Abstract: The invention includes methods for testing membranes and membrane-based systems by introducing particles into a feed liquid passing across the surface of a membrane wherein the particles have a size larger than the nominal cut-off of the membrane, and measuring the presence of the particles within a permeate solution which passes through the membrane. In one embodiment, the particles are selected from those which dissolve within the permeate solution after being measured. In another embodiment, the particles are selected from inorganic salts. Many additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Cross-flow filtration systems and corresponding methods for separation particulate matter from liquids. A representative system includes a cross-flow filtration zone (24) in fluid communication with a particulate settling zone (30) and further includes a fluid inlet (14) in fluid communication with one of the zones and a process fluid outlet (20) and in fluid communication with the other zone. A fluid treatment pathway (28) extends from the fluid inlet (14), through the cross-flow filtration and particulate settling zones (24, 30) to the process fluid outlet (20). A filter assembly (26) is located within the cross-flow filtration zone (24) and comprises a membrane surface (44) that isolates a filtrate chamber (46) from the fluid treatment pathway (28), and the filtrate chamber (46) is in fluid communication with a filtered fluid outlet (16). A recirculation pump (Z) in fluid communication with the process fluid outlet (20) and fluid inlet (14).

Abstract: A method for making a composite polyamide membrane comprising the steps of applying a polyfunctional amine monomer and polyfunctional acyl halide monomer to a surface of the porous support and interfacially polymerizing the monomers to form a thin film polyamide layer, wherein the method is includes at least one of the following steps: i) conducting the interfacial polymerization in the presence of a C2-C20 aliphatic monomer comprising at least one carboxylic acid functional group or salt thereof, and a single amine-reactive functional group; and ii) applying a C2-C20 aliphatic monomer comprising at least one carboxylic acid functional group or salt thereof, and a single amine-reactive functional group to the thin film polyamide layer. Many additional embodiments are described including applications for such membranes.

Abstract: A method for making a composite polyamide membrane including the steps of applying a polyfunctional amine monomer and polyfunctional acyl halide monomer to a surface of the porous support and interfacially polymerizing the monomers to form a thin film polyamide layer, wherein the method is includes at least one of the following steps: i) conducting the interfacial polymerization in the presence of a subject monomer comprising at least one carboxylic acid group linked to an aromatic moiety and wherein the aromatic moiety is further substituted with at least one of an acyl halide or anhydride functional group and ii) applying the subject monomer to the thin film polyamide layer. The invention includes many additional embodiments.

Abstract: The invention includes a spiral wound module comprising at least one membrane sheet wrapped about a permeate collection tube wherein the membrane sheet (14) comprises a plurality of capillary channels in parallel arrangement with each other and which are in fluid communication with the permeate collection tube (12). Many additional embodiments are disclosed along with methods for making and using the module and corresponding components.

Abstract: An in-situ method for preparing a hydrolyzed, acyl halide-containing compound by combining a reactant including a plurality of acyl halide functional groups containing reactant, a tri-hydrocarbyl phosphate compound and water within a hydrocarbon or halogenated hydrocarbon solvent.

Abstract: A method for making a composite polyamide membrane comprising the step of applying polyfunctional amine and acid halide monomers to a surface of a porous support and interfacially polymerizing the monomers to form a thin film polyamide layer. The method further includes the step of conducting the interfacial polymerization in the presence of: a carboxylic acid monomer comprising an aliphatic or aromatic moiety substituted with single carboxylic acid functional group and at least one acyl halide functional group, and a tri-hydrocarbyl compound.

Abstract: A method for increasing the solubility of a hydrocarbon compound comprising an aliphatic or arene moiety substituted with at least one acyl halide and at least one carboxylic acid functional group within a hydrocarbon solvent, wherein the method includes the step of preparing a solution comprising: at least 80 v/v % of the hydrocarbon solvent, the hydrocarbon compound, and a tri-hydrocarbyl phosphate compound, wherein the concentration of the hydrocarbon compound is greater than its solubility limit within the solvent but less than its solubility limit in the solution and the hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A method for assembling an electrodeionization device comprising providing in a sequential arrangement: an anode, membrane cell assembly, cathode; wherein the membrane cell assembly comprises at least one sequential arrangement of: a cation exchange membrane, concentrating chamber, anion exchange membrane, diluting chamber, cation exchange membrane, concentrating chamber and anion exchange membrane. The method includes locating an ion exchange spacer in at least one chamber of the membrane cell assembly wherein an ion exchange spacer comprises an ion exchange resin and a dissolvable binder.

