Abstract: An improved method for preparing monolith adsorbents and activating the adsorbents therein is disclosed. A mixture of lower temperature and higher temperature binders is used in fabricating the paper used to form the monolith structure. The finished monolith structure is heated to a temperature sufficient to remove the lower temperature binder while leaving the higher temperature binder to maintain integrity in the monolith.

Abstract: A flow system includes an air mover operable to cause the flow. A first stage, such as a coarse filter, is disposed upstream of the air mover and operates on the flow. A second stage, such as an adsorbent cell or muffler, is disposed downstream of the air mover and further operates on the flow. Other stages, such as a fine filter, may be disposed between the first and second stages.

Abstract: A separator that uses both centrifugal force and gravity can effect the near-complete separation of liquid particles entrained in a gaseous stream having a high flow rate and velocity. The separator includes a conduit disposed in a vertical orientation, a baffle axially disposed in the conduit, a wire mesh disposed circumferentially around the baffle, and an absorbant filter disposed circumferentially around the wire mesh. The entrained liquid-containing gaseous stream enters the separator through a separator first end, and exits the separator from a separator second end as an essentially liquid-free gaseous stream. By virtue of using the baffle, mesh, and filter to effect the separation of the entrained liquid particles, the separator can effect near-complete liquid removal, yet without imposing any significant back pressure.

Abstract: A separator that uses both centrifugal force and gravity can effect the near-complete separation of liquid particles entrained in a gaseous stream having a high flow rate and velocity. The separator includes a conduit disposed in a vertical orientation, a baffle axially disposed in the conduit, a wire mesh disposed circumferentially around the baffle, and an absorbant filter disposed circumferentially around the wire mesh. The entrained liquid-containing gaseous stream enters the separator through a separator first end, and exits the separator from a separator second end as an essentially liquid-free gaseous stream. By virtue of using the baffle, mesh, and filter to effect the separation of the entrained liquid particles, the separator can effect near-complete liquid removal, yet without imposing any significant back pressure.

Abstract: System for restraining the upward motion of granular material in a vessel containing a bed of the granular material through which a fluid flows in an upward direction. The system comprises flexible porous basket within the vessel in contact with the top of the bed of granular material and in contact with the inner walls of the vessel above the bed of granular material, wherein the porous basket has openings which are smaller than the smallest particles of the granular material such that granular material does not pass through the openings.

Abstract: A zeolite may be synthesized having the framework topology of tschörtnerite (TSC) and an empirical formula of mA2/nO:Al2O3:ySiO2 where A is a cation such as lithium. It is anticipated that the synthetic TSC is usable in processes for separating mixtures of molecular species. The lithium analog should be useful for air separation.

Abstract: An adsorbent article having a base body or matrix onto which is applied an adsorptive coating. The body or matrix can be a honeycomb matrix or structure having a plurality of cells defining a plurality of passages extending through the body. The adsorptive coating comprises an adsorptive media, such as activated carbon or ion exchange resin, that is bound by a polymeric adhesive or resin. The adsorbent article has a minimal pressure loss therethrough.

