Abstract: The present invention provides a novel process for the removal and recovery of penicillin and organic acids from process streams and waste waters. The process of the present invention utilizes a combination of a supported liquid membrane (SLM) and a strip dispersion to improve extraction of the penicillin and organic acids while increasing membrane stability and reducing processing costs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a composition comprising a hydrophylic polymer and at least one aminoalcohol, the aminoalcohol being present in an amount ranging from about 10 to 80 wt % based on the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel process for the removal and recovery of metals from waste waters and process streams. The process of the present invention utilizes a combination of a supported liquid membrane (SLM) and a strip dispersion to improve extraction of the target species while increasing membrane stability and reducing processing costs. The process is illustrated with cobalt removal and recovery with unexpected results, such as unexpectedly high cobalt fluxes and a very high cobalt concentration in the strip solution recovered. This process can remove other metals, such as copper, zinc, nickel, mercury, lead, cadmium, silver, europium, lanthanum, neodymium, praseodymium, gadolinium, and selenium, from the feed stream to provide a concentrated strip solution of the target species.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel process for the removal and recovery of radionuclides from waste waters and process streams. The process of the present invention utilizes a combination of a supported liquid membrane (SLM) and a strip dispersion to improve extraction of the target species while increasing membrane stability and reducing processing costs. Additionally, the invention provides a family of new extractants, alkyl phenylphosphonic acids, for the removal and recovery of radionuclides and/or metals, including the use of the new extractants in the process. The new extractant selectively removes radionuclides and metals from the feed stream to provide a concentrated strip solution of the target species.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel process for the removal and recovery of radionuclides from waste waters and process streams. The process of the present invention utilizes a combination of a supported liquid membrane (SLM) and a strip dispersion to improve extraction of the target species while increasing membrane stability and reducing processing costs. Additionally, the invention provides a family of new extractants, alkyl phenylphosphonic acids, for the removal and recovery of radionuclides and/or metals, including the use of the new extractants in the process. The new extractant selectively removes radionuclides and metals from the feed stream to provide a concentrated strip solution of the target species.

Abstract: A process for catalytic recovery in a phase transfer process wherein heterogeneous reactions in a liquid-liquid two phase reaction systems using a phase transfer catalyst is improved by separating the two liquid phases with a membrane which retains the catalyst while passing the aqueous polar liquid thereby allowing easy recovery of the phase transfer catalyst. The reaction is carried out between reactants selectively soluble in the different phases, one of the reactants being transferred into the other phase by means of a phase transfer catalyst which is soluble in said polar liquid phase with the one reactant. The phases are separated after completion of the reactions by adding water to the two-phase reaction system to dissolve out the polar liquid phase containing the phase transfer catalyst into an aqueous phase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel class of extractants and a method of manufacture for the extractants. The extractants are useful for the removal and recovery of metals from waste waters and process streams. The removal process utilizes a combination of a supported liquid membrane (SLM) and a strip dispersion to improve extraction of the target species while increasing membrane stability and reducing processing costs. The new class of extractants include dialkyl phosphoric acids containing alkyl chains of at least 8-12 carbon atoms. The method of manufacture includes mixing phosphorus pentasulfide with an alcohol, followed by hydrolysis of the intermediate reactants with a mineral acid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a two-step process for the removal and recovery of chromium from a feed solution, such as waste water, using supported liquid membranes (SLMs). In the first step of the process, the feed solution, which contains hexavalent chromium, is treated with a first strip solution to produce a moderately concentrated Cr(VI) solution. In the second step, the moderately concentrated Cr(VI) solution is treated with a second strip solution. The process advantageously produces a treated feed solution having a decreased concentration of chromium which is acceptable for discharge or recycle and a product solution which contains a highly concentrated Cr(VI) solution having little or no sulfate contaminants.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a composition comprising a polyamine or its polymer blend and at least one salt of an aminoacid, the salt of the aminoacid being present in an amount ranging from about 10 to 80 wt % based on the total weight of the composition. Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a membrane suitable for use in separating CO.sub.2 from gas streams containing CO.sub.2, especially H.sub.2 rich gas streams containing CO.sub.2 and CO. The membrane of this invention with polyamine shows higher CO.sub.2 selectivity and permeability than the prior membrane without polyamine.

Abstract: A new copolymer composition comprises the hard segment of a polyimide and the soft segment of an oligomeric aliphatic polycarbonate or a mixture of an oligomeric aliphatic polycarbonate and an oligomeric aliphatic polyester. The new polyimide copolymer membranes have exhibited high selectivity and flux for separation of an aromatic/saturate mixture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a composition suitable for use in separating CO.sub.2 from gas streams containing CO.sub.2 especially H.sub.2 rich gas streams containing CO.sub.2 and CO. The composition comprises a hydrophylic polymer and at least one salt of an aminoacid, the salt of the aminoacid being present in an amount ranging from about 10 to about 80 wt % based on the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: A gas treating composition prepared by reacting 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol with KOH, diluting with water and adding K.sub.2 CO.sub.3 and a vanadium corrosion inhibitor.

Abstract: Mixtures comprising alcohol/ether/non-linear hydrocarbon are separated using polyester or polyester polyimide copolymer membranes. The mixture is contacted under pervaporation conditions with the membrane and the alcohol selectively permeates through the membrane. In this way alcohol especially C.sub.1 -C.sub.10, preferably C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alcohols can be effectively removed from the synthesis solutions used for the production of high value ethers such as methyl-tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) or tertiary-amyl methyl ether (TAME) used as octane enhancers in motor fuels.

Abstract: The present invention includes new polyimide/polyester copolymers without pendent carboxyl groups, a method for their synthesis, and their use as membranes for aromatics/saturates separation.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for the recovery of normal alcohols, especially C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 n-alcohols, preferably n-C.sub.4 -C.sub.14 alcohols, most preferably n-C.sub.6 -C.sub.11 alcohols from n-paraffins by means of pervaporation through a membrane. The alcohols/paraffin feed mixture may be that produced in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process wherein mixtures of CO and H.sub.2 are reacted to produce paraffin waxes and a minor but still valuable amount of alcohols.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for the synthesis of unsaturated aliphatic polyesters, their crosslinking by thermal treatment and the use of the corresponding crosslinked membranes to separate aromatics from saturates.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for the synthesis of saturated aliphatic polyesters by reaction of saturated or aromatic diacid chlorides with oligomeric aliphatic polyester diols, a method to thermally crosslink membranes prepared from the above saturated aliphatic polyesters, and the use of the crosslinked membranes to separate aromatics from saturates.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for separating mixtures of aromatics and non-aromatics into aromatic-enriched and non-aromatic-enriched streams by contacting the mixture with one side of a polysulfone membrane and selectively permeating the aromatic components through the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for the synthesis of unsaturated aliphatic polyesters, their crosslinking by thermal treatment and the use of the corresponding crosslinked membranes to separate aromatics from saturates.

Abstract: The present invention described a method for the synthesis of saturated aliphatic polyesters by reaction of saturated or aromatic diacid chlorides with oligomeric aliphatic polyester diols, a method to thermally crosslink membranes prepared from the above saturated aliphatic polyesters, and the use of the crosslinked membranes to separate aromatics from saturates.