Abstract: The invention relates to an air holding device comprising a channel system raised from a suction opening disposed at a height of a workstation generating dirty air or vapours and leading to at least one outlet opening. An exhausting fan is placed between a prefilter and at least one odour filter. The channel system is embodied in the form of an exhaust air box disposed downstream of the exhaust fan. The lateral surface of the exhaust air box comprises an air inlet which is connected to the downstream side of the exhausting fan. The other lateral surfaces are selectively provided with air outlet openings covered respectively with an odour filter having an adjustable air resistance. Said odour filter preferably consists of a foam material coated with active carbon and the air resistance thereof is selectable according the thickness and/or porosity of the foam material.

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: A membrane and method for separating carbon dioxide from a mixture of gases, where the membrane includes expanded polytetrafluoroethylene and polysiloxane. The membrane is highly stable and can separate carbon dioxide at high flux in harsh environments and high temperatures, such as exhaust gases from power plants.

Abstract: A venting aperture is formed in an upper wall of a casing, a gas-permeable membrane supporting body is mounted to the casing so as to communicate between the venting aperture and an external portion through a communicating aperture, and a gas-permeable membrane is disposed so as to shut off the communicating aperture. A cylindrical protective wall is disposed so as to protrude integrally from the casing so as to surround the gas-permeable membrane supporting body. A leading edge region of an external surface of the protective wall is formed so as to have an inclined surface in which a wall thickness gradually decreases from a root end toward a leading edge, and a groove having a groove direction in a direction of projection of the protective wall is formed so as to extend from a root of the protective wall to a leading edge and so as to communicate between an internal portion and an external portion of the protective wall.

Abstract: Anisotropic hydrophobic/hydrophilic nanoporous membranes and methods of forming anisotropic hydrophobic/hydrophilic nanoporous membranes are disclosed. The method of forming the nanoporous membrane includes growing a nanoporous oxide film on a substrate. A nanoporous membrane having a top side and a bottom side can then be formed by partially separating the nanoporous oxide film from the substrate. A fluorocarbon film can be deposited on the top side of the nanoporous membrane by plasma polymerization. The disclosed anisotropic hydrophobic/hydrophilic nanoporous membranes can have extremely different hydrophobicity between the top side and the bottom side of the nanoporous membrane.

Abstract: A deoxygenator includes a plurality of permeable membranes spirally wound about an exhaust tube for removing dissolved oxygen from a hydrocarbon fuel. The permeable membrane is spirally wrapped about the exhaust tube and defines fuel passages and exhaust passages. The fuel passages and exhaust passages alternate such that each fuel passage is bounded on each adjacent side by an exhaust passage. An oxygen partial pressure differential is generated across the permeable membrane to draw dissolved oxygen from fuel in the fuel passage. The dissolved oxygen is then communicated through openings about the circumference of the exhaust tube and out the deoxygenator.

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: This invention is based on the preparation of new solid acid triphosphates with compositions of the general formula M(IV)(HPO4)(H2PO4)2, where M(IV) is a tetravalent metal or a mixture of tetravalent metals. These compounds are insoluble in water the greater part of most organic solvents. They show a high non-water assisted protonic conductivity (about 0.01-0.04 S/cm at 100° C. and a relative humidity lower than 1%). These compounds can be used as proton conduction separators in electrochemical devices, to operate at low relative humidity values, as for example in different fuel cells, protonic pumps for electrochemical hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of organic compounds, or for hydrogen production from hydrogenated organic compounds by electro-reforming, or also for removing hydrogen from equilibrium reactions. These compounds can also be used in electrochemical sensors, in super capacitors and as acid catalysts in non-aqueous or anhydrous gaseous phases.

Abstract: A gas permeable membrane comprising a thin polymeric coating on a microporous backing, said gas permeable membrane being permeable permitting for oxygen and carbon dioxide at different flow rates, wherein the gas permeable membrane is made from a copolymer of a polyether and a polyamide enables the achievement of a controlled atmosphere in a cargo region, wherein the membrane is able to obtain and hold low concentrations of carbon dioxide and of oxygen in the atmosphere in the cargo region and to produce an “ideal” or optimum storage atmosphere which will ensure a retardation of respiratory activity within the container.

