Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for removing CO2 from air, which comprises exposing sorbent covered surfaces to the air. The invention also provides for an apparatus for exposing air to a CO2 sorbent. In another aspect, the invention provides a method and apparatus for separating carbon dioxide (CO2) bound in a sorbent.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a new process of treating natural gas using high gas permeability polybenzoxazole polymer membranes operated at high temperatures that can provide sufficient dew point margin for the product gas. The high gas permeability polybenzoxazole polymer membranes can be used for a single stage membrane system or for the first stage membrane in a two stage membrane system for natural gas upgrading. Simulation study has demonstrated that a costly membrane pretreatment system such as a MemGuard™ system will not be required in the present new process. The new process can achieve significant capital cost saving and reduce the existing membrane footprint greater than 50%.

Abstract: This invention describes a new concept of flexible template-directed microporous partially pyrolyzed polymeric membranes which have greatly improved performance in separation of gas pairs compared to their precursor polymeric membranes. Organic hosts, such as crown ethers, cyclodextrins (CDs), calixarenes (CXs), and spherands, or polymeric additives, such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were used as the micropore-forming templates. Micropore-forming template/polymer blend membranes comprising organic micropore-forming templates embedded in a polymer matrix were prepared by dissolving the organic micropore-forming templates in the polymer solution followed by solution-casting and solvent evaporation or solvent exchange. Low-temperature selectively pyrolyzing micropore-forming templates in the micropore-forming template/polymer blend membranes at a nitrogen flow resulted in the formation of flexible microporous partially pyrolyzed polymeric membranes.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid supply apparatus including: a liquid supply path which supplies a liquid from an upstream side, which is a liquid supply source, to a downstream side in which the liquid is consumed; a defoaming chamber which is provided in the liquid supply path and defoams air bubbles included in the liquid; and a depressurization chamber which is provided at a position adjacent to the defoaming chamber with a partition interposed therebetween and is depressurized such that the pressure thereof becomes lower than the pressure of the defoaming chamber, wherein the partition allows permeation of gas by the depressurization of the depressurization chamber and restricts permeation of the liquid, and wherein the partition is configured by a partition wall having rigidity.

Abstract: A method of making a membrane permeable to hydrogen gas (H2?) is disclosed. The membrane is made by forming a palladium layer, depositing a layer of copper on the palladium layer, and galvanically displacing a portion of the copper with palladium. The membrane has improved resistance to poisoning by H2S compared to a palladium membrane. The membrane also has increased permeance of hydrogen gas compared to palladium-copper alloys. The membrane can be annealed at a lower temperature for a shorter amount of time.

Abstract: A hydrogen permeable module includes a hydrogen permeable membrane that permeates hydrogen, an outer peripheral part of the hydrogen permeable membrane being restricted, an inside of the outer peripheral part of the hydrogen permeable membrane being not restricted. The hydrogen permeable module permeates the hydrogen by constantly keeping a pressure of a primary side to a pressure that is equal to or more than a pressure of a secondary side. The inside of the outer peripheral part of the hydrogen permeable membrane is not restricted so as to be capable of expanding to the secondary side.

Abstract: There is described a composite material such as venting materials and vents containing said venting materials. The vents are air- or more generally gas-permeable venting composites that are oleophobic and liquid repellent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separation of H2 gas from a gaseous mixture utilizing an H2 gas permeable metallic membrane supported directly on a porous substrate made up of at least one porous polymeric hollow fiber. In accordance with one preferred embodiment, the porous substrate is made up of a plurality of porous polymeric hollow fibers, forming a porous hollow fiber membrane. In accordance with one embodiment, a cooling fluid is disposed in contact with the hollow fiber, thereby enabling advantageous operation of the H2 gas separation process at elevated temperatures in the range of about 200° F. to about 800° F.

Abstract: An H2-permeable membrane system (117) comprises an electroless-deposited plating (115) of Pd or Pd alloy on a porous support (110, 110?). The Pd plating comprises face-centered cubic crystals cumulatively having a morphology of hexagonal platelets. The permeability to H2 of the membrane plating (115) on the porous support is significantly enhanced, being at least greater than about 1.3×10?8 mol·m?1·s?·Pa?0.5 at 350° C., and even greater than about 3.4×10?8 mol·m?1·s?1·Pa?0.5. The porous support (110, 110?) may be stainless steel (1100 and include a thin ceramic interlayer (110?) on which the Pd is plated. The method of providing the electroless-deposited plating includes preheating a Pd electroless plating solution to near a plating temperature substantially greater than room temperature, e.g. 60° C., prior to plating.

