing an amine compound, which is solid and sublimes at the temperature at which said amine is applied, to sublime in the presence of an activated carbon.The instant invention is also directed to the use of the impregnated carbon in removing toxic gases from a gas stream comprising passing the gas stream through the impregnated carbon.