Abstract: Disclosed is a method for separating carbon dioxide from a flue gas from energy conversion, wherein the flue gas is first supplied to a membrane unit, comprising at least one membrane module having a CO2-selective membrane, with a portion of the CO2 being separated in the module from the flue gas as an enriched CO2 permeate. The flue gas thus depleted (retentate) is subsequently supplied to at least one additional CO2 separating unit, in which a portion of the CO2 is separated from the flue gas by an adsorbent or absorbent. Also disclosed is a device that is suitable for carrying out the aforementioned methods for separating CO2 from a flue gas using a membrane unit, comprising at least one membrane module having a CO2-selective membrane and having an additional CO2 separating unit, comprising an adsorbent or absorbent.

Abstract: A shared or common environment membrane reactor containing a plurality of planar membrane modules with top and bottom thin foil membranes supported by both an intermediary porous support plate and a central base which has both solid extended members and hollow regions or a hollow region whereby the two sides of the base are in fluid communication. The membrane reactor operates at elevate temperatures for generating hydrogen from hydrogen rich feed fuels.

Abstract: A fuel source for an electrochemical cell includes two or more chemical hydride pellets, a flexible, porous, liquid water impermeable, hydrogen and water vapor permeable membrane in contact with and at least partially surrounding each hydride pellet, and a porous metal hydride layer positioned between each hydride pellet. Air gaps are between each pellet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining low gas velocity variation across a diffuser membrane during the vent-up of a vacuum chamber is disclosed. The diffuser membrane permeability and the pressure conditions across the membrane are chosen to minimize variation in gas flow velocity through the membrane during the vent-up cycle. This reduces re-distribution of particles from a vacuum chamber onto sensitive substrates in the vacuum chamber during vent-up from sub-atmospheric pressure to atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A gas separation membrane system and a method of preparing such gas separation membrane system by providing a porous support upon which is supported a membrane layer comprising a first gas-selective material and having a membrane thickness and removing therefrom a substantial portion of the first gas-selective material from the membrane layer by the use of an ultra-fine abrasive to thereby provide the membrane layer having a reduced membrane thickness. A second gas-selective material is deposited upon the membrane layer having the reduced membrane thickness to provide an overlayer of the second gas-selective material having an overlayer thickness so as to thereby provide the gas separation membrane system having the membrane layer of the reduced membrane thickness and the overlayer of the overlayer thickness.

Abstract: A vertically directed dryer unit for compressed air, comprising a dryer cartridge which, together with a housing, defines an inlet head area and an outlet head area. A plurality of hollow membrane fibers extend inside the cartridge between the two head areas, the wall material thereof being more permeable with respect to water vapor than air. An outlet valve is provided between the outlet head area and an outlet of the drier unit. Said valve only opens when the pressure in the outlet head area produces sufficient pressure for the provision of purging air. The purging air is fed to the outer surface of the membrane fibers via a throttle element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for producing membranes, the compositions comprising at least 0.1% by weight of highly branched polymer, at least 0.5% by weight of linear polymer and at least 30% by weight of solvent. The present invention additionally describes membranes obtainable from the compositions, and methods of producing these membranes.

Abstract: A leak-proof membrane element (1) for the selective separation or cleaning of gas, wherein a metal foil (membrane) (3) is deposited onto a supporting stock (substrate) (2, 20) having connection means (4, 21, 34) on the ends/edges of the substrate allowing the membrane element to be installed in a housing. A metal foil (3), having a thickness of less that 10 micrometers and being selectively permeable for specific gases, is arranged in flakes or wound with overlapping joints (8) on the outside of the substrate (2, 20), any joints being welded together by diffusion bonding so that the foil forms a continuous, leak-proof metal membrane layer. The substrate being made of a material (metal, ceram, polymer, or combinations thereof) exhibiting a very high gas flux for the gas(es) that the membrane is to let through.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide permeable membrane is described. In some embodiments, the membrane includes a body having a first side and an opposite second side; a plurality of first regions formed from a molten carbonate having a temperature of about 400 degrees Celsius to about 1200 degrees Celsius, the plurality of first regions forming a portion of the body and the plurality of first regions extending from the first side of the body to the second side of the body; a plurality of second regions formed from an oxygen conductive solid oxide, the plurality of second regions combining with the plurality of first regions to form the body and the plurality of second regions extending from the first side of the body to the second side of the body; and the body is configured to allow carbon dioxide to pass from the first side to the second side.

