Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane cartridge comprises a bundle of a plurality of hollow fiber membranes, both ends of which are fixed by adhesion, a cartridge head fixed at the periphery of the bundle at one end so as not to permit the passage of liquid either in or out, and a bottom ring fixed at the periphery of the bundle at the other end so as not to permit the passage of liquid either in or out, wherein the cartridge head and the bottom ring are not connected and fixed but are separated, the hollow portion at the end of each hollow fiber membrane on the cartridge head side is open, the hollow portion at the end of each hollow fiber membrane on the bottom ring side is sealed, and a plurality of through-holes are provided in an adhesion and fixation layer on the bottom ring side.

Abstract: The present invention provides new patterned porous substrates and a new method for forming the new patterned porous substrates containing one or more selected patterns which is applicable to all porous structures regardless of their polymeric content, their method of manufacture or their UV absorbing characteristics.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hollow fiber membrane module to be used in industrial fields such as the semiconductor industry, food processing industry, pharmaceutical industry, and medical industry, and to a method for the production thereof. Permselective hollow fiber membranes having rigidity are cheese-wound in a plurality of layers, thereby forming a hollow fiber membrane bundle. One terminal part of this hollow fiber membrane bundle together with a case is adhered and solidified with a thermally molten mass of thermoplastic resin, thereby forming a solidified part. This solidified part is cut to form a sealed part serving to open terminal parts of the hollow fiber membranes.

Abstract: Solvent-resistant polybenzimidazole membranes, methods of making them and crosslinking them and composite membranes and hollow fiber membrane modules from them are disclosed.

Abstract: A dialyzer is provided comprising a casing defining an interior and including a dialysate inlet and a dialysate outlet. A plurality of fibers are located in the interior of the casing and define a fiber bundle. A dialysate inlet fluid channel is provided in fluid communication with the dialysate inlet and includes a plurality of flutes that extend into a portion of the fiber bundles, the flutes define an opening for allowing dialysate to flow from the inlet fluid channel into the interior of the casing. Methods of providing dialysis are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a contactor for degrassing a liquid. The contractor includes a perforated core and a microporous membrane fabric wrapped around the core. The fabric includes a polymethyl pentene hollow fiber as a weft fiber and a warp yarn. A tube sheet secures the ends of the wound fiber and a shell encases the tube sheet and fabric. The shell has at least one opening to permit fluid flow through the shell and an end cap. In a further embodiment the invention is directed to a contactor for degrassing a liquid wherein the contactor is adapted to withstand pressures greater than 0.4 MPa and temperatures greater than 50° C.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for withdrawing filtered permeate from a substrate contained in a reservoir at ambient pressure. The apparatus includes a plurality of membrane assemblies. Each assembly has a plurality of hollow fiber filtering membranes, immersed in the reservoir, at least one permeating header with the membranes sealingly secured therein, and a permeate collector to collect the permeate sealingly connected to the at least one permeating header and in fluid communication with lumens of the membranes. The membranes of each assembly extend generally vertically upwards from a first header during permeation. One or more sources of suction are provided in fluid communication with the lumens of the membranes of each assembly through the permeate collectors and apply sufficient suction to withdraw permeate from the lumens of the membranes. An aeration system for discharging bubbles assists in keeping the membranes clean.

Abstract: Solvent-resistant polybenzimidazole membranes, methods of making them and crosslinking them and composite membranes and hollow fiber membrane modules from them are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter device, preferably for hemodialysis, that consists of a cylindrical filter housing and a bundle of curled hollow fibers. The bundle is arranged in the filter housing. According to the invention, the curled hollow fibers are provided with an essentially sinusoidal texture and a wavelength that is defined by means of certain limits. The invention also relates to a curled hollow fiber and a method for filling a hollow fiber dialyser.

Abstract: A hollow fiber microfiltration (MF) membrane is provided. The casting solution used to make this membrane includes a fiber-forming polymer having a degree of polymerization greater than about 1000, a water-soluble polymer, an anhydride with about 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and a solvent. The membrane is formed by mixing and heating these components to form a viscous dope and then extruding the dope through an annular orifice to form a hollow fiber MF membrane. The hollow fiber membrane is then fed through a coagulation bath and two leaching baths. The membrane is especially useful for filtering liquids, such as wine and juice, so as to remove bacteria, gel, and solid particles from the liquids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite semipermeable membrane, which is useful as a reverse osmosis membrane or a nano-filtration membrane and comprises a polysulfone porous support membrane and a polyamide ultrathin layer formed on one of the surfaces of the porous support membrane, the composite membrane having the characteristic that in the infrared absorption spectrum obtained from the surface of a polyamide ultrathin layer of the composite semipermeable membrane, the ratio T (=Aa/As) of absorption intensity Aa at the absorption peak revealing C═O of polyamide in the region of 1600-1700 cm−1 to absorption intensity As at the absorption peak revealing polysulfone at a wavenumber around 1586 cm−1 is at least 0.05 and not higher than.

