Selective Diffusion Of Gases Through Substantially Solid Barrier (e.g., Semipermeable Membrane, Etc.) Patents (Class 95/45)
  • Patent number: 8906139
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Postech Academy-Industry Foundation
    Inventor: Suk Bong Hong
  • Patent number: 8906225
    Abstract: A new family of crystalline microporous metallophosphates designated AlPO-57 has been synthesized. These metallophosphates are represented by the empirical formula R+rMmn+EPxSiyOz where R is an organoammonium cation such as the DEDMA+, M is a divalent framework metal such as an alkaline earth or transition metal, and E is a framework element such as aluminum or gallium. The microporous AlPO-57 compositions are characterized by a new unique ABC-6 net structure and have catalytic properties for carrying out various hydrocarbon conversion processes and separation properties for separating at least one component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gregory J. Lewis, Lisa M. Knight, Paulina Jakubczak, Justin E. Stanczyk
  • Publication number: 20140352533
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for making silicoaluminophosphate-34 (SAPO-34) membranes comprising interlocking SAPO-34 crystals. In the methods of the invention, the SAPO-34 membranes are formed through in situ crystallization on a porous support using a synthesis mixture initially including a SAPO-34 forming gel and a plurality of SAPO-34 crystals dispersed in the gel. The invention also provides supported SAPO-34 membranes made by the methods of the invention. The invention also provides methods for separating a first gas component from a gas mixture, the methods comprising the step of providing a membrane of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: John L. Falconer, Eric W. Ping, Rongfei Zhou, Richard D. Noble, Hans Funke
  • Patent number: 8901031
    Abstract: Novel brominated poly(2,6-diphenyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) compounds are synthesized and found to have improved carbon dioxide separation properties, including improved carbon dioxide permeability and improved carbon dioxide/nitrogen selectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: University of Wyoming
    Inventors: Maciej Radosz, Youqing Shen
  • Publication number: 20140339167
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to polymeric membrane materials formed, at least in part, from monomeric material selected from 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (CF3CF?CH2, HFO-1234yf) or trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (CF3CH?CFH, HFO-1234ze), and to membrane preparations and uses thereof in water desalination, filtration, membrane distillation, pervaporation, and selective gas separation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Changqing Lu, Andrew J. Poss, Rajiv R. Singh
  • Patent number: 8888896
    Abstract: A system and method of cleaning and scrubbing contaminants, including sulfides, from an unclean or raw gas includes one or more containers, each of which include a gas permeable receptacle or bag containing an appropriate gas scrubbing medium for removing the contaminants from the gas stream. A gas extraction device is adapted via inserted into the gas scrubbing medium with the gas permeable receptacle wherein the gas extraction device is connected to at least one gas outlet port in the container. A series of containers can be used wherein the containers are connected sequentially to remove the gas. A system for bypassing one of the plurality of containers in order to clean out the container while the gas cleaning mechanism is still in operation is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Gundersen Lutheran Health System
    Inventor: Corey Zarecki
  • Patent number: 8882886
    Abstract: An aircraft fuel tank flammability reduction method includes contacting a membrane filter with air feed, permeating oxygen and nitrogen from the air feed through the membrane, and producing filtered air from the filter. The filtered air is produced from the filter as a result of the membrane removing any hydrocarbons containing six or more carbon atoms to produce a total of 0.001 ppm w/w or less. An air separation method includes feeding air into a filter containing a hollow fiber membrane that exhibits the property of resisting degradation due to exposure to hydrocarbons containing six or more carbon atoms. The filter exhibits a pressure drop across the membrane of less than 5 psi. The method includes feeding the filtered air into an air separation module containing a hollow fiber membrane that exhibits a susceptibility to degradation from exposure to hydrocarbons containing six or more carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Barbara J Evosevich, Ivana Jojic
  • Patent number: 8876947
    Abstract: A method and a device for reducing the humidity of a gas in a housing interior, in particular in a battery housing interior, includes leading a gas through a first selectively permeable membrane and into an intermediate space. The intermediate space has the first selectively permeable membrane as an inlet and a second selectively permeable membrane as an outlet. The gas is then cooled in the intermediate space by a cooling unit such that a water vapor portion of the gas is condensed into water and the gas having a reduced water vapor content is directed through the second selectively permeable membrane into the housing interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Reitzle, Ulrich Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20140318368
