Abstract: An assembly includes a housing with opposite first and second layers. The first and second layers are spaced apart to define a confined interior space. A semi-permeable membrane is attached to the first layer, the semi-permeable membrane covering a porous area portion of the first layer. An outlet port and an inlet port are in fluid communication with the interior space. The assembly includes a first circulator for circulating a first fluid between the outlet port and the inlet port, and a second circulator for circulating a second fluid along an exterior surface of the semi-permeable membrane. The second circulator includes a fluid duct attached to or integrated within the housing. The fluid duct is isolated from the interior space and is porous to provide fluid access to an exterior surface of the semi-permeable membrane. The semi-permeable membrane forms a barrier allowing exchange of compounds across the membrane.

Abstract: A planar membrane cartridge includes a support and a semi-permeable membrane layer. The support includes a first layer attached to a second layer and defining a front face and a back face of the support. At least one of the first layer and the second layer form a first embossment and a second embossment. Respective back faces of the first layer and the second layer are attached to each other along edges of the first embossment and of the second embossment, such that the first embossment defines a fluid compartment between the first layer and the second layer and the second embossment defines an internal channel between the first layer and the second layer which is isolated from the fluid compartment. An area of the first layer corresponding to the first embossment is covered by the semi-permeable membrane layer.

Abstract: Methods use a catalytic composition built up from a ceramic material including a catalytic material and a first inorganic binder and a second inorganic binder and a catalytic structure made thereof. Preferably, the structure is made by a colloidal ceramic shaping technique. The structure is used for catalytic or ion exchange applications. The catalytic structures have excellent mechanical, physicochemical and catalytic properties.

Abstract: A catalytic composition is built up from a ceramic material including a catalytic material and a first inorganic binder and a second inorganic binder and a catalytic structure made thereof. Preferably, the structure is made by a colloidal ceramic shaping technique. The structure is usable for catalytic or ion exchange applications as well. It is demonstrated that the catalytic structures have excellent mechanical, physicochemical and catalytic properties.

Abstract: A system is for producing products, advantageously solvents, by fermentation, advantageously multi-stage fermentation. The fermentation is complemented with pervaporation as in situ product recovery technology, combined with a multistage condensation of the permeate. The condensates are separately introduced in the downstream processing of the system to recover the produced products, advantageously solvents. The system for producing products, advantageously solvents, by fermentation is simplified and has an overall improved energy efficiency, compared to systems described in the art.

Abstract: A method for producing products, advantageously solvents, is by fermentation, advantageously multi-stage fermentation. The fermentation is complemented with pervaporation as in situ product recovery technology, combined with a multistage condensation of the permeate. The condensates are separately introduced in the downstream processing to recover the produced products, advantageously solvents. The method for producing products, advantageously solvents, by fermentation is simplified and has an overall improved energy efficiency. A related system uses method for producing products, advantageously solvents, is by fermentation.

Abstract: Device for simultaneously determining a mass transport of a fluid and a mass transport of a substance dissolved in the fluid, comprising at least two cartridges filled with a porous matrix, and assembly means, configured to keep the cartridges together, characterized in that the top side and the bottom side of each cartridge are non-permeable and the side wall is permeable, and in that the assembly means are configured to keep the cartridges together according to a stack, in which the cartridges may be flowed through in parallel without cross-contamination.

Abstract: An assembly includes a housing with opposite first and second layers. The first and second layers are spaced apart to define a confined interior space. A semi-permeable membrane is attached to the first layer, the semi-permeable membrane covering a porous area portion of the first layer. An outlet port and an inlet port are in fluid communication with the interior space. The assembly includes a first circulator for circulating a first fluid between the outlet port and the inlet port, and a second circulator for circulating a second fluid along an exterior surface of the semi-permeable membrane. The second circulator includes a fluid duct attached to or integrated within the housing. The fluid duct is isolated from the interior space and is porous to provide fluid access to an exterior surface of the semi-permeable membrane. The semi-permeable membrane forms a barrier allowing exchange of compounds across the membrane.

Abstract: Assembly for treating fluids, comprising a support (12) having a first and second oppositely arranged surfaces (121) for backing support of a semi permeable membrane (11), a first fluid conveying compartments (124) interposed between the first and second surfaces, a plurality of first fluid passages (126) extending from the first surface (121) and being in fluid communication with the first compartments (124), and a first duct attached to the support (12) and in fluid communication with the first compartments. The assembly comprises a second compartment (125) arranged for conveying fluid and different from the first compartment, and a second duct attached to the support (12) and configured to be in fluid communication with the second compartment (125).

