Abstract: A filtration system includes at least one spiral wound first filter section in fluid communication with at least one spiral wound second filter section. The first and second filter sections include: (i) a filtration membrane; (ii) a feed spacer located adjacent the filtration membrane and defining a feed flow channel; and (iii) a permeate spacer located adjacent the filtration membrane and defining a permeate flow channel. A thickness of the feed flow channel in the first filter section is different than a thickness of the feed flow channel in the second filter section, and/or an effective volume of the first filter section is different than an effective volume of the second filter section. A method of filtering a feed flow is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for treating a surface of a microporous membrane includes: (1) contacting at least one surface of the membrane with a treatment composition including: (a) an acrylic polymer prepared from a mixture of vinyl monomers including: (i) a (meth)acrylic acid monomer and (ii) a silane-functional acrylic monomer; and (b) a base, where the acrylic polymer is in contact with the filler present in the matrix; and (2) subjecting the membrane of (1) to conditions sufficient to effect a condensation reaction between the filler and the acrylic polymer. A treated microporous membrane and an aqueous treatment composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for treating a surface of a filled microporous membrane. The microporous membrane includes a polyolefinic matrix, inorganic filler distributed throughout the matrix, and a network of interconnecting pores throughout the membrane. The method includes sequentially (1) contacting at least one surface of the membrane with a treatment composition of a silane-functional polyamine compound having at least one alkoxy silane group, such that the silane-functional polyamine compound is in intimate contact with the filler present in the matrix; and (2) subjecting the membrane of (1) to conditions sufficient to effect a condensation reaction between the inorganic filler and the silane-functional polyamine compound. Treated membranes also are provided.

Abstract: A method for treating a surface of a microporous membrane includes: (1) contacting at least one surface of the membrane with a treatment composition including: (a) an acrylic polymer prepared from a mixture of vinyl monomers including: (i) a (meth)acrylic acid monomer and (ii) a silane-functional acrylic monomer; and (b) a base, where the acrylic polymer is in contact with the filler present in the matrix; and (2) subjecting the membrane of (1) to conditions sufficient to effect a condensation reaction between the filler and the acrylic polymer. A treated microporous membrane and an aqueous treatment composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for treating a surface of a filled microporous membrane. The microporous membrane includes a polyolefinic matrix, inorganic filler distributed throughout the matrix, and a network of interconnecting pores throughout the membrane. The method includes sequentially (1) contacting the membrane with a first treatment composition comprising an epoxy-silane which is in intimate contact with the inorganic filler; (2) subjecting the membrane of (1) to conditions sufficient to effect a first reaction between the inorganic filler and the silane groups of the epoxy-silane compound; (3) contacting the membrane of (2) with a second treatment composition comprising polyalkylene polyamine, an amine functional polysaccharide and/or an amino silane; and (4) subjecting the membrane of (3) to conditions sufficient to effect a second reaction. Treated membranes also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for treating a surface of a filled microporous membrane. The microporous membrane includes a polyolefinic matrix, inorganic filler distributed throughout the matrix, and a network of interconnecting pores throughout the membrane. The method includes sequentially (1) contacting the membrane with a first treatment composition comprising an epoxy-silane which is in intimate contact with the inorganic filler; (2) subjecting the membrane of (1) to conditions sufficient to effect a first reaction between the inorganic filler and the silane groups of the epoxy-silane compound; (3) contacting the membrane of (2) with a second treatment composition comprising polyalkylene polyamine, an amine functional polysaccharide and/or an amino silane; and (4) subjecting the membrane of (3) to conditions sufficient to effect a second reaction. Treated membranes also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for treating a surface of a filled microporous membrane. The microporous membrane includes a polyolefinic matrix, inorganic filler distributed throughout the matrix, and a network of interconnecting pores throughout the membrane. The method includes sequentially (1) contacting the membrane with a first treatment composition comprising an epoxy-silane which is in intimate contact with the inorganic filler; (2) subjecting the membrane of (1) to conditions sufficient to effect a first reaction between the inorganic filler and the silane groups of the epoxy-silane compound; (3) contacting the membrane of (2) with a second treatment composition comprising polyalkylene polyamine, an amine functional polysaccharide and/or an amino silane; and (4) subjecting the membrane of (3) to conditions sufficient to effect a second reaction. Treated membranes also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for treating a surface of a filled microporous membrane. The microporous membrane includes a polyolefinic matrix, inorganic filler distributed throughout the matrix, and a network of interconnecting pores throughout the membrane. The method includes sequentially (1) contacting the membrane with a first treatment composition comprising an epoxy-silane which is in intimate contact with the inorganic filler; (2) subjecting the membrane of (1) to conditions sufficient to effect a first reaction between the inorganic filler and the silane groups of the epoxy-silane compound; (3) contacting the membrane of (2) with a second treatment composition comprising polyalkylene polyamine, an amine functional polysaccharide and/or an amino silane; and (4) subjecting the membrane of (3) to conditions sufficient to effect a second reaction. Treated membranes also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for treating a surface of a filled microporous membrane. The microporous membrane includes a polyolefinic matrix, inorganic filler distributed throughout the matrix, and a network of interconnecting pores throughout the membrane. The method includes sequentially (1) contacting at least one surface of the membrane with a treatment composition of a silane-functional polyamine compound having at least one alkoxy silane group, such that the silane-functional polyamine compound is in intimate contact with the filler present in the matrix; and (2) subjecting the membrane of (1) to conditions sufficient to effect a condensation reaction between the inorganic filler and the silane-functional polyamine compound. Treated membranes also are provided.