Abstract: A hydrophilic membrane that includes a hydrophobic polymer and a water-soluble polymer-metal complex is provided. This membrane is made by heating a mixture of a hydrophobic polymer, a metal compound, and a water-soluble polymer. The water-soluble polymer forms complexes with the metal compound and homogeneously entangles with the dissolved hydrophobic polymer to form a viscous dope. The dope is extruded through an annular orifice to form a hollow fiber. The fiber is put in an environment having a controlled humidity so that it becomes partially solidified, and then, the fiber is put in a coagulation bath. The hollow fiber is formed by phase inversion in the coagulation bath and is collected using a take-up wheel that is partially immersed in a leaching bath.

Abstract: This invention is directed to systems and methods for removing lipids from a fluid, such as plasma, or from lipid-containing organisms. These systems contact a fluid with an extraction solvent, which causes the lipids in the fluid to separate from the fluid or causes lipids in the lipid-containing organisms to separate from the lipid-containing organism, using at least one hollow fiber contactor. The separated lipids are removed from the fluid. The extraction solvent is removed from the fluid or at least reduced to a level below a particular threshold enabling the fluid to be administered to a patient without the patient experiencing undesirable consequences. Once the fluid has been processed, the fluid may be administered to a patient who donated the fluid, to a different patient, or be stored.

Abstract: There is provided a process for removing and recovering one or more unassociated phenolic compounds dissolved in aqueous fluid, the process comprising the steps of: (a) transferring the one or more unassociated phenolic compounds from the aqueous fluid to an alkaline stripping solution, wherein transfer of the one or more unassociated phenolic compounds from the aqueous fluid to the alkaline stripping solution occurs across a membrane; wherein the membrane is a non porous, selectively permeable membrane; (b) regulating the volume of alkaline stripping solution employed relative to the volume of aqueous fluid treated so that the total phenolic compound concentration in the alkaline stripping solution, comprising the sum of the dissociated and unassociated phenolic compound concentrations, is above the solubility of the phenolic compounds in the acidified stripping solution of step (d); (c) regulating the pH of the alkaline stripping solution in contact with the membrane to a value at least 0.

Abstract: A method for membrane filtration purification of suspended water, comprising filtering the suspended water under an external pressure through a porous hollow fiber membrane comprising a polyolefin, a copolymer of olefin and halogenated olefin, halogenated polyolefin or a mixture thereof and having an open area ratio in an outer surface of not less than 20% and a pore diameter in a minimum pore diameter layer of not smaller than 0.03 &mgr;m and not larger than 1 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A method for stretching a hollow fibre while making a stretched filtering membrane from a precursor involves wrapping the hollow fibre around a structure and modifying the structure such that at least portions of the hollow fibre are forced to elongated. For example, the hollow fibre may be wrapped around around two or more supports and the distance between adjacent supports increased. This produces first portions of the hollow fibre stretched to a first elongation and porous to a first porosity and second portions of the hollow fibre that are not stretched or are stretched to a second elongation less than the first elongation and that remain non-porous or become porous to a second porosity which is less than the first porosity. The membrane may be made into a module with second portions of the membranes located at points where the membranes exit the potting material or at turns in loops of the fibres, if any. In various embodiments, the fibre is potted into modules before or after it is stretched.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the extracorporeal treatment of blood or plasma, comprising two compartments, one compartment intended for circulating blood or plasma, and one compartment intended for circulating spent liquid, separated by a wet semi-permeable membrane, characterized in that the device has, before and after sterilization, the following technical characteristics:

Abstract: An asymmetric membrane comprising a tubular polymer film in combination with a tubular braid on which the film is supported, requires the braid be macroporous and flexible, yet sufficiently strong to withstand continuous flexing, stretching and abrasion during use for microfiltration (MF) or ultrafiltration (UF). The specifications for a braid of a long-lived membrane are provided. A membrane is formed by supporting a polymer film in which particles of calcined &agr;-alumina are dispersed, on the defined tubular braid.