Abstract: A particulate material processing apparatus has a vessel and a processing tank. The vessel has a charging port for charging a particulate material into the vessel. The processing tank receives the particulate material charged from the charging port. The processing tank is shaped so as to narrow towards the bottom. At least the lower part of the processing tank is made of a gas-permeable material that allows the process gas for processing the particulate material to pass through. The upper part of the processing tank has lower gas permeability than the lower part of the processing tank.

Abstract: Hydrogen-processing assemblies, components of hydrogen-processing assemblies, and fuel-processing and fuel cell systems that include hydrogen-processing assemblies. The hydrogen-processing assemblies include a hydrogen-separation assembly positioned within the internal volume of an enclosure in a spaced relation to at least a portion of the internal perimeter of the body of the enclosure.

Abstract: A membrane cartridge is manufactured by repeatedly folding and joining two strips of membrane to form a cross-pleated cartridge with a stack of openings or fluid passageways configured in an alternating cross-flow arrangement. The cartridge can be modified for other flow configurations including co-flow and counter-flow arrangements. Methods for manufacturing such cross-pleated membrane cartridges, as well as apparatus used in the manufacturing process are described. Cross-pleated membrane cartridges comprising water-permeable membranes can be used in a variety of applications, including in heat and water vapor exchangers. In particular they can be incorporated into energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) for exchanging heat and water vapor between air streams being directed into and out of buildings.

Abstract: Helium is recovered from gas streams containing high concentrations of hydrogen gas and low concentrations of helium gas, such as from the recycle stream from the production of ammonia. The inventive process provides for an integrated process for the recovery of both an enriched helium gas stream product and a high purity hydrogen gas stream product.

Abstract: A hydrogen-permeable film has a ceramic material of a nitride or oxide of a metal element belonging to group IVB, VB or VIB and hydrogen-permeable metal particles of at least one kind selected from palladium (Pd), niobium (Nb), vanadium (V), tantalum (Ta) and alloys thereof dispersed in the ceramic material. A ratio of the hydrogen-permeable metal particles in the hydrogen-permeable film is 20 to 70 mass %, and a thickness of the hydrogen-permeable film is 5 to 1,000 nm.

Abstract: An air dryer includes a housing with an air inlet, an air outlet and a liquid drain outlet; and a membrane separator having surfaces extending between a first and second ends of the membrane. A first passage in the housing is connected to the air inlet and air outlet at it respective ends and extends between the first and second ends of the membrane separator along the surfaces of the membrane separator. A second passage in the housing is connected to the drain outlet and air outlet at it respective ends and extends between the first and second ends of the membrane along a surface of the membrane separator. A valve is connected between the second passage and the drain outlet for controlling the draining of the liquid and sweep air flow through the second passage. The dryer is to be inserted in a reservoir at its inlet or outlet. A coalescing filter may be provided in the housing in series with the membrane separator and the housing would include a second drain for the coalescing filter.

Abstract: An air inerting system for supplying nitrogen-enriched air to a fuel tank on a vehicle includes an air separation module. The air separation module has an inlet for receiving air to separate oxygen, and an outlet for delivering nitrogen-enriched air to a downstream fuel tank on a vehicle. Downstream parallel flow lines of the outlet are each provided with a flow control valve. The downstream parallel flow lines reconnect downstream of the flow control valves to provide a source of nitrogen-enriched air to the fuel tank. An air supply line upstream of the air separation module supplies air to at least a pair of upstream parallel lines. Each of the upstream parallel lines are provided with a shut-off valve. The upstream parallel lines reconnect downstream of the shut-off valves to supply air to a heat exchanger. Air downstream of the heat exchanger passes to the air separation module.

Abstract: There is provided a membrane material for a gas holder having abrasion resistance and flex resistance usable as a gas holder, in addition to strength of a base fabric, and having high gas barrier properties. A membrane material for a gas holder, which is used in a gas holder for storing or recovering gas, includes at least 4 layers of a protective layer, a base fabric layer, a gas barrier layer and a protective layer laminated in this order.

