Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for fabricating thin film composite hollow fiber membranes. In some implementations, an apparatus is used to remove excess first solution from a hollow fiber that has been immersed in a first solution. In some implementations, the method and apparatuses include flowing a gas, for example, compressed gas or ambient air, past a surface of a hollow fiber that has been immersed in a first solution prior to immersion in a second solution. In some implementations, the gas is flowed past the surface under positive pressure, while in other implementations the gas is flowed under negative pressure, for example, vacuum. The apparatuses and devices can be used to produce thin film composite hollow fiber membranes without pressing or damaging the hollow fiber.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for treating the tail gas stream of a sulfur recovery plant. The methods including generating a tail gas stream from a sulfur recovery plant, treating the tail gas stream with a hydrogen sulfide removal unit and a hydrogen selective membrane unit, generating a stream low in hydrogen sulfide and a stream rich in hydrogen. The hydrogen sulfide rich stream is recycled to the sulfur recovery unit. The hydrogen selective membrane unit includes a glassy polymer membrane selective for hydrogen over hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: The present application provides a method for extracting an extractable component from a feed liquid using a porous membrane. One embodiment of the method includes temperature-swing solvent extraction of water from saline water using a porous membrane.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for fabricating thin film composite hollow fiber membranes. In some implementations, an apparatus is used to remove excess first solution from a hollow fiber that has been immersed in a first solution. In some implementations, the method and apparatuses include flowing a gas, for example, compressed gas or ambient air, past a surface of a hollow fiber that has been immersed in a first solution prior to immersion in a second solution. In some implementations, the gas is flowed past the surface under positive pressure, while in other implementations the gas is flowed under negative pressure, for example, vacuum. The apparatuses and devices can be used to produce thin film composite hollow fiber membranes without pressing or damaging the hollow fiber.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for treating the tail gas stream of a sulfur recovery plant. The methods including generating a tail gas stream from a sulfur recovery plant, treating the tail gas stream with a hydrogen sulfide removal unit and a hydrogen selective membrane unit, generating a stream low in hydrogen sulfide and a stream rich in hydrogen. The hydrogen sulfide rich stream is recycled to the sulfur recovery unit. The hydrogen selective membrane unit includes a glassy polymer membrane selective for hydrogen over hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for fabricating thin film composite hollow fiber membranes. In some implementations, an apparatus is used to remove excess first solution from a hollow fiber that has been immersed in a first solution. In some implementations, the method and apparatuses include flowing a gas, for example, compressed gas or ambient air, past a surface of a hollow fiber that has been immersed in a first solution prior to immersion in a second solution. In some implementations, the gas is flowed past the surface under positive pressure, while in other implementations the gas is flowed under negative pressure, for example, vacuum. The apparatuses and devices can be used to produce thin film composite hollow fiber membranes without pressing or damaging the hollow fiber.

Abstract: System, devices, and method for the production of thin film composite hollow fiber membranes on a hollow fiber support structure. The system includes a comb and roller device, or comb and dual roller device, which can be used to define a submerged travel path in a first solution bath for a hollow fiber. The combs and rollers control the amount of time the hollow fiber spends in the first solution. The first solution contains a first monomer, and the hollow fiber is impregnated with the first monomer. The amount of impregnation depends on the time spent in the first solution. Subsequent immersion in a second solution containing a second monomer results in the formation of a thin film composite hollow fiber membrane.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine includes passing air to a separation unit, separating the air into a nitrogen-enriched air stream and an oxygen-enriched air stream with the separation unit, passing the nitrogen-enriched air stream to a mixing chamber in communication with the separation unit, detecting a nitrogen content within the nitrogen-enriched air stream, based at least in part on the detected nitrogen content within the nitrogen-enriched air stream, moving an air valve between a closed position, in which the air valve restricts flow of an air stream to the mixing chamber, and an open position, in which the air stream flows to the mixing chamber through the air valve, passing the nitrogen-enriched air stream to a combustion chamber, passing a fuel to the combustion chamber, and combusting the fuel and the nitrogen-enriched air stream within the combustion chamber, thereby moving a piston within the combustion chamber.

