Selective Diffusion Of Gases Through Substantially Solid Barrier (e.g., Semipermeable Membrane, Etc.) Patents (Class 95/45)
  • Publication number: 20120060687
    Abstract: A method of preparing a supported gas separation membrane, comprising: preparing crystalline seeds from a synthesis mixture comprising an aluminum source, a phosphorous source, a silicon source, at least one organic templating agent and water; applying the seeds to a porous support to produce a seeded porous support; contacting the seeded porous support with a synthesis gel under hydrothermal synthesis conditions to produce a coated porous support; and calcining the coated porous support is described. A supported gas separation membrane made by this method is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Brendan Dermot Murray, Paul Jason Williams
  • Patent number: 8133307
    Abstract: A dehumidification type air system is configured such that a switching valve and an air-used device are connected through a dehumidifying member made of a polymer permeation membrane with moisture permeability, and by bringing a moisture emitting face of the dehumidifying member into contact with the atmosphere, supply air supplied from the switching valve through the dehumidifying member to the air-used device is dehumidified by the dehumidifying member, while the moisture permeating through the dehumidifying member is diffused from the moisture emitting face to the atmosphere through natural evaporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventor: Toshihiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8133306
    Abstract: A gas diffusion substrate includes a non-woven network of carbon fibres, the carbon fibres are graphitised but the non-woven network has not been subjected to a graphitisation process. A mixture of graphitic particles and hydrophobic polymer is disposed within the network. The longest dimension of at least 90% of the graphitic particles is less than 100 ?m. A process for manufacturing gas diffusion substrates includes depositing a slurry of graphitised carbon fibres onto a porous bed forming a wet fibre network, preparing a suspension of graphitic particles and hydrophobic polymer, applying onto, and pulling the suspension into, the network, and drying and firing the network. Another process includes mixing a first slurry of graphitic particles and hydrophobic polymer with a second slurry of graphitised carbon fibres and liquid forming a third slurry, depositing the third slurry onto a porous bed forming a fibre-containing layer, and drying and firing the layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignees: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company, Technical Fibre Products Limited
    Inventors: George Thomas Quayle, Julia Margaret Rowe, Jonathan David Brereton Sharman, Julian Andrew Siodlak, Nigel Julian Walker, Andrew James Fletcher
  • Patent number: 8128733
    Abstract: A membrane-based gas separation process for treating gas streams that contain methane in low concentrations. The invention involves flowing the stream to be treated across the feed side of a membrane and flowing a sweep gas stream, usually air, across the permeate side. Carbon dioxide permeates the membrane preferentially and is picked up in the sweep air stream on the permeate side; oxygen permeates in the other direction and is picked up in the methane-containing stream. The resulting residue stream is enriched in methane as well as oxygen and has an EMC value enabling it to be either flared or combusted by mixing with ordinary air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Membrane Technology & Research, Inc
    Inventors: Johannes G. Wijmans, Timothy C. Merkel, Haiqing Lin, Scott Thompson, Ramin Daniels
  • Patent number: 8128826
    Abstract: A process for separating vapors, for example for separating water from ethanol, uses a gas separation membrane unit. Permeate from the membrane unit is compressed and may be used for example as heating steam for distillation. The membrane unit may have two or more stages. Permeate from a stage may be condensed and used for example as fermentation make up water, compressed and fed to the permeate from an upstream stage or heating steam, or fed to another membrane stage for further dewatering. The gas separation membrane unit may be used to remove water from a fermentation broth that has been partially dewatered, for example by one or more of a distillation column or molecular sieve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Parker Filtration BV
    Inventors: Pierre Plante, Bruno de Caumia, Christian Roy, Gaétan Noël
  • Publication number: 20120048107
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for preparing a crosslinked hollow fiber membrane. The method involves spinning a one phase solution comprising a monoesterified polyimide polymer, acetone as a volatile solvent, a spinning solvent, a spinning non-solvent, and optionally an organic and/or inorganic additive, wherein the volatile solvent is present in an amount of greater than 25 wt. % to about 50 wt. %, based on the total weight of the solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventor: Shabbir Husain