    Abstract: A process for separating a gaseous or liquid mixture by means of a separating device including a first volume (V1) and a second volume (V2) which are separated by a membrane (MS) which has selective permeability with respect to at least two components of said mixture, the process including the steps consisting in: a) fill up the first volume of the device with the mixture (Ml) to be separated; b) wait for a period of time (t2?t1) which is in excess of the permeation lag time, but is insufficient to reach a state of equilibrium, during which time a fraction of each component of said mixture passes from the first to the second volume of the device through the membrane; c) evacuate the first and the second volume of the device, as a result of which at least one first (R) and one second cut (P, P1, P2) of the mixture is obtained, having different molar compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicants: UNIVERSITE DE LORRAINE, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Eric Favre, Jean-Pierre Corriou, Christophe Castel, Lei Wang
  • Publication number: 20140322519
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating a surface comprising a silicone elastomer having a plurality of Si—H groups by contacting at least one region of the surface with a solution comprising a surface treatment compound, to give a treated surface with Si—OH, Si—OR, or Si—C groups. The present invention relates to a hydrosilylation-curable silicone composition. In some examples, the hydrosilylation-curable silicone composition includes an organohydrogen-polysiloxane having an average of at least forty silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms per molecule, a cross-linking agent having an average of at least two aliphatic unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds per molecule, and a hydrosilylation catalyst, wherein the mole ratio of silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms in the composition to aliphatic unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds in the composition is at least 20:1. The invention also relates to membranes, methods of making membranes, gas permeable supports for membranes, and methods of gas separation using membranes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Dongchan Ahn, James S. Hrabal, Jeong Yong Lee
  • Publication number: 20140311340
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing air. The apparatus comprises an air separation module, a first input, a first output, a second output, and a flow control system. The air separation module is configured to generate an inert gas. The first input for the air separation module is configured to receive first air. The first output for the air separation module is configured to output the inert gas from the air separation module. The second output for the air separation module is configured to output separated air from the air separation module. The flow control system is configured to control a flow of air in the air separation module that increases a rate at which the air separation module reaches a desired operating temperature for generating the inert gas using a number of ports in the flow control module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventor: Donald Ray Snow, JR.
  • Patent number: 8858681
    Abstract: A patterned gas permeable venting material is affixed within a venting apparatus which has an opening. The venting material forms a liquid tight, gas permeable seal of the opening. The patterned material comprises a PTFE membrane of porosity less than 80% and with a surface indentation of depth greater than 12 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary P. Harp
  • Patent number: 8858682
    Abstract: In order to control bubble removal or mixing in a flow channel, bubble transfer between flow channels (1, 2) is controlled by disposing first flow channel (1) for flow of a first fluid of liquid or gas and second flow channel (2) for flow of a second fluid of liquid with, interposed therebetween, gas exchange unit (5) through which while no liquid can pass, a gas component can be transferred, and by providing a pressure difference between the flow channels (1, 2) with the gas exchange unit (5). By rendering the pressure of the second flow channel (2) higher than that of the first flow channel (1), any bubble transfer from the first fluid to the second fluid is prevented, or bubbles within the second fluid are transferred into the first fluid to thereby attain deaeration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Masakazu Akechi
  • Patent number: 8852319
    Abstract: The invention is a process involving membrane-based gas separation for separating and recovering carbon dioxide emissions from combustion processes in partially concentrated form, and then transporting the carbon dioxide and using or storing it in a confined manner without concentrating it to high purity. The process of the invention involves building up the concentration of carbon dioxide in a gas flow loop between the combustion step and a membrane separation step. A portion of the carbon dioxide-enriched gas can then be withdrawn from this loop and transported, without the need to liquefy the gas or otherwise create a high-purity stream, to a destination where it is used or confined, preferably in an environmentally benign manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Johannes G. Wijmans, Richard W. Baker, Timothy C. Merkel
