Abstract: A method of manufacturing a membrane can include forming the membrane from a dissolved polymer in the presence of a functionalizing agent; and exposing the functionalizing agent to a nanoparticle to form a modified membrane.

Abstract: A thermal water purification system and a related method including distilling units consecutively flowed through by raw feed liquid, each having a boiling liquid section and a vapor section, and including a heat exchanger cavity adapted to transfer thermal energy to the raw feed liquid before entering the boiling liquid section of a first distilling unit. Heat exchanger tubes in fluidic communication with the heat exchanger cavity extend through the boiling liquid section of the first distilling unit to transfer thermal energy from a medium in the tubes to cause the raw feed liquid to boil. Preheating tubes extend through the vapor section of each distilling unit to heat the raw feed liquid before entering the boiling sections using thermal energy from vapor condensing against external surfaces of the preheating tubes, which produces the distillate liquid that flows through a discharge port and a conduit supplying a storage tank.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided a heat exchanger for equipment, having: at least one phase change material; and at least one heat exchange interface for heat exchange between the phase change material and a fluid flowing within, into and/or from a replaceable fluid container for the equipment, the replaceable fluid container having at least one fluid port adapted to couple to a fluid circulation system of the equipment when the replaceable container is coupled to a dock.

Abstract: The present application is directed to systems and methods for on-board fuel separation. The system includes: a source fuel tank for liquid fuel; a pump; and a membrane module. The membrane module includes a hydrophilic membrane, a retentate channel, and a permeate channel. The retentate and permeate channels are on opposing sides of the membrane. The membrane module receives fuel from the source fuel tank and separates the liquid fuel into a high octane fraction that collects in the retentate channel and a low octane fraction that diffuses through the membrane to the permeate channel. The system further includes a low octane fuel tank for receiving at least a portion of the low octane fraction, a high octane fuel tank for receiving at least a portion of the high octane fraction, and an engine configured to selectively receive at least a portion of the low and high octane fractions.

Abstract: A composition of five parts by mass of chitosan and one part graphene oxide is suspended in water. The composition may be used to form filtration layers of any size or shape and may be reinforced by additional layers. The composition may be used to construct a large filtration apparatus of any size or shape and may be used to form highly resilient, antimicrobial structures and surfaces for a variety of applications.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a forward osmosis system/process utilized primarily in conjunction with a subsurface irrigation system/process. Saline wastewater or naturally saline water is treated using forward osmosis membranes that draw at least partially purified water from the wastewater into an osmotic draw solution (draw solution). The resulting diluted osmotic draw solution is then circulated through the subsurface irrigation system including one or more tubular membranes that reject the draw solution while permitting water in the diluted draw solution to pass through.

Abstract: A method and system for effectively desalinating a feed stream is provided. In one embodiment, a feed stream is desalinated by a Brine Forward (BF) desalination system, which comprises an enabling de-scaling step combined with a plurality of multi-stage flash (MSF) trains arranged in series, wherein the de-scaling step is conducted within a MSF first train at a top temperature. With the aid of the de-scaling step, the system obviates or reduces many of the well known disadvantages of the desalination practice along with their expenditures and environmental burdens. The elimination of otherwise intractable substantial operating and silent environmental costs of such disadvantages, in itself, may over defray the de-scaling step's cost and with greater benefits to the overall system's performance and distillate production. Furthermore, all of the products from the de-scaling step are commercially viable, and if desirable or necessary, all of the de-scaling step's additives are also recyclable.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively desalinating a feed stream is provided. In one embodiment, a feed stream is desalinated by a Brine Forward (BF) desalination system comprising an enabling de-scaling step combined with a plurality of trains arranged in series and alternated in pairs of opposing feed evaporation modes, wherein each pair comprises a leading backward fed multi-effect train and a following forward fed multi-effect train. This system is structured on the grounds of simplicity and homogeneity, without using scale inhibitors and restricting top brine temperature. This system is a close approximation of efficient regenerative heating and brine cascading; the energy extracted to heat the feed is only slightly hotter than the feed it is heating without complex feed heating setups; and the brine extracted after evaporating vapor in the train is used to evaporate vapor in the next train, yet reject brine is readily reusable in other applications.