Abstract: A nanostructured substrate is disclosed having a plurality of substrate openings disposed between the nanostructures on the substrate. When a desired fluid comes into contact with the substrate, at least a portion of the fluid is allowed to pass through at least one of the openings. In a first embodiment, the fluid is caused to pass through the openings by causing the fluid to penetrate the nanostructures. In a second embodiment, the substrate is a flexible substrate so that when a mechanical force is applied to the substrate, such as a bending or stretching force, the distance between nanoposts or the diameter of nanocells on the substrate increases and the liquid penetrates the nanostructures. In another embodiment, a first fluid, such as water, is prevented from penetrating the nanostructures on the substrate while a second fluid is permitted to pass through the substrate via the openings in the substrate.

Abstract: A membrane structure is provided. The membrane structure includes a first layer having a plurality of pores; and a second layer disposed on, the first layer. The second layer has a plurality of unconnected pores. At least a portion of the plurality of unconnected pores of the second layer is at least partially filled with a filler such that the first layer is substantially free of the filler. At least a portion of the plurality of unconnected pores of the second layer is in fluid communication with at least one of the pores of the first layer. A method of making a membrane structure is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a first layer having a plurality of interconnected pores; disposing a second layer on the first layer, and filling at least a portion of the unconnected pores of the second layer with a filler such that the first layer is substantially free of the filler.

Abstract: A mixed matrix membrane for separating gas components from a mixture of gas components is disclosed. The membrane comprises a continuous phase polymer with inorganic porous particles, preferably molecular sieves, interspersed in the polymer. The polymer has a CO2/CH4 selectivity of at least 20 and the porous particles have a mesoporosity of at least 0.1 cc STP/g. The mixed matrix membrane exhibits an increase in permeability of least 30% with any decrease in selectivity being no more than 10% relative to a membrane made of the neat polymer. The porous particles may include, but are not limited to, molecular sieves such as CVX-7 and SSZ-13, and/or other molecular sieves having the required mesoporosity. A method for making the mixed matrix membrane is also described. Further, a method is disclosed for separating gas components from a mixture of gas components using the mixed matrix membrane with mesoporous particles.

Abstract: A composition is described wherein a coating is provided on a microporous substrate, such as a low surface energy microporous substrate, which coating provides multiple functionalities to the underlying microporous material, while still maintaining porosity within at least a portion of the microporous substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to separate a mixture of gases—such as carbon dioxide and methane—by an inorganic membrane comprising a ceramic support and a silica layer made from a silicon elastomer sol. The apparatus and method can efficiently separate the gaseous mixture and can also cope with the extreme conditions found in e.g. hydrocarbon producing wells. A method of manufacturing the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A semipermeable separation element includes (a) a porous substrate, and (b) a film formed on the microporous substrate; the film comprising a silicone elastomer and a nanoparticle filler. The film preferably has an oxygen enrichment selectivity of at least 30, or even 60, over nitrogen. Methods of making and using the same and filter cartridges incorporating the same are also described.

Abstract: A composition of and a method of making high performance hollow fiber membranes is described. The membranes have a high resistance to plasticization by use of a predetermined amount of crosslinking. The preferred polymer material for the membrane is a polyimide polymer comprising covalently bonded ester crosslinks. The resultant hollow fiber membrane exhibits a high permeability of CO2 in combination with a high CO2/CH4 selectivity. Another embodiment provides a method of making the hollow fiber membrane from a monesterified polymer followed by final crosslinking after hollow fiber formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a facilitated transport membrane for separation of alkene hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon mixtures, comprising a porous support and a solid polymer electrolyte consisting of a transition metal salt and a polymer having phthalic structure, in which the electrolyte is in solid state at its operating temperature. The facilitated transport membrane is prepared by forming a solid polymer electrolyte consisting of a transition metal salt and a polymer on a porous support. The transition metal salt can selectively and reversibly form a complex with alkene hydrocarbons and the polymer can dissociate the transition metal salt. In particular, the polymer matrix allows the transition metal salt to be well dissociated because it has a phthalic structure capable of being coordinated to a transition metal ion.

