Abstract: A process for preparing an ion-exchange membrane having a textured surface profile comprising the steps (i) and (ii): (i) screen-printing a radiation-curable composition onto a membrane in a patterned manner; and (ii) irradiating and thereby curing the printed, radiation-curable composition; wherein the radiation-curable composition has a viscosity of at least 30 Pa·s when measured at a shear rate of 0.1 s?1 at 20° C.

Abstract: A process for preparing an ion-exchange membrane having a textured surface profile comprising the steps (i) and (ii): (i) applying a radiation-curable composition to a membrane in a patternwise manner; and (ii) irradiating and thereby curing the radiation-curable composition present on the membrane; wherein the radiation-curable composition comprises: a) 10 to 65 wt % of curable ionic compound(s) comprising one ethylenically unsaturated group; b) 3 to 60 wt % of crosslinking agent(s) comprising at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups and having a number average molecular weight below 800; c) 0 to 70 wt % of inert solvent(s); d) 0 to 10 wt % of free-radical initiator(s); and e) 0.5 to 25 wt % of thickening agent(s).

Abstract: A process for preparing a membrane stack comprising the steps of: (i) interposing a curable adhesive between alternate anion exchange membranes and cation exchange; and (ii) curing the adhesive; CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said adhesive, when cured, has a Shore A hardness of less than 70 and an elongation at break of at least 50%.

Abstract: A method for generating electricity comprising the steps: (A) passing a concentrated ionic solution through a first pathway in a reverse electrodialysis unit comprising a membrane stack having electrodes and alternating cation and anion exchange membranes; and (B) passing a dilute ionic solution through a second pathway in said reverse electrodialysis unit, whereby solute from the concentrated solution in the first pathway passes through the membranes to the dilute solution in the second pathway, thereby generating electricity; wherein the concentration of solute in the dilute ionic solution as it enters the reverse electrodialysis unit is at least 0.03 mol/l.

Abstract: A disposable, crossflow membrane stack suitable for use in an ion exchange unit, the stack comprising alternate dilution compartments and concentration compartments, each compartment being defined by a flat cation-permeable membrane (2) and a flat anion-permeable membrane (1) and at least two edges along which the cation-permeable and an anion-permeable membranes are permanently secured together wherein the cation-permeable membranes and/or the anion-permeable membranes have a textured surface profile which keep said membranes apart and/or from touching each other and wherein the edges secured together define the direction in which liquid may flow through the compartments. Also claimed are ion exchange units comprising the stack, optionally comprising a quick-release securement means to allow facile attachment and release of modular units comprising the stacks.

Abstract: A process for preparing a membrane stack comprising the steps of (i) interposing a curable adhesive between alternate anion exchange membranes and cation exchange; and (ii) curing the adhesive; CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said membranes are in a swollen state when step (ii) is performed.

Abstract: An electrodialysis unit comprising at least two electrodialysis stacks (ED1 and ED2) connected in series, wherein: (a) stacks ED1 and ED2 comprise anion exchange membranes and cation exchange membranes; and (b) the anion exchange membranes in stack ED1 have a lower electrical resistance than the anion exchange membranes in stack ED2 and the cation exchange membranes in stack ED1 have a lower electrical resistance than the cation exchange membranes in stack ED2. Also claimed is a process for purifying liquids, e.g. for desalinating sea water or brackish water.

Abstract: A process for preparing a membrane stack comprising the steps of (i) interposing a curable adhesive between alternate anion exchange membranes and cation exchange; and (ii) curing the adhesive; CHARACTERISED IN THAT said membranes are in a swollen state when step (ii) is performed.

Abstract: A process for preparing a membrane stack comprising the steps of: (i) interposing a curable adhesive between alternate anion exchange membranes and cation exchange; and (ii) curing the adhesive; CHARACTERISED IN THAT said adhesive, when cured, has a Shore A hardness of less than 70 and an elongation at break of at least 50%.

