Abstract: Membrane modules, and contactor apparatuses that utilize these modules, comprise a membrane contactor layer and a condenser region and optionally a core. The modules comprise a membrane contactor layer comprising a membrane envelope and a plurality of hollow fiber membranes disposed therein; a feed fluid pathway defined at least in part by lumens of the hollow fibers; and a permeate fluid pathway defined at least in part by an interstitial space between outer surfaces of the hollow fibers and inner surfaces of the membrane envelope.

Abstract: A treatment system includes a feed source, a first treatment unit for separating a feed into a first product and a concentrated feed containing less than about 7% total dissolved solids, and a membrane distillation unit for separating the concentrated feed into a second product and a superconcentrated feed containing at least about 14% total dissolved solids. The membrane distillation unit includes hollow fiber membranes having inner bores for receiving the concentrated feed and membrane walls for allowing vapor transmission of distillate. A method includes delivering feed to a first treatment unit where it is separated into first product and concentrated feed streams; delivering the concentrated feed to internal bores of hollow fiber membranes where it is separated into second product and superconcentrated feed streams as vapor passes across the hollow fiber membranes; delivering the superconcentrated feed to a liquid removal unit; and collecting the first and second product streams.

Abstract: A cross-linked polyvinyl sulfate, copolymer of polyvinyl sulfate and polyvinyl alcohol, or Nafion® membrane is used for recovering sulfuric acid from a feed mixture comprising predominantly acid and water under reverse osmosis conditions wherein sulfuric acid is enriched in the retentate stream and water is removed in the permeate stream.

Abstract: A membrane for gas separation includes a porous support layer and a separation layer. The separation layer comprises a mixture of one or more saccharide derivatives and one or more homopolymers. The saccharide derivative(s) may have a cyclic structure with five or six ring atoms, or a linear structure, or may include monosaccharide derivatives which are bound via glycoside bonds, and the number of monosaccharides bound in this manner may be 2 to 1,000. A membrane can be produced by preparing a homogeneous solution which comprises a saccharide derivative and a homopolymer in a solvent; and pouring the homogenous solution onto a support layer. The membrane may be used in a gas separation module the operation of which makes use of the membrane.

Abstract: A sample concentrator for concentrating analytes in a solvent-containing liquid sample stream, including concentrator housing having a sample stream flow channel and a gas stream flow channel having an inlet and an outlet, a heater for gas in the gas stream conduit, and a hydrophilic ion exchange or non-ionic membrane barrier separating said gas stream flow channel and said sample stream flow channel. Solvent is evaporated from the liquid sample stream in said sample stream flow channel in or at the interface with said membrane, when the gas stream is at an elevated temperature. A regeneration step is used to regenerate the ion exchange membrane barrier.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed to treat produced water from hydrocarbons production facilities. The disclosed methods can be used to either: (1) de-NORM produced water; or (2) de-NORM and partially de-salt produced water; or (3) de-NORM and partially de-salt and de-ionize produced water; or (4) de-oil, de-NORM, de-salt and de-ionize produced water.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to limiting a presence of air bubbles in fluidic media in a reservoir. Air passages may allow air to escape from fluidic media in a reservoir. Membranes may allow for trapping air bubbles in fluidic media before fluidic media enters a reservoir. A membrane may allow air to flow from a first reservoir containing fluidic media to a second reservoir while plunger heads within each of the reservoirs are moved within the reservoirs. An inner reservoir with a membrane may be moveable within an outer reservoir to allow air to move from the outer reservoir to the inner reservoir. An inner reservoir containing pressurized gas may allow fluidic media to be transferred to an outer reservoir.

Abstract: Steam for use as stripping medium in a regenerator is recovered from a portion of the regenerator bottom product using a pervaporation unit. In most preferred aspects, the portion is selected such as to maintain neutral water balance in the stripper for a desired regeneration level.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for producing a diesel fuel of enhanced cetane value from low cetane distillate and diesel boiling range fractions from poor crudes such as naphthenic crudes.