  • Patent number: 8123833
    Abstract: A process for producing a gas-containing cleaning water which contains a specific gas dissolved in water, which process comprises dissolving the specific gas into water under an increased pressure exceeding an atmospheric pressure to prepare a gas-containing water having a concentration of the gas exceeding solubility of the gas under an atmospheric pressure and, then, removing a portion of the dissolved gas by decreasing pressure on the gas-containing water; an apparatus for producing a gas-containing cleaning water which comprises an apparatus for dissolving a gas (14) in which a specific gas is dissolved into water under a pressure exceeding the atmospheric pressure and an apparatus for removing a portion of a dissolved gas (15) in which the pressure on the gas-containing water obtained from the apparatus for dissolving a gas is decreased to a pressure lower than the pressure under which the gas has been dissolved so that a portion of the dissolved gas is removed; and a cleaning apparatus using the gas-con
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Kurita Water Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Morita, Hiroto Tokoshima
  • Patent number: 8123839
    Abstract: First, a mixture of a polytetrafluoroethylene fine powder and a liquid lubricant into a sheet-form body extending in a first direction. Next, the liquid lubricant is removed from the sheet-form body. Then, the sheet-form body is stretched by a factor of 40 to 250 in the longitudinal direction at a temperature equal to or higher than a melting point of polytetrafluoroethylene, and the stretched sheet-form body is further stretched by a factor of 3 to 40 in the width direction. Thus, a highly air-permeable porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Yuuichi Abe, Masaaki Mori, Kousei Takiishi
  • Patent number: 8118920
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a support system includes a multi-layer cover sheet with a number of layers. In certain embodiments, a source to move air inside and outside the multi-layer cover sheet can be provided. The source can include a source of positive pressure or negative pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Vrzalik, Alan L. Bartlett, Royce Johnson
  • Patent number: 8118910
    Abstract: A layered filter membrane with improved anti-clogging characteristics is provided. In one embodiment, a filter membrane includes multiple polymer layers, each with different pore diameters formed by stretching the polymer layers. Furthermore, the multiple filter layers are coupled together before being stretched and the different pore sizes are formed during co-stretching of the filter layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nusrat Farzana, David Kazemi
  • Patent number: 8119006
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a membrane for aromatics separation that is stable in an alcohol containing environment. The polymeric membrane is a epoxy amine based membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Abhimanyu O. Patil, Timothy D. Shaffer, David T. Ferrughelli, Beth A. Winsett, Benjamin A. McCool, Randall D. Partridge
  • Patent number: 8114192
    Abstract: A gas separation process for treating off-gas streams from reaction processes, and reaction processes including such gas separation. The invention involves flowing the off-gas across the feed side of a membrane, flowing a sweep gas stream, usually air, across the permeate side, and passing the permeate/sweep gas mixture to the reaction. The process recovers unreacted feedstock that would otherwise be lost in the waste gases in an energy efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Membrane Technology & Research, Inc
    Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Johannes G. Wijmans, Timothy C. Merkel
  • Patent number: 8114199
    Abstract: A membrane dryer includes a shell having an inner tube and an outer tube and a bundle of hollow fibers supported in the shell. A dryer air inlet into the hollow fibers and a sweep air outlet from the inner tube are at a first end of the shell. A dryer air outlet into the hollow fibers and a sweep air inlet from the inner tube are at a second end of the shell. The inner tube has a first set of circumferential openings into the sweep air space adjacent the first end of the shell and a second set of circumferential openings into the sweep air space adjacent the first end of the shell; and a second plug is in the inner tube between the first and second set of openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventor: Randall W. Nichols
  • Patent number: 8110022