Abstract: A method of producing a hollow fiber membrane includes discharging a polyvinylidene fluoride solution comprising a polyvinylidene fluoride resin and a poor solvent at a temperature above a phase separation temperature into a cooling bath at a temperature below the phase separation temperature to coagulate the polyvinylidene fluoride resin. The hollow fiber membrane comprises a polyvinylidene fluoride resin having spherical structures that have an average diameter in the range of 0.3 to 30 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A dialyzer is provided comprising a casing defining an interior and including a dialysate inlet and a dialysate outlet. A plurality of fibers are located in the interior of the casing and define a fiber bundle. A dialysate inlet fluid channel is provided in fluid communication with the dialysate inlet and includes a plurality of flutes that extend into a portion of the fiber bundles, the flutes define an opening for allowing dialysate to flow from the inlet fluid channel into the interior of the casing. Methods of providing dialysis are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning a membrane module, the membrane module having a plurality of porous membranes, the membranes being arranged in close proximity to one another and mounted to prevent excessive movement therebetween and means for providing, from within the module, by means other than gas passing through the pores of the membranes, gas bubbles entrained in a liquid flow such that, in use, the liquid and bubbles entrained therein move past the surfaces of the membranes to dislodge fouling materials therefrom, the gas bubbles being entrained in the liquid by flowing the liquid past a source of gas to draw the gas into the liquid flow. The gas bubbles are preferably entrained into the liquid using a venturi type device. The membranes are preferably partitioned into discrete groups to assist cleaning while maintaining high packing density.

Abstract: Cast semi-permeable membranes made from synthetic polymer used in reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration and microfiltration are treated with a non-leaching antimicrobial agent to prevent its bio-fouling and bacterial breakthrough. The semi-permeable membranes include a polymeric material and a non-leaching antimicrobial agent that is incorporated into and homogeneously distributed throughout the polymeric material. The polymeric material, in the case of one membrane, may be cellulose acetate. In the case of thin film composite polyamide membranes, the antimicrobial agent is incorporated in a microporous polysulfone layer that is sandwiched between a reinforcing fabric and an ultrathin polyamide material. The invention also includes a treatment of flat and hollow fiber semipermeable membranes made with polysulfones and polyvinylidene fluoride.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating and analyzing a component of a fluid sample that is considered to be a contaminant, and particularly, that is or may be an organic material. The invention is predicated on the introduction of the sample fluid in a pulsed manner via a first carrier fluid into a feed chamber. A membrane is located between the feed chamber and an exit chamber, and in fluid registry therewith. When the sample enters the feed chamber, the component to be separated and analyzed can permeate the membrane, and thus passes through the membrane to the exit chamber, and then enters a second carrier fluid which carries it to a detector for analysis. The detector may be a gas chromatograph (GC), mass spectrometer (MS) or the like.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane, wherein an inner diameter (Id) is within the range of 100 to 200 &mgr;m, the ratio (Mt/Id) of a wall thickness (Mt) to the inner diameter (Id) is the range of 0.9 to 1.1, a bubble point (Bp) is at least 0.5 MPa, and the ratio (Di/Do) of the maximum major axis (Di) of the pores existing in the layer of up to 10 &mgr;m thick from an inner surface to the maximum major axis (Do) of the pores existing in the layer of up to 10 &mgr;m thick from an outer surface is within the range of 10.0 to 15.0; a hollow fiber membrane module formed of the hollow fiber membranes; and a water purifier formed of the hollow fiber membrane module.