Abstract: A method for separating CO2 from a processed fluid includes exposing a film to the processed fluid and reacting the CO2 with tetrahedrally coordinated zinc hydroxide moieties contained within the film to facilitate the transport of the CO2 through the film.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a high molecular weight, monoesterified polyimide polymer. Such high molecular weight, monoesterified polyimide polymers are useful in forming crosslinked polymer membranes for the separation of fluid mixtures. According to its broadest aspect, the method of making a crosslinked membrane comprises the following steps: (a) preparing a polyimide polymer comprising carboxylic acid functional groups from a reaction solution comprising monomers and at least one solvent; (b) treating the polyimide polymer with a diol at esterification conditions in the presence of dehydrating conditions to form a monoesterified polyimide polymer; and (c) subjecting the monoesterified fiber to transesterification conditions to form a crosslinked fiber membrane, wherein the dehydrating conditions at least partially remove water produced during step (b). The crosslinked membranes can be used to separate at least one component from a feed stream including more than one component.

Abstract: Hydrogen-producing fuel processing systems, hydrogen purification membranes, hydrogen purification devices, fuel processing and fuel cell systems that include hydrogen purification devices, and methods for operating the same. In some embodiments, operation of the fuel processing system is initiated by heating at least the reforming region of the fuel processing system to at least a selected hydrogen-producing operating temperature. In some embodiments, an electric heater is utilized to perform this initial heating. In some embodiments, use of the electric heater is discontinued after startup, and a burner or other combustion-based heating assembly combusts a fuel to heat at least the hydrogen producing region, such as due to the reforming region utilizing an endothermic catalytic reaction to produce hydrogen gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymeric ultrafiltration or microfiltration membranes of, for instance, Halar, PVDF or PP, incorporating PVME or vinyl methyl ether monomers. The PVME may be present as a coating on the membrane or dispersed throughout the membrane or both. The membranes are preferably hydrophilic with a highly asymmetric structure with a reduced pore size and/or absence of macrovoids as a result of the addition of PVME. The PVME maybe cross-linked. The invention also relates to methods of hydrophilising membranes and/or preparing hydrophilic membranes via thermal or diffusion induced phase separation processed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making a hybrid composition membrane comprising the steps of preparing a sol comprising at least one poly(amino-alcohol) and at least one alkoxy silane, casting the sol on a surface and drying the casted sol to form the hybrid composition membrane. The hybrid composition membrane may be used for capturing and separating CO2 and/or H2S from a gas sample.

Abstract: Process for preparing a two layer metal palladium or palladium alloy composite membrane consisting of a porous substrate support and a palladium or palladium alloy membrane by rinsing/washing and drying the porous substrate support, treating the porous substrate support with a pore filler in order to decorate the pores of the support and the disfigurements of the substrate surface, sensitizing and activating with a palladium solution the decorated substrate support, and plating the resulting support with a palladium solution to form the two layer composite membrane, drying. The resulting composite membrane is subjected to a post-processing where the pore fillers residing in the pore-channels of the porous substrate are partly removed or reduced in volume through heating.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a new type of high performance mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) and methods for making and using the same. The MMMs comprise a continuous polymer matrix and at least two types of molecular sieves dispersed therein. The continuous polymer matrix in the MMM contains at least one type of polymer. The MMM in the form of a dense film, asymmetric flat sheet membrane or otherwise prepared exhibits simultaneously improved selectivity and permeability for gas separations compared to polymer membranes made from a continuous polymer matrix without any molecular sieves or with only one type of molecular sieve. MMMs of the present invention are suitable for a wide range of gas, vapor, and liquid separations such as alcohol/water, CO2/CH4, H2/CH4, O2/N2, CO2/N2, olefin/paraffin, iso/normal paraffins, and other light gases separations.

Abstract: A method of preparing a gas separation membrane system and the gas separation membrane system itself, wherein the method includes applying a layer of a gas-selective material to a porous substrate followed by heat-treating thereof in an inert gaseous atmosphere and then polishing and repeating these steps to thereby provide the gas separation membrane system or a structure that may suitably be used in a gas separation membrane system.

