Abstract: An ion exchange membrane reinforced with leno weave yarn system having sacrificial fibers paired with resistant fibers in the warp of the fabric, and an electrolysis process using the membrane are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a hollow fiber separation assembly having one or more bundles of hollow fiber membranes with a tubesheet at each end enclosed by an end cap. An impermeable housing, preferably made from a flexible polymeric material, most preferably a shrinkable tubing, contacts and encloses the bundle, extending between the end caps. The polymeric, impermeable housing contacts and compacts the array of fibers in the bundle to enhance axial flow along the outside of individual fibers, protects the fiber bundle between the end caps, and contains the permeated fluid and diverts it to a port or ports at the end(s) of the bundle. This hollow fiber separation device provides a large capacity, and is also low cost, lightweight, may be used as a stand-alone separation device, and does not have a high-pressure section which requires testing.

Abstract: Ion exchange membranes or films are made from a solution of perfluorinated cycloalkanes, perfluorinated aromatic compounds and perfluorotrialkyl amines having a critical temperature greater than 150.degree. C. and certain carboxylic fluorinated polymers having an equivalent weight greater than 900. A process for repairing ion exchange membranes and films by spray coating the surface of the membrane or film with the solution is also claimed. The ion exchange membranes and films are useful in chloroalkali cells or fuel cells.

Abstract: Novel alkyl-substituted aromatic polyester gas separation membranes and the process of using such membranes to separate one or more gases from a gaseous mixture is disclosed. The polyesters are formed from aromatic alcohols of the formula ##STR1## where Z is independently alkyl groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, most preferably a tertiary butyl group, n is an integer from 0 to 4, preferably 1.

Abstract: A polyimide gas separation membrane containing repeating units derived from 9,9-disubstituted xanthene dianhydride is disclosed.

Abstract: The electrode layer of a ion exchange membrane is formed by printing a ink of catalytically active particles on the surface of the membrane. The inventive electrode ink comprises:(a) catalytically active particles;(b) a hydrocarbon having at least one ether, epoxy or ketone linkage and an alcohol group, preferably 1-methoxy 2-propanol; and(c) optionally a binder, preferably perfluorinated sulfonyl fluoride polymer or perfluorinated sulfonic acid polymer.

Abstract: A laminar article with good barrier properties to oxygenated and hydrocarbon compounds is prepared by blending a polyolefin with about 2 to 39% of a melt blend of a nylon and a polyvinyl alcohol component, using an alkylcarboxyl-substituted polyolefin as a compatibilizer.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for modifying a fluorinated ion exchange membrane by irradiation of the membrane with a sufficient dose of non-spark-producing radiation to increase water absorption and/or ionic conductivity of the membrane. The membranes are particularly useful in fuel cells and chloralkali cells.

Abstract: A polyimide, and a gas separation membrane prepared therefrom, containing repeating units derived from 5(2,5-dioxo-tetrahydrofuryl)-3-methyl-3,3-cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylic anhydride is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for dissociation of gas molecules which absorb light comprising a resonance optical cavity, a nozzle for introducing gas molecules into the resonance optical cavity in contact with the high velocity gas molecules, a focusing lens for focusing the laser beam at the point of contact of the laser beam and the high velocity gas molecules, a 100 percent reflecting mirror for receiving the laser beam after it passes through such molecules, a partially reflecting mirror positioned between the molecules for reflecting a portion of laser beam back into the laser and the remainder of the beam through the gas molecules to the 100 percent reflecting mirror.

Abstract: The invention provides a spinnerette assembly for multicomponent hollow fibers of the sheath/core type in which the channel for supplying the sheath material is located at a distance from the extrusion orifice of the spinnerette of no more than one-half of the width of the extrusion orifice. The spinnerette ensures uniform supply of the sheath material to the hollow fiber.

Abstract: Novel fluorinated aromatic polyimide, polyamide and polyamide-imide gas separation membranes and the process of using such membranes to separate one or more gases from a gaseous mixture is disclosed. The polyimides, polyamides and polyamide-imides are formed from diamines of the formula ##STR1## where Ar' is any aromatic diol moiety and X is independently fluorinated alkyl groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, most preferably a trifluoromethyl group, m is an integer from 1 to 4, preferably 1.

Abstract: A process is provided for hydrolysis of fluorinated ion exchange membranes. The membrane is contacted with an aqueous solution containing a hydrocarbon having ether, epoxy or ketone linkages and an alcohol group, preferably 1-methoxy 2-propanol, for a period of time sufficient to perform the hydrolysis of the precursor groups. The membrane is useful in a fuel cell or in an electrolytic cell, particularly a chloralkali cell.

Abstract: Novel polyimide and polyamide-imide gas separation membranes and the process of using such membranes to separate one or more gases from a gaseous mixture is disclosed. The polyimides and polyamide-imides are formed from a blend of diamines containing the ester derived from 1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane.

Abstract: Perfluorinated cycloalkanes, perfluorinated aromatic compounds and perfluorotrialkyl amines having a critical temperature greater than 150.degree. C. are solvents for certain carboxylic fluorinated polymers having an equivalent weight greater than 900 and dissolve the polymers more readily and completely at low temperatures than previously known solvents. A process for dissolution of the polymers and the solutions that are formed is disclosed. The solutions are useful for making polymer films and ion exchange membranes, particularly membranes for use in chloroalkali cells or fuel cells.

Abstract: A diaphragm for electrolyzing alkali metal chloride solutions is provided which is one or more layers of a porous support, coated with a perfluoro ion exchange polymer and then wet with a wetting solution which has a surface tension of 22 to 45 dynes/cm. The wetting solution is preferably an aqueous alcohol and most preferably aqueous 3-6.5% butanol. The wetting solution assists in initial water penetration into the pores of the diaphragm, rendering the diaphragm hydrophilic so as to resist gas locking and premature shutdown of the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: The invention provides carbon membranes for use in fluid separation processes, particularly gas separations, which are treated with a coating that provides a protective barrier which significantly limits permeation of water vapor or other impurities such as hydrocarbons without significantly inhibiting permeation of the faster fluid component or lowering selectivity. The composite membranes retain good fluid separation properties and are resistant to the adverse effects on membrane performance commonly observed in environments having high humidity. The coating is preferably an amorphous polymer of perfluoro-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxole. The membranes can be of a varied configuration: sheet form, hollow fiber, asymmetrical membranes and the like.

Abstract: The invention is a membrane separation device having a housing which serves the dual role of a lightweight, impact-resistant shipping container and a recloseable vessel for the separation membranes. The housing reduces handling of the membranes, facilitates assembly of permeation systems and improves repair, replacement and inspection of membranes. The housing is preferably fabricated from expanded polystyrene. In an alternate embodiment, the configuration of the inside surface of the housing may be altered to provide a non-uniform or non-cylindrical annular space. The separation systems are particularly useful for gas separations.

Abstract: The invention is a process for the nonaqueous polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene with functional fluorinated comonomers. The process uses low TFE to comonomer ratios to form copolymers with high molecular weight and low melt flow. The copolymers are useful as membranes in electrolytic cells or fuel cells.

Abstract: Ion exchange membranes or films are made from a solution of perfluorinated cycloalkanes, perfluorinated aromatic compounds and perfluorotrialkyl amines having a critical temperature greater than 150.degree. C. and certain carboxylic fluorinated polymers having an equivalent weight greater than 900. A process for repairing ion exchange membranes and films by spray coating the surface of the membrane or film with the solution is also disclosed. The ion exchange membranes and films are useful in chloralkali cells or fuel cells.