Abstract: A capacity increase and/or pressure decrease of gas in a gas storage and dispensing vessel is achieved by use of a physical adsorbent having sorptive affinity for the gas. Such approach enables conventional high pressure gas cylinders to be redeployed with contained sorbent, to achieve substantial enhancement of safety and capacity.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating exhaust gases. The apparatus includes an adsorbing tower containing an adsorbent to adsorb an impurity gas included in the exhaust gases. A desorbing tower heats the adsorbent to desorb the impurity gas from the adsorbent so that the adsorbent can be re-used. A transfer unit circulates the adsorbent between the adsorbing tower and the desorbing tower. A controller controls the temperature of the adsorbent. A helical heater is arranged in the desorbing tower to heat the adsorbent.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method and an apparatus for removing malodor from the air. Such methods and devices are useful for example for storing and preserving food in closed compartments such as refrigerators. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of positioning first filter member inside said confined space independent from the position of a second filter member and of removing malodor molecules from the air of said confined space by adsorbing said molecules onto the surfaces of said first filter member and onto the surfaces of said second filter member. The apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that a first filter member is attachable to an air moving member and a second filter element is attachable to the air moving member.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a shaped adsorbent article disposed in a housing. The shaped adsorbent article has one or more projections extending from a surface of the article toward the housing to provide for flow of fluid between the shaped adsorbent article and the housing. The filter assembly may optionally includes a diffusion channel for additional filtering and/or one or more porous polymer films disposed over inlet or outlet openings in the housing to reduce or prevent particulate contamination. The filter assembly may be used in a device, such as a computer disk drive, to filter a fluid, such as air, within and/or entering or exiting the device.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods and compositions for gas separation and purification utilizing a metallo-organic polymer adsorbent in processes for separating carbon dioxide, water, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons from gas streams.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a shaped adsorbent article disposed in a housing. The shaped adsorbent article has one or more projections extending from a surface of the article toward the housing to provide for flow of fluid between the shaped adsorbent article and the housing. The filter assembly may optionally include a diffusion channel for additional filtering and/or one or more porous polymer films disposed over inlet or outlet openings in the housing to reduce or prevent particulate contamination. The filter assembly may be used in a device, such as a computer disk drive, to filter a fluid, such as air, within and/or entering or exiting the device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a procedure for recycling used gasses and to devices that can be use to accomplish this recycling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for maintaining the humidity of an enclosed space within an acceptable operational range of relative humidity to minimize static electricity while passively removing at least a portion of organic contaminants from the enclosed space. The invention provides a simple, low cost solution to preventing damage to electronic disk drives using an adsorbent sheet material which requires less than about one-tenth the volume of adsorbent carriers which enclose the adsorbent material in a supporting envelope. The process employs a weak adsorbent such as high silica zeolite which effectively controls humidity at low operating temperatures and as the operating temperature increases is enabled to adsorb contaminants by reduced affinity for water.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for treating an exhaust gas emanating from a vehicle engine or a plant's chimney. This device has a housing having a treatment chamber defined therein, an inlet port for receiving an exhaust gas to be treated, and an outlet port for releasing a treated gas. The gas is allowed to flow in the treatment chamber from the inlet port to the outlet port defining a flowing direction. The device further has treating elements in the treatment chamber which are layers of rocks of granite alternating with layers of rocks of charcoal. The layers extend substantially in perpendicular to the flowing direction of the gas.

Abstract: Processes and systems to recover at least one perfluorocompound gas from a gas mixture are provided. In one embodiment the inventive process comprises the steps of a) providing a gas mixture comprising at least one perfluorocompound gas and at least one carrier gas, the gas mixture being at a predetermined pressure; b) providing at least once glassy polymer membrane having a feed side and a permeate side; c) contacting the feed side of the at least one membrane with the gas mixture; d) withdrawing from the feed side of the membrane as a non-permeate stream at a pressure which is substantially equal to the predetermined pressure a concentrated gas mixture comprising essentially the at least one perfluorocompound gas; and e) withdrawing from the permeate side of the membrane as a permeate stream a depleted gas mixture comprising essentially the at least one carrier gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling or removing mercury, mercury compounds and high molecular weight organics, if present, from a resource recovery exhaust stream by separately adding a carbonaceous char to the flue gas while it is still within the unit. The char can be produced in situ by adding a carbonaceous material and allowing it to thermally decompose.

Abstract: A method for purifying a minority constituent and concentrating it in a majority constituent of a gas mixture that also contains one or more other minority constituent(s) employs (i) a selective permeation step, (ii) next, a purification step, and (iii) finally a concentration step. In the selective permeation step, an initial gas mixture is passed through a membrane to yield a gas mixture that is enriched in the first minority constituent. In the purifying step, the first minority constituent is absorbed by a solid adsorbent which has a strong affinity for the first minority constituent, then following an elution step, a gas mixture that contains essentially only the majority constituent and the first minority constituent is formed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biological filter system for cleaning air and a housing for a biological filter system. Moreover the invention relates to a method of cleaning and conditioning air.