Abstract: Membrane distillation (MD) systems include at least two MD modules arranged in series, each of at least two MD modules including a condensing media inlet operable to receive a condensing media and a condensing media outlet, a feed inlet operable to receive a feed media and a feed outlet, and a first heating element positioned and operable to heat a feed prior to or upon introduction of the feed to a first of the at least two MD modules, wherein a stream exiting the feed outlet of the first of the at least two MD modules is introduced to the second of the at least two MD modules. Other MD systems include at least two MD modules arranged in parallel.

Abstract: A composite membrane for selectively separating (e.g., pervaporating) a first fluid (e.g., first liquid such as a high octane compound) from a mixture comprising the first fluid (e.g., first liquid such as a high octane compound) and a second fluid (e.g., second liquid such as gasoline). The composite membrane includes a porous substrate comprising opposite first and second major surfaces, and a plurality of pores. A pore-filling polymer is disposed in at least some of the pores so as to form a layer having a thickness within the porous substrate. The composite membrane further includes at least one of: (a) an ionic liquid mixed with the pore-filling polymer; or (b) an amorphous fluorochemical film disposed on the composite membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combined C3/C4 splitter with a membrane system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a combined C3/C4 splitter column to separate highly pure propylene product from a liquefied petroleum gas stream, which eliminates a C3 splitter having over 120 trays and the additional equipment that a C3 splitter requires.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combined C3/C4 splitter with a membrane system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a combined C3/C4 splitter column to separate highly pure propylene product from a liquefied petroleum gas stream, which eliminates a C3 splitter having over 120 trays and the additional equipment that a C3 splitter requires.

Abstract: A system for use in a gas turbine engine fuel supply has an internal fuel filter having an internal bore and an external surface. A chamber within the internal bore of the fuel filter for receives a fuel and allows fuel to pass radially outwardly across the fuel filter. An oxygen removal unit is outwardly of the external surface of the fuel filter, such that fuel passes through the fuel filter, encounters the oxygen removal unit such that oxygen can be removed from the fuel, an outlet port for removed oxygen, and a separate outlet port for fuel having passed over the fuel filter and the oxygen removal unit.

Abstract: There is provided herein a system and method for de-toxifying and de-scaling source water. In some embodiments, source water will be mixed with either an aluminum source or an iron source to separate endotoxins from acidic proteins and convert the naturally present bicarbonate in source water to carbon dioxide. Endotoxins and carbon dioxide will then be removed from source water by a stage of hydrophobic membranes to produce de-toxified and de-carbonated source water. Calcium hydroxide will be mixed with the de-toxified and de-carbonated source water to form precipitates comprising foulants and sulfate. A recoverable and reusable amine solvent will also be used to induce efficient precipitation. Possible reuse applications for the treated source water by the inventive methods that minimize excessive uses of potable water may include hydro-fracturing of shale and sand formations and heavy oil recovery by steam injection.

Abstract: Separation processes using osmotically driven membrane systems are disclosed generally involving the extraction of solvent from a first solution to concentrate solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of sodium sulfate from water, in particular from water deriving from a silica manufacturing process.

Abstract: Presented herein are membranes for use in separating solids including salts from water. One application of such membranes is in a sub-surface irrigation system that that utilizes a saline or tainted water as a feed source. In various embodiments, the membranes operate on a solution diffusion principle. In other embodiments the membranes operate on an ultrafiltration principle and/or a solution diffusion principle. In any embodiment, the membranes operate similar to pervaporation membranes suitable for non-pressure driven systems. The membranes are designed to provide increased flux rate while separating solids such as salts from water.