  • Publication number: 20140290478
    Abstract: The present invention discloses high performance cross-linked polyimide asymmetric flat sheet membranes and a process of using such membranes. The cross-linked polyimide asymmetric flat sheet membranes have shown CO2 permeance higher than 80 GPU and CO2/CH4 selectivity higher than 20 at 50° C. under 6996 kPa of a feed gas with 10% CO2 and 90% CH4 for CO2/CH4 separation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Chunqing Liu, Zara Osman, Howie Q. Tran, Angela N. Troxell
  • Patent number: 8845791
    Abstract: A system and method of cleaning and scrubbing contaminants, including sulfides, from an unclean or raw gas includes one or more containers, each of which include a gas permeable receptacle or bag containing an appropriate gas scrubbing medium for removing the contaminants from the gas stream. A gas extraction device is adapted via inserted into the gas scrubbing medium with the gas permeable receptacle wherein the gas extraction device is connected to at least one gas outlet port in the container. A series of containers can be used wherein the containers are connected sequentially to remove the gas. A system for bypassing one of the plurality of containers in order to clean out the container while the gas cleaning mechanism is still in operation is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Gundersen Lutheran Health System
    Inventor: Corey Zarecki
  • Publication number: 20140283683
    Abstract: A fluid separation apparatus is described, including a casing and a separation module. The casing includes a mixed fluid inlet, a separated fluid outlet through which a selectively separated fluid is discharged, and a residual fluid outlet. The separation module has a set of serially arranged separation elements disposed therein and is insertable into the casing from an end of the casing. The separation module includes a first connection jig disposed between adjacent separation elements second connection jigs disposed at two ends of the set of serially arranged separation elements, and a coupling jig coupling the first and the second connection jigs to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: JGC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Syuichi Oguro, Nobuhiro Yamada, Yasushi Fujimura
  • Patent number: 8840711
    Abstract: A modular element having a high-temperature stable main body, including at least one metallic or ceramic plate, which has at least one through-going aperture for the insertion of a ceramic capillary membrane and at least one potting in the form of a sufficiently gas-tight and high-temperature stable joint between the metallic or ceramic plate and the ceramic capillary membrane. The through-going aperture of the metallic or ceramic plate having an extension for accommodating the sufficiently gas-tight and high-temperature stable joint on at least one side of the metallic or ceramic plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignees: Thyssenkrupp Uhde GmbH, Borsig Process Heat Exchanger GmbH
    Inventors: Steffen Schirrmeister, Bernd Langanke, Thomas Schiestel, Björn Hoting
  • Patent number: 8834612
    Abstract: A hydrogen separation apparatus, provided with an independent hydrogen permeable membrane, capable of suppressing or preventing deformation of the hydrogen permeable membrane. The hydrogen separation apparatus includes a porous support member, an independent hydrogen permeable membrane disposed adjacent to the porous support member, and a joining member for joining the porous support member and the hydrogen permeable membrane. A production process for the hydrogen separation apparatus includes (1) disposing a joining member forming material at a surface side of a porous support member, to be opposite to an independent hydrogen permeable membrane, (2) disposing the independent hydrogen permeable membrane adjacent to the porous support member at the surface side of the porous support member to which surface side the joining member forming material is disposed, and (3) joining the porous support member and the independent hydrogen permeable membrane with the joining member forming material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Maki Hoshino, Takao Izumi
  • Patent number: 8834604
    Abstract: A membrane for use in a high temperature gas processing system and method for making the same. The membrane includes a dense, gas impermeable layer and a first and second porous layer, wherein each of the first and second porous layers is a ceramic oxide material having a non-symmetrical load bearing skeleton of a plurality of pores having a graded porosity. Each porous layer provides a reduction of an oxygen partial pressure gradient across the dense layer and reduces resultant stresses in the dense layer that are small compared to its strength thereby improving long term mechanical durability of the dense layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Volt Research, LLC