Abstract: A process for purifying a gas stream containing at least one impurity chosen from the group formed by propane, nitrogen protoxide and ethylene, in which process: (a) the gas stream to be purified is brought into contact with at least one adsorbent including at least one X zeolite containing barium cations; (b) at least one impurity is adsorbed on the adsorbent. Preferably, the adsorbent includes particles of X zeolite exchanged to at least 70%, preferably at least 89%, with barium cations, it being possible for the adsorbent to furthermore include a bed of activated alumina particles which is located upstream of the bed of barium-exchanged X zeolite.

Abstract: A sorbent filter for use with an air-purifying apparatus. The filter includes a flexible bag and a sorbent material in granular form. The flexible bag defines at least one storage region and is formed of a porous material. The sorbent material is disposed within the storage region. With this configuration, the porosity of the flexible bag is configured to allow passage of air such that the air, including air-borne gaseous molecules or odors, can interact with and be adsorbed by the sorbent material. Conversely, however, the porosity of the flexible bag limits passage of sorbent material granules and dust. As such, the filter generates little if any dust during handling. In one preferred embodiment, the flexible bag is selectively attachable to a separate frame that in turn is designed for mounting within the air-purifying apparatus. With this configuration, the frame can be re-used such that filter replacement requires only a new sorbent filter.

Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing system includes a getter-based gas purifier coupled in flow communication with a gas distribution network for a semiconductor fabrication facility. The gas distribution network supplies purified gas to at least one wafer processing chamber in the semiconductor fabrication facility. The gas purifier includes a getter column having a metallic vessel with an inlet, an outlet, and a containment wall extending between the inlet and the outlet. Getter material which purifies gas flowing therethrough by sorbing impurities therefrom is disposed in the vessel. A first temperature sensor is disposed in a top portion of the getter material. The first temperature sensor is located in a melt zone to detect rapidly the onset of an exothermic reaction which indicates the presence of excess impurities in the incoming gas to be purified. A second temperature sensor is disposed in a bottom portion of the getter material.

Abstract: A bulk tank depressurization filter apparatus is disclosed which comprises a filter cartridge having an inlet and an outlet, a gas passageway therebetween, at least one gas-capturing filter through which gas in the gas passageway passes, and a Chicago coupling for attaching the inlet of the filter cartridge to a tank containing a pressurized gas. Also disclosed is a method of capturing the residual gas in a tank containing a gas under pressure using the bulk tank depressurization filter apparatus. The inlet is attached to the tank and the pressurized gas is permitted to flow from the tank into the filter cartridge where the gas is captured by the material in the filter.

Abstract: A filtration system, includes a filtration unit and processor. The filtration unit operates to filter ablative particles generated by thermal imaging of media and transmits a signal corresponding to a parameter, such as a pressure or pressure differential, representing a current state of the operation of the filtration unit, such as the state of the filters, during the filtering of the ablative particles. The processor receives the transmitted signals and generates, responsive to the receipt of the transmitted signal, a signal representing operator information associated with the current state operation, such as a warning or instructions for correcting a deficiency, and/or a signal to stop the imaging of the media.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for separating perfluorocarbon compounds from a gas mixture passes an incoming stream of a gas into a cold trap, the gas stream including a plurality of perfluorocarbon compounds. The gas mixture is cooled within the cold trap to a temperature below −100° C. to produce a condensate that is enriched in at least one perfluorocarbon compound and a non-condensed stream from which the condensate was separated. The condensate is withdrawn from the cold trap. The condensate may be withdrawn by warming the cold trap to vaporize the condensate and thereafter flowing the vaporized condensate into a storage vessel. The non-condensed stream may be vented to the atmosphere, re-circulated into the cold trap or flowed through subsequent separation processes to extract additional perfluorocarbon compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved apparatus for thermal management in a gas purification process. As known in the prior art, a gas purification apparatus includes a two-section unitary vessel, wherein the primary section includes an impure gas inlet and a heating assembly and the secondary section includes a cooling device and an outlet for purified gas. Within the primary and secondary sections of the vessels are gas sorbing materials such as getters for removing impurities from the gas to be purified. A feature of the present invention is the continuous, serpentine shape of the gas purification vessel which allows for a longer residence time of the gas and a more efficient purification process. Another feature of the invention is a Joule-Thomson cooling device which divides the primary section of the vessel from the secondary section. The Joule-Thomson cooling device cools the secondary section of the vessel and the gas contained within it.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for use in a manhole or similar structure, whereby the device is designed to filter contaminate gas typically found in such structure. More particularly, the device includes a canister member filled with filtration media, a skirt member designed to direct contaminate gases towards the canister, and a support member for holding the canister in place.