Abstract: A method and a device for condensing a water-soluble organic matter, which can collect a highly concentrated water-soluble organic matter, save energy, and reduce cost of the device by reducing a membrane area. According to the present invention, the permeability ratio of a vapor-permeation separation membrane disposed at least immediately before a final outlet on a non-permeation side in the separation membrane device is lower than those of the other vapor-permeation separation membranes while a hybrid process combining distillation by the distillation column with membrane separation by the separation membrane devices including a plurality of vapor-permeation separation membranes is used and energy saving performance is maintained. Therefore, a highly concentrated and condensed component of a water-soluble organic matter is obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating dimethyl carbonate using pervaporation includes: an atmospheric distillation column and a high pressure distillation column distilling a mixture containing dimethyl carbonate and methanol and separating dimethyl carbonate from the mixture; and a pervaporation membrane module disposed between the atmospheric distillation column and the high pressure distillation column and allowing for permeation of the methanol to separate the methanol from the mixture, thereby reducing heat consumption and a process cost as compared to the case of only using an existing pressure swing distillation method.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes, in addition to an LPL-EGR system, two water vapor separation film modules for fresh air and for EGR gas. One module 34 is connected to a pressure reducing pump 40 through a suction passage 38. Other module 36 is connected to a pressure reducing pump 44 through a suction passage 42. A condenser 54 that condenses water vapor that flows through the suction passage 38 is provided in the suction passage 38. A water tank 56 that temporarily accumulates condensed water that is discharged from the condenser 54 is provided on a downstream side relative to the condenser 54. The water tank 56 is connected to injectors 60 that inject water from the water tank 56 into intake ports of respective cylinders or into respective cylinders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a desalination apparatus and a desalination method using the same. In one specific embodiment, the desalination apparatus comprises: a forward osmosis unit having a draw-solution part into which seawater flows, and a raw water part into which raw water flows, and having an osmosis membrane, formed between the draw solution part and the raw water part, so as to respectively generate first treated water and first concentrated water; a capacitive deionization unit, which is connected to the draw solution part through a first inflow passage, and into which the first treated water of the draw solution part flows so as to generate second treated water; and an electrodialysis unit, which is connected to the raw water part through a second inflow passage, and into which the first concentrated water of the raw water part flows so as to generate third treated water.

Abstract: Water treatment systems including electrically-driven and pressure-driven separation apparatus configured to produce a first treated water suitable for use as irrigation water and a second treated water suitable for use as potable water from one of brackish water and seawater and methods of operation of same.

Abstract: A variety of polycycloalkyl polynorbornene monomers and polymers derived therefrom are disclosed and claimed. The polymers and copolymers as disclosed herein are useful for forming pervaporation membranes, among other uses.

Abstract: A natural-gas purification apparatus includes: a compressor that adjusts the pressure of natural gas, and a separation device that separates natural-gas liquid and carbon dioxide from the natural gas after the pressure adjustment by the compressor through a natural-gas-liquid separation membrane and a carbon-dioxide separation membrane.

Abstract: Nanofiltration can be used to improve a hydrometallurgical process in which valuable metal is extracted from ore or tailings by leaching with a suitable lixiviant. The process requires at least two nanofiltration subsystems in which raffinate from a solvent extraction process is treated in a nanofiltration subsystem, after which permeate therefrom is combined with a pregnant solution stream and is treated in a second nanofiltration subsystem. This arrangement can lead to advantages in the amount of lixiviant recovered, in the raw materials required, in the effluent produced, in the size of plant, and in overall cost.

Abstract: A system for crystallizing a material that is dissolved in a solvent includes: a crystallization device through which a solution that is to be concentrated flows, the solution including the solvent containing the material to be crystallized and dissolved in the solvent, and a liquid having a lower temperature than the solution to be concentrated. The system includes at least one flow channel guiding the solution to be concentrated and at least one flow channel guiding the liquid, where the inner space of each respective flow channel guiding the liquid is delimited at least in part by a membrane wall that is permeable for the vaporous solvent, where a vapor pressure difference enables the solvent to pass from the solution to be concentrated across the membrane wall.