Abstract: A filtration system includes at least one spiral wound first filter section in fluid communication with at least one spiral wound second filter section. The first and second filter sections include: (i) a filtration membrane; (ii) a feed spacer located adjacent the filtration membrane and defining a feed flow channel; and (iii) a permeate spacer located adjacent the filtration membrane and defining a permeate flow channel. A thickness of the feed flow channel in the first filter section is different than a thickness of the feed flow channel in the second filter section, and/or an effective volume of the first filter section is different than an effective volume of the second filter section. A method of filtering a feed flow is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of treating a hydrocarbon-containing waste stream to form a hydrocarbon-containing retentate and an aqueous permeate which is substantially free of hydrocarbon. The method includes passing the hydrocarbon-containing waste stream through a microporous membrane to yield the hydrocarbon-containing retentate and the aqueous permeate. The membrane comprises a substantially hydrophobic, polymeric matrix and substantially hydrophilic, finely divided, particulate filler distributed throughout the matrix. The polymeric matrix has pores with a volume average diameter less than 1.0 micron, and at least 50 percent of the pores have a mean diameter of less than 0.35 micron.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of treating a hydrocarbon-containing waste stream to form a hydrocarbon-containing retentate and an aqueous permeate which is substantially free of hydrocarbon. The method includes passing the hydrocarbon-containing waste stream through a microporous membrane to yield the hydrocarbon-containing retentate and the aqueous permeate. The membrane comprises a substantially hydrophobic, polymeric matrix and substantially hydrophilic, finely divided, particulate filler distributed throughout the matrix. The polymeric matrix has pores with a volume average diameter less than 1.0 micron, and at least 50 percent of the pores have a mean diameter of less than 0.35 micron.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to glass fiber forming bushings, to methods of controlling the temperature of bushings having multiple segments, to systems of controlling the temperature of bushings having multiple segments, and to other systems and methods. In one embodiment, a method of controlling the temperature of a bushing having multiple segments comprises forming a plurality of filaments from a bushing comprising at least two segments, gathering the filaments into at least two ends, measuring the size of each of the at least two ends, comparing the measured size of the at least two ends to a desired end size, adjusting the amount of current passing through the at least two bushing segments in response to the end size comparisons.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to glass fiber forming bushings, to methods of controlling the temperature of bushings having multiple segments, to systems of controlling the temperature of bushings having multiple segments, and to other systems and methods. In one embodiment, a method of controlling the temperature of a bushing having multiple segments comprises forming a plurality of filaments from a bushing comprising at least two segments, gathering the filaments into at least two ends, measuring the size of each of the at least two ends, comparing the measured size of the at least two ends to a desired end size, adjusting the amount of current passing through the at least two bushing segments in response to the end size comparisons.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to glass fiber forming bushings, to methods of controlling the temperature of bushings having multiple segments, to systems of controlling the temperature of bushings having multiple segments, and to other systems and methods. In one embodiment, a method of controlling the temperature of a bushing having multiple segments comprises forming a plurality of filaments from a bushing comprising at least two segments, gathering the filaments into at least two ends, measuring the size of each of the at least two ends, comparing the measured size of the at least two ends to a desired end size, adjusting the amount of current passing through the at least two bushing segments in response to the end size comparisons.

Abstract: A multi-end fiber glass roving comprises a plurality of fiber glass ends and at least one bicomponent string binder. The bicomponent string binder may comprise at least one bundle of bicomponent string binder filaments, each filament having a core and an outer sheath.

Abstract: A fiber glass roving comprises a plurality of ends from a plurality of direct draw packages, each direct draw package having a single end. Ends from a plurality of direct draw packages may be combined to form a roving at a point of use, such as just prior to chopping the roving in a chopping gun. Assembled rovings may also be formed by winding a plurality of ends from a plurality of direct draw packages, each direct draw package having a single end, into an assembled roving package.