Abstract: Bundles of hollow filament membranes suitable for use in fluid separation, such as in the separation of air into gases more concentrated in oxygen and nitrogen are made in a cylindrical form and annular cross-section with multiple filaments of each layer lying in generally parallel helical paths at a common angle to the axis of symmetry of the bundle. Continuous lengths of filaments are laid down on the core while same is rotated first in a "forward" sense and the filament lay-down point is traversed from a first end of the core to the second, and then in a "reverse" sense while the filament lay-down point is traversed from the second end to the first. Reversing of the direction of core rotation and filament end-to-end traversal is repeated with said reversing controlled in such a manner that the path of the filament returning from either end to the other is displaced incrementally from that of the filament portion laid down in the immediately preceding traversal.

Abstract: A membrane module for separation of a fluid mixture comprises a containment vessel enclosing a bundle of hollow fiber membranes having all fibers potted in a common end-plug located at a first end where all fiber bores are open. A fluid-impervious barrier is disposed transversely to the bundle axis near the second end, distal from the end-plug, and forms a fluid-tight seal with the interior surface of the vessel so that the interior volume is divided into two zones not in direct fluid communication. The barrier thereby segregates the external surface of each fiber into a first region lying in the zone between the end-plug and the barrier and a second region lying in the zone between the barrier and the second end. The unobstructed bore of each fiber is open only in the end-plug so that permeate may be collected only from that end of the bundle for removal from the module.

Abstract: A hollow fiber separatory module for separating fluids includes an annular hollow fiber separatory bundle encased in a pressure resistant shell. A region of the bundle is constricted so that the walls of the fiber are densified. Consequently, compaction of these fibers during operation is reduced. The constricted region is encapsulated by a potting material. Minimization of compaction aids in maintaining a sealing contact between the fibers and the potting material. "O" rings extending from the pressure resistant shell may seal the space between the pressure shell and the fiber bundle. The constricted portion may accommodate the "O" rings so that a pressure resistant shell of uniform outside diameter can be used. The fiber bundle may be constricted by heating, chemical treatment, applying pressure or application of tension during winding.

Abstract: A method of upgrading the selectively of a dry asymmetric permselective membrane comprising a porous barrier layer adjacent to a porous main body, where the barrier layer has an external obverse surface. The method comprises maintaining the barrier layer surface in a drying atmosphere while applying a wetting liquid which is not a solvent for the bulk of the membrane to the obverse surface to wet interstices of the bulk of the membrane, and drying the membrane by continuing the exposure of the external surface of the barrier layer to the drying atmosphere as the wetting liquid moves from the obverse surface through the membrane main body and the barrier layer.

Abstract: A separatory module for use in separation of fluids by various methods i.e. ultra filtration, hyper filtration, reverse osmosis, or dialysis, includes a pressure shell encasing the hollow separatory fibers. The pressure shell contains threaded connections to end plugs at either end. The threaded connections provide sufficient pressure resistance to serve as a pressure container for high pressure separatory techniques. In addition, a seal is provided on the threaded end plugs so that when the end plug is threaded into the cylinder the end plugs act as a pressure stop and a fluid tight seal.

Abstract: A module for gas separation is disclosed having at least one inlet port, and several permeate outlet ports. The module is provided with a bundle of fibers having permeable wall, said bundle being partitioned into several sections, each connected to a respective permeate outlet port. As a composite gas is forced to flow through the bundle, portions of it penetrate the fiber wall and flow to the several output ports. The permeate gases at the several outlet ports differ in concentration.

Abstract: A separatory module is disclosed with a cylindrical shell and two ends. Within the shell there are several fiber bundles extending in parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shell for separating permeates from a fluid. Each bundle is supported by one of the ends. The permeate as well as the remaining concentrates may be collected from either end.

Abstract: A bundle of helical segments of permselective hollow fibers for use in a separatory module, all segments being limited in length to not over 1.1 times a selected value and all helical paths being arranged to avoid the creation of undesirable ridges and method for producing.

Abstract: Textile quality polymeric fibers and thin films that are highly sorbent for organic and other vapors, mists and solutes. The fibers and films comprise a polymeric matrix with a system of interconnecting micropores, and are highly loaded with particulate sorbents such as activated carbon. The fibers and films are manufactured by forming a melt blend of the sorbent particles, the polymer and a selected diluent, spinning or extruding and drawing down the fiber of film, and extracting the diluent. The diluent functions to permit a high spin or extrusion draw down, to permit the subsequent cold drawing of fibers highly-loaded with active carbon, and to permit the fiber or film to be porosified. Optionally, the diluent may be extracted after or before cold drawing, or without any cold drawing. The fibers and films are highly sorbent, are strong and durable and exhibit substantial strength over an appreciable degree of elongation.