    Inventors: Ajit Y. Sane, Thomas L. Cable
  • Publication number: 20140255636
    Abstract: Disclosed are blended polymeric membranes that include at least a first polymer and a second polymer that is UV treated, wherein the first and second polymers are each selected from the group consisting of a polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM), a polyetherimide (PEI) polymer, a polyimide (PI) polymer, and a polyetherimide-siloxane (PEI-Si) polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: SAUDI BASIC INDUSTRIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ihab Nizar Odeh, Lei Shao
  • Patent number: 8828121
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for separating components of a gas mixture using gas-separation copolymer membranes. These membranes use a selective layer made from copolymers of perfluorodioxolane monomers. The resulting membranes have superior selectivity performance for gas pairs of interest while maintaining fast gas permeance compared to membranes prepared using conventional perfluoropolymers, such as Teflon® AF, Hyflon® AD, and Cytop®.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhenjie He, Timothy C. Merkel, Yoshiyuki Okamoto, Yasuhiro Koike
  • Patent number: 8828119
    Abstract: A membrane cartridge is manufactured by repeatedly folding and joining two strips of membrane to form a cross-pleated cartridge with a stack of openings or fluid passageways configured in an alternating cross-flow arrangement. The cartridge can be modified for other flow configurations including co-flow and counter-flow arrangements. Methods for manufacturing such cross-pleated membrane cartridges, as well as apparatus used in the manufacturing process are described. Cross-pleated membrane cartridges comprising water-permeable membranes can be used in a variety of applications, including in heat and water vapor exchangers. In particular they can be incorporated into energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) for exchanging heat and water vapor between air streams being directed into and out of buildings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: DPoint Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Montie, James Franklin Dean, Curtis Mullen, Robert Hill
  • Patent number: 8828120
    Abstract: A device for separating a gas mixture into product gas and offgas by way of gas permeation includes four membrane units and a compressor connected upstream of the first membrane unit. The membrane units have a gas inlet, a retentate outlet and a permeate outlet. Lines connect the membrane units to each other and to the compressor. Product gas is obtained via the permeate outlet of the second membrane unit and offgas via the retentate outlet of the first membrane unit. Additional product gas is obtained via the retentate outlet of an upstream membrane unit and additional offgas is obtained via the permeate outlet of a further upstream membrane unit. A method includes use of the device to separate a gas mixture into product gas and offgas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Axiom Angewandte Prozesstechnik Ges. m.b.H.
    Inventors: Johannes Szivacz, Michael Harasek
  • Patent number: 8828125
    Abstract: The ventilation member of the present invention includes a waterproof gas permeable membrane (11), and a support body (12) having a through hole (13). One opening of the through hole (13) is closed by the gas permeable membrane (11). The support body (12) includes, at an edge of the opening closed by the gas permeable membrane (11), a first region and a second region facing each other with the opening located therebetween. A first angled protrusion (12a) in which a peak and a trough are arranged alternately along the edge of the opening is provided in the first region, and a second angled protrusion (12b) in which a peak and a trough are arranged alternately along the edge of the opening is provided in the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Furuuchi, Youzou Yano
  • Patent number: 8814982
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a new type of high selectivity UV-cross-linked tetrazole group functionalized polymer nanosieve (TZPIM) membranes, their preparation, as well as their use for gas and liquid separations. The UV-cross-linked TZPIM membrane showed more than 50% improvement in CO2/CH4 selectivity and more than 30% improvement in CO2/N2 selectivity compared to the uncross-linked TZPIM membrane for CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 separations, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Chunqing Liu, Mark E. Schott, Travis C. Bowen
  • Patent number: 8814983
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for delivery of a target material and/or energy. The system includes a source configured to provide a mixture containing the target material and a non-target material, a delivery conduit coupled to the source to receive the mixture from the source, and an in-line extraction device concentric to the delivery conduit. The in-line extraction device is configured to selectively extract the target material and/or energy from the mixture in the delivery conduit and to delivery it to a downstream facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Patent number: 8814993