Abstract: An exhaust after-treatment system for treating an exhaust produced by an engine. The exhaust after-treatment system includes an exhaust passage, at least one catalytic exhaust after-treatment component in communication with the exhaust passage for treating the exhaust, and a water-removal device in communication with the exhaust passage that receives a portion of the exhaust therein at a location positioned upstream from the catalytic exhaust after-treatment component. The water-removal device is defined by a housing that includes a water-removal membrane that separates water from the portion of the exhaust to provide a permeate that is enriched with water, and to produce a retentate that is water depleted that facilitates the treating of the exhaust by the catalytic exhaust after-treatment component.

Abstract: An enrichment apparatus and process for enriching a hydrogen sulfide concentration in an acid gas stream to create a hydrogen sulfide rich stream for feed to a Claus. The enrichment apparatus comprises a hydrocarbon selective separation unit operable to separate the acid gas stream into a hydrocarbon rich stream and a purified acid gas stream, wherein the acid gas stream comprises hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and hydrocarbons, a hydrogen sulfide selective separation unit operable to separate the purified acid gas stream to create the hydrogen sulfide rich stream and a hydrogen sulfide lean stream, the hydrogen sulfide rich stream having a concentration of hydrogen sulfide, and the Claus unit operable to recover sulfur from the carbon dioxide lean stream. The enrichment apparatus can include a carbon dioxide selective separation unit in fluid communication with the hydrogen sulfide selective separation unit, operable to separate the hydrogen sulfide rich stream.

Abstract: A process for separating components or a fluid mixture using membranes comprising a selective layer made from copolymers of an amorphous per fluorinated dioxolane and a fluorovinyl monomer. The resulting membranes have superior selectivity performance for certain fluid components of interest while maintaining fast permeance compared to membranes prepared using conventional perfluoropolymers, such as Teflon® AF, Hyflon® AD, and Cytop®.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for selectively separating a straight-chain conjugated diene with high purity from a mixture containing the straight-chain conjugated diene and at least one type of straight-chain olefin. The method involves separating the straight-chain conjugated diene from the mixture containing the straight-chain conjugated diene and the straight-chain olefin using a zeolite membrane composite. The composite contains a porous support and a zeolite layer formed on the surface and in the fine pores of the support, and the zeolite contains an alkali metal cation.

Abstract: An aircraft fuel deoxygenation system includes a boost pump, a contactor-separator, and a centrifuge-separator pump. The boost pump is adapted to receive fuel from a fuel source and inert gas from an inert gas source, and is configured to mix the fuel and inert gas and supply a fuel/gas mixture. The contactor-separator is coupled to receive the fuel/gas mixture and is configured to remove oxygen from the fuel and thereby generate and supply deoxygenated fuel with entrained purge gas and separated purge gas. The centrifuge-separator pump is coupled to receive the deoxygenated fuel with entrained purge gas and is configured to separate and remove the entrained purge gas from the deoxygenated fuel and supply the deoxygenated fuel and additional purge gas.

Abstract: A process for treating an effluent gas stream arising from a manufacturing operation that produces an olefin or an olefin derivative to recover unreacted olefin. The process involves compressing the effluent gas stream, which comprises an olefin, a paraffin, and a third gas, to produce a first compressed stream, then directing the first compressed stream to a membrane separation pretreatment step. The permeate stream withdrawn from this step is enriched in olefin and is sent to a second compressor, which produces a second compressed stream that is then cooled and condensed. The condensation step produces a liquid condensate and an uncondensed gas stream. The uncondensed gas stream undergoes a second membrane separation step to produce another olefin-enriched permeate stream, which is recirculated within the process prior to the second compression step, and an olefin-depleted residue stream, which may be purged from the process.

Abstract: Described is a method for vacuum degassing of a liquid such as a solvent for a liquid chromatography system. The method includes modulating application of a vacuum to a fluid channel of a degasser so that each volume of a liquid drawn from the degasser experiences a residence time that is equal to the residence times of the other volumes. The residence time is determined as a time that the volume resides in the fluid channel under application of the vacuum and to a magnitude of the applied vacuum. The method is advantageous for use with liquid chromatography systems where differences in the diffusion rates of solvents into the degasser vacuum can otherwise introduce error into the composition gradient of a mobile phase.