Abstract: A multi-channel modular device (10) processes between two fluid streams of different compositions. The device (10) includes a porous body (150) having a first plurality of feed-flow pathways (110) disposed in the body (150) for transporting a first stream (180). A pathway wall (114) surrounds each of the first plurality of feed-flow pathways (110) for processing the first stream (180) into a first composition (1852) and a second composition (1802). At least one feed-flow inlet (1101) is disposed in the body (150) for introducing the first stream (180) into the first plurality of feed-flow pathways (110). At least one feed-flow outlet (1102) is disposed in the body (150) for discharging the remaining first stream containing the second composition (1802). At least one second pathway (210) is disposed in the body (150) for transporting a second stream (280) having a second inlet (2101) and a second outlet (2102).

Abstract: A mixed matrix membrane is provided which comprises a continuous phase organic polymer and small pore molecular sieves dispersed therein. The molecular sieves have a largest minor crystallographic free diameter of 3.6 Angstroms or less. When these molecular sieves are properly interspersed with a continuous phase polymer, the membrane will exhibit a mixed matrix membrane effect, i.e., a selectivity increase of at least 10% relative to a neat membrane containing no molecular sieves. Finally, methods for making and using such mixed matrix membranes to separate gases from a mixture containing two or more gases are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mixed matrix membrane is provided which comprises a continuous phase organic polymer and small pore alumina containing molecular sieves dispersed therein. The molecular sieves have a silica-to-alumina molar ratio of less than 1.0, more preferably, less than 0.3, and most preferably less than 0.1. In some cases, the molecular sieves have no appreciable amounts of silica. Exemplary compositions include aluminophosphates (AlPO) and silicoaluminophosphates (SAPO). When these molecular sieves are properly interspersed with a continuous phase polymer, the membrane will exhibit a mixed matrix membrane effect, i.e., a selectivity increase of at least 10% relative to a neat membrane containing no molecular sieves. The molecular sieves have pores with a largest minor crystallographic free diameter of 4.0 Angstroms or less. Finally, methods for making and using such mixed matrix membranes to separate gases from a mixture containing two or more gases are also disclosed.

Abstract: Composite hydrogen transport membranes, which are used for extraction of hydrogen from gas mixtures are provided. Methods are described for supporting metals and metal alloys which have high hydrogen permeability, but which are either too thin to be self supporting, too weak to resist differential pressures across the membrane, or which become embrittled by hydrogen. Support materials are chosen to be lattice matched to the metals and metal alloys. Preferred metals with high permeability for hydrogen include vanadium, niobium, tantalum, zirconium, palladium, and alloys thereof. Hydrogen-permeable membranes include those in which the pores of a porous support matrix are blocked by hydrogen-permeable metals and metal alloys, those in which the pores of a porous metal matrix are blocked with materials which make the membrane impervious to gases other than hydrogen, and cermets fabricated by sintering powders of metals with powders of lattice-matched ceramic.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas-permeable hollow fiber membrane having an inner diameter of 50 to 500 ?m and a membrane thickness of 10 to 150 ?m, which is preferably a composite hollow fiber membrane having a three-layer structure consisting of a nonporous layer having porous layers disposed on both sides thereof. Dissolved gases present in an ink can be removed by passing the ink through the bores of hollow fibers comprising such a hollow fiber membrane, and evacuating the outer surface side of the hollow fibers. This method makes it possible not only to degas inks with a slight pressure loss, but also to degas inks stably even if pressure changes occur during degassing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a facilitated transport membrane for separation of alkene hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon mixtures, comprising a porous support and a solid polymer electrolyte consisting of a transition metal salt and a polymer having phthalic structure, in which the electrolyte is in solid state at its operating temperature. The facilitated transport membrane is prepared by forming a solid polymer electrolyte consisting of a transition metal salt and a polymer on a porous support. The transition metal salt can selectively and reversibly form a complex with alkene hydrocarbons and the polymer can dissociate the transition metal salt. In particular, the polymer matrix allows the transition metal salt to be well dissociated because it has a phthalic structure capable of being coordinated to a transition metal ion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a facilitated transport membrane for separation of alkene hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon mixtures, comprising a porous supported membrane and a transition metal salt-polymer membrane consisting of a transition metal and a polymer, in which the transition metal salt does not chemically react with the polymer but physically dispersed within the polymer which has no functional group capable of forming a complex with the transition metal salt. The facilitated transport membrane according to the present invention is prepared by forming a solid transition metal salt-polymer membrane consisting of a transition metal salt and a polymer capable of dispersing the transition metal salt on the molecular scale; and coating the solid membrane on a porous supported membrane with good permeance and superior mechanical strength.