Abstract: Cast semi-permeable membranes made from synthetic polymer used in reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration and microfiltration are treated with a non-leaching antimicrobial agent to prevent its bio-fouling and bacterial breakthrough. The semi-permeable membranes include a polymeric material and a non-leaching antimicrobial agent that is incorporated into and homogeneously distributed throughout the polymeric material. The polymeric material, in the case of one membrane, may be cellulose acetate. In the case of thin film composite polyamide membranes, the antimicrobial agent is incorporated in a microporous polysulfone layer that is sandwiched between a reinforcing fabric and an ultrathin polyamide material. The invention also includes a treatment of flat and hollow fiber semipermeable membranes made with polysulfones and polyvinylidene fluoride.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning a membrane module, the membrane module having a plurality of porous membranes, the membranes being arranged in close proximity to one another and mounted to prevent excessive movement therebetween and means for providing, from within the module, by means other than gas passing through the pores of the membranes, gas bubbles entrained in a liquid flow such that, in use, the liquid and bubbles entrained therein move past the surfaces of the membranes to dislodge fouling materials therefrom, the gas bubbles being entrained in the liquid by flowing the liquid past a source of gas to draw the gas into the liquid flow. The gas bubbles are preferably entrained into the liquid using a venturi type device. The membranes are preferably partitioned into discrete groups to assist cleaning while maintaining high packing density.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane made of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol polymer, comprises a dense layer existing in the inner surface and a porous layer existing in the layer other than the dense layer, wherein the hollow fiber membrane has a porosity of 60 to 90%, an overall mass transfer coefficient for myoglobin in a water-based system of not less than 0.003 cm/min., and a rejection rate for albumin in a bovine blood system of not less than 97%. The EVA hollow fiber membrane is useful for hemopurification membranes such as hemodialysis membranes, hemodiafiltration membranes, hemofiltration membranes and continuous hemofiltration membranes, and a process for producing the same.

Abstract: Hemodiafiltration system for treating blood, comprising a membrane module (1) in whose housing (2) hollow-fiber membranes (3) embedded at their ends in first and second sealing compounds (4,5) joined to the inner wall of the housing in a fluid-tight manner are arranged in the direction of the longitudinal extent, the membrane module (1) also having a dialyzate space (12) and a substituate space (11) separated from the dialyzate space (12) in a fluid-tight manner by a continuous dividing wall (10), and further comprising means for delivering (18,19) and withdrawing a dialyzate to and from the dialyzate space (12), and means for delivering (21) a substituate to the substituate space (11), the same hollow-fiber membranes (3) being used for blood treatment, filtration of the substituate, and delivery of the substituate to the blood, and an exterior space being formed around the hollow-fiber membranes (3) that is delimited by the inner wall of the housing (2) and sealing compounds (4,5) and divided along the longi

Abstract: The invention concerns a module for ultrafiltration or microfiltration of water comprising hollow fibers, of the type of filtration from outside inwards of the fibers, the water to be treated being introduced at the top of the module and the treated water being collected at the bottom of the module. The fibers are arranged inside a housing (3) in multiple U-shaped bundles (1), the module being vertically arranged in use with the U-shape in the top part of the module. At the bottom of the module, each bundle is arranged in a sheath (4) and individually potted. The sheaths are then urged to be housed in a distribution plate (2), and all the sheaths are interconnected by pouring (in reverse vertically position relative to that of the filtering mode) a so-called potting resin (5).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying an aqueous suspension comprising feeding an aqueous suspension containing fine particles comprising an inorganic component from the outer surface of a wavy hollow fiber membrane having an outer diameter of from 0.5 to 3.1 mm to filter, followed by physical wash of the hollow fiber membrane. The purifying method can reduce the damage of the membrane outer surface during the physical wash step, prevent open pores on the surface from covering and achieve stable filtration. The hollow fiber membrane bundle can be produced by having a pulsation flow contacted with the hollow fiber material being extruded from the double spinning nozzle under specific conditions and cooling and solidifying or coagulating it while shaking.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane oxygenator of external blood circulation type has a housing and a lot of porous hollow fiber membranes for gas transfer housed in the housing. In the oxygenator, blood flows along the outer side of the hollow fiber membranes, whereas oxygen-containing gas flows along the inner side thereof. An outer surface or outer layer of the hollow fiber membrane as a blood-contacting portion is coated with synthetic polymer mainly formed of alkoxyalkyl(meta)acrylate containing a C(1-4)alkoxy group and a C(1-4)alkyl group. An intermediate layer and inner layer of the hollow fiber membranes contain substantially no synthetic polymer.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering a liquid in a tank has a plurality of elements and a frame for holding the elements while they are immersed in the liquid. The elements have a plurality of hollow fibre membranes attached to and suspended between an upper header and a lower header. The membranes are in fluid communication with one or more permeate channels in one or more of the headers. Releasable attachments between the headers and the frame allow the frame to releasably hold the elements by their headers. The size and configuration of the frame determines the positions of the upper and lower headers of each element relative to each other. Connections between the permeate channels and one or more permeate collection tubes attached to the frame are releasable and resealable connections which are made or broken automatically by the movements involved in inserting or removing an element into or out of the frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hollow fiber membrane modules for use as “immersion modules” in filtration and/or dialysis methods, in particular whenever impairments due to fouling effects are expected from the use of liquids that are contaminated or lead to deposits. The hollow fiber membrane module comprises at least one housing and a plurality of tubular hollow fiber membranes which are arranged parallel to one another in and/or around the housing in a packing space, wherein the volumetric ratio of all the hollow fiber membranes arranged in the packing space to the packing space is less than 20%. Methods for producing such hollow fiber membrane modules are also provided.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of an artificial organ formed of a material having a solubility parameter &dgr; of not more than 13 (cal/cm3)½ involves filling micropores of the body fluid treatment membrane with a filling solution having no or little solubility with respect to a fat-soluble modifier solution, and coating a portion of the body fluid treatment membrane with the fat-soluble modifier by contacting the fat-soluble modifier solution. With this method substantially only the necessary portions need to be coated with the fat-soluble modifier so that a smaller amount of the fat-soluble modifier may be employed. A microporous membrane is formed of a synthetic polymer substrate having a solubility parameter &dgr; of not more than 13 (cal/cm3)½, with not less than 50 wt % of fat-soluble modifier included in the hollow fiber membrane being held on a surface which may contact body fluid. The membrane possesses the following sieve coefficients measured by dextrans: no more than 0.

