Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrosilylation-curable silicone compositions that include an alkenyl-functional trialkylsilane compound. The present invention relates to a membrane including a cured product of the hydrosilylation-curable silicone composition. The present invention also relates to a method of making the membrane, and a method of separating components in a feed mixture using the membrane.

Abstract: Systems and methods for gas separation are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a method for gas separation includes the steps of contacting a feed gas stream that includes a product gas and an impurity gas with a liquid-phase absorption solvent and absorbing the impurity gas and a portion of the product gas of the feed gas stream into the liquid-phase absorption solvent. The exemplary method further includes the steps of subjecting the liquid-phase absorption solvent to a first reduced pressure environment to remove the portion of the product gas and a portion of the impurity gas from the liquid-phase absorption solvent and separating the portion of the product gas from the portion of the impurity gas.

Abstract: An apparatus for capture and sequestration of CO2 from fossil fuel-fired power plant flue gas includes a polymer matrix embedded with a sorbent suitable for removing CO2 from the flue gas and a spacer mated with the polymer matrix. The spacer is adapted to create channels between adjacent portions of the polymer matrix such that the flue gas flows through the channels and comes in contact with the sorbent. Further, an apparatus for the capture and sequestration of CO2 from fossil fuel-fired power plant flue gas includes a hollow fiber membrane embedded with an adsorbent or other suitable material for removing CO2 from the flue gas. The adsorbent particles may be embedded into a wall of the membrane.

Abstract: Carbon molecular sieve membranes having desirable selectivity for ethylene/ethane separations are prepared from a 3,3?,4,4?-benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride 5(6)-amino-1-(4?-aminophenyl)-1,3,3-trimethylindane 4,4-bismaleimidodiphenyl-methane (BTDA-DAPI) precursor solution that is then formed into films or hollow fibers which are pyrolyzed under vacuum or an inert atmosphere to form carbon molecular sieve membranes. Pyrolysis condition variables, including ramp rate, thermal soak time and temperature, are used to optimize the membrane's separation performance.

Abstract: This invention relates to organopolysiloxane compounds. In some embodiments, the organopolysiloxane compound includes a siloxane unit having at least one trialkylsilyl pendant group attached thereto through an organic group spacer. The present invention also relates to methods of making the organopolysiloxane, a hydrosilylation-curable silicone composition including the organopolysiloxane, a cured product of the silicone composition, a membrane including the cured product, a method of making the membrane, and a method of separating components in a feed mixture using the membrane.

Abstract: A module for an inert gas system has a housing that includes a first portion, a second portion removable from the first portion, at least one fluid inlet port, and at least one fluid outlet port. The module also includes a replaceable selectively permeable membrane for separating components of a gaseous fluid placed within the housing.

Abstract: A separation membrane including an alloy, the alloy including at least one Group 5 element, and at least one selected from Pt and Ir.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a head plate, fixing the end of a tube bundle with a number of, in particular, porous tubes with a membrane in sealing manner. The head plate is made from a metal or a metal alloy with a melting point lower than the lowest failure temperature for a tube material and/or the membrane.

Abstract: The oxygen transport reactor-based oven is an oven for heating articles, such as bread, using oxygen transport reactor-based combustion in order to recycle carbon dioxide, rather than releasing the carbon dioxide into the environment. The oven includes an upper furnace chamber having a plurality of oxygen transport reactors disposed therein. A mixture of fuel and gaseous carbon dioxide is delivered to the interior of each oxygen transport reactor. Pressurized air is then delivered to the upper furnace chamber, so that oxygen from the pressurized air is driven through an ion transport membrane of each oxygen transport reactor to combust with the fuel. This combustion produces carbon dioxide, water vapor and heat. The generated heat is used to heat the articles to be heated, which are received within a heating chamber positioned beneath the upper furnace chamber.

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.

Abstract: There is provided herein a dryer polymer substance adapted to pervaporate a fluid (such as water, water vapor or both), the polymer substance includes: a porous support member having a plurality of pores, wherein at least a portion of the pores are filled with a cross-linked co-polymer comprising (i) a cationic monomer and an anionic monomer, (ii) a zwitterionic monomer, or a combination thereof. The substance may include a membrane or a tube.

