Abstract: A mixed ionic and electronic conducting membrane includes a two-phase solid state ceramic composite, wherein the first phase comprises an oxygen ion conductor and the second phase comprises an n-type electronically conductive oxide, wherein the electronically conductive oxide is stable at an oxygen partial pressure as low as 10?20 atm and has an electronic conductivity of at least 1 S/cm. A hydrogen separation system and related methods using the mixed ionic and electronic conducting membrane are described.

Abstract: A temperature-humidity exchanger comprising: a moisture permeable membrane which transmits moisture therethrough; a dry gas separator in which low-temperature dry gas is caused to flow; and a wet gas separator in which high-temperature wet gas is caused to flow, in which the moisture permeable membrane, the dry gas separator, the moisture permeable membrane, and the wet gas separator are repeatedly stacked in the stated order, wherein in the dry gas separator and the wet gas separator: a plurality of channel grooves which are divided by half in the stacking direction, are open to a direction in which the channel grooves come into contact with the moisture permeable membrane, and are arrayed parallel to one another are provided; an aggregate communication groove which is made to communicate with both end portions of the plurality of channel grooves, for aggregating gas caused to flow through the channel grooves to at least one is provided; and a supply manifold and an exhaust manifold which are made to communi

Abstract: Thin layers of a mixed composition are deposited on a porous substrate by chemical vapor deposition in an inert atmosphere at high temperature. The resulting membrane has excellent stability to water vapor at high temperatures. An exemplary membrane comprises an amorphous mixed-element surface layer comprising silica and at least one oxide of additional element, an optional porous substrate on which said surface layer is deposited, and a porous support on which said substrate or mixed-element surface layer is deposited, wherein the permeance of the membrane is higher than 1×10?7 mol m?2 s?1 Pa?1 and the selectivity of H2 over CO, CO2, and CH4 is larger than 100, and wherein the H2 permeance of the membrane after exposure to a stream containing 60 mol % water vapor at 673 K for 120 h is at least 50% of its initial H2 permeance.

Abstract: The invention comprises a process of removing carbon dioxide from a natural gas feed stream comprising sending a natural gas feed stream comprising methane and carbon dioxide through an adsorbent bed to produce a carbon dioxide depleted methane rich product stream after removal of carbon dioxide. The adsorbent bed is regenerated and then the spent regeneration gas stream cooled to produce a cooled spent regeneration gas stream that is sent to a membrane element. A permeate stream passes through the membrane element and a residue stream passes by the membrane element without passing through said membrane element. Substantially all of the carbon dioxide and a minor portion of the methane comprises the permeate stream which is disposed of and a major portion of the methane and a minor portion of the carbon dioxide comprises the residue stream which is then recirculated to the regeneration gas stream.

Abstract: A filter for venting an enclosure (1) containing an electrical apparatus (4), such as a lens or lighting unit of a motor vehicle, and exposed to moisture or atmospheric agents, the filter including a tubular body (20) with a through cavity or conduit (11) opening at opposite ends (9, 10) of the body (20), which is coupled to a venting aperture (6) of the enclosure (1), the filter (8) including a hydrophobic filtering element; the body (20) of this filter (8) includes at least two portions (20A, 20B) set at an angle to each other, the membrane filtering element (15) being in the interior of the body (20) and being associated with it in such as manner as to form one piece therewith, and being coupled to the body (20) in a manner transverse to an axis of at least one of the portions.

Abstract: A membrane 12 that exhibits superior condensation resistance regardless of the type of moisture-permeable resin, that has satisfactory adhesion between a porous film and a reinforcing member, and that can be manufactured in a simple manner. The membrane 12 is a laminated article 23 containing a porous film 20 and a reinforcing member 40, and the reinforcing member 40 has a moisture-permeable resin layer 30 on the side of an interface 50 with the porous film 20. To reliably form the moisture-permeable resin layer (moisture-permeable resin film) 30, the average pore diameter of the porous film 20 is preferably 0.01 to 10 ?m, and the porosity of the reinforcing member 40 is preferably 30 to 95%. According to the membrane 12 of the present invention, even if the moisture-permeable resin is water-soluble (for example, polyvinyl alcohol), condensation resistance is still satisfactory.