Abstract: A process for preparing an ion-exchange membrane having a textured surface profile comprising the steps (i) and (ii): (i) screen-printing a radiation-curable composition onto a membrane in a patterned manner; and (ii) irradiating and thereby curing the printed, radiation-curable composition; wherein the radiation-curable composition has a viscosity of at least 30 Pa·s when measured at a shear rate of 0.1 s?1 at 20° C.

Abstract: A process for preparing an ion-exchange membrane having a textured surface profile comprising the steps (i) and (ii): (i) applying a radiation-curable composition to a membrane in a patternwise manner; and (ii) irradiating and thereby curing the radiation-curable composition present on the membrane; wherein the radiation-curable composition comprises: a) 10 to 65 wt % of curable ionic compound(s) comprising one ethylenically unsaturated group; b) 3 to 60 wt % of crosslinking agent(s) comprising at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups and having a number average molecular weight below 800; c) 0 to 70 wt % of inert solvent(s); d) 0 to 10 wt % of free-radical initiator(s);and e) 0.5 to 25 wt % of thickening agent(s).

Abstract: A disposable, crossflow membrane stack suitable for use in an ion exchange unit, the stack comprising alternate dilution compartments and concentration compartments, each compartment being defined by a flat cation-permeable membrane (2) and a flat anion-permeable membrane (1) and at least two edges along which the cation-permeable and an anion-permeable membranes are permanently secured together wherein the cation-permeable membranes and/or the anion-permeable membranes have a textured surface profile which keep said membranes apart and/or from touching each other and wherein the edges secured together define the direction in which liquid may flow through the compartments. Also claimed are ion exchange units comprising the stack, optionally comprising a quick-release securement means to allow facile attachment and release of modular units comprising the stacks.

Abstract: A process for preparing a membrane comprising applying a curable composition to a porous support and curing the composition, wherein the composition comprises: a) a curable ionic compound; b) a first crosslinking agent; c) a second crosslinking agent; d) an inert solvent; and e) optionally a free radical initiator; wherein the second crosslinking agent has a melting point below 80° C. Also claimed are the compositions and membranes obtainable by using the process.

Abstract: An electrodialysis unit comprising at least two electrodialysis stacks (ED1 and ED2) connected in series, wherein: (a) stacks ED1 and ED2 comprise anion exchange membranes and cation exchange membranes; and (b) the anion exchange membranes in stack ED1 have a lower electrical resistance than the anion exchange membranes in stack ED2 and the cation exchange membranes in stack ED1 have a lower electrical resistance than the cation exchange membranes in stack ED2. Also claimed is a process for purifying liquids, e.g. for desalinating sea water or brackish water.

Abstract: A method for generating electricity comprising the steps: (A) passing a concentrated ionic solution through a first pathway in a reverse electrodialysis unit comprising a membrane stack having electrodes and alternating cation and anion exchange membranes; and (B) passing a dilute ionic solution through a second pathway in said reverse electrodialysis unit, whereby solute from the concentrated solution in the first pathway passes through the membranes to the dilute solution in the second pathway, thereby generating electricity; wherein the concentration of solute in the dilute ionic solution as it enters the reverse electrodialysis unit is at least 0.03 mol/l.

Abstract: A process for preparing a membrane comprising applying a curable composition to a porous support and curing the composition, wherein the composition comprises: a) a curable ionic compound; b) a first crosslinking agent; c) a second crosslinking agent; d) an inert solvent; and e) optionally a free radical initiator; wherein the second crosslinking agent has a melting point below 80° C. Also claimed are the compositions and membranes obtainable by using the process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making microporous membranes by curing compounds through radiation. The invention further relates to image recording materials, in which these microporous membranes are used. According to the present invention a microporous membrane is prepared by the steps of providing a curable compound solvent mixture, wherein the concentration of said curable compound is between 20 and 80 weight percent and wherein at least 30 weight percent of said solvent is water; applying said mixture to a support; curing said curable compound mixture by exposing to radiation, thereby causing phase separation between the crosslinked curable compound and the solvent; subjecting the resulting microporous membrane to a drying or washing step to remove said solvent; and optionally separating the support and the microporous membrane.