Abstract: A method of post treating gas separation membranes to seal porous defects that are initially produced in an ultra thin selectively gas permeable layer of the membrane involves contacting the defect-bearing section of the membrane with a suspension containing caulking particles dispersed in an aqueous medium. The caulking particles are composed of curable polymer having functional groups that can react with each other and/or the membrane composition in absence of water. The water of suspension is removed and the polymer of the caulking particles is cured to seal the defects and render the membrane highly effective for gas separations. Low surface tension of the suspension can be enhanced by incorporating a surfactant and allows asymmetric membranes to be dried directly from water wet to dry state, for example by evaporation, without excessive densification of porous portions of the membrane.

Abstract: An improved mixed matrix membrane for the separation of gases comprises polyethylene glycol, silicone rubber and activated carbon on a porous support. The membrane preferably also comprises a carbonate such as potassium carbonate. The gases which may be separated by the membrane include mixtures of oxygen and nitrogen and mixtures of carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Membranes of this design may be used in processing natural gas or other gases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biological filter for the purification of waste gases comprising a bed of biologically active carrier material consisting of pith extracted from coconut husks, the bed being contained such that the waste gases are brought in contact with the said bed and removed from the bed at points spatially separated from the inlet points.

Abstract: A preferred gas separation membrane made from a blend of a copolymer of 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-difluoro-1,3-dioxole (BDD) and tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) with a 2,2,4-trifluoro-5-trifluoromethoxy-1,3-dioxide based polymer is disclosed, the membrane exhibiting an advantageous combination of gas separation and permeation properties for a number of gas separation applications. In particular, the membrane formed from the blend of these polymers exhibits unexpectedly high gas separation factors for separation of volatile organic hydrocarbon vapors (VOC) from air, compared to the component polymers that form the blends. Fabrication of composite membranes formed from perfluoropolymer blends is further disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a separation device for the separation of water vapour from a gas stream, comprising a water vapour separation membrane having a porous membrane, whose pores contain a water transfer material, the water transfer material including a first hydrophilic polymer and a second polymer which is interwoven with the first polymer.

Abstract: To prevent a pressure container of a battery, a condenser or the like from exploding due to an abnormal increase of a pressure within the pressure container without having a rubber breaking plate with which it is hard to control the breaking pressure, there is provided a breaking plate integrally formed with a resin seal plate main body for closing an opening portion of a pressure container, a thin portion integrally formed between the seal plate main body and the breaking plate and being thinner than the breaking plate, and an inclined surface portion formed to be gradually thicker from a thickness of the thin portion and provided in a peripheral edge portion of the breaking plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oleophobic filtration media including polymeric membranes and other substrates that are coated with polymerized substituted or unsubstituted para-xylene. A method of coating such substrates with polymerized substituted or unsubstituted para-xylene is also provided. The coated substrates possess both hydrophobic (water repellent) and oleophobic (oil repellent) properties.

Abstract: Permeable membrane porous substrate and a functional layer provided on the surface of and/or inside the porous substrate, the functional layer having a hydrogen permeation rate of 1×10−10 mol/s·m2·Pa or more, and satisfying at least one of the following properties (1) through (3): (1) Hydrogen is selectively caused to permeate preferentially to water vapor. (2) When a test tube containing ethylene glycol and sealed with the permeable membrane is placed in a 85° C. oven, the ethylene glycol decrease rate measured is 1×10−2 g/hour or less, per square centimeter (1 cm2) of the permeable membrane. (3) When a test tube containing 5% ammonium adipate ethylene glycol solution and sealed with the permeable membrane is placed in a 85° C. oven for 2 days, the acid quantity of the solution is 5×10−3 equivalent or less, per square centimeter of the permeable membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oleophobic filtration media including polymeric membranes and other substrates that are coated with polymerized substituted or unsubstituted para-xylene. A method of coating such substrates with polymerized substituted or unsubstituted para-xylene is also provided. The coated substrates possess both hydrophobic (water repellent) and oleophobic (oil repellent) properties.

