Abstract: A membrane assembly includes a tube container having an inlet conduit and a first outlet conduit both oriented in a radial direction, and a second outlet conduit oriented in an axial direction; and a hollow fiber membrane element disposed inside the tube container, the hollow first membrane element comprising a first adapter with an axial permeate fluid passage in a center thereof and an inlet gas passage in a peripheral portion thereof; and a second adapter with an axial permeate fluid passage in a center thereof and a non-permeate fluid passage in a peripheral portion thereof.

Abstract: Bayesian recursive estimation is used to analyze performance parameters of a membrane separation system based on historical operational data of a membrane system. Bayesian estimation considers historical data over prior time intervals to predict future membrane separation performance to avoid unexpected downtime and unanticipated maintenance. A set of state variables used for modeling performance is used with a degradation model of to anticipate performance changes and maintenance based on measured properties of permeate, non-permeate, and feed flows.

Abstract: A membrane assembly includes a tube container having an inlet conduit and a first outlet conduit both oriented in a radial direction, and a second outlet conduit oriented in an axial direction; and a hollow fiber membrane element disposed inside the tube container, the hollow first membrane element comprising a first adapter with an axial permeate fluid passage in a center thereof and an inlet gas passage in a peripheral portion thereof; and a second adapter with an axial permeate fluid passage in a center thereof and a non-permeate fluid passage in a peripheral portion thereof.

Abstract: Membranes used in membrane separation technologies change over time due to changes in physical characteristics of the membrane. Predicting remaining useful lifetime of a membrane is performed by fitting an evolution model of the membrane to real-time performance characteristics recorded for the membrane and by comparing later performance characteristics of the membrane to the evolution model. Updating an evolution model during membrane operation improves estimates of remaining useful membrane lifetime and allows for accurate estimates of estimated membrane end-of-life.

Abstract: Bayesian recursive estimation is used to analyze performance parameters of a membrane separation system based on historical operational data of a membrane system. Bayesian estimation considers historical data over prior time intervals to predict future membrane separation performance to avoid unexpected downtime and unanticipated maintenance. A set of state variables used for modeling performance is used with a degradation model of to anticipate performance changes and maintenance based on measured properties of permeate, non-permeate, and feed flows.

Abstract: A membrane filter element includes at least two cylindrical-shaped, fiber bundles, one of the fiber bundles containing first fibers fabricated to provide a selected first gas selectivity, a selected first gas permeability, or a selected first gas selectivity and permeability performance and arranged so a first gas permeate exits the membrane element; another of the fiber bundles containing second fibers fabricated to provide a selected second, different gas selectivity, a selected second different gas permeability, or a selected second gas selectivity and permeability performance and arranged so a second different gas permeate exits the membrane element. The different performance characteristics can reduce the number of membrane elements required for gas separation and to improve gas separation performance due to changing gas composition as the gas travels through the membrane element.

Abstract: A natural gas stream is passed through a single membrane element that is fabricated with two or more distinct types of membrane fibers. The membrane fibers have different characteristics in order to reduce the number of membrane elements required for gas separation and to improve gas separation performance due to changing gas composition because of permeation as the gas travels through the membrane element.

Abstract: A shell-side feed, hollow fiber, fluid separation module arranged for counter-flow includes a hollow fiber membrane bundle with each individual hollow fiber membrane in the bundle having an open fiber end and a sealed fiber end. The open fiber ends are encapsulated in a tubesheet located toward the permeate fluid outlet end of the module. The sealed fiber ends are tubesheet-free, uniformly spaced, and located toward the non-permeate fluid outlet end of the module.

Abstract: A shell-side feed, hollow fiber, fluid separation module arranged for counter-flow includes a hollow fiber membrane bundle with each individual hollow fiber membrane in the bundle having an open fiber end and a sealed fiber end. The open fiber ends are encapsulated in a tubesheet located toward the permeate fluid outlet end of the module. The sealed fiber ends are tubesheet-free, uniformly spaced, and located toward the non-permeate fluid outlet end of the module.

Abstract: A natural gas stream is passed through a single membrane element that is fabricated with two or more distinct types of membrane fibers. The membrane fibers have different characteristics in order to reduce the number of membrane elements required for gas separation and to improve gas separation performance due to changing gas composition because of permeation as the gas travels through the membrane element.

Abstract: The present invention is a bore-fed hollow fiber membrane device which possesses improved shellside countercurrent flow distribution. More specifically, the hollow fiber membrane bundle has a radial Peclet number of about 30 or lower which results in improved fluid recovery and productivity.

Abstract: The present invention is a fluid separation module having improved permeate flow characteristics and improved space/volume requirements. Such modules comprise a hollow fiber bundle, a first and optional second tubesheet, an optional casing, a feed inlet, a permeate outlet, and a non-permeate outlet. The module is coiled, curved or bent into a useful non-linear shape which reduces the space requirements for the module essentially without diminishing the effectiveness of the fluid separation. The feed fluid is introduced to the module either in a boreside or a shellside manner. Coil, french horn, spiral or U-shaped configuration or combinations thereof are useful.