Abstract: A moisture exchange module includes a bundle of moisture-permeable hollow fiber membranes. It is provided with a feedline for supplying a gas stream that flows through the hollow fiber membranes in an inner flow. According to the present invention, a separating device for separating out liquid particles from the gas flow are provided in the region between the feedline and the bundle of hollow fiber membranes. The separating device may have the form of a groove and are arranged in such a way that the gas flow is guided in such a manner that the centrifugal force assists movement of the liquid particles towards the separating device. The moisture exchange module preferably forms part of a fuel cell system to humidify feed air for the fuel cell system.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating humidity from a pressurized feed gas is provided the apparatus having a housing; an intake path formed at a first end of the housing; a centrifugal device disposed within the housing; a sieve bed disposed within the housing; an outlet path formed at a second end of the housing; a purge path formed below the intake path; and a water sump zone located within the housing below the centrifugal device. The centrifugal device receives the feed gas from the intake path during a charge phase and directs the feed gas in a centrifugal pattern to cause water vapor in the feed gas to condense into water droplets on the inner wall. The water droplets are discharged from the housing through the purge path with an exhaust gas during a purge phase.

Abstract: A membrane separating method and a membrane separating device capable of preventing sludge from being accumulated on the surface of hollow fiber membranes in a membrane cartridge and having filtration performance stably sustained for a long period. The membrane cartridge formed by sticking and fixing both ends of two or more hollow fiber membranes arranged in the vertical direction is formed in such a structure that the collected state of the hollow fiber membranes on an upper side adhesive boundary surface is divided into a plurality of hollow fiber membrane bundles.

Abstract: Disclosed are external pressure type hollow fiber membrane having a reinforcing supporter for gas separation and water treatment, and method and apparatus for preparing the same. The reinforcing supporter is woven only with mono-filaments or by mixed spinning of mono-filaments and multi-filaments. The hollow fiber membrane of the present invention has excellent pressure resistance and high tension force by using the rigid and tubular supporter, an improved softness by using the mono-filaments, and an increased bonding force between the supporter and the coating layer by increasing the concave-convexo degree of the reinforcing supporter. Additionally, the hollow fiber membrane can prevent detachment of the separating filtration layer, which is the coating layer, through the surface weight deduction treatment of the reinforcing supporter, and control the inner pore size of the membrane by treating the internal coagulating solution, thereby providing an excellent water-permeability.

Abstract: A nonporous metal carbonate membrane for selective separation of CO2 from a CO2-containing fluid having a porous substrate having a feed side and a permeate side. The membrane is also suitable for removal of H2S that may be present in the fluid.

Abstract: A permselective membrane reactor is provided, including a reactor tube having a gas inlet at one end and a gas outlet at the other end thereof. A separator tube is disposed in the reactor tube and has a permselective membrane selectively permeable to hydrogen on a surface thereof and a discharge outlet for passing separated gas through the permselective membrane. The permselective membrane reactor also includes a layer comprising a reforming catalyst that promotes reforming of ethanol, so that ?, defined by the following equation, is in a range of 0.05 to 20: ?=a/b wherein a denotes the volume of the reforming catalyst layer [cm3], and b denotes the area of the permselective membrane [cm2].

Abstract: A hydrogen separator is provided, including a porous substrate having a large number of pores communicating from a first surface to a second surface thereof, and having a hydrogen-separating layer disposed on the first surface so that the hydrogen-separating layer has a penetrated portion extending through the pores from the first surface to a particular depth. An average pore diameter at the first surface of the porous substrate is 0.02 to 0.5 ?m, a thickness of the hydrogen-separating layer is 1 to 5 ?m, and a penetration depth of the penetrated portion is 0.05 to 1 ?m, is at least equal to the average pore diameter at the one surface of the porous substrate, and is not larger than one half of the thickness of the hydrogen-separating layer. The hydrogen separator hardly generates defects such as cracks, peeling and the like in the hydrogen-separating layer, is superior in durability, and provides both good hydrogen-separating ability and good hydrogen permeability.