Abstract: A fan filter unit for use in cleanrooms is provided, which decreases efficiently the concentration of chemical substance existing in the atmosphere while the expansion of the air circulating space and the electric power consumption increase of the fan-driving motor are suppressed. The unit comprises an enclosure having an air inlet through which an outside air is introduced into the enclosure and an air outlet through which a cleaned air is emitted or discharged from the enclosure; a chemical filter mounted in the enclosure to remove chemical substance existing in the outside air; a dust filter mounted in the enclosure to remove dust existing in the outside air; a fan mounted in the enclosure to introduce the outside air into the enclosure through the air inlet and to emit the cleaned air to outside of the enclosure; and a bypassing path for returning part of the outside air that has penetrated the chemical filter to an upstream side of the fan without penetrating the dust filter.

Abstract: There is provided a method and an apparatus for collecting a rare gas, which are capable of effectively collecting the rare gas contained in an exhaust gas exhausted from a rare gas using apparatus such as a plasma apparatus or the like, and moreover capable of securely supplying the rare gas having a predetermined purity to the rare gas using apparatus, and the method for collecting rare gas which comprises collecting a rare gas contained in an exhaust gas exhausted from a rare gas using apparatus operated under decompression, the method comprises the step of collecting the rare gas by separating the rare gas and impurities contained in the exhaust gas via at least two gas separating

Abstract: A filter element for adsorbing gaseous components of a gas stream comprises a fabric formed from fibres of a polymeric material in which the sizes of individual fibres is not more than about 20 &mgr;m. The fibres are treated by a copolymerisation reaction with a vinyl monomer which is capable of reacting with an acid or a base to form a salt directly or indirectly under conditions which result in grafting of the vinyl monomer to the surfaces of the fibres.

Abstract: A process for synthesising a zeolite with structure type EUO comprising at least one element X selected from silicon and germanium and at least one element T selected from aluminum, iron, gallium, boron, titanium, vanadium, zirconium, molybdenum, arsenic, antimony, chromium and manganese, comprises reacting an aqueous mixture comprising at least one source of at least one element X, at least one source of at least one element T, and at least one precursor of an organic compound comprising at least one alkylated polymethylene &agr;-&ohgr; diammonium derivative, wherein at least one precursor is selected from monoamines. The zeolite obtained is used as a catalyst in a process for converting hydrocarbon-containing feeds, as an adsorbent to control pollution and as a molecular sieve for separation, and particularly for isomerising aromatic compounds containing 8 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The system and method for molecular contamination control permits purging a SMIF pod to desired levels of relative humidity, oxygen, or particulates. The SMIF pod includes an inlet port including a check valve and filter assembly for supplying a clean, dry gaseous working fluid to maintain low levels of moisture, oxygen, and particulate content around materials contained in the SMIF pod. The SMIF pod outlet port, which also includes a check valve and filter assembly, is connected with an evacuation system. Flow of purge gas inside the SMIF pod can be directed with one or more nozzle towers to encourage laminar flow inside the pod, and one or more outlet towers, having a function similar to that of the inlet tower, may also be provided. The purge gas can be dried by exposure to a desiccant, heated to temperatures between about 100° C. and about 120° C., and can be tested for baseline constituent levels prior to or after introduction into a SMIF pod.

Abstract: Processes and systems to recover at least one perfluorocompound gas from a gas mixture are provided. In one embodiment the inventive process comprises the steps of a) providing a gas mixture comprising at least one perfluorocompound gas and at least one carrier gas, the gas mixture being at a predetermined pressure; b) providing at least once glassy polymer membrane having a feed side and a permeate side; c) contacting the feed side of the at least one membrane with the gas mixture; d) withdrawing from the feed side of the membrane as a non-permeate stream at a pressure which is substantially equal to the predetermined pressure a concentrated gas mixture comprising essentially the at least one perfluorocompound gas; and e) withdrawing from the permeate side of the membrane as a permeate stream a depleted gas mixture comprising essentially the at least one carrier gas.

