Abstract: The present invention provides: a gas separation method which is capable of desirably separating a slight amount of a component from a mixed gas under mild conditions such that the pressure difference between both sides of a gas separation membrane is 1 atmosphere or less; and a gas separation membrane which is suitable for use in this gas separation method. According to the present invention, in a gas separation method wherein a specific gas (A) in a mixed gas, which contains the specific gas (A) at a concentration of 1,000 ppm by mass or less, is selectively permeated with use of a gas separation membrane, an extremely thin gas separation membrane that has a film thickness of 1 ?m or less is used, so that the gas (A) is desirably separated under mild conditions such that the pressure difference between both sides of the gas separation membrane is 1 atmosphere or less.

Abstract: A method is for treating a surface of a resin material layer. The method includes a first step of introducing as a substituent at least one selected from the group consisting of an acid halide and an alkyl halide into an aromatic polyether-based resin included in the resin material layer by Friedel-Crafts reaction.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for producing helium, neon, or argon product gas using an adsorption separation unit having minimal dead end volumes. A purification unit receives a stream enriched in helium, neon, or argon, and a stream is recycled from the purification unit back to the adsorption separation unit in a controlled manner to maintain the concentration of the helium, neon, or argon in the feed to the separation unit within a targeted range.

Abstract: A blood processing apparatus includes a housing, a shell, a fiber bundle, and an elastic tube. The housing has a blood inlet and a blood outlet and the shell is situated in the housing and configured to receive blood through the blood inlet. The shell includes a surface and one or more apertures extending through the surface to permit the blood to flow to an exterior of the shell. The fiber bundle includes gas exchanger hollow fibers situated about the shell such that gas flows through and the blood flows across the gas exchanger hollow fibers. The elastic tube includes a fiber web situated about the fiber bundle and configured to elastically constrain and protect the gas exchanger hollow fibers during the insertion into the housing. The fiber web has a pore size that permits the blood to flow across the fiber web without filtering micro-emboli from the blood.

Abstract: A membrane unit is able to recover hydrogen from a resid waste gas stream. Two membrane units provide even greater hydrogen recovery. The membrane separation is performed at conditions that allow the pressure of the recovered hydrogen to enter into a second stage of compression, saving the expense of the first stage of compression.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are ceramic selective membranes and methods of forming the ceramic selective membranes by forming a selective silica ceramic on a porous membrane substrate. Representative ceramic selective membranes include ion-conductive membranes (e.g., proton-conducting membranes) and gas selective membranes. Representative uses for the membranes include incorporation into fuel cells and redox flow batteries (RFB) as ion-conducting membranes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydrogen water generator that is capable of preventing an increase in pH so as to prevent alkalinization of water while generating water containing plenty of hydrogen gas. A hydrogen water generator 20 includes a container 21 having water 22 and magnesium particles 23, capable of reacting with the water 22 to generate hydrogen gas, encapsulated therein, wherein the container 21 is made of an air-permeable and water-impermeable material, which allows the hydrogen gas to pass from the inside to the outside of the container and prevents the water from passing from the inside to the outside of the container. At least one kind of thermoplastic resin selected from a group consisting of (A) polyvinylidene chloride, (B) polyvinyl chloride, and (C) polyacrylonitrile may be used as the air-permeable and water-impermeable material.

Abstract: In a gas separation system, a retentate gas discharge port of a first unit U1 and a gas inlet port of a second unit U2 are connected by a retentate gas discharge line. A permeate gas discharge port of U1 and a gas inlet port of a third unit U3 are connected by a permeate gas discharge line. A feed gas mixture supply line is connected to a gas inlet port of U1. A permeate gas discharge port of U2 and the feed gas mixture supply line are connected by a permeate gas return line. A retentate gas discharge port of U3 and the feed gas mixture supply line are connected by a retentate gas return line. At least in operation, the gas permeability of U2 is higher than that of U3, and the gas selectivity of U3 is higher than that of U2.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a stream of matter that includes a C2+ fraction and a first gaseous substance and a second gaseous substance. The stream of matter is subjected to a pressure swing adsorption to remove the C2+ fraction by means of a membrane to obtain a retentate and a permeate. The first substance is enriched in retentate and depleted in permeate and the second substance is depleted in retentate and enriched in permeate.