    Abstract: A hydrogen purifier utilizing a hydrogen permeable membrane, and a gas-tight seal, where the seal is uses a low temperature melting point metal, which upon heating above the melting point subsequently forms a seal alloy with adjacent metals, where the alloy has a melting point above the operational temperature of the purifier. The purifier further is constructed such that a degree of isolation exists between the metal that melts to form the seal and the active area of the purifier membrane, so that the active area of the purifier membrane is not corrupted. A method of forming a hydrogen purifier utilizing a hydrogen permeable membrane with a seal of the same type is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Genesis Fueltech, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter David DeVries
  • Patent number: 8110026
    Abstract: A gas diffusion barrier contains a polymer matrix and a functional graphene which displays no signature of graphite and/or graphite oxide, as determined by X-ray diffraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: Robert Prud'Homme, Christopher O'Neil, Bulent Ozbas, Ilhan Aksay, Richard Register, Douglas Adamson
  • Patent number: 8110027
    Abstract: An air separation module and blanket has an air separation module having an air inlet, an oxygen outlet and a nitrogen outlet. At least one tank has air separation elements for separating oxygen from air, and delivers the separated oxygen to the oxygen outlet, and delivers nitrogen to the nitrogen outlet. A resistance heating element is positioned between the blanket and the air separation module. Further, an inventive blanket for use with the air separation module is also disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: William Joseph Beeson
  • Publication number: 20120024786
    Abstract: “A method of preparation for polyimine self-supported dynamic polymeric membranes (called “dynameric” membranes) is provided along with their use in separation processes, especially for separating gaseous species.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Gihane Nasr, Mihail-Dumitru Barboiu, Chrístophe Charmette, José Gregorio Sanchez Marcano
  • Publication number: 20120024777
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a zeolite membrane composite satisfying both the treating amount and the separation performance at a practically sufficient level, which can be applied even in the presence of an organic material and can separate/concentrate an organic material-containing gas or liquid mixture and which is economic without requiring a high energy cost and is not limited in its application range; a production method thereof; and a separation or concentration method using the same. The present invention is an inorganic porous support-zeolite membrane composite, wherein the inorganic porous support contains a ceramic sintered body and the inorganic porous support-zeolite membrane composite has, as a zeolite membrane, a CHA-type zeolite crystal layer on the inorganic porous support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Miki Sugita, Takahiko Takewaki, Kazunori Oshima, Naoko Fujita
  • Patent number: 8101009
    Abstract: This abstract discusses membranes needed to separate fluids for the production of oxygen-enriched air, nitrogen-enriched-air, for the separation of carbon dioxide from hydrocarbons, and the separation of hydrogen from various petrochemical and oil refining streams. Membranes are needed that provide a resistance to interaction with process components or contaminants, provide the mechanical strength required to withstand high membrane differential pressures and high process temperatures, and exhibit sufficient maximum strain such that membranes are not brittle and can easily be formed into desirable membrane forms. Membranes of polyimide polymers, particularly polyimide polymers sold under the trade name P-84, are annealed in a controlled annealing step to improve the mechanical properties of the polymers used to make separation membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude Et L'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Okan Max Ekiner, John W. Simmons
  • Patent number: 8101010
    Abstract: A porous structure sealed at both ends for use in a gas separation module; and a method for separating components of a gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Joel Edward Clinton, Curtis Robert Fekety, Yunfeng Gu, Zhen Song
  • Patent number: 8097232
    Abstract: A catalytic process for preparing chlorine from hydrogen chloride, which includes recycle of process streams with reduced accumulation of inert gases in the system is provided. The process includes a step wherein a compressed liquid stream comprising chlorine, carbon dioxide and oxygen is recycled into a column countercurrent to the ascending gas phase and feeding part of the chlorine-rich liquid phase leaving the bottom of the column back into the top of the column. Carbon dioxide present in the ascending gas stream is dissolved out of the gas stream and can later be separated from chlorine without problems by distillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Sesing, Armin Diefenbacher, Hartwig Voss, Olga Schubert, Lothar Seidemann, Martin Karches, Thomas Grassler, Eckhard Stroefer
  • Publication number: 20120006194