Abstract: There is provided an asymmetric integrally skinned membrane comprising a polyimide and another polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone, sulfonated polyetheretherketones and mixtures thereof. The membrane which is substantially insoluble in an organic solvent and substantially defect-free can be useful as a separation membrane.

Abstract: A method for contacting a liquid with a gas in which the gas is introduced into a vessel containing at least one hollow fiber membrane having a plurality of porous hollow fibers. The liquid is introduced into a lumen of at least a portion of the plurality of porous hollow fibers at a liquid pressure sufficient to overcome a resistance to wetting of the porous hollow fibers, thereby covering at least a portion of an outer surface of the plurality of porous hollow fibers with the liquid and providing intimate contact between the gas and the liquid.

Abstract: A particulate material processing apparatus has a vessel and a processing tank. The vessel has a charging port for charging a particulate material into the vessel. The processing tank receives the particulate material charged from the charging port. The processing tank is shaped so as to narrow towards the bottom. At least the lower part of the processing tank is made of a gas-permeable material that allows the process gas for processing the particulate material to pass through. The upper part of the processing tank has lower gas permeability than the lower part of the processing tank.

Abstract: The present invention discloses mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) comprising a polymer matrix and molecular sieve particles and methods for making and using these membranes. The molecular sieve particles contain micropores or mesopores and exhibit a thin plate morphology with high aspect ratio and the plate thickness no more than 300 nm. This invention also pertains to controlling the alignment of the thin plate molecular sieve particles in the continuous polymer matrix of the thin dense selective layer of the asymmetric mixed matrix membranes. These MMMs exhibited much higher selectivity improvement than those comprising molecular sieve particles with other kinds of morphology for gas separations such as CO2/CH4 and H2/CH4 separations. The thin plate morphology of molecular sieves is beneficial to make high performance mixed matrix membranes.

Abstract: A mat material includes an inorganic fiber, a first sheet material and a second sheet material. The first sheet material is provided on a first surface of the mat material. The second sheet material is provided on a second surface of the mat material. The first sheet material and the second sheet material show a different elongation amount in a longitudinal direction of the mat material under a same tensile load.

Abstract: A gas-separation module allows a sweep gas to be introduced at selectively variable locations, and in selectively varying amounts, along the length of the module. The sweep gas enters the module through a perforated conduit. A slotted sleeve, disposed within the conduit, selectively blocks and unblocks perforations in the conduit. Rotation of the sleeve causes slots to come into, or out of, registration with the perforations. The sleeve permits varying amounts of sweep gas to be introduced at different locations along the length of the module. Rotation of the sleeve changes the profile of introduction of sweep gas, and can be used to optimize the performance of the module for each of a set of different pressure conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing silica containing molecular sieves which may be mixed with an organic polymer to create a mixed matrix membrane. Further, this invention includes a method of making such a mixed matrix membrane and the membrane itself. A process for separating component gases from a mixture using the subject mixed matrix membrane is also described. The method for preparing silica containing molecular sieves comprises super water washing silica containing molecular sieves to produce water washed molecular sieves which are substantially free of surface remnants. Super water washing also ideally lowers the concentration of alkali metals in the molecular sieves.

Abstract: A gas-separation membrane module assembly and a gas-separation process using the assembly. The assembly includes a set of tubes, each containing gas-separation membranes, arranged within a housing. The housing contains a tube sheet that divides the space within the housing into two gas-tight spaces. A permeate collection system within the housing gathers permeate gas from the tubes for discharge from the housing.

Abstract: A portable system for air separation or air dehydration, or both, is carried on a truck or equivalent vehicle. The air separation system includes, at a minimum, a feed compressor and a gas separation membrane. The air dehydration system includes a feed compressor and an air dehydration membrane. The feed compressor receives power from the engine of the vehicle, only when the vehicle is not moving under its own power. Heat from the vehicle engine may also be used to heat the compressed air stream to prevent the formation of water. The system can also be used to perform air dehydration and air separation simultaneously. The system is substantially self-contained, and can be easily driven from one location to another, simply by driving the vehicle to another location. The invention is especially useful in providing air separation or air dehydration services, or both, for relatively brief periods, at multiple locations.