Abstract: A composite membrane comprising: a) a porous support; b) a gutter layer; and c) a discriminating layer; wherein at least 10% of the discriminating layer is intermixed with the gutter layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air-separation device comprising a generally cylindrical casing housing a filtration element including a bundle of hollow oblong fibers forming a membrane, the longitudinal axis of the fibers being parallel to the longitudinal axis (A) of the cylindrical casing, said casing comprising an air inlet at a first end and an outlet for purified gas at a second end. The device comprises a member for maintaining the fiber bundle in the casing, characterized in that the maintenance member comprises at least one spring member disposed inside the casing, said spring member being loaded between an end-stop formed by the casing and a longitudinal end of the fiber bundle in order to maintain the fiber bundle longitudinally in place while allowing it to dilate and contract.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical material and a blood purification apparatus each having high anti-thrombotic properties and high safety. The apparatus is produced by incorporating therein a medical material which has a hydrophilic copolymerization polymer present on a surface thereof which is to be in contact with blood, wherein particulate protuberances each having a particle diameter of 50 nm or more are present on the surface which is to be in contact with blood at a density of 3 particles/?m2 or less and the relaxation time of adsorbed water in the hydrophilic copolymerization polymer is 2.5×10?8 seconds or shorter and 5.0×10?10 seconds or longer at ?40° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a resin composition including a substance capable of reacting reversibly with a carbon dioxide gas, and a hydrocarbon-based polymer; a carbon dioxide gas separation membrane obtained from the resin composition; a carbon dioxide gas separation membrane module including the separation membrane; and a carbon dioxide gas separation apparatus including at least one type of the module.

Abstract: The present invention relates a process and apparatus that recovers a helium rich stream from a mixed gas having low concentrations of helium therein. More specifically, the invention relates to an integrated process and apparatus for treating a mixed feed gas from an operating process that produces a fluid product from natural gas containing helium, such as processes that produce ammonia, methanol, or liquid hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A gas separation membrane module in which deformation of a tube sheet such as swelling and shrinkage can be prevented in gas separation. The gas separation membrane module includes a hollow fiber bundle provided by bundling multiple hollow fiber membranes, a module vessel in which the hollow fiber bundle is placed, and a tube sheet fixing the plurality of hollow fiber membranes at an end portion of hollow fiber bundle. The cross section of the tube sheet includes a hollow fiber membrane embedded portion in which the hollow fiber membranes are embedded and a solid portion in which no hollow fiber membrane is embedded, and the solid portion is located outside the hollow fiber membrane embedded portion. At least some of the hollow fiber membranes are wound with reinforcing fiber cloth at least within the hollow fiber membrane embedded portion.

Abstract: The helium gas separator material includes a base portion and a gas separation portion joined to the base portion. The base portion is composed of a porous ?-alumina material which has communication holes with an average diameter of 50 nm to 1,000 nm; the gas separation portion has a porous ?-alumina portion containing a Ni element and a silica membrane portion which is disposed on the inner wall of the communication holes in the porous portion; and the average diameter of pores surrounded and formed by the silica membrane portion is 0.27 nm to 0.60 nm.

Abstract: Helium-containing natural gas is processed with three gas separation stages to produce a natural gas product and a Helium-containing gas that may be injected into the reservoir from which the Helium-containing natural gas is obtained. A permeate from the first gas separation membrane stage is compressed and fed to the second gas membrane stage. The permeate from the second gas separation membrane stage is recovered as the Helium-containing gas that may be injected into the reservoir. The non-permeate from the second gas separation membrane stage is fed to the third gas separation membrane stage. Non-permeates from the first and third gas separation stages are combined to produce a natural gas product. A permeate from the third gas separation membrane stage is combined with a non-permeate from the first gas separation membrane stage before it is compressed and fed to the second gas separation membrane stage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a special apparatus, in particular linkage of gas separation membrane modules, and a special method for separating gas mixtures containing helium.

