Abstract: A water transport assembly, is provided including a housing having a first chamber therein, which is accessible through an opening in the housing. The housing additionally includes a sample inlet port and a sample outlet port, both of which are in fluid communication with the first chamber. A flat ion exchange membrane is attached to the housing in a plane over the opening in the housing, to seal the opening in a vapor tight seal. Water will pass through the membrane based upon the vapor pressure on each side of the membrane, to either dry or humidify sample passing through the first chamber. When the flat ion exchange membrane is a flat, thin ion exchange membrane it is preferable that the thin ion exchange membrane have a thickness of between about 0.1 and about 3.0 mils.

Abstract: A water transport assembly, is provided including a housing having a first chamber therein, which is accessible through an opening in the housing. The housing additionally includes a sample inlet port and a sample outlet port, both of which are in fluid communication with the first chamber. A flat ion exchange membrane is attached to the housing in a plane over the opening in the housing, to seal the opening in a vapor tight seal. Water will pass through the membrane based upon the vapor pressure on each side of the membrane, to either dry or humidify sample passing through the first chamber. When the flat ion exchange membrane is a flat, thin ion exchange membrane it is preferable that the thin ion exchange membrane have a thickness of between about 0.1 and about 3.0 mils.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing and affixing connectors to membrane tubing reinforced by braided netting and used for drying of fluids employs mechanical fusion of the material of the braid or of an overlay formed of thermoplastic material (or a combustion of both) to produce the mechanical seal between the tubing and a connector. The seal includes an inner tubular insert (which may be formed of stainless steel, ceramic, or glass). The insert is placed in the end of the drying tube. The connector is fused to the tube by applying high temperature and pressure to the area of the tubing over the insert. This causes fusion of either the braiding material itself or fusion of a thermoplastic overlay placed over the end of the tubing surrounding the insert.

Abstract: A fluid dryer includes a section of tubing covered by a braided netting. The tubing is formed of a material which has selective and reversible water-absorption properties. The braided netting may be composed of electrical resistance wire, metallic wire, plastic monofilament, etc. Several dryers using the braided tubing employ a dessicant bed and multiple sections of braided tubing.