Abstract: A gas and liquid separation device for use with a fuel tank. The separation device includes a body having at least one passage therethrough in fluid communication with the fuel tank, and a gas and liquid separator carried by the body in fluid communication with the at least one passage and being oriented at an angle with respect to horizontal when in use.

Abstract: A system for removing gas bubbles from blood during circulatory assist procedures. An active filter apparatus forces the bubbles to the center of the system where they are removed from the blood before the blood exits the filter.

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

Abstract: A dry gas production system for supplying dry gas to a pressurized space, such as an underground conduit or an aerial cable. The dry gas production system may include a modular enclosure that has a removable support to which multiple dry gas production modules are mounted. The support may be a mobile rack wheeled inside the enclosure and likewise removed from the enclosure while supporting the dry gas production modules. The dry gas production system may include multiple dry gas production modules that are operated as required to meet the dry gas demand for the pressurized space. The module compressor may include a variable frequency drive for driving the compressor motor at different speeds and may optionally include a mount with vibration isolation.

Abstract: Mixed matrix composite (MMC) membranes with minimal macrovoids and defects are provided by the current invention. MMC Membranes are needed that have minimal macrovoids and defects, provide consistent and good selectivity and permeability performance, provide the mechanical strength required to withstand high membrane differential pressures, and exhibit sufficient flexibility and can easily be formed into desirable membrane forms. MMC Membranes made from a spinning dope that is stabilized with an electrostabilizing additive, particularly an acid additive, results in membranes, particularly hollow fiber membranes that have minimal macrovoids and defects. Thus, membranes of the current invention are particularly suitable for high trans-membrane pressure applications, particularly for separating oxygen/nitrogen, hydrogen/hydrocarbon, and carbon dioxide/hydrocarbon components of a stream.

Abstract: The present invention provides a durable liquid housing container and a durable liquid supply apparatus which use a gas-liquid separation membrane. Thus, a gas-liquid separation membrane (2) located at an air vent in a liquid housing container (1) includes a fibril portion (2A) composed of fibrous portions and an annular node portion (2B) which bundles the ends of fibrous portions of the fibril portion (2A) and which is closed so as to surround the fibril portion (2A).

Abstract: An Ni—Ti—Nb based multiple phase alloy consists of a combined phase which comprises a phase for the hydrogen permeability and a phase for the resistance to hydrogen embrittlement. The alloy has a composition satisfying the formula: NixTiyNb(100-x-y) in which x=25˜45 mol % and y=25˜55 mol %. A metal membrane for hydrogen separation-purification is prepared using the alloy material. The alloy material is prepared by blending Ni, Ti and Nb and melting the blend. The metal membrane permits the hydrogen separation-purification and thus the resulting purified hydrogen gas can be used as a fuel and can be applied to fields of production of semiconductors.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine with an air separation unit and a method of realizing such an internal combustion engine, the air separation unit is able to be fed by intake air compressed by a charging unit and cooled by a charged air cooler. The internal combustion engine can at least periodically be fed with a retentate, provided by the air separation unit, having such a composition that, in comparison to normal, it is oxygen enriched. The air separation unit is connected to the outlet of the charged air cooler, and compressed intake air from the charging unit undergoes purification that includes the separation of fluid and/or solid contents before being fed into the air separation unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for humidifying a gas stream includes a humidifier device having at least one membrane permeable to water vapor. The gas stream and a humid gas stream flow through a humidifier device, being separated from one another by the at least one membrane. The apparatus includes at least one bypass line configured to route at least part of one of the gas stream and the humid gas stream so that it does not come into contact with the membrane. In addition a method for humidifying a gas stream, includes flowing the gas stream through a humidifier having a membrane permeable to water vapor, flowing a humid gas stream through the humidifier separated by the membrane, and routing at least a portion of one of the gas stream and the humid gas stream using a bypass line so that it does not come into contact with the membrane, and varying a quantity of the portion so as to set a predetermined dew point in the gas stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite structure consisting of a relatively long filtration bar comprising, from the outside, an ultra-thin layer (26) that is selectively permeable to hydrogen and made from palladium or silver alloy. Said layer is disposed on a permeable, rigid, refractory substrate consisting of a more or less solid body (30) that is covered with an intermediary thin layer (28) having a relatively smooth surface. The body (30) and the intermediary layer (28) are made respectively by sintering with fine and ultra-fine Inconel grains. A rigid metallic axial structure (32) is embedded in the body (30). Veinlets (31), which are made in the body (30) through the destruction of thermo-destructible wires during sintering, increase the permeability of the substrate. The invention is particularly applicable to hydrogen-producing combustible gas processors.