Abstract: A method of making a polybenzoxazole (PBO) membrane from a self-cross-linked aromatic polyimide polymer membrane is provided. These membranes are useful in the separation of gas mixtures and liquid mixtures. The PBO membrane is made by fabricating a self-cross-linkable aromatic polyimide polymer membrane comprising both hydroxyl functional groups and carboxylic acid functional groups; cross-linking the polymer to form a self-cross-linked aromatic polyimide polymer membrane by heating the membrane at 250° to 300° C. under an inert atmosphere; and thermal heating the self-cross-linked aromatic polyimide polymer membrane at a temperature from about 350° to 500° C. under an inert atmosphere to convert the self-cross-linked aromatic polyimide polymer membrane into a PBO membrane. A membrane coating step may be added by coating the selective layer surface of the PBO membrane with a thin layer of high permeability material.

Abstract: This invention relates to self-cross-linkable and self-cross-linked aromatic polyimide polymers, their membranes and methods for making and using these polymers and membranes. The self-cross-linkable aromatic polyimide polymer described in the present invention comprises both hydroxyl functional groups and carboxylic acid functional groups. The self-cross-linked aromatic polyimide was formed via heating the self-cross-linkable aromatic polyimide polymer at ?300° C. The self-cross-linked aromatic polyimide membranes exhibit high selectivity in separation of mixtures of gases and liquids.

Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a method and an apparatus for cryogen-free concentration of a hyperpolarized noble gas in a continuously flowing stream of gas. The method comprises the following steps: providing a mixture of gases containing hyperpolarized noble gas and at least one process gas; passing the prepared gas mixture as a continuously flowing stream of gas through a gas separation device with a semipermeable membrane in order to separate the gases; and concentrating the hyperpolarized noble gas in the gas separation device, in which at least part of the at least one process gas or the hyperpolarized noble gas is separated from the continuously flowing stream of gas by means of the semipermeable membrane. It also provides for the use of a continuous stream of gas with concentrated hyperpolarized noble gas for magnetic resonance spectroscopy or magnetic resonance tomography.

Abstract: A method for preparing a polymeric material includes: providing a polymeric matrix having at least one polymer and at least one porogen; and degrading the at least one porogen at a temperature T?1.1 Tg, where Tg is a glass transition temperature of the polymeric matrix. The degrading step includes exposing the polymeric matrix to thermal degradation, chemical degradation, electrical degradation and/or radiation degradation, wherein the polymeric material has a permeability at least 1.2 times a permeability of the polymeric matrix for a gas, and a selectivity of the polymeric material is at least 0.35 times a selectivity of the polymeric matrix for a gas pair. The method preferably provides gas separation membranes that exceed Robeson's upper bound relationship for at least one gas separation pair. Novel polymeric materials, gas separation membranes and fluid component separation methods are also described.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to high permeability, UV cross-linkable copolyimide polymers and membranes for gas, vapor, and liquid separations, as well as methods for making and using these membranes. The invention provides a process for separating at least one gas from a mixture of gases using the high permeability copolyimide membrane or the UV cross-linked copolyimide membrane, the process comprising: (a) providing a high permeability copolyimide membrane or a UV cross-linked copolyimide membrane which is permeable to said at least one gas; (b) contacting the mixture on one side of the high permeability copolyimide membrane or the UV cross-linked copolyimide membrane to cause said at least one gas to permeate the membrane; and (c) removing from the opposite side of the membrane a permeate gas composition comprising a portion of said at least one gas which permeated said membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a special apparatus, in particular linkage of gas separation membrane modules, and a special method for separating gas mixtures containing helium.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for drying slurry-like materials, in particular sludge from wastewater treatment plants, including two drying stages, namely: a first indirect drying stage (2), supplied with hot fluid, which receives sludge having an entry dryness Se, and outputs sludge having an intermediate dryness Si and water steam, which is channelled towards a condenser (8) in which a heating fluid, in particular water, is reheated and, in turn, heats a heating gas for a second drying stage (6); and a step (5) of forming strings of sludge at the exit from the first stage; the second stage (6) of drying the strings of sludge using gas at least partially heated by the heat extracted from the condenser, said second stage outputting a slurry having a final dryness Sf; the intermediate dryness Si is controlled according to the measured entry dryness Se and the desired exit dryness Sf, for minimum consumption of the total energy used for drying, the flow rate, pressure and/or temperature of the hot fluid (3)

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®.