Abstract: A method for degassing a fluid includes providing a degassing system having a degassing module and a fluid pump apparatus having a fluid reservoir, wherein the fluid pump apparatus is operated in a discontinuous mode involving one or more discrete pumping cycles having a first cycle time. The fluid pump apparatus is calibrated to deliver a predetermined volume of the fluid from the fluid reservoir during each of the pumping cycles, and the degassing module is adapted to operably move gas from the fluid to an extent sufficient to render the fluid volume to a desired degassed condition within a period of time that is not greater than the first cycle time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling the amount of purging that occurs within a membrane separation device. The membrane separation device includes a membrane separation component and sweep controlling component. Within the membrane separation component, a major portion of the non-permeate gas is sent out of the membrane separation device to work, while a minor portion is diverted for use as a sweep gas. The sweep gas is controlled by a valve that cycles with a device, such as a compressor. Thus, the membrane separation device is on when the compressor is on and is off when the compressor is off. As such, the membrane separation device is not required to sweep at all times.

Abstract: The invention discloses a composition comprising a hybrid composite organic-inorganic membrane. The hybrid organic-inorganic membrane according to the present invention may comprise an amorphous porous layer incorporating organic functionalities. The amorphous porous layer may be deposited on a porous alumina substrate by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The amorphous porous layer may comprise a single top-layer (STL), multiple top-layers (MTL) or mixed top-layers (XTL). The substrate may comprise a single layer or multiple graded layers of alumina.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a filled polymeric membrane includes a first step of preparing a filler suspension having a solvent for a glassy polymer and nanometre-sized particles. The nanometre-sized particles in the filler suspension are aggregated in aggregates having an average aggregate size in the range between 50 nm and smaller than 200 nm. In a following step, the glassy polymer is added to the filler suspension to obtain a polymer suspension. Next, the glassy polymer is dissolved in the polymer suspension. In a next step, the polymer suspension is cast on a substrate, followed by a step of removing the solvent. A filled polymeric membrane includes aggregates of nanometre-sized filler particles. The membrane is used in pervaporation and nanofiltration.

Abstract: Porous composites comprise a porous membrane having a structure defining a plurality of pores extending therethrough, nonporous discontinuous surface layer affixed to said porous membrane, in which the nonporous discontinuous surface layer forms regions of gas permeability, and regions of gas impermeability, and a coating disposed upon the porous composite which renders at least a portion of the porous composite oleophobic.

Abstract: A nanoscale membrane exposed on opposite sides thereof and having an average thickness of less than about 100 nm, and a lateral length to thickness aspect ratio that is more than 10,000 to 1 is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of making such membranes, and use thereof in a number of devices including fuel cells, sensor devices, electrospray devices, and supports for examining a sample under electron microscopy.

Abstract: Contaminating water and/or fuel material may be removed from a stream of internal combustion engine lubricating oil being circulated over parts of an operating engine. A suitable membrane material is supported in a suitable housing. At least a portion of the oil stream is flowed over one side of the membrane and water and/or fuel material diffuses through the membrane to its other side where they are gathered and removed from the housing. The water and fuel material may be recovered separately using different membranes or different regions of a membrane. They may be swept from the membranes and housings using streams of flowing air heated to a pre-selected temperatures using waste engine heat for disposition outside the housing. Application of this practice to other membrane-separable mixtures is described.

Abstract: A porous substrate with a seed crystal-containing layer for manufacturing a zeolite membrane includes: a ceramic porous substrate, and a seed crystal-containing layer containing a zeolite powder to function as a seed crystal for forming a zeolite membrane and a ceramic powder and being loaded on a surface of the ceramic porous substrate and fired to fix the seed crystal-containing layer on the porous substrate. The porous substrate with a seed crystal-containing layer used for manufacturing a zeolite membrane inhibits a defect such as a crack from being generated in the zeolite layer upon manufacture or use by manufacturing a zeolite membrane by the use of the substrate which then can be subjected to air-spraying, washing, and processing for the purpose of removing a foreign substance, etc., prior to hydrothermal synthesis.

Abstract: Process for separating propane and propylene using a distillation column and at least one membrane separation unit constituted by one or more modules operating in series, said membrane separation unit being placed either upstream, or downstream, or upstream and downstream of the distillation column.