    Abstract: A housing (10) is provided with an opening (11) having a tapered surface (12). A vent member (2) to be attached to the opening (11) includes a support body (3) having a vent passage (30), a waterproof gas-permeable membrane (4), and a cover (5). The support body (3) has a base portion (31) to which the waterproof gas-permeable membrane (4) is bonded, and a stem portion (32) extending from the base portion (31) so as to be engaged with an inside surface of the housing (10). The stem portion (32) is fitted with a seal member (6), and this seal member (6) is pressed against the tapered surface (12) in the opening (11) by a pressing portion (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventor: Youzou Yano
  • Patent number: 8814984
    Abstract: A gas purification process for treating a gas stream includes supplying the gas stream to at least one membrane unit to produce a permeate stream and a retentate stream. The retentate stream contains a lower concentration of at least one of water, hydrogen sulfide, or carbon dioxide as compared to the gas stream. The retentate stream is supplied to a molecular sieve unit to remove hydrogen sulfide to produce a treated gas product stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher B. McIlroy, John R. Harness, Nagaraju Palla, Ronald K. Subris, Stephen J. Van Dyke
  • Publication number: 20140230649
    Abstract: A gas separation method includes flowing a gas feed along a feed flow path within a housing directionally from a product end to a feed end of a gas separation membrane. After the feed flow path, the gas feed flows along a membrane flow path defined by the membrane from the feed end to the product end. The feed flow path is counter to the membrane flow path. Heat may be exchanged between the feed flow path and the membrane flow path and increase separation efficiency. Also, heat exchanged may compensate for some temperature drop in the membrane due to enthalpy of gas separation. A gas separation module includes a feed flow path within a housing extending directionally from a product end to a feed end of a membrane. The feed flow path is counter to a membrane flow path defined by the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: The Boeing Company
  • Patent number: 8795417
    Abstract: A method of producing a composite oxygen ion membrane and a composite oxygen ion membrane in which a porous fuel oxidation layer and a dense separation layer and optionally, a porous surface exchange layer are formed on a porous support from mixtures of (Ln1-xAx)wCr1-yByO3-? and a doped zirconia. In the porous fuel oxidation layer and the optional porous surface exchange layer, A is Calcium and in the dense separation layer A is not Calcium and, preferably is Strontium. Preferred materials are (La0.8Ca0.2)0.95Cr0.5Mn0.5O3-? for the porous fuel oxidation and optional porous surface exchange layers and (La0.8Sr0.2)0.95Cr0.5Fe0.5O3-? for the dense separation layer. The use of such materials allows the membrane to sintered in air and without the use of pore formers to reduce membrane manufacturing costs. The use of materials, as described herein, for forming the porous layers have application for forming any type of porous structure, such as a catalyst support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gervase Maxwell Christie, Jonathan A. Lane
  • Patent number: 8784531
    Abstract: In a gas separation apparatus that separates carbon dioxide and water vapor from a first mixture gas containing a predetermined major component gas, carbon dioxide, and water vapor, the energy utilization efficiency thereof is improved. Also, by utilizing the function of this gas separation apparatus, a membrane reactor and a hydrogen production apparatus exhibiting high energy utilization efficiency are provided. The gas separation apparatus is constructed to include a first separation membrane 33 and a second separation membrane 34 that are made of different materials. When the first mixture gas is supplied at a temperature of 100° C. or higher, the first separation membrane 33 separates a second mixture gas containing carbon dioxide and water vapor that permeate through the first separation membrane by allowing carbon dioxide and water vapor to permeate selectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Renaissance Energy Research Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Okada, Masaaki Teramoto, Eiji Kamio, Nobuaki Hanai, Yasato Kiyohara
  • Patent number: 8778054
    Abstract: A method for generating heat energy in a power plant by burning a carbonaceous fuel in a combustion chamber of the power plant and a system for carrying out the method is described. A combustion chamber is fluidly connected to a membrane chamber that includes a membrane operating at a temperature between 600 and 1000° C. The combustion chamber receives a cleaned flue-gas oxygen mixture for combustion from the membrane chamber. Oxygen from heated air passes through the membrane in the membrane chamber to the permeate side of the membrane, where it is mixed with cleaned heated flue gas and the resulting gas mixture is fed to the combustion chamber. Flue gas removed from the combustion chamber are cooled, cleaned and heated as described herein and recirculated to the membrane chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH
    Inventors: Jewgeni Nazarko, Ernst Riensche, Reinhard Menzer, Wilhelm Albert Meulenberg, Stefan Baumann