Abstract: A scaffold holding one or more ion-conductive ceramic membranes for use in an electrochemical cell is described. Generally, the scaffold includes a thermoplastic plate defining one or more orifices. Each orifice is typically defined by a first, second, and third aperture, wherein the second aperture is disposed between the first and third apertures. The diameter of the second aperture can be larger than the diameters of the first and third apertures. While at an operating temperature the diameter of the ceramic membrane is larger than the diameters of the first and third apertures, heating the scaffold to a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time causes the third aperture's diameter to become larger than the membrane's diameter. Thus, heating the scaffold may allow the membrane to be inserted into the orifice. Cooling the scaffold can then cause the third aperture's diameter to shrink and trap the membrane within the orifice.

Abstract: A system and method of purifying gaseous carbon dioxide from a gaseous mixture obtained at low pressure from a flue gas by passing the gaseous mixture through a vacuum swing adsorption unit and then a gas purification unit to produce carbon dioxide having a purity of approximately 97% by volume or more.

Abstract: Process for producing at least one nanoporous layer of nanoparticles chosen from nanoparticles of a metal oxide, nanoparticles of metal oxides, and mixtures of said nanoparticles, on a surface of a substrate, in which at least one colloidal sol, in which said nanoparticles are dispersed and stabilized, is injected into a thermal plasma jet which sprays said nanoparticles onto said surface. Nanoporous layer and device, especially a separation device, comprizing said layer.

Abstract: A passive humidifier membrane includes polyolefin with a plurality of pores, wherein the average pore size of the plurality of pores is 0.05 ?m to 0.4 ?m as established by a PMI Capillary Flow Porometer. The humidifier membrane is virtually airtight while providing a high transfer rate of water. Transfer of heat is also high. The humidifier membrane is particularly suitable for heat exchange and water transfer between fluids and, it is particularly useful for applications inside or outside fuel cells such as PEMFC. The membrane is also particularly useful in the application as humidifier for air or oxygen.

Abstract: There is provided a power generation system capable of obtaining both of electrical energy and heat energy by utilizing light energy. The power generation system includes a gas generation section including one or more containers and producing gas by absorbing light energy, each of the containers enclosing an electrolytic solution and a plurality of semiconductor elements having photoelectric conversion function, a power generation section generating electrical energy by utilizing gas generated in the gas generation section; and a heat exchanger absorbing heat energy from the inside of the container.

Abstract: A gas diffusion substrate includes a non-woven network of carbon fibres, the carbon fibres are graphitised but the non-woven network has not been subjected to a graphitisation process. A mixture of graphitic particles and hydrophobic polymer is disposed within the network. The longest dimension of at least 90% of the graphitic particles is less than 100 ?m. A process for manufacturing gas diffusion substrates includes depositing a slurry of graphitised carbon fibres onto a porous bed forming a wet fibre network, preparing a suspension of graphitic particles and hydrophobic polymer, applying onto, and pulling the suspension into, the network, and drying and firing the network. Another process includes mixing a first slurry of graphitic particles and hydrophobic polymer with a second slurry of graphitised carbon fibres and liquid forming a third slurry, depositing the third slurry onto a porous bed forming a fibre-containing layer, and drying and firing the layer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses new types of polybenzoxazole-based mixed matrix membranes and methods for making and using these membranes. The polybenzoxazole-based mixed matrix membranes are prepared by fabricating a polyimide-based mixed matrix membrane by dispersing molecular sieve particles in a continuous aromatic polyimide matrix with pendent hydroxyl groups ortho to the heterocyclic imide nitrogen; and then converting the polyimide-based mixed matrix membrane to a polybenzoxazole-based mixed matrix membrane by heating between 200° and 600° C. under inert atmosphere or vacuum. The polybenzoxazole-based mixed matrix membranes of the present invention can be fabricated into any convenient geometry such as flat sheet (or spiral wound), tube, hollow fiber, or thin film composite.

Abstract: A dehumidification type air system is configured such that a switching valve and an air-used device are connected through a dehumidifying member made of a polymer permeation membrane with moisture permeability, and by bringing a moisture emitting face of the dehumidifying member into contact with the atmosphere, supply air supplied from the switching valve through the dehumidifying member to the air-used device is dehumidified by the dehumidifying member, while the moisture permeating through the dehumidifying member is diffused from the moisture emitting face to the atmosphere through natural evaporation.