Abstract: A membrane suitable for separating a gas, in particular carbon dioxide, from a gas mixture containing the gas is provided by a blend of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinylamine (PVAm).

Abstract: A method for producing clean water and electricity, in which water to be cleaned undergoes membrane distillation through one or several units (1) including a first wall (2) that is impermeable to water and has the form of a sheet, a membrane (3) through which water in the gaseous phase can pass, and through which water in fluid phase cannot pass, and a second wall (4) in the form of a sheet. The walls are located on different sides of and at a certain distance from the membrane (3), where water is led in between the first wall (2) and the membrane (3),and where the second wall is caused to be colder than the water. The first wall (2) acts as a solar cell panel (8) with electrically active layers (9) facing away from the membrane, and the solar cell panel is located such that it is illuminated by sunlight.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a membrane comprises: a nonporous, hydrophobic selective layer configured to be on a feed solution side of the membrane and polyethylene layer configured to be on a permeate side of the membrane, wherein the membrane is configured to selectively separate an organic component from an aqueous solution. In some embodiments, the method for separating an organic component from an aqueous stream can comprise: contacting a nonporous, hydrophobic selective layer of a membrane with the aqueous stream comprising the organic component, creating a vacuum on the side of the membrane comprising the support layer, permeating the organic component through the membrane into an exit chamber, and removing the organic component permeate from the exit chamber.

Abstract: An integrated heating system for adding heat to a feed fuel within a module by way of an integrated heating element within the body or casing of the module. The heat may be selectively added to maintain a selected temperature.

Abstract: A membrane module comprising an outer casing having an interior region, a plurality of hollow fiber membranes extending through at least a portion of the interior region, and having exterior surfaces and inner hollow regions, where the inner hollow regions are configured to provide flow paths for a distillate fluid. The membrane module further comprises an opening extending through the outer casing for providing a feed solution to the interior region adjacent the exterior surfaces of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes, where the feed solution provided to the opening has an elevated temperature that is greater than an atmospheric-pressure boiling temperature of the feed solution, and an elevated pressure at which an effective boiling temperature of the feed solution is greater than the elevated temperature.

Abstract: A membrane for use in an implantable glucose sensor including at least one crosslinked substantially hydrophobic polymer and at least one crosslinked substantially hydrophilic polymer; wherein the first and second polymers are different polymers and substantially form an interpenetrating polymer network, semi-interpenetrating polymer network, polymer blend, or copolymer. The membranes are generally characterized by providing a permeability ratio of oxygen to glucose of about 1 to about 1000 in units of (mg/dl glucose) per (mmHg oxygen). Three methods of making membranes from hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers formed into polymer networks are provided, wherein according to at least two of the methods, the monomers may be substantially immiscible with one another.

Abstract: The present invention discloses high performance polybenzoxazole membranes prepared from aromatic poly(o-hydroxy amide) membranes by thermal cyclization and a method for using these membranes. The polybenzoxazole membranes were prepared by thermal treating aromatic poly(o-hydroxy amide) membranes in a temperature range of 200° to 550° C. under inert atmosphere. The aromatic poly(o-hydroxy amide) membranes used for making the polybenzoxazole membranes were prepared from aromatic poly(o-hydroxy amide) polymers comprising pendent phenolic hydroxyl groups ortho to the amide nitrogen in the polymer backbone. In some embodiments of the invention, the polybenzoxazole membranes may be subjected to an additional crosslinking step to increase the selectivity of the membranes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a micro-porous membrane comprising a porous membrane carrier made of a first polymeric material (A) and comprising a second polymeric material (B) intimately divided throughout the porous membrane carrier, wherein the porous membrane carrier comprises a plurality of interconnected polymeric fibers, fibrils, filaments and/or lamellae having a thickness of less than 1 ?m, the porous membrane carrier has an interconnected open porous structure formed by the plurality of interconnected polymeric fibers, fibrils, filaments and/or lamellae and a porosity of at least 50%; and the polymeric material (B) comprises a thermoplastic polycondensation polymer and is present in an amount of at most 30 wt. %, relative to the total weight of (A) and (B).