Abstract: Helium-containing natural gas is processed with three gas separation stages to produce a natural gas product and a Helium-containing gas that may be injected into the reservoir from which the Helium-containing natural gas is obtained. A permeate from the first gas separation membrane stage is compressed and fed to the second gas membrane stage. The permeate from the second gas separation membrane stage is recovered as the Helium-containing gas that may be injected into the reservoir. The non-permeate from the second gas separation membrane stage is fed to the third gas separation membrane stage. Non-permeates from the first and third gas separation stages are combined to produce a natural gas product. A permeate from the third gas separation membrane stage is combined with a non-permeate from the first gas separation membrane stage before it is compressed and fed to the second gas separation membrane stage.

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.

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.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to gas separation membranes and, in particular, to high selectivity fluorinated ethylene-propylene polymer-comprising polymeric blend membranes for gas separations. The polymeric blend membrane comprises a fluorinated ethylene-propylene polymer and a second polymer different from the fluorinated ethylene-propylene polymer. The fluorinated ethylene-propylene polymers in the current invention are copolymers comprising 10 to 99 mol % 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene-based structural units and 1 to 90 mol % vinylidene fluoride-based structural units. The second polymer different from the fluorinated ethylene-propylene polymer is selected from a low cost, easily processable glassy polymer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses new types of poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer-cross-linked polyimide membranes and methods for making and using these membranes. The membranes are prepared by cross-linking of asymmetric aromatic polyimide membranes using a PAMAM dendrimer as the cross-linking agent. The PAMAM-cross-linked polyimide membranes showed significantly improved selectivities for CO2/CH4 compared to a comparable uncrosslinked polyimide membrane. For example, PAMAM 0.0 dendrimer-cross-linked asymmetric flat sheet poly(3,3?,4,4?-diphenylsulfone tetracarboxylic dianhydride-3,3?,5,5?-tetramethyl-4,4?-methylene dianiline) (DSDA-TMMDA) polyimide membrane showed CO2 permeance of 135.2 A.U. and CO2/CH4 selectivity of 20.3. However, the un-cross-linked DSDA-TMMDA asymmetric flat sheet membrane showed much lower CO2/CH4 selectivity (16.5) and higher CO2 permeance (230.8 GPU).

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to gas separation membranes and, in particular, to high selectivity fluorinated ethylene-propylene polymer-comprising polymeric blend membranes for gas separations. The polymeric blend membrane comprises a fluorinated ethylene-propylene polymer and a second polymer different from the fluorinated ethylene-propylene polymer. The fluorinated ethylene-propylene polymers in the current invention are copolymers comprising 10 to 99 mol % 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene-based structural units and 1 to 90 mol % vinylidene fluoride-based structural units. The second polymer different from the fluorinated ethylene-propylene polymer is selected from a low cost, easily processable glassy polymer.

Abstract: A fluorinated ethylene-propylene polymeric membrane comprising a copolymer comprising 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and vinylidene fluoride is disclosed. The fluorinated ethylene-propylene polymeric membranes of the invention are especially useful in gas separation processes in air purification, petrochemical, refinery, and natural gas industries.

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.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to carbon molecular sieve membranes (CMSM) and their associated fabrication processes, and more particularly to CMSM that maintain high gas selectivities without losing productivity. Methods for enriching a mixture of gases in one gas via the use of the CMS membranes, and gas enrichment devices using the same, are also disclosed.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to template-free clathrasils whose framework comprises essentially SiO2, wherein the crystals of the clathrasils have the platelet-like morphology of a sheet silicate. The present invention further relates to a process for preparing these template-free clathrasils and also to their use as absorbent, as seed crystals for the synthesis of clathrasil membranes of the same zeolite type and in the form of dense layers which function as gas separation membranes having a molecular sieving action.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for preparing a gas flow for introduction thereof into a mass spectrometer, wherein the gas flow contains one or more analytes and has helium as carrier gas. According to the invention, a selective separating device is provided for separating off a part of the carrier gas from the gas flow (10), to form a residual gas flow (11) and a separated carrier gas flow (12). A higher fraction of the analyte is present therein than in the gas flow and in the separated carrier gas flow there is a lower fraction of the analyte.