Abstract: A method for preparing a high purity (e.g. greater than 70 wt. %) mono-hydrolyzed acyl halide compound as a precipitate from solution comprising the steps of preparing a solution comprising: i) at least 80 v/v % of a hydrocarbon solvent, ii) water at a molar concentration greater than its solubility limit within the solvent but less that its solubility limit in solution, iii) a tri-hydrocarbyl phosphate compound, and iv) a polyfunctional acyl halide compound at molar ratio to both water and the tri-hydrocarbyl phosphate compound of at least 1:1.

Abstract: A method for making a composite polyamide membrane comprising the steps of applying a polyfunctional amine monomer and polyfunctional acyl halide monomer to a surface of the porous support and interfacially polymerizing the monomers to form a thin film polyamide layer, wherein the method is includes at least one of the following steps: i) conducting the interfacial polymerization in the presence of a monomer comprising at least one phosphorous-containing functional group or salt thereof and an at least one amine-reactive functional group; and/or ii) applying such a monomer to the thin film polyamide layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward spiral wound modules along with methods for making and using the same. Several embodiments are described including methods for making spiral wound filtration modules using membrane sheet provided from a roll, wherein the membrane sheet is unrolled and assembled in a direction parallel to the permeate collection tube of the module.

Abstract: A method for assembling an electrodeionization device comprising providing in a sequential arrangement: an anode, membrane cell assembly, cathode; wherein the membrane cell assembly comprises at least one sequential arrangement of: a cation exchange membrane, concentrating chamber, anion exchange membrane, diluting chamber, cation exchange membrane, concentrating chamber and anion exchange membrane. The method includes locating an ion exchange spacer in at least one chamber of the membrane cell assembly wherein an ion exchange spacer comprises an ion exchange resin and a dissolvable binder.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward spiral wound modules along with methods for making and using the same. Several embodiments are described including methods for making spiral wound filtration modules using membrane sheet provided from a roll, wherein the membrane sheet is unrolled and assembled in a direction parallel to the permeate collection tube of the module.

Abstract: Analyze a hollow fiber filter module for defects by providing a membrane header assembly with a header having a conduit defined there-through by a wall with multiple holes and a hollow fiber membrane inserted into a hole, directing a probe device with a sensor through the conduit, receiving sensory response information with the sensor, the sensory response information containing information sufficient to identify defect in the form of a hole lacking a hollow fiber membrane, a hole that has a hollow fiber membrane inserted to a non-desired depth, or both and then interpreting the sensory response information to detect such defects if they exist.

Abstract: A method for making a composite polyamide membrane including the steps of applying a polyfunctional amine monomer and polyfunctional acyl halide monomer to a surface of the porous support and interfacially polymerizing the monomers to form a thin film polyamide layer, wherein the method is includes at least one of the following steps: i) conducting the interfacial polymerization in the presence of a subject monomer comprising an aromatic moiety substituted with a single carboxylic acid functional group or salt thereof and a single amine-reactive functional group; and/or ii) applying such a monomer to the thin film polyamide layer. Many additional embodiments are described including applications for such membranes.

Abstract: A method for making a composite polyamide membrane comprising the steps of applying a polyfunctional amine monomer and polyfunctional acyl halide monomer to a surface of the porous support and interfacially polymerizing the monomers to form a thin film polyamide layer, wherein the method is includes at least one of the following steps: i) conducting the interfacial polymerization in the presence of a C2-C20 aliphatic monomer comprising at least one carboxylic acid functional group or salt thereof, and a single amine-reactive functional group; and ii) applying a C2-C20 aliphatic monomer comprising at least one carboxylic acid functional group or salt thereof, and a single amine-reactive functional group to the thin film polyamide layer. Many additional embodiments are described including applications for such membranes.

Abstract: A method for making a composite polyamide membrane including the steps of applying a polyfunctional amine monomer and polyfunctional acid halide monomer to a surface of the porous support and interfacially polymerizing the monomers to form a thin film polyamide layer, wherein the method is includes at least one of the following steps: i) conducting the interfacial polymerization in the presence of an additional monomer comprising an aromatic moiety at least one carboxylic acid functional group or salt thereof and a single amine-reactive functional group; and/or ii) applying such a monomer to the thin film polyamide layer. Many additional embodiments are described including applications for such membranes.

Abstract: Methods for testing the integrity of spiral wound modules including the introduction of pressurized gas within a sealed permeate collection tube and the detection of gas exiting at least one of the scroll faces of the module. The location(s) of gas exiting the scroll face can be correlated to defects in the module. In preferred embodiments, the subject test methods are non-destructive and can be applied to modules in either a dry or wet condition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward spiral wound modules including membrane sheets with regions (70,72) having different permeabilities. Said regions are arranged either axially or radially or both.