Abstract: System, devices, and method for the production of thin film composite hollow fiber membranes on a hollow fiber support structure. The system includes a comb and roller device, or comb and dual roller device, which can be used to define a submerged travel path in a first solution bath for a hollow fiber. The combs and rollers control the amount of time the hollow fiber spends in the first solution. The first solution contains a first monomer, and the hollow fiber is impregnated with the first monomer. The amount of impregnation depends on the time spent in the first solution. Subsequent immersion in a second solution containing a second monomer results in the formation of a thin film composite hollow fiber membrane.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing and using multi-layer composite co-polyimide membranes, one method for producing including preparing a microporous or mesoporous membrane support material for coating; applying a sealing layer to the membrane support material to prevent intrusion into the membrane support material of co-polyimide polymer; applying a first permselective co-polyimide layer atop and in contact with the sealing layer; and applying a second permselective co-polyimide layer atop and in contact with the first permselective co-polyimide layer.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for fabricating thin film composite hollow fiber membranes. In some implementations, an apparatus is used to remove excess first solution from a hollow fiber that has been immersed in a first solution. In some implementations, the method and apparatuses include flowing a gas, for example, compressed gas or ambient air, past a surface of a hollow fiber that has been immersed in a first solution prior to immersion in a second solution. In some implementations, the gas is flowed past the surface under positive pressure, while in other implementations the gas is flowed under negative pressure, for example, vacuum. The apparatuses and devices can be used to produce thin film composite hollow fiber membranes without pressing or damaging the hollow fiber.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for fabricating thin film composite hollow fiber membranes. In some implementations, an apparatus is used to remove excess first solution from a hollow fiber that has been immersed in a first solution. In some implementations, the method and apparatuses include flowing a gas, for example, compressed gas or ambient air, past a surface of a hollow fiber that has been immersed in a first solution prior to immersion in a second solution. In some implementations, the gas is flowed past the surface under positive pressure, while in other implementations the gas is flowed under negative pressure, for example, vacuum. The apparatuses and devices can be used to produce thin film composite hollow fiber membranes without pressing or damaging the hollow fiber.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for fabricating thin film composite hollow fiber membranes. In some implementations, an apparatus is used to remove excess first solution from a hollow fiber that has been immersed in a first solution. In some implementations, the method and apparatuses include flowing a gas, for example, compressed gas or ambient air, past a surface of a hollow fiber that has been immersed in a first solution prior to immersion in a second solution. In some implementations, the gas is flowed past the surface under positive pressure, while in other implementations the gas is flowed under negative pressure, for example, vacuum. The apparatuses and devices can be used to produce thin film composite hollow fiber membranes without pressing or damaging the hollow fiber.

Abstract: Systems and methods can be used to produce fibers with external corrugations, internal corrugations, or both. These fibers can be used, for example, in hollow fiber membrane modules.

Abstract: Systems and methods can be used to produce fibers with external corrugations, internal corrugations, or both. These fibers can be used, for example, in hollow fiber membrane modules.

Abstract: A gas separation membrane for selective separation of hydrogen and helium from gas mixtures containing carbon dioxide includes a porous support layer, an aromatic polyamide layer on the porous support layer, and a coating including a glassy polymer formed on the aromatic polyamide layer. A glass transition temperature of the glassy polymer is greater than 50° C. The gas separation membrane may be formed by contacting a solution including the glassy polymer with an aromatic polyamide layer of a composite membrane and drying the solution to form a coating of the glassy polymer on the aromatic polyamide layer. Separating hydrogen or helium from a gas stream including carbon dioxide includes contacting a gas feed stream including carbon dioxide with the gas separation membrane to yield a permeate stream having a concentration of helium or hydrogen that exceeds the concentration of helium or hydrogen, respectively, in the gas feed stream.

Abstract: A membrane contactor for separating components from a feed gas stream comprises a housing, a feed gas inlet for receiving the feed gas stream at a first pressure, and a liquid inlet or receiving a stream of liquid at a second pressure, the liquid containing an absorbent for reacting components of the gas stream and a slip gas outlet. The contactor also includes a plurality of fibers with pore channels in contact with the feed gas incoming from the gas inlet on a first side, and in contact with liquid incoming from the liquid inlet on a second side, producing a gas-liquid interface at the pore channels. Liquid is prevented from wetting the pore channels by maintaining the first pressure of the gas stream higher than the liquid stream, and a portion of the gas stream bubbles through as slip gas into the liquid stream due to the elevated pressure.

Abstract: A gas separation membrane for selective separation of hydrogen and helium from gas mixtures containing carbon dioxide includes a porous support layer, an aromatic polyamide layer on the porous support layer, and a coating including a glassy polymer formed on the aromatic polyamide layer. A glass transition temperature of the glassy polymer is greater than 50° C. The gas separation membrane may be formed by contacting a solution including the glassy polymer with an aromatic polyamide layer of a composite membrane and drying the solution to form a coating of the glassy polymer on the aromatic polyamide layer. Separating hydrogen or helium from a gas stream including carbon dioxide includes contacting a gas feed stream including carbon dioxide with the gas separation membrane to yield a permeate stream having a concentration of helium or hydrogen that exceeds the concentration of helium or hydrogen, respectively, in the gas feed stream.

Abstract: A membrane contactor for separating components from a feed gas stream comprises a housing, a feed gas inlet for receiving the feed gas stream at a first pressure, and a liquid inlet or receiving a stream of liquid at a second pressure, the liquid containing an absorbent for reacting components of the gas stream and a slip gas outlet. The contactor also includes a plurality of fibers with pore channels in contact with the feed gas incoming from the gas inlet on a first side, and in contact with liquid incoming from the liquid inlet on a second side, producing a gas-liquid interface at the pore channels. Liquid is prevented from wetting the pore channels by maintaining the first pressure of the gas stream higher than the liquid stream, and a portion of the gas stream bubbles through as slip gas into the liquid stream due to the elevated pressure.

Abstract: A gasoline compression ignition engine, a vehicle and a method of operating a gasoline compression ignition engine. An inlet air management system includes a membrane-based separator and an exhaust gas recirculation flowpath that cooperate to deliver a nitrogen enriched air stream to the engine to help reduce exhaust gas emissions. The separator segregates the incoming air into the nitrogen enriched air stream as well as an oxygen enriched air stream such that the latter can be used for various engine load conditions, as well as for supplemental air for a cabin or related passenger compartment within a vehicle that is powered by the engine.