Abstract: A system includes an air separation unit configured to separate air into an oxygen rich stream and a nitrogen rich stream and a purity control system configured to receive input indicative of a target diluent level. The purity control system is configured to control the air separation unit to adjust an oxygen percentage and a nitrogen percentage of the oxygen rich stream based on the target diluent level.

Abstract: In the present invention high performance cross-linked polybenzoxazole and polybenzothiazole polymer membranes and methods for making and using these membranes have been developed. The cross-linked polybenzoxazole and polybenzothiazole polymer membranes are prepared by: 1) first synthesizing polyimide polymers comprising pendent functional groups (e.g., —OH or —SH) ortho to the heterocyclic imide nitrogen and cross-linkable functional groups in the polymer backbone; 2) fabricating polyimide membranes from these polymers; 3) converting the polyimide membranes to polybenzoxazole or polybenzothiazole membranes by heating under inert atmosphere such as nitrogen or vacuum; and 4) finally converting the membranes to high performance cross-linked polybenzoxazole or polybenzothiazole membranes by a crosslinking treatment, preferably UV radiation. The membranes can be fabricated into any convenient geometry.

Abstract: The invention is targeted at the process of separating gas, such as air, from a liquid path. Specifically, the invention provides a means to remove gas from a dynamic liquid path, manage the removed gas and liquid path. The invention provides a means to remove gas from a dynamic liquid path using the buoyant property of gas in a less buoyant liquid, having ingress and egress ports for liquid and gas flow, and separate points of egress for liquid and trapped gas and integral liquid channels.

Abstract: First, a mixture of a polytetrafluoroethylene fine powder and a liquid lubricant into a sheet-form body extending in a first direction. Next, the liquid lubricant is removed from the sheet-form body. Then, the sheet-form body is stretched by a factor of 40 to 250 in the longitudinal direction at a temperature equal to or higher than a melting point of polytetrafluoroethylene, and the stretched sheet-form body is further stretched by a factor of 3 to 40 in the width direction. Thus, a highly air-permeable porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane is obtained.

Abstract: A process for producing a gas-containing cleaning water which contains a specific gas dissolved in water, which process comprises dissolving the specific gas into water under an increased pressure exceeding an atmospheric pressure to prepare a gas-containing water having a concentration of the gas exceeding solubility of the gas under an atmospheric pressure and, then, removing a portion of the dissolved gas by decreasing pressure on the gas-containing water; an apparatus for producing a gas-containing cleaning water which comprises an apparatus for dissolving a gas (14) in which a specific gas is dissolved into water under a pressure exceeding the atmospheric pressure and an apparatus for removing a portion of a dissolved gas (15) in which the pressure on the gas-containing water obtained from the apparatus for dissolving a gas is decreased to a pressure lower than the pressure under which the gas has been dissolved so that a portion of the dissolved gas is removed; and a cleaning apparatus using the gas-con

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating molecular sieve particles for use in a mixed matrix membrane useful in, for example, gas separations. Membranes employing treated molecular sieve particles may exhibit enhanced permeabilities and selectivities in regard to, for example, the separation of carbon dioxide and methane.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a support system includes a multi-layer cover sheet with a number of layers. In certain embodiments, a source to move air inside and outside the multi-layer cover sheet can be provided. The source can include a source of positive pressure or negative pressure.

Abstract: A membrane dryer includes a shell having an inner tube and an outer tube and a bundle of hollow fibers supported in the shell. A dryer air inlet into the hollow fibers and a sweep air outlet from the inner tube are at a first end of the shell. A dryer air outlet into the hollow fibers and a sweep air inlet from the inner tube are at a second end of the shell. The inner tube has a first set of circumferential openings into the sweep air space adjacent the first end of the shell and a second set of circumferential openings into the sweep air space adjacent the first end of the shell; and a second plug is in the inner tube between the first and second set of openings.