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: An apparatus and method for maintaining low gas velocity variation across a diffuser membrane during the vent-up of a vacuum chamber is disclosed. The diffuser membrane permeability and the pressure conditions across the membrane are chosen to minimize variation in gas flow velocity through the membrane during the vent-up cycle. This reduces re-distribution of particles from a vacuum chamber onto sensitive substrates in the vacuum chamber during vent-up from sub-atmospheric pressure to atmospheric pressure.

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: 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 composite oxygen ion transport membrane having a dense layer, a porous support layer, an optional intermediate porous layer located between the porous support layer and the dense layer and an optional surface exchange layer, overlying the dense layer. The dense layer has electronic and ionic phases. The ionic phase is composed of scandia doped, yttrium or cerium stabilized zirconia. The electronic phase is composed of a metallic oxide containing lanthanum, strontium, chromium, manganese and vanadium and optionally cerium. The porous support layer is composed of zirconia partially stabilized with yttrium, scandium, aluminum or cerium or mixtures thereof. The intermediate porous layer, if used, contains the same ionic and electronic phases as the dense layer. The surface exchange layer is formed of an electronic phase of a metallic oxide of lanthanum and strontium that also contains either manganese or iron and an ionic phase of scandia doped zirconia stabilized with yttrium or cerium.

Abstract: Ion transport membrane oxidation system comprising an enclosure having an interior and an interior surface, inlet piping having an internal surface and adapted to introduce a heated feed gas into the interior of the enclosure, and outlet piping adapted to withdraw a product gas from the interior of the enclosure; one or more planar ion transport membrane modules disposed in the interior of the enclosure, each membrane module comprising mixed metal oxide material; and a preheater adapted to heat a feed gas to provide the heated feed gas to the inlet piping, wherein the preheater comprises an interior surface. Any of the interior surfaces of the enclosure, the inlet piping, and the preheater may be lined with a copper-containing metal lining. Alternatively, any of the interior surfaces of the inlet piping and the preheater may be lined with a copper-containing metal lining and the enclosure may comprise copper.

Abstract: Purified SiHCl3 is used as a sweep gas across a permeate side of a gas separation membrane receiving effluent gas from a polysilicon reactor. The combined sweep gas and permeate is recycled to the reactor.

Abstract: A gas flow generator comprising: an ultrasonic driver comprising a piezoelectric or electrostrictive transducer mounted on a substrate, operation of the transducer being arranged to cause the driver to bend; a first membrane disposed on or formed integrally with the transducer or the substrate; and a second membrane mounted substantially parallel with the driver and spaced a given distance therefrom, one of the membranes being perforate, whereby ultrasonic bending of the driver on actuation of the transducer causes a gas flow through the perforate 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: This catalytically active or inactive diffuser is suitable for exhaust gas cleaning systems of internal combustion engines. It consists of a ceramic structure (8) which is obtained from a ceramized polyurethane foam. This ceramic structure (8) can be coated with surface area-increasing and/or oxygen-storing materials and/or noble metals in order to bring about a catalytic action with the gas molecules flowing through it. Because the diffuser is porous in every direction in its interior, a gas and its pressure can spread out equally on all sides through the entire diffuser volume. A virtually homogeneous velocity distribution arises over the entire flow cross section, and increased turbulence is obtained, which leads to more wall contacts of the harmful substance molecules. At the same time, the flow to and through downstream systems over their cross sections with homogeneously mixed exhaust gas including any reactants metered in is more uniform.

Abstract: A process and equipment for treating natural gas produced by a well that has recently been stimulated, and that contains an undesirably high concentration of the fracturing gas used to stimulate the well. The process involves treating the gas by membrane separation, and provides for control of treatment parameters to compensate for the changing concentration of fracturing gas in the produced gas, as well as changes in gas flow rate.

