Abstract: Disclosed are multi-cartridge hollow fiber membrane apparatuses and methods for gas separation using them. Each external pressure type membrane apparatus contains one or more series of cartridges wherein the cartridges within each series are arranged sequentially. The retentate gas generated by each preceding cartridge in the series is used as a feed gas to the next cartridge in the series, and the permeate gas generated by a cartridge following the first cartridge in the series is used as a sweep gas on the permeate side of the preceding cartridge. The multicomponent gas mixture is separated into one or more products by the method of the invention with improved product recovery and/or product purity.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for removing acid gases and other impurities from raw biogas streams, such as biogas from landfills or biogas from controlled anaerobic digestion, is disclosed. The method provides efficient generation of high-purity renewable natural gas from raw biogas. The biogas is treated in a multi-stage membrane system integrated with compression equipment. The membrane separation units are arranged into interconnected high-pressure and low-pressure gas recycling loops powered by high-pressure and low-pressure compressors. The multi-stage membrane system can be integrated with deoxygenation and auxiliary nitrogen removal systems. The combined system provides for the generation of efficient contaminant removal from raw biogas to generate high-purity methane products with reduced compression energy consumption.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for removing acid gases and other impurities from raw biogas streams, such as biogas from landfills or biogas from controlled anaerobic digestion, is disclosed. The method provides efficient generation of high-purity renewable natural gas from raw biogas. The biogas is treated in a multi-stage membrane system integrated with compression equipment. The membrane separation units are arranged into interconnected high-pressure and low-pressure gas recycling loops powered by high-pressure and low-pressure compressors. The multi-stage membrane system can be integrated with deoxygenation and auxiliary nitrogen removal systems. The combined system provides for the generation of efficient contaminant removal from raw biogas to generate high-purity methane products with reduced compression energy consumption.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for removing acid gases and other impurities from raw biogas streams, such as biogas from landfills or biogas from controlled anaerobic digestion, is disclosed. The method provides efficient generation of high-purity renewable natural gas from raw biogas. The biogas is treated in a multi-stage membrane system integrated with compression equipment. The membrane separation stages are integrated with high-pressure and low-pressure compressors with the low-pressure compressor operating in a defined pressure range. The combined system provides for efficient contaminant removal from raw biogas to generate high-purity methane products with reduced membrane area and compression energy consumption.

Abstract: Internally reheated sweep gas-aided membrane gas separation module in which the sweep gas is expanded retentate that is warmed through heat exchange with non-expanded retentate within the module.

Abstract: An improved process for removing acid gases from raw biogas streams, such as biogas from landfills or biogas from controlled anaerobic digestion, provides for efficient H2S removal combined with carbon dioxide removal. The biogas is treated in a biological hydrogen sulfide removal system integrated with a membrane gas separation system. The combined system provides for efficient acid gas removal while simultaneously limiting oxygen carryover into the treated product stream by beneficially utilizing oxygen in the biological desulfurization system.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for removing acid gases and other impurities from raw biogas streams, such as biogas from landfills or biogas from controlled anaerobic digestion, is disclosed. The method provides efficient generation of high-purity renewable natural gas from raw biogas. The biogas is treated in a multi-stage membrane system integrated with compression equipment. The membrane separation stages are integrated with high-pressure and low-pressure compressors with the low-pressure compressor operating in a defined pressure range. The combined system provides for efficient contaminant removal from raw biogas to generate high-purity methane products with reduced membrane area and compression energy consumption.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for removing acid gases and other impurities from raw biogas streams, such as biogas from landfills or biogas from controlled anaerobic digestion, is disclosed. The method provides efficient generation of high-purity renewable natural gas from raw biogas. The biogas is treated in a multi-stage membrane system integrated with compression equipment. The membrane separation units are arranged into interconnected high-pressure and low-pressure gas recycling loops powered by high-pressure and low-pressure compressors. The combined system provides for the generation of efficient contaminant removal from raw biogas to generate high-purity methane products with reduced compression energy consumption.

Abstract: An improved process for removing acid gases from raw biogas streams, such as biogas from landfills or biogas from controlled anaerobic digestion, provides for efficient H2S removal combined with carbon dioxide removal. The biogas is treated in a biological hydrogen sulfide removal system integrated with a multi-stage membrane gas separation system. The combined system provides for efficient acid gas removal while simultaneously limiting oxygen carryover into the treated product stream by beneficially utilizing oxygen in the biological desulfurization system.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for removing acid gases and other impurities from raw biogas streams, such as biogas from landfills or biogas from controlled anaerobic digestion, is disclosed. The method provides efficient generation of high-purity renewable natural gas from raw biogas. The biogas is treated in a multi-stage membrane system integrated with compression equipment. The membrane separation stages are integrated with high-pressure and low-pressure compressors with the low-pressure compressor operating in a defined pressure range. The combined system provides for efficient contaminant removal from raw biogas to generate high-purity methane products with reduced membrane area and compression energy consumption.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for removing acid gases and other impurities from raw biogas streams, such as biogas from landfills or biogas from controlled anaerobic digestion, is disclosed. The method provides efficient generation of high-purity renewable natural gas from raw biogas. The biogas is treated in a multi-stage membrane system integrated with compression equipment. The membrane separation units are arranged into interconnected high-pressure and low-pressure gas recycling loops powered by high-pressure and low-pressure compressors. The combined system provides for the generation of efficient contaminant removal from raw biogas to generate high-purity methane products with reduced compression energy consumption.