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for making improved zeolite and crystalline silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) membranes, in particular SAPO-34 membranes, on a porous support through improved removal of the organic structure-directing templating agent. A calcining step is performed in an oxygen free atmosphere, such as under a vacuum or inert gas, to remove the organic templating agent. By removing the templating agent in the absence of oxygen, the calcination step can remove a greater amount of the templating agent than comparable template removal steps conducted in the presence of oxygen and the calcination step can be conducted at significantly lower temperatures. The membranes of the present invention provide increased permeance while maintaining comparable selectivity for gas separations, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) separations and separations at high temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate
    Inventors: John L. Falconer, Richard D. Noble, Begum Tokay, Yanfeng Zhang
  • Patent number: 8092581
    Abstract: A gas separation membrane has: a polymeric microporous membrane which has a polyolefin as a main component, and which is manufactured by wet phase separation process, and has a porosity of 20 to 80%, an average pore diameter of 1 to 100 nm and a piercing strength at 100° C. of 2 to 50 N; and a gas-separating thin film, which is provided on at least one surface, and/or the interior of the polymeric microporous membrane, and which comprises a fluorine-containing gas-separating resin as a main component, and has an average thickness of 0.01 ?m to less than 0.4 ?m. The gas separation membrane having an oxygen-nitrogen separation factor not smaller than 1.4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation
    Inventors: Sho Sugiyama, Takuya Hasegawa, Takahiko Kondo, Hidetoshi Masugi, Takashi Nozaki
  • Patent number: 8088196
    Abstract: Carbon dioxide and oxygen are separated from a feed gas, preferably derived from flue gas from an oxyfuel combustion process, by diffusion across at least one membrane in a membrane separation system to produce separated carbon dioxide gas comprising oxygen, which is fed to the oxyfuel combustion process to improve the performance of the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent White, Rodney John Allam
  • Patent number: 8083833
    Abstract: This invention describes a new concept of flexible template-directed microporous partially pyrolyzed polymeric membranes which have greatly improved performance in separation of gas pairs compared to their precursor polymeric membranes. Organic hosts, such as crown ethers, cyclodextrins (CDs), calixarenes (CXs), and spherands, or polymeric additives, such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were used as the micropore-forming templates. Micropore-forming template/polymer blend membranes comprising organic micropore-forming templates embedded in a polymer matrix were prepared by dissolving the organic micropore-forming templates in the polymer solution followed by solution-casting and solvent evaporation or solvent exchange. Low-temperature selectively pyrolyzing micropore-forming templates in the micropore-forming template/polymer blend membranes at a nitrogen flow resulted in the formation of flexible microporous partially pyrolyzed polymeric membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Chunqing Liu, David A. Lesch, Stephen T. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20110308385
    Abstract: The present invention relates to selectively isolating gases using a natrolite-based zeolite, and more particularly, to a novel natrolite-based zeolite and to selectively isolating hydrogen and/or helium gas using a natrolite-based zeolite. The present invention is characterized in that gas containing hydrogen is brought into contact with a natrolite-based zeolite to selectively isolate the hydrogen. The present invention provides a sorbent which can selectively isolate hydrogen and/or helium, and provides a method for isolating the hydrogen and/or helium at room temperature or at a high temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: POSTECH ACADEMY-INDUSTRY FOUNDATION
    Inventor: Suk Bong Hong
  • Patent number: 8075671
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separation of H2 gas from a gaseous mixture utilizing an H2 gas permeable metallic membrane supported directly on a porous substrate made up of at least one porous polymeric hollow fiber. In accordance with one preferred embodiment, the porous substrate is made up of a plurality of porous polymeric hollow fibers, forming a porous hollow fiber membrane. In accordance with one embodiment, a cooling fluid is disposed in contact with the hollow fiber, thereby enabling advantageous operation of the H2 gas separation process at elevated temperatures in the range of about 200° F. to about 800° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Shaojun James Zhou, Howard S. Meyer
  • Patent number: 8075669
    Abstract: There is described a composite material such as venting materials and vents containing said venting materials. The vents are air- or more generally gas-permeable venting composites that are oleophobic and liquid repellent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Gore Enterprise Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus Meindl, Wolfgang Buerger