Abstract: A device is provided for the sequestration and concentration of polar chemicals from water. The device includes a microporous hydrophilic membrane enclosure formed by a tube or facing membranes. A mixed sequestration media, contained within the enclosure, transforms dissolved polar organic chemicals into non-mobile species. The sequestration media is a triphasic admixture of a hyper-crosslinked polystyrene-divinylbenzene resin, and a carbonaceous sorbent dispersed on a size exclusion styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer.

Abstract: A membrane filtration unit comprises a housing having a feedstock inlet, a permeate outlet and a retentate outlet, at least one bundle of tubular membranes accommodated in the housing, sealing bodies which hold end parts of the membranes sealed in a fixed position with respect to the housing, and at least one flexible, permeable sleeve element which encloses the bundle of membranes and holds it together. The sleeve element encloses a center part, which is situated between the held end parts, of the bundle. Socket members are provided, which delimit transitional parts of the bundle, which transitional parts are situated at the location of the transitions from the end parts to the center part. Part of each socket member is fixedly connected with respect to the housing and part of each socket member movably encloses an end of the sleeve element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas-permeable hollow fiber membrane having an inner diameter of 50 to 500 &mgr;m and a membrane thickness of 10 to 150 &mgr;m, which is preferably a composite hollow fiber membrane having a three-layer structure consisting of a nonporous layer having porous layers disposed on both sides thereof. Dissolved gases present in an ink can be removed by passing the ink through the bores of hollow fibers comprising such a hollow fiber membrane, and evacuating the outer surface side of the hollow fibers. This method makes it possible not only to degas inks with a slight pressure loss, but also to degas inks stably even if pressure changes occur during degassing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas-permeable hollow fiber membrane having an inner diameter of 50 to 500 &mgr;m and a membrane thickness of 10 to 150 &mgr;m, which is, preferably a composite hollow fiber membrane having a three-layer structure consisting of a nonporous layer having porous layers disposed on both sides thereof. Dissolved gases present in an ink can be removed by passing the ink through the bores of hollow fibers comprising such a hollow fiber membrane, and evacuating the outer surface side of the hollow fibers. This method makes it possible not only to degas inks with a slight pressure loss, but also to degas inks stably even if pressure changes occur during degassing.

Abstract: A method of potting a plurality of hollow fiber membranes into a mass of solidified potting liquid is described. Open ends of a plurality of hollow fiber membranes are enclosed in a first material held in a container which may be a part of a permeate collection means, for example, a permeate pan or header enclosure. A potting liquid is flowed into the container over the first material. The potting liquid surrounds each hollow fiber membrane and then becomes a solid mass that provides a fluid-tight seal to the outside of the hollow fiber membranes. The first material prevents the potting liquid or solid mass from closing the ends of the membranes. The first material is later removed from the ends of the hollow fiber membranes.