Abstract: Provided are a method of and a device for purifying isopropyl alcohol. Water may be effectively removed from a feed including water and isopropyl alcohol while consuming a minimum amount of energy, and therefore, a high-purity isopropyl alcohol may be obtained.

Abstract: Reverse osmosis membranes made by interfacial polymerization of a monomer in a nonpolar (e.g. organic) phase together with a monomer in a polar (e.g. aqueous) phase on a porous support membrane. Interfacial polymerization process is disclosed for preparing a highly permeable RO membrane, comprising: contacting on a porous support membrane, a) a first solution containing 1,3-diaminobenzene, and b) a second solution containing trimesoyl chloride, wherein at least one of solutions a) and b) contains nanoparticles when said solutions are first contacted, and recovering a highly permeable RO membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed are copolymers which are useful in hydrophilically modifying porous fluoropolymer supports. An example of the copolymers is: Also disclosed are a method of preparing such copolymers, a method of modifying porous fluoropolymer surfaces, and hydrophilic fluoropolymer porous membranes prepared therefrom. Also disclosed is a method of filtering fluids by the use of the hydrophilic fluoropolymer porous membranes.

Abstract: Disclosed are copolymers suitable for hydrophilically modifying the surface of fluoropolymer membranes. An example of the copolymers is: Also disclosed are a method of preparing the copolymers, a method of hydrophilically modifying porous fluoropolymer supports, hydrophilic porous fluoropolymer membranes prepared from the copolymers, and a method of filtering fluids by the use of the hydrophilic porous fluoropolymer membranes.

Abstract: Disclosed are hydrophilic porous PTFE membranes comprising PTFE and an amphiphilic copolymer, for example, a copolymer of the formula: wherein m and n are as described herein. Also disclosed are a method of preparing hydrophilic porous PTFE membranes and a method of filtering fluids through such membranes.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymers suitable for hydrophilically modifying the surface of porous fluoropolymer supports, for example, a copolymer of the formula: Also disclosed are a method of preparing the polymers, a method of hydrophilically modifying porous fluoropolymer supports, hydrophilic fluoropolymer porous membranes prepared from the polymers, and a method of filtering fluids through the porous membranes.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an aromatic polysulfone resin is offered which is suitable as film material, especially in porous membranes. The aromatic polysulfone resin of the present invention has a reduced viscosity of 0.55-0.65 dL/g, and preferably 0.58-0.62 dL/g, number average molecular weight (Mn) of 22000 or more, and preferably 23500 or more, and a value of the ratio of weight average molecular weight (Mw) relative to number average molecular weight (Mn) of 2.54 or less, and preferably 2.50 or less.

Abstract: A heat exchange system may include a first heat exchange circuit and a second heat exchange circuit. The first heat exchange circuit may circulate a first working fluid sequentially through a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger and a membrane contactor. The second heat exchange circuit may direct a second working fluid sequentially through the first heat exchanger and the membrane contactor, where the second working fluid includes solute and solvent. The first heat exchanger and the membrane contactor may transfer heat energy from the second working fluid to the first working fluid, and the second heat exchanger may transfer heat energy from the first working fluid to a third working fluid. The membrane contactor may extract a portion of the solvent from the second working fluid.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a composite membrane excellent in both durability and moisture permeability. The present invention provides a composite membrane formed by laminating a layer of a moisture-permeable resin on one surface of a hydrophobic porous membrane, the composite membrane being characterized in that the layer of the moisture-permeable resin is included in a reinforcing porous membrane.

Abstract: A composition including a diamine compound and a dianhydride compound, wherein the diamine compound includes a first diamine compound represented by Chemical Formula 1, wherein, in Chemical Formula 1, T1 to T8 and L1 to L8 are the same as defined in the detailed description.