  • Publication number: 20110296984
    Abstract: A scrubber for controlling carbon dioxide levels in a shipping container containing respiring produce is disclosed. The scrubber is relatively small, utilizes a gas-selective membrane having a CO2/O2 selectivity ratio greater than 1:1, and fits inside the shipping container (such as a sea van container). In contrast to current methods of controlling CO2 levels in shipping containers, such as the use of hydrated lime, the scrubbers of the present invention are efficient, relatively inexpensive, do not take up shipping space within the container, and do not present handling or disposal issues. A method for controlling the carbon dioxide levels inside a shipping container containing respiring produce, utilizing the carbon dioxide scrubbers defined, is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Chiquita Brands International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Macleod, Frederick Robert Forgnone, William Garrison Lester
  • Patent number: 8071063
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the selective separation of hydrogen (“H2”) hydrocarbons in streams containing both hydrogen and hydrocarbons (e.g. methane, ethylene, ethane, propylene, propane, etc.) utilizing a zeolitic imidazolate framework (“ZIF”) material. Preferably, the stream to be separated is fed to the present process in a substantially gaseous phase. In preferred embodiments, the current invention is utilized in either a pressure swing adsorption process, a temperature swing adsorption process, or a membrane separations process to separate hydrogen from hydrocarbons present in hydrogen production streams or petrochemical/petroleum refining product streams and intermediate streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobile Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Sebastian C. Reyes, Jose G. Santiesteban, legal representative, Zheng Ni, Charanjit S. Paur, Pavel Kortunov, John Zengel, Harry W. Deckman
  • Patent number: 8070859
    Abstract: A non-porous membrane suitable for use in removing dissolved oxygen in a fuel deoxygenator device in an aircraft is produced by solvent casting. A first membrane layer is deposited on a substrate. A second membrane layer is deposited on top of the first membrane layer. Subsequent membrane layers may be deposited on top of the second membrane layer as desired. The resulting non-porous membrane allows little or no leaking of fuel across the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Zidu Ma, Louis J. Spadaccini, He Huang, Harry Cordatos, Foster Phillip Lamm, Ingo Pinnau
  • Publication number: 20110290110
    Abstract: The present invention provides a membrane/amine column system and process for removing acid gases from natural gas on a floating liquefied natural gas vessel. Several process configurations are provided to deal with a reduction in the effectiveness of the amine column by increasing the amount of acid gases being removed by the membrane system prior to the natural gas being sent to the amine column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Lubo Zhou, Xiaoming Wen
  • Publication number: 20110290112
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a new type of polyimide membranes including hollow fiber and flat sheet membranes with high permeances for air separations and a method of making these membranes. The new polyimide hollow fiber membranes have O2 permeance higher than 300 GPU and O2/N2 selectivity higher than 3 at 60° C. under 308 kPa for O2/N2 separation. The new polyimide hollow fiber membranes also have CO2 permeance higher than 1000 GPU and single-gas selectivity for CO2/CH4 higher than 20 at 50° C. under 791 kPa for CO2/CH4 separation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Chunqing Liu, Raisa Minkov, Syed A. Faheem, Travis C. Bowen, Jeffrey J. Chiou
  • Patent number: 8066861
    Abstract: A method for producing metal powder is provided the comprising supplying a molten bath containing a reducing agent, contacting a metal oxide with the molten bath for a time and at a temperature sufficient to reduce the metal in the metal oxide to elemental metal and produce free oxygen; and isolating the elemental metal from the molten bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Energy
    Inventor: Jong-Hee Park
  • Patent number: 8066800
    Abstract: A method for separating CO2 from a processed fluid includes exposing a film to the processed fluid and reacting the CO2 with tetrahedrally coordinated zinc hydroxide moieties contained within the film to facilitate the transport of the CO2 through the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Haralambos Cordatos
  • Patent number: 8066801