Abstract: A solid state facilitated transport separation membrane prepared by forming a polymer electrolyte layer consisting of a polymer and a metal salt to a porous membrane having good permeance and mechanical strength; the polymer electrolyte facilitated transport separation membrane thus prepared is characterized in that the permeance and selectivity to alkene hydrocarbons is high, and that the complex is formed by a polymer ligand and a metal in the polymer electrolyte maintains its activity as a carrier of alkene even under dry operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas-permeable hollow fiber membrane having an inner diameter of 50 to 500 &mgr;m, which is preferably a composite hollow fiber membrane having a three-layer structure consisting of a nonporous layer having porous layers disposed on both sides thereof. This membrane can be used to remove dissolved gases present in an ink.

Abstract: Membrane filters for the collection and detection of air-borne microorganisms are made from gelatin treated with an osmoprotective agent and exhibit the capacity to at least double the number of viable bacteria captured in a given sample relative to conventional gelatin membrane filters.

Abstract: A breathing film comprising at least one layer obtained by processing a propylene resin composition including crystalline propylene polymer(A) and propylene/&agr;-olefin random copolymer(B) is provided, said film having anti-bacterial agent, and the ratio [&eegr;]B/[&eegr;]A of intrinsic viscosity [&eegr;]B of propylene/&agr;-olefin random copolymer(B) and intrinsic viscosity [&eegr;]A of crystalline propylene polymer(A) being 0.3 to 1.2, and said film having specified range of water vapor permeability, oxygen gas permeability and ethylene gas permeability.

Abstract: A surface modified gas separation membrane having improved permselective properties for separating a mixture of gases as compared to the unmodified membrane, is described. The gas separation membrane is made by a process comprising the steps of coating a surface unmodified gas separation membrane with a solution of a coating material, wherein the coating material is an organic material having at least one site of unsaturation; heating the coated gas separation membrane; and contacting the heated coated gas separation membrane with at least one oxidizing agent for a time effective to surface modify the gas separation membrane to produce the surface modified gas separation membrane having improved permselectivity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid state facilitated transport separation membrane prepared by using a polymer electrolyte, wherein the facilitated transport separation membrane has good stability and improved permeance and selectivity of alkene-series hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A multi-phase solid electrolyte ion transport membrane comprising at least two phases wherein one of the phases comprises an oxygen ion single conductive material, or a mixed conductor. The other phase comprises an electronically-conductive metal or metal oxide that is incorporated into the membrane by deposition of the metal or metal oxide from a polymer made by polymerizing a chelated metal dispersion in a polymerizable organic monomer or prepolymer. The multi-phase composition advantageously comprises a first phase of a ceramic material and a second phase of a metal or metal oxide bound to a surface of the ceramic material. The multi-phase composition is advantageously prepared in an in-situ fashion before fabricating the membrane matrix. As another alternative, a preformed ceramic matrix is surface-coated with a metal or metal oxide.

Abstract: Structures comprising an upper crystalline molecular sieve layer on a support, the crystals being at least partially oriented normal to the plane of the layer, there being a dense intermediate crystalline molecular sieve layer between the support and upper layer.

Abstract: A mass transfer composite membrane for use with a fuel cell power plant includes a transfer medium core between opposed, rigid, porous support sheets. An inlet surface of the composite membrane is positioned in contact with an oxidant inlet stream of a fuel cell power plant, and an opposed exhaust surface of the composite membrane is positioned in contact with an exhaust stream exiting the fuel cell power plant to recover mass such as water from the exhaust stream and transfer it into the oxidant inlet stream entering the fuel cell. The transfer medium core may comprise any of a variety of materials for sorbing a fluid substance consisting of polar molecules such as water molecules from a fluid stream consisting of polar and non-polar molecules. A preferred transfer medium core is an ionomeric membrane such as a water saturated polyfluorosulfonic acid ionomer membrane.

