Abstract: Composite membranes that exhibit long-term resistance to biofouling comprise a porous support and a crosslinked polyamide discriminating layer having an external surface, the discriminating layer comprising a branched poly(alkylene oxide) (PAO) polymer attached to its external surface. The branched PAO polymer typically has the structure of a molecular comb or brush, and is made by polymerization of a PAO macromonomer of the following formula: RO—[(CHR?)n—O]m—V in which R is hydrogen or a C1-20 aliphatic or aromatic group, V is any group containing a polymerizable site, each R? is independently hydrogen or a short chain alkyl group, n is an integer of 1-6, and m is an integer of 1 to about 200. The ? end group can be either polymerized or copolymerized.

Abstract: A modified polyamide membrane and method for making and using the same. The present invention includes many embodiments including methods comprising contacting a polyamide membrane with certain modifiers, including but not limited to certain oxazoline and/or thiazoline-based compounds, derivatives and polymers thereof. In one embodiment, the surface of a polyamide membrane is coated with a solution including a polyoxazoline and optionally a polyalkylene oxide material, followed by optional heating. Preferred embodiments may exhibit improved performance, e.g. increased rejection of certain species, (e.g. sodium chloride and/or boric oxides such as boric acid or various borate salts), reduced fouling, improved antimicrobial properties, and/or improved storage stability.

Abstract: A multilayered modified membrane and method for making the same, comprising a modified discriminating layer that can have a fouling resistant surface, improved salt rejection, antimicrobial properties, and/or improved solute, and/or small organics rejection as compared to membranes with unmodified discriminating layers.

Abstract: A polyamide membrane and method for making and using the same, including use within a spiral wound module. While many different embodiments are described, one embodiment includes a polyamide membrane including a coating comprising a combination of a polyalkylene oxide compound and a polyacrylamide compound.

Abstract: A polyamide membrane and method for making and using the same, including use within a spiral wound module. While many different embodiments are described, one embodiment includes a polyamide membrane including a coating comprising a combination of a polyalkylene oxide compound and a polyacrylamide compound.

Abstract: A modified polyamide membrane and method for making and using the same. The present invention includes many embodiments including methods comprising contacting a polyamide membrane with certain modifiers, including but not limited to certain oxazoline and/or thiazoline-based compounds, derivatives and polymers thereof. In one embodiment, the surface of a polyamide membrane is coated with a solution including a polyoxazoline and optionally a polyalkylene oxide material, followed by optional heating. Preferred embodiments may exhibit improved performance, e.g. increased rejection of certain species, (e.g. sodium chloride and/or boric oxides such as boric acid or various borate salts), reduced fouling, improved antimicrobial properties, and/or improved storage stability.

Abstract: A multilayered modified membrane and method for making the same, comprising a modified discriminating layer that can have a fouling resistant surface, improved salt rejection, antimicrobial properties, and/or improved solute, and/or small organics rejection as compared to membranes with unmodified discriminating layers.

Abstract: A modified polyamide membrane and method for making and using the same. The present invention includes many embodiments including methods comprising contacting a polyamide membrane with certain modifiers, including but not limited to certain oxazoline and/or thiazoline-based compounds, derivatives and polymers thereof. In one embodiment, the surface of a polyamide membrane is coated with a solution including a polyoxazoline and optionally a polyalkylene oxide material, followed by optional heating. Preferred embodiments may exhibit improved performance, e.g. increased rejection of certain species, (e.g. sodium chloride and/or boric oxides such as boric acid or various borate salts), reduced fouling, improved antimicrobial properties, and/or improved storage stability.

Abstract: A composite membrane and method for making the same, comprising a porous support and a polyamide surface. The subject membrane provides improved flux and/or rejection rates. The subject membrane is further capable of operating at lower operating pressures. The subject method includes reacting a polyfunctional amine with a polyfunctional acyl halide to form a polyamide. The method includes the step of contacting a complexing agent with the polyfunctional acyl halide prior substantial reaction between the polyfunctional acyl halide and a polyfunctional amine. The subject process is easily adapted to commercial scale manufacturing processes and is particularly suited for making nanofiltration and reverse osmosis composite membranes.

Abstract: A composite membrane and method for making the same, comprising a porous support and a crosslinked polyamide surface. The subject membrane provides improved flux and/or rejection rates. The subject membrane is further capable of operating at lower operating pressures. The subject method includes reacting a polyfunctional amine with a polyfunctional acyl halide to form a polyamide. The method includes the step of contacting a phosphorous containing compound with the polyfunctional acyl halide prior to and/or during the reaction between the polyfunctional acyl halide and a polyfunctional amine. The subject process is easily adapted to commercial scale manufacturing processes and is particularly suited for making nanofiltration and reverse osmosis composite membranes.

