Abstract: The invention provides novel polymer matrices and methods for preparing polymer matrices, as well as methods for purifying caustic feed streams using membranes that comprise polysulfonamide matrices.

Abstract: The invention provides novel polymer matrices and methods for preparing polymer matrices.

Abstract: The invention provides porous matrices that comprise one or more surfactants that can be used in non-aqueous environments.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for purifying caustic feed streams using membranes that comprise polysulfonamide matrices.

Abstract: The invention provides novel polymer matrices and methods for preparing polymer matrices, as well as methods for purifying caustic feed streams using membranes that comprise polysulfonamide matrices.

Abstract: The invention provides novel polymer matrices and methods for preparing polymer matrices.

Abstract: Semi-permeable membranes are described that allow for the efficient processing of many liquid based feed solutions, particularly those that contain acids. The membranes of this invention are able to process such feeds with high permeate rates while maintaining excellent retention of dissolved metals, cations, and organic compounds, even in the presence of hot concentrated acids. The semi-permeable membranes of this invention are able to conduct such separations for a useful period of time due to their chemical stability towards acids and their ability to permeate acids.

Abstract: The invention provides secondary sulfonamide polymers, wherein some, most, or all of the sulfonamido protons have been replaced with a substituent other than hydrogen. The invention also provides methods for preparing such polymers as well as devices (e.g. composite membranes) incorporating such membranes.

Abstract: Sulfonamide polymer matrices and their various uses are disclosed. Among the uses is the configuration of the matrix with a porous support membrane to form a semipermeable membrane of the invention. The matrix of the invention is ultrathin, dense and substantially free of defects. The matrix configuration as the semipermeable membrane shows improved permeate flux and retention values.

Abstract: Sulfonamide polymer matrices and their various uses are disclosed. Among the uses is the configuration of the matrix with a porous support membrane to form a semipermeable membrane of the invention. The matrix of the invention is ultrathin, dense and substantially free of defects. The matrix configuration as the semipermeable membrane shows improved permeate flux and retention values.

Abstract: Sulfonamide polymer matrices and their various uses are disclosed. Among the uses is the configuration of the matrix with a porous support membrane to form a semipermeable membrane of the invention. The matrix of the invention is ultrathin, dense and substantially free of defects. The matrix configuration as the semipermeable membrane shows improved permeate flux and retention values.

Abstract: Sulfonamide polymer matrices and their various uses are disclosed. Among the uses is the configuration of the matrix with a porous support membrane to form a semipermeable membrane of the invention. The matrix of the invention is ultrathin, dense and substantially free of defects. The matrix configuration as the semipermeable membrane shows improved permeate flux and retention values.

Abstract: The invention provides secondary sulfonamide polymers, wherein some, most, or all of the sulfonamido protons have been replaced with a substituent other than hydrogen. The invention also provides methods for preparing such polymers as well as devices (e.g. composite membranes) incorporating such membranes.

Abstract: Semi-permeable membranes are described that allow for the efficient processing of many liquid based feed solutions, particularly those that contain acids. The membranes of this invention are able to process such feeds with high permeate rates while maintaining excellent retention of dissolved metals, cations, and organic compounds, even in the presence of hot concentrated acids. The semi-permeable membranes of this invention are able to conduct such separations for a useful period of time due to their chemical stability towards acids and their ability to permeate acids.

Abstract: Rotary disc filtration devices and filtration processes using those devices are disclosed. The devices have one or more fluid filtration gaps into which fluid to be filtered into permeate and retentate is placed. Each fluid filtration gap is defined by a disc and a filter, one of which rotates with respect to the other. The filter is carried on a filter support member. Fresh feed is introduced to each fluid filtration gap near the longitudinal axis of the shaft on which the discs are rotated. Holes through the disc in the active area of the disc, which is the area opposite the filter, counteract the tendency of the disc and filter to move towards one another.

Abstract: Rotary filtration devices and processes are disclosed. The devices have at least one inner member and at least one outer member, one or both of which rotate so that they rotate with respect to one another and which define a fluid filtration gap therebetween. There are one or more filters facing the fluid filtration gap and which are located either on the inner member or on the outer member or on both. During the filtration process, permeate passes from the feed fluid in the fluid filtration gap through the one or more filters. The inner member has an internal pathway for the flow of feed fluid. Fluid from the body of fluid to be filtered flows from the body of feed fluid to be filtered through the internal pathway, reverses direction, and then flows through the fluid filtration gap back to the body of feed fluid.

Abstract: Rotary disc filtration devices and filtration processes using those devices are disclosed. The devices have one or more fluid filtration gaps into which fluid to be filtered into permeate and retentate is placed. Each fluid filtration gap is defined by a disc and a filter, one of which rotates with respect to the other. The filter is carried on a filter member. The discs and interleaved filter members may be suspended from the top of the device, the top may rest on a vessel containing the fluid to be filtered, the discs may be attached to a single shaft for rotation, and the filter members may be suspended from a sleeve around the shaft, which sleeve keeps the filters centered with respect to the discs. Removal of the device's top removes the discs and filter members together, facilitating maintenance. Each filter member may have a peripheral lip and the lips of adjacent filter members may be sufficiently close to one another to substantially restrict the flow of retentate out of the fluid filtration gap.

Abstract: Water insoluble polymers are treated to place on their exposed surfaces the pendant alkyl imidocarbonyl (amide) groups to impart a high degree of hydrophilicity to that surface. Nitrile-containing polymers or copolymers in the form of insoluble films, filters or membranes are treated to convert a substantial fraction of the surface nitrile groups into the corresponding amide by the use of hydrogen peroxide or concentrated acids. The surface is rendered hydrophilic and resistant to fouling to the extent that even proteins are not denatured thereupon. The surface may also be converted to substituted amides by subsequent reactions to impart to it other functionalities or to serve as the basis for coupling reactions. Other polymers capable of surface treatment to produce pendant amidocarbonyl groups include ones containing pendant esters which on cleavage of the oxygen-carbon bond give pendant alcohol groups.

Abstract: A rotary filtration system comprising a device having a fluid filtration gap between a filter and a rotating member (e.g., a disc), a filter pack for use in the rotary filtration device, and a cartridge formed by structurally connecting (and optionally fluidly connecting) two or more of the filter packs is disclosed. In the filter pack, the filter lies adjacent a permeate collection member, which also desirably can support the filter. The permeate collection member has one or more passageways for collecting the permeate that flows through the filter and is connected to a permeate collection header in the device. The filter pack and device are designed so that the filter pack may be easily inserted into and removed from the device, preferably by moving the filter pack in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft that rotates the rotating member. Desirably the rotating member and/or filter has one or more spiral grooves in fluid communication with fluid in the gap.

Abstract: Water insoluble polymers are treated to place on their exposed surfaces the pendant alkyl imidocarbonyl (amide) groups to impart a high degree of hydrophilicity to that surface. Nitrile-containing polymers or copolymers in the form of insoluble films, filters or membranes are treated to convert a substantial fraction of the surface nitrile groups into the corresponding amide by the use of hydrogen peroxide or concentrated acids. The surface is rendered hydrophilic and resistant to fouling to the extent that even proteins are not denatured thereupon. The surface may also be converted to substituted amides by subsequent reactions to impart to it other functionalities or to serve as the basis for coupling reactions. Other polymers capable of surface treatment to produce pendant amidocarbonyl groups include ones containing pendant esters which on cleavage of the oxygen-carbon bond give pendant alcohol groups.