Abstract: A gas separator is here disclosed in which a metal for separating a gas is filled into pores opened on the surface of a porous substrate to close them. The thus constituted gas separator can prevent a material gas from leaking into a purified gas. A method for preparing the gas separator is also disclosed which comprises an activation step of immersing the porous substrate having a pair of surfaces in a solution containing an activated metal, while a pressure difference is set between the pair of surfaces, and a chemical plating step of filling the metal for separating the gas into the pores opened on the surface of the porous substrate to close these pores by chemical plating.

Abstract: A vacuum degassing and solvent delivery apparatus for those solvents being utilized in high pressure liquid chromatographic operations and/or applications. The degassing and delivery apparatus of the present invention is designed for attachment directly to a solvent reservoir, such as a double-ended bottle having a threaded portion along the bottom end thereof. The arrangement facilitates ease of installation and removal of the vacuum degassing, recycling and delivery apparatus so as to accommodate a variety of installation applications and requirements. The solvent degassing system of the present invention further includes the utilization of an atmospheric impermeable composite tubing structure which is effective for isolating fluids from atmospheric contamination during transport.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inorganic filter element comprising:a rigid inorganic porous support; andchannels classifiable into n categories where n.gtoreq.2, with all of the channels in each category having identical right cross-section, identical hydraulic diameter, and identical equivalent diameter, the shapes of the right cross-sections of the channels differing between categories.According to the invention, the channels of the various categories have:hydraulic diameters such that the ratios between any two hydraulic diameters lie in the range 0.75 to 1.3;right cross-sectional areas such that the ratios between any two right cross-sectional areas lie in the range 0.75 to 1.3; andequivalent diameters such that the ratio of the equivalent diameter over the hydraulic diameter of each channel is less than or equal to 2.

Abstract: Gas separation membranes having enhanced selectivity for a mixture of gases is disclosed. The membranes may be asymmetric or multicomponent. The membranes surprisingly provide selectivity for gases in a mixture that approaches the relative selectivity of the single gas components. Preferably the membrane provides selectivity for a mixture of gases which is at least 65%, preferably 80%, of the relative selectivity of the corresponding single gases. A process for making improved gas separation membranes is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is a composite membrane for chemical synthesis, a chemical reactor into which the composite membrane might be incorporated, and a method of using the composite membrane. The composite membrane comprises a substrate, a first side, and a second side, wherein the substrate operatively connects the first side and second side, the first side comprises an oxidizing catalyst and the second side comprises a reducing catalyst. The reducing catalyst comprises, in elemental or combinative form, lanthanum, zinc, cerium, praeseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, bismuth, or indium. A chemical reactor utilizing this composite membrane can react hydrogen and oxygen to form hydrogen peroxide without direct mixture of the reactants.

Abstract: A membrane filter comprises a membrane provided with pores with a pore size between 5 nm and 50 .mu.m. The membrane may easily and reliably be processed with use of silicon micromachining through depositing a relatively thin membrane layer on a support, by use of a suitable vapour deposition or spincoating technique, after which perforations are made in the thin membrane layer, for example by etching with aid of photo-lithography or an imprint technique. Such a membrane is very well applicable for the separation of biological cells. A membrane with a thickness smaller than the diameter of the perforations is in particular suited for the separation of vulnerable cells and may be used as a leucocyte filter or as a blood plasma separator of blood concentrates. A microfiltration membrane according to the invention may very well be applied as a support for the deposition of a separation layer for ultrafiltration, gas separation or catalysis.

Abstract: A vapor permeation method and apparatus for removing a vapor from a vaporous feed stream, the method and apparatus utilizing highly solvent-resistant composite hollow fiber membranes and a permeate flow countercurrent to the feed flow, wherein the support of the composite membrane is formed by solution casting and has been rendered sufficiently solvent-resistant by a post-casting step to retain at least 20 of its burst pressure when soaked in the solvent used to cast the support.

Abstract: A vacuum degassing and solvent delivery apparatus for those solvents being utilized in high pressure liquid chromatographic operations and/or applications. The degassing and delivery apparatus of the present invention is designed for attachment directly to a solvent reservoir, such as a bottle having a threaded neck portion. The arrangement facilitates ease of installation and removal of the vacuum degassing, recycling and delivery apparatus so as to accommodate a variety of installation applications and requirements. The solvent degassing system of the present invention further includes the utilization of an atmospheric impermeable composite tubing structure which is effective for isolating fluids from atmospheric contamination during transport.