Abstract: A method of preparing a reinforced separator comprising the steps of:—providing a porous support (6) on a pre-wetted casting drum (23);—applying a dope solution (3) including a polymer resin and hydrophilic inorganic particles on a side of the porous support other than the side of the porous support in contact with the pre-wetted casting drum;—performing phase inversion (9, 1) of the applied polymer solution thereby obtaining a reinforced separator; and—removing the reinforced separator (7) from the casting drum; wherein the casting drum is pre-wetted with a non-solvent for the polymer resin.

Abstract: A separator for alkaline electrolysis comprising a support (10) and a porous layer (20) provided on the support, characterized in that the support is capable of being substantially removed from the separator. The support is preferably removed by the electrolyte of an alkaline electrolyser.

Abstract: A separator for alkaline electrolysis comprising a porous support (10) and a first (20b) and second (30b) porous layer provided on respectively one side and the other side of the porous support, characterized in that the porous support has a thickness (d1) of 150 ?m or less and the total thickness (d2) of the separator is less than 250 ?m. Also a method is disclosed wherewith such a separator may be prepared.

Abstract: A reinforced separator for alkaline hydrolysis includes a porous support, a first porous polymer layer contiguous with one side of the support and a second porous polymer layer contiguous with the other side of the support, characterized in that the maximum pore diameter at the outer surface of the first porous polymer layer PDmax(1) and of the second porous polymer layer PDmax(2) are different from each other and wherein a ratio between PDmax(2) and PDmax(1) is between 1.25 and 10.

Abstract: A separator for alkaline water electrolysis (1) comprising a porous hydrophilic polymer layer (20), the porous hydrophilic polymer layer comprising a polymer resin and hydrophilic inorganic particles, characterized in that the inorganic particles are barium-sulfate particles having a particle size D50 of 0.7 pm or less.

Abstract: A reinforced separator for alkaline hydrolysis includes a porous support, a first porous polymer layer contiguous with one side of the support and a second porous polymer layer contiguous with the other side of the support, characterized in that the maximum pore diameter at the outer surface of the first porous polymer layer PDmax(1) and of the second porous polymer layer PDmax(2) are different from each other and wherein a ratio between PDmax(2) and PDmax(1) is between 1.25 and 10.

Abstract: A method for making a composite membrane includes the steps of coating a first layer of ionomer on an intermediate support, laminating a dry porous support into the wet first layer of ionomer, impregnating the porous support with ionomer from the coated ionomer layer, optionally drying the impregnated porous support and the first layer of ionomer, coating a second layer of ionomer on the impregnated porous support, drying the second layer of ionomer until most of the solvent is evaporated, and delaminating the composite membrane from the intermediate support. The composite membrane thus obtained includes a porous support impregnated with the ionomer and on each side of the impregnated support a dense ionomer layer.

Abstract: A method for making a composite membrane includes the steps of coating a first layer of ionomer on an intermediate support, laminating a dry porous support into the wet first layer of ionomer, impregnating the porous support with ionomer from the coated ionomer layer, optionally drying the impregnated porous support and the first layer of ionomer, coating a second layer of ionomer on the impregnated porous support, drying the second layer of ionomer until most of the solvent is evaporated, and delaminating the composite membrane from the intermediate support. The composite membrane thus obtained includes a porous support impregnated with the ionomer and on each side of the impregnated support a dense ionomer layer.

Abstract: A method for preparing a barrier film includes the steps of providing a substrate; applying in a single coating step a polymer latex on the substrate to form a single layer of the polymer on the substrate; and drying the single layer of the polymer; characterized in that the single layer has a dry coating weight (DCW) of at least 20 g/m2 of polymer and is dried at a dry temperature (Td) of at least the film formation temperature (Tf) of the polymer latex at a relative humidity (RH) according to the following formula: RH=15+1.25*DCW.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly of a porous metallic gas diffusion substrate and a polymeric separator membrane for use in an alkaline electrolyser or alkaline fuel cell. The polymeric separator membrane of the assembly comprises inorganic hydrophilic particulates dispersed in an organic polymeric binder. The polymeric separator membrane is gas tight when filled with electrolyte. The polymeric separator membrane is penetrating into at least a top portion of the porous metallic gas diffusion substrate. Also disclosed is a method to produce such an assembly via coating a paste on a porous metallic gas diffusion substrate.

Abstract: A process comprising a duplex type impregnating apparatus providing the steps of: (i) providing an elongated porous web, said elongated porous web comprising two outermost surfaces; (ii) transporting said elongated porous web downwards between two impregnating heads comprising two slots each with substantially vertical upper and lower slot faces substantially parallel to said elongated porous web providing simultaneously to both surfaces of said elongated porous web metered substantially identical quantities of a dope, comprising at least one membrane polymer and at least one solvent therefor; (iii) thereby impregnating said elongated porous web completely with said dope and providing substantially equally thick dope layers on each surface of said outermost surfaces of said elongated porous web with a thickness independent of the gap between one of said lower slot faces and the surface of said elongated porous web nearest thereto; (iv) subjecting said dope associated with said elongated porous web to symmetri