Abstract: A gas separation process for treating off-gas streams from reaction processes, and reaction processes including such gas separation. The invention involves flowing the off-gas across the feed side of a membrane, flowing a sweep gas stream, usually air, across the permeate side, and passing the permeate/sweep gas mixture to the reaction. The process recovers unreacted feedstock that would otherwise be lost in the waste gases in an energy efficient manner.

Abstract: An ion transport membrane system comprising (a) a pressure vessel having an interior, an exterior, an inlet, and an outlet; (b) a plurality of planar ion transport membrane modules disposed in the interior of the pressure vessel and arranged in series, each membrane module comprising mixed metal oxide ceramic material and having an interior region and an exterior region, wherein any inlet and any outlet of the pressure vessel are in flow communication with exterior regions of the membrane modules; and (c) one or more gas manifolds in flow communication with interior regions of the membrane modules and with the exterior of the pressure vessel. The ion transport membrane system may be utilized in a gas separation device to recover oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas or as an oxidation reactor to oxidize compounds in a feed gas stream by oxygen permeated through the mixed metal oxide ceramic material of the membrane modules.

Abstract: A fuel tank inerting system uses two “half systems” for providing inerting gas for the fuel tanks. Each inerting system may be composed of a temperature control and air pressurization unit (TCPU) and an air separation unit (ASU). A cross-ship duct and valve allows using one TCPU (sized for about half capacity or more, but less than full system capacity) connected to two ASUs. The inerting system may provide for redundancy in the TCPU section.

Abstract: An air separation module and blanket has an air separation module having an air inlet, an oxygen outlet and a nitrogen outlet. At least one tank has air separation elements for separating oxygen from air, and delivers the separated oxygen to the oxygen outlet, and delivers nitrogen to the nitrogen outlet. A resistance heating element is positioned between the blanket and the air separation module. Further, an inventive blanket for use with the air separation module is also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A hydrogen purifier utilizing a hydrogen permeable membrane, and a gas-tight seal, where the seal is uses a low temperature melting point metal, which upon heating above the melting point subsequently forms a seal alloy with adjacent metals, where the alloy has a melting point above the operational temperature of the purifier. The purifier further is constructed such that a degree of isolation exists between the metal that melts to form the seal and the active area of the purifier membrane, so that the active area of the purifier membrane is not corrupted. A method of forming a hydrogen purifier utilizing a hydrogen permeable membrane with a seal of the same type is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gas diffusion barrier contains a polymer matrix and a functional graphene which displays no signature of graphite and/or graphite oxide, as determined by X-ray diffraction.

Abstract: A hydrogen permeation/separation thin membrane including a Ni—Ti—Nb alloy. The Ni—Ti—Nb alloy is a cast foil material obtained by roll quenching and a refining heat treatment. The membrane has a thickness of 0.07 mm or less. The Ni—Ti—Nb alloy has the following: (a) a composition consisting of 10 to 47 atomic % of Nb, 20 to 52 atomic % of Ti, and a remainder containing 20 to 48 atomic % of Ni and inevitable impurities; and (b) an alloy structure where fine particles of a Nb-based solid solution alloy, in which Nb forms a solid solution with Ni and Ti in Nb, are dispersed in a basic structure made of a Ni—Ti(Nb) intermetallic compound formed of a solid solution of a Ni—Ti intermetallic compound, in which part of Ti thereof is replaced by Nb.

Abstract: A pressure equalization device adapted to be operatively connected to an enclosure, the device including an air passage which, when the device is so connected to the enclosure, provides a fluid communication between the interior of the enclosure and atmosphere, the air passage containing a barrier wall comprising an air permeable membrane forming a micro-particulate filter.

Abstract: A system for collecting an anaesthetic agent, having at least one anaesthetic gas scavenging system (AGSS) for receiving exhaust gas from a plurality of sources, the exhaust gas including the anaesthetic agent to be collected, each AGSS comprising at least one power source for providing suction of the exhaust gas from the plurality of sources under negative pressure, and a central collection system for receiving the exhaust gas, the central collection system comprising at least one collector for collecting the anaesthetic agent from the exhaust gas, wherein the at least one collector is configured to adsorb the anaesthetic agent from the exhaust gas. The central collection system may be configured to received the exhaust gases from the at least one AGSS, with the central collection system being located downstream of the at least one AGSS.