Abstract: A composite membrane and method for making the same, comprising a porous support and a polyamide surface. The subject membrane provides improved flux and/or rejection rates. The subject membrane is further capable of operating at lower operating pressures. The subject method includes reacting a polyfunctional amine with a polyfunctional acyl halide to form a polyamide. The method includes the step of contacting a complexing agent with the polyfunctional acyl halide prior substantial reaction between the polyfunctional acyl halide and a polyfunctional amine. The subject process is easily adapted to commercial scale manufacturing processes and is particularly suited for making nanofiltration and reverse osmosis composite membranes.

Abstract: A composite membrane and method for making the same, comprising a porous support and a polyamide surface. The subject membrane provides improved flux and/or rejection rates. The subject membrane is further capable of operating at lower operating pressures. The subject method includes reacting a polyfunctional amine with a polyfunctional acyl halide to form a polyamide. The method includes the step of contacting a complexing agent with the polyfunctional acyl halide prior substantial reaction between the polyfunctional acyl halide and a polyfunctional amine. The subject process is easily adapted to commercial scale manufacturing processes and is particularly suited for making nanofiltration and reverse osmosis composite membranes.

Abstract: A composite membrane and method for making the same, comprising a porous support and a crosslinked polyamide surface. The subject membrane provides improved flux and/or rejection rates. The subject membrane is further capable of operating at lower operating pressures. The subject method includes reacting a polyfunctional amine with a polyfunctional acyl halide to form a polyamide. The method includes the step of contacting a phosphorous containing compound with the polyfunctional acyl halide prior to and/or during the reaction between the polyfunctional acyl halide and a polyfunctional amine. The subject process is easily adapted to commercial scale manufacturing processes and is particularly suited for making nanofiltration and reverse osmosis composite membranes.

Abstract: A composite membrane and method for making the same, comprising a porous support and a crosslinked polyamide surface. The subject membrane provides improved flux and/or rejection rates. The subject membrane is further capable of operating at lower operating pressures. The subject method includes reacting a polyfunctional amine with a polyfunctional acyl halide to form a polyamide. The method includes the step of contacting a phosphorous containing compound with the polyfunctional acyl halide prior to and/or during the reaction between the polyfunctional acyl halide and a polyfunctional amine. The subject process is easily adapted to commercial scale manufacturing processes and is particularly suited for making nanofiltration and reverse osmosis composite membranes.

Abstract: A composite membrane and method for making the same, comprising a porous support and a polyamide surface. The subject membrane provides improved flux and/or rejection rates. The subject membrane is further capable of operating at lower operating pressures. The subject method includes reacting a polyfunctional amine with a polyfunctional acyl halide to form a polyamide. The method includes the step of contacting a complexing agent with the polyfunctional acyl halide prior substantial reaction between the polyfunctional acyl halide and a polyfunctional amine. The subject process is easily adapted to commercial scale manufacturing processes and is particularly suited for making nanofiltration and reverse osmosis composite membranes.

Abstract: A composite membrane and method for making the same, comprising a porous support and a crosslinked polyamide surface having polyalkylene oxide groups grafted thereto. The subject membrane provides improved resistance to fouling while offering excellent flux and salt passage performance. The subject method is easily adapted to commercial scale-up and does not require the use of chemical initiators.

Abstract: Composite polyamide reverse osmosis membranes are treated with an aqueous chlorinating agent at a concentration of 200 to 10,000 ppm for a time sufficient to improve flux, lower salt passage and increase the stability to base. In a preferred embodiment the membrane is treated with heated water at temperature of 40.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. before being exposed to the chlorine treatment.

Abstract: The flux of a composite reverse osmosis or nanofiltration membrane having a polyamide discriminating layer is enhanced in a one-step process in which the discriminating layer is treated with ammonia or certain alkylamines. It is possible to control both rejection rate and flux of the membrane as well as convert reverse osmosis membranes into nanofiltration membranes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for measuring the rate and extent of cure of a resin system undergoing polymerization which entails adding at least one multifunctional fluorescent dye to the resin system undergoing polymerization, the dye being one which initially forms a complex with itself or other components of the system and subsequently chemically reacts with the resin and whose degree of fluorescent emission varies in accordance with the degree of reaction with the resin, polymerizing the resin, simultaneously measuring the fluorescence of the resin system, and comparing the measured fluorescence with pre-existing data correlating the observed values with the rate and extent of polymerization, thereby enabling the rate and extent of polymerization of the resin system under evaluation to be determined.

Abstract: The invention is a semi-permeable hollow fiber gas separation membrane possessing a non-external discriminating region fabricated from hydrophobic polymeric materials possessing less than about 1 weight percent equilibrium water content at about 25.degree. C. The invention includes a process for making such membranes as well as a method of using such membranes.