Abstract: This invention relates to a polymeric membrane composition comprising an associating polymer. The polymer coating is characterized as having hard and soft segments where the hard segment comprises TMPA, combined with HDPA. The membrane may utilize a porous substrate.

Abstract: The invention under consideration concerns novel his-molecular-weight polyazoles, which are suitable for the production of fibers, films, membranes, and molded articles, on the basis of their high molecular weight, expressed as intrinsic viscosity, of at least 1.3 dl/g. Moreover, the invention under consideration describes a method for the production of high-molecular-weight polyazoles.

Abstract: Provided is a process and apparatus for separating a multi-component feed stream wherein a porous separator is used to effectively create, via permeation and phase change, at least three fractions of differing compositions.

Abstract: A system having a reactor for continuous processing of fluid is provided herein. The reactor, in general, includes an outer vessel to accommodate fluids to be processed or used in connection therewith, an inner vessel situated within the outer vessel to serve as an energy exchange surface, and an annular space defined between the outer and inner vessels and along which processing of the fluids can be implemented. The continuous thin film reactor can be used to perform, for example, distillation and evaporation, fluid-fluid or solid-fluid-fluid reactions, organic reactions, cooling, and desalination.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyester using a catalyst, which catalyst enables producing a polyester excellent in color tone and transparency at a high reaction velocity; the catalyst; and a method for producing the catalyst, which catalyst comprises: (1) at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of metal elements of Group 4A of the Periodic Table, (2) at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of metal elements of Group 2A of the Periodic Table, aluminum, manganese, iron, cobalt, zinc, gallium and germanium, (a) when the total amount of metal atoms derived from metal element (1) is represented by t (mol/catalyst kg), and the total amount of metal atoms derived from metal element (2) is represented by m (mol/catalyst kg), the value of m/t is within 0.50?m/t?3.50.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an asymmetric polymer film, in particular based on polazoles, a method for the production of the same and its use. The polyazole-based asymmetric polymer film according to the invention has a smooth and a rough side and enables, on account of its asymmetric structure, rapid and homogeneous doping with acids to form a proton-conducting membrane. The polyazole-based asymmetric polymer film according to the invention can be used in diverse ways on account of its excellent chemical, thermal and mechanical properties and is particularly suitable for the production of polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM) for so-called PEM fuel cells.

Abstract: There is provided a protective filter 1 for an extracorporeal circulation circuit pressure monitor, having a dialysis device side housing 2, an extracorporeal circulation circuit side housing 3, and a hydrophobic filter 4 held between both the housings, which allows passage of a gas but does not allow passage of a liquid, characterized in that a plurality of ribs 27 and 38 capable of supporting the hydrophobic filter 4 are respectively provided in both housings, and a protective member 5 for preventing direct contact between the ribs 38 and the hydrophobic filter 4 is interposed between the ribs 38 provided in the extracorporeal circulation circuit side housing 3 and the hydrophobic filter 4.

Abstract: A distillation membrane for purifying water includes a superhydrophobic surface having a plurality of protruding features that each include a microchannel therein that protrude from a recessed surface portion that is in a uniform thickness portion of the distillation membrane. A thickness of the uniform thickness portion defines a channel length of the distillation membrane. The distillation membrane includes a plurality of micropores that are each fluidicly coupled to respective ones of the microchannels, wherein the plurality of micropores extend through the channel length. The superhydrophobic surface is operable to reject liquid water and the microchannels coupled to the micropores are operable to pass water vapor therethrough to allow condensation of the water vapor on a side of the distillation membrane opposite the superhydrophobic surface.

Abstract: A fuel system for an energy conversion device includes a deoxygenator system with a multitude of flow impingement elements which are interleaved to provide a fuel channel with intricate two-dimensional flow characteristics. The flow impingement elements break up the boundary layers and enhance the transport of oxygen from the core of the of the fuel flow within the fuel channel to the oxygen permeable membrane surfaces by directing the fuel flow in a direction normal to the oxygen permeable membrane. The rapid mixing of the relatively rich oxygen core of the fuel with the relatively oxygen-poor flow near the oxygen permeable membrane enhances the overall removal rate of oxygen from the fuel. Because this process can be accomplished in fuel channels of relatively larger flow areas while maintaining laminar flow, the pressure drop sustained is relatively low.