Abstract: The invention provides a nanoporous non-oxide material which comprises a modified derivative of silicon nitride and comprises a plurality of nanoscale pores. The nanoporous non-oxide material is preferably prepared by means of a sol-gel procedure and preferably comprises a metal-containing derivative of silicon nitride [SiN4], silicon oxynitride [Si2N2O] or silicon imidonitride [Si3N4-2x(NH)3x] which contains a Group III metal or a transition metal. The nanoporous non-oxide material also additionally comprises surface modifications. The invention also provides for the use of the nanoporous non-oxide material in the manufacture of selective gas filters for solid state gas sensors and catalysts for chemical reactions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses polymer functionalized molecular sieve/polymer mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) with either no macrovoids or voids of less than several Angstroms at the interface of the polymer matrix and the molecular sieves by incorporating polyethersulfone (PES) or cellulose triacetate (CTA) functionalized molecular sieves into a continuous polyimide or cellulose acetate (CA) polymer matrix. The MMMs, in the form of symmetric dense film, asymmetric flat sheet membrane, or asymmetric hollow fiber have good flexibility and high mechanical strength, and exhibit significantly enhanced selectivity and/or permeability over the polymer membranes made from the corresponding continuous polymer matrices for carbon dioxide/methane (CO2/CH4) and hydrogen/methane (H2/CH4) separations.

Abstract: An amorphous silica hybrid membrane structure comprising a monolithic inorganic porous support, optionally one or more porous inorganic intermediate layers, and an amorphous silica membrane. The amorphous silica hybrid membrane is useful for gas separation applications, for example H2 purification and CO2 capture.

Abstract: Provided is a hydrogen separation membrane prepared by compression-molding metal microparticles having hydrogen adsorbing properties, wherein the microparticles are composed of 0.5 to 50% by weight of a first metal powder and 50 to 99.5% by weight of a second metal powder having a relatively larger average particle diameter than the first metal powder.

Abstract: The transducer-protector device for medical apparatus comprises a housing formed by two half-shells, a membrane defining a gas-permeable anti-contamination barrier, a female Luer first connection port, a second connection port for connection to a flexible tube, a helical bellows-conformed deformable member. The device, which operates in a service line of an extracorporeal blood circuit associated to a dialysis machine, is for protecting the machine from contaminating agents originating from the circuit. The device is simple and economical to manufacture.

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: Planar ceramic membrane assembly comprising a dense layer of mixed-conducting multi-component metal oxide material, wherein the dense layer has a first side and a second side, a porous layer of mixed-conducting multi-component metal oxide material in contact with the first side of the dense layer, and a ceramic channeled support layer in contact with the second side of the dense layer.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method, composition and apparatus for forming a nanoparticle filled polymer having similar gas selectivity and greater gas permeability than the native polymer. The nanoparticle filled polymer includes one or more polymeric materials and one or more nanoparticles dispersed within the one or more polymeric materials that increasing the permeability of the nanoparticle filled polymers relative to the permeability of the native polymer membrane.

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: There is provided a gas separating device which is capable of being made compact and light. A part of an airtight container (2) is constructed by a gas separating membrane (13), and a gas separating membrane (13) is constructed to be able to separate and discharge at least a part of a gas g1 included in a gas G to the outside of the airtight container (2) from the gas G. A gas outlet valve is constructed to allow the inside of the airtight container and the outside to communicate with each other to be able to discharge a gas g2 remaining in the inside of the airtight container (2) to the outside when the total pressure of the inside of the airtight container (2) becomes P2 (P2>P1).

Abstract: An on-board inert gas generating system includes a flow control valve modulated according to changes in ambient conditions to minimize changes to oxygen content within a fuel tank. The quality of the nitrogen-enriched air stream that is provided by the air separation module varies in response to flow. Higher flow rates through the air separation module removes less oxygen relative to lower flow rates. The amount of flow through the air separation module that produces the least amount of oxygen within the fuel tank is determined for an ambient pressure and provided by modulating the flow control valve.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane capable of achieving both a high collection efficiency and a low pressure drop, though it has a larger average pore size and a greater thickness than conventional porous PTFE membranes. This manufacturing method includes: stretching an unsintered polytetrafluoroethylene sheet by a factor of 5 to 30 in a predetermined direction at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of polytetrafluoroethylene; further stretching the stretched sheet by a factor of 5 to 40 in a direction different from the predetermined direction at a temperature lower than the melting point; and after the stretchings, heating the stretched sheet at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point.