Abstract: A composite hollow ceramic fiber includes a porous hollow core supporting a thin, dense sheath. The non-gas-tight core comprises a first ceramic material and an interconnecting network of pores. The gas-tight sheath comprises a second ceramic material. The fiber is made by extruding a core suspension of particles of the first ceramic material, a polymeric binder, and a solvent and a sheath suspension of particles of the second ceramic material, a polymeric binder and a solvent, respectively, from a spinnerette and coagulating the nascent hollow fiber to effect phase inversion of the polymeric binders. The resultant green fiber is sintered in a two step process. First, the binders are burned off. Second, the sheath is densified and the second ceramic material is sintered without fully sintering the first ceramic material. The first ceramic material of the core suspension has a median particle size greater than that of the second ceramic material of the sheath suspension.

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.

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.

Abstract: A gas separation membrane comprises aromatic polyimide polymers that comprise a plurality of repeating units of formula (I) wherein X1 and Ar are herein defined.

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.

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 invention relates to a diaphragm pipe for permeative separation of hydrogen from gas mixtures containing hydrogen, a method for the production thereof as well as a reactor comprising a diaphragm pipe, wherein the diaphragm pipe comprises a porous pipe (S) made of a sintered metal and a diaphragm (M) containing palladium or made of palladium enclosing the outer surface of the sintered metal pipe (S). The sintered metal pipe (S) has at least on one end a fitting (F) made of gasproof material, which is firmly connected with the sintered metal pipe (S).

Abstract: An apparatus for removing water vapor from a feed gas is provided that comprises a membrane housing, a membrane that divides a first pressure side and a second pressure side of the membrane housing, a feed gas inlet and outlet on the first pressure side, a sweep gas inlet and outlet on the second pressure side, a sweep gas flow regulator, and a pump. In some embodiments the feed gas can be at ambient pressure and a pressure drop across the membrane can be less than about 1 atm. In some embodiments the sweep gas can be a portion of the feed gas exiting the first pressure side. Some embodiments are part of air conditioning, drying, or water recovery systems. Additionally, some embodiments achieve dew points of less than 0° C. and dehumidification efficiencies of 200% to 600%.

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.

Abstract: There is provided herein a dryer polymer substance adapted to pervaporate a fluid (such as water, water vapor or both), the polymer substance includes: a porous support member having a plurality of pores, wherein at least a portion of the pores are filled with a cross-linked co-polymer comprising (i) a cationic monomer and an anionic monomer, (ii) a zwitterionic monomer, or a combination thereof. The substance may include a membrane or a tube.

Abstract: A composite hollow ceramic fiber includes a porous hollow core supporting a thin, dense sheath. The non-gas-tight core comprises a first ceramic compound and an interconnecting network of pores. The gas-tight sheath comprises a second ceramic compound. The fiber is made by extruding first and second suspensions of the first and second ceramic compounds in polymeric binders and solvent from a spinnerette and coagulating the nascent hollow fiber to effect phase inversion of the polymeric binders. The resultant green fiber is sintered in a two step process. First, the binder is burned off. Second, the sheath is densified and the second ceramic compound is sinter without fully sintering the first ceramic compound. The first ceramic compound has a melting point higher than that of the second ceramic compound.

Abstract: A system for supplying an aircraft with inert gas is provided. The system includes at least one fuel cell with an air inlet and an exhaust air outlet as well as a membrane device with an inlet, an outlet and a vapor-permeable membrane. The exhaust air outlet is in fluid communication with the inlet of the membrane device. The membrane device guides a gas from the inlet to the outlet and to give off to the outside through the membrane any water vapor contained therein. This leads to a cost efficient, passive and reliable dehumidifaction of inert exhaus gas for inerting purposes, and a dehumidification device that does not or only marginally increases the weight of the aircraft.