Abstract: A system and method for generating renewable natural gas from raw biogas streams, such as biogas from landfills or biogas from controlled anaerobic digestion of biomass, provides for the efficient removal of acid gases and other impurities, including oxygen and nitrogen from biogas. The biogas is treated in a multi-stage membrane gas separation system integrated with a pressure swing adsorption system to generate pipeline-specification renewable natural gas. The combined system provides for efficient acid gas removal while simultaneously limiting oxygen carryover into the product stream.

Abstract: Internally reheated sweep gas-aided membrane gas separation module in which the sweep gas is expanded retentate that is warmed through heat exchange with non-expanded retentate within the module.

Abstract: A process for the efficient transfer of molecules between phases employing mesoporous poly (aryl ether ketone) hollow fiber membranes is provided. The method addresses the controlled transfer of reactants into and removal of reaction products from a reaction media and the removal and separation of target molecules from process streams by membrane-assisted liquid-liquid extraction. A number of possible modes of liquid-liquid extraction are possible according to the invention by utilizing porous poly (aryl ether ketone) hollow fiber membranes of Janus-like structure that exhibit a combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic surface characteristics. The method of the present invention can address the continuous manufacture of chemicals in membrane reactors and is useful for a broad range of separation applications, including separation and recovery of active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Abstract: Disclosed is the preparation of composite membranes formed by a tailored selective chemical modification of an ultra-thin nanoporous surface layer of a semi-crystalline mesoporous poly (aryl ether ketone) membrane with graded density pore structure. The composite separation layer is synthesized in situ on the poly (aryl ether ketone) substrate surface and is covalently linked to the surface of the semi-crystalline mesoporous poly (aryl ether ketone) membrane. Hollow fiber configuration is the preferred embodiment of forming the functionalized the poly (aryl ether ketone) membranes. Composite poly (aryl ether ketone) membranes of the present invention are particularly useful for a broad range of fluid separation applications, including organic solvent ultrafiltration and nanofiltration to separate and recover active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Abstract: A method for generating Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) from raw biogas is disclosed, in which carbon dioxide is removed from biogas to generate pipeline specification RNG by a combination of absorption and membrane processes. The absorption process provides for the initial bulk carbon dioxide removal. The membrane process provides for the simultaneous removal of carbon dioxide and water vapors to pipeline specification. The method is characterized by a reduced separation energy consumption as compared to stand-alone membrane and absorption unit separations for biogas upgrading.

Abstract: Disclosed is the preparation of composite membranes formed by a tailored selective chemical modification of an ultra-thin nanoporous surface layer of a semi-crystalline mesoporous poly (aryl ether ketone) membrane with graded density pore structure. The composite separation layer is synthesized in situ on the poly (aryl ether ketone) substrate surface and is covalently linked to the surface of the semi-crystalline mesoporous poly (aryl ether ketone) membrane. Hollow fiber configuration is the preferred embodiment of forming the functionalized the poly (aryl ether ketone) membranes. Composite poly (aryl ether ketone) membranes of the present invention are particularly useful for a broad range of fluid separation applications, including organic solvent ultrafiltration and nanofiltration to separate and recover active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Abstract: A process for the efficient transfer of molecules between phases employing mesoporous poly (aryl ether ketone) hollow fiber membranes is provided. The method addresses the controlled transfer of reactants into and removal of reaction products from a reaction media and the removal and separation of target molecules from process streams by membrane-assisted liquid-liquid extraction. A number of possible modes of liquid-liquid extraction are possible according to the invention by utilizing porous poly (aryl ether ketone) hollow fiber membranes of Janus-like structure that exhibit a combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic surface characteristics. The method of the present invention can address the continuous manufacture of chemicals in membrane reactors and is useful for a broad range of separation applications, including separation and recovery of active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Abstract: Disclosed is the preparation of composite membranes formed by a tailored selective chemical modification of an ultra-thin nanoporous surface layer of a semi-crystalline mesoporous poly (aryl ether ketone) membrane with graded density pore structure. The composite separation layer is synthesized in situ on the poly (aryl ether ketone) substrate surface and is covalently linked to the surface of the semi-crystalline mesoporous poly (aryl ether ketone) membrane. Hollow fiber configuration is the preferred embodiment of forming the functionalized the poly (aryl ether ketone) membranes. Composite poly (aryl ether ketone) membranes of the present invention are particularly useful for a broad range of fluid separation applications, including organic solvent ultrafiltration and nanofiltration to separate and recover active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Abstract: Mesoporous poly (aryl ether ketone) articles are formed from blends of poly (aryl ether ketones) with pore forming additives by melt processing, and can be in the form of a monofilament, disc, film, microcapillary or other complex shapes. The method of formation provides for preparation of poly (aryl ether ketone) articles with high degree of surface area and uniform nanometer pore size. The preferred poly (aryl ether ketone)s are poly (ether ketone) and poly (ether ether ketone). The mesoporous articles formed by the method of the present invention are useful for a broad range of applications, including molecular separations and organic solvent filtration.