Abstract: A degassing device (203) comprises a first chamber (21) having an inlet for a liquid, and a second chamber (22) having an opening (23) closed by a hydrophobic membrane (24) and an outlet (25) for discharging the liquid. The first chamber (21) has a downstream portion that partially extends within the second chamber (22) and communicates therewith by a passageway (28). The second chamber (22) has a downstream portion that extends below the passageway (28) and asymmetrically surrounds the downstream portion of the first chamber (21).

Abstract: A device for removal of at least a portion of carbon dioxide from an aqueous fluid includes at least one membrane through which carbon dioxide can pass to be removed from the fluid and immobilized carbonic anhydrase on or in the vicinity of a first surface of the membrane to be contacted with the fluid such that the immobilized carbonic anhydrase comes into contact with the fluid. The first surface exhibits carbonic anhydrase activity of at least 20% of maximum theoretical activity of the first surface of the membrane based on monolayer surface coverage of carbonic anhydrase in the case that the carbonic anhydrase is immobilize on the first surface.

Abstract: A separator for a hydraulic system is provided, including a substrate and a membrane. The substrate includes a substrate outer surface and a gas side expulsion area. The expulsion area is for expelling gas from the separator. The membrane is in communication with the substrate, and is for permeating gas to the substrate outer surface while substantially blocking ingression of fluid to the substrate. The substrate outer surface is for receiving gas. The substrate is for transporting gas from the substrate outer surface to the expulsion area.

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: A system for gas separation has a mechanically stable metallic substrate layer having a pair of opposite faces and formed throughout with open pores. Respective functional layers laminated on each of the faces are composed of TiO2 or ZrO2. These functional layers are formed throughout with pores having an average pore diameter of less than 1 nm.

Abstract: The ceramic product provided by the present invention is provided with at least two ceramic members bonded to each other, and the bond parts between these ceramic members bonded to each other are formed from glass having leucite crystals precipitated within the glass matrix.

Abstract: A filter includes a membrane having pores and that is air permeable. A nanoparticle precursor is dispersed throughout the pores, and the nanoparticle precursor is responsive to a stimulus to form a catalytically active nanoparticle. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to template-free clathraslls whose framework comprises essentially SO2, wherein the crystals of the ciathrasils 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 ciathrasil 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: A gas separation membrane and a method of manufacturing such gas separation membrane that comprises a porous substrate treated with a layer of metal-coated inorganic oxide particles and with the layer of such metal-coated inorganic oxide particles being coated with an overlayer of a gas-selective material.

Abstract: A helically wound hollow membrane module having a core with a plurality of helically wound layers of semi-permeable hollow fibers wound on the core. The fiber wind angle with respect to any one layer of fibers may be essentially constant along the axial length of the module, except in one or both end or tubesheet regions, where the wind angle may be increased, in at least some of the layers relative to the essentially constant wind angle, to produce an area of decreasing diameter.

Abstract: A first unsintered sheet made of PTFE having a standard specific gravity of 2.16 or more and a second unsintered sheet made of PTFE having a standard specific gravity of less than 2.16 are laminated, and a pressure is applied to a resulting laminated body so as to obtain a pressure-bonded article. The pressure-bonded article is stretched in a specified direction at a temperature lower than a melting point of PTFE, and then the pressure-bonded article is stretched further in the specified direction at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of PTFE or heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of PTFE. Thereafter, the pressure-bonded article stretched in the specified direction is stretched in a width direction perpendicular to the specified direction at a temperature lower than the melting point of PTFE.

Abstract: A gas diffusion media is described. The gas diffusion media comprises a conductive porous substrate; and a microporous layer; wherein a cathode effective transport length is in a range of about 700 to about 1900 ?m; wherein an overall thermal resistance is in a range of about 1.8 to about 3.8 cm2-K/W; and wherein a ratio of the cathode effective transport length to an anode effective transport length is greater than about 2.

Abstract: A nitrogen-permeable structure includes a porous support and a nitrogen-permeable membrane adjacent to the porous support. The nitrogen-permeable membrane includes a first metal and a second metal, wherein the first metal is selected from niobium, tantalum, and vanadium, and the second metal is different from the first metal.

Abstract: A gas separator having excellent humidifying performance, pressure loss, volume efficiency, and durability humidifies gases used in an on-vehicle fuel cell. The gas separator has upper and lower surfaces of pleat elements of a pleat molding covered by a plate having intake and exhaust ports. The pleat molding is formed by pleating a compound membrane formed of a gas separating membrane and at least one layer of permeable reinforcement material. The pleat element is formed by disposing a reinforcement frame at the outer side part of the molding. The ratio (R=L/H) of a shortest distance (L) between the intake and exhaust ports to a height (H) of the pleat molding is 0.1 to 7.0, and the ratio (W/Le) of the width (W) to the length (Le) of the pleat molding is 0.3 to 10.0. The gas separator operates at a volume flow ratio of 200 or higher.

