Patents by Inventor Heinz-Joachim Muller

Heinz-Joachim Muller has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8524794
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Heinz-Joachim Muller, Daniel Mullette
  • Patent number: 7988891
    Abstract: A method of improving the water permeability and/or cleaning a porous polymeric microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane, preferably a hydrophobic/hydrophilic blended membrane, eg P VdF/PVP comprising the step of contacting the porous polymeric membrane with a source of monopersulfate, preferably an aqueous solution of 2KHSO5.KHSO4.K2SO4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Heinz-Joachim Muller, Dongliang Wang, Nina Elbaz
  • Publication number: 20110147308
    Abstract: A charged porous polymeric membrane comprises a porous polymeric membrane substrate comprising a polymeric membrane material and a first polymer having a first functional group, the first polymer is compatible with the membrane material, and a charged polymer has a second functional group, the charged polymer can react with the first polymer to bond the charged polymer to the first polymer, forming a charged coating on the membrane outer and inner surfaces. The membrane may be a microporous or an ultrafiltration membrane. The membrane may be a hollow fiber, flat sheet, or tubular membrane. Methods of manufacturing the membranes and method of using of the membranes to remove viral particles from contaminated water are further described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Siemens Water Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Geoffrey JOHNSTON-HALL, Heinz-Joachim Muller, Dongliang Wang
  • Publication number: 20110132826
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention seek to provide a membrane distillation system having compact design and simplified connection system for fluid flow paths used in the system. According to one aspect, a membrane distillation system includes at least one membrane module and at least one like configured heat exchanger module, the modules being supported and connected to like configured manifold devices for providing fluid communication between said modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: SIEMENS WATER TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
    Inventors: Heinz-Joachim Muller, Chan Mya Tun
  • Patent number: 7819956
    Abstract: Porous polymeric membranes formed from a hydrophobic polymer, such as halar having membrane pores of a size sufficient to permit gas and/or vapor permeation 0.05 ?m to 5 ?m without permitting the flow of a hydrophilic fluid across the membrane. Pore distribution is uniform and porosity is high, in some cases up to 80%. Membranes may be in the form of a flay sheet or hollow fibre for example and can be used in a variety of applications such as stripping HF gas, degassing of caustic solution, chlorine gas/alkaline filtration, degassing tap water to remove dissolved chlorine. Processes used to make such membranes can be carried out using relatively non toxic solvents such as citric acid ethyl ester or glycerol triacetate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Water Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Heinz-Joachim Muller
  • Publication number: 20100000942
    Abstract: A method of improving the water permeability and/or cleaning a porous polymeric membrane (such as a microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane comprising the step of contacting said a porous polymeric membrane with a source of monopersulfate and a halide ion, such as chloride and optionally a base. The source of monopersulfate may be potassium monopersulfate in conjunction with potassium hydrogen sulfate and potassium sulfate, ie a triple salt of formula 2KHSO5.KHSO4.K2SO4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Heinz Joachim Muller, Dongliang Wang, Andrew John Inglis
  • Patent number: 7632439
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Water Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Daniel Mullette, Heinz-Joachim Muller
  • Publication number: 20090127212
    Abstract: Methods for cleaning a membrane, such a porous polymeric ultrafiltration or microfÊltration membranes (eg PVdF or Halar), comprising contacting the membrane with an aqueous solution comprising a monopersulfate anion. Buffers, chelating agents, catalysts, and combinations thereof can be added. The monopersulfate anion is most advantageously in the form of a potassium triple salt Of H2SO5, HSO5?, SO52?. Solutions comprising monopersulfate anions can be fed into a feed side of the membrane and the membrane is allowed to stand and soak in the solution or injected to the filtrate side prior to a membrane backwash. An aeration step and/or irradiation with ultraviolet light can be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Heinz-Joachim Muller, Dongliang Wang, Fufang Zha
  • Publication number: 20080214687
    Abstract: Methods of forming a hydrophilic porous polymeric membrane which include preparing a porous polymeric membrane from a polymer blend which typically contains a hydrophobic non crosslinkable component (e.g. PVdF) and a component which is cross-linkable (for instance, PVP) and treating said porous polymeric membrane under cross linking conditions to produce a modified membrane with greatly improved water permeability and hydrophilic stability. Cross linking condition include chemical (e.g. peroxodisulfate species), thermal or radiation and/or combinations thereof. Non cross linked material may be washed out if desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Heinz-Joachim Muller, Dongliang Wang, Ashvin Kumar
  • Publication number: 20080203018
    Abstract: A method of improving the water permeability and/or cleaning a porous polymeric microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane, preferably a hydrophobic/hydrophilic blended membrane, eg P VdF/PVP comprising the step of contacting the porous polymeric membrane with a source of monopersulfate, preferably an aqueous solution of 2KHSO5.KHSO4.K2SO4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: SIEMENS WATER TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
    Inventors: Heinz-Joachim Muller, Dongliang Wang, Nina Elbaz
  • Patent number: 7404896
    Abstract: A porous polymeric membrane formed from a blend of a polymeric membrane forming material, such as polyvinylidene fluoride or polysulfone and a polymeric reactivity modifying agent adapted to modify the surface active properties of the porous polymeric membrane. The reactivity modifying agent is preferably a linear polymeric anhydride, such as poly(alkyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride). The surface activity modifications include modification of the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity balance of the membrane, or hydrolysis followed by reaction with a polyamine to form a crosslinked polyamide layer. Such modified membranes have use as reverse osmosis membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Water Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Heinz-Joachim Muller
  • Publication number: 20080058440
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2005
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens Water Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Heinz-Joachim Muller, Daniel Mullette
  • Patent number: 7300022
    Abstract: A porous polymeric membrane formed from a blend of a polymeric membrane forming material, such as polyvinylidene fluoride or polysulfone and a polymeric reactivity modifying agent adapted to modify the surface active properties of the porous polymeric membrane. The reactivity modifying agent is preferably a linear polymeric anhydride, such as poly(alkyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride). The surface activity modifications include modification of the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity balance of the membrane, or hydrolysis followed by reaction with a polyamine to form a crosslinked polyamide layer. Such modified membranes have use as reverse osmosis membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Water Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Heinz-Joachim Muller
  • Publication number: 20070216057
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: Daniel Mullette, Heinz-Joachim Muller
  • Publication number: 20070210002
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Daniel Mullette, Heinz-Joachim Muller
  • Patent number: 7247238
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Water Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Daniel Mullette, Heinz-Joachim Muller
  • Publication number: 20070157812
    Abstract: Porous polymeric membranes formed from a hydrophobic polymer, such as halar having membrane pores of a size sufficient to permit gas and/or vapor permeation 0.05 ?m to 5 ?m without permitting the flow of a hydrophilic fluid across the membrane. Pore distribution is uniform and porosity is high, in some cases up to 80%. Membranes may be in the form of a flay sheet or hollow fibre for example and can be used in a variety of applications such as stripping HF gas, degassing of caustic solution, chlorine gas/alkaline filtration, degassing tap water to remove dissolved chlorine. Processes used to make such membranes can be carried out using relatively non toxic solvents such as citric acid ethyl ester or glycerol triacetate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventor: Heinz-Joachim Muller
  • Patent number: 7226541
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Water Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Heinz-Joachim Muller, Daniel Mullette
  • Publication number: 20050242021
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Applicant: Pall Corporation
    Inventors: Jerome Ditter, Heinz-Joachim Muller, Daniel Mullette
  • Publication number: 20050098494
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventors: Daniel Mullette, Heinz-Joachim Muller