Abstract: Process comprising the steps of: (i) providing an elongated porous web, said elongated porous web comprising two outermost surfaces; (ii) transporting said elongated porous web downwards between two impregnating heads comprising two slots each with substantially vertical upper and lower slot faces substantially parallel to said elongated porous web providing simultaneously to both surfaces of said elongated porous web metered substantially identical quantities of a dope, comprising at least one membrane polymer and at least one solvent therefor; (iii) thereby impregnating said elongated porous web completely with said dope and providing substantially equally thick dope layers on each surface of said outermost surfaces of said elongated porous web with a thickness independent of the gap between one of said lower slot faces and the surface of said elongated porous web nearest thereto; (iv) subjecting said dope associated with said elongated porous web immediately after dope-impregnation to symmetric phase inver

Abstract: A coating device for coating a peripheral surface of a sleeve body with a coating formulation includes a vertical support column for supporting a sleeve body in a vertical position coaxial with a coating axis, a carriage slideable along the vertical support column, and an annular coating stage attached to the carriage and moveable therewith for containing the coating formulation and for coating a layer of the coating formulation onto the peripheral surface of the sleeve body during a sliding movement of the carriage along the vertical support column. The coating device includes an irradiation stage that is arranged to be moveable with the annular coating stage and to provide radiation to at least partially cure the layer of coating formulation onto the peripheral surface so as to prevent flow off of the coating formulation.

Abstract: A coating device for coating a peripheral surface of a sleeve body with a coating formulation includes a vertical support column for supporting a sleeve body in a vertical position coaxial with a coating axis, a carriage slideable along the vertical support column, and an annular coating stage attached to the carriage and moveable therewith for containing the coating formulation and for coating a layer of the coating formulation onto the peripheral surface of the sleeve body during a sliding movement of the carriage along the vertical support column. The coating device includes an irradiation stage that is arranged to be moveable with the annular coating stage and to provide radiation to at least partially cure the layer of coating formulation onto the peripheral surface so as to prevent flow off of the coating formulation.

Abstract: A membrane bag comprising a volume for permeate collection, wherein the volume is completely enclosed in seamless membrane substance; a filtration unit comprising at least one above-described seamless membrane bag; the use of at least one above-described seamless membrane bag in a membrane bioreactor; the use of at least one above-described seamless membrane bag in water filtration or waste water purification; and the use of at least one above-described seamless membrane bag for the filtration or separation of a mixture of fluids, vapors and particles.

Abstract: Disclosed are seamless membrane bags, for example, a membrane bag comprising a spacer fabric and a volume for permeate collection, the spacer fabric comprising a first part and a second part that are spaced apart and tied together at a predefined distance by monofilament thread and the first and second parts are at least partially embedded with membrane substance and the volume for permeate collection is interposed between the first and second parts. The membrane substance embeds portions of the monofilament thread and fills the spacer fabric along the border of the membrane bag. The membrane substance completely enclosing the volume is seamless. Also disclosed are processes for producing such bags, a filtration unit comprising such a membrane bag, and their uses in the separation of fluids, vapors and particles.

Abstract: Process comprising the steps of: (i) providing an elongated porous web, said elongated porous web comprising two outermost surfaces; (ii) transporting said elongated porous web downwards between two impregnating heads comprising two slots each with substantially vertical upper and lower slot faces substantially parallel to said elongated porous web providing simultaneously to both surfaces of said elongated porous web metered substantially identical quantities of a dope, comprising at least one membrane polymer and at least one solvent therefor; (iii) thereby impregnating said elongated porous web completely with said dope and providing substantially equally thick dope layers on each surface of said outermost surfaces of said elongated porous web with a thickness independent of the gap between one of said lower slot faces and the surface of said elongated porous web nearest thereto; (iv) subjecting said dope associated with said elongated porous web immediately after dope-impregnation to symmetric phase inver

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an ion-permeable web-reinforced separator comprising a duplex type impregnating apparatus comprising two slots each with substantially vertical upper and lower slot faces for providing premetered substantially identical quantities of a dope simultaneously to either side of an elongated porous web, a transport means providing for substantially vertical downwards transport of said elongated porous web through said duplex impregnating apparatus and subsequent phase inversion, coagulation and washing stations, said phase inversion station providing for phase inversion of said dope and said coagulation station providing for coagulation and washing of solvent from the resulting phase-inverted dope, wherein there is an air gap between said duplex impregnating apparatus and said phase inversion station and wherein the distance between the lower faces of each impregnating apparatus is greater than the distances between the upper faces of each impregnating apparatus; a process comprising the

Abstract: A coating device for coating a peripheral surface of a sleeve body with a coating formulation includes a vertical support column for supporting a sleeve body in a vertical position coaxial with a coating axis, a carriage slideable along the vertical support column, and an annular coating stage attached to the carriage and moveable therewith for containing the coating formulation and for coating a layer of the coating formulation onto the peripheral surface of the sleeve body during a sliding movement of the carriage along the vertical support column. The coating device includes an irradiation stage that is arranged to be moveable with the annular coating stage and to provide radiation to at least partially cure the layer of coating formulation onto the peripheral surface so as to prevent flow off of the coating formulation.

Abstract: Disclosed are seamless membrane bags for example, a membrane bag comprising a spacer fabric and a volume for permeate collection, the spacer fabric comprising a first part and a second part that are spaced apart and tied together at a predefined distance by monofilament thread and the first and second parts are at least partially embedded with membrane substance and the volume for permeate collection is interposed between the first and second parts. The membrane substance embeds portions of the monofilament thread and fills the spacer fabric along the border of the membrane bag. The membrane substance completely enclosing the volume is seamless. Also disclosed are processes for producing such bags, a filtration unit comprising such a membrane bag and their uses in the separation of fluids, vapours and particles.