Abstract: A method of coating a polymer comprising the step of treating the polymer with an activating agent to produce a reactive polymer, for example treating a polymer bearing at least one X (halogen) group and at least one H with base to eliminate HX. The reactive polymer is then reacted with a reactive coating, for example PVP, preferably in the presence of an initiator like persulfate anions, to produce a coated polymer, which may be hydrophilic in nature.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymeric ultrafiltration or microfiltration membranes of, for instance, poly(ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene) (HALAR®), PVDF or PP, incorporating PVME or vinyl methyl ether monomers. The PVME may be present as a coating on the membrane or dispersed throughout the membrane or both. The membranes are preferably hydrophilic with a highly asymmetric structure with a reduced pore size and/or absence of macrovoids as a result of the addition of PVME. The PVME maybe cross-linked. The invention also relates to methods of hydrophilising membranes and/or preparing hydrophilic membranes via thermal or diffusion induced phase separation processed.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymeric ultrafiltration or microfiltration membranes of, for instance, poly(ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene) (HALAR®), PVDF or PP, incorporating PVME or vinyl methyl ether monomers. The PVME may be present as a coating on the membrane or dispersed throughout the membrane or both. The membranes are preferably hydrophilic with a highly asymmetric structure with a reduced pore size and/or absence of macrovoids as a result of the addition of PVME. The PVME maybe cross-linked. The invention also relates to methods of hydrophilising membranes and/or preparing hydrophilic membranes via thermal or diffusion induced phase separation processed.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymeric ultrafiltration or microfiltration membranes of, for instance, Halar, PVDF or PP, incorporating PVME or vinyl methyl ether monomers. The PVME may be present as a coating on the membrane or dispersed throughout the membrane or both. The membranes are preferably hydrophilic with a highly asymmetric structure with a reduced pore size and/or absence of macrovoids as a result of the addition of PVME. The PVME maybe cross-linked. The invention also relates to methods of hydrophilising membranes and/or preparing hydrophilic membranes via thermal or diffusion induced phase separation processed.

Abstract: Hydrophilic porous polymeric membranes with high permeabilities, and processes for the preparation thereof are disclosed. Membranes may be prepared by including a preferably hydrophilic cross-linkable component such as PVP (either by inclusion into the polymer dope prior to casting, or coating or quenching cast membranes); and treating the polymeric microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane with a crosslinking agent to cross-link said cross-linkable component. Preferred cross-linking agents include Fenton's reagent.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymeric ultrafiltration or microfiltration membranes of, for instance, Halar, PVDF or PP, incorporating PVME or vinyl methyl ether monomers. The PVME may be present as a coating on the membrane or dispersed throughout the membrane or both. The membranes are preferably hydrophilic with a highly asymmetric structure with a reduced pore size and/or absence of macrovoids as a result of the addition of PVME. The PVME maybe cross-linked. The invention also relates to methods of hydrophilising membranes and/or preparing hydrophilic membranes via thermal or diffusion induced phase separation processed.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymeric ultrafiltration or microfiltration membranes of, for instance, Halar, PVDF or PP, incorporating PVME or vinyl methyl ether monomers. The PVME may be present as a coating on the membrane or dispersed throughout the membrane or both. The membranes are preferably hydrophilic with a highly asymmetric structure with a reduced pore size and/or absence of macrovoids as a result of the addition of PVME. The PVME maybe cross-linked. The invention also relates to methods of hydrophilising membranes and/or preparing hydrophilic membranes via thermal or diffusion induced phase separation processed.

Abstract: Porous polymeric membranes including HALAR® (poly(ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene)) and related compounds and the methods of production thereof which avoid the use of toxic solvents. Preferred solvents, coating agents and pore forming agents are citric acid ethyl ester or glycerol triacetate. The membranes may be in the form of a hollow fiber or flat sheet, and may include other agents to modify the properties of the membranes, such as the hydrophilic/hydrophilic balance. Leachable agents may also be incorporated into the membranes.

Abstract: Hydrophilic porous polymeric membranes with high permeabilities, and processes for the preparation thereof are disclosed. Membranes may be prepared by including a preferably hydrophilic cross-linkable component such as PVP (either by inclusion into the polymer dope prior to casting, or coating or quenching cast membranes); and treating the polymeric microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane with a crosslinking agent to cross-link said cross-linkable component. Preferred cross-linking agents include Fenton's reagent.