Abstract: A planar membrane cartridge includes a support and a semi-permeable membrane layer. The support includes a first layer attached to a second layer and defining a front face and a back face of the support. At least one of the first layer and the second layer form a first embossment and a second embossment. Respective back faces of the first layer and the second layer are attached to each other along edges of the first embossment and of the second embossment, such that the first embossment defines a fluid compartment between the first layer and the second layer and the second embossment defines an internal channel between the first layer and the second layer which is isolated from the fluid compartment. An area of the first layer corresponding to the first embossment is covered by the semi-permeable membrane layer.

Abstract: A method of enhancing hydrophilicity of a hydrophobic polymer material includes pre-treating the hydrophobic polymer material. The pre-treating includes treating the hydrophobic polymer material with a first atmospheric pressure plasma discharge in a first atmosphere including carbon dioxide to obtain a pre-treated polymer material. The method includes treating the pre-treated polymer material with a second atmospheric pressure plasma discharge in a second atmosphere in which an aerosol of an amine is introduced; the amine includes at least one hydrocarbon substituent. A substrate is provided that includes a hydrophobic polymer material having a modified interface. The modified interface includes amine functional groups grafted on the hydrophobic polymer material, the modified interface having a surface energy, which, measured after immersion in water at 20° C. for 3 days, differs from a surface energy of the hydrophobic polymer material by 20 mN/m or less.

Abstract: A planar filtration element includes a planar support structure (11) and at least one filtration layer (12, 13) made of a membrane material. The planar support structure has first and second opposite outer surfaces (111, 112) spaced apart and secured by spacing members (113) to define a drainage compartment (114) between the first and second outer surfaces. At least one of the first and second outer surfaces includes through-openings (115) for fluid connection with the drainage compartment (114), and wherein the outer surfaces (111, 112), when one disregards the through-openings, are formed of a material extending continuously throughout the outer surfaces. The filtration layer (12, 13) coats the outer surface such that the membrane material penetrates the through-openings (115) to anchor the filtration layer (12, 13) to the support structure (11).

Abstract: A method of enhancing hydrophilicity of a hydrophobic polymer material includes pre-treating the hydrophobic polymer material, comprising treating the hydrophobic polymer material with a first atmospheric pressure plasma discharge in a first atmosphere. The first atmosphere includes ammonia to obtain a pre-treated polymer material. The method includes treating the pre-treated polymer material with a second atmospheric pressure plasma discharge in a second atmosphere in which an aerosol of a carboxylic acid is introduced. A substrate is provided as well, the substrate including a hydrophobic polymer material having a modified interface, wherein the modified interface includes carboxylic functional groups grafted on the hydrophobic polymer material, the modified interface having a contact angle with water, which, measured after immersion in water at 20° C. for 3 days, is at least 25° less than a contact angle with water of the hydrophobic polymer material.

Abstract: Assembly for treating fluids, comprising a support (12) having a first and second oppositely arranged surfaces (121) for backing support of a semi permeable membrane (11), a first fluid conveying compartments (124) interposed between the first and second surfaces, a plurality of first fluid passages (126) extending from the first surface (121) and being in fluid communication with the first compartments (124), and a first duct attached to the support (12) and in fluid communication with the first compartments. The assembly comprises a second compartment (125) arranged for conveying fluid and different from the first compartment, and a second duct attached to the support (12) and configured to be in fluid communication with the second compartment (125).

Abstract: A smart grid management system and method where aggregators do not need to have knowledge about the topology of the electricity grid, the physical location of the end-points they control, or the congestion level of the grid. Instead, the smart grid system and method provides maximum freedom of operation to the aggregators to balance electricity supply and demand in such a way that the danger is reduced or it is even impossible for the aggregators to endanger voltage levels at the distribution system operator (DSO) level or the capacity levels at the transmission system operator (TSO) level. The distribution system operator is allowed to block, interrupt, or change the communication between aggregator and device based on a dual stage-gate control.

Abstract: A smart grid management system and method where aggregators do not need to have knowledge about the topology of the electricity grid, the physical location of the end-points they control, or the congestion level of the grid. Instead, the smart grid system and method provides maximum freedom of operation to the aggregators to balance electricity supply and demand in such a way that the danger is reduced or it is even impossible for the aggregators to endanger voltage levels at the distribution system operator (DSO) level or the capacity levels at the transmission system operator (TSO) level. The distribution system operator is allowed to block, interrupt, or change the communication between aggregator and device based on a dual stage-gate control.