Abstract: A high performance flatus gas filter assembly, and a body waste collection pouch with which it may be used, along with a method for making such an assembly, are disclosed. The assembly includes a filter pad having first and second layers of deodorizing filter media with an imperforate gas and odor barrier layer sandwiched therebetween for blocking the direct flow of gases between the opposing inner faces of the filter layers. An envelope of liquid and gas impermeable material defines a chamber for enclosing the pad. The envelope has walls with first and second openings communicating with central portions of the first and second filter layers, and defines a peripheral space about the pad to permit the outward flow of flatus gases from the peripheral edge surface of one of the filter layers inwardly into the peripheral edge surface of the other of the filter layers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spiral wound carbon membrane and preparation method thereof. The spiral wound carbon membrane is composed of one or more integral and windable membrane layers composed of a porous support and carbon materials containing fillers filled in the surface, pores and gaps thereof. The spiral wound carbon membrane has a developed ultramicropore porous structure with superior mechanical strength and toughness, and can be directly used to separate a gas mixture with different molecular sizes or liquid mixture.

Abstract: Hydrogen-processing assemblies, components of hydrogen-processing assemblies, and fuel-processing and fuel cell systems that include hydrogen-processing assemblies. The hydrogen-processing assemblies include a hydrogen-separation assembly positioned within the internal volume of an enclosure in a spaced relation to at least a portion of the internal perimeter of the body of the enclosure.

Abstract: A filter assembly for use in a baghouse having a tubesheet with an opening therethrough. The filter assembly comprises a cage connectible with the tubesheet adjacent the opening. The cage includes wire members. A filter bag is supported by the wire members of the cage to maintain the filter bag in an operational condition and in fluid communication with the opening in the tubesheet. A reverse pulse jet cleaning system positioned to direct a cleaning pulse through the opening and into the filter bag for a plurality of cleaning cycles. The filter bag is made from laminated filter media. The laminated filter media includes a fabric substrate. The laminated filter media also includes a membrane laminated to the fabric substrate, the membrane comprising a single layer of expanded material of co-coagulated polytetrafluoroethylene with titanium dioxide particles. The titanium dioxide particles are present in the co-coagulated polytetrafluoroethylene in a range of about 0.5 wt % to 4.5 wt %.

Abstract: A membrane for gas separation includes a porous support layer and a separation layer. The separation layer comprises a mixture of one or more saccharide derivatives and one or more homopolymers. The saccharide derivative(s) may have a cyclic structure with five or six ring atoms, or a linear structure, or may include monosaccharide derivatives which are bound via glycoside bonds, and the number of monosaccharides bound in this manner may be 2 to 1,000. A membrane can be produced by preparing a homogeneous solution which comprises a saccharide derivative and a homopolymer in a solvent; and pouring the homogenous solution onto a support layer. The membrane may be used in a gas separation module the operation of which makes use of the membrane.

Abstract: A hydrogen separator comprising a porous substrate composed mainly of a ceramic having a large number of pores connecting from one surface of the substrate to other surface, and a hydrogen-separating layer made of a hydrogen permselective metal formed on the porous substrate via an intermediate layer made of an electron-conductive ceramic. The hydrogen separator hardly generates defects such as peeling, cracks or the like in the hydrogen-separating layer and is suitable for use even when the hydrogen separator is exposed to a heat cycle, used under high temperature conditions or/and used for long-term.

Abstract: A hydrogen permeable membrane is disclosed. The membrane is prepared by forming a mixture of metal oxide powder and ceramic oxide powder and a pore former into an article. The article is dried at elevated temperatures and then sintered in a reducing atmosphere to provide a dense hydrogen permeable portion near the surface of the sintered mixture. The dense hydrogen permeable portion has a higher initial concentration of metal than the remainder of the sintered mixture and is present in the range of from about 20 to about 80 percent by volume of the dense hydrogen permeable portion.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing such gas separation membrane system that includes applying to a surface of a porous substrate a layer of a nanopowder of a gas-selective metal and, thereafter, heat-treating the resultant surface treated porous substrate to yield a heat-treated and surface-treated porous substrate suitable for use as a gas separation membrane system.

