Patents by Inventor Meijuan Zhou
Meijuan Zhou 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).
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Publication number: 20230380444Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for the recovery of protein species from wet mill grain process streams. Systems and methods of the present disclosure may be integrated with a wet mill grain process to separate out protein species that may limit efficiency of the grain process and produce one or more product streams comprising these separated protein species. A feed stream may be fractionated by at least two membranes into retentate and permeate streams. Removing larger proteins through the membrane fractionation may allow previously soluble prolamin products in the permeate stream(s) to precipitate. The recovered protein species may include prolamin, such as zein from a corn grain feed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventors: Meijuan Zhou, Sanjay R. Srivatsa
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Patent number: 10017434Abstract: Gas separation processes are provided for separating dehydrogenation reaction products from a raw gas stream to recover hydrocarbons, specifically olefins, such as propylene and iso-butene, as well as unreacted feedstock. The processes employ a sequence of partial condensation steps, interspersed with membrane separation steps to raise the hydrocarbon dewpoint of the uncondensed gas, thereby avoiding the use of low-temperature or cryogenic conditions.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas P Wynn, Alvin Ng, Douglas Gottschlich, Paul Su, Meijuan Zhou, Sylvie Thomas-Droz
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Patent number: 9815031Abstract: A separation module that includes a porous membrane, where the porous membrane includes a poly(phenylene ether) copolymer containing 10 to 40 mole percent repeat units derived from 2-methyl-6-phenylphenol and 60 to 90 mole percent repeat units derived from 2,6-dimethylphenol; and a block copolymer containing backbone or pendant blocks of poly(C2-4 alkylene oxide). The separation module can be used in devices for wastewater treatment, water purification, desalination, separating water-insoluble oil from oil-containing wastewater, membrane distillation, sugar purification, protein concentration, enzyme recovery, dialysis, liver dialysis, or blood oxygenation.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2016Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: SABIC GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES B.V.Inventors: Albin Peter Berzinis, Joris de Grooth, Johannes de Brouwer, Meijuan Zhou, Pooja Bajaj, Rachel Elizabeth Halbfinger, Kristi Jean Narang
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Patent number: 9744499Abstract: Reverse osmosis membranes made by interfacial polymerization of a monomer in a nonpolar (e.g. organic) phase together with a monomer in a polar (e.g. aqueous) phase on a porous support membrane. Interfacial polymerization process is disclosed for preparing a highly permeable RO membrane, comprising: contacting on a porous support membrane, a) a first solution containing 1,3-diaminobenzene, and b) a second solution containing trimesoyl chloride, wherein at least one of solutions a) and b) contains nanoparticles when said solutions are first contacted, and recovering a highly permeable RO membrane.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2015Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: LG NANOH2O, INC.Inventors: Christopher James Kurth, Jeffrey Alan Koehler, Meijuan Zhou, Brett Anderson Holmberg, Robert Leon Burk
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Publication number: 20170008822Abstract: Gas separation processes are provided for separating dehydrogenation reaction products from a raw gas stream to recover hydrocarbons, specifically olefins, such as propylene and iso-butene, as well as unreacted feedstock. The processes employ a sequence of partial condensation steps, interspersed with membrane separation steps to raise the hydrocarbon dewpoint of the uncondensed gas, thereby avoiding the use of low-temperature or cryogenic conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Applicant: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas P. Wynn, Alvin Ng, Douglas Gottschlich, Paul Su, Meijuan Zhou, Sylvie Thomas-Droz
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Patent number: 9517981Abstract: Gas separation processes are provided for separating dehydrogenation reaction products from a raw gas stream to recover hydrocarbons, specifically olefins, such as propylene and iso-butene, as well as unreacted feedstock. The processes employ a sequence of partial condensation steps, interspersed with membrane separation steps to raise the hydrocarbon dewpoint of the uncondensed gas, thereby avoiding the use of low-temperature or cryogenic conditions.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2013Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas P. Wynn, Alvin Ng, Douglas Gottschlich, Paul Su, Meijuan Zhou, Sylvie Thomas-Droz
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Patent number: 9254465Abstract: Reverse osmosis membranes made by interfacial polymerization of a monomer in a nonpolar (e.g. organic) phase together with a monomer in a polar (e.g. aqueous) phase on a porous support membrane. Interfacial polymerization process is disclosed for preparing a highly permeable RO membrane, comprising: contacting on a porous support membrane, a) a first solution containing 1,3-diaminobenzene, and b) a second solution containing trimesoyl chloride, wherein at least one of solutions a) and b) contains nanoparticles when said solutions are first contacted, and recovering a highly permeable RO membrane.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2014Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: LG NANOH2O, INC.Inventors: Christopher James Kurth, Jeffrey Alan Koehler, Meijuan Zhou, Brett Anderson Holmberg, Robert Leon Burk