Abstract: Provided is a hydrogen separation membrane characterized by comprising a structure obtained by sintering atomized powder having a composition of NixMyZr100-x-y (wherein M is Nb and/or Ta, 25?x?40, 25?y?40) and an average grain size of 50 ?m or less. The prepared hydrogen separation membrane does not require the use of costly Pd metal, and can be used as a substitute for conventional high-cost bulk metallic glass obtained by quenching of molten metal. This hydrogen separation membrane is free from problems such as defects in the hydrogen separation membrane and unevenness of composition, has a uniform structure, and is capable of separating hydrogen at low cost. Further provided are a sputtering target for forming such as hydrogen separation membrane and its manufacturing method.

Abstract: A hydrogen permeation/separation thin membrane including an Ni—Ti—Nb alloy, the Ni—Ti—Nb alloy being a cast foil material obtained by roll quenching and having a thickness of 0.07 mm or less, which has been subjected to a refining heat treatment, and the Ni—Ti—Nb alloy having the following composition (a) and alloy structure (b): (a) a composition consisting of 10 to 47 atomic % of Nb, 20 to 52 atomic % of Ti, and a remainder containing 20 to 48 atomic % of Ni and inevitable impurities; and (b) an alloy structure where fine particles of an Nb-based solid solution alloy formed of a solid solution of Ni and Ti in Nb are dispersed in a microstructure made of an Ni—Ti(Nb) intermetallic compound formed of a solid solution of an Ni—Ti intermetallic compound, in which part of Ti thereof is replaced by Nb; and a hydrogen permeation/separation thin membrane including an Nb—Ti—Ni alloy, the Nb—Ti—Ni alloy being a cast foil material obtained by roll quenching and having a thickness of 0.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved membrane pervaporation and vapor permeation system in which the vacuum is produced by a fluid passing through a Venturi-type nozzle. The fluid is chosen from solvents that have little or no affinity for the permeate molecules. It is applicable over process feed rates, and can be used for the separation of aromatic species from hydrocarbon.

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: There is provided a nanocomposite membrane comprising an Ag-nanoparticle/polymer nanocomposite, in which the Ag-particles are uniformly dispersed in the polymer matrix, and a support membrane for supporting the nanocomposite, as well as a process of preparing said membrane. The nanocomposite membrane of the present invention comprising a neutral Ag-nanoparticle as an olefin carrier, which is chemically stable, has excellent long-term operation performance characteristics as well as high selectivity and permeability. Thus, it can be advantageously used for the separation of olefin from an olefin/paraffin mixture.

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: A deoxygenating system includes a processed fluid that flows through a membrane deoxygenator. Oxygen is removed by the membrane deoxygenator and stored in an oxygen storage container separate from the subsequently deoxygenated processed fluid. In one example, the membrane deoxygenator includes a membrane filter having an uneven surface for improved efficiency of the membrane deoxygenator. The processed fluid can then be packaged without exposure to the removed oxygen and shipped offsite to customers remote from the processing facility.

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: An air dryer includes a housing with an air inlet, an air outlet and a liquid drain outlet; and a membrane separator having surfaces extending between a first and second ends of the membrane. A first passage in the housing is connected to the air inlet and air outlet at it respective ends and extends between the first and second ends of the membrane separator along the surfaces of the membrane separator. A second passage in the housing is connected to the drain outlet and air outlet at it respective ends and extends between the first and second ends of the membrane along a surface of the membrane separator. A valve is connected between the second passage and the drain outlet for controlling the draining of the liquid and sweep air flow through the second passage. The dryer is to be inserted in a reservoir at its inlet or outlet. A coalescing filter may be provided in the housing in series with the membrane separator and the housing would include a second drain for the coalescing filter.