Abstract: Porous polymeric membranes formed from a hydrophobic polymer, such as halar having membrane pores of a size sufficient to permit gas and/or vapor permeation 0.05 ?m to 5 ?m without permitting the flow of a hydrophilic fluid across the membrane. Pore distribution is uniform and porosity is high, in some cases up to 80%. Membranes may be in the form of a flay sheet or hollow fibre for example and can be used in a variety of applications such as stripping HF gas, degassing of caustic solution, chlorine gas/alkaline filtration, degassing tap water to remove dissolved chlorine. Processes used to make such membranes can be carried out using relatively non toxic solvents such as citric acid ethyl ester or glycerol triacetate.

Abstract: A dehydration method by which water is selectively separated from a water-containing mixture 31 with a separation membrane. The separation membrane is a DDR type zeolite membrane 2. The dehydration method includes bringing the mixture 31 into contact with one side of the DDR type zeolite membrane 2 and causing a pressure difference between that side of the DDR type zeolite membrane 2 which is in contact with the mixture and the other side of the DDR type zeolite membrane 2 to thereby cause the water to selectively permeate and separate out. By the dehydration method, water can be selectively separated from a water-containing mixture without the need of a high energy cost. The separation membrane has excellent acid resistance.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel method of making high performance mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) using stabilized concentrated suspensions of solvents, uniformly dispersed polymer stabilized molecular sieves, and at least two different types of polymers as the continuous blend polymer matrix. MMMs as dense films or asymmetric flat sheet or hollow fiber membranes fabricated by the method described in the current invention exhibit significantly enhanced permeation performance for separations over the polymer membranes made from the continuous blend polymer matrix. MMMs of the present invention are suitable for a wide range of gas, vapor, and liquid separations such as alcohol/water, CO2/CH4, H2/CH4, O2/N2, CO2/N2, olefin/paraffin, iso/normal paraffins, and other light gases separations.

Abstract: A membrane and method for separating carbon dioxide from a mixture of gases, where the membrane includes expanded polytetrafluoroethylene and polysiloxane. The membrane is highly stable and can separate carbon dioxide at high flux in harsh environments and high temperatures, such as exhaust gases from power plants.

Abstract: The present invention is for novel high performance cross-linkable and cross-linked mixed matrix membranes and the use of such membranes for separations such as for CO2/CH4, H2/CH4 and propylene/propane separations. More specifically, the invention involves the preparation of cross-linkable and cross-linked mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). The cross-linkable MMMs were prepared by incorporating microporous molecular sieves or soluble high surface area microporous polymers (PIMs) as dispersed microporous fillers into a continuous cross-linkable polymer matrix. The cross-linked MMMs were prepared by UV-cross-linking the cross-linkable MMMs containing cross-linkable polymer matrix such as BP-55 polyimide. Pure gas permeation test results demonstrated that both types of MMMs exhibited higher performance for CO2/CH4 and H2/CH4 separations than those of the corresponding cross-linkable and cross-linked pure polymer matrices.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a new type of high performance polymer membranes derived from aromatic polyimide membranes and methods for making and using these membranes. The polymer membranes described in the present invention were derived from aromatic polyimide membranes by crosslinking followed by thermal treating. The aromatic polyimide membranes were made from aromatic polyimide polymers comprising both pendent hydroxy functional groups ortho to the heterocyclic imide nitrogen and cross-linkable functional groups in the polymer backbone. The high performance polymer membranes showed significantly improved permeability for gas separations compared to the aromatic polyimide membranes without any treatment. The high performance polymer membranes also showed significantly improved selectivity for gas separations compared to the thermal-treated but non-UV-crosslinked aromatic polyimide membranes.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for the separation of aromatics from a feed stream, including aromatics and non-aromatics by selectively permeating the aromatics through a membrane comprising feeding a mixed phase vapor-liquid feed to a membrane wherein said liquid phase preferentially wets the surface of the membrane.