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Publication number: 20160030897Abstract: Reverse osmosis membranes made by interfacial polymerization of a monomer in a nonpolar (e.g. organic) phase together with a monomer in a polar (e.g. aqueous) phase on a porous support membrane. Interfacial polymerization process is disclosed for preparing a highly permeable RO membrane, comprising: contacting on a porous support membrane, a) a first solution containing 1,3-diaminobenzene, and b) a second solution containing trimesoyl chloride, wherein at least one of solutions a) and b) contains nanoparticles when said solutions are first contacted, and recovering a highly permeable RO membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Christopher James KURTH, Jeffrey Alan KOEHLER, Meijuan ZHOU, Brett Anderson HOLMBERG, Robert Leon BURK
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Publication number: 20150174524Abstract: A gas separation process that utilizes ejector recycle with a membrane separation step in combination with a second separation step. The second separation step may be a second membrane separation, or may involve a different type of separation process. At least a portion of the non-product (i.e. residue) stream withdrawn from the second separation step is directed back to the ejector to form a processing loop. The ejector drives the gas flow in the loop and recycles the non-product stream to the first separation step.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2015Publication date: June 25, 2015Applicant: MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH, INC.Inventors: Nicholas P. Wynn, Haiqing Lin, Meijuan Zhou, Jennifer Ly, Adrian Serbanescu-Martin
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Publication number: 20150158795Abstract: Gas separation processes are provided for separating dehydrogenation reaction products from a raw gas stream to recover hydrocarbons, specifically olefins, such as propylene and iso-butene, as well as unreacted feedstock. The processes employ a sequence of partial condensation steps, interspersed with membrane separation steps to raise the hydrocarbon dewpoint of the uncondensed gas, thereby avoiding the use of low-temperature or cryogenic conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2013Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicant: MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH, INC.Inventors: Nicholas P. Wynn, Alvin Ng, Douglas Gottschlich, Paul Su, Meijuan Zhou, Sylvie Thomas-Droz
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Patent number: 9017451Abstract: A gas separation process that utilizes ejector recycle with a membrane separation step in combination with a second separation step. The second separation step may be a second membrane separation, or may involve a different type of separation process. At least a portion of the non-product (i.e. residue) stream withdrawn from the second separation step is directed back to the ejector to form a processing loop. The ejector drives the gas flow in the loop and recycles the non-product stream to the first separation step.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas P. Wynn, Haiqing Lin, Meijuan Zhou, Jennifer H. Ly, Livia Serbanescu-Martin
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Publication number: 20140295079Abstract: Reverse osmosis membranes made by interfacial polymerization of a monomer in a nonpolar (e.g. organic) phase together with a monomer in a polar (e.g. aqueous) phase on a porous support membrane. Interfacial polymerization process is disclosed for preparing a highly permeable RO membrane, comprising: contacting on a porous support membrane, a) a first solution containing 1,3-diaminobenzene, and b) a second solution containing trimesoyl chloride, wherein at least one of solutions a) and b) contains nanoparticles when said solutions are first contacted, and recovering a highly permeable RO membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Inventors: Christopher James Kurth, Jeffrey Alan Koehler, Meijuan Zhou, Brett Anderson Holmberg, Robert Leon Burk
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Publication number: 20140050846Abstract: Reverse osmosis membranes made by interfacial polymerization of a monomer in a nonpolar (e.g. organic) phase together with a monomer in a polar (e.g. aqueous) phase on a porous support membrane. Interfacial polymerization process is disclosed for preparing a highly permeable RO membrane, comprising: contacting on a porous support membrane, a) a first solution containing 1,3-diaminobenzene, and b) a second solution containing trimesoyl chloride, wherein at least one of solutions a) and b) contains nanoparticles when said solutions are first contacted, and recovering a highly permeable RO membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2013Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: NanoH2O, Inc.Inventors: Christopher James Kurth, Jeffrey Alan Koehler, Meijuan Zhou, Brett Anderson Holmberg, Robert Leon Burk
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Patent number: 8623926Abstract: Disclosed herein is a methanol production process that includes at least two membrane separation steps. Using the process of the invention, the efficiency of methanol production from syngas is increased by reducing the compression requirements of the process and/or improving the methanol product yield. As an additional advantage, the first membrane separation step generates a hydrogen-rich stream which can be sent for other uses. An additional benefit is that the process of the invention may debottleneck existing methanol plants if more syngas or carbon dioxide is available, allowing for feed of imported carbon dioxide into the synthesis loop. This is a way of sequestering carbon dioxide.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2012Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas P Wynn, Sylvie Thomas-Droz, Meijuan Zhou, Zhenjie He, Haiqing Lin