Abstract: A membrane separation process for the enrichment of at least one gas component in a gas flow, especially for the oxygen enrichment of the air and/or for the enrichment of carbon dioxide using a membrane separation device (10), which is a part of a membrane separation unit (2) and includes at least one membrane. The gas is separated into a retentate (8), which is discharged on the retentate side (12) of the membrane, and a permeate (9), which is discharged on the permeate side (11) of the membrane. To allow the separation of gases or the enrichment of a gas component in a gas flow at a low energy consumption rate and at low investment and production costs, the pressure of the gas stream is lowered before entering the membrane separation unit (2) so that pressure on the permeate side (11) is lower as compared with the inlet pressure.

Abstract: The filter 1 of the present invention has at least two filter elements 2 contained in the casing 4, which are connected in series in such a state as interposing the first sealer 5 between them.

Abstract: An artificial lung includes a housing, a tubular hollow fiber membrane bundle contained in the housing and providing a multiplicity of hollow fiber membranes having a gas exchange function, a gas inflow port and a gas outflow port communicating with each other through hollow portions of the hollow fiber membranes, and a blood inflow port and a blood outflow port through which blood is distributed. The tubular hollow fiber membrane bundle has a cylindrical overall shape, and a filter member having a bubble-trapping function is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the tubular hollow fiber membrane bundle.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing gas bubbles from a fluid includes a fluid inlet and a separation chamber that is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet. The separation chamber has first and second end portions, with the first end portion being operably oriented gravitationally above the second end portion. The apparatus further includes a first gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable membrane disposed in the separation chamber and extending substantially along a first axis defined as extending between the first and second end portions. A permeate side of the membrane is exposed to an environment having a second partial pressure of a target gas, which second partial pressure is lower than a first partial pressure of the gas in the fluid.

Abstract: A fitting for a fluid-conveying conduit. The fitting includes integrally-formed clamps that can be used to secure the conduit in a locking relationship so that likelihood of leakage and separation of the fitting and the conduit is reduced. In one form, the fitting and conduit can be used as a moisture exchange device. In a more particular form, the conduit wall of the moisture exchange device includes a water-permeable material such that a humidity level in the conduit can be controlled. Since the fitting is formed separately from the end of the conduit to which it is to be attached, fabrication cost and complexity is reduced.

Abstract: This abstract discusses membranes needed to separate fluids for the production of oxygen-enriched air, nitrogen-enriched-air, for the separation of carbon dioxide from hydrocarbons, and the separation of hydrogen from various petrochemical and oil refining streams. Membranes are needed that provide a resistance to interaction with process components or contaminants, provide the mechanical strength required to withstand high membrane differential pressures and high process temperatures, and exhibit sufficient maximum strain such that membranes are not brittle and can easily be formed into desirable membrane forms. Membranes of polyimide polymers, particularly polyimide polymers sold under the trade name P-84, are annealed in a controlled annealing step to improve the mechanical properties of the polymers used to make separation membranes.

Abstract: A vertically directed dryer unit (10) for compressed air, comprising a dryer cartridge (22) which, together with a housing (16, 18, 20), defines an inlet head area (92) and an outlet head area (72). A plurality of hollow membrane fibers (30) extend inside the cartridge between the two head areas, the wall material thereof being more permeable with respect to water vapor than air. An outlet valve (90) is provided between the outlet head area (72) and an outlet (74) of the drier unit. Said valve only opens when the pressure in the outlet head area (72) produces sufficient pressure for the provision of purging air. The purging air is fed to the outer surface of the membrane fibers (30) via a throttle element (70).