  • Patent number: 8778056
    Abstract: There are provided a process for producing a zeolite membrane which, even when large, has few defects and which has higher separation performance than conventional zeolite membranes, and a zeolite membrane obtained by the process. In the process, the structure-directing agent is removed in the atmosphere having an O2 concentration of 22.0 vol % or more. Specifically, the process includes: a particle adhesion step of allowing zeolite particles functioning as seeds to flow down the surface of the substrate by means of the weight of the slurry itself, thereby adhering to the substrate and a membrane-forming step of forming a zeolite membrane on the substrate by immersing the substrate having the zeolite particles adhering thereto in sol containing the structure-directing agent for hydrothermal synthesis, thereby forming a zeolite membrane on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Uchikawa, Kenji Yajima, Makiko Niino
  • Patent number: 8771402
    Abstract: A vapor particle separator including a temperature controlled chamber for desorbing vapors from the particulates of an exhaust gas and a separation chamber including a micro porous membrane. The micro porous membrane provides an interface between at least one particle passageway and at least one vapor passageway through the separation chamber. The particle passageway extends from an entrance to the separation chamber to a particle exit from the separation chamber. The vapor passageway extends from the micro-porous membrane to a vapor exit from the separation chamber that is separate from the particle exit from the separation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Meng-Dawn Cheng, Steve L. Allman
  • Publication number: 20140183135
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a nanosieve composite membrane, a method for preparing a nanosieve composite membrane, a roll-to-roll apparatus for carrying out the method, and a method for separating a feed flow with particulate matter. The nanosieve composite of the invention comprises an inorganic nanosieve layer supported on a porous polymer membrane substrate and a metallic adhesion layer or underlayer between the inorganic nanosieve layer and the polymer substrate, wherein said polymer membrane comprises an inorganic coating such that the polymeric support is sandwiched between the inorganic coating and the inorganic sieve layer, and wherein said inorganic nanosieve layer has an average pore diameter as determined by scanning electron microscopy of 200 nm or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast- natuurwetenschappelijk onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Edward Willem Albert Young
  • Publication number: 20140183133
    Abstract: Technologies are generally described for a gas filtration device including an array of parallel carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes may extend between first and second substrates, and the ends of the carbon nanotubes may be embedded in the substrates and cut to expose openings at each end of the carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes may be composed from a graphene membrane which may be perforated with a plurality of discrete pores of a selected size for enabling one or more molecules to pass through the pores. A fluid mixture including two or more molecules for filtering may be directed through the first openings of the array of nanotubes, and the fluid mixture may be filtered by enabling smaller molecules to pass through the discrete pores of the graphene membrane walls of the carbon nanotubes to produce in a filtrate fraction including the smaller molecules and a retentate fraction including larger molecules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Kraig Anderson, Angeie Sjong
  • Patent number: 8764889
    Abstract: There is provided a silica membrane filter having performance of selectively separating an aromatic compound and performance of selectively separating an alcohol. The silica membrane filter is provided with a porous substrate and a silica membrane. The ratio of a He gas permeation amount to an N2 gas permeation amount (He gas permeation amount/N2 gas permeation amount) is 7 or less, and the ratio of the N2 gas permeation amount to a SF6 gas permeation amount (N2 gas permeation amount/SF6 gas permeation amount) is 1.5 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mariko Takagi, Kenichi Noda, Nobuhiko Mori, Masaaki Kawai, Aya Satoh
  • Patent number: 8764888
    Abstract: There is provided herein a dryer polymer substance including a hetero-phase polymer composition including two or more polymers wherein at least one of the two or more polymers include sulfonic groups, wherein the substance is adapted to pervaporate a fluid. The fluid may include water, water vapor or both. There is also provided herein a process for the preparation of a dryer polymer substance adapted to pervaporate a fluid (such as water, water vapor or both) the process includes mixing two or more polymers, wherein at least one of the two or more polymers may include groups which are adapted to be sulfonated, to produce a hetero-phase polymer composition and processing the polymer blend into a desired form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Oridion Medical 1987 Ltd.