    Abstract: A membrane dryer includes a shell having an inner tube and an outer tube and a bundle of hollow fibers supported in the shell. A dryer air inlet into the hollow fibers and a sweep air outlet from the inner tube are at a first end of the shell. A dryer air outlet into the hollow fibers and a sweep air inlet from the inner tube are at a second end of the shell. The inner tube has a first set of circumferential openings into the sweep air space adjacent the first end of the shell and a second set of circumferential openings into the sweep air space adjacent the first end of the shell; and a second plug is in the inner tube between the first and second set of openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventor: Randall W. Nichols
  • Patent number: 8066799
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a high molecular weight, monoesterified polyimide polymer. Such high molecular weight, monoesterified polyimide polymers are useful in forming crosslinked polymer membranes for the separation of fluid mixtures. According to its broadest aspect, the method of making a crosslinked membrane comprises the following steps: (a) preparing a polyimide polymer comprising carboxylic acid functional groups from a reaction solution comprising monomers and at least one solvent; (b) treating the polyimide polymer with a diol at esterification conditions in the presence of dehydrating conditions to form a monoesterified polyimide polymer; and (c) subjecting the monoesterified fiber to transesterification conditions to form a crosslinked fiber membrane, wherein the dehydrating conditions at least partially remove water produced during step (b). The crosslinked membranes can be used to separate at least one component from a feed stream including more than one component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignees: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen J. Miller, Imona C. Omole, William J. Kronos
  • Publication number: 20110278227
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a new type of high performance polymer membranes prepared from aromatic polyimide membranes by thermal treating and crosslinking and methods for making and using these membranes. The polymer membranes were prepared from aromatic polyimide membranes by thermal treating under inert atmosphere followed by crosslinking preferably by using a UV radiation source. 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 membranes showed significantly improved selectivity and permeability for gas separations compared to the aromatic polyimide membranes without any treatment. The membranes can be fabricated into any convenient geometry and are not only suitable for a variety of liquid, gas, and vapor separations, but also can be used for other applications such as for catalysis and fuel cell applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Chunqing Liu, Peter K. Coughlin, Man-Wing Tang, Raisa Minkov, Lubo Zhou
  • Publication number: 20110277631
    Abstract: There is provided a method for modifying a polyimide membrane comprising the step of exposing the polyimide membrane to a surface modification compound in a vapour phase, said surface modification compound having at least one amine group, to thereby modify the polyimide membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: National University of Singapore
    Inventors: Lu Shao, Tai-Shung Chung, Cher-Hon Lau
  • Patent number: 8056322
    Abstract: A system is provided for supplying reductants to an emission treatment unit. The system comprises a fuel tank adapted to directly or indirectly supply a first premixed fuel stream and a second premixed fuel stream, wherein each fuel stream comprises a primary fuel component and an oxygenate reductant component. An engine is in fluid communication with the fuel tank, wherein the engine is configured to receive the first premixed fuel stream and create an exhaust stream. The system further includes an emission treatment unit to treat the exhaust stream. A separation unit is configured to receive the second premixed fuel stream, separate the second premixed fuel stream into a first fraction stream and a second fraction stream, and supply the first fraction stream to the emission treatment unit, wherein the first fraction stream comprises a higher concentration of the oxygenate reductant component than the second fraction stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Benjamin Hale Winkler, Dan Hancu, Frederic Vitse, Norberto Silvi, Hua Wang, Ke Liu
  • Patent number: 8057574
    Abstract: The invention relates to polymeric ultrafiltration or microfiltration membranes of, for instance, Halar, PVDF or PP, incorporating PVME or vinyl methyl ether monomers. The PVME may be present as a coating on the membrane or dispersed throughout the membrane or both. The membranes are preferably hydrophilic with a highly asymmetric structure with a reduced pore size and/or absence of macrovoids as a result of the addition of PVME. The PVME maybe cross-linked. The invention also relates to methods of hydrophilising membranes and/or preparing hydrophilic membranes via thermal or diffusion induced phase separation processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Mullette, Joachim Muller, Neeta Patel
  • Patent number: 8052776