Abstract: A composite hollow ceramic fiber includes a porous hollow core supporting a thin, dense sheath. The non-gas-tight core comprises a first ceramic material and an interconnecting network of pores. The gas-tight sheath comprises a second ceramic material. The fiber is made by extruding core and sheath suspensions from a spinnerette. The core suspension includes particles of the first ceramic material, a polymeric binder, a solvent, and a pore former material insoluble in the solvent. The sheath suspension includes particles of the second ceramic material, a polymeric binder and a solvent. The nascent hollow fiber is coagulated in a coagulant bath to effect phase inversion of the polymeric binders. The resultant green fiber is sintered in a two step process. First, the binders and pore former material are burned off. Second, the sheath is densified and the second ceramic material is sintered without fully sintering the core.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an asymmetric hollow fiber membrane for gas separation made of a soluble aromatic polyimide, wherein an orientation index is 1.3 or less, a separation coefficient ?(P?O2/P?N2) as a permeation rate ratio of oxygen gas/nitrogen gas at 40° C. is 5.3 or more, and a tensile fracture elongation is 15% or more.

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 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 disclosure relates generally to a gas separation membrane and a gas separation method in which at least one type of gas is separated and recovered from a gas mixture, using the gas separation membrane. The gas separation membrane is asymmetric and hollow and made of a polyimide material. The method of the invention provides a practical, high-performance technique for gas separation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to silicone compositions that are useful for the production of membranes that are selectively permeable to at least one component of a gas mixture. The invention provides a method of forming the membrane. The invention also provides a method of separating components in a feed mixture using the membrane. The membrane includes a reaction product (e.g. cured product) of a silicone composition including an organopolysiloxane having at least two unsaturated aliphatic carbon-carbon bond-containing groups per molecule; a crosslinking agent having at least two silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms per molecule; a hydrosilylation catalyst; a polyether containing at least one unsaturated aliphatic carbon-carbon bond-containing group; and a siliceous filler.

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.

Abstract: The inventive stage system for producing hydrogen consists of at least two upstream/downstream stages, respectively, each of which comprises, optionally, a catalytic reactor (C1 to C5) followed by a separator comprising a space (E1 to E4) for circulation of a gaseous mixture contacting at least one oxygen extracting membrane and a hydrogen collecting space, wherein the reactor (C1) of the upstream stage is connected to a reaction gaseous mixture source, the circulation stage (E1) of the upstream stage separator is connected to the reactor (C2) of the downstream stage and the spaces for extracting/collecting oxygen from two separators are connected to a hydrogen collecting circuit (TC, 8) which is common for two stages.

Abstract: A separation membrane including: an alloy including a Group 5 element, Fe, and Al, wherein the alloy includes a body-centered cubic lattice structure.

Abstract: A passive phase separator separates and traps gases that may be present in a liquid flowing through a system. The phase separator includes an inlet in fluid communication with a first separator chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with a second separator chamber that is disposed annularly about the first separator chamber. Gas introduced into the first separator chamber is pushed downstream through the first separator chamber to a gas storage chamber. Once gas is trapped within the gas storage chamber it remains there for the entire operational life of the phase separator.

Abstract: A process for producing a zeolite film is provided in which seed crystals thinly adhere to the surface of a support to form a thin and even zeolite film having fewer defects than conventional zeolite films. Also provided is a zeolite film obtained by the producing process. The process for producing the zeolite film comprises: a particle adhesion step of allowing a slurry, where zeolite particles which become seeds are dispersed, to flow down on the surface of a base material by the self-weight of the slurry, so that the zeolite particles adhere to the base material; and a film formation step of immersing the base material, to which the zeolite particles adhere, into a sol to carry out hydrothermal synthesis, thereby forming the zeolite film on the base material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for dehumidifying air by establishing humidity gradients in one or more dehumidification units. Water vapor from relatively humid atmospheric air entering the dehumidification units is extracted by the dehumidification units without substantial condensation into low pressure water vapor vacuum volumes. The water vapor is extracted through water vapor permeable membranes of the dehumidification units into the low pressure water vapor vacuum volumes. The air exiting the dehumidification units is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification units. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is compressed to a slightly higher pressure, condensed, and removed from the system at ambient conditions. In addition, each of the dehumidification units may be associated with one or more evaporative cooling units through which the air will be directed, with the evaporative cooling units being upstream and/or downstream of the dehumidification units.