Abstract: A method for yielding concentrated ethanol from an ethanol water solution yielded from ethanol fermentation of a water solution of saccharide generated by a saccharification of the lignocellulose by enzyme is provided. Water is separated from the ethanol water solution yielded from ethanol fermentation of the water solution of saccharide generated by the saccharification of the lignocellulose by enzyme with pervaporation method using a water separation membrane. Condensate prepared by condensing ethanol vapor existing in a space above a liquid level of the ethanol water solution is collected.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed to de-sulfate saline streams such as seawater, brine from seawater desalination plants, and the like. The disclosed methods can also co-produce de-ionized water and inorganic materials from such de-sulfated saline streams.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a pervaporation processes as well as to apparatuses for carrying out such processes. More in particular, the present invention is directed to improvements in pervaporation processes by improving mass transfer. According to the present invention the feed stream for a pervaporation process contains vapour and liquid. An apparatus for carrying out the process according to the invention comprises a boiler for evaporating a fraction of a liquid stream whereby a vapour stream can be obtained, a duct for combining the remaining liquid stream and said vapour to a mixture and for feeding said mixture to a pervaporation unit, which pervaporation unit comprises a membrane and a vacuum pump which is connected to the room that is on the permeate side of the membrane.

Abstract: A process for separating dissolved components from a solution, said process comprising a) introducing a first solution into a solar pond and irradiating the solution with solar energy, such that temperature and concentration gradients are established, whereby the temperature and concentration of solute at the base of the pond is greater than the temperature and concentration of solute at the surface of the pond, b) introducing a portion of the first solution from the pond into a first osmosis unit, and contacting the portion with one side of a selectively permeable membrane, c) contacting the other side of the selectively permeable membrane with a second solution having a lower solute concentration than the portion of first solution from the pond, such that solvent from the second solution passes across the membrane to dilute and pressurise the portion of first solution, d) removing the diluted portion of first solution from the first osmosis unit, and e) using the pressure generated in the diluted portion of

Abstract: An asymmetric hollow-fiber gas separation membrane is made of a soluble aromatic polyimide that is composed of a specific repeating unit. The tetracarboxylic acid component of the unit has a diphenylhexafluoropropane structure and a biphenyl structure. The diamine component of the unit essentially contains diaminobenzoic acids and any of diaminodibenzothiophenes, diaminodibenzothiophene=5,5-dioxides, diaminothioxanthene-10,10-diones, and diaminothioxanthene-9,10,10-triones.

Abstract: Light hydrocarbon enrichment is accomplished using a vertically oriented distillation column having a plurality of vertically oriented, nonselective micro/mesoporous hollow fibers. Vapor having, for example, both propylene and propane is sent upward through the distillation column in between the hollow fibers. Vapor exits neat the top of the column and is condensed to form a liquid phase that is directed back downward through the lumen of the hollow fibers. As vapor continues to ascend and liquid continues to countercurrently descend, the liquid at the bottom of the column becomes enriched in a higher boiling point, light hydrocarbon (propane, for example) and the vapor at the top becomes enriched in a lower boiling point light hydrocarbon (propylene, for example). The hollow fiber becomes wetted with liquid during the process.

Abstract: A device for removal of at least a portion of carbon dioxide from an aqueous fluid includes at least one membrane through which carbon dioxide can pass to be removed from the fluid and immobilized carbonic anhydrase on or in the vicinity of a first surface of the membrane to be contacted with the fluid such that the immobilized carbonic anhydrase comes into contact with the fluid. The first surface exhibits carbonic anhydrase activity of at least 20% of maximum theoretical activity of the first surface of the membrane based on monolayer surface coverage of carbonic anhydrase in the case that the carbonic anhydrase is immobilize on the first surface.

Abstract: The invention is a pervaporation process and pervaporation equipment, using a series of membrane modules, and including inter-module reheating of the feed solution under treatment. The inter-module heating is achieved within the tube or vessel in which the modules are housed, thereby avoiding the need to repeatedly extract the feed solution from the membrane module train.