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Patent number: 8603340Abstract: A process for preparing a reverse osmosis membrane that includes (A) providing a polyamine, a polyfunctional acid halide, and mono-hydrolyzed trimesoyl chloride; (B) combining the polyamine, polyfunctional acid halide, and mono-hydrolyzed trimesoyl chloride on the surface of a porous support membrane; and (C) interfacially polymerizing the polyamine and the polyfunctional acyl halide on the surface of the porous support membrane to form a reverse osmosis membrane comprising (i) the porous support membrane and (ii) a discrimination layer comprising a polyamide. The reverse osmosis membrane is characterized by a flux that is greater than the flux of the same membrane prepared in the absence of the mono-hydrolyzed trimesoyl chloride.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2012Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: NanoH2O, Inc.Inventors: Christopher James Kurth, Jeffrey Alan Koehler, Meijuan Zhou, Brett Anderson Holmberg, Robert Leon Burk
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Patent number: 8567612Abstract: RO membranes using chlorinated water as a feed stream maybe protected from damage by the chlorine with a protective layer including reactive nitrogen which forms chloromines on the surface of the membrane that reduce chlorine penetration. This protective layer also provides substantial anti-fouling capabilities, whether used with a chlorinated or unchlorinated feed stream because the chloramines are anti-bacterial. Although chlorine is lost in use, the anti-fouling layer or coating can be recharged with additional chlorine without damaging the discrimination layer. The anti-fouling layer or coating may be advantageously used with Thin film composite, TFC, membranes for use in forward and reverse osmosis may include nanoparticles, monohydrolyzed and/or di-hydrolyzed TMC, and/or alkaline earth alkaline metal complexes or other additives.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2010Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: NanoH2O, Inc.Inventors: Christopher James Kurth, Jeffrey Alan Koehler, Meijuan Zhou, Brett Anderson Holmberg, Robert Leon Burk
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Publication number: 20130263734Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for producing oxygen-enriched air that involves a membrane separation step that uses glassy polymer membranes that have a selectivity to oxygen over nitrogen of at least 2.4.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2012Publication date: October 10, 2013Applicant: MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH, INCInventors: Nicholas P. Wynn, Haiqing Lin, Meijuan Zhou, Jennifer H. Ly, Timothy C. Merkel
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Publication number: 20130005840Abstract: Disclosed herein is a methanol production process that includes at least two membrane separation steps. Using the process of the invention, the efficiency of methanol production from syngas is increased by reducing the compression requirements of the process and/or improving the methanol product yield. As an additional advantage, the first membrane separation step generates a hydrogen-rich stream which can be sent for other uses. An additional benefit is that the process of the invention may debottleneck existing methanol plants if more syngas or carbon dioxide is available, allowing for feed of imported carbon dioxide into the synthesis loop. This is a way of sequestering carbon dioxide.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH, INC.Inventors: Nicolas P. Wynn, Sylvie Thomas-Droz, Meijuan Zhou, Zhenjie He, Haiqing Lin
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Publication number: 20120261344Abstract: Reverse osmosis membranes made by interfacial polymerization of a monomer in a nonpolar (e.g. organic) phase together with a monomer in a polar (e.g. aqueous) phase on a porous support membrane. Interfacial polymerization process is disclosed for preparing a highly permeable RO membrane, comprising: contacting on a porous support membrane, a) a first solution containing 1,3-diaminobenzene, and b) a second solution containing trimesoyl chloride, wherein at least one of solutions a) and b) contains nanoparticles when said solutions are first contacted, and recovering a highly permeable RO membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Inventors: Christopher James Kurth, Jeffrey Alan Koehler, Meijuan Zhou, Brett Anderson Holmberg, Robert Leon Burk
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Patent number: 8177978Abstract: An interfacial polymerization process (IFP) for preparing a highly permeable TFC RO membrane by contacting on a porous support membrane for IFP, a polyfunctional acyl halide monomer and a polyamine monomer and recovering a highly permeable thin film (TFC) reverse osmosis (RO) membrane. At least one of solutions may contain nanoparticle additives which may release ions into solution and at least one of the solutions may contain additional ions from a second additive. The presence of the nanoparticle additives during IFP may increase the hydrophilicity and/or permeability of the recovered membrane compared to a control membrane. The presence of the additional ions from the second additive may also increase the permeability of the recovered membrane.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2009Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: NanoH20, Inc.Inventors: Christopher James Kurth, Jeffrey Alan Koehler, Meijuan Zhou, Brett Anderson Holmberg, Robert Leon Burk