Abstract: A fast gas is recovered from a feed gas containing a fast gas and at least one slow gas using a gas separation membrane. A controller may control a control valve associated with a partial recycle of a permeate gas from the membrane for combining with the feed gas. A controller may control a control valve associated with the backpressure of a residue gas from the membrane.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for a membrane that may incorporate a graphene layer perforated by a plurality of nanoscale pores. The membrane may also include a gas sorbent that may be configured to contact a surface of the graphene layer. The gas sorbent may be configured to direct at least one gas adsorbed at the gas sorbent into the nanoscale pores. The nanoscale pores may have a diameter that selectively facilitates passage of a first gas compared to a second gas to separate the first gas from a fluid mixture of the two gases. The gas sorbent may increase the surface concentration of the first gas at the graphene layer. Such membranes may exhibit improved properties compared to conventional graphene and polymeric membranes for gas separations, e.g., greater selectivity, greater gas permeation rates, or the like.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for perforated graphene monolayers and membranes containing perforated graphene monolayers. An example membrane may include a graphene monolayer having a plurality of discrete pores that may be chemically perforated into the graphene monolayer. The discrete pores may be of substantially uniform pore size. The pore size may be characterized by one or more carbon vacancy defects in the graphene monolayer. The graphene monolayer may have substantially uniform pore sizes throughout. In some examples, the membrane may include a permeable substrate that contacts the graphene monolayer and which may support the graphene monolayer. Such perforated graphene monolayers, and membranes comprising such perforated graphene monolayers may exhibit improved properties compared to conventional polymeric membranes for gas separations, e.g., greater selectivity, greater gas permeation rates, or the like.

Abstract: The present invention is for high permeance and high selectivity blend polymeric membranes comprising poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and a highly permeable polymer selected from the group consisting of polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs), tetrazole-functionalized polymers of intrinsic microporosity (TZPIMs), or mixtures thereof. The present invention also involves the use of such membranes for separations of liquids and gases.

Abstract: A membrane selectively permeable to light gases comprises a membrane body formed by a first plate and a second plate. The second plate comprises a thin layer that is selectively gas-permeable. In the region of windows, this layer is exposed. There, support is provided by a porous bottom wall in the first plate or by narrow bores in the second plate. A heating device causes a radiation heating of the windows.

Abstract: Provided are a method for operating a gas separation device capable of performing gas separation with high separation capability and treatment amount in a small membrane area or in a small number of separation membrane modules, and a method for recovering a residual gas capable of performing more suitable detoxifying treatment or recycling by efficiently separating and recovering a mixed gas remaining in a cylinder, using the operating method. Two or more separation membrane modules are connected with each other in parallel.

Abstract: A membrane selectively permeable to light gases comprises a membrane body formed by a first plate and a second plate. The second plate comprises a thin layer that is selectively gas-permeable. In the region of windows, this layer is exposed. There, support is provided by a porous bottom wall in the first plate or by narrow bores in the second plate. A heating device causes a radiation heating of the windows.

Abstract: Helium is recovered from gas streams containing high concentrations of hydrogen gas and low concentrations of helium gas, such as from the recycle stream from the production of ammonia. The inventive process provides for an integrated process for the recovery of both an enriched helium gas stream product and a high purity hydrogen gas stream product.

Abstract: The invention relates to an equipment and a system for processing a gaseous mixture by permeation. The equipment of the invention includes m*n separation modules Pij, n and n being natural integers higher than or equal to 2, i being a natural integer from 1 to m, and j is a natural interger from 1 to n. Each of the separation modules P1 includes a permeate inlet Epij, the permeate inlet Ep11 of the separation module P11 corresponding to the F inlet for supplying the gaseous mixture into said equipment, a permeate outlet Spij and a retentate outlet Srij. Furthermore, the permeate outlet Spij is connected to the permeate inlet Epi+1j of the separation module Pj+1j, and the retentate outlet Srij is connected to the permeate inlet Epij+1 of the separation module Pij+1. The equipment does not use any intermediate recycling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for preparing a gas flow for introduction thereof into a mass spectrometer, wherein the gas flow contains one or more analytes and has helium as carrier gas. According to the invention, a selective separating device is provided for separating off a part of the carrier gas from the gas flow (10), to form a residual gas flow (11) and a separated carrier gas flow (12). A higher fraction of the analyte is present therein than in the gas flow and in the separated carrier gas flow there is a lower fraction of the analyte.

Abstract: A fast gas is recovered from a feed gas containing a fast gas and at least one slow gas using a gas separation membrane. A controller may control a control valve associated with a partial recycle of a permeate gas from the membrane for combining with the feed gas. A controller may control a control valve associated with the backpressure of a residue gas from the membrane.