Abstract: Method for supplying a high purity gas product comprising providing a first gas stream including a major component and at least one impurity component, determining the concentration of the at least one impurity component, and comparing the concentration so determined with a reference concentration for that component. When the value of the concentration so determined is less than or equal to the reference concentration, the first gas stream is utilized to provide the high purity gas product. When the value of the concentration so determined is greater than the reference concentration, a second gas stream comprising the major component is provided and the first and second gas streams are mixed to yield a mixed gas stream having a concentration of the at least one impurity component that is less than the reference concentration.

Abstract: A dehydration method by which water is selectively separated from a water-containing mixture 31 with a separation membrane. The separation membrane is a DDR type zeolite membrane 2. The dehydration method includes bringing the mixture 31 into contact with one side of the DDR type zeolite membrane 2 and causing a pressure difference between that side of the DDR type zeolite membrane 2 which is in contact with the mixture and the other side of the DDR type zeolite membrane 2 to thereby cause the water to selectively permeate and separate out. By the dehydration method, water can be selectively separated from a water-containing mixture without the need of a high energy cost. The separation membrane has excellent acid resistance.

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: Method of operating an oxygen-permeable mixed conducting membrane having an oxidant feed side, an oxidant feed surface, a permeate side, and a permeate surface, which method comprises controlling the differential strain between the permeate surface and the oxidant feed surface at a value below a selected maximum value by varying the oxygen partial pressure on either or both of the oxidant feed side and the permeate side of the membrane.

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: The present invention relates to a polymer blend membrane comprising a bridged polymer which is produced by a selected process. The membrane of the invention displays a significantly improved fracture toughness (elongation at break/stress) combined with virtually unchanged other properties. The membranes of the invention are suitable for producing membrane-electrode units for fuel cells.

Abstract: This present invention relates to a fluid separation module adapted to separate a given fluid mixture into permeate and retentate portions using bundles of hollow fiber membranes. The membranes may be composed of different kinds of membranes depending on the application being used to separate the fluid mixture. The fluid separation module may be used to separate fluid mixtures by a number of different processes, including but not limited to, pervaporation, vapour permeation, membrane distillation (both vacuum membrane distillation and direct contact membrane distillation), ultra filtration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, membrane stripping and gas separation. The present invention also provides an internal heat recovery process applied in association with those fluid separation applications where separation takes place by evaporation through the membrane of a large portion of the feed into permeate.

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: Solid oxide fuel cells selectively transport oxygen ions through an electrolyte membrane. The maximum oxygen ion transport rate limits the power density of the fuel cell. By ion irradiating the electrolyte membrane and/or the cathode, the oxygen adsorption, dissociation, and incorporation rates can be improved, leading to higher ion transport rates and better fuel cell performance.

Abstract: A process and system for separating a fuel stream containing a low concentration of sulfur compounds from a primary fuel stream is disclosed. The process includes isolating a stage-one permeate stream and a stage-one retentate stream from the primary fuel stream, evaporating the stage-one permeate stream at a vacuum, and isolating a stage-two permeate stream and a stage-two retentate stream from the stage-one permeate stream. The stage-two retentate stream is a fuel stream containing low concentrations of sulfur compounds. The system includes a fuel supply, a stage-one separator for separating a fuel stream into a stage-one permeate stream and a stage-one retentate stream, a stage-two separator, a first supply line connecting a portion of the fuel supply to the stage-one separator, and a second supply line connecting the stage-one separator permeate stream to the stage-two separator.

Abstract: A gas separator for a fuel cell has a first plate that forms one face; a second plate that forms the other face of the gas separator; and a third plate located between the first plate and the second plate. The third plate-has a cooling medium flow path forming hole defining a cooling medium flow path between the first plate and the second plate and is provided in at least part of an area overlapping an electrolyte layer and electrode layers in lamination. A flow rate regulator is provided in the cooling medium flow path and regulates a flow rate to have a higher flow rate during power generation of the fuel cell. A temperature distribution is determined according to at least either of an operating condition of the fuel cell or an environment surrounding the fuel cell.