Abstract: A diffusion collector for analytes contained in liquid phases includes a planar housing which has channel-like cavities. A collecting phase is inserted into these channel-like cavities. The collecting phase is covered by a diffusion membrane through which the analyte can pass. The housing has at least one incoming pipe and one outgoing pipe allowing the fluid medium to pass through the channel-like cavities perpendicular to the direction of diffusion.

Abstract: Permeable membrane porous substrate and a functional layer provided on the surface of and/or inside the porous substrate, the functional layer having a hydrogen permeation rate of 1×10−1 mol/s·m2·Pa or more, and satisfying at least one of the following properties (1) through (3):

Abstract: A method of maintaining cleanliness of substrates including a first step for accommodating at least a piece of substrate having a gaseous impurity-trapping filter arranged close thereto in a hermetically sealed box, and a second step for circulating the atmosphere in the box at a rate of two or more times a minute so that impurities in the atmosphere are adsorbed by the gaseous impurity-trapping filter. A box for accommodating substrates includes a housing in which space for accommodating the substrates is hermetically closed with a lid, a gaseous impurity-trapping filter arranged in the housing and adapted to adsorb impurities contained in the atmosphere in space, and an atmosphere-circulating device having a ratio of the circulating capacity to the space volume of not smaller than 2 in order to circulate the atmosphere so as to pass it through the gaseous impurity-trapping filter.

Abstract: A desorbable sorption filter, in particular for a heating or air-conditioning system of a motor vehicle, has a metallic support (12) which can be heated by flow of current and an adsorber (14) mounted at or on the support (12). To provide an improved, directly heatable sorption filter which particularly enables inexpensive production and good electrical and thermal conductive contact without the use of adhesives, it is proposed for the adsorber (14) to be of planar design and to be mechanically connected to the support (12, 112) by means of holding elements (26) formed integrally on the support (12, 112).

Abstract: Channel flow filtration media possessing high efficiency and low pressure drop is formed from a plurality of filtration layers at least some of which include a multi-dimensional channel pattern having a plurality of continuous, tortuous channels and a multi-dimensional edge at each end of the plurality of channels formed therein. The filtration medium is configured as a stack with the multi-dimensional edge of the channel pattern forming a plurality of inlets open through a first face of the stack, a plurality of outlets open through a second face of the stack, and a corresponding plurality of disruptive fluid pathways passing from the inlets through the stack to the outlets. The filtration layers may be formed from a non-woven material, such as a carbon loaded multi-layer BMF web capable of adsorption of undesired vapors and odors from a fluid.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a shaped adsorbent article disposed in a housing. The shaped adsorbent article has one or more projections extending from a surface of the article toward the housing to provide for flow of fluid between the shaped adsorbent article and the housing. The filter assembly may optionally includes a diffusion channel for additional filtering and/or one or more porous polymer films disposed over inlet or outlet openings in the housing to reduce or prevent particulate contamination. The filter assembly may be used in a device, such as a computer disk drive, to filter a fluid, such as air, within and/or entering or exiting the device.

Abstract: Processes and systems to recover at least one perfluorocompound gas from a gas mixture are provided. In one embodiment the inventive process comprises the steps of a) providing a gas mixture comprising at least one perfluorocompound gas and at least one carrier gas, the gas mixture being at a predetermined pressure; b) providing at least one glassy polymer membrane having a feed side and a permeate side; c) contacting the feed side of the at least one membrane with the gas mixture; d) withdrawing from the feed side of the membrane as a non-permeate stream at a pressure which is substantially equal to the predetermined pressure a concentrated gas mixture comprising essentially the at least one perfluorocompound gas; and e) withdrawing from the permeate side of the membrane as a permeate stream a depleted gas mixture comprising essentially the at least one carrier gas.