Abstract: Solid-state membrane modules comprising at least one membrane unit, where the membrane unit has a dense mixed conducting oxide layer, and at least one conduit or manifold wherein the conduit or manifold comprises a dense layer and at least one of a porous layer and a slotted layer contiguous with the dense layer. The solid-state membrane modules may be used to carry out a variety of processes including the separating of any ionizable component from a feedstream wherein such ionizable component is capable of being transported through a dense mixed conducting oxide layer of the membrane units making up the membrane modules. For ease of construction, the membrane units may be planar.

Abstract: A process for the production of a carbon membrane comprising: (i) reacting a mixture of cellulose and hemicellulose with an acid; (ii) casting the mixture to form a film, (iii) drying said film; and (iv) carbonizing said film.

Abstract: A method for separating a hydrogen-rich product stream from a feed stream comprising hydrogen and at least one carbon-containing gas, comprising feeding the feed stream, at an inlet pressure greater than atmospheric pressure and a temperature greater than 200° C., to a hydrogen separation membrane system comprising a membrane that is selectively permeable to hydrogen, and producing a hydrogen-rich permeate product stream on the permeate side of the membrane and a carbon dioxide-rich product raffinate stream on the raffinate side of the membrane. A method for separating a hydrogen-rich product stream from a feed stream comprising hydrogen and at least one carbon-containing gas, comprising feeding the feed stream, at an inlet pressure greater than atmospheric pressure and a temperature greater than 200° C.

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: A process of steam separation using a separation membrane in a separation vessel where the separation membrane separates the vessel into an intake chamber and a recovery chamber. The separation membrane comprises at least one porous support; and a cross-linked hydrophilic polymer membrane material with an inorganic particulate material or a precursor to an inorganic particulate material. The membrane material is applied to the porous support. The process comprises supplying steam to be purified to the intake chamber of the vessel, the pressure in the intake chamber being greater than the pressure in the recovery chamber; and recovering the purified steam from the recovery chamber of the vessel.

Abstract: A layered structure can be formed having immobilized or segregated pH buffering groups that can be used to separate carbon dioxide or other gases. The pH buffering groups can be immobilized within a matrix, confined within a gel, or segregated by a semi-permeable membrane. The pH buffering groups can be configured to increase the efficiency of the system by maintaining a desirable pH profile within the cell and to permit the flow of the carbon-containing ions within the system while controlling diffusion of protons and/or hydroxyl ions.

Abstract: The invention discloses a composition comprising a hybrid composite organic-inorganic membrane. The hybrid organic-inorganic membrane according to the present invention may comprise an amorphous porous layer incorporating organic functionalities. The amorphous porous layer may be deposited on a porous alumina substrate by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The amorphous porous layer may comprise a single top-layer (STL), multiple top-layers (MTL) or mixed top-layers (XTL). The substrate may comprise a single layer or multiple graded layers of alumina.

Abstract: Ionic liquids can be immobilized in a membrane by, for example, bonding to a support such as a matrix, or by inclusion within a gel. Immobilized ionic liquids can be used in a number of applications, such as separation of carbon dioxide or other gases from gas streams. Membranes can be included in electrochemical cells. For example, a membrane can contain sufficient immobilized ionic liquid to reduce ionic current density of at least one of protons and hydroxyl ions, relative to carbon-containing ionic current density. A gas stream containing carbon dioxide can be introduced on a cathode side, while a source of hydrogen gas can be introduced on the anode side of the membrane. Operation of an electrochemical cell with such a membrane can separate the carbon dioxide from the gas stream and provide it at a separate outlet.

Abstract: Carbon dioxide or other gases can be separated from gas streams using ionic liquid, such as in an electrochemical cell. For example, a membrane can contain sufficient ionic liquid to reduce ionic current density of at least one of protons and hydroxyl ions, relative to carbon-containing ionic current density. A gas stream containing carbon dioxide can be introduced on a cathode side, while a source of hydrogen gas can be introduced on the anode side of the membrane. Operation of an electrochemical cell with such a membrane can separate the carbon dioxide from the gas stream and provide it at a separate outlet.

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 method for separating CO2 from a processed fluid includes exposing a film to the processed fluid and reacting the CO2 with tetrahedrally coordinated zinc hydroxide moieties contained within the film to facilitate the transport of the CO2 through the film.