Abstract: The present invention provides composite membranes for membrane distillation and related methods of manufacture. In particular, there is provided a composite hydrophilic/hydrophobic membrane comprising a hydrophilic polymer layer and a hydrophobic polymer layer comprising fluorinated surface-modifying macromolecules, wherein said composite membrane has a high vapor flux. Also provided herein are methods of manufacturing and optimizing the composite membranes and a membrane distillation system comprising the composite membranes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to high molecular weight polystyrene-polydialkylsiloxane-polystyrene (“SDS”) triblock copolymer compositions and methods of separating one or more organic compounds from an aqueous solution using membranes derived from SDS triblock copolymers. The methods may be used to separate the one or more organic compounds from an aqueous solution produced in a fermentation process. In some embodiments, the one or more organic compounds include an alcohol, such as, for example, ethanol. In other embodiments, the one or more organic compounds include acetone. In other embodiments, the one or more organic compounds include acetone, ethanol, and n-butanol produced in an acetone-ethanol-n-butanol (ABE) fermentation process. In other embodiments, the one or more organic compounds include one or more byproducts produced in a fermentation process.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a membrane separation apparatus and a membrane separation method capable of reducing energy consumption, [Solution] A membrane separation apparatus (10) includes: a membrane separator (20) supplied with a fluid (X) containing a component (A) and a component (B) and separating the fluid (X) into a fluid (Y) having a higher concentration of the component (A) than the fluid (X) and a fluid (Z) having a lower concentration of the component (A) than the fluid (X) by using a separation membrane; a first compressor (21) adiabatically compressing the fluid (Y); a first heat exchanger (11) to which the fluid (Y) adiabatically compressed by the first compressor (21) is introduced as a heat source; and a second heat exchanger (12) to which the fluid (Z) is introduced as a heat source.

Abstract: A process for treating an effluent gas stream arising from a manufacturing operation that produces an olefin or a non-polymeric olefin derivative. The process involves cooling and condensing the effluent gas stream, which comprises an olefin, a paraffin, and a third gas, to produce a liquid condensate and an uncondensed (residual) gas stream. Both streams are then passed through membrane separation steps. The membrane separation of the uncondensed gas stream results in an olefin-enriched stream and an olefin-depleted stream. The olefin-enriched stream is recirculated within the process prior to the condensation step. The membrane separation of the condensate also results in an olefin-enriched stream, which may be recycled for use within the manufacturing operation, and an olefin-depleted stream, which may be purged from the process.

Abstract: Process for the purification of an aqueous stream coming from the Fischer-Tropsch reaction which comprises: feeding said aqueous stream containing the organic by products of the reaction to one or more pervaporation units, said one or more pervaporation units comprising at least one polymeric pervaporation membrane, obtaining two outgoing streams: —an aqueous stream (i) enriched in alcohols having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably from 2 to 4 carbon atoms; —an aqueous stream (ii) enriched in water.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for separating liquid mixtures, which includes passing a liquid stream of the liquid mixture over a membrane, the membrane being selective for at least one of a first compound and a second compound, whereby at least part of the liquid stream passes through the membrane leaving the other side of the membrane as a vapor, with the remainder of the liquid stream forming a retentate stream, and condensing the vapor on a condenser surface having a lower temperature than the liquid stream to give a distillate stream, the condenser surface forming a non-permeable heat conducting separation wall between the distillate stream and a cooling stream which cooling stream is a) a feed stream, or b) the retentate stream.

Abstract: A process for recovering unreacted olefin in a polyolefin manufacturing process comprising the treatment of a purge bin vent gas. The process involves cooling and condensing the vent gas (purge stream), which contains at least an olefin, a paraffin, and hydrogen, to produce a liquid condensate and an uncondensed (residual) gas stream. Both streams are then passed through membrane separation steps. The membrane separation of the uncondensed gas stream results in a residue stream containing mostly nitrogen and/or paraffin and a permeate stream enriched in either C2+ hydrocarbons or olefin, depending on the type of separation. The permeate from this step is recirculated within the process prior to the condensation step. The membrane separation of the condensate results in a residue stream containing paraffin and a permeate stream enriched in olefin, which may be recycled to the polymerization reactor.