Abstract: The invention relates to a support intended to receive a mineral membrane for separation procedures, and processes for the production thereof. The support is formed by a carbon-carbon composite material of small thickness, which is mechanically strong and which is of a porous texture suited to the mineral membrane. It is produced by adjusting the porous texture of a carbon-carbon material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing mineral and in particular, carbon-containing membranes on a porous mineral support. According to the process, at least one layer of a stable emulsion of mineral particles in a solution containing a thermosetting resin is deposited on a permeable, porous, mineral support. The resin undergoes a polycondensation treatment followed by coking, and the coke formed insures the mechanical connection of the mineral particles both to one another and to the support. The membranes produced according to the invention can be used in separating processes, particularly in microfiltration and ultrafiltration.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a plasma torch capable of an output speed of at least 100 m/s, a fine powder distributor, and a substrate holder which can be heated electrically and cooled by water, which is at an adjustable distance from the torch, and which is movable in two transverse directions at adjustable speeds. The method consists in starting from ceramic having a low roughness CLA and from powder having a narrow granulometric distribution over an average value of at most 10 .mu.m, and projecting the melted powder onto the substrates kept at a regulated temperature and subjected to the said transverse movements.