    Inventors: Amos Ophir, Eyal Cohen, David Dishon, Joshua Lewis Colman
  • Patent number: 8764881
    Abstract: A membrane suitable for separating a gas from a gas mixture comprising a non cross-linked PVAm having a molecular weight of at least Mw 100,000 carried on a support wherein after casting onto the support, said PVAm has been heated to a temperature in the range 50 to 150° C., e.g. 80 to 120° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Norwegian University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Marius Sandru, Taek-Joong Kim, May-Britt Hägg
  • Patent number: 8764887
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method for preparing crystalline metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The method includes the steps of providing an electrolyte solution in contact with a conductive surface, and applying a current or potential to the conductive surface in contact with the electrolyte solution. The electrolyte solution includes a protonated organic ligand, a metal ion, and a probase. Application of the reductive current or potential to the conductive surface produces the crystalline metal-organic framework (MOF) deposited on the conductive surface. The MOFs produced by the method may be incorporated into a gas separation membrane, a purification filter, and/or a sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Mircea Dinca, Minyuan Li
  • Publication number: 20140175227
    Abstract: In an embodiment there is provided a fluid separation assembly. The assembly has a hollow fiber bundle with a plurality of hollow fiber membranes. The assembly further has a first tubesheet and a second tubesheet encapsulating respective ends of the hollow fiber bundle, wherein one of the tubesheets has a plurality of radial through openings formed in the tubesheet. The assembly further has a housing surrounding the hollow fiber bundle and the first and second tubesheets, the housing having a feed inlet port, a permeate outlet port, and a non-permeate outlet port. The feed gas, permeate gas, or non-permeate gas are introduced into or removed from the hollow fiber membranes via the plurality of radial through openings formed in the tubesheet, such that the radial through openings of the tubesheet intersect each or substantially each of the hollow fiber membranes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: PoroGen Corporation
    Inventor: Benjamin Bikson
  • Patent number: 8758488
    Abstract: Vents for containers include a perforated substrate portion (20) of polymer material over which is thermally bonded a gas permeable membrane (30). The thermal bond (31) is direct and adhesive-free so that there is no adhesive available for chemical attachment by materials within the containers (58) and no opportunity for an adhesive to interfere with or block perforations through the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Nuclear Filter Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry J. Wickland
  • Patent number: 8758489
    Abstract: A radial seal is described for use in a filtration system having annular elements. The rings or annuli fit in a groove in an outer surface of a seal plate. Each annulus has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of a cylindrical housing of the filtration system. A gap in the annulus has a width selected to enable the annular element to deform sufficiently to permit insertion of the at least one annulus into the cylindrical housing. Two or more annuli can be configured such that the gaps of the annuli are misaligned when both annuli are installed in the groove, thereby minimizing leakage in operation. A registration system includes a registration element that cooperates with a registration element of the other annulus to ensure misalignment of the gaps of the pair of annuli.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Elwell, Frederick K. Lesan, Victor Verbeek, Peter F. Metcalfe
  • Patent number: 8758490
    Abstract: A method of forming a fluid separation filter for use in a fluid separation device includes aligning a series of fluid separation or drying fibers (102) and fixing them together using a self-adhesive and electrically conductive tape (116) or by weaving copper threads between them. The connected fibers then form a mat and a strip of potting sealant (112) may be added, if required, along the top and bottom of the fibers. The mat may then be rolled to form a bundle of fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Nano-Porous Solutions Limited
    Inventors: John Pearson, Caytlin Green
  • Patent number: 8753426
    Abstract: The invention describes a polymeric material comprising repeating units of Formulae I-III and methods of preparation. Novel polymeric materials, gas separation membranes and fluid component separation methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Shiying Zheng, Jeffrey Raymond Quay
  • Patent number: 8753425
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Brendan Dermot Murray, Paul Jason Williams
  • Publication number: 20140157984
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improving separation of gas phase streams using an adsorbent, such as 8-member ring zeolite adsorbents or DDR type zeolite adsorbents. Suitable gas phase streams can include at least one hydrocarbon, such as methane or a hydrocarbon containing at least one saturated carbon-carbon bond, and at least one additional component, such as CO2 or N2. The selectivity of the adsorbent is improved by selectivating the adsorbent with one or more barrier compounds. The presence of the barrier compounds is believed to alter the relative ability of potential adsorbates to enter into and/or move within the pores of the adsorbent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Harry W. Deckman, Peter I. Ravikovitch, Preeti Kamakoti, Chris Yoon
  • Patent number: 8747766
    Abstract: A hydrogen separation membrane comprising a palladium alloy that includes at least palladium, an added metal A, and an added metal B, the added metal A and the added metal B being two different metals other than palladium, each of the added metal A and the added metal B forming a complete solid solution with palladium, and the added metal A and the added metal B having a triple point in an equilibrium diagram and not forming an intermetallic compound. The hydrogen separation membrane exhibits excellent hydrogen permeability and durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Noda
  • Patent number: 8747521
    Abstract: Provided is a gas separation membrane having superior gas permeability, separation selectivity and mechanical properties. A gas separation membrane to separate at least one acid gas from a mix gas, comprising in this order: a first layer that is porous; a second layer that is a separation-active layer containing a compound having a molecular weight of 150,000 or less and capable of interacting with the acid gas; and a third layer having high gas permeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Sano