Abstract: Novel chlorosulfonated polyarylethersulfones derived by controlled treatment with chlorosulfonic acid of difficultly sulfonatable polyarylethersulfone of recurring units of the formula: ##STR1## wherein Ar.sub.1 and Ar.sub.2 represent phenylene or phenylene substituted with non-deactivating groups where Ar.sub.1 and Ar.sub.2 may be the same or different are described with the method of their preparation. The partially sulfonated-sulfochlorinated polyarylethersulfones may be subsequently converted to cation-exchange materials or ion-exchange materials with mixed cation and anion exchange sites.

Abstract: Apparatus and a process for coating continuous lengths of filaments are described. The apparatus includes a tubular vessel for applying a fluid coating to a plurality of traveling filaments which are then separated and passed through drying and curing zones in separate and appropriate ovens. The method of the invention, carried out in the apparatus of the invention, is particularly useful to apply special coatings to continuous lengths of hollow fibers to prepare composite hollow fibers useful as separatory membranes.

Abstract: Polysulfone sulfonyl chlorides are described, which are useful as intermediates in the preparation of novel polysulfone sulfonamides.

Abstract: Novel sulfonated polyarylethersulfones are derived by heterogeneous sulfonation of polymer/solvent intercrystallites of difficultly sulfonatable polyarylethersulfones in chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents with a sulfonation agent.

Abstract: The method of fabricating a coreless hollow filament bundle of interlaced hollow filaments to be used as the membrane elements in a separatory module comprising the steps of providing first and second axially spaced co-axially rotatable engagement members carrying filament receiving arms, concomitantly rotating said rotatable engagement members while alternately engaging filaments upon a respective filament receiving arm of one rotary member, causing said filament to traverse the space between said first rotary member and the second rotary member and engaging said filament upon a receiving arm of said second rotary member, and continuously feeding said filament between said receiving arms of said rotary members so as to provide a coreless bundle of filaments interlacing with one another in left and right hand helices at angles to the common axis of rotation of the two rotary members.

Abstract: Textile quality polymeric fibers and thin films that are highly sorbent for organic and other vapors, mists and solutes. The fibers and films comprise a polymeric matrix with a system of interconnecting micropores, and are highly loaded with particulate sorbents such as activated carbon. The fibers and films are manufactured by forming a melt blend of the sorbent particles, the polymer and a selected diluent, spinning or extruding and drawing down the fiber or film, and extracting the diluent. The diluent functions to permit a high spin or extrusion draw down, to permit the subsequent cold drawing of fibers highly-loaded with active carbon, and to permit the fiber or film to be porosified. Optionally, the diluent may be extracted after or before cold drawing, or without any cold drawing. The fibers and films are highly sorbent, are strong and durable and exhibit substantial strength over an appreciable degree of elongation.

Abstract: A cutting device for slicing through a plug of potting compound is disclosed which has a plug support and an inverse plow shaped cutter blade movable relative thereto.

Abstract: Textile-quality multifilament yarns that are highly sorptive for organic vapors, mists and solutes are described. Each filament comprises a microporous polymeric sheath filled with a core of sorptive material. In a multifilament spinneret having a hollow needle in each orifice, a slurry containing the sorptive material is supplied to each needle, and a blend of a polymeric material and a pore-forming material is supplied to the orifice externally of the needle. The spun composite fibers are drawn and subsequently extracted to porosify the sheath and to activate the sorptive property of the cores.

Abstract: Textile-quality multifilament yarns that are highly sorptive for organic vapors, mists and solutes are described. Each filament comprises a microporous polymeric sheath filled with a core of sorptive material. In a multifilament spinneret having a hollow needle in each orifice, a slurry containing the sorptive material is supplied to each needle, and a blend of a polymeric material and a pore-forming material is supplied to the orifice externally of the needle. The spun composite fibers are drawn and subsequently extracted to porosify the sheath and to activate the sorptive property of the cores.

Abstract: A hollow filament separatory module utilizing an annulus of semi-permeable hollow filaments with open ends encased in a potting compound and a collection chamber communicating with said open ends adjacent the potting compound with access surface means formed in the potting compound wherein the open ends appear, said filaments having ends thereof encapsulated by the introduction of potting medium into the interfilament interstices under the urging of vibratory energy and thereafter creating said open ends by cutting of ends and potting medium at a time in the curring cycle of the potting compound prior to its final cure.

Abstract: A method of upgrading the .[.selectively.]. .Iadd.selectivity .Iaddend.of a dry asymmetric permselective membrane comprising a porous barrier layer adjacent to a porous main body, where the barrier layer has an external .[.obverse.]. surface .Iadd.and the main body has an external obverse surface.Iaddend.. The method comprises maintaining the barrier layer surface in a drying atmosphere while applying a wetting liquid which is not a solvent for the bulk of the membrane to the obverse surface to wet interstices of the bulk of the membrane, and drying the membrane by continuing the exposure of the external surface of the barrier layer to the drying atmosphere as the wetting liquid moves from the obverse surface through the membrane main body and the barrier layer.