Abstract: The invention relates to a hollow fiber separation module comprising an inlet (20) for the gas to be dried, an outlet (22) for dried gas, an access element (26) and a discharge element (28) for circulation gas, and a plurality of hollow fibers which respectively extend from the inlet (29) to the outlet (22) and comprise an inner region which communicates with the inlet (20) on one end of each hollow fiber, and with the outlet (22) on the other end of each hollow fiber. The hollow fibers are wound up in a plurality of layers (40, 42, 44) to form a hollow cylindrical winding. Each layer (40, 42, 44) is inwardly defined by an imaginary cylinder (35, 36, 37) and has a number of hollow fibers which are wound onto the cylinder (35, 36, 37) in a helical manner with an alpha angle of inclination, are located at a distance a from each other, and are arranged on the cylinder in a homogeneously distributed manner. A layer (40) differs from an adjacent layer (e.g.

Abstract: A system and method of purifying hydrogen gas. The system includes heating elements for heating the hydrogen diffusion cell to a predetermined operational temperature. A preheater is provided for heating unpurified gases that will enter the hydrogen diffusion cell. The unpurified gases are heated to the operational temperature of the hydrogen diffusion cell before entering the hydrogen diffusion cell. In this manner, the inflow of unpurified gases into the hydrogen diffusion cell does not cause any thermal shock to the hydrogen diffusion cell. The incoming unpurified gases are heated in two ways. The unpurified gases are heated in a preheater. The unpurified gases are also heated in a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger recycles the heat from the purified hydrogen gas.

Abstract: A gas-separation membrane module assembly and a gas-separation process using the assembly. The assembly includes a set of tubes, each containing gas-separation membranes, arranged within a housing. The housing contains tube sheets that divide the space within the housing into three separate, gas-tight spaces, with the tubes mounted in the central space. Within this space, each tube has an aperture or hole in its wall that enables gas that has been retained on the feed side of the membranes to flow out of the tubes and into the space. The assembly can be used in various ways to carry out gas separation processes.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of making a high performance carbon membranes from polymer membranes. The method comprising the steps of exposing polymer precursor compounds to a polar organic liquid before pyrolysis of the exposed polymer precursor compounds.

Abstract: A method for purification of a gaseous stream having at least one impurity in which a porous material having at least one polyoxometalate-based material is contacted with the gaseous stream and the at least one impurity is passed through the porous material, producing a purified gaseous stream.

Abstract: A pump for use in operably evacuating a chamber in a vacuum degassing apparatus includes one or more pumping cavities that are in fluid communication with the chamber, and a continuous vent channel that has an outlet disposed in fluid communication with a respective one of the one or more pumping cavities. The vent channel is configured to provide dilution gas flow into the pumping cavity of the pump at a rate sufficient to prevent solvent condensation in the pumping cavity during operation of the pump in liquid degassing applications.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are presented that provide for the separation of hydrogen peroxide from a solution having an acid and hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A hydrogen purification system that is used to separate hydrogen gas from a source gas. The hydrogen purification system has a hydrogen separator into which the source gas is permitted to flow. Within the hydrogen separator is at least one hydrogen permeable tube that is made of a hydrogen permeable material. A support tube is provided for each hydrogen permeable tube. A support tube is coaxially aligned with the hydrogen permeable tube, wherein a gap space exists between the hydrogen permeable tube and the support tube in an area of overlap. The source gas is introduced into the gap space. The source gas spreads thinly over the hydrogen permeable tube in the gap space. Hydrogen from the source gas passes through the hydrogen permeable tube in a highly efficient manner and is collected.

Abstract: A fixed-site-membrane comprising a support structure coated with crosslinked polyvinylamine, wherein the crosslinking agent is a compound comprising a fluoride. The membrane comprises water, such as by being swelled in water vapour. A process for producing the membranes, and the use of such membranes for separation of carbon dioxide (CO2) from gas mixtures are disclosed.