Abstract: This abstract discusses membranes needed to separate fluids for the production of oxygen-enriched air, nitrogen-enriched-air, for the separation of carbon dioxide from hydrocarbons, and the separation of hydrogen from various petrochemical and oil refining streams. Membranes are needed that provide a resistance to interaction with process components or contaminants, provide the mechanical strength required to withstand high membrane differential pressures and high process temperatures, and exhibit sufficient maximum strain such that membranes are not brittle and can easily be formed into desirable membrane forms. Membranes of polyimide polymers, particularly polyimide polymers sold under the trade name P-84, are annealed in a controlled annealing step to improve the mechanical properties of the polymers used to make separation membranes.

Abstract: A gas separation membrane has: a polymeric microporous membrane which has a polyolefin as a main component, and which is manufactured by wet phase separation process, and has a porosity of 20 to 80%, an average pore diameter of 1 to 100 nm and a piercing strength at 100° C. of 2 to 50 N; and a gas-separating thin film, which is provided on at least one surface, and/or the interior of the polymeric microporous membrane, and which comprises a fluorine-containing gas-separating resin as a main component, and has an average thickness of 0.01 ?m to less than 0.4 ?m. The gas separation membrane having an oxygen-nitrogen separation factor not smaller than 1.4.

Abstract: An air filter device includes a permeation film arranged at a boundary portion between an outside air passage and an inside air passage, such that one side surface of the permeation film is exposed to outside air in the outside air passage and the other side surface of the permeation film is exposed to inside air in the inside air passage. The permeation film is configured such that specific gas passes through the permeation film between the outside air passage and the inside air passage. Furthermore, a turbulent flow generation portion is provided to generate a turbulent flow in at least one of the outside air flowing through near the one side surface of the permeation film and the inside air flowing through near the other side surface of the permeation film.

Abstract: Carbon dioxide and oxygen are separated from a feed gas, preferably derived from flue gas from an oxyfuel combustion process, by diffusion across at least one membrane in a membrane separation system to produce separated carbon dioxide gas comprising oxygen, which is fed to the oxyfuel combustion process to improve the performance of the process.

Abstract: This invention describes a new concept of flexible template-directed microporous partially pyrolyzed polymeric membranes which have greatly improved performance in separation of gas pairs compared to their precursor polymeric membranes. Organic hosts, such as crown ethers, cyclodextrins (CDs), calixarenes (CXs), and spherands, or polymeric additives, such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were used as the micropore-forming templates. Micropore-forming template/polymer blend membranes comprising organic micropore-forming templates embedded in a polymer matrix were prepared by dissolving the organic micropore-forming templates in the polymer solution followed by solution-casting and solvent evaporation or solvent exchange. Low-temperature selectively pyrolyzing micropore-forming templates in the micropore-forming template/polymer blend membranes at a nitrogen flow resulted in the formation of flexible microporous partially pyrolyzed polymeric membranes.

Abstract: The production of purified water from a residential reverse osmosis drinking water system is limited by the pressure build up in the holding tank or reservoir. While the pressure in the tank increases the brine or waste water continues to flow at a constant rate. This condition makes an undesirable out of proportion relationship between the purified water and the waste water. The production of product water is controlled by the differential pressure across the purification membrane, as the tank pressure increases the differential pressure decreases and reduced production of product water results. The purpose of the device is to utilize the increasing tank pressure as a force to actuate the valve that proportions the waste water in a direct relationship with the product water. The ratio between the product water and the waste water remains constant during the period that purified water is being delivered to the holding tank.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a new process of treating natural gas using high gas permeability polybenzoxazole polymer membranes operated at high temperatures that can provide sufficient dew point margin for the product gas. The high gas permeability polybenzoxazole polymer membranes can be used for a single stage membrane system or for the first stage membrane in a two stage membrane system for natural gas upgrading. Simulation study has demonstrated that a costly membrane pretreatment system such as a MemGuard™ system will not be required in the present new process. The new process can achieve significant capital cost saving and reduce the existing membrane footprint greater than 50%.

Abstract: An air filtration device for the vent of a body of a pump used to fit a liquid or semi-liquid product distributor, the device including a filter membrane through which the product may be discharged from opening. The free edge of the membrane is connected to a support element which is tightly fixed on the opening.