Abstract: A method of coating a polymer comprising the step of treating said polymer with an activating agent to produce a reactive polymer, for example treating a polymer bearing at least one X (halogen) group and at least one H with base to eliminate HX. The reactive polymer is then with a reactive coating, for example PVP, preferably in the presence of an initiator like persulfate anions, to produce a coated polymer, which maybe hydrophilic in nature.

Abstract: Porous polymeric membranes including HALAR® (poly(ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene)) and related compounds and the methods of production thereof which avoid the use of toxic solvents. Preferred solvents, coating agents and pore forming agents are citric acid ethyl ester or glycerol triacetate. The membranes may be in the form of a hollow fibre or flat sheet, and may include other agents to modify the properties of the membranes, such as the hydrophilic/hydrophilic balance. Leachable agents may also be incorporated into the membranes.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane comprising the step of contacting said membrane with a hydroxyl radical. The method is particularly suited for oxidation resistant membranes, such as Halar, with biological or organic fouling. The hydroxyl radicals for example are generated from an aqueous solution of transition metal ions, such as molybdenum, chromium, cobalt, copper, tungsten or more particularly iron, in conjunction with hydrogen peroxide under acidic conditions. The method is particularly suited to hollow fibre membranes where oxygen bubo es foamed in the course of the reaction create a flow that draws more liquid in through a wall of a vertical hollow fibre membrane and pushes water out of the top of the lumen, and where oxygen bubbles act to self agitate the solution which can break up a filter cake, where present, on the microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane surface.

Abstract: Porous polymeric membranes including Halar (poly (ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene)) and related compounds and the methods of production thereof which avoid the use of toxic solvents. Preferred solvents, coating agents and pore forming agents are citric acid ethyl ester or glycerol triacetate. The membranes may be in the form of a hollow fiber or flat sheet, and may include other agents to modify the properties of the membrane, such as the hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance. Leachable agents may also be incorporated into the membranes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) monomer, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) monomer and hexafluoropropylene (HFP) monomer for forming an ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane, method of forming said membranes, and to the ultrafiltration or microfiltration membranes themselves. The invention also relates to a method of forming a polymeric ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane including preparing a leachant resistant membrane dope which incorporates a leachable pore forming agent, casting a membrane from the dope and leaching the pore forming agent from the membrane. The invention also relates to a method of preparing a polymeric ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane of improved structure including the step of adding a nucleating agent to the membrane dope before casting.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymeric ultrafiltration or microfiltration membranes of, for instance, Halar, PVDF or PP, incorporating PVME or vinyl methyl ether monomers. The PVME may be present as a coating on the membrane or dispersed throughout the membrane or both. The membranes are preferably hydrophilic with a highly asymmetric structure with a reduced pore size and/or absence of macrovoids as a result of the addition of PVME. The PVME maybe cross-linked. The invention also relates to methods of hydrophilising membranes and/or preparing hydrophilic membranes via thermal or diffusion induced phase separation processed.

Abstract: Elongate hollow fibre polymeric membranes having an outer surface, a plurality of pores and a pore size gradient increasing radially inwardly such that the pores form a substantially hollow passage in the fibre are disclosed. The hollow fiber membranes are made by mixing a liquid lumen forming agent with a polymer dope, and then contacting the dope with a quench fluid for a time sufficient for the dope to solidify, wherein the quench fluid is contacted only at an outer surface of the dope corresponding with an outer surface on the hollow fibre.

Abstract: Porous polymeric membranes including Halar (poly (ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene)) and related compounds and the methods of production thereof which avoid the use of toxic solvents. Preferred solvents, coating agents and pore forming agents are citric acid ethyl ester or glycerol triacetate. The membranes may be in the form of a hollow fibre or flat sheet, and may include other agents to modify the properties of the membrane, such as the hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance. Leachable agents may also be incorporated into the membranes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) monomer, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) monomer and hexafluoropropylene (HFP) monomer for forming an ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane, method of forming said membranes, and to the ultrafiltration or microfiltration membranes themselves. The invention also relates to a method of forming a polymeric ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane including preparing a leachant resistant membrane dope which incorporates a leachable pore forming agent, casting a membrane from the dope and leaching the pore forming agent from the membrane. The invention also relates to a method of preparing a polymeric ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane of improved structure including the step of adding a nucleating agent to the membrane dope before casting.