Abstract: A filter device having two flow paths. The first flow path having at least one cap and fluid port. The second flow path surrounding the first fluid flow path and having at least one cap that overlaps the cap of the first fluid flow path. The second flow path also having at least one fluid port. The filter device providing a simple arrangement that is easily disinfected or sterilized.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas-permeable hollow fiber membrane having an inner diameter of 50 to 500 &mgr;m and a membrane thickness of 10 to 150 &mgr;m, which is preferably a composite hollow fiber membrane having a three-layer structure consisting of a nonporous layer having porous layers disposed on both sides thereof. Dissolved gases present in an ink can be removed by passing the ink through the bores of hollow fibers comprising such a hollow fiber membrane, and evacuating the outer surface side of the hollow fibers. This method makes it possible not only to degas inks with a slight pressure loss, but also to degas inks stably even if pressure changes occur during degassing.

Abstract: The invention relates to self-supporting capillary membranes which are longitudinally reinforced by continuous reinforcing fibres incorporated in the wall of the capillary membrane, which fibres extend in the longitudinal direction of the capillary membrane. The capillary membranes according to the invention have an improved ultimate tensile strength and a reduced elongation at break as a result of which capillary rupture caused by flow transverse to the capillary membranes occurs considerably fewer times.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas-permeable hollow fiber membrane having an inner diameter of 50 to 500 &mgr;m, which is preferably a composite hollow fiber membrane having a three-layer structure consisting of a nonporous layer having porous layers disposed on both sides thereof. This membrane can be used to remove dissolved gases present in an ink.

Abstract: Provided are a polysulfone type blood-purifying membrane which is improved in blood compatibility and separation properties and less in polyvinyl pyrrolidone eluting in the internal surface of the hollow fiber membrane, as well as a process for producing the same.

Abstract: A filter device has two flow paths. The first flow path has at least one cap and fluid port. The second flow path surrounds the first fluid flow path and has at least one cap that overlaps the cap of the first fluid flow path. The second flow path also has at least one fluid port. The filter device provides a simple arrangement that is easily disinfected or sterilized.

Abstract: Porous composite membranes are prepared by depositing spherical polymeric particles on the surface of a porous flat sheet or hollow fiber substrate and subsequently stabilizing the composite by physical or chemical means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bundle of hollow fibers intended to constitute the membrane of a device for treating blood or plasma by extracorporeal circulation, in which: the hydraulic permeability of the hollow fibers in the bundle is heterogeneous; and the ratio of the highest hydraulic permeability measured on some hollow fibers of the bundle to the lowest hydraulic permeability measured on other hollow fibers in the same bundle is at least about 5.

Abstract: Process for producing hydrophobic polyolefinic membranes for gas exchange via thermally induced liquid-liquid phase separation is disclosed. A solution of at least one polyolefin in a solvent system, of a compound A and a compound B having a viscosity less than 60 mPa s, is extruded to form a shaped object. The compound A is a solvent and compound B preferably a non-solvent of the polymer, and the boiling point of compound A is at least 50° C. higher than that of compound B. After the shaped object leaves the die, at least one surface thereof is subjected to an atmosphere promoting evaporation of compound B, and the shaped object is subsequently cooled until the phase separation and solidification of the high-polymer-content phase take place.

Abstract: A filter media system, which is capable of operating in the microfiltration regime, offers: low cost, durability, high temperature and chemical resistance, no particulation, mechanical strength, separation efficiency, and biocompatibility. The present invention provides a filter media system comprising a fibrous substrate of at least one of carbon and ceramic fibers, wherein an array of carbon or ceramic fiber whiskers have been grown onto the fibrous substrate, without prior densification of the fibrous substrate. A process for manufacturing a filter media system wherein a carbon fiber is treated with a solution of metal catalyst salt, heated in hydrogen at elevated temperatures to reduce the metal salt to metal, and whisker growth is initiated on the surfaces of the metal deposited carbon fibers by decomposition of low molecular weight hydrocarbon gas at elevated temperature is also provided.

Abstract: The reactor includes a hollow fiber membrane bundle. Pressurized hydrogen and water are introduced into a volume containing the fiber bundle. The fibers are free to separate and more independently over most of their length. The fibers have microporous inner and outer layers and a nonporous layer sandwiched between the inner and outer layers and are sealed on one end. Hydrogen is introduced inside the fibers, which are sealed on one end to prevent direct escape of the hydrogen gas. The H2 gas dissolves then diffuses through the nonporous layer. Water is introduced around the fibers, and the biofilm reaction occurs on the outer surface of the fibers. Oxidized contaminants are removed from the water by the biofilm reaction, which consumes H2 gas that diffuses through the membrane. The individual fibers are free, over most of their length, to separate in response to the water flow. This prevents excessive biofilm-to-biofilm contact.