Abstract: Membranes are used to separate fluids for the production of oxygen-enriched air, nitrogen-enriched-air, for the separation of carbon dioxide from hydrocarbons, and the separation of hydrogen from various petrochemical and oil refining streams. Membranes are discussed that provide a resistance to interaction with process components or contaminants, which can lead to plasticizing of the membrane, while providing the mechanical strength required to withstand high membrane differential pressures and high process temperatures. Membranes of blended polymers are used to improve the mechanical strength of the polymers used to make separation membranes. Specifically, polyimide polymers are combined with a blend polymer that is a polyamide and/or a polyamide-imde polymer. The resulting polymer mix is used to produce various forms of high strength, chemically resistant membranes, including hollow-fiber membranes that are suitable for high pressure, high temperature applications.

Abstract: A process for purification of hydrogen from a stream of synthesis gas or other reformate gases is described. The process, generally conducted at temperatures of approximately 800-1000° C., involves the use of a cell in which a mixture of reformate gas and steam are flowed on one side of a dense solid state ceramic membrane, while steam is passed on the other side. High purity hydrogen is generated on the steam side. The membrane is similar to one that has in the past been used for oxygen purification and can be single or two phase, for example La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O3+Pd.

Abstract: Air is introduced from an intake chamber into a plurality of hollow fiber membranes in a casing. The casing is connected to a vacuum pump via a three-way valve and water vapor in air is evacuated through the membranes. Dehumidified or dried air is discharged from a discharge chamber at the ends of the membranes. The vacuum pump is connected to a detector/selector. If the vacuum pump is out of order, it is detected by the detector/selector and another dehumidifier including a depressurizing device is actuated.

Abstract: A granulator device (101) for the treatment of powdered products comprises a closed container (102) forming a chamber (103) for treatment of the products, filter elements (104, 105) projecting into the treatment chamber (103), the filter elements comprising a multi-layer filtering wall (105) through which a fluid current can pass, and powder removing parts (106; 107, 108, 109, 110) designed to diffuse at least one service fluid directed towards at least the filtering wall (105); the powder removing parts (106; 107, 108, 109, 110) having at least first diffuser nozzles (107) and at least second diffuser nozzles (108) to diffuse the service fluid so as to free the filtering wall (105) of the powders trapped in it; there also being parts (140, 142, 147) for supporting and driving the filter elements (104, 105) which can change the angle of the filter elements (104, 105) from a first operating position, in which at least the first nozzles (107) act on the filtering wall (105), to a second operating position in wh

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

Abstract: Oxygen, or other gas, of moderate purity is produced in a fiber membrane module. A diluent gas, such as air, is introduced into the module, on the shell side of the fibers, so as to mix with oxygen which has permeated through the fibers. The diluent gas not only reduces the concentration of oxygen in the product stream, to make oxygen of moderate purity, but also reduces the partial pressure of oxygen on the shell side of the fibers, thus enhancing the permeation of oxygen through the fibers. The invention can therefore enhance the productivity of the module, and/or reduce the energy required to operate the module.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing the carbon dioxide concentration in air of a closed or partially closed unit of space. The inventive method may comprise the steps of removing an air flow from the unit of space, guiding the air flow in a membrane system that may contain at least one membrane module having a CO2/O2 selectivity of greater than 2, removing the carbon dioxide permeated through the membrane, and returning the air flow that has been depleted of carbon dioxide in the membrane system to the unit of space. The inventive method may be optionally combined with an oxygen enrichment method. The invention also relates to corresponding devices for carrying out the inventive method.

Abstract: An inerting system and method characterized by a primary air separation module configured to communicate with an upstream source of pressurized air at elevated temperature for production of a primary downstream flow of nitrogen-enriched air to be delivered to a space to be inerted; a secondary air separation module configured to communicate with the upstream source of pressurized air at elevated temperature for production of a supplemental downstream flow of nitrogen-enriched air to be delivered to a space to be inerted when high nitrogen-enriched airflow is desired during a high flow period; and a flow controller configured to provide a warming flow through the secondary air separation module to heat the secondary air separation module to above ambient temperature during a warming period other than the high flow period.