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making a hybrid composition membrane comprising the steps of preparing a sol comprising at least one poly(amino-alcohol) and at least one alkoxy silane, casting the sol on a surface and drying the casted sol to form the hybrid composition membrane. The hybrid composition membrane may be used for capturing and separating CO2 and/or H2S from a gas sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Dayue D. Jiang
  • Patent number: 8048198
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a new type of high performance mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) and methods for making and using the same. The MMMs comprise a continuous polymer matrix and at least two types of molecular sieves dispersed therein. The continuous polymer matrix in the MMM contains at least one type of polymer. The MMM in the form of a dense film, asymmetric flat sheet membrane or otherwise prepared exhibits simultaneously improved selectivity and permeability for gas separations compared to polymer membranes made from a continuous polymer matrix without any molecular sieves or with only one type of molecular sieve. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Chunqing Liu, David A. Lesch, Stephen T. Wilson
  • Patent number: 8048199
    Abstract: A method of preparing a gas separation membrane system and the gas separation membrane system itself, wherein the method includes applying a layer of a gas-selective material to a porous substrate followed by heat-treating thereof in an inert gaseous atmosphere and then polishing and repeating these steps to thereby provide the gas separation membrane system or a structure that may suitably be used in a gas separation membrane system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: John Charles Saukaitis
  • Publication number: 20110259825
    Abstract: A microporous organic-inorganic hybrid membrane based on silica of the invention has an average pore diameter of less than 0.6 nm, and comprises bridging organosilane moieties of the formula ?O1.5Si—CHR—SiO1.5? or ?O1.5Si—CH(CH3)—SiO1.5?. The membrane can be used in the separation of hydrogen from mixtures comprising hydrogen and CH4, CO2, CO, N2, and the like, and in the separation of water from alcohols having 1-3 carbon atoms, optionally in the presence of an inorganic or organic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Rob Kreiter, Hessel Lennart Castricum, Jaap Ferdinand Vente, Johan Evert Ten Elshof, Maria Dirkje Anna, Henk Martin Veen
  • Patent number: 8043411
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh - of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: William J. Federspiel, Allan J. Russell, Heung-Il Oh, Joel Kaar
  • Patent number: 8038770
    Abstract: A separator for a hydraulic system is provided, including a substrate and a membrane. The substrate includes a substrate outer surface and a gas side expulsion area. The expulsion area is for expelling gas from the separator. The membrane is in communication with the substrate, and is for permeating gas to the substrate outer surface while substantially blocking ingression of fluid to the substrate. The substrate outer surface is for receiving gas. The substrate is for transporting gas from the substrate outer surface to the expulsion area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Edward J. Hummelt
  • Publication number: 20110247492
    Abstract: Supported zeolite Y membranes exhibiting exceptionally high CO2 selectivities when used in CO2/N2 gas separations are produced by a seeding/secondary (hypothermal) growth approach in which a structure directing agent such as tetramethylammonium hydroxide is included in the aqueous crystal-growing composition used for membrane formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Krenar Shqau, Jeremy C. White, Prabir K. Dutta, Hendrik Verweij
  • Patent number: 8034160
    Abstract: This invention relates to gas generators and methods for their use. In some embodiments, the invention relates to devices and methods of generating a gas enriched in a specific component. In other embodiments, the devices are configured to pressurize and regulate the temperature of atmospheric air prior to passing said air through a selectively permeable gas membrane. In further embodiments, a device is also configured to preheat said selectively permeable gas membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Nitro-Lift Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Danny Daniels
  • Patent number: 8034161
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to degassing devices for dialysate circuits. One embodiment has a first housing and a second housing positioned within the first housing in an annular relationship. A second embodiment comprises a dialysate regeneration system with urease, a dialyzer, and a housing with an external wall, where the external wall is exposed to atmosphere and comprises a material that passes gas but does not pass liquid and where the housing is positioned between the urease and dialyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Gura, Carlos Jacobo Ezon, Masoud Beizai