Abstract: An active composite, consisting of a compressed support and of at least one agent that is active with respect to a gas, the compressed support comprising recompressed expanded graphite having a relative density of between 0.02 and 1.5, is formed from a series of sheets superposed on top of one another. According to the invention, the active agent is dispersed between the sheets in the form of granules.

Abstract: An air filter for effectively filtering bacteria, fungi and viruses from the air. The air filter comprising of a carrier substrate impregnated with iodine resins effectively immobilizes and attenuates bacteria, fungi and viruses contained in passing air. The air filter may be employed in combination with a multi-layered air filter to provide a filter which effectively purifies passing air of a variety of contaminants. The air filter provides a safe and effective method for the removal of bacteria, fungi and viruses from the air.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a shaped adsorbent article disposed in a housing. The shaped adsorbent article has one or more projections extending from a surface of the article toward the housing to provide for flow of fluid between the shaped adsorbent article and the housing. The filter assembly may optionally include a diffiusion channel for additional filtering and/or one or more porous polymer films disposed over inlet or outlet openings in the housing to reduce or prevent particulate contamination. The filter assembly may be used in a device, such as a computer disk drive, to filter a fluid, such as air, within and/or entering or exiting the device.

Abstract: A gas purification system includes a gas purification unit and one or more safety devices. The gas purification unit includes an enclosure containing a purification material that exhibits an exothermic reaction when exposed to certain gas contaminants. The gas purification unit also has an inlet coupled to an unpurified gas inlet line and an outlet coupled to a purified gas outlet line. A safety device can be coupled either to the unpurified gas input line or the purified output line, or both, and develops an alarm signal when gas contaminants exceed a given concentration level for a period of time.

Abstract: The adsorption of at least one component of a gas mixture is improved by passing the gas through an adsorption zone wherein the adsorbent is distributed in rectilinear channels that stepwise both diminish in transverse size and hold a diminished weight of adsorbent. An adsorption zone with only two steps or stages of reduced channel size and reduced adsorbent weight in the flow direction of a gas passed therethrough permits much greater capture of the adsorbate component with an equivalent total weight of adsorbent when compared with the same adsorption zone with a single channel size and a uniform weight of adsorbent. Three or more stages of diminishing channel size and adsorbent weight in the flow direction of the gas passed therethrough may be chosen for separating some gas mixtures.

Abstract: A device for displaying the exhaustion of a gas filter filled with an adsorbent (3). A toxic gas detector (14) determines the toxic gas content at a sampling site (8) within the adsorbent (3). A reference sampling site (12) is located in the area of a gas inlet point (6) of the gas filter (2). The toxic gas detector is designed such that it determines the toxic gas content alternately at the sampling sites (8, 12), and the exhaustion of the filter is determined by a comparison of the toxic gas content at the sampling site (8) with the toxic gas content at the reference sampling site (12).

Abstract: A method for removing contaminants from fluids comprises contacting the fluid with an expanded material selected from popped corn, puffed rice and puffed wheat. The preferred expanded material is popped corn. The method is applicable to a wide range of organic and inorganic contaminants. Examples of contaminants include aromatic compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo furans (PCDFs), polychlorinated dibenzo dioxins (PCDDs), carbamates, sulphonamides, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), other compounds such as carbon disulphide, ethylene glycol and pesticides. Other examples include inorganic compounds or organo-metallic compounds, e.g. those containing aluminum, antimony, barium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, lead, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, silver, tin, titanium, vanadium and zinc.

Abstract: Device and method for removing volatile compounds from a gas stream, the device including a material which is capable of removing and retaining the volatile compounds while displaying a visible color change, wherein at least some moisture has been removed from the material and there is relative movement between the gas stream and the material.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a shaped adsorbent article disposed in a housing. The shaped adsorbent article has one or more projections extending from a surface of the article toward the housing to provide for flow of fluid between the shaped adsorbent article and the housing. The filter assembly may optionally include a diffusion channel for additional filtering and/or one or more porous polymer films disposed over inlet or outlet openings in the housing to reduce or prevent particulate contamination. The filter assembly may be used in a device, such as a computer disk drive, to filter a fluid, such as air, within and/or entering or exiting the device.