Abstract: A method of making a supported gas separation molecular sieve membrane. In this method a porous support, which is preferably pretreated, is contacted with a molecular sieve synthesis mixture under hydrothermal synthesis conditions. The contacting step is conducted for a shortened crystallization time period. The resulting coated porous support is calcined to yield the supported gas separation molecular sieve membrane having particularly good gas separation characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for dehumidifying air by establishing a humidity gradient across a water selective permeable membrane in a dehumidification unit. Water vapor from relatively humid atmospheric air entering the dehumidification unit is extracted by the dehumidification unit without substantial condensation into a low pressure water vapor chamber operating at a partial pressure of water vapor lower than the partial pressure of water vapor in the relatively humid atmospheric air. For example, water vapor is extracted through a water permeable membrane of the dehumidification unit into the low pressure water vapor chamber. As such, the air exiting the dehumidification unit is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification unit. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is subsequently condensed and removed from the system at ambient conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for dehumidifying air by establishing humidity gradients in a plurality of dehumidification units, which are arranged in series and/or in parallel. Water vapor from air entering each stage of the plurality of dehumidification units is extracted by the dehumidification units without substantial condensation into low pressure water vapor chambers. For example, in one embodiment, the water vapor is extracted through water vapor permeable membranes of the dehumidification units into the low pressure water vapor chambers. As such, the air exiting each of the dehumidification units is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification units. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is subsequently compressed to a slightly higher pressure (i.e., just high enough to facilitate condensation), condensed, and removed from the system at ambient conditions.

Abstract: A liquid degassing apparatus is arranged to prevent pervaporated solvent cross-contamination by counteracting liquid vapor pervaporation flow. Liquid vapor pervaporation cross-contamination among a plurality of degassing modules is counteracted with specifically configured volumes and bleed inlet flow to conduits fluidly coupling permeate sides of said plurality of degassing chambers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane including a reaction product of an epoxy-functional organopolysiloxane and an amino-functional curing agent, wherein the organopolysiloxane has an average of at least two silicon-bonded epoxy-substituted organic groups per molecule and the curing agent has an average of at least two nitrogen-bonded hydrogen atoms per molecule. The invention further relates to a method of separating gas components in a feed gas mixture by use of the membrane.

Abstract: An aircraft fuel tank flammability reduction method includes feeding pressurized air into an air separation module containing a carbon membrane, the air feed exhibiting a normal pressure of no more than 55 psig and the carbon membrane containing at least 95 weight percent carbon. The method includes producing nitrogen-enriched air from the air separation module as a result of removing oxygen from the air feed. An aircraft fuel tank flammability reduction system includes a source for pressurized air, an air separation module configured to receive air feed from the pressurized air source, and a carbon membrane containing at least 95 weight percent carbon. The carbon membrane is configured to permeate oxygen from the air feed through the carbon membrane at a temperature of at least 120° C. (248° F.) and to produce nitrogen-enriched air from the air separation module as a result of removing oxygen from the air feed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a series of cardo-polybenzoxazole copolymer membranes, methods for preparing the cardo-polybenzoxazole copolymer membrane from thermal rearrangement of cardo-copolyimide membranes, and methods of methods for the separation of a fluid from a mixture of fluids by utilizing the cardo-polybenzoxazole copolymer membrane.

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: Hollow fiber membranes, such as those used in air separation modules, are generally made from solution spinning. Typically, solvent is present in the bore of the fiber for the spinning process. This solvent, in addition to the solvent already present in the polymer casting solution, may cause voids in the fiber material. By adding a polycarboxylic acid to the polymer casting material, these voids may be reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for dehumidifying air by establishing a humidity gradient across a water selective permeable membrane in a dehumidification unit. Water vapor from relatively humid atmospheric air entering the dehumidification unit is extracted by the dehumidification unit without substantial condensation into a low pressure water vapor chamber operating at a partial pressure of water vapor lower than the partial pressure of water vapor in the relatively humid atmospheric air. For example, water vapor is extracted through a water permeable membrane of the dehumidification unit into the low pressure water vapor chamber. As such, the air exiting the dehumidification unit is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification unit